THE MANILA TIMES | MAY 30, 2019

Moody’s trims 2019 growth forecast to 6% Story on B1 ++

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THURSDAY, MAY 30, 2019 HOUSE LEADERS SLAM VOTE-BUYING ALLEGATIONS:

‘Congressmen are not cheap’ HOUSE of Representatives leaders on Wednesday denied claims that votes were being bought in the race to become the next speaker, declaring that congressmen were “not for sale.�

Legislators are not “cheap in a sense that they have an integrity to maintain,� Majority Leader Fredenil Castro said in a television interview.

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It is time to have a debate on term limits “No one is that indispensable.� — George Will First word OBSERVER ASHINGYEN T O N MAKABENTA Post colUMNIST AND 0ULITZER 0RIZE WINNING author George Will wrote this withering argument for term limits that will make even our most entrenched ofkCIALS $RILON 3OTTO ,ACSON BLUSH

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Digong should look beyond Davao and San Beda

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H E IN MY LINE secOF SIGHT ond half of Presidet Digong’s term, or the next three years, will determine how he will be remembered in history.

RAMON T. TULFO

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Trusted since 1898

‘Try and get it’: Battle for Senate posts looms A

SCRAMBLE for prime legislative posts is shaping up in the Senate, with incumbents looking to hold OFF CHALLENGES FROM kRST timers, reelectionists and comebackers.

PH, Japan ink P288.9B in business deals

Committees likely to be the focus of leadership battles once the 18th Congress opens on July 22 include the Blue Ribbon, Justice, Education, Health and Public Services panels. “Well, they should try and get it if they can

BUSINESS deals worth nearly P300 billion were signed on Wednesday as President Rodrigo Duterte marked the start of a three-day visit to Japan.

The 26 agreements, worth a total of P288.8 billion and expected to result in the creation of 82,737 jobs, include: – A memorandum of cooperation on investment promotion activities between the Department of Trade and Industry and the Japan External Trade /RGANIZATION – A memorandum of understanding

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Go fish in troubled waters – Lorenzana

FILIPINO fishers should continue fishing in contested waters despite a ban announced by #HINA $EFENSE 3ECRETARY $ELkN ,ORENZANA SAID 4HE SUMMER kSHING BAN WHICH STARTED on May 1, covers the Bohai Sea, Yellow Sea, East China Sea and the South China Sea

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IN JAPAN

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

President Rodrigo Duterte waves upon his arrival at the Imperial Hotel where he attended a business forum on Wednesday.

With him were his partner Cielito AvanceĂąa and Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez.

What’s inside

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

`LANAO SUR POLLS MARRED

BY FRAUD’ POKEMON UNVEILS ‘SLEEP GAME’

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GLOBAL BUT ALIENATED PINOYS

PSHS boys in photo scandal barred from graduation rites SIX Philippine Science High School (PSHS) students embroiled in a photo scandal were not allowed to march during graduation rites on Wednesday after the school’s Board of Trustees

withdrew an earlier decision allowing them to join. “The PSHS Board decided not to allow the six students involved in the controversy to march at the graduation

ceremony,� the school said in statement issued on Tuesday.

PSHS Management and Disciplinary Committees had recommended that the

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Antonio ContrerasA4 GARY VALENCIANO HEADLINES ‘EVOLT’ DANCE FESTIVAL

WHO CARES ABOUT MAYWEATHER? – FORTUNE SportsC1

BEAUTIES VISIT

EntertainmentD2

Miss Philippines Earth 2019 candidates visited The Manila Times on Wednesday to discuss their advocacies that promote environmental awareness and protection. They are (from left) Angelica Banagan from the Filipino Community in Vancouver, Canada; Nicole Dianne Santos from Santo Domingo, Nueva Ecija; Mae Angela Miguel from Castillejos, Zambales; Danica Joy AcuĂąa from Romblon; Janelle Tee from Pasig City; and Janella Manuel from Valenzuela City. PHOTO BY RENE DILAN

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News

˜ The Manila Times THURSDAY May 30, 2019

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`Lanao Sur polls marred by massive fraud’

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BY WILLIAM B. DEPASUPIL

petition seeking to declare a failure of elections in Lanao del Sur province, including Marawi City, for alleged massive electoral fraud and voteBUYING WAS kLED BEFORE THE #OMMISSION on Elections (Comelec) by four losing gubernatorial candidates.

4HE PETITION WAS kLED ON 7EDNESday by Guiling “Gene� Mamondiong, Hatta Dimaporo, Agakhan “Binladen� Sharief and Sultan Bob Datimbang, all of whom ran for governor of Lanao del Sur against respondent and governor-elect Mamintal “Bombit� Adiong Jr. of the Lakas-CMD Party.

Mamondiong, the former director general of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority 4ESDA WAS THE OFkCIAL CANDIDATE of the administration party Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan. Dimaporo and Sharief ran as independents, while Datimbang ran under the WPP Party.

In their 13-page petition, the petitioners claimed that the elections in Lanao del Sur and Marawi City were “marred by massive fraud ranging from pre-shading of ballots for favored candidates before election time with the INCUMBENT MUNICIPAL OFkCIALS AS the prime instigators, substitution of voters, ‘shading’ of ballots by just few persons with the BEIs

(Board of Election Inspectors) as unwilling conspirators, violence to vote-buying. “It was the worst election in the history of Lanao del Sur. They made a mockery of the elections,�

Sultan Panundatoon Bagul, the petitioners’ spokesman, said. Bagul also lost in his mayoralty bid in the municipality of Maguing.

The petition seeks to suspend the effects of the proclamation of the respondent as governor-elect, declare a failure of elections and schedule the holding of a special elections within the allowable period provided by the law.

The four losing gubernatorial candidates claimed that the “shading� of ballots for favored candidates was also exposed on social media, but those who posted phoTOS AND AFkDAVITS OF PERSONS WHO witnessed the alleged irregularities DID NOT WANT TO BE IDENTIkED According to the petitioners, there was massive vote-buying in different municipalities of Lanao del Sur and Marawi City, while the

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte’s plan to visit the United States might still push through before his term ends, according to Defense 3ECRETARY $ELkN ,ORENZANA “I think the plan is still there.

It is not being let go and I think he said that maybe towards the end of his term, he might go there ;IN THE 53= u ,ORENZANA SAID IN A television interview late Tuesday.

The Defense chief said Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose -ANUEL 2OMUALDEZ HAD BEEN “egging� the President to visit Washington.

Duterte has visited China four times and he is on his second VISIT TO *APAN &OR ,ORENZANA THE number of visits to Beijing and Tokyo were reasonable since both

Q DEALS FROM A1 Q Supporters of former Tesda chief Guiling Mamondiong led by Sultan Pundatoon Bagui (center) hold photos reportedly taken during the commission of fraud during the elections on May 13 in Lanao del Sur.

PH, Japan

PHOTO BY ENRIQUE AGCAOILI

(MoU) between the EMS Group, Tescom Denki Co. Ltd. and Outsourcing Inc. for skills training and human resource development and deployment – An MoU between Advanced World Systems Inc. Alsons/AWS Information Systems Inc. and Ubicom Holdings Inc. on the outsourcing of software development, testing and maintenance projects – A joint venture agreement between the Bases Conversion and Development Authority and the Meralco Marubeni Consortium for the financing, design, engineering, construction, development, and operation and maintenance of New Clark City’s electric power distribution system – An MoU between Asia Defense and Armament Corp., Kenko 4OKINA #O ,TD AND $IVERSIkED %COZONE #ORP FOR A FACILITY THAT WILL SUPPLY CUSTOMIZED EQUIPment for the Philippine military – A letter of intent (LoI) from Tokyo Gas, creating for an interISLAND LIQUEkED NATURAL GAS DISTRIbution network – Another LoI from Japan Marine United Corp. and Marubeni Corp. for the development of the Philippines’ maritime safety capability by providing maritime expertise, including but not limited to the design and construction of ships.

Japan also provided 17 LoIs to the Department of Trade and )NDUSTRY COVERING MULTIPLE kELDS such as motoring, infrastructure, wiring harnesses and related products, and manufacturing, among others.

Duterte, who is in Japan for Friday’s 25th Nikkei Conference on the Future of Asia, said the business deals were “a vote of

“preshading� of ballots was done before the elections. “Several months before the May 13, 2019 elections, respondent and his team, provincially known as ‘Team Adiong,’ ventured into votebuying under the scheme known as ‘3 in 1,’ where at a price of more or less P6,000, a voter has to vote for Mamintal A. Adiong Jr. for governor, his son Mujam Adiong for vice governor and his brother Ansarrudin ‘Hooky’ Adiong for CONGRESSMAN IN THE kRST LEGISLATIVE district of Lanao del Sur, or for his mayoralty candidate in case of a municipality,� they said.

They added that incumbent VILLAGE OFkCIALS AND MEMBERS OF

the Philippine National Police, who were not allowed inside polling places except to vote, were allowed to stay for several hours and assisted voters. However, their OFkCIAL WATCHERS WERE BARRED FROM entering polling centers by known supporters of the respondent, including members of the PNP and VILLAGE OFkCIALS “Moneyed candidates, like herein respondent and his cohorts, who have all the means and resources at their disposal before, during and after the elections were the undoubted yet indispensable authors/parties of these massive electoral fraud and irregularities,� the petitioners said.

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Go fish in troubled (West Philippine Sea), where Beijing has territorial disputes with the Philippines and other countries. “I don’t think [the ban] covers us because we ALSO CLAIM THE AREAw u ,ORENZANA SAID ON 4UESDAY g;7=E HAVE NO BAN ON OUR kSHERMEN GOING THERE MAYBE FOR ;#HINA= THEY ARE BANNING THEIR kSHERmen,� he added.

4HE PROHIBITION ,ORENZANA SAID MIGHT HAVE BEEN ORDERED BY "EIJING TO ALLOW kSH STOCKS AND OTHER maritime resources to recover “because they have BEEN kSHING HEAVILY IN THOSE AREAS u Amid China’s continued build-up of its presence IN DISPUTED WATERS ,ORENZANA ALSO STRESSED THAT there was an agreement not to occupy more areas in the South China Sea, particularly in the Spratlys, where nine islands, shoals and reefs are occupied by the Philippines.

China in recent years has taken over Subi (Zamora) Reef, Mischief (Panganiban) Reef and Fiery Cross (Kagitingan) Reef, which were formerly held by the Philippines.

President Rodrigo Duterte, who has made an effort to woo Beijing, has said he could do nothing against the incursions. He recently threatened “suicide attacks,� however, following reports of an increased Chinese presence near Philippine-held Pag-asa (Thitu) Island.

DEMPSEY REYES

Duterte may visit US – Lorenzana

HAIR BE GONE

A Marine personnel gives a reservist a haircut during the health and wellness fair held on Wednesday in Taguig City. PHOTO BY DJ DIOSINA

get it,� incumbent Blue Ribbon Chairman Sen. Richard Gordon said.

Sen. Mary Grace Poe, who won a fresh six-year mandate in the May 13 elections, and freshman Sen. Francis Tolentino were reportedly interested in Gordon’s committee.

Poe quipped that because she was an independent, it would be best if she got the Blue Ribbon panel.

Senate President Vicente Sotto 3rd, who is expected to also face a challenge from legislators backed by the government during the recent elections, on Wednesday acknowledged the problem of apportioning com-

mittee chairmanships.

Noting that the incumbents — those elected to six-year terms in 2016 — “had a chance to be elected to the different committees that they [currently] handle,� Sotto said, “there is a tradition in the Senate that we call the equity of the incumbent in choosing the [committee] chairmanships.�

On the other hand, he added, “There are new senators and some comebacking senators‌ there were five reelectionists that won and most of them have their own committees already when they were there as incumbents from the 17th Congress.â€? “Now, we must practice what

we call a consensus-building or the art of compromise because the newcomers would want some major committees and most of these major committees are being handled by incumbent senators. That is where the problem lies,� Sotto continued. “We have to talk to those who would be willing to forego their committees and offer another committee. That’s how it works.

It’s not an easy job and it is not left to the discretion of the Senate president, contrary to what others [have] said. It is always the members of the majority that vote for the chairman.�

Aside from Gordon and Sotto, the other incumbents are Franklin Drilon, Sherwin Gatchalian, Ana Theresia Hontiveros, Panfilo Lacson, Leila de Lima, Emmanuel Pacquiao, Francis Pangilinan, Ralph Recto,

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cates of completion. “All six students have to comply with additional requirements that are part of the sanctions given to them,� the school said.

Weighing in on the issue, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Wednesday called FOR gA MORE DEkNED CHILD PROtection policy.�

Citing Article 3 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, the

CHR said, “In all actions concerning children, whether undertaken by public or private social welfare institutions, courts of law, administrative authorities or legislative bodies, the best interests of the child shall be a primary consideration.� “For this case, this means that school officials must be reminded that in carrying our sanctions, the children’s present and future life — their general

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‘Try and get it’

PSHS boys male students not be allowed to graduate for sharing lewd photos of their classmates.

The board, however, initially rejected the recommendation and only reconsidered after a public outcry.

Three of the students will still receive their diplomas AND THE REST WILL GET CERTIk-

nations “are near� the Philippines.

The Defense chief admitted that there was a decrease on the joint exercises with Washington, especially at the South China Sea (West Philippine Sea) amid Duterte’s approach of a “friendly� relationship with Beijing.

(OWEVER ,ORENZANA A FORMER Defense attachĂŠ in Washington, said there was an increase of joint land drills when it comes to humanitarian assistance and disaster response.

Duterte previously said he would not visit the US. However, some Cabinet ofkCIALS INCLUDING ,ORENZANA AND National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr., had visited the 53 FOR OFkCIAL PURPOSES DEMPSEY REYES

ECONOMIC CONkDENCE IN THE 0HILippines’ bright prospects.� “The Philippines is a natural choice for Japanese companies looking for the manufacturing base in Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations), and aiming to serve the export markets of Asean, EU (European Union) and the Americas, among others.

These markets have preferential tariff arrangements with the Philippines,� he added. “Beyond manufacturing, the Philippines is also an ideal base for high-value Knowledge Process Outsourcing ventures to support the global operations of Japanese companies,� Duterte continued.

He assured Japanese investors of a competitive and corruptionfree business environment, and highlighted a recent Standard & Poor’s ratings upgrade. “[A]t any hour of the day or night, you can contact any of the Cabinet members or your Filipino lawyers or Filipino workers, and you can ask an audience with me in 24 hours and I will talk to you, and just let me know what your problem is and we will kill that problem,� he declared. “Well, sort of. But as I am committed to do this, I place honor and my persona that what I guarantee here must be followed,�

Duterte added.

The President underscored the importance of Japan to the Philippines, as it is a major source of foreign direct investments and a key trading partner.

The 2006 Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement is currently being reviewed for possible upgrades that would BENEkT BOTH COUNTRIES HE NOTED Duterte also made a pitch for the Japanese participation in his government’s Build Build Build infrastructure program.

RALPH U. VILLANUEVA

Emmanuel Joel Villanueva and Juan Miguel Zubiri.

Joining Poe among those reelected, meanwhile, are Juan Edgardo Angara, Maria Lourdes Nancy Binay, Aquilino Pimentel 3rd and Cynthia Villar.

Making their Senate comebacks are Pilar Juliana Cayetano, Manuel Lapid and Ramon ReVILLA *R WHILE THE kRST TIMERS are Tolentino, Christopher Lawrence Go, Maria Imelda Josefa Marcos and Ronald dela Rosa.

With the exception of Poe, Binay and Lapid, all incoming senators were backed by the administration-linked Hugpong ng Pagbabago party, which is expected to lead a challenge for the top Senate posts.

Cayetano and Gatchalian are both eyeing the Education committee chairmanship, Go is interested in leading the Health

panel, while Lacson has already said he would be giving the Public Order and Dangerous Drugs Committee to dela Rosa.

Poe, who is willing to give up the Public Services Committee if offered the Blue Ribbon panel, said she would “not insist‌ out of respect to Sen. Gordon.â€?

She also acknowledged the possibility of Sotto’s ouster, raising the prospect of both of them joining the minority bloc. “Sa tingin ko kapag pinalitan talaga si Sen. Sotto, may banta talaga na may mga iba na hindi sasanib doon sa mayorya. Kung lilipat si Sen. Sotto sa minority, sasama na lang ako (I think that if Sen. Sotto is replaced, there is a real threat that some of us will not join the majority. If Sotto moves to the minority, I will join him there.),� Poe said.

BERNADETTE E. TAMAYO

welfare, safety and development — must always be put in mind,� it added.

Vice President Maria Leonor Robredo also took a stand, urging the public to call out disrespectful behavior against women and ensuring punishment for violators. “Perhaps we should not be surprised that even in a community of our nation’s brightest young minds, the poor treatment of women, at the hands

of even those they trusted as intimates or friends, persists.

The problem, after all, is not one of intelligence, but of culture,� she said. “We must make the conscious, if difficult, choice to change that culture. And that begins with calling out behavior that is disrespectful and abusive to women, and ensuring that it is appropriately sanctioned.�

GLEE JALEA AND ARIC JOHN SY CUA

News Senate OKs PH-Indonesia EEZ pact T ˜ The Manila Times

THURSDAY May 30, 2019

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BY JAVIER JOE ISMAEL

HE Senate, as a treaty-ratifying body, on Tuesday approved on second reading an agreement on the division of the overlapping Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of the Philippines and Indonesia.

Sen. Loren Legarda, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, sponsored the “Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Philippines and the Government of the Republic of Indonesia Concerning the Delimitation of

the Exclusive Economic Zone Boundary.�

Legarda said under Article 74 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos), the delimitation or division of the overlapping EEZ of opposite states should be settled

by an agreement on the basis of international law.

The Philippines and Indonesia have overlapping EEZs in Mindanao Sea and Celebes Sea and in the southern section of the PhilIPPINE 3EA IN THE 0ACIkC /CEAN The two countries held a series of negotiations to delimit their overlapping EEZs. After more than 20 years, the Philippines and Indonesia reached an equitable solution and agreed on a single EEZ boundary line to delimit the overlapping EEZs. Both countries acknowledged that extensive overlapping claims

forestalled development while maritime boundaries remained unsettled, Legarda said.

She stressed that the conclusion of the agreement attested to the friendship, patience, goodwill and political commitment of both governments to peacefully address maritime issues.

The lawmaker pointed out that the agreement institutionalizes the principles applied by the Philippines and Indonesia in delimiting overlapping EEZs based on international law.

The EEZ boundary was agreed through a rules-based negotia-

tion for a peaceful solution of maritime disputes.

The Department of Justice, Department of Agriculture, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Transportation, Department of National Defense, and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources were consulted and CONCURRED IN THE RATIkCATION AND concurrence of the agreement. g4HIS TREATY WILL BENEkT BOTH countries, economically and politically. A clearly defined maritime boundary between the Philippines and Indonesia will

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promote more cooperation in the EEZ in order to advance the common interest of managing and preserving the resources in the EEZ. Through this, we will strengthen maritime security cooperation with Indonesia, which will also benefit the region,�

Legarda said. “This agreement is a significant contribution to the best practices and efforts towards building a peaceful regional community, which we are all aiming for as one Association of Southeast Asian Nations,� the senator added.

Hike teachers’ pay, Bong Go urged ACT Teachers Rep. Antonio Tinio challenged senator-elect Christopher Lawrence “Bong� Go and President Rodrigo Duterte to make good on their promise to increase the pay of teachers. “Si Senator-elect Bong Go, nung siya ay prino claim sa Comelec, binanggit daw niya na priority niya bilang senador ay taasan ang sweldo ng mga guro. So hinahamon namin si Senator[-elect] Bong Go (When he was proclaimed senator, he reportedly said that his priority was to raise teachers’ pay. So we challenge Senator[-elect]Bong Go),� Tinio said in a press briefing on Wednesday . “Na-elect ka bilang (You were

elected) senator on the basis of your closeness to the President, so hinahamon namin na pangatawanan na ng Pangulo at ni Senator[-elect] Bong Go ang pangako na kNALLY ay bibigyan ng disenteng sweldo ang mga guro ( we challenge the President and senator[-elect] Bong Go to make good on the promise that teachERS WILL kNALLY BE GIVEN A DECENT salary),� he added.

Tinio said a policeman’s salary is P30,000 a month, but a teacher gets only P20,000 a month. “So ang panawagan namin, tuparin ang pangako (So our call is FOR THEM TO FULkLL THEIR PROMISE u the lawmaker added.

REINA C. TOLENTINO

NEDA: EL NIÑO AFFECTED GDP THE country’s growth slowed a bit IN THE kRST SEMESTER OF BECAUSE of the effects of El Niùo, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) said on Wednesday.

NEDA Undersecretary Adoracion Navarro said the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) dipped by 0.21 percentage point because of the drought and dry spell that hit several provinces. “The impact of El NiĂąo on GDP, based on the estimate of NEDA, WE WILL HAVE A REDUCTION IN THE kRST semester of 2019 growth of around 0.21 percentage points. This is the estimate,â€? Navarro said. “With respect to El Nino, we are implementing interventions and we ARE kNDING SOURCES FOR THOSE WHICH are not funded right now in the agency’s regular budgets. “If we can really implement these INTERVENTIONS WE ARE CONkDENT THAT we will be within the 6- to 7-percent GDP growth range,â€? she added.

El NiĂąo also greatly affected staPLE FOOD HIGH VALUE CROPS kSHES and livestock, the Department of

Agriculture (DA) said.

DA Undersecretary Ariel Cayanan told reporters that the rice sector suffered P40.4 million in production losses across 144,202 hectares.

The value of corn also took a massive hit at P3.89 billion across 133.07 hectares.

Cash crops, or assorted vegetables, were also affected, as well as fruits like lansones, rambutan, watermelon and pineapple.

Fisheries in Ilocos Norte, La Union, Zamboanga, Lanao del .ORTE AND -ISAMIS /RIENTAL ALSO took a hit.

Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration Deputy Administrator Flaviana Hilario said there was a chance that the El NiĂąo phenomenon would be felt until the end of the year.

Hilario said in April, 41 provinces were under drought condition and 23 provinces were under a dry spell. These numbers went down to 40 and 6, respectively, in May. RALPH U. VILLANUEVA

HE’S IN

Supreme Court Associate Justice Henry Paul Inting (left) takes his oath of office before Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin. Inting completes the 15-man tribunal. PHOTO BY ENRIQUE AGCAOILI

June 5 declared regular holiday PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has declared June 5, Wednesday, as a regular holiday nationwide in observance of Eid’l Fitr.

Duterte, through Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, signed proclamation 729

on Tuesday, a copy of which was given to members of the media a day after. “The entire Filipino nation should have the full opportunity to join their Muslim brothers and sisters in peace and

harmony in the observance and celebration of Eid’l Fitr,� the proclamation read.

Eid’l Fitr, a major Islam festival, marks the end of Ramadan.

RALPH EDWIN U. VILLANUEVA

Customs’ ‘payola’ system continues – Lacson SEN. Panfilo Lacson on Wednesday said the so-called “tara� or payola system still existed at the Bureau of Customs (BoC).

The senator, chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs, delivered a privilege speech to assail the “continued massive corruption at the BoC.� “Much to my dismay, I was informed just recently that the tara system has not been, by any chance, suppressed. Worse, for many Customs officials, it remains business as usual,� Lacson said. “As per my sources inside the BoC, as well as those regularly transacting business with the agency, Customs Commissioner, retired CSAFP (chief Armed Forces of the Philippines) Gen. Rey Leonardo Guerrero has remained

untainted by corruption, at least as of this date and as far as this representation is concerned,� he said. “But, while he has reportedly managed to maintain his integrity intact, his leadership is challenged by his apparent failure to exact the same level of honesty and integrity from his subordinates, which [is what] true and real leadership is all about.�

The senator said various departments continue to receive tara per container supposedly distributed as follows: For the Office of the Commissioner (Ocom), an average of P5,000 per container, plus 10 percent of the collections of each section/office directly under Ocom; P3,000 for the Intelligence Group; P1,000 to P2,000 for the Enforcement Group; P3,000 for the Risk Management Office; and P2,000 to P3,000 for the Import and

Assessment Service. “Kung kani-kanino napupunta ang nasabing mga tara for his office or the Office of the Commissioner (This tara ends up in someone’s pockets or the Ocom).

I will leave it to Gen. Guerrero to investigate and find out,� he said. “The MICP (Manila International Container Port) and POM (Port of Manila) District Offices receive P3,000 per container. Each container with alert order may be charged as high as P50,000. Holy cow!� he added. “With the average of 2,000 and 7,000 containers transacted for release every week at both the Port of Manila and MICP, imagine how much tara goes to the pockets of these insatiably corrupt Customs officials.�

BERNADETTE E. TAMAYO

DEFER PASSAGE OF SIN TAX MEASURE – RECTO

SENATE President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto on Wednesday called for the deferment of the passage of Senate Bill 2233 that seeks to increase the excise tax on tobacco PRODUCTS WHICH HAS BEEN CERTIkED urgent by President Rodrigo Duterte.

Recto said although the reason for raising tobacco tax was laudable, lawmakers should be given ample time to deliberate on the measure.

“We should not rush the passage of this measure, as the public will end up shouldering the cost,� he said.

Recto added that the newly proclaimed senators should also be given the chance to bare their stand on the measure. /N 7EDNESDAY 2ECTO MET WITH OFkCIALS AND TECHNICAL STAFF OF THE Department of Finance, Department of Health and the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. to discuss

Senate Bill 2233 that proposes to increase the excise tax on tobacco products.

The senator asked the two government agencies for additional data detailing the total sin tax collection, the breakdown on how it will be spent and the total cost of implementing the Universal Health Care Law. Meanwhile, lobbyists called on Sen. Richard Gordon not to par-

ticipate in the deliberations of the bill that aims to increase tobacco excise tax.

Members of the Sin Tax Coalition said Gordon should inhibit himself after admitting that the Philippine Red Cross, which he heads, had been accepting money from the tobacco industry. “The secretary general of the Red Cross and I had quarrels over how to use the money from the

tobacco companies. I said, I’m not going to advertise them, but I’ll get the money. Why can’t we use it to help people out? I’m sure I’m being wrong there, but I’m being practical,� Gordon said during Tuesday’s plenary session.

Arjay Mercado of the Sin Tax Coalition said Gordon’s statement was a clear admission of an apPARENT CONlICT OF INTEREST THUS HE should no longer be involved in

the deliberations on the measure. g)T WOULD BE FOR THE BENEkT OF everyone if he no longer involves himself in the deliberations on the measure,� Mercado said.

Senate Bill 2233 proposes to raise the tax on cigarettes to P45 per pack by 2020, P50 in 2021, P55 in 2022, and P60 in 2023, with 5 percent annual increase thereafter. Â JAVIER JOE ISMAEL AND Â NEIL JAYSON N. SERVALLOS

NAPOLCOM HONORS TROOPS WHO FOUGHT IN MARAWIÂ THE National Police Commission (Napolcom) has conferred the Medalya ng Kabayanihan (Distinguished Conduct Medal) on five police officials who fought lawless elements during the Marawi City siege in 2017.

Robelio Casurao, Napolcom vice chairman and executive officer, also confirmed on Wednesday the special promotion of 57 police personnel for their “meritorious performance� when the Islamic State-inspired Maute

group, along with some members of the Abu Sayyaf Group, attacked Marawi City on May 23, 2017.

The Napolcom approved the resolution, dated April 24, conferring the Medalya ng Kabayanihan on Lt. Col. Rex Arvin Malimban, Lt. Col. Lambert Suerte, Lt. Col. Jack Echman Angog, Lt. Col. Mario Mayames and Lt. Col. Ledon Monte.  This was “in recognition of their conspicuous courage and

gallantry in the face of armed enemies, where they performed the most crucial role as leaders and commanders� of troopers of the Special Action Force during the Marawi City siege.

The Commission also approved a resolution, dated May 2, confirming the special promotion of the 57 police personnel, as recommended by Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Oscar Albayalde for the grant of meritorious promotion.

 “The police contingents were able to gain ground in every target given during the offensive and the ensuing building clearing operations,� Casurao said in a statement.  “ The courage displayed by t h e s e va l i a nt p o l i ce o f f i ce r s earned for themselves not only the admiration of the members of the PNP, but also of the people they had sworn to serve,� he added.

Casurao said qualified chil-

d re n o f t h e awa rd e e s o f t h e Distinguished Conduct Medal would be granted educational scholarship under the Reward Education Assistance Program of the PNP. Police officers who exhibited gallantry at the risk of their lives shall be promoted to the next higher rank under Republic Act 6975 or the “Department of the Interior and Local Government Act of 1990.�

DEMPSEY REYES

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Opinion

THURSDAY May 30, 2019

˜ The Manila Times

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E d i to r i a l Meralco is not above the law

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E find it rather astonishing that Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi has had to “urge� electricity distributor Meralco to comply with an order of the Supreme Court, but that apparently is the case, based on comments made separately by the energy chief and the utility giant on Tuesday.

Cusi was referring to a May 3 ruling by the Supreme Court that power supply agreements (PSAs) made after June 30, 2015 between generation companies and distribution utilities must be subjected to the competitive selection process (CSP). The high court’s decision overturned resolutions made in October 2015 and March 2016 by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) that delayed the implementation of the CSP program.

The CSP framework was developed to improve transparency of the process by which PSAs are created, and ensure that electricity is being purchased and sold to consumers at a fair price. It was an uncharacteristically consumer-friendly decision on the ERC’s part at the time, but the agency did not shake its reputation for being at the behest of the energy industry for long: Almost immediately after implementing the CSP program, the ERC delayed it, accepting the argument from Meralco and other distributors that the new rule would be an obstacle to their securing supply contracts.

That argument failed to convince anyone but the ERC, and resulted in the matter being raised to the Supreme Court, which evidently was equally unimpressed. Not only DID THE HIGH COURT kND THE #30 LEGALLY SOUND IT ISSUED what amounted to an implied condemnation of the ERC’s subservience to Meralco and other big players in the energy sector by describing the resolutions postponing the CSP implementation as “grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack or excess of jurisdiction.�

The matter should have ended there, but incredibly, Meralco still seems determined to be allowed to follow its own rules. During Meralco’s annual stockholders’ meeting on Tuesday, Meralco CEO and President Ray Espinosa issued what could be construed as a thinly veiled threat of electricity shortages if the company is compelled to abide by the law.

Although Meralco would comply with the Supreme Court ruling, Espinosa said, doing so might delay the construction of the 1,200-megawatt power plant in Atimonan, Quezon, which is badly needed to bolster power supply for Luzon.

Under the law, the PSA between Meralco and Atimonan One Energy will of course be subjected to the CSP. Atimonan One Energy is a wholly owned subsidiary of MGen, which in turn is the power generation business of Meralco. Since it is highly unlikely that any other power supplier than Atimonan One could offer a more competitively priced deal to Meralco in what amounts to a PSA with itself, one must genuinely wonder what possible delay could arise from Meralco’s following the rules.

Espinosa further reinforced suspicions that the company is DESPERATELY TRYING TO kND WAYS TO AVOID THE #30 IN SPITE OF A kRM ruling by the Supreme Court by qualifying Meralco’s compliance. Rather than positively stating that Meralco would adhere to the CSP program, Espinosa said that the company would act “once things become clearer� regarding the CSP. The only thing that needs to become clearer to Meralco is that its position as the largest public utility in the country does not exempt it from abiding by the law. Consumers who continue to bear the brunt of some of the highest energy costs in Asia are entitled to the guarantee that those costs are at least the outcome of ethical, competitively priced supply agreements. Meralco’s comments on the recent ruling indicate a lack of appreciation of the importance of the public interest, a faulty perspective that must be challenged and corrected. ~

THURSDAY May 30, 2019

The Manila Times

VOLUME 120 NUMBER 229

DANTE A. ANG, Chairman Emeritus RENE Q. BAS, Publisher Emeritus NERILYN A. TENORIO, Publisher-Editor ARNOLD E. BELLEZA, Executive Editor LEENA C. CHUA, News Editor LYNETTE O. LUNA, National Editor TESSA MAURICIO-ARRIOLA, Lifestyle Editor PERRY GIL S. MALLARI, Sports Editor DINO RAY V. DIRECTO 3RD, Motoring Editor CONRAD M. CARIĂ‘O, Special Sections Editor LEA MANTO-BELTRAN, Supplements Editor ALVIN I. DACANAY, Assistant Business Editor MARIO F. FETALINO, Assistant Business Editor REMIA B. EUGENIO, Deskman (Regions) MARISHELLE R. MEDINA, Deskman 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.

T

Global but alienated Pinoys

HE Filipino diaspora scattered us to many places in the world. We leave our homeland to serve. We sweat and toil in the sands of the Middle East, buildING VAST kNANCIAL EMPIRES DRAWN from oil. We rock the cradle of the children of the world’s richest, from the Sheik in Saudi Arabia, to the Sultan in Brunei, to the banker in Singapore. We have a daily exodus of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) leaving through our airports, of mothers bidding farewell to children they have to leave behind to assure their future.

ON THE CONTRARY ANTONIO CONTRERAS The irony is never lost on the attentive. Women leave their babies to the care of their mothers to take care of the babies of other mothers.

And we bring our songs and our dreams not only to sing lullabyes to foreign babies, but to bring joy and pleasure to their adults. Our entertainers are everywhere, singing in posh cruise

ships, performing in ritzy hotel bars, and yes, in brothels in Europe, Southeast Asia and Japan.

All in the name of loving the family, and of loving the homeland. Remittances from OFWs are A RELIABLE SOURCE OF CASH INlOW FOR our economy. But for the OFW, it is a means to survive the hardships of life which their families face. It means funds to school the children, matriculate siblings, and maintain the health of the sickly elderly and the frail young.

We celebrate the OFW as modern-day heroes. They are

always on hardship assignments.

Many of them are exposed not only to the extreme heat of the Arabian desert or the biting cold and giant waves of the Arctic Sea. Others face the risk of abusive employers and the men who rape or sexually molest them.

But the Filipino diaspora is not just about OFWs who are on a tour of duty away from the homeland.

Eventually they will come home.

The other kinds of global Pinoys are those who have emigrated to other countries, those who for

ÂłContrerasA5

Q MAKABENTA FROM A1

It is time to have a debate on term limits Will issued the opinion in 2008 when Michael Bloomberg, the108th mayor of New York City, thinking himself indispensable to the city, decided to seek the revision of a New York City law, which limited mayors to two terms.

Bloomberg and term limits The law had been enacted by REFERENDUM AND THEN REAFkRMED by a second referendum.

Bloomberg thought the law an intolerable impediment to his continuing as mayor for another four years in what he called “tough times.� But the times were always in some ways tough also for each of Bloomberg’s 107 predecessors.

Will wrote: “Advocates of term limits argue neither that political talent is irrelevant nor that it is ubiquitous.

Rather, they argue that talent is NOT SO SCARCE THAT THE BENEkTS OF ROTATION IN OFkCE MUST BE SACRIkCED IN ORDER TO PROLONG INDEkNITELY A TALENTED PERSON S TENURE IN OFkCE !ND THEY ARGUE THAT THE BENEkTS of churning the talent pool exceed the costs of limiting tenures.

"Bloomberg’s supporters say term limits are undemocratic — but also that the City Council should alter the limits (which apply to council members) by statute rather than submit the change to a public referendum.�

Bloomberg’s rewriting scheme did not prosper. Term limits are still alive and well in NYC today.

Bloomberg just returned to his pastime as billionaire owner of Bloomberg News.

Elsewhere in the US, the New York Times has reported that 37 governors, 15 state legislatures and 9 of the 10 most populous cities have term limits, which remain popular with the people who imposed them. Recent ballot initiatives to alter them, including one in California, have failed.

George Will is also an ardent advocate of legislative term limits. He published the book Restoration, Congress, Term Limits, and the Recovery of Deliberative Democracy (New York, 1992) to make his case.

Will says that some of the ar-

guments against term limits are more amusing than sound.

They say that political novices are too susceptible to the wiles of lobbyists, and that term-limited legislators, worrying too much about their next jobs and too little about their current ones, are constantly in campaign mode, thinking of the next election rather than the next generation.

They also argue that novices are only capable of small-bore projects and legislation, and that it takes veteran and senior legislators to fashion legislation and policymaking that will impact the future.

The strongest argument for term limits is the fact both in the US and in the Philippines, Congress is a very unpopular and hardly respected institution. In both countries, citizens are talking about throwing the rascals out.

Even so, politician persist in trying to revise the term limits law without seeking the permission of the public that enacted it. This in itself, says Will, is a POWERFUL INDEED SUFkCIENT ARGUment for term limits.

Revision by sophistry In our case, the political class, the Supreme Court and the Commission on Elections (Comelec) have combined to emasculate the termlimit provisions of the Constitution by sophistry, i.e. through a tortured reading of the Constitution.

They have pounced on the word “consecutive� to pervert the meaning of the term-limit provision to allow almost lifetime tenure for senators, as though they are like justices of the Supreme Court.

The SC ruling in Socrates v.

Comelec and a legal opinion by the Comelec legal department have become the dubious standard for this deceptive attempt to avoid the term limits.

Many senators are today serving patently illegal terms without being formally challenged, because of the assumption that any court challenge of their election will be summarily dismissed owing to the SC ruling and Comelec decision.

Consequently, there is an acute and compelling need for a full resolution of this conundrum.

debate. They will have an opinion one way or the other, the moment This situation has happened because you explain the issue to them. there has never been a serious deIn this debate, we should hear bate on term limits in this country. the opponents of term limits in the There was no public debate Senate, the House, the high court, when the 1986 Constitutional and the Comelec on their case for Commission deliberated and vitiating the constitutional term passed the term-limit provisions limits in the way they have. of the 1987 Constitution.

We should hear from the living There were no public discus- members of the 1986 Concom sions of term limits when the whose hedging has served as fuel people were asked to ratify the for the perverted interpretation new Charter on Feb. 2, 1987. of the Constitution.

4HAT DAY THE #HARTER WAS RATIkED We should hear the overstayand went into effect, when some ing or termed-out senators argue 16 million Filipinos voted “yes� with a straight face on how indisto the new Constitution. pensable they are to the work of There was also no public dis- the Senate and the House. cussion of the interpretation of We should hear Senior Justice term limits that the Supreme Antonio Carpio defend his poCourt and Comelec were secretly nencia in Socrates v. Comelec , cooking away from public view. and explain why he personally There was no attempt whatso- opposes term limits. ever to submit to the people the We should hear the Comelec pretzelized interpretation of term legal department defend its dilimits by the SC and the Comelec. sastrous opinion on term limits.

Consequently, termed-out We should hear our legal comsenators have run with abandon munity speak out on this issue. for extra terms in Congress, withWe should hear the Philipout getting their hands slapped. pine Constitution Association Some are now even enjoying their 0HILCONSA AS IT kNALLY BREAKS fourth terms in the Senate. its incomprehensible silence on These jokers even have the the issue. hypocrisy to reproach others for And we should hear the clasbetrayal of public trust. sical, legal, political, civic, and real-world arguments on term A debate for the ages limits fully ventilated in public, so the court of public opinion It is in this light that I say it is time can pass judgment.

FOR THE NATION TO kNALLY DEBATE THE issue of term limits, so that the No more Trillanes people can at last be heard.

We could model this debate This will be a debate for the ages. after France’s recent “Great NaWe will hear politicians argue tional Debate,� which took place frankly about how indispensable over a period of three months THEY ARE TO THE OFkCES THEY SERVE this year to consult the French We can evaluate patiently the people on major national issues argument of one reader, who tells that had divided the nation. The me that what the Constitution debate led to 10,000 local meet- decrees is not a “term limitation,� ings, around 2 million online but a “prohibition to serve.� contributions and 100 hours of Who will be the Filipino senapresidential talking. tor who will have the courage The debate was launched by of conviction to say that he is President Emmanuel Macron as a “indispensable�? response to protests by “yellow vest�

Antonio Trillanes 4th might demonstrators over living standards. have the gumption, of course, but The term limits issue is similarly he will no longer be in the Senate such an issue for our people and starting June 30. our nation. All citizens will want to take part the moment we open this yenmakabenta@yahoo.com

No debate on term limits

˜ The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

THURSDAY May 30, 2019

Opinion

A5

Q TULFO FROM A1

Architecture of tall buildings Digong should look beyond Davao and San Beda and vertical urbanism I

Therefore, he should be open to advice from well-meaning, well-informed and patriotic citizens aside from his present crop of advisers that has done a mediocre job in the first half of his six-year term.

Mediocrity is even a kind description of the people close to him.

(What about nincompoopery?)

It seems that the President’s close advisers don’t tell him the bad news, only feeding him good reports or only those that will elate him.

But a leader should be told the bad news alongside the good ones so he can make proper decisions.

If I may suggest, as his close friend and concerned citizen, the President should now dispense with some Cabinet members and bureau directors to whom he owed favors during the presidential campaign as they seem complacent in their jobs.

Again, complacency is a kind word.

(What about crookedness?)

If I may further suggest, Mr. Duterte may want to tap experts who had served sincerely and honestly as Cabinet members or bureau directors in previous administrations.

The administrations of Fidel V. Ramos, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and even Joseph “Erap�

Estrada had some excellent Cabinet members.

Erap, even if he was always drunk during his watch, had the best Cabinet among all the presidents after Ferdinand Marcos, according to objective governmentwatchers I’ve talked with.

It was Erap who caused his own downfall, not his Cabinet.

Digong’s close advisers are mostly from Davao and from his law school, San Beda College.

Of course, there are a few exceptions: Teodoro “Teddy Boy� Locsin Jr. of Foreign Affairs; Ramon Lopez of Trade and Industry and Menardo Guevarra of Justice, among others. They are doing an excellent job in their respective turfs.

The President may want to consider bringing into his Cabinet brilliant minds from the business world and other sectors.

D i g o n g wa s g i ve n a n e w mandate by the people in the recently concluded midterm polls by electing most of his senatorial candidates.

DU30 will be loved even more if he appointed into his

Cabinet people identified with the Opposition but who are very intelligent, capable and honest.

That gesture would make him a noble leader who is magnanimous in victory.

That gesture would squelch speculations that Digong is a spiteful and vindictive leader, which he definitely is not.

I know whereof I speak because I know Digong up close and personal. *** I received with great joy on Wednesday, May 22, the news that the deportation order on my ward, Raymond Edward Smith, had been lifted by the Bureau of Immigration.

Smith was detained at the immigration jail when he wrote me a moving letter asking me to spring him since, he said, he hadn’t committed any crime in the country.

Smith, a book publisher webmaster from England, was charged with adultery (concubinage in our legal terminology) by his wife, Jinky Talon, from Samar with whom he has two children aged 8 and 11.

Since I’m an adulterer myself

(ha!ha!) I readily sympathized with Smith and asked the Immigration bureau to hand him over to me on recognizance while he faces a court trial.

Why should a man charged with infidelity — granting he was indeed unfaithful to his wife — suffer the extreme discomfort of a “hellhole,� which is how Smith describes the immigration jail?

By all means the wife could charge him in court with concubinage, but why have him deported when he has children here who need his fatherly love?

After all, send me a Filipino man who tells you that he has not once been unfaithful to his wife and I’ll tell you the guy is a liar.

So, Jinky, I’m sorry to take the cudgels for Smith but you can talk things over with him.After all, you’re legally married to him.

I understand, though, that the reason you want him deported is because you want to get all his wealth.

And to the so-called women activists, particularly the Gabriela party-list group, who will surely accuse me of being a “male chauvinist pig� — yes, I am.

Manila’s ‘Amazing Race’

E

VERYDAY, I consider driving both as an experience and a challenge especially when using the traffic navigation app Waze, just like the TV show “Amazing Race.� Once I had to be in Makati for a 7 p.m. dinner, but by 6:00 p.m. I still had unfinished paper work at my office in Santolan, Pasig. This gave me slightly over an hour to reach my destination.

Normally, I would take the C-5 route but knowing that it is a weekday rush hour, I decided to use Waze and check real time traffic conditions to look for alternate routes. True enough, from our Pasig office to Makati Avenue was a continuous hue of red and dark-red, reflecting the rush hour congestion.

According to Waze, if I leave by 6 p.m., I would reach my destination at around 8 p.m., more or less, an hour past my dinner.

For sure, hindi ako aabot . Thus I followed Waze’s suggestion to take the alternate route using inner streets. Inner routes should avoid reported standstill traffic along regular routes and potentially shave some minutes off my travel time and arrive in Makati at around 7:30 p.m. I was aware it was a gamble to use inner streets and I was right, as usual. I have been driving in Metro Manila for nearly 30 years and these situations are no longer new to me, or all of us. As I observed, the exact same situation is happening everyday in

a huge 21 percent increase in motorcycle sales in the country, from 1,316,717 units sold in 2017 to 1,580,926 units sold in 2018.

C u r i o u s l y, o u t o f n e a r l y 1.6 million new motorcycles Metro Manila with motorcycles, sold in 2018, how many are pedicabs and tricycles causing in Metro Manila? Clearly, our unnecessary traffic. Are traffic roads are not getting wider, enforcers giving them tickets for vehicles are increasing and there is congestion. Do govtraffic violation?

Although traffic enforcers are erning agencies mandated to visible in some intersections, regulate them have plans to traffic flow would constantly implement new regulations to stall due to the proliferation curb the increasing number of of crisscrossing pedestrians motorcycles and motorcycles and counterflowing motor- being converted to tricycles? cycles, pedicabs and tricycles, Are motorcycles allowed to be apparently nonchalant to the converted to tricycles? Are lotraffic they are causing and the cal government units prepared potential accidents they might to maintain traffic order in cause. This is aggravated by the their respective territories?

