THE MANILA TIMES | APRIL 11, 2019

NG investments surge to record 5.4% of GDP ÂťStory on B1 ++

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THURSDAY, APRIL 11, 2019

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PA L AC E TO C H I N A O N P H I S L A N D:

‘Get away from Kota’ Unexplained wealth: The accuser must also explain

First word

OBSERVER YEN MAKABENTA

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-534 W A R N THE READER THAT THE SUBJECT OF MY COLUMN TODAY

UNEXPLAINED OR HIDDEN WEALTH IS THE SORT THAT CAN DRIVE A PERSON NUTS 4AKE kRST THIS EXAMPLE )N THE LATE S AT THE TIME OF THE %$3! REVOLUTION %MMANUEL 6 3ORIANO THEN PRESIDENT OF THE 5NIVERSITY OF THE 0HILIPPINES WAS ELEVATED BY 0RESIDENT #ORY !QUINO TO THE POST OF NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER

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Is it a sin not to vote for Otso Diretso?

No, it’s not

,

) & % VS D E A T H $ECENCY VS VULGARITY $EMOCRACY VS DICTATORSHIP 'OOD VS EVIL 4HOSE ARE THE BATTLE LINES IN THE COMING -AY ELECTIONS AS PITCHED

BY THE ,IBERAL 0ARTY ,0 AND ITS #HURCH ALLIES INCLUDING FORMER #ATHOLIC "ISHOPS #ONFERENCE OF THE 0HILIPPINES #"#0 0RESIDENT !RCHBISHOP 3OCRATES 6ILLEGAS OF ,INGAYEN $AGUPAN AND -ANILA !UXILIARY "ISHOP "RODERICK 0ABILLO

BY RALPH. U. VILLANUEVA

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HE Philippines has heightened its rhetoric against China, with MalacaĂąang calling on Chinese vessels supposedly seen near the Philippine-owned Kota (Loaita) Island to “go away.â€?

)N A NEWS BRIEkNG ON 7EDNESDAY 0ALACE SPOKESMAN 3ALVADOR 0ANELO SAID THE #HINESE SHOULD GO AWAY FROM THE +OTA AND 0ANATA ISLANDS IN THE DISPUTED 3OUTH #HINA 3EA 7EST

0HILIPPINE 3EA BECAUSE gTHEY CANNOT BE INTRUDING IN OUR TERRITORIAL PROPERTY u 0ANELO SAID #HINA gHAD NO BUSINESS BEING THERE u g)T IS ;AN ASSAULT TO THE 0HILIPPINES

SOVEREIGNTY = IF THEY CONTINUE TO BE PRESENT IN OUR TERRITORY THEN IT IS AN ASSAULT TO OUR SOVEREIGNTY u HE SAID !FTER THE SIGHTINGS ARE VERIkED FRESH DIPLOMATIC PROTESTS WILL BE kLED BY THE $EPARTMENT OF &OREIGN !FFAIRS $&! WITH #HINA HE SAID g4HEY WILL KNOW THAT WE ARE AGAINST IT 4HAT WE WILL NOT ALLOW IT 4HAT WE WILL NOT TOLERATE SUCH PRESENCE IN OUR TERRITORY u HE SAID ,AST WEEK ,T #OL %LPIDIO &ACTOR OF THE !&0 7ESTERN #OMMAND WAS REPORTED AS SAYING THAT ABOUT #HINESE VESSELS WERE

CIRCLING 0AG ASA )SLAND WHICH IS OCCUPIED

BY THE 0HILIPPINES 4HIS PROMPTED THE $&! TO kLE DIPLOMATIC PROTESTS WITH "EIJING &ACTOR SAID THE SHIPS WERE gOCCASIONALLY COMPLEMENTED BY #HINESE #OAST 'UARD VESSELS TO SUSTAIN #HINA S ASSERTIVE PRESENCE IN THE VICINITY OF THE SANDBARS u 4HE 0ALACE S RECENT STATEMENTS AGAINST #HINA HAD A MARKED SHIFT IN TONE 0RESIDENT 2ODRIGO $UTERTE WHO HAD CALLED #HINA HIS gFRIEND u SAID LAST WEEK THE #HINESE SHOULD LAY OFF 0AG ASA )SLAND

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WAR GAMES Troops operate battle tanks during the US-Philippines Balikatan military exercises in Capas, Tarlac on Wednesday.

PHOTO BY RENE H. DILAN

REPUBLIC SERVICE RICARDO SALUDO

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Living the life of the rich and famous

Last of 2 parts

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IN MY LINE OF SIGHT

RAMON T. TULFO

H E H U MAN TRAFkCKING SYNDICATE AT THE .INOY !QUINO )NTERNATIONAL !IRPORT .!)! WAS BORN DURING THE TIME OF *USTICE 3ECRETARY 6ITALIANO !GUIRRE !GUIRRE ACCORDING TO MY $EEP 4HROAT WAS THE PROTECTOR OF THE SYNDICATE WHOSE GODFATHER IS -AYNARDO -ARIĂ„AS ÂłTulfoA5

PSA: 5 million Filipinos escape poverty in 2018 POVERTY incidence in the Philippines eased in THE kRST SEMESTER OF WITH SOME MILLION &ILIPINOS RISING OUT OF POVERTY RESULTS OF THE &AMILY AND )NCOME AND %XPENDITURE 3URVEY &)%3 CONDUCTED BY THE 0HILIPPINE 3TATISTICS !UTHORITY 03! SHOWED )N A PRESS BRIEkNG ON 7EDNESDAY $EPUTY .ATIONAL 3TATISTICIAN *OSIE 0EREZ SAID POVERTY INCIDENCE OR THE PROPORTION OF THE POPULATION WHOSE INCOMES FELL BELOW THE POVERTY THRESHOLD DECLINED TO PERCENT FROM PERCENT IN THE kRST SEMESTER OF 4HIS MEANS THAT OUT OF &ILIPINOS BELONGED TO POOR FAMILIES WHOSE INCOMES WERE BELOW THE AMOUNT NEEDED TO BUY THEIR BASIC

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What’s inside VILLAR, PIA CAYETANO TOP CHOICE OF MILLENNIALS NewsA2

Govt warns of price hikes due to El NiĂąo THE GOVERNMENT IS ADOPTING CONTINGENCY MEASURES TO MITIGATE THE EFFECTS OF %L .IĂ„O IN THE COUNTRY THE $EPARTMENT OF 4RADE $4) SAID ON 7EDNESDAY AS IT EXPECTS THE PRICES OF AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES TO INCREASE DUE TO THE DRY SPELL

$URING THE WEEKLY ECONOMIC BRIEFING IN -ALACAĂ„ANG 4RADE 5NDERSECRETARY 2UTH #ASTELO SAID ALL AGENCIES UNDER THE GOVERNMENT S .ATIONAL 0RICE #OORDINATION #OUNCIL .0## WOULD MEET ON 7EDNESDAY gTO

Bong Go bares back to disprove link to drugs

ÂłDisproveA2

ÂłPricesA2

SPECIALREPORT

NO TATTOO

!30)2).' SENATOR #HRISTOPHER ,AWRENCE g"ONGu 'O ON 7EDNESDAY TOOK OFF HIS SHIRT TO SHOW HIS BACK TO REPORTERS

TO DISPROVE CLAIMS THAT HE HAS A TATTOO SIGNIFYING MEMBERSHIP IN A DRUG SYNDICATE g)T S NOW CLEAR ) HOPE THIS SETTLES THE ISSUE u 'O SAID IN A NEWS BRIEkNG ON THE SIDELINES

DO A CLOSE WATCH ON THE EFFECTS OF %L .IĂ„O ON THE PRICES AND SUPPLY OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS u g4HE $4) WILL CONVENE THE .ATIONAL 0RICE #OORDINATING #OUNCIL .0## ON !PRIL TO DISCUSS ABOUT THE

RICE TARIFFICATION

Pessimism prevails in industry, bureaucracy

BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO

Q Senate candidate Christopher Lawrence ‘Bong’ Go shows his back at a press conference in Agusan del Sur. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

THE WAR THAT DENGUE KILLS 227 IS ONLY IN IN 1ST QUARTER NewsA8 OUR MINDS Antonio ContrerasA5

(Last of three parts) $%30)4% ASSURANCES FROM THE $EPARTMENT OF !GRICULTURE $! AND ITS ATTACHED AGENCIES PRIMARILY TASKED TO IMPLEMENT MAJOR PROJECTS UNDER THE 2ICE #OMPETITIVENESS %NHANCEMENT &UND 2#%&

PESSIMISM PREVAILS WITHIN THE RICE INDUSTRY AND THE BUREAUCRACY

INCLUDING THE .ATIONAL &OOD !UTHORITY .&!

4HE TWO ATTACHED AGENCIES THAT WILL IMPLEMENT THE BULK OF THE PROGRAMS UNDER 2#%& TO MAKE THE COUNTRY S RICE SECTOR COMPETITIVE ARE THE 0HILIPPINE #ENTER FOR 0OSTHARVEST $EVELOPMENT AND

ÂłBureaucracyA8 REACH US AT:

MIAMI EXIT SPOILS WADE FAREWELL AS PISTONS EDGE CLOSER

SportsC1

LUCKY CHINATOWN HOTEL

WHY IT’S CALLED A ‘POWER BREAKFAST’

LifestyleD1

Property giant Megaworld formally opens the P750-M Hotel Lucky Chinatown in Binondo, Manila, its eighth hotel development in the country. Leading the opening rites were (left to right) Jeremy Russell Go, resident manager, Hotel Lucky Chinatown; Lourdes Gutierrez-Alfonso, chief operating officer, Megaworld; Tourism Secretary Berna Romulo-Puyat; Kevin Tan, chief strategy officer, Megaworld; and Raymundo Melendres, managing director, Global One Hotel Inc.

E-mail: newsdesk@ manilatimes.net Tel. Nos.: 524-5664 to 67 Address: 2/F Sitio Grande, 409 A. Soriano Avenue, Intramuros, Manila 1002

A2

News

˜ The Manila Times

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THURSDAY April 11, 2019

PUBLICUS ONLINE POLL

Villar, Pia Cayetano top choice of millennials

S

BY DIVINA NOVA JOY DELA CRUZ

EN. Cynthia Villar and former senator Pia Cayetano emerged as the top choice of millennials in the Senate race, according to an online survey conducted two months ahead of the midterm elections.

4HE ONLINE SURVEY Û0AHAYAG/NLINE WAS CONDUCTED BETWEEN -ARCH AND WITH RESPONDENTS AGED TO YEARS OLD ACROSS THE COUNTRY 4HE SURVEY WAS SPONSORED BY 0UBLICUS !SIA )NC AND ONLINE PANEL RESPONDENTS WERE PROVIDED BY 3INGAPORE BASED ,IGHTSPEED 2ESEARCH 4HE SURVEY INCLUDED ONLINE

PANEL RESPONDENTS EACH FROM THE .ATIONAL #APITAL 2EGION .ORTHERN #ENTRAL ,UZON 3OUTHERN ,UZON

THE 6ISAYAS AND -INDANAO 6ILLAR TOPPED THE SENATORIAL RANKINGS GETTING PERCENT

WHILE #AYETANO AN OUTGOING CONGRESSWOMAN EMERGED SECOND WITH PERCENT VOTES #OMPLETING THE TOP WERE -ARY 'RACE 0OE RD 2ONALD g"ATOu DELA

2OSA TH *UAN %DGARDO g3ONNYu !NGARA TH 7ILLIE /NG TH

#HRISTOPHER ,AWRENCE g"ONGu 'O TH !QUILINO g+OKOu 0IMENTEL RD TH &RANCIS 4OLENTINO TH

-ARĂ€A )MELDA *OSEFA g)MEEu -ARCOS TH -ARIA ,OURDES g.ANCYu "INAY TH AND 3ERGIO g3ERGEu /SMENA RD )N THE TOP LIST WERE 0AOLO "ENIGNO g"AMu !QUINO TH TH ,ORENZO 'ADON TH

-ANUEL -ERCADO g,ITOu ,APID TH *OSEPH 6ICTOR g*6u %JERCITO TH 2ODRIGO g*IGGYu -ANICAD TH -ANUEL g-ARu 2OXAS ND TH *UAN 0ONCE %NRILE TH AND 2AMON g"ONGu 2EVILLA *R TH 0UBLICUS !SIA NOTED THAT THE TOP WERE SIMILAR TO THE RESULTS OF ITS EARLIER SURVEY WITH THE ONLY

DIFFERENCE BEING THE INCLUSION OF PHYSICIAN /NG FORMER PRESIDENTIAL ADVISER 4OLENTINO AND 'ADON 0UBLICUS !SIA ALSO NOTED THAT 0RESIDENT 2ODRIGO $UTERTE HELD AN IMMENSE ENDORSEMENT POWER AMONG ONLINE MILLENNIALS AS ONE THIRD OR PERCENT INDICATED SUPPORT FOR WHOEVER THE #HIEF %XECUTIVE ENDORSED 2ESPONDENTS WHO INDICATED POSSIBLE SUPPORT FOR $UTERTE ENDORSED CANDIDATES WERE PERCENT WHILE PERCENT SAID THEY WOULD NOT SUPPORT THOSE CANDIDATES -ILLENNIALS ALSO OPTED FOR THE FOLLOWING CELEBRITY ENDORSERS FOR POLITICAL CANDIDATES #OCO -ARTIN PERCENT *OSE -ARIE 6ICERAL OR g6ICE 'ANDAu PERCENT AND 3ARAH 'ERONIMO PERCENT

Q DISPROVE FROM A1

Bong Go OF PRO ADMINISTRATION (UGPONG NG 0AGBABAGO S CAMPAIGN SORTIE IN 0ROSPERIDAD !GUSAN DEL 3UR 'O 0RESIDENT 2ODRIGO $UTERTE S LONG TIME AIDE

MADE THE DENIAL AFTER A VIDEO CIRCULATING ON SOCIAL MEDIA LINKED HIM TO THE ILLEGAL DRUG TRADE !CCORDING TO THE VIDEO TITLED g!NG 4OTOONG .ARCO ,IST m %PISODE u 'O OWNED FOUR BANK ACCOUNTS INTO WHICH DRUG MONEY IS FUNNELED 4HE INFORMATION CAME FROM A CERTAIN g"IKOY u WHO CLAIMED TO BE A FORMER RECORD KEEPER OF A NARCOTICS RING OPERATING IN 3OUTHERN ,UZON AND 6ISAYAS 'O SAID THE VIDEO WAS CLEARLY BLACK PROPAGANDA AGAINST HIM AND THE $UTERTE ADMINISTRATION g4HIS "IKOY IS BECOMING A CLOWN 7HY DON T YOU REVEAL YOURSELF ) KNOW YOU ARE ONE OF THE DRUG LORDS AFFECTED BY THE 0RESIDENT S CAMPAIGN AGAINST DRUGS u HE SAID g-AY ARAW KA RIN 9OUR DAY WILL COME u 'O ADDED !SIDE FROM 'O THE VIDEO SERIES ALSO TAGGED THE 0RESIDENT S SON 0AOLO $UTERTE WHO ALLEGEDLY ALSO HAS A DRAGON TATTOO ON HIS BACK AND $UTERTE S YEAR OLD DAUGHTER 6ERONICA g+ITTYu $UTERTE AS INVOLVED IN ILLEGAL DRUGS -ALACAĂ„AN 0ALACE AGAIN DISMISSED THE ALLEGATIONS AS gBLACK PROPAGANDA u g)T S NEVER BEEN TRUE u 0ALACE SPOKESMAN 3ALVADOR 0ANELO SAID IN A NEWS BRIEkNG ON 7EDNESDAY g/NE WHO ALLEGES MUST PROVE 4HEY HAVE TO PROVE WHAT THEY RE SAYING 4HAT S WHY WE HAVE BEEN REPEATEDLY SAYING IT S A BLACK PROPAGANDA 4HEY CAN DO THEIR WORST WE WILL DO OUR BEST u HE ADDED 'O LAMENTED THAT 6ERONICA WAS BEING DRAGGED IN THE ISSUE (E SAID THE 0RESIDENT WAS SOMEHOW gAFFECTED u 'O SAID THE 0RESIDENT WON T STOP GOING AGAINST ILLEGAL DRUG TRADERS g9OUR TIME WILL COME u HE WARNED DRUG SYNDICATES g)N THE NEXT THREE YEARS WE WILL kGHT CRIMINALITY AND ILLEGAL DRUGS 0RESIDENT $UTERTE IS DOING HIS JOB ) WILL JOIN HIM u HE ADDED

CATHERINE S. VALENTE

Tagle hits people who lie ‘for political expediency’ LUIS Antonio Cardinal Tagle, archbishop of Manila, on Wednesday lamented how it has been “easy to change truths,� and criticized people who lie “for political expediency or out of fear.� “How easy it is to change truths. So, now everyone is entitled to create his or her own truth for political expediency or out of fear,� said Tagle in his homily at the thanksgiving Mass for the 50th anniversary of Church-run Radio Veritas at the University of the Santo Tomas (UST) in Manila.

Tagle’s statements came after Sara Duterte-Carpio, daughter of President Rodrigo Duterte and Davao City mayor, claimed that honesty should not be an electoral issue and insisted that the Constitution did not legally require aspiring senators to be honest, truthful and have good moral character.

Duterte-Carpio’s own statement came after she endorsed Ilocos Norte Gov. Maria Imelda Josefa “Imee� Marcos as a candidate for senator under her regional political party, Hugpong ng Pagbabago.

Marcos is accused of falsely claiming to have graduated from Princeton University and the University of the Philippines College of Law.

Death threats from ‘enemy of God’ Tagle expressed hope that the faithful would be like the four Jews Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego, who resisted calls to abandon their faith despite

death threats from Nebuchadnezzar 2nd, conqueror of the Babylonian empire from 605 or 604-562 B.C. The ruler was portrayed in the Bible as an “enemy of God.â€? “They refused to be enslaved by idolatry, to change allegiance from the personal God of their history to the statue of the false god that is being proposed to them‌’There is no need for us to defend ourselves to you in this matter,’ they said. The truth will set us free,â€? he said.

The Manila archbishop also underscored the importance of “serving� the truth. Tagle said truth should not be kept but shared, so “that the darkness of ignorance or illiteracy may be wiped out and the values may be shared by Christians all over Asia.� “And what is the opposite of truth, what is enslavement, it is not just ignorance, for Jesus it is sin. When our relationship with God is not right, then miss out on the truth, we fail,� he said.

The Mass, which was attended by members of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences, Filipino clerics, and UST students and faculty members, was led by the Archbishop Gabriele Caccia, the apostolic nuncio to the Philippines.

Tagle said that in December 1958, it was in the same auditorium in UST where Asian and Australian bishops decided to establish a radio station for Asia and Oceania “to spread the truth and drive away ignorance and illiteracy and to direct the minds of Asians to the true values and meanings of life.�

PRESIDENT TO SIGN 2019 OUTLAY ON APRIL 15

Congress includes 4th book in budget bill PRICE WATCH Trade and Industry Undersecretary Ruth Castelo (right) talks to a

market stall owner at Sampaloc Market in Manila. PHOTO BY ENRIQUE AGCAOILI

Q PRICES FROM A1

Govt warns of price hikes due to El NiĂąo CURRENT PRICES AND SUPPLY SITUATION OF BASIC AND PRIME GOODS AND ITS FORECAST FOR THE UPCOMING MONTHS u #ASTELO TOLD REPORTERS 3HE NOTED THAT gTHE POSSIBILITY OF A STRONGER AND PROLONGED %L .IĂ„O EPISODE TOGETHER WITH THE CONTINUED RISE IN GLOBAL CRUDE OIL PRICES PROVIDE UPSIDE PRICE PRESSURES OVER THE NEAR TERM u g4HIS IS WHY GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO BE READY 4HE .0## INTENDS TO COME UP WITH MEASURES TO MITIGATE THE EFFECTS OF %L .IĂ„O ON THE PRICES AND SUPPLY OF AGRICULTURAL GOODS IN THE MARKET u #ASTELO SAID 4HE 4RADE OFFICIAL SAID PRICES OF AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES WERE EXPECTED TO INCREASE AS SOME AREAS WOULD BE AFFECTED

BY THE DRY SPELL g)F THERE IS LOW PRODUCTION IN THE COUNTRYSIDE SUPPLY WILL DECREASE AND THEN PRICES WILL GO HIGHER BECAUSE THERE IS LESS SUPPLY u #ASTELO SAID g3O WE WANT TO ADDRESS THAT IMMEDIATELY !ND WE ARE ACTUALLY LOOKING AT HOW TO HELP THE FARMERS CONTINUE PRODUCING DESPITE THE %L .IĂ„O u SHE ADDED ,ATEST ESTIMATES FROM THE $EPARTMENT OF !GRICULTURE $! SHOWED DAMAGE INFLICTED

BY THE %L .IĂ„O TO THE FARM SECTOR STOOD AT

0 BILLION AS OF !PRIL 4HE DROUGHT HAS SO FAR HIT FARMERS NATIONWIDE $AMAGE TO RICE CROPS WAS ESTIMATED AT 0 BILLION WITH METRIC TONS OF PRODUCTION LOSS IN PROVINCES ACCORDING TO $! !FFECTED REGIONS INCLUDE THE #ORDILLERA !DMINISTRATIVE 2EGION )LOCOS 2EGION

#AGAYAN 6ALLEY #ENTRAL ,UZON #ALABARZON #AVITE ,AGUNA "ATANGAS 2IZAL AND 1UEZON -IMAROPA -INDORO -ARINDUQUE 2OMBLON AND 0ALAWAN 7ESTERN 6ISAYAS %ASTERN 6ISAYAS :AMBOANGA 0ENINSULA .ORTHERN -INDANAO $AVAO REGION 3OCSKSARGEN AND THE "ANGSAMORO !UTONOMOUS 2EGION IN -USLIM -INDANAO THE AGENCY SAID !GRICULTURE 3ECRETARY %MMANUEL 0IĂ„OL EARLIER SAID MEASURES TO HELP FARMERS WERE PUT IN PLACE INCLUDING THE USE OF SOLAR POWERED IRRIGATION SYSTEMS (OWEVER THE IMPLEMENTATION WAS gNOT AS FASTu DUE TO LACK OF FUNDING HE SAID 4HE 0HILIPPINE !TMOSPHERIC 'EOPHYSICAL AND !STRONOMICAL 3ERVICES !DMINISTRATION HAS PREDICTED THE %L .IĂ„O WOULD LAST UNTIL THE END OF -AY OR *UNE CATHERINE S. VALENTE

#/.'2%33 HAS INCLUDED A FOURTH BUDGET BOOK IN THE 'ENERAL !PPROPRIATIONS "ILL '!" IN THE INTEREST OF gTRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY u (OUSE !PPROPRIATIONS #OMMITTEE CHAIRMAN 2OLANDO !NDAYA *R SAID ON 7EDNESDAY /NCE 0RESIDENT 2ODRIGO $UTERTE SIGNS THE MONEY MEASURE INTO A LAW THIS WILL BE THE kRST TIME THE 'ENERAL !PPROPRIATIONS !CT '!!

WILL BE MADE UP OF FOUR VOLUMES !CCORDING TO !NDAYA THE ADDITIONAL BOOK WILL CONTAIN THE LIST OF ITEMIZED ALLOCATIONS FOR PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS UNDER THE '!"

AS PART OF THE (OUSE LEADERS INITIATIVE ON BUDGET REFORM g2ECORDS OF THE BICAMERAL DELIBERATIONS ON THE NATIONAL BUDGET WOULD SHOW THAT THE FOURTH BOOK WAS A CONDITION PUT FORWARD BY THE (OUSE OF 2EPRESENTATIVES DURING THE INITIAL STAGE OF THE ;BICAMERAL DELIBERATIONS= AND ACCEPTED BY THE 3ENATE CONTINGENT u !NDAYA SAID IN A STATEMENT 4HE (OUSE WON IN ITS PROPOSAL FOR LINE ITEM BUDGETING FOR THE PROGRAMS OF GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AND DISTRICTS IN CONTRARY TO THE gCORRUPTION PRONEu LUMP SUM FUND BUDGETING PROPOSED BY THE 3ENATE %VEN AFTER BOTH CHAMBERS HAVE RATIkED THE BICAMERAL CONFERENCE COMMITTEE S BUDGET REPORT LAST &EBRUARY AT LEAST 0 BILLION WORTH OF REALIGNMENTS WERE ALLEG-

Q AWAY FROM A1

‘Get away from Kota’ g4HIS IS NOT A WARNING THIS IS JUST A WORD OF ADVICE TO MY FRIENDS BECAUSE WE ARE FRIENDS WITH #HINA 3O ) AM REQUESTING ) WILL NOT PLEAD OR BEG BUT ) M JUST TELLING YOU TO LAY OFF THE 0AG ASA BECAUSE ) HAVE SOLDIERS THERE u $UTERTE SAID IN A SPEECH IN 0ALAWAN LAST !PRIL g!ND IF YOU TOUCH ;THE ISLAND = THAT IS ANOTHER STORY ) WILL TELL MY SOLDIERS TO @PREPARE FOR SUICIDE MISSIONS u HE ADDED 0ANELO SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS HOPING FOR A gPOSITIVE RESPONSEu FROM #HINA FOLLOWING

$UTERTE S STATEMENT (E SAID THE 0HILIPPINE GOVERNMENT WOULD GIVE #HINA A gREASONABLE TIMEu TO RESPOND TO THE EARLIER DIPLOMATIC PROTESTS g9OU MUST REMEMBER THAT OUR RESPONSES WERE CALIBRATED 7E SAID LET S SEE kRST IF IT S TRUE IF IT S TRUE THEN WE WILL UNDERTAKE ACTION u HE ADDED )N -ANILA WON AN INTERNATIONAL ARBITRATION CASE AGAINST "EIJING OVER THE DISPUTED WATERS BUT #HINA REFUSES TO RECOGNIZE THE DECISION -EANWHILE 'REGORY 0OL-

ING DIRECTOR OF THE !SIA -ARITIME 4RANSPARENCY )NITIATIVE !-4) SAID #HINA WOULD ONLY CHANGE ITS BEHAVIOR IN THE 3#3 IF A gBROAD INTERNATIONAL CONSENSUSu WOULD DECLARE ITS ACTIONS gILLEGALu AND IF THIS WOULD AFFECT ITS PROJECTION AS A GLOBAL LEADER 0OLING MADE THE STATEMENT AFTER THE 'ROUP OF 3EVEN ' MEMBER NATIONS EXPRESSED CONCERN OVER DEVELOPMENTS AT THE DISPUTED 3OUTH AND %AST #HINA SEAS ' IS COMPOSED OF THE 5NIT-

ED 3TATES THE 5NITED +INGDOM

*APAN 'ERMANY &RANCE )TALY AND #ANADA 4HE GROUP IN A COMMUNIQUE OF ITS FOREIGN MINISTERS SAID THE 0ERMANENT #OURT OF !RBITRATION 0#! RULING ON *ULY

THAT DISMISSED #HINA S MARITIME CLAIMS MUST BE THE BASIS FOR THE CLAIMANT COUNTRIES TO RESOLVE THE DISPUTE 0OLING SAID THE STATEMENT OF THE ' FOREIGN MINISTERS WAS gLARGELY IDENTICALu TO THE STATEMENTS ISSUED IN THE PAST TWO YEARS g4HIS YEAR S STATEMENT SLIGHTLY STRENGTHENED SOME LANGUAGE ABOUT 5NCLOS 5NITED .ATIONS #ONVENTION ON THE ,AW OF THE

EDLY MADE BY THE (OUSE ACCORDING TO 3ENATE 0RESIDENT 6ICENTE g4ITOu 3OTTO RD !NDAYA HAS BEEN CLAIMING THAT THE 3ENATE MADE AT LEAST 0 BILLION WORTH OF BUDGET CUTS IN THE '!" g4HE LINE ITEM BUDGETING APPROACH IS ADOPTED IN THE 'ENERAL !PPROPRIATIONS "ILL )T IS PRINTED IN THE BUDGET BOOKS FOR EVERY TAXPAYER TO SEE 4HE SENATORS MAY OPPOSE SUCH APPROACH BUT IT IS IN FULL COMPLIANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE LAND AND IN LIGHT OF THE 3UPREME #OURT DECISION u !NDAYA SAID /NCE $UTERTE SIGNS THE BUDGET BILL SENATORS WOULD BE COMPELLED TO IDENTIFY THEIR INDIVIDUAL REALIGNMENTS !NDAYA SAID g4HE PUBLIC RELEASE OF THE NEW BUDGET LAW WILL LEAVE OUR ESTEEMED SENATORS NO CHOICE BUT TO IDENTIFY THEIR INDIVIDUAL REALIGNMENTS WHICH FOUND PRINT IN THE '!! /NLY BY DOING SO CAN THE PUBLIC BE MADE FULLY AWARE WHAT ARE THE PET PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS OF THE SENATORS THEY VOTED INTO OFkCE u HE ADDED 0RESIDENT 2ODRIGO $UTERTE WILL SIGN THE BUDGET AT -ALACAĂ„AN 0ALACE ON -ONDAY !PRIL ACCORDING TO THE SCHEDULE SENT TO REPORTERS 4HE SIGNING WILL FINALLY END THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A REENACTED BUDGET GLEE JALEA AND RALPH U. VILLANUEVA

3EA DEMILITARIZATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS BUT THERE WERE NO SUBSTANTIAL CHANGES u HE TOLD 4HE -ANILA 4IMES in an EMAIL MESSAGE g4HE ONLY WAY #HINA WILL EVER CHANGE ITS BEHAVIOR IS IF A BROAD INTERNATIONAL CONSENSUS THAT ITS ACTIONS ARE ILLEGAL BEGINS TO ERODE ITS ABILITY TO PLAY A LEADERSHIP ROLE GLOBALLY u 0OLING STRESSED g4HOSE COSTS WOULD THEN BEGIN TO OUTWEIGH THE BENEkTS OF CONTINUING TO VIOLATE INTERNATIONAL LAW AND BULLY ITS NEIGHBORS 3O IF THE ' CAN SERVE AS PART OF THAT INTERNATIONAL EFFORT

THEN THEY CAN PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE u HE ADDED WITH DEMPSEY REYES

News

˜ The Manila Times

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Bong Go seeks better support for farmers SENATE candidate Christopher Lawrence “Bong� Go vowed to improve government support for agriculture and help uplift the LIVES OF FARMERS AND kSHERMEN Go, at the campaign sortie of the Hugpong ng Pagbabago in Tandag City, Surigao del Sur, said one of his priorities was to support the agriculture sector not only to ensure food security but also to improve the lives of FARMERS AND kSHERMEN “Susuportahan ko po ang ating mga farmers at kSHERMEN ) WILL SUPPORT FARMERS AND kSHERMEN u he vowed. “Isa sa problema natin ngayon, kumokonti na ang huling isda ng ating mga mangingisda (One of the problems of kSHERS NOW IS FEWER CATCH u As part of his programs for agriculture, Go is proposing easy access to farm and fishery inputs, such as machineries, fertilizers, seeds, irrigation and low-interest credit.

To avoid spoilage of fish and crops, the former Palace official sought the establishment of food terminals with adequate cold storage facilities in key regions.

Go is also looking at the possibility of creating a pension fund for farmers and fishers to provide financial security to those who are too old to work. “Ipagpapatuloy ko po ang mga

pagbabagong nasimulan ni Pangulong Duterte, kasama na dito ang kampanya laban sa iligal na droga, corruption at kriminalidad (I will continue the reforms started

by President Duterte, including the war on drugs, corruption and criminality,)� Go said.

Also high in Go’s legislative agenda is the establishment of more Malasakit Centers to make it easier for poor patients to avail of the government’s medical and financial assistance by bringing together under one roof all concerned agencies such as the Departments of Health and Social We l f a r e a n d D e ve l o p m e n t , Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office and Philippine Health Insurance Corp. “Patuloy ninyo akong magiging tulay kay Pangulong Duterte.

Wala kaming ibang hangarin ni Pangulong Duterte kundi kabutihan ng Pilipino dahil mahal namin kayo (I will be your bridge to President Duterte. The President and I only have your interests at heart),� he added.

Other priority concerns of Go include education, housing for the poor, long-term sports development, localized peace talks, fire protection and prevention, barangay welfare, creation of a Department of OFW, and improved benefits for senior citizens.

THURSDAY April 11, 2019

A3

SC to Palace: Answer Chico Dam complaint T

BY JOMAR CANLAS

HE Supreme Court (SC) on We d n e s d a y d i d n o t i s s u e a n order stopping the government’s $62-million loan agreement with China for the Chico River Irrigation Pump Project in the Cordillera region.

The tribunal, however, ordered MalacaĂąang to submit its answer to the complaint. “The Supreme Court ordered the RESPONDENT TO kLE THEIR COMMENT to the petition within a period of 10 days,â€? Brian Hosaka, spokesman of the high court, said.

Named respondents were President Rodrigo Duterte, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, Finance Secretary Carlos

Dominguez 3rd, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra and Irrigation Administrator Ricardo Visaya.

Palace spokesman Salvador Panelo said MalacaĂąang always respects the order of the high court. “It will respond properly.

The loan agreement has passed through many channels. There has been many review, evaluation. We

feel that it is not in violation of the Constitution as alleged by the petitioner,� he said.

On April 4, a group of lawmakers asked the court to issue a Temporary Restraining Order against the P3.69-billion loan from China.

The petitioners alleged that the loan agreement “contains express waiver by the [Government of the Republic of the Philippines] of its sovereign immunity from execution against its patrimonial assets.�

They urged the respondents to produce procurement and other relevant documents.

The 20-year loan deal was signed

by Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotenciary of China Zhao Jianhua and Dominguez on April 10, 2018.

The lawmakers said the agreement, among others, contains a CONkDENTIALITY CLAUSE IN VIOLATION of the right to information of Filipinos on foreign loans contracted by the government as guaranteed in Sections 12, 21 and 22; Article II, Sec. 28; and Art. III, Sec. 7. “These assailed provisions open the possibility for China to acquire patrimonial properties in the Philippines which is tantamount to ceding in favor of China certain territories in the Philippines by virtue of our default in our contractual obligations. This situation obviously impacts negatively on our national sovereignty, territorial integrity, and is inimical to our national interest,� they said.

WITH CATHERINE VALENTE

Govt to decide on US court’s ruling THE government will decide whether or not to follow the decision of a US judge awarding monetary settlement for victims of the Marcos regime, Malacaùang said on Wednesday.

US District Court Judge Manuel Real on March 28 signed an order giving $9,750,000 or $1,500 each to about 6,500 victims of Martial law.

The money will come from the sale of several paintings acquired by former first lady

Imelda Marcos.

In a press briefing, Palace spokesman Salvador Panelo said Solicitor General Jose Calida would decide on the matter.

Calida earlier rejected the deal.

Panelo questioned the authority of the US court to issue such an order. “In the first place, do they have jurisdiction over us?� he asked RALPH EDWIN U. VILLANUEVA

JOINING THE ARMY

Applicants fill out forms at the Philippine Army Headquarters in Fort Bonifacio in Taguig City on Wednesday. The military aims to recruit 5,000 new soldiers this year. PHOTO BY DJ DIOSINA

Ruling on higher IRA share of LGUs upheld Critics using motorcycle law to attack me – Ejercito THE Supreme Court (SC) on Wednesday upheld its ruling on the legality of the increase of the internal revenue allotment (IRA) of local government units (LGUs).

In an en banc session held in Baguio City, the court voted 8-3 to affirm its earlier ruling on the IRA of LGUs issued in July 2018. In that ruling, the tribunal said the “just share� of LGUs must be computed based on all national taxes, not only on revenue taxes collected by the Bureau of In-

ternal Revenue.

In its ruling, the court said the IRA of LGUs should include tariff and duties collected by the Bureau of Customs, 50 percent of value-added tax, 30 percent of national taxes collected in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, 60 percent of national taxes collected from the exploitation and development of national wealth, 85 percent of excise tax from tobacco products, and a portion of franchise tax under Republic Acts 6631 and 6632

(Horse Racing Laws), among others.

SC spokesman Brian Hosaka said LGUs will receive the adjusted amounts in 2022. “In denying both motions for reconsideration, the Supreme Court clarified that the adjusted amounts of the IRAs is deemed effective only after the finality of the ruling of the Court. Hence, the adjusted amounts will be given to the LGUs starting with the 2022 budget cycle,� Hosaka said.

JOMAR CANLAS

Pacquiao endorses Enrile SEN. Emmanuel “Manny� Pacquiao has endorsed the senatorial bid of former Senate president Juan Ponce Enrile.

Pacquiao vowed the support of his local party for Enrile’s return for a fifth six-year term in the Senate. “Our local political party, People’s Champ Movement in (General Santos), Sarangani and South Cotabato will support Senator Enrile para maging senador siya ulit (so that he can be a senator once again),� Pacquiao said.

Enrile, Puwersa ng Masang Pilipino

(PMP) senatorial candidate, thanked Pacquiao for his endorsement during his visit to General Santos on Tuesday. “I am thankful for the endorsement of Sen. Manny Pacquiao, the People’s Champ, for my candidacy to the Senate,� he said. “He is a hero to me and to all Filipinos. As part of my campaign here in General Santos City, I met with Senator Pacquiao to discuss our common objectives,� he said. “We are in agreement that the govern-

ment should speed up its efforts in providing adequate water supply and energy for Filipinos as well as in scrutinizing the privatization of companies concerning public services,� Enrile added. “These are issues I intend to take up in the Senate [if elected in May].�

Enrile held the position of Senate president from 2010 to 2013. He was Senate Minority Floor Leader from 2013 to 2016. Pacquiao was elected to the Senate in 2016.

BERNADETTE E. TAMAYO

SEN. Joseph Victor “JV� Ejercito on Wednesday slammed his critics for using the issues raised by riders groups opposed to the implementation of the Motorcycle Crime Prevention Act in attacking him in social media.

The reelectionist senator, a rider himself, was one of the signatories of Republic Act (RA) 11235, authored and sponsored by Sen. Richard Gordon.

RA 11235 earned the monicker “doble plaka� (double plate) law because it mandates riders to put color-coded and bigger plates in front and at the back of their motorcycles. “Keyboard warriors using ‘doble plaka’ issue to attack me. Obvious because they were attacking one after the other since yesterday,�

Ejercito said on Twitter. “They do not even know the issues which we are already discussing with riders and LTO (Land Transportation Office). Opportunity to attack [me] came [with issues against R A 11235],� he

added.

President Rodrigo Duterte suspended the implementation of the law.

Ejercito has sought a tripartite dialogue among stakeholders to resolve the complaints of riders groups as well as motorc ycle manufacturers against some provisions of RA 11235. G o rd o n , m e a nw h i l e, l a s h e d back at his detractors for attaching the “doble plaka� tag on RA 11235. “The title of the law is ‘Motorcycle Crime Prevention Act of 2019,’ hindi Doble Plaka (not Double Plate). That is a misnomer because no plate will be attached in front [of the motorcycle],� he said.

Gordon believes that the President may had been fed the wrong information about the law’s objectives. “If he (Duterte) summons me, I will go and face him,� he said. He stressed that the law was meant to protect citizens from riding-in-tandem criminals. BERNADETTE E. TAMAYO

Membership in a homeowners’ association Dear PAO, I noticed that the officials of our homeowners’ association have not been performing their duties. Despite that, they are encouraging me to join the said association. Can they compel me to do so?

Vosotros Dear Vosotros, The law that addresses your situation is Section 22 (a) of Republic

DEAR PAO

PERSIDA ACOSTA Act 9904 otherwise known as the “Magna Carta for Homeownersand Homeowners’ Associations,� which reads: “Section 22. Prohibited Acts. - It shall be prohibited for

any person: “(a) To compel a homeowner to join the association, without prejudice to the provisions of the deed of restrictions, its extensions or renewals as approved by the majority vote of the members or as annotated on the title of the property; the contract for the purchase of a lot in the subdivision project; or an award under a CMP project or a similar tenurial

arrangement; xxx�.

Relatedly, Rule 3, Section 9 of its Implementing Rules and Regulations reads: “Section 9. Membership. – Unless otherwise provided in the Contract to Sell, Deed of Sale, or other instruments of conveyance, or annotated in the title of the property, membership in the association is optional.� (Emphasis supplied) Hence, based on the cited

provisions, membership in a homeowners’ association is not mandatory, and to compel a member to join in any association is prohibited under the LAW !S SUCH THE OFkCIALS OF YOUR homeowner’s association cannot compel you to become a member thereof unless there is a provision in your contract of sale or any instruments of conveyance stating otherwise.

This opinion is solely based

on the facts you have narrated and our appreciation of the same. The opinion may vary when the facts are changed or further elaborated. We hope that we were able to enlighten you on the matter.

Editor’s note: Dear PAO is a daily column of the Public Attorney’s /FkCE 1UESTIONS FOR #HIEF !COSTA may be sent to dearpao@manilatimes.net

A4

Opinion

THURSDAY April 11, 2019

˜ The Manila Times

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E d i to r i a l China crypto crackdown should alert PH of similar risk

T

HE Chinese government’s tolerance of the cryptocurrency economy has been diminishing for some time, and now seems to have reached its end: On Monday, China’s National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) revealed plans to ban cryptocurrency “mining,� probably within a month’s time.

The fallout from this decision may spell trouble for the Philippines if our regulators do not monitor this country’s own nascent cryptocurrency sector much more carefully than they have so far.

The decision by China’s NDRC came in the form of a list of 450 activities the state planning body is recommending to be phased out, “as they did not adhere to relevant laws and regulations, were unsafe, wasted resources or polluted the environment.� Cryptocurrency mining, in particular the mining of Bitcoin, was included in the list, on which the Chinese public has until May 7 to comment.

Cryptocurrency mining, or cryptomining, is the process by WHICH CRYPTOCURRENCY TRANSACTIONS ARE RECORDED AND VERIkED BY the computers connected to the cryptocurrency’s distributed LEDGER CALLED A BLOCKCHAIN )N ORDER TO CONkRM A TRANSACTION

the computer must perform a complex mathematical operation; successfully doing so rewards the operator of that computer with a number of bitcoins, hence the term “mining.�

2EUTERS REPORTED THAT THE .$2# CLARIkED THAT SINCE THERE was no target date given for when the ban would take effect, it should be understood as “immediately,� or when the May 7 deadline for public response expires.

The move follows others that have taken by the Chinese government since 2017 to restrict cryptocurrency, including the banning of “initial coin offerings,� or ICOs, and the closure of a number of cryptocurrency exchanges.

Mining requires an enormous amount of computing power, and while there are large-scale mining operations all over the world, lax regulations and access to relatively cheap electricity have led to China being home to about 45 percent of the world’s Bitcoin mining, and a considerable proportion of the mining for other forms of cryptocurrency. Ending Bitcoin mining in China could conceivably cause the digital currency to collapse completely, although a more likely result would be a scramble

BY MINERS AND THEIR kNANCIAL BACKERS TO kND FRIENDLIER LOCATIONS Incidentally, on the same day China’s NDRC was serving notice of the ban on cryptocurrency mining, our Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) announced the approval of three new virtual currency exchanges, adding to the seven that have already been approved.

