Manila Standard - 2020 February 18 - Tuesday

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VOL. XXXIII • NO. 369 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2020 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

HOME AT LAST. A plane (below) carrying American passengers, recently released from the Diamond Princess cruise ship in Japan, arrives at Travis Air Force Base in California on Feb. 16 (Monday in Manila). The passengers will be quarantined at the base for 14 days. At right above, it’s nighttime, and Americans began leaving a quarantined cruise ship, with some 3,500 quarantined on board, docked at the Daikaku Pier Cruise Terminal in Yokohama. AFP

Exit from virus ship underway US citizens flee cruise ship; others may follow suit

Repatriation of 500 Pinoys set as 16 more tested positive

By MJ Blancaflor, Rey E. Requejo and Joel E. Zurbano

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HE government is preparing to repatriate more than 500 Filipinos onboard the Diamond Princess cruise ship in Yokohama, Japan, after 16 more of them tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the total number to 27, the Department of Foreign Affairs said Monday.

THE US flew home its citizens from a coronavirus-infected cruise ship in Japan Monday, with other nations preparing to follow suit as global concerns grow over the spread of the disease and the death toll in China topped 1,700.

More than 70,500 have been infected across China by the COVID-19 virus as the world battles to contain the outbreak that has sparked panic buying and jitters over the global economic impact.

Outside China, the biggest cluster of infections is on the Diamond Princess cruise ship off Yokohama, where coronavirus cases have climbed quickly to 355 despite passengers being confined to their cabins during a 14-day quarantine.

And amid growing criticism of Japan’s handling of the ship, governments are scrambling to repatriate their citizens, with Canada, Australia, Italy, Israel and Hong Kong poised to follow Washington’s lead.

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THE NAKED TRUTH. An exasperated Senator. Risa Hontiveros (inset), chairman, Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality, fires questions at Grifton Medina (right) of the BI port operations division, BI Deputy Commissioner Tobias Javier (center), and BI legal division head Arvin Santos (left) following the discovery (below) of hotels in Pasay used as ‘prostitution dens’ catering to Chinese nationals, majority of whom are working in Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) whose bribes to immigration officials was estimated to reach P50 billion. Lino Santos

Price cap imposed on 133 medicines ‘Sex dens inside hotels, condos cater to POGOs’

By MJ Blancaflor PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte signed an executive order Monday setting a price ceiling on certain medicines in a bid to make quality drugs accessible to Filipinos.

Executive Order 104 sets the maximum prices for 86 drug molecules or 133 drug formulas for hypertension, diabetes, heart and pulmonary diseases, major cancers, and depression.

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By Macon Ramos-Araneta

VARIOUS hotels like Midas and Okada in Pasay City have been used as prostitution dens catering to Chinese nationals, most of whom work in Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators who have paid an estimated P10 billion in bribes to immigration officials.

In a Senate hearing into prostitution rings and trafficking, the chief of the Na-

tional Bureau of Investigation Anti-Organized and Transnational Crime Division, Joel Tovera, said they have monitored prostitution in these hotels in Pasay City and other KTVs in Metro Manila.

Tovera also told the Senate committee on women, children, family relations and gender equality chaired by Senator Risa Hontiveros there was a hotel in Makati where the whole floor was used for prostitution.

He also said two floors in a condo-type building in Las Piñas were used for illicit activities, and said the Red Planet hotel in Makati was also a venue for prostitution.

These hotels, however, have denied they are used for prostitution and have been “uncooperative,” Tovera said.

Officials and representatives of business establishments summoned by the committee to the hearing all denied knowing about prostitution in their buildings. Next page

Marijuana use tied to drugs board okay

By MJ Blancaflor PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte will approve the use of marijuana for medical purposes once the Dangerous Drugs Board passes a resolution allowing the use of cannabidiol to alleviate severe forms of epilepsy, Malacañang said Monday.

Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Eduardo Meñez said those who tested positive for the virus were brought to the hospital and the Philippine embassy in Tokyo has delivered toiletries and other supplies to Filipino patients aboard the cruise ship.

“We received information that aside from the 11 Filipino crew members who were earlier identified, another 16 have been identified over the weekend as COVID-positive,” Meñez said in a press briefing in Malacañang.

He said their possible repatriation will need clearance from the Japanese government and the embassy has been coordinating with Princess Cruises to facilitate the repatriation of Filipinos there.

The government, he said, is ready to provide them with other forms of help aside from the assistance provided by their employers.

“For the 27 who are currently in the hospital, whether they could leave immediately is one question. Everyone else will have to be cleared before they return to the Philippines,” Meñez said.

Meanwhile, another Filipino in the United Arab Emirates tested positive for COVID-19, the sixth confirmed case of Next page the virus there.

President Duterte, who has launched a brutal campaign against illegal drugs, will not block the use of marijuana as long as it is for medical purposes, according to his spokesman Salvador Panelo. ‘‘He said if it is needed by a person and there are scientific findings, medical Next page

Drilon rushes to extend ABS franchise

By Macon Ramos-Araneta CHAVIT’S CERTIFICATION. Narvacan, Ilocos Sur Mayor Luis Singson (right) on Monday tells the Samahang Plaridel, with moderator Jullie Yap (left), that subscribers would have better benefits from the Philippines’ third telecommunications company Dito, formerly Mislatel, in which he is a major investor. (Story on A2)

SENATE Minority Leader Franklin Drilon on Monday filed a joint resolution that seeks to extend the franchise of ABSCBN Corp. up to the end of 2022.

He cited the need for more time for the House of Representatives and the Senate

to review the application for renewal of the network’s franchise.

Meanwhile, some 91 congressmen have already signed the resolution authored by Rep. Edcel Lagman urging the House committee on legislative franchises to immediately act on the pending bills Next page

ESPENIDO SLAMS FAILURE OF INTEL NEWS A3

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Singson crows about benefits from 3rd telco

By Macon Ramos-Araneta NARVACAN, Ilocos Sur Mayor Luis “Chavit” Singson on Monday guaranteed subscribers would have better benefits from the Philippines’ third telecommunications company Dito, formerly Mislatel.

Mislatel is now putting up cell sites nationwide, which will be open for use by the other telecom firms once they become operational.

To bolster his assertion of a better third telecoms firm, Singson also said the cell sites would expand network coverage.

As League of Municipalities president, he vowed to provide free Wi-Fi connectivity in all municipalities in the country.

The LCS Group of Companies, owned by Singson, is a major investor in Dito.

The 78-year-old Singson, who started his political career as Vigan City councilor in 1963, heads the LCS conglomerate with business interests in automobile dealership and telecommunications.

At the same time, Singson aired his support for federalism, which he believes would immensely benefit more than 1,400 towns and municipalities throughout the country.

“This can be realized through faster allocation of budgeting requirements for their respective developmental projects,” Singson said.

He regretted that the system places local government units at a disadvantage when requiring program funding that usually comes from the national government.

He cited as his best achievement in his long years in public service the passage of R.A. 7171, which allocates a bigger percentage of excise taxes to the towns from where the taxes were collected.

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Also covered are painkillers, medicines for psoriasis, and immuno-supressants or drugs used to make the body less likely to reject a transplanted organ.

The maximum retail prices of drugs identified in the order apply to all medicines in all outlets, including drugstores, hospitals, pharmacies, convenience stores, and supermarkets.

The price cap for wholesale prices, on the other hand, will be imposed on all manufacturers, traders, and distributors.

Within 30 days of the issuance of the order, a technical working group from the Health and Trade departments will review the prices of the remaining 36 drug molecules or 72 drug formulas previously proposed, the EO states.

The order also stated that within a non-extendable period of 90 days from the EO’s effectivity, existing medicines in the market are allowed to be sold at the prevailing prices.

The Department of Health earlier said that the prices of selected medicines in the EO were expected to have a mean reduction of 56 percent from the prevailing market prices once the order takes effect.

The measure, Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said, was part of the “real and lasting reform” that President Duterte has instituted.

“Access to affordable and quality drugs and medicines is now a reality under the Duterte administration,” he said.

The Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Association of the Philippines said it will comply with the EO, but called on the government to closely monitor its impact on the pharmaceutical industry and the general public.

With Macon Ramos-Araneta

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Tovera said he has submitted to the committee a list of establishments that serve as prostitution havens servicing mostly Chinese nationals.

In the same hearing, Hontiveros grilled immigration officials on the socalled pastillas, which they all referred to as “something sweet.”

They denied knowing about pastillas—in which corrupt airport employees and officials receive kickbacks to facilitate the entry of Chinese nationals, who pay a “service fee” of P10,000.

But Immigration Deputy Commissioner J. Tobias Javier and Port Operations Division head Grifton Medina said this was the first time they had heard of the practice.

Medina acknowledged, however, that some airport officials have already been reassigned as part of measures to combat corruption.

Javier said personnel changes have been made at the airport, and noted that visa upon arrival documents are not processed at the airports.

A video of a corrupt airport employee at work showed that POGO workers got special treatment.

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Ex-PhilHealth chief named DOH asec

By MJ Blancaflor

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ORMER Philippine Health Insurance Corp. acting president Roy Ferrer has been appointed assistant secretary at the Department of Health.

Ferrer resigned from PhilHealth in June The President, however, cleared Fer2019 following the controversies hound- rer of any wrongdoing, saying he did not ing the state insurance firm involving the have the slightest doubt on his “integrity alleged financing of bogus dialysis treat- and honesty.” ment for patients who were already died.

The list of new appointees include

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Meñez said the embassy in Abu Dhabi has been in touch with UAE authorities to ensure that the patient, a UAE resident, is given care and support.

The DFA has released a department circular encouraging their personnel to postpone or cancel non-essential foreign travels to COVID-19-affected areas, Meñez said.

If an official trip has to be undertaken, he said DFA personnel should refrain from passing through China and its special administrative regions Hong Kong and Macau.

A health official on Monday said the Japan embassy and the owners of the m/v Diamond Princess now quarantined at Yokohama Port have requested the repatriation of 538 Filipinos at the end of the quarantine period for COVID-19 on Feb. 19.

“The Japan Embassy and even the m/v Diamond Princess have been saying that the quarantine period for passengers of the cruise ship as well as the crew members is already forthcoming,” said DOH Assistant Secretary Maria Rosario Vergeire in a media briefing.

“So they are targeting and requesting if we can already do the repatriation once the quarantine period is over,” she added.

Vergeire said the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases is still discussing the repatriation of Filipinos who remain under quarantine in the vessel.

She said the task force has yet to identify the facility that will be used to isolate all the Filipinos once they return to the country.

The total number of infected individuals in the cruise ship has risen to 356.

The cruise ship was placed under quarantine at the Yokohama Port near Tokyo after an 80-year-old passenger tested positive for COVID-19 on Feb. 1, a week after disembarking in Hong Kong. On Feb. 3, the remaining 3,700 crew and pas-

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In the early hours of Monday morning, a convoy of buses driven by people in head-to-toe protective suits removed American passengers from the ship after a makeshift passport control.

There were no health checks at that point, said US passenger Sarah Arana, a 52-year-old medical social worker, who said the US government should have acted “much sooner, at the beginning.”

“I am happy and ready to go,” Arana said before leaving the ship. “We need a proper quarantine. This was not it.”

The US Embassy in Japan confirmed two jets had left Japan en route to the US. Those on board were expected to undergo a further 14-day quarantine period on US soil.

Some Americans on the ship, however, declined the government’s offer.

“My health is fine. And my two-week quarantine is almost over. Why would I want to be put on a bus and a plane with other people they think may be infected when I have spent nearly two weeks isolated from those people?” tweeted Matt Smith, an American lawyer on the ship with his wife.

He described a fellow American passenger standing on her balcony chanting “USA, USA” as buses arrived to collect them.

“Of course, in contravention of the rules of quarantine, she’s not wearing a face mask, and she’s talking with a passenger on the adjacent balcony... And you wanted me to get on a bus with her?”

Forty of the US passengers tested positive for the virus and were rushed to hospitals in Japan, said Anthony Fauci, a senior official at the National Institutes for Health. It was not immediately clear if they were already counted among the 355 known cases on the ship.

In China, authorities have placed about 56 million people in Hubei and its capital Wuhan under quarantine, virtually sealing off the province from the rest of the country in an unprecedented effort to contain the virus.

New cases outside the epicenter have been declining for the last 13 days. There were 115 fresh cases outside the central province--sharply down from nearly 450 a week ago.

Chinese authorities have pointed to the slowing rise in cases as proof their measures are working to stem the spread, even as the death toll climbed to 1,770.

sengers of the vessel were asked to stay on the ship.

DOH data as of noon Feb. 17, showed that a total of 453 patients monitored for COVID-19 have tested negative for the viral infection.

The latest DOH case tracker indicated there were 521 patients under investigation monitored by the department for COVID-19.

Of this number, 347 patients have already been discharged, while 171 remain admitted in different hospitals The remaining three are the confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus—all Chinese nationals—one of which died on Feb. 1.

The patients monitored for COVID-19 need to yield two consecutive negative results before they can be released from isolation in hospitals.

In a statement red by Vergeire, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said the decrease in the number of admitted patients under investigation reflects the department’s strengthened surveillance, assessment and management intervention for COVID-19.

“Although we see a decreasing trend, the department will not be complacent and will be more vigilant as we brace for the possibility of local transmission in our country,” he said.

As of noon Sunday, a total of 498 patients were monitored by the DOH for COVID-19.

There are only 22 cases with pending test results while the remaining patients have yet to submit specimens for testing.

“We cannot underscore more the importance of regular hand washing and observance of cough etiquette to prevent the spread of the COVID-19,” Duque said.

Meanwhile, Duque said the 49 repatriated Filipinos from Hubei, China being quarantined at the New Clark City Athlete’s Village show no signs or symptoms of respiratory illness. Repatriates are monitored twice a day.

The DOH also said as of Feb. 17, the Epidemiology Bureau reported that of the 280 interviewed contacts of the first and But World Health Organization head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has warned it is “impossible to predict which direction this epidemic will take.”

And concerns remain about the global transmission, especially on cruise ships which appear to have become especially virulent breeding grounds.

Fears are growing for passengers on the Westerdam cruise ship, who all received a clean bill of health when they disembarked in Cambodia–a staunch ally of Beijing.

One of the passengers was stopped by authorities in Malaysia over the weekend when she was detected with a fever and later diagnosed with the virus.

The 83-year-old American woman is under observation at a hospital while her husband, 85, is also being monitored.

Malaysia insisted Sunday it had correctly diagnosed coronavirus in the elderly American woman from the Westerdam cruise ship despite all passengers having been given a clean bill of health when they disembarked in Cambodia.

Some 137 passengers from the Westerdam who also took the Malaysia flight with the American have now left on commercial flights for other destinations.

There were more than 2,200 passengers and crew on the ship when it docked in Sihanoukville, many of whom have now dispersed around the globe.

Cruise operator Holland America said late Sunday it was in “close coordination” with Malaysian and Cambodian officials alongside experts from the World Health Organization and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The company is working with “national health authorities to investigate and follow up with individuals who may have come in contact with the guest,” said Dr. Grant Tarling, the operator’s chief medical officer.