For one, the Department of narrow streets and the presence of stalls and vehicles that are the Interior and Local Governments may start introducing double-parked.

I’m sure we all see the in- measures to remind LGUs that crease in the number of motor- barangay (villages) are empowcycles plying these inner streets ered to enforce in their respecnowadays, which might be a tive territories road discipline combination of private motor- and impose cash or non-cash cycles and motorcycles used penalties to traffic violators. for businesses such as online The Local Government Code shopping delivery, courier ser- of the Philippines’ Section 384 vice, and on-demand app-based on the “Role of the Barangay – motorcycle taxi services.

As the basic political unit, the "ASED ON THE kGURES RELEASED barangay serves as the primary by the Motorcycle Development planning and implementing Program Participants Associa- unit of government policies, tion (MDPPA), an organization plans, programs ‌ in the comof motorcycle manufacturers munity‌â€? The Code further in the Philippines and whose provides in “Section 389 Chief members are Honda, Kawasaki, Executive: Powers, Duties, and Yamaha and Suzuki, 2018 saw Functions. (a) The punong ba-

HARVARD VERITAS

PAUL CHUA

rangay , as the chief executive of the barangay government, shall exercise such powers and perform such duties and functions‌ (c) Maintain public order in the Barangay ‌� Maintaining public order includes promoting road discipline in their respective areas. It will be such a relief to the public if motorcycles, pedicabs and tricycles would follow simple traffic rules against counterflow.

I am sure there are other measures that similar regulatory agencies may implement but the barangay is the only political unit that exercises executive, legislative and judicial powers. If the barangay chair will exercise its power muster the political will to enforce the regulation against counterflowing vehicles, then it might be the start of a new road discipline for drivers.

I arrived for my dinner well past 8 p.m., more than an hour late.

Actually, in Metro Manila, you’ll never actually know for sure which route is the better alternative.

Paul Chua was a scholar in “Transport Planning� at the Galilee International Management Institute in )SRAEL AND kNISHED HIS %XECUTIVE Education program on “Strategic Management of Regulatory and Enforcement Agencies� at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government.

He is the deputy administrator for engineering and operations at the Light Rail Transit Authority.

Q CONTRERAS FROM A4

Global but alienated Pinoys many different reasons decided to swear loyalty to their host countries as their naturalized citizens.

Yet, despite losing their right to carry our passports, these Filipinos are very much part of the global Pinoy community. Much as they have lost their Filipino citizenship, the Filipinos overseas will never leave their hearts and minds.

And in fact, with the passage of the law on reacquiring Filipino citizenship, many of them have since regained their right to carry Philippine passports.

Global Pinoys remain linked to their Philippine homeland. Our connectedness to relatives and kindred spirits are so strong that there are no strangers when two Pinoys meet abroad. Each one ALWAYS kNDS TIME TO STRETCH EVERY bit of possibility to make a conNECTION AND kND A COMMONALITY

no matter how contrived.

The Global Pinoys, in the eyes of their hosts, are seen as a ready smile and a readiness to enable and serve. Conscious of the fact

that we are different in a land that is not ours, we never assert. Instead, we adapt to and embed ourselves into their cultural constructs and habitus. However, while this attitude may have given us some leverage, it may also have caused us to lose the opportunity to make our presence felt in other countries beyond the smiles we offer and the services we render.

An observant traveler would notice that while places serving Asian cuisine, from take-out COUNTERS TO kNE DINING RESTAUrants, are now part of the food landscape of all major capitals, Pinoy cuisine appears to be rarely present, if at all. I was just in Auckland, New Zealand, recently where there are now 65,000 Filipinos in a country of 4 million inhabitants, and where we are the fastest growing immigrant group.

In my three-week stay there, I have seen many Chinese, Japanese, Indian and Thai restaurants serving food which they tried to be as authentic as possible. And I

saw only a couple of Filipino restaurants, with one even serving what it labeled as fusion cuisine that looked and tasted different from authentic Filipino food.

Perhaps, the reason behind this is that global Pinoys would rather cook and eat our food in their own homes, and not in restaurants.

When friends come and visit, we rather hold a potluck affair than take them to a Filipino restaurant.

This reasoning, however, misses the point that the foreign restaurants in cities all over the world do not cater to their compatriots, and are in fact effective windows for other nationalities to have a taste not only of Thai or Vietnamese or Ethiopian cuisine, but also the symbols and signs that represent them. We, in self-deprecation, reason out that our cuisine is bland or not spicy enough. We simply fail to assert ourselves and lay claim to a space in our vast diasporic footprint for people from other countries to see us beyond the hands that rock their child’s cradle,

OR WORK ON THEIR OIL kELDS OR TEACH English in their schools.

This is our tragedy. We have a very large diasporic presence, but because we serve our employers and please our clients, we never assert to evince our cultural uniqueness, and we remain symbolically invisible.

The signs that make us a people is hardly noticed. Thus, while we see Chinese, Japanese and Indian scripts even in Paris and London, and Thai motifs are seen in Thai restaurants even in Manila, we PRIDE OURSELVES FOR SPEAKING lUent English, the language of our colonizers, ready to serve. We are so pleasantly versatile that we end up being easily absorbed.

Meanwhile, our Supreme Court has driven the final coffin that sealed the fate of the Filipino language as no longer a required course for college students. This further made us the only country in the world where the national language is just a mere option, producing Pinoys that are ready to serve the world, in English.

. A CITY YOU WILL kND ALL KINDS of establishments, attractions and tall buildings. I have been to 79 countries, and I am constantly fascinated by the architecture of tall buildings and I return to those places as a sightseer and site-seer — an architourist. As a fellow and country representative of the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat based in Chicago, I am always eager to visit architourism sites and discover something new and learn from the people who live and work there.

4ODAY TALL BUILDINGS ARE A DEkNing image for the global cities. In THE S WHEN THE kRST TALL BUILDings were constructed, towers were named after the corporation or individual that built it. Thus we have heard about the Chrysler Building in New York, the Tacoma Building in Chicago, and in the 1980s, the Plaza IBM in Kuala Lumpur. But now in the 21st century, buildings are being named after entire cities and nations. The Empire State Building in New York, Taipei 101, and the Guangzhou International Finance Center in China.

There are three major characteristics of tall building architecture in progressive cities. Innovation is an important component in design, which Chris Wilkinson mentioned in his article “Aesthetics, symbolism and status in the TWENTY kRST CENTURY u !CCORDING TO him, “Exciting new architectural solutions are being explored at a time when they can be technically realized.� In developed nations such as the US, Japan, South Korea, the UAE, China and the Scandinavian countries, the quest for height and identity in tall building design is accomplished through technological innovation. For example, the Burj Khalifa, at present the tallest tower in the world standing at 2,717 feet (828 meters), was constructed using three of the world’s largest cranes that feature a self-jacking mechanism to achieve the capacity of lifting up to 25 tons. The cranes were also designed to withstand winds of up to 120 kilometers per hour, which is crucial considering the strong desert winds that blow through the Dubai desert. However, within the complex, every visitor will feel comfortable. The Burj Khalifa has a number of transit connections, pedestrian thoroughfares, and access points that make movement around the building and the city outside very convenient. It is home to the world’s highest observation deck, swimming pool, elevator, and restaurant. Curiously, the Burj Khalifa’s elevators travel at roughly 36 kilometers per hour; you reach the observation deck in about two minutes. With a variety of features and uses, this 21st century tall building functions like a miniature city with places to live, work, shop, dine, learn and worship, with healthcare and wellness.

With the increasing urban population around the world, it would be a smart move to incorporate vertical urbanism and mixed-use development. We must consider building upward and locating residential and commercial developments within those establishments to accommodate people, provide for their needs, and improve their quality of life.

The Makkah Royal Clock Tower Hotel in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, ranked the third tallest in the

FELINO A. PALAFOX, JR. world, falls close to this ideal. It is a government-owned mega-tall complex of seven skyscraper hotels that cater to the pilgrims of Mecca. The tower, which is meters away from the Great Mosque of Mecca, has two large prayer rooms capable of holding more than 10,000 people. The highest clock tower houses several amenities and establishments including the Makkah Clock Astronomy Exhibition and Viewing Deck, lunar libraries, galleries, and research OFkCES /N THE LOWER LEVELS THERE are more residences, health and wellness clubs, a hospital, retail shops, and on the basement, a bus station and tunnel. Another important element to integrate with mixed-use, high-rise designs are pedestrian connections that are safe, well-lit, attractive and sustainable. The Petronas Towers in Malaysia and the Shanghai World Finance Center are good examples of pedestrian-level design. The latter tower features a corridor made of transparent glass where, while standing on it, you can see the top of the Oriental Pearl Tower just in front and it would also feel as if you are walking on air above the roof of the Jin Mao Tower next to it.

Today, it is encouraging to see HOW A SIGNIkCANT NUMBER OF TALL buildings prioritized and employed green architectural principles for a sustainable design. Tall buildings have the potential to be truly sustainable in a high-density urban environment. For instance, a building that rejects a large amount of heat can harness that energy for water-heating needs in its residential and hospitality units.

According to Cook, Browing, and Garvin in The Tall Buildings Reference Book, there have been drastic improvements in glass technology applied to building design. Now, a building’s exterior envelope is able to specify the amount of visible and infrared light that passes through the building. According to the authors, the radiant surface temperature of the inner pane of glass becomes an important factor in people’s perception of comfort.

Designing and constructing tall buildings is both a challenge and an honor. We can aim to design tall buildings that will have a long lifespan to serve our countrymen and their families. Vertical cities prevent urban sprawl from encroaching into the farms and forests. If we make them environmentally sustainable and apply the principles of green architecture to their design, we would be handing down best practices in environmental conservation and awareness to future generations.

Additionally, more and more peoPLE WILL BENEkT FROM THE ECONOMIC developments of the project area.

To summarize, the three major characteristics of tall building design are innovation and mixed-use and sustainable development. At Palafox, we design structures with creativity, agility, versatility, and innovation to ensure that only the best work will be delivered to our CLIENTS FOR THEIR BENEkT AND TO THE communities they serve.

Is the liberal hour ending in the West?

PENNSYLVANIA: Hillary Clinton called them “the deplorables.�

Barack Obama called them losers who “cling� to their Bibles, bigotries and guns.

To President Jean-Claude Juncker of the European Commission, they are “these populist, nationalists, stupid nationalists... in love with their own countries.�

Well, “stupid� they may be, and, yes, they do love their countries, but last week they gave Juncker a thrashing, as they

CREATORS SYNDICATE

PATRICK J. BUCHANAN shook up the West and the world.

Elections in the world’s largest electoral blocs — the 28-nation EU, and an India of 1.3 billion people — showed that the tide of nationalism continues to rise and spread across

ÂłBuchananA6

A6

Opinion

˜ The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

THURSDAY May 30, 2019

Time to right a wrong

I

T is time to correct an injustice done by the Yellow minions.

The late Chief Justice Renato Corona was impeached for not updating his statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN).

4HE REALITY IS THAT HE WAS CRUCIkED for returning Hacienda Luisita to its rightful owners — the poor farmers that tilled the land for decades for its corrupt landlords.

Not many are aware that the late CJ Corona did not receive any RETIREMENT BENEkTS BECAUSE OF HIS impeachment and ouster by members of Congress. And even after his death, his family continues to BE DENIED THE RETIREMENT BENEkTS that they were supposed to receive.

I agree that the incoming 18th Congress should right the injustice still being suffered by the late CJ Corona’s family. The taxpayers shouldered the payment for a bullet-proof sports utility vehicle that was used by a chief justice who was never qualified for the post.

MIRRORLESS

ROLLY G. REYES *** Nike is thinking of launching a “Bikoy� line of hooded jackets. As of now, it is still waiting for the approval of one senator and some priests.

MacKenzie Bezos, worth nearly $37 billion, will give half her fortune to charity. Such a generous gesture. We are definitely sure that she will continue to stay happy with her $18.5 billion.

Lord Allan Velasco vows to be the "listening Speaker" of the House.

As an audio enthusiast, I thought speakers are meant to be heard.

Sorry to disappoint the bishops.

The “sin tax� proceeds will go to the government treasury and not to Rome.

Sin taxes, which raise the excise taxes on alcoholic beverages and tobacco, will help cover the

funding gap for the Universal Health Care (UHC) program that will be fully implemented by 2020. It’s getting expensive these days to stay healthy.

Alvarez refused to name who among the candidates for House Speaker is supposedly behind the alleged bribery. But he said he would not resort to buying votes, as doing so would taint the Speaker’s post. — Mr. Alvarez, please stop "bribing" them with your allegations.

I remember that when martial law was declared in Marawi, we saw on television both Christians and Muslims helping distribute food and medicines to aid Marawi refugees. It gave an emotional high to everyone.

The Filipino heart and sense of patriotism win against anything else. I wish other groups would trash political leanings and let nationhood take the front seat. *** A smartphone is a wonderful

invention. You can talk to anybody anywhere in the world except the person sitting next to you.

If you are not allowed to drink late, why complain? Just drink early.

If you are afraid of going near your dog because of a stinking smell, take a shower. It’s unfair to the dog.

Pope Francis said he was willing to tell US President Donald Trump that it is wrong to build border walls. The Pontiff should also remind him not to build walls around the Vatican.

On International Criminal Court: Let me enumerate a handful of reminders about this seemingly "august" body. Because of its “super wide� jurisdiction, major powers have resisted the ICC. China and India never signed the Rome Statute. Russia and Israel signed but did not ratify the treaty and retracted their signature. The US Congress never RATIkED THE STATUTE 4HE )## HAS been criticized as a biased institution as it usually investigates

Assange’s new indictment: Espionage and the First Amendment

BY OFER RABAN UNIVERSITY OF OREGON

J

Scarcity of prosecutions To be sure, threats of Espionage Act charges against journalists and newspapers were previously made, and in one case charges were even submitted to a grand jury.

In 1942, in the middle of World War 2, the Chicago Tribune published a front-page story titled, “Navy Had Word of Jap Plan to Strike at Sea.� The story implied that the US military had cracked Japan’s secret naval code – which it had.

An incensed President Franklin Roosevelt demanded that Espionage Act charges be brought against the reporter, the managing editor and the Tribune itself. But unlike Assange’s grand jury, the Tribune’s grand jury refused to issue indictments.

In 1971 President Richard Nixon’s attorney general threatened the New York Times and the Washington Post with such prosecutions when the newspapers published the classified Pentagon Papers.

More recently, Alberto Gonzales, attorney general under President George W. Bush, suggested that the New York Times and the Washington Post violated the Espionage Act when disclosing the National Security Agency’s secret surveillance program and the CIA’s secret prisons — the so-called “black sites.�

But no prosecutions were brought in these matters.

One reason for the scarcity of such prosecutions is their questionable constitutionality. The language of the Espionage Act is so broad that, undoubtedly, some of its applications

Q WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange puts his fist up as he is taken from court in London.  AP PHOTO/MATT DUNHAM run afoul of the First Amendment to the US Constitution.

Yet some Espionage Act charges against journalists and publishers are likely to pass constitutional muster.

Pentagon Papers to rape victims’ names In 1972 the US government tried to stop The New York Times and The Washington Post from publishing the Pentagon Papers, a top-secret Department of Defense study on the Vietnam War. In its well-known decision, the Supreme Court held that preventing the publication violated the First Amendment. But a majority of the justices also thought that the newspapers could be possibly punished for the publication, even if stopping the publication was unconstitutional.

The Pentagon Papers decision was about the ability of government to stop the publication of information – in other words, its ability to impose a “prior restraint.� It left open the possibility of prosecuting the publishers after the publication.

A number of subsequent Supreme Court decisions did protect publishers who had published truthful information in violation of the law.

For example, the court prohibited the punishment of a television station that broadcast the name of a rape victim in violation of a state law, prohibited the punishment of a newspaper that published the content of confidential judicial proceedings, and prohibited the punishment of a radio station that broke a federal statute by broadcasting an unlawfully recorded phone conversation.

But while these publications were all constitutionally protected by the freedoms of speech and the press, none of them involved national security information. The outcome may be very different when it comes to the disclosure of secret national security materials.

The constitutionality of prosecutions for the unauthorized possession and publication of national security information is likely to depend on the specific dangers caused by the disclosure.

“No one would question but that a government might prevent‌the publication of the sailing dates of transports or the number and location of troops,â€? said the Supreme Court in 1931.

The pivotal questions are likely to be whether lives were endangered by the disclosure, or whether the government was simply trying to suppress information embarrassing to itself.

At the same time, some judges are likely to defer to the government’s own assessment of the materials and refuse to conduct an independent evaluation of the risks they posed. “In my judgment the judiciary may not ‌ redetermine for itself the probable impact of disclosure on the national security,â€? wrote Justice John Marshall Harlan for himself and two other justices in the Pentagon Papers decision. Some of today’s Supreme Court justices – Justice Clarence Thomas, for example – are likely to agree with the sentiment.

The Assange indictment includes specific allegations of publication of life-threatening information. The indictment accuses Assange of publishing the names of American intelligence sources, knowing full well that the publication would endanger their lives.

These charges might be found constitutional. Judges may be understandably reluctant to prohibit the government from punishing the publication of such sensitive lifethreatening information.

Dubious charges Assange’s indictment also involves a number of charges that are less likely to withstand constitutional scrutiny.

Assange is charged with “obtaining� information, including detainees’ assessment briefs from Guantanamo and Iraq rules-of-engagement files.

The danger posed by the disclosure of such information is far more questionable (and much of that information was also obtained and published by respectable media outlets).

Moreover, some of the charges against Assange are based on the theory that Assange aided and abetted Chelsea Manning to leak classified

cally don’t have spots, and they are also smaller than leopards. They’re also more related to domestic cats than the four big cats.

A panther can refer to different leopards, jaguars, or mountain lions. It can refer to a melanistic or black cat. That’s why the phrase “black panther.� In Africa and Asia, panther refers to leopards.

Lynx are much smaller than the mountain lions and leopards and have smaller tails.

The snow Leoplrd has spots like those of the leopard but coloring that is more appropriate for snowy environments. Snow leopards are also larger than bobcats and lynxes, just as leopards are.

Followers of my article always say that I only get serious when I’m joking, and that when I’m serious that’s when I start being a clown. Lucky for them as I am more confused than they are. *** Good work, good deeds and good faith to all.

Q BUCHANAN FROM A5

A N A LY S I S

ULIAN Assange, the co-founder of WikiLeaks, has been charged by the US Department of Justice with a slew of Espionage Act violations that could keep him in prison for the rest of his life.

The new indictment expands an earlier one charging Assange with conspiring with Chelsea Manning, the former soldier convicted of leaking classified documents to Wikileaks, to hack into a government computer.

Assange is responsible for the dissemination of troves of classified American documents, including hundreds of thousands of military reports, hundreds of thousands of diplomatic cables, hundreds of reports from the military prison in Guantanamo Bay and thousands of secret CIA documents revealing the agency’s techniques for hacking and surveillance.

The Espionage Act, a sweeping federal statute enacted a century ago, imposes heavy criminal penalties for obtaining or disclosing classified information without proper authorization.

Beginning under President Barack Obama, recent years saw a dramatic increase in prosecutions under the Espionage Act. But these prosecutions were directed at leakers of classified information — all government employees and government contractors — not at journalists or publishers.

That makes Assange’s indictment a watershed.

Third World countries and play dumb on the biggies. *** A reader has requested me to again post the differences among members of the wild cat families such as leopard, snow leopard, jaguar, cougar, cheetah, puma, panther, lynx and mountain lion.

Leopards and jaguars are two distinct species. It is similar in appearance to the jaguar, but is smaller but more slightly built. Its fur is marked with rosettes similar to those of the jaguar, but the leopard’s rosettes are smaller and more densely packed, and do not usually have central spots as the jaguars do.

Cheetahs have solid spots. Cheetahs have longer legs and a longer tail. They are the fastest land animals in the world, able to run up to 75 mph in short bursts, and accelerate from 0 to 60 in 3 seconds.

Cougars belong to the puma genus. Unlike leopards, cougars typi-

information to Assange himself.

Given that aiding and abetting can take the form of cajoling and encouraging, many national security journalists could become instant felons under this theory.

In fact, this is not the first time that the federal government advances such a constitutionally questionable claim in regard to a mainstream journalist.

In 2009 Fox News reporter James Rosen wrote an article that contained leaked classified information about North Korea. In 2010 the Obama administration filed a search warrant application where it argued that Rosen was a criminal aider and abettor of his State Department source in the criminal disclosure of classified information.

The warrant was granted, although Rosen was never indicted for the alleged crime. Indeed, when the matter became known and an outcry ensued, the Department of Justice explicitly repudiated the theory as a basis for prosecuting journalists.

Nominally, that repudiation still stands today. Defending against the charge that the new indictment endangers the freedom of American journalism, the Department of Justice issued a statement declaring that “Julian Assange is no journalist.�

But that assertion lacks constitutional significance: First Amendment protections do not depend on one’s status as a journalist. First Amendment doctrine does not extend any special protections to the press.

What goes for Assange also goes for any person who obtains or discloses classified information.

That includes any journalist, including those at the New York Times – which in fact published much of the information mentioned in Assange’s indictment, albeit after careful reductions of potentially dangerous materials.

ASSOCIATED PRESS (AP)

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. The Conversation IS AN INDEPENDENT AND NONPROkT source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts.

Is the liberal hour ending in the West?

Europe and Asia.

In India, the Hindu Nationalist BJP party of Prime Minister Narendra Modi won a smashing victory. So strong was Modi’s showing that he rushed to reassure non-Hindus, especially India’s 200 million Muslims, that they remain equal citizens. But in India the Hindu hour is at hand.

Nigel Farage’s Brexit Party, formed just months ago, ran first in Britain with 31 percent.

No other party came close. Labor won 14 percent and Prime Minister Theresa May’s Tories ran fifth with 9 percent, a historic humiliation.

In the French elections, Emmanuel Macron’s party lost to the National Rally of Marine Le Pen, whom he had defeated 2 to 1 in the last presidential election.

Matteo Salvini’s populistnationalist League, with 34 percent, ran first in Italy in a showing that could lead to national elections that could make him prime minister.

The nationalist Law and Justice Party in Poland and the populist Fidesz Party of Viktor Orban in Hungary were easily victorious.

In Germany, however, the conservative-socialist coalition of Angela Merkel bled support.

Both the CDU and SPD lost strength in defeats that could shake the Berlin government.

What do these elections tell us?

If the Conservatives wish to remain in power in Parliament, they will have to leave the European Union and, if necessary, crash out without a divorce settlement with Brussels.

The Tories cannot defy the will of their own majority on the most critical issue in 50 years — a nationalist demand to be free of Brussels — and still survive as Britain’s first party.

Whoever wins the Tory competition to succeed May will almost surely become the prime minister who leads Britain out of the EU. Nor is that such a tragedy.

The first Brexit, after all, was in 1776, when the 13 colonies of North America severed all ties to the British crown and set out alone on the path to independence. It did not turn out all that badly.

Last week’s election also saw major gains for the Green parties across Europe. Laserfocused on climate change, these parties will be entering coalitions to provide centerleft and center-right regimes the necessary votes to create parliamentary majorities.

T h e e n v i r o n m e n t i s n ow likely to rival Third World immigration as an issue in all elections in Europe.

While nationalist and populists control a fourth of the seats in the EU Parliament, they are isolated. They may have the

power to block or veto EU actions by Brussels, but they cannot impose their own agenda.

Yet even larger lessons emerge from these two elections.

Liberalism appears to be losing its appeal. A majority in the world’s largest democracy, India, consciously used their democratic right to vote — to advance sectarian and nationalist ends.

Why is liberalism fading away, and nationalism ascendant?

The former is an idea that appeals to the intellect; the latter, rooted in love of family, faith, tribe and nation, is of the heart. In its potency to motivate men, liberalism is to nationalism what near beer is to Bombay gin.

To be a proud Pole, Hungarian, Italian or Scotsman has a greater grip on men’s love, loyalty and allegiance than to be a citizen of Europe. “Whoever speaks of Europe is wrong,� said Bismarck. Europe is but “a geographical expression.�

Identity politics, people identifying themselves by their ethnicity, nationality, race, culture and faith, appears to be the world’s future.

Even leftists are bowing to the new reality. “Identity politics is exactly who we are and it’s exactly how we won,� says Stacy Abrams, the African American Democrat who almost won the Georgia governor’s race. “By centering communities in Georgia, we... increased voter participation, we brought new folks to the process.�

The Democratic Party is now a COALITION EASILY IDENTIkABLE BY RACE

ethnicity, ideology and gender — African American, Hispanic, Asian, LGBTQ, feminist and Green.

Our Founding Fathers believed we Americans were a new people, A SEPARATE UNIQUE IDENTIkABLE people, a band of brothers, who had risked their lives and shed their blood. Liberals believe we are held together by abstract ideas and ideals, such as democracy, equality and diversity.

But did Washington, Jefferson, Madison, Monroe, Calhoun, Clay, Jackson, Sam Houston, Tyler and Polk really believe in equality and diversity as they drove Indians, French, British, Spanish and Mexicans out of this land to create a continent-wide nation of their own?

Or was Manifest Destiny really all about us, and not them?

CREATORS.COM

Patrick J. Buchanan is the author of Nixon’s White House Wars: The Battles That Made and Broke a President and Divided America Forever. To find out more about Patrick Buchanan and read features by other Creators writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators website at www.creators.com.

˜ The Manila Times

www.manilatimes.net

Regions

THURSDAY May 30, 2019

A7

O V E R D E L A Y E D M A R A W I R E H A B P R O J E C T SÂ

Task Force, NHA heads face raps M

BY MASIDING NOOR YAHYA

ARAWI CITY: Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM) head Eduardo del Rosario and National Housing Authority (NHA) General Manager Marcelino Escalada Jr. are facing graft charges over the delayed rehabilitation projects for the Marawi siege victims.

Datu Meno Manabilang, chairman of Sowara O Miyamagoyag or the Voice of Marawi Evacuees, who claims to represent some 200,000 VICTIMS kLED A COMPLAINT BEFORE THE /FkCE OF THE /MBUDSMAN ON 4UESDAY AGAINST THE TWO OFkCIALS He said the Ombudsman should investigate anomalies in the bidding and procurement of supplies, which have delayed rehabilitation works.

Manabilang told The Manila Times that it was obvious the TFBM AND HOUSING OFkCIALS WERE DELIBERATEly delaying the rehabilitation process. “The NHA general manager sanctioned these irregularities that adversely impacts the rehabilitation,� the complaint reads. “As a result, we are forced to stay longer in temporary shelters, leaving our families and communities to suffer the hardship of rebuilding lives in barely humane and dangerous conditions,� Manabilang said.

He said the CJI General Services )NC OFkCERS AND BOARD MEMBERS Jimmy Francis Hinch, Barry Jim Hinch, Julius Joseph Beredo, Noel Mendoza, Harry Cuevas and Edgardo Sagum — president of Eddmari Construction and Trading, which was contracted for the rehabilitation works — should be included in the graft charges. %ARLIER AN OFkCIAL OF THE .ATIONAL Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) revealed irregularities behind the delays in the reconstruction of war-torn Marawi City.

On his Facebook post on Sunday, Dimapuno Alonto-Datu Ramos Jr., NCMF Bureau of External Affairs director and spokesman, described the issue as a “big scandal that will be exposed this week,� citing as an example the “many anomalies

involving the clearing of debris amounting to P2.2 billion.�

He did not mention who would make the disclosure, but said the magnitude of the issue might even lead to the abolition or replacement of the TFMB. $ISPLACED RESIDENTS PUBLIC OFkCIALS and other stakeholders marked last May 23 the second anniversary of the Marawi siege that left the city in ruins and displaced over 200,000 people.

Survivors and relatives of missing people converged at the Maqbara public cemetery in Barangay Papandayan, and unveiled the markers in THE SPOTS WHERE UNIDENTIkED cadavers were retrieved and buried during and after the siege.

In a separate ceremony, Mayor Majul Gandamra, Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito Galvez Jr., del 2OSARIO AND OTHER PUBLIC OFkCIALS converged at the city hall grounds and issued pronouncements to appease the disenchantment among the internally displaced persons (IDPs) and some quarters.

Survivors also demanded updates on state-promised DNA tests to determine if their missing relatives were among those buried.

In a statement on the anniversary, the International Committee of the Red Cross said the “deep scars left by the CONlICT IN -ARAWI #ITY CONtinue to haunt over 100,000 people who still do not have a home to return to.�

The Moro Consensus Group and the Suara Bangsamoro (Voice of Bangsamoro), to which some prominent IDPs belong, also expressed suspicion about the real reasons behind the delay in the clearing of debris at the 24-village

844 Negros workers unsure to keep jobs BACOLOD CITY: The fate of 844 casual employees hangs in spite assurance of Negros Occidental Governor-elect Eugenio Jose Lacson that there would be no major shake-up in the provincial capitol and the department heads shall keep their posts.

Lacson said aside from the staff of THE /FkCE OF THE 'OVERNOR HE WOULD only appoint the provincial adminisTRATOR PROVINCIAL LEGAL OFkCER EXECUtive assistants and consultants who were holding co-terminus positions.

He said he did not have plans to change the department and division heads since “they are fully capable of their jobs,� but hoped they would support and cooperate with his programs for the province.

But, while the department and division heads are secured with their positions, the fate of 844 casuals and job order workers of the provincial

government are uncertain.

Lucille Gelvolea, acting provincial administrator, said the contracts of the temporary workers would end on June 30 and the new governor had the option to retain them or hire new personnel.

Memorandums had been sent out to all casuals, informing them that their contracts would end on June 30, although they already knew that when they signed their contracts last January, Gelvolea added.

As of April 30 there are 737 casuals, including those working in the provincial hospitals as nurses, aides and utility workers, and 107 job order workers under the payroll of the provincial government.

The status of these employees would be discussed during the transition meetings, Gelvolea said.

EUGENE Y. ADIONG

Father, child die in La Union fire ARINGAY, La Union: A six-year-old girl burned to death while her father, who tried to rescue her, died at the hospital from second degree BURNS IN A kRE THAT BROKE OUT IN three houses at the Sta. Rita Village East here.

Police Maj. Silverio Ordinado Jr., La Union police information officer, said Jeffry Estoril, 36, went into the burning kitchen of his father-in-law Domingo ManGAOANG WHERE THE kRE STARTED TO rescue his daughter Cyril Jane, who was trapped there.

According to Aringay police investigators, personnel from

the municipal police station, Bureau of Fire Protection and the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office reported that a fire had broken out in three houses made of light materials at about 3:20 p.m. on Tuesday.

Estoril sustained second degree burns and was declared dead at the La Union Medical Center in nearby Agoo town.

Cyril Jane had just graduated from kindergarten at the UCCP Nursery and Kindergarten School in Aringay in April.

WILLIAM JUN GARCIA

Ground Zero.

They cited the “lack of transparency� in the handling of the P98.5million cash assistance for IDPs donated by different groups and

individuals, including Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, former senator Joseph Victor Ejercito, former Taguig mayor Maria Laarni Cayetano, actors Robin Padilla and

Piolo Pascual, and over 20 other local donors, who reportedly chipped in an average of P1 to P5 million each as of August 2017.

The donations were reportedly

over and above the P1.1-billion relief fund coursed by the national GOVERNMENT TO THE 2EGION OFkCE of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

A8

News

THURSDAY May 30, 2019

˜ The Manila Times w w w.manilatimes.net

FOR GARBAGE ENTRY

Lacson blasts BoC S

BY BERNADETTE E. TAMAYO

EN. Panfilo Lacson on Wednesday slammed the Bureau of Customs (BoC) for its failure to stop the entry of garbage shipments, thus allowing the COUNTRY TO BECOME THE gOFkCIAL DUMPSITEu of Southeast Asia. “Sad but true, there is already a bandwagon of nations that DESIGNATE OUR COUNTRY AS THE OFkcial dumpsite of Southeast Asia,�

Lacson said amid reports that tons

of garbage from Canada, South Korea, Australia and Hong Kong were exported to the Philippines since 2013. “To say that our country is treat-

ed like trash appears to be true, as in literally, amid news reports of tons of waste being illegally shipped into our lands no thanks to local and foreign smugglers, unscrupulous Customs brokers AND CORRUPT #USTOMS OFkCIALS u HE said in a privilege speech.

Canada exported to the Philippines tons of garbage from 2013 to 2014.

In July and October 2018, South Korea exported 5 tons of garbage in 51 containers consigned by Verde Soko Philippines Industrial.

In January this year, 25 tons

of electronic and residual waste from Hong Kong, misdeclared as assorted electronic accessories, also arrived at the Mindanao International Container Terminal.

The cargo was reportedly a “trial shipment� by Hin Yuen Tech.

Env. Ltd. “If the said shipment successfully passed our ports, 70 more containers of waste await to be dumped in our borders,� Lacson said. “Just last week, Australia shipped seven container vans of shredded municipal waste in our coun-

try. Worse, the shipment’s broker was the same company that handled the importation from South Korea,� he said.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said over 1,000 tons of garbage loaded in 69 container vans would be shipped back to Canada starting today. “We will await further developments on future garbage return expeditions to Australia, South Korea, Hong Kong and God knows where else,� said Lacson. “Nevertheless, we take our hats off to the strong political

will and grim determination of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and the Secretary of Foreign Affairs [Locsin] for standing their ground on this issue.�

Lacson said these massive shipments of toxic goods had t a k e n m a ny f o r m s — f r o m imported hazardous garbage to billions of pesos’ worth of smuggled illegal drugs. “In the face of all these, the Bureau of Customs appears to be constantly blindsided and remiss in its mandate as the ‘gatekeeper of our borders,’� he said.

Pokemon unveils ‘sleep game’

POLL PROTEST CONTINUES

Members of youth groups hold banners as they march to the Commission on Elections to denounce the alleged fraud and deception that attended the electoral exercise on May 13. PHOTO BY RENE H. DILAN

TOKYO: Having trouble waking up in the morning? Not getting enough sleep? The company that brought you Pokemon Go may have a solution: A game “played� by sleeping.

Pokemon Company said on Wednesday it would release a new smartphone game called “Pokemon Sleep� in 2020, turning sleep into entertainment.

4HE kRM CREATED THE WILDLY POPular Pokemon Go app, a game that let players walking the real world hunt virtual Pokemon, in 2016. “Now we set our sights on sleeping,� company President Tsunekazu Ishihara told reporters. “It’s a game with which you look forward to waking up,� he said. “Turning sleeping... into entertainment is our next goal.�

Ishihara offered little detail on the game, but Nintendo — which helped develop Pokemon Go — said during the press conference in Tokyo that they were rolling out a new device that could track players’ sleep and send data to their smartphone.

The announcement sparked a social media frenzy and plenty

of quips. “I can’t wait to be an e-sports player now that sleeping is part of gaming,� wrote one Twitter user. “Pokemon Sleep. At last, a valid excuse for that extra six hours in bed,� wrote another.

At the very least, the game seems unlikely to spark the sort of trouble caused by Pokemon Go, which saw players blamed for traffic accidents and other violations as they roamed the streets — buried in their phones — hunting “monsters.�

The free game uses satellite locations, graphics and camera capabilities to overlay cartoon characters on real-world settings, challenging players to capture and train the creatures.

Pokemon, short for “pocket monsters,� has been a constant in Japan since it was launched as software in 1996 for Nintendo’s iconic Game Boy console.

Its “Gotta Catch ‘Em All� slogan has been turned into a song.

The game has expanded into other media, most notably a hugely popular TV animation show and A RECENT kLM AFP

DOJ INDICTS KAPUNAN ‘WHY WERE PARTY-LIST GROUPS THE $EPARTMENT OF *USTICE $O* HAS kLED criminal charges against lawyer Lorna Kapunan for slander or grave oral defamation in relation to her statements against University of Santo Tomas (UST) Law Dean Nilo Divina.

In two separate resolutions released on Wednesday, the Justice department found probable cause to prosecute Kapunan for slander under Article 358 of the Revised Penal Code for her statements against Divina during TV interviews with news channel ANC in 2017.

The investigating prosecutors said Kapunan was criminally liable for her allegaTIONS THAT $IVINA AND HIS kRM $IVINA,AW paid millions to former Commission on Elections chairman Andres Bautista for a favorable ruling on their client.

Kapunan, prosecutors said, also insinuated that the law dean was liable for the fatal hazing of UST law freshman Horacio Castillo 3rd by his fraternity Aegis Juris. “There is basis to charge respondent Atty.

Lorna Kapunan for the crime of grave oral defamation for the statements that she made during her interview with ANC on 26 September 2017, considering the presence OF ALL ITS ELEMENTS u READ THE kRST RESOLUTION approved by Acting Prosecutor General Richard Anthony Fadullon.

The DoJ panel composed of Senior Assistant Prosecutors Rassender Rex Gingoyon and Olivia Torrevillas and Associate City

Prosecutor Laurence Joel Taliping made THE kNDINGS The Justice department stressed that the statements made by Kapunan “were imputations of a crime, which were made orally, publicly and maliciously, and were all directed to the complainants.�

The prosecutors made the same conclusion on the second case. g7E kND BASIS TO CHARGE RESPONDENT FOR grave oral defamation for the statements respondent made during an interview with ANC News Channel on 27 October 2017. It would appear that respondent imputed the commission or violation of the Anti-Hazing Law against the complainant by being the recruiter of Horacio Castillo [3rd] and assuring the latter that there would no physical activity or hazing,� they said. “The respondent also insinuated that the complainant was obstructing the apprehension and prosecution of criminal offenders when he allegedly coddled the members of the Aegis Juris fraternity members, who participated during the hazing rites when they went to the dean’s house,� they added.

Meanwhile, the DoJ junked the libel case kLED AGAINST $IVINA FOR LACK OF PROBABLE cause, saying the element of publication was missing in these cases since it was not proven that Kapunan was the source of the allegations against Divina.

JOMAR CANLAS

AT THE BACK OF THE BALLOT?’ LAWMAKERS on Wednesday deplored the placing of party-list groups at the back of ballots used for the May 13 elections and sought explanation from the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

Quezon Third District Rep. Danilo Suarez said voters were not aware that the party-lists were at the back of the ballot. “Karamihan mga party-lists namin dito sa minority, nagtaka kami sa mga historical data...Ang laki ng binagsak [ng boto], e nagper-perform naman itong mga party-lists

Q Comelec spokesman James Jimenez

Q CHEAP FROM A1

‘Congressmen are not cheap’ House Minority Leader Danilo Suarez, meanwhile, said, “There’s no payout of P500,000 to P1 million. That’s not true� in rejecting claims by Davao del Norte Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez that two aspirants were offering huge sums to secure votes.

A l va r e z , w h o wa s o u s t e d last year as House speaker and

wants to regain the post when the 18th Congress opens in July, made the allegation on Monday, but did not identify the alleged vote-buyers.

Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco — said to be Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio’s personal choice — and minority-backed Leyte Rep. Martin

Romualdez are reportedly the current frontrunners.

Velasco has denied allegations that he was the one offering P1 million for the speakership, saying he doubted that a congressman would resort to “wheeling and dealing.�

Romualdez has yet to comment on the matter. He has

natin (most of our party-lists in the minority, we were puzzled with the historical data...

The decrease in the number of votes was huge, when our party-lists were performing),�

Suarez, who heads the Committee on Public Accounts, said.

Ako Bicol Rep. Alfredo Garbin Jr., a member of the House minority bloc, said his party-list garnered almost 1.7 million votes in 2016 and 1.1 million of the votes came from Bicol Region. “Ngayon kalahati lang ho galing sa Bicol Region. Bumagsak po kami ng 600,000 votes.

The reason being that, ‘pag tinanong mo ‘yung mga Bicolano, hindi namin alam kung... saan nakalagay ‘yung party-lists.

Nandoon sa likod�

(Now it’s just half from the Bicol region. Our votes fell by 600,000.

The reason being that, if you ask Bicolanos, we did not know...where

reportedly secured the support of over 150 congressmen, and, according to Suarez, could likely be endorsed by outgoing House Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

Alvarez, who has lost the favor of Duterte-Carpio despite being an ally of her father, President Rodrigo Duterte, said the speakership race would ultimately be won by whoever wins the Chief Executive’s backing. “Depende ‘yan sa kung sino

the party-lists were listed. They were at the back [of the ballots]),� Garbin said. “Bakit n’yo ho nilagay sa likod (Why did you place them at the back?)� he asked Comelec spokesman James Jimenez.

Surigao del Sur Second District Rep. Johnny Pimentel had the same question. “I cannot give you the actual thinking behind it, but the discussions around that time basically centered on the fact that... we had a hundred thirty-four party-list organizations so hahaba ‘yung balota (so the ballot will lengthen). Whereas ‘pag nilagay natin siya sa likod, mahaba pa rin siya but not as long (Whereas if we place them at the back, it will still be long but not as long).

And then we had more than 50 candidates for senator.�

Jimenez told the House committee that the Comelec had informed teachers that the ballots were two sided. “We will have to find out from the teachers themselves if they missed that point or if it was not mentioned to voters,� he said.

Garbin decried the placement of party-list at the back ballots. “If you place local candidates at the back, voters would not leave the polling place until such time that they find their congressman, their mayor, their governors, councilor, and board members,� he said.

REINA C. TOLENTINO

‘yung medyo papaburan ng ating Pangulo. Para sa akin, ‘di ko naman kino- consider ito na vote-buying dahil walang guarantee sa floor na ikaw nga ‘yung iboboto nila (It depends on who gets the President’s favor.

I don’t consider it vote-buying because there is no guarantee on the floor that they will vote for you),� he said in a radio interview.

Alvarez is hoping to reconcile with Duterte-Carpio, who

called him “very dangerous and Machiavellian� last week, a c k n ow l e d g i n g h e r r o l e a s kingmaker, given speculation that she could run for the presidency in 2022.

Other candidates for speakership include Pampanga Rep. Aurelio Gonzales Jr. and former Foreign Affairs secretary Alan Peter Cayetano.

The House will elect its new speaker on July 22.

GLEE JALEA

PSEi 7,797.75 UP 0.47%

P52.35 TO $1

THURSDAY MAY 30, 2019 ASIAN STOCKS: V S h a n g h a i 0 . 1 6 %

What’s inside DTI: ZERO TARIFF FOR EV IMPORTS A POSSIBILITY

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SSS WAIVES P9-B LOAN PENALTIES

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URC AIMS TO RECORD HIGH SINGLE-DIGIT GROWTH IN 2019 Corporate NewsB3

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CHINA STEPS UP THREAT TO DEPRIVE US OF RARE EARTHS Foreign BusinessB4

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Business Times www.manilatimes.net

W S i n g a p o re 0 . 0 6 %

W Seoul 1.25%

W To k yo 1 . 2 1 %

V Jakarta 1.18%

MANAGEMENT ACTION

W H o n g Ko n g 0 . 5 7 %

BY MAYVELIN U. CARABALLO

M

OODY’S Investors Service cut its Philippine growth forecast for 2019 to 6 percent from the previous 6.2 percent, citing the delayed approval OF THIS YEAR S BUDGET THE LOWER THAN EXPECTED kRST QUARTER expansion and the still-tight monetary policy as reasons behind the downward adjustment.