So perhaps unwittingly, we may have advertised the Philippines as a less restrictive environment for such transactions.

Except for the BSP’s supervision or oversight of digital currency trading exchanges, the Philippines has no established policy regarding cryptocurrencies. Draft rules for the regulation of ICOs by our own Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) were put on hold in January, apparently INDEkNITELY THE 3%# HAS GIVEN NO INDICATION OF WHEN THOSE might be presented for public comment.

Although the Philippines should not necessarily take its regulatory cues from China, the aggressive action against what has been a very lucrative business — sales of dedicated computer hardware for mining alone in China topped 8.7 billion yuan ($1.3 billion) in 2017 — should give our policymakers pause, particularly in light of the recent controversies brought by the SUDDEN SURPRISE INlUX OF ONLINE GAMBLING OPERATORS A reputation as a haven for dodgy business is something the Philippines does not need, but is certainly risking if it does not DEVELOP kRM POLICIES TO ADDRESS THE CRYPTOCURRENCY BUSINESS 4HAT does not necessarily mean the Philippines should follow China’s lead in imposing a ban, but rather, that it should determine how best to regulate cryptocurrency activities to avoid having to take that drastic, reactive step later on.

Right now, that isn’t being done; the latest Chinese move makes it imperative that oversight is addressed at once. ~

THURSDAY April 11, 2019

The Manila Times

VOLUME 120 NUMBER 180

DANTE A. ANG, Chairman Emeritus RENE Q. BAS, Publisher Emeritus NERILYN A. TENORIO, Publisher-Editor ARNOLD E. BELLEZA, Executive Editor FELIPE F. SALVOSA II, Managing Editor LEENA C. CHUA, News Editor LYNETTE O. LUNA, National Editor TESSA MAURICIO-ARRIOLA, Lifestyle Editor PERRY GIL MALLARI, Sports Editor DINO RAY V. DIRECTO 3RD, Motoring Editor LEA MANTO-BELTRAN, Supplements Editor JOMAR CANLAS, Chief of Reporters RENE H. DILAN, Chief Photographer DANTE F. M. ANG 2ND, President and CEO BLANCA C. MERCADO, #HIEF /PERATING /FkCER RODA A. ZABAT, Advertising Director VICENTE P. CRUZ, JR., Circulation Director DENISE O. CALNEA, Marketing Communications and Services Director Telephone All Departments: 524-5665 to 66; Subscription: 524-5664 Local 222 Advertising: 524-5664 Local 121 Telefax: 310-5895 or e-mail advertising@manilatimes.net XXX NBOJMBUJNFT OFU t F NBJM OFXTEFTL!NBOJMBUJNFT OFU Letters to the Editor THE MANILA TIMES is published daily at 2/F Sitio Grande, 409 A. Soriano Avenue, Intramuros, Manila 1002 The owners, managers, publishers and editors do not necessarily share the opinions expressed and the statements made by individual authors of columns, commentaries and other articles published in The Manila Times.

Q MAKABENTA FROM A1

Unexplained wealth: The accuser must also explain In this position, the academic was persuaded or brainwashed by his president into undertaking the DAUNTING TASK OF SEARCHING kNDING and digging up the hidden wealth or hidden gold of the deposed Ferdinand Marcos. Soriano led swarms of diggers and treasure hunters in various parts of the country, notably Fort Santiago, the Marcos house in San Juana and some Marcos and Romualdez properties to find the treasure.

After months of fruitless digging while the people increasingly laughed at them, Cory, Soriano AND THE 9ELLOWS kNALLY CALLED IT quits. They did conclude that the Marcos gold did not exist; they just stopped. Perhaps it had already been carted away to Switzerland.

By the time the search ended, Soriano had become incoherent; it seemed as if he had gone nuts.

Cory herself managed to keep her wits. But her government itself became incomprehensible as the country plunged into darkness and a series of coup attempts.

I remember the time quite vividly because I was then chief editor and associate publisher of the Philippine Daily Globe, a daily newspaper owned and published by the owners of National Book Store.

I was Globe editor on July 3, 1990, when news came from New York City that Mrs. Imelda Marcos had been acquitted of all charges of racketeering and fraud that the US and Philippine governments combined to file against the widow of President Ferdinand Marcos and the former governor of the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA).

As the former policy research director of President Marcos, I had viewed with much skepticism the grandiose claims of the Cory government that the couple had carted off some $10 billion of Philippine money to foreign banks in foreign capitals. I also held in suspicion the fundamental soundness and validity of the entire concept of unexplained wealth, which was nonexistent in most countries. It is a civil offense with surprisingly very little to stand on in the annals of jurisprudence in much of the world.

But in the Philippines, we had two laws that explicitly mentioned the term: the AntiGraft and Corrupt Practices Act (Republic Act 3019) and the Unexplained Wealth Act (RA 1379).

The Imelda Marcos verdict is an appropriate introduction to the subject because of the declarative verdict of the NYC court.

The New York Times reported the verdict as follows: “Imelda Marcos, the widow of the former Philippine President, was acquitted yesterday of charges that she raided the country’s treasury and invested the money in the United States.

"Mrs. Marcos, her lips trembling, looked to the ceiling as the jury forewoman announced, 'Not guilty,'

four times. With that, Mrs. Marcos WEPT AND A GALLERY kLLED WITH SUPporters from her homeland cried out and cheered in triumph.

"The jurors said they were not convinced that Mrs. Marcos knew about any wrongdoing, and questioned why the case was tried in the United 3TATES /N THEIR VERY kRST BALLOT IN THE kRST MOMENTS OF DELIBERATIONS THEY voted 10 to 2 to acquit her.

"The verdict ended a case that began more than four years ago, almost immediately after Mrs. -ARCOS HUSBAND &ERDINAND lED the Philippines and after the new Philippine government tried to seize the Marcoses’ vast worldwide wealth. The case endured even after Mr. Marcos died last September.

It culminated in a three-month trial that tested a novel concept in American jurisprudence: whether the wife of a foreign head of state should face a criminal trial in a United States court.

"The Marcoses were charged with racketeering and fraud in stealing more than $200 million from the Philippine treasury and investing most of it in jewels, art and four pieces of prime Manhattan real estate.

"Mrs. Marcos, who had described the trial as a personal ordeal and a political persecution, was found not guilty of racketeering, conspiracy, obstruction of justice and mail fraud.�

No mention was made of the fact that the Aquino government lEW TWO PLANELOADS OF ALLEGED evidence to NYC for the trial.

There was no mention too of the US and Japanese governments CERTIkYING THEY FOUND NO MONEY missing from economic support funds or reparations that they had remitted to the Philippines during Marcos’ time at the helm.

This is significant, because one question raised by many a journalist in New York was from where or whom did Marcos steal and in what way. No believable answer was ever presented.

I think of the case now as I behold the allegation of unexplained wealth against President Duterte and his family that the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) claims to have uncovered in the course of their investigation and study of the SALNs (statements of assets, liabilities and net worth) of the President and his children over the course of so many years.

The PCIJ’s case looks like a curious one indeed. It does not offer any proof about the alleged wealth. It uses seemingly as evidence the word of the Dutertes themselves. Individually they hang themselves with their own declarations about their assets, liabilities and net worth. The PCIJ does not cite any one or any document as a witness to the unexplained wealth. It cites the Dutertes themselves, and they confessed to the deed.

Really? Is this how the SALN

law is supposed to work? Public OFkCIALS kLE THEIR STATEMENTS UNder pain of hanging themselves.

Government prosecutors have nothing to do but compare current statement with past statements, and put the handcuffs on PUBLIC OFkCIALS Not so at all, says my research into the entire subject of unexplained wealth.

There is an existing decision by the Supreme Court on an unexplained wealth case that tells me the PCIJ has a responsibility to do more than just accuse and pubLISH ITS ALLEGED kNDING AGAINST THE Dutertes. That Duterte and two of his children have accumulated unexplained wealth disproportionate to their lawful incomes or salaries AS PUBLIC OFkCIALS Jurisprudence indicates that it should substantiate its allegations of unexplained wealth by kLING A COMPLAINT WITH THE /FkCE OF THE /MBUDSMAN OR making public the evidence that it has found in its investigation.

The SC case that I am referring to is GR 102420 Dec. 20, 1994, Prospero A. Olivas, petitioner, vs Office of the Ombudsman (Deputy Ombudsman-AFP), and !TTY "IENVENIDO # "LANCAlOR

in his capacity as Ombudsman investigator, respondents.

It concerned a petition for certiorari and prohibition to annul the order, dated Oct. 25, 1991, of the respondent Ombudsman investigator, requiring the peTITIONER TO SUBMIT HIS AFkDAVIT and those of his witnesses at the preliminary investigation of a case for unexplained wealth, despite the fact that the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) as complainant, had not reduced its evidence in THE FORM OF AFkDAVITS AND SUBMITted supporting documents.

The petitioner, Olivas, was the commanding general of the PC Metrocom. He was retired from the Armed Forces of the Philippines effective Feb. 26, 1986.

Shortly thereafter letters were sent to the PCGG, some of them anonymous, charging Olivas with violations RA 3019 and RA1379.

The letters were referred to the New Armed Forces of the Philippines Anti-Graft Board which the PCGG had created for the purpose of investigating cases of unexplained wealth and corrupt practices against AFP personnel, whether retired or in the active service. On April 4, 1988, the AFP anti-graft board recommended that the case against Olivas be provisionally dismissed without prejudice to its revival should new evidence be found.

The Supreme Court ruled for the petitioner Olivas on the ground that petitioner cannot be compelled to submit his evidence IN THE FORM OF COUNTER AFkDAVITS and supporting documents before the PCGG, as complainant, had embodied its evidence in

AFkDAVITS OR SWORN STATEMENTS Before the respondent can be required to submit counterAFkDAVITS AND OTHER SUPPORTING documents, the complainant must submit his affidavit and those of his witnesses, as proVIDED BY THE 2ULES OF THE /FkCE OF Ombudsman, the SC said. “Respondents justify their order to petitioner to submit his evidence, even though there is no formal complaint, on the basis of Rule I, Section 3 of the Rules OF 0ROCEDURE OF THE /FkCE OF THE Ombudsman which provides THAT COMPLAINTS kLED WITH THAT OFkCE MAY BE gIN ANY FORM EITHER verbal or in writing.�

The high court said: “The lack OF A COMPLAINT AND AFkDAVITS CANnot be excused on the plea that this case originated in anonymous letters sent to the PCGG. Because of leads furnished by those letters it would seem that the PCGG has FOUND SUFkCIENT EVIDENCE JUSTIFYing its demand to petitioner to explain. It is incumbent upon it as complainant to reduce the eviDENCE INTO AFkDAVITS &OR EXAMPLE

the subpoena issued to petitioner was accompanied by schedules showing how petitioner was found to have unexplained wealth amounting to P1,477,044.54.

The figures contained in these SCHEDULES MUST BE VERIkED UNDER oath by PCGG investigators who must certify to facts either of their OWN KNOWLEDGE OR FROM OFkCIAL records. It is only after the PCGG HAS SUBMITTED ITS AFkDAVITS AND other documents that petitioner may be required to explain, also UNDER OATH )T IS FROM SUCH AFkDAVITS AND COUNTER AFkDAVITS THAT respondents can then determine whether there is probable cause for bringing the case in court against petitioner.�

The PCIJ stands in much the same situation in its charge of unexplained wealth against the Dutertes. It must substantiate its allegation with proof of the unexplained wealth. It cannot use the SALN as proof, as if the Dutertes had indicted themselves. It should come up with documents or testimony to show that indeed the Dutertes individually accumulated wealth well in excess of their salaries as public servants.

According to the SC decision, the Dutertes are only obliged to explain their wealth if there is a CASE kLED AGAINST THEM The term “unexplained wealth� is deceptive and misleading. It suggests that even a mere allegation already requires explanation by the person against whom the allegation is made.

The conclusion that we can make about the PCIJ exposĂŠ on the Dutertes is that until there is a kNDING BY A COMPETENT AUTHORITY like the Ombudsman that there is BASIS FOR kLING A CASE THE $UTERTES have nothing to explain.

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THURSDAY April 11, 2019

Opinion

A5

Q TULFO FROM A1

Living the life of the rich and famous (Deep Throat was the whistleblower of the Washington Post in the Watergate break-in scandal during the administration of President Richard Nixon in the 1970s. The scandal led to Nixon’s resignation. For my own purpose, let’s call my source, who’s a member of the syndicate, Deep Throat.)

Aguirre issued a Department of Justice circular (041) on Aug. 15, 2017 granting power to issue visas upon arrival in the country to Chinese nationals. (see photos of circular online) The power was given to the Bureau of Immigration’s port operations division (POD) and special operations communications unit (SOCU).

At the time, POD and SOCU were headed by the father-and-son team of Maynardo and Marc Red Mariùas — Maynardo as chief of the SOCU and Marc Red as chief of POD and concurrent assistant immigration commissioner.

Marc Red is a close friend of Aguirre’s son, Aris, says Deep Throat.

Marc Red resigned as BI assisTANT COMMISSIONER WHEN HE kLED HIS CERTIkCATE OF CANDIDACY FOR mayor of Muntinlupa. However, HIS INlUENCE CONTINUES TO THIS day as his replacement at POD is his buddy-buddy, Fidel Mendoza.

Mendoza, whose item at the immigration bureau is security guard, was appointed by Aguirre to replace Marc Red. Maynardo MariĂąas is assigned with the Office of the Immigration commissioner and remains

as the SOCU head even now.

Maynardo, the old man MariĂąas, is the capo di tutti capi (boss of all bosses) at the syndicate. His heir apparent is, of course, Marc Red, a reminder of the 1970s movie, “The Godfather.â€?

Maynardo has his tentacles in practically all government agencies and even in most media outlets.

He has under his payroll some top government officials, columnists, newspaper editors and reporters in newspapers and TV news outlets, according to Deep Throat.

I had a brush with Maynardo at the NAIA when I was on my way to Hong Kong last month to attend the birthday party of a MalacaĂąang OFkCIAL S CLOSE FRIEND He approached me at the airline counter and without a by-your-leave, inflicted himself on me.

Maynardo, to my consternation, knew about the birthday celebration — which was supposed to be secret — and asked me if he could barge into the party. How the hell did he know!?

Recently, there was a shake-up at the NAIA immigration unit.

Grifton Medina, a San Beda law graduate who had been sent to the US to study immigration laws, was appointed head of POD chief.

However, Medina is just a mere figurehead, as the one calling the shots is still Mendoza.

Basically an academic, Medina is clueless about corruption

in his turf, Deep Throat said.

M e d i n a ’s p o s i t i o n i s n o t unique or the first time that the head of office is a mere figurehead.

During the watch of Secretary Jesse Robredo at the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the one running the show was Undersecretary Rico Puno.

During the watch of Director General Roberto “Bobby�

Lastimoso (four-star rank) at the Philippine National Police (PNP), the one in charge of assigning and reassigning personnel was Panfilo Lacson, who at the time had only one star on his shoulders.

In the case of the current immigration commissioner, Jaime Morente, then Justice Secretary Aguirre issued an order depriving him of the power to assign and reassign bureau personnel.

The power to reshuffle the Immigration bureau rested with Aguirre alone.

Morente is still a lame duck under Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra, as Aguirre’s order is still in force and effect.

Now, let’s go to the lifestyle of the crooks at the Bureau of Immigration.

Marc Red spends millions of pesos in his campaign for mayor of Muntinlupa like he’s a profligate billionaire, which he is.

As I mentioned in the first installment of this exposĂŠ, the syndicate earns a staggering amount of between P10 mil-

lion and P50 million every single day.

Marc Red was immigration port operations division chief until he resigned to run for mayor.

He amassed hundreds of millions of pesos from the syndicate as the heir apparent to his father Maynardo.

The syndicate’s lieutenants — Fidel Mendoza, Erwin Ortaùez, Glenford Comia, Bien Guevarra, Den Binsol — are habituÊs of high-class nightclubs where they divide the lion’s share among themselves.

The 1,000 immigration officers at the NAIA, who are “soldiers� and frontliners of the syndicate, receive a relative pittance of P80,000 a week per person – that’s the maximum — as their share, Deep Throat told me.

Deep Throat said that Den Binsol was removed as chief of the traffic control and enforcement unit at NAIA Terminal 3 for not remitting more than P30 million to the syndicate. “ Pinagplanuhan pa ngang iligpit si Binsol dahil binukulan niya ang sindikato � (They even planned to rub out Binsol because he ran away with the money), Deep Throat added.

All the syndicate’s lieutenants travel with their families or girlfriends every month to the US, Europe, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore and other Asian countries, Deep Throat said. “Just look at the DoJ records section, the airport arrival and

Q SALUDO FROM A1

Is it a sin not to vote for Otso Diretso? No, it’s not Pushing its Otso Diretso senatorial candidates, plus reelectionist Sen. Grace Poe and leftist Nery Colmenares, the LP campaign warns that if the administration’s Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HnP) slate gets nine out of 12 Senate seats up for grabs, President Rodrigo Duterte can enact freedom-eroding legislation and a new Charter.

Duterte could also remove Sen. Leila de Lima, abrogate the Mutual Defense Treaty with the United States, and forge onerous security and economic accords with China.

Oh, and Speaker Gloria Arroyo, retiring from Congress after three terms as Pampanga lawmaker, could be named Executive Secretary.

Then in 2022, the LP scenario speculates, she can become prime minister if the government turns federal-parliamentary, with presidential daughter Sara Duterte as president. Thus, asserts one opposition online message, “we might as well say goodbye to the Republic we hold dear, as we know it.�

How did PCM choose its slate?

With leading prelates backing the 10 candidates favored by the socalled People’s Choice Movement (PCM), many Catholics may wonder if it is sinful to pick or support other senatoriables.

It’s not. The Church Magisterium, particularly its social doctrine, upholds subsidiarity, which respects every citizen’s prerogative to vote freely.

All are enjoined not to sell votes, but choose candidates who advance the common good, with advice from knowledgeable people with solid information, sound judgment, and upright intentions.

But bishops and their lay advisers like the PCM are not the only source of good voting counsel.

Indeed, they too may be misinformed or biased, especially if they get their views and information from one partisan camp, or support a partisan agenda.

Judging from PCM’s purported criteria for choosing candidates and the 10 they selected, there could be questions and doubts about their objectivity and judgment.

Its first screening excluded anyone “who does not have the

fear of God in him� and supports federalism, on the PCM contention “that the present state of the country is not ready for federalism and charter change.�

Bishop Pabillo said “30 candidates were eliminated on these two knock-out issues.� How that cut-off was done isn’t explained, but one surmises that anyone silent about Duterte’s God- and Church-cussing, and supportive of federalism was out.

The final round of selection was based on four criteria: “Character and honor; competence and abilities; faithfulness to public service; and faithfulness to God, the Constitution and the laws.�

Even a seasoned journalist like this writer, with a decade of Cabinetlevel governance experience on top of nearly 40 years of media work, would be hard-pressed to make a list using those weighty criteria.

Just compiling and going through the research on each of the 32 shortlisted candidates, including any carefully concealed closet skeletons, is immensely challenging.

Hence, it is essential in evaluating the PCM’s discernment and selection to know its members and their qualifications and data sources in vetting and choosing candidates. Can PCM or our two prelates name them, and explain how exactly they assessed character, competence, public service, and fidelity to God and laws?

One may note that despite their professional achievements, LP hopefuls Romy Macalintal and Chel Diokno were never public servants. Then ask why they beat longtime legislators Pia Cayetano and Koko Pimentel.

Why is Colmenares, who backs the atheist communist insurgency aiming to overthrow the duly constituted government, deemed to be faithful to God and the Constitution, more than, say, church-going former top cop Bato dela Rosa, with his decades of law enforcement work?

One may never know the answers or the PCM discerners. But one can surmise that the Dutertebacking HnP slate were dropped in the first PCM winnowing. That and the call to stop nine Duterte allies from entering the Senate

means PCM simply wants to stop his agenda.

A tussle of two presidents So, if one opposes the President’s initiatives, vote Otso Diretso, Poe and Colmenares. If one supports them, vote HnP. The election then boils down to a contest between two visions for the Philippines, Duterte’s and Aquino’s.

HnP supports harsh measures against crime, drugs, terrorism, and insurgency; swift action on corrupt officials, including presidential appointees; massive infrastructure funded by sweeping tax reforms; friendship with China and less cozy ties with America; and federalism.

The LP wants to stop bloody police and military operations, while confronting China with US backing. And it wants to continue the present form of government. In short, a return to much of Aquinoera governance.

No prizes for guessing that the LP agenda would please the US and its allies, drug and crime syndicates, communist rebels and terrorists hit by Mindanao martial law, and segments of the international community adhering to Western liberal ideals.

But what do Filipinos want?

Judging from surveys, most seem glad to see crime drop by 2530 percent, after tripling under Aquino; 1.3 million drug users and pushers surrender; and poverty decline by more than a quarter since 2015, to 16 percent now.

China still causes concern, if not outrage, but distrust has fallen significantly. And Charter change, favored by only one-third of poll respondents, could win broader support depending on provisions proposed. More power and funds for the regions would be welcomed, along with measures to end dynasty and money politics.

So, if HnP beats LP, maybe, just maybe, it’s because people like peace and order, less poverty, more infrastructure and jobs, and the chance to vote on a new Charter giving more cash and clout to the regions.

That’s not a sin either. So, listen to all contending parties and candidates, and choose wisely on May 13.

departure records and records at THE ") MAIN OFkCE 9OU WILL KNOW who the frequent travelers among them are,� said Deep Throat.

The syndicate’s leaders enjoy a hedonistic lifestyle. They check in at five-star hotels, dine at kRST CLASS RESTAURANTS FREQUENT high-end bars almost every night, drinking expensive wines and liquor, and engage the services of high-class prostitutes.

They wear expensive Swiss watches like Patek Philippe, Rolex, Panerai, Audemars.

Their belts and shoes are designer Hermes and Salvatore Ferragamo.

4HEY DRIVE lASHY CARS AND LIVE in posh villages, Deep Throat said.

For example, Fidel Mendoza, immigration security guard/ POD chief of staff, drives a Montero sports utility vehicle (SUV), a Land Cruiser SUV and a Mustang sports car to work.

The salary range of an immigration officer is P20,000 to P40,000 monthly.

Many pretty female immigration officers at the airport have illicit relationships with the syndicate’s lieutenants.

Dimples Mallari, who was engaged to another immigration officer, a guy named Jason van Atienza, but went with Marc Red who recommended her to be promoted as member of the travel control enforcement unit (TCEU).

At TCEU, she now gets much more than what an ordinary immiGRATION OFkCER RECEIVES FROM THE SYNdicate, which is P80,000 per week.

Sexual relations of airport female immigration officers with some of the syndicate’s lieutenants are commonplace, according to Deep Throat.

How much has the syndicate earned so far since it started operating during Aguirre’s time?

Let’s do the math: The syndicate earns a minimum of P10 million a day and a maximum of P50 million.

Let’s peg the amount at P10 million a day times 30 (number of days in a month). That’s P300 million a month.

Multiply P300 million by 12 (number of months in a year) and you get P3.6 billion in a year.

Deep Throat said the syndicate started operating in July 2016 when Aguirre took over as justice secretary.

From July 2016 up to the present is 33 months, or almost three years.

Multiply three years by P3.6 billion and you get almost P10 billion. “We only get P80,000 a week when we are on the frontline but they get tens of millions weekly,� Deep Throat said, referring to the disparity in the share of the loot between ordinary immigration officers and the leaders of the syndicate.

This columnist has seen this scenario before as a veteran police reporter and a follower of the story of the Mafia: No matter the vow of silence within the syndicate a disgruntled member will become a stool pigeon.

Moral of story: Crime does not pay.

The war that is only in our minds ON THE F CONTRARY

OR a country that has been noted for a peaceful EDSA “revolution� and bloodless coup attempts, it is uncharacteristic that many of our leaders, particularly President Rodrigo Duterte, take an extremely bloody view of our options with regard to China. We are made to believe that there are only two things that can happen. We either surrender and acquiesce, or else have to go through a bloody war. And this is a view that is shared by a large number of loyal Duterte supporters.

The dire warnings are emblazoned in our consciousness. And the litany painted for us is a procession of images of certain defeat. We can’t afford to go to war. Engaging China in a shooting war would be suicide. Our soldiers will be massacred by the superior force of the Chinese.

But of course. Engaging China in a shooting war is a road that points to almost certain defeat. It doesn’t take a genius and rocket science to reach this conclusion. It is obvious enough that it doesn’t need any explanation.

However, there is one question that we need to ask. Are we really sure that China would engage us in a shooting war?

And here, the answer may be found in China’s behavior vis-à -vis other governments.

If China is a warmonger, it would have annexed Hong Kong and Macau by force and not by diplomacy. It would have invaded Taiwan, which it claims to be its province. It would have sent navy ships to militarily engage Indonesia and Vietnam, both of which have naval ships which ON SEVERAL INSTANCES kRED AT #HINESE VESSELS But China, despite its aggressive stance in the West Philippine Sea, is no longer in the habit of engaging other countries militarily.

The last military war China fought was with the Vietnamese in 1979. Its military love to flex its muscles but would rather target its own citizens in its crackdown on internal dissent, including people of Tibet and the Uighur Muslim minority that are pushing for self-determination.

China plays a different card in the global arena, and focuses on economic, not military, warfare. It wages an aggressive debt diplomacy which it labels as the Belt and Road Initiative, offering easy infrastructure loans to cash-strapped economies, but embedding conditions that serve Chinese interests, from imposing their own preferred contractors, to insisting that Chinese labor be utilized, to requiring the waiving of immunity over natural resources in the event the debtor country defaults, to making sure that Chinese laws and mediating bodies will be used to settle disputes. This is the Chinese way of waging a war, which is done not by firing a shot but by ensuring that a country will be under the ambit of its economic sphere of control. It doesn’t send military invaders but contractors and workers. It doesn’t annex territories by force of war, but as payments for unpaid loans. After all, war is a costly enterprise with

very little economic return compared to debt-trap diplomacy where countries end up under effective Chinese control without firing a single shot. In fact, China engages its main rival, the United States, in a trade war, and not a shooting war.

If there is any aggressiveness shown by China, it is all in the pursuit of image-making and psychological warfare. Its attempt to redraw its boundaries in the West Philippine Sea through the fiction of a nine-dash line, its deliberate intrusion into other countries' EEZs, including ours, its unilateral exercise of jurisdiction over common areas, and the swarming of its naval militia even in areas like Pag-asa which is already within our national territory are simply muscle-flexing acts that are designed to intimidate.

And woe upon us that we allow ourselves to be intimidated by these bullying tactics, that even our leaders accept the fact that we have no other choice but to acquiesce.

The bully China is also the same China that offers to us the cash that we badly need to build our infrastructures. We are being offered a carrot of loan monies while being intimidated by a stick of territorial aggression. And we succumb to irrational fear of a so-called friend.

It is therefore our own fears and insecurities that bind us to this dualistic choice of bending over to take it from behind with loans that have onerous conditions, because we are afraid that doing otherwise would lead to a bloody frontal war.

This is an imagined fear. It is what China wants us to feel. It is an outdated feeling that would have made sense had we existed during the Cold War. China has more to lose if it wages war with us, a small, weaker country. Invading even just a portion of our national territory will have the effect of triggering a global political earthquake that will bring into the fray not only the US but all other countries that seek an open passage in the West Philippine Sea. And the economic costs to China will be as uncertain, if not steep. While a war may conscript countries deeply indebted to China into becoming its allies, there is also a bigger possibility that these countries may seize the moment as an opportunity to simultaneously default on their loan obligations to take advantage of China’s preoccupation with war. And China will be forced to fight a war in many fronts that can easily dissipate its energy and resources.

In the end, there is more reason for China to engage in rational diplomacy, instead of engaging in an irrational war that can expose it to political and economic risks and undermine its position as a global power.

Obviously, the narrative that appears to scare us with the horrors of a war we can’t win if we frontally challenge China is being told by PEOPLE WHO BENEkT FROM PROPAGATING THE FEAR

ANTONIO CONTRERAS

A6

Opinion

˜ The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

THURSDAY April 11, 2019

Corregidor Tourism Master Plan

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The #1 skill in demand for scientists

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STRICTER SANCTIONS BY THE 7EST ENRICHES 8I S TREASURY AS A POSITIVE RESULT *** 'OOD WORK GOOD DEEDS AND GOOD FAITH TO ALL

FOCUS

Breaking the internet: new regulations imperil global network WASHINGTON: Is the dream of one global internet still alive?

Increasingly, moves by governments to filter and restrict content are threatening to fragment the system created with the promise of connecting the world with a largely unified body of content.

China for years has walled off some western services, and the fragmentation may be accelerating with regulations being imposed elsewhere, say analysts.

This is leading to a “splinternet,� a term circulated for a decade or more but gaining more traction in recent months. “The internet is already fragmented in material ways, but each regulator around the world thinks they know how to fix the internet,� said Eric Goldman, director of the High Tech Law Institute at Santa Clara University. “I think we will see a tsunami of regulations that will lead to a further splintering of the internet.�

The New Zealand Christchurch mosques massacre livestreamed online heightened the sense of urgency in some countries, with debates in the US and EU on curbing

incitement to violence.

A new Australian law could jail social media executives for failing to take down violent extremist content quickly.

And a proposal unveiled in Britain could make executives personally liable for harmful content posted on social platforms. Similar ideas have been discussed by lawmakers in Washington.

These moves come as Facebook chief Mark Zuckerberg has called for a “common global framework� of internet rules.

But free-speech defenders warn it would be dangerous to allow governments to regulate online content, even if social media are struggling.

The UK proposal “is a very bad look for a rights-respecting democracy,� said R. David Edelman, a former White House technology adviser who now heads the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s project on technology, the economy and national security. “It would place the UK toward the far end of the internet censorship spectrum.�

Elsewhere, critics pounced on a bill in Singapore to ban “fake news,� calling it a

thinly veiled attempt at censorship. “It is not up to the government to arbitrarily determine what is and is not true,� said Daniel Bastard of the media watchdog group Reporters Without Borders. “In its current form, this Orwellian law establishes nothing less than a ‘ministry of truth’ that would be free to silence independent voices and impose the ruling party’s line.�

According to human rights watchdog Freedom House, at least 17 countries approved or proposed laws to restrict online media in the name of fighting “fake news� and manipulation, and 13 countries prosecuted internet users for spreading “false� information.

Europe’s response Goldman argued that the European Union’s General Protection Data Regulation, aimed at improving online privacy, “has been a major milestone in splintering the internet.�

It has led to numerous websites including news sites cut off from Europe, he said.

The EU copyright directive approved

last month, aimed at protecting creators, could also result in fragmentation of online information, said Danny O’Brien of the Electronic Frontier Foundation. “Whatever internet companies and organizations do to comply with 27 or more national laws -- from dropping links to European news sites entirely... will be challenged by one rights-holder faction or another,� O’Brien said in a blog post.

The multitude of proposed rules around the world raise the prospect of varying versions of the internet depending on location, with small services potentially blocking out some countries.

‘Data nationalism’ In addition to online content measures, several countries including India and Brazil are enforcing “data localization� requirements which could limit the availability of services such as e-commerce and banking. “More nation-states are trying to territorialize information flows and assert control of those services,� said Milton Mueller, a Georgia Institute of Technology

professor and co-founder of the Internet Governance Project of analysts.

The fragmentation could have profound consequences both in terms of economics and human rights, according to Mueller. “The bypassing of these national boundaries when the internet got started was what was revolutionary and led to the expansion of new services,� he said. “There is now an assertion of national sovereignty and national control, going against globalization and the ability of people to freely interact with each other.�

The “data nationalization� movement gained momentum after the 2013 revelations on surveillance from national security contractor Edward Snowden.

This gave some governments “an excuse to impose far greater state control� of their networks, said Edelman.

Edelman maintained the Snowden revelations represented a turning point because they “ruptured some of the faith in a global consensus� about the internet.

Australia’s efforts to curb content and require access to encrypted devices could prompt some firms to think twice about

doing business there, said Edelman. “The potential is there for companies to simply exit the Australian market,� he said.

Amy Webb, a New York University professor and founder of the Future Today Institute, said the trend toward Balkanization is growing, posing challenges for online services. “Compliance is going to become more and more difficult for companies who do business in more than one location, which could stifle growth and restrict the flow of meaningful, credible information,� Webb said.

Ira Magaziner, a former policy adviser to president Bill Clinton who helped negotiate deals to bring the internet around the world, said he is optimistic that countries will find ways to keep the internet from fragmenting. “We are going through a period where there are a lot of questions and a lot of forces for disintegration,� Magaziner said, while noting that countries cutting off data will be hurting themselves. “If the advantages are large enough, it will hang together,� he said.

AFP

˜ The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

Regions

THURSDAY April 11, 2019

A7

HIGHEST HEAT INDEX RECORDED IN DAGUPAN CITY THE highest heat index, or the indicator of human discomfort computed from the prevailing air temperature and relative humidity, was recorded in Dagupan City, Pangasinan on Tuesday, the WEATHER BUREAU SAID The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical

Services Administration (Pagasa) REGISTERED A HEAT INDEX OF degrees Celcius (C) as a result of THE COMBINED EFFECTS OF A # air temperature and 62 percent RELATIVE HUMIDITY AT P M ON 4UESDAY 4HIS IS HIGHER THAN THE PREVIOUS RECORD OF # ALSO IN $AGUPAN ON !PRIL Pagasa weather specialist

Beni Estareja said a heat index between 41 C and 54 C is clasSIkED UNDER THE gDANGERu CATegory that causes heat cramps and heat exhaustion while continuous activity could lead TO HEAT STROKE Other locations that registered high heat indexes were #UYO 0ALAWAN AT # #ALA-

pan, Tuguegarao City, Cagayan AT # /RIENTAL -INDORO and Daet, Camarines Norte at AT # !PARRI #AGAYAN AT # 3ANGLEY 0OINT #AVITE AT C; Catbalogan, Western Samar AT # "ALER !URORA AND Cotabato City, Maguindanao at # .!)!

0ASAY #ITY AT AT 42 C; Dipolog, Zamboanga del

.ORTE AT # 6IRAC #ATANDUANES AT # AND -ASBATE #ITY -ASBATE AT # Metro Manila’s representative heat index registered at the Science Garden in Diliman Quezon City was only at 37 C AS A RESULT OF # AIR TEMperature and 51 percent relative HUMIDITY

Meanwhile, the highest temperature so far was registered AT # IN %CHAGUE )SABELA ON !PRIL Estareja advised people to avoid venturing out between 10 A M AND P M TO WEAR SUN PROtection and light colored clothes, AND TO DRINK LOTS OF WATER DIVINA NOVA JOY DELA CRUZ

W E S T E R N V I S AYA S

43 towns declared election hotspots

BY EUGENE Y. ADIONG

B

ACOLOD CITY: Forty three local government units in Western Visayas have been declared as election hotspots.

In a recent meeting, the Western Visayas Regional Joint Security Control Center (JSCC) listed Moises Padilla town in Negros Occidental as well as Lemery,

Calinog and Maasin in Iloilo, UNDER #ATEGORY 2ED ,T #OL *OEM -ALONG REGIONAL police spokesman, said Moises Padilla was added to the list after New

People’s Army rebels killed SangguniANG "AYAN MEMBER *OLOMAR (ILARIO Areas are placed under Category Red if they have a history of violent incidents, intense political rivalry and armed threats posed by local TERRORIST GROUPS Listed under Category Orange or areas of immediate concern are Culasi, Hamtic, Sebaste, Sibalom, Valderama and San Remigio in Antique; Tapaz, Maayon and Cuartero

in Capiz; San Joaquin, Miag-ao, Tubungan, Igbaras, Alimodian, Janiuay, Lambunao, Leon and Bingawan in Iloilo; and Toboso, Himamaylan, Isabela, Hinobaan and Kabankalan City in Negros /CCIDENTAL New Lucena, Sara, San Dionisio and Estancia in Iloilo; and Calatrava, Don Salvador Benedicto, Escalante, EB Magalona, Silay City, Cagayan, Binalbagan, Hinigaran, La Castel-

lana, Candoni, Ilog and Sipalay City in Negros Occidental are under #ATEGORY 9ELLOW OR AREAS OF CONCERN Salud Milagros Villanueva, actING PROVINCIAL ELECTION OFkCER SAID the Negros Occidental Provincial JSCC also reported 14 areas were put under Category Green or elecTION AREAS OF NO SECURITY CONCERN These are Bacolod City, San Carlos City, Cadiz City, Manapla, Sagay City, Murcia, Talisay City, Victorias

City, Bago City, La Carlota City, Pontevedra, Pulupandan, San %NRIQUE AND 6ALLADOLID Villanueva said that despite THE #ATEGORY 2ED CLASSIkCATION OF Moises Padilla, the situation in the TOWN WAS gNOT ALARMING u She said the Philippine National Police and the Philippine Army, TAGGED THE TOWN g2EDu BECAUSE IT IS considered as “having politicallyMOTIVATED KILLINGS u

CHR to probe slay of 14 Negros farmers Girls outrank boys THE Commission on Human Rights (CHR) will deploy a forensic team to Negros Occidental as it continues its probe of the killing of 14 farmers there on March 30.

Human rights advocates have previously called for an independent investigation because of alleged irregularities in the conduct of the operations.

CHR Strategic Communication chief Marc Siapno said the agency would send a forensic examination team as well as investigators for a thorough probe.

He said the families of some of the victims have given their concent

to the holding of the investigation. “We are exploring all possible means in terms of finding out the truth about what happened that night, especially since there were reportedly many lapses,�

Siapno said in a forum on Wednesday.

Fr. Eduardo Laude, director for pastoral management of the Diocese of San Carlos City, Negros Occidental, decried the “irregular� conduct of the operations as claimed by witnesses. “The state security forces involved in the operations carried high-pow-

ered rifles, wore combat attire and masks or bonnets to hide their faces.

So if there is no malice, why did they cover their faces?� Laude quoted one of the witnesses. Siapno said that while witnesses’ accounts were significant to their investigation, the CHR has to secure evidence. “We need an objective and honest to goodness investigation. Of course, we appreciate accounts and also narratives but at the end of the day, we need evidence to also prove all those assertions,�

Siapno said.

Philippine National Po-

lice Director for Community Relations chief Benigno Durana Jr. welcomed the CHR probe.

Durana said the PNP’s internal affairs service was also investigating the matter. “We don’t condone any wrongdoing. We are quick to punish our people if they committed some mistakes but at the same time, we are also quick to protect our people if they are unnecessarily accused of crimes or any lapses that they haven’t committed in the performance of their official duties,� Durana said.

DIVINA NOVA JOY DELA CRUZ

QUEST FOR JUSTICE A farmer joins a candle-lighting ceremony held in front of the Commission on Human Rights for the 14 farmers killed in Negros Oriental. PHOTO BY RUY L. MARTINEZ

Nationinbriefs COURT UPHOLDS STA. CRUZ MAYOR’S CONVICTION  THE Sandiganbayan’s Special Third Division upheld its ruling that convicted Sta. Cruz, Zambales Mayor Luisito Marty of graft and usurpation of legislative powers for issuing a memorandum in 2009 directing the then-treasurer not to accept payment of occupation fees from holders of Mineral ProductionSharing Agreement (MPSA), which had no mayor’s permit. The court denied Marty’s motion for reconsideration for lack of merit. REINA C. TOLENTINOÂ

BUTUAN PRIESTS TO HOLD POLL FORUMS THE BUTUAN diocese ordered its priests to organize electoral forums in chapels and parishes to help the faithful decide if the candidates in the May

13 elections are “morally fit� for the office they seek. In a circular dated April 9, Antonio Ledesma, apostolic administrator of the Butuan diocese, spelled out the diocese’s electoral policies for the clergy, religious and the lay faithful, saying the local church shares the view of Pope Francis on politics as “though often denigrated, remains a lofty vocation and one of the highest forms of charity, in as much as it seeks the common good.� It urged the laity to “actively� participate in “principled partisan politics� by forming “circles of discernment among their respective basic Christian communities to support and choose candidates who are competent for public positions.� Priests were also urged to offer mass on May 13 for a “clean, honest, accurate, meaningful and peaceful� polls.

CATHERINE A. MODESTO

FOREIGN TOURIST ARRIVALS UP – DOT THE Department of Tourism (DoT) said 1.49 million tourists visited the

in Zamboanga ZAMBOANGA CITY: Boys may be physically stronger than girls but in Zamboanga or Region 9, the latter bested boys in academics, ACCORDING TO SCHOOL OFkCIALS During the graduation exercises in several public and private elementary and senior high schools in Zamboanga Peninsula, girls dominat ed the honors’ list, school PRINCIPALS SAID In some learning centers, school administrators said girls occupied the top five ranks in the honor roll, with the boys settling in at 6th TO TH At the city’s Southern Command Elementary School, for instance, the top five finishers were all females — Mary Heart Javillo, 1st honor; Marianne Laglo, 2nd; Vanessa Catan, 3rd; Edilyn Ducusin, 4th and %LLA 4ENORIO TH In Zamboanga del Sur’s Barangay Buenavista Elementary School that has a huge Muslim population, girls occupied the ST TO THE TH SPOT At the Rio Hondo Elementary School in Zamboanga City, Sherregan Abdulkaril and Arcelyn Issan garnered 1st and 2nd honors, respectively, while at the Hadji Abdullah Nuno Memorial National High School in Taluksangay

Village, Zenaida Muhallos was the valedictorian; followed by Chaira Barahame and Nuraisa *ULASSI Girls were also the top finishers in many private high SCHOOLS 4HE HIGHEST RANKing graduates in Zamboanga Claret High School were Angeline Tamondong, Faiza Sali, Marilu Christine Andon and !NN #ANDIL !NDONG Asked why girls did better academically than boys, Basilan National High School Principal Isah Ibrahim said girls were more serious in THEIR STUDIES He said when he visits the school library, “I would find more girls reading books or busy working on their assignMENTS u A similar observation wa s m a d e by Z a m b o a n g a del Norte National High School Principal Pangsaya n Ra d i a n d Z a m b o a n g a Sibugay’s Bayog Norte National High School Principal #LARA (AMOY Zamboanga City High School Principal Eloisa Ruste said boys often involve themselves “in DISTRACTIVE ACTIVITIESu LIKE DRINKing, smoking and illegal drugs, thus they end up neglecting THEIR STUDIES u ANTONIO P. RIMANDO

country in the first two months of the year, 6 percent higher than the same period last year. Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said the increase was driven by improved access and air connectivity with the opening of two international airports in Visayas. Data showed 1,490,255 foreign visitors arrived from January to February 2019. The DoT aims to lure 8.2 million foreign tourists this year.