Some 233 passengers and 747 crew remain on the Westerdam, which is still docked at Sihanoukville. Authorities have been allowing them to leave the vessel in waves based on their flight bookings but those on board said they are now not permitted to disembark.

The Cambodian Ministry of Health said Sunday it was “actively searching for any suspected cases” and urged the public “not to worry too much.”

With tourism battered and global supply chains disrupted by the virus, experts are fretting about the toll it could take on a fragile global economy. AFP

Health department spokesman Eric Domingo who was appointed Food and Drug Administration director-general after serving as officer in charge since May 2019, and lawyer Lorna Kapunan who was named Cultural Center of the Philippines board member.

Meanwhile, former IBC-13 president and chief executive Katherine Chloe de Castro, the daughter of former vice president and broadcaster Noli de Castro, has been named a member of PTV-4’s board, according to a list of appointments re-

leased by the Palace on Monday.

Before her appointment, De Castro supported Duterte’s national campaign in 2016 and served as undersecretary of the Department of Tourism. She was involved in a series of controversies that led to her resignation.

De Castro obtained her Communication Arts degree from Miriam College and started her broadcasting career as a field reporter of ABS-CBN before hosting her own travel and business magazine show in the network.

second cases of COVID-19, 221 have completed the required home quarantine procedure, while 14 are still on home quarantine.

The remaining 45 contacts were admitted as patients under investigation and 31 were eventually discharged. Two are still currently admitted, six are under strict monitoring and six have already left the country.

On the third confirmed case, a total of 255 (34 percent) out of 740 contacts were traced, including co-passengers and individual contacts from hotels and hospitals.

The death toll due to the viral infection jumped to over 1,700 globally, mostly in mainland China, including five people in the Philippines, Hong Kong, Japan, France, and Taiwan. More than 71,000 people have been infected.

As the COVID-19 scare has dramatically reduced the number of foreign visitors, the Tourism Department announced that President Rodrigo Dutere would visit local destinations to promote domestic travel.

Tourism Undersecretary Art Boncato said his department has been coordinating with the Office of the President to set Duterte’s schedule.

Among the provinces that the President will possibly visit are Cebu, Bohol, and Boracay in Aklan, Boncato said.

“We are ready. Even local government units and the private sector in the regions are also prepared for the President’s visit,” Boncato told reporters in a Malacañang briefing.

Also on Monday, Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian on Monday urged the Philippines to reexamine the travel ban that it earlier imposed on China and its special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau.

Huang said any decision that will be imposed to curb the spread of COVID-19 should be based on science.

“We hope to see scientific and calm response and scientific measuresto be taken, to prevent the spread of the virus here. We hope there will be a reassessment of the situation so that unnecessary measures will be lifted,” Huang said in a speech

before the Association for PhilippinesChina Understanding.

“On the other hand, of course, we respect the decision of the government of the Philippines. I understand its concern to safeguard the health and safety of its people,” Huang said.

Huang noted that Chinese tourists make 160 million outbound trips each year.

“There will be big blow on tourism industry of this country,” Huang warned, even as he cited reports from the Department of Tourism that losses in the industry could reach P42.9 billion from February to April this year.

Meanwhile, Taiwan reported its first death from the new coronavirus Sunday.

A 61-year-old man from central Taiwan with underlying health problems but no recent overseas travel history died in hospital on Saturday after testing positive for the virus, officials confirmed.

It is the fifth recorded death outside mainland China – previous victims were in the Philippines, Hong Kong, Japan, and France.

“This latest case was an unlicensed taxi driver. His main clients were people who had been to China, Hong Kong and Macao,” health and welfare minister Chen Shih-chung told reporters.

Chen said authorities were examining the driver’s client list and their travel history, in an attempt to trace the possible source of infection.

A 50-year-old male relative of the victim was later confirmed to have contracted the virus, Chen added, although he was not showing any symptoms.

Taiwan’s confirmed cases now stands at 20.

France reported the first coronavirus fatality outside Asia on Saturday, fuelling global concerns about the epidemic.

Nearly 1,000 Taiwanese are still awaiting repatriation in Hubei province—the epicenter of the outbreak— fter Beijing and Taipei accused each other of “political manipulation,” causing delays.

Taiwan did fly 247 people from Hubei’s capital Wuhan on mainland-owned China Eastern Airlines flight on Feb. 3. AFP

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calling for the renewal of the franchise of ABSCBN. Lagman said the number was enough for the chamber to “report out without further delay for plenary action” on the measure.

“I don’t want to rock the boat in the House, but if the foot-dragging would continue, then I would endorse that because the number of signatories to the resolution is more than the required one-fifth of the membership of the House to move to discharge,” he said.

“What is needed is only 60, one-fifth of 302 or 303 is 60.4. The 91 is way above the requisite of one-fifth [of the members].”

Senator Grace Poe, head of the Senate public service committee, said the Senate will proceed with its own hearing on ABS-CBN’s legislative franchise without waiting for action from the House of Representatives.

Saying a franchise bill should emanate from the House, Poe, however, said there had been instances when both chambers of Congress would hold simultaneous hearings.

The House franchise committee has not heard several bills seeking to renew ABS-CBN’s franchise, which will expire in March.

Poe said they were still looking for a venue in the Senate for the hearing of the ABS-CBN franchise.

Drilon filed Senate Joint Resolution 11 amid uncertainties on the fate of the network when its 25-year franchise expires on March 30.

Drilon, in his resolution, said both the Senate and the House of Representatives needed additional time to review, assess and determine whether or not the franchise of ABS-CBN should be renewed He noted that there were only 12 session days left before the next adjournment of Congress on March 14.

Drilon thus seeks to extend the validity of the franchise of ABS-CBN until Dec. 31, 2022 in order to give Congress enough time to study the various bills seeking the renewal of the franchise granted to the network.

“On March 30, 2020, more than 11,000 families will go home jobless and millions of viewers will be affected if we do not act on this resolution immediately. I therefore urge for the immediate passage of this resolution,” Drilon said.

Republic Act 7966, enacted into law on March 30, 1995, granted the ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corp. a franchise “to construct, operate and maintain, for commercial purposes and in the public interest, television and radio broadcasting stations in and throughout the country. The term of the franchise is for 25 years, which is set to expire on March 30. With Maricel V. Cruz

findings, then he would not prohibit it,’’ Panelo told reporters.

Meanwhile, the Dangerous Drugs Board said Monday the recent approval of a cannabis product would not increase the chances of the government’s legalization of medical marijuana.

In an interview over CNN Philippines, DDB chairman Catalino Cuy said “on the contrary, this will just show that they don’t need such bill anymore since they can have this medicine for compassionate use.”

He said the approval of marijuana component cannabidiol had the same effect on patients in need, thus invalidating the use of the proposed medical marijuana bill that remains pending in Congress since 2004.

“The DDB would like to clarify that marijuana use remains illegal in the country for both recreational and medical use. The use of cannabidiol, however, is being considered to be allowed for treatment of certain rare forms of epilepsy like Lennox-Gastaut and Dravet Syndrome,” the DDB said in a statement.

The DDB is the government’s policy-making and strategy-formulating body on the prevention and control of drug abuse.

Among the hundreds of components in cannabis, cannabidiol is one of the two most active, the other being tetrahydrocannabinol that produces the “high” or its psychoactive effects.

The World Health Organization says CBD has no indication of any abuse or dependence potential in humans.

About 250,000 children in the country suffer from epileptic seizure disorder and they are expected to benefit from the move of the DDB, according to Donnabel Cunanan, spokesman of the Philippine Cannabis Compassion Society. With Rio N. Araja

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‘Bikoy’ posts bail, but won’ t go under WPP

Show cause order filed vs. 97 LGUs INTERIOR Secretary Eduardo Año on Monday said that the department had asked 97 local government units to explain why they failed to clear roads within their jurisdiction of obstructions.

Año issued the show cause order after the said LGUs failed to comply with a 2019 DILG memorandum ordering all LGUs to clear primary and secondary roads of obstruction with a 60-day deadline.

According to the DILG, a total of 6,682 primary and secondary roads nationwide have been cleared of all types of obstructions.

Año issued a new memorandum, this time, directing all barangay officials to clear tertiary roads in their respective areas.

In the new memorandum, Año directed the LGUs to continue the implementation of the road-clearing directive and ensure that their efforts to maintain cleared roads are sustained.

Ex-envoy cleared of graft charges THE Sandiganbayan on Monday cleared a former ambassador who was charged for allegedly misusing $17,000.

The anti-graft court’s Special Fourth Division reversed the guilty vedict for graft and malversation rendered on former Philippine Permanent Representative to the UN Lauro Baja Jr. over the alleged misuse of $17,542.27 worth of insurance claims due to lack of evidence.

In a split 3-2 decision, gave weight to the affidavit of former Consul General of Guam Teresita Lopez-Mendiola that opening a separate bank account for the insurance money is not prohibited by any law.

“The narration of Consul General Mendiola serve to belie any ill-motive on the part of the accused. In fact, they directly contradict the allegation that he acted in evident bad faith in handling the insurance proceeds he received on behalf of the Philippine Mission in New York,” the anti-graft court said.

Maricel V. Cruz

100% pending cases resolved—DAR chief THE Department of Agrarian Reform has resolved 100 percent of its backlog of pending cases, “a historic first for the agency,” according to Secretary John Castriciones.

At a media briefing in Quezon City, Castriciones said “we resolved the pending cases as expeditiously as possible while ensuring that decisions are fully supported by the evidence on record, the law and the applicable jurisprudence.”

The zero backlog program was launched in January 2019 in compliance with President Rodrigo Duterte’s instruction to resolve all cases and deliver legal assistance in a fair and speedy manner, he said. Rio N. Araja

Quiboloy’s church wins case in LA LAWYERS of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ found evidence that the alleged witnesses to the human trafficking and immigration fraud charges against three KJC administrators in Los Angeles made false claims.

“The team of lawyers defending the three administrators of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ led by myself is presently in possession of evidence that witnesses to the human trafficking and immigration fraud charges against three Kingdom of Jesus Christ administrators in Los Angeles were lying about many things to the FBI, Immigration and many other agencies to support their claims. The witnesses are former church workers of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ, who left the fold,” Michael Jay Green, general counsel of KJC Los Angeles, said.

Green said in a statement that the testimonies of the witness paints the entire church to be an “illusion” which brought people to the United States from the Philippines, promised them careers in music and forced them to work as slaves soliciting money.

‘Trans women’ profiling slammed MILITANT group Bahaghari on Monday condemned the profiling and arrests being conducted by the Makati City Philippine National Police against transgender women.

“The name of the operation plan itself, Oplan X-Men, disgustingly reeks of discrimination and transphobia, and the invalidation of the gender identity of trans women,” said Bahaghari.

The arrests are also based on the stereotyping of the gender expression of trans women, whom the PNP derisively refer to as “ladyboys,” and are then tagged immediately as prostitutes to be profiled in the police’s supposed “antitrafficking” scheme, the group said.

Willie Casas

By Rio N. Araja

HISTORIC. House Majority Leader and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez (left, seated) with Senator Koko Pimentel (center, seated) and

Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez (right) share a historic moment with the officers of the US-Phillippine Society group led by its president Amb. John Maisto (left, standing), Kevin Lyon (second from left), Harry Howard (third from left) and Thomas Hobbard (right, standing) during the US-Phillippines Society board of directors meeting and business mission at the Manila Peninsula Hotel in Makati City. Ver Noveno

Duterte wants evidence; Espenido blames poor intel

By MJ Blancaflor

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RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte’s view on Lt. Col. Jovie Espenido may change if there is evidence proving his involvement in illegal drugs, the Palace said Monday even as the police official said his inclusion in the government’s narco-list was a result of a “failure of intelligence.”

In an interview with online news site Rappler, Espenido accused those behind the controversial drug list of failing to vet the information they received. He offered his theory that drug lords have convinced his higherups of his involvement in the illegal narcotics trade.

“It was a failure of intelligence gathering because they did not process the information,” Espenido said.

For his part, Presidential Spokesman

Salvador Panelo said Duterte, who earlier vouched for the integrity of Espenido, might still change his mind if there is evidence presented against the official who gained notoriety for leading police operations that resulted in the death of two mayors allegedly involved in the drug trade.

“The President’s position is based on intelligence info given to him but if those circumstances change, then necessarily, you will have to change his

Drilon joins Sotto at SC on VFA query

By Macon Ramos-Araneta SENATE Minority Leader Franklin Drilon said he will join Senate President Vicente Sotto III and other administration senators in filing a petition that will question in the Supreme Court the President’s decision to terminate the Visiting Forces Agreement without the concurrence of the Senate.

He said this will be a bipartisan move to assert the Senate’s role in foreign policy.

While President Rodrigo Duterte is the chief architect of the country’s foreign policy, he said the Constitution is clear that such a very critical role is shared with Congress, particularly the Senate.

Drilon said that Sotto told him that he is already preparing the petition and asked him to be a coauthor. Drilon confirmed that he would join the petition as a co-author.

Since the Constitution is silent on the termination of treaties and international agreement, he said it is only the Supreme Court that can rule with finality on the issue.

“The Supreme Court should rule on this issue once and for all. We cannot continue putting the fate of critical treaties such as the VFA, which termination has far-reaching consequences, in the hands of one man,” he said.

“It is our firm belief that if treaties and international agreements the President entered into cannot be valid without the approval of the Senate, the termination of, or withdrawal from, the same should only be effective with the concurrence of the Senate,” he also said.

Once ratified and concurred in by the Senate, a treaty or an international agreement becomes part of the law of the land. Hence, a treaty may not be undone without that shared power that put it into effect, he added.

In 2018, Drilon and minority senators Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, Bam Aquino, Leila de Lima, Risa Hontiveros, and Antonio Trillanes IV filed a petition urging the Supreme Court to declare the Philippines’ withdrawal from the International Criminal Court “invalid or ineffective.”

The former Justice secretary explained that once the SC ruled in favor of the ICC petition, the termination will be deemed invalid and the membership of the Philippines in the ICC will continue, saying that the VFA will benefit if the SC upholds the power of the Senate.

The four-time Senate President reiterated his call on Senate Foreign Relations Committee, chaired by administration senator Aquilino Pimentel III, to finally report out Senate Resoultion 305, a measure that he authored seeking to assert the role of the Senate in treaty termination or withdrawal.

position,” Panelo told reporters.

“He (Duterte) always rely on presumption of innocence unless you show him evidence,” the Palace official added.

Panelo also said the Philippine National Police should not let the President’s opinion affect their probe on Espenido who was revealed to be part of Duterte’s drug list.

On Friday, Duterte expressed confidence that Espenido was “clean” and the allegations were merely part of a propaganda, despite the confirmation of Interior Secretary Eduardo Año that the police official was included in the watchlist of those involved in the drug trade.