/N THE SIDELINES OF THE g%CONOMY IN &OCUSu BRIEFING HELD BY THE %CONOMIC *OURNALISTS !SSOCIATION OF THE 0HILIPPINES AND THE !BOITIZ 'ROUP OF #OMPANIES IN -AKATI #ITY ON 7EDNESDAY -OODY S 6ICE 0RESIDENT AND 3ENIOR #REDIT /FFICER #HRISTIAN DE 'UZMAN TOLD REPORTERS THE DEBT WATCHER DID SO AFTER TAKING gINTO

;WE HAVE= ONE AND A HALF TO TWO MONTHS OFu THAT HE ADDED 4HE REMARKS CAME A DAY AFTER THE &OOD AND $RUG !DMINISTRATION &$! ORDERED ALL IMPORTERS

DISTRIBUTORS AND RETAIL OUTLETS TO PULL OUT ALL PORK PRODUCTS ‡ INCLUDING PROCESSED ONES LIKE MEAT LOAF SAUSAGES AND HAM ‡ IMPORTED FROM !3& HIGH RISK COUNTRIES g&OOD BUSINESS OPERATORS IMPORTING DISTRIBUTING OFFERING FOR SALE AND OR DONATING THE B A N N E D P R O D U C T S S H A L L B E PROSECUTED FOR VIOLATION OF THE &$! !CT OF THE &OOD 3AFETY !CT OF AND OTHER RELEVANT LAWS RULES AND REGULATION ON FOOD SAFETY u THE AGENCY SAID IN ITS -AY ADVISORY 4HE !GRICULTURE DEPARTMENT AND HOG RAISERS HAD APPEALED FOR PORK IMPORTS FROM THOSE COUNTRIES TO BE SUSPENDED

³ASF B4

Q In this May 16, 2019 photo, 56-year-old vendor Khov Sokhouy cuts pork to sell to customers at the Phsar Kandal market in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

AP PHOTO

T

ACCOUNT THE BUDGET IMPASSE ;AND= THE kRST QUARTER GROWTH AS WELL AS SOME OF THE OTHER THINGS LIKE THE EXTERNAL HEADWINDS u 4HE REVISED PROJECTION WAS LOWER THAN LAST YEAR S ACTUAL GROWTH OF PERCENT AND FALLS AT THE LOWER END OF THE GOVERNMENT S DOWNWARDLY REVISED PERCENT TARGET

! DISPUTE BETWEEN THE 3ENATE AND THE (OUSE OF 2EPRESENTATIVES OVER ALLEGED INSERTIONS RESULTED IN THE FOUR AND A HALF MONTH DELAY OF THE PASSAGE OF THIS YEAR S BUDGET 4HIS FORCED THE GOVERNMENT TO RUN ON LAST YEAR S BUDGET LIMITING IT TO SPEND FOR ITEMS DETAILED IN THE OUTLAY AND NOT ON PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS SUPPOSED TO BE IMPLEMENTED THIS YEAR 4HIS PUT TOTAL NATIONAL GOVERNMENT SPENDING IN *ANUARY TO -ARCH ‡ WHICH INCLUDE EXPENDITURES FOR INFRASTRUCTURE AND CAPITAL OUTLAY MAINTENANCE

PERSONNEL SERVICES AND SUBSIDIES ‡ AT 0 BILLION UP PERCENT OR 0 BILLION FROM THE AMOUNT IN THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR 4HIS RESULTED IN A LOWER THAN EXPECTED PERCENT 0HILIPPINE ECONOMIC

GROWTH IN THE FIRST THREE MONTHS OF THE YEAR WELL BELOW THE GOVERNMENT S TARGET $E 'UZMAN ALSO NOTED THAT THE "ANGKO 3ENTRAL NG 0ILIPINAS "30 MONETARY POLICY STANCE REMAINED TIGHT DESPITE THE BASIS POINTS CUT IN INTEREST RATES IT IMPLEMENTED LAST MONTH g,ET S NOT FORGET THAT THE POLICY TIGHTENING WAS BASIS POINTS LAST YEAR 3O THE EASING SO FAR IS BPS ) DON T THINK IT S QUITE PRECISE TO SAY THAT THEY ARE IN AN EASING MODE YET BECAUSE THE CONDITIONS THEMSELVES CONTINUE TO BE TIGHTER THAN THEY WERE THAN THIS TIME LAST YEAR u HE SAID -OODY S LATEST ECONOMIC VIEW ON THE COUNTRY CAME A DAY AFTER ANOTHER

ROUGH TRADE BEN KRITZ LOCAL OFkCIALS AROUND THE COUNTRY .EEDLESS TO SAY THE PROGRAM AGGRESSIVELY PUSHED BY THE $),' HAS BEEN A COMPREHENSIVE FAILURE

AND HAS PROBABLY CREATED MORE PROBLEMS THAN IT SOLVES "ACK IN *ULY FOLLOWING THE BARANGAY ELECTIONS HELD THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY THE $),' ATTEMPTED TO BREATHE NEW LIFE INTO THE "ARANGAY %COLOGICAL 3OLID 7ASTE -ANAGEMENT #OMMITTEES

A DUBIOUSLY OVERWROUGHT CREATION OF THE %COLOGICAL AND 3OLID 7ASTE

³Forecast B4

More power projects get CEPNS from Energy dept

HIGH-BREED CAR

A Toyota hybrid electric vehicle is introduced during the Toyota Hybrid Electric Technology Conference in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City on Wednesday. PHOTO BY DJ DIOSINA

»See related story on B2

PSEi nears 7,800 on bargain-hunting 4(% STOCK MARKET ROSE FURTHER ON 7EDNESDAY WITH ANALYSTS POINTING TO BARGAIN HUNTING AS HAVING LIFTED THE INDEX 4HE BELLWETHER 0HILIPPINE 3TOCK %XCHANGE INDEX 03%I ROSE BY PERCENT OR POINTS TO CLOSE AT

WHILE THE WIDER !LL 3HARES GREW PERCENT OR POINTS TO kNISH AT

g03%I CLOSED HIGHERwON THE BACK OF BARGAIN HUNTING FUELED

BY A BETTER COMPETITIVE RANKING FROM THE )NTERNATIONAL )NSTITUTE FOR -ANAGEMENT $EVELOPMENT )-$ u ONLINE BROKERAGE FIRM 0HILSTOCKS &INANCIAL )NC SAID IN A MARKET NOTE 4 H E ) - $ S 7O R L D #OMPETITIVENESS 9EARBOOK SHOWED THAT THE COUNTRY CLIMBED FOUR SPOTS TO TH OUT OF COUNTRIES

AFTER IT POSTED IMPROVEMENTS IN ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE BUSINESS EFkCIENCY GOVERNMENT EFkCIENCY AND INFRASTRUCTURE %CONOMIC PERFORMANCE SHOWED THE BIGGEST IMPROVEMENT ‡ TO TH FROM TH ‡ FOLLOWED BY BUSINESS EFFICIENCY ND FROM TH GOVERNMENT EFkCIENCY ST FROM TH AND INFRASTRUCTURE TH FROM TH ,OOKING AHEAD 0 0 4RADE /NLINE SALES ASSOCIATE 'ABRIEL *OSE 0EREZ SAID THE MARKET WOULD CONTINUE TO TRACK HOW THE 53 MARKET WILL PERFORM g! SOLID BREAK ABOVE THE

AREA PUTS THE NEXT RESISTANCE AROUND

u HE ADDED )N THE 53 THE $OW *ONES DROPPED BY PERCENT THE 3 0

Wasting time instead of managing waste

(% $EPARTMENT OF )NTERIOR AND ,OCAL 'OVERNMENT $),' IS A STUDY IN CONTRADICTIONS )T IS ONE OF THE LARGER DEPARTMENTS OF THE GOVERNMENT AND HAS VAST AUTHORITY OVER THINGS THAT AFFECT THE EVERYDAY LIVES OF ORDINARY PEOPLE YET RECEIVES ALMOST NO MEDIA ATTENTION AND IS LITTLE UNDERSTOOD BY THE PUBLIC )T IS ALSO A CONTRADICTION IN THE WAY IT MANAGES ITS VARIOUS RESPONSIBILITIES CARRYING OUT MANDATES THAT OUGHT TO BE ORGANIZED AT A PROVINCIAL OR REGIONAL LEVEL BY MICROMANAGING THEM AT THE SMALLEST POSSIBLE LEVEL OF GOVERNMENT 0ERHAPS THE MOST GLARING EXAMPLE OF THIS IS ITS APPROACH TO WASTE MANAGEMENT WHICH IN RECENT MONTHS HAS BEEN THE SOURCE OF MUCH BITTER CRITICISM FROM

W B a n g ko k 0 . 7 8 %

Moody’s trims 2019 growth forecast to 6%

DA: No pork price hike seen amid ASF spread 4(% $EPARTMENT OF !GRICULTURE $! ASSURED CONSUMERS ON 7EDNESDAY THAT gTHERE SHOULD BE NO INCREASEu IN PORK PRICES

CITING LOCAL HOG RAISERS CAPABILITY TO MEET DOMESTIC DEMAND AMID THE SPREAD OF !FRICAN 3WINE &EVER !3& IN #HINA 3OUTHEAST !SIA AND BEYOND $URING A PRESS CONFERENCE IN -ALACAÄANG !GRICULTURE 5NDERSECRETARY FOR /PERATIONS !RIEL #AYANAN SAID gOUR HOG SECTOR GUARANTEED THAT THEY WILL BE ABLE TO SUPPLYu PORK TO SATISFY gLOCAL DEMAND u THUS gTHERE SHOULD BE NO INCREASE ON PRICES OF PORK u (IS ASSURANCE COMES TWO DAYS AFTER #HESTER 7ARREN 4AN PRESIDENT OF THE .ATIONAL &EDERATION OF (OG &ARMERS )NC .&(&) SAID THE COUNTRY S PORK SUPPLY SHOULD BE GOOD FOR ABOUT kVE MONTHS g&OR -INDANAO WE HAVE ;ABOUT= TWO MONTHS OF BUFFER STOCKS ;OF PORK= AND IN #ENTRAL 6ISAYAS

B2

W

CURRENCY RATE

B1

-ANAGEMENT !CT OF 2! )N A SIX PAGE MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR THE $),' gREMINDEDu INCOMING BARANGAY OFFICIALS OF THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO gORGANIZE OR REORGANIZEu THE COMMITTEES WITHIN THEIR RESPECTIVE JURISDICTIONS

OUTLINED THE COMPOSITION AND DUTIES OF THE COMMITTEES AND SPELLING OUT THE PENALTIES FOR NON COMPLIANCE WITH THE EDICT (AVING DONE THAT THE $),' ALSO REMINDED MUNICIPAL CITY AND PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENTS TO UPDATE AND SUBMIT THEIR YEAR 3OLID 7ASTE -ANAGEMENT 0LANS TO THE .ATIONAL 3OLID 7ASTE -ANAGEMENT #OMMISSION 4HE IMPLICATION OF COURSE WAS THAT WITH THE MICRO LEVEL BARANGAY COMMITTEES IN PLACE SUCH PLANS SHOULD BE AN EASY MATTER SINCE WASTE MANAGEMENT

WOULD BE LARGELY HANDLED AT THE SOURCE .OT SURPRISINGLY THINGS DID NOT QUITE WORK OUT THE WAY THE $),' ENVISIONED EXCEPT FOR THE PART ABOUT ITS IMPOSING PENALTIES FOR NON COMPLIANCE WHICH IT BEGAN TO DO IN $ECEMBER BY PREPARING CHARGES AGAINST BARANGAY LEADERS WHO HAD NOT GOTTEN THEIR RESPECTIVE SOLID WASTE COMMITTEES OFF THE GROUND 4HE $),' FOLLOWED THIS UP BY ISSUING SHOW CAUSE ORDERS TO OTHER LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS AROUND THE COUNTRY FOR FAILING TO SUBMIT THEIR YEAR PLANS 4HE BACKLASH AGAINST THE $),' FROM BARANGAY AND OTHER LOCAL GOVERNMENT OFkCIALS FOR ITS HEAVY HANDEDNESS IS ENTIRELY JUSTIkED

ALTHOUGH TO BE FAIR TO THE $),' IT

³Kritz B4

DECLINED PERCENT AND THE .ASDAQ DECREASED PERCENT )N THE REGION 4OKYO LOST PERCENT (ONG +ONG SHED PERCENT 3EOUL SLIPPED PERCENT

3INGAPORE DIPPED PERCENT AND "ANGKOK DIVED PERCENT 3HANGHAI GREW PERCENT WHILE *AKARTA ROSE PERCENT )N -ANILA SECTORAL RESULTS WERE MIXED WITH THE PROPERTY

HOLDING FIRMS AND INDUSTRIAL INDICES GROWING PERCENT

PERCENT AND PERCENT

RESPECTIVELY -ORE THAN MILLION ISSUES WERE TRADED VALUED AT 0 BILLION ,OSERS AND WINNERS MATCHED AT WHILE ISSUES WERE UNCHANGED ANGELICA BALLESTEROS

3 % 6 % 2 ! , P O W E R P R O J E C T S

INCLUDING THAT OF AN !BOITIZ 'ROUP UNIT HAVE BEEN CLASSIkED AS ENERGY PROJECTS OF NATIONAL SIGNIkCANCE

THE $EPARTMENT OF %NERGY $O% ANNOUNCED ON 7EDNESDAY !CCORDING TO THE DEPARTMENT

T H E % N E R G Y ) N V E S T M E N T #OORDINATING #OUNCIL WHICH IT HEADS ISSUED CERTIkCATES OF ENERGY PROJECT OF NATIONAL SIGNIFICANCE #%0.3 FOR PRE DEVELOPMENT PHASE TO 3. !BOITIZ 0OWER )NC S !LIMIT (YDROELECTRIC 0OWER 0LANT IN )FUGAO PROVINCE AND STATE RUN 0./# %XPLORATION #ORP TO ITS 3ERVICE #ONTRACT 3# IN OFFSHORE SOUTHWEST 0ALAWAN PROVINCE !NOTHER GOVERNMENT RUN kRM THE .ATIONAL 0OWER #ORP .APOCOR SECURED #%0.3 FOR COMMERCIALITY FOR ITS 0ALAWAN GRID DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS "ROOKE S 0OINT "ATARAZA 4RANSMISSION ,INE 0ROJECT 4AYTAY %L .IDO AND 4RANSMISSION ,INE 0ROJECT !LIMANGUHAN 3WITCHING 3TATION 3AN 6ICENTE 4RANSMISSION ,INE 0ROJECT !LIMANGUHAN 3WITCHING 3TATION 0ROJECTS MEGAVOLT AMPERE -6! "ATARAZA 3UBSTATION 0ROJECT -6! "ROOKE S 0OINT 3UBSTATION %XPANSION 0ROJECT %L .IDO 3UBSTATION 0ROJECT 3AN 6ICENTE 3UBSTATION 0ROJECT 4AYTAY 3UBSTATION 0ROJECT AND -6!

4AYTAY 3UBSTATION 0ROJECT )T ALSO BAGGED CERTIFICATION FOR ITS 0ALAWAN ISLAND SERVICE DELIVERY IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS

³CEPNS B4

Piercing the veil of OPCs MORE TO A FOLLOW (MTF) CORPORATION IS AN ARTIkCIAL PERSON WITH A JURIDICAL PERSONALITY SEPARATE FROM ITS STOCKHOLDERS DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS 7ITH THIS PERSONALITY

C O R P O R A T I O N S E N J O Y T H E BENEFITS OF SUCCESSION LIMITED LIABILITY PROTECTION CENTRALIZED MANAGEMENT AND GENERALLY FREE TRANSFERABILITY OF SHARES ( O W E V E R T H I S S E P A R A T E PERSONALITY CAN BE PIERCED OR DISREGARDED UNDER THE DOCTRINE OF PIERCING THE VEIL OF CORPORATE FICTION 4HIS OCCURS WHEN THE kCTION OF SEPARATE PERSONALITY IS USED AS A MEANS OF PERPETRATING A FRAUD OR AN ILLEGAL ACT OR AS A VEHICLE FOR THE EVASION OF AN EXISTING OBLIGATION CIRCUMVENTION OF STATUES PERPETRATION OF KNAVERY OR A CRIME

EUNEY MARIE MATA-PEREZ 4 H E S E P A R A T E J U R I D I C A L PERSONALITY BENEkT IS EXTENDED TO ONE PERSON CORPORATIONS /0#S under the Revised Corporation #ODE 2EPUBLIC !CT .O WHICH BECAME EFFECTIVE ON &EB

!N /0# THUS ACQUIRES A JURIDICAL PERSONALITY SEPARATE FROM THE INDIVIDUAL ESTABLISHING IT

WHO CAN ENJOY THE LIMITED LIABILITY PROTECTION AMONG OTHERS 4HE PRINCIPLES OF PIERCING THE CORPORATE VEIL HOWEVER APPLIES WITH EQUAL FORCE TO /0#S AS

³MTF B4

B2

Business Times

˜ The Manila Times

THURSDAY May 30, 2019

w w w.manilatimes.net

DTI: Zero tariff for EV imports a possibility

BY TYRONE C. PIAD

I

N a bid to fully develop the electric-vehicle (EV) industry in the Philippines, the government is considering not to impose any tariff on EV imports.

4HE $EPARTMENT OF 4RADE AND )NDUSTRY $4) SAID ON 7EDNESDAY THERE WAS A POSSIBILITY TO PROVIDE ZERO DUTIES ON IMPORTED %6S

ESPECIALLY IF THEIR MANUFACTURERS WOULD SET UP THEIR OWN FACILITIES IN THE 0HILIPPINES !SIDE FROM TAX INCENTIVES 4RADE 5NDERSECRETARY 2AFAELITA !LDABA SAID THE STATE WAS ALSO EYEING FOR VEHICLE AND FUEL REGULATIONS AND CHARGING INFRASTRUCTURE BUILD UP TO SUPPORT THE SECTOR WHICH IS SEEN

BY THE $4) TO GROW 4HERE IS A gNEED FOR COMPREHENSIVE AND WHOLE GOVERNMENT APPROACHu TO ENSURE THAT THE SAID INDUSTRY BE DEVELOPED !LDABA SAID ON THE SIDELINES OF A CONFERENCE ALSO ATTENDED BY 4OYOTA 0HILIPPINES IN 4AGUIG #ITY ON 7EDNESDAY %ARLIER 4OYOTA -OTOR 0HILIPPINES #ORP SOUGHT TAX INCENTIVES FOR %6 IMPORTS 4OYOTA 0HILIPPINES 0RESIDENT 3ATORU 3UZUKI APPEALED FOR THE REMOVAL OF THE PERCENT

TARIFF IMPOSED BY THE GOVERNMENT ON THESE VEHICLES -ORESO 3UZUKI CALLED FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF MORE %6 CHARGING STATIONS HINTING HIGHER PRODUCTION OF %6S IN THE FUTURE g4HAT CHARGING STATION DEkNITELY NEEDS SUPPORT FROM THE GOVERNMENT u HE SAID 0RESENTLY THERE ARE ONLY CHARGING STATIONS ACROSS THE COUNTRY 3UZUKI ALSO NOTED THAT THE RELATIVELY EXPENSIVE COST OF POWER IN THE COUNTRY COULD HEAVILY WEIGH ON THE SALES OF %6 (E SAID THE PRICE OF %6S IN THE 0HILIPPINES gIS RELATIVELY HIGHER COMPARED TO OTHER COUNTRIES u 4OYOTA 0HILIPPINES IS THE kRST TO INTRODUCE HYBRID %6 (%6 IN THE COUNTRY WITH ITS BRAND 0RIUS IN

AS PART OF ITS INITIATIVE TO HELP REDUCE CARBON DIOXIDE EMISSIONS

BY PERCENT IN g(%6S ARE WIDELY KNOWN TO BE MORE FUEL EFkCIENT THAN TRADITIONAL PETROL ENGINES AND THEIR SELF CHARGING CAPABILITY REQUIRE NO ADDITIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE TO BE BUILT IN ORDER TO SEAMLESSLY START THE TRANSITION u THE COMPANY SAID IN A SEPARATE STATEMENT !PART FROM 0RIUS THE *APANESE CAR MANUFACTURER ALSO HAS HYBRID MODELS UNDER ITS LUXURY BRAND ,EXUS INCLUDING '3 H .8 H 28 H #4 H #4 H & 3PORT AND ,3 H )N !PRIL 4OYOTA LED THE INDUSTRY WITH PERCENT MARKET SHARE AT UNITS SOLD DOWN PERCENT FROM UNITS LAST YEAR

Anti-red tape body seeks P500-M budget SSS waives P9-B loan penalties THE !NTI 2ED 4APE !UTHORITY !24!

HAS SUBMITTED TO THE $EPARTMENT OF "UDGET AND -ANAGEMENT $"- ITS MORE THAN 0 MILLION BUDGET PROPOSAL FOR g,AST &RIDAY -AY WE SUBMITTED OUR BUDGET PROPOSAL FOR THE YEAR AND THIS IS MORE THAN 0 MILLION u !24! $EPUTY $IRECTOR 'ENERAL %RNESTO 0EREZ SAID IN A RECENT PRESS CONFERENCE IN 0ASAY #ITY 0EREZ SAID OPERATING EXPENSES WOULD BE COVERING THE BULK OR MORE THAN PERCENT OF THE AMOUNT !MONG THESE ARE TRAININGS FOR REGULATORY IMPACT ASSESSMENT CAPACITY BUILDING FOR GOVERNMENT AGENCIES OPERATIONS OF COMPLAINT ACTIONS CENTER

SALARIES AND OFkCE RENT g)T WILL ALSO COVER THOSE

PERSONNEL NOT ONLY FROM THE CENTRAL OFFICE BUT ALSO TO EIGHT REGIONAL OFkCES THAT WILL BE SET UP EVENTUALLY u HE SAID #URRENTLY

!24! HAS ONLY STAFF MEMBERS WORKING AS SERVICE PROVIDERS 4HE ADDITIONAL STAFF MEMBERS

0EREZ SAID WERE PART OF THE POSITION PLANTILLA APPROVED BY $"- !MONG THEM ARE DIRECTOR GENERAL HUMAN RESOURCES AND COMPLAINTS AND LEGAL DIVISION

AMONG OTHERS 4HE AGENCY IS CURRENTLY OPERATING ON A 0 MILLION BUDGET SECURED

BY THE $EPARTMENT OF 4RADE AND )NDUSTRY $4) SINCE LAST YEAR g4HE 0 MILLION THAT WAS SECURED BY $4) FOR THE ACCOUNT OF !24! WAS NOT FULLY CONSUMED OR SPENT SO WE ARE CONTINUING WITH THE BUDGET u HE SAID

4HE REMAINING FUND COULD STILL COVER THE RENTAL PAYMENT UNTIL THE END OF THE YEAR AND SALARIES AT LEAST UNTIL *UNE 0EREZ ADDED ( OWE VE R 0E R E Z S A I D T H E PROPOSED BUDGET CAN ONLY BE APPROVED BY A FULL lEDGED DIRECTOR GENERAL WHICH 0RESIDENT $UTERTE HAS NOT YET APPOINTED DESPITE HAVING A SHORT LIST g) M JUST LAYING THE GROUND WORKS SO THAT WHEN THE DIRECTOR GENERAL GETS APPOINTED ALL HE HAS TO DO IS EXAMINE u HE SAID 2EPUBLIC !CT MANDATED THE CREATION OF !24! WHICH IS TASKED TO MONITOR AND IMPLEMENT ANTI RED TAPE MEASURES AND REFORMS FOR EASE OF DOING BUSINESS TO IMPROVE GLOBAL COMPETITIVENESS RANKING OF THE 0HILIPPINES TYRONE C. PIAD

Expanded maternity leave

I

T HAS BEEN AN AUSPICIOUS YEAR FOR LEGISLATION 4HROUGH OUR WORK WE DRAFTED NEGOTIATED

AND PASSED INTO LAW A NUMBER OF LAWS ONE OF WHICH WAS THE %ASE OF $OING "USINESS !CT ) WROTE ABOUT LAST YEAR 4HIS YEAR ANOTHER POLICY WE WORKED ON WAS PASSED INTO LAW 4HE %XPANDED -ATERNITY ,EAVE !CT 2EPUBLIC !CT .O WAS SIGNED BY 0RESIDENT $UTERTE ON &EB

AND WE IMMEDIATELY BEGAN WORK ON THE )MPLEMENTING 2ULES AND 2EGULATIONS )22 4HE )22 WAS SIGNED ON ,ABOR $AY 4HE PASSAGE IS CONSIDERED A VICTORY FOR WOMEN AND MOTHERS WORKING IN ALL SECTORS AND BRINGS TO THE MODERN AGE A NUMBER OF ISSUES NOT COVERED BY THE FORMER LAW

Increased maternity leave 4HE PASSAGE INCREASES MATERNITY LEAVE FROM THE FORMER DAYS FOR NORMAL DELIVERY OR DAYS FOR CAESAREAN DELIVERY TO DAYS REGARDLESS OF METHOD OF DELIVERY )N CASE OF MISCARRIAGE OR EMERGENCY TERMINATION DAYS PAID LEAVE IS GRANTED BY THE LAW 4HESE BENEkTS ARE ABOVE THOSE GRANTED BY THE 3OLO 0ARENTS 7ELFARE !CT OF 2EPUBLIC !CT .O THEREFORE AN ADDITIONAL DAYS PAID LEAVE ARE GRANTED IF THE MOTHER IS A SOLO PARENT UNDER THAT LAW 4HE NEW LAW ALSO ADDS THE OPTION FOR AN ADDITIONAL DAYS UNPAID LEAVE IF THE MOTHER SO CHOOSES AND INFORMS HER EMPLOYER AT LEAST DAYS PRIOR TO THE END OF THE MATERNITY LEAVE )T ALSO MANDATES THAT THE LEAVES BE USED FOR THE PURPOSE OF THE LAW TO ALLOW THE MOTHER TO REST RECOVER AND BOND WITH HER NEWBORN CHILD (ENCE THE MATERNITY LEAVE MUST BE AVAILED BEFORE OR AFTER DELIVERY IN A CONTINUOUS AND UNINTERRUPTED MANNER AND POSTNATAL LEAVE

MANAGEMENT ACTION

IRA PAULO POZON MUST BE AT LEAST DAYS OUT OF THE DAYS !DDITIONALLY THE EXPANDED LAW REMOVES THE FORMER CAP OF FOUR PREGNANCIES AND ALLOWS FOR THE MATERNITY BENEkT TO BE AVAILED FOR EVERY INSTANCE OF PREGNANCY

Coverage of women in the informal economy 4HE LAW ALSO ALLOWS FOR THE BENEkTS TO APPLY TO MOTHERS WHO WORK IN THE INFORMAL ECONOMY A MOVE THAT RECOGNIZES THE NUMEROUS SELF EMPLOYED AND FREELANCERS IN THE 0HILIPPINE WORKFORCE )N ORDER TO VALIDLY AVAIL OF THE MATERNITY BENEFIT THE WORKER MUST REGISTER ONESELF TO THE 3OCIAL 3ECURITY 3YSTEM 333 AND REMITTED AT LEAST THREE MONTHLY CONTRIBUTIONS IN THE MONTH PERIOD BEFORE THE SEMESTER OF THE CHILDBIRTH MISCARRIAGE OR EMERGENCY TERMINATION

Increased paternity leave $URING THE 4RIPARTITE %XECUTIVE -EETING IN EARLY !PRIL MOST OF THE PROPOSED PROVISIONS OF THE )22 WERE DISCUSSED AND SCRUTINIZED 0OINTS FROM ALL RELEVANT SECTORS WERE HEARD AND ADDRESSED /NE SUCH ISSUE WAS THE NOVEL PROVISION EXPANDING PATERNITY LEAVE WHERE THE MOTHER MAY ALLOCATE AS MUCH AS SEVEN DAYS OF HER LEAVE TO THE FATHER OF THE CHILD WHETHER OR NOT THEY ARE MARRIED 4HIS ADDS TO THE EXISTING PATERNITY LEAVE UNDER THE 0ATERNITY ,EAVE !CT OF 2EPUBLIC !CT .O AND FATHERS MAY NOW ENJOY UP TO DAYS PATERNITY LEAVE ) RECALL ONE ISSUE RAISED BY

A GENTLEMAN WHO OBJECTED TO THE ALLOCATION TO THE CHILD S FATHER IN CERTAIN INSTANCES 4HE GENTLEMAN RAISED THE POINT WHERE THE CHILD IS THE PRODUCT OF AN ILLICIT RELATIONSHIP SAY AN AFFAIR where either or both parents are IN FACT MARRIED TO OTHER PEOPLE (E ARGUED THAT THE ALLOCATION OF SEVEN MATERNITY LEAVE DAYS TO THE FATHER WOULD BE AN IMMORAL ACT BORDERLINE CONDONING THE ILLICIT AFFAIR THAT RESULTED TO THE CHILD IN THE kRST PLACE 4 H E I S S U E WA S N O T F U L L Y DISCUSSED THEN BUT ) DID RECALL A LEGAL PRINCIPLE THAT MAY ADDRESS IT )T WAS THE SAME PRINCIPLE WE OFTEN DISCUSSED WITH MY LAW STUDENTS IN )NSURANCE ,AW $OES THE LAW PROHIBIT ONE PARTY TO NAME AS INSURANCE BENEkCIARY HIS OR HER PARAMOUR WHEN IN FACT THE INSURED IS MARRIED TO ANOTHER 4HE LAW INDEED BARS SUCH UNDER THE #IVIL #ODE BY CONSIDERING THE DESIGNATION OF BENEFICIARY AS A DONATION AND THEREFORE !RTICLE OF THE #IVIL #ODE WOULD BAR DONATIONS BETWEEN PERSONS gGUILTY OF ADULTERY OR CONCUBINAGE AT THE TIME OF THE DONATION u 4HAT SAME LEGAL PRINCIPLE COULD IN THEORY AND IN MY OWN OPINION BE APPLIED HERE WHERE THE MOTHER WISHES TO ALLOCATE UP TO SEVEN MATERNITY LEAVE DAYS TO THE FATHER OF THE CHILD THE SAME COULD BE BARRED AS A VOID DONATION UNDER THE #IVIL #ODE 4HE ADDITIONAL SEVEN DAYS LEAVE MAY ALSO BE ALLOCATED BY THE MOTHER TO ANOTHER CAREGIVER

SUCH AS A RELATIVE

Hefty penalties ! WARNING TO EMPLOYERS WHO WISH TO VIOLATE THE PROVISIONS OF THIS LAW IT PROVIDES HEAVY PENALTIES RANGING FROM A FINE 0 UP TO 0 AND IMPRISONMENT SIX YEARS AND ONE DAY TO YEARS OR BOTH !S A kNAL WORD IT IS HOPED THAT

³Management B4

34!4% 25. 3OCIAL 3ECURITY 3YSTEM 333 ON 7EDNESDAY SAID IT HAS CONDONED 0 BILLION SHORT TERM LOAN PENALTIES OF OVER CALAMITY AFFECTED MEMBERS UNDER ITS SECOND ,OAN 2ESTRUCTURING 0ROGRAM ,20 )T ALSO STRONGLY URGED AVAILEES TO PAY THE MONTHLY AMORTIZATION OF THEIR RESTRUCTURED LOANS )N A STATEMENT 333 0RESIDENT AND #HIEF %XECUTIVE /FFICER !URORA )GNACIO SAID THE PROGRAM HAS RESTRUCTURED 0 BILLION WORTH OF LOANS AND GENERATED INCOME AMOUNTING TO 0 BILLION FROM !PRIL TO LAST MONTH g-EMBERS WHO PAID THEIR O U T S T A N D I N G L O A N S I N F U L L THROUGH ,20 WILL AGAIN ENJOY THEIR LOAN PRIVILEGES AFTER SIX MONTHS FROM THE TIME THAT THEY HAVE PAID THEIR LOANS 4HEY ARE NOW WORRY FREE FROM ANY LOAN DEDUCTIONS ON THEIR FUTURE BENEFITS SUCH AS THEIR RETIREMENT PENSION 7E ENCOURAGE THOSE WHO ARE PAYING THEIR RESTRUCTURED LOANS IN INSTALLMENT TERMS TO ENSURE THAT THEY ARE PAYING THEIR LOAN OBLIGATIONS ON TIME TO EVENTUALLY REGAIN THEIR GOOD STANDING WITH THE PENSION FUND u )GNACIO SAID )N ITS FIRST IMPLEMENTATION ON !PRIL

THE ,20 OF 333 RESTRUCTURED A TOTAL OF 0 BILLION WORTH OF LOANS AND CONDONED 0 BILLION WORTH OF PENALTIES BENEFITTING MORE THAN MEMBERS BORROWERS )T ALSO GENERATED INCOME AMOUNTING TO 0 BILLION 4HE PROGRAM WAS MEANT TO ASSIST THE CALAMITY AFFECTED MEMBERS OF 333 WHO WERE STRUGGLING TO PAY THEIR SHORT TERM LOANS SUCH AS SALARY

EMERGENCY EDUCATIONAL OLD

3TUDY .OW 0AY ,ATER 0LAN 6OC 4ECH AND )NVESTMENT )NCENTIVE (OWEVER THE FIRST ,20 LASTED ONLY UNTIL !PRIL AS MANY MEMBERS FAILED TO AVAIL OF THE PROGRAM AND CLAMORED FOR ANOTHER ,20 4HIS PROMPTED 3 3 3 T O O P E N T H E S E C O N D IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROGRAM UPON THE APPROVAL OF 0RESIDENT $UTERTE )GNACIO SAID BOTH THE FIRST AND SECOND ,20S EXCEEDED ITS TARGET NUMBER OF AVAILEES BY PERCENT AND PERCENT

RESPECTIVELY g333 UNDERSTANDS THAT NATURAL CALAMITIES MAKE IT DIFFICULT FOR ITS MEMBERS TO PAY THEIR LOAN OBLIGATIONS 7E ARE GLAD THAT THROUGH THE ,20 THE PENSION FUND WAS ABLE TO HELP MORE THAN MILLION MEMBER BORROWERS WHO WERE AFFECTED BY VARIOUS CALAMITIES TO SETTLE THEIR UNPAID LOANS u )GNACIO SAID EIREENE JAIREE GOMEZ

Corporate News Rockwell eyes P16-B reservation sales this yr URC aims to record high single-digit growth in 2019 ˜ The Manila Times

THURSDAY May 30, 2019

w w w.manilatimes.net

LISTED Rockwell Land Corp. is targeting to book P16 billion in reservation sales this year as it ramps up its residential offerings.

During a briefing on the sidelines of the Lopez-led property developer’s annual stockholders’ meeting on Wednesday, Rockwell Chief Revenue Officer Valerie Soliven said the amount would be a 7-percent increase from the P15 billion posted in end-December.

Rockwell is set to launch this year four residential projects: the 63-hectare Rockwell South at Carmelray in Canlubang town, Laguna province, which has a target net revenue of P3.9 billion for the first phase alone; mid-rise condominium Benitez Suites in Quezon City, with projected sales of P2.8 billion; the second tower of East Bay Residences in Muntinlupa City, which is expected to generate P2 billion; and another project in Bacolod City, Negros Occidential province that is projected to rack up P8 billion in sales.

The first phase of Carmelray covers 43 ha of land bank and 252 lots, with sizes ranging from 600 square meters (sqm) to 1,000 sqm. Selling price is from P30,000 to P40,000 per sqm. Preselling is targeted within the fourth quarter.

Carmelray is a joint venture project of the company with the Yulo family’s Carmelray Property Holdings Inc. and San

Ramon Holdings Inc. The Benitez Suites will rise in November as an upscale residential tower that merges condominium and townhouse living. East Bay’s second tower, meanwhile, will be launched in the third quarter.

For the Bacolod project, Rockwell said an eight-tower condominium would rise there, two of which will start construction in 2019. The first phase alone is expected to generate P2 billion in sales.

Also, Rockwell Chief Finance Officer Ellen Almodiel said the company would also embark on growing its recurring income portfolio to 40 percent of its earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortization (ebitda) from the current 36 percent.

The firm, she added, will continue to offer hotel-residential portfolios on expectations that tourism would be the next driver of the country’s economic growth.

Rockwell said it would spend P12 billion to P14 billion this year, the bulk of which would go to project developments and 15 percent to land acquisition.

It will tap a mix of existing bank lines and internally generated cash to fund the allocation.

Rockwell Land shares grew by 3 centavos or 1.48 percent to finish at P2.06 apiece on Wednesday.

ANGELICA BALLESTEROS

BY ANGELICA BALLESTEROS

L

ISTED Universal Robina Corp. (URC) is aiming to grow by a high single-digit for AFTER ITS STRONG kRST QUARTER EARNINGS AND GROWTH ACROSS ALL ITS BUSINESSES FUELED ITS optimism.

On the sidelines of the Gokongwei-led food-and-beverage producer’s annual shareholders’ meeting in Pasig City on Wednesday, URC President and Chief %XECUTIVE /FkCER )RWIN ,EE TOLD reporters that his company was looking to grow by 7 percent to 9 percent this year, an adjustment from its previous mid-singledigit growth target. “We think we can beat the midSINGLE DIGITS u ,EE SAID ADDING THAT 52# S NET INCOME IN THE kRST three months of the year showed gWE RE BETTER THAN THAT u

The company posted a net PROkT OF 0 BILLION IN *ANUARY TO March, a 3.3-percent increase from P3 billion in the same period last year, on the back of its improved operating income, — which hit P4 billion in the quarter — supported by higher sales volume and average selling prices. “I think the Philippines will continue to be at least in the high single digits. It really remains to be seen on how we perform in the international market. We’ll probably have a better feel for it WHEN WE kNISH THE SECOND QUAR-

TER u ,EE SAID For 2019, URC earmarked up to P9 billion in capital expenditures (capex), to be spent equally on capacity expansion and regulatory requirements as well as working capital. It would tap both debt and internally generated cash to fund the capex.

As for capacity growth, Lee said it would expand its production capacity for its chips business, particularly for Nova, Piattos and Nips brands. “We are commissioning an additional [production] line for Nova and we are looking at additional capacity over the next FEW YEARS u HE ADDED Last month, the firm announced that it had raised the manufacturing capacity of its lOUR AND SUGAR BUSINESSES AFTER commissioning new plants that INCREASED lOUR PRODUCTION FROM

B3

300 tons to 900 tons and sugar production from 9,000 tons to 14,000 tons.

To ensure growth, Lee said URC would continue to grow its coffee business, which already CONTRIBUTED STRONGLY TO ITS kRST quarter performance. “As the coffee market was developing, there has been an attempt to test [the] taste of Filipinos. What we discovered was there was much varied taste PROkLES IN WHITE COFFEE THAT WE were not participating in. We updated the look so it doesn’t LOOK YEARS OLD u HE EXPLAINED URC launched earlier this year TWO NEW lAVORS UNDER ITS 'REAT Taste White brand, and Lee said “we are beginning to gain back MARKET SHAREu IN THAT SEGMENT Shares of URC rose by 2.58 PERCENT OR 0 TO kNISH AT 0 each on Wednesday.

Aboitiz subsidiary takes ACE Malolos P1-B IPO approved over SG feeds producer PILMICO International Pte. Ltd. has taken full ownership of Singapore-based Gold Coin Management Holdings Ltd. after buying the remaining 25-percent stake in the animal-feeds producer for $120 million.

In a disclosure on Wednesday, Pilmico parent Aboitiz Equity Ventures (AEV) said the acquisition was in line with its plan to “expand the Aboitiz Group’s animal-feeds BUSINESS WITHIN THE !SIA 0ACIkC REGION u “The consideration is a negotiated amount mainly based on the same enterprise value of $550 million as the acquisition of the 75-percent equity interest in Gold Coin. After deducting net debt (debt less cash and short term investments) and certain sums payable by Golden Springs

'ROUP ,TD TO 'OLD #OIN THE kNAL CASH consideration for the 25 percent equity INTEREST IN 'OLD #OIN IS MILLION u it explained.

According to AEV, its board of directors approved the acquisition on April 22.

Established in Singapore in 1953, Gold Coin is a pioneer in animal nutrition and THE PRODUCTION OF SCIENTIkCALLY BALANCED animal feeds in Asia. It is one of the largest privately owned agribusinesses in the region, employing over 2900 people throughout its 21 production facilities, and across nine countries.

Pilmico is into the production, distriBUTION AND EXPORT OF lOUR AND FEEDS IN Southeast Asia. EIREENE JAIREE GOMEZ

THE Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) approved on Wednesday the planned P1-billion initial public offering (IPO) of hospital operator Allied Care Experts (ACE) Malolos Doctors Inc. In a statement, the state-run securities regulator said it had authorized ACE Malolos to issue 600 founder shares and 239,400 common shares, made up of 203,400 issued and outstanding common shares and 36,000 newly issued shares at a par value of P1,000 apiece.

ACE Malolos intends to sell these by blocks of 10 shares at prices ranging from P200,000 to P400,000 each.

The company said it would use 35 percent of the proceeds to construct a tertiary healthcare facility that is expected

HOLDING FIRMS

Index

Value

Chg

%Chg

PSEi

7,797.75

36.46

Ÿ

All Shares

4,804.79

14.74

Ÿ

Financials

1,693.03

-3.52

Ĺş

Industrial

11,283.98

143.73

Ÿ

Holding Firms

7,464.95

77.96

Ÿ

Services

1,652.72

-3.45

Ĺş

Mining and Oil

7,140.65

-106.94

Ĺş

Property

4,237.81

1.53

Ÿ

SERVICES

Stock indices as of May 29, 2019

PSEi

ALL SHARES

MINING AND OIL

to be the largest of its kind in Malolos City, Bulacan province. As of end-March, it’s construction was already 15-percent complete.

It also intends to allocate 30 percent of the proceeds for medical equipment, 10 percent for loan payments and 5 percent as working capital. g4HE OFFER COMES WITH BENEkTS AND privileges, such as discounts on medical and dental services, which the principal investor, his or her spouse, dependents and natural parents may avail of in all MEDICAL FACILITIES UNDER OR AFkLIATED WITH the ACE Group of Hospitals across the COUNTRY u THE 3%# SAID OF THE OFFER Doctors holding founder or common shares in ACE Malolos will have the privilege to co-admit and/or co-manage

patients on special cases in other ACE medical centers.

Subscribing to the offer shares is required for them to practice at ACE Malolos. These stockholders, however, must undergo a screening process and have the minimum requirements provided in the company’s articles of incorporation, bylaws and internal rules.

ACE Malolos is separate from ACE Medical Center Iloilo Inc., which also kLED FOR A 0 BILLION )0/ LATE LAST YEAR Under ACE Iloilo’s registration statement, it wanted to offer as much as 36,000 shares priced between P25,000 and P40,000 apiece. They shall also be sold in 10-share blocks, with prices ranging from P250,000 to P400,000 each.

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 SM Investments Corporation Bank of the Philippine Islands Ayala Land, Inc. SM Prime Holdings, Inc. BDO Unibank, Inc. Ayala Corporation International Container Terminal Services, Inc. Jollibee Foods Corporation Universal Robina Corporation LT Group, Inc. Metropolitan Bank & Trust Company Globe Telecom, Inc. Security Bank Corporation PLDT Inc. JG Summit Holdings, Inc. Philippine Seven Corporation “Common�

Megaworld Corporation Aboitiz Equity Ventures, Inc. Manila Electric Company Aboitiz Power Corp.

Last Price 935.5 77.3 48.5 39.2 133.5 899 134 273 159 14.72 72 2,176.00 175 1,273.00 61.6 125.8 5.62 54.8 378.8 35.7

Chg 10 -2.5 -0.15 -0.05 1.5 6.5 -3.3 3 4 -0.3 -0.5 64 3.9 -4 1.6 5.8 0.1 0.65 6.4 0

%Chg 1.08% -3.13% -0.31% -0.13% 1.14% 0.73% -2.40% 1.11% 2.58% -2.00% -0.69% 3.03% 2.28% -0.31% 2.67% 4.83% 1.81% 1.20% 1.72% 0%

Ÿ ź ź ź Ÿ Ÿ ź Ÿ Ÿ ź ź Ÿ Ÿ ź Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ

Volume 698,570.00 6,146,370.00 8,398,400.00 8,876,200.00 2,192,550.00 273,820.00 1,478,260.00 699,980.00 1,093,080.00 11,685,600.00 1,853,340.00 61,135.00 750,050.00 88,160.00 1,771,700.00 862,070.00 17,769,500.00 1,664,720.00 234,810.00 2,228,000.00

Value(P) 648,710,755.00 479,462,665.00 407,538,115.00 349,531,720.00 292,897,238.00 246,296,250.00 199,837,337.00 190,810,578.00 173,874,334.00 172,383,402.00 133,541,208.50 132,533,130.00 131,712,346.00 112,862,105.00 108,995,391.00 103,663,857.00 99,882,874.00 91,104,394.00 88,576,546.00 79,627,860.00

*amounts in peso, except for volume, %chg

TOP GAINERS

FINANCIALS

INDUSTRIAL

PROPERTY

INDEX HISTORY Date May 29, 2019 May 28, 2019 May 27, 2019 May 24, 2019 May 23, 2019 May 22, 2019 May 21, 2019 May 20, 2019 May 17, 2019 May 16, 2019 May 15, 2019 May 14, 2019 May 10, 2019 May 9, 2019 May 8, 2019 May 7, 2019 May 6, 2019 May 3, 2019 May 2, 2019 Apr 30, 2019 Apr 29, 2019 Apr 26, 2019 Apr 25, 2019 Apr 24, 2019 Apr 23, 2019 Apr 22, 2019 Apr 17, 2019 Apr 16, 2019 Apr 15, 2019 Apr 12, 2019

Open 7,778 7,728 7,719 7,771 7,808 7,731 7,662 7,587 7,482 7,560 7,671 7,718 7,756 7,858 7,903 7,872 7,973 8,004 7,953 7,892 7,861 7,893 7,848 7,799 7,827 7,840 7,833 7,800 7,888 7,971

High 7,816 7,785 7,742 7,771 7,822 7,839 7,741 7,660 7,637 7,586 7,711 7,718 7,842 7,864 7,927 7,922 7,974 8,078 8,041 7,953 7,897 7,900 7,894 7,847 7,835 7,859 7,861 7,860 7,915 7,980

Low 7,778 7,703 7,694 7,665 7,764 7,725 7,640 7,534 7,482 7,475 7,577 7,578 7,719 7,756 7,755 7,861 7,851 7,968 7,947 7,889 7,846 7,840 7,832 7,799 7,770 7,818 7,824 7,799 7,788 7,881

Close 7,798 7,761 7,725 7,747 7,804 7,815 7,722 7,660 7,584 7,475 7,577 7,647 7,742 7,756 7,927 7,911 7,862 7,968 8,002 7,953 7,897 7,868 7,894 7,847 7,819 7,832 7,835 7,826 7,788 7,881

CLOSE

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 Primex Corporation Benguet Corporation “A�

SOCResources, Inc. Cyber Bay Corporation Arthaland Corporation LMG Chemicals Corporation Chelsea Logistics and Infrastracture Holdings Corp.

Euro-Med Laboratories Phils., Inc. MRC Allied Incorporated Philippine Seven Corporation “Common�

United Paragon Mining Corporation Philippine Infradev Holdings, Inc. PH Resorts Group Holdings, Inc. Greenergy Holdings Incorporated Geograce Resources Philippines, Inc. Max’s Group, Inc. Keppel Philippine Holdings, Inc. “A�

Berjaya Philippines, Inc. D&L Industries, Inc.