NEIL JAYSON N. SERVALLOS

LRT TO SHUT DOWN FROM APRIL 18 TO 21 THE Light Rail Transit (LRT) 1 and 2 will be shut down for maintenance from April 18 (Maundy Thursday) to 21 (Easter Sunday). The LRT 1 will run from 4:30 a.m. to 10:15 p.m. to Baclaran and from 4:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. to Roosevelt from Monday to Wednesday next week. Meanwhile, LRT 2 will have a shorter schedule on Arpil 17, with the last westbound train departing at 7 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. for eastbound. Regular operations will resume on April 22. ARIC JOHN SY CUA

A8

THURSDAY April 11, 2019

News

Dengue kills 227 in first quarter The department recorded close to 56,000 dengue cases during the period.

Data from the DoH’s epidemiology bureau showed that from January 1 to March 30, there were 55,976 cases of the avoidable mosquitoborne illness. This is higher than the

31,247 cases with 168 fatalities reported in the same period last year.

From March 24 to 30 alone, 3,381 cases were reported to the dengue surveillance unit of the department.

Central Visayas had the most number of cases — 6,189 and

37 deaths. Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon) followed with 5,366 cases and 20 deaths.

Metro Manila came third with 5,339 cases and 18 deaths. Caraga was fourth with 5,099 cases and 15 deaths, followed by Western Visayas with 4,719 cases and 27 deaths.

Ilocos Region had 1,234 cases and two deaths; Cagayan Valley, 4,163 cases and 22 deaths; Central Luzon, 4,429 cases and eight deaths; Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan) with 1,611 cases

Q BUREAUCRACY FROM A1

Among the regions where pessimism is being felt is Cagayan Valley (Region 2), which, ironically, already has a competitive rice-growing sector particularly in Isabela and Nueva Vizcaya. In these provinces, palay (unmilled rice) yield is at least 4 metric tons per hectare, among the highest in the country.

“DA has all the blows to parry‌and Secretary PiĂąol is under siege,â€? an agriculture official from Cagayan Valley said, referring to Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel PiĂąol. “We wait until additional measures will be discussed by the agriculture chief. Meantime, we

BY CATHERINE A. MODESTO

T

HE Department of Health said 227 people died of dengue from January to March this year.

Pessimism Mechanization (PhilMech) and the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) that will be getting P5 billion and P3 billion, respectively, from this year up to 2024.

AND SIX DEATHS "ICOL 2EGION

cases and eight deaths; Eastern Visayas, 2,383 cases and nine deaths; Zamboanga Peninsula, 2,553 cases and 19 deaths; Northern Mindanao, 4,287 cases and 12 deaths; Davao Region, 2,059 cases and three deaths; Soccksksargen, 3,615 cases and 13 deaths; Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao, 637 CASES AND kVE DEATHS AND #ORDILLERA Administrative Region, 1,189 cases and three deaths.

Most of the victims were aged kVE TO NINE YEARS OLD gather as much feedback as we can from farmers. However, these would, I personally presume, go to the other side of the coin.

How will we survive? How can we thrive if private traders can import?� the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told The Manila Times .

˜ The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

P3,000 CASINO ENTRANCE FEE

Group files complaint against QC execs A CIVIL society group on WednesDAY URGED THE /FkCE OF THE /Mbudsman to investigate Quezon #ITY OFkCIALS FOR POSSIBLE USURPAtion of authority for passing an ordinance that seeks to required residents of the city to pay P3,000entrance fee in casinos or online gaming stations.

Task Force Kasinag named Quezon City Vice Mayor Josefina “Joy� Belmonte as the primary respondent.

The group’s leader John Chiong said they were acting on the complaint of a a QC resident who accused Belmonte and city councilors

of violating Republic Act (RA) 3019 or “Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act� and RA 6713 or “An Act Establishing A Code of Conduct and EthiCAL 3TANDARDS FOR 0UBLIC /FkCIALS u “There is a clear abuse of authority on the part of the vice mayor and her council members who disregarded Pagcor’s sole authority in handling casinos and online gaming,� said Chiong, referring to the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. “Pagcor is the sole authority in regulating all games of chance in the country,� he added.

JAIME R. PILAPIL

NFA to lose powers

mation that RA 11203 was the cause of the lowering of palay prices. “Our farmers also think this way, THAT WE WILL BE lOODED WITH LOW priced rice from abroad...but this is not true... the 35 [percent] tariff of imports from Asean [Association of Southeast Asian Nations] countries will increase their prices to become competitive with our rice which we produce at a much higher cost,� he EXPLAINED “We should be employing better production management technologies, such as direct seeding, use of hybrid rice varieties, higher fertilization rates both organic and inorganic, more use of machinery, and others, to lower our cost per kilo of production,� he added.

A few farmers interviewed by The Times in Cagayan Valley fear that their rice will become worthless with the arrival of more affordable stocks from abroad.

However, Charles Lim, a farmerbusinessman based in Isabela province, said the problem was not the price of rice but the high cost of production. “Farmers should work on lowering cost of production while increasing yield per hectare,� Lim said, EXPLAINING THAT AN AVERAGE OF cavans of palay per hectare was very low, producing an income estimated at only P5,250 per month.

(E SAID A FARMER SHOULD MAXIMIZE production up to 300 cavans per hectare to earn up to P20,000 per hectare. “Helping the farmers increase their yield with new approaches and technology is what we need and not importation, thus, we become rice SELF SUFkCIENT COUNTRY u ,IM ADDED

There is also a level of pessimism in THE .&! OFkCES IN #AGAYAN 6ALLEY

WHICH MAY RElECT THE SENTIMENTS OF the agency’s units in other parts of the country.

A source said all the provincial units of the grains agency in the reGION ARE CONCERNED WITH THE INlUX OF imported rice. The source described Republic Act (RA) 11203 or the “Rice 4ARIFkCATION ,AWu AS gANTI PEOPLE u The draft of the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) for RA 11203 calls for the reorganization of the NFA and the formulation of a package for employees who will be “considered redundant.�

The draft IRR also states that rice importers need not seek NFA permits or licenses to import rice, and that the licenses the agency issued to rice traders and retailers are revoked.

The draft IRR makes the NFA an “open market player� in the rice industry, while maintaining a buffer stock. The second draft of the IRR does not go into detail, however, on what constitutes an “open market player� or buffer stock.

The NFA source said that liberalized rice imports would affect the agency’s accredited dealers and cooperatives, who might be forced to sell their stocks at lower prices to compete with grain imports. News of the rice imports has also driven the retail price of rice to as low as P20 to 21 per kilo.

‘Misinformation’ In Isabela, a source from the Phil2ICE OFkCE SAID THERE WAS MISINFOR-

Q POVERTY FROM A1

PSA: 5 million food and nonfood needs, a reduction from about 28 out of 100 Filipino in poverty in the same period in 2015. “This means that about 23.1 million Filipinos (from 28.8 million in 2015) had incomes that fall below THE POVERTY THRESHOLD IN THE kRST semester of 2018,� said Perez.

Poverty incidence among families on the other hand, or the proportion of families whose incomes fell below the poverty line, was estimated at 16.1 PERCENT FROM PERCENT IN THE kRST half of 2015.

This means that 16 out of 100 families had incomes below the amount needed to buy their basic FOOD AND NONFOOD NEEDS IN THE kRST semester of 2018. This translated to about 4 million families, down from the 5 million recorded in 2015.

Regions with the lowest poverty incidence among families were the National Capital Region, Calabarzon and Central Luzon, while the Muslim autonomous region had the highest poverty incidence.

The PSA said that during the peRIOD A FAMILY OF kVE NEEDED NO LESS than P7,337, on average, to meet the family’s basic food needs for a month. The amount is the food threshold, which increased by 11.2 percent compared with P6,600 in THE kRST HALF OF No less than P10,481, on average, was needed to meet both basic food and nonfood needs of a family of kVE IN A MONTH 4HIS AMOUNT IS THE poverty threshold, which also went up by 11 percent from P9,453 three years prior.

The PSA reported that the subsistence incidence among Filipino

families, or the proportion of Filipino families whose incomes fell below the food threshold, was estimated at 6.2 percent, down from 9.9 percent in 2015.

The subsistence incidence among Filipino individuals, or the proportion of Filipinos whose incomes fell below the food threshold, went down to 8.5 percent from 13 percent.

The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) attributed the decline to the sustained economic growth and critical and broad-based reforms and investments that have translated to employment generation and social protection. “For one, growth in the construction and manufacturing sectors created more employment opportunities for Filipinos. Second, we like to highlight the increase in income of Filipino households, as well as employment shifts to the industry and service sectors from agriculture,� said Undersecretary Adoracion Navarro, .%$! OFkCER IN CHARGE

Target: 14% poverty incidence Palace spokesman Salvador Panelo said the Duterte government was eyeing to cut poverty incidence further to 14 percent, adding that lower poverty numbers proved the ADMINISTRATION S gSIGNIkCANT STRIDES AND RElECT HOW IT SERIOUSLY DEALS with the long-standing national issue of poverty.� “[These were] favorable to our marginalized brothers and sisters, with the goal of ensuring that &ILIPINOS DIRECTLY BENEkT FROM THE country’s economic gains,� the spokesman said.

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NG investments surge to record 5.4% of GDP

BY MAYVELIN U. CARABALLO

I

NVESTMENTS made by the national government (NG) surged to P940.4 billion last year, which at 5.4 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) was the highest in the country’s history, the Finance department said on Wednesday.

In an economic bulletin, the department said NG investments had risen by NEARLY PERCENT ON AVERAGE OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS CONTRIBUTING SIGNIkCANTLY to economic growth. “Investment expansion has been the driving force of the economy in recent years — pushing up the country’s competitiveness and making up for previous decades of underinvest-

ment,� it said. “Stringent public investment evaluation, open and transparent procurement and implementation-ready priORITIZATION HAVE INCREASED THE EFkCIENCY of projects,� the department added.

NG investments have been “very efkCIENTu IT CLAIMED WITH RATES OF RETURN exceeding borrowing costs — currently at 5.9 percent based on the 25-year T-

bond rate — and also returns on private investments. “NG investment is strongly correlated with GDP growth; the economic rate of return is computed at 29.9 percent for the current quarter’s investment and 17.4 percent for the previous quarter’s investment,� the department said.

Private investments, in comparison, notched a 9.7 percent return for the current quarter and 7.9 percent for the previous quarter.

Factors contributing to the high returns, the Finance department said, include strict vetting by the interagency Investment Coordination Committee that reviews projects costing P2.5 billion or more.

These projects must also be part of

the Philippine Development Plan’s Public Investment Program and must satisfy the benchmark of a 15 percent economic rate of return.

Also, project procurement undergoes an open and transparent bidding process, with terms of reference published in the Philippine Government E-Procurement System, and projects should also be implementation-ready before funds are allotted under the national budget. g;-=ANY OF THESE PROJECTS SHOULD have been implemented years ago.

The current congestion in the country’s roads and ports are evidence that the projects, once implemented, will have ready clientele,� the department said.

Peso back at P51:$1 as US dollar weakens THE peso returned to the P51:$1 level on Wednesday, hitting a one-month high as the dollar weakened on renewed concerns over US-initiated trade disputes.

The currency, which opened at P52.10 against the greenback, gained 24 centavos to close at P51.90, its highest since a 0 kNISH ON -ARCH “The US dollar was weaker today. This probably was from the recent statements of Donald Trump THAT HE IS NOT YET kNISHED WITH HIS trade wars and that the weakening global economy should just deal with it,� Union Bank of the Philippines chief economist Ruben Carlo Asuncion.

The US, which is currently embroiled in a trade war with China, has threatened to impose tariffs on European imports over subsidies granted to Airbus.

“Investors probably have seen the strength of the peso as lower-thanEXPECTED INlATION WAS REPORTED LAST week,� Asuncion also pointed out. )NlATION SLOWED FURTHER TO PERCENT IN -ARCH AND kNALLY FELL within the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) 2.0-4.0 percent target, HITTING PERCENT YEAR TO DATE “This affords the BSP a wider policy space and may soon cut rates to help prop up economic growth,� Asuncion said. !BOVE TARGET INlATION PROMPTED the central bank’s policymaking Monetary Board to hike key interest RATES kVE CONSECUTIVE TIMES LAST YEAR

only pausing after consumer price growth began easing in November.

A third pause resulted from the last policy meeting on March 21, with monetary authorities noting the need for more data.

MAYVELIN U. CARABALLO

PCC can finally live up to its mandate

T

HE underlying concept of the Philippine Competition Act and its operative body the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) is the protection of consumer choice. Until now, however, the PCC has had very little opportunity to demonstrate its value in a way ordinary consumers can understand.

Over the weekend, the PCC announced it had served notice on mass housing developer 8990 Holdings and its massive Urban Deca Homes Manila condominium property that they have been accused of violating the competition act for mandating the use of sole internet service provider (ISP) by residents of the complex IN 4ONDO 4HE SPECIkC VIOLATION is of Article 15 of the Act, using a “dominant position� to prevent competition.

In its press statement, the PCC said it was acting on numerous complaints from residents that the ISP they were obliged to subscribe to was grossly overpriced. “Residents complained that ‘Fiber to Deca Homes’ charges P1,249 for 2 Mbps (megabits per second), which is almost equivalent to a 5 Mbps plan from other service providers, while its 5 Mbps monthly plan of P2,599 only costs P1,299 from other networks,� the PCC said. “Its 6 Mbps service costs P2,949 which is equivalent to 50 Mbps from one ISP and almost the same price for 100Mbps from another ISP,� it added.

ROUGH TRADE BEN KRITZ 4HE kBER NETWORK IS BEING PROvided by Cebu-based iTech-RAR 3OLUTIONS 4HE kRM PROVIDES A number of digital infrastructure services and has an impressive list of clients, of whom 8990/Deca Homes is evidently the largest.

Although iTech’s capabilities appear to be unquestionable, the prices they are charging for the services they offer the Deca Homes residents, if the PCC statement is accurate, are frankly ATROCIOUS !S kBER INTERNET IS NOT exactly a vital utility like water OR ELECTRICITY THERE IS NO JUSTIkCAtion apart from the developer’s convenience (which is of course NOT SUFkCIENT JUSTIkCATION AT ALL for limiting it to a single provider. “This ISP or none at all� is not choice, from the consumer point of view, and it is exactly that sort of nonsense that the PCC is mandated to correct and prevent.

Assuming that 8990 Holdings cannot present a valid reason why iTech-RAR Solutions is the only ISP that can be offered to the Deca Homes Manila residents – and it certainly seems unlikely that it can – it stands to be hit WITH A HEFTY kNE BY THE 0## AND of course will be ordered to allow other ISPs to offer their services

ÂłKritz B2

WARNING THE WORLD

People walk through the International Monetary Fund (IMF) building during the IMF/ World Bank Spring Meetings in Washington, DC on April 9, 2019 The global economy is facing a delicate moment, beset with risks as the recovery loses steam amid trade tensions, Brexit and other factors, the IMF warned Tuesday. AFP PHOTO

Net FDI inflows drop in January NET foreign direct investments (FDI) hit a two-month low in January, also dropping from a year earlier, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) announced on Wednesday. !T MILLION DOWN percent from $986 million in the same month last year, the result was lowest since November 2018’s MILLION The central bank said the year-on-year decline “reflected THE PERCENT DROP IN EQUITY capital placements to $184 milLION DURING THE MONTH FROM million for the same period a year ago.�

Equity capital placements during the month came mainly from Mauritius, South Korea, the United States, Singapore and the Netherlands, and were channeled LARGELY TO THE kNANCIAL AND INSURance; administrative and support

services; real estate; electricity, gas, steam and air-conditioning supply; and information and communication industries.

ING Bank Manila Branch senior economist Nicholas Antonio Mapa said the overall slowdown could mean that investors were turning more cautious. “Investors may want more clarity on growth prospects and may also be awaiting the outcome OF THE ;-AY = ELECTIONS BEFORE coming into the company but the corporates that currently have operations onshore appear to still be upbeat on the economy’s prospects,� he noted.

Meanwhile, an increase in equity capital withdrawals — mainly from Japan — to $229 million from $58 million a year earlier contributed to the decrease in net FDI. This resulted in a net equity CAPITAL OUTlOWS OF MILLION

during the month, a reversal from THE MILLION NET INFLOW A year ago.

Net investments in debt instruments — intercompany borrowings/lending between foreign direct investors and their subsidiARIES AFkLIATES IN THE 0HILIPPINES ‡ INCREASED BY PERCENT TO million from the year-ago $441 million.

Reinvestment of earnings also rose by 6.6 percent to $76 million from a year ago.

The Bangko Sentral expects net &$) INlOWS TO REACH BILLION this year. )N NET &$) INlOWS HIT A two-year low of $9.802 billion — short of the central bank’s $10.4-billion goal and the lowEST SINCE S BILLION — down 4.4 percent from 2017’s $10.256 billion.

MAYVELIN U. CARABALLO

For loans under the peso rediscount facility, rates were pegged AT AT PERCENT PER ANNUM for loans with 1-90 days maturity AND PERCENT FOR LOANS WITH 91-180 days maturity.

Banks, meanwhile, did not tap the Exporters Dollar and Yen Rediscount Facility (EDYFR) for the period.

For April, EDYRF rates were set as follows: For 1-90 days maturity, 4.59975 percent per annum for 53 DOLLAR AND PERCENT for yen; for 91-180 days, 4.66225 percent for US dollar and 1.99850

THE stock market climbed back to the 8,000 territory on Wednesday with analysts pointing to bargain-hunting and net foreign buying as having provided the boost.

The bellwether Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) rose by 1.17 percent or 92.90 points to close at 8,008.53 while the broader All Shares grew by 0.88 percent or 42.92 points to end at 4,909.88.

P2P Trade Online sales associate Gabriel Jose Perez pointed to a heavy net foreign inflows as having lifted the index while Regina Capital Development Corp. head of sales Luis Limlingan said players had taken to buying cheap issues ahead of the Holy Week holidays.

Net foreign buying stood at P970 million as foreigners bought P7.1 billion issues and sold P6.13 billion.

While all three main Wall Street indexes ended lower overnight and the losses seeped through to Asia in the morning, the region’s markets picked up as the day wore on.

Investors, however, remained nervous as the possibility of a US-EU trade war shifted into focus after a tariffs threat from Washington and were also spooked by Brexit uncertainty.

The warning from US President Donald Trump’s administration that it would impose levies on more than $11 billion of European imports jolted investors, who had been enjoying a positive run of late thanks to optimism over China-US trade talks.

The European Union was to decide later

ÂłQ1 B2

ÂłLevel B2

Rediscount availments balloon in Q1 AVAILMENTS of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) peso reDISCOUNT FACILITY SURGED IN THE kRST quarter of the year, data released on Wednesday showed.

4OTAL LOANS ROSE TO 0 BILlion, seven times more than the 0 BILLION BORROWED DURING the same quarter a year ago.

4HE BULK OR PERCENT WAS classified as other credits by the BSP. Specifically, the loans were used for capital asset expenditures PERCENT LOANS TO OTHER SERvices (9.64 percent), and permanent working capital (7.95 percent).

The remainder was classified

AS COMMERCIAL CREDITS AT percent, with loans for importaTION TAKING UP PERCENT AND trading of goods accounting for PERCENT Rediscounting is a privilege given by the central bank to banks QUALIkED TO OBTAIN LOANS OR ADvances using eligible borrowers’ papers as collateral.

Under the rediscount window, a bank wanting to liquidate outstanding client loans can run to the Bangko Sentral to swap these for cash at a discount.

The BSP also said that it had set rediscounted rates for April.

Stock market returns to 8,000 level

B2

Business Times

˜ The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

THURSDAY April 11, 2019

No SRP on cement for now – DTI chief

BY TYRONE C. PIAD

W

ITH prices of cement stable amid the safeguard duty imposed by the government, implementing an industrywide suggested retail price (SRP) for the product is not a priority of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) for now. “We checked the prices. They’re almost the same. So there’s no urgency now to look into that,� DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez said on the sidelines of an event in Batangas last week.

He said prices were still at December 2018 level or P220 per 40-kilogram (kg) bag on average.

Only minimal hikes were observed, he added. “There are some increases adMITTEDLY BUT 0 INCREASE ;ONLY= u Lopez explained.

(E CLARIkED HOWEVER THAT INDIvidual cement manufacturers were imposing their own SRPs.

Earlier, the DTI said it was looking into reviewing cement prices for possible imposition of SRP to regulate PRICES AND TO PREVENT PROkTEERING )N January, it ordered a provisional safeguard duty of P8.40 per 40-kg bag — almost 4 percent of the average retail price of P220 per bag — in response to surging imports reportedly hurting the local industry.

The DTI said cement imports BALLOONED TO OVER MILLION METric tons (MT) in 2017 from just

-4 IN WHILE ITS SHARE to total imports rose to 15 percent from only 0.02 percent during the same period.

The cement safeguard duty took effect on Feb. 9 this year and will

be sustained for the next 200 days.

Currently, the Tariff Commission is probing the market impact of slapping additional tariff on cement imports. A public hearing is set on May 6 to10 this year to settle the case. Should it deem the safeguard necessary, it will recommend to the DTI the safeguard’s implementation for the next three to four years.

Republic Act 8800 or the Safeguard Measures Act protects local industries by imposing safeguard measures in case of import surge. “Imports are still coming in.

Prices are very competitive. There ARE ;EVEN= LOCAL PRODUCERS OFFERING lower prices than other players,�

Lopez said.

Third telco Rice inventory up 30.8% in March still upbeat despite CPCN delay ALTHOUGH the fate of its franchise still hangs, the incoming challenger of dominant players Globe Telecom and Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT) Inc. remains optimistic its rollout plan will not be delayed.

Its spokesperson Adel Tamano on Wednesday said that while the GOVERNMENT S AWARDING OF A CERTIkcate of public convenience and necessity (CPCN) to the consortium of Mindanao Islamic Telephone Co. (Mislatel) continues to face DELAYS IT WOULD gNOT SIGNIkCANTLY affect our rollout.� “We are doing the needed studies, technical evaluation and entering into memoranda of agreement with various partners to ensure a timely rollout,� he told The Manila Times.

Once Congress approves the request of the group’s franchise holder Mislatel to transfer controlling interest to partners, that would be the only time the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) could award the CPCN, allowing the telecommunications company to launch commercial operations in the local market.

Sought for updates, acting DICT head Eliseo Rio Jr. was bullish the franchise issue would be resolved after elections. g;4HE= .4# .ATIONAL 4ELEcommunications Commission) already wrote the lower house on this and was assured that Congress will act on it when they return after election,� he said in a mobile message. “NTC is seeking the formal approval of the lower house on the amendments done by the Senate TO THE HOUSE RESOLUTION APproving the franchise of Mislatel,�

Rio added.

The consortium, which was declared as the provisional third telco player last November 2018, is promising up to 55 megabits per second (Mbps) of speed, covering 84.01 percent of cumulative coverage, with capital expenditures of 0 BILLION FOR kVE YEARS Mislatel targets to begin its commercial operations by late 2020.

LISBET K. ESMAEL

Q Q1 FROM B1

Rediscount availments PERCENT FOR YEN AND FOR days, 4.72475 percent for US dollar and 2.06100 percent for en.

The rates “are based on the 90day London Inter-Bank Offered Rate as of 29 March 2019 plus 200 basis points plus term premia,� the Bangko Sentral said.

MAYVELIN U. CARABALLO

THE country’s rice inventory rose by 30.87 percent to 2.221 million metric tons (MT) at the start of March from its year-ago level, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported.

It was also up by 3.75 percent compared to month-ago figure, the PSA said in its monthly inventory report.

Latest figures from the PSA said rice stocks were at 1.697 million MT in the same period in 2018 and 2.141 million MT in February this year. Year-on-year (yoy), a 1,030.17 percent jump was noted in NFA depositories. Rice stocks in commercial warehouses were also up by 25.75 percent. Stocks inhouseholds fell by 6.08 percent though.

Month-on-month, stocks in households and NFA depositories grew by 0.12 percent and 65.29 percent, respectively but those in commercial houses dropped by 14.22 percent. Of the total rice inventories, 46.53 percent were from households, 31.32 percent from the commercial warehouses and 22.15 percent from NFA depositories. The total rice inventory is seen to increase in the coming months as the country opens its market to cheap imported rice under a new rice regime. Philippine rice imports may hit a record-high 2.6 million MT this year. It may further increase as the Rice Import Liberalization Act takes full effect, the United States Department of

Agriculture (USDA) said. Meanwhile, total corn stocks rose by 42.68 percent to 397,120 MT in March from 278,340 MT a year ago, but fell by 49.19 percent from 781.52 MT in the previous month. Inventory from households and commercial warehouses climbed yoy by 55.36 percent and 38.25 percent, respectively.

On a monthly basis, stocks in households and commercial warehouses fell by 23.01 percent and 55.19 percent, respectively. Some 71.71 percent of the total corn inventory was held by commercial warehouses while the remaining 28.29 percent consisted of inventory from households. EIREENE JAIREE GOMEZ

Record PH wheat imports expected PHILIPPINE wheat imports are seen to reach a record 7 million metric tons (MT) this year, up 17 percent from a year ago and up 11 percent from the United States Department of AgriculTURE S 53$! EARLIER FORECAST OF million MT. In the Global Agricultural Information Network report of its Foreign Agricultural Service in Manila, the USDA attributed the projected increase to continued strong demand. “For the past several years, wheat imports have been rising as demand for food and feed grains increases with the growing population,� the USDA said. “Although primarily a rice-based diet, Philippine preferences are shifting from corn-based products to incorporating more affordable wheat products,� it added.

Wheat imports have increased con-

sistently since 2016. Total imports that year reached 4.918 million MT, 5.704 million in 2017 and 5.987 million MT last year.

The USDA also attributed the record-high imports to higher demand for animal feeds, following a drop in corn production due to typhoons that hit the country in late 2018. “Also, animal feeding is expected higher as demand for more protein in the diets continues to grow,� it said. g4HIS YEAR SPECIkCALLY THE TREND toward stronger wheat use have intenSIkED DUE TO TYPHOON RELATED LOSSES IN domestic corn. With domestic corn prices relatively high, the demand for wheat has surged, both in feed rations and for human consumption,� the USDA added.

Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel PiĂąol earlier said the increase in imports was an indication of the growing

poultry and livestock industries.

In an effort to boost demand for animal feeds, he said his department was banking on its Sorghum Development Program, which aimed to produce an estimated 10 million MT of additional feed grains in 100,000 hectares of ancestral domain areas.

Meanwhile, global wheat production remained low this month, the USDA said, noting that global consumption also decreased due to lower feed and residual use in the European Union and Iran. “Global trade is down as lower imports for Bangladesh, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Vietnam more than offset higher demand from Indonesia and the Philippines,� it added.

About 95 percent of the country’s wheat requirements are sourced from the US. EIREENE JAIREE GOMEZ

Q LEVEL FROM B1

Tokyo ended off 0.5 percent, while there were also losses in Wellington and Jakarta.

However, Shanghai ended up 0.1 percent, Seoul rose 0.5 percent and Singapore gained 0.1 percent with Sydney, Taipei, and Bangkok also in the ascendance.

In early trade London rose 0.1 percent, while Frankfurt added 0.4 percent and

Paris gained 0.3 percent.

Back in Manila, most sectoral indices finished in the green except for mining and oil, down 0.47 percent.

Volume turnover stood at 2.14 billion issues valued at P9.8 billion.

Winners led losers, 110 to 96, while 42 issues remained unchanged.

ANGELICA BALLESTEROS AND AFP

Stock on Wednesday (European time) on the Britain’s request to extend Brexit, which is due Friday, and to avoid a calamitous no-deal divorce.

Hong Kong dipped 0.1 percent and

captive market, to take the low road and take unfair advantage of it. It is disappointing to see 8990 Holdings falling into the same unethical pattern, because until to the residents. now it has distinguished itself as Besides providing the needed being more consumer-oriented direct relief to the Deca Homes than most developers as a result residents, that outcome will send of its focus on the mass housing an important message to compa- market. nies of all kinds here about the 8990’s designated service proneed to change the way business vider iTech-RAR is just as guilty, is done. if not more so. Based on the From the developer’s point of information about itself the comview, having a single ISP is practi- pany provides on its website, the cal. The Deca Homes Manila de- Deca Homes account is obviously VELOPMENT IS A HUGE PROPERTY m iTech’s biggest undertaking; the TOWERS AND A TOTAL OF ABOUT number of staff dedicated solely to individual housing units – and the Fiber to Deca Homes business installing and maintaining any outnumbers those handling all the SORT OF UTILITY SERVICE IS A SIGNIkCANT rest of the company’s business. engineering challenge. Providing Yet the current complaint indifor multiple ISPs simply multiplies cates that iTech is either unaware the cost and management effort or is pointedly ignoring the natural required. competitive advantage it has even It has been always the tendency without being unfairly coddled by of businesses here, when faced 8990. It can offer the Deca Homes with a situation that will require RESIDENTS THE BENEkTS OF BUILT IN effort to offer choice to a naturally infrastructure and almost instant

Q KRITZ FROM B1

PCC can

CONNECTION 0,$4 kBER INTERNET

by contrast, is a four- to six-month wait or longer), and dedicated support. Even if its prices were a bit higher than its competitors, it could probably still count on a virtual monopoly just by virtue of being conveniently available on demand. Unless, of course, iTechRAR’s capabilities simply prevent it from offering ISP options at competitive prices, in which case it probably shouldn’t be in that BUSINESS IN THE kRST PLACE The entire situation is a blessing for the PCC; the required response on its part is simple and obvious and easily relatable to the average consumer. After all, cursing the limited choices, bad service and high costs of telecom services have virtually become a national pastime. Doing the right thing will pay enormous dividends for the PCC’s credibility, and set a long-overdue precedent about providing public services at reasonable prices.

Email: ben.kritz@manilatimes.net

Trade remedies as trade policy tools First of three parts

T

HE multifaceted systems of controls and taxes on traded goods were believed to be in existence over three centuries ago, when travelling merchants offered, on their own accord, customs fees to monarchs and sovereign rulers for the privilege of selling goods within their territory.

Through the years, the customs fee (subsequently called “customs duty�) became compulsory. Its collection was said to have been outsourced to a select group of individuals (such as tax farmers).

These individuals would use either peaceful or non-peaceful means to collect what had become an essential revenue source for monarchies and states.

Competition among traders of goods then became solider. Creativity in terms of marketing, branding and reasonableness of prices of goods also became widespread. This resulted to dumping (i.e. happens when exporters sell their product to an importer at a price lower than its normal value).

As trade exponentially increased worldwide, tariff and customs laws needed to be legislated. As a conseQUENCE VARIOUS CUSTOMS OFkCES HAD to be established.

Fast forward to the present day, the concept of tariff and customs have not changed. This is true notwithstanding the evolution in global and regional trade policies, rules and processes.

Tariff’ still refers to a tax on imports (or exports) in the form of customs duty which is collected by the government generally as a revenue generating measure (revenue tariff).

It also serves as a protective barrier PROTECTIVE TARIFF DESIGNED TO ARTIkCIALLY INlATE PRICES TO SUPPORT THE local industries and protect domestic output from foreign counterparts.

MORE TO FOLLOW

MARK ANTHONY TAMAYO Act) RA No. 8800 provides an interim protection to a domestic industry affected by the surge of unexpected and unforeseen increased imports causing or threatening serious injury to domestic producers of like or directly competitive products.

The purpose for the application of safeguard measures is to give them reasonable time to prepare for, and adjust to, increased import competition, resulting from the reduction of tariffs or the lifting of quantitative restrictions agreed upon in multilateral trade negotiations.

For non-agricultural products GENERAL SAFEGUARD ACTION A VERIkED PETITION IS kLED BY A PRODUCER BElonging to, or representing, a domestic industry whose collective output constitutes a major proportion of the total domestic production) with the Secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry. While for agricultural products (Special safeguard ACTION THE PETITION IS kLED WITH THE Department of Agriculture.

The concerned Secretary may also initiate action motu proprio, or upon the request of the President, or a resolution of the House or the Senate Committees of Agriculture or on Trade and Industry.

Safeguard relief measures

/NCE A PETITION IS kLED THE CONcerned Secretary shall then conduct a preliminary investigation to determine whether or not 1) a prima facie case exists to warrant a formal investigation, as well as 2) to impose a provisional safeguard Rules of trade MEASURE )N AN AFkRMATIVE kNDING

between nations the concerned Secretary will then issue a Department Order (DO) for Under the Word Trade Organization the imposition of the provisional (WTO) agreement, the principle of safeguard measure and shall refer the most-favored nation (MFN) the case to the Tariff Commission treatment requires that countries for a formal investigation. cannot normally discriminate beThe provisional safeguard meatween their trading partners. It sure shall take the form of a tariff ingenerally denotes equal treatment crease, which shall be paid through to ensure equal trading among all a cash bond. The cash bond is set at WTO member-nations, rather than A LEVEL SUFkCIENT TO PREVENT SERIOUS exclusive trading privileges. injury to the domestic industry.

Some exceptions are, however, alAfter formal investigation, the lowed. These include, among others, Tariff Commission shall submit its the existence of regional economic REPORT OF kNDINGS AND RECOMMENintegration embodied in Free Trade dations to the concerned Secretary Agreements (e.g., Asean Trade in IN THE FORM OF DEkNITIVE SAFEGUARD Goods Agreements that applies only measure to be imposed. If the to goods traded within the group). DETERMINATION IS AFkRMATIVE A $/ The rationale behind this is to ac- shall be issued for the proper implecommodate the needs of developing mentation on the imposition of a countries.

DEkNITIVE SAFEGUARD MEASURE BY THE Furthermore, under the national Bureau of Customs. treatment provision of the WTO, imDefinitive safeguard measures ported and locally-produced goods are applied on a global basis and should be treated equally — at least may generally take the form of an after the foreign goods have entered increase in, or imposition of, tariffs; the market. decrease in, or imposition of, tariff Therefore, charging customs duty rate quotas (Minimum Access Volon an import is not a violation of ume); or quantitative restrictions national treatment provision even (import quotas). These measures if locally-produced products are not MUST BE TEMPORARY PRODUCT SPECIkC charged an equivalent tax. and applied to all imports irrespecIn fact, Section 1608 (Flexible tive of the source.

Tariff Clause provision) of the CusOther actions, such as initiation toms Modernization and Tariff Act of international negotiations may (CMTA) grants the President, in the also be recommended to address interest of general welfare and na- the underlying cause of the increase tional security, the power to increase, in imports. reduce or remove existing rates of In next week’s article, the author customs duty including any neces- shall discuss other trade remedies SARY CHANGES IN CLASSIkCATION UPON available for the protection of the recommendation of the NEDA. domestic industries.

This power of the President can be exercised only when Congress is not Mark Anthony P. Tamayo is a CPALawyer and a Partner of Mata-Perez, in session.

Trade remedy measures (i.e., Tamayo & Francisco (MTF) Counsel. anti-dumping, countervailing and He is consistently listed as a recsafeguard measures) were likewise ognized indirect tax leader in the passed to address unfair competi- Philippines by the International Tax tion. These remedies are trade policy Review. His areas of expertise also tools that allow governments to take include cross border taxation and remedial action against imports, supply chain advisory. This article which are causing material injury is for general information only and is not a substitute for professional to a domestic industry.

Such trade remedies are divided advice where the facts and circumbroadly into three legislations (as stances warrant. If you have any aligned with the WTO Agreements) question or comment regarding this and adopted in their entirety in the article, you may email the author at info@mtfcounsel.com or visit MTF CMTA. RA 8800 (Safeguard Measures website at www.mtfcounsel.com

Corporate News

˜ The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

AboitizPower bags $300-M loan to buy stakes in Ayala unit

B3

Megawide 2018 profit drops 20% to P1.8B

ABOITIZPOWER Corp. has secured a loan to partially fund the acquisition of stakes in AA Thermal Inc., the thermal platform of Ayala-led AC Energy Inc., for $579.2 million.

In a disclosure on Wednesday, AboitizPower said it had signed an agreement with DBS Bank Ltd., Mizuho Bank Ltd., MUFG BankLtd. and Standard Chartered Bank to obtain the loan, worth up to $300 million.

It will be used to partially finance the purchase of 49-percent voting and 60-percent economic stakes in AA Thermal.

The loan comes after the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) announced last month it had allowed the Aboitizled energy firm to buy the shares from AC Energy affiliate Arlington Mariveles Netherlands Holding B.V. In its two-page decision promulgated on February 28, the antitrust body found that the acquisition would “not likely result in substantial lessening of competition in the identified relevant markets for power generation and retail electricity supply in [the] Luzon and Visayas.� “There exist sufficient post-transaction competitive constraints from other power-generation and retail-electricity suppliers,� PCC said.

Last September, AboitizPower signed a share purchase deal with Arlington Mariveles Netherlands and a shareholders’ agreement with AC Energy. It said these were in line with its goal of reaching 4,000-megawatt net attributable target capacity by 2020 through its balanced mix strategy.

AA Thermal has limited partnership interests in GNPower Mariveles Coal Plant, which runs a 2 x 316 MW coal plant in Mariveles town, Bataan province.

This facility, set up through a partnership between AC Energy, AboitizPower subsidiary Therma Power Inc., and Power Partners Ltd. Co., started commercial operations in February 2014.

The AC Energy unit also holds interests in GNPower Dinginin, owner of a 2 x 668 MW supercritical coal plant project in Bataan’s Dinginin municipality that is set for completion within the year.

This plant, a joint venture between AC Energy and Therma Power, and Power Partners, was named an energy project of national significance by the Department of Energy in February.

AC Energy, which has more than $1 billion of invested and committed equity in renewable and thermal energy in the country and the region, aims to exceed 5 gigawatts (GW) of RE capacity by 2025.

AboitizPower is the holding company for the Aboitiz Group’s investments in power generation, distribution, and retail electricity services. It has interests in both renewable and non-renewable power generation plants.

AboitizPower shares climbed by P1.10 or 3.10 percent to finish at P36.60 each on Wednesday.

JORDEENE B. LAGARE

BY LISBET K. ESMAEL

M

EGAWIDE Construction Corp.’s consolidated net income dipped to P1.8 billion in 2018 after posting weaker construction revenues.

)N A REGULATORY kLING ON 7EDNESDAY

THE LISTED CONSTRUCTION kRM SAID THE amount was a 20-percent drop from 2017’s P2.24 billion.

Its top line also went down by 21 percent to P15.10 billion in 2018 from P19.15 billion a year earlier.

These reduced amounts were weighed down by lower construction revenues, which declined by 29 percent to P11.80 billion from 2017’s P16.71 billion. “Construction revenues slowed down in 2018 as a result of projects in different completion stages in the order book, with projects either winding down or in the early phases of construction,�

Megawide said.

The company bagged new contracts

amounting to P29.5 billion last year.

Order backlog at the end of 2018 reached P50.9 billion. “We remain highly optimistic [about] our construction business, especially with such a robust order book, which gives us visibility for the next two to three years,� Megawide Chairman and #HIEF %XECUTIVE /FkCER %DGAR 3AAVEDRA WAS QUOTED AS SAYING IN THE kLING “Our local property sector is thriving, not to mention the continuing opportunities in the government’s infrastructure development program. These, with our strong macroeconomic fundamentals, give us a positive outlook on construction,� he added.

Earnings before interest, taxes, depre-

ciation and amortization stood at P4.76 billion, up 8 percent from 2017’s P4.429 billion, buoyed by its airport business.

Despite posting a lower consolidated NET PROkT 3AAVEDRA STILL CONSIDERED as the group’s “landmark year.â€? g;4HIS= AS WE OPENED TWO lAGSHIP infrastructure projects, the Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) Terminal 2 and the ParaĂąaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX),â€? he said. “Not only did we secure our space as a transport infrastructure developer, we are also witnessing the results of our diversikCATION PLAN TO MITIGATE THE NATURAL CYCLICALITY OF CONSTRUCTION u THE OFkCIAL ADDED Revenues from airport operations improved by 30 percent to P2.99 billion from P2.29 billion previously; landport operations, established only recently, P18 million; and airport merchandising business, up 96 percent to P290 million from P148 million.

MCIA, Megawide said, continued to show robust growth in passenger

throughput, accommodating 11.5 million passengers last year, compared with 10 million in 2017. Domestic travelers ACCOUNTED FOR PERCENT OF THE kGURE international ones, 33 percent.

Megawide attributed this growth to “additional airline partners and the increased number of domestic and international flights.� MCIA houses 30 and 20 domestic and international routes, respectively. “We continue to see the growth in both international and local travel as an opportunity to promote Cebu not only as a destination, but [also] as a hub to other destinations in the Visayas and Mindanao,� Saavedra said. “We intend to make the most of these prospects by embarking on new developments within the MCIA concession AREA TO ATTRACT MORE TRAFkC AND COMPLEment our existing facilities,� he added.

Shares of Megawide fell by 6.43 perCENT OR 0 TO kNISH AT 0 APIECE on Wednesday.

Megaworld opens Hotel Lucky Chinatown LISTED Megaworld Corp. opened on Wednesday a new, P750-million hotel in Binondo, Manila, called the Hotel Lucky Chinatown.

Located on Reina Regente Street, the six-story property is the Andrew Tan-led real estate developer’s eight hotel in its portfolio.

Hotel Lucky Chinatown has 93 rooms that range from standard queen to executive suite.

It features a dining area, spa, sauna, jacuzzi, fitness center and a grand ballroom that can accommodate up to 350 people.

The hotel is connected to the Lucky Chinatown Mall through a footbridge on the third floor.

Jeremy Russell Go, resident

manager of the development, said during a news briefing that room sizes ranged from 24 square meters (sqm) to 79 sqm.

Overnight rates range from P3,188 a night to P5,788. “We take great pride in continuing to bring more excitement here in the ‘world’s oldest Chinatown’ with the opening of Hotel Lucky Chinatown,� Go said. “With the hotel directly connected to Manila Chinatown’s biggest mall, guests will be able to savor the distinct, dynamic vibe of the Chinatown culture as they enjoy the sights and sounds of this bustling hub,� he added.

Besides Hotel Lucky Chinatown,

HOLDING FIRMS

Index

Value

Chg

%Chg

PSEi

7,915.63

42.45

Ÿ

All Shares

4,866.96

19.97

Ÿ

Financials

1,739.80

-2.37

Ĺş

Industrial

11,816.43

75.45

Ÿ

Holding Firms

7,772.96

40.1

Ÿ

Services

1,613.97

22.5

Ÿ

Mining and Oil

7,715.64

-18.65

Ĺş

Property

4,092.98

17.91

Ÿ

SERVICES

Stock indices as of April 8, 2019

PSEi

THURSDAY April 11, 2019

ALL SHARES

MINING AND OIL

Megaworld’s other hotels are Richmonde Hotel Ortigas in Pasig City, Eastwood Richmonde Hotel in Quezon City and Richmonde Hotel Iloilo in Iloilo City, Iloilo province; Belmont Hotel Manila and Savoy Hotel Manila in Newport City, Pasay City; Savoy Hotel Boracay on Boracay island, Aklan province; and Twin Lakes Hotel in Laurel town, Batangas province.