Año earlier said Espenido will go through adjudication process even if the President vouched for his integrity, and Panelo said this is the “correct position” on the issue, adding that the police official is not yet off the hook.

PETER Joemel Advincula, who admitted being the hooded “Bikoy,” on Monday posted a P10,000 bail before the Quezon City Metropolitan Trial Court over the case of conspiracy to commit sedition filed against him.

Advincula was accompanied by his lawyer, Lorenzo “Larry” Gadon, when he arrived at Branch 138 yesterday afternoon.

He was charged with sedition as the man behind the ”Ang Totong Narcolist” series of videos linking President Rodrigo Duterte and his children to illegal drug activity.

Aside from Advincula, also charged before the same QC court were former Senator Antonio Trillanes, Fr. Albert Alejo, Fr. Flaviano Villanueva, film actor Joel Saracho, Boom Enriquez, Jonnel Sangalang, Eduardo Acierto and one “Monique.”

Gadon said that Advincula refused to be placed under the Department of Justice’s witness protection program but may agree to become a state witness against his co-accused.

“He [Advincula] does not want to be placed under the WPP [Witness Protection Program] as he finds it too restrictive, its like prison. But he is willing to be a state witness,” Gadon said in a message to reporters.

Last Friday, Judge Kristine Grace Suarez ordered the arrest of Advincula and the other co-respondents.

Villanueva and Alejo subsequently posted bail.

Advincula incriminated his coaccused in a plot to smear President Duterte and his family in a series of videos released during the campaign period last year.

The complaint alleged that Trillanes and his co-accused are involved in “circulating malicious and scurrilous libels and fabricating evidence against him and his immediate family members, making it appear that the president and his family are engaged in a drug trade syndicate, with no other purpose but to inflict an act of hate or revenge against the president and his immediate family members.”

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Opinion

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2020

Bombshells

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

needed to overturn a Presidential veto. The Supreme Court continues to be dominated by Duterte appointees.

As for the public, these are the same folks who still support the President by overwhelming margins.

EXPECTEDLY for someone with his Regardless of how they feel about famously unpredictable reputation, his treatment of the network, they the President threw a number of pretty will always viscerally trust the plainremarkable bombshells throughout spoken former mayor as someone who genuinely has their back. the week that was.

The Lopezes face an uphill battle Early last week, Solicitor General which may Calida started last until 2022. the fireworks To start with, by going to the though, they Supreme Court might wish to More breast-beating by with a quo warexplain why ranto petition sundry parties they pulled to nullify the Duterte’s ads broadcast franduring the 2016 chise of ABScampaign, and CBN. Among on top of that, the accusations raised by Calida: refused to return his money. It’s a the Lopez-owned network violated simple explanation we’re still waiting its franchise by selling for-pay serto hear amidst all their breast-beating vices to its viewership; violated the Constitution by issuing depositary about press freedom. It would be so receipts to foreigners; and violated easy to mollify the President with that securities laws by not issuing public explanation—unless, of course, they can’t explain it after all. shares on time. *** Concurrently, the franchise is now In the middle of the week, Foreign also being reviewed by Congress for Secretary Teodoro Locsin was possible renewal beyond its March instructed by the Executive Secretary, expiry. A lot of hair-pulling has been on the President’s behalf, to formally indulged in by various politicians notify the US Embassy that the who’re only too aware of the popular Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) network’s hold on public sympathies, which was only confirmed when would expire after a mandatory sixsomething like 80 percent of month notice period.

Again, more breast-beating by respondents told a survey that, yes, sundry parties. The US defense they favored renewal of the franchise. secretary called it a “wrong move.” The However, if push comes to shove, Australians warned of a “disastrous less than 50 of the congressmen have weakening” of the region’s defenses. actually signed on to the cause of

I

No reason to smile

N A display of what may be misplaced optimism, a Filipino crew member of the Diamond Princess posted a video of her and her colleagues in the kitchen staff dancing to a pop song in the galley of the cruise liner, which has been quarantined for the deadly new coronavirus (COVID-19) off the coast of Japan since Feb. 3.

In a tweet, the crew member, Mae Fantillo, said, “We all know that we [are] facing a crisis here in Diamond Princess due to nCoV but hey we still managed to smile, laugh and dance. For our family and friends to know we [are] OK here and we will stand together as one until we finish the quarantine.”

With every passing day, however, there seems less reason to smile, laugh or dance.

On Monday, the Department of Foreign Affairs announced that the number of Filipinos onboard the cruise ship who have tested positive for COVID-19 is now 27.

Citing a report from the Philippine Embassy in Tokyo, the DFA said the number includes the 16 new cases that were confirmed on Saturday, Feb. 15.

All 27 Filipinos who tested positive for the virus are crew members of the cruise ship. About 530 Filipinos work on the Diamond Princess—and their fate remains uncertain.

In contrast, American evacuees left Japan on chartered aircraft that were flying them home Monday.

And amid growing criticism of Japan’s handling of the ship, governments scrambled to repatriate their citizens, with Canada, Australia, Italy, Israel and Hong Kong poised to follow Washington’s lead.

In the early hours of Monday morning, a convoy of buses driven by people in head-to-toe protective suits removed American passengers from the ship after a makeshift passport control.

One US passenger, a 52-yearold medical social worker, said the US government should have acted much sooner.

“I am happy and ready to go,” she said. “We need a proper quarantine. This was not it.”

Indeed, the notion that 3,700 passengers should be cooped up on the same ship for 14 days with carriers of COVID-19 seems, with the benefit of hindsight, a particularly ineffective way to limit the spread of the virus. In fact, outside China, the biggest cluster of infections is on the Diamond Princess, where coronavirus cases have climbed quickly to 355 despite passengers being confined to their cabins during a 14-day quarantine.

Sadly, until this week, the government response to the situation has been to passively report now and again on new infections among the Filipino crew. It was only this week that health and foreign affairs officials said they were planning to repatriate the Filipinos— something they should have been done the moment they realized how many of them were in peril.

Surely, this is no reason to smile— much less laugh, or dance.

Turn to A5

renewal, well short of the 200-plus

No sedition, no conspiracy any act of hate or revenge upon any public officer or employee, or his/ her property; d) to commit, for any political or social end, any act of hate or revenge against private persons THE Department of Justice has or any social class; or e) to despoil, cleared Vice President Leni Robredo, for any political or social end, any several bishops, politicians, and person, municipality or province, or lawyer of all charges in relation the national government of any part to the Bikoy tapes that alleged the of, or all of its property.

On the other hand, conspiracy to complicity of President Duterte and commit sedition is committed when his son Paolo in the illegal drugs trade. two or more persons come to an It should be recalled that Peter Joemel agreement to commit sedition and Advincula alias “Bikoy” claimed that decide to commit it as defined under the aforementioned personalities and Article 141 in relation to Article 139 others were the masterminds of the (sedition) of the RPC. production of those tapes which was Clearly, the Department of Justice intended to incite the overthrow of the is wrong here. There can be no Duterte government. conspiracy to commit sedition when While clearing many respondents, there is no sedition in the first place. the Department of Justice, however, The videos, purporting to accuse charged former Senator Antonio Duterte’s family members and allies Trillanes together with six others with of running a drug syndicate, is far conspiracy to from being a commit sedition public uprising under Article 141 to create of the Revised tumult, attained Penal Code. Their Clearly, the by force to arrest has been Department of Justice is achieve certain ordered but since objectives. wrong here. the crime they are Tumults and charged with is d i s t u r b a n ce bailable, none of as defi ned in the accused will Article 153 of spend time in jail.

The State prosecutors claim they RPC is committed when a person/s have “interlocking pieces of proof” cause serious disturbance in a public that provide a “complete picture of the place or establishment. Neither grand conspiracy between and among was the act of uploading the videos some respondents to create hatred attained by force.

Further, one cannot derive therefrom or revenge against the president and that the videos were uploaded to his family with the end in view of achieve the objectives specified in toppling and destabilizing the current Article 141 of RPC. The intent, if administration.” In the resolution the there is one, is to accuse Duterte and state prosecutors said: “Clearly, the allies of running a drug syndicate, an law punishes mere conspiracy or the allegation so far removed from any agreement itself to raise commotion specifi ed grounds in the cited article and disturbances; violate or endangers such as preventing the president from the public peace of the State.” They enforcing a law, freely exercising his made it clear though that the crime of functions, or infl icting any act of hate sedition was not actually carried out. or revenge upon the president.

Under the law the crime of sedition To reiterate, there is absence of is committed by “persons who rise sedition when there is no overt act/s publicly and tumultuously” to attain that can be described as public uprising “by force” any of the following causing tumult undertaken by force five grounds: a) to prevent the to achieve certain objective/s. While enforcement of any law or the holding the crime of conspiracy to commit of any popular election; b) to prevent sedition is independent of the crime the government or any public officer of sedition, the former presupposes from freely exercising its or one’s functions, or prevent the execution of t h e l a t t e r. Yo u c a n n o t p r o v e t h e Turn to A5

any administrative order; c) to inflict

Public welfare not served by crackdown on private sector

ARE President Rodrigo Duterte’s recent diatribes against private corporations serving public interest and public welfare?

Apparently not, if we look closely at the possible impact of his recent rampage against the media conglomerate ABS-CBN and water concessionaires Manila Water Co. and Maynilad Water Services Inc. The inevitable result of the shutdown of ABS-CBN if its franchise is not renewed is to throw 11,000 workers out into the streets, unable to support their families and facing an uncertain

President Duterte should listen to the pleas of the many families who depend on ABS-CBN to earn their keep. future. And all this because Duterte said the media outfit “swindled” him by not running his election campaign ads even if he had already paid for them. If indeed that happened, why retaliate by leaving thousands of their management, employees and talents, not to mention service contractors, without jobs? Wouldn’t that be simply inhumane and cruel?

Duterte has also threatened to shut down the two water concessionaires in Metro Manila and send their owners to jail for what he alleges are onerous provisions in their contracts that are grossly disadvantageous to the government. He even wants the military to take over the management and operations of the water firms.

What? Will deploying army privates and staff sergeants to operate water distribution facilities lead to more efficient water supply to communities, particularly those that already suffer from low water pressure, if they get any water from their taps at all?

But there’s an even bigger reason for the private sector to be very anxious— afraid, very afraid even—of what the administration is capable of doing.

It’s the adverse impact of presidential Turn to A5

Rolando G. Estabillo Publisher can be accessed at: manilastandard.net Published Monday to Sunday by Philippine Manila Standard Publishing Inc. at 6/F Universal Re Building, 106 Paseo de Roxas, corner Perea St., Legaspi Village, Makati City. Telephone numbers 832-5554, 832-5556, 832-5558 (connecting all departments), (Editorial) 832-5554, (Advertising) 832-5550. P.O. Box 2933, Manila Central Post Office, Manila. Website: www. manilastandard.net

MEMBER

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Board Member & Chief Legal Adviser Treasury Manager Head—Ad Solutions Circulation Manager

Ramonchito L. Tomeldan Chin Wong/Ray S. Eñano Joyce Pangco Pañares Adelle Chua

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Chairman Emeritus, Editorial Board

Opinion Dismissed ABS-CBN workers air plight

CORONAVIRUS news or the Visiting Forces Agreement controversy take the backseat as far as the beleaguered ABS-CBN is concerned, as there is no more compelling issue now than for it to generate public support for its franchise renewal.

The broadcasting monolith is calling its broad entertainment fan base to uphold its “press freedom.”

It is ironic though that ABS-CBN also raises concern for the fate of over 10,000 employees facing probable displacement. We definitely share the workers’ predicament.

But at least 120 former employees it fired in 2010 have yet to be compensated for back wages and benefits due them. They claim they were illegally dismissed and have been fighting the network in court for their unpaid overtime, holiday, and hazard pay on top of the illegal termination and security of tenure.

These men who worked as lightmen, audiomen, cameramen, camera control unit operators, VTR playback operator, assistant cameraman, drivers filed more than P400-million claims versus ABS-CBN which still awaits for the Supreme Court resolution.

“Bago nila sabihin na sinisikil ng Pangulo ang press freedom nila, paano naman yung karapatan naming mga manggagawa na walang awang sinibak nila,” laments Joseph Ong.

Ong was one of those fired in August 2010 during the time of Maria Ressa, who was the vice president for news and public affairs of the said network.

Ong and his fellow dismissed ABSCBN workers wish Congress would order the said network to pay them first before granting its franchise, if it ever gets approved.

Truth be told, this may be a case of “press freedom daw” as much as it is a case of a corporate giant network insisting that it is entitled to special privilege of a TV franchise.

Will Tatay Digong soon have a change of heart?

President Duterte had served ABSCBN notice or fair warning since last year that its franchise is bound to expire in March this year.

Unfortunately, yours truly is not a legal luminary that can delve on the intricate merits of arguments from either sides of pros and cons to the ABS-CBN franchise revocation. But as an ordinary Juan de la Cruz on the streets, I have certain questions.

How is the TV network’s expired franchise any different from a restobar’s expired or revoked business permit resulting in its closure in the same way that water utility companies possibly getting their contracts cancelled due to onerous terms?

Bombshells From A4

Local armchair pundits predicted gloom and doom. Some of them even went so far as to insinuate that Duterte was treasonously coordinating with the Chinese to weaken the US strategy of encircling China from the seas.

But the people who know better have been saying otherwise. No less than the AFP chief of staff is confident that the Philippines can build its own self-reliant defenses, thank you. Future military alliances have been bruited about—with Russia, Japan, the UK, even China itself— the possibilities are turning out to be so many. As for US President Trump, he said he wasn’t bothered, and even thanked Duterte for helping him to save a lot of money— the same message he’s bringing to other US allies whom he now wants to share in the cost of US military presence on their soil.

I was still living abroad when the US bases here were closed down in the early nineties, but I understand that the experience was pretty traumatic for a country whose loyalties—even today—run so much more to the United States than to anybody else. But that trauma has subsided, and now the former bases have become growth poles. The lesson here is simple: Growing up also means growing away, and that’s never easy to do. *** By the end of the week, since he was already smashing so many sacred cows, Duterte went after a smaller but no less important one: the idea that development and expansion can go on without limit. In its place, he’s raising a new totem: that of environmental sustainability, which is fast becoming the mantra for the new age.

Speaking, ironically enough, at the inauguration of the Sangley Airport development project, Duterte said he will reject all future Manila Bay reclamation projects “because they will just choke the entire city of Manila.”

Only government projects—including Sangley—will be entertained. Off the table are up to 25 privately sponsored

Public...

From A4

pique on the economy as a whole.

If the government can cancel contracts signed with the private sector many years ago for alleged onerous provisions, won’t that make both local and foreign investors think twice or even thrice about doing business in the country?

As things now stand, our latest GDP growth rate is considered the lowest in the past eight years, if I’m not mistaken. Foreign direct investments or FDIs have not been coming to the Philippines in droves as expected, but are taking advantage of a more welcoming environment among our Southeast Asian neighbors whose policies do not change in midstream. Even the stock market has been taking a plunge of late, telling us that investor sentiment is really down.