Volume 700.00 4,117,000.00 2,000.00 4,918,000.00 700,000.00 5,427,000.00 575,000.00 3,592,200.00 10,000.00 14,480,000.00 862,070.00 6,000,000.00 3,785,000.00 83,000.00 7,001,000.00 1,490,000.00 1,652,800.00 10,000.00 3,535,000.00 2,964,500.00

Value Last Price Chg 11,144.00 15.9 1.74 8,863,640.00 2.23 0.23 2,380.00 1.19 0.09 4,530,230.00 0.95 0.05 264,500.00 0.395 0.02 4,341,530.00 0.8 0.04 2,453,900.00 4.22 0.21 24,252,275.00 6.75 0.32 16,900.00 1.69 0.08 4,632,500.00 0.325 0.015 103,663,857.00 125.8 5.8 40,700.00 0.0069 0.0003 6,930,630.00 1.86 0.08 384,290.00 4.73 0.2 16,358,070.00 2.37 0.1 354,860.00 0.24 0.01 21,523,526.00 13.08 0.54 50,000.00 5 0.2 10,794,400.00 3.05 0.12 30,717,210.00 10.4 0.4

%Chg 12.29% 11.50% 8.18% 5.56% 5.33% 5.26% 5.24% 4.98% 4.97% 4.84% 4.83% 4.55% 4.49% 4.42% 4.41% 4.35% 4.31% 4.17% 4.10% 4.00%

*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 Leisure and Resorts World Corporation Warrants iPeople, Inc. Mabuhay Holdings Corporation Suntrust Home Developers, Inc. Leisure & Resorts World Corporation Harbor Star Shipping Services, Inc. 3DFLÂżF 2QOLQH 6\VWHPV &RUSRUDWLRQ Premiere Horizon Alliance Corporation PHINMA Petroleum and Geothermal, Inc. Agrinurture, Inc. Concepcion Industrial Corporation Vitarich Corporation Petron Corporation Bank of the Philippine Islands AyalaLand Logistics Holdings Corp.

8990 Holdings, Inc. Series A Perpetual Preferred Shares 3DFLÂżFD ,QF Semirara Mining and Power Corporation International Container Terminal Services, Inc. Manila Jockey Club, Inc.

*amounts in peso, except for volume, %chg

Volume Value Last Price 1,292,000.00 2,722,700.00 2.06 38,300.00 392,530.00 10.2 10,000.00 5,100.00 0.51 4,000.00 2,920.00 0.73 4,191,000.00 19,049,180.00 4.49 3,511,000.00 7,936,270.00 2.2 141,000.00 442,060.00 3.2 18,925,000.00 15,079,750.00 0.79 229,000.00 866,580.00 3.74 600,700.00 8,668,506.00 14.38 48,600 2,185,040.00 44 11,912,000.00 14,673,090.00 1.2 503,200.00 3,074,388.00 6.07 6,146,370.00 479,462,665.00 77.3 3,271,000.00 11,251,910.00 3.39 400.00 38,000.00 95

Chg -0.21 -1.02 -0.04 -0.05 -0.28 -0.1 -0.14 -0.03 -0.14 -0.5 -1.5 -0.04 -0.2 -2.5 -0.1 -2.5

%Chg -9.25% -9.09% -7.27% -6.41% -5.87% -4.35% -4.19% -3.66% -3.61% -3.36% -3.30% -3.23% -3.19% -3.13% -2.87% -2.56%

22,300,000.00 870,700.00 1,532,700.00 33,661,085.00 1,478,260.00 199,837,337.00 55,000.00 196,350.00

-0.001 -0.55 -3.3 -0.08

-2.50% -2.44% -2.40% -2.17%

0.039 21.95 134 3.6

Foreign Business China steps up threat to More power deprive US of rare earths B B4

THURSDAY May 30, 2019

˜ The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

Q CEPNS FROM B1

#HINA HAS BEEN ACCUSED OF USING ITS RARE EARTH LEVERAGE FOR POLITICAL REASONS BEFORE *APANESE INDUSTRY SOURCES SAID IT TEMPORARILY CUT OFF EXPORTS IN 2010 as a territorial row flared BETWEEN THE !SIAN RIVALS CHARGES THAT "EIJING DENIED "UT EXPERTS SAY THE *APAN EXPERIENCE SHOWED THAT #HINA MAY NOT HAVE SUCH STRONG LEVERAGE g%VEN WITH SUCH APPARENTLY FAVORABLE CIRCUMSTANCES MARKET POWER AND POLITICAL LEVERAGE

PROVED FLEETING AND DIFFICULT TO EXPLOIT u ACCORDING TO A REPORT BY THE #OUNCIL ON &OREIGN 2ELATIONS THINK TANK WRITTEN BY 5NIVERSITY OF 4EXAS PROFESSOR %UGENE 'HOLZ The report said China’s advanTAGES WERE ALREADY SLIPPING AWAY IN DUE TO NORMAL MARKET BEHAVIOUR INCLUDING INCREASES IN NON #HINESE PRODUCTION AND PROCESSING CAPACITY AND INNOVATIONS THAT HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO REDUCING DEMAND FOR SOME RARE EARTH ELEMENTS !NALYSTS HAVE SAID #HINA APPEARS apprehensive of targeting the minerALS JUST YET POSSIBLY FEARFUL OF HASTENING A GLOBAL SEARCH FOR ALTERNATIVE SUPPLIES OF THE COMMODITIES 4HE 'LOBAL 4IMES ACKNOWLedged that using rare earths as LEVERAGE COULD BE RISKY g)F #HINA DECIDES TO BAN RARE EARTHS EXPORT TO THE 53 IT WOULD PRODUCE COMPLEX EFFECTS INCLUDING INCURRING CERTAIN LOSSES ON #HINA ITSELF u IT SAID g(OWEVER #HINA ALSO CLEARLY KNOWS THAT THE 53 WOULD SUFFER GREATER LOSSES IN THAT SITUATION u AFP

!GUTAYA $IESEL 0OWER 0LANT X KILOWATTS OR K7 !RACELI $IESEL 0OWER 0LANT X K7 AND X K7 "ALABAC $IESEL 0OWER 0LANT X K7 "ATAS $IESEL 0OWER 0LANT X K7 "ISUCAY $IESEL 0OWER 0LANT X K7 "ULALACAO $IESEL 0OWER 0LANT X K7 AND X K7 #ABUGAO $IESEL 0OWER 0LANT X K7 #AGAYANCILLO $IESEL 0OWER 0LANT X K7 #ALANDAGAN $IESEL 0OWER 0LANT X K7 Culion Diesel Power Plant (2 X K7 AND X K7 #UYO $IESEL 0OWER 0LANT X K7 AND X K7 $Ebangan Diesel Power Plant (1 X K7 AND $EPLA $IESEL 0OWER 0LANT X K7 . A P O C O R S ' A L O C $ I E S E L 0OWER 0LANT X K7 ,INAPACAN $IESEL 0OWER 0LANT X K7 AND X K7 -ANAMOC $IESEL 0OWER 0LANT X K7 -ANGSEE $IESEL 0OWER 0LANT X K7 -ARACAÄAO $IESEL 0OWER 0LANT X K7 -AROYOGROYOG $IESEL 0OWER 0LANT X K7 AND X K7 -EYTEGUED Diesel Power Plant (1 x 100 K7 .EW )BAJAY $IESEL 0OWER 0LANT X K7 0ANLAITAN Diesel Power Plant (1 x 100 K7 0ICAL $IESEL 0OWER 0LANT X K7 2AMOS $IESEL 0OWER 0LANT X K7 2IZAL $IESEL 0OWER 0LANT X K7 AND 3AN )SIDRO $IESEL 0OWER 0LANT X K7 WERE ALSO CERTIFIED Meanwhile, the National 'RID #ORP OF THE 0HILIPPINES .'#0 RECEIVED THE #%0.3 FOR ITS ,A 4RINIDAD #ALOT KILOVOLT K6 4RANSMISSION ,INE 0ROJECT #EBU ,APU ,APU K6 4RANSMISSION ,INE 0ROJECT .ABAS #ATICLAN "ORACAY

overstep the Commission and the $),' TO TAKE DRASTIC MEASURES TO CLEAN UP PLACES LIKE "ORACAY THE -ANILA BAYFRONT %L .IDO #ORON

AND 0ANGLAO 4HE TWO SPECIkC COMPLAINTS OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT OFkCIALS REVEAL THE LARGER lAWS IN THE ENTIRE APPROACH TO WASTE MANAGEMENT IN THE 0HILIPPINES &IRST THERE IS A LACK OF SUPPORT FOR THE PROGRAMS THAT LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS ARE EXPECTED TO CARRY OUT 4HE TECHNICAL AND FINANCIAL CAPACITY OF INDIVIDUAL BARANGAYS VARIES GREATLY ACROSS THE COUNTRY SOME BIG URBAN BARANGAYS ARE BETTER ORGANIZED AND MANAGED THAN THE CITIES WHERE THEY ARE LOCATED WHILE SPARSELY POPULATED RURAL BARANGAYS ARE

OPERATED ON A SHOESTRING BARELY ABLE TO CARRY OUT THE MOST BASIC FUNCTIONS 3ECOND THERE IS A LACK OF CENTRALIZED MANAGEMENT AT EVERY LEVEL m EVEN AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL m WASTE MANAGEMENT IS HANDLED

BY AN AD HOC BODY WITH THE RESULT BEING THAT EVERY LEVEL OPERATES IN A SILO 7HERE AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY DO OVERLAP THE RESULT IS USUALLY DISRUPTION OF BOTH PLANS The sad upshot of all this is that THERE DOES NOT EXIST ANYWHERE IN THE COUNTRY A COMPLETELY INTEgrated waste management frameWORK THAT ADDRESSES WASTE FROM ITS SOURCE ALL THE WAY TO ITS EVENTUAL kNAL DISPOSITION 4HE VISIBLY SORRY STATE OF THE COUNTRY S ENVIRONMENT ought to be proof enough that the

CURRENT APPROACH IS A COMPLETE FAILURE 4HERE ARE SOME STEPS THAT CAN BE TAKEN BUT WHETHER OR NOT THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT WILL BE WILLING TO RELINQUISH ITS INEFFECTIVE GRIP IS ANOTHER MATTER 4O START WITH THE $),' SHOULD GET OUT OF THE GARBAGE BUSINESS ENTIRELY 4HE COUNTRY IS TOO GEOGRAPHICALLY ECONOMICALLY

AND SOCIALLY VARIED FOR SOLID WASTE management to be handled at a NATIONAL LEVEL 4O THE EXTENT THAT A gNATIONAL FRAMEWORKu FOR WASTE MANAGEMENT IS NECESSARY IT SHOULD fall within the purview of the Department of Environment and .ATURAL 2ESOURCES WITH AN EYE TOward maintaining environmental STANDARDS

3ECOND THE IDEA THAT WASTE MANAGEMENT CAN BE HANDLED AS A gSIDE JOBu BY COMMITTEES OF OFFICIALS AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS WHO HAVE NO CLEAR TECHNICAL OR MANAGEMENT EXPERIENCE IN THE DISCIPLINE NEEDS TO BE EXCISED FROM THE COUNTRY S GOVERNANCE PHILOSOPHY 4HE JOB SHOULD BE HANDLED BY AGENCIES SPECIkCALLY DEDICATED TO THE TASK

AND MANNED BY PEOPLE WHO ACTUALLY KNOW WHAT THEY RE DOING &INALLY ALONG WITH PROFESSIONalizing waste management, a sigNIkCANT AMOUNT OF CENTRALIZATION AND HIERARCHY MUST BE IMPOSED ON IT 'IVEN THE WAY THE COUNTRY IS ORGANIZED THE MOST EFFECTIVE APPROACH WOULD BE TO ORGANIZE WASTE management from the top down,

STARTING AT THE PROVINCIAL LEVEL !

PROVINCIAL LEVEL WASTE MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK WOULD PRIMARILY CONCERN ITSELF WITH THE kNAL DISPOSITION OF WASTE m ENGINEERED LANDFILLS LARGE SCALE WASTE TO ENERGY FACILITIES AND RECYCLABLE MATERIALS PROCESSING OR EXPORT FACILITIES -UNICIPAL AND CITY LEVEL SANITATION departments would be responsible FOR COLLECTING AND CONSOLIDATING wastes and delivering them to the APPROPRIATE FACILITIES "ARANGAY LEVEL EFFORTS TO COLLECT AND SEGREGATE WASTE ALONG THE LINES DICTATED m BUT NOT SUPPORTED m BY THE CURRENT FRAMEWORK CAN ALSO BE OVERSEEN

BY THE CITY OR MUNICIPALITY

#%/ OF #AUCUS )NC A MULTI INDUSTRY MULTI DISCIPLINARY MANAGEMENT CONSULTANCY FIRM (E GRADUATED -"! $E ,A 3ALLE 5NIVERSITY *URIS $OCTOR &AR %ASTERN 5NIVERSITY AND ,,- IN )NTERNATIONAL #OMMERCIAL ,AW 5NIVERSITY OF .OTTINGHAM

5NITED +INGDOM (E ALSO STUDIED -ANDARIN #HINESE ,ANGUAGE AND #ULTURE IN &UZHOU #HINA

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The above RCC provisions in EFFECT ADDED THE CONDITION FOR the individual establishing an /0# TO PROVE gADEQUATE kNANCINGu AND gINDEPENDENCEu OF THE STOCKHOLDERS PERSONAL PROPERTY. /THERWISE THE SOLE STOCKHOLDER CANNOT ENJOY THE LIMITED LIABILITY PROTECTION 4HE 2## DOES NOT DEkNE WHAT IS gADEQUATE kNANCINGu THOUGH Thus, this term will be open to VARIOUS INTERPRETATIONS &OR INSTANCE DOES THIS MEAN ADEQUATE CAPITALIZATION 7ILL THIS MEAN THEN THAT /0#S WILL BE SUBJECT TO HIGHER CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS )T SHOULD BE NOTED THAT THE RCC removed the minimum CAPITALIZATION REQUIREMENT AND

THE REQUIREMENT OF REQUIRING PERCENT OF THE CAPITAL STOCK TO BE SUBSCRIBED AND PERCENT OF THE SUBSCRIBED CAPITAL TO BE PAID UP 7HEN IS THE RECKONING POINT OF gADEQUATE kNANCINGu 7ILL IT JUST be at the point of establishment OF AN /0# 7HAT IF THE /0# SUBSEQUENTLY INCURS LOSSES AND THUS HAVE CAPITAL DEkCIT 7ILL IT THEN BE CONSIDERED INADEQUATELY kNANCED AT THAT TIME 4HE 3ECURITIES AND %XCHANGE #OMMISSION 3%# HAS RELEASED THE RULES ON REGISTERING /0#S (OWEVER IT HAS NOT ADDRESSED THE ISSUE OF gADEQUATE kNANCINGu OR DEkNED SUCH TERM 7E HOPE THAT THE 3%# WILL ISSUE REGULATIONS IN THIS REGARD TO PROVIDE GUIDANCE

to those who want to establish /0#S

%UNEY -ARIE * -ATA 0EREZ IS A #0! ,AWYER AND THE -ANAGING 0ARTNER OF -ATA 0EREZ 4AMAYO &RANCISCO -4& #OUNSEL 3HE IS A CORPORATE - ! AND TAX LAWYER 3HE IS THE 0RESIDENT OF THE !SIA /CEANA 4AX #ONSULTANTS !SSOCIATION 4HIS ARTICLE IS FOR GENERAL INFORMATION ONLY AND IS not a substitute for professional ADVICE WHERE THE FACTS AND CIRCUMSTANCES WARRANT )F YOU HAVE ANY QUESTION OR COMMENT REGARDING THIS ARTICLE YOU MAY EMAIL THE AUTHOR AT INFO MTFCOUNSEL COM OR VISIT -4& #OUNSEL S WEBSITE AT WWW MTFCOUNSEL COM

IMPACT ON INlATION !T THE g%CONOMY IN &OCUSu BRIEFING HELD BY THE %CONOMIC *OURNALISTS !SSOCIATION OF THE 0HILIPPINES and the Aboitiz Group of CompaNIES IN -AKATI #ITY ON 7EDNESDAY

.%$! 5NDERSECRETARY 2OSEMARIE %DILLON SAID THAT WAS BECAUSE gIN TERMS OF THE CONTRIBUTION TO THE BASKET ;IT= IS NOT REALLY THAT HIGH %CHOING #AYANAN S VIEW SHE ALSO SAID PORK PRICES ARE NOT LIKELY TO INCREASE ADDING THAT THERE WAS A NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT THE COUNTRY WOULD CONTINUE TO BE !3& FREE g4HE $! HAS ALREADY TAKEN STEPS

TOWARD ENSURING THAT HOPEFULLY

this one gets arrested in time and DOESN T AFFECT OUR INDUSTRY ESPECIALLY SINCE IN THE VERY SHORT TERM

that is what we are hoping to DELIVER GROWTH IN THE AGRICULTURE SECTOR u %DILLON SAID The Department of Trade and )NDUSTRY $4) SHE ADDED WOULD ALSO CLOSELY COORDINATE WITH OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCIES TO MAKE SURE that the sentiment of the private SECTOR WILL BE TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION EIREENE JAIREE GOMEZ AND ANNA LEAH E. GONZALES

EIJING: Chinese state media on We d n e s d ay d a n g l e d t he t h r e a t o f cutting exports of rare earths to the United States as a counter-strike in the trade war, potentially depriving Washington of a key resource used to make everything from smartphones to military hardware.

The warning is the latest salvo in A DISPUTE THAT HAS INTENSIkED SINCE President Donald Trump ramped up tariffs against China and moved TO BLACKLIST TELECOM GIANT (UAwei earlier this month, while trade TALKS HAVE APPARENTLY STALLED (UAWEI STEPPED UP ITS LEGAL BATTLE ON 7EDNESDAY ANNOUNCING IT HAD kLED A MOTION IN 53 COURT FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT IN ITS BID TO OVERTURN 53 LEGISLATION THAT BARS FEDERAL AGENCIES FROM USING ITS EQUIPMENT OVER SECURITY CONCERNS "EIJING HAD ALREADY DROPPED A BIG HINT THAT RARE EARTHS COULD BE IN THE kRING LINE BY SHOWING IMAGES LAST WEEK OF 0RESIDENT 8I *INPING VISITING A RARE EARTHS FACTORY IN 'ANZHOU CENTRAL #HINA !N UNNAMED OFkCIAL FROM THE National Development and Reform Commission, China’s state PLANNER ISSUED A CRYPTIC WARNING LATE 4UESDAY g9OU ASKED WHETHER RARE EARTHS WILL BECOME #HINA S COUNTERMEAsure against unwarranted suppresSION FROM THE 53 7HAT ) CAN TELL YOU IS THAT IF ANYONE WANTS TO USE PRODUCTS MADE FROM OUR RARE EARTH EXPORTS TO CURB AND SUPPRESS #HINA S DEVELOPMENT ) M SURE THE PEOPLE OF 'ANZHOU AND ACROSS #HINA WILL NOT BE HAPPY WITH THAT u THE OFkCIAL SAID in answers to questions published

BY STATE MEDIA 4HE OFkCIAL SAID RARE EARTH RESOURCES SHOULD gSERVE DOMESTIC

NEEDS kRSTu BUT #HINA IS ALSO WILLing to meet the “legitimate needs OF COUNTRIES AROUND THE WORLDu 3HARES IN RARE EARTH COMPANIES SURGED IN THE 3HANGHAI AND 3HENZHEN STOCK MARKETS DURING 7EDNESDAY TRADING

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Wasting IS ITSELF SIMPLY FOLLOWING THE LAW

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Expanded THIS LAW IF PROPERLY IMPLEMENTED TRULY RESULTS IN A CLOSER BOND BETWEEN MOTHER AND CHILD AND THAT THROUGH THIS THE INCREASED PRODUCTIVITY OF WOMEN WHEN THEY RETURN TO THEIR JOBS !S WHAT MY CLIENT AND AN AUTHOR OF this law, Representative BernaDETTE (ERRERA $Y SAYS gA WOMAN WHO HAS RECOVERED PROPERLY AND BONDED WELL WITH HER CHILD IS ALL the more motivated to return to WORK u

4HE AUTHOR IS THE &OUNDER AND

K6 4RANSMISSION ,INE 0ROJECT !MLAN $UMAGUETE K6 4RANSMISSION ,INE 0ROJECT "ABATNGON 0ALO K6 4RANSMISSION ,INE 0ROJECT .ASIPIT 3UBSTATION "US )N 4ACURONG +ALAMANSIG K6 4RANSMISSION ,INE 0ROJECT +ABACAN 3UBSTATION 3AN &RANCISCO 4ANDAG K6 4RANSMISSION ,INE 0ROJECT AND -ACO -ATI K6 4RANSMISSION ,INE 0ROJECT 4HE COUNTRY S GRID OPERATOR ALSO SECURED #%0.3 FOR ITS #EBU .EGROS 0ANAY K6 "ACKBONE 3TAGE #EBU .EGROS 0ANAY K6 "ACKBONE 3TAGE #EBU .EGROS 0ANAY K6 "ACKBONE 3TAGE ,ARAY K6 3UBSTATION 0 R O J E C T # E B U " O H O L K6 )NTERCONNECTION 0ROJECT "ALO ) +AUSWAGAN K6 4RANSMISSION ,INE &ORMERLY "ALO ) +AUSWAGAN !URORA K6 4RANSMISSION ,INE 0HASE ) -INDANAO "ACKBONE K6 4RANSMISSION 0ROJECT AND "ALO ) +AUSWAGAN K6 4RANSMISSION ,INE &ORMERLY "ALO ) +AUSWAGAN !URORA K6 4RANSMISSION ,INE 0HASE )) TRANSMISSION REINFORCEMENT PROJECTS 4HE ISSUANCES ARE IN LINE WITH %XECUTIVE /RDER

SIGNED BY 0RESIDENT 2ODRIGO $UTERTE IN *UNE WHICH SEEKS TO STREAMLINE THE REGULATORY PROCEDURES AND REQUIREments relevant to the developMENT OF ENERGY INVESTMENTS IN THE COUNTRY )T GIVES PROJECT PROPONENTS presumptive prior approval AND DAY FACILITATION FROM ALL CONCERNED GOVERNMENT AGENCIES !N APPLICATION IS DEEMED APPROVED IF NOT ACTED UPON WITHIN FIVE DAYS AFTER THE DAYS LAPSE !S OF END !PRIL THE COUNCIL HAS RECEIVED APPLICATIONS FOR %0.3 /F THE TOTAL NUMBER WERE ACCEPTED AND WERE REJECTED JORDEENE B. LAGARE

‘Forcing China’s hand’ 3TATE MEDIA WERE MORE BLUNT “Waging a trade war against #HINA THE 5NITED 3TATES RISKS LOSING THE SUPPLY OF MATERIALS THAT ARE VITAL TO SUSTAINING ITS TECHNOLOGICAL STRENGTH u THE OFkCIAL 8INHUA NEWS AGENCY SAID IN A COMMENTARY The state-owned Global Times tabloid warned in an editorial POSTED ONLINE THAT THE g53 WILL RUE FORCING #HINA S HAND ON RARE EARTHSu g)T IS BELIEVED THAT IF THE 53 INCREASINGLY SUPPRESSES THE DEVELOPment of China, sooner or later, ChiNA WILL USE RARE EARTHS AS A WEAPON u THE NATIONALIST TABLOID SAID #HINA PRODUCES MORE THAN PERCENT OF THE WORLD S RARE EARTHS

AND THE 5NITED 3TATES RELIES ON #HINA FOR UPWARDS OF PERCENT OF ITS IMPORTS 2ARE EARTHS ARE ELEMENTS CRITICAL TO MANUFACTURING EVERYTHING from smartphones and televisions TO CAMERAS AND LIGHTBULBS "EIJING COULD HURT 53 COMPAnies in what is shaping up as a battle for who will dominate the FUTURE OF HIGH TECH (UAWEI TOOK THE 53 TO COURT OVER

A DEFENCE BILL PASSED BY #ONGRESS LAST YEAR THAT BANS GOVERNMENT AGENCIES FROM USING ITS EQUIPMENT "UT IT ALSO FACES A RECENT 4RUMP ADMINISTRATION ORDER THAT CUTS IT OFF FROM CRITICAL !MERICAN MADE COMPONENTS FOR ITS PRODUCTS g4HE 53 GOVERNMENT HAS PROVIDED NO EVIDENCE TO SHOW THAT (UAWEI IS A SECURITY THREAT u (UAWEI S CHIEF LEGAL OFkCER 3ONG ,IUPING TOLD REPORTERS REJECTING 53 WARNINGS THAT THE COMPANY S EQUIPMENT COULD BE USED BY #HINA TO SPY ON OTHER COUNTRIES

Risky business

Piercing WITH OTHER CORPORATIONS )N THIS regard, the RCC provides an ADDED CONDITION A SOLE SHAREHOLDER CLAIMING LIMITED LIABILITY HAS THE BURDEN OF AFkRMATIVELY SHOWING THAT THE CORPORATION WAS ADEQUATELY kNANCED !ND WHERE THE SINGLE CORPORATION CANNOT PROVE THAT THE PROPERTY of the OPC is independent of the STOCKHOLDERS PERSONAL PROPERTY

THE STOCKHOLDER SHALL BE JOINTLY AND SEVERALLY LIABLE FOR THE DEBTS AND OTHER LIABILITIES OF THE /0# 2## SEC

BEN KRITZ MANILATIMES NET

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Moody’s trims 2019 DA: No pork price hike growth forecast to 6% INTERNATIONAL CREDIT RATINGS AGENCY

3 0 'LOBAL 2ATINGS SAID THE worsening trade war between the 5NITED 3TATES AND #HINA AND AN EXPECTED RESURGENCE IN INlATION WOULD POSE MAJOR RISKS TO ECONOMIC EXPANSION 4HIS PROMPTED 3 0 TO MAINTAIN ITS DOWNWARDLY REVISED PERCENT GROWTH OUTLOOK FOR THE COUNTRY S GROSS

DOMESTIC PRODUCT '$0 THIS YEAR ,AST WEEK A UNIT OF THE &ITCH 'ROUP

&ITCH 3OLUTIONS SLASHED ITS OWN GROWTH PROJECTION FOR THE COUNTRY TO PERCENT FROM PERCENT ALSO CITING THE LOWER THAN EXPECTED ECONOMIC EXPANSION IN THE kRST QUARTER AND 53 #HINA TRADE TENSIONS AS WELL as soft external demand, as reasons BEHIND THE REDUCTION

!3& IS A HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS HEMORRHAGIC DISEASE AFlICTING DOMESTIC AND WILD PIGS OF ALL AGES )T HAS NO PREVENTIVE VACCINE OR CURE )TS MORTALITY RATE CAN GO AS HIGH AS PERCENT 4HE CURRENT WAVE OF !3& OUTBREAKS ORIGINATED IN #HINA AND HAS SPREAD TO (ONG +ONG 6IETNAM AND #AMBODIA !LSO HIT ARE "ELGIUM "ULGARIA #ZECH 2EPUBLIC

(UNGARY ,ATVIA -OLDOVA 0OLAND

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Not seen to affect inflation !LSO ON 7EDNESDAY AN OFkCIAL OF THE .ATIONAL %CONOMIC AND $EVELOPMENT !UTHORITY .%$! SAID THE &$! ORDER WAS UNLIKELY TO HAVE AN

˜ The Manila Times

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Urban agriculture should be taken seriously

ANY decades back, urban agriculture was largely treated as a hobby rather than a measure to help address food insecurity.

But with dwindling land and water resources and climate change badly affecting smallholdER FARMERS AND kSHERFOLK URBAN and peri-urban agriculture (UPA) is becoming a viable option to help secure the food needs of urban communities. UPA is also a solution supported and endorsed by the United Nations’ Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), which placed at 800 million those who practice it worldwide.

FAO stated that UPA helps lowincome urban dwellers grow their own crops and save on food purchases. Urban agriculture, however, is still largely informal and is not even allowed in some cities.

I also chanced upon a blog titled “Why urban farms and gardens should rule the agriculture scene,� dated April 30, 2019, which stated that among the advantages of urban farming are less fuel spent for delivering food to consumers and produce being more healthy for human consumption, like not being treated with chemicals.

The blog mentioned that Chicago is converting the Englewood district into an urban farming and agribusiness hub.

Also, countries like Sweden are taking urban farming to the next level by designing multi-level farming systems.

In the Philippines, urban agriculture is slowly gaining ground but still has a miniscule contribution to overall crop production.

The most popular concept today that can support urban agriculture is “edible landscapingâ€? that is being pushed by the University of the Philippines Los BaĂąos.

So what is the future of urban farming in the Philippines and worldwide?

Should be profitable Any type of undertaking in the FARMING kSHERIES SECTOR SHOULD BE PROkTABLE TO BE SUSTAINABLE

especially over the long-term.

For urban agriculture, vegetables are highly recommended since they can be grown over a shorter period.

On its web pages on UPA, the FAO also recommends planting vegetables since they have a short production cycle or can be harvested within 60 days. It adds that urban garden plots can be up to 15 times more productive compared to rural lands, and that 1 square meter of an urban plot can produce as much as 20 kilograms of food per year.

More importantly, according to FAO, urban farmers can earn more as they are closer to the market, thus eliminating the middleman.

The FAO also states that urban agriculture provides employment and incomes for poor women and other disadvantaged groups in the urban areas, citing that a 100-sqm of horticulture can generate one job in production, input supply, marketing and value addition.

From what I have read from the FAO webpages on urban agriculture, the organization refers more to growing crops in unutilized urban plots without incorporating activities like aquaculture.

Thus, going “hi-tech� in urban agriculture can further increase PRODUCTIVITY AND PROkTABILITY

Technology-driven Among the most popular technology options for increasing urban farming productivity are vertical farming and incorporation of hydroponics, or growing without soil. Another option is aeroponics, or growing with no soil and with little water.

However, hydroponic and aeroponic systems could be

WAYS OF THE OASIS DR. WILLIAM DAR costly for adoption by urban poor communities, which are among those that can improve their status through urban agriculture.

So, for the urban poor, a less costly system of vertical farming like using recycled plastic containers with soil or compost to grow crops could SUFkCE )N FACT THIS TYPE OF SYStem has been widely adopted by schools in the rural areas.

Also, the poor engaged in urban agriculture can go into vermicomposting so they can produce quality organic produce that could command a higher price from healthconscious consumers.

Vermiculture activities in the urban areas can also help communities get rid of their organic wastes in a sustainable and useful manner, instead of the WASTES ENDING UP IN LANDkLLS or, worse, in the sewage system.

Although it is best to jump start urban agriculture activities using the “low-tech� approach, the next step should be the adoption of technologies to increase BOTH THE PRODUCTIVITY AND PROkTability of urban agriculture.

Aside from using hydroponics and incorporating aquaculture, the other technology options for urban agriculture are USING ARTIkCIAL LIGHT FOR GROWING crops indoors, tapping solar ENERGY TO POWER THE ARTIkCIAL lights and harvesting rainwater.

I even see in the not too distant future the establishment of technology-driven indoor farming production systems in cities, and the application of Fourth Industrial Revolution (ID4) technologies like robotics, data analytics, block chain and artificial intelligence in such facilities.

The big advantage of urbanbased indoor farming is it is almost immune to extreme weather disturbances and pestilence, making year-round food production possible.

But before we start dreaming of establishing multi-level indoor farming production systems in the cities, we should kRST HAVE THE POLICY ENVIRONment to expand and level up urban agriculture in the Philippines. Also, the negative issues towards urban agriculture should be addressed.

According to FAO, among the negative issues from urban agriculture that needs to be resolved are: use of contaminated land, inappropriate use of inputs like chemicals and raw manure, and discharge of contaminated water.

Also, air pollution can contaminate crops of urban farms that are near busy roads.

On policy recommendations, FAO said urban agriculture should be incorporated into national and local strategies. “FAO supports the transformation of UPA into a recognized urban land use and economic activity, integrated into national and local agricultural development strategies, food and nutrition programs, and urban planning,� it said.

I must state that we must start exploring the vast potential of urban agriculture and indoor food production in the cities, and not wait for the time when food production in the rural areas gets badly affected by rapid urbanization and extreme weather events.

Definitely, urban agriculture is also the way forward in helping secure the country’s food needs.

Agribusiness Group wants expanded RCEF credit utilization F THURSDAY May 30, 2019

BY CONRAD M. CARIĂ‘O

UNDS allocated for credit under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) should also support the growing of other crops besides rice, the head of an agriculture and food business organization said.

Philippine Chamber of Agriculture and Food Inc. (Pcafi) President Danilo Fausto said the P1 billion allocated under RCEF for credit should be treated as an integrated facility not only for farming, but also for agriculturerelated activities that would raise farmers’ income and add value to their produce. g)T SHOULD INCLUDE kNANCING FOR livestock, poultry and farming of FRUITS AND VEGETABLES u 0CAk SAID IN a statement.

Fausto added that with RCEF, the government should be able to strengthen credit to farmers, so they could upgrade their activities and become entrepreneurs.

Republic Act 11203 or the “Rice

4ARRIkCATION ,AWu ALLOCATES 0 billion annually for the next six years for RCEF. Of the total amount, P5 billion would be allocated for farm mechanization, P3 billion for development and distribution of high-yielding rice seeds, P1 billion for training of farmers, and P1 billion for credit support.

Fausto said PCAFI was also urging the government to strengthen the implementation of the Bangko Sentral ng PIlipinas’s Agricultural Value Chain Financing Program.

Meanwhile, members of the Federation of Central Luzon Farmers Cooperative (FCLFC) said during a meeting with PCAFI that THEY WERE HAVING DIFkCULTY SELLING

their palay (unmilled rice) to the National Food Authority (NFA) that had set strict moisture content for the commodity. “NFA rejected our palay when it was at 14.4 percent moisture CONTENT 3O WE DRIED IT kRST "UT when we returned at less than 10 percent moisture content, NFA also rejected it, saying it’s overdried,� FCLFC Chairman Simeon Sioson said in Filipino.

The organization said, ironically, NFA imports rice from Thailand and Vietnam, of which some stocks were allegedly infested with pests like bukbok. “What’s the difference between NFA’s imported, pest-laden and insecticide-sprayed rice from the rice produce of Filipino farmers that are said to be unacceptable?

Even if we lose P5 per kilo from farmgate, that’s just okay. But to say that our rice should be rejected because it’s overdried, that’s unfair,� Sioson said.

For his part, Roger Navarro of the Philippine Maize Federation

B5

Q Pcafi President Danilo Fausto )NC SAID DURING THE SAME 0CAk meeting that corn growers were also experiencing rejection of their harvests by the NFA. “NFA should rather adjust pricing, whether it’s at 14 percent moisture content or should compensate farmers with any equitable pay for drying instead of asking farmers to return their produce home,� he said. “Since NFA has its own drying facility, it should rather dry the ones with higher moisture so farmers will already be assisted in the sale of the grain,� Navarro added.

MENTORING EVENT More than 800 individuals from the agriculture sector, cooperatives and farmers’ associations, along with

some aspiring entrepreneurs from different industries, took part in one of the biggest legs of Go Negosyo’s Mentor Me On Wheels on May 24, 2019. In partnership with the Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Training Institute-Calabarzon and the Department of Trade and Industry, Go Negosyo hosted the 17th rollout of its mentoring event at SM City Dasmariùas in Cavite. The next mentoring event will be held on Thursday at SM CDO Downtown Premier in Cagayan de Oro City. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Mindanao rice farms to undergo hybridization ABOUT 10,000 hectares of rice farms in Mindanao would be shifting to hybrid technology through a partnership between the Department of Agriculture (DA)-Soccsksargen (Region 12) and Bayer Crop Science.

Both parties would pilot a project to boost the hybrid rice production of farmers in North Cotabato, South Cotabato, Saranggani and Sultan Kudarat, the four provinces under Soccsksargen. Bayer would provide its Arize Hybrid Rice SEEDS AND kELD TECHNICIANS WOULD BE kELDED TO ASSIST THE FARMERS IN shifting to hybrid technology. DASoccsksargen would also provide

kELD TECHNICIANS “I’m grateful for this partnership with Bayer. We recognize the importance of this collaboration to further strengthen our local initiatives to accelerate hybridization in the region and, most importantly, equip our rice farmers with the knowledge and skills to boost our rice productivity,� Milagros Casis, DA-Soccsksargen regional executive director, said.

The farmers would undergo training under Bayer Agri-Academy to ensure the successful knowledge transfer for hybrid rice technology.

The average yield of palay (unmilled rice) in the Philippines is

4 metric tons per hectare (MT/ ha) mostly from the use of inbred varieties. Hybrid rice varieties can generate yields from 6 to 8 MT/ha. “This is the first-of-its-kind among our projects with the Department of Agriculture. By formalizing our partnership, we convey our commitment to join hands with the government to improve the region’s rice productivity,� said Iiinas Ivan Lao, country commercial lead of Bayer Crop Science. “More than ever, we need to collaborate with the Department of Agriculture to ensure the project’s success. The support of DA-Region 12 and the local government

units of the provinces involved WILL CREATE A SIGNIkCANT IMPACT TO the farming communities in the region,� said Recher Ondap, head of Seeds Bayer Crop Science.

Also under the project, farmers who would harvest more than 5 MT/ha from the ongoing planting season would be honored in their respective areas.

The recognition would help rice farmers qualify for the DA’s annual Gawad Saka Awards, which recognizes farmers, fisherfolk, groups and individuals who have MADE A SIGNIkCANT IMPACT ON THE country’s agriculture sector.

CONRAD M. CARIĂ‘O

SEARCA ANNOUNCES TRAVEL GRANTS THE Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (Searca) is offering travel grants to scientists, researchers, graduate students and other professionals working in agriculture and rural development (ARD).

Searca will provide $1,200 per travel grant.

Leah Lyn Domingo, Searca public relations specialist, said the grant would enable those eligible from southeast Asia to participate and present technical papers in SCIENTIkC CONFERENCES AND FORUMS held locally or internationally.

“The travel grants are meant to promote the dissemination of SCIENTIkC KNOWLEDGE VITAL TO !2$

as well as facilitate linkaging and partnerships between Searca and the grantee’s home institution and other development organizations,� she added.

For travels to attend conferences from July to September this year, the deadline of application is on June 7.

To qualify, the paper for presentation should be aligned with Searca’s current priority thrusts.

Domingo said the priority thrusts were social inclusion in ARD, sustainable ARD, regional

and subregional cooperation, and institutions and governance.

Under the broad topic of social inclusion in ARD are participation in poor and vulnerable sectors of rural societies in food and agricultural value chains and agribusiness commodity systems, food and nutrition security for poor and vulnerable sectors, and productivity-enhancing innovations and modern technologies.

Domingo explained that under sustainable ARD were natural resource management, climate change mitigation and adaptation in ARD, and resilience of agricul-

tural systems to climate impacts. /THER SPECIkC AREAS OF CONCERN are subregional cooperation in trade and investments; regional market, trade and economic integration; and government policies, institutions and governance mechanisms and reforms for inclusive and sustainable agricultural and rural development, she added.

Domingo said alumni and scholars, regular staff members of NONPROkT DEVELOPMENT ORIENTED institutions or graduate students of agricultural universities are given priority in the selection of travel grantees. LEANDER C. DOMINGO

B6

Classified Ads

THURSDAY May 30, 2019

NOTICE OF EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE NOTICE Please take notice that the property registered in the names of Mr. Frank O. Chua married to Genevieve Joan Lim Chua with an area of 4,676 square meters, more or less, covered by WUDQVIHU FHUWLÂżFDWH RI WLWOH QR 9 /RW ( DQG GHFODUHG XQGHU WD[ GHFODUDWLRQ 12 ' 00056, situated in Serrano Street, Barangay Maysan, Valenzuela City, is subject to purchase or expropriation proceeding by the City Government of Valenzuela under Ordinance NO. 523, series of 2018.

7KH RZQHUV RI WKH VDLG SURSHUW\ DUH KHUHE\ QRWLÂżHG WKURXJK WKLV QRWLFH RI WKH LQWHQGHG purchase or expropriation and hereby offered the amount of Four Thousand Five Hundred Pesos (Php4,500.00) per square meter, as payment for just compensation.

The purpose of this expropriation is the proposed Maysan Elementary school and government facilities in Serrano Street, Barangay Maysay, Valenzuela City.

Notice is hereby given to the public that the estate of the late FRANCISCO B. ESCARDA ZDV WKH VXEMHFW RI DQ DIÂżGDYLW of extrajudicial settlement of estate with partition executed by and among his heirs on May 21, 2019 and acknowledged as Doc. No. 33 on Page No. 08 of Book No. IV Series of 2019 before Atty. Vladimir Mikail C. Reyes, a notary public for DQG LQ WKH &LW\ RI 6DQ -RVH del Monte.

Notice is hereby given that Uhde Services GmbH Philippine Branch at 1602/1603 Robinsons Summit Center, 6783 Ayala Ave, Makati City, will withdraw its License to Transact Business pursuant to the resolution of its board of directors on 08 December 2016.

(SGD.) FRANK SCHEIDT Managing Director 07 0D\ -XQH

CITY GOVERNMENT OF VALENZUELA

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TO: ALL INTERESTED/ACCREDITED SUPPLIERS:

7KH RZQHUV RI WKH VDLG SURSHUW\ DUH KHUHE\ QRWLÂżHG WKURXJK WKLV QRWLFH RI WKH LQWHQGHG purchase or expropriation and hereby offered the amount of Six Thousand Pesos (Php6,000.00) per square meter, as payment for just compensation.

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 Procurement of Drugs & Medicines, Procurement of Medical Supplies, Procurement of Other Supplies & Materials and Procurement of Food Supplies in the total amount of Thirteen Million Five Hundred Fifty-Three Thousand Five Hundred Twenty-Five Pesos (P13,553,525.00) for the use of PNP Health Service. A complete set of Bidding Documents may be purchased by interested bidders from May 27, 2019 to June 17, 2019 from 8:00 AM 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 June 4, 2019 at 10:00 A.M. Last day of submission of bids is until June 17, 2019 at 2:00 P.M. and must be submitted to HS Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) at the HS Conference Room. Opening of Bids is on the same time, date and place and will be opened in the presence of participating bidder.

To be constructed on the site is the proposed Barangay Lingunan Multi-Purpose Hall and Government facilities in Barangay Lingunan Valenzuela City.

*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 owners of the property mentioned above are requested to reply to this Notice on or before -XQH

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.

NOTICE Please take notice that the property registered in the Names of Spouses Mathew O. Liis and Brenda B. Liis ZLWK DQ DUHD RI VTXDUH PHWHUV PRUH RU OHVV FRYHUHG E\ WUDQVIHU FHUWLÂżFDWH of title No. 013-2017003554 (Lot 382-G-5) and declared under tax declaration No. D-021-00405, situated in Pinagbayanan Street, Barangay Lingunan, Valenzuela City, is subject to purchase or expropriation proceeding by the City Government of Valenzuela City Ordinance No. 454, Series of 2018.

PRESCRIBING NEW DOCUMENTARY REQUIREMENTS FOR THE REAL ESTATE BROKERS (REB) AND REAL ESTATE APPRAISERS (REA) LICENSURE EXAMINATIONS

WHEREAS 6HFWLRQ $UWLFOH ,OO RI 5$ 1R SURYLGHV IRU WKH TXDOLÂżFDWLRQV RI DSSOLFDQWV IRU WKH 5HDO (VWDWH Service Licensure Examinations, to wit:

Republic of the Philippines NATIONAL POLICE COMMISSION PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE HEALTH SERVICE Camp Bgen Rafael T Crame, Quezon City

May 27, 2019.

Professional Regulatory Board of Real Estate Service Resolution No. 40 Series of 2019

WHEREAS, Republic Act (RA) No. 9646, also known as the “Real Estate Service Act of the Philippines�, states that applicants for registration as Real Estate Appraisers (REA) and Real Estate Brokers (REB) shall take and pass the licensure examination unless otherwise provided by law;

The owners of the property mentioned above is requested to reply to this notice on or before -XQH

Please be guided accordingly.

w w w.manilatimes.net

NOTICE OF WITHDRAWAL Uhde Services GmbH Philippine Branch

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Please address all further queries, information, details, questions on the matter to the city administrator.

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A citizen of the Philippines; A holder of a relevant bachelor’s degree from a state university or college, or other educational institution duly recognized by the CHED: Provided, that as a soon as a course leading to a Bachelor’s degree in Real Estate Service is implemented by the CHED, the Board shall make this course a requirement for taking the licensure examination; and of good moral character, and must not have been convicted of any crime involving moral turpitude,

WHEREAS, the Professional Regulation Commission (Commission) issued Memorandum Order No. 04 (s 2016) on WKH Âł6WUHDPOLQLQJ RI 3URFHGXUHV LQ WKH 3UHSDUDWLRQ RI %RDUG DQG &RPPLVVLRQ 5HVROXWLRQV DQG RWKHU 2IÂżFLDO ,VVXDQFHV involving Policy Decisions and Directives; Actions and/or Decisions on Applications for the Licensure Examination, 5HJLVWUDWLRQ ZLWKRXW ([DPLQDWLRQ ,VVXDQFH RI &HUWLÂżFDWHV RI $FFUHGLWDWLRQ &HUWLÂżFDWHV RI &RPSOLDQFH &2&V

&HUWLÂżFDWHV RI $XWKRULW\ WR 2SHUDWH &HUWLÂżFDWHV RI 5HJLVWUDWLRQ RI &RUSRUDWLRQV DQG 3DUWQHUVKLSV IRU WKH 3UDFWLFH RI Profession and other Similar Applicationsâ€?; WHEREAS, the Board issued Resolution No. 120 (s 2017) on the “Designation of Board Focal Person for the Evaluation and Approval of Applications for the Licensure Examinationâ€?, with Annex A on the list of documentary requirements for the Real Estate Brokers (REB) and Real Estate Appraisers (REA) Licensure Examinations; WHEREAS, the Board deemed it necessary to review, rationalize and update the existing requirements for the licensure examination; NOW THEREFORE, the Board has RESOLVED to prescribe the new documentary requirements for the Real Estate Brokers (REB) and Real Estate Appraisers (REA) Licensure Examinations, to wit: Real Estate Brokers (REB) and Real Estate Appraisers (REA) a.