Megaworld targets to have 12,000 hotel rooms in its portfolio over the next two years.

Its Westside Hotel in Paranaque City; Upper East Hotel in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental province; Chancellor Hotel in Boracay; and Belmont Hotel in Iloilo are

expected to open this year.

Earlier this week, Megaworld reported a 17-percent jump in its net income to P15.8 billion last year from P13.6 billion in 2017, driven by the double-digit growth of its businesses.

Consolidated revenues increased by 15 percent to P57.4 billion in 2018 from P50 billion the year before. Of this amount, its residential business contributed 66 percent; rental business, 25 percent; and other segments, the remainder.

Megaworld shares added 8 centavos or 1.39 percent to close at P5.82 apiece on Wednesday.

ANGELICA BALLESTEROS

TOP ACTIVE STOCKS No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

Security Name Ayala Land, Inc. Bloomberry Resorts Corporation Bank of the Philippine Islands PLDT Inc. Alliance Global Group, Inc. Ayala Corporation SM Prime Holdings, Inc. SM Investments Corporation Universal Robina Corporation Jollibee Foods Corporation International Container Terminal Services, Inc. BDO Unibank, Inc. Megaworld Corporation Puregold Price Club, Inc. JG Summit Holdings, Inc. 0HWUR 3DFLÂżF ,QYHVWPHQWV &RUSRUDWLRQ Megawide Construction Corp.

GT Capital Holdings, Inc. Xurpas Inc. Metropolitan Bank & Trust Company

Last Price 45 12.8 80.8 1,150.00 16.4 911 39.3 953 156 318.8 129.6 130.5 5.74 49.5 65.5 4.7 22.55 889.5 1.35 79.95

Chg 0 -0.04 -0.25 5 0.44 -11 0.35 9 4.4 -1.2 6.1 -0.8 0.06 1.3 0.85 0.12 0.45 -6.5 0.16 0.05

%Chg 0% -0.31% -0.31% 0.44% 2.76% -1.19% 0.90% 0.95% 2.90% -0.38% 4.94% -0.61% 1.06% 2.70% 1.31% 2.62% 2.04% -0.73% 13.45% 0.06%

ź ź Ÿ Ÿ ź Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ ź Ÿ ź Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ ź Ÿ Ÿ

Volume 9,190,300.00 31,298,100.00 4,107,280.00 276,855.00 15,595,200.00 254,440.00 4,653,400.00 181,630.00 1,078,890.00 493,570.00 1,209,660.00 1,174,260.00 25,092,200.00 2,725,800 1,769,410 23,464,000 4,663,400 116,060 45,676,000 735,310

Value(P) 413,162,565.00 402,149,498.00 334,476,009.50 318,264,875.00 255,544,214.00 231,822,545.00 182,656,340.00 173,221,975.00 167,519,797.00 157,618,072.00 155,193,577.00 153,400,299.00 143,474,770.00 134,279,780.00 115,296,529.50 109,843,940.00 105,425,635.00 103,367,595.00 58,889,870.00 58,734,719.50

*amounts in peso, except for volume, %chg

TOP GAINERS

FINANCIALS

INDUSTRIAL

PROPERTY

INDEX HISTORY Date Apr 8, 2019 Apr 5, 2019 Apr 4, 2019 Apr 3, 2019 Apr 2, 2019 Apr 01, 2019 Mar 29, 2019 Mar 28, 2019 Mar 27, 2019 Mar 26, 2019 Mar 25, 2019 Mar 22, 2019 Mar 21, 2019 Mar 20, 2019 Mar 19, 2019 Mar 18, 2019 Mar 15, 2019 Mar 14, 2019 Mar 13, 2019 Mar 12, 2019 Mar 11, 2019 Mar 8, 2019 Mar 7, 2019 Mar 6, 2019 Mar 5, 2019 Mar 4, 2019 Mar 01, 2019 Feb 28, 2019 Feb 27, 2019 Feb 26, 2019

Open 7,879 7,866 7,893 7,880 7,854 7,923 7,891 7,898 7,916 7,875 7,994 7,957 7,876 7,848 7,864 7,795 7,748 7,742 7,726 7,728 7,815 7,869 7,807 7,675 7,700 7,632 7,712 7,920 7,962 7,996

High 7,955 7,887 7,898 7,895 7,894 7,924 7,921 7,898 7,916 7,911 7,994 8,032 7,955 7,876 7,879 7,873 7,798 7,764 7,766 7,774 7,824 7,884 7,882 7,821 7,735 7,698 7,754 7,920 7,973 7,996

Low 7,879 7,866 7,836 7,861 7,854 7,810 7,887 7,856 7,841 7,869 7,808 7,951 7,869 7,824 7,843 7,761 7,702 7,719 7,725 7,728 7,709 7,797 7,795 7,675 7,667 7,596 7,588 7,705 7,878 7,945

Close 7,916 7,873 7,854 7,895 7,879 7,840 7,921 7,876 7,861 7,907 7,863 8,013 7,955 7,858 7,843 7,873 7,798 7,750 7,766 7,748 7,709 7,797 7,882 7,821 7,671 7,675 7,642 7,705 7,889 7,988

CLOSE

No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

Security Name Xurpas Inc. Manila Bulletin Publishing Corporation Anchor Land Holdings, Inc. PTFC Redevelopment Corporation iPeople, Inc. Philippine Estates Corporation SPC Power Corporation Abra Mining & Industrial Corporation International Container Terminal Services, Inc. Philweb Corporation MRC Allied Incorporated Philippine Infradev Holdings, Inc. Empire East Land Holdings, Inc. Mabuhay Vinyl Corporation Starmalls, Inc. &HQWXU\ 3DFLÂżF )RRG ,QF Global-Estate Resorts, Inc. Basic Energy Corporation Macay Holdings, Inc. Universal Robina Corporation

Volume 45,676,000.00 15,041,000.00 100,600.00 20.00 153,100.00 1,470,000.00 552,400.00 112,000,000.00 1,209,660.00 862,000.00 12,080,000.00 2,012,000.00 2,683,000.00 15,000.00 718,500.00 2,150,100.00 5,910,000.00 2,950,000.00 6,000.00 1,078,890.00

Value 58,889,870.00 10,606,690.00 1,176,354.00 1,069.00 1,748,840.00 750,800.00 4,118,627.00 225,100.00 155,193,577.00 2,440,110.00 4,394,600.00 3,473,280.00 1,411,160.00 54,050.00 5,050,568.00 33,770,994.00 8,222,460.00 727,360.00 62,740.00 167,519,797.00

Last Price 1.35 0.71 11.88 53.45 11.5 0.52 7.59 0.0021 129.6 2.86 0.37 1.74 0.53 3.65 7.09 16.1 1.38 0.247 10.6 156

Chg 0.16 0.06 0.96 3.45 0.7 0.03 0.39 0.0001 6.1 0.12 0.015 0.07 0.02 0.13 0.24 0.5 0.04 0.007 0.3 4.4

%Chg 13.45% 9.23% 8.79% 6.90% 6.48% 6.12% 5.42% 5.00% 4.94% 4.38% 4.23% 4.19% 3.92% 3.69% 3.50% 3.21% 2.99% 2.92% 2.91% 2.90%

*amounts in peso, except for volume, %chg

TOP LOSERS

HIGH

No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

Security Name Manila Broadcasting Company Da Vinci Capital Holdings, Inc. Metro Alliance Holdings & Equities Corp. “B�

SOCResources, Inc. PXP Energy Corporation Lorenzo Shipping Corporation Benguet Corporation “B�

Phinma Petroleum And Geothermal, Inc. Ever-Gotesco Resources & Holdings, Inc. 8990 Holdings, Inc. Anglo Philippine Holdings Corporation Abacore Capital Holdings, Inc. The Philippine Stock Exchange, Inc. Panasonic Manufacturing Philippines Corporation I-Remit, Inc. Jackstones, Inc. 'HO 0RQWH 3DFLÂżF /LPLWHG Leisure and Resorts World Corporation Warrants PHINMA Energy Corporation TKC Metals Corporation

*amounts in peso, except for volume, %chg

Volume 300.00 70,200.00 5,000.00 3,298,000.00 4,513,800.00 2,435,000.00 39,000.00 10,000.00 180,000.00 1,723,200.00 816,000.00 20,044,000.00 3,700.00 21,600.00 203,000.00 99,000.00 48,400.00 1,100,000.00 27,163,000.00 1,270,000.00

Value 4,638.00 367,842.00 8,500.00 3,266,120.00 41,204,861.00 2,269,270.00 51,270.00 30,060.00 22,500.00 22,641,660.00 651,450.00 10,838,940.00 700,149.00 138,786.00 289,630.00 302,470.00 290,480.00 2,219,940.00 43,401,310.00 1,364,540.00

Last Price 15.46 5.25 1.7 0.97 8.87 0.92 1.33 3.01 0.125 13.06 0.79 0.54 190 6.55 1.43 3.05 6 1.9 1.59 1.07

Chg -1.84 -0.62 -0.18 -0.07 -0.61 -0.05 -0.07 -0.15 -0.005 -0.52 -0.03 -0.02 -6.8 -0.23 -0.05 -0.1 -0.19 -0.06 -0.05 -0.03

%Chg -10.64% -10.56% -9.57% -6.73% -6.43% -5.15% -5.00% -4.75% -3.85% -3.83% -3.66% -3.57% -3.46% -3.39% -3.38% -3.17% -3.07% -3.06% -3.05% -2.73%

Foreign Business China pledges open Mnuchin: US should economy at EU summit prepare for ‘hard Brexit’ W B4

˜ The Manila Times

THURSDAY April 11, 2019

w w w.manilatimes.net

ASHINGTON, D.C.: The United States must prepare for the very real possibility Britain will leave the European Union without an exit agreement, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin told lawmakers on Tuesday.

“I think at this point we need to be prepared for a hard Brexit as a very realistic outcome,� Mnuchin said during testimony to the House Committee on Financial Services.

He added that the US Treasury had coordinated with the Federal Reserve and other US banking regulators to be ready for such a scenario, as London and Brussels scramble to avoid a potentially chaotic “no deal.�

Britain is currently due to exit the EU on Friday and as yet has no agreement in place to govern economic ties with the bloc after-

wards. Economists say crashing out without a deal would be a seismic event.

But European leaders on Tuesday were preparing to offer another postponement after Prime Minister Theresa May made lastditch visits to Paris and Berlin, begging for more time.

British lawmakers have on three occasions now rejected the postBrexit agreement May negotiated with Brussels.

May asked to be given until June 30 to arrange Britain’s orderly departure but EU leaders fear that will not be long enough for Brit-

Q US Secretary of Treasury Steve Mnuchin testifies during a House Financial Services Committee Hearing on Capitol Hill on April 9, 2019 in Washington, DC. AFP PHOTO ish lawmakers to ratify a new deal and are now expected to offer her up to a year.

EU Council President Donald Tusk said Tuesday in a letter to

EU leaders that there was “little REASON TO BELIEVEu THE RATIkCATION process could be completed by May’s preferred June 30 departure date.

AFP

IMF cuts US growth forecast, warns of rising risks WASHINGTON: The International Monetary Fund on Tuesday cut ITS 53 GROWTH FORECAST SIGNIkCANTLY for 2019 but said the United States is still likely to outpace other advanced nations as the world economy slows.

The global crisis lender also warned of hazards on the horizon, especially the continued trade tensions with China and other countries, as well as mounting corporate debts and the delicate challenges facing the central bank in coming months.

In the latest World Economic Outlook, the IMF portrayed the United States as an exception to the current slowing trend among rich nations — with strong consumer demand, robust labor markets and higher industrial output than its rivals.

The world’s largest economy is now expected to expand at a 2.3 percent clip this year, down from the 2.5 percent expected in January, but still relatively strong, according to the report released ahead of this week’s spring meet-

ings of the IMF and World Bank.

US growth is projected to slow further to 1.9 percent in 2020, slightly higher than forecast in January, boosted by the Federal Reserve’s indications it will not raise interest rates for the foreseeable future. “There has been a pivot with the Fed, with a pause in the expectation of rate rise in 2019,�

IMF chief economist Gita Gopinath told reporters.

That move was welcome as it has offset “some of the downside risks that were building up towards the end of 2018,� she said.

However, she added, “If we do have the recovery that we are projecting by 2020, that could change policy stance.�

The stimulus provided by US tax cuts last year is fading, while the extended government shutdown also took a bite out of growth in 2019.

The IMF outlook assumes that the current truce in the US-China trade war will persist and lead to a more permanent agreement. But

IF THE DISPUTE lARES UP OR SPREADS to autos, that could erode business sentiment and slow growth, the report warned.

As US domestic demand continues to support higher imports and THE BUDGET DEkCIT BALLOONS THE TRADE DEkCIT COULD SWELL FURTHER

“which could aggravate trade tensions,� the report said.

A “durable resolution of trade uncertainty� created by the US and China would be “very positive for global growth,� Gopinath said AT A NEWS BRIEkNG ALSO WARNING against expanding the dispute to more sectors.

Rising corporate debt The IMF also warned that corporate debt was increasingly risky, with bond investors and others lending to a growing number of low-rated issuers or borrowers who offered little protection in the event of a default. “If US growth were to weaken, SUCH kNANCIAL FRAGILITIES COULD AMplify and prolong the slowdown,�

the IMF cautioned.

That would leave companies to choke on burdensome debt payments and suffer credit downgrades, forcing them to slash spending as a result.

However, Gopinath said that if inflation remains low, the central bank could have space to provide more support to the economy if needed.

The Federal Reserve, which has said it does not expect to raise interest rates again in 2019, could nevertheless feel compelled to do so in the second half of the year as wage growth accelerates and the shortage of workers continues, the report said.

4HE &ED COULD FACE A DIFkCULT policy challenge: raising borrowing costs could erode business activity and growth, but delaying a rate hike in the face of inflation pressures “could contribute TO kNANCIAL VULNERABILITIES AND A sharper downturn down the road.�

What happens in the US economy typically feeds through to the broader global economy.

AFP

BRUSSELS: China on Tuesday said it would push further to open its economy and deepen ties with the EU, which has grown increasINGLY WARY OF "EIJING S INlUENCE in Europe.

EU Council president Donald Tusk hailed Beijing’s new commitments at an EU-China summit in Brussels as a “breakthrough� with both sides committed to globalisation and pursuing international rules.

The annual meeting brings together China’s number two LEADER AND THE %5 S TOP OFkCIALS and serves as a litmus test of the state of ties between Europe and the Asian giant.

This year’s meeting comes at a sensitive time, a month after the European Commission, the EU’s executive arm, branded Beijing “a systemic rival� in a special 10-point report that stressed China’s unwillingness to play fair on trade.

It also lands amid big questions over Huawei, the Chinese hightech giant that Washington wants the European Union to ban due to THE kRM S ALLEGED TIES TO #HINESE state security. “On the basis of mutual respect and equality, we had intense discussions and reached a substantive joint statement,�

China’s Prime Minister Li Keqiang said after the talks. “It sets in clear terms both the direction and concrete goals for both sides.�

The joint declaration was only agreed after frantic last-minute haggling, but it narrowly avoids the diplomatic dust-up seen two years ago when China refused to sign on to a statement due to a spat over trade.

In Tuesday’s seven-page document that spans security, diplomacy and trade issues, both sides committed to “broader and more facilitated, non-discriminatory market access,� in wording the Europeans saw as a concession from the Chinese on freeing their economy.

The EU is increasingly unhappy that markets in Europe are wide open to Chinese companies, while the equivalent is not the case in China. “We are insisting that EuroPEAN kRMS IN #HINA SHOULD ENJOY THE SAME RIGHTS AS #HINESE kRMS

in Europe,� European Commission head Jean-Claude Juncker told a conference just minutes before also meeting with Prime Minister Li. The declaration also said China and the EU would press on with efforts to reform at the World Trade Organization (WTO), including on strengthening rules against state subsidies for industry, a key concern of China critics. “This is a breakthrough. For THE kRST TIME #HINA HAS AGREE TO engage with Europe on this key WTO reform,� Tusk said after the talks, adding that both sides would discuss progress on the issue at the next summit.

‘Belt and Road’ concerns The annual meeting comes as Brussels is trying to beef up its approach to the Asian giant on trade matters and security.

A major concern is China’s ambitious “Belt and Road Initiative� (BRI), a massive network of transport and trade links stretching from Asia to Europe.

EU powers such as France and Germany are growing ever more uneasy with the project after populist-led Italy joined the scheme, becoming the first G7 member to do so.

Italy’s move ran against the Commission’s 10-point plan proposing a more assertive relationship with Beijing.

It also underlined Europe’s struggles to maintain unity among its 28 members when it comes to China, allowing the superpower to pursue one-on-one deals, especially with countries hungry for investment such as Italy, Greece and eastern Europe.

After Brussels, Li was heading to Croatia for a so-called 16+1 summit that offers a chance for Europe’s former communist countries to meet alone with Beijing, in A GATHERING THAT HAS RUFlED FEATHers in the rest of Europe.

But more powerful EU states also go out on their own with China.

Last week, French President Emmanuel Macron hosted President Xi Jinping for a summit, though he also invited German Chancellor Angela Merkel and the EU’s Juncker for one leg of the meeting.

AFP

Airbus flies into new era with chief executive change PARIS: Frenchman Guillaume Faury took over as CEO of European aerospace giant Airbus on Wednesday, LOOKING TO BENEkT FROM THE CURRENT TROUBLES OF RIVAL Boeing and limit potential disruption from Brexit and Donald Trump’s trade threats.

The 51-year-old will replace Tom Enders, who is stepping down after five years leading the France-based group whose 129,000 employees manufacture airliners, helicopters and satellites.

Enders oversaw further expansion of the group, but his rein was clouded by a recent decision to scrap the loss-making A380 super-jumbo range of Airbus planes as well as multiple probes into suspect payments.

The German’s retirement package — worth 37 million euros ($41 million) including pension and stocks — has sparked controversy in France and a pledge from the government that it will legislate to limit huge corporate payoffs. &AURY WILL INHERIT A kNANCIALLY SOUND HIGHLY PROkTABLE BUSINESS WITH AN ORDER BOOK OF

passenger planes, which would be enough to keep factories running for a decade at current production rates.

Analysts see Airbus as having an opportunity to PROkT FROM THE BOOMING AIRLINE MARKET PARTICUlarly in Asia, and from the global grounding of Boeing’s 737 MAX plane after two recent deadly crashes involving the popular new airliner. “They simply need to use this window of Boeing weakness to hoover up orders in Asia, if they can,� said aerospace analyst Neil Wilson at MarKETS COM AN ONLINE kNANCIAL TRADING PLATFORM According to industry body IATA, Asia will account for most of growth in the industry over the next 20 years, with more than half of the new PASSENGER TRAFkC COMING FROM THE REGION

‘Harmful’ Brexit?

But Faury will also have several tricky issues in his inbox, including handling the fall-out from Britain’s decision to leave the European Union, which threatens to disrupt the company’s long and complicated supply chains. “Brexit could well mean a complete rethink of

long-term manufacturing strategy for Airbus and brave decisions may need to be made unless a satisfactory outcome can be agreed by UK and Brussels,� independent aviation analyst Howard Wheeldon told AFP. Enders branded the British government’s handling of Brexit a “disgrace� in January and warned that a “no deal� exit would led to “very harmful decisions� affecting the production of airline wings in southwest England.

The US is another source of worry for the group after US President Trump lashed out again at the EU this week, vowing to impose fresh tariffs over subsidies to Airbus.

For more than a decade, Washington and Brussels have accused each other of unfairly subsidising Boeing and Airbus respectively and have fought repeated battles at the World Trade Organization, which polices global trade rules.

Helicopter specialist Faury will also be wary of multiple investigations in France, Britain and the United States into possible bribes paid to win contracts between 2008 and 2013 that could cause more embarrassment ‡ AND LEAD TO COSTLY kNES OR PROSECUTIONS The inquiries stem from Airbus’s own disclosure in early 2016 of undisclosed payments to middlemen in securing several contracts, in particular in Asia.

If convicted in the US, it would effectively be shut out of defence and civil aviation contracts for years — which would be a boon for Boeing.

Faury, a married father of three, will take over after a board meeting in Amsterdam on Wednesday.

He has spent most of his career in the aerospace industry, specializing in helicopters.

He started his career in the French defence ministry before joining Airbus’ helicopter division in 1998.

In 2009, he left for a four-year stint in research and development at French car group Peugeot before rejoining Airbus.

In February 2018, he became head of the civil aviation division, the company’s biggest and most HIGH PROkLE WHICH IS CONSIDERED THE LAUNCHING pad for the groups’ top job.

AFP

˜ The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

Agri, biosystems meet to highlight ‘technologization’ THE Philippine Society of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineers (PSABE) is holding its 30th Agricultural Engineering Week on April 21 to 27 in Bacolod City, with the organization expecting attendance exceeding the approximately 1,700 individuals who attended the previous year’s convention in Davao City.

The theme for the 30th Agricultural Engineering Week is “Agricultural and Biosystems Engineers: Catalysts of Infrastructure Modernization in Agriculture and Fisheries.� It will highlight the “technologization� of the agriculture sector across the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean). “What we are witnessing right now in the agriculture sectors of the Philippines and parts of Asia is ‘technologization’ where infrastructure modernization are among the components. So the 30th Agricultural Engineering Week this coming April 21 to 27 will also highlight the technologies needed for the modernization of agriculture and fisheries, and the need for agricultural and biosystems engineers to intensify their roles for increased and efficient food and crop production,� said PSABE President and Asean Engineer Aldrin Badua.

The week-long celebration this April in Bacolod City will include, the conference, exhibits, technology demonstrations, plenary, and technical papers presentations on the development and trends in renewable energy

THURSDAY April 11, 2019

EDITOR: Conrad M. CariĂąo

BY CONRAD M. CARIĂ‘O

T and rural electrification; environmental and waste management; agricultural machinery; irrigation and drainage; soil and water conservation; postharvest and processing; fishery and aquaculture resources engineering; forest product resource engineering; and related fields.

The 30th Agricultural Engineering Week will be held alongside the 69th PSABE Annual Convention and the 16th International Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Conference and Exhibition.

Badua said that since PSABE is already recognized in Asia, attendees from the region are expected to attend the 30th Agricultural Engineering Week. “We are expecting participants from outside the Philippines as PSABE has already coordination and linkages with agricultural and biosystems engineers in parts of Asia,� he added. THE TIMES

UPLB, BAR push products made from onion leaves

Q Photo shows some of the products developed from onion leaves from a project that the University of the Philippines Los BaĂąos is undertaking.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO THE 5NIVERSITY OF THE 0HILIPPINES ,OS "AĂ„OS 50," AND THE "UREAU OF !Gricultural Research are developing and promoting products made from onion leaves in response to an earlier directive from Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel PiĂąol to explore research interventions to optimize the utilization of the crop. )MPLEMENTED SINCE 50," S project titled, “Increasing Farmers’ Income through the Utilization of Waste /NION ,EAVES FOR 6ARIOUS !PPLICATIONSu aimed to develop the package of technologies (POTs) to process products from onion wastes, helping provide more income to farmers of the crop.

-YRA "ORINES PROJECT LEADER FROM 50," MENTIONED THAT ONE OF THE potential impacts of the research initiative is to produce high-value

AgriBusiness IRRI, partners to transform Asean rice-fish systems

products from waste onion leaves, INCREASING THE PROkT OF ONION FARMERS !T LEAST kVE 0/4S WERE DEVELOPED dried onion leaves that can be further processed as tea; powdered onion leaves that can be further processed as seasoning/salt, kropek, noodles and pandesal; pickled onion leaves; onion leaves extract that can be further processed as puree and juice); and vacuum-fried onion leaves that can be further processed as garnish). “Different factors affecting the shelflife of onion leaves will also be considered. Characterization and monitoring of the bioactive components of onion leaves has to be done to investigate the different potential products from its UTILIZATION u EXPLAINED "ORINES CONRAD M. CARIĂ‘O

HE International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), WorldFish and the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) SIGNED A kVE YEAR TRIPARTITE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING -O5 ON 4UESDAY PROVIDING THE FRAMEWORK FOR COOPERATION ON RESEARCH FOR DEVELOPMENT 2 $ INITIATIVES FOCUSED ON THE SUSTAINABLE INTENSIkCATION AND MANAGEMENT OF RICE kSH PRODUCTION SYSTEMS IN IRRIGATED LANDSCAPES AND WETLANDS IN 3OUTHEAST !SIA

The agreement aligns with the CGIAR 2030 Plan that calls for transformations of its research programs to usher in a “food systems revoluTIONu TO TACKLE CHALLENGES RELATED TO sustainability, nutrition, genetics, socioeconomics and information, and to contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through greater cooperation between the centers. g4HIS AGREEMENT EXEMPLIkES A food systems approach to transforming the global rice sector.

The combined global research EXPERTISE AND INlUENCE OF )22)

7ORLD&ISH AND )7-) IN THE CORE elements of diets such as rice and fish, as well as land and water systems make this strategic collaboration essential to a food systems REVOLUTION u SAID )22) $IRECTOR 'ENERAL -ATTHEW -ORELL Previous individual and joint program partnerships involving IRRI, 7ORLD&ISH AND )7-) HAVE YIELDED positive results. These include the CGIAR Challenge Program on Water and Food (2004), and an earlier PROJECT ON kSH RICE BETWEEN )22) AND WorldFish with Bangladesh research AND NONPROkT AGENCIES

-ORE RECENTLY 7ORLD&ISH )22) AND )7-) CAME TOGETHER FOR THE Australian Center for International Agricultural Research-funded Development of Rice Fish Systems (RFS) in the Ayeyarwady Delta project.

The project aims to improve the PRODUCTIVITY AND PROkTABILITY OF RICE kSH SYSTEMS IN -YANMAR AND SEEKS TO BENEkT SMALL SCALE RICE FARMING HOUSEHOLDS AND kSHERFOLK BY DIversifying production in rice-based farming systems and landscapes, enhancing resilience of rice-based farming systems.

WorldFish Director General Gareth Johnstone said the multi-agency partnership provides a strategic push for wider research, promotion and implementation OF INTEGRATED RICE kSH SYSTEMS AND builds on previous successes of WorldFish and its partners. “This partnership helps create better synergies for leveraging our individual research expertise and network strengths to accelerate the SUSTAINABLE SUPPLY OF NUTRITIOUS kSH and rice into national, regional and global food systems. Together, we will also be able to better support regional cooperation by increasing awareness, disseminating knowl-

B5

edge and scaling critical solutions FOR THIS INTENSIkCATION TO BE TRULY SUSTAINABLE u *OHNSTONE SAID )-7) S WORK ON SUSTAINABLE water and land use converges well with IRRI’s work on landscape-level water management and environmental sustainability. “What we aim to achieve as individual organizations is interconnectED AND GEARED TOWARD THE FULkLLMENT of almost the same SDGs. We envision a sustainable food, nutrition and water secure world and this strategic partnership gets us closer TO THAT GOAL u SAID )-7) $EPUTY Director General for Research for $EVELOPMENT -ARK 3MITH 5NDER THE -O5 )22) 7ORLD&ISH AND )7-) WILL CO DEVELOP and implement R4D activities to discover the impact of rice-fish production systems on environmental, socioeconomic and cultural values on land and waterways.

The R4D projects will be developed based on themes, including CONSTRUCTED WATER BODIES RICE kSH landscapes, climate resilience and water, trade-offs and foresight analysis, and information and communications technology and big data.

Vizcaya vegetable farmers to get market info system BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya: In a move to boost the production of high-value crops in this province, now known as the vegetable bowl in Cagayan Valley (Region 2), the Department of Agriculture (DA) has introduced a database system that could help farmers improve their marketing strategies.

In a recently held consultation with stakeholders in the agricultural sector of Nueva Vizcaya, DA-Cagayan Valley provided interventions to balance the supply and demand of high-value commercial crops (HVCC) produced by farmers.

Engineer Blesita Tega, focal person of the DA high-value crops development program, said they have conducted orientations and pre-tests among farmers in the province for the implementation OF THE !GRICULTURAL -ARKETING )NFORMATION 3YSTEM !-)3 PROJECT g4HIS !-)3 PROJECT UNDER THE $! S !GRIBUSINESS AND -ARKETING !SSISTANCE 3ERVICE !-!3 IS A DAtabase system which will contain the supply, demand and price data

of selected commodities in a speCIkC LOCATION FOR A SPECIkC PERIOD u Tega said.

She explained that through the project, a database and directory of agricultural suppliers and buyers would be established to help prevent agricultural supply shortages and gluts. “It will facilitate market matching of agricultural supplies and commodities and will help in the analysis of price movements as well as provide the basis for interventions for stakeholders in THE AGRICULTURAL SECTOR u 4EGA SAID She added the project also features a manual and self-populating database and ground validations of self-registered stakeholders, and would provide access to relevant data based on raw materials and requirements and location operations. “One important feature of the project is its cybersecurity, including user trackers and anti-hackING u 4EGA SAID With the project, Tega said they were expecting to more effectively determine the factors affecting

Q The marketing information system that the Department of Agriculture will provide to vegetable farmers in Nueva Vizcaya will help prevent production gluts and shortages. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO imbalance of supply and demand, so the DA would be able to provide the appropriate interventions. “We will be piloting the project in the province being the top producer and supplier of HVCC through the Nueva Vizcaya Agricultural Terminal (NVAT) in Bambang town followed by the neighboring province of BenGUET u 4EGA SAID He said a nationwide implemen-

tation would follow and that “we aim to provide a platform for an effective market-matching between THE BUYERS AND THE SUPPLIERS u -EANWHILE 'ILBERT #UMILA

NVAT general manager, said they have been experiencing recurring gluts and shortages of HVCC in the province and hoped the project would be able to address the problem. LEANDER C. DOMINGO

Let us rally behind our rice farmers (second of two parts)

portance to existing initiatives for the industry that are undertaken N Friday last week, the imple- by the government, particularly menting rules and regulations the Department of Agriculture (IRR) for Republic Act 11203 or the and the Department of Science g2ICE 4ARIFkCATION ,AWu WAS kNALLY and Technology (DoST), for our signed, signaling for good the end of smallholder rice farmers. the regime where quantitive restricTwo major issues come into tions were applied to rice imports. my mind for solutions outside With RA 11203 now in full effect, of the RCEF-backed programs/ rice imports can enter the country projects for the Philippine rice but with 35- to 50-percent tariffs that industry: irrigation and balwill be funneled to the Rice Competi- anced nutrient management. tiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF), which allocates P10 billion per year Critical water issues up to 2024 for programs/projects to make the country’s rice industry I already discussed water-relatproductive and competitive with its ed issues for agriculture in the Southeast Asian counterparts. two-part series “Achieving water I must say that the signing of SECURITYu ON -ARCH AND

the IRR for RA 11203 should be which was timed for the holding the starting point for our govern- of the National Water Summit ment and the bureaucracy, the .73 ALSO ON -ARCH 4HE private sector, civil service groups, NWS was held amid the water nongovernment organizations, CRISIS PLAGUING -ETRO -ANILA AND the academe, and the scientific the onslaught of this year’s El community to rally behind our Niùo episode, which is expected smallholder rice farmers and the to worsen water shortages in whole industry itself. We strongly many parts of the country. As of support President Rodrigo Roa now, the agriculture sector has Duterte in his vision for a food sustained P6 billion worth of secure country. damages from this dry spell.

And we should not waste time!

Since rice cultivation is water While the projects and programs intensive, addressing the issue of irunder RCEF should be the anchors rigation is of utmost importance and to make the country’s rice industry much needs to be done immediately.

Based on government statistics, competitive, let us also give im-

O

APPROXIMATELY MILLION HECTARES (ha) of lands are covered by the National Irrigation System (NIS) of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) with another 1.24 million ha awaiting coverage under the NIS. With the NIS functioning at ONLY PERCENT EFkCIENTLY .)! really has to ramp up its efforts to not only build new irrigation systems — it must also rehabilitate its current systems and make sure there is enough water to feed the NIS. So we can never neglect undertaking measures like rehaBILITATING THE COUNTRY S MAJOR river basins, undertaking massive reforestation, and increasing rainwater harvesting from the current 4 percent. India’s rainwater harvesting effort amounts to 60 percent, and we can duplicate that.

As for small water impounding systems (SWIPs), the Bureau of 3OILS AND 7ATER -ANAGEMENT "37- NEEDS SPEND TIMES more its investments for such.

SWIPs can also function as rainwater harvesting systems, so more needs to be built the soonest time possible to increase our rainwater harvesting efforts. )F .)! AND "37- ARE CONSTRAINED by lack of funds in expanding the NIS and building more SWIPs, they can solicit the help of the private sector.

As for balanced nutrient man-

search Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) when I was still leading the organization. !FTER kVE YEARS OF UNDERTAKING DR. WILLIAM the Bhoochetana Program since DAR THE YIELDS OF AROUND million smallholder farmers in agement, among the good ones the Karnataka region increased that I have come across recently is by 20 to 66 percent. from the DoST under its Rice InOne of the starting points dustry Strategic S&T (Science and of Bhoochetana is soil health Technology) Plan (ISP), which that would serve as the guide has an ambitious outcome of in- IN FORMULATING SPECIkC NUTRIENT creasing the average yield of palay management recommendations.

Overuse of NPK fertilizers, which (unmilled) rice in the country to METRIC TONS PER HECTARE -4 HA are chemical-based, without feeding the soil with micronutrients FROM THE CURRENT -4 HA Among the components of like boron, zinc, calcium and the ISP is to promote the use of magnesium can result to low crop biostimulants like carageenan yields. Soil needs a total of 16 plant growth promoters (PGP) micronutrients, and NPK fertilizer in rice cultivation, which ac- can only supply three: nitrogen, cording to the DoST can increase phosphorous and potassium.

After soil health mapping unpalay yields by an average of 32 percent. The good news is the der the Bhoochetana Program, carageenan PGP is ready for soil health cards were developed, commercialization having ob- providing farmers the information tained approval from the Food on the nutrient recommendation of crops to be planted, amount of and Drug Administration.

The use of biostimulants like fertilizer to be applied, the type of the carageenan PGP, according to fertilizer to be used, and the soil the ISP, can also reduce fertilizer fertility status of their farms.

-AKING AVAILABLE MICRONUTRIcost by 5 to 6 percent.

And let us not forget the Bhoo- ents to farmers was also critical, chetana program that is soil reju- as well as educating them on the venation, which was undertaken importance of using such to imby the International Crops Re- prove and maintain soil health.

WAYS OF THE OASIS

Eventually, smallholder farmers abandoned the practice of applying fertilizers without schedule.

Also, application of micronutrients into the soil, promotion of water conservation technologies and use of higher-yielding cultivars resulted in increased crop yields for smallholder farmers in the Karnataka region where the Bhoochetana Program was implemented by ICRISAT and the Department of Agriculture-Government of Karnataka.

Besides addressing the issue of irrigation and balanced nutrient management, I believe that we should start preparing the rice INDUSTRY FOR THE INlUX OF A NEW wave of technologies that are currently making their way into the agriculture sector of more developed countries. What we are talking about here are digital or disruptive technologies like DRONES ARTIkCIAL INTELLIGENCE AUtomation, data analytics, sensors, global positioning system and tapping the power of the Internet of Things to take the country’s rice industry to another level.

So in my next columns, I will DISCUSS g!GRICULTURE u AND what we should do to make sure we will be not be left behind in the race to introduce digital and disruptive technologies in the

B6

Classified Ads

THURSDAY April 11, 2019 Republic of the Philippines Department of Finance Securities and Exchange Commission

: : ALLIED CARE EXPERTS (ACE) MALOLOS DOCTORS, INC. : (Registrant) : : x------------------------------------------------x

˜ The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net Republic of the Philippines 1$7,21$/ 32/,&( &200,66,21 PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE HEALTH SERVICE Camp Bgen Rafael T Crame, Quezon City

Republic of the Philippines NATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION NTC Building, BIR Road, East Triangle, Diliman, Quezon City Email: ntc@ntc.gov.ph; website: http://www.ntc.gov.ph

IN THE MATTER OF

REGISTRATION OF SECURITIES ,QLWLDO 3XEOLF 2IIHULQJ

TO: ALL INTERESTED/ACCREDITED SUPPLIERS:

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

Sealed Bids in three (3) copies, Pursuant to Sec. 17 of Revised IRR of RA 9184, all entries typewritten with the item(s) described in the accompanying Bidder’s Tender for the 3URFXUHPHQW RI 2I¿FH 6XSSOLHV 3URFXUHPHQW RI )RRG 6XSSOLHV 3URFXUHPHQW RI 0HGLFDO 'HQWDO /DERUDWRU\ 6XSSOLHV 3URFXUHPHQW RI 2WKHU 6XSSOLHV DQG 0DWHULDOV 3URFXUHPHQW RI 'UXJV DQG 0HGLFLQHV DQG 2WKHU *HQHUDO 6HUYLFHV DQG LQ WKH WRWDO DPRXQW RI Ten Million Three Hundred Seven Thousand Forty-Four Pesos and Twenty-Three Centavos (P10,307,044.23) for the use of PNP Health Service. A complete set of Bidding Documents may be purchased by interested bidders from April 9, 2019 to April 29, 2019 from 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. during working days and upon payment of a nonrefundable fee for their bidding documents. Pre-Bid Conference will be held on April 17, 2019 at 9:00 A.M. Last day of submission of bids is until April 29, 2019 at 2:00 P.M. and must be submitted to +6 %LGV DQG $ZDUGV &RPPLWWHH %$& DW WKH +6 &RQIHUHQFH 5RRP 2SHQLQJ RI %LGV LV RQ the same time, date and place and will be opened in the presence of participating bidder.

The NATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION (NTC) is inviting all affected parties to the Public Hearing on the proposed Memorandum Circular Subject:

NOTICE

Frequency Band Allocation and Types of Emissions for Amateur Radio Service

To be held on 10th of May, 2019 at 2:00 PM at the NTC Executive Conference Room, 3rd Floor, NTC Bldg., BIR Road, East Triangle, Diliman, Quezon City, 1100.

Notice is hereby given that on 20 March 2019 a sworn Registration 6WDWHPHQW ZDV ÂżOHG ZLWK WKH 6HFXULWLHV DQG ([FKDQJH &RPPLVVLRQ IRU DQG RQ behalf of ALLIED CARE EXPERTS (ACE) MALOLOS DOCTORS, INC. (the “Companyâ€?) for the registration of 240,000 shares consisting of 600 Founders Shares and 239,400 Common Shares.

All affected and interested parties are hereby requested to submit their comments and/or position papers, to the Special Radio Services Division (SRSD) or emailed to special.radio@ntc.gov.ph, on the above-stated proposed &LUFXODU ZLWKLQ ÂżIWHHQ GD\V IURP WKH GDWH RI SXEOLFDWLRQ RI WKLV 127,&(

According to the papers presented, the following persons are the Directors and/or executives of the Corporation:

*HQHUDO 7HUPV DQG &RQGLWLRQ DQG VSHFLÂżFDWLRQ RI WKH LWHPV XQGHU WKLV ,QYLWDWLRQ WR %LG may obtain on the above address for information and compliance by the Bidder.

The PNP HS-BAC reserves the right to accept or reject any bid proposal, to annul the bidding process, and to reject all bids at any time prior to contract award, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected Bidder or Bidders.

Copies of the proposed Circular can be obtained from the Special Licensing Branch, Ground Floor, NTC Building, BIR Road, East Triangle, Diliman, 1100, Quezon City or downloaded thru the NTC website at www.ntc.gov.ph.

Name Board of Directors Enriquez, Amado Manuel Jr. C. Estrella, Agnes Bridget I. Carlos, Fernando P. Cerna-Lopez, Geanie Dacumos, Ferdinand Manuel J. Enriquez, Miguel Antonio R. Fernandez, Raymund P. *R 2QJ %HQQHW Go, Bethoven J. Jopson, Angelina B. 2ULOOD]D *HQHURVR 0 Samoy, Marietta T. Vitug, Arlene Ng Lim Bartolo, Diosdado, Jr. Flaviano, Rommel V.

Position Chairman Vice Chairman Director Director Director Director Director 'LUHFWRU Director Director 'LUHFWRU Director Director Independent Director Independent Director

2IÂżFHUV (QULTXH] $PDGR 0DQXHO -U & 'DFXPRV )HUGLQDQG 0DQXHO - Samoy, Marietta T. -RSVRQ $QJHOLQD % (VWUHOOD $JQHV %ULGJHW , *R 2QJ %HQQHW Lim-Vitug, Arlene Ng Cerna-Lopez, Geanie Go, Bethoven J. Docot, Heidi C.

&KLHI 2SHUDWLQJ 2IÂżFHU 3UHVLGHQW DQG &KLHI ([HFXWLYH 2IÂżFHU Vice-President &KLHI )LQDQFLDO 2IÂżFHU 7UHDVXUHU &RPSOLDQFH 2IÂżFHU $VVLVWDQW 7UHDVXUHU Corporate Secretary Assistant Corporate Secretary 2 Medical Director Comptroller

Please be guided accordingly.

Very truly yours, (SGD.) ALBERTO A AVILA Police Colonel Chairman, Bids and Awards Committee

MT - Apr. 11, 2019

Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT National Capital Judicial Region Quezon City, Branch 104

Said registration statement and other papers/documents attached thereto (collectively known as “RS�) are open to inspection by interested parties during business hours, and copies thereof, photostatic or otherwise, shall be furnished to any party, upon request, at such reasonable fees as the Commission may prescribe. The Registration Statement and Prospectus dated 20 March 2019 may be downloaded at www.acemalolosdoctors.org.