Given this, can capital flight not be far behind? If this happens, then we can be sure that investor confidence in the Philippine economy will further weaken.

The closure of ABS-CBN and renegotiation of concession agreements with water distribution firms will not only erode investor confidence in the economy, but also make international debt watchers such as Fitch, Standard & Poor’s (S&P) and Moody’s rescind their recent upgrade of the country’s credit rating.

The administration should consider the welfare of the people first before taking any action that can be construed as political vendetta against those who oppose its policies.

Most Duterte Diehard Supporters (DDS) say it is just unfortunate for the Lopezes owned network that it didn’t prove influential enough to get its preferred candidate or “manok” installed in Malacañang that year, as it had gotten used to before.

In the face of a quo warranto petition filed by Solicitor General Jose Calida, ABS-CBN is trying to muster its “star power” to elicit public sympathy and translate fan support into People Power clamor for its franchise renewal.

It’s not surprising, too, that Duterte’s critics and the opposition are exploiting the issue and harping on what they describe as Manong Digong’s vindictiveness over his censored political ad in the 2016 campaign.

When the President ordered the PCSO to shut down Lotto operations, nobody could stop him but he had a change of heart soon afterward, in favor of the tens of thousands small operators and poor people dependent on the gaming operations.

Our fellow Kapamilya Filipinos can only hope that Manong Digong would favor a Congress renewal of the TV network’s franchise, anyway.

My source within the halls of Congress say that the lawmakers are just awaiting the go signal from the President to give the thumbs up sign for ABS-CBN franchise renewal days before it expires this coming March.

Also, my highly reliable source in Malacañang believes Tatay Digs will have a change of heart soon for the sake of the 11,000 lowly workers of the network.

Abangan ang susunod na kabanata.

projects covering 10,000 hectares, spread out from Navotas to Cavite—including four that in fact were already issued notices to proceed.

After the initial euphoria of project launches, the environmentalists are making themselves heard again.

What will be the implications of dumping all that sand into Manila Bay—on animal and fish habitats, bird sanctuaries, vegetation cover, the Pasig and other waterways that empty into the bay, on sewerage and drainage system capacities?

Duterte advised the affected developers they might have to wait till 2022 and a new president, which gives them enough time to beef up the sustainability side of their project proposals.

Meanwhile, down in Boracay, a whale shark was spotted last year, a nest of turtle eggs hatched, and two other egg nesteries are being monitored. All this so soon after DENR’s Cimatu completed the herculean job of cleaning up that long-abused resort. Are those whale sharks, those baby turtles worth the effort he put in? Yes indeed, and by a mile. *** Today’s readings reflect on the mystery of God’s generosity. In the first one (Jas 1: 12-18), the writer— traditionally held to be James, the “brother of Jesus” and head of the Jewish Christian community—reminds us that God is incapable of tempting us to sin. The origin of sin is actually our own desires. What we may expect instead from the “Father of lights” is “all good giving and every perfect gift”, a Divine generosity that is unchanging.

In the Gospel (Mk 8: 14-21), right after Jesus performed the miracle of the seven loaves of bread, the Pharisees started pestering Him for a sign from heaven, to test Him. Even His disciples worried they might not have enough bread in the boat they had taken. Jesus had to rebuke their lack of misunderstanding of the miracle so recently shown them: That God’s generosity, manifested through Him, is boundless. All that is asked from us is faith in Him.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2020

Keynote speech of Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez Joint Assembly of Financial Institutions held on Feb. 13, 2020 THANK you for inviting me to be with you tonight. It is always comforting to be in the company of professionals who appreciate the intricacies of our financial system and the opportunities we must seize to strengthen financial inclusion among the Filipino people.

As you may know, we grew our economy last year by 5.9 percent, slightly missing the lower bound of our target range. The main reason for the slower growth rate was the delay in the enactment of the 2019 national budget. Because of this delay, compounded by the ban on infrastructure projects during the election period, we lost nearly a whole percentage point in GDP growth. Had Congress passed the national budget on time, our GDP last year should have expanded by around 6.8 percent.

The year 2020 began with some unexpected challenges. The African Swine Fever forced us to cull thousands of pigs, resulting in huge losses for our hog raisers. However, the Department of Agriculture is on top of the situation, strictly enforcing biosecurity measures and setting up more quarantine checkpoints, as well as providing more disinfection facilities to manage, contain, and control the spread of the disease. An intensified anti-smuggling campaign and heightened meat inspection efforts are being implemented as well by concerned government agencies.

Meanwhile, the ongoing activity under Taal Volcano could still result in a larger eruption. However, unless and until this actually happens, we can only speculate on the full economic impact of a larger eruption. What I can assure you is that concerned government agencies and local government units are fasttracking the release of production support, livelihood and financial assistance to affected farmers and fishers, and the implementation of recovery and rehabilitation plans for the affected areas.

The new coronavirus or COVID-19, on the other hand, might very well be at an early stage of its global outbreak. However, the government responded to this public concern decisively and continues to implement proactive measures to keep our people safe. We are consoled by the observation that the virus has no local transmissions here unlike other countries.

A significant impact on the economy will most likely be centered on the tourism sector, given the various levels

Readers can write me at gbolivar1952@yahoo.com.

The closure of ABS-CBN will send a chilling effect on other media outfits that have been critical of the Duterte administration. More than an assault on freedom of the press, the non-renewal of the ABS-CBN franchise and the resulting dismissal of 11,000 workers will not help any in achieving the administration’s goal of creating more jobs and lifting more Filipinos from the clutches of poverty.

President Duterte should listen to the pleas of the many families who depend on ABS-CBN to earn their keep.

The media outfit, after all, is one of the country’s biggest taxpayers and also the largest employer of media and entertainment professionals. Leaving them jobless will have an adverse impact on the media and entertainment industries.

We take a dim view of the legal maneuvers of the administration against perceived critics. The quo warranto petition filed by the Office of the Solicitor General against ABS-CBN is a thinly-veiled political harassment against enterprises and individuals considered as enemies of the administration.

Democracy Watch, a group that monitors developments in the political sphere and regularly issues statements against emerging threats to our democratic system, has sounded a warning against what it calls “the beginning of another crony capitalist era that’s even darker than the Marcos dictatorship.”

In this vein, it is timely and proper to ask: Who will be next on the administration’s chopping block? ernhil@yahoo.com

A5

No sedition,...

From A4

of travel bans imposed by national governments and of voluntary decisions of airlines to cut flights to and from China. Our exports to and imports from China might likewise be briefly affected due to temporary closures of factories in Wuhan, which has been under lockdown in an attempt to contain the virus.

While these developments may dampen our growth somewhat, these threats are not enough to force a dramatic reduction in our growth estimates. The 2020 budget has been passed on time. A special law allows us to use the unexpended project funds from 2019. Greater public spending in infrastructure and social services, supported by an expansionary monetary policy and a benign inflation rate, should allow us to dramatically increase our pace of growth this year.

More than most others, you understand the power of prudence in managing other people’s finances, making investment decisions, and ensuring the sustainability of businesses.

In government, prudence is expressed in fiscal discipline.

Ideally, governments should not spend what they have not earned or expect to earn. The sustainability of revenue flows ought to be the first consideration.

Economic investments should be evaluated based on their potential contribution to productivity. We must ensure that public debt is taken on for investments that will enhance our ability to continue our economic growth.

By maintaining fiscal discipline, we have worked down our debt load to a sustainable 41.5 percent of GDP in 2019 from 44.7 percent in 2015.

We continue to register remarkable improvement in our revenues even as we await the enactment of the remaining packages of the comprehensive tax reform program.

Comparing our revenues in 2019 versus those of 2015, our collections improved by 54 percent. Stronger revenue performance enabled us to fund President Duterte’s Build, Build, Build program. With enough fiscal space, spending on infrastructure dramatically grew by 42 percent last year compared to 2015. Clearly, improved revenue flows translate into greater economic investments.

Preliminary data show our tax effort improved from 13.6 percent of GDP in 2015 to 15.1 percent last year, our strongest performance in 22 years.

Dividend collections from government-owned and controlled corporations reached an unprecedented 69 billion pesos last year.

We also led a sustained campaign to crack down on errant Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators or POGOs and their service providers that evade proper taxation. We managed to collect a total of 6.42 billion pesos in taxes from POGOs in 2019—a 169 percent increase from the preceding year. We expect to collect significantly more this year as we properly document and audit the operations of these service providers.

(Continued tomorrow)

Villanueva, SVD for his unrelenting and passionate commitment to the poor and his advocacy for social justice. Charging him with inciting to sedition is laughable.

Finally, I claim Fr. Albert Alejo, SJ to be a close friend. I have known Paring Bert, as we call him, for nearly 40 years. I will always stand by this great poet, for sure a future national artist, a deep thinker of many issues this country and our world faces, a wonderful teacher and mentor, and a holy and good Jesuit and priest. In any war, I would want to be in the same foxhole as Paring Bert.

Paring Bert, Fr. Flavie, and their companions do not incite people to sedition, anger, and hate. They incite people to love the poor and this country. I stand by them.

conspiracy to commit a crime unless that crime is actually committed.

On a personal note, I know very well some of the personalities charged with inciting to sedition.

I have had the occasion of engaging with Senator Trillanes many times.

He is a courageous politician unafraid of what charges or attacks will be brought against him by this administration.

I do not know Joel Saracho and Boom Enriquez very well but everyone who knows them speaks highly of them.

I do know Yoly Ong and Vicente Romano quite well and for sure can say they are patriots of the highest order, wanting only good for this country.

Facebook: Dean I have always admired Fr. Flavie Twitter: tonylavs

Tony

La

Vina

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News

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2020

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Taal’s activity now shrinking, says Phivolcs

IN BRIEF PCSO’s 6D lotto rolls out ON FEB. 11, the PCSO 6D Lotto game was drawn for the entire Philippines.

For several years 6D Lotto is an exclusive game for Luzon players.

However, PCSO General Manager Royina Garma said “it [6D Lotto] should also be enjoyed by the players in Visayas and Mindanao and to raise additional revenues. The 6D Lotto game is a favorite among PCSO’s games mainly due to the nine chances of winning with just one combination.”

Aside from the First Prize minimum guaranteed amount of P150,000, a player can win P40 matching either the first two or last two digits of the winning combination, P400 matching the first three or last three digits, P4,000 matching the first four or last four digits and P40,000 if they match the first five or last five digits of the winning combination in exact order as consolation prize, PCSO said in a statement.

The First Prize snowballs as long as the winning combination remains unmatched by any 6D Lotto player. The 6D Lotto is drawn every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 9 in the evening and aired live over People’s Television Channel 4 simulcast through PCSO’s Facebook and YouTube accounts.

How to Play the 6D Lotto In a play slip, select one number from zero to nine in each of the six columns in any panel. Or simply tell the lotto teller your numbers and how much you want to play.

You can also go for the Lucky Pick (LP), if you do not have any numbers in mind.

Ticket cost may vary based on the play amount marked. Mark the desired play amount on the AMT column.

Haran victims helped by LGU DAVAO del Norte Gov. Edwin Jubahib and Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito Galvez Jr. led the turn-over in Tagum on Friday of immediate assistance packages to six indigenous peoples families who were rescued by the Davao del Norte provincial government from the Haran facility in Davao City early this month.

Jubahib lauded the 28 individuals who all belong to the Ata-Manobo tribe of Talaingod, Davao del Norte, for their courage to leave Haran where they have been held by the facility’s personnel since last year.

“We know that you want the government to help you—to give you a home and jobs so that all of you will be able to earn a decent living and lead peaceful lives,” Jubahib said in the vernacular as he addressed the victims comprised of men, women and children.

The Haran, which is being run by the United Church of Christ in the Philippines, gained prominence over the past several years for reportedly housing around 500 IPs coming from the provinces of Davao del Norte, Davao de Oro (formerly Compostela Valley) and Cotabato.

BI to deport Russian woman THE Bureau of Immigration is deporting a Russian woman wanted for large-scale fraud.

Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente identified the fugitive as 36-yearold Uba Iuliia, who was arrested last Feb. 6 inside her condominium unit along Legaspi Street, Makati City by operatives from the bureau’s Fugitive Search Unit.

Morente said Iuliia was arrested at the request of Russian authorities which sought the agency’s help in locating the fugitive so she could be deported and prosecuted for her crimes.

The foreigner’s passport was already confiscated by the Russian government, thus she will be deported for being an undocumented and undesirable alien, the Immigration chief said.

In a letter to the bureau in October last year, Russian authorities said Iuliia has a standing arrest warrant issued by the Department of the Ministry of the Internal Affairs in the City of Ulyanovsky, Russia for large scale fraud with abuse of authority.

A suspected accomplice remains at large and is the object of a continuing manhunt by FSU operatives.

A check of the bureau’s travel database revealed that Iuliia had been hiding in the country since July last year when she arrived in Manila as a tourist.

Her name was already placed in the Immigration blacklist to prevent her from returning to the Philippines. Joel Zurbano

BALLOON BURNING. Manila Mayor Francisco ‘Isko’Domagoso presents the teenagers caught in a viral video after burning a balloon vendor in a burning incident in Pandacan, Manila on Feb. 14. The teenagers risk jail time as the mayor stated in a press briefing at the Manila City Hall. Norman Cruz

Romualdez bill to create EVisayas Dev’t Authority

By Maricel V. Cruz

T

WO leaders of the House of Representatives want a bill enacted creating the Eastern Visayas Development Authority (EVDA) to spearhead investment promotion and implement economic development strategies in Region VIII.

Tingog Party-list Rep. Yedda Marie Romualdez and her husband, House Majority Leader and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez, filed House Bill 1155 or an Act Creating the EVDA, Defining its Powers and Functions, Providing Funds Therefor and for Other Purposes.

“With EVDA, we can ensure that our investment priorities and promotion strategies are in sync with our development needs and our regional strengths such as our geographical location, our skilled human resources, and our immense tourism potentials,” the Romualdez couple said.

They added the bill’s enactment would serve as proof of their commitment to empower the local government units in the Eastern Visayas.

“For example, a foreign investor interested in investing in Eastern Visayas need not go to all the local government units in the regions or to a disinterested

ILLUSTRIOUS ISSUE. Institute

for Political and Electoral Reform Executive Director Ramon Casiple, professor Bobby Tuazon, former Ambassador Reynaldo Arcilla and George Siy, guest at Pandesal Forum in Quezon City during discussion of the Visiting Forces Agreement, currently a topdrawer issue.

Manny Palmero

SC sacks judge for not recusing herself

By Rey E. Requejo THE Supreme Court has sacked a municipal trial court judge for not inhibiting from handling a case involving her husband, among other administrative offenses.

In a 16-page en banc decision, the SC also forfeited all retirement benefits, except accrued leave credits, of Judge Analie C. Aldea-Arocena of Municipal Trial Court in the Cities, San Jose City, Nueva Ecjia and ordered her perpetual disqualification from public service for violations of the 2004 Rules of Judicial Conduct and for gross ignorance of the law.