E c. d.

Transcript of Record for Bachelor of Science in Real Estate Management (BSREM) with scanned picture and Remarks “For Board Examination Purposes�

3KLOLSSLQH 6WDWLVWLF $XWKRULW\ 36$ %LUWK &HUWLÂżFDWH PSA Marriage Contract (for married female applicants) Valid National Bureau Investigation Clearance (First Timers and Repeaters)

RESOLVED FURTHER WKDW KHUHLQ QHZ UHTXLUHPHQWV VKDOO DSSO\ VWDUWLQJ WKH -XQH 5HDO (VWDWH %URNHUV (REB) and August 01, 2019 Real Estate Appraisers (REA) Licensure Examinations.

7KH OLVW RI GRFXPHQWDU\ UHTXLUHPHQWV VSHFLÂżHG LQ $QQH[ $ RI %RDUG 5HVROXWLRQ 1R V LV KHUHE\ UHSHDOHG

Please address all further queries, information, details questions on the matter of the City Administrator.

Please be guided accordingly.

Please be guided accordingly.

Let a copy hereof be furnished the UP Law Center.

Done this 10th day of May, 2019 in the City of Manila.

Very truly yours,

May 27, 2019.

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

CITY GOVERNMENT OF VALENZUELA

MT - May 30, 2019

7KLV 5HVROXWLRQ VKDOO WDNH HIIHFW DIWHU ÂżIWHHQ GD\V IROORZLQJ LWV SXEOLFDWLRQ LQ WKH 2IÂżFLDO *D]HWWH RU LQ DQ\ newspaper of general circulation.

MT – May 28 & 30, 2019

Republic of the Philippines ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION San Miguel Avenue, Pasig City IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION FOR THE APPROVAL OF ELECTRIC AND NON-ELECTRIC CAPITAL PROJECTS FOR THE REGULATORY YEARS 2017 TO 2018

10

11. A detailed description for each of the projects are attached hereto as part of the VSHFLÂżF SURMHFWVÂś DQQH[ DQG DUH PDGH LQWHJUDO SDUWV RI WKLV $SSOLFDWLRQ In support of this Application, the Applicant has attached the following supporting documents in connection with the projects:

ERC CASE NO. 2019-018 RC ILIGAN LIGHT AND POWER, INC. (ILPI), Applicant. x------------------------------------------------------------------x

ANNEX Annex 1 Annex A Annex B Annex C Annex D Annex E Annex F

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES: 1RWLFH LV KHUHE\ JLYHQ WKDW RQ 0DUFK ,OLJDQ /LJKW DQG 3RZHU ,QF ,/3, ¿OHG DQ Application dated 9 November 2018, seeking the Commission’s approval of its electric and non-electric capital projects for the Regulatory Years 2017 to 2018.

Annex G Annex H Annex I $QQH[ Annex K

The pertinent portions of the said Application are hereunder quoted as follows: 1.

Applicant ILPI is a corporation duly organized and existing under and by virtue of the ODZV RI WKH 3KLOLSSLQHV ZLWK SULQFLSDO RIÂżFH DW %UR 5D\PXQG -HIIUH\ 5RDG 3DOD R Iligan City where it may be served with summons and other legal processes.

2.

Applicant ILPI is the exclusive franchise holder issued by the Congress of the Philippines to operate an electric light and power service in the City of Iligan in the Province of Lanao del Norte.

3.

ILPI is part of the Second Entry Group (otherwise known as “Group B�) that entered into the performance-based regulation (“PBR�) rate setting methodology on April 1, 2009. Other members of Group B are Mactan Electric Company, Inc. (MECO) and Cotabato Light and Power Company (CLPC).

4.

As part of the PBR rate setting methodology, ILPI’s Second Regulatory Period was from April 1, 2009 to March 31, 2013.

5.

Prior to the end of the Second Regulatory Period for the Second Entry Group, the Honorable Commission began the process of updating the Rules for Setting Distribution Wheeling Rates for Privately Owned Distribution Utilities (Second Entry Group) (the “RDWR�).

6.

However, the revisions to the RDWR from the Third and Fourth Regulatory Periods DQG WKH UHVROXWLRQ RI FHUWDLQ LVVXHV LGHQWLÂżHG XQGHU 3%5 E\ WKH +RQRUDEOH Commission had not yet been completed by the time the Second Regulatory Period had ended on March 31, 2013.

8QIRUWXQDWHO\ WKH UHYLVLRQV WR WKH 5':5 KDYH QRW \HW EHHQ ÂżQDOL]HG 6LQFH WKH start of the regulatory reset process under PBR for Group B for the Third and Fourth Regulatory Periods has not yet begun and given the need by ILPI to undertake electric and non-electric capital projects in order to address the load growth, renewal, replacement, and refurbishment of existing distribution assets, ILPI is now ÂżOLQJ WKLV LQVWDQW $SSOLFDWLRQ

8.

ILPI has several electric and non-electric capital projects planned for RY 2017 to RY 2018 which are necessary to maintain the reliable and safe operation of its distribution network as well as to provide for the growing electricity demand in the ILPI franchise area.

9.

Being guided by the latest Rules for Setting Distribution Wheeling Rates (RDWR), as amended, ILPI hereby submits for approval of this Honorable Commission the following electric and non-electric capital projects for RY 2017 to RY 2018: CAPITAL PROJECTS (For the Regulatory Years 2017 to 2018)

Proposed Project Project Cost (PhP) Reference Title Type RY 2017 RY 2018 Total Line Extension Rural 1 Annex A Projects (OHFWULÂżFDWLRQ 4,791,585.36 7,499,573.33 12,291,158.69 Line Restoration Rural 2 6,892,273.58 2,835,255.64 9,727,529.22 Annex B Projects (OHFWULÂżFDWLRQ Replacement of 3 Safety 2,616,906.88 2,616,906.88 Annex C Poles Proiect ILPI Connection Reliability 39,016,579.74 39,016,579.74 Annex D 4 to NGCP 69kV Improvement Lugait Source Reconductoring Reliability 903,318.57 903,318.57 Annex E 5 of Vegetated Improvement Areas SCADA Monitoring Improvements Reliability 4,186,191.08 2,515,607.14 6,701,798.22 Annex F 6 and Protective Improvement Relaying & SCADA Laboratory Streetlight System Loss 7 1,769,854.59 1,488,895.70 3,258,750.29 Annex G Metering Reduction Pole 8 Capacity 5,834,637.27 2,985,334.63 8,819,971.90 Annex H Maintenance Distribution Capacity 8,193,627.00 5,624,698.48 13,818,325.48 Annex I 9 Transformers Maintenance Low Voltage 10 Capacity 1,962,895.06 1,692,769.87 3,655,664.93 $QQH[ Distribution Lines Customer Service Drops, Capacity 9,092,875.12 19,772,874.05 28,865,749.17 Annex K 11 Meters, Metering Equipment and Transformers Rooftop Solar 12 Capacity 83,437.50 83,437.50 Annex L RE Pilot Project Occupational Service 168,194.00 2,830,000.00 2,998,194.00 Annex M 13 Safety and (IÂżFLHQF\ Health Communication Service System 597,262.02 1,564,923.17 2,162,185.19 Annex N 14 (IÂżFLHQF\ Improvement and Maintenance Tools and Service 15 4,797,538.38 9,071,927.20 13,869,465.58 Annex O Instruments (IÂżFLHQF\ Geographical Service 131,500.00 131,500.00 Annex P Information (IÂżFLHQF\ 16 System Service 17 Vehicles 1,098,214.29 1,098,214.29 Annex Q (IÂżFLHQF\ Acquisition of IT-Related Service 1,553,491.09 574,445.09 2,127,936.18 Annex R Hardware and (IÂżFLHQF\ 18 Software Requirements Buildings and Service 1,279,497.19 2,194,623.08 3,474,120.27 Annex S 19 Others (IÂżFLHQF\ TOTAL PROJECT COST (PhP) 92,221,471.84 63,399,334.26 155,620,806.11 No.

The proposed electric and non-electric capital projects will not have a direct impact on the current rates of ILPI until approved by the Honorable Commission as part of ILPI’s Regulatory Asset Base in its next regulatory reset application under Performance Based Regulation.

Annex L Annex M Annex N Annex O Annex P Annex Q Annex R Annex S

Information Provided Executive Summary Line Extension Projects Line Restoration Projects Replacement of Poles Project ILPI Connection to NGCP 69kV Lugait Source Reconductoring of Vegetated Areas SCADA Monitoring Improvements and Protective Relaying & SCADA Laboratory Streetlight Metering Pole Maintenance Distribution Transformers Maintenance Low Voltage Distribution Line Customer Service Drops, Meters, Metering Equipment and Transformers Rooftop Solar RE Pilot Project Occupational Safety and Health Communication System Improvement and Maintenance Tools and Instruments Geographical Information System Vehicles Acquisition of IT-Related Hardware and Software Requirements Buildings and Others

12. The approval of the foregoing electric and non-electric capital projects will ensure that the customers of ILPI will be served continuously and reliably in accordance with the standards under the Philippine Distribution Code (PDC) and other regulatory obligations as well as the approved Performance Level Targets for ILPI’s Performance Incentive Scheme (PIS) under Performance Based Regulation (PBR).

PRAYER WHEREFORE, it is respectfully prayed that the Honorable Commission, after trial on the PHULWV LVVXH D ÂżQDO DSSURYDO RI WKH IROORZLQJ &DSLWDO 3URMHFWV DQG WKDW ,/3, EH JUDQWHG WKH authority to implement, construct, own and operate the same: 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

16.

17.

18.

19.

Line Extension Projects Line Restoration Projects Replacement of Poles Project ILPI Connection to NGCP 69kV Lugait Source Reconductoring of Vegetated Areas SCADA Monitoring Improvements and Protective Relaying & SCADA Laboratory Streetlight Metering Pole Maintenance Distribution Transformers Maintenance Low Voltage Distribution Lines Customer Service Drops, Meters, Metering Equipment and Transformers Rooftop Solar RE Pilot Project Occupational Safety and Health Communication System Improvement and Maintenance Tools and Instruments Geographical Information System Vehicles Acquisition of IT-Related Hardware and Software Requirements Buildings and Others

Applicant likewise prays for such other and further relief as may be deemed just and equitable in the premises.

The Commission has set the Application for determination of compliance with the jurisdictional requirements, expository presentation, pre-trial conference, and presentation of evidence on 13 June 2019 (Thursday), at ten o’clock in the morning (10:00 A.M.), at ,/3,œV 3ULQFLSDO 2I¿FH DW %UR -HIIUH\ 5RDG 3DOD R ,OLJDQ &LW\ All persons who have an interest in the subject matter of the instant case may become D SDUW\ E\ ¿OLQJ ZLWK WKH &RPPLVVLRQ D YHUL¿HG 3HWLWLRQ WR ,QWHUYHQH DW OHDVW ¿YH GD\V prior to the initial hearing and subject to the requirements under Rule 9 of the 2006 ERC Rules of Practice and Procedure, indicating therein the docket number and title of the case and stating the following: 1)

The petitioner’s name and address;

2)

The nature of petitioner’s interest in the subject matter of the proceeding and the way and manner in which such interest is affected by the issues involved in the proceeding; and

3)

A statement of the relief desired.

All other persons who may want their views known to the Commission with respect to the VXEMHFW PDWWHU RI WKH FDVH PD\ ÂżOH WKHLU 2SSRVLWLRQ RU &RPPHQW WKHUHRQ DW DQ\ VWDJH RI WKH proceeding before Applicant rests its case, subject to the requirements under Rule 9 of the 2006 ERC Rules of Practice and Procedure. No particular form of Opposition or Comment is required, but the document, letter, or writing should contain the following: 1)

The name and address of such person;

2)

A concise statement of the Opposition or Comment; and

3)

The grounds relied upon.

All such persons who wish to have a copy of the Application may request from Applicant that they be furnished with the same, prior to the date of the initial hearing. ILPI is hereby directed to furnish all those making such request with copies of the Application and its attachments, subject to the reimbursement of reasonable photocopying costs. Any such person may likewise examine the Application DQG RWKHU SHUWLQHQW UHFRUGV ÂżOHG ZLWK WKH &RPPLVVLRQ GXULQJ WKH VWDQGDUG RIÂżFH KRXUV WITNESS, the Honorable Commissioners ALEXIS M. LUMBATAN, CATHERINE P. MACEDA, and PAUL CHRISTIAN M. CERVANTES Energy Regulatory Commission, this 6th day of May 2019 in Pasig City.

MT - May 22 & 30, 2019

MT - May 30, 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.

For subscription, please call the Circulation Department at 524-5664 local 222 or 310-5584 or email circulation@ manilatimes.net ------------------------To a d v e r t i s e , e m a i l us at advertising@ manilatimes.net or call 524-5664 local 121

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Ëœ The Manila Times w w w.manilatimes.net Republic of the Philippines 2IÂżFH RI WKH 3UHVLGHQW Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board SOUTHERN TAGALOG REGION – (STR)

Republic of the Philippines 2I¿FH RI WKH 3UHVLGHQW Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board SOUTHERN TAGALOG REGION – (STR)

Republic of the Philippines 2I¿FH RI WKH 3UHVLGHQW Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board SOUTHERN TAGALOG REGION – (STR)

Republic of the Philippines 2I¿FH RI WKH 3UHVLGHQW Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board SOUTHERN TAGALOG REGION – (STR)

Republic of the Philippines 2I¿FH RI WKH 3UHVLGHQW Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board SOUTHERN TAGALOG REGION – (STR)

NOTICE

PAUNAWA

NOTICE

Ipinagbibigay alam na ang AXEIA DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION ( M a y - a r i a t Ta g a - d e b e l o p ) s a pamamagitan ng “Deed of Absolute Sale� ay naghain sa Tanggapang ito ng sinumpaang aplikasyon para sa pagbebenta ng bahay at lote sa TANAUAN PARK PLACE PHASE I na matatagpuan sa Brgy. Bagumbayan, Tanauan City, Batangas na sinasakop ng mga Lote Blg. Lot 1159 (bahagi), 1194-A-18-B-2-B (bahagi), 3 (bahagi), 4 (bahagi), 6 (bahagi), 7 (bahagi), 1194-A-8-F (bahagi), Lote 1, 2, 5, 1194-A-5-B, 1194-A-9-E, 1194-A-9-G, 11 9 4 - A - 1 8 - A , 11 9 4 - A - 1 8 - B - 1 , 1194-A-18-B-2-A, 1194-A-18-B-2-C, 1194-A-18-B-2-D at 1194-A-19-A at sumasailalim sa mga Titulo Blg. T-34716, T-58287, T-112683, T-0562017005033, T-112686, T-112687, T-53161, T-112681, T-112682, 112685, T-53165, T-143172, 056-2016001341, T-4547, T-18373, 056-2017001281, T-53164, T-23190, T-19080. Ang nasabing proyekto ay sumasailalim sa PD 957.

NOTICE

NOTICE

Notice is hereby given that AXEIA DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (Owner/Developer) by virtue of Deed RI $EVROXWH 6DOH KDV ÂżOHG ZLWK WKLV 2IÂżFH D VZRUQ UHJLVWUDWLRQ VWDWHPHQW for the sale of house and lot at TANAUAN PARK PLACE PHASE 1 located at Brgy. Bagumbayan, Ta n a u a n C i t y, B a t a n g a s a n d more particularly described as Lot 1159 (Portion), 1194-A-18-B-2-B (Portion), 3 (Portion), 4 (Portion), 6 (Portion), 7 (Portion), 1194-A-8-F (Portion), Lot 1, 2, 5, 1194-A-5-B, 1194-A-9-E, 1194-A-9-G, 1194-A-18-A, 1194-A-18-B-1, 1194-A-18-B-2-A, 1194-A-18-B-2-C, 1194-A-18-B-2-D & 1194-A-19-A and covered by TCT No. T-34716, T-58287, T-112683, T-0562017005033, T-112686, T-112687, T-53161, T-112681, T-112682, 112685, T-53165, T-143172, 056-2016001341, T-4547, T-18373, 056-2017001281, T-53164, T-23190, T-19080. The project is under PD 957.

Notice is hereby given that AXEIA DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (Owner/Developer) by virtue of Deed RI $EVROXWH 6DOH KDV ÂżOHG ZLWK WKLV 2IÂżFH D VZRUQ UHJLVWUDWLRQ VWDWHPHQW for the sale of house and lot at TANAUAN PARK PLACE PHASE 2 located at Brgy. Bagumbayan, Ta n a u a n C i t y, B a t a n g a s a n d more particularly described as Lot 1159 (Portion), 1194-A-18-B-2-B (Portion), 3 (Portion), 4 (Portion), 6 (Portion), 7 (Portion), 1194-A-8-F (Portion), Lot 1160-A, 1160-B, 1160-C, 1160-D, 1194-A-7-B-32-B-1, 1194-A-8-A, 1194-A-8-D, 1194-A-8-E and covered by TCT No. T-34716, T-58287, T-112683, 0562017005033, T-112686, T-112687, T-53161, T-54120, T-66084, T-54120, T-66084, T-33029, T-53163, T-53166 & T-53162. The project is under BP220 (Economic Housing).

Notice is hereby given that AXEIA DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (Owner/Developer) by virtue of Deed of Absolute Sale has filed ZLWK WKLV 2IÂżFH D VZRUQ UHJLVWUDWLRQ statement for the sale of house and lot at GREENMEADOWS RESIDENCES located at Brgy. &DODQVD\DQ 6DQ -RVH %DWDQJDV and more particularly described as Lot 3632-Cads-464-D, 2623-A, 3622, 3503, Cad-464-D, 3620 & 3606, Cad-464-D covered by TCT No. T-91589, T-101029, T-105399, P-40572, T-158132 & P-38756. The project is under BP220 (Socialized Housing).

Notice is hereby given that AXEIA DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (Owner/Developer) by virtue of Deed of Absolute Sale has filed ZLWK WKLV 2IÂżFH D VZRUQ UHJLVWUDWLRQ statement for the sale of house and lot at GREENMEADOWS RESIDENCES located at Brgy. &DODQVD\DQ 6DQ -RVH %DWDQJDV and more particularly described as Lot 3632-Cads-464-D, 2623-A, 3622, 3503, Cad-464-D, 3620 & 3606, Cad-464-D covered by TCT No. T-91589, T-101029, T-105399, P-40572, T-158132 & P-38756. The project is under BP220 (Socialized Housing).

The foregoing project is being utilized as compliance for TANAUAN PARK PLACE PHASE 1 located at Brgy. Bagumbayan, Ta n a u a n C i t y, B a t a n g a s , i n accordance with Section 18 of Republic Act No. 7279 as amended

by RA 10884 subject to the accreditation approval of the CEO.

The foregoing project is being utilized as compliance for TANAUAN PARK PLACE PHASE 2 located at Brgy. Bagumbayan, Ta n a u a n C i t y, B a t a n g a s , i n accordance with Section 18 of Republic Act No. 7279 as amended

by RA 10884 subject to the accreditation approval of the CEO.

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.

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

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

Calamba City, Laguna, 27th day of May 2019.

Calamba City, Laguna, 27th day of May 2019.

Recommending Approval:

Recommending Approval:

(SGD). Engr. EMMANUEL G. GLIPO

(SGD). Engr. EMMANUEL G. GLIPO

Head- Permits, Registration and Licensing Unit

Head- Permits, Registration and Licensing Unit

Approved by:

Approved by:

(SGD.) Engr. FRANCIS D. ORDENIZA 5HJLRQDO 2IÂżFHU

(SGD.) Engr. FRANCIS D. ORDENIZA 5HJLRQDO 2IÂżFHU

The foregoing project is utilizing GREENMEADOWS RESIDENCES (Socialized Housing) located at Brgy. &DODQVD\DQ 6DQ -RVH %DWDQJDV DV its Compliance pursuant to Section 18 of Republic Act No. 7279 as amended

by Republic Act No. 10884 subject to the accreditation approval of the CEO.

Ang nasabing proyekto ay ginagamit ang GREENMEADOWS RESIDENCES (Socialized Housing) na matatagpuan sa Brgy. Calansayan, 6DQ -RVH %DWDQJDV ELODQJ SDJWXSDG sa Seksyon 18 Batas Republika Blg. 7279.

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.

Ang mga kasulatang kaugnay nito ay maaring suriin ng sinumang tao na nagtataglay ng ligal na interes doon pagkatapos ng wastong aplikasyon at kaukulang bayad.

Absent legal impediment, the abovecited project is deemed registered DQG D FHUWLÂżFDWH LQ HYLGHQFH WKHUHRI VKDOO IRUWKZLWK EH LVVXHG DIWHU ÂżYH

days from the last day of publication.

Pagkaraan ng limang (5) araw mula sa huling araw ng pagkalathala ang proyektong nabanggit ay ituturing na rehistrado na at maaring bigyan ng sertipiko bilang katibayan nito kapag wala nang sagabal na ligal.

Calamba City, Laguna, 27 th day of May 2019.

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 legal impediment, the abovecited project is deemed registered DQG D FHUWLÂżFDWH LQ HYLGHQFH WKHUHRI VKDOO IRUWKZLWK EH LVVXHG DIWHU ÂżYH

days from the last day of publication.

Calamba City, Laguna, 27th day of May 2019.

Lungsod ng Calamba, Laguna, ika-27 ng Mayo 2019.

Recommending Approval:

Recommending Approval:

(SGD). Engr. EMMANUEL G. GLIPO

(SGD). Engr. EMMANUEL G. GLIPO

Head- Permits, Registration and Licensing Unit

Head- Permits, Registration and Licensing Unit

Approved by:

Approved by:

(SGD.) Engr. FRANCIS D. ORDENIZA 5HJLRQDO 2IÂżFHU

The foregoing project is utilizing GREENMEADOWS RESIDENCES (Socialized Housing) located at Brgy. &DODQVD\DQ 6DQ -RVH %DWDQJDV DV its Compliance pursuant to Section 18 of Republic Act No. 7279 as amended

by Republic Act No. 10884 subject to the accreditation approval of the CEO.

Recommending Approval: (SGD). Engr. EMMANUEL G. GLIPO Head- Permits, Registration and Licensing Unit Approved by: (SGD.) Engr. FRANCIS D. ORDENIZA 5HJLRQDO 2IÂżFHU

(SGD.) Engr. FRANCIS D. ORDENIZA 5HJLRQDO 2IÂżFHU

07 0D\ -XQH

MT - May 30, 2019

07 0D\ -XQH

MT - May 30, 2019

Republic of the Philippines ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION San Miguel Avenue, Pasig City

ANNEX Annex 1 Annex A Annex B Annex C

ERC CASE NO. 2019-017 RC ILIGAN LIGHT AND POWER, INC. (ILPI), Applicant. x------------------------------------------------------------------x

Annex D Annex E Annex F Annex G Annex H Annex I $QQH[ Annex K Annex L Annex M Annex N Annex O Annex P Annex Q

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES: 1RWLFH LV KHUHE\ JLYHQ WKDW RQ 0DUFK ,OLJDQ /LJKW DQG 3RZHU ,QF ,/3, ÂżOHG DQ Application GDWHG -DQXDU\ VHHNLQJ WKH &RPPLVVLRQÂśV DSSURYDO RI LWV HOHFWULF DQG non-electric capital projects for the Regulatory Years 2017 to 2018.

The pertinent portions of the said Application are hereunder quoted as follows: Applicant ILPI is a corporation duly organized and existing under and by virtue of WKH ODZV RI WKH 3KLOLSSLQHV ZLWK SULQFLSDO RIÂżFH DW %UR -HIIUH\ 5RDG 3DOD R ,OLJDQ City where it may be served with summons and other legal processes.

2.

Applicant ILPI is the exclusive franchise holder issued by the Congress of the Philippines to operate electric light and power service in the City of Iligan in the Province of Lanao del Norte.

3.

ILPI is part of the Second Entry Group (otherwise known as “Group B�) that entered into the performance-based regulation (“PBR�) rate setting methodology on April 1, 2009. Other members of Group B are Mactan Electric Company, Inc. (MECO) and Cotabato Light and Power Company (CLPC).

4.

As part of the PBR rate setting methodology, ILPI’s Second Regulatory Period was from April 1, 2009 toMarch 31, 2013.

5.

Prior to the end of the Second Regulatory Period for the Second Entry Group, the Honorable Commission began the process of updating the Rules for Setting Distribution Wheeling Rates for Privately Owned Distribution Utilities (Second Entry Group) (the “RDWR�).

6.

However, the revisions to the RDWR from the Third and Fourth Regulatory 3HULRGV DQG WKH UHVROXWLRQ RI FHUWDLQ LVVXHV LGHQWLÂżHG XQGHU 3%5 E\ WKH +RQRUDEOH Commission had not yet been completed by the time the Second Regulatory Period had ended on March 31, 2013.

8QIRUWXQDWHO\ WKH UHYLVLRQV WR WKH 5':5 KDYH QRW \HW EHHQ ÂżQDOL]HG 6LQFH WKH VWDUW of the regulatory reset process under PBR for Group B for the Third and Fourth Regulatory Periods has not yet begun and given the need by ILPI to undertake electric and non-electric capital projects in order to address the load growth, renewal, UHSODFHPHQW DQG UHIXUELVKPHQW RI H[LVWLQJ GLVWULEXWLRQ DVVHWV ,/3, LV QRZ ÂżOLQJ WKLV instant Application.

8.

ILPI has several electric and non-electric capital projects planned for RY 2019 which are necessary to maintain the reliable and safe operation of its distribution network as well as to provide for the growing electricity demand in the ILPI franchise area.

9.

Being guided by the latest Rules for Setting Distribution Wheeling Rates (RDWR), as amended, ILPI hereby submits for approval of this Honorable Commission the following electric and non-electric capital projects for RY 2019: CAPITAL PROJECTS (For the Regulatory Year 2019) Proposed Project No.

2

Title Replacement of Three (3) Overton Feeders Protection Automatic Circuit Reclosers (ACRs) with 16 kAIC Ratings Sitio Pigtuliran Replacement of Poles Project

3

Replacement of Substation Protection Devices for Safety Compliance Projects

1

4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15

Replacement of Defective 69 kV Disconnect Switch Tambacan 13.8 kV Backbone Line Reconductoring Customer Service Drops and Metering Equipment Distribution Transformers Low Voltage Distribution Lines Installation of new meters Poles Line Construction Projects 13.8kV Backbone Loop Line of Kiwalan Feeder and Pala-o Feeder Fault Indicator Installation for Fault Frequent Areas Digkilaan Reconductoring Project Streetlight Metering Project (Continuation of RY 2018 Project)

16 Meter Replacement Project Land Improvements, Building Construction and 17 Improvements and other Equipment 18 Vehicles Tools and Instruments Maintenance and 19 for Operations

Type

Project Cost (PhP) Total

Reference

Safety

4,285,714.28

Annex A

Safety

1,113,563.25

Annex B

Safety

4,538,312.00

Annex C

Safety

900,000.00

Annex D

Capacity

1,819,945.82

Annex E

Capacity

11,755,882.50

Annex F

Capacity

8,148,264.00

Annex G

Capacity

2,307,250.00

Annex H

Capacity Capacity Expansion

12,527,666.07 8,759,246.00 20,264,682.47

Annex I $QQH[ Annex K

Reliability Improvement

3,314,305.90

Annex L

LORENZO SHIPPING CORP., Applicant. x-------------------------------------x

CASE NO. MNL-REV-2015-003 (Amendment Nos. 1-9) Amendment No. 10 (Ref. Case No. NCR-2005-003) ORDER

%HIRUH 8V LV WKH DERYH HQWLWOHG $SSOLFDWLRQ ZKLFK ZDV ÂżOHG RQ May 2019. The following are the particulars of the ship, MV “LORCON DUMAGUETEâ€?: 2IÂżFLDO 1XPEHU Gross Tons Year Built Place Built Type of Ship Former Name of Ship Former Name of Owner 'DWH RI ,VVXDQFH RI &HUWLÂżFDWH RI 2ZQHUVKLS &HUWLÂżFDWH RI Philippine Registry

: : : : : :

7,970.00 1999 TURKEY CARGO SHIP/CONTAINER SHIP MV “OAK I�

OAK I SHIPPING INCORPORATION. 0D\

Notice is hereby given that the said Application will be heard by this Authority on 04 June 2019 at 02:00 o’clock in the afternoon, at the 7th Floor, Franchising Service Hearing Room, at the above address.

The Applicant shall publish this Order once in a newspaper of general FLUFXODWLRQ DW OHDVW ÂżYH GD\V EHIRUH WKH VFKHGXOHG GDWH RI KHDULQJ The Applicant shall submit a written Formal Offer of Evidence during the KHDULQJ RU ÂżYH GD\V WKHUHDIWHU WITNESS WKH +RQRUDEOH 2IÂżFHU LQ &KDUJH RI WKH 2IÂżFH RI WKH Administrator, VADM NARCISO A VINGSON JR, this 28th day of May 2019 at Manila, Philippines.

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

MT - May 30, 2019

Annex R Annex S Annex T Annex U Annex V Annex W

INFORMATION PROVIDED Executive Summary Replacement of Three (3) Overton Feeders Protection Automatic Circuit Reclosers (ACRs) with 16 kAIC Ratings Sitio Pigtuliran Replacement of Poles Project Replacement of Substation Protection Devices for Safety Compliance Projects Replacement of Defective 69 kV Disconnect Switch Tambacan 13.8kV Backbone Line Reconductoring Customer Service Drops and Metering Equipment Distribution Transformers Low Voltage Distribution Lines Installation of new meters Poles Line Construction Projects 13.8kV Backbone Loop Line of Kiwalan Feeder and Pala-o Feeder Fault Indicator Installation for Fault Frequent Areas Digkilaan Reconductoring Project Streetlight Metering Project (Continuation of RY 2018 Project) Meter Replacement Project Land Improvements, Building Construction and Improvements and Other Equipment Vehicles Tools and Instruments for Maintenance and Operations SCADA Software Update Expansion of Wireless and Virtual Infrastructure Acquisition of IT Hardware Requirements Safety, Health and Wellness Projects

12. The approval of the foregoing electric and non-electric capital projects will ensure that the customers of ILPI will be served continuously and reliably in accordance with the standards under the Philippine Distribution Code (PDC) and other regulatory obligations as well as the approved Performance Level Targets for ILPI’s Performance Incentive Scheme (PIS) under PBR. PRAYER WHEREFORE, it is respectfully prayed that the Honorable Commission, after trial on the PHULWV LVVXH D ¿QDO DSSURYDO RI WKH IROORZLQJ &DSLWDO 3URMHFWV DQG WKDW ,/3, EH JUDQWHG WKH authority to implement, construct, own and operate the same: 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

16.

17.

18.

19.

20.

21.

22.

23.

Replacement of Three (3) Overton Feeders Protection Automatic Circuit Reclosers (ACRs) with 16 kAIC Ratings Sitio Pigtuliran Replacement of Poles Project Replacement of Substation Protection Devices for Safety Compliance Projects Replacement of Defective 69 kV Disconnect Switch Tambacan 13.8kV Backbone Line Reconductoring Customer Service Drops and Metering Equipment Distribution Transformers Low Voltage Distribution Lines Installation of new meters Poles Line Construction Projects 13.8kV Backbone Loop Line of Kiwalan Feeder and Pala-o Feeder Fault Indicator Installation for Fault Frequent Areas Digkilaan Reconductoring Project Streetlight Metering Project (Continuation of RY 2018 Project) Meter Replacement Project Land Improvements, Building Construction and Improvements and Other Equipment Vehicles Tools and Instruments for Maintenance and Operations SCADA Software Update Expansion of Wireless and Virtual Infrastructure Acquisition of IT Hardware Requirements Safety, Health and Wellness Projects

Applicant likewise prays for such other and further relief as may be deemed just and equitable in the premises.

The Commission has set the Application for determination of compliance with the jurisdictional requirements, expository presentation, pre-trial conference, and presentation of evidence on 13 June 2019 (Thursday), at two o’clock in the afternoon (02:00 P.M.), at ,/3,œV 3ULQFLSDO 2I¿FH DW %UR -HIIUH\ 5RDG 3DOD R ,OLJDQ &LW\ All persons who have an interest in the subject matter of the instant case may become a SDUW\ E\ ¿OLQJ ZLWK WKH &RPPLVVLRQ D YHUL¿HG 3HWLWLRQ WR ,QWHUYHQH DW OHDVW ¿YH GD\V SULRU to the initial hearing and subject to the requirements under Rule 9 of the 2006 ERC Rules of Practice and Procedure, indicating therein the docket number and title of the case and stating the following: 1)

The petitioner’s name and address;

2)

The nature of petitioner’s interest in the subject matter of the proceeding and the way and manner in which such interest is affected by the issues involved in the proceeding; and

3)

A statement of the relief desired.

All other persons who may want their views known to the Commission with respect to the VXEMHFW PDWWHU RI WKH FDVH PD\ ÂżOH WKHLU 2SSRVLWLRQ RU &RPPHQW WKHUHRQ DW DQ\ VWDJH RI WKH proceeding before Applicant rests its case, subject to the requirements under Rule 9 of the 2006 ERC Rules of Practice and Procedure. No particular form of Opposition or Comment is required, but the document, letter, or writing should contain the following:

Reliability Improvement Reliability Improvement

1,200,000.00

Annex M

1)

The name and address of such person;

2,142,068.26

Annex N

2)

A concise statement of the Opposition or Comment; and

System Loss Reduction

2,733,625.00

Annex O

3)

The grounds relied upon.

System Loss Reduction

12,654,870.04

Annex P

Service (IÂżFLHQF\

22,878,000.00

Annex Q

Service (IÂżFLHQF\

11,700,000.00

Annex R

Service (IÂżFLHQF\

11,776,368.57

Annex S

Service (IÂżFLHQF\ of Wireless and Service 21 Expansion Virtual Infrastructure (IÂżFLHQF\ Acquisition of IT Hardware Service 22 Requirements (IÂżFLHQF\ Safety, Health and Wellness Service 23 Projects (IÂżFLHQF\ TOTAL PROJECT COST (PhP) 20 SCADA Software Update

Application for Tenth Amendment of Revalidated &HUWLÂżFDWH RI 3XEOLF &RQYHQLHQFH &3& to effect the Change in the Type of Operation/Service of the ship, MV “LORCON DUMAGUETEâ€?, from liner service to tramping service, for the carriage of cargoes only to any port in the Philippines

741,071.43

Annex T

1,959,360.00

Annex U

1,173,242.00

Annex V

1,315,000.00

Annex W

All such persons who wish to have a copy of the Application may request from Applicant that they be furnished with the same, prior to the date of the initial hearing. ILPI is hereby directed to furnish all those making such request with copies of the Application and its attachments, subject to the reimbursement of reasonable photocopying costs. Any such person may likewise examine the Application DQG RWKHU SHUWLQHQW UHFRUGV ÂżOHG ZLWK WKH &RPPLVVLRQ GXULQJ WKH VWDQGDUG RIÂżFH KRXUV WITNESS, the Honorable Commissioners ALEXIS M. LUMBATAN, CATHERINE P. MACEDA, and PAUL CHRISTIAN M. CERVANTES Energy Regulatory Commission, this 6th day of May 2019 in Pasig City.

The Manila Times is warning the public that certain individuals posing as our employees have been threatening to publish articles against some companies. Anyone who receives a call from these extortionists should report the matter to the police.

The Manila Times DOES NOT ask for money to stop news articles from being published. This paper does not condone any form of blackmail.

MT – May 30, 2019

Republic of the Philippines DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS AND HIGHWAYS ZAMBOANGA DEL NORTE 1ST DISTRICT ENGINEERING OFFICE REGIONAL OFFICE IX Sta. Isabel, Dipolog City INVITATION TO BID The Department of Public Works and Highways, through its Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) of the DPWH 1st 'LVWULFW (QJLQHHULQJ 2IÂżFH 6WD ,VDEHO 'LSRORJ &LW\ invites prospective suppliers/bidders to apply to bid for the following contract/s: Contract ID: Contract Name:

19JBG0006 Supply and Delivery of materials for use in manual patching of potholes, sealing of pavement, cracks and joints along road networks and bridges of this district.

Contract Location: Dipolog City, Zamboanga Del Norte Approve Budget for the Contract (ABC): P 4,500,000.00 Contract Duration: w/n ten (10) working days upon the receipt of Approved Supply Contract Place of Delivery: DPWH, 1st DEO Sta. Isabel, Dipolog City Bref. Description: Quantity 200 200

Unit drm pail

Description EMULSIFIED ASPHALT, CSS1 (200ltr/drm) ASPHALT SEALANT 20kg/pail

Procurement will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures in accordance with R.A. 9184 and its Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations.

To bid for this contract, a bidder must meet the following criteria: (a) prior registration with DPWH, (b) Filipino citizen / sole proprietorships, corporations / partnerships / cooperatives / organizations with at least sixty percent (60%) interest or outstanding capital stock belongs to the citizens of the Philippines, (c) completed similar contract whose value must be at least 50% of the ABC within a period of 2 years, and (a) Net Financing Contracting Capacity at least 10% of ABC. The BAC will use non-discretionary pass/fail criteria in the eligibility check and preliminary examination of bids.

Unregistered suppliers/bidders, however, shall submit their applications for UHJLVWUDWLRQ WR WKH %$& IRU *RRGV 6HFUHWDULDW '3:+ &HQWUDO 2I¿FH VHYHQ (7) calendar days before deadline for the submission and opening of bids. The %$& IRU *RRGV '3:+ &HQWUDO 2I¿FH ZLOO RQO\ SURFHVV VXSSOLHUV DSSOLFDWLRQV IRU registration with complete requirements, and issue the Supplier’s Registration &HUWL¿FDWH 65& 5HJLVWUDWLRQ IRUPV PD\ EH VHFXUHG IURP WKH 6HFUHWDULDW %$& IRU *RRGV 2I¿FH *URXQG )ORRU '3:+ &HQWUDO 2I¿FH 7KH VLJQL¿FDQW WLPHV DQG GHDGOLQHV RI SURFXUHPHQW DFWLYLWLHV DUH VKRZQ EHORZ 1. Issuance of Bidding Documents 2. Pre – Bid Conference 3. Submission and Receipt of Bids 4. Opening of Bids

0D\ WR -XQH -XQH -XQH DW $0 -XQH DW $0

7KH %$& ZLOO LVVXH KDUG FRSLHV RI %LGGLQJ 'RFXPHQWV %'V DW %$& 2I¿FH '3:+ =1 VW 'LVWULFW (QJLQHHULQJ 2I¿FH 6WD ,VDEHO 'LSRORJ &LW\ XSRQ SD\ment of a non – refundable fee of Five Thousand Pesos Only (P 5,000.00).

Prospective bidders may also download the BDs, if available; from the DPWH website Prospective bidders that will download the BDs from the DPWH website shall pay the said fees on or before the submission of their Bid Documents. Bid must be accompanied by a bid security, in the amount and acceptable form, as stated in Section 27.2 of the Revised IRR. 3URVSHFWLYH ELGGHUV VKDOO VXEPLW WKHLU GXO\ DFFRPSOLVKHG IRUPV DV VSHFLÂżHG LQ WKH %'V LQ WZR VHSDUDWH ELG HQYHORSHV WR WKH %$& &KDLUPDQ 7KH ÂżUVW HQYHORSH shall contain the technical component of the bid, which shall include the eligibilLW\ UHTXLUHPHQWV 7KH VHFRQG HQYHORSH VKDOO FRQWDLQ WKH ÂżQDQFLDO FRPSRQHQW RI the Bid. Contract will be awarded to the Lowest Calculated Responsive Bid as GHWHUPLQHG LQ WKH ELG HYDOXDWLRQ DQG WKH SRVW Âą TXDOLÂżFDWLRQ The Department of Public Works and Highways reserves the right to accept or reject any or all bid and to annul the bidding process any time before Contract award, without incurring any liability to the affected bidders.

Approved:

MT- May 30, 2019

RAY S. CADAVEDO Chief, Construction Section BAC Chairperson

BE A TOP JOURNALIST • See yourself on TV • Hear your voice on the radio • See your byline in the newspaper -XPSVWDUW \RXU PHGLD FDUHHU at The Manila Times College!

150,008,437.59

10. The proposed electric and non-electric capital projects will not have a direct impact on the current rates of ILPI until approved by the Honorable Commission as part of ILPI’s Regulatory Asset Base in its next regulatory reset application under PBR. 11. A detailed description for each of the projects are attached hereto as part of the VSHFL¿F SURMHFWVœ DQQH[ DQG DUH PDGH LQWHJUDO SDUWV RI WKLV $SSOLFDWLRQ

B7

WARNING TO THE PUBLIC

Republic of the Philippines Department of Transportation MARITIME INDUSTRY AUTHORITY CENTRAL OFFICE, FRANCHISING SERVICE A. Bonifacio Avenue corner 20th Avenue corner Railroad Street, South Harbor, Port Area, Manila

In support of this Application, the Applicant has attached the following supporting documents in connection with the projects:

IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION FOR THE APPROVAL OF ELECTRIC AND NON-ELECTRIC CAPITAL PROJECTS FOR THE REGULATORY YEAR 2019

1.

THURSDAY May 30, 2019

MT - May 22 & 30, 2019

For more information, call 524-5664 to 66 local 114 or 310-9625

ERRORS & OMISSIONS Any incorrect advertisement published in The Manila Times Classified Ads must be brought to our attention on the same day the advertisement came out. We will not be held liable for any incorrect ads not reported to us immediately.

THURSDAY MAY 30, 2019

Public Square

B8

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For contributions, email to publicsquare@manilatimes.net

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Solaire receives Best Regional Asian Integrated Resort award S

OLAIRE, one of the world’s top luxury integrated resorts has been named “Best Regional Asian Integrated Resort� by an independent panel of judges at the 2019 G2E Asia Awards in Macau.

Recognizing excellence and innovation in Asian gaming and hospitality, nominees in the G2E Asia Awards go through a rigid screening and judging process, with the 50-member jury comprising of experts and leaders from different industry sectors.

Thomas Arasi, Bloomberry Resorts Corporation and Solaire Resort & Casino president and CHIEF OPERATING OFkCER SAYS g4HIS recent win is truly heartwarming for us as it came from our peers, which builds upon the recognition we’ve received from our loyal guests. Earning the respect of those from the industry further motivates us to bringing Solaire forward to being a well-recognized

Q Solaire Resort & Casino’s Management Team are (from left) Chin Gan Lim, Slot Operations vice president; Tony Boglic, Floor Operations Table Games director; Lorenzo Manalang, Brand Marketing vice president; Cyrus Sherafat, Casino Marketing executive vice president; Thomas Arasi, president and chief operating officer; Donato Almeda, Board director; and Tony Wun, Credit and Collection executive director. global brand.�

He added that the new accolade is another important victory for as Solaire takes on its next steps towards becoming the only Filipino luxury brand that is globally preferred. Arasi and Solaire’s man-

agement team were in Macau to receive the award.

As one of the pioneer properties in Entertainment City — the Las Vegas of the Philippines — Solaire capitalized on its unique brand of Filipino hospitality, world-class

service and luxurious facilities to garner this coveted accolade. Such qualities helped it earn the trust of its guests, garner the Forbes Travel Guide 5-star designation and TripAdvisor’s Travelers Choice Award AND #ERTIkCATE OF %XCELLENCE

Muntinlupa honors Ulirang Ina IN celebration of Mother’s Day, the local government of Muntinlupa through THE 'ENDER AND $EVELOPMENT /FkCE honored nine outstanding women who have excelled in their careers and have shown exceptional initiatives in nurturing their families and helping improve the lives of others.

Brgy. Tunasan resident Lilian Enriquez (center) was hailed this year’s champion in the Search for Gawad Ulirang Ina. Enriquez received P55,000 cash incentive and a trophy

for being recognized as the winner in 2019 Gawad Ulirang Ina Awarding Ceremony held at Ayala Malls South Park, Alabang on May 25.

Finalists for this year’s search were Avelina Destura (Poblacion), Herminia Pascua (Putatan), Leticia Guevarra (Sucat), Luzviminda Gutierrez (Bayanan), Mayumi De Mesa (Alabang), Graciana Rosel (Buli), and Zenaida Villas (Cupang). Finalists received cash prizes amounting to P35,000 each. Attending the cer-

Q Nine outstanding women of Muntinlupa. emony were Mayor Jaime Fresnedi, Congressman Ruffy Biazon, and

'ENDER AND $EVELOPMENT /FkCE Program Director Trina Biazon.

The first Tree Top Adventure in the south now open at Château Royale CHÂTEAU Royale Hotel Resort and Spa, the largest integrated RESORT IN ,UZON UNVEILED THE kRST Tree Top Adventure south of Luzon that families and other groups looking to have fun while doing physical activities can surely enjoy.