(SGD.) VICENTE GRACIANO P. FELIZMENIO, JR. Director Markets and Securities Regulation Department MT - Apr. 11 & 15, 2019

PROFESSIONAL REGULATORY BOARD OF ELECTRONICS ENGINEERING RESOLUTION NO. 02 Series of 2019 PROMULGATION AND ADOPTION OF THE TABLES OF SPECIFICATION FOR ORAL EXAMINATION/ TECHNICAL EVALUATION FOR THE UPGRADING AS PROFESSIONAL ELECTRONICS ENGINEERS WHEREAS, Section 7 (g), Article II of Republic Act (R.A.) No. 9292, known as the “Electronics Engineering Law of 2004â€?, states that the Professional Regulatory Board of Electronics Engineering (Board) may prescribe, amend or revise the requirements for licensing of Professional Electronics Engineers, subject to the approval of the Commission; WHEREAS, Section 9 (h) of R.A. 8981, called as the “PRC Modernization Act of 2000â€? empowers the 3URIHVVLRQDO 5HJXODWRU\ %RDUGV WR SUHSDUH DGRSW DQG LVVXH WKH V\OODEL RU 7DEOHV RI 6SHFLÂżFDWLRQ 726

of the subjects for examination in consultation with the academe; determine and prepare the questions for WKH OLFHQVXUH H[DPLQDWLRQV ZKLFK VKDOO VWULFWO\ EH ZLWKLQ WKH VFRSH RI WKH V\OODEXV RU 726 RI WKH VXEMHFW for examination; WHEREAS, WKH 726 LV QHFHVVDU\ WR JXLGH WKH 3URIHVVLRQDO 5HJXODWRU\ %RDUGV LQ GHWHUPLQLQJ WKH competencies needed for an examinee to qualify and pass the licensure examination including the oral examination / technical evaluation for upgrading as Professional Electronics Engineer;

IN THE MATTER OF THE PETITION FOR CORRECTION/CANCELLATION OF ENTRIES IN THE CERTIFICATE OF LIVE BIRTH OF MINOR CHRISTIAN B. ABENIO WITH REGISTRY NO. 2000-27032 and TO ALLOW MINOR CHRISTIAN B. ABENIO TO USE THE SURNAME OF HIS FATHER: [

a. Correction of Entry No. 1 – Child’s Middle Name and Last Name; E &RUUHFWLRQ RI (QWU\ 1R F ¹ &KLOGœV %LUWK 2UGHU c. Correction of Entry No. 6 – Mother of the Child’s First Name and Middle Name; and d. Cancellation of Entry No. 18 – Date and Place of Marriage of Parents,]

CHRISTIAN B. ABENIO (minor), as represented by his FATHER, GODOFREDO ESTOYA ABENIO, Petitioner, - versus CASE NO. R-QZN-18-05014-SP THE LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRAR OF QUEZON CITY, THE ADMINISTRATOR AND CIVIL REGISTRAR OF THE PHILIPPINE STATISTICS AUTHORITY (PSA), FE DE GUZMAN BARTOLOME, all persons claiming rights and interest under them.

Respondents. x----------------------------------------------------------------x ORDER (Notice of Hearing) $ SHWLWLRQ ZDV ÂżOHG SUD\LQJ IRU WKH FRUUHFWLRQ FDQFHOODWLRQ RI HQWULHV LQ WKH &HUWLÂżFDWH RI /LYH %LUWK RI 0LQRU &KULVWLDQ % $EHQLR 3HWLWLRQHU EHLQJ D minor, is represented in this petition by his father, Godofredo Estoya Abenio.

It is alleged in the petition that as a school requirement for graduation, SHWLWLRQHU UHTXHVWHG IRU D FRS\ RI KLV &HUWLÂżFDWH RI /LYH %LUWK IURP WKH Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) and was surprised when petitioner GLVFRYHUHG WKDW PRVW RI WKH HQWULHV LQ KLV &HUWLÂżFDWH RI /LYH %LUWK ZLWK 5HJLVWU\ 1R FRQWDLQHG VLJQLÂżFDQW QXPEHU RI HUURQHRXV HQWULHV

petitioner’s maiden name was incorrectly typed as Godofredo E. Bartolome when his mother’s name is Fe de Guzman Bartolome, (2) – Entry No. 13 – petitioner’s middle name was incorrectly indicated as E, instead of Estoya, (3) Entry No. 18 – Date and Place of Marriage of Parents – September 20, 2000 in Quezon City, when petitioner knew from the very start that his parents were never married to each other; that Art. 176 of the Family Code reads: xxx However, illegitimate children may use the surname of their IDWKHU LI WKHLU ¿OLDWLRQ KDV EHHQ H[SUHVVO\ UHFRJQL]HG E\ WKHLU IDWKHU WKURXJK WKH UHFRUG RI ELUWK DSSHDULQJ LQ WKH FLYLO UHJLVWHU RU ZKHQ DQ DGPLVVLRQ LQ D SXEOLF LQVWUXPHQW RU SULYDWH KDQGZULWWHQ LQVWUXPHQW LV PDGH E\ WKH IDWKHU that petitioner’s father executed an instrument acknowledging petitioner as his own and that the latter has asserted for the petitioner to use his surname at the time of his birth or even following thereto; that since the beginning of petitioner’s formal education, petitioner had used the surname of his father in all his school records and transactions; that there is a need to correct the HUURQHRXV HQWULHV LQ SHWLWLRQHUœV ¿UVW DQG RULJLQDO &HUWL¿FDWH RI /LYH %LUWK to at least allow him to synchronize his records, to avoid confusion of his true relationships and to give him peace of mind in his future and public transactions; that the corrections sought by the petitioner will not unduly SUHMXGLFH WKH 6WDWH RU DQ\ WKLUG SHUVRQV EHFDXVH WKH VDPH FRXOG RQO\ UHÀHFW the true facts and circumstances concerning his status.

127,&( LV KHUHE\ JLYHQ WKDW WKH SHWLWLRQ ZLOO EH KHDUG EHIRUH WKLV &RXUW sitting at Room 221, Hall of Justice, Diliman, Quezon City, on April 30, 2019 at 3:30 p.m. at which date and time, all persons interested and concerned may appear and show cause, if any, why the petition should not be granted. /HW WKLV 2UGHU EH SXEOLVKHG IRU WKUHH FRQVHFXWLYH ZHHNV LQ D QHZVSDSHU RI JHQHUDO FLUFXODWLRQ WR EH FKRVHQ E\ UDIĂ€H 3HWLWLRQHU LV RUGHUHG WR VHUYH D FRS\ RI WKH SHWLWLRQ RQ WKH 2IÂżFH RI WKH 6ROLFLWRU *HQHUDO DQG WKH respondents, and to submit proof of service thereof.

0RUHRYHU WKH /RFDO &LYLO 5HJLVWUDU DQG DQ\ LQWHUHVWHG SHUVRQ PD\ ÂżOH RSSRVLWLRQ WR WKH FRUUHFWLRQ VRXJKW ZLWKLQ ÂżIWHHQ GD\V IURP QRWLFH RU IURP WKH ODVW GDWH RI SXEOLFDWLRQ RI WKLV 2UGHU 62 25'(5(' Quezon City, February 11, 2019.

(SGD.) CATHERINE P. MANODON Judge MT - Apr. 11, 18 & 25, 2019

MT – Apr. 11 & 13, 2019

Notice of Self Adjudication

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT AND PARTITION OF THE ESTATE OF PILAR R. ZARAGOZA

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late spouses Honorio Dizon Santos and Angelica M. Santos, has been adjudicated by their sole heir, Noel Honorio M. Santos as per Affidavit of Self Adjudication executed on June 14, 2018 and entered as per Doc. No. 373, Page No. 96, Book No. 60 Series of 2018 of the notarial registry of Atty. Raymond A. Ramos, notary public for and in the City of Makati.

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS; that the deceased PILAR R. ZARAGOZA who died on 17 December 2018 died intestate without will or testament and without any outstanding debts in favor of any person or entity; but left a certain parcel of land and can be described as TRANSFER CERTIFICATE OF TITLE NO. 222255; two (2) condominium units and one (1) parking lot particularly described as CONDOMINIUM CERTIFICATE OF TITLE NO. 121145, CONDOMINIUM CERTIFICATE OF TITLE NO. 122843, and CONDOMINIUM CERTIFICATE OF TITLE NO. 122842; 7,168 shares of stock in D’Zaro Development Co., Inc. 6WRFN &HUWL¿FDWH No. 001; and 6,487 shares of stock in Pilar De Zaragoza, Inc. Stock &HUWL¿FDWH 1R were extrajudicially settled among heirs as per Dec. No. 18; Page No. 5; Book No. I; Series of 2019 by Notarial Registry of Atty. Katherine Therese Gruba.

MT – April 11, 15 & 22, 2019

MT – April 11, 18 & 25, 2019

Republic of the Philippines Department of Transportation MARITIME INDUSTRY AUTHORITY FRANCHISING SERVICE, CENTRAL OFFICE A. Bonifacio Avenue corner 20th Avenue corner Railroad Street South Harbor, Port Area, Manila Re: Application for Third Amendment of &HUWLÂżFDWH RI 3XEOLF &RQYHQLHQFH &3&

to effect the Change in the Type of Cargo to be carried by M/Tkr “TAPILON,� from persistent/black petroleum products to nonpersistent/while petroleum products for its operation in the tramping service to any port in the Philippines DELSAN TRANSPORT LINES, INC. Applicant. x-----------------------------------------------x

NOTICE

CASE NO. MNL-2015-030-FO (Amendment Nos. 1-2) Amendment No. 3

ORDER (SECOND NOTICE OF HEARING) This refers to the Application for the Third Amendment of CPC to effect the Change in the Type of Cargo to be carried by M/Tkr “TAPILON,â€? from persistent/ black petroleum products to non-persistent/while petroleum products, for its RSHUDWLRQ LQ WKH WUDPSLQJ VHUYLFH WR DQ\ SRUW LQ WKH 3KLOLSSLQHV ÂżOHG E\ WKH Applicant on 03 April 2019. $Q 2UGHU ZDV LVVXHG RQ $SULO FRQWDLQLQJ WKH SDUWLFXODUV RI WKH VKLS as follows: 2IÂżFLDO 1XPEHU 7\SH RI 6KLS Gross Tons Hull Year Built Place Built 'DWH RI ,VVXDQFH RI &2 Date of Issuance of CPR

: : : :

:

HOUSING AND LAND USE REGULATORY BOARD Expanded National Capital 5HJLRQ )LHOG 2IÂżFH 6th Floor, Sunnymede IT Center, Quezon Avenue Quezon City

2LO 7DQNHU 793.08 Steel (Double-Hulled) 1986 Japan $SULO 20 April 2015

/LNHZLVH VDLG 2UGHU VHW WKH KHDULQJ RI WKH DERYH $SSOLFDWLRQ RQ $SULO at 02:00 o’clock in the afternoon, at the 7th Floor, Franchising Service Hearing Room at the above address, which was received by the Applicant on the same date.

However, on 10 April 2019, Applicant informed this Authority that it failed WR SXEOLVK WKH 2UGHU GDWHG $SULO LQ D QHZVSDSHU RI JHQHUDO FLUFXODWLRQ Consequently, Applicant requests for the issuance of a Second Notice of Hearing.

WHEREFORE ¿QGLQJ PHULW WR WKH $SSOLFDQWœV UHTXHVW OHW WKH KHDULQJ RI WKH case be re-set to 17 April 2019 at 10:00 o’clock in the morning at the same address. )XUWKHU OHW WKLV 2UGHU 6HFRQG 1RWLFH RI +HDULQJ EH SXEOLVKHG LQ D QHZVSDSHU RI JHQHUDO FLUFXODWLRQ DW OHDVW ¿YH GD\V SULRU WR VFKHGXOHG GDWH RI KHDULQJ 7KH $SSOLFDQW VKDOO VXEPLW D ZULWWHQ )RUPDO 2IIHU RI (YLGHQFH GXULQJ WKH KHDULQJ RU ¿YH GD\V WKHUHDIWHU 62 25'(5(' Issued this 10th day of April 2019 at Manila.

BY AUTHORITY OF THE MARINA ADMINISTRATOR: (Pursuant to Administrative Order No. 11-14 dated 22 August 2014) (SGD.) MA. CONCEPCION C. ARBOLARIO 2,& 'LUHFWRU Franchising Service

MT – Apr. 11, 2019

Notice is hereby given that SM DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (SMDC), 2ZQHU 'HYHORSHU KDV ÂżOHG ZLWK this Board for the amendment in the registration of LIGHT RESIDENCES located at EDSA corner Madison St., 0DQGDOX\RQJ &LW\ VSHFLÂżFDOO\ described as Lot B, Psd-41876 (TCT No. 24843); Lot C-1, Psd-42126 (TCT No. 0082014000438) and Lot 1-B-3B-3-C-1-A, (LRA)Psd-391539 (TCT No. 008-2014000439), with a total area of 19,422.50 VTXDUH PHWHUV &HUWLÂżFDWH RI Registration No.24488 dated 26 November 2012 and License to Sell No. 289498 (amended) dated December 9, 2013 were issued to the project.

All papers relative thereto shall upon request and payment of processing fee, be available for inspection during business hours by any person having legal interest thereon

YOUR ADS HERE GET RESULTS HOUSING AND LAND USE REGULATORY BOARD Expanded National Capital 5HJLRQ )LHOG 2IÂżFH 6th Floor, Sunnymede IT Center, Quezon Avenue Quezon City NOTICE Notice is hereby given that PHILIPPINE BIBLE SOCIETY, INC., 2ZQHU 'HYHORSHU KDV ÂżOHG ZLWK this Board an application for voluntary cancellation of the Master Deed with Declaration of Restrictions (MDDR) of PHR CONDOMINIUM (APARTELLE) located at R. Magsaysay Blvd., Sampaloc, Manila. The project was issued Development Permit No. 00530 dated 11 March 1983 and the said MDDR dated June 21, 1983 was annotated RQ 7UDQVIHU &HUWLÂżFDWH RI 7LWOH No. 262914.

All papers relative thereto shall upon request and payment of processing fee, be available for inspection during business hours by any person having legal interest thereon

Absent any legal impediment, the above-cited project is deemed registered and a certificate, in evidence thereof, shall forthwith EH LVVXHG DIWHU ÂżYH GD\V IURP the last day of publication.

Absent any legal impediment, the above-cited project is deemed registered and a FHUWLÂżFDWH LQ HYLGHQFH WKHUHRI shall forthwith be issued after ÂżYH GD\V IURP WKH ODVW GD\ of publication.

Quezon City, Metro Manila, APR 03, 2019

Quezon City, Metro Manila, MAR. 28, 2019

(SGD) ATTY. NORMAN JACINTO P. DORAL 2IÂżFHU ,Q &KDUJH

(SGD) ATTY. NORMAN JACINTO P. DORAL 2IÂżFHU ,Q &KDUJH

M.T. April 11 & 18, 2019

M.T. April 11 & 18, 2019

WHEREAS, WKH DGRSWLRQ RI WKH 726 ZLOO DSSURSULDWHO\ LQFRUSRUDWH WKH FRPSHWHQFLHV FRYHULQJ WKH WRSLFV DQG VXE WRSLFV RU DUHDV DQG VXE DUHDV RU FRQFHSWV DQG VXE FRQFHSWV LQWR WKH 2UDO ([DPLQDWLRQ Technical Evaluation for the Upgrading as Professional Electronics Engineers; WHEREFORE, the Board RESOLVES, as it is hereby RESOLVED, to adopt, promulgate and issue WKH 726 IRU WKH 2UDO ([DPLQDWLRQ 7HFKQLFDO (YDOXDWLRQ IRU WKH 8SJUDGLQJ DV 3URIHVVLRQDO (OHFWURQLFV Engineers; FURTHER RESOLVED, WKDW WKLV 5HVROXWLRQ ZLWK WKH DWWDFKHG 726 VKDOO DSSO\ VWDUWLQJ WKH QH[W VFKHGXOH RI WKH 2UDO ([DPLQDWLRQ 7HFKQLFDO (YDOXDWLRQ IRU WKH 8SJUDGLQJ DV 3URIHVVLRQDO (OHFWURQLFV (QJLQHHUV 7KLV 5HVROXWLRQ DQG LWV $QQH[ VKDOO WDNH HIIHFW ÂżIWHHQ GD\V DIWHU LWV SXEOLFDWLRQ LQ WKH 2IÂżFLDO *D]HWWH or in any major daily newspaper of general circulation; /HW D FRS\ KHUHRI EH GHSRVLWHG LQ WKH 8 3 /DZ &HQWHU 2IÂżFH RI WKH 1DWLRQDO $GPLQLVWUDWLYH 5HJLVWHU Done in the City of Manila this 25th day of March 2019.

TABLE OF SPECIFICATION PROFESSIONAL ELECTRONICS ENGINEER UPGRADING NAME ADDRESS

: :

ECE Registration No. Date of Issuance

: :

_____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________

The examinee has done the following competencies.

UNIT E E1 E2 E3 E4 D D1 D2 D3 D4 D5 EL Ell EL2 EL3 EL4 ELS EL6

COMPETENCIES EXPERTISE (20%) 3URYLGHV VLJQLÂżFDQW FRQWULEXWLRQV WR WKH GHYHORSPHQW RI VFLHQFH DQG engineering practice Introduce technical innovations to enhance the effectiveness of engineering practice.

Introduce, implement or adopt policies and guidelines in the practice of engineering profession.

Sharing technical knowledge to fellow professionals.

SCORE (max 20) DESIGN (35%) Demonstrate expertise in chosen area of specialization.

Interpret technical problem and provide technical solutions.

The design employs the latest technology and facilitates innovation.

The design exhibit unique features and functionality.

Prepare design documentations, review and evaluates design to achieve acceptance.

SCORE (max 35) ENGINEERING LEADERSHIP (25%) Leads engineering practice in area of specialization Motivates and mentors other 0DQDJH VLJQLÂżFDQW HQJLQHHULQJ SURMHFWV Establish/Leads and manages the engineering business/organization Implement planning and design process Manages a multi-disciplined team

Assessment Yes No

Yes

No

Yes

No

SCORE (max 25) RD RD1 RD2 RD3 PV PV1 PV2 PV3

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT (10%) ,GHQWLÂżHV RSSRUWXQLWLHV IRU QHZ RU LPSURYHG SURFHVVHV RU LQLWLDWHV concept of developments.

Analyzed situation or required outcomes and explored solution through research Patent or publish research outputs.

SCORE (max 10) PROFESSIONALISM AND VERBAL ABILITY (10%) Personal Appearance &RPSRVXUH DQG &RQÂżGHQFH Accuracy in answering technical questions SCORE (max 10) TOTAL SCORE

Yes

No

Yes

No

MT - Apr. 11, 2019

EDITORS AND DESKMEN Competencies • Excellent command of written and spoken English • Degree holder preferably in journalism, communications, or related discipline (e.g. political science or economics with journalism experience) • Experience in editing news, analytical reports and columns • Strong news judgment and familiarity with local issues, as well as an understanding of relevant world affairs • $ELOLW\ WR ZULWH DQG HGLW ZLWK ÀDLU DQG VSHHG WR PHHW WLJKW GHDGOLQHV • )DPLOLDU ZLWK 0LFURVRIW 2I¿FH VRFLDO PHGLD DQG VHDUFK HQJLQHV • Ability to lead and organize a team well • Good attitude, willingness to adjust to new systems and ability to respect authority within the organization REPORTERS Competencies • Excellent command of written and spoken English • Degree holder preferably in journalism, communications, or related discipline • Ability to establish and maintain a network of contacts in government and the private sector as source of information and analysis • Ability to identify the angle of news from a raft of available information or seek out information to build a solid news story • Familiarity with local issues and an understanding of relevant world affairs • $ VHQVH RI VSHHG DQG DFFXUDF\ LQ ZULWLQJ DQG ¿OOLQJ UHDO WLPH VWRULHV to the news desk to meet tight deadlines • Knows Microsoft Office, social media and search engines • A good team player, but is able to work independently within the perimeters of a given assignment • Good attitude, willingness to adjust to new systems and ability to respect authority within the organization Interested applicants, please send a full resume, specifying your subject of expertise, with links to samples of online work or appropriate attachments.

Please email your resumĂŠ at: hrd@manilatimes.net, or you may apply personally at 2/F Sitio Grande Bldg., 409 A. Soriano Avenue, Intramuros, Manila (Formerly TRB Bldg.), or you may call Irish de Guzman at 524-5664 local 122.

˜ The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

9 convicted Hong Kong protesters freed on bail HONG KONG: A Hong Kong court has extended bail for nine pro-democracy protest organizers convicted of public nuisance offences as they await sentencing.

The guilty verdicts handed down Tuesday against the nine were condemned by rights activists as a likely sign of more restrictions on free expression in the semi-autonomous Chinese territory.

The defendants left court on Wednesday and will be sentenced April 24.

The nine were leaders of 2014’s nonviolent “Occupy Central� campaign, also known as the “Umbrella Movement� after a key SYMBOL OF DEkANCE AGAINST POLICE adopted by the street protests that SHUT DOWN PARTS OF THE kNANCIAL hub for 79 days.

Protesters demanded the right to choose Hong Kong’s own leader rather than merely approve a candidate picked by Beijing, but failed to win any concessions from the government.

AP

Netanyahu win seen JERUSALEM: Benjamin Netanyahu appeared to be headed toward a HISTORIC kFTH TERM AS )SRAEL S PRIME minister on Wednesday, with closeTO COMPLETE UNOFkCIAL ELECTION REsults giving his right-wing Likud and other nationalist and religious parties a solid majority in parliament.

4HE OUTCOME AFkRMED )SRAEL S continued tilt to the right and further dimmed hopes of a negotiated SOLUTION TO THE )SRAELI 0ALESTINIAN CONlICT 2E ELECTION WILL ALSO GIVE Netanyahu an important boost, as he braces for the likelihood of criminal charges in a series of corruption scandals.

With 97.4 percent of the vote counted, Likud and its traditional political allies were in command of a 65-55 majority in parliament. A couple of small parties were still teetering along the electoral threshold AND kGHTING FOR THEIR SURVIVAL SO THE kNAL MAKEUP OF THE NEXT PARLIAMENT has yet to be decided. Final results were expected Thursday.

Two of his potential allies, hawkish former Defense minister Avigdor Lieberman and economic-centric Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon, have yet to formally conkRM THEY WOULD SIT WITH .ETANYAhu and could emerge as wildcards. )N ANY CASE THE COUNTRY NOW FACES what could be weeks of political negotiations over the composition of a ruling coalition.

But under nearly every scenario, Netanyahu was the big winner.

4HE LONG TIME )SRAELI LEADER had fought a tight, ugly race against centrist ex-military chief Benny Gantz, whose nascent Blue and White party emerged as a viable alternative to Netanyahu’s DECADE IN POWER 4HE NEAR kNAL results showed it deadlocked with Likud at 35 seats. But most of its support seems to have come at the expense of the venerable Labor and leftist Meretz parties, who both earned historic lows in Tuesday’s election.

AP

Worldinbriefs EX-MALAYSIA FL CHARGED WITH CORRUPTION KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia: The wife of Malaysia’s former prime minister Najib Razak was hit Wednesday with a new corruption charge over a solar energy contract. Rosmah Mansor pleaded not guilty to accepting a 5-million ringgit ($1.22 million) bribe through her aide from a manager at Jepak Holdings as a kickback for helping secure a contract from the Education Ministry. She has also been charged with laundering illegal proceeds and tax evasion in a massive graft scandal that led to Najib’s electoral loss last May. The Education Ministry awarded the 1.25 billion ringgit contract to supply and install solar energy panels in 369 schools in eastern Sarawak state on Borneo to Jepak without open tender.

AP

MEASLES PLAGUES NEW YORK NEW YORK: New York City declared a public health emergency Tuesday and ordered mandatory vaccinations for measles in a part of Brooklyn that is home to a large Orthodox Jewish community. The city took the unusual step amid a surge of 285 measles cases in the city since September, most in one densely packed neighborhood where people now have to get vaccines or risk a $1,000 fine. In the US, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported there have been 465 cases so far this year, two-thirds of them in New York state. That compares to 372 cases in the US for all of last year. Besides New York, there have been outbreaks this year in Washington state, California.

Michigan and New Jersey.

AP

DALAI LAMA HOSPITALIZED NEW DELHI: The Dalai Lama has been admitted to hospital in New Delhi for treatment but is “doing much better� and should be released soon, his close aide told AFP on Wednesday. “His Holiness is doing much better, but he is still undergoing treatment at a hospital and we hope in few days he will be discharged,� Tenzin Taklha, the Dalai Lama’s personal spokesman, told AFP. AFP

VENEZUELA READY FOR RED CROSS AID CARACAS: Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said on Tuesday the country was ready to receive international aid following a meeting in Caracas with the global Red Cross chief. “We confirm our readiness to establish cooperation mechanisms for international assistance and support,� Maduro wrote on Twitter. The president, who denies that the current situation in Venezuela can be described as a humanitarian crisis, reiterated after the meeting that collaboration with the International Committee of the Red Cross should respect “the Venezuelan legal order.�

AFP

World NKorea calls urgent meet amid tense situation S THURSDAY April 11, 2019

EOUL: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un called a full meeting Wednesday of a top committee of the ruling Workers’ Party to address what he described as the “prevailing tense situation,� state media reported.

The gathering of the Central Committee comes after Kim’s Hanoi summit with US President Donald Trump broke up without agreement in February, and as South Korean 0RESIDENT -OON *AE IN lIES TO 7ASHington for talks with the US leader.

"UT THE .ORTH S OFkCIAL +OREan Central News Agency ( KC N A ) a p -

peared to indicate that Kim may be focussing on Pyongyang’s continued push to develop its economy. )N A MEETING WITH SENIOR OFkCIALS Tuesday, Kim ordered them to display gAN ATTITUDE BEkTTING THE MASTERS OF the revolution and construction under the prevailing tense situation and thus follow through on the new strategic line of the Par-

ty,� KCNA reported.

Last April Kim declared that the ruling party’s “new strategic line� would be “socialist economic construction� and its quest for nuclear development was complete.

Kim made “a deep analysis of the matters pending urgent solution in the party and state,� KCNA said, adding that at Wednesday’s meeting the central committee will “decide the new orientation and ways of struggle in line with the need of the prevailing revolutionary situation.� )T COMES AHEAD OF THE OPENING OF THE country’s rubber stamp legislature on Thursday.

Cheong Seong-chang, an anaLYST AT THE 3EJONG )NSTITUTE SAID IT WOULD BE DIFkCULT FOR +IM TO LAY out a new policy direction while Trump continues to express a willingness to maintain dialogue. )NSTEAD 7EDNESDAY S MEETING COULD involve a reshuffle of party officials including Kim Yong Chol, the North’s top envoy for talks with the US, who has been “blamed the most for the failure of the Hanoi summit�, he said. g)T WOULD SIGNAL A GREEN LIGHT IF HE IS REPLACED WITH A MORE lEXIBLE AND PRACTICAL kGURE BUT IF HE STAYS

denuclearisation talks won’t be easy,� Cheong said.

AFP

POPE IN VATICAN Pope Francis waves to the crowd as he arrives for the weekly general audience at St. Peter’s Square in the

Vatican. AFP PHOTO

RSF urges UN to accredit Taiwanese press REPORTERS Without Borders (RSF) has again urged the United Nations (UN) to authorize Taiwanese journalists to cover all UN-sanctioned events, particularly the World Health Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland on May 2019.

RSF said the 72nd World Health Assembly in Geneva, slated May 20 to 28, is a very important event that must be opened to all legitimate media entities.

The body also mentioned other equally important events this year that must be covered by the Taiwanese press.

These are the UN 74th annual General Assembly from September 17 to 30 in New York; and the 40th International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Assembly from September 24 to October 4 in Montreal.

In recent years, the UN has been under pressure from China to turn down requests for press accreditation for the Taiwanese media. Worse, passports of Taiwanese requesting coverage of all UN events are not recognized. “The current ban contradicts the fundamental right to free information

stated in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,� said Christophe Deloire, RSF secretary-general. “Accrediting bonafide journalists is not a political move and should not depend on their nationality or the geographical origin of the outlet they represent,� he added.

Taiwan, with a population of 23 million, is not a UN member.

Over the past years, China has been lobbying in every possible way to isolate Taiwan on the international stage,

US-Mexico border row hits truckers CIUDAD JUAREZ, Mexico: To deal with a surge of migrating Central American families, the Trump administration has reassigned so many inspectors from US-Mexico border crossings that truckers are waiting in line for hours and sometimes days to get shipments to the United States.

Truckers have been sleeping in their vehicles to hold spots in line in Ciudad Juarez, across the border from El Paso, Texas. The city brought in portable toilets, and an engine oil company hired models in skin-tight clothing to hand out burritos and bottled water to idled drivers. “My family doesn’t recognize me at home anymore,� Jaime Monroy, a trucker who lives in Ciudad Juarez, said after sleeping overnight in his truck haulING A LOAD OF WOODEN FURNITURE g) LEAVE AT IN THE morning and come back at 10 at night.�

The waits are a reminder that even though President Donald Trump walked back his threat to close THE BORDER THE ADMINISTRATION HAS CREATED SIGNIkCANT

impediments for truckers and travelers with its redeployment of customs agents.

Business leaders are starting to lose patience as they struggle to get products to American grocery stores, manufacturers and construction sites. “This is a systemwide issue,� said Paola Avila, chairman of the Border Trade Alliance, a group that advocates for cross-border commerce. “Everyone’s feeling this.�

4HE TRAFkC CONGESTION COMES AS A GROWING NUMBER of families from Central America have been arriving at the border in recent months, overwhelming the federal government.

The Border Patrol said Tuesday that it set a new monthly record for apprehensions of families in March.

More than 53,000 family members were stopped at the border in March, an average of more than 1,700 per day. That breaks a record set in February, when 36,000 parents and children were apprehended.

AP

HEROIN SMUGGLER ON TRIAL IN CAMBODIA PHNOM Penh Municipal Court yesterday started the trial of a Vietnamese-Australian woman who allegedly tried to smuggle nearly 2 kilograms of heroin from Cambodia to Australia at Phnom Penh International Airport last year.

Presiding Judge Khun Sokna identified the accused as Tran Ve Thi, 39, a tourist.

She was charged with drug possession and transportation and faces life in prison if convicted. Judge Sokna noted that Ms Tran was arrested on January 6 last year at Phnom Penh International Airport. After her arrest, police seized nearly 2 kilograms of heroin from her.

KHMER TIMES

MEXICAN CHARGED WITH MURDER HANGS SELF ST. LOUIS: A Mexican citizen accused of killing four people in Kansas and one in Missouri in 2016 hanged himself from a light fixture in his St. Louis jail cell.

Pablo Serrano-Vitorino was found alone in his cell at 2:02 a.m. Tuesday (2:02 a.m. Wednesday in Manila). He was pronounced dead at a hospital about an hour later, said Koran Addo, spokesman for St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson.

Addo declined further comment, but St. Louis Public Safety Director Jimmie Edwards told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that Serrano-Vitorino hanged himself and left a note written in Spanish. Edwards was out of town and didn’t know if Serrano-Vitorino was on suicide watch or when jailers had last checked on him.

AP

B7

READY FOR DUTY

Indonesia policemen attend a security roll call for the upcoming general elections on April 17, 2019. Some 192 million Indonesians are set to cast a ballot to elect a new president, parliament members and local council members. AFP PHOTO

including preventing its journalists from covering important events.

In May 2018, Taiwanese journalists were denied for the second consecutive year accreditation to cover the World Health Assembly held in Geneva. The same also happened during the 2016 Trienal Assembly hosted by ICAO. Taiwan is ranked 42nd out of 180, the highest in Asia, in the 2018 RSF World Press Freedom Index. China falls at 176, with more than 65 journalists in various prisons.

Indian bishop accused of rape NEW DELHI: Indian authorities charged a Roman Catholic bishop on Tuesday with repeatedly raping a nun in her rural convent, a case that helped make the sexual abuse of nuns a major issue in the church.

Bishop Franco Mulakkal was charged with rape, illegal confinement and intimidation, said Hari Sankar, a district police chief in the southern state of Kerala, India’s Catholic heartland.

The nun who made the accusations, who has not been publicly identified, said she went to police last year only after complaining repeatedly to church authorities. Eventually, a group of fellow nuns launched unprecedented public protests to demand Mulakkal’s arrest. He was arrested but released after a few weeks.

Mulakkal was the official patron of the nun’s community, the Missionaries of Jesus, and wielded immense influence over its budgets and job assignments. The nun said the rapes occurred between 2014 and 2016.

Mulakkal has denied the accusations, calling them “baseless and concocted� and saying the accusing nun was trying to pressure him to get a better job.

In February, Pope Francis for the first time publicly acknowledged the sexual abuse of nuns by priests and bishops.

Speaking to reporters aboard the papal plane, Francis vowed to confront the problem. “Should we do something more?

Yes. Is there the will? Yes. But it’s a path that we have already begun,� he said.

The Mulakkal case has split India’s Catholic community, with many people defending the bishop.

AP

B8

THURSDAY April 11, 2019

Special Feature

˜ The Manila Times w w w.manilatimes.net

GLOBAL BRANDS

Japanese takeover Japan conquers the Philippines again, but with its innovative products

A

BY MAYLENE STEPHANIE S. VIRAY

S the Land of the Rising Sun, Japan is known for its rich culture, advanced technology, delicious food and quality products. One does not need to go to Japan to live and experience Japan because Japanese products are equally as impressive.

From beauty products to clothing and household appliances and even automobiles, Japanese brands continue to make a name in the Filipino household as it ranks third among the Philippines’ top import partners, accounting to 8.7 percent or an import value of $789 million as of January, revealed in the latest data of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

In return, Japan remains the country’s top export destination with an export value of $884.95 million or 16.8 percent of the total exports in January.

The simple phrase “Made in Japan� often invokes image of innovative, high-quality products partnered with exceptional design and practicality yet remains simple and elegant.

International demand Japan continues to enter partnerships with local and international government in order to boost the demand for Japanese brands overseas.

In November 2013, the Cool Japan Fund initiative was founded as a public-private fund that aims to

support and promote the development of demand overseas for excellent Japanese products and services.

The fund aims to increase demands by providing risk capital for business across a variety of areas including media and content, food and services, fashion and lifestyle as well as inbound demand.

Traditional concepts When it comes to product packaging, Japan brands continue to lever on traditional concepts of design philosophies such as wabi, sabi, wabi-sabi, ma, yugen, iki and mono-no-aware, according to Japanese aesthetics.

The concept of wabi translates to being simple and quiet, yet emphasizing on the aged beauty of the product.

Designer Robert Jarrell writes in his blog that wabi INTEGRATES lAWS of one kind or another often found in wood, stone, fabric, clay and lOWERS “Wabi can further be described as non-attachment, having subtle insight and great depth of knowledge,� he adds. “The non-attachment essence of a wabi thing is said

to be what gives it an original, fresh image. It might look familiar, but is unique.�

Sabi, on the other hand, is the art of imperfection, unbalance and asymmetry.

Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy describes sabi as “the meaning of something that has aged well, grown rusty, or has acquired a patina that makes it beautiful.�

Jarrell says that this art concept can usually be found in Japanese graphic design, architecture, crafts and products.

Wabi and Sabi are often said to be closely connected that, when put together, create a new, different concept: wabi-sabi, which translates TO lAWED BEAUTY “Wabi-sabi TRANSLATES AS lAWED beauty and the wisdom in natural simplicity,� Jarrell says. “It’s an aesthetic sensibility, a way of living that sees beauty in imperfections and peacefully embraces the natural cycle of growth and decay.�

Ma is the equivalent of a “white� or “empty� space, but traditional Japan refers to it as “open space� which can be vibrant and dynamic.

Meanwhile, the term yugen translates to “mysterious� and its concept means “the beauty of the subtle, profound grace.� $ESPITE BEING kRST FOUND IN #HInese philosophical texts, yugen plays an important concept in Japanese aesthetics, where it means “an awareness of the universe which triggers emotional responses too deep and powerful for words.�

Iki derives from the erotic plea-

sures between men and geisha in the pleasure quarters of big cities in ancient Japan.

In art, iki MEANS A REkNED STYLE that is “original, calm, exquisite and sophisticated,� loosely like its French counterparts’ chic, coquet AND RAFkNE Lastly, mono-no-aware refers to the pathos or awareness of things.

These philosophical designs of Japan often correspond to the Western idea of “aesthetics.� These are often linked to traditional Buddhist doctrines.

Brand leaders As the global industry changes quickly, the following Japanese brands, in no particular order, continue to make their names present among Filipinos: Suzuki Philippines Inc., a whollyowned subsidiary of Suzuki Motor Corp. Japan, traces its roots to a Filipino family in 1957.

According to its history, the company started out as the architectural DQG HQJLQHHULQJ ÂżUP 5XÂżQR ' $Qtonio and Associates Inc., which ventures into appliance importations from Japan and later, included motorcycles.

By February 1, 1985, it became a wholly-owned Japanese company in the Philippines by Suzuki Motor Company Ltd., and was later reorganized and renamed to Suzuki Philippines Inc. Suzuki Philippines (SPH) is the official manufacturer of superior quality motorcycle and the exclusive distributor of Suzuki automobiles, outboard motor and genuine parts in the country.

In 2018, SPH finishes the third quarter of the year with a 6 percent sales growth from January to September, owing to its best-sellers Ertiga, Celerio and Vitara.

Meanwhile, Sharp Corp. continues to be a constant brand in Filipino households as it upholds quality in its products through its local company Sharp Philippines.

As it upholds quality, Sharp focuses on sincerity and creativity as its principal ideas to provide products that range from television to sound systems.

Since its inception in the Philippines in 1982, Sharp has already produced 3.9 million units of colored television, 8.2 million units of washing machine and 2.1 million units of karaoke machines as of 2018 — all of which are its strongest products in the Filipino market.

Information technology (IT) company Bizwind Inc. traces its roots in Tokyo, Japan where it was established on April 15, 2005 by its founder T. Kuramochi.

Bizwind offers services including software development, system maintenance, IT consulting, business development, and internet ASP (application service provider) services.

In the Philippines, Bizwind was established in 2012 and is currently taking shelter in Makati, where its main business involves website design and system development.

Another local Japanese brand is Hitachi, which was incorporated in 1966 as Hitachi Asia Ltd. Philippines Branch (HAS-PH).

Its wide range of products and services provides solutions to various in-

dustry sectors such as power generation systems, transmission and distribution systems, heavy industrial equipment, industrial components and equipment as well as elevators and escalators.

Just last March, HAS-PH celebrated its 25th anniversary at the Tower Club in Manila, where the company recounted its past achievements as well as reveal future expansion plans in the country.

In terms of retail, Uniqlo Fast 5HWDLOLQJ 3KLOLSSLQHV ,QF KDV SDYHG WKH ZD\ IRU -DSDQHVH IDVKLRQ WR ÂżW WKH Filipino taste.

The company entered the Philippines in 2012 and in its six years of appearance until 2018, it has opened about 48 stores that sell brand casual clothing in the country. ,Q 8QLTOR RSHQHG LWV ÀDJVKLS global store, Uniqlo Manila, that is the brand’s largest store in Southeast Asia, serving as a hub for Uniqlo LifeWear pieces, services, visual merchandising, store operations and creativity. $ ¿[HG EUDQG LQ WKH FRPSXWHU KDUGware market, Epson has been operating in the country since 1996.

It launched its latest EcoTank printers in 2018, which aligns Epson Philippines with the rest of the Epson group around the globe, carrying the brand’s same inkjet legacy of offering quality printouts with more value for money in D UHÂżOODEOH WDQN SULQWHU Meanwhile, as a one-stop, life ZHDU VKRS 'DLVR FDUULHV RYHU products ranging from houseware to makeup to gym equipment at affordable prices, dubbing it as the “Japanese dollar store.â€?

Sports

TTHURSDAY AAPRIL 11, 2019

C1

www.manilatimes.net

Q Dwyane Wade (No. 3) of the Miami Heat attempts a lay up against Jimmy Butler (No. 23) and Boban Marjanovic (No. 51) of the Philadelphia 76ers during the first half at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. AFP PHOTO

L

Miami exit spoils Wade farewell as Pistons edge closer

OS ANGELES: Dwyane Wade was given an emotional send-off in his final home game with the Miami Heat on Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila) but results elsewhere eliminated the Florida team from playoff contention.

The 37-year-old threetime NBA champion delivered a 30-point display as the Heat defeated the Philadelphia 76ers by 122-99 at the American Airlines Arena.

But the Detroit Pistons’ 100-93 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies ended Miami’s slender hopes of progressing to the playoffs.

Wade gave a heartfelt salute to

Ray Parks and the mockery of PBA Draft T HERE will never be true parity in any competitive league, simply because everybody’s goal is to be better than everyone else.

The sad part is that there are teams who have more resources to reach their goal.

The PBA Draft, just like the NBA Draft it was modelled upon, was SUPPOSED TO LEVEL THE PLAYING kELD by giving teams in the lower rung a chance to get superior players who will eventually make them improve.

The Draft is still just a tool, though, and its effectiveness is still determined by how it is utilized.

It’s not likely that a team’s destiny can take a 180 degree turn with just one draft, unless its Junemar Fajardo—a once-in-a-decade type of player. Then again, he went to San Miguel Beer which was not exactly a cellar dweller when they picked him.

Why did Columbia pass on Ray Parks?

The class of 2018 was not projected to be a deep one, with the requirement of PBA D-League participation hampering some UAAP/ NCAA hopefuls and even some Filforeigners. The highlight of the draft was the fate of Ray Parks, Jr. Perhaps the best Filipino player outside of the PBA, it was high time that he kNALLY MADE THE JUMP Parks had already acquired all the awards that amateur basketball can offer. Among them, UAAP MVP and ABL local MVP twice. He was the best player there so why did Columbian Dyip pass on him with the No.1 pick?

One reason cited was that Parks will sit out the Philippine Cup due to his ABL contract obligations.

Columbian needed immediate help, so the idea of not getting quick gains in the draft was not attractive for them.

Columbian used the same reaSON AS PART OF ITS JUSTIkCATION OF trading away the no.1 pick in the 2017 Draft. The controversy erupted when they chose to trade it to San Miguel Beer. Because of that controversy, the PBA barred any team from trading the no.1 pick.

It was this rule that may have pushed Columbian to pick amateur standout CJ Perez over Parks.

BASKETBALL SLEUTH

MICHAEL ANGELO B. ASIS Rumors swirled before draft night that Parks already had a team in mind when he applied for the draft, and he could hold out and not play if other teams drafted him. Since he could not be traded, Columbian would rather pick someone else than be left with an empty bag.

"LACKWATER STANDS kRM ‡ BUT for how long?

With Columbia choosing Perez, the Ray Parks challenge fell on Blackwater. This team was already part of another questionable trade: they sent JP Erram, who developed into a franchise center, to NLEX, one of three teams owned by the MVP group. The trade rumors had Parks bound for Meralco, another MVP team, apparently to play under his godfather, Coach Norman Black.

Losing Erram hit them hard, as they ended up in the cellar, even lower than Columbia. Parks could help, and now they have signed him to a Php 2M deal for the remainder of the season. It would be awful for their image if they trade him now, as they would be accused of being an MVP farm team.

Erram and Parks could have been the foundation of a competitive team. It is puzzling why they sent away a quality big man—a rare commodity in the PBA, for a couple of rookies in a shallow draft.

With a short-term deal in place, it seems like the trade is simply postponed, not cancelled. If the rumors hold true, then the purpose of the draft—to help teams at the bottom become stronger, is ultimately defeated. If the best players are already “reserved� for certain teams, then the PBA draft just a farce.

"LACKWATER CAN kX BREAK THE SYStem if they eventually sign Parks to an extension. If not, then it would seem like they just wanted to let the situation cool off. If they do push through with the trade, then they are betraying their fans and even the PBA in general by not trying their best to compete.

his fans in a pre-game ceremony in Miami. “I love y’all, man,� Wade told the crowd. “I thank you guys for dancing with me this year. I thank y’all for your patience this year. I thank y’all for the love. “I’m thankful for this moment.