“In order to avoid a negative public perception, the right thing to do for a judge is to recuse from the case. However, Judge Arocena failed to do so in disregard of the canons on impartiality and propriety of the 2004 New Code on Judiciary Conduct,” the SC ruled.

The high court also imposed a fine of P30,000 for the less serious charges of violations of Section 1, Rule 137 of the Rules of

national government agency. He doesn’t even have to be in Tacloban. But through EVDA, one can get the right and concise information and support that he or she needs,” they said.

There is a need for the people of Eastern Visayas to “build our confidence in the future,” according to them.

They cited that Eastern Visayas is very important to the country’s economy being located at the very heart of the Philippines, with the islands of Samar and Leyte serving as island bridges between the country’s northern island of Luzon and the southern region of Mindanao.

“One of the most ecologically diverse regions of the country, the three islands of Samar, Leyte, and Biliran are blessed with land, mineral, energy, and marine resources, making it favorable for agricultural, fishery, and industrial potentials.

Its geothermal resources have also been

tapped, producing electricity for the national power grid. Its coconut, abaca, and other agricultural produce have contributed toward increasing the national economic supply.

“But in spite of its immense potentials and vast resources, Eastern Visayas remains one of the poorest regions in the country today,” the bill said.

In 2013, Typhoon “Haiyan,” one of the strongest typhoons in recorded human history, flattened parts of Eastern Visayas, leaving behind a trail of devastation that has tragically resulted in loss of lives, livelihood, and property.

“But even as it rises from the typhoon, the region continues to be caught up in the vicious cycle of poverty,” the bill said.

“Even before Typhoon Haiyan struck, the incidence of poverty has already been worsening. While the nation’s overall economic situation has been improving on the average, poverty in the region worsened from 2006 to 2012. In 2014, poverty incidence was at 54.9 percent; more than half of the region’s population of 4.10 million is now extremely poor and unable to earn the minimum amount necessary to address their basic needs,” they said.

Court and of violation of reasonable office rules and regulations.

The case stemmed from an anonymous complaint against Judge Arocena filed before the Office Deputy Court Administrator Jenny Lind R. Aldecoa-Delorino on July 3, 2014.

The complaint alleged that Arocena heared and decided on cases involving her husband Ferdinand, who is a member of the board of directors of a cooperative which has a case pending before her court.

The judge was also accused of having mistreated the defendants and even went abroad in March 2009 without securing a travel authority from the Court.

“Coupled with her failure to recuse from the Self-Reliant Cooperative cases, the Court is led to the conclusion that Judge Arocena approved the unconscionable compromise agreements to favor the cooperative, of which her husband is a member of the board of directors.

There is no other way to describe her conduct as gross ignorance of the law and abuse of authority,” the high court stressed.

FEWER volcanic quakes and weak emission of plumes have been observed in Taal for the past 24 hours as the volcano remains under Alert Level 2 (decreased unrest), the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said Monday.

But the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council Operations Center remains on white alert amid the downgrading of Taal Volcano’s alert level from Level 3 to Level 2.

NDRRMC spokesperson Mark Cashean Timbal said the agency continued to monitor the volcano’s activity and situation.

Under white alert, only the staff of the NDRRMC Operations Center is on watch for any new development or signs of unrest on Taal Volcano.

The NDRRMC was on red alert from Jan. 12 to 25; blue alert on Jan. 26; and white alert on Feb. 14.

The PHIVOLCS on Friday lowered the status of Taal Volcano from Alert Level 3 to 2 due to fewer volcanic earthquakes and weak steam or gas emissions at the main crater for the past three weeks following its eruption last Jan. 12.

PHIVOLCS executive director Renato Solidum Jr. earlier explained there were 65 volcanic quakes recorded, compared to 69 the previous day.

Volcanic earthquakes are caused by movements or eruptions of magma from the volcano, PHIVOLCS executive director Renato Solidum Jr. earlier explained.

Steam-laden plumes measured 100 to 200 meters tall, lower than the 200 to 300 in height plume emission the previous day.

A weaker eruption is based on the height of the plume coming out of the crater. Volcanic plume is a column of hot volcanic ash and gas emitted into the atmosphere during an explosive volcanic eruption.

The average sulfur dioxide emission for the past 24 hours reached 58 tonnes, a bit higher than the 53 tonnes recorded the previous day.

PHIVOLCS earlier announced that there is still an imminent threat of an eruption, despite lowering Taal Volcano’s status to Alert Level 2.

Entry into Taal Volcano Island, Taal’s Permanent Danger Zone, is still strictly prohibited, it added.

13 sites now guarded areas THE House of Representatives’ committee on natural resources has approved six bills declaring 13 sites in eight provinces as protected areas that are closed to commercial and large-scale exploitation.

The panel’s chairman, Rep. Elpidio Barzaga Jr. of Dasmariñas City in Cavite, said the 13 would be added to a long list of watersheds, hills, mountains, parks, forest lands, and natural landscapes declared protected under Republic Act 11038, or the Expanded National Integrated Areas System Act of 2018.

He said most of these areas had been subjected to commercial use for decades and were now overexploited.

“We have to protect, regrow and preserve them for the benefit, enjoyment and appreciation of future generations of Filipinos. For instance, watersheds, hills and mountains are among our primary sources of water,” he said.

Barzaga added that the new protected sites covered a combined area of 332,456 hectares.

The new areas proposed to be added to the ENIPAS list include Mt. Arayat in the town of Arayat in Pampanga.

Deputy Speaker and Rep. Aurelio Gonzales Jr. of Pampanga’s third district, which covers Arayat, the mountain “is currently facing environmental challenges like illegal logging.” Maricel V Cruz

Advocacy group warns Philguarantee THE Makabayan bloc has blocked Davao-based busnessman Dennis Uy’s request that his multibillion-peso loans for his business expansion be under a sovereign guarantee.

According to Bayan Muna Chairman Neri Colmenares, Uy’s buying spree involving big companies from 2017 to 2019 was no surprise since he expected backing from the Duterte administration.

However, a government guarantee of the loans clearly showed Uy’s selfish interest which the public, specially Congress, must oppose, Colmenares added.

In a disclosure, the Uy-owned Chelsea and Infrastructure Corp. requested a guarantee from the Philippine Guarantee Corp. for its loans from nominated banks and financial institutions.

Once the government approves Uy’s application, PhilGuarantee will be mandated to pay 90 percent of the loan amount once

Uy fails to pay or defaults in his obligation.

In response, Colmenares warned PhilGuarantee against giving sovereign guarantee to Uy and other big businesses and challenged other agencies to reveal the list of businesses given government guarantee under the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte.

“We warn Philguarantee against giving sovereign guarantee to big businesses at the expense of farmers, SMEs and public housing who need these funds the most. Additionally, we demand Philguarantee not to give guarantees on the basis of the closeness of the applicant to President Duterte instead of on the merits” said Colmenares.

“If the reports that Chealsea Logistics is planning to ask for sovereign guarantee are true, Filipino tax payers should not be made to pay for loans of big business, that could have been used by farmers, Taxpayers must be informed where their tax payers money are spent,” stressed Colmenares.

It remains unclear if the state guarantee being requested by Uy would cover new loans only or will include earlier ones from different institutions.

Until September 2019, Uy has loans amounting to P16 billion from the Development Bank of the Philippines, BDO Unibank, Amalgated Investment Bancorporation, Visayan Surety and Insurance Corp, Philippine National Bank and Beijing-based Bank of China as a result of his ‘buying spree.’

Among thouse bought by Uy’s Udenna Corp. for the past three years were 45 percent stake of Chevron at the Malampaya gas field in Palawan; the Philippine franchise of the international service food chain Wendys, Conti’s Restaurant; Philippine franchise of Family Mart; Uy’s Motorstrada Inc which is now the exclusive general distributor of Ferrari Sports Car’s parts and accessorries in the Philippines.

Sports Manila

Standard

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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2020 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Kawhi, Davis lift LeBron’s team to victory L

OS ANGELES—Kawhi Leonard stole the show on the floor and Hall of Famer Magic Johnson took centre stage in an emotional pre-game ceremony on a night the NBA paid tribute to the late Kobe Bryant.

Chicago’s favorite son Anthony Davis sank one of two free throws to cap a thrilling fourth quarter and lift Team LeBron to a 157-155 win over Team Giannis in Sunday’s 2020 NBA AllStar Game.

Leonard finished with 30 points and seven rebounds and was awarded the new Kobe Bryant MVP award. The trophy was named after the former Los Angeles Laker, who perished along with his daughter Gigi and seven others in a horrific helicopter crash three weeks ago.

“I want to thank Kobe for everything he has done for me, all the long talks and workouts.

Thank you,” said Leonard, who grew up in Riverside, California east of Los Angeles.

Giannis Antetokounmpo finished with 25 points and 11 rebounds to lead Team Giannis who kept the game close right up until the nailbiting finish.

“The guys were taking charges and running back playing defence,” said Leonard of the highly competitive All-Star Game which contrasted sharply with Friday’s benign Rising Stars game that deteriorated into a slam-dunking contest.

With the score 156-155, and new format dictating that the winner needed to be the first to get to 157 points, Davis went to the line for two shots

LeBron James, Nikola Jokic, Ben Simmons, James Harden, Kawhi Leonard , Anthony Davis and Chris Paul celebrate during the 69th NBA All-Star Game at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. AFP

Southwoods eyes redemption in PAL Interclub MANILA Southwoods will go to Bacolod in two weeks thinking of one thing: Starting from scratch.

Denied a fifth straight Philippine Airlines Interclub Men’s championship last year in Cebu, the Carmona-based squad will be fielding another roster that is armed to the teeth as it tries to start off another streak and get one of the strongest programs in the country back on track.

“For us, it’s like we’re starting over again,” non-playing skipper Thirdy Escano said over the phone. “Our players know what it is we missed last year. All credit to Cebu (Country Club), don’t get me wrong, but we

are going all out to get the first of another streak.”

Cebu CC, feeling right at home, pulled off the unimaginable at the PAL Interclub last year, coming from the lower-ranked Founders Division to dethrone Southwoods with fine play and scoring all week.

And Escano believes, unlike last year, that no team will have an advantage in the 72-hole unofficial team championship of the country that gets off the ground on March 4 at the Binitin and Marapara layouts.

Yuto Katsuragawa, the Japanese hotshot, returns for another tour of duty, and Escano tweaked his lineup a bit by recalling a veteran

who was part of Southwoods’ early successes in Vince Lauron, the former pro who will be the team’s second anchor together with Jun Jun Plana.

“Veteran presence was what we lacked last year,” Escano said. “Bringing back Vince addresses that while also providing a lot of firepower for the team.”

Former Junior World champion Kristoffer Arevalo, Jeff Jun, Sean Ramos, Josh Jorge, Masaichi Otake, Santino Laurel and Aguri Iwasaki, who is priming up for the final stage of qualifying for the Asian Tour, are the other members of the loaded Southwoods squad.

EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late CARLOS DEL ROSARIO TORT has been extra-judicially settled among his heirs WITH WAIVER OF RIGHTS consisting of parcels of land with improvements, to wit: • 1/5 share in TCT No. 218380; • 1/3 share in TCT No. RT-125115 (350914).

As per Doc. No. 225; Page No. 46; Book No. V; Series of 2019 before Notary Public ATTY. VERNA LYNN V. ACEVEDA. (MS-FEB. 11 , 18 & 25, 2020 REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES REGIONAL TRIAL COURT NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGION BRANCH 84, - QUEZON CITY THE HEIRS OF THE DECEASED AQUILINO P. LOPEZ namely, AMELEE L. BASABAS, GIRLIE A. LOPEZ and ARNOLD SERGIO RUBEN A. LOPEZ, Plaintiffs, -versus

Notice is hereby given that the intestate of the late Romulo B. Mangahas, who died intestate and without any will or testament and without any outstanding debts in favor of any person or entity has been settled by way of self-adjudication by heir Bienvenida V. Mangahas, of legal age as per Doc. No. 423 page No. 86, Book No. V. Series of 2020, before Notary Public at Quezon City.

TIEZA to launch Intramuros night golf THE Department of Tourism through its Infrastructure Arm—the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority will be launching night golf operations at the Club Intramuros Golf Club on February 26.

The CIGC has undergone renovation since 2018 through the initiative of TIEZA, wherein the agency has invested almost P100 million for the night golf, rehabilitation of the golf course, as well as improvements of the interiors.

The TIEZA will continue on the next phase of the rehabilitation of the CIGC, which will cover the enhancement of its Clubhouse before the end of the year, in addition to being open to a partnership with the private sector for operation and management.

CIGC is known as one of the oldest golf courses in the country and first to offer the night golf in the past. It is located along the historic walls of the Intramuros, which is ap-

proximately 20 hectares in size, full 18 holes par 66 course, with a total span of 4,326 yards.

TIEZA Chief Operating Officer Pocholo Paragas said that one of the very first initiatives of TIEZA was to “redevelop” CIGC to make it more competitive with the other golf courses in the country.

“We consider the completion of the first phase of rehabilitation and the installation of the night golf facilities, one of the major milestones of the agency as this has reaffirmed our commitment to revitalize tourist destinations through the support of tourism infrastructure,” Paragas remarked.

“It is a historic and recreational site in itself.

We prioritize the rehabilitation of this because we want to attract golfers and non-golfers to visit the CIGC because it is not just a golfing facility, it is also a venue for meetings, special events, or any celebrations for families and corporate groups ” Paragas added.

(MS-FEB. 18 / 25 & MAR. 3, 2020)

Republic of the Philippines Province of Isabela

CITY OF CAUAYAN PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP SELECTION COMMITTEE NOTICE OF INVITATION FOR COMPARATIVE PROPOSALS FOR NO CONTACT APPREHENSION PROGRAM (NCAP) Public notice is hereby given that the City Government of Cauayan, Isabela (City) received and accepted the Unsolicited Proposal of Qpax Traffic Systems, Inc., the Original Proponent, for the implementation of a No Contact Apprehension Program.

After completing detailed negotiations, the City is now ready to accept comparative proposals from developers.

The project is being undertaken by the City under a Joint-Venture (JV) arrangement which is a PPP modality under section 10(14) of City Ordinance No. 2018-164, otherwise known as the “City Code Pursuing a Public-Private Partnership for the People Initiative for local governments LGU P4) approach towards development, providing for the procedure for selecting the private sector proponent, adopting, a contract management framework and providing appropriations and for other purposes.

Interested developers must submit their Notarized Expression of Interest (NEOI) to submit comparative proposals on or before March 3, 2020 at the City Legal Office, Cauayan City Hall, 107 Rizal Avenue, District 3, Cauayan City, Isabela.

The notarized expression of interest with supporting documents must contain the following statements: a. The developer is a Filipino citizen or partnership wholly owned by Filipino Citizens or a Filipino corporation with at least 60% of its capital owned by Filipino citizens. b. The developer is financially and technically capable to undertake the project and is capable to post the required proposal or security bond.