The Tree Top Adventure is a welcome addition to Château Royale’s already robust array of attractions that cater to everyone. Now that it is available in Batangas, families who love thrill rides need not go up north to Baguio City or Subic in Zambales to experience the joy and excitement of a genuine and world-class adventure ride such as Tree Top Adventure.

Families, corporate groups and the barkada will love the Tree Top Adventure, the brand synonymous to exciting rides and delightful adventures. The addition of Tree Top Adventure to Château Royale’s many amenities is seen to attract large groups to head off to Château Royale for their next out-of-town trip. Among the many features of Tree Top Adventure at Château Royale include breathtaking ziplines, enhanced rock-climbing walls, hanging bridges and obstacle courses, all providing a stunning view of the Batangas mountainside.

For more information, visit www.chateauroyalebatangas.com.

Q Officers of Château Royale Hotel Resort & Spa in Nasugbu, Batangas, are (from left Jyn Almario, Château Royale brand ambassador; Amy Sunio-Abarquez, founder, Ms. Tourism Philippines; Ana Manansala, AMCS managing director; together with Château Royale Hotel Resort & Spa executives Atty. Christine Base, president; Marie Abolencia, director for Sales and Marketing; and Ferdie Pulia, general manager

Quezon City opens new senior high school in Pinyahan QUEZON CITY Mayor Herbert Bautista, together with Education Secretary Dr. Leonor Briones, led the inauguration of a new four-story senior high school in Flora Ylagan, Barangay Pinayahan on Tuesday, 21 May 2019.

The new Flora Ylagan Senior High School building houses 23 classrooms and laboratories for incoming senior high school students.

During Bautista’s term as the chief executive, the classroom shortage has been reduced to less than 1000 from 3,000.

From 2010 to present, Quezon

City has invested over 3 billion pesos for the construction of additional school buildings, and 743 million pesos for the renovation and maintenance of existing structures.

Secretary Briones expressed her gratitude for the city’s generosity in prioritizing education in its programs.

Quezon City under Mayor Bautista has invested very heavily for education. Although this is a national mandate, Quezon City really supported us, not only in academic programs but also in sports and technical-vocational (programs),� Sec. Briones said.

tal health services. For this to happen, there needs to be less stigma and more meaningful deliberations around mental health at the community level,� says Camilla Brooks, chairperson of InTouch. “This partnership with Boxless Society is an opportunity for us to view mental health through the medium of art to generate better understanding and awareness,� she added. “Art can be therapeutic and can help one speak louder than words, because thoughts are often hard to verbalize.

This art exhibit is intended

AT least 80 million liters per day (MLD) will be made available to East Zone concessionaire Manila Water Company (MWC) starting year 2021 and over 500 MLD by year 2025.

This was jointly announced by MWSS Chairman Franklin Demonteverde and MWSS Administrator Reynaldo Velasco following the approval of the MWSS Board of Trustees of the Wawa Bulk Water Supply Project of Prime Infra — the infrastructure company led by business tycoon Enrique Razon, and Ayala-led MWC during its board meetings on May 9 and 22.

The Wawa Bulk Water Supply Project approval comes with the resolution of the long-standing legal issues between the MWSS and Prime Infra’s joint venture partner, businessman Oscar Violago’s San Lorenzo Ruiz Builders

Group (SLRB), that has prevented for over 10 years the implementation of the bulk water supply project.

The project, which is a private off take arrangement between MWC and Wawa JVCO, the joint venture company of Prime Infra and SLRB, culminates over 20 years of development work by SLRB and Prime Infra.

The terms of the agreement is currently being reviewed by the Office of the Government Corporate Counsel (OGCC) and the MWSS-Regulatory Office.

MWSS Administrator Reynaldo Velasco says that the 500 MLD volume of water from the Wawa Bulk Supply Project will boost MWC’s current water production by about 30 percent and is considered the largest water supply project that will be implemented under the Duterte administration.

Thai flavors land at Marco Polo Ortigas Manila ASIAN spices come alive as the Land of Smiles lands delightfully at the Marco Polo Ortigas Manila.

Experience the burst of intense lAVORS AND ALLURING AROMAS WITH every authentic dish by guest chef Nontra-Udon Buapha (in photo).

With almost 40 years of culinary experience, guest chef from Prince Hotel Hong Kong and Thailand native, Chef Nontra-Udon Buapha, has been well-known for his authentic specialties and friendly character. “People living in Thailand love to use local natural spices to create a variety of colourful, aromatic and scrumptious Thai delicacies�, says Chef Buapha. The chef demonstrates this passion

for Thai spices and sauces in his mouth-watering signature dishes.

This coming June 4 to 23, Chef "UAPHA IS BRINGING lAVORFUL 4HAIland to Marco Polo Ortigas Manila’s Cucina with eccentric dishes.

For more information visit www. marcopolohotels.com

ARC Refreshments Corp supports online ‘Juicy Legends Tournament’

GAMERS who aspire to conquer the RENOWNED -OBILE ,EGENDS "ANG Bang online arena are in for a thrilling feat these months of May and June.

4HE 5,6, 'AMING IS STAGING THE kRST “Juicy Legends Tournament,� with ARC Refreshments Corporation’s Juicy Lemon as major sponsor.

(OSTED BY 2ODkL -ACASERO OF &ILIpino comic and singing duo Moymoy Palaboy, 128 amateur teams of 5 to 7 members each will vie for the championship crown in the “Juicy Legends Tournament.� More than the bragging RIGHTS kRST PLACE WINNERS WILL RECEIVE P50,000; second placers will take home P20,000; and third place winners will be conferred with P10,000.

ARC Refreshments Corp., the

company behind “RC Cola Liga ng Bayan� 3x3 basketball tournament, is supporting the “Juicy Legends Tournament� as an advocate of sports development among the youth for nation-building.

The ongoing elimination rounds of the “Juicy Legends Tournament� will be followed by the series of QUALIkER MATCHES HELD FROM -AY 18 to June 1. Teams who make it to THE SEMI kNALS WILL BATTLE IT OUT ON June 3 to 27. The best Juicy Legends teams will compete for the championship crown on June 29.

For more information and live updates, please like or follow HTTPS WWW FACEBOOK COM *UICY,EMON/FkCIAL

Searca appoints eminent rice scientist and academician as new director Q Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista presents the ceremonial key to Education Sec Dr. Leonor Briones.

InTouch, Boxless Society organize an art exhibit to raise awareness about mental health “MENTAL Tapestries,� a unique art exhibition aimed at raising awareness of mental health, hosted by InTouch Community Services, in partnership with Boxless Society, will feature 27 works of art focused on the theme of mental health, created by artists who face mental health challenges.

The artworks will showcase how the artists have used their experiences and creativity to manage their condition. “At InTouch we hope that all people will value mental health and emotional well-being and be able to access high quality men-

MWSS approves Razon’s Wawa bulk water supply project

Q One of the features of the exhibit is a forum with speakers (from left) Dr. Julian Montano, Camilla Brooks and Lucylle Bianca Cawaling. to raise awareness on mental wellbeing, to feel free to express and spread acceptance,� says Lucylle Bianca Cawaling, event organizer and volunteer at Boxless Society, channeling the sentiments of her team of artists.

The exhibit will run from May 23 until July 11, 2019, and the art will be offered for sale, with the proceeds going to support both organizations, the artists, and their cause. For more information, visit HTTPS WWW IN TOUCH ORG

DR. Glenn Gregorio has been appointed as new director of the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (Searca), an inter-government treaty organization hosted by the Philippine government on the campus of the University of the Philippines Los BaĂąos (UPLB), for a three-year term AND HE ASSUMED OFkCE ON -AY Gregorio is the eleventh director to hold the top Searca post since its establishment in November 1966 by the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (Seameo).

Gregorio is also an academician at the National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) of the Philippines and is currently a professor at the Institute of Crop Science of the UPLB College of Agriculture and Food Science.

A distinguished rice scientist, Gregorio served the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) for ALMOST YEARS INCLUDING A kVE year stint as IRRI’s rice breeder in Africa based at Africa Rice Centre

station at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture in Nigeria from 2004 to 2009.

Throughout his career, Gregorio has bred more than 15 rice varieties, most of which are salt-tolerant varieties that have greatly helped farmers in Bangladesh, India, Nigeria, and the Philippines. He also led efforts to develop micronutrient-dense rice varieties to address anemia and malnutrition in Bangladesh, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam.

Dr. Gregorio obtained his PhD in Genetics, MS in Plant Breeding, and BS in Agriculture at UPLB. For more information, visit HTTPS GROWTHFEATURES COM

˜ The Manila Times

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Special Feature

Q Argentine Ambassador Jose Nestor Ureta (seated right) with some of the wine importers.

A R G E N T I N E N AT I O N A L DAY

THURSDAY | May 30, 2019

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Q Among the guests are Ramin Mahmoudi, husband of Ambassador of Austria; Republic of India Ambassador Jaideep Mazumdar; Fausto Preysler, consul general, a.h. of the Republic Costa Rica; and Sweden Ambassador Harald Fries.

Viva Argentina!

More about the first Latin American country with which the Philippines had established bilateral relations

BY LEA MANTO-BELTRAN

A

RGENTINA celebrated its National Day on May 25, also known as First Government National Day. It celebrated the CONSTITUTION OF THE kRST GOVERNMENT THAT BECAME INDEPENDENT FROM THE COLONIAL 3PANIARDS AFTER THE -AY REVOLUTION IN On April 10 the Argentine Embassy in Manila celebrated the Argentine National Day and the Malbec World Day at the Makati Shangri-La Hotel.

Eleven of the most important wine importers and distributors of the Philippines displayed their Argentine products in a very special wine event, complemented with Argentina’s renowned beef meat, a photo exhibit and a tango show.

Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Executive Director Jaime Ramon Ascalon Jr. and Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines, Monsignor Gabriele Giordano Caccia graced the occasion.

The Argentine Ambassador to the Philippines Jose Nestor Ureta announced his retirement after almost 42 years in foreign service. He leaves the Philippines with fond memories of his encounters with the Filipino people who he described as “hospitable, polite, and hardworking.�

Philippine-Argentine bilateral relations The Philippines and the Argentine Republic’s diplomatic relations began in 1948. Both were former Spanish colonies and established their diplomatic and bilateral relations 71 years ago, THE kRST ,ATIN !MERICAN COUNTRY WITH WHICH THE Philippines had established relations.

Argentina has an embassy in Manila while the Philippines also has an embassy in Buenos Aires.

The Argentine Republic hosted various artistic, cultural and promotional events in the Philippines especially during the second quarter of 2018.

The two countries have partnered to give Filipino agricultural producers better equipment and machines to improve their production. Initiatives on capacity building, food security and improving vegetable production were likewise established.

There was even a cooperation project that began recently on organic rice, according to Ambassador Ureta.

For Filipinos to be able to visit Argentina easily, the Argentina government has recently implemented the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) as another way to apply for an Argentine tourist visa. “Argentina is grateful for the support of the Philippines for signing my country’s access to the Treaty of Amity – our cooperation in Southeast Asia in Singapore,� Ureta added.

In conclusion, |Ambassador Ureta said during the event, “The Philippines is a nation to which we share a similar aspiration and determination for a better future for our people and international community.�

Q Special tango performance from Filipino tango dancers (from left): Louie Serenta with Liza Anareta, Denise Lim with Yuko Serrat and Jang and Jen Lopez.Â

www.ictsi.com

Q Other guests are Republic of Austria Ambassador Bita Rasoulian;Christine Cunanan, publisher of Travelife; Ralph Lim Joseph, president of Philippine Wine Merchants, Inc.; Cynthia Carrion-Norton, managing director of Advantage Sports & Leisure, Inc..

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World

THURSDAY May 30, 2019

˜ The Manila Times

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Myanmar guilty of war crimes – AI Y

ANGON: Myanmar’s military is guilty of committing new “war crimes,� extrajudicial killings and torture in its fight against ethnic Rakhine rebels, Amnesty International (AI) said Wednesday.

The armed forces have deployed thousands of troops and heavy arTILLERY ACROSS THE NORTHERN 2AKHINE state in recent months, where AraKAN !RMY !! REBELS ARE kGHTING for more autonomy for the state’s ETHNIC 2AKHINE "UDDHISTS Unconfirmed reports said at least 20,000 to 30,000 people had BEEN KILLED IN THE STATE BUT STATE

media are dodging to report the REAL kGURE DUE TO THE TIGHT PRESS situation in the country.

The state was also the scene of THE MILITARY S BLOODY CRACKDOWN AGAINST THE 2OHINGYA -USLIM COMmunity in 2017.

That campaign pushed some

2OHINGYA INTO "ANgladesh in violence the United

Nations investigators say warranted prosecution of top generals for “genocide.�

Amnesty said Wednesday it had “new evidence� that Myanmar’s military was now “committing war crimes and other human rights violations� against the ethnic 2AKHINE LISTING EXTRAJUDICIAL KILLINGS ARBITRARY ARRESTS TORTURE AND enforced disappearances.

Access to the conflict area is HEAVILY RESTRICTED BUT DETAILS OF civilian deaths have emerged over recent weeks and months.

"UT THE ARMY HAS CONkRMED IT SHOT DEAD SIX DETAINEES LATE LAST

month in the village of Kyauk Tan. !MNESTY S REPORT IS BASED ON scores of interviews with people from various ethnic groups, photographs, videos and satellite imagery.

It documents seven unlawful attacks that killed 14 civilians and injured dozens more, saying notoRIOUS INFANTRY UNITS HAD BEEN DEPLOYED AGAINST THE ETHNIC 2AKHINE 3OME 2OHINGYA -USLIMS WHO have remained in the area have ALSO BEEN KILLED g4HE NEW OPERATIONS IN 2AKHINE State show an unrepentant, unreFORMED AND UNACCOUNTABLE MILITARY

TERRORIZING CIVILIANS u SAID 2EGIONAL $IRECTOR .ICHOLAS "EQUELIN Army spokesman Brig. Gen. Zaw Min Tun denied all allegations, saying the military’s operations were within the law and they “avoided harming civilians�. “This was an operation to clear terrorists. We were careful not to commit any war crimes,� he told the Agence France-Presse (AFP).

Amnesty also criticized the government for choosing to “remain silent� while supplies of medicine, food and humanitarian relief REMAINED BLOCKED BY AUTHORITIES In an unprecedented move

after the AA attacked police posts in January, Aung San Suu Kyi’s government ordered the army to gCRUSHu THE REBELS The government spokesman COULD NOT BE REACHED FOR COMMENT Although the military was the main perpetrator, AA insurgents HAD ALSO gCOMMITTED ABUSES against civilians,� Amnesty said, alleging they have sent letters with BULLETS TO LOCAL ADMINISTRATORS AND BUSINESS PEOPLE g) CAN kRMLY SAY IT DOES NOT HAPpen,� AA spokesman Khine Thu +HA TOLD !&0 BY PHONE DENYING the claims.

AFP

Election for parliament members in Thailand ends

HOMAGE

People pay their respects next to flower tributes at the crime scene where a man stabbed 19 people, including children, in Kawasaki, Japan. Japanese police searched the home of the suspect behind the stabbing rampage that killed three persons and injured 16 others. AFP PHOTO

Japan searches home of stabbing suspect TOKYO: Japanese police on Wednesday searched the home of the MAN BEHIND A STABBING RAMPAGE in the town of Kawasaki a day earlier that killed two people, including a child.

The 51-year-old attacker, idenTIkED BY POLICE AS 2YUICHI )WASAKI DIED AFTER STABBING HIMSELF during the rampage, and his motives for the horrifying assault remain unclear.

/N 7EDNESDAY MORNING POLICE searched his home, not far from the scene of the morning attack, SEIZING UNSPECIkED MATERIAL PUBLIC BROADCASTER .(+ REPORTED Local media said Iwasaki was living with relatives in their 80s, BUT GAVE NO FURTHER DETAILS (IS occupation was unknown.

Police had no comment on the investigation and declined to offer any FURTHER DETAILS ABOUT THE ATTACKER

The rampage in the town south of Tokyo on Tuesday morning killed two people — 11-year-old SCHOOLGIRL (ANAKO +URIBAYASHI and a 39-year-old parent, identikED AS GOVERNMENT OFkCIAL 3ATOSHI /YAMA A -YANMAR SPECIALIST Seventeen more people, mainly young children, were injured, according to authorities. )WASAKI CREPT SILENTLY UP BEHIND pupils of the Caritas Gakuen

(school) as they waited for their SCHOOL BUS AND BEGAN SLASHING randomly at them armed with KNIVES IN BOTH HANDS BEFORE FATALLY STABBING HIMSELF IN THE NECK Local media citing police sources said Wednesday that the attack took less than 20 seconds to unfold and that two additional knives were DISCOVERED INSIDE THE ATTACKER S BACKPACK WHICH HE HAD LEFT AT A NEARBY convenience store.

AFP

HK defends gay marriage ban in court HONG Kong: The Hong Kong government is defending its decades-old ban on same-sex unions at a landmark court challenge days after neighboring Taiwan legalized gay marriage in an unprecedented first for Asia.

Despite growing public support for gay marriage in the international financial hub, campaigners have made little headway against staunch opposition from the city’s successive pro-Beijing governments and religious conservatives.

A Hong Kong woman, known only as “MK,� is suing the government for

denying her right to enter into a civil partnership with her female partner, arguing the ban is unconstitutional.

The case is currently being heard by the Court of First Instance.

Defending the current ban, government lawyer Stewart Wong told the court Wednesday that marriage would be “diluted and diminished� and “no longer special� if that right was granted to same-sex couples. “Not all differences in treatment are unlawful. You are not supposed to treat unequal cases alike,� Wong said, adding that Hong Kong’s definition of marriage

was already defined by law and “cannot be trumped.�

He also argued against same-sex civil unions. “To recognize an alternative form of same-sex relationships, which we say is tantamount to a [marriage], is to undermine the traditional institution of marriage and the family constituted by such a marriage,�

Wong said.

The Hong Kong government’s view stands in stark contrast to nearby Taiwan, where lawmakers made history approving Asia’s first gay marriage law

earlier this month, despite a conservative backlash.

There were jubilant scenes in Taipei as the first same-sex couples were wed with government officials saying they hoped the move would also draw more international business.

A poll last year by Hong Kong University found public support for gay marriage had risen to 50 percent, a 12-percent increase in four years.

City authorities last week belatedly approved a Cathay Pacific advert featuring two men holding hands, after its reported ban sparked an outcry.

AFP

4(!),!.$ has completed the elecTION PROCESS OF THE (OUSE OF 2EPRESENTATIVES AFTER THE LAST THREE MEMBERS of Parliament (MPs), out of the total

WERE VERIkED ON 4UESDAY Sawaeng Boonmee, the Election Commission’s (EC) deputy secretary general, announced that THE %# HAD VERIkED THE LAST THREE MPs who can join in the voting for a prime minister at Parliament.

Future Forward MP Srinual "OONLUE WON 3UNDAY S BY ELECTION in a constituency in Chiang Mai province, while Palang Pracharath MP Watanya Wongopasi and $EMOCRAT -0 #HITPAS +RIDAKORN were elected in party-list mode.

4HE (OUSE OF 2EPRESENTATIVES consists of 350 MPs elected from constituencies and 150 MPs alLOCATED TO PARTIES BASED ON VOTES they received. !CCORDING TO THE %# 4AI 2AK 4HAM 0ARTY LEADER 0EERAWIT 2UANgluedolapak, who was announced as an MP earlier, lost the seat when NEW kGURES FROM THE CONSTITUENCY in Chiang Mai were added into the

Cambodia unearths powerful WW2 bombs %80%243 OF THE #AMBODIAN -INE Action Center (CMAC) have CLEARED FOUR -+ BOMBS FOUND in Kampong Speu and Prey Veng provinces last Tuesday.

-AJ +HUT 3ORIBAYOT 0HNOM Sruoch district deputy police CHIEF IN CHARGE OF PUBLIC ORDER

SAID THE BOMB WHICH WEIGHED 241 kilograms, was among the heaviest and most powerful during World War 2. g4HE UNEXPLODED BOMB WAS found when he was digging the pond at around more than 7 meters deep.

4HE BOMB WAS SITTING IN GOOD SHAPE u 3ORIYABOT SAID g)T IS LUCKY that he did not hit it when he was digging, which would’ve caused it TO EXPLODE u He added that police forces

TIME FAST OBSERVED BY -USLIMS DURING THE HOLY MONTH OF 2AMADAN ! HOSPITAL IN THE )DLIB TOWN OF +AFRANBEL WAS ALSO HIT BY ARTILLERY SHELLS SAID $AVID 3WANSON A spokesman for the United Nations humanitarian office. “The facility is reportedly out of service due to severe structural damage,� he told AFP. The hospital’s Administrative $IRECTOR -AJED AL !KRAA CONkRMED the attack. “The hospital is completely out of service,� he said. “It was a strong attack. The generaTORS AND EVEN MY CAR CAUGHT kRE The United States, pointing the FINGER BOTH AT 0RESIDENT "ASHAR AL !SSAD S GOVERNMENT AND ITS ALLY 2USSIA

demanded an end to the air strikes. “Indiscriminate attacks on civilIANS AND PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE SUCH as schools, markets and hospitals is a RECKLESS ESCALATION OF THE CONlICT AND IS UNACCEPTABLE u 3TATE $EPARTMENT SPOKESMAN -ORGAN /RTAGUS TOLD REporters in Washington.

AFP

reported the findings to CMAC OFkCIALS WHO REMOVED THE BOMB FROM THE SITE ON 4UESDAY AND SUBSEQUENTLY DESTROYED IT Meanwhile, Lt. Col. Ek Seanhorn, Prey Veng province’s Preah Sdach district deputy police chief, said that in Kampong Soeng commune’s Prey Khla village, locals last week who were using a MACHINERY TO CLEAR A RICE kELD ALSO FOUND A BOMB WHICH MEASURED one-and-a-half meters.

(E ADDED THAT #-!# OFkCIALS have neutralized it. g4HE BOMB WAS BURIED AT around 4 meters deep and weighed BETWEEN TO KILOGRAMS u Seanhorn said. “In the past, we HAVE CONTINUOUSLY FOUND UNEXploded ordnances in the area.�

KHMER TIMES

Beijing: Taiwan independence leads nowhere

Airstrikes in Syria kill 21 KAFR Halab, Syria: Nine children were among at least 21 civilians killed in regime attacks on Syria’s northwest, a jihadist stronghold that had come UNDER INTENSIkED BOMBARDMENT IN THE past month, a monitor said.

The strikes, some of which hit a hospital, followed two days of increased BOMBING BY $AMASCUS AND ITS 2USSIAN ALLY ON JIHADIST DOMINATED )DLIB PROVINCE AND PARTS OF NEIGHBORING REGIONS 2EGIME BOMBARDMENT ON THE area Sunday and Monday killed a total of 31 civilians, according to the "RITAIN BASED 3YRIAN /BSERVATORY FOR (UMAN 2IGHTS 4UESDAY S STRIKES ON A BUSY STREET IN THE VILLAGE OF +AFR (ALAB ON THE western edge of Aleppo province, killed at least nine civilians, according to the monitor.

An Agence France-Presse (AFP) PHOTOGRAPHER SAID THE BODIES OF THE victims were torn apart and several stores lining the side of the road were destroyed.

The street was crowded with people OUT AND ABOUT BEFORE BREAKING THE DAY-

allocation formula.

The Future Forward MP has replaced Pheu Thai candidate Suraphol Kiatchaiyakorn, who won the March 24 election in the CONSTITUENCY #HIANG -AI BUT WAS given an “orange card� on voteBUYING CHARGES 4HE NEXT STEP WILL BE VOTING FOR A NEW PRIME MINISTER BY THE (OUSE OF 2EPRESENTATIVES AND THE 3ENATE The person who wins more than HALF OF THE TOTAL NUMBER OF VOTES IN BOTH HOUSES WILL BE ELECTED AS prime minister.

All total 250 senators were SELECTED BY .ATIONAL #OUNCIL FOR 0EACE AND /RDER LED BY CURRENT Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.

With the support of Bhumjaithai Party, the pro-Prayut Palang Pracharath has some 188 seats in the lower house, while the oppoSITION SEVEN PARTIES LED BY 0HEU Thai Party have 246 seats with ONE SEAT OWNED BY &UTURE &ORWARD leader Thanathorn JuangroonGRUANGKIT SUSPENDED BY #ONSTItutional Court. GLOBAL TIMES

MUSLIM WEAR

A Yemeni vendor displays janbiya or traditionally worn short curved daggers in Sanaa, Yemen during the holy Muslim month of Ramadan and ahead of Eid al-Fitr celebrations on June 4, 2019. AFP PHOTO

“TAIWAN independence� goes against the historical tide and is a road to nowhere, a Chinese mainland spokesperson said Tuesday.

An Fengshan, spokesperson with the State #OUNCIL 4AIWAN !FFAIRS /FFICE MADE THE comment in response to an earlier meeting BETWEEN 4AIWAN S SECURITY CHIEF AND 53 NAtional security adviser.

The one-China principle is a widely-recognized norm governing international relations and the political foundation for China-US relations, said An. Any remarks and actions that undermine the one-China principle are tantamount to shaking the foundation of China-US relations and are against the fundamental interests of the two countries, An said, adding that China strongly opposes such DANGEROUS BEHAVIORS g7E STERNLY WARN 4AIWAN S $EMOCRATIC 0ROgressive Party administration that relying on FOREIGNERS TO BUILD ONESELF UP IS DOOMED TO fail and one will certainly pay a price for such deeds,� An said.

GLOBAL TIMES

World ‘Iran behind ship attacks off UAE’ A ˜ The Manila Times

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BU Dhabi: United States National Security Advisor John Bolton said Wednesday Iran was “almost certainly� behind attacks on ships off the United Arab Emirates (UAE) earlier this month.

The four ships, including two Saudi tankers, were attacked by “naval mines almost certainly from Iran,� Bolton told a press conference in the

UAE capital Abu Dhabi.

53 EXPERTS ARE PART OF A kVE NAtion team that is investigating the May 12 attacks that damaged the four vessels in the Sea of Oman off

THURSDAY May 30, 2019

the UAE emirate of Fujairah. “There’s no doubt in anybody’s mind in Washington who’s responsible for this,� he said. “Who else would you think is doing it? Someone from Nepal?�

Bolton said he would meet Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, as well as his UAE counterpart, Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, to discuss

relations and regional tensions. “We remain concerned and as watchful as we can,� he said. “We are responding and consulting more closely with our allies in the region to discuss what to do next.�

Washington has reimposed tough sanctions against Tehran and ordered the deployment of 1,500 more troops to the Middle East.

Tehran called the attacks on the ships “alarming and regrettable,� and warned of “adventurism� by foreign players to disrupt maritime security.

Fujairah, where the attacks took place, is a key oil export terminal on the Sea of Oman that spares tankers the need to enter the Gulf through the strategic Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has repeatedly threatened to close.

Landmark opioid trial begins in Oklahoma CHICAGO: 4HE kRST CIVIL TRIAL THAT COULD hold a drug company responsible for the United States opioid epidemic began Tuesday in Oklahoma — a landmark case that could impact thousands of others like it.

The bench trial pits the state of Oklahoma against Johnson & Johnson. Two other drug companies named in the lawsuit settled ahead of the trial.

Oklahoma has accused the three drug makers of deceptively marketing opioid painkillers, hyping their effectiveness and downplaying the risks of addiction.

4HE LAWSUIT IS THE kRST OF MANY TO go to trial, and is seen as an important test of whether drug companies can be held accountable in court for an addiction epidemic, which has killed tens of thousands of Americans.

In opening statements, Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunter accused Johnson & Johnson of being motivated by greed in embarking on “a cynical, deceitful

multimillion-dollar brainwashing campaign� to sell opioids as a “magic drug.� “It’s time to hold them responsible for their actions,� Hunter told the presiding judge, who would decide the case in lieu of a jury.

Johnson & Johnson has denied the charges levied by the state against its subsidiary Janssen Pharmaceuticals.

The company’s lead attorney pointed to federal and state agencies having approved and monitored its painkillers Nucynta and Duragesic, and the decades-long familiarity of doctors with opioid medications and their addictive qualities. “Both pharmacists and physicians have an independent responsibility to prescribe and monitor these drugs,� lawyer Larry Ottaway said.

He added that the company’s two drugs were prescribed in low quantities in Oklahoma and were deemed by government agencies as “rarely addictive� because of their timed-release mechanisms. AFP

NKorea’s WMD program violates UN rule — US WASHINGTON, D.C.: The US State Department said Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila) that North Korea’s overall program of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) violated United Nations (UN) resolutions, after President Donald Trump brushed off recent missile launches.

Choosing words carefully after Trump’s latest warm words for North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, State Department spokesman Morgan Ortagus declined to say if North Korea’s launches were of ballistic missiles or constituted

weapons of mass destruction. “I think the entire North Korean WMD program, it’s in conflict with the UN Security [Council] resolutions,� Ortagus told reporters.

She said the US wanted a favorable relationship between Trump and Kim with a goal to “negotiate a peaceful end to the North Korean WMD program.� “We have said many times and we will continue to reiterate that the economic sanctions will remain in place until we’re there,� she said.

AFP

Almost a third of the world’s oil supplies pass through the narrow strait between Iran and Oman, which is the sole shipping lane into and out of the Gulf.

Two days after the attacks on the ships, Yemen’s Huthi rebels — accused by Abu Dhabi and Riyadh of being proxies of Tehran — hit a strategic diversionary pipeline in Saudi Arabia with two drones. ‘ AFP

Twisters batter US; 1 killed, 130 hurt

PRICELESS

Pope Francis signs a Harley Davidson motorcycle next to members of Christian motorcycle group during his weekly general audience at the St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican. AFP PHOTO

EU leaders clash over top Brussels jobs BRUSSELS: E u r o p e a n l e a d e r s launched a summer of wrangling over their union’s political direction on Tuesday with a clash over nominations for Brussels’ top job.

After dinner in Brussels, Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel left, saying she stood by her center-right group’s candidate to lead the European Commission FOR THE NEXT kVE YEARS “We stand by our lead candidate, the EPP (European People’s Party) candidate, that is Manfred Weber. Others stand by their candidate, which is obvious,� Merkel told reporters. “We have responsibility towards our voters, and we will have to wait and see. It’s too early

to speak about this, everyone needs to show tolerance and a willingness to engage in compromise.�

But President Emmanuel Macron of France said the shifting political balance in the European Parliament after last week’s election had broken the “prison� of the candidacy process. “The key is that the people in the most sensitive posts share in our project and are as charismatic, inventive and competent as possible,� he said. “Everyone will have to move and we are going to have build a consensus. In this framework the role of France, having broken out of the prison of spitzenkandidats, is to build a dynamic and credi-

More US soldiers killed in Korean War identified HAWAII: THE US military said it had IDENTIkED THE REMAINS OF THREE MORE Americans killed during the Korean War, even as efforts to recover additional remains have stalled amid souring relations with North Korea. /NE FAMILY HAS BEEN NOTIkED AND NOTIkCATION OF THE OTHER TWO FAMILIES is pending, Lt. Col. Ken Hoffman, spokesman for the Defense POW-MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA), said Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila). /NE SET OF REMAINS HAS BEEN IDENTIkED as those of Army Cpl. Charles Lawler, a member of Company M, 3rd Battalion,

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8th Cavalry Regiment of the First Cavalry Division. The DPAA said in a statement that Lawler, whose hometown was not provided, had been engaged against enemy forces near Unsan, North Korea, and was reported missing in action on Nov. 2, 1950.

So far, six Americans have been identikED FROM BOXES OF WHAT .ORTH +OREAN OFkCIALS SAID WERE REMAINS US officials have estimated that between 50 and 100 individuals could LIKELY BE IDENTIkED WITH ABOUT OF them expected to be Americans and the others South Koreans fighting alongside US forces.

Earlier this month, as tensions between the US and North Korea spiked again, the Pentagon said it had suspended its efforts to arrange negotiations on recovering additional remains of American service members killed in the North during the Korean War. The DPAA said it had no communication with North Korean authorities since the Hanoi summit between President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un last February.

That meeting focused on the North’s nuclear weapons and possible denuclearization deal with the US. AP

ble movement, behind a project.�

France — backed by progressive allies like Spanish premier Pedro Sanchez — wants a candidate who could support the program of a broader alliance of liberal, social democratic Green and center-right member of the European Parliament.

The president of the European Council, Donald Tusk, will now go away and try to draw up a list of nominees for top European Union roles that a majority of leaders could get behind at a June 21 summit. )F THEY FAIL kND CONSENSUS THE debate will drag on, as it did in 2014, when it took several summits to agree on all the top jobs.

AFP

KANSAS City, Mo.: Powerful twisters from vicious storms tore through the Kansas City area, spawning tornadoes that downed trees and power lines, damaged homes killing one person and injuring at least a dozen more in the latest barrage of severe weather that saw tornado warnings as far east as New York City.

Parts of Pennsylvania and New Jersey also were under tornado warnings hours after a swarm of tightly packed twisters swept through Indiana and Ohio overnight, smashing homes, blowing out windows and ending the school year early for some students because of damage to buildings.

One person was killed and at least 130 were injured.

The National Weather Service had already received at least 27 more reports of tornadoes since Tuesday, suggesting that the record for consecutive days would be broken once the OFkCIAL TOTALS WERE IN The weather service has received 934 tornado reports so far this year, up from the yearly average of 743 observed tornadoes. More than 500 of those reports came in the last 30 days. The actual number is likely lower, however, because some of the reports probably come from different witnesses who spot the same twister.

The US has experienced a lull in the number of tornadoes since 2012, with tornado counts tracking at or below average each year and meteorologists STILL WORKING TO kGURE OUT WHY AP

Worldinbriefs GERMAN CENTENARIAN ELECTED COUNCILOR A 100-year-old woman has recently been elected councilor in her west German town last Sunday. Lisel Heise, who belongs to the Wir fĂźr Kibo (We for Kirchheimbolanden) party, won the most votes of any council candidate in Kirchheimbolanden, a town with 8,000 people. Wir fĂźr Kibo campaigns for sustainable development, citizen participation and youth engagement.

AP

SPORTS ILLUSTRATED SOLD FOR $110M NEW York: Sports Illustrated magazine has been sold for $110 million to a company that specializes in managing fashion, entertainment and sports brands, including marketing rights to Shaquille O’Neal and Muhammad Ali. The seller, Meredith Corp., will continue running the print edition and the website SI.com for at least two years. Its editor and publisher are staying on, and the magazine will have editorial independence. The deal lets Sports Illustrated grow in new areas such as e-sports, while Meredith can continue to “produce independent, award-winning journalism and storytelling.�

AP

PAPUA NEW GUINEA IN CHAOS AFTER PM’S RESIGNATION PORT Moresby: Papua New Guinea’s embattled prime minister stepped down on Wednesday, capping a months-long political crisis and calling a multibillion-dollar French and US-backed gas deal into question.

Facing a string of cabinet resignations and a vote of no confidence he looked sure to lose, veteran leader Peter O’Neill told parliament he had handed his letter of resignation to the country’s governor general. “I hereby tender my resignation as Prime Minister of the independent state of PapuaNew Guinea, effective immediately� read the letter that was obtained by AFP.

VIRUS-PACKED LAPTOP SOLD AS ART FOR $1.3M WASHINGTON, D.C.: For Chinese artist Guo O Dong, the simple black Samsung laptop computer, loaded with six potent viruses, symbolizes one of the world’s most frightening threats.On Tuesday his creation “The Persistence of Chaos� rocked the art world, selling for more than $1.3 million in a New York online auction. There’s nothing special about the 2008 10-inch Netbook, running Microsoft’s now-outdated Windows XP. AFP

UN: KIDS IN 173 COUNTRIES BETTER OFF NOW UNITED Nations: A children’s advocacy group said youngsters in all but three of the 176 countries it evaluated had a better chance of growing up healthy, educated and protected from harmful practices like child labor and child marriage than at any time in the past two decades.Save the Children said in a report released Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila) that United Nations statistics show at least 280 million children were better off today. But it said a quarter of the world’s children were still denied the right to a safe and healthy childhood, with youngsters fleeing or caught in conflict the most disadvantaged.

AP

AVENATTI PLEADS NOT GUILTY TO DEFRAUDING DANIELS

BIG BIKES

Bikers participate in a blessing of the bikes event at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, DC. Rolling Thunder will mark the 32nd anniversary of its annual “Ride for Freedom� motorcycle procession on June 3, 2019. AFP PHOTO

NEW York: The pugilistic and embattled attorney Michael Avenatti pleaded not guilty Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila) to defrauding his most famous client, porn star Stormy Daniels, and seized the spotlight to toss a barb at President Donald Trump.Avenatti barely spoke during his three appearances before federal judges in New York, except to answer a few procedural questions.Twice, though, he vented to journalists his disgust with the prosecutions and his disdain for the President.

AP

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THURSDAY May 30, 2019

Special Feature

˜ The Manila Times w w w.manilatimes.net

PROSPERO NOGRALES

The protector Remembering the first House Speaker from Mindanao

BY MAYLENE STEPHANIE S. VIRAY

K

./7. FOR BEING THE kRST (OUSE 3PEAKER FROM -INDANAO HE PLAYED A PIVOTAL ROLE IN UPLIFTING THE WELFARE OF $ABAWENYOS AND THE REST OF THE PEOPLE OF -INDANAO ,ANDING SECOND PLACE IN THE "AR %XAMINATIONS HE REPRESENTED VICTIMS OF HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATION DURING HIS TIME AS A LAWYER ! CROWD FAVORITE

HE WAS ELECTED TO kVE TERMS AS $AVAO #ITY &IRST $ISTRICT 2EPRESENTATIVE SINCE P r o s p e r o “ B oy � C a s t i l l o Nograles served as Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Philippines from 2008 to 2010, under the presidency of then-president and now Incumbent House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Fondly called “Boy Nogie� in his political circle, he was once known as a political rival of President Rodrigo Duterte during the 2010 mayoralty election in Davao City, where Nograles went against Sara Duterte-Carpio.

His impressive public service record spanned over 30 years, where he dedicated his life to improve the lives of his countrymen all while being equally devoted to his family.

However, Nograles died on May 4, at the age of 71, due to a respiratory failure and pneumonia that he suffered.

His son, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles broke the news. “Our family would like to express our deepest gratitude to all

of you for being part of Papa Boy Nogie’s life and journey,� he said. g(E IS kNALLY AT PEACE u The late speaker was survived by his wife Rhodora Bendigo-Nograles and four children — Kristine Elizabeth Nograles-Hugo, Karlo, PBA Party-list Rep. Jericho Jonas Nograles and Margarita Ignacia Nograles.

To honor him and his legacy, the House held a necrological service at the last day of his wake to remember Nograles’ contribution to the legislative branch and to the Filipino people.

Starting young Born and raised in Davao City, Nograles was honed in brilliancy and excellence throughout his years of studies at Ateneo de Davao University (AdDU).

He earned his primary education at AdDU Grade School, where he graduated as class valedictorian in 1959, while in

1963, graduated with honors at AdDU High School.

During college, he obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science at the same university, then further earned a Laws degree at Ateneo Law School in 1971.

As a result of his brilliant educational background, he ranked second place in the 1971 Bar Examinations with a rating of 90.95 percent.

Since then, he became an outstanding human

rights lawyer, even recognized as one of the country’s Ten Outstanding Young Men for Justice and Human Rights in 1986.

He also served as the executive assistant and deputy general counsel to the president of the University of the Philippines, then became chief general counsel of the Development Bank of the Philippines.

Entering politics It wasn’t until 1989 where Nograles entered POLITICS WITH HIS kRST STAUNCH AS $AVAO #ITY &IRST District Representative from June 1989 to 1992.

He shortly gave up his post to run for Davao City mayor, but upon losing the mayoralty, was re-elected to the House on June 1995 to 1998. He served three more terms from June 2001 to 2010. .OGRALES WAS KNOWN FOR BEING THE kRST LAWmaker to sit at the three top-most positions in the House: House contingent head in the Commission on Appointments, Majority Leader and of course, House Speaker, which he was elected in 2008 and served until June 2010.

Under his leadership as Speaker, the House of Representatives was transformed into the “House of the People� owing to the comprehensive restoration, rehabilitation and upgrading of its buildings and facilities.

His administration also enabled the Congress to achieve then a record-high legislative numbers with the passing, and enactment, of more than 500 laws, including landmark laws such as the Cheaper Medicines Act, Magna Carta for Medium and Small-scale Enterprises, Renewable Energy Resources Act, Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act, Magna Carta for Women, Climate Change Act, Mindanao Development Authority Act and the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos Act.

An outstanding leader Members, friends and colleagues in the House of Representatives payed tribute to the late Prospero Nograles in a necrological service held at the session hall on May 7. !MONG THE kRST TO PAY RESPECT WAS INCUMBENT House Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, where fondly remembered Nograles as a “friend for more than 50 years,� who loved to sing “What a Wonderful World� by Louis Armstrong. “I recall how much he was loved not only by his fellow congressmen, but just as important by the staff of the House whose welfare he cared so much about,� she said. “I would like to thank Boy, today is, yes Boy, what a wonderful world you helped to create with your friendship, with your work; and I believe that even us, your family, the House of Representatives and the secretariat, will miss you.�

Meanwhile, former House secretary-general Marilyn Yap described her late boss as her “friend, boss, captain, leader and [her] most beloved speaker.� “I have served many majority leaders before him. But he was, by far, the most methodical, the most hardworking,� she added. “I can go on forever but I will never say enough to capture all that he was in this House and all that he did for this institution and the secretariat.�

Former House speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. recognized Nograles’ life as a “life well-lived,� having been bar top-notcher and successful lawyer, among his other achievements. “The Nograles name will always be etched in history as one of the strongest Mindanao families, with Boy as trailblazer and patriarch,� he said. “I now bid farewell to a Statesman and a public servant and give him a staunch salute for a life well lived. It was a privilege to witness his dedicated service to the Filipino people. I am sure Boy left us happy and at peace.�

And despite the long-standing political feud they once had, President Duterte payed respect to Nograles as he visited his wake on May 6 to express his deep condolences. “I would like to extend my deep sympathies and condolences to the family of Former House Speaker Prospero Nograles. I am deeply saddened to hear his demise,� he said. “His legacy as a leader who used his voice to speak on behalf of the Filipino people will continue to inspire other politicians and leaders who are committed to serving their countrymen.�

Sports

TTHURSDAY MAY 30, 2019 M

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www.manilatimes.net

Q Manny Pacquiao (right) throws a jab at Floyd Mayweather Jr. during their fight on May 2, 2015 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

AFP FILE PHOTO

Who cares about Mayweather?’ – Fortune

BY JOSEF T. RAMOS

M

ANNY Pacquiao’s strength and conditioning coach Justin Fortune believes that retired unbeaten boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. has lost his appeal to boxing fans hence he will no longer be an interesting opponent for the Filipino ring icon.

Pacquiao (61-7-2 win-loss-draw record with 39 knockouts) and

Mayweather (50-0 with 27 knockouts) fought on May 2, 2015 at the

Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada in a bout billed as the Fight of the Century. The American won the contest by unanimous decision “Who cares about Mayweather?

Mayweather is too old and no one cares about him. He is 42 years old,� Fortune, a former heavyweight boxer told The Manila Times on Tuesday when asked if there’s a possibility for Pacquiao TO kGHT -AYWEATHER AGAIN “He (Mayweather) had two s--t

kGHTS FOR LAST TWO YEARS AND NO ONE cares. Floyd’s done. By the time, he GETS A kGHT WITH -ANNY ‡ MAYBE

MAYBE NEXT YEAR ‡ WHO CARES u Fortune said that they should now focus on preparing Pacquiao FOR HIS kGHT AGAINST 7"! WELTERweight super world titleholder Keith Thurman (29-0 with 22 knockouts) on July 20 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada. “Keith Thurman is the WBA champion and Floyd Mayweather is

not. He is the only guy available and THAT S A GOOD kGHT FOR -ANNY )T IS THE kGHT WE ARE GOING TO DO WHICH IS IN FRONT OF US .OT AN EASY kGHT BUT A WINNABLE kGHT u ADDED &ORTUNE Though Thurman’s majority decision win over Josesito Lopez last January 26 in Brooklyn is uninteresting, Fortune emphasized that the younger boxer poses a serious threat to Pacquiao. g7HO CARES ABOUT THE LAST kGHT He is a very dangerous guy who will

train at his absolute best. He has a very good trainer and he’s a f-----g world champ. He is a young guy that doesn’t want to give up,� said Fortune, noting that conditioning will be Pacquiao’s key to victory. “He (Pacquiao) is fast enough.

(IS DIET IS kNE IT S ALWAYS GREAT FOREVER ) SIMPLY BELIEVE HE CAN stop him. Manny can knock him out as we set up a game plan and stick to it. We’ll achieve the result we want which is a win.�

GSW seeks history as Toronto hunts first title NBA Finals and beyond TORONTO, Canada: While the Golden State Warriors try to cement their legacy as the NBA’s greatest dynasty in half a century, the upstart Toronto Raptors made history just reaching the NBA Finals.

Thursday’s opener in the best-of-seven champions h i p s h ow down will be the first NBA Finals game played outside the United States, the Canadian contest coming in the same city WHERE THE kRST LEAGUE GAME was played in 1946.