I’m thankful for this entire season.�

Wade, a 13-time NBA All-Star, was also honored with video tribUTES THROUGHOUT HIS HOME kNALE

with former US President Barack

Obama leading the plaudits. “D-Wade! Congratulations on a great run. Now, I know what you’re going through, because saying goodbye to a career that you love is never easy,� Obama said. “I’ve been there. In my case though, I didn’t really have a choice.

My knees were shot so I had to give up basketball forever,� he joked.

Detroit, meanwhile, can seal their playoff berth from the Eastern Conference with victory over

the New York Knicks on WednesDAY IN THE kNAL ROUND OF REGULAR season games.

The Charlotte Hornets also have a slender chance of progression after demolishing the Cleveland Cavaliers 124-97.

Charlotte needs to beat Orlando on Wednesday and hope that Detroit slip up against the Knicks to leapfrog the Pistons into the postseason.

Against Cleveland on Tuesday

the Hornets were led by Kemba Walker and Jeremy Lamb with 23 points each.

The Pistons recovered from a sluggish start, which saw them trail by 22 points at one stage before recovering for the win.

Ish Smith scored 22 points off the bench while Andre Drummond added 20 points and 17 rebounds to rescue Detroit.

"LAKE 'RIFkN WAS RESTRICTED TO kVE POINTS IN MINUTES AFP

Magic Johnson steps down as LA Lakers chief LOS ANGELES: Magic Johnson stunned the basketball world on Tuesday, abruptly resigning from his management role with the Los Angeles Lakers and plunging the ailing NBA franchise into fresh turmoil.

In a dramatic announcement, which came shortly before the Lakers’ final game of the season, an emotional Johnson said he was stepping down after a two-year reign as president of basketball operations with the 16-time NBA champions.

The 59-year-old Lakers legend’s decision followed a disappointing campaign which saw the once-mighty Los Angeles franchise fail to make the playoffs for a sixth consecutive year. “Today, I’m gonna step down as the president,� Johnson told reporters at an impromptu press conference.

Johnson had been saddled with the task of reviving the Lakers and played a pivotal role in persuading LeBron James to join the team last year in a blockbuster move.

However, the Lakers’ revival stalled this season when James was injured, triggering a slump which saw the team fall from playoff contention.

Johnson also attracted criticism for an unsuccessful pursuit of New Orleans

Los Angeles Laker than Earvin Johnson,� the team said. “We are deeply grateful to Magic for all that he has done for our franchise, as a player, an ambassador and an executive.�

Tired of ‘back-stabbing’

Q Magic Johnson AFP PHOTO Pelicans star Anthony Davis, a move that was widely reported to have destabilized the Lakers locker room.

He told reporters he was stepping down in order to preserve his friendship with Lakers owner Jeanie Buss, describing her as “like a sister.�

The former Lakers star also revealed he had been wearied by the responsibilities of his position, saying he had not enjoyed the process of hiring and firing personnel. “(Jeanie Buss) and I have such an

amazing relationship,� Johnson said. “She gave me full power to do what I wanted to do, but I think that with her and I, I want to always preserve our relationship. I had more fun when I was able to be the big brother and the ambassador to everybody. I had more fun on the other side than on this side.�

The Lakers meanwhile paid tribute to Johnson in a brief statement. “There is no greater

Johnson was widely expected to swing the axe on Lakers coach Luke Walton on Wednesday following their final game of the season at the Staples Center against Portland.

However, he hinted that Walton may now stay. “Tomorrow I would have to affect someone’s livelihood and their life,�

Johnson said, without referring to Walton directly. And I thought about that.

And that’s not fun for me. That’s not who I am. I don’t want to put (Buss) in the middle of us. Even though she said ‘You do what you want to do.’ I want to go back to having fun. I want to go back to who I was before taking on this job.�

Johnson, however, said he believed the Lakers were on the right track following the arrival of James.

AFP

DALLAS STARÂ NOWITZKIÂ CONFIRMS RETIREMENT LOS ANGELES:Â Dallas Mavericks star Dirk NowitZKI CONkRMED HIS RETIREMENT FROM THE ."! ON Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila), calling time on a 21-season career that saw him become the greatest European player ever to grace the league.

The 40-year-old German had left the door open to extending his career for another SEASON BUT kNALLY CONkRMED HIS RETIREMENT after the Mavericks’ 120-109 win over the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday. “As you guys might expect, this is my last home game,� an emotional Nowitzki told the crowd at Dallas’s American Airlines Center. “I’ve put you guys on a hell of a ride with a lot of ups and downs and you guys always stuck with me and supported me, and I appreciate it,� Nowitzki added.

Mavericks fans chanted “Thank You Dirk� as the 7-foot (2.1-meter) tall German bade his farewell.

Several icons of the NBA were also in the arena to witness his send-off, including Larry Bird, Charles Barkley, Scottie Pippen and the Mavs’ former German power forward Detlef Schrempf.

Nowitzki, who ranks sixth on the NBA’s all-time points scoring list with more than 31,000 points, said he had no plans to leave Dallas after his retirement.

“This is my new home,� Nowitzki said. “I left Germany over 20 years ago and became a Texan.�

Nowitzki’s retirement had been largely expected.

Mavericks owner Mark Cuban had signaled that Nowitzki intended to make an announcement in the days leading up to Tuesday’s game. “It won’t be easy,� Cuban said Monday. “I know for Dirk it won’t be easy, either. But Father Time is undefeated, for all of us.�

Nowitzki, who was chosen with the ninth pick in the 1998 NBA draft, would go on to lead the Mavericks to 15 playoff appearances.

He also inspired the team to its one and only NBA championship in 2011.

He was selected to the AllStar game 14 times and also earned the NBA’s Most Valuable Player award in 2007.

He was the NBA Finals AFP MVP in 2011.

Q Dirk Nowitzki (No. 41) of the Dallas Mavericks passes the ball against Elie Okobo (No. 2) of the Phoenix Suns in the second quarter at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. AFP PHOTO

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Sports

˜ The Manila Times

THURSDAY April 11, 2019

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Lady Tams whip Lady Bulldogs F

Alcantara rules girls’ U-20 division

BY JOSEF T. RAMOS

AR Eastern University (FEU) swept National University (NU), 25-21, 2519, 25-22, in Season 81 University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) women’s volleyball tournament on Wednesday at The Arena in San Juan City.

4HE ,ADY 4AMARAWS LED BY GRIZ ZLED VETERANS (EATHER 'UINO O AND *ERRILI -ALABANAN CRUISED THROUGH THREE STRAIGHT SETS TO BAG THEIR EIGHTH WIN AGAINST FOUR LOSSES AND STRENGTHENING THEIR &INAL &OUR BID g7E NEED A HIGHER ENERGY LEVEL AND A WE CAN T AFFORD TO LOSE MINDSET %VERYTHING IS GOING WELL FOR US AND ) HOPE WE CAN SUSTAIN IT uSAID &%5 COACH 'EORGE 0ASCUA IN &ILIPINO g)T IS NOT NECESSARY TO WIN BY STRAIGHT SET 7HAT IS IMPORTANT IS TO WIN REGARDLESS IF IT S IN THE FOURTH OR kFTH SET u 'UINTO O POSTED KILLS PLUS MORE FROM -ALABANAN +YLE .EGRITO AND *EANETTE 6ILLA REAL IN CHARGE OF OF &%5 S DEFENSE

NOTCHED THREE BLOCKS EACH g7E ARE HAPPY FOR THIS FIRST STRAIGHT SET VICTORY 7E JUST KEEP OUR ENERGY GOING AND WE DID A GOOD JOB u SAID -ALABANAN 4HE ,ADY 4AMARAWS SQUANDERED A LEAD AFTER THE ,ADY "ULL DOGS TIED THE COUNT TO ALL &%5 MANAGED TO BOUNCE BACK THROUGH 'UINO O S STRONG HIT FOL LOWED BY ,ADY "ULLDOG 0RINCESS

2OBLES ERROR IN THE ENSUING PLAY 6ILLAREAL BLOCKED 2O BLES SHOT TO SEAL THE WIN 4HE ,ADY "ULLDOGS RE CORD DROPPED TO MAK ING THEM INELIGIBLE FOR THE &INAL &OUR RACE )N THE MEN S SIDE

!DAMSON 5NIVERSITY RETURNED TO THE &INAL &OUR AFTER TWO YEARS THROUGH A

WIN OVER 5NIVERSITY OF THE %AST 5% FOR AN WIN LOSS RECORD WITH STILL TWO GAMES LEFT IN THE ELIMINATION ROUND !TENEO $E -ANILA 5NIVERSITY BLANKED 5NIVERSITY OF 3ANTO 4OMAS 534

TO IM PROVE ITS WIN LOSS RE CORD TO AND EARN ITS SIXTH CONSECUTIVE SEMIkNALS APPEARANCE 5% FELL TO WHILE 534

WITH RECORD WAS ALREADY OUT OF THE &INAL &OUR RACE

Q FEU’s Heather Guino-o (No. 4) whacks the ball through the defense of Mae Luceño (No. 12) during the UAAP women’s volleyball tournament on Wednesday at The Arena in San Juan City. PHOTO BY ROGER RAÑADA

TORNADOES, CARGO MOVERS VIE FOR SEMIS SEAT FOTON and F2 Logistics shoot FOR A SEMIkNAL SEAT WHEN THEY CLASH IN THE SUDDEN DEATH QUAR TERkNALS OF THE 0HILIPPINE 3UPER LIGA 'RAND 0RIX TODAY AT THE &ILOIL &LYING 6 #ENTRE !CTION KICKS OFF AT P M WITH THE 4ORNADOES LOOKING TO PULL A MASSIVE UPSET TO BOOK A SEAT IN THE NEXT ROUND OF THIS PRESTIGIOUS WOMEN S CLUB TOURNEY BACKED BY !SICS -UELLER -IKASA 3ENOH

4EAM 2EBEL 3PORTS "IZOOKU 5#0" 'EN #OCOLIFE (OTEL 3OGO AND $ATA 0ROJECT !FTER STRUGGLING WITH AN GAME LOSING STREAK &OTON WAS TIPPED

TO EASILY FOLD UP IN THIS BATTLE THAT ALSO HAS %30. AND 0LUS AS BROADCAST PARTNERS "UT IT DIDN T HAPPEN AS *AJA 3ANTIAGO AND IMPORT #OURTNEY &ELINSKI WILLED THE 4ORNADOES TO AN EARTHSHAKING

WIN IN THEIR kRST QUARTERkNAL BATTLE TO PUSH THE POWERHOUSE #ARGO -OVERS TO THE BRINK OF A MASSIVE DEFEAT 3ANTIAGO WHO JUST CAME FROM A LONG STINT IN THE 6 0REMIER ,EAGUE IN *APAN DELIVERED POINTS WHILE &ELINSKI ALSO HAD FOR THE 4ORNADOES WHO ENDED THE DOUBLE ROUND CLASSIFICATION AS

SEVENTH SEED (EAD COACH !ARON 6ELEZ SAID WHILE THE VICTORY WAS TRULY OVER WHELMING THE BATTLE IS STILL FAR FROM OVER g7E RE REALLY HAPPY FOR THE WIN

BUT WE CAN T BE TOO EXCITED u HE SAID LOOKING FORWARD TO BRINGING DOWN THE #ARGO -OVERS TO BOOK A BEST OF THREE SEMIFINAL DUEL AGAINST THE SURVIVOR IN THE OTHER QUARTERkNAL BATTLE BETWEEN 0,$4 (OME &IBR AND 'ENERIKA !YALA g) CAN T SAY THAT WE HAVE THE UPPER HAND !LL ) CAN SAY IS THAT THE HUNGRIER AND MORE PREPARED TEAM WILL DEkNITELY ADVANCE TO

THE NEXT ROUND u On the other hand, F2 Logistics had a hard time against the Tor NADOES DUE TO LACK OF PERSONNEL )N FACT STAR SETTER +IM &AJARDO REMAINS INJURED PROMPTING BACKUP !LEX #ABANOS TO PLAY THE ENTIRE TWO HOUR MATCH THAT OBVIOUSLY AFFECTED HER DECISION MAKING DOWN THE STRETCH #ABANOS DELIVERED EXCELLENT SETS BUT SHE FADED AGAINST THE FRESH LEGS OF 'YSELLE 3Y AND )VY 0EREZ WHO TOOK TURNS IN SETTING THE PLAYS FOR 3ANTIAGO &ELINSKI AND -ILAGROS #OLLAR g4HIS IS A DO OR DIE GAME SO WE HAVE TO GIVE EVERYTHING WE CAN u

SAID & ,OGISTICS COACH 2AMIL DE *ESUS WHO WILL BANK ANEW ON SEA SONED IMPORTS ,INDSAY 3TALZER AND -* 0EREZ AS WELL AS !BY -ARANO

#HA #RUZ AND -AJOY "ARON g&OTON IS SUCH A TOUGH TEAM 7E HAVE TO BRING OUT OUR ! GAME IF WE WANT TO MAKE IT TO THE NEXT ROUND u -EANWHILE UNBEATEN 0ETRON AND #IGNAL ARE SET TO COLLIDE IN THE SEMIkNALS AFTER DISMANTLING THEIR RESPECTIVE FOES 4HE "LAZE 3PIKERS MADE QUICK WORK OF 3TA ,UCIA OVER THE WEEKEND WHILE THE ($ 3PIKERS CLOBBERED 5NITED 6# IN FOUR SETS LATE 4UESDAY

MAY !NN !LCANTARA OUTLASTED "HEA "UEN %CAL IN MOVES OF A 3ICILIAN $EFENSE TO CLAIM THE PREMIER GIRLS 5NDER DIVISION OF THE 'OV !MOR $E LOSO .ATIONAL !GE 'ROUP #HESS #HAMPIONSHIPS AT THE :AMBALES 3PORTS #OMPLEX IN )BA :AM BALES &RIDAY NIGHT !LCANTARA A NATIVE OF "ULACAN WHO PLAYS FOR 5NIVERSITY OF 3ANTO 4OMAS RAN AWAY WITH THE TITLE WITH POINTS OR A WHOPPING THREE POINTS AHEAD OF 2IZALYN *ASMINE 4EJADA AND 6IONA .EPASCUA WHO kNISHED SECOND AND THIRD WITH SEVEN POINTS APIECE !LCANTARA ALONG WITH BOTH 4EJADA AND .EPASCUA THUS BOOKED SPOTS IN THE NATIONAL TEAM SEEING ACTION IN *UNE S !3%!. !GE 'ROUP TOURNAMENT IN -YANMAR WHERE THEY HAVE A CHANCE TO CLINCH 7OMAN &)$% -ASTER AND 7OMAN )N TERNATIONAL -ASTER TITLES AND 7OMAN 'RANDMASTER NORMS ,ETRAN S -ELITO /CSAN *R DOWNED 2OMULO #URIOSO AND THEN EDGED *HOEMAR -ENDIOGA RIN IN A TIEBREAKER TO SNARE THE BOYS 5 CROWN IN THIS EVENT SPONSORED BY 'OV $ELOSO AND #ONGRESSMAN #HERYL $ELOSO

THE 0HILIPPINE 3PORTS #OMMIS SION AND .ATIONAL #HESS &EDERA TION OF THE 0HL S "UTCH 0ICHAY Ocsan and Mendiogarin, WHO DUMPED *EREMIAH ,UIS #RUZ BOTH ENDED UP AT THE HELM WITH POINTS BUT THE FORMER EDGED THE LATTER

VIA THE FIRST TIEBREAKER TO END UP AS CHAMPION %RIC ,ABOG *R TROUNCED $UANE "ORGONIA TO RULE THE BOYS 5 CLASS WITH EIGHT POINTS WHILE 6IC 'LYSEN $EROTAS WAYLAID *INYM 3ANTOS TO SWEEP THE GIRLS 5 CATEGORY WITH POINTS ,EONEL %SCOTE HALVED THE POINT WITH #LYDE (ARRIS 3ARAOS TO SNARE THE BOYS 5 CROWN WHILE -A %LAYZA 6ILLA DREW WITH -ARY *OY 4AN AND THEN EDGED 2UTH *OY 6INUYA WHO BASHED -ARIAN #ALIMBO VIA A WIN OVER THE OTHER TIEBREAK TO EMERGE THE GIRLS 5 WINNER

Growling Tigers eye to remain unscathed 5.)6%23)49 OF 3ANTO 4OMAS LOOKS TO CONTINUE ITS UNBEATEN RUN IN THE 0"! $ ,EAGUE WHEN IT TAKES ON 0ETRON ,ETRAN ON 4HURSDAY AT 9NARES 3PORTS !RENA IN 0ASIG 4HE 'ROWLING 4IGERS ARE COMING OFF A THREE WEEK LULL AFTER DIS PATCHING 'O FOR 'OLD #3"

ON -ARCH AND COACH !LDIN !YO HAS DONE NOTHING BUT TO KEEP HIS WARDS SHARP DURING THAT EX TENDED BREAK "UT AS MUCH AS 534 HAS GONE UNSCATHED THROUGH ITS FIRST FOUR GAMES IN THE !SPIRANTS 'ROUP THE OUTSPOKEN MENTOR IS NOT DISCOUNT

ING THE THREAT OF 0ETRON ,ETRAN “+ILALA KO ITONG Letran -ALAKAS na team DIN SILA KAYA KAILANGAN TALAGA NAMIN SILANG PAGHANDAAN u SAID THE 3ORSOGON BORN MENTOR AS HE BRACES TO FACE HIS ALMA MATER AT P M 2OOKIE SENSATION -ARK .ONOY

ALONG WITH FELLOW NEWCOMERS 2HENZ !BANDO AND "ENINESE FOR WARD 3OULEMANE #HABI 9O WILL CARRY THE FIGHT FOR THE LEAGUE S TOP OFFENSIVE TEAM IN THE 'ROWLING 4IGERS WHICH ARE SCORING AN EYE POPPING POINTS PER GAME The Knights, on the other hand, ARE JUST INTENT ON BOUNCING BACK

AFTER GETTING MANHANDLED BY #IG NAL !TENEO

ON 4HURSDAY 0ETRON ,ETRAN COACH "ONNIE 4AN WANTS TO SEE A LOT MORE GRIT FROM HIS WARDS LED BY !LVIN 0ASAOL *ER RICK "ALANZA AND ,ARRY -UYANG TO IMPROVE ON ITS RECORD -EANWHILE A PAIR OF &OUNDA TION 'ROUP CLASHES WILL TAKE PLACE IN THE DAY S OTHER GAMES AS THE LEAGUE S TOP DEFENSIVE TEAM IN -ETROPAC 3AN "EDA ALSO GOES BACK TO ACTION AGAINST THE HAPLESS 3-$# .5 AT P M WHILE SKIDDING TEAMS #HADAO &%5 AND 0ERPETUAL ENGAGE IN A HIGHLY PHYSICAL BATTLE AT P M

Pastor sets pace in PGT Asia qualifying MARCOS Pastor fired a fiveunder 67 to open a twostroke lead over former Singapore Amateur champion Choo Tze Huang at the start of the Philippine Golf Tour Asia third season Qualifying Tournament at the Luisita Golf and Country Club in Tarlac on Tuesday.

Pastor spiked his 33-34 round with an eagle on the par-5 ninth as the Spanish bet lined himself up for another Q-School honors after topping the local circuit’s PGT elims at Splendido last February.

Choo missed joining Pastor at the helm with a doublebogey on No. 16 but his 34-35 card, that included six birdies against one bogey,

still put him in early contention for one of the spots in the tournament proper of the third season of the region’s newest circuit which kicks off with the Luisita Championship next week.

The top 65 plus ties after 36 holes from the starting field of 97 will advance to the last two days with the top 40 and ties gaining Category 6 berths for the new PGT Asia season.

Local bet Kris Etter bogeyed No. 14 and settled for a 70, dropping to joint third with Vikkash Babu and Gregory Foo, also of Singapore, while Thai Tawan Phongpun fought back from an opening 37 with three birdies against

a bogey at the back to save a 71 for solo sixth.

A mix of players matched par 72 at the tight, hazard laden layout with Korean Jung Chae Won holing out with a birdie to tie Japanese Ryui Hashimoto and Issei Mori, Canadian Lindsay Renolds, Greg Gonzalez of the US, Thai Pachara Sakulyong, Jordan Irawan of Indonesia and Scotland’s Ryan Hood.

Filipinos Marvin Dumanda, Orlan Sumcad, Enrico Gallardo, Santiago Gabo, GJ Katigbak and Kuresh Samanodi all carded 73s to stay in the hunt for cards in the circuit which will break barriers by holding two legs in Taiwan in May and September.

˜ The Manila Times

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THURSDAY April 11, 2019

Sports

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Mind over Masters for McIlroy in latest career Grand Slam bid A UGUSTA, United States: Rory McIlroy has traveled an oblique path back to Augusta National, eyeing a picture even bigger than the possibility of becoming the sixth man to complete golf’s career Grand Slam.

g) M NOT ABOUT TO GO AND LIVE WITH THE MONKS IN .EPAL OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT BUT ) M MAK ING SURE THAT ) CENTER MYSELF AND PUT MY HEAD IN THE RIGHT PLACE u -C)LROY SAID ON 4UESDAY OF THE MEDITATION AND MINDFULNESS TECH NIQUES THAT HAVE FUELED HIS STELLAR START TO (IS SEVEN TOP FINISHES IN SEVEN STARTS INCLUDE A VICTORY IN THE 0LAYERS #HAMPIONSHIP LAST MONTH RAISING EXPECTATIONS THAT THE WORLD NUMBER THREE FROM .ORTHERN Ireland will break through for a kRST -ASTERS WIN ‡ ENDING A NEAR kVE YEAR MAJOR DROUGHT AND JOIN

*ACK .ICKLAUS 4IGER 7OODS "EN Hogan, Gary Player and Gene Sarazen as the only players with A CAREER SLAM ‡ AT LEAST ONE WIN IN EACH OF THE FOUR PROFESSIONAL MAJOR TOURNAMENTS -C)LROY HIMSELF WHO HAS COME UP SHORT IN FOUR PRIOR ATTEMPTS TO JOIN THE SELECT CLUB SAYS HE ISN T thinking of it that way. g-Y MINDSET IS A LITTLE DIFFER ENT u HE SAID g) M STILL PRACTIC ING ) M STILL GETTING BETTER ) M NOT GETTING AHEAD OF MYSELF .OT thinking about the tee shot on Thursday or thinking about what IS TO COME THIS WEEK

Q Rory McIlroy, of Northern Ireland, practices on the driving range at the Masters golf tournament on Wednesday, in Augusta, Ga. AP PHOTO “I keep saying this, I would DEARLY LOVE TO WIN THIS TOURNAMENT ONE DAY )F IT DOESN T HAPPEN THIS WEEK THAT S TOTALLY kNE ) LL COME BACK NEXT YEAR AND HAVE ANOTHER CRACK AT IT g"UT ) M HAPPY WITH WHERE EVERYTHING IS BODY MIND GAME u -C)LROY SAID HE S FOUND BETTER BALANCE IN HIS GAME AND HIS LIFE

WITH HIS PURSUIT OF THE gTHREE 0Su ‡ PERSPECTIVE PATIENCE AND POISE g9OU NEED TO SEARCH UNTIL YOU FIND WHAT RESONATES WITH YOU u HE SAID g) WANT TO REACH THE STAGE WHERE ALL THE g0uS ) PRACTICE ARE NATURAL AND SUBCONSCIOUS u -C)LROY SAID HE S TAKEN IDEAS ON MEDITATION AND MINDFUL LIVING FROM A VARIETY OF SOURCES INCLUDING

(Part 1) EVERY golfer has a golfing idol, one he looks up to because of his outstanding qualities as a player and as a person.

Even Jack Nicklaus, generally regarded as the best professional golfer ever to have played the game with 18 major (Grand Slam) tournament victories, is no exception. Jack’s golfing idol in his youth, however, was not a professional, but an amateur — Bobby Jones.

It is difficult to question Jack’s choice of a golfing hero. In 1930, Jones, as an amateur, won golf’s original Grand Slam — the US Open, the US Amateur, the British Open and the British Amateur — all in one year !

Nobody expects this record to ever be broken.

Robert Tyre Jones, Jr.

(he preferred simply to be called Bob) never turned professional. He could not have played in the PGA Tournament, which along with the Masters, the US Open and the British Open constitute the modern Grand Slam, because the PGA tournament is exclusively for professional golfers. Neither could he have won the Masters because when he founded the Masters in 1934 — just one of the many achievements in his checkered career — Jones had already retired from active competition.

Imme-

Q The writer Roger Nicandro, is a senior partner at the Romulo Mabanta Buenaventura Sayoc and De los Angeles Law Offices. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO diately after winning the Grand Slam, Bobby Jones withdrew from competitive golf at the incredibly young age of 28 — an age when many other golfers have yet to peak. Nicklaus, himself a golf prodigy, won his thirteenth major victory at 32 or four years more than Jones when the latter completed his 13 major tournament wins. Tiger Woods scored eight of his 14 major victories when he was 28.

Not lacking in patriotic fervor, Major Robert Tyre Jones served in the US Army in World War II, eight years after his golfing career ended.

Bobby Jones was 5’8� tall and about 165 pounds. Of regular build, with broad shoulders but without the pronounced muscularity of a Jack Nicklaus or Arnold Palmer, Jones derived his power and renowned long-driving ability from a free flowing smooth swing. Though known as a fast player with a brief preliminary address at the ball, his swing was pictured by contemporaries as having a languid, sleepy pace showing absolutely no sign of strain or tension. “Sweet� and “syrupy� were words used to describe it.

Gifted with handsome features, immense athletic talent, great personal charm, and extraordinary articulateness, Bobby Jones was the ideal all-American hero. And he was idolized by his fellow Georgians just as much as they revered the Masters tournament which he started.

They knew that he was the moving spirit behind not only the Masters but even the excellent championship course on which it was played. During the construction

Q Bobby Jones PHOTO COURTESY OF FRANK CHRISTIAN STUDIOS

NEXT YEARS OF MY CAREER u -C )LROY SAID g)T S NOT JUST ABOUT ONE WEEK 4HIS IS A LIFELONG JOURNEY OF TRYING TO IMPROVE AND LEARN AND TRY TO MASTER MY CRAFT WHICH IS GOLF g"UT ) KNOW IF ) HAVE THE RIGHT ATTITUDE AND ) HAVE MY GOALS THAT ) WANT TO ACHIEVE THIS YEAR THE BY PRODUCT COULD BE WINNING THIS GOLF TOURNAMENT u AFP

Fiery windup nets Saso 2-shot lead

THE GREATEST AMATEUR GOLFER OF ALL TIME WAS A LAWYER

BY ROGER NICANDRO

books and digital apps. &ORMER 53 0'! 4OUR PRO "RAD &AXON WHO HAS WORKED WITH -C )LROY FOR MORE THAN A YEAR STEERED HIM TO THE #ENTRAL )NSTITUTE FOR (U MAN 0ERFORMANCE WHERE MEDICAL DIRECTOR #LAYTON 3KAGGS BECAME ANOTHER RESOURCE IN HIS QUEST FOR a healthier life. g)T S TO MAKE THE MOST OF THE

period of Augusta National, Jones hit thousands of shots all over the proposed course in his desire to make each hole a true test of golfing skill. He co-designed the course with the renowned golf architect Alister Mackenzie and helped found the Augusta National Golf Club of which he became president.

Bobby Jones was the epitome of the gentleman golfer. Once, he lost a US Open when he called a penalty stroke on himself because his ball moved at address. It was chivalry at its finest moments. When he was lauded for it, Jones just confirmed the nature of golf as the ultimate gentleman’s game, saying: “You might as well praise a man for not robbing a bank.� (Note: Under the New Rules of Golf, there is no penalty when the ball moves as it is addressed).

With all his exceptional attributes, Bobby Jones was very human and exhibited the frailties that “flesh is heir to.�

He was known to have an extremely bad temper. As a 19-year-old quarter-finalist in the 1921 US Amateur, he “skulled� his approach shot to the 35th hole. Losing his temper, he threw away his club. It sailed into the crowd and hit a woman spectator in the leg causing pain and injury. The young Bobby was terrified and profusely apologetic. He lost the hole and the match. Jones grappled constantly with his choleric temper for years and it was only when he successfully placed it under control that he started winning more tournaments.

AMATEUR Yuka Saso birdied four of the last six holes in stirring FASHION TO kRE A FOUR UNDER AND WREST A TWO STROKE LEAD OVER 4AIWANESE PROS #HANG #HING ,ING and Chen Hsuan at the start of the )#43) -ANILA 'OLF ,ADIES #LASSIC at the Manila Golf Club inside Forbes Park on Wednesday.

4HE YEAR OLD 3ASO SHOOK OFF a bogey on the third hole with a birdie on the next then broke a run of pars with a sizzling windup that SHOVED THE REIGNING !SIAN 'AMES GOLD MEDALIST TO THE TOP OF THE HEAP OF THE EVENT HOSTED

BY THE -'# FOR THE kRST TIME IN THE SEVENTH SEASON OF THE ,ADIES Philippine Golf Tour.

"ACK TO BACK BIRDIES FROM .O SPARKED THAT kERY kNISH WITH THE &IL *APANESE SHOTMAKER BIRDYING THE WATER LACED PAR TH AND THE CLOSING PAR HOLE TO BREAK OFF A TIGHT BUNCH AND kND HERSELF THE SOLO LEADER COMING OFF AN IMPRESSIVE JOINT THIRD PLACE EFFORT IN THE INAUGURAL !UGUSTA .ATIONAL 7OMEN S !MATEUR IN 'EOR GIA OVER THE WEEKEND g)T WAS FANTASTIC EVERYTHING WAS IN PLACE ALTHOUGH IT WAS PRETTY hot and the wind blew late in the GAME u SAID 3ASO WHO ACTUALLY reigned here at MGC last February WHERE SHE DOMINATED THE RANKS TO RETAIN HER 0HILIPPINE ,ADIES !MATEUR /PEN DIADEM WITH A SIX UNDER TOTAL Chang and Chen appeared HEADED TO SHARING THE DAY S SPOT LIGHT WITH 3ASO AFTER CHURNING OUT A PAIR OF S WITH THE FORMER BLOWING A THREE UNDER CARD WITH A BOGEY ON THE TH AND THE LATTER rallying with two birdies in the last four to put herself in early CONTENTION IN THE HOLE CHAM pionship sponsored by ICTSI and CO SANCTIONED BY THE ,0'! OF 4AIWAN 4,0'! AND ,0'4 g-Y IRONS ARE RELATIVELY GOOD BUT ) STRUGGLED WITH MY PUTTING

MISSING TWO BIRDIE CHANCES INSIDE FEET u SAID (SUAN

3INGAPORE S 3OCK (WEE +OH

FOUGHT BACK FROM AN EARLY PAIR OF BOGEYS AT THE BACK WITH A THREE BIRDIE STRING FROM .O BUT SETTLED FOR A BIRDIE BOGEY GAME AT THE FRONT TO SHOOT A ONE UNDER FOR JOINT FOURTH WITH 4HAIS #HOM MAPAT 0ONGTHANARAK

0IMPADSORN 3ANGKAGARO AND !RPICHAYA 9UBOL 3ANGKAGARO ACTUALLY TUMBLED DOWN WITH A BACKSIDE THEN FELL FARTHER BACK WITH A BOGEY ON THE SECOND HOLE BUT EAGLED THE PAR .O THEN BIRDIED THREE OF THE LAST kVE TO WHEEL BACK INTO CONTENTION IN THE EVENT BACKED BY #USTOM #LUBMAKERS -ERALCO + ' 'OLF Apparel, Aboitiz Equity Ventures, "$/ +:' 0,$4 %VENT #APTAIN

'OLF $EPOT #HAMPION 3UMMIT Mineral Water and M.Y. Shokai 4ECHNOLOGY )NC ,0'4 //- WINNER 0AULINE DEL 2OSARIO KEPT A TWO UNDER CARD WITH TWO HOLES LEFT but dropped two strokes on the BUNKER LADEN .O AND FELL TO JOINT EIGHTH AT EVEN PAR WITH 4AIWANESE (SIN ,EE *APANESE -INA .AKAYAMA AND 4HAI 'OON LACHA 0AIBOONPONG WHO TURNED IN IDENTICAL CARDS 2EIGNING //- CHAMPION 0RIN CESS 3UPERAL REBOUNDED FROM A TWO BOGEY GAME WITH BIRDIES ON .OS AND BUT lOUNDERED AT THE TOUGHER BACKSIDE WITH BOGEYS ON .OS AND TO DROP TO JOINT TH WITH 4AIWANESE TOP BETS "ABE ,IU AND ,IN 4ZU #HI -IA 0ICCIO and Daniella Uy. Thai Chonlada Chayanun ALSO BLEW A TWO UNDER CARD WITH A BOGEY ON THE TH AND A DOU ble bogey on the next, ending UP WITH A IN THE COMPANY OF COMPATRIOTS 9UPAPORN +AWIN PAKORN +HAMBORN # H A K A N S I M A N D -OOKHARIN ,ADGRA tok, Malaysian Gen EVIEVE ,ING AND 4AIWANESE AMA teur Chang 4ZU 9I

Rolida, Chan cruise to MVPSF match play quarters *!#/" 2OLIDA AND !IDRIC #HAN CAME AWAY WITH A PAIR OF ROUTS TO KICK OFF THEIR RESPECTIVE TITLE DRIVE AT THE START OF THE KNOCK out phase of the fourth MVPSF 6ISAYAS 2EGIONAL -ATCH 0LAY #HAMPIONSHIPS AT #EBU #OUN try Club on Wednesday.

The top seeded Rolida took the kRST THREE HOLES AGAINST .O Fernando Mondares with a par GAME WON TWO MORE HOLES AT THE turn before wrapping up with a PAR BIRDIE PAR BINGE FROM .O FOR AN ROMP WHILE #HAN

WHO PLACED SECOND AFTER THE HOLE STROKE PLAY ELIMS 4UESDAY

ALSO USED A STRONG FRONTSIDE ATTACK TO OUST 7EIYU 'AO

AND AD VANCE TO THE QUARTERkNALS OF THE EVENT SERVING AS PART OF THE 0,$4 'ROUP .ATIONAL !MATEUR 4OUR AND

CONDUCTED BY THE .ATIONAL 'OLF !SSOCIATION OF THE 0HILIPPINES .O (ARVEY 3YTIONGSA LIKEWISE started out strong but had to fend off the rallying ninth seed Carl Corpus IN THE STRETCH CLINCHING A UP VIC TORY ON A BIRDIE PAR WINDUP TO SEAL A ,AST CLASH WITH 2OLIDA #ORPUS BATTLED BACK FROM FOUR DOWN WITH A BIG BACKSIDE kGHT BACK WINNING THE kRST THREE HOLES AT THE BACK AND FORCING AN ALL SQUARE GAME WITH A BIRDIE ON .O "UT HE STUMBLED AT THE kNISH WHILE 3YTIONGSA RECOVERED HIS BEARING AND BIRDIED THE TH BEFORE CLINCHING THE WIN AS #ORPUS bogeyed the last while trying to EXTEND THE MATCH -ASAICHI /TAKE MEANWHILE

PULLED OFF A BIG REVERSAL AS THE .O BET UPENDED kFTH RANKED

*OSEPH !LVAREZ UP TO ARRANGE A QUARTERS SHOWDOWN WITH .O *OAQUIN 'OMEZ WHO ALSO NIPPED .O !LFREDO #ABAJAR UP /TAKE OUTSTEADIED !LVAREZ IN A PRESSURE PACKED BACKSIDE DUEL

POUNCING ON !LVAREZ S PICK UP ON .O AND COMPLETING A UP WIN WITH A CLOSING PAR 'OMEZ FOUGHT BACK FROM DOWN AFTER AND WENT UP with three holes left but triple bo GEYED .O NEEDING THE BIRDIE the last to barge into the next ROUND OF THE EVENT SPONSORED BY THE -60 3PORTS &OUNDATION 0,$4 'ROUP #IGNAL AND -ETRO 0ACIkC and hosted by CCC. #HAN WILL TAKE ON .O ,UIGI 7ONG WHO THUMPED 3ANTINO ,AUREZ

WHILE THIRD RANKED 2OLANDO 0ILA ALSO ROUTED -ARK $Y

FOR A

SHOWDOWN WITH .O -AR tin Mendoza, who outlasted -IKHAEL 9BAĂ„EZ

-EANWHILE *UNIA 'AB ASA AND 0AMELA -ARIANO

who took the top two spots in their side of the TOURNAMENT STEP UP THEIR RESPECTIVE BIDS AFTER DRAW ing opening round byes with THE FORMER FACING OFF WITH .O 7ILMA &ANTONIAL AND THE LATTER CLASHING WITH -ARIE 3UELO IN TO DAY S 4HURSDAY SEMIkNAL ROUND IN THE LADIES DIVISION Fantonial edged Ma. Mirasol 0ANONG UP WHILE 3UELO LIKE wise drew a bye in the tourna MENT WHICH ALSO PITS +RISTINE &LEETWOOD AGAINST !SHLEY ,LENA

AND 'RACE 1UINTANILLA VERSUS Cleer Flores.