CIVIL CASE NO. R-QZN-12206-CV FOR: Annulment of Affidavit of Self- Adjudication and Deed of Absolute Sale and Cancellation and Reinstatement of Transfer Certificate of Title.

c. The developer and/or business partner has undertaken and completed a project similar or related to the subject JV activity within the relevant period.

PBA commissioner Marcial’s father dies PHILIPPINE Basketball Association Commissioner Willie Marcial’s father Dr. Rogelio G. Marcial, M. D., passed away last Sunday morning, leaving behind a legacy of service to the less privileged as a “Doktor Ng Bayan” in Batangas.

Dr. Marcial, 82, was born in Batangas City and earned his medical degree at the University of the East Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center and served his residency at the Robinson Memorial Hospital in Ravenna, Ohio. He was Chairman of Internal Medicine at St. Patrick’s Hospital Medical Center, Batangas City and received patients in his private clinic, also in Batangas City.

An avid sportsman, Dr. Marcial was a

member of the Batangas Rifle and Pistol Group. He was a past director of the Lyceum of the Philippines, Batangas City; past president of the Lions Club, Batangas chapter; and past president of the Samahang Rizal Ng Batangas or Rizalinos. Throughout his life, Dr. Marcial devoted himself to serving people, regardless of class or creed. Dr. Marcial is survived by his wife Corazon, only child Willie and his grandchildren. Dr. Marcial died of congestive heart failure at the Makati Medical Center. His wake is at the Trinity Mortuary Chapel, Pallocan West, Batangas City up to Thursday, Feb. 20. Tentative inurnment is on Friday, Feb. 21. Dr. Marcial’s family requests prayers for the eternal repose of his soul.

d. The developer shall undertake to adhere to all applicable City Ordinance, laws and policies and qualification criteria set by the City. e. The developer must be able to comply to the terms and conditions stated in the Terms of Reference and Joint Venture Agreement.

: SPS. EDGAR A. LOPEZ and CRISTINA C. LOPEZ No. 140 Mariveles St., Sta. Mesa Heights, Brgy. San Isidro Labrador, Quezon City

GREETINGS: YOU are hereby required, within fifteen (15) days after service of this summons upon you, to file with this Court and serve on the plaintiff your answer to the complaint, copy of which is attached, together with annexes. You are reminded of the provision in the IBP-OCA Memorandum on Policy Guidelines dated March 12, 2002 to observe restraint in filing a motion to dismiss and instead allege the grounds thereof as defenses in the Answer. If you fail to answer within the time fixed, the plaintiff will take judgment by default and may be granted the relief applied for in the complaint.

WITNESS my hand under the seal of the Court, this 30th day of January 2020.

(Sgd.) Atty. CARLO EMMANUEL D. ONG Branch Clerk of Court V, RTC-84, Q.C.

Republic of the Philippines National Capital Judicial Region Regional Trial Court Branch 84, Quezon City THE HEIRS OF THE DECEASED AQUILINO P. LOPEZ namely, AMELEE L. BASABAS, GIRLIE A. LOPEZ and ARNOLD SERGIO RUBEN A. LOPEZ, Plaintiffs, -versus

Advertising Department 8832-5547

(Sgd) Atty. Rogelio J. Bolivar

SUMMONS TO

For fast ad results, please call

NOTICE OF EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

SPS. EDGAR A. LOPES and CRISTINA C. LOPEZ Defendants.

TIEZA COO Pocholo Paragas (2nd from left) with top PH golfers (from left) Jobim Carlos, Yuka Saso, and Bianca Pagdanganan at the newly-renovated Club Intramuros Golf Course

after being fouled by Team Giannis’ Kyle Lowry.

“I told my teammates I was going to go to miss the first one and put more pressure on myself to knock down the second one,” said Davis, who grew up in Chicago.

That’s exactly what he did to put a perfect ending on the night which began with another Laker icon Johnson making an emotional speech honouring Bryant in front of a crowd of 20,900 at the United Center in Chicago.

“We’ll never see another basketball player quite like Kobe,” said Johnson, who also paid tribute on Sunday to David Stern, the late NBA commissioner. “Scoring 81 points in one game.

Scoring 60 points in his last game. And then winning five NBA championships.”

James made his 16th all-star start breaking a tie with Bryant for the most all-time. Bryant holds the record for most all-star MVP awards with four.

“His legacy is living on every single day with us,” said James of Bryant.

The league also honored Bryant by having Team Giannis wear his No. 24 and Team LeBron wear his basketball-playing daughter’s No. 2.

Team LeBron earned $400,000 in prize money which they donated to the Chicagoland youth charity Chicago Scholars. AFP

CIVIL CASE NO. Q-19-12206-CV For: Annulment of Affidavit of Self Adjudication and Deed of Absolute Sale and Cancellation and Reinstatement of TCTs

SPS. EDGAR A. LOPEZ and CRISTINA C. LOPEZ, MARIA LORENCIANA B. LEE And REGISTRY OF DEEDS OF QUEZON CITY, Defendants. x----------------------------------------------x

f.

Those who filed their Notarized Expression of Interest (NEOI) on or before March 3, 2020 may obtain from the City Legal Office, Cauayan City Hall, 107 Rizal Avenue, District 3, Cauayan City, Isabela a complete set of Tender Documents upon payment of non-refundable fee of PhP100,000. Only those who filed their NEOI on time and purchased copies of the Tender Documents shall be allowed to participate in this competitive selection procedure or open bidding.

The following schedule of activities shall be strictly observed: Activity

Date

1

Publication of Notice of Invitation for Comparative proposals in a newspaper of general circulation in the Philippines, Philgeps and City Website

February 11, 18 and 25, 2020

2

Posting by the private sector proponent or original proponent of a security bond equivalent to 2% of the development cost of the project- either in cash or surety

February 11, 2020

3

Posting of Notice of Invitation at the bulletin boards of the Cauayan City Hall, Provincial Capitol and City Public Market

February 11, 2020

4

Submission of Notarized Expression of Interest at the City Legal Office, Cauayan City Hall, 107 Rizal Avenue, District 3, Cauayan City, Isabela and release of Tender Documents upon payment of Php100,000 non-refundable fee in cash, manager’s check or bank check

On or before March 3, 2020

5

Eligibility Check to short list qualified Private Sector Propone5nt/s

March 10, 2020

6

Sending notice of eligibility or non-eligibility to Private Sector Proponent

March 13, 2020

7

Pre-selection conference conducted by the PPP Selection Committee at the City Conference Room, Cauayan City Hall, 107 Rizal Avenue, District 3, Cauayan City, Isabela

March 20, 2020, 9 o’clock in the morning, at the Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) Office

8

Submission of Comparative Proposals at the City Legal, Cauayan City Hall,107 Rizal Avenue, District 3, Cauayan City, Isabela

April 2, 2020, 9 o’clock in the morning, at the Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) Office

9

Opening and evaluation of Comparative Proposals at the City Legal office, Cauayan City Hall, 107 Rizal Avenue, District 3, Cauayan City, Isabela

April 2, 2020, 10 o’clock in the morning, at the Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) Office

10

Exercise by the Original Proponent of the right to match the superior or more advantageous comparative proposal

Not later than April 7, 2020

11

Issuance of Notice of Award

ORDER On October 2, 2019, plaintiffs, through counsel, filed an “Ex-Parte Motion for Leave of Court to Serve Summons By Publication” before this Court.

It was alleged in the said Motion that the summons was returned unserved upon defendants-spouses Edgar A. Lopez and Cristina C. Lopez for the reason that they are no longer residing at their last known addresses. The plaintiffs do not know, and have no idea whatsoever as to the present address of defendants-spouses Edgar A. Lopez and Cristina C. Lopez where they can be served summons. Hence, considering that the whereabouts of the said defendants-spouses are unknown, plaintiffs move with leave of the Court for the service of summons thru publication.

WHEREFORE, finding the said Motion to be well-taken, the same is hereby GRANTED. Accordingly, the plaintiffs are hereby allowed to serve the summons upon the defendants namely: Edgar A. Lopez and Cristina C. Lopez thru publication in a newspaper of general circulation.

SO ORDERED. Given this 2nd day of October, 2019 at Quezon City, Metro Manila.

(Sgd.) LUISITO G. CORTEZ Presiding Judge Copy furnished:

Atty. MARCELO G. REMPILLO, JR. Counsel for the Plaintiffs Suites 600-601 Carolina Corporate Center, 1203 J.P. Rizal Avenue, corner Cardona St., Poblacion, 1210 Makati City

(MStandard - Feb. 11 & 18, 2020)

The developer shall not in any manner prevent the Award of the project and the carrying out of the project.

If no NEOI or comparative proposal is submitted, the project shall be awarded to the Original Proponent. Further, pursuant to the above-mentioned ordinance, the Original Proponent shall be given the right to match the superior offer or more advantageous offer to the City.

Furthermore, the PPP-Selection Committee reserves the right to (1) reject any and all applications for qualification and eligibility found not in conformity with aforesaid Ordinance or with the requirements above-mentioned without incurring any liability to the affected Private-Sector Proponent; (2) waive any minor defect therein; and (3) accept the offer it deems most advantageous to the City Government.

CONTACT INFORMATION: PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP SELECTION COMMITTEE City Conference Room, Third Floor, City Hall NO. 107 Rizal Avenue, District 3, Cauayan City, Isabela Telephone Nos. (078) 652-2205/652-2005

(MS-FEB. 11 ,18 & 25, 2020

JOSE L. ABAD Chairperson

Sports

Riera U. Mallari, Editor; Reuel Vidal, Assistant Editor

sports@manilastandard.net

sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

A8

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2020

PH fielding 7 boxers to world qualifier

By Peter Atencio THE Philippines will be fielding in seven boxers to the Asian/Oceanian Tokyo 2020 Boxing Qualifying, which will now be held in Amman, Jordan, With Rio Olympian Rogen Ladon still unsure of his slot, the sevenmember national squad will seek out qualifying berth in the competitions slated from March 3 to 11.

The tournament was originally set from Feb. 3 to 14 in Wuhan, China.

But the International Olympic Committee Boxing Task Force rescheduled it after yesterday’s joint decision by the BTF and the Chinese Olympic Committee, due to the developments regarding the coronavirus outbreak reported in the Chinese city.

The Philippines made an effort to bid, but city of Amman eventually won the hosting rights.

Ladon will be seeking his slot in the national squad in the men’s 52 kg category.

On the other hand, officials are still evaluating Paalam’s case in the light-flyweight side.

Paalam has strengthened his bid to be in the Olympiad after he won the gold medal in the recent 30th Southeast Asian Games, along with Ladon, who ruled the flyweight action.

Joining in the men’s division are Ian Clark Bautista in the 57 kgs. category, along with James Palicte (63kgs) and Eumir Marcial (75 kgs).

Iris Magno is entered in the women’s side in the 51 kgs, along with Nesthy Petecio (57 kgs) and Riza Pasuit (60 kgs).

Tight duel up as PH Ladies’ Open begins THE Philippine Ladies Open 2020 gets going today (Tuesday, Feb. 18) with Rianne Malixi out to extend her winning ways, Abby Arevalo seeking redemption and Nicole Abelar and Eagle Ace Superal ready to foil the two aces who clashed for the national crown the last time out.

With Laurea Duque, Mariel Tee, Sophia Blanco, Junia Gabasa, Arine Taguines, Sam Dizon, Rhea Langamin and Mafy Singson likewise brimming with confidence, expect a slam-bang start to the 58th staging of the country’s premier championship at the Manila Golf Club in Forbes Park.

A number of foreign bets are also coming into the championship, organized by the Women’s Golf Association of the Philippines, in top form, among them Airi Mitsuhashi, Aussie Angela Enqi and Fil-Guamanian Kristin Oberiano, ensuring keen competition in the 54-hole tournament, a World Amateur Golf Ranking event sponsored by San Miguel Corp., Diamond Motors, Sunsports and Eva Air. But focus will be on the 12-year-old Malixi and Arevalo, 20, with the former all primed up for another championship run after snaring the National Stroke Play title with a victory over the latter on the third sudden death hole at Riviera last month.

Malixi also emerged as the winningest player in the ranks last year, ruling the Phl Junior Amateur Open at Sherwood Hills where she won the overall crown despite playing in a lower age-group category. She also dominated the Phl Amateur Open Match Play and Northern Luzon Regional Championship.

But Arevalo is going all out to atone for that setback with the SEA Games team gold medalist and former San Jose State U mainstay also eyeing a win that would bolster her confidence for her planned pro debut next month.

“I’m excited to play and see where I’m at with this opportunity,” said Arevalo, who is actually set to vie in the Women’s Amateur Asia Pacific and the Queen Sirikit Cup before joining the Ladies Philippine Golf Tour at Summit Point.

Both world-ranking events, however, were postponed due to COVID-19 concerns.

Bianca Pagdanganan has been named Ms. Golf while Stephan Schrock (right) is Mr. Football in the PSA Awards night on March 6 at the Manila Hotel.

PSA names Mr. Football, Ms. Golf PSC starts P HILIPPINE Azkals’ veteran Stephan Schrock and Asian Games’ gold medalist Bianca Pagdanganan will be conferred with the Mr. Football and Ms. Golf awards, respectively, during the SMC-Philippine Sportswriters Ass gala night on March 6 at the Centennial Hall of the Manila Hotel.

The 33-year-old Schrock and Pagdanganan, 22, will join Ms. and Mr. Basketball Jack Animam and Thirdy Ravena, Ms. and Mr. Volleyball Sisi Rondina and Bryan Bagunas, and Coach of the Year Pat Aquino as among those to be honored with special awards by the country’s oldest media organization in the event presented by the Philippine Sports Commission, MILO, Cignal TV, Philippine Basketball Association, AirAsia, and Rain or Shine.

For making the country proud with its exceptional performance that netted for the host the overall title of the 30th Southeast Asian Games, Team Philippines was

the unanimous choice as the recipient of the coveted Athlete of the Year award.

Pagdanganan had her own share in the Filipinos’ successful title drive in the SEA Games as she spearheaded the country’s two-gold romp in golf by winning the women’s individual event and the women’s team event in tandem with Lois Kaye Go. The recipient of the 2018 PSA Athlete of the Year (with fellow golfers Go and Yuka Saso, Hidilyn Diaz, and Margielyn Didal), Pagdanganan also won the Hawkeye El Tigre Invitational in Mexico last year.

A gold medal winner in the 2018 Asian Games, the Filipina golfer attended Gon-

zaga University and later, the University of Arizona, which she helped win the NCAA Division 1 women’s golf championships in the same year.

A sports and society major, Pagdanganan turned pro last year.

Schrock, meanwhile, will be receiving his second Mr. Football award after winning his first in 2013.

The veteran midfielder of Ceres Negros stood as the rock of the Philippine Azkals that is currently on a transition, serving as the captain of the U22 team in the SEA Games that came close to reaching the knockout stage.

The Fil-German player was also named by the ASEAN Football Federation as one of the recipients of the AFF Best XI Award during the AFF Awards held in Hanoi, Vietnam.