Three-point sharpshooter Stephen Curry attempts to lead the injury-hit Warriors to their third consecutive NBA title, a feat last achieved by the Los Angeles Lakers in 2002, and Golden State could BECOME THE kRST TEAM TO WIN FOUR CROWNS IN kVE SEASONS SINCE THE 1969 Boston Celtics. “Four more wins defines your season and brings you a championship,� Curry said. “We have to stay locked in.�

Blocking their path is a Raptors team powered by Kawhi Leonard, obtained in a trade with San Antonio last July.

He has sparked a squad that was ousted by Cleveland in the play-

offs each of the past three years, creating a breakthrough campaign. “They are the champions. We’ve got to go in with mental focus and accept the challenge,� Leonard SAID g7E RE IN THE kNALS AND we’re not done yet.�

Gold-

en State’s five consecutive NBA Finals appearances is the secondbest run in history trailing only Boston’s epic run from 1957-66. g)T HASN T BEEN DONE FOR A REASON )T S REALLY DIFFICULT u 7ARriors coach Steve Kerr said. g) CAN T SAY ENOUGH ABOUT THE competitive drive of these players and the culture they have built.

4HIS GROUP HAS A kBER ABOUT THEM 7HEN GUYS GO DOWN THEY kND A way to play harder and win. The experience of having won titles helps you come through.�

The Warriors have proven that during the NBA playoffs since forward Kevin Durant went down with a right calf injury three weeks ago. Center DeMarcus Cousins is also sidelined with a torn right quadriceps

MUSCLE SUFFERED IN THE kRST ROUND of the playoffs.

Golden State has risen to the challenge of losing two stars with a return to the style that made them a force before Durant arrived in 2016 -- scrappy defensive work and pinpoint 3-point shooting courtesy of Curry and Klay Thompson plus expanded roles for Draymond 'REEN AND !NDRE )GUODALA AS WELL as other reserves. “We set that culture from the beginning and it manifested itself during the season,� Curry said. “You’ve got to have guys step up. Everybody with a jersey on is going to help out.�

Green says Golden State’s well prepared reserve role players are a major reason the Warriors went 5-0 in the playoffs without Durant.

AFP

T

HE ticket prices for the Toronto 2APTORS kRST EVER &INALS APPEARance has gone way up north. The best seats have reached $ 60,000 a pair! That’s more than the price of a brand new car.

Why are the Raptors’ Finals tickets SO EXPENSIVE )S IT BECAUSE THEY RE THE kRST /R BECAUSE THEY COULD BE THE LAST /NLY THE kRST TWO GAMES ARE GUARANteed. The outcome of those decide the rest. The Warriors just came off a sweep of the Western Conference Finals. They will miss Kevin Durant on the series opener, and maybe even longer, but the Warriors are 31-1 in games without KD. 7HAT S GOING FOR 4ORONTO‡THE Warriors have not yet beaten a healthy Kawhi Leonard in a sevengame series. And this version of Kawhi Leonard can beat anybody ‡ EVEN THE -60 FRONTRUNNER Both the Warriors and Raptors have WINNING STREAKS‡THE 2APTORS WON four straight, the Warriors have won SIX STRAIGHT ‡ THEIR LAST LOSS WAS 'AME OF THE 7ESTERN #ONFERENCE 3EMIkNALS at Houston.

Turning points

Q Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (No. 30) holds the ball after being whistled for a penalty during the first half of Game 4 of the NBA basketball playoffs Western Conference finals against the Portland Trail Blazers in Portland, Oregon. AP PHOTO

Durant travels with Warriors ahead of finals OAKLAND, California: Kevin Durant is traveling with the Golden State Warriors to Toronto for the first two games of the NBA Finals, leaving open the chance he could be ready to return from a strained right calf in time for Game 2.

Durant, the two-time reigning Finals MVP who has missed the past five games since getting hurt in Game 5 of the Western Conference semifinals against Houston, has already been ruled out for Game 1 on Thursday.

As of Tuesday, when Golden State held an optional practice before flying, he had yet to do any full-speed work on the court. He has done some shooting, coach Steve Kerr said. “If he did anything on the court, it would have been pretty light,� Kerr said.

Warriors spokesman Raymond Ridder confirmed Du-

rant was on the two-time defending champions’ team plane that took off early afternoon West Coast time and landed late in Canada.

There will be two full days off before Game 2 on Sunday, giving Durant time to get further on-court work done that the Warriors would need to see before he is medically cleared. “We’ll see where it goes from here,� Kerr said Monday. “This is where the fact that there’s a lot of days in between games during the finals helps us, so we’ll see.�

Durant didn’t travel to Houston for Game 6 of that round or to Portland for the two road games against the Trail Blazers in the Western Conference finals. He remained in the Bay Area to rehab, and the Warriors are unbeaten without him.

An impending free agent this summer, he was hurt

May 8 when he landed awkwardly on his right foot following a baseline jumper late in the third quarter of a 104-99 victory over the Rockets at Oracle Arena. Durant is averaging 34.2 points per game this postseason.

Kerr said Durant has been spending countless hours rehabbing to recover — hoping to get back soon to what he loves most.

Center DeMarcus Cousins, out with a torn left quadriceps muscle he injured in Game 2 of the first round against the Clippers, hadn’t been ruled out for Game 1 though Kerr mentioned the magnitude of coming back on the finals stage after so much missed time.

Cousins — in his first career postseason — scrimmaged Saturday and again Monday, a sign of progress he is closer to being ready.

AP

The Houston Rockets turning point was Game 5 of their series against the Warriors. Kevin Durant got injured, they managed to crawl back FROM A DEkCIT AND TIE THE GAME 4HAT WAS THE BEST‡AND ONLY‡OPportunity to knock off the defending CHAMPS )F THEY WON THAT GAME THEY would go back home to Houston just one game away from the Western Finals.

The Warriors were suddenly without their top performer, on whom they anchored their offense. But the Rockets failed to take advantage. The Warriors regrouped, and Houston could not even beat them at home.

Side Note: The Warriors don’t seem TO SWEAT THE LOSS OF +EVIN $URANT‡IN THIS SEASON AND BEYOND )N 'AME

the Warriors weren’t panicking and they ran their offense as if KD was not their focal point for much of the season. Could it be that they have already prepared for life without Durant?

Don’t forget, they won a title without him in 2015. KD is a luxury for the Warriors, to be honest. They don’t really need him to win a title, but it sure makes the job a whole lot easier.

The Milwaukee Bucks turning point was Game 3 of their Eastern Conference Finals. They had a 2-0 lead and they had the Raptors on the ropes. Everybody knows 0-3 is a hole no one in the NBA

BASKETBALL SLEUTH MICHAEL ANGELO B. ASIS has ever dug out of. The Raptors eked out an overtime win and they never looked back. )F THE "UCKS TOOK THAT GAME WE would be waiting for Giannis instead of Kawhi.

Finals projection As a casual fan with no tea leaves AND -AGIC %IGHT "ALLS ) D PICK THE Warriors on a gentleman’s sweep (41) or a home closeout (4-2).

The NBA Finals has been home for these Warriors for the past four years.

4HE 2APTORS ARE kRST TIMERS #OACH Nick Nurse has done an excellent job, BUT HE IS ALSO ON HIS kRST YEAR Not having KD may even out the PLAYING kELD BUT STILL NOT ENOUGH TO lIP IT OVER g4ERMINATORu +AWHI CAN swing them one or two games, but the Warriors usually recover from a loss very well, and then they reach a point where they’re just ridiculously good. /NE THING TO WATCH 'OLDEN 3TATE can erect leads of 15+ points even IN THE kRST HALF BUT THEY RE NOT VERY GOOD AT KEEPING IT /N THE OTHER hand, Toronto has been outstanding in coming back from a 15+ point DEkCIT ALMOST EVERY GAME AGAINST THE Bucks, including the Game 6 clincher.

PBA watch This is the best chance for Blackwater to go deep into the playoffs. They have a 3-0 cushion before the other TEAMS CAN kGURE OUT HOW TO STOP 2AY Parks. Also, their weakness in the middle is covered by their hulking import, Alex Stepheson.

Biggest questions: Will SMB be the title favorites now that Charles Rhodes is back?

How far can Terrence Jones take the TNT Tropa?

Rain or Shine does well in the Commissioners Cup because their bigs can now revert to playing their natural PF position, but is Denzel Bowles still a champion level import?

Any feedback, please email: transcendphi47@gmail.com

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˜ The Manila Times

THURSDAY May 30, 2019

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GFG, CEU dispute last D-League semis berth G

BY JEREMIAH M. SEVILLA

O For Gold-College of St. Benilde (CSB) and Centro Escolar University #%5 CLASH FOR THE LAST SEMIkNAL spot in the 2019 Philippine Basketball Association Developmental League (PBA D-League) today at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.

The Scratchers and the Scorpions collide anew at 4 p.m., with the winner set to take on St. Clare College-Virtual Reality IN THE SEMIkNALS Go For Gold-CSB nullified #%5 S TWICE TO BEAT ADVANTAGE

AND FORCED A DO OR DIE QUARTERknal game after pulling off a gritty 84-81 victory behind Gab Banal’s game-winning triple on Tuesday.

Veteran forward Banal sank the go-ahead trey with 17.5 seconds left in the series opener to save

the day for Scratchers who almost squandered a massive 55-35 lead in the third quarter.

The Scorpions climbed out of the 20-point hole and put the game on an 81-81 deadlock behind Judel Fuentes and Maodo Malick Diouf only to get hit by Banal’s dagger three-pointer.

Go For Gold-CSB head coach Charles Tiu is hoping that his wards have already learned their lessons from the previous outing. “When you start getting careless and not paying attention to details, that happens. So I trust our players and our staff to take care of business come Game Two,� said Tiu.

Tiu will bank on Banal to lead the previous conference champion team’s young core composed of Roosevelt Adams, Justin Gutang and Santi Santillan.

On the other hand, mentor Derrick Pumaren wants his Scorpions to bring back their A-game that earned them a playoff incentive. “We just have to come out and be ready to play for 40 minutes.

We can’t just play for 20 minutes of good basketball. I’ve been preaching to them that we have to play our game,� said Pumaren.

Pumaren will rely again on Fuentes and Senegalese center Diouf along with mainstays Rich Guinitaran and Keanu Caballero.

Cool Smashers, Valdez rebound; coach sacked !,933! Valdez bounced back strong and Creamline rebounded from a straight-set defeat to PetroGazz with a 25-21, 25-16, VICTORY OVER 0ACIkC 4OWN Army in the Premier Volleyball ,EAGUE 2EINFORCED #ONFERENCE AT the Flying V Center in San Juan on Wednesday.

Valdez shook off a left ankle injury that sidelined her in their loss to the Angels in Sunday’s inaugurals of the third season of the country’s premier league, kRING POINTS WHILE IMPORTS Kuttika Kaewpin of Thailand and Aleoscar Blanco combined for 21 hits for the defending champions, who responded to assistant COACH %D /RTEGA “We worked on our rotation and we came in prepared against Army. We studied their moves and plays during training,� said Ortega, who will still call the shots for the crowd favorites against the BankoPerlas Spikers on Sunday.

Creamline dumped Chinese COACH ,I (UANNING FOLLOWING THE fancied Cool Smashers’ loss with Thai mentor Tai Bundit set to take over next week for the team he steered to the Reinforced and Open Conference crowns last year.

4HE ,ADY 4ROOPERS WHO DEbuted with a four-set victory

over the BaliPure Water Defenders last Sunday, kept the game close in the early going but failed to neutralize the Cool Smashers’ strong finishing kick to drop the first two sets.

Creamline then pounced Army’s poor reception in the third frame, posting leads of as many as nine, 4HOUGH THE ,ADY 4ROOPers struck back to within 14-18, Kaewpin took charge with key hits before Valdez blasted in a kill to wrap up the match.

Michelle Gumabao topscored for Creamline with 13 hits, including nine kills, two aces and two kill blocks while Blanco matched Valdez’s 12-point output and Kaewpin also came up with 10 digs.

RIsa Sato scored nine hits apiece and Jia Morado produced 27 excellent sets for Creamline which tied its victim at 1-1 after two playdates of the season-opening conference of the league backed by KFC, Mikasa and Asics.

American Jenelle Jordan, who unleashed a 15-hit game against BaliPure, was held to 10 points WHILE /LENA ,YMAREVA &LINK STRUGgled with nine points. Jovelyn Gonzaga had seven points after an eight-hit debut while veterans Nene Bautista and Royse Tubino combined for 11 points.

Premier Cup All-Star Game unfolds Friday HOOPS stars from the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) will clash in the 2019 FilOil Flying V Preseason Premier Cup All-Star Game on Friday.

Games begin at 4 p.m. at the FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.

University of the Philippines’ formidable trio of Kobe Paras, Ricci Rivero and Bright Akhuetie will lead THE 5!!0 SIDE ALONG WITH $E ,A Salle University’s backcourt duo of Aljun Melecio and Andrei Caracut.

Backstopping them are Jerrick AhANMISI *EROM ,ASTIMOSA AND 3IMON Camacho of Adamson University, *USTIN "ALTAZAR OF ,A 3ALLE AND -ARK Nonoy of University of Sto. Tomas.

Also included in the UAAP rosTER ARE +ENNETH 4UFFIN AND , *AY 'ONZALES OF &AR %ASTERN 5NIVERSITY AND $AVE )LDEFONSO AND *OHN ,LOYD

Clemente of National University. /N THE OTHER HAND THE ,YCEUM of the Philippines University troika of twins Jaycee and Jayvee Marcelino and Mike Harry Nzeusseu will spearhead the NCAA squad together with Kent Salado of Arellano University and Romel Calahat of San Sebastian College-Recoletos.

Joining them are Donald Tankoua, James Canlas and Clint Doliguez of San Beda University, ,ARRY -UYANG AND *ERRICK "ALANZA OF #OLEGIO DE 3AN *UAN DE ,ETRAN

AND *0 -AGULIANO OF %MILIO !GUInaldo College.

Rounding out the NCAA lineup are ,AURENZ 6ICTORIA AND 7ARREN "ONIFAcio of Mapua University and MJ Dela Virgen of Jose Rizal University.

The Three-point Shootout will kick off the All-Star festivities at 2 p.m. followed by the Slam Dunk Contest at 3 p.m. JEREMIAH M. SEVILLA

Q Washington Nationals starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg (No. 37) works against the Atlanta Braves in the first inning of a baseball game on Wednesday in Atlanta. AP PHOTO

STRASBURG STRIKES OUT 11, NATIONALS HOLD OFF BRAVES 5-4

ATLANTA: TLANTA: The Washington Na Nationals are in obvious need of a momentum-changing win as they approach the end of May. Much closer to last place than kRST IN THE ., %AST !DAM %ATON HOPES OVERPOW-

ering performances by Stephen Strasburg and closer Sean Doolittle will start that turnaround.

Strasburg matched his season high with 11 strikeouts in seven innings and the Nationals took the lead on three straight walks to beat the Atlanta Braves 5-4 on Tuesday night. “It was a great team win, someTHING WE CAN BUILD ON u SAID %ATON

WHO DREW THE kRST OF BACK TO BACK

bases-loaded walks in Washington’s three-run sixth.

Howie Kendrick had three hits, including his ninth homer , and scored two runs for Washington.

Trea Turner also had three hits.

Braves rookie Austin Riley’s tworun homer off Kyle Barraclough in the eighth cut Washington’s lead to

5-4. Riley had three hits. His sixth homer in his 13th game cleared THE CENTER kELD WALL Doolittle protected the one-run lead in the ninth for his 10th save in 12 chances. Dansby Swanson singled with two outs before Doolittle struck out Freddie Freeman . It was his third strikeout of the inning and 16th of the game by Washington pitchers. g! GREAT WIN u %ATON SAID g7E NEEDED THAT BAD ) M PRETTY kRED up about it.�

Strasburg (5-3) gave up an RBI single to Nick Markakis in Atlanta’s two-run fourth but otherwise faced no trouble. He struck out two Atlanta batters in each of THE kRST THREE INNINGS AND GAVE UP ONLY kVE HITS AND TWO RUNS

“Stephen Strasburg set the tone,� said Washington manager Dave Martinez. “Another great outing by him. He was awesome.� !TLANTA LED THROUGH kVE INnings before back-to-back doubles

by Kendrick and Kurt Suzuki to open the sixth tied the game.

Max Fried (7-3) hit Victor Robles with a pitch and issued two walks in Washington’s three-run sixth. Fried, who gave up four runs in 5 1/3 innings, left the game after walking %ATON WITH THE BASES LOADED GIVING the Nationals a 3-2 lead.

Anthony Swarzak, making his Atlanta debut after he was acquired from Seattle on May 20, walked Anthony Rendon to force in another run.

AP

FROM MLB.COM

Carlos powers way to 2 PPS crowns #,5" bet Macie Carlos played true to form in the girls’ 16-and-under division then foiled an upstart in the premier class to complete A TWINKILL IN THE 003 0%00 6ALLE Verde national age group tennis tournament in Pasig City recently.

The top seeded Carlos crushed Mica %MANA FROM 1#

IN THE 5 kNALS AND AS .O IN THE 5 CLASS

ripped No. 2 Francesca Cruz, 4-1, 4-1, in the semis before blasting top ranked Anna Demyer tormentor Althea Ong, 6-0, 6-1, to emerge the lone “double’ winner in the Group I tournament presented by Dunlop. +RIZ ,IM OVERPOWERED !RIO 1UINES

TO RUN AWAY WITH the 10-unisex title then teamed up with Samuel Davila to whip Noval Brazal and Godwin Jumarang, 8-2, to clinch the 10-U doubles diadem and share the MVP honors with

Carlos in the event Other winners in the country’s longest running talent-search put up by Palawan Pawnshop HEADED BY PRESIDENT #%/ "OBBY Castro were Team Solinco’s Josiah Salangsang (boys’ 12-U) and Hadassah Pascua (girls’ 12-U), 1UEZON #ITY 3PORTS #LUB S ,ANCE &ERNANDEZ BOYS 5 AND ,OUCAS Fernandez (boys’ 18-U), Manila Polo Club’s Miguel Castillo (boys’ 5 AND %MANA GIRLS 5 3ALANGSANG STOPPED +RIZ ,IM

4-0, in the semis then held off Prince ,IM

0ASCUA UPENDED TOP SEED &ELICIA !RANETA

,ANCE Fernandez warded off Kidron Pascua,

,OUCAS &ERNANDEZ OUTLASTED $ANIEL %STANISLAO )))

#ASTILLO REPULSED %DGARDO !NGARA

AND %MANA BEAT (ADASSAH Pascua, 6-0, 6-0.

-ICA %MANA ALSO PARTNERED WITH sister Kaye Ann to edge Kryshanna Brazal and Anna Demyer, 8-6, to snare the 18-U doubles plum with ,ANCE AND ,OUCAS &ERNANDEZ TAKING the boys’ crown with an 8-3 romp over %MMANUEL $AVILA AND 0ABLO 'ONZAGA Sabdra Apostol and Chelsea took the girls’ 14-U diadem with an 8-1 rout of Felicia Araneta and DomiNIQUE ,HUILLIER

WITH *OSHUA Diva and Prince Ricamara stopping THE ,IM SIBLINGS 0RINCE AND +RIZ

8-4, for the boys’ crown in the event SANCTIONED BY THE 5NIkED 4ENNIS 0HILIPPINES MADE UP OF 003 0%00

#EBUANA ,HUILLIER 7ILSON 4OBY S

Dunlop, Slazenger and B-Meg. Meanwhile, action heats up in the Manila Southwoods leg, another Group I event being held in Carmona, Cavite. For details, call 0915-4046464.

˜ The Manila Times

THURSDAY May 30, 2019

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Lee eyes top spot, end to Australian drought at US Women’s Open M IAMI: Lee Minjee will bid to end Australia’s 13-year wait for a major at the US Women’s Open on Thursday (Friday in Manila) as she targets a maiden victory that could vault her to the top of the world rankings.

The 23-year-old from Perth heads into this week’s second major of 2019 fresh FROM HER kFTH ,0'! 4OUR VICTORY A DAZZLING FOUR SHOT WIN AT THE ,OS !NGELES Open last month.

That triumph saw Lee move up to second in the world rankings, and within striking distance of South Korea’s world number one Ko Jin-young.

A victory at the Country Club of Charleston in South Carolina this week would see Lee supplant Ko at the top of the rankings.

It would also earn Lee the largest winner’s cheque in the history of women’s golf after the United States Golf AssociaTION CONkRMED THIS WEEK THAT THE CHAMPION WILL POCKET A PRIZE OF MILLION Lee heads into the tournament after a remarkably consistent start to the season WHICH HAS YIELDED kVE TOP kNISHES INcluding her win in Los Angeles in April.

She will tee off on Thursday in arguably the star group of the opening rounds, alongside world number one Ko and South Korea’s seven-time major winner Park In-bee.

Park, a two-time winner of the US 7OMEN S /PEN WHO IS CHASING A kRST

major since 2015, has spent this year attempting to iron out problems with her putting game. “I haven’t been really putting well this year at all,� she said. “I have been striking the ball really, really good this year, probably better than any other years on Tour. “Just the putter wasn’t really there.

That’s really been the disappointing part of my game this year. Other than that, it has been really, really good.�

Strength in depth The strength of the women’s game is RElECTED IN THE FACT THAT NO SINGLE PLAYER has been able to establish dominance this year.

4HE kRST TOURNAMENTS OF THE YEAR have produced 11 different winners, with only world number one Ko winning more than title in 2019.

The last eight women’s majors meanwhile have had eight different winners, while the US Women’s Open has not had a back-to-back champion since Australia’s Karrie Webb won in 2000 and 2001.

That fact would suggest the odds are

stacked against Thailand’s defending champion Ariya Jutanugarn.

The 23-year-old from Bangkok won her second career major at the US Women’s Open 12 months ago, and is likely to be at home in temperatures this week which are expected to hover above 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32 degrees Celsius) for most of the tournament. “I’m Thai, so it doesn’t really affect me,� Ariya replied on Tuesday when asked about how she would cope with the heat.

If the course dries out, it may also work to Ariya’s advantage given her status as one of the longest hitters in the women’s game.

The Thai star meanwhile said she had learned from the mistakes which almost torpedoed her hopes last year, when she frittered away a seven-shot lead with just nine holes remaining to end up in a playoff against South Korea’s Kim Hyo-joo, which she eventually won on the fourth hole. “All I was thinking was ‘I’m in sevenshot lead. I’m going to keep the sevenshot lead until the last hole. It should be easy for me to win the tournament,’�

Ariya said. “But that’s not a good way to think. I still have to stick with my process because, when I’m thinking like this — about my seven-shot lead — it’s not helping me to AFP even hit a good golf shot.�

Q Lee Minjee is hoping to break a 13-year major drought for Australian women at the US Women’s Open this week.

AFP PHOTO

Australian champ aims high in CT IRONMAN 70.3 Cebu CC wrests control in Luzvimin opener MULTI-TITLED Tim Reed of Australia expects to race in top form as he seeks to bounce back from a series of setbacks and reclaim the crown in the Century Tuna IRONMAN 70.3 Subic Bay presented by Big Boss Cement, which unfolds Sunday (June 2) in Subic Bay. Winner of the inaugurals of this event in 2 01 5 and a threetime IRONMAN 70.3 champion in Cebu, Reed has had a number of sorry kNISHES IN THE LAST TOP LEVEL endurance races, including a fourth place effort in Davao IRONMAN 70.3 last March.

But the 2016 IRONMAN 70.3 world champion sees a big turnaround come Sunday, ready to take on the best in the premier men’s pro division, including kRST 0HILIPPINES FULL )2/.-!. champion Nick Baldwin of Seychelles no less. “I’m really excited to return to Subic Bay. With the race previously held in March, I’m often REBUILDING kTNESS AFTER A SHORT off-season and I’m really excited about racing IRONMAN 70.3 Subic Bay further into my season WHEN MY RACE kTNESS SHOULD BE at a really high level,� said Reed.

Aside from his world-class rivals, the Aussie ace also braces for a tough outing on a new

course lined up for the 1.9km swim-90km bike-21km run event and the weather condition at this time of the season. “IRONMAN 70.3 Subic Bay is a truly challenging event even by IRONMAN 70.3 standards. An undulating course combined with the heat makes it a true test. I think the more times you have raced

in Subic Bay the more lessons you have learnt and I hope I can put all that knowledge into helping me have a great race,� added Reed.

But he will be facing a crack set of rivals in the Sunrise %VENTS )NC ORGANIZED EVENT

headed by Baldwin, manytime triathlon winner Sam

Q Tim Reed CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Betten, along with fellow Australians Tim Van Berkel and Conor McKay and Colombia’s Rodrigo Acevedo and Oli Stenning of Great Britain.

For details, visit www.ironman703subicbay.com or the Facebook page Century Tuna IRONMAN 70.3 Subic Bay and @ im703subicbay on Instagram and Twitter. Official event hashtags are #CenturyTunaIM703 #im703subicbay.

The women’s pro cast also features top notch campaigners, headed

by Swiss Caroline Steffen and Aussie Dimity Lee Duke, New Zealand’s Laura Wood, Manami Iijima of Guam and Lisa Tyack, also from Australia, ensuring an equally thrilling race in the event backed by Big Boss Cement (presenting sponsor), venue host Subic Bay, bike leg racing partner .,%8 3#4%8 "LACK !RROW OFkcial courier and logistics partner) (OKA OFkCIAL FOOTWEAR !LASKA

AlcoPlus, Regent, Rudy Project, Sanicare, Australia Harvest Oatmeal, Cetaphil, Smart, Devant, Storck, Fic, Sun Life Financial, Emco Musli Biscuits, Timex, Acea Subic Bay, Court Meridian Hotel & Suites, Le CharmĂŠ and the Lighthouse.

Halep progresses in Paris despite second-set blip PARIS: Reigning champion Simona Halep said she was “confident� for her French Open title defense after an ultimately comfortable first-round victory on Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila) despite a second-set blip against Australian Ajla Tomljanovic.

The Romanian was pegged back on Court Philippe Chatrier but raced through the decider to win 6-2, 3-6, 6-1.

Halep, seeded third, will face Poland’s Magda Linette for a place in the last 32. “I felt really well for the first ROUND AND ) AM CONkDENT NOW u she said.

“It was a great match... I had to BE FOCUSED MORE ON MYSELF TO kND out what I have to play better in the third set to be able to win.�

Halep won her maiden Grand Slam title in Paris last year after THREE PREVIOUS kNAL DEFEATS PUTTING the persistent questions about her being a world number one without a major trophy to bed. “I feel like I have improved a lot in this year since I won here,� added Halep. “I’m a different person. I’m a better person. And now what comes, comes as a bonus. “I had different nerves, for sure, beCAUSE ) M FOR THE kRST TIME IN THIS POSItion to be the defending champion.�

The 27-year-old looked to be in TOTAL CONTROL AFTER TAKING THE kRST SET in under half an hour.

Tomljanovic, who reached the last 16 in 2014, hit back though to level the match.

But Halep, like world number one Naomi Osaka in the preceding match on the show court, avoided an upset by easing through the third set despite being broken when initially serving for the match.

(ALEP kNISHED AN ACCOMPLISHED display with 19 winners and 22 unforced errors.

The withdrawal of sixth seed Petra Kvitova through injury means that Halep will not have to face

another top-10 player until at least THE SEMI kNALS But she insists she will not look too far ahead as she bids to become the first back-to-back women’s Roland Garros champion since Belgian Justine Henin won her third consecutive title in 2007. “I have just to take the next round 100 percent serious, and then if I can go through, I will think about the third round,� Halep added. g4HE FACT THAT ) AM PERCENT kT to be able to play this tournament and to have the chance to leave everything I have on court, I think it’s the best thing that can happen to AFP me. I am positive.�

CEBU Country Club took charge in the early going of the 2019 Champion Luzvimin Invitational golf tournament, using its local knowledge of the CCC layout to pool a 187 for a one-point edge over Pueblo de Oro in Cebu City on Wednesday.

Mary Kim Hong fired 50 points under the Molave scoring system while Riko Nagai, Crystal Neri and Catrina Martinez backed her up with 48, 46 and 43 points, respectively, as the hosts and the equally hot-starting Pueblo de Oro ladies took the spotlight from defending champion Del Monte and former titlist Manila Southwoods after 18 holes of the six-to-play, four-to-count format event.

Pamela Mariano sizzled with 53 points while Alethea Gaccion shot 50 points and Juliane Borlongan and Gladys Opitz added 42 and 41 points, respectively, for Pueblo de Oro, which stayed just within at 186 heading to the last two days of the annual championship sponsored by Champion and organized by the Women’s Golf Association of the Philippines.

Valley Golf, behind leading Class A individual scorer Mariel Tee’s 55 points, placed third with a 170 as last year’s winner Del Monte found the flat but tight layout not to its liking and groped for a 167 with Manila Southwoods settling for fifth with a 163 in the premier Diamond division of the event backed by Henna, San Miguel Corp., Diamond Motors, Quest Hotel, Cebu Country Club, Ayala Land Premier, Celium Fibre, Derma C, Gothong Lines and Vermogen.

Leslie Icoy and Martina MiĂąoza shot 43 points each

for Del Monte but last year’s Class B individual champion Sophia Abarcas could only add 41 points and Kiara Montebon chipped in 40 markers.

Southwoods, on the other hand, got 46 points from Laia Barro and 45 points from Loralie Roberto but their next two scorers could only churn out 36 points at best, two of which coming from Yeun Jea Baek, Claudine Garcia or Christine Naidoo.

Fernando Air Base made a 147 for sixth followed by Club Filipino (142), Rancho Palos Verdes (131), Sta. Elena (114), Eagle Ridge (109) and Victorias (88).

Tagaytay Highlands, with Gilda Medestomas shooting 41 points, showed the way in Emerald class with a 149, four points ahead of Camp Aguinaldo I and Forest Hills, which turned in identical 145s with Camp John Hay and Alabang putting in a pair of 140s.

Lorna Tabuena came away with 40 points while Myoung Hee Cheon scored 37 points as they powered Manila Golf to the Ruby division lead with a 138, also four points up on Villamor (134) with Orchard too far behind with a 119.

Bacolod, on the other hand, set the pace in the Pearl class with Sharon Cho and Monina Gudaca leading the charge with identical 31 points, for a one-point lead over Camp Aguinaldo 2, led by Mencie Millionado’s 31 points, with Baguio, powered by Nora Sy’s 30 points, just within striking distance at 106.

Sharing the first round spotlight were individual leaders Myung Seon Park of Rancho Palos Verdes (43 points-Class B) and Club Filipino’s Arlene Villordon (39 points-Class C).

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/ŵŵĂĐƵůĂƚĞ ŽŶĐĞƉĐŝŽŶ ĐĂĚĞŵLJ / ŽŶ WůĂĐŝĚŽ ĂŵƉŽƐ ǀĞ͕͘ WŽďůĂĐŝŽŶ͕ ŝƚLJ ŽĨ ĂƐŵĂƌŝŹĂƐ͕ ĂǀŝƚĞ ϰϭϭϰ нϲϯͲϰϲͲϰϭϲͲϯϲͲϯϲ Žƌ нϲϯͲϰϲͲϴϱϬͲϯϭͲϯϭ ŝŶĨŽΛŝĐĂͲĚĂƐŵĂƌŝŶĂƐ͘ĞĚƵ͘ƉŚ

ŽŽŬ ŶŽǁ͗ ǁǁǁ͘ŵLJƐƚĞƌLJŵĂŶŝůĂ͘ĐŽŵ

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ĞŶƚƵƌLJ ŝƚLJ DĂůů ͮ :ƵƉŝƚĞƌ ͮ LJĂůĂ DĂůůƐ dŚĞ ϯϬƚŚ ͮ >ŝďŝƐ

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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 ͘

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ǁǁǁ͘ŚŽƵƐĂů͘ĐŽŵ ͮ DŽďŝůĞ͗ ;нϲϯͿ ϵϭϳ ϳϳϭ ϳϭϳϭ ͮ ŝŶĨŽΛŚŽƵƐĂů͘ĐŽŵ

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

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ϱƚŚ &ůŽŽƌ͕ D'& ŚĂŵƉĂĐĂ ůĚŐ͘ ϭϱϲ ŵŽƌƐŽůŽ ^ƚƌĞĞƚ͕ >ĞŐĂƐƉŝ sŝůůĂŐĞ͕ DĂŬĂƟ ŝƚLJ WŚŝůŝƉƉŝŶĞƐ͕ ϭϮϮϵ ,ŽƚůŝŶĞ͗ нϲϯ ;ϬϮͿ ϴϭϳͲϯϮϮϯ ͮ ǁǁǁ͘ĚĞƌŵĐůŝŶŝĐ͘ĐŽŵ͘ƉŚ

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ϰϱϲ hŶŝƚĞĚ EĂƟŽŶƐ ǀĞ͕͘ ƌŵŝƚĂ͕ DĂŶŝůĂ WŚŝůŝƉƉŝŶĞƐ

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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

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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 D AY M MAY AY 30, 2019

Lifestyle

D1 Q As the new head chef of Ruby Jackâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s in Manila, Edwin Sta. Ana puts in Japanese influences for the steakhouse offerings.

www.manilatimes.net Q Beef Tongue Croquette with mint leaves and jalapeno tartare.

Q Grilled Shrimp Salad with garden fresh leaves, calamansi, truffle, and shio kombu parmesan.

Tokyoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s popular steakhouse embraces Philippine produce

BY NIKA ROQUE

W

HEN it comes to marrying Eastern and Western cuisine, Ruby Jackâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Steakhouse and Bar ranks high among restaurants who have successfully done the feat.

Originating from Japan, the popular steakhouse brought in its A5 graded Wagyu beef in the country when it opened its doors at City of Dreams Manila in 2015.

But wanting to offer fresh varieties for its clientele, Ruby Jackâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s has since tried to update its menu.

This 2019, the restaurant puts the spotlight on local ingredients

under the helm of its new head chef, Edwin Sta. Ana. Born to Filipino parents, Sta. Ana had exposure to cooking early on â&#x20AC;&#x201D; his father worked in Japan for a while and his mother hailed from Pampanga, one of the culinary capitals in the country. As such, the young Sta. Ana would often see his parents collaborate their Japanese

Q Roasted Beetroot Salad with tofu cream, spiced orange compote and dukka.

Q Paella Negra

AND +APAMPANGAN INlUENCES WHEN preparing meals at home.

Additionally, Sta. Ana was exposed to more cultures as he grew up in South Africa and thereafter spent a large part of his career as a sushi chef in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Angola, London, and Nobu Hotel in Manila, among others.

These exposures to multiple cultures, most especially his background in Japanese cuisine, INlUENCED 3TA !NA S NEW CREA tions for Ruby Jackâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Going into a steakhouse was a new adventure for me because something struck me and caught my INTERESTS Â&#x2021; THE *APANESE INlUENCES Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s why I took on the role,â&#x20AC;? Sta. Ana explained in this interview.

Q Sakura Smoked Bacon with shiso chimichurri.

Gastronomic choices Gaining inspiration from Ruby Jackâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s origin as a steakhouse with *APANESE INlUENCES THE FOOD OPtions continue to push boundaries with the new set of appetizers, desserts, and cocktails.

For appetizers, Ruby Jackâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s launched the Premium Beef Tenderloin Tataki with wasabi leaf, on-

Q Teppan Grilled Foie Gras with braised daikon and balsamic teriyaki.

Q Premium Beef Tenderloin Tataki with wasabi leaf, onion relish, and ponzu jelly. ion relish, and ponzu jelly; Grilled Shrimp Salad with garden fresh LEAVES CALAMANSI TRUFlE AND SHIO kombu parmesan; Roasted Beetroot Salad with tofu cream, spiced orange compote and dukka; Beef Tongue Croquette with mint leaves and jalapeno tartare; Teppan Grilled Foie Gras with braised daikon and balsamic teriyaki; and the Sakura Smoked Bacon with

Q A5 Wagyu Sirloin

An abundance of paellas LIKE Filipino favorites adobo, kaldereta or kare-kare, paella â&#x20AC;&#x201D; a traditional Spanish rice dish adopted by Filipinos â&#x20AC;&#x201D; is a festivity staple that almost every family has created its own version of.

But where did paella really come from?

Besides the general consensus that paella was born in Valencia, the Eastern part of Spain, the story of its origin actually vary.

For some accounts, like the one stated in thepaellacompany.co.uk, paella was a farmersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; and laborersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; lunchtime meal. With rice as its main ingredient, these laborers would throw in whatever available ingredients was AVAILABLE AROUND THE RICE kELDS AND

Q Paella ChampiĂąones

â&#x20AC;&#x153;At the same time, they were encouraging local Filipino ingreDIENTS u THE kRST TIME HEAD CHEF continued. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Like for example, the vegetables and herbs. We met a couple of the farmers that grow organically. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a good era to introduce these.â&#x20AC;?

Q Discovery Primeaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Restaurant Tapenade celebrates the quintessential Mediterranean specialty via 'Paella Sundays.'

countryside â&#x20AC;&#x201D; tomatoes, onions and snails â&#x20AC;&#x201D; with a few beans added for lAVOR AND TEXTURE &OR SPECIAL OCCASIONS

rabbit, duck or chicken meat or saffron FOR EXTRA lAVOR WOULD BE ADDED The website further noted that paella â&#x20AC;&#x153;was also traditionally eaten straight from the pan in which it was cooked with each person using his own wooden spoon.â&#x20AC;?

In another generally accepted theory, paella, as cited by chef Juan Montalvo in his website, thehungrycuban. com, was first created by Moorish kingsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; servants who would mix leftovers from royal banquets in large pots and take them home.

In fact, some would argue that the name paella originates from the Arab word baqiyah meaning leftovers.

Whatever its true origin may be, there is no denying that the combination of TOASTED RICE kLLING MEATS and flavorful seafood is always a hit in gathering with family and friends.

As such, Discovery Primeaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Restaurant Tapenade has decided to celebrate the quintessential Mediterranean specialty.

Dubbed as â&#x20AC;&#x153;Paella Sundays,â&#x20AC;? the ongoing promotion can be availed as an upgrade of Restaurant Tapenadeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s popular Salad Room experience.

Guests can now enjoy unlimited servings of Restaurant Tapenadeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s signature paellas and prosecco in addition to the hearty selection of local and imported produce, charcuterie, cheeses and fresh seafood.

For Paella Sundays, Discovery Primeaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Executive Chef Luis Chikiamco presents his own variations of this classic festive rice dish during lunch time.

shiso chimichurri.

Those who want to end their A1 to A5 graded steaks with something sweet are also in for a treat as Ruby Jackâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s expands its dessert menu with Sakura Teardrop Cake WITH A 3AKURA lOWER AND VANILLA bean ice cream; Pandan Pavlova with kaya jam and buko ice cream; Cranberry Pomegranate Agar with fresh fruits and peach sorbet; and Varlhona Chocolate Fondant with vanilla bean ice cream.

Ruby Jackâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s continues the theme of experimentation and the use of local ingredients in their cocktails. A traditional Japanese drink, Ruby Jackâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s made their own spin on Umetini, a cool martini mixed with Umeshu or Japanese plum liqueur; Longan or Lanzones Martini using the locallysourced fruit; a fresh papaya smoothie with a touch of Cassis liqueur; and lastly, the Fresh Jackfruit Mojito, where the exotic fruit is given a kick with Don Papa Rum. Ruby Jackâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Steakhouse and Bar is located at the Upper Ground Floor, City of Dreams, ParaĂąaque City.

Q Paella Valenciana

The spread features Paella Valenciana, A lAVORFUL COMBINATION OF CHICKEN CHOrizo, prawns, mussels, bell peppers, and saffron broth; the enticing Paella Negra made with squid, prawns, squid ink, and parsley; and Paella ChampiĂąones cooked with an abundance of button, shiitake, and Portobello mushrooms. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Each paella is prepared carefully, COOKED OVER AN OPEN lAME AND SERVED on the piping hot paellera for guests to enjoy,â&#x20AC;? the chef assured.

Restaurant Tapenade is located at the GROUND lOOR OF $ISCOVERY 0RIMEA IN Ayala Avenue, Makati.

CHRISTINA ALPAD

Entertainment Gary Valenciano headlines ‘Evolt’ dance festival A

D2

THURSDAY May 30, 2019

˜ The Manila T Times w w w.manilatimes.net

A L O N G W I T H B I L LY C R AW F O R D A N D D A R R E N E S PA N T O

BY IZA IGLESIAS

LL roads lead to Circuit Makati, the entertainment and cultural district of the country’s premier urban hub, when Evolt International Dance Festival kicks off on June 3.

Considered the Philippines’ biggest and grandest dance event, Evolt is a week-long occasion which consists of free dance workshops that are open to the public; a prestigious dance competition as participated by university-based and communitybased dance groups from all over the country; a night bazaar; and a concert extravaganza that assembles a mammoth sampling of the biggest names in the entertainment industry.

Produced by Istudio ni Pipay Co., the festival features a series of special performances by online sensation Lady Pipay and different competitors of the event’s dance championship.

With a distinct panel of judges that includes Julie Borromeo, Regine Tolentino, Maribeth Bichara, Nancy Crowe, John Supan,

Matt Padilla and Frank Rivera, competitors vie for cash prizes that total over P1 million.

The event culminates on June 8 at the Globe Circuit Events Grounds with no less than Mr. Pure Energy Gary Valenciano headlining the main concert, directed by the ultimate performer’s son, Paolo Valenciano.

“Around 40 dance groups are going to perform on that stage in different days of the week. I’m excited to see what these young people have prepared from the eyes of a seasoned performer like myself,” Valenciano told members of the media during the show’s press conference.

»globalspotlight

“To be honest, there are many artists longing to step on a big stage like that but many times, what is expected of them is to sing or to act because dancing for most people is a simple thing to do. It is not. The rehearsals that are put into it, I think, are the ones that would tell and show everyone that dancing is not exactly an ordinary kind of art,” he continued.

The “World of Dance Philippines” judge also enthused that while there are a lot of big names that are set to perform at the event, he pointed out that the festival is really intended for everyone coming.

“It’s an entire week wherein the public can interact with [mentors and personalities in attendance] the activities that were set up specifically for them. There will be dance workshops and all that, which many TV shows don’t have. But this one, it allows

Q Billy Crawford and Darren Espanto

Q Gary Valenciano

people to really get involved, and it’s not just one day, it’s one whole week so it’s something to look forward to,” Valenciano noted.

“Even if it’s me, Billy and Darren’s name in front, it’s not our concert, it’s all in the name of dance. Evolt, being an international dance fest, that alone is a festival, it’s not one big concert though it culminates with a big show at the end of the fest. And what’s nice about dance is that it doesn’t matter if it’s old or new school,

basta’t may tugtog at tama ang galaw mo, makikita ng mga manonood na nag-e-enjoy rin sila. So I’m excited to

handle that aspect which is a great message also for all other dancers who are young, that if you really want to be a dancer, you can be a dancer for a long time,” the 54-year-old veteran performer added.

“I’ve been around in the industry for 35 years, my moves have never changed, it’s still the same but there must be something right that I am doing in order to last this long, and that’s what I wanted to share with other dancers coming here as well,” he added.

Other talents that will headline the dance festival besides international R&B star Billy Crawford and Darren Espanto, are Gab Valenciano, Regine Tolentino, AC Bonifacio, Nhizky Calma as well as K-Pop artists Chic Angel and Rion Five.

The concert will also showcase an eclectic range of dance genres as performed live by artists like A-Team, G-Force, Hotlegs, “It’s Showtime” Dancers, S e x b o m b D a n c e r s,

Q Abraham Lane

UPeepz, XB Gensan, Manoeuvres Ignite, Power Impact Dancers, Douglas Nierras Powerdance, Alab Poi Dancers, Tribu Ilonganon of Dinagyang Festival, Julie Borromeo’s Perfoming Arts Foundation,

Mauban Nilala Folk Dancers, MNL Crew, Rockwell, SB New Gen and Vicor Dancers.

The celebration will be capped with a party powered

by DJ Ace Ramos.

Q Northdrive

Adam Levine leaving ‘The Voice’ after 16 seasons NEW YORK: Adam Levine is leaving “The Voice” after 16 seasons.

Carson Daly made the announcement on the “Today” show. Daly said Gwen Stefani will return for Season 17 in Levine’s chair.

The Maroon 5 frontman wrote a length Instagram post saying the Emmy-winning show “went on to be a life-shaping experience that will be close to my heart forever.”

Levine was part of the original lineup of “The Voice” when it launched in 2011, along with Christina Aguilera, Blake Shelton and CeeLo Green.

Aguilera and Green have taken breaks from the show, allowing stars like Pharrell Williams, Kelly Clarkson and John Legend to sit in their chairs.

Shelton has never left the show.

It was not clear if Levine was leaving the show for good. Representatives for the singer and NBC network didn’t immediately reply to emails seeking comment from The Associated Press.

AP

Q Maroon 5 frontman Adam Levine AP PHOTO

Fresh OPM records to discover L

OOKING to discover new music? Or simply looking for a new OPM artist to follow and listen to? Today, Music Geek introduces artists with fresh new records out for aficionados to listen, discover and enjoy!

Banna Harbera. Formed in 2014 led

by Yzabel Torres on vocals and Jake Masigan on guitar, this soul-funk band originated from De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde. Their music is often described as danceable, laid-back and easy on the ears.

They recently released their debut album titled "Kept In Mind."

The 12-track record contains gems with catchy melodies that sticks to the mind instantly, such as; "We'll Be Fine,"Sorrys & Goodbyes" and "Persistence." Available on Spotify, iTunes, Apple Music and other music platforms.