Q Yuka Saso finishes with 4-under 67. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Business Partners ηϭϬ ZĞƐƚŚĂǀĞŶ ^ƚ͘ ^ĂŶ &ƌĂŶĐŝƐĐŽ ĚĞů DŽŶƚĞ͕ ĂƌĂŶŐĂLJ ƵŶŐĂĚ YƵĞnjŽŶ ŝƚLJ WŚŝůŝƉƉŝŶĞƐ ϭϭϬϱ dĞů EŽ͗ нϲϯϮ͘ϯϳϭ͘ϭϭϭϭ &Ădž EŽ͗ нϲϯϮ͘ϯϳϭ͘ϭϮϴϴ tĞďƐŝƚĞ͗ ǁǁǁ͘ƐďƐƉŚ͘ĐŽŵ

zĂƐŚĂŶŽ DĂůů &͘ /ŵƉĞƌŝĂů ^ƚƌĞĞƚ ĐŽƌŶĞƌ dĞƌŵŝŶĂů ZŽĂĚ ŝƚĂŶŽ͕ >ĞŐĂnjƉŝ ŝƚLJ͕ ůďĂLJ ϰϱϬϬ WŚŝůŝƉƉŝŶĞƐ tĞďƐŝƚĞ͗ ǁǁǁ͘ůŽƚƵƐďůƵŚŽƚĞů͘ĐŽŵ

Ğ >Ă ^ĂůůĞ hŶŝǀĞƌƐŝƚLJ DĞĚŝĐĂů ĞŶƚĞƌ dĞů͘ EŽ͗͘ ĂǀŝƚĞ ůŝŶĞ ;ϬϰϲͿ ϰϴϭͲϴϬϬϬ DĂŶŝůĂ ůŝŶĞ ;ϬϮͿ ϵϴϴͲϯϭϬϬ

/ŵŵĂĐƵůĂƚĞ ŽŶĐĞƉĐŝŽŶ ĐĂĚĞŵLJ / ŽŶ WůĂĐŝĚŽ ĂŵƉŽƐ ǀĞ͕͘ WŽďůĂĐŝŽŶ͕ ŝƚLJ ŽĨ ĂƐŵĂƌŝŹĂƐ͕ ĂǀŝƚĞ ϰϭϭϰ нϲϯͲϰϲͲϰϭϲͲϯϲͲϯϲ Žƌ нϲϯͲϰϲͲϴϱϬͲϯϭͲϯϭ ŝŶĨŽΛŝĐĂͲĚĂƐŵĂƌŝŶĂƐ͘ĞĚƵ͘ƉŚ

ϭϱϴϴ D͘,͘ ĚĞů WŝůĂƌ Žƌ͘ WĞĚƌŽ 'ŝů ^ƚƐ͕͘ DĂůĂƚĞ͕ DĂŶŝůĂ ϭϬϬϭ WŚŝůŝƉƉŝŶĞƐ dƌƵŶŬůŝŶĞ͗ ;нϲϯϮͿ ϮϰϮͲϬϭϮϭ ǁǁǁ͘ƉĂŐĐŽƌ͘ƉŚ ͮ ǁǁǁ͘ĨĂĐĞŬ͘ĐŽŵͬƉĂŐĐŽƌ͘ƉŚ

ŽŽŬ ŶŽǁ͗ ǁǁǁ͘ŵLJƐƚĞƌLJŵĂŶŝůĂ͘ĐŽŵ ĞŶƚƵƌLJ ŝƚLJ DĂůů ͮ :ƵƉŝƚĞƌ ͮ LJĂůĂ DĂůůƐ dŚĞ ϯϬƚŚ ͮ >ŝďŝƐ

ϵϭϮͲϵϮϴ ZĞŝŶĂ ZĞŐĞŶƚĞ ^ƚ͕͘ ŝŶŽŶĚŽ͕ DĂŶŝůĂ dĞů͘ ;ϬϮͿ ϯϴϱͲϵϵϵ ͮ ;ϬϮͿ ϮϱϮͲϭϵϵϵ DŽďŝůĞ͗ ;ϬϵϭϳͿ ϭϯϵͲϱϵϵϵ

ZŝŐŚƚ ĂƌƐ WŚŝůŝƉƉŝŶĞƐ dĞů͗ нϲϯϮ ϲϮϲ ϯϴϮϱ DŽď͗ нϲϯϵϭϳ ϴϰϵ ϳϮϳϰ tĞďƐŝƚĞ ͗Ͳ ŚƩƉ͗ͬ​ͬǁǁǁ͘ƌŝŐŚƚͲĐĂƌƐ͘ĐŽŵ

WŽůĂƌŝƐ ĞŶƚĞƌ ƵŝůĚŝŶŐ͕ϯƌĚ &ůŽŽƌ͕ϰϴ WŽůĂƌŝƐ ^ƌĞĞƚ͕DĂŬĂƟ ŝƚLJ ĚĚ͗͘ ϭϮϬϬ ZŝnjĂů ǀĞŶƵĞ džƚĞŶƐŝŽŶ͕ KůŽŶŐĂƉŽ͕ ĂŵďĂůĞƐ WŚŽŶĞ͗ ϬϵϮϵ ϯϭϰ Ϭϵϲϯ

/D^͕ D d ůĚŐ͕͘ ͘ ƌŶĂŝnj ǀĞŶƵĞ ĐŽƌ͘ &͘ ͘ ,ĂƌƌŝƐŽŶ ^ƚƌĞĞƚ͕ WĂƐĂLJ ŝƚLJ WŚŽŶĞ͗ ;ϬϮͿ ϴϯϰ ϱϳϴϯ

Ϯϴ sĂůĞŶĐŝĂ ^ƚ͕͘ ^& D͕ YƵĞnjŽŶ ŝƚLJ ϱϯϯͲϯϭϭϴ ͮ ůŬƚĂĚǀĞƌƟƐŝŶŐΛŐŵĂŝů͘ĐŽŵ 'Ğƚ hŶůŝŵŝƚĞĚ >ŝƐƟŶŐƐ͕ hŶůŝŵŝƚĞĚ >ĞĂĚƐ ĂŶĚ ZĞĂů ƐƚĂƚĞ ZD ĨŽƌ &Z ͘ ǁǁǁ͘ŚŽƵƐĂů͘ĐŽŵ ͮ DŽďŝůĞ͗ ;нϲϯͿ ϵϭϳ ϳϳϭ ϳϭϳϭ ͮ ŝŶĨŽΛŚŽƵƐĂů͘ĐŽŵ

d͗ ϰϱϬͲϭϮͲϭϯ dK ϭϱ ͮ ͗ ŬĞŶƐƚĂƌƚƌĂǀĞůΛŐŵĂŝů͘ĐŽŵ ͗ ϲϬϬ EĂŬƉŝů ^ƚ͘ DĂůĂƚĞ͕ DĂŶŝůĂ ͮ &ĂĐĞŬ͗ <ĞŶƐƚĂƌ dƌĂǀĞů

ϮŶĚ &ůŽŽƌ͕ &ŽƌĂ DĂůů dĂŐĂLJƚĂLJ ͮ ϬϵϬϵ͘ϴϮϳ͘ϰϮϴϳ ͮ ϬϵϮϳ͘ϱϱϯ͘ϲϰϴϱ D ZZ/Kdd ,Kd >^ dZ s > Z/>>/ Ed>z ůĂƌŬ DĂƌƌŝŽƩ ,ŽƚĞů ͮ ϱϰϬϬ DĂŶƵĞů ͘ ZŽdžĂƐ ,ŝŐŚǁĂLJ͕ ůĂƌŬ &ƌĞĞƉŽƌƚ ŽŶĞ͕ WĂŵƉĂŶŐĂ͕ WŚŝůŝƉƉŝŶĞƐ ϮϬϮϯ

ϰƚŚ >ĞǀĞů dǁŽ Ͳ Žŵ ĞŶƚĞƌ͕ KĐĞĂŶ ƌŝǀĞ DĂůů ŽĨ ƐŝĂ ŽŵƉůĞdž͕ WĂƐĂLJ ŝƚLJ dĞů͘ нϲϯϮ ϴϳϰϴϴϴϴ DŽďŝůĞ͗ нϲϯϵϭϳϮϰϯϴϬϬϬ ǁǁǁ͘ůĂũĞƵŶĞƐƐĞ͘ƉŚ ĚĚƌĞƐƐ͗ ϮϭϬϴ D͘, Ğů WŝůĂƌ͕ DĂůĂƚĞ͕ DĂŶŝůĂ dĞů͘ EŽ͗͘ ;ϬϮͿ ϱϮϲ Ϭ ϴϴϴͬ ϱϱϵ ϵ ϴϵϬ DŽďŝůĞ͗ ϬϵϭϳͲϱϵϱͲϴϬϲϬ ŵĂŝů͗ ƌĞƐĞƌǀĂƟŽŶΛĂƌŵĂĚĂŵĂŶŝůĂ͘ĐŽŵ ͮ tĞďƐŝƚĞ͗ ǁǁǁ͘ĂƌŵĂĚĂŵĂŶŝůĂ͘ĐŽŵ WĞŶƚŚŽƵƐĞ͕ ůĂďĂŶŐ ŽƌƉŽƌĂƚĞ ĞŶƚĞƌ <D Ϯϱ tĞƐƚ ^ĞƌǀŝĐĞ ZŽĂĚ ůĂďĂŶŐ͕ DƵŶƟŶůƵƉĂ ŝƚLJ͕ ϭϳϳϬ WŚŝůŝƉƉŝŶĞƐ ;ϬϮͿ ϴϱϲͲϳϳϬϬ ͮ ϴϴϲͲϲϵϭϲ ŝŶĨŽΛƋƵĂŶƟƚLJƐŽůƵƟŽŶ͘ĐŽŵ ǁǁǁ͘ƋƵĂŶƟƚLJƐŽůƵƟŽŶ͘ĐŽŵ

ϱ& &ĞůŝnjĂ ůĚŐ͕͘ s͘ ͘ ZƵĮŶŽ ^ƚ͕͘ >ĞŐĂƐƉŝ sŝůůĂŐĞ͕ DĂŬĂƟ ŝƚLJ͕ WŚŝůŝƉƉŝŶĞƐ ϭϮϮϵ ͮ н ϲϯ Ϯ ϳϱϭ ϰϵϮϵ

ϱƚŚ &ůŽŽƌ͕ D'& ŚĂŵƉĂĐĂ ůĚŐ͘ ϭϱϲ ŵŽƌƐŽůŽ ^ƚƌĞĞƚ͕ >ĞŐĂƐƉŝ sŝůůĂŐĞ͕ DĂŬĂƟ ŝƚLJ WŚŝůŝƉƉŝŶĞƐ͕ ϭϮϮϵ ,ŽƚůŝŶĞ͗ нϲϯ ;ϬϮͿ ϴϭϳͲϯϮϮϯ ͮ ǁǁǁ͘ĚĞƌŵĐůŝŶŝĐ͘ĐŽŵ͘ƉŚ

ϳϬϲ ^ŚĂǁ ŽƵůĞǀĂƌĚ WĂƐŝŐ ŝƚLJ dĞů͗͘ н ϲϯ Ϯ ϯϭϴ ϱϴϴϴ ǁǁǁ͘ƉƌŝǀĂƚŽŚŽƚĞů͘ĐŽŵ

ϰϱϲ hŶŝƚĞĚ EĂƟŽŶƐ ǀĞ͕͘ ƌŵŝƚĂ͕ DĂŶŝůĂ WŚŝůŝƉƉŝŶĞƐ

d͗ ;нϲϯϮͿ ϵϳϱ ϮϮϭϱ D͗ ;нϲϯͿ ϵϭϳ ϴϰϭ Ϯϴϴϯ t͗ ŬŵĐŵĂŐŐƌŽƵƉ͘ĐŽŵ ϭϭͬ& ^ƵŶ >ŝĨĞ ĞŶƚƌĞ͕ ϱƚŚ ǀĞŶƵĞ ŽƌŶĞƌ ZŝnjĂů ƌŝǀĞ ŽŶŝĨĂĐŝŽ 'ůŽďĂů ŝƚLJ͕ dĂŐƵŝŐ͕ WŚŝůŝƉƉŝŶĞƐ͕ ϭϲϯϰ

sŝĂ WŚŝůŝƉƉŝŶĞƐ dƌĂǀĞů ŽƌƉŽƌĂƟŽŶ ϰ& &ŝǀĞ ͲĐŽŵ ĞŶƚĞƌ ůĚŐ͕͘ WĂĐŝĮĐ ƌŝǀĞ͕ DĂůů ŽĨ ƐŝĂ ŽŵƉůĞdž͕ ϭϯϬϬ WĂƐĂLJ ŝƚLJ

dĞů͘ EŽ͘ ;ϬϮͿ ϱϱϱ͘ϵ͘ϰϰϰ ͮ ŚƩƉ͗ͬ​ͬƉŚ͘ǀŝĂ͘ĐŽŵ

ϭϬϯ &͘ ĂůĚĞƌŽŶ ^ƚ͕ ĂŐƵŝŽ͕ ĞŶŐƵĞƚ >ĂŶĚůŝŶĞ ͗ ;ϬϳϰͿ ϰϰϮ ϳϬϲϲ ͬ ϰϰϮͲϴϲϰϱ DŽďŝůĞ͗ ;ŐůŽďĞͿ ϬϵϮϲϳϯϱϴϴϰϬ ͬ ;ƐŵĂƌƚͿ ϬϵϭϴϯϬϰϳϯϭϱ ͬ ;ƐƵŶĐĞůůͿ ϬϵϯϯϱϴϬϰϲϳϭ ŵĂŝů͗ ďĞŶŐƵĞƚƉƌŝŵĞŚŽƚĞůΛLJĂŚŽŽ͘ĐŽŵ

^ŵĂůůǀŝůůĞ ŽŵƉůĞdž͕ ƋƵŝŶŽ ǀĞ͕͘ ^ĂŶ ZĂĨĂĞů͕ /ůŽŝůŽ ŝƚLJ ; ĂƉŝƚĂůͿ͕ /ůŽŝůŽ͕ WŚŝůŝƉƉŝŶĞƐ ϱϬϬϬ

ŽŶƐƚƌƵĐƟŽŶ ŽƐƚ ƐƟŵĂƟŶŐ WƌŽĐƵƌĞŵĞŶƚ WƌŽũĞĐƚ DĂŶĂŐĞŵĞŶƚ ŶŐŝŶĞĞƌŝŶŐ

BAYVIEW BARBER SHOP AND REFLEXOLOGY

'ƌĞĞŶ ĞĂĐŚ ϭ͕ ZĞĚŽŶĚŽ WĞŶŝŶƐƵůĂ͕ ƌŐLJ ĂǁĂŐ͕ ^ƵďŝĐ ĂLJ &ƌĞĞƉŽƌƚ ŽŶĞ͕ WŚŝůŝƉƉŝŶĞƐ ϮϮϮϮ dĞů EŽ͗͘ ;ϬϰϳͿ ϯϬϲ ϱϭϬϬ ͮ &Ădž EŽ͗͘ ;ϬϰϳͿ ϮϱϮ ϮϳϬϮ

D /E K&&/ ͗ Zŵ͘ ϮϬϱ ĂŶƚĞ ͘ ŶŐ Θ ƐƐŽĐŝĂƚĞƐ ůĚŐ͘ ϰϬϵ ͘ ^ŽƌŝĂŶŽ ǀĞ͕͘ /ŶƚƌĂŵƵƌŽƐ͕ DĂŶŝůĂ͕ WŚŝůŝƉƉŝŶĞƐ ǁǁǁ͘ǀŝĐƚŽƌƐĨƌĞŝŐŚƚ͘ƉŚ ͮ dĞů͗ ;ϬϮͿ ϱϮϰͲϭϮϬϮ͕ ϱϮϯͲϭϱϴϲ͕ ϱϮϯͲϰϯϴϲ͕ ϱϮϱͲϴϴϬϱ͕ ϱϮϴͲϬϱϭϳ͕ ϱϮϴͲϬϰϭϮ

dĞůƐ͘ ϱϮϭͲϯϬͲϴϱ ϱϮϰͲϬϳͲϮϮ Ğůů EŽ͗͘ ;ϬϵϭϴͿ ϱϯϱͲϬϰͲϵϵ

EŽ͘ ;ϬϯϯͿͲϯϮϬͲϳϵϳϮ ͬ нϲϯϵϱϱϯϲϰϮϴϱϲ ͬ нϲϯϵϮϭϴϬϬϵϵϲϰ ͬ нϲϯϵϮϵϱϯϴϲϯϱϵ ͗ ŝůŽďƵƐŝŶĞƐƐŚŽƚĞůΛLJĂŚŽŽ͘ĐŽŵ͘ƉŚ ͬ ŝůŽŝůŽďƵƐŝŶĞƐƐŚŽƚĞůΛLJĂŚŽŽ͘ĐŽŵ͘ƉŚ tĞĚƐŝƚĞ ͬ &ď WĂŐĞ͗ ǁǁǁ͘ŝůŽŝůŽďƵƐŝŶĞƐƐŚŽƚĞů͘ĐŽŵ͘ƉŚ ͬ ŚƩƉƐ͗ͬ​ͬǁǁǁ͘ĨĂĐĞŬ͘ĐŽŵͬ ŝďŚ͘ůŽĐŬŚĞĂƌƚ ͬ ŚƩƉƐ͗ͬ​ͬǁǁǁ͘ĨĂĐĞŬ͘ĐŽŵͬ/ůŽŝůŽ ƵƐŝŶĞƐƐ,ŽƚĞůͬ ,ŽƚĞů <ŝŵďĞƌůLJ dĂŐĂLJƚĂLJ ƌŝƐĂŶƚŽ D͘ ĞůŽƐ ZĞLJĞƐ ǀĞ͘ ;ĨŽƌŵĞƌůLJ ŵĂĚĞŽ ZĚ͘Ϳ ƌŐLJ͘ <ĂLJďĂŐĂů EŽƌƚŚ͕ dĂŐĂLJƚĂLJ ŝƚLJ dĞů͘ ;ϬϰϲͿ ϰϴϯͲϴϴϴϴ ͮ ͗ ƚĂŐĂLJƚĂLJΛŚŽƚĞůŬŝŵďĞƌůLJ͘ĐŽŵ ,ŽƚĞů <ŝŵďĞƌůLJ DĂŶŝůĂ ϳϳϬ WĞĚƌŽ 'ŝů ^ƚƌĞĞƚ DĂůĂƚĞ͕ DĂŶŝůĂ dĞů͘ ;ϬϮͿ ϱϮϭͲϭϴϴϴ ĞŵĂŝů͗ ŵĂŶŝůĂΛŚŽƚĞůŬŝŵďĞƌůLJ͘ĐŽŵ tĞďƐŝƚĞ͗ ǁǁǁ͘ŚŽƚĞůŬŝŵďĞƌůLJ͘ĐŽŵ

ĚĚƌĞƐƐ͗ ϭϬϭ DĂƌďĞůůĂ ϭ ŽŶĚŽŵŝŶŝƵŵ͕ ϮϮϮϯ ZŽdžĂƐ ŽƵůĞǀĂƌĚ͕ ϭϯϬϬ WĂƐĂLJ ŝƚLJ͕ WŚŝůŝƉƉŝŶĞƐ

ŽŶƚĂĐƚ ĞƚĂŝůƐ͗ DŽďŝůĞ EŽ͘ Ͳ ;нϲϯͿ ϵϭϴͲϴϰϱͲϬϬϬϴ >ĂŶĚůŝŶĞ Ͳ ;нϲϯϮͿ ϱϱϭͲϴϴϴϴ

ŵĂŝů͗ ŵĂƌŬĞƟŶŐΛĚĚĐůĂŶĚ͘ĐŽŵ ͮ ǁǁǁ͘ĚĚĐůĂŶĚ͘ĐŽŵ

ŵĂŝů͗ ϯƚƌĞĞƐƉĂŝŶƚ͘ƉŚΛŐŵĂŝů͘ĐŽŵ ͮ dĞů EŽ͗͘ ;ϬϮͿ ϮϰϯͲϬϮϯϬ ;ϬϮͿ ϳϭϮͲϮϬϭϲ ͮ &ĂĐĞŬ͗ ǁǁǁ͘ĨĂĐĞŬ͘ĐŽŵͬϯƚƌĞĞƐWĂŝŶƚW, KƵƚůĞƚƐ͗ ƌŵƐĐŽƌ ^ŚŽŽƟŶŐ ĞŶƚĞƌ͕ /ŶĐ͘ DĂƌŝŬŝŶĂ͗ ϵϰϭϳϯϮϴ ͬ ϵϰϭϱϱϰϱ ͮ DĂŬĂƟ͗ ϴϭϭϭϮϲϰ ͬ ϴϭϭϭϱϱϭ ĞďƵ͗ ;ϬϯϮͿ ϮϱϯͲϬϱϯϭ ͬ ;ϬϯϮͿ ϰϭϮͲϲϮϮϱ ͮ ĂǀĂŽ͗ ;ϬϴϮͿ ϮϮϭͲϬϯϬϬ >Ă hŶŝŽŶ͗ ;ϬϳϮͿ ϲϬϳͲϭϮϴϳ ͬ ϬϵϯϵϵϬϯϴϱϴϲ ^ƋƵŝƌĞƐ ŝŶŐŚĂŵ /ŶƚĞƌŶĂƟŽŶĂů͕ /ŶĐ͘ ^ƋƵŝƌĞƐ ŝŶŐŚĂŵ ^ƉŽƌƚƐ ĂƌĂŶŐĂLJ ^ŽĐŽƌƌŽ͕YƵĞnjŽŶ ŝƚLJ Ă tĞƐƚ ŽŶŝĨĂĐŝŽ͕ 'ůŽďĂů ŝƚLJ͕ ϰϮϭͲϰϱϳϮ dĂŐƵŝŐ ŝƚLJ ϴϱϲͲϯϯϮϮ ƌŵƐ ŽƌƉŽƌĂƟŽŶ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ WŚŝůŝƉƉŝŶĞƐ ηϮ ƌŵƐĐŽƌ ǀĞŶƵĞ͕ ƌŐLJ͘ &ŽƌƚƵŶĞ͕ DĂƌŝŬŝŶĂ ŝƚLJ ϭϴϬϵ dĞů͗ ϵϰϭϲϮϰϯͲϰϰ ͬ ϵϰϭͲϰϮϱϮ

ĂǀŝƚĞ ĂŵƉƵƐ ŽŶŐƌĞƐƐŝŽŶĂů ĂƐƚ ǀĞŶƵĞ͕ ƵƌŽů DĂŝŶ͕ ŝƚLJ ŽĨ ĂƐŵĂƌŝŹĂƐ͕ ĂǀŝƚĞ ϰϭϭϰ нϲϯͲϰϲͲϰϭϲͲϰϯϰϭ ƚŽ ϰϮ ĂĚŵŝƐƐŝŽŶͲĐĂǀŝƚĞΛĞĂĐ͘ĞĚƵ͘ƉŚ DĂŝŶ ĂŵƉƵƐ ϭϭϭϯͲϭϭϭϳ ^ĂŶ DĂƌĐĞůŝŶŽ ^ƚ͕͘ WĂĐŽ͕ DĂŶŝůĂ ϭϬϬϬ нϲϯͲϮͲϱϮϭͲϮϳϭϬ ĂĚŵŝƐƐŝŽŶΛĞĂĐ͘ĞĚƵ͘ƉŚ

ĚĚƌĞƐƐ͗ ηϭϯϵ ^ĂŶ ŐƵƐƟŶ // ͘ ŐƵŝͲ ŶĂůĚŽ ,ŝŐŚǁĂLJ ĂƐŵĂƌŝŹĂƐ͕ ĂǀŝƚĞ ŝƉ ŽĚĞ͗ ϰϭϭϰ ͮ dĞů͗ ;ϬϮͿ ϱϮϵͲϲϭϭϰ

ϴϯϵϬ ƌ͘ ^ĂŶƚŽƐ ĂǀĞŶƵĞ͕ ƌŐLJ͕ & ,ŽŵĞƐ͕ ^ƵĐĂƚ͕ WĂƌĂŹĂƋƵĞ ŝƚLJ

TTHURSDAY H U R S DAY AAPRIL PRIL 11, 2019

Lifestyle

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www.manilatimes.net

Q Conti's restaurant chain is happy to keep drawing diners to 'break the fast' with dishes like (from left) Salmon Belly, Croque Madame and Bacon Baco Bac con co on Bagnet.

BBagnet agn gnet et. t t.

Why it's called a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;power breakfast'

M

ETRO dwellers particularly young urban professionals, always give the impression theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re always running after time. It is no wonder then that most urbanites often skip important habits to keep up with their on-the-go lifestyle.

Take breakfast for example.

Said to be the most important meal of the day â&#x20AC;&#x201D; until intermittent fasting came along â&#x20AC;&#x201D; many experts continue to assert that breakfast promotes good health. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It gives better memory and concentration, lowers levels of bad LDL cholesterol, and lowers chances of getting diabetes, heart disease, and being overweight,â&#x20AC;?

US health online publication WebMD noted.

Still according to WebMD, breakfast kick-starts the metabolic process, helps burn calories throughout the day and provides the energy to keep one can focused and fueled for their tasks throughout the day.

However, despite the generally

ACCEPTED BENEkT OF TAKING A GOOD and hearty breakfast, this meal gets neglected often just so up and about young workers can have extra time to beat the infamous city TRAFkC IN THE MORNING

Delightful breakfast experience While it may take some time to develop a healthy breakfast habit for someone so used to skip it, there are actually ways to encourage taking the most important meal of the day.

One tip is to create a delightful experience out of breakfast. If cooking at home is not an option, what with the need to be out of the door as soon as one gets up, eating at sunny breakfast places near the

olive oil are served with lemon rice, eggs, and pickled ubod.

Finally, thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the croque madame made of meaty slices of Contiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s homemade ham roll, in between toasted brioche, topped with sunny-side-up egg and hollandaise sauce. Served with potato shoestrings, this scene stealer is complimented with a cup of fresh fruits. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We wanted something to attract the palate of the market.

Thus, we try to mix Western and Mixed menu classic dishes in our menu to make First up is the bacon bagnet. Con- breakfast more rich and delicious, sisting of homemade pork belly so that whether they are big fans of slices naturally-cured and crisped, breakfast or not, we can encourage the heaping serving comes with them to go back and make a habit sweet and salty sauce, garlic rice, of eating breakfast,â&#x20AC;? Tan said.

In the end, Contiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hopes this eggs, and atchara.

Then thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the return of the new selection will satisfy everyclassic skinless longganisa. Once oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cravings. â&#x20AC;&#x153;So whether you are craving part of the menu, diehard Contiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fans might be familiar with this for pork, beef, chicken, whether deliciously sweet and yet still it be a rice meal or a sandwich, savory skinless longganisa, served we want to have them all for lola, with lemon rice, eggs, and atchara. lolo, for mom, pops, for kuya, For those looking for interna- ate, junior or bunso . We want TIONAL lAIR THERE IS THE SALMON to have a variety that Filipinos belly in olive oil. Rich Norwegian would be proud to start their day salmon belly strips in seasoned WITH u -ARTINEZ kNALLY NOTED

found it apt to add four new dishes in their 11-item breakfast menu. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Actually the growth of breakfast is also driven by lifestyle because we have a lot of younger crowds, the workers who are up and about. We want to offer them something new, something that would make their pause worthwhile,â&#x20AC;? Tan added.

The result of this desire is a combination of Filipino favorites and international staples.

BY CHRISTINA ALPAD

Q The classic skinless longganisa, eggs and atchara. workplace is the way to go.

For 22-year-old homegrown restaurant chain Contiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, delight means serving dishes in relaxed and quiet ambiance to set the tone for the day. â&#x20AC;&#x153;For us, the perfect ambiance really does affect how diners eat.

A meal is more than just a meal. In the right kind of atmosphere, customers feel comfortable and enjoy their meal even more,â&#x20AC;? Patricia Maranon-Tan, Conti's marketing manager shared.

Of course, having great food selections for diners is still the top priority.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Since Contiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s has opened its doors in 1997 (the business started in the small makeshift kitchen of sisters Cecille, Carole and Angie Conti in BF Homes ParaĂąaque), it has been our vision to share joy through our finest culinary creations,â&#x20AC;? Contiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Store Development Manager Michael Martinez noted.

Known for their homemade beef tapa, skinless longganisa and daing na bangus, Contiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s has been synonymous to all-day breakfast meals. But sensing a growing market for breakfast eaters, they

Unique food and drink 6 kitchen hacks for people on-the-go menu for travelers Tim Hortons opens outlet at NAIA Terminal 3 CHECKING IN BEFORE A lIGHT WITH SECURITY checks, immigration procedures and the long lines that go with the lot can make anyone famished. Thankfully, a new F&B player is now available for travelers via the newly opened Tim Hortons cafe at Terminal 3 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) â&#x20AC;&#x201D; because more options are always better.

Since opening in the country in 2017, the Canadian brand has made waves with its unique food and drink menu. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re always looking for good locations especially for travelers so we felt so welcome in bringing this brand to the airport,â&#x20AC;? Tim Hortons Chief Operating /FkCER -ICKEY 'ONZAGA SHARED â&#x20AC;&#x153;One of our big surprises here [in the Philippines] is that our best-selling products are the very well-known iced coffee, Double Double, freshly baked goods and sandwiches. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s what makes us unique and special,â&#x20AC;? she said.

The cafe is also very much open with

customization, allowing customers to enjoy their snacks however they like, such as addING EXTRA lAVORED SYRUP TO THEIR COFFEE OR add an extra ingredient to their signature sandwiches. This, according to the team, is one of the many reasons why people keep coming back for more goodies.

Gonzaga added that if promotional items become very popular, these would likely become part of their permanent menu.

Apart from its food and drink offerings, Tim Hortons also takes pride in the comfortable ambiance of every outlet to make customers feel that they are walking into their second home â&#x20AC;&#x201D; whether to work, meet-up with friends, or to simply pass the time. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If you look at the design elements [of our branches], we have a couch and a community table, which allows the traveler or guest to feel like heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s in the comfort of his own home,â&#x20AC;? said Gonzaga.

NIKA ROQUE

BUSY people always crave for delicious homemade meals, but enjoying comfort food is easier said than done as kitchen work can demand a lot of time and effort.

With people on-the-go in mind, Conagra Brands has put together six hacks designed to #FlavorYourFun and make home cooking (and even cleaning) easier â&#x20AC;&#x201D; tips we all wish we knew sooner.

Reheat right. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wise to double the amount of spaghetti cooked with Huntâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Pasta Sauce for example, so the excess can be put in the freezer and reheat for future meals. When itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s time to serve, make sure that the dish is heated through by arranging the pasta into a doughnut shape before popping it into the microwave. The empty space at the center ensures that the heat is evenly distributed.

Q The space in the middle will ensure heat is evenly distributed in the microwave.

Ready-to-baste. Baste fillets with fresh herbs by keeping a container of herbed margarine cubes like Blue Bonnet in the freezer. Just melt the margarine in a pan, then add grated garlic, minced fresh herbs and lemon zest. Once the mixture cools down, pour it into an ice cube tray and freeze. Melt one or two of these herbed margarine cubes into a

Q Tim Hortons PR and Communications lead manager Lani Bernal, NAIA 3 restaurant manager Cesar Salamitao Jr., Chief Operating Officer Mickey Gonzaga, area managers Nao Gesmundo and Dennis Domingo, and brand manager Valerie Ty.

Q Quick herb baste with margarine cubes and seasonings.

Shake-shake sauce. Before saying

Q Try adding popcorn to salads. pan each cooking session.

goodbye to the seemingly finished jar of say Peter Pan Creamy Peanut Butter, throw in a few tablespoons of hot water, soy sauce, grated ginger, sesame oil, crushed garlic, rice wine vinegar, and sriracha. Put the lid back on and shake to make a homemade satay sauce that goes well with grilled meat.

Spruce up salads. Swap out the usual croutons with treats like Act II Sweet and Salty Kettle Corn Popcorn. Other than adding crunch and flavor to greens, the popcorn adds fiber to the salad too. Also top off soups and pastas with popcorn to help cut through the rich flavor.

No more sticking. To prevent fried dishes from sticking, always line the pan with Pam Original Q Use cooking spray on pans to avoid sticking.

Cooking Spray. It works wonders for grilled and baked creations as well.

Aside from helping out with the cooking part, moms have sworn that using Pam on kitchen equipment makes cleaning easier.

Leftover transformation. A can of Libbyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Corned Beef, for example, could yield more hash than one can consume. Instead of throwing the leftover, use it to make a mean frittata the next day. Just crack two to three eggs into the hash, some minced veggies, season with salt and pepper, and pour the mixture into a pan to cook for 5-10 minutes. Top with cherry tomatoes.

Q A frittata from leftover corned beef.

Q Before saying goodbye to a jar of peanut butter, why not make satay sauce?

Funtimes

THURSDAY April 11, 2019

w w w.manilatimes.net

Solution to puzzle

D2

˜ The Manila Times

Answer to trivia test © 2019 King Features Synd., Inc.

Answers 1. Martin Van Buren 2. Beverly Hills, California 3. “Home Alone” 4. Kenya 5. A rooster 6. A waterspout 7. T.S. Eliot 8. Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux 9. Diamond 10. New Mexico

» CROSSWORD

BY EUGENE SHEFFER

»HOROSCOPE Today’s Birthday (04/11/19). Expand your boundaries this year. Your professional status rises with disciplined consistency. Find buried treasure. Home and family blossom this summer, before a professional obstacle shifts your path. Your career takes off next winter, as you adapt to shifts at home.

Pursue a passion.

1. U.S. PRESIDENTS: Who was the first president to be born a U.S. citizen?

2. GEOGRAPHY: Where is the elite shopping district called Rodeo Drive located?

3. MOVIES: Which 1990s movie featured the line, “Keep the change, ya filthy animal”?

4. HISTORY: In which country did the Mau Mau Uprising take place?

5. TELEVISION: What kind of creature was the animated character Foghorn Leghorn?

6. SCIENCE: What is a tornado at sea called?

7. LITERATURE: Which poet wrote, “April is the cruelest month”?

8. ARCHITECTURE: Who designed Central Park in New York City?

9. GENERAL KNOWLEDGE: What is the traditional birthstone for April?

10. U.S. STATES: In which U.S. state was the first atomic bomb tested?

BY NANCY BLACK LIBRA (SEPT. 23-OCT. 22) -- Today is a 7 -- Find another route around a professional obstacle. Don’t get casual about keeping your promises. Integrity provides workability. Someone important is paying attention.

To get the advantage, check the day’s rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging.

SCORPIO (OCT. 23-NOV. 21) -- Today is an 8 -- Expand your territory. Traffic and travel obstacles could arise. Technology makes things easier. Can you explore from home? Enjoy a sweet discovery. Secrets get revealed.

ARIES (MARCH 21-APRIL 19) -- Today is a 6 -- Plan carefully before launching into a domestic project. Take advantage of a golden opportunity for a long-desired change. Do the research before investing time or money.

SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22-DEC. 21) -- Today is a 7 -- Handle a financial difficulty before it grows. Stay in communication. Change or keep your agreements. Postpone what you can to focus on balancing accounts.

TAURUS (APRIL 20-MAY 20) -- Today is an 8 -- Connect with a clever crew over a brilliant idea. Take their comments into consideration. Discuss plans and preparations. Discover an unexpected solution to a breakdown.

CAPRICORN (DEC. 22-JAN. 19) -- Today is an 8 -- Resolve a challenge with your partner. Take time to iron out misunderstandings or discord. New information threatens assumptions. Shift expectations. Keep an optimistic outlook.

GEMINI (MAY 21-JUNE 20) -- Today is a 7 -- An error, misunderstanding or repair could get expensive. Extra income could become available due to an insider advantage or windfall. Balance numbers. Invest in success.

AQUARIUS (JAN. 20-FEB. 18) -- Today is a 7 -- Slow the pace to balance your work, health and energy. Fix something that is broken. Avoid accidents or injury. Keep your equipment in good order.

Nurture yourself.

CANCER (JUNE 21-JULY 22) -- Today is an 8 -- A disappointment could thwart a personal project. Miscommunication or mistakes cause delays. Don’t discuss unfinished plans. Rearrange what you’ve got. Consider another view.

P I S C E S (F E B. 19-M A R C H 20) -- Today is a 6 -- Your perfect romance may not look like what you imagined. Share a passion. Consider what is most important to you. Find love in unexpected places.

LEO (JULY 23-AUG. 22) -- Today is a 6 -- Slow down and contemplate. Avoid crowds and expensive scenarios. Peace and quiet satisfies your spirit. Get introspective as you clean house.

Consider past, present and future.

(Astrologer Nancy Black continues her mother Linda Black’s legacy horoscopes column. She welcomes comments and questions on Twitter, @LindaCBlack. For more astrological interpretations like today’s Gemini horoscope, visit Linda Black Astrology by clicking daily horoscopes, or go to www.nancyblack.com.)

VIRGO (AUG. 23-SEPT. 22) -- Today is a 7 -- Huddle with your team to resolve a challenge. Share the load for greater ease. Hold off on big changes, and wait for better conditions.

» SUDOKU

NANCY BLACK.Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC

BY ROGER SEVILLA

Complete the grid so that every row, column and 3x3 square contains the digits 1 to 9 with no repeats.

Solution from yesterday’s puzzle.

Public Square

Ë&#x153; The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

Hotel Celeste offers Lent special promo

complimentary Wi-Fi access and daily newspaper.

Booking period is from April 1 to 20 while it can be used from April 14 to 21.

For more information, email info@hotelceleste.ph

Bayviewâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s No Meat, No Guilt menu

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Business conglomerates meet with Duterte

B

HOTEL Celeste is offering â&#x20AC;&#x153;Lent Special Promoâ&#x20AC;? from April 1 to 3PEND A RELAXING AND RElECTIVE staycation with the family.

Promo includes signature welcome drink, foot and leg massage, breakfast for two,

THURSDAY April 11, 2019

USINESS conglomerates, together with Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship Joey Concepcion, met with President Rodrigo Duterte (seated, center) at the Malacanang Palace on April 3.

PA Joey Concepcion discussed three pillars for inclusive growth including tourism, agri-business, and digitalization. Tourism Secretary Bernadette Puyat, Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon Lopez, Presidential Spokesperson Sal Panelo, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, and former President and Speaker of the

House Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo also joined the meeting.

During the meeting, seated from left: DoT Sec. Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, Presidential Adviser Joey Concepcion, Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, President Rodrigo Duterte, Executive Sec. Salvador Medialdea, DTI Sec. Ramon Lopez, and Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo.

Standing, from left: CLSA Exchange Capital Corp. Chairman and CEO Luis Virata; International Container Terminal Services, Inc. Senior VP and Head of Asia Pa-

cific Region Christian Gonzalez; Udenna Corp. President and CEO Dennis Uy; Go Negosyo Adviser on Agripreneurship and Mindanao Project Head Ginggay Hontiveros; Go Negosyo Adviser on MSME Development Merly Cruz; Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Bing Limjoco; Federation of Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. President Henry Lim Bon Liong; Sta. Elena Construction and Development Corp. President and CEO Alice Eduardo; SM Prime Holdings Director Hans Sy; LT Group, Inc.

President and COO Michael Tan; PLDT Chairman and CEO Manny Pangilinan; Federal Land Inc. Chairman Alfred Ty; Filinvest Development Corp. President and CEO Josephine Gotianun-Yap; Robinsons Retail Holdings Inc. President and CEO Robina Gokongwei-Pe; Aboitiz Equity Ventures Executive Vice President and COO Sabin Aboitiz; Philex Mining Corp. Senior VP of Corporate Affairs Mike Toledo; Megawide Construction Corp.

Chairman and CEO Edgar Saavedra; and Pilipinas Global President and CEO Ernesto Sta. Maria.

Conrad Manila presents Easter Kiddie Dreamland

BAYVIEW Park Hotel Manila is offering its No Meat, No Guilt ala carte menu especially made for the Holy Week, offered all year round.

Featuring the Seafood Platter and the Sizzling Tofu, as well as

salads and other no meat food.

Bayview is observing the Lenten Season with you. These orders are good for sharing.

For more information, visit www.bayviewparkhotel.com.

Kiwanis Club donates crayons for indigent kids of Los BaĂąos

CONRAD Manila celebrates the coming Easter with festive, culinary fetes and a rousing â&#x20AC;&#x153;Kiddie Dreamlandâ&#x20AC;? show and Egg Hunt with Pororo the Little Penguin, Dibo the Gift Dragon and friends on Easter Sunday, April 21, at the Forbes Ballroom.

Children of all ages, dressed in their favorite kiddie costumes, are welcome to join the fun and egg-citing afternoon musical show with added highlights such as the Easter Egg Hunt, Face Painting, Egg Toss, Pin the Tail on the Bunny, Bunny Bowling, and more. The kids will also get to bring home

Easter loot bags and enjoy some light bites and sweets courtesy of Conrad Manilaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s culinary team.

Families who wish to celebrate Easter Sunday with a hearty lunch before the show may take advantage of a special Easter Package at Brasserie on 3 inclusive of buffet lunch and an Easter Kiddie Dreamland ticket for one person.

Meanwhile, Conrad Manilaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bru Coffee Bar, located at the welcome lobby, delights guests with handmade, whimsical Easter goodies and premium chocolates for the ideal present to spread a touch of sweetness and cheer such

as Easter eggs, bunnies, and cookies, among other treats.

For more information, visit www. conradhotels.com/manila.

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Cenakulo Rockâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; comes back to Enchanted Kingdom

THE Kiwanis Club of Makati, represented by the current president Grace Bondad Nicolas (2nd from left) turns over the crayons for the indigent kids to Kiwanis Club of Los BaĂąos Past President Cindy Nicolas (extreme left), Current President Moonyeen Pendon de Vera (2nd from right) and incoming President Carmen Garan (extreme right).

The crayons will be distributed to different villages in Los BaĂąos like Batong Malake, Bangbang, San Antonio and Lalakay.

According to President de Vera, â&#x20AC;&#x153;We just like to help the indigent

kids in our small little way. Crayons is one requirement in the school and this is to enhance their creativity. Who knows some of them will be designers some day.â&#x20AC;?

Kiwanis International was established in 1915 at Detroit, Michigan. Kiwanis International is a global community of clubs, members and partners dedicated to improving the lives of children one community at a time.

Today, it stands with more than 600,000 members from KKids to Key Club to Kiwanis and many ages in between in more than 80 countries.

InfiniVAN partners with PCAT

ENCHANTED Kingdom brings back â&#x20AC;&#x153;Cenakulo Rockâ&#x20AC;? in line with the Lenten Season â&#x20AC;&#x201D; itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s another mustsee to add to your summer bucket list.

With Enchanted Kingdom as the Philippine leader in wholesome family leisure and entertainment and a world-class tourist destination, it is in their best interest to GIVE PARK GUESTS A MOMENT TO RElECT to commemorate the passion of Christ. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Cenakulo Rockâ&#x20AC;? shows the last moments of Jesus Christ, his STRUGGLES AND ULTIMATE SACRIkCE AS told through songs and dances.

This yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s show will be different from the past yearsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;as the main cast and ensemble will be portrayed by children. Catch Enchanted Kingdomâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Lenten special every weekend at 6:30 p.m. at the Spaceport.

For more information, visit www. enchantedkingdom.ph.

AS Watson Group opens worldwide 15,000th store in Kuala Lumpur THE worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest and fastest growing international health and beauty retailer A.S. Watson Group celebrates an important milestone as it opens its 15,000th store.

For the fourth year in a row, A.S. Watsonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new store opening continues to be at an average speed of one store every seven hours across its 25 markets in Asia and Europe.The worldwide 15,000th store opening of A.S. Watson coincides with its 500th store opening of Watsons in -ALAYSIA 7ATSONS IS THE lAGSHIP retail brand of A.S. Watson with over 7,200 stores in 13 markets in Asia and Eastern Europe.

In the Philippines, Watsons has 752 stores now and growing in partnership with SM Retail Group.

Q Dominic Lai (center), A.S. Watson Group managing director, is joined by two Watsons Malaysia Elite members (3rd from left and 1st from right), together with Malina Ngai (4th from right), A.S. Watson Group chief operating officer; Alan Heaton (3rd from right), A.S. Watson Group Finance director; Ann Lau (2nd from right), Group People director (Asia); Rod Routley (4th from left), A.S. Watson Group regional managing director (Asia); Caryn Loh (2nd from left), Watsons Malaysia managing director; and Nur Rashmeen (1st from left), store manager of Central i-City store at the opening ceremony of the A.S. Watson Group 15,000th store opening event.

Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Dorm in Las PiĂąas City Jail inaugurated Q President Ronald Manlapig with IPS-InfiniVANâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s President Enrique Yu during the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement.

INFINIVAN takes on another step with the recently held signing event of Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with the Philippine Cable TV Operators Association (PCTA) President Ronald Manlapig and IPS-InfiniVAN President Enrique Yu. As a telecommunications comPANY )NkNI6!. AIMS TO BRIDGE network gaps that exist among dominant, incumbent telcos and loose associations of CATV operators with highly localized networks and limited service coverage areas. )NkNI6!. BELIEVES THAT CONNECT-

ing fragmented CATV operator networks to a reliable nationwide core network and enabling them to capitalize on the deeper engagement that they have with their respective local customer base will enhance the value of each constituent network and the resulting collective grouping that is created by the interconnection. )NkNI6!. IS COMMITTED TO DELIVering competitively priced and reliable internet access while assuring its investors and other stakeholders a reasonable rate of return by operatING AS EFkCIENTLY AS POSSIBLE

LAS PIĂ&#x2018;AS City Mayor Imelda Aguilar together with Vice Mayor Luis Bustamante and April Aguilar led the inauguration of the Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Dormitory of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BMJP) â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Las PiĂąas City.

The city government constructed the new womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s dormitory to help decongest the Las PiĂąas City Jail. The dormitory occupies the whole fourth floor of a building located at Las PiĂąas City Hall Compound.

It has a floor area of 636 square meters and can accommodate triple deck beds. It is also equipped with kitchen, toilet

Q Mayor Imelda Aguilar (3rd from left), Vice Mayor Luis Bustamante (2nd from left), April Aguilar (extreme left) with Councilors Boboy Dela Cruz, Steve Miranda, Peewee Aguilar, Renan Riguera, Danny Hernandez, Boni Riguera and Henry Medina, Police Chief Sr. Supt. Simnar Gran, and Female Warden Sr. Insp. Aileen Ramirez. ed the Las PiĂąas City Jail Female jail dormitories for its initiaand bath.

Last year, BJMP â&#x20AC;&#x201C;NCR award- Dormitory as one of the top ten tives in jail management.

TTHURSDAY H UURSDAY R S DAYY APRIL 11, 2019

Entertainment www.manilatimes.net

Another one from Quest Q

UEST, aka Jose D. Villanueva 3rd, the Philippinesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; premiere singer/ rapper, songwriter and producer is all set to release his second single tomorrow, titled â&#x20AC;&#x153;Sasamahan Kita.â&#x20AC;? Written and produced by Quest himself, it comes at the HEELS OF HIS kRST RELEASE IN *ANUARY THE hit single â&#x20AC;&#x153;Permanente.â&#x20AC;?

Sharing his creative process with Music Geek for this new song, Quest says it will remind listeners about their dreams. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is important to have a dream because it drives you, it fuels you.

Hindi ka aandar kung wala kang pangarap,â&#x20AC;? he elaborates. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Sasa-

mahan Kita is a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;sudden burst of inspiration songâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; written from a teacherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s perspective. I placed myself in a teacherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s shoes and wrote that. My lola was a teacher so I saw her dedication and hard work to teaching and when Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m inspired I work on it right away. The moment I slack off Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m going to forget it. â&#x20AC;&#x153;For me dreaming is almost equivalent to living and serves as a personâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s compass to do things and avoid others that wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t help towards the dream. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m also a big advocate of getting an education and having the right mentors.â&#x20AC;?

As such, despite growing up in poverty, Quest looked up to people who would encourage him to go for his goals. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I had to learn that I need to surround myself with the right people. No one ever makes it by THEMSELVES ,OVE IS A SACRIkCE Â&#x2021; people who love you make sacrikCES !ND WITH THEIR SACRIkCES ) M very grateful to them. These people

MUS MUSIC GEEK MARK BONIFACIO GAVE ME THE CONkDENCE ) NEEDED to dream and achieve, no matter how small. Malaking tulong sila

sa akin.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re living at a time where there are a lot of discouraging things and forces around us,â&#x20AC;? he continues. â&#x20AC;&#x153;So I always tell the youth to TRY TO GET OUT OF THAT AND TO kND their dream

within, find a team who will champion their purpose and help them achieve it.â&#x20AC;?