Memphiis. An electronic pop band led by vocalist, guitarist and primary songwriter, Jensen Gomez. Although Jensen has been around in the scene for quite some time now, his new venture vastly differs from his previous works.

With Memphiis, the singer-songwriter tries to explore a more thought-provoking approach with his lyricism added melancholic themes in their debut record "Muses," which is available in all streaming platforms.

4HE MUSIC IS ALSO MET WITH GRUNGE INlUenced guitar sounds married with a good amount of electronic pop beats and melody. "River" encapsulates all the descriptive words used for his record. It's dancy,

MUS MUSIC GEEK MARK BONIFACIO jumpy but also evokes the feeling of a dark undertone as the song progresses.

Turn Me On Holly. A pop rock band formed in mid-2017, the group may be relatively new in the underground scene but they have produced an EP late 2018 titled "Beach Episodes." They are already making small waves and ripples in the music scene. Easy to turn into favorites from the project are the tracks Stay The Night and Yesterday's Best, both catchy and easy to sing along with. Overall, the debut effort of the band is a fun record to play over and over. Check out Beach Episodes on Spotify.

Q Turn Me On Holly

Q Kilos

Abraham Lane. A new Filipino pop band which, in a short time since its inception in 2018, has become one of the noticeable acts in the music scene. Their debut single, “Mali Na Ako,” with its catchy melody hooks and relatable lyrics is getting the approval of Metro Manila radio stations. It’s no surprise that GMA Network

has chosen the track as the theme song of their newest Koreanovela, the romantic series “My Sassy Girl.”

Northdrive. The band launched their debut album “Coming Home” on March 23, through a release event held at Kart City in their hometown of Tarlac. They performed key tracks in the album including their new single “Tablado,” “Ating Sigaw,” “Di Na Ba Tayo” and the band’s anthemic ballad “Pangako,” which has already reached more than 1.4 million streams online.

Kilos. Formed in 2008, the rock band returns from a year-long hiatus with a couple of new recordings including a new song “Darating, Aalis” which was featured in the GMA TV series “The Legend of Zu.” Their latest release pays homage to their musical heroes as they perform their version of Coldplay’s “Fix You”.

Follow the author on Instagram: markbonifacio25.

Ë&#x153; The Manila Times

Funtimes

THURSDAY May 30, 2019

D3

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D4

THURSDAY May 30, 2019

Special Feature

Ë&#x153; The Manila Times w w w.manilatimes.net

PINOY BRANDS

Filipino pride Qualities of homegrown companies who successfully operate worldwide

BY MAYLENE STEPHANIE S. VIRAY

I

F Japan has Sony, South Korea has Etude House, America has McDonaldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s and Britain has Marks & Spencer, what does the Philippines have then? Bench, Jollibee, Potato Corner and San Miguel, just to name a few.

From retail to dining, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s clear that dozens upon dozens of global brands continue to put up operations in the country â&#x20AC;&#x201D; TAKING UP MALLS ERECTING OFkCES or establishing its own outlets.

While it may be true that global brands penetrating the Filipino market poses challenges to local brands, some homegrown brands have likewise made it big by expanding outside the local market owing to their unique attributes and qualities that makes them proudly Pinoy.

The Manila Times lists down some Filipino brands, in no p a r t i c u l a r o r d e r, t h a t h ave been well-loved and accepted

by other nationalities around the world.

Bench For most Filipinos, shopping for clothes in a fashion brand can never go wrong when shopping at the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading brand â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Bench.

The iconic red-and-white print has become a global figure as well, representing the Philippines through its fashion and lifestyle products that span from clothes, underwear, fragrances and accessories, among others.

Beginning as a menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s T-shirt store in the corner of an SM Department Store in 1987, Ben

Chanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bench flourished to become an industry player in the country, known for pioneering advertisements with the use of celebrity endorsers, which werenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t frequent during the 1990s.

Aside from its physical store presence, the brand has successfully established a strong virtual presence as well, expanding its network to reach as far as North America, Europe and neighboring Asian countries.

Bench is the first child of its parent company Suyen Corp., which Chan after his niece and established alongside his sister Nenita Lim and her husband Virgilio. As it grew stronger, it began welcoming other local and global brands into its portfolio â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Human, Kashieca, Dimensione, Bench Skin, Bench Fix Salon, Bench Barbers, PCX, Cotton On, Vero Moda, American Eagle, Assembly, Aldo, Rubi and Cath Kidston, among other brands.

Throughout its network, Bench is known for its diverse style,

creativity and affordability as it offers signature-quality products at wallet-friendly prices.

bing it as â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Jollibee Phenomenon.â&#x20AC;?

At the heart of its success, JFC continuously upholds its Filipino roots, which can be seen in its internal Jollibee Foods Corp operations: a family-oriented work environment with all of its commuFilipinosâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; favorite â&#x20AC;&#x153;crispylicousâ&#x20AC;? nication materials focused on the and â&#x20AC;&#x153;juicyliciousâ&#x20AC;? chicken joy promotion of Filipino family values, gains a cult following after it went high regards to customer satisfaction GLOBAL IN WITH ITS kRST OUTLET as well as its great tasting menu established in Brunei. line-up and store environment that Humbly beginning as an ice is consistent throughout its store cream parlor in 1975 carrying the network in and out of the country.

Magnolia brand, owner Tony Tan Jollibee ended 2018 with an P8.3 Caktiong introduces his red-and- BILLION PROkT GROWING BY PERCENT yellow bee three years later, when it from its P7.11 billion post the previbecame Jollibee Foods Corp. or JFC. ous year, owing to its newly opened JFC is a 100 percent Filipino-owned stores of 502 branches worldwide, 317 company taking shelter at its center in the Philippines and 185 abroad.

Already existing in the United building in Ortigas Center, Pasig.

Customers often laud Jollibee for States, European countries and neighits high-quality meals and reasonably boring Asian countries, the company PRICES TAILORING ITS MENU ITEMS TO kT entered new markets last year, expandthe Filipino palate â&#x20AC;&#x201D; a balanced mix ing its network to Italy, Macau, United of sweet and savory. So, as it expanded Kingdom and Malaysia. globally, it introduced the Filipino taste to the rest of the world.

Penshoppe But what made Jollibee a well-loved and proudly Pinoy brand? The com- Another industry leader in retail pany explains it on its website, dub- is the Cebu-grown clothing brand

Penshoppe, which began operations IN AS THE lAGSHIP BRAND OF ITS parent company Golden ABC. It initially catered to the Visayas and Mindanao region until in 1991, when it entered the metro with the establishment of its outlet in SM City North EDSA. From there, it began expanding nationwide and upgrading from a simple fashion brand to a lifestyle.

Penshoppe is notable for their casual wears that are always stylish, fresh and trendy yet remaining affordable for the Filipino market.

As one of the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s industry leader, it received international recognitions and endorsements from the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top icons in fashion, music, music and television.

Following its success it the Philippines, the brand expanded its reach abroad and opened stores in Cambodia, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Myanmar and Vietnam. Penshoppe also established its virtual presence in Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Indonesia and Vietnam.

Campus Press

A SECTION FOR THE STUDENTS, BY STUDENTS

Ë&#x153; The Manila Times w w w.manilatimes.net EDITOR: Marishelle R. Medina (marishelle.medina@manilatimes.net) EDITORIAL STAFF: Kimberly C. Malait

E1

THURSDAY MAY 30, 2019

KWF urges GE courses be taught in Filipino

BY ARIC JOHN SY CUA

T

HE Komisyon ng Wikang Filipino (KWF) has urged colleges and universities to use Filipino as a medium of instruction in general education, after the Supreme Court upheld the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) resolution removing Filipino and Panitikan (Philippine literature) from the college curriculum.

In a statement, the KWF said that the Filipino language could still be used as a medium of instruction for other subjects. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The most effective way of fulfilling the Constitutional tasks is by using Filipino extensively as the language of instruction in the tertiary level and as the medium of communication in other fields of knowledge and disciplines,â&#x20AC;? the KWF stated.

While the KWF welcomed the CHEdâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s decision to have General Education (GE) subjects be taught in either English or Fil ipino, it pointed out that some university administrators dismantled their Filipino departments.

Upholding the language provisions IN THE #ONSTITUTION THE +7& had urged colleges and universities to have GE courses taught in Filipino and English (with preference for Filipino),

for them to have more courses taught in Filipino, and for them to encourage Filipino as a medium of instruction in all disciplines. â&#x20AC;&#x153;State universities and colleges (SUCs) AS THE EDUCATIONAL INSTRUMENT IN FULkLLING the mandates of the Constitution should be the model and vanguard in the propagation of the language provision,â&#x20AC;? the KWF stated. â&#x20AC;&#x153;KWF appeals to the writers, publishers, AND TEACHERS OF TECHNICAL OR SCIENTIkC SUBjects such as mathematics, engineering, and economics, among others, to explore their linguistic capabilities and embark on writing projects for books and textbooks in Filipino, as well as translation into Filipino,â&#x20AC;? it added.

On Monday, the Supreme Court upheld #(%D -EMORANDUM SERIES (CMO 20), which aimed to remove Filipino and Panitikan in the tertiary level, making them optional subjects.

The high court said CMO 20 did not violate the Constitution when it transferred the subjects to he primary and secondary education curriculum.

The Supreme Court maintained that CMO

Q National Artist for Literature Virgilio Almario, chairman of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, stresses that Filipino and Literature remain as options in college PHOTO BY DJ DIOSINA 20 does not prevent universities and colleges from requiring additional courses in

ADB approves $300-M loan for education sector THE Asian Development Bank (ADB) said on Monday it approved a $300-million loan to support the governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s efforts to increase access to high quality secondary education that responds to labor market needs.

In a statement, ADB said the Secondary Education 3UPPORT 0ROGRAM WOULD BENEkT ABOUT MILLION students nationwide currently enrolled in high school and an additional 2 million Grade 7 entrants yearly FROM TO The program will disburse funds to the government based on the achievement of agreed reform targets WITHIN A SPECIkC PERIOD â&#x20AC;&#x153;Sustaining the Philippinesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; strong growth momentum will require a workforce equipped with the appropriate set of advanced skills and knowledge to allow them to keep in step with the rapid technological changes in the global economy,â&#x20AC;? said

ADB Senior Education Specialist for Southeast Asia Lynnette Perez. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Continued investments in high quality education are crucial to attaining the governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s vision of lowering unemployment and poverty rates,â&#x20AC;? added Perez.

ADB will provide technical assistance to the Department of Education to ensure they achieve targeted reforms and priorities, which are aligned with the Philippine Development Plan.

According to ADB, the program also aims to improve the performance of students in the National !CHIEVEMENT 4EST AND THE NATIONAL CERTIkCATE ASSESSment for senior high school technical-vocational-livelihood track specialization. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It will also help strengthen the secondary educaTION CURRICULUM AND INCREASE TEACHER PROkCIENCY AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT .EARLY PUBLIC SECONDARY

education teachers, and additional teachers to be HIRED UNTIL STAND TO BENEkT FROM IMPROVED teaching practices, which will lead to better learning outcomes,â&#x20AC;? it said.

ADB said the program would also support the EducaTION DEPARTMENT S PUBLIC kNANCIAL MANAGEMENT REFORMS

including the timely release of secondary schoolsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; budget for maintenance and operation, tools and equipment.

It will also assess the effectiveness of the Education Service Contracting and the Senior High School Voucher programs.

At present, ADB is also providing assistance to the government under the Senior High School Support Program, which is supporting the establishment and rollout of the governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s senior high school program.

ANNA LEAH E. GONZALES

SENATE PASSES NEUTRAL DESKS FOR STUDENTS BILL 7)4( AFFIRMATIVE VOTES ZERO NEGATIVE AND ZERO abstention, the Senate on Monday approved on third and final reading a bill seeking to mandate all educational institutions to provide neutral desks to all students.

Neutral desks refer to tables or armchairs that are suitable for both right-handed and left-handed students.

4HE APPROVED MEASURE WAS (OUSE "ILL ("

otherwise known as an â&#x20AC;&#x153;Act Mandating Public and Private Educational Institutions to Provide the Appropriate Armchairs to Left-Handed Students,â&#x20AC;? taking INTO CONSIDERATION 3ENATE "ILL OTHERWISE KNOWN as an â&#x20AC;&#x153;Act Mandating Public and Private Educational Institutions to Provide the Appropriate Armchairs to Left-Handed Students.â&#x20AC;?

The proposed legislations were introduced by Rep.

Cristina Roa-Puno and Sen. Juan Edgardo â&#x20AC;&#x153;Sonnyâ&#x20AC;?

Angara, respectively. !NGARA SAID (" AIMS TO PROMOTE EQUAL DEVELOPment of students by requiring educational institutions nationwide to provide neutral desks to all students in both public and private educational institutions.

Currently, left-handed students were left without a choice but to work with right-handed armchairs, Angara said. %XPERTS ESTIMATE THAT BETWEEN TO PERCENT OF THE population worldwide are left-handed.

They said thousands of left-handed school children are struggling in the classroom because of a failure to meet their needs.

Studies showed that a right-handed armchair does not offer left-handed students the same arm support that right-handed students enjoy, causing back, neck

and shoulder pain to left-handed students. !CCORDING TO EXPERTS THE INEFkCIENT AND AWKWARD writing position that left-handed students must adopt in right-handed armchairs causes slower handwriting, placing them at a disadvantage on important timed examinations.

Under the bill, educational institutions are mandated TO PROVIDE NEUTRAL DESKS EQUIVALENT TO PERCENT OF THE student population within one year from the effectivity of the act. The institutions will eventually provide neutral desks to all students.

The Department of Education, Commission on Higher Education and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority shall be in charge of formulating the rules and regulations, including the administrative penalties for the noncompliance of the act.

JAVIER JOE ISMAEL

House OKs magna carta for out-of-school youth THE House of Representatives on Monday APPROVED ON THIRD AND kNAL READING A MAGna carta for out-of-school youth (OSY).

6OTING LAWMAKERS PASSED (OUSE "ILL (" ALSO KNOWN AS THE â&#x20AC;&#x153;Magna Carta of the Out-of-School-Youthâ&#x20AC;? that will establish an interagency advisory council that will ensure the delivery of services and interventions for the OSY. The newly approved measure also aims

INTERNS AT WORK

to grant OSY with social protection and certain rights provided in the Constitution.

The advisory council created under 2EPUBLIC !CT 2! OR THE g9OUTH IN Nation-Building Actâ&#x20AC;? shall plan, coordinate and monitor yearly work programs in compliance with the objectives of the measure. It is tasked to formulate and implement a national comprehensive multi-stake holder plan of action for OSY.

The advisory council is also tasked to coordinate with and ensure that the relevant agencies of the government have appropriate programs for OSY. The Department of Education, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) and Commission on Higher Education, in consultation with nongovernment organizations (NGOs) shall institute a program that will ensure

Senior High School students from Singapore School Manila join Manila Times President and Chief Executive Officer Dante â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Klinkâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Ang 2nd and the newspaperâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s editors at the daily story conference for the next dayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s issue. The students â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Alyanna Chua, Christian Matthew Uy, Thea Bernice Lim and Julian Carlos Li â&#x20AC;&#x201D; are having their internship at The Manila Times College (TMTC) as part of the requirements for Senior High School graduation. PHOTO BY TITA VALDERAMA

access of OSY to formal and nonformal education.

The Department of Health, in coordination with local government units and NGOs, shall institute a national health program and provide an integral health service for OSY. For social services, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will develop and implement programs with components, including social enhancement services and after care services that will support OSY who are discharged from the homes or institutions of the DSWD, as well as those who have problems of reintegration with family and the community.

The Department of Labor and Employment, on the other hand, will coordinate with the Department of Trade and Industry and Tesda to assess, design and implement training programs that will provide skills and livelihood support for OSY. The National Youth Commission and other youth-serving agencies shall review, amend or repeal existing laws that are discriminatory to OSY. (" SUBSTITUTED (" AND INTRODUCED BY 6ALENZUELA 2EP 7ES Gatchalian and Tarlac Rep. Victor Yap, respectively.

The DepEd reported earlier this year THAT OVER PERCENT OF THE 0HILIPPINES /39 WERE FEMALES AND PERCENT WERE GLEE JALEA males.

Filipino, Panitikan and the Constitution in their respective curricula.

CREBA, La Salle open course on real estate feasibility studies THE Chamber of Real Estate & Buildersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Associations Inc. (Creba), in consortium with the De La Salle College of Saint Benilde School of Professional and Continuing Education (DLSCSB SPACE), will open its certificate course, Real Estate Project Feasibility Studies on June 15, 2019, Saturday.

The course is the last of six modules under the Executive Diplo ma Program in Real Estate Management (Edprem) offered by the two leading institutions since 2002.

Classes will be held at the ninth floor of the CSB School of Design and Arts located at Pablo OcAMPO 3TREET -ANILA FROM TO p.m. and will run for four consecutive 3ATURDAYS UNTIL *ULY

Creba, headed by National President Noel Toti CariĂąo, is the Philippine umbrella organization of the real estate and housing industry composed of property developers, builders, contractors, suppliers and manufacturers of construction materials, real estate service practitioners, and other professionals and entities ENGAGED IN OVER ALLIED kELDS Course director is President and Chief Executive Officer of Segovia Group Engineer Wilfredo Segovia.

According to Creba National Chairman Charlie AV Gorayeb, the first two Saturdays would cover project feasibility studies and report-writing; steps and actions preparatory to the feasibility study; legal aspects of project feasibility; essentials of a project master plan; and market feasibility and analysis report.

For the third and fourth WEEKS 4ECHNICAL FEASIBILITY ANALYSIS

financial feasibility analysis, and a revalida exercise before the Mentors Panel to test each participantâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s proficiency and readiness to undertake and present a reliable project feasibility study.

Program Director Avelina AcuĂąa said the other five courses cover real estate marketing; land laws and property titling; planning and development; appraisal and highest and best uses of land; and financial planning and management.

Participants will be awarded certificates for each course module attended, while a diploma is earned by successfully completing all six Edprem modules.

Special discounts are available for Creba members, government personnel, DLSU alumni and early bird payMENTS UNTIL *UNE &OR RESERVATIONS PLEASE CALL AND FOR #3" OR TO FOR Creba. You may also email creba_national@yahoo.com or visit the official WE B S I T E S P A C E B E N I L D E E D U P H

PAGE FROM THE PAST

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 May 30, 2019

Campus Press

E3

Use of â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;hopefullyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; and other grammar bugbears I

â&#x20AC;&#x2122;D like to write today about three English grammar bugbears â&#x20AC;&#x201D; â&#x20AC;&#x153;hopefully,â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;momentarilyâ&#x20AC;? and â&#x20AC;&#x153;overlyâ&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x201D; in the HOPE OF HELPING kNALLY PUT TO REST STRONG reservations against their usage.

Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s begin with the adverb gOVERLY u 3OMETIME IN A Filipina journalist-friend based in Hong Kong e-mailed me that, recalling something grammar maven 7ILLIAM 3AkRE HAD WRITTEN SHE FELT vaguely that my use of â&#x20AC;&#x153;overlyâ&#x20AC;? was â&#x20AC;&#x153;anomalousâ&#x20AC;? in this passage of my column in 4HE -ANILA 4IMES â&#x20AC;&#x153;In keeping with the spirit of the New Year, I thought we should be more forgiving of the overly exuBERANT kGURATIVE LANGUAGE OF THE print and broadcast media these past several days. But I think levity in journalistic language shouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t

be pursued to the point of insensitivity and callousness, like what was done by a major Metro Manila BROADSHEET LAST *ANUARY WHEN it reported that owing to the full moon, Mayon Volcano might extend the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;courtesyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; of â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;natural loud BANGS AND kREWORKS DISPLAY TO THE Albayanons as they welcomed the New Year.â&#x20AC;?

I replied that my usage of â&#x20AC;&#x153;overlyâ&#x20AC;? in that tart critique wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t ANOMALOUS g)T S A PROPER PERFECTLY grammatical adverb that means â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;to an excessive degreeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; [â&#x20AC;Ś] I have not heard anyone, whether layman

ENGLISH PLAIN AND SIMPLE

JOSE A. CARILLO or linguist, quibble against the propriety of its usage. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m not sure EITHER IF THE LATE 7ILLIAM 3AkRE HAD ever considered â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;overlyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; anomaLOUS WHAT ) KNOW IS THAT HE kERCELY opposed the use the adverbs â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;hopefullyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; and â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;momentarily.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;?

This puts the adverb â&#x20AC;&#x153;momenTARILYu RIGHT BEFORE US 3AkRE DID have such a strong beef against IT AS WHEN A lIGHT ATTENDANT USES IT IN THIS ANNOUNCEMENT g&ASTEN your seat belts, we will be landing momentarily.â&#x20AC;? 3AkRE DEEMED THAT usage wrong, even quoting the British diplomat Sir John Kerr with this gripe against the American lan-

FEU promotes positive psychology among Gen Z CASES of self-harm due to mental illness had increased in recent years, especially among the young, according to studies by the Department of Health (DoH) and the National Statistics Office (NSO). Mental illness is now the third most common form of disability among Filipinos, with a high number of suicide reports obSERVED BETWEEN THE AGES OF TO With the mission of providing solutions to challenges faced by todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s youth and to improve their psychological well-being, the Far Eastern University (FEU) teamed up with the DoH to understand how the youth, particularly digital natives, think. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The youth has to understand that healthy psychological well-being comes from a growth mindset that enables one to cope with stresses of life. They also need to manifest resilience through humility and courage in accepting mistakes,â&#x20AC;? FEU Guidance and Counseling Director Dr. Sheila Marie Hocson said in a forum titled â&#x20AC;&#x153;Mental Health Awareness and Positive

Psychology among Digital Natives.â&#x20AC;?

Dr. Hocson shared the nature, symptoms and causes of mental health issues, and how to prevent and deal with them.

The discussion was attendED BY MORE THAN SENIOR high school students, teachers, guidance counselors and menTAL HEALTH ADVOCATES FROM schools in Metro Manila.

According to Hocson, Generation Z or iGen grew up in the middle of the Great Recession and age of the information highway. She said these two major global phenomena affect how the digital youth process and act upon their thoughts and emotions. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This age group is hyper-aware. They were exposed early to the weight of real-life decisions while still developing their emotional being,â&#x20AC;? Hocson shared. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Together with unfiltered information available across online media, the mental state of digital natives can easily be confused if not guided well.

It is important to instill them with values early on.â&#x20AC;?

Poor mental health is generally caused by lack of self-awareness, coping skills, psychological capital and attachment from significant people in their lives.

Without these, daily stresses have the potential to build up and lead to different mental health concerns.

To help digital natives achieve a healthy psychological well-being, both families and schools are encouraged to conduct growth mindset programs and positive education anchored

by Positive Psychology. These include activities that will hone the cognitive and noncognitive skills of the digital youth.

Moreover, these are exercises that promot e an attitude of accepting oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s own flaws and imperfections, and respecting diversity, inclusion and equality. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Helping those with mental health concerns is a role that must be shared by everyone in the community,â&#x20AC;? Hocson encouraged. â&#x20AC;&#x153;How people act and respond to us is a responsibility we should engage with respect, care and accountability.â&#x20AC;?

DLSU hosts conference on teaching humanities and literature THE De La Salle University Department of LiterATURE HELD g7RITING THE #LASSROOM ! NATIONAL conference on the teaching of humanities and LITERATURE u LAST -AY TO AT THE "R !NDREW Gonzalez FSC Hall of the universityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Manila campus.

Endorsed by the Commission on Higher Education, the conference featured a keynote lecture by DLSU University Fellow Dr. Marjorie Evasco, as well as roundtable fora on the Interdisciplinarity of Literature and Literature and Industry.

Participants also had the opportunity to attend master classes in southeast Asian literature, critical theory, literary translation, literature and humanities, literature and creative writing, literature and social sciences, literature and sciences,

and literature and performance.

To help educators, a teaching manual titled "REAKING 7ALLS ! #OLLECTION OF ,ITERATURE 4EACHING Modules was distributed to conference participants. Prepared by the faculty members of the Department of Literature and funded by the Office of the Vice President for Lasallian Mission, the manual contains modules on teaching Afro-American, !NGLO !MERICAN AND 0HILIPPINE LITERATURES ST century literature from the Philippines and the world; poetry, fiction, drama and creative nonficTION BOTH AS GENRE AND OR CREATIVE WRITING COURSES and literary criticism (Marxism, Psychoanalysis, Deconstruction, Feminism and Postcolonialism).

Educators from various regions of the country attended the conference.

Q The De La Salle University Department of Literature and their guests CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

GUAGE g)T S THE ABUSE OF momentarily. When the stewardess says THAT ) THINK TO MYSELF @7E LL BE ON the ground for only a moment before the plane rushes off again. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d better hurry.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; But she doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t mean that at all.â&#x20AC;? (Italicizations mine). )NDEED WHAT THE lIGHT ATTENDANT means in using â&#x20AC;&#x153;momentarilyâ&#x20AC;? is that the aircraft will be landing only for a moment â&#x20AC;&#x201D; obviously erroneous. The grammatically correct usage is â&#x20AC;&#x153;at any momentâ&#x20AC;? or gIN A MOMENTu â&#x20AC;&#x153;Fasten your seat belts, we will be landing at any momentâ&#x20AC;? or â&#x20AC;&#x153;Fasten your seat belts, we will be landing in a moment.â&#x20AC;?

This brings us now in a very good position to take up â&#x20AC;&#x153;hopefully.â&#x20AC;?

There really is no quibble overusing â&#x20AC;&#x153;hopefullyâ&#x20AC;? in its sense of â&#x20AC;&#x153;in a hopeful manner,â&#x20AC;? as in g4HE lOOD WEARY VILLAGERS PRAYED

hopefully that the week-long heavy rains would soon stop.â&#x20AC;?

7HAT TAKES CONTINUING lAK IS THE long-running widespread use of â&#x20AC;&#x153;hopefullyâ&#x20AC;? in its sense of â&#x20AC;&#x153;I hopeâ&#x20AC;? and â&#x20AC;&#x153;it is hopedâ&#x20AC;? in sentences like THIS â&#x20AC;&#x153;Hopefully, I can make it to the top of my graduating classâ&#x20AC;? and â&#x20AC;&#x153;Hopefully, the trade war between the United States and China will be resolved amicably.â&#x20AC;?

To this persistent grammar bugbear the Merriam-Websterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s TH #OLLEGIATE $ICTIONARY makes THIS USAGE NOTE â&#x20AC;&#x153;Hopefully in its second sense is a member of a class of adverbs known as disjuncts.

Disjuncts serve as a means by which the author or speaker can comment directly to the reader or hearer usually on the content of the sentence to which they are attached. Many other adverbs (as â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;interestingly,â&#x20AC;&#x2122; â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;frankly,â&#x20AC;&#x2122; â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;clearly,â&#x20AC;&#x2122;

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;luckily,â&#x20AC;&#x2122; â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;unfortunatelyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;) are similarly used; most are so ordinary as to excite no comment or interest whatsoever. The second sense of hopefully is entirely standard.â&#x20AC;?

To this, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll add in closing that â&#x20AC;&#x153;hopefullyâ&#x20AC;? rightfully belongs to the class of words or phrases known as discourse markers, which, as I discussed in my May

COLUMN CAN PROVIDE not only context but also sinew, verve and a personal touch to our English. .EXT 4HE VIRTUE OF POSITIONING adjectives postpositively)

Visit Jose Carilloâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s English FoRUM HTTP JOSECARILLOFORUM COM

AND ON &ACEBOOK HTTPS WWW FACEBOOK COM JACARILLO &OLLOW HIM AT 4WITTER COM * #ARILLO % MAIL J CARILLO YAHOO COM

Ifugao university opens cultural exchange with Japan university THE Ifugao State University (IFSU) in Lamut, Ifugao is opening opportunities for it students to participate in cultural exchange with Kanazawa University (KU) in Japan.

Eva Marie Codamon Dugyon, IFSU president, said she had recently visited Noto, Japan and afkRMED THE EXISTING !GREEMENT FOR #OOPERATION AND Exchange between IFSU and KU, which was signed IN FOR SCHOLARLY AND EDUCATIONAL EXCHANGE Dugyon said one of the activities stipulated in the agreement is on the exchange of students. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Let us take off with our student exchange program in the university. We are opening opportunities for our students to have their cultural exchange with Kanazawa University in Japan,â&#x20AC;?

Dugyon said during a flag ceremony.

She said KU was open to accepting IFSU students and that they were planning to have at least three to five days of stay in Japan for cultural and community immersion. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The cultural exchange will be opened to all students. We will start with a small and manageable number of students,â&#x20AC;? Dugyon added. However, Dugyon said the student exchange program also had its challenges and that the university

could not shoulder all expenses. â&#x20AC;&#x153;But there will be some arrangements with the university on how we proceed with our program,â&#x20AC;?

Dugyon said, adding that prospective students should be prepared if they really wanted to participate in the cultural immersion.

She said she was urging campus administrators, deans, the universityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s International Affairs Office and the whole IFSU family to work and realize this aspiration.

Meanwhile, Dugyon also conducted collaborative meetings with the Ishikawa Prefectural University and the Ifugao Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems Support Committee (IGSC)-Japan.

During the IGSC meeting, IFSU has proposed and presented the possibilities and prospects of the Ifugao Satoyama Meister Training Program since the program will be ending in the early part of 2020. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our meeting with the IGSC is one way of exploring possibilities and opportunities with other agencies to fund this noble program,â&#x20AC;?

Dugyon said.

LEANDER C. DOMINGO

DoST conference gears up grad scholars for Industry 4.0 TO discuss Industry 4.0 and its inevitable impact on the scientific and education landscapes, the Department of Science and Technology-Science Education Institute (DoST-SEI), together with the Accelerated Science and Technology Human Resource Development Program-National Science Consortium (ASTHRDP-NSC), convened science scholars and educators in the 8th ASTHRDP Graduate Scholars Conference.

The conference, aptly themed â&#x20AC;&#x153;Level Up to Level All: Science as Platform for Industry 4.0â&#x20AC;?, was held on May 2 to 3 at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City, with more than 400 DoST graduate scholars, faculty members of the NSC member-universities under the ASTHRDP and guests in attendance.

Science and Technology Secretary Fortunato de la PeĂąa, through a message delivered by Assistant Secretary Leah Buendia, encouraged participants to adapt to changes and find ways to thrive amid such. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have a technological environment that is different from what it used to be a decade ago, which means we have to speed up our efforts to catch up or even leapfrog other countries technologically,â&#x20AC;? he said.

The NSC is the implementing arm of DoST-SEI for the ASTHRDP, which provides PhD and Master of Science scholarships in priority basic and applied sciences. It is composed of the following member-universities: Ateneo de Manila University, Central Luzon State University, De La Salle University, Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology, University of Santo Tomas, Visayas State University, and University of the Philippines Diliman, Los BaĂąos, Manila and Visayas.

Among the highlights of the two-day

Q A Department of Science and Technology scholar at the research poster gallery. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO activity were the plenary talks with invited experts, parallel oral and poster presentations featuring researches of DoST graduate scholars, and an awarding ceremony for top poster and oral presentations.

The first day of the event featured two plenary talks: Industry 4.0 Policy Strategies and the Role of Universities

by Dr. Joseph Frohlich of the Austria Institute of Technology, and 4Cs Framework to Transform Higher Education Institution into an Innovation Producing ecosystem by Mr. Johnson Ong Chee Bin of the ASEAN University Network in Singapore. After the parallel sessions, participants and guests walked through the poster exhibit to get an overview of the researches.

The last two plenary talks â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Self-sustainable Building by Dr. Noor Amila Wan Abdullah Zawawi of the Institute of Self-Sustainable Building Universiti Teknologi Petronas, Malaysia, and Industry 4.0 Implications on S&T Higher Education and Human Capitalby Dr. Celia Reyes of the Philippine Institute for Development Studies â&#x20AC;&#x201D; were held

on the second day.

Melvir Sucaldito, a DoST scholar-graduate from the De La Salle University, lauded the conference for giving DoST scholars an opportunity to share their researches with the public. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is also a venue to communicate with DoST-SEI and give constructive criticisms for the different programs. This has been a yearly celebration of success and triumphs,â&#x20AC;? he said.

DoST-SEI, the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s arm in science and technology human development resource development, is known for its undergraduate and graduate science and technology scholarship programs.

The annual ASTHRDP Conference is one of the agencyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s supplemental projects aimed to urge DoST scholar-graduates to continue their engagement in research activities and collaborations to further develop the Philippine science community. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We hope this conference will forge our scholarsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; commitment to develop IR 4.0-ready skills and help small industries catch up technologically,â&#x20AC;? DoST-SEI Director Dr. Josette Biyo said.

E4

Campus Press

The Ë&#x153;Manila Times THURSDAY May 30, 2019

w w w.manilatimes.net

Life beyond Tourette Syndrome I N commemoration of the International Tourette Syndrome (TS) Awareness Month from May 15 to June 15, 2019, De La SalleCollege of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) professor Marlon Barnuevo recalled how he continuously battles the incurable neurological disorder and genuinely believes that there is more to life than his condition. !T SEVEN YEARS OLD HE kRST EXperienced the symptoms, which started with motor tics. These are sudden twitches, involuntary head jerking or spasm-like contractions involving the eyes, mouth, face, neck and shoulders.

A year after, he suffered from vocal tics. These can be as simple as repetitive humming or clearing of the throat. â&#x20AC;&#x153;What my parents knew then was the common misconception, WHICH IS STILL APPLICABLE TODAY These tics are nothing but mannerisms. They always reprimanded me to stop,â&#x20AC;? he shared. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Since they did not know what was wrong with their child, they panicked.â&#x20AC;?

The Barnuevos, much like any other Filipino family at the time, had no knowledge of TS. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There was no internet then. I tried to look it up in the encyclopedia, but I did not know what to look for! I did not even know the word â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;ticsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; or much more, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Tourette Syndrome,â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;? Marlon narrated.

The young Marlon, then, became an easy target for bullies.

He received a lot of stares in and outside of the school, and he was depressed.

It was time to seek professional help. Finally, as a high school freshman, the family consulted a neurologist. After a series of checkups, a counselling neuropsychiatrist was able to explain Marlonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

condition to his parents. g!ND AT AGE MY FAMILY fully accepted that I have TS.â&#x20AC;? Surprisingly, Marlon found himself overwhelmed with relief. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I can now tell people what Q Marlon Barnuevo in one of his mentoring sessions as educator in the Industrial it is. I now have an answer. Design Program of the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde I have Tourette Syndrome,â&#x20AC;? he beamed. solution to overcome TS is to the more it explodes,â&#x20AC;? he noted.

(E ADDED THAT THERE IS NO become an achiever. It tends Marlon ventured as a freelance percent real cure. He, much like to make people look past my artist and as a designer. A profesthe other people with TS, were disability,â&#x20AC;? he noted. â&#x20AC;&#x153;However, sion that requires precision might only relying on medications in- now, I understand that proving be a trying path for someone who tended for other illnesses that were myself to the world is not the has TS, but he proved it otherwise. also fortunately able to manage only answer.â&#x20AC;?

He then became a full-time the tics.

Marlon imparted that he en- musician, and after his time on From youth, Marlon dreamt to joyed his stay in the inclusive stage, he concentrated on music be a musician. He started playing Benildean community. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I experi- production via his home-based the piano in kindergarten and enced more stares and bullying OUTkT NAMED ' 3TRINGS 3TUDIO

honed his musicality in high when I was in high school. The where he worked with various school. Soon after, he formed people at the college did not artists both for originals and his first band, with him as the mind,â&#x20AC;? he stated. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Every now revivals. keyboardist.

Marlon did commissioned and then you encounter people As a DLS-CSB Interior Design who talk about you, but that is musical arrangements for DingProgram student, he joined unavoidable. I totally understand dong Avanzado and K Broan independent organization that it happens.â&#x20AC;? sas, and composed songs for comprised of musicians, and If there is one thing that can Christian Bautista and Regine became good friends with fellow stop his tics, it is when he is Velasquez. He was musical performers, including singer naturally concentrated in doing director for Volante and his Nyoy Volante, Mark Escueta of things that he is most passionate regular patron Davey Langit. In Rivermaya and the late Bryan about such as playing the key- -ARLON WAS A FINALIST AT Velsco of Razorback. board or designing. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I stopped the PhilPop Music Festival for Having graduated as one of the TAKING THE MEDS BEFORE ) kNISHED his song â&#x20AC;&#x153;Araw, Ulap, Langit,â&#x20AC;? best design students, he advised college since it was really expen- interpreted by Christian Bautisâ&#x20AC;&#x153;TS is not a hindrance if you really sive and I was also afraid of the TA (E LIKEWISE BAGGED THE TH want to achieve your dreams.â&#x20AC;?

Best Song for â&#x20AC;&#x153;Parang Tayo Pero possible side effects.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;When I was much younger, â&#x20AC;&#x153;If it is a forced focus, the tics Hindi,â&#x20AC;? performed by Michael I used to say that the biggest get worse. The more I suppress it, Pangilinan and Angeline Quin-

2,800 Telus Days of Giving volunteers join Brigada Eskwela FOR the sixth straight year, leading customer experience and digital servi ces company Telus International Philippines participated in the Department of Educationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Brigada Eskwela, an annual program that mobilizes volunteers to renovate and clean public schools in time for the upcoming school year. /N -AY THE COMPANY ORGA-

NIZED MORE THAN VOLUNTEERS for the Telus Days of Giving to help transform Victorino Mapa High School, one of the oldest and established educational institutions in the city of Manila. Team members rehabilitated the schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s two campuses, both located in San MiGUEL -ANILA WITH CLASSROOMS that will be used by more than

HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS THIS

3CHOOL 9EAR Jeffrey Puritt, president and chief executive officer of Telus )NTERNATIONAL SAID g%VERY YEAR ) am impressed by our Philippinesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; team of exceptional professionals, who inspire Telus International team members around the world with their dedication to helping THOSE IN NEED &OR YEARS 4ELUS International Philippines has been

Q The Telus Day of Giving volunteers hard at work for the Brigada Eskwela program at the Victorino Mapa High School in San Miguel, Manila. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

hosting Telus Days of Giving and improving the lives of Filipinos by sharing our heart-felt commitment to give where we live.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our caring culture fosters a cycle of giving and a desire to extend the impact of this growth to the communities around us. Our vision is to build a more inclusive and enabling environment for our team members and the communities where we operate,â&#x20AC;? Rajiv Dhand, regional vice president and general manager of Telus International Philippines, added.

Over the last six years, with the contributions of more than

TEAM MEMBERS THE COMpany has dedicated more than

HOURS THROUGH 4ELUS $AYS of Giving to help improve seven SCHOOLS IN -ETRO -ANILA BENEkTING AN ESTIMATED STUDENTS )N THE 4ELUS $AYS OF Giving and other corporate social responsibility activities were instrumental in driving employee engagement and participation, EARNING THE COMPANY A PERcent employee engagement rating from Aon, and the Best Employer recognition from Aon Best Employers Program Awards and the Asia Corporate Excellence and Sustainability Awards.

Q Marlon Barnuevo â&#x20AC;&#x201D; industrial designer, keyboardist, music producer

and educator in the Industrial Design Program of the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde CONTRIBUTED PHOTO TO IN THE (IMIG (ANDOG P-Pop Love Song.

"Y -ARLON FOUND A NEW interest as an educator, of which he is very passionate about. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I have done so much in my life, but so far, TEACHING IS THE MOST FULkLLING u HE beamed. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I get so much joy seeing my students learn and I know that I contributed to it.â&#x20AC;? Sharing the knowledge that he has garnered all throughout the years is his new form as a designer. g) REMEMBER WHEN ) WAS kRST diagnosed, I did search for a supporting organization and I found nothing. At that time, I thought I was literally the only one in the Philippines with TS,â&#x20AC;? Marlon admitted. He even wrote to a USbased organization so he could be a member.

About 20 years ago, Marlon started to raise awareness on TS through his own website. He was a frequent guest in television documentaries.

Some years back, St. Lukes Medical Center in Quezon City conducted a case study on TS. Due to the absence of local organizations, they only found Marlon and registered nurse named Rowena Balmores Victorino, who was currently researching on TS for

her dissertation, to assist her two siblings who have the syndrome.

Fueled by their common goals, Marlon and Rowena were encouraged to form the very first nongovernment organization in the country. Thus, the Philippine Tourette Symptom Association (PTSA) was founded.

Today, PTSA continues to be a growing family and grants the much-needed support system for people with TS or parents whose children share the condition. MArlon, currently the PTSA spokesman, continues his mission by engaging in various seminars. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Everyone should know what TS is â&#x20AC;&#x201D; there is no reason for this advocacy to fail,â&#x20AC;? he reiterated.

He stressed that persons who show signs of tics should get a proper diagnosis. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Do not lose hope; everything is possible even if you have TS,â&#x20AC;? he encouraged.

As part of his self-improvement, Marlon is currently pursuing a degree in Master of Fine Arts in Design in a university in Manila.

For more information on the PTSA and its advocacies, please visIT WWW FACEBOOK COM PTSAMAIN

UST professor NRCP awardee for research in humanities A professor from the University of Santo Tomas (UST) was chosen by the National Research Council of the Philippines (NRCP) as !CHIEVEMENT !WARDEE IN THE kELD OF (UMANITIES Prof. Joyce L. Arriola, PhD, director of the UST Research Center for Culture, Arts and Humanities (RCCAH), received the award during NRCPâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Annual 3CIENTIFIC #ONFERENCE AND TH General Membership Assembly at the Philippine International Convention Center. The conference carried the theme â&#x20AC;&#x153;Humanizing the Fourth Industrial Revolution.â&#x20AC;?

The awarding body described Arriola as â&#x20AC;&#x153;a dedicated scholar whose significant research contributions have established her niche in literary, media, and cultural studies, â&#x20AC;?and, â&#x20AC;&#x153;(a)n esteemed academic leader who has actively promoted tertiary Philippine literary education, indigenous culture, and Filipino discourse.â&#x20AC;?

At UST where she teaches at the Faculty of Arts and Letters and the UST Graduate School, Arriola has held numerous posts. Prior to being director of RCCAH, she was chairman of the UST Literature Department, program lead of the Literature and Communication programs

of the Graduate School, member of the Technical Committee for Literature of the Commission on Higher Education, and the Executive Council of the National Committee for Literary Arts of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts.

In 2007, Arriolaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s book titled 0OSTMODERN &ILMING OF ,ITERATURE Sources, Contexts and Adaptations was conferred a National Book !WARD FOR &ILM &ILM #RITICISM The NRCP Achievement Award is known to be one of the most prestigious awards given by the Council. As explained on their website, it is â&#x20AC;&#x153;the highest recognition given [to] its outstanding MEMBERS IN THE kELDS OF NATURAL sciences, health sciences, engineering, industry, social sciences and the humanities.â&#x20AC;?

Arriola joins the ranks of Thomasians who have received the NRCP Achievement Award for Research. The first recipient was Dr. Fortunato B. Sevilla 3rd who was recognized in the field OF #HEMICAL 3CIENCES IN

while the most recent awardee is Dr. Jovencio G. Apostol, who was recognized in the field of Pharmaceutical Sciences in !RRIOLA IS THE TH 4HOMasian awardee.

DepEd calls for integration of SPED with regular learners ZAMBOANGA CITY: If there is one group of school children that direly needs attention, it is those with special requirement or disability.

In developing countries like the Philippines, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that â&#x20AC;&#x153;1 out of 10 people has an inability.â&#x20AC;?

The WHO says these are persons â&#x20AC;&#x153;with intellectual and learning disability; visual, hearing or physical impairment; speech or language defect; autism; and other health problems that affect their learning and adjustment to mainstream society.â&#x20AC;?

Nowadays, the WHO claims that â&#x20AC;&#x153;people are more aware of the reality that children with disabilities are just like ordinary individuals. They have their right like all able-bodied citizens. And if before they were treated with disdain and are hidden from the public, now many families are learning that differently abled in society have options, too.â&#x20AC;?

The Department of Education (DepEd) stressed that â&#x20AC;&#x153;the differently abled do not need our sympathy; rather, what they require is an environment that will make them feel that they can

do things that regular kids can do.â&#x20AC;?

As a result, DepEd has encouraged special children to enter schools for integration with regular learners, noting that a vital aspect of the program â&#x20AC;&#x153;is to convince parents to enroll their special youngsters in Special Education (SPED) Centers, where seminars are conducted to stop discrimination, misinformation and negative attitudes towards special children.â&#x20AC;?

The agency reported that the country currently boasts of close to 300 elementary and some 200 secondary SPED centers for about 300,000 in-

school children with special needs.

Compared to other nations, however, the DepEd program â&#x20AC;&#x153;is still way behind, especially in terms of special services such as note-takers and readers for the blind, sign interpreters for the deaf, tutorial instructions, and even ambulatory devices for special youngsters.â&#x20AC;?

The agency stressed that advancing special childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s interest by providing them with educational facilities and other forms of supportâ&#x20AC;&#x153;is a societal concern, not the DepEdâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s alone,â&#x20AC;?adding that the department cannot be 100 percent

successfulâ&#x20AC;&#x153;if society will not take part in the undertaking.â&#x20AC;?

DepEd further stressed, â&#x20AC;&#x153;We enjoin the private sector and concerned individuals to work in unison with us in a serious campaign to help the differently disabled sector get quality basic education.â&#x20AC;?

It concluded by asking various social, religious and economic organizations â&#x20AC;?to be our partner in initiating programs to encourage special children to believe in themselves and become empowered individuals.â&#x20AC;?

ANTONIO P. RIMANDO