Sasamahan Kitaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s music video, which premiered on MYX last April 5, meanwhile is directed by Andrei Antonio of 8th Street Cinema. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Permanente,â&#x20AC;? Questâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first single in 2019 speaks of true love, and of it he says, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s about love that I found in God. I wanted to write a love song to God but I also wanted to make it versatile enough to be sung to someoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s spouse. It speaks of love that stays no matter what.â&#x20AC;?

Both singles will be part of his upcoming album â&#x20AC;&#x153;Dream Awakeâ&#x20AC;? to be released this May under Warner Music Philippines/ 25 South Records.

Follow the author on Instagram: markbonifacio25.

Q Singer-rapper Quest, aka Jose D. Villanueva 3rd

Âťliveinconcert

Troye Sivan comes to Manila in May AUSTRALIAN pop sensation Troye tended play â&#x20AC;&#x153;Wildâ&#x20AC;? followed by Sivan is set to perform at the Mall his debut studio album â&#x20AC;&#x153;Blue of Asia Arena on May 1 to bring Neighbourhood,â&#x20AC;? whose lead his hit songs â&#x20AC;&#x153;Youth,â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Dance To single â&#x20AC;&#x153;Youthâ&#x20AC;? became Sivanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Thisâ&#x20AC;? and â&#x20AC;&#x153;My My My!â&#x20AC;? as part kRST SINGLE TO ENTER THE 4OP of his ongoing â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Bloom Tourâ&#x20AC;? of the Billboard Hot 100 chart. around the world.

His second studio album Sivanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Manila stop is the latest â&#x20AC;&#x153;Bloomâ&#x20AC;? (2018) reached No. 3 from Smart Music Liveâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s world- in Australia and No.4 on the Billclass local and international con- board 200 chart. Its lead single cert lineup, which also provides â&#x20AC;&#x153;My My My!â&#x20AC;? became Sivanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s exclusive perks to music lovers and second number-one single on the subscribers this year.

Billboard Dance Club Songs chart.

Free tickets are available with An actor too, Sivan portrayed purchases of Smart Prepaid load the younger version of the titular and data cards in select SM, 7-11, CHARACTER IN THE 8 -EN kLM and Robinsons stores, or online via â&#x20AC;&#x153;X-Men Origins: Wolverineâ&#x20AC;? and Lazada, Shopee, or the Smart website. starred as the title character in the According to his biogbiog g3PUDu kLM TRILOGY 3PUD kLM TRILOGY raphy in Wikipedia, a, the 23-year-old Sivan gained ained Q Australian pop popularity as a singerr on sensation Troye Sivan YouTube and in Austrastralian talent competitions. ons.

Sivan signed with EMI MI Australia in 2013 and nd released his debut exxtended play â&#x20AC;&#x153;TRXYEâ&#x20AC;?â&#x20AC;? in 2014, which peaked d at No. 5 on the U.S. Billboard 200.

The following year, he released his second ex-

Âťwhat'sonwhere YouTube guitar stars hold Ibanez clinic today

Âťseen@thescene â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Grabbedâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; by Wanderland MUSIC fans had the time of their lives at the two-day Wanderland Music Festival, which proved to be the biggest gathering of local and international indie artists so far in the country this year.

D4

The seventh installment of the festival was held at the Filinvest City Open Grounds in Alabang, Muntinlupa City with an impressive roster of acts namely Two Door Cinema Club, Honne, Gabri-

elle Aplin, JMSN, SG Lewis, Joan, Unique, Reese Lansangan, Charlie Lim, Autotelic, Intertwined, The Kooks, Masego, Alina Baraz, Clairo, Mac Ayres, Prep, Sandwich, Adoy, Clara Benin, Dayaw, and Nathan & Mercury.

Fans were grabbed by the bevy of unique music that took turns on stage as well as Wanderlandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s event partner Grab, which helped elevate the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Wandererâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;sâ&#x20AC;? overall experience with its Q Wanderers enjoyed learning about their future Digital Horoscope and Tarot Reading booths.

Q Janeena Chan, Katt Valdez and Yanna Cowper.

Q The festival goers also had fun time at Grab's illussion lounge.

variety of app services.

According to company president Brian Cu, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Wanderers were able to use their GrabRewards points for a magical variety of features at the music festival.â&#x20AC;?

Among the treats his team set up were the Grab Illusion Lounge which featured kinetic lights installations akin to digital arts museums in Singapore and Japan; Digital Horoscope and Tarot Reading booths, and the Magic Shuttle from various va points of Me Metro Manila for free party van rides to and from tthe grounds.

GrabFood also sa satisfied cravings thr through the Snacks and Potions area, whic featured a wide which array of food and drinks hu for hungry Wanderers.

The partnership between the two wellloved brands proved how m music can be truly magical with friends.

Q No one went hungry with these food genies at their service.

YOUTUBE guitar sensations Martin Miller and Tom Quayle will display their masterclass guitar techniques as they make their stop in Manila today for the Ibanez Clinic Tour at Johnny B Good Restaurant and Bar in Makati City.

Powered by Audiophile and Ibanez, the jazz fusion artists and outstanding guitarists will demonstrate, perform and allow their audience to experience world-class music techniques and most importantly, help guitar enthusiasts develop innovative patterns for their fretboards.

They are pumped up to travel all over the world to teach and answer questions for fans and other music enthusiasts.

Quayle is one of the foremost

fusion legato players in the world, with a reputation for both teaching and playing guitar. He has produced a lot of highly acclaimed tuition products for his website and lick library that have helped thousands of guitar players.

Miller is known for his lightning-quick cross picking technique and improvisational chops, prompting John Petrucci to call him a â&#x20AC;&#x153;monster player.â&#x20AC;? His core focus is precision mechanics, mastering intricate picking patterns in weird note clusters with effortLESS lUIDITY AND SHEER MUSICALITY with an organic, tasteful sense of melody and tension.

For details, e-mail marketing@ audiophile.ph.

Q Martin Miller and Tom Quayle

Âťglobalspotlight

Singer Camila Cabello to star in â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Cinderellaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; remake

NEW YORK: Cuban-American singer Camila Cabello will try on the glass slipper when she takes on the lead role in a remake of â&#x20AC;&#x153;Cinderella,â&#x20AC;? a source close to the project said.

The decision to cast a Hispanic woman is a significant break from a long tradition of white and usually blonde Cinderellas.

Cabello, a multi-platinum selling and Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter, will also help write the filmâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s songs.

The project grew out of an original idea from late-night television host James Corden, the source told AFP. The remake was first reported by the entertainment magazine The Hollywood Reporter.

Corden â&#x20AC;&#x201D; best known for â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Late Late Showâ&#x20AC;? and his â&#x20AC;&#x153;Carpool Karaokeâ&#x20AC;? series â&#x20AC;&#x201D; will co-produce the film through the company Fulwell 73, of which he is a partner.

At the helm will be director Kay Cannon, who is no stranger to breaking the Hollywood mold with femaledriven narratives. Cannon wrote the box office hit â&#x20AC;&#x153;Pitch Perfectâ&#x20AC;? franchise, which tells the story of female

friendships through a humorous take on competitive college a capella.

She made her directorial debut in 2018 with the critically acclaimed comedy â&#x20AC;&#x153;Blockers,â&#x20AC;? which flipped the typically male-oriented teen coming-of-age script and grossed over $93 million worldwide.

The iconic princess role is the latest chapter in Cabelloâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s own Cinderella story: she gained recognition at age 16 as part of the girl group Fifth Harmony.

She left the group in 2016 to pursue a solo career and became a global household name in August the following year when her hit song â&#x20AC;&#x153;Havanaâ&#x20AC;? soared to the top of the pop radio chart.

Cabello released her self-titled album in January 2018, which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart.

Now 22, Cabello is the latest actress to take on the role of Cinderella. The film, which will be made by Sony affiliate Columbia, is on the fast track for production.

The two best-known previous versions of the fairy tale are Disneyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 1950 cartoon and the studioâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2015 live-action version starring Lily James.

AFP

Campus Press

A SECTION FOR THE STUDENTS, BY STUDENTS

Ë&#x153; The Manila Times w w w.manilatimes.net

E1

EDITOR: Marishelle R. Medina marishelle.medina@manilatimes.net

THURSDAY APRIL 11, 2019

Embracing the culture of research in senior high

BY DANNIA G. BONDOC

â&#x20AC;&#x153;R

PAMPANGA HIGH SCHOOL

ESEARCHâ&#x20AC;? is a feared subject among most senior high school students. But this is not true for senior high school students of Pampanga High School.

Students of the high school in San Fernando, Pampanga have been trained to think of and use their research subject as an important component of creative and critical thinking, and as a requirement of genuine academic excellence. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In Pampanga High School, we endeavor to instill a research orientation among students for them to realize that research is indispensable, not only for academic excellence, but in pragmatic and progressive existence,â&#x20AC;? research head and coordinator Richard Sanchez said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;For example we envision a realization among students that research plays an important role in understanding society and social problems â&#x20AC;&#x201D; in improving life, technology, among other important concerns of the individual and society,â&#x20AC;? he added.

Pampanga High School held its Qualitative Research Colloquium last March at its Shakespearean Hall in San Fernando, Pampanga with the theme, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Minds that Ponder for Stories that Matter: The Value of Qualitative Research in

Daily Life.â&#x20AC;?

The three-day event showcased the importance of qualitative research. Student-researchers from the Humanities and Social Sciences (HUMSS) strand used their research to understand their own lived experiences. They were guided by trained teachers to apply research method and designs appropriate and aligned with their topics. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It becomes easier to make students realize the value of research when you make them apply its techniques and methodology to solve or understand practical problems,â&#x20AC;? explained Sanchez, a senior teacher who is completing his doctorate at the Holy Angel University in Angeles City.

In training the student-researchers with the right approach to qualitative research, the research subject enabled students to relate, CONNECT AND RElECT ON THEIR OWN stories. Student researchers talked about how their chosen topic inspired them to study the subject objectively and closely.

Among the papers presented was the research â&#x20AC;&#x153;A Jungle in

Q Jimmy Reyes Jr. of Grade 11 HUMSS G (at the podium) of Pampanga High School leads his group mates in the presentation of their research titled â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;A Jungle in the City: A Phenomenological Research on the Lives of Poor Families Living in a Progressive City in Region III.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; CONTRIBUTED PHOTO the City: A Phenomenological Research on the Lives of Poor Families Living in a Progressive City in Region IIIâ&#x20AC;? by Grade 11 students Jimmy Reyes Jr. and his group mates. They documented true stories and the day-to-day survival of the select poor families whom other people would have presumed to be better off, on the mere fact of residency in a very progressive city.

In another study titled â&#x20AC;&#x153;A Second Chance: Revaluing the Gift of Life from the Lens of Suicide Survivors,â&#x20AC;? the researchers have shown decisively that those who had survived suicide attempts proved to be better speakers and sharers of the importance of life, as credible sources of talks on the

experience of living their second chance to life. They had documented that most organizations advocating the value of life, do have advocates or volunteers who have attempted suicide.

In the study titled â&#x20AC;&#x153;Being Whole in Oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Brokenness: T h e Tr i u m p h a n t S t o r i e s o f Products of Broken Families,â&#x20AC;? the researchers found that those from broken families were not necessarily life failures, as there were more people who become successful in life than those who have failed lives, among people from broken families.

Even as the students were being trained in qualitative research, the colloquium was also a formal training in research presentations

a Dominican sister and other professionals. Each panel judge was requested to seek the essence of each study and to assess the impact of newfound information, not only to the student researcher but also on anyone who has read the research papers. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I note happily that the judges were impressed by the output of the colloquium,â&#x20AC;? Sanchez said, acknowledging Pampanga High School Assistant Principal Edilberta Esguerra and Principal Fe Rosalinda Caylao. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Pampanga High School has long embraced the culture of reSEARCH AND HAS TAKEN THE kRST STEPS with inculcation of research as an important component of self and social understanding,â&#x20AC;? he said.

and protocol, according to Sanchez. The school administrators made sure that everything from the podium to the tables of research presenters and the panel of reviewers was professionally done, in the fashion of an important national convention. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We train our students not only in the substance of the discipline of research, but also on the form with which research for are conducted.

This is to make sure that our senior high school students can stand up with their counterparts elsewhere rest when it comes to the discipline of research,â&#x20AC;? Sanchez said, with obvious pride.

The panel judges in the colloquium included professors, doctors and doctorate candidates,

(ULT 0RIZE HOLDS kRST SUMMIT IN -ANILA THE Hult Prize Foundation staged ITS kRST 2EGIONAL 3UMMIT IN -Anila, with three students from the New York University (NYU)-Abu Dhabi getting the nod of judges for their idea â&#x20AC;&#x153;Loveinaâ&#x20AC;? last April at the Samsung Hall SM Aura in Taguig City.

Among the 150 student entrepreneurs that made up the 35 competing

teams, the team of Aeung Heon Brian Shin of South Korea, Jagan Narayanan Subramanian of Malaysia and Alex Wugi Zhang of Singapore topped the competition with their prototype for solving unemployment of teenage mothers living in Tondo, Manila. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I saw the socioeconomic gap between the rich and the poor here in the Philippines and it really drove me

to share with these guys,â&#x20AC;? said Shin, who grew up in Cebu City. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We came down to Manila and visited Tondo and thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s where we really thought of trying to solve the problems that these teenage mothers are facing,â&#x20AC;? he added.

The 2019 Hult Prize Challenge asks entrepreneurs to build the foundation of a venture that will provide

Q Hult Prize Manila winners CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

BOOK REVIEW: HELLO, UNIVERSE 12 YEARS OLD, LA SALLE GREEN HILLS INCOMING GRADE 8 STUDENT

Q IĂąigo Jose A. Carlos holding a Kindle copy of Hello, Universe by Erin Entrada Kelly

With their victory in Manila, the Loveina makers will advance to the Hult Prize Accelerator (HPA), where participants from the other regional summits will receive mentorship, advisory, and strategic planning as they create prototypes and set-up to launch their new social business.

As they get one step closer, the teams who excel at the HPA will be invited to the 10th Annual Hult Prize Awards and Gala at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, where a star-studded judge panel will select the winning team that will be awarded $1 million by former US president Bill Clinton.

Charlemagne Quinitio, Hult Prize vice president for global operation, said â&#x20AC;&#x153;the organization works at the changing age as it provides the right incentive to get young people excited and involve in the process of changing the world.â&#x20AC;?

Quinitio, a full-blooded Filipino, believes that this kind of project will help Filipino youth in sharing their ideas to the world. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I believe is we have a program that

WILL TRULY BENEkT THE YOUTH SPECIkCALLY making something real as they experience being able to articulate and communicate effectively with something you want to share with someone.

What I also learned in the time that I am here is that the market here can really embrace,â&#x20AC;? Quinitio said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Changing the world is not easy and dreams are not enough. The practical component of our program challenge young people from over 121 countries to dream big, and be bold. We would provide the boundaries of play, and ensure that each participant has the resources they need to be successful,â&#x20AC;? he added.

In 2013, a group of students from the Asian Institute of Management (Philippines) won the top prize for their project called Aspire, which addresses the need for the global food crisis.

After Manila, the regional summit will be staged in various places, including Ho Chi Minh City, Melbourne, Mumbai, Cairo, Oslo, Nairobi, Tunis, Amman, Paris, Bogota, Quito and Tokyo.

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Looking for acceptanceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;

BY IĂ&#x2018;IGO JOSE A. CARLOS

I got interested in Hello, Universe (Greenwillow Books, 2017) by Erin Entrada Kelly after my mom told me that this book won the Newbery

meaningful work for 10,000 youth within the next decade.

Shin said they immersed in Tondo for six months to create a social economic plan that would give the best solution to the rising unemployment rate of teenage mothers. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We found out that some of these people are employed because they just have to survive and we thought that is pretty unfair that you were born under the circumstances doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t mean that you just have to get a survival job. Employment does not mean survival, it means growth,â&#x20AC;? shared Subramanian The Loveina prototype gives access to teenage mothers to earn money by outsourcing projects from an interconnected web application while parenting their children. ,OVEINA WAS AMONG THE SIX kNALISTS that were picked by esteemed panels TO PRESENT THEIR IDEAS IN THE kNAL PITCH Besides the NYU-Abu Dhabi team, other teams came from Ehwa Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s University, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Ming Chuan University and University of Putra Malaysia.

Medal and that the writer who is from the United States has Filipino roots. I wanted to find out why it was worthy of such award.

The story revolves around four kids â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Virgil, Valencia, Kaori and Chet â&#x20AC;&#x201D; as they try to find their place in the world.

This book, through Virgil and Valencia, shows how a child feels isolated from everyone around them.

Virgil is constantly bullied, but he doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t talk back or stand up for himself. He is not very social, finds it hard to interact with others, and thinks very lowly of himself.

I feel the reason why Virgil is unable to open up to others and cannot stand up for

himself is due to his parents. parents His parents often neglect him and call him â&#x20AC;&#x153;turtleâ&#x20AC;? due to his inability to open up. I think this is what caused his self-esteem to drop.

There is a point in the story where Virgil falls down a well and his parents donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t even try to look for him. When he does return home, they donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t acknowledge he is all dirty and only notice the dog that followed him home. The only one in his family who acknowledges him properly is his lola (grandmother). It is through his lola that we as readers are able to see Filipino references and elements.

While Valencia is more positive than Virgil, she is deaf who can talk (although not very clearly) and that makes other kids think differently of her. She finds enjoyment in observing nature. She is a very re-

ligiousperson ligious person, but butat at one point, I did not like her when she said that a person could be judged just by his or her face.

The other kids in the story, Chet, Kaori and Gen, are meant to forward the plot, and they have their own chapters.

Chet is Virgilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bully and the main antagonist of the story. He constantly bullies Virgil, both verbally and p hys i c a l l y. I think that his charac ter is very bland and simplistic, as we arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t giv-

en any details about his past e or his motivation for bullying others. When he calls Virgil â&#x20AC;&#x153;retardoâ&#x20AC;? and empties his bag, it makes him look like a little kid although he is described to be intimidating and big.

I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t relate to Kaori because the way she acts seemed unrealistic, and because in her chapters she practices rituals that have been popularized by psychics or fortune tellers.

Hello, Universe is a story about looking for acceptance in the world.

For young readers, this may be a very relatable concept as they discover more about themselves.

PAGE FROM THE PAST

0,$4 )NC CONTINUED TO RAMP UP ITS PRESENCE IN THE kFTH GENERATION ' race in the country and in the Southeast Asia region.

The groupâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wireless arm Smart Communications is set to roll out 5G standalone or 5G SA solutions in schools after the latter signed a deal with Finnish technology company Nokia on Tuesday. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are happy to partner with Nokia to help develop intelligent soluTIONS AND TECHNOLOGIES FOR THE BENEkT OF THE 0HILIPPINE EDUCATION SECTOR u 0,$4 3MART #HAIRMAN AND #HIEF %XECUTIVE /FkCER -ANUEL 6 0ANGILINAN was quoted as saying in a statement. â&#x20AC;&#x153;By working with partners like Nokia in unlocking the full potential of 5G for Filipino enterprises and customers, we are putting the Philippines at par with the rest of the world in preparing for the deployment and adoption of 5G,â&#x20AC;? PLDT-Smart Chief Technology and Information advisor Joachim Horn also said.

The partnership would focus on developing 5G standalone solutions, INCLUDING ARTIkCIAL INTELLIGENCE DRONES AND )NTERNET OF 4HINGS )O4 APPLIcations, as well as deploying 5G handsets and applications in universities, WHICH IS BELIEVED TO BE THE kRST INITIATIVE IN 3OUTHEAST !SIA 0,$4 SAID g ' IS NO LONGER A THEORY u (ORN TOLD A PRESS BRIEkNG ADDING THAT expect to roll out 5G in a larger scale by next year.

Today, we look back at an old front page of The Manila Times, the oldest national daily that was founded on October 11, 1898. (Note: This image was adjusted to fit the page.)

Ë&#x153; The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

THURSDAY April 11, 2019

Campus Press

E3

A full-dress review of English preposition usage â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 3 L

ETâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S continue our full-dress review of English preposition usage.

CARRY THE SPECIkC DAY g4HE 3PANISH explorer reached the Philippines in ENGLISH PLAIN March 1521.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Inâ&#x20AC;? is used with months, years, AND SIMPLE decades, and centuries as points of time: â&#x20AC;&#x153;The famous writer was born in April (in 1946, in the 1940s, in the 20th century).â&#x20AC;?

Prepositions of time g!Tu IS USED WITH SPECIkC TIMES â&#x20AC;&#x153;Inâ&#x20AC;? is used with the seasons as and duration of the day: â&#x20AC;&#x153;noon,â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;night,â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;mid- points of time: â&#x20AC;&#x153;He promised not night,â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;sunrise,â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;sunsetâ&#x20AC;?: â&#x20AC;&#x153;We to leave her in autumn (in summer, The prepositions â&#x20AC;&#x153;on,â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;at,â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;in,â&#x20AC;? sail for Palawan at noon (at midin spring, in winter).â&#x20AC;? and â&#x20AC;&#x153;after.â&#x20AC;? night, at sunrise).â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Afterâ&#x20AC;? is used with events that â&#x20AC;&#x153;Onâ&#x20AC;? is used with the days of the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Atâ&#x20AC;? is used with major holidays happen later than another event week: â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are going out on Mon- (without the word â&#x20AC;&#x153;Dayâ&#x20AC;?) as points or point of time: â&#x20AC;&#x153;The overseas day (on Tuesday, on Sunday).â&#x20AC;? of time: â&#x20AC;&#x153;The family gets together worker came home only after the g/Nu IS USED FOR SPECIkC DATES at Thanksgiving (at Christmas, at holidays.â&#x20AC;? (optional in informal usage): â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Easter, at Halloween).â&#x20AC;?

The prepositions for periods trade fair will start on May 11, 2019 â&#x20AC;&#x153;Inâ&#x20AC;? is used with these times of or extended time: â&#x20AC;&#x153;since,â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;for,â&#x20AC;? (on May 11, on the 11th of May, on the day: â&#x20AC;&#x153;morning,â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;afternoon,â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;by,â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;from...to,â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;from...until,â&#x20AC;? the 11th].â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;eveningâ&#x20AC;?: â&#x20AC;&#x153;She waters her roses â&#x20AC;&#x153;during,â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;within,â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;between,â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Atâ&#x20AC;? is used with clocked time: in the morning (in the afternoon, and â&#x20AC;&#x153;beyond.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;She picks her son from school at in the evening).â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Sinceâ&#x20AC;? is used with an event that 4:30 p.m.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Inâ&#x20AC;? is used with dates that donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t happens at some time or continu-

JOSE A. CARILLO

ously after another time or event: â&#x20AC;&#x153;She has not watched a movie since last month.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;They have been producing noodles since the war.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Forâ&#x20AC;? is used with particular durations: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our president will be abroad for three weeks (not for long, for most of next month).â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Byâ&#x20AC;? is used with an act completed or to be completed by a certain TIME g3HE EXPECTS TO kNISH WRITING the book by April (by then, by the second quarter).â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;From...toâ&#x20AC;? is used to refer to the beginning and end of an activity or event: â&#x20AC;&#x153;The weather was stormy from Wednesday to Friday.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;From...untilâ&#x20AC;? is used to refer to the beginning of one period to the beginning of another: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our sales rose continuously from Christmas until right before Holy Week.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Duringâ&#x20AC;? is used to refer to a

DLSU is sole PH university in inaugural Times Higher Education Impact Rankings DE La Salle University is the lone Philippine university included in the inaugural Times Higher Education (THE) University Impact Rankings, placing 301+ in the overall standings.

The rankings recognize universities around the world for their social and economic impact, based on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

DLSU ranked high in the top three SDGs, namely: Quality Education (301+), Sustainable Cities and Communities (201+), and Decent Work and Economic Growth (201+).

The university also ranked in the other SDGs: 201+ in Responsible Consumption and Production, Climate Action, and Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions; and 301+ in Partnership for the Goals.

period of time in which an event happens or an activity is done: â&#x20AC;&#x153;She had coffee during the morning break.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Betweenâ&#x20AC;? is used to refer to an action taking place between the beginning and end of a period: â&#x20AC;&#x153;You must get the job done between now and Friday.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Withinâ&#x20AC;? is used to refer to an action that must take place or be completed within a given period: â&#x20AC;&#x153;You must get the job done within the week.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Beyondâ&#x20AC;? is used to refer to a period of time after a particular event has taken place or a particular time has elapsed: â&#x20AC;&#x153; Beyond the mid-1990s all of our offices had shifted to word processors.â&#x20AC;?

4HE PREPOSITION gINu FOR SPECIkC time frames: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Inâ&#x20AC;? is used with the three basic time frames: â&#x20AC;&#x153;past,â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;present,â&#x20AC;?

â&#x20AC;&#x153;futureâ&#x20AC;?: â&#x20AC;&#x153;He was a kindly man in the past.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;She is doing nothing in the present (â&#x20AC;&#x153;...at presentâ&#x20AC;? is currently the preferred usage).â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;In the future, change the oil of your car regularly.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Inâ&#x20AC;? is used with prescribed time periods: â&#x20AC;&#x153;The project must be completed in a month (in a year, in kVE YEARS u This completes our review of the English prepositions of establishing relationships in space (place and location), of motion and direction, and of time and duration.

(Next: Prepositions at work in prepositional phrases)

Visit Jose Carilloâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s English Forum, http://josecarilloforum.com, and on Facebook, https://www. facebook.com/jacarillo. Follow me at Twitter.com @J8Carillo. E-mail: j8carillo@yahoo.com.

Vatel Group renews partnership with Benilde

For the impact rankings, THE assessed universities from 76 countries. Key indicators used were research, outreach and stewardship.

7ITH kVE DECADES OF EXPERIENCE AS A RESOURCE for analysis and insight on higher education, THE is regarded by some of the most prestigious universities in the world as a reputable and HIGHLY INlUENTIAL RANKING BODY

Ateneo CORD graduates  diplomates in HR and OD Q Honorary Consul of the Philippines in Lyon HervÊ de Malliard; De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) President Br. Dennis Magbanua, FSC; Vatel Group Founder-President Alain Sebban; and DLS-CSB School of Hotel, Restaurant, and Institute Management (SHRIM) Dean Angelo Marco Lacson during the renewal of the memorandum of agreement signed on March 15, 2019 at the Vatel Corporate office in Lyon, France.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Q The diplomates in Organization Development and Strategic Human Resource Management of the Ateneo Center for Organization Research and Development CONTRIBUTED PHOTO THE Ateneo Center for Organization Research and Development (Ateneo CORD) held graduation ceremonies for 23 diplomates in Organization Development and 77 diplomates in Strategic Human Resource Management.

The diplomates came from a variety of industries and regions in the Philippines, with the largest number coming from the

Department of Health.

Speaking on behalf of the graduates, Dr. Hiro Masuda, director of Career Executive Service Board, said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;The atmosphere here at the campus and the warm, professional and learner-centered approach was very effective. The lessons were challenging but created many Aha moments for us. One of my favorite realizations is the

use of self and being mindful that whatever I do is an intervention.â&#x20AC;?

Ateneo CORD Executive Director Dr. Regina Hechanova said the group consisted of the biggest number of diploma graduates for !TENEO #/2$ AND WAS A kTTING way to celebrate its 45th anniversary.

Hechanova said CORD would continue to introduce new pro-

THAI STUDENTS AND TEACHERS IN UST

grams, including online courses and webinars, and, as part of its outreach, it would be providing scholarships for a basic Human Resource program for small business and nongovernment organizations.

It was also partnering with local government units to help prepare graduates of community-based drug recovery programs to seek employment, she added.

Twelve Grade 7 and 8 students and three teachers from the SamroiyodWittayakhom School, Thailand were at the University of Santo Tomas (UST) during an exchange visit that was part of their 9th ThailandPhilippines Tour 2019. The delegation, led by program head SangwanJanlamoon (front row, sixth from left), are with UST Office of Public Affairs Director Assoc. Prof. Giovanna Fontanilla, Ph.D., (front row, fifth from left) and members of the Office of Public Affairs. The Thai delegation also interacted with faculty members and students of the UST Faculty of Arts and Letters headed by Dean Prof. Michael Anthony Vasco, Ph.D., CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

HOSPITALITY institution Vatel International Business School Hotel and Tourism Management commits to seven more years of partnership with De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB).

The collaboration was sealed in the renewal of a memorandum recently signed by Vatel Group Founder-President Alain Sebban; DLS-CSB President Br. Dennis Magbanua FSC; DLSCSB School of Hotel, Restaurant, and Institution Management (SHRIM) Dean Angelo Marco Lacson; and Honorary Consul of the Philippines in Lyon HervĂŠ de Malliard, at the 6ATEL #ORPORATE OFkCE IN ,YON

France.

Vatel, a worldwide hospitality and management network for nearly 40 years, was recognized as the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Best Hospitality Management Schoolâ&#x20AC;? during the 17th Worldwide Hospitality Awards in 2017, a competition which highlights exemplary achievements in communication, marketing, innovation, human resources, social and environmental responsibility, customer loyalty programs. It continues to share the art of French hospitality with 50 other campuses in 32 countries, including DLS-CSB. Through the cooperation, DLS-CSB has been known as Vatel Manila, offering Bachelor of Science in International Hospitality Management (BSIHM), a transnational course that grants graduates with a Philippine degree and a French degree as well.

DLS-CSB also enjoys the vast network of Vatel schools, together with its several projects offered that promise a number of experiential opportunities for its students, such as the Marco Polo Program, which sends IHM students to train from six months to a year in establishments including Vatel Paris in France, Vatel Martigny in Switzerland and Vatel Bangkok in Thailand. The program was recognized in 2018 as the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Best Innovation in an Educational Program Awardâ&#x20AC;? by the World Wide Hospitality Awards.

DLS-CSBâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s IHM students can also broaden their knowledge and experience in the industry through various engagements in Vatel schools in France, including a series of comprehensive wine studies and tours in the vineyards and cellars of St. Emillion through Vatel Bordeaux and months-long summer internship in V atel Nimes.

In addition, faculty members and industry practitioners of Vatel schools gather in a constructive academic exchange in an annual convention and through the online network called Magellan Program.

DLS-CSBâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s educators continue to participate in Vatelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s initiatives such as the Center for International Research Vatel Tourism and Hotel Managemen, which aims to develop fundamental and applied reSEARCH IN THE kELD OF TOURISM and hotel management.

The Campus Press welcomes contributions from students of all levels. Students can submit their written works in English, artworks, photographs, cartoons and other works to marishelle.medina@ manilatimes.net with the subject line: Campus Press. Please include your name, grade or year level, and name of school. Thank you!

E4

Campus Press

The Ë&#x153;Manila Times w w w.manilatimes.net

THURSDAY April 11, 2019

DepEd to continue SHS voucher program T

BY FRANCIS EARL CUETO

HE Department of Education (DepEd) said it would continue the Senior High School Voucher Program (SHS VP) for school year (SY) 2019-2020 despite budgetary challenges.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;DepEd will continue to engage the services of private educational institutions and non-DepEd public schools offering SHS through the voucher program under the Expanded Government Assistance to Students and Teachers

in Private Education,â&#x20AC;? a DepEd statement said.

The Education department is mandated to uphold the right of every Filipino to quality basic education by providing access, whether through public

programs or through arrangements based on the principles of public-private partnership, the agency said.

This is in consonance with Section 10 of Republic Act 10533 or â&#x20AC;&#x153;An Act Enhancing the Philippine Basic Education System by Strengthening its Curriculum and Increasing the Number of Years for Basic Education, Appropriating Funds Therefor and for Other Purposes.â&#x20AC;?

4HE $EP%D CLARIkED LAST !PRIL that pending the issuance of the 2019 General Appropriations Act

(GAA), the national budget for Fiscal Year (FY) 2018 is deemed reenacted.

It said the Department of Budget and Management has released Circular Letter 2019-01 (Release of Funds for the First Quarter of FY 2019) stating that in the absence of the 2019 GAA, the budgetary support to cover the operations of all national agencies is equivalent to the appropriations based on the FY 2018 GAA (RA 10964, or the â&#x20AC;&#x153;General Appropriations Act 2018,â&#x20AC;? as reenacted) or on the FY 2019

National Expenditure Program (NEP) â&#x20AC;&#x201D; whichever is lower.

Under FY 2018 GAA, the total appropriation for the SHS VP in private and non-DepEd schools is P14.4 billion.

The 2019 NEP, meanwhile, is P20.3 billion, thus the program is short of funds equivalent to P5.9 billion. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In view of this, the application for the SHS VP for SY 20192020 is yet to be opened pending the issuance of the FY 2019 GAA,â&#x20AC;? it added.

However, Grade 10 completers

in SY 2018-2019 who fall under the following categories are automatically eligible and do not need to apply for vouchers: all Grade 10 completers in public schools operated by DepEd; all Grade 10 completers in state and local universities and colleges; and all Grade 10 completers in private schools who are ESC grantees.

T h e s e a u t o m a t i c vo u c h e r recipients shall be accommodated in the program upon enrollment in any SHS VP-participating school.

Toyota-adopted public school goes digital TOYOTA Motor Philippines Foundation (TMPF), the social arm of the leading automotive company in the country, transformed its adopted school, Pulong Sta. Cruz Elementary School (PSCES) in Santa Rosa City, Laguna, into a â&#x20AC;&#x153;digital schoolâ&#x20AC;? with the completion of its Computerization Project.

The three-phase, school-wide

project is part of TMPFâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s initiatives under the Department of Educationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s (DepEd) Adopt-aSchool Program. It integrates information technology (IT) into the classroom set-up and the schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s teaching methodology, giving PSCES students the opportunity TO EXPERIENCE THE BENEkTS OF DIGITAL technology that would help them acquire the necessary knowledge

and skills.

Toyota initiated the Computerization Project in August 2016, providing each of the 53 classrooms with a 55-inch Smart TV and a laptop computer to assist teachers in everyday teaching.

Eleven colored printers were also provided to support production of more enticing and interactive teaching materials.

Q The library of the Pulong Sta. Cruz Elementary School goes digital with support from Toyota Motor Philippines Foundation CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Manulife expands financial literacy program MANULIFE Philippines partnered with Manulife Business Processing Services (MBPS) to expand their Peso 3MART kNANCIAL LITERACY PROGRAM FOR school year 2018-2019, reaching out TO GRADE SCHOOL STUDENTS FROM kVE public schools.

Peso Smart is a series of financial literacy classes co-developed by Manulife Philippines and Hands on Manila (HOM) to teach public school students the basics of saving, budgeting and investing.

On its second year, it reached elementary students from Kamuning and Bagong Silangan elementary schools in Quezon City, Mandaluyong Addition Hills and Nueve de Febrero elementary schools in Mandaluyong, and Pembo Elementary School in Makati.

Manulife employees contributed a total of 1,200 volunteer hours to the program. They and MBPS employees served as weekly mentors. &OR THEIR kNAL PROJECT THE STUDENTS CREATED A kNANCIAL PLAN FOR THEIR FAMily where they applied what they have learned during the school year. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve gotten positive feedback from the kids, their parents, and even the teachers who were part of this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Peso Smart Program. It made the students more aware of how to MANAGE THEIR kNANCES "Y TEACHING

them these skills at a young age, they will be able to make well-informed financial decisions that will help them live better lives in the future,â&#x20AC;? said Ryan Charland, president and chief executive officer of Manulife Philippines.

MBPS head Bob Buiaroski added: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re happy to be part of the Peso Smart program and to empower STUDENTS TO BECOME kNANCIALLY SAVVY at a young age. The Manulife team is in full force in helping the students and their families better manage their kNANCES u The Peso Smart program is the kRST kNANCIAL LITERACY MODULE THAT was implemented under volunteer organization HOMâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Galing Mo Kid education program. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Peso Smart program created a ripple effect that spread in the studentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; communities. The students were able to pass on their learnings to their parents and other elders, MANY OF WHOM DID NOT LEARN kNANcial literacy skills when they were YOUNGER 0ESO 3MART IS A kNANCIAL education curriculum that helps the whole community in managing THEIR kNANCES BETTER AND AT THE SAME time strengthens the value of service and volunteerism among Manulifeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s employees,â&#x20AC;? said Gianna Montinola, HOM president.

The second phase focused on internet connectivity. IT infrastructure was set up in 2017 to connect THE CLASSROOMS AND OFkCES TO THE internet.

Through Wi-Fi connection, each classroom gained access to useful and appropriate educational resources available online, such as step-by-step exercises and student engagement activities.

Teachers are also given exclusive internet access, so they can download multimedia content to enhance their teaching methodology.

For the third phase of the project, Toyota provided a content-oriented teaching and learning environment. This means that teachers can access a ready source of appropriate e-learning modules for practice exercises and interactive tutorials in one online portal.

The schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s library was also equipped with six all-in-one computers. As a result of consultation with teachers, Toyota also provided educational manipulatives, Lego robotic kits, as well as mastery kits, to enhance the

Q A Grade 4 student learns robotics programming at the Pulong Sta. Cruz Elementary School multimedia library, part of Toyota Motor Philippines Foundationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Computerization Project in the public school.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO studentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; aptitude in reading and comprehension, mathematics, and science.

Toyota has, so far, invested a total of P10.88 million for the Computerization Project. It will continue to assist the teachers through IT skills trainings in the future.

PSCES is located in Toyotaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s immediate community in Santa Rosa City, Laguna, and has been Toyotaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s adopted school for almost two decades. As the city progresses, Toyota sees the student population to continuously grow. Currently, PSCES has over 3,000 students from Kinder to Grade 6.

University in La Union inspires government scholarsÂ

SOME 1,694 college scholars were inspired to excel more in their studies during the recently held forum at the Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University campus in Bacnotan town in La Union.

The scholars participated in the orientation forum at the universityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Ortega Memorial Center. All were grantees of the Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES) program, receiving P20,000 stipend per semester.

Alexis Moira Dolores, coordinator for

Unified Student Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education-Ilocos Region, encouraged the students to continue their studies and to aim for a degree as she discussed the TES program guidelines. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You need to be selfish and focus on yourself; be greedy of good grades and be rude enough to say no to temptation.

You donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to be the best; you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to deliver the most, but the chal-

lenge is to pass all your subjects to earn a college degree,â&#x20AC;? Dolores said.

She said the TES program aimed to increase the stipend or allowance to government scholars especially those who come from the poorest of the poor families.

To benefit from the TES program, she said the state university or school should apply, transfer the lists of applicants to the Commission on Higher Education, which will evaluate the applicants if they meet

the requirement, and inform the applicants of the official list of the grantees.

Created under Republic Act 10931, an act promoting universal access to quality tertiary education, the TES program provides free tuition and other school fees in state universities and colleges, local government universities and colleges, and state-run technical-vocational institutions.

LEANDER C. DOMINGO

Mastercard partners with UN to feed school children in Mindanao STUDIES show that it is difficult for children to learn without adequate food and nutrition, so by being provided daily meals at school, they are able to stay in the classroom and focus on their studies instead of their stomachs.

Mastercard, in partnership with the United Nations World Food Program (WFP), is thus providing 40,000 nutritious school meals to CHILDREN IN THE CONlICT AFFECTED areas of Central Mindanao.

Mats Persson, WFP deputy director, received the donation from -ASTERCARD !SIA 0ACIkC #O PRESident Ari Sarker and Mastercard Country Manager in the Philippines Rowell Del Fierro.

Since 2012, Mastercard and the

WFP have been working together to deliver innovative solutions to help create a world with Zero Hunger. The partnership connects Mastercardâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s expertise in technology and payment systems with WFPâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s work in delivering food assistance.

Mastercard has been supporting programs for Syrian refugees, disaster victims in Sri Lanka, schoolchildren in Rwanda, among many other such initiatives around the globe.

In the Philippines, WFP is targeting parts of the Mindanao REGION AFFECTED BY ARMED CONlICT WFP reports that 40 percent of families in Mindanao have been displaced between 2000 and 2010 because of ongoing conflict in the area.

Q World Food Programâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Anthony Chase Lim and Deputy Director Mats Persson received the donation from Mastercard Country Manager in the Philippines Rowell Del Fierro and Mastercard Asia Pacific Co-president Ari Sarker. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

NAPSPhil all set for general assembly

Q Graduates of the Manulife Peso Smart Program School Year 2018-2019 from Pembo, Mandaluyong Addition Hills and Nueve de Febrero Elementary Schools with (center, from left to right) Hands On Manila Foundation (HOM) Executive Director Dondon Marquez, Manulife Philippines Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Melissa Henson, HOM President Gianna Montinola, Manulife Vice President and Project Management lead Lem Dingle, and Communications and Corporate Affairs head Rosalie Acupan. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

THE National Alliance of Private Schools Philippines (NAPSPhil) is all set for its General Assembly on April 13, 2019 at the Lyceum of the Philippines University-Laguna.

The general assembly aims to raise issues regarding the rights of teachers, including the disparity of salary between private and public school teachers and massive migration of private school teachers to public school despite having an existing contract.

It also aims to discuss the control of the Department of Education (DepEd) over the private institutions instead of supervision, inconsistent implementation of national or regional DepEd orders or memos, and the creation of the Bureau of Private Education of DepEd that will oversee the need of the private schools.

NAPSPhil recognizes the need to prioritize the BUDGET FOR EDUCATION FOR THE BENEkT OF TEACHERS IN the Philippines with the help of the Government Assistance to Students and Teachers for Private Education Law (Gastpe).

Some provisions, especially the Teacherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Salary Subsidy Fund, however, are not being upheld, according to NAPSPhil. As such, with the upcoming increase of salaries for teachers in public schools, teachers from private schools are expected to shift to the public school system.

Invited to speak, among others, are private schools advocate Atty. Joseph Noel Estrada and reelectionist Sen. Paolo â&#x20AC;&#x153;Bamâ&#x20AC;? Aquino 4th who kLED AND SPONSORED 3ENATE "ILL 3" OR THE â&#x20AC;&#x153;Teachers Compensation and Support act of 2018.â&#x20AC;?

SB 2057 aims to enhance the compensation support system for all teachers in basic education institutions as well as creating an assistance fund for teachers.

Also expected to attend the general assembly are Taguig City Mayor Maria Laarni Cayetano, who provides a budget for the â&#x20AC;&#x153;local Educational Service Contractionâ&#x20AC;? program in her municipality through DepEdâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Gastpe program; Senate candidates Luther Meniano, who is pushing for a House bill that will create a Private Schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Commission, and Appropriating Funds that will be included in all levels of education, and former Senate president Juan Ponce Enrile, who has supported the salary increase for private school teachers; and National Executive Director of the Private Education Assistance Committee Prof. Rhodara Angela Ferrer.