On the domestic front, Schrock led Ceres Negros to a third successive Football League title and steered the team to the ASEAN Zonal semifinals of the AFC Cup.

Tokyo Olympic motto: United by Emotion TOKYO—Tokyo 2020 organizers on Monday rolled out the motto for this year’s Olympics, “United by Emotion”, which they said reflected the “universal values” and “unifying power of sport”.

“Crowds of spectators who do not know each other prior to the Games will come together and learn that there is more that unites them than divides them,” Tokyo 2020 said as it unveiled the motto.

A torchbearer and actress Satomi Ishihara (right), one of the official ambassadors of the Tokyo 2020 torch relay, pose with the olympic torch during a rehearsal of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics torch relay in Tokyo. AFP

The official Olympic motto is “Citius, Altius, Fortius” or “Faster, Higher, Stronger”, but each host city chooses its own motto to accompany that edition of the Games.

London’s motto in 2012 was “Inspire a Generation”, whereas Athens in 2004 went for “Welcome Home” -- a nod to the birthplace of the Games in Olympia.

Less well-received was Sochi, which plumped for “Hot. Cool. Yours”, sparking derision in some quarters.

Tokyo said the motto would be beamed onto the Skytree tower in the Japanese capital to raise awareness as it will be seen for miles around.

The opening ceremony will be on July 24 and organisers have stressed there is no discussion about changing this date despite the coronavirus crisis hitting global transport.

Tokyo 2020 roll-outs have not always been smooth. In September 2015, the Games logo was ditched after accusations of plagiarism.

Designer Olivier Debie said the design was stolen from his logo for a Belgian theatre and threatened court action before officials withdrew the emblem, saying it “no longer has public support”.

Hall of Fame selection

THE Philippine Sports Hall of Fame convenes its initial meeting at the Philsports Complex, Tuesday.

The Philippine Sports Hall of Fame 2020 Committee, headed by PSC Chairman William Ramirez and vicechaired by Philippine Olympic Committee President Abraham Tolentino, is set to discuss the criteria of nomination and selection of candidates for this edition’s enshrinees.

“We want to get a good lead time since the selection process is an arduous exercise. We have a lot of athletes truly deserving to be enshrined in this Hall of Fame,“ explained Ramirez, adding that “we hope to get more nominations this edition.”

Also attending the meeting are members of the screening body composed of Games and Amusement Board Chairman Abraham Mitra, Philippine Olympic Committee Secretary-General Atty.

Edwin Gastanes, Integrated Cycling Federation of the Philippines Secretary-General Atty. Avelino Sumagui, University Athletic Association of the Philippines Executive Director Atty. Rene Saguisag Jr., and SEA Games gold medallist and Philippine Olympians Association President Akiko Thomson Guevara.

The HOF or Republic Act No. 8757, enshrines Filipino athletes, coaches, and trainors who have brought honor and pride to the country in their career, and exhibited exemplary character.

Initial qualifications include at least winning a gold medal in the Southeast Asian Games, a silver medal in the Asian Games or Asian Cup or regional games, a bronze medal in the Olympics, or a world championship title in any professional or amateur sports tilt.

The PSC, as the government’s sports agency, is directed by law to organize the Screening Committee and the awarding of the Philippine Sports Hall of Fame title to the chosen athletes.

Among the past recipients of this award were Filipino Boxing legend Gabriel “Flash” Elorde, Asia’s First Chess Grandmaster Eugene Torre, Asia’s Fastest Woman Lydia de Vega, and Bowling World champions Rafael “Paeng” Nepomuceno and Olivia “Bong” Coo.

AFP Cavaliers, DENR Warriors set title duel ARMED Forces of the Philippines and National Housing Authority Builders in Department of Environment and Natural their own series capped by an 82-75 win Resources swept their respective semis – thanks to another double-double perseries over the weekend and arranged formance by MVP candidate Ralph Lanwhat is expected to be an sang. exciting title duel in the AFP and DENR start Games March 1 8th UNTV Cup at Paco their best-of-three finals se(Paco Arena, Manila) Arena in Manila. ries on March 1 also at the 3 p.m. – NHA vs Judiciary The top-seeded desame venue with the cho5 p.m. – AFP vs DENR fending champions AFP sen charity of the champion Cavaliers outgunned the team getting a tax-free P4 Judiciary Magis in the payoff period to million top prize. pull off a tense 72-67 win in Game 2 of The foundation selected by the runner-up their best-of-three semis series. gets P2 million while the charities picked The win pushed the Cavaliers within by the third and fourth placers shall earn P1 two wins of becoming the first back-to- million and P500,000, respectively. back champions in the tournament for Romeo Almerol, Lansang’s chief rival for public servants that is being held annually the coveted MVP plum, presided over AFP’s through UNTV President and CEO Dr. onslaught with 17 points and 10 boards while Daniel Razon Jerry Lumongsod and Darwin Cordero Standing in their way were the second- chipped in 12 and 10 points, respectively. seeded DENR Warriors who bested the The Warriors got off to a slow start but

rallied furiously in the second frame behind the red-hot shooting of Lansang and never looked back.

Lansang went on to finish with 25 points apart from grabbing 10 boards.

First Game AFP 72 – Almerol 17, Lumongsod 12, Cordero 10, Rosopa 10, Tan 6, Bautista 6, Quiambao 4, Sergio 3, Zuniga 2, Araneta 0.

JUDICIARY 67 – Salamat 14, Tolomia 14, Dela Cruz 12, Dionisio 11, Marquez 8, Ybanez 6, Mustre 2, Serrano 0, Bergonio 0, Litonjua 0, Malinao 0, Roma 0.

Quarters: 18-14, 33-33, 44-45, 72-67 Second game DENR 82 – Lansang 25, Bangal 18, Gamboa 12, Ayson 11, Rivera 8, Atablanco 4, Abanes 4.

NHA 75 - Vitug 29, J. Dizon 14, W. Tibay 10, Lustestica 10, M. Dizon 4, Mercado 4, Alastoy 2, R. Tibay 2.

Quarters: 18-21, 39-39, 60-54, 82-75.

Archie Gamboa supplied the needed firepower for DENR by scattering 12 points in the team’s 82-75 win over the NHA Builders in the 8th UNTV Cup at Paco Arena in Manila.

Business

IN BRIEF Eastern allots P2.8b to modernize network EASTERN Communications on Monday said it is spending P2.8 billion to expand its high-speed broadband network nationwide.

The telecommunications company plans to establish its presence in Davao City, Cagayan de Oro, Iloilo, Bacolod, Tarlac, Cagayan Valley and La Union.

It also plans to expand and modernize its network in Cebu, Batangas, Laguna, Rizal, Cavite, Cebu and Bulacan.

The company said it would earmark P2.8 billion to expand its footprint and reach, as well as modernize the current network.

“Eastern Communications has transformed in terms of the services we’re now offering to our customers and we have also expanded our footprint in other key areas in the Philippines. Our goal this year is to go nationwide” said Eastern co-coordinator Aileen Regio.

This includes focus on providing fast and reliable internet connections and managed service-based products that complement its portfolio of telecommunications and ICT solutions. Darwin G. Amojelar

Remittances increased 4.1% to hit record $30.13b in 2019

By Julito G. Rada

M

ONEY sent home by Filipinos working overseas rose 4.1 percent in 2019 to an all-time high of $30.133 billion from $28.94 billion in 2018 and surpassed the 3-percent growth target set by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.

Indian parent company boosts SGI PH capital SGI Philippines General Insurance Co. Inc., a non-life insurance company, complied early with the P1.3-billion capital requirement due by the end of 2022 after majority shareholder Shriram General Insurance Co. Ltd. of India infused a fresh capital of P624 million.

Insurance Commissioner Dennis Funa commended SGI Philippines for the early compliance with the capital requirement.

“Last Dec. 16, 2019, Shriram General Insurance Co. Ltd., an Indian insurance company and the majority shareholder of SGI Philippines, has infused fresh capital amounting to P624 million,” Funa said.

SGI Philippines is a joint venture of Shriram Group, Piramal Group and Sanlam Group, an Indian financial services conglomerate involved in commercial vehicle financing, consumer and enterprise finance, retail stockbroking and life insurance.

The Insurance Commission said as a result of the capital infusion, SGI Philippines’ net worth surged from P710 million to P1.35 billion, making it compliant not only with the net worth requirement for the year 2019 but also up to the year 2022. Julito G. Rada

The BSP said in a statement Monday the growth of cash remittances last year was fueled by higher flows from both land and sea-based workers which increased 3.5 percent to $23.6 billion and 6.5 percent to $6.5 billion, respectively.

“Notwithstanding pockets of political uncertainties across the globe, cash remittances in 2019 remained strong. This is evident in inward remittances from Asia, the Americas, and Africa, where inflows grew annually by 12.3 percent, 10.6 percent and 4.8 percent, respectively,” the BSP said.

It said the growth of inflows in these regions more than made up for the 9.8-percent decline in remittances from

the Middle East.

Data showed that in December 2019, cash remittances rose 1.9 percent to $2.902 billion from $2.849 billion a year ago.

The BSP said the bulk of remittance inflows in December came from the United States, which accounted for the highest share of 37.6 percent, followed

by Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Japan, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, Canada, Hong Kong, Germany and Kuwait.

Personal remittances, which include non-cash items, also reached an all-time high of $33.5 billion in 2019, up by 3.9 percent from $32.2 billion in 2018. Personal remittances in December posted a year-on-year growth

of 1.9 percent to $3.2 billion.

“The sustained growth in personal remittances during the year was primarily driven by the 3.5-percent increase in remittances from land-based workers with work contracts of one year or more, which amounted to $25.6 billion from $24.8 billion,” the BSP said.

“Further, the 6.5-percent rise in personal remittances from sea-based and land-based workers with work contracts of less than one year, amounting to $7.1 billion from $6.7 billion, contributed to the growth in personal remittances,” it said.

Personal remittances, which boost household income and consumption, accounted for 9.3 percent and 7.8 percent of the gross domestic product and the gross national income, respectively.

The BSP earlier downplayed any potential impact of the 2019 novel coronavirus disease on the growth of remittances this year, saying inflows from China were insignificant compared to countries in the Middle East, the Americas, Europe and other nations in the Asia-Pacific region.

Cavitex to complete improvement in Q2 CAVITEX Infrastructure Corp. said Monday it expects to complete the second phase road enhancement of the Manila-Cavite Expressway (CAVITEX) by the second quarter of 2020.

The second phase of Cavitex road enhancement includes additional bridge lanes, which will widen the Parañaque, Wawa and Las Piñas bridges from three lanes to four lanes.

The first phase, which opened to motorists in December of 2018, included the Southbound flyover and Left Turning Facility toward Pacific Drive leading to D. Macapagal Avenue.

With the opening, the motorists immediately felt the ease in traveling to and from Parañaque, Las Piñas and Cavite.

Investment for the full Cavitex enhancement is estimated at P1.1 billion.

“Upon completion of the second phase of this project by second quarter of 2020, we will be able to make more room for motorists plying Cavitex, especially now that our traffic volume has increased by 9 percent since January 2019,” said CIC president and general manager Roberto Bontia. Darwin G. Amojelar

Wildlife conservation. International Container Terminal Services Inc. teams up with the Katala Foundation Inc. to implement

a wildlife research and conservation project within Palawan’s Victoria-Anepa’an Mountain Range to improve the conservation status of a critical segment of the country’s threatened wildlife. Signing the agreement are (from left) ICTSI Foundation deputy executive director Filipina Laurena, ICTSI global corporate head and ICTSI Foundation president Christian Gonzalez, Katala Foundation president Joel Jimenez and Katala Foundation chief operations officer Indira Lacerna-Widmann.

ARTA has no jurisdiction over radio frequency issue—NTC

By Darwin G. Amojelar THE National Telecommunications Commission said Monday the AntiRed Tape Authority has no jurisdiction over the former’s issuance of radio frequency to an affiliate of publiclylisted NOW Corp.

“The intervention of ARTA on the application of Newsnet was unnecessary,” NTC said in a statement referring to News and Entertainment Network Corp.

The NTC said it granted a provisional authority to Newsnet on Jan.

27, 2020, or weeks before the ARTA publicly announced its decision.

“NTC raised that ARTA had no jurisdiction over its quasi functions which are not covered by the 3, 7 and 20-day periods and that radio frequency assignment subject to treaty obligations is also exempt from ARTA’s coverage,” the agency said.

“With the issues arising from the case, the NTC has elevated the matter to the Department of Justice for arbitration in accordance with the Presidential Decree 242 and the Revised Administrative Code regarding controversies among

government agencies,” it said.

The NTC said it would wait for the proceedings to begin before the DOJ. ARTA earlier said it found NTC to have violated certain provisions of the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018 and implementing rules and regulations for allegedly failing to issue the certificate within the period required by the law and the rules despite News and Entertainment Network Corp.’s compliance with all the requirements.

ARTA declared as complete News-

net’s application for a CPC to install, operate and maintain a local multi-point distribution system to deliver interactive pay television and multimedia services in South Luzon, North Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao in the 25.35 to 26.35 gigahertz frequency range with the authority to charge rates.

Newsnet submitted an affidavit to ARTA on Jan. 31, claiming it had already submitted all the requirements for the issuance of the CPC and that such requirements were duly admitted by the NTC through an order dated Oct. 19, 2018.

PCC hikes merger threshold to P6b

By Jenniffer B. Austria THE Philippine Competition Commission, the government’s anti-trust body, said Monday it increased the threshold on compulsory notification of mergers and acquisitions in line with the growing domestic economy.

PCC said in a statement beginning March 1 this year, the thresholds would be increased to P6 billion from P5.6 billion for the size of person and to P2.4 billion from P2.2 billion for the size of transaction.

The size of person refers to the value to assets or revenues of the ultimate parent company of at least one of the parties while the value of transaction refers to the value of assets or revenues for the company being acquired.

This marks the third adjustment since the Philippine Competition Act was enacted in 2015 with a baseline

threshold of P1 billion.

“Adjustment of the thresholds ensures that potentially anti-competitive M&As are subject to compulsory notification and review, while those that are less likely to pose competition concerns are excluded,” PCC chairperson Arsenio Balisacan said.

“With the increase in thresholds streamlining the intake of notified cases, this will allow the commission to efficiently use its resources towards other equally important elements of competition enforcement, including the conduct of cartel investigations, market monitoring and motu proprio merger review,” he said.

PCC issued Memorandum Circular No. 18-001 in 2018 which established the automatic annual adjustment of the merger thresholds based on the nominal gross domestic product growth of the previous year, rounded up to the nearest hundred millions.

IMI LISTING ANNIVERSARY. Top executives of Integrated Micro-Electronics Inc. and Philippine Stock Exchange Inc. jointly celebrate IMI’s 10th year as a listed company with a special bell-ringing ceremony on Feb. 17. Leading the ceremony are (from left) IMI director Jose Teodoro Limcaoco, independent director Edgar Chua, independent director Hiroshi Nishimura, independent director Sherisa Nuesa, chairman Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, PSE chairman Jose Pardo, president and CEO Ramon Monzon and chief operating officer Roel Refran.

Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2020

B1

SM Prime’s income grows 18% to P38.1b

By Jenniffer B. Austria PROPERTY developer SM Prime Holdings Inc. said Monday net income grew 18 percent in 2019 to P38.1 billion from P32.2 billion in 2018 on the back of a steady growth in mall and residential revenues.

SM Prime said in a disclosure to the stock exchange consolidated revenues climbed 14 percent to P118.3 billion in 2029 from P104.1 billion in 2018.

Consolidated operating income rose 17 percent to P56.7 billion from P48.3 billion a year earlier.

“SM Prime’s continuous growth was brought about by our strategic expansion in the country’s developing cities. We look forward to 2020 as we strengthen our presence in more key areas in the Philippines through sustainable integrated property developments that have great potential to further contribute to the growth of the overall economy,” SM Prime president Jeffrey Lim said.

Revenues from mall operations rose 8 percent to P57.8 billion in 2019, driven by a 7-percent increase in same-mall-sales growth across all mature malls.

The cinema and event ticket sales booked a 6-percent growth to P5.5 billion in 2019 while revenues from amusement, merchandise sales and others went up by 15 percent to P3.9 billion.

Philippine mall operating income improved by 9 percent to P32.4 billion from P29.8 billion in the previous year.

SM Prime ended 2019 with 74 malls in the Philippines offering 8.5 million square meters of gross floor area and seven malls in China with 1.3 million sq. m.

The property developer plans to open three to five new malls in key provincial cities in the country this year.

Residential arm SM Development Corp. recorded a revenue growth of 24 percent to P45.2 billion in 2019 from P36.5 billion in 2018. SMDC’s operating income went up by 39 percent to P17.1 billion from P12.3 billion on higher construction accomplishments of projects.

Visitor arrivals climbed 15% to 8.26 million in 2019—DOT INTERNATIONAL visitor arrivals in the Philippines climbed 15.2 percent in 2019 to hit a record 8.26 million from 7.16 million in 2018, the Department of Tourism said Monday.

“This heralds a new milestone in the country’s tourism history, breaching the eight millionth mark,” Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said in a statement.

“Without a doubt, our convergence programs with other government agencies, particularly in improving access as well as product development and marketing initiatives with local government and private sectors have greatly paid off. These gains we hope to sustain even as we face global challenges,” Puyat said.

The department said all months, except January, registered double-digit growth rates, with August posting the highest increase of 27.54 percent and December recording the highest volume of 776,798.

The DOT launched in 2019 its refreshed branding campaign, continuing the “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” slogan but repurposing it to advocate for sustainable tourism.

The local launch was held at the National Museum of Natural History while the international event was in Berlin during the Internationale Tourismus-Börse.

“This is a high point for Philippine tourism as it depicts our solidarity and commitment to make tourism work and prove its full potential as a sustainable and inclusive economic activity.

The record-breaking numbers solidify the effectiveness of the Tourism Act of 2009 which celebrated its 10-year anniversary in 2019,” Puyat said.

B2

Business

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2020 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Market rises; Metro Pacific climbs T HE stock market rose Monday on bargain-hunting but investors remain wary on the economic fallout from the new coronavirus.

The Philippine Stock exchange Index climbed 44.85 points, or 0.6 percent, to 7,326.85 on a value turnover of P7.6 billion. Gainers beat losers, 107 to 77, with 49 issues unchanged.

Metro Pacific Investments Corp., which is into toll roads, water and electricity distribution, hospitals and infrastructure, advanced 3.6 percent to P3.18, while ISM Communications Corp. of businessman Dennis Uy rallied 5.3 percent to P2.

SM Investments Corp. of the Sy Group rose 2.3 percent to P1,015, while Aboitiz Equity Ventures Inc. of the Aboitiz Group added 2.1 percent to P50.45.

Meanwhile, the new virus weighed on the rest of Asian markets Monday as the

death toll in China from the epidemic rose and infections topped 70,500.

Tokyo’s benchmark Nikkei 225 index closed down 0.7 percent after the economy shrank 1.6 percent in the three months to December from the previous quarter, even before the novel coronavirus outbreak in China hit Japan, official data showed.

“Concern over the virus is only intensifying and the mood of selfrestraint is going to spread more broadly. I’m becoming downbeat on Japan’s economy,” Takashi Shiono, an economist at Credit Suisse Group, told Bloomberg News.

Mainland China’s benchmark Shanghai Composite Index closed up 2.3 percent after the central bank announced

measures aimed at cushioning the economy against the health crisis.

Elsewhere, Sydney fell 0.7 percent, Taipei shed 0.4 percent and Seoul was 0.1 percent lower.

After Wall Street’s muddled performance on Friday and US markets closed Monday for a holiday, traders turned their attention to grim economic news in the region.

Japan’s economy suffered its worst quarterly contraction in more than five years, while Singapore cut its growth forecast for this year as the virus batters the city-state’s tourism and trade.

That comes after Europe’s largest economy Germany reported Friday zero growth in the last quarter of 2019 and warnings from the International Monetary Fund that the virus could damage global economic activity this year.

While investors are comforted by a slowdown in new infections outside hardest-hit Hubei province in recent

days, they might be less sanguine if China’s economy takes a worse-thanexpected hit, said Stephen Innes of AxiCorp.

“If it comes out bad enough for confidence to plummet, investors could quickly find themselves up the creek... without a paddle,” Innes said in a commentary.

“Financial markets are not known for their rational thinking lately and given the 500 million or so mainlanders affected by the (COVID-19) quarantine... it’s also not hard to come up with more downside risks than upside ones right now.”

A spokesman for China’s national health authority said the slowdown was a sign the outbreak was being controlled.

However, World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has warned it is “impossible to predict which direction this epidemic will take.” With AFP

Manila Standard BuSineSS daily StockS review Monday, FeBruary 17, 2020

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING),

FINANCIALS 53 510 84.6 3,345,050 149.9 960,090 0.8 100,000 25 194,600 18 13,000 11.44 39,500 1.1 13,000 850 100 0.44 320,000 59 1,904,520 0.82 18,000 11.2 71,500 31.9 375,300 178.8 8,710 54.1 10 20.85 94,700 171 117,930 1,878 475 58.55 1,250 1.15 11,000

27,030 283,840,653.50 143,766,005 80,000 4,866,645 233,812 449,720 14,530 85,000 134,900 112,174,620.50 13,590 803,960 11,997,765 1,539,426 541 1,973,105 20,332,952 883,950 73,051 12,550

-23,039,707.50 -8,973,885 -862,500 -221,220 -58,176 19,505,602 -1,868,790 1,468,110 -1,606,795 -14,430,439 -18,178 -

31.7 2.09 7.24 0.62 2.83 0.225 88.25 1.47 15 190 8.36 16.5 30.05 59.85 62.05 2.09 8.4 12 8.31 7.25 2.81 19.8 66.8 1.86 34.3 1.51 11 5.96 1.17 187.1 34.05 3.1 6.87 12.48 9.62 14.6 264 0.16 1.83 3.74 3.46 9.62 11.64 28.6 1.48 1.52 1.12 9.42 74.7 9.12 0.117 0.91 148 2.41 1.1 15.1 0.96

INDUSTRIAL 31.7 121,100 2.15 2,955,000 7.25 1,943,900 0.62 1,418,000 2.89 1,353,000 0.225 10,000 88.25 100 1.56 15,365,000 15.1 526,000 190 20 8.39 1,899,900 16.5 100 30.05 400 59.85 1,410 62.05 290 2.12 104,000 8.52 136,500 12.02 88,500 8.43 5,328,900 7.28 207,500 3.17 7,534,000 19.8 1,501,900 66.85 72,640 1.87 19,446,000 35.5 24,600 1.52 6,359,000 12.1 3,137,700 5.96 1,068,500 1.26 447,000 188.8 281,170 34.05 100 3.3 25,000 6.87 100 12.62 7,662,200 9.88 98,800 15 241,700 266 29,580 0.16 510,000 1.83 685,000 3.74 16,000 3.48 419,000 9.7 10,800 11.84 40,100 28.6 208,100 1.55 1,140,000 1.52 97,000 1.21 2,507,000 9.5 1,390,500 75.7 266,080 9.12 53,600 0.117 1,500,000 0.91 186,000 149.5 412,890 2.54 4,000 1.11 4,526,000 15.1 5,000 0.96 1,321,000

3,859,885 6,319,720 14,231,645 893,510 3,888,550 2,250 8,825 23,541,720 7,919,488 3,844 16,527,752 1,650 12,020 87,678 17,994.50 219,020 1,167,165 1,062,664 44,922,103 1,508,424 23,286,420 29,767,027 4,857,009.50 36,802,790 866,930 9,724,560 37,312,146 6,416,599 539,460 53,169,856 3,405 77,700 687 96,620,094 965,269 3,620,068 7,867,240 81,700 1,257,670 59,840 1,460,130 104,876 469,004 5,998,515 1,720,200 147,450 2,993,670 13,236,402 20,067,055.50 494,092 177,280 169,560 61,468,538 9,770 5,098,230 75,500 1,273,980

-2,114,140.00 167,010.00 -4,876,663 96,470 2,850 -6,057,350 341,296 -593,845 -235,870 -27,652 213,341 20,150 5,939,628 -1,076,204.50 16,850 379,850 5,049,000 -3,966,500 -1,030,216 764,140 -12,400 -12,266,386 9,800 76,200 -141,918 81,700 -212,530 181,110 -3,147,405 -14,260 24,400 -68,198 -19,137,384.50 930 -14,380 -26,084,049 -75,500 1,920

0.91 51 10.46 0.68 10.16 0.9 755 2.54 6.29 5.9 0.218 734 74.9 6.62 5.21 0.495 3.81 10.44 0.58 3.25 4.79 1.12 134 1,020 0.82 1.13 183 164.5 0.219 0.185

0.88 49.55 10.3 0.67 9.95 0.88 746.5 2.47 6.2 5.81 0.212 726 73.35 6.11 5.21 0.49 3.8 9.99 0.53 3.14 4.5 1.08 132.6 990 0.77 1.12 175 162.5 0.205 0.183

HOLDING FIRMS 0.9 9,800,000 1,530,900 50.45 10.36 3,664,600 0.68 23,000 9.95 7,700 0.89 479,000 750 629,500 2.5 204,000 6.25 60,500 5.83 9,276,400 0.212 110,000 731 54,440 74.5 1,693,410 6.61 62,200 5.21 1,100 0.49 50,000 3.81 5,385,000 10.06 1,337,200 0.58 51,000 3.18 15,140,000 4.7 11,000 1.09 163,000 133 81,880 1,015 787,660 0.8 28,000 1.13 40,000 183 30 163.8 720 0.219 20,000 0.185 60,000

8,760,460 77,186,075 37,910,522 15,620 77,426 426,850 471,989,875 509,000 377,932 54,064,285 23,920 39,745,385 125,832,417.50 410,422 5,731 24,550 20,465,070 13,488,486 27,080 48,402,960 50,990 177,730 10,936,897 787,741,640 21,890 45,100 5,410 117,752 4,240 11,080

34,100 70,522,725 3,700,808 -124,212,225 24,800 105,708 -19,705,883 23,908,965 5,048,107 -228,360 -4,464,292 15,968,150 -32,920 2,875,605 589,704,715 -18,018 -

14.74 0.67 9.64 0.79 41.9 1.64 4.56 6.65 0.48 0.79 0.184 0.45 9.19 18.94 0.39 1.44 1.1 3.99 0.206 0.435 1.03 0.31 2.11

14.7 0.67 8.77 0.78 41 1.6 4.5 6.58 0.47 0.77 0.174 0.35 9.02 18.5 0.38 1.42 1.08 3.9 0.199 0.435 1 0.31 2.05

PROPERTY 14.72 814,300 0.67 5,000 9.64 300 0.78 334,000 41 10,334,900 1.61 667,000 4.55 1,543,000 6.65 2,300 0.475 8,490,000 0.78 106,000 0.184 1,040,000 0.405 44,260,000 9.15 64,400 18.92 190,300 0.39 240,000 1.42 9,657,000 1.1 40,000 3.98 8,397,000 0.2 5,230,000 0.435 190,000 1.02 1,720,000 0.31 130,000 2.11 121,000

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

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

53 86 148.6 0.8 25 17.98 11.34 1.15 850 0.405 58.35 0.75 11.5 32 176 54.1 20.7 172.9 1,860 58.9 1.14

53 86 150.9 0.8 25.05 18 11.44 1.15 850 0.44 59.1 0.82 11.5 32.2 179.5 54.1 21 173 1,887 58.9 1.15

53 83.9 148.5 0.8 24.95 17.98 11.3 1.1 850 0.405 58.1 0.75 11.18 31.9 173 54.1 20.7 170.2 1,860 58 1.14

ABOITIZ POWER AC ENERGY AGRINURTURE ALLIANCE SELECT AXELUM BASIC ENERGY BOGO MEDELLIN CEMEX HLDG CENTURY FOOD CHEMPHIL CIRTEK HLDG CNTRL AZUCARERA CONCEPCION CONCRETE A CONCRETE B CROWN ASIA DNL INDUS EAGLE CEMENT EEI CORP EMPERADOR EUROMED FIRST GEN FIRST PHIL HLDG FRUITAS HLDG GINEBRA GREENERGY HOLCIM INTEGRATED MICR IONICS JOLLIBEE LIBERTY FLOUR MABUHAY VINYL MACAY HLDG MANILA WATER MAXS GROUP MEGAWIDE MERALCO MG HLDG PEPSI COLA PETROENERGY PETRON PHINMA PHX PETROLEUM PILIPINAS SHELL ROXAS AND CO ROXAS HLDG SFA SEMICON SHAKEYS PIZZA SMC FOODANDBEV SPC POWER SWIFT FOODS TKC METALS UNIV ROBINA VICTORIAS VITARICH VIVANT VULCAN INDL

32 2.09 7.24 0.65 2.86 0.225 88.25 1.48 15 194.4 9.19 16.5 30.05 69.95 62.05 2.12 8.64 12.5 8.7 7.26 2.81 19.92 66.85 1.88 34.3 1.59 11.6 6.11 1.24 187.2 34.05 3.1 6.87 12.5 9.8 14.7 266.8 0.17 1.83 3.74 3.5 9.75 11.66 29.35 1.5 1.53 1.15 9.5 75 9.12 0.12 0.91 149 2.41 1.1 15.1 0.98

32.55 2.18 7.46 0.65 2.91 0.225 88.25 1.56 15.3 194.4 9.19 16.5 30.05 69.95 62.05 2.12 8.64 12.5 8.84 7.28 3.35 20.85 66.95 1.93 36.5 1.6 12.22 6.11 1.28 190 34.05 3.3 6.87 12.8 10 15 268 0.17 1.84 3.74 3.52 9.79 11.84 29.35 1.65 1.53 1.25 9.52 75.75 9.35 0.122 0.92 149.8 2.54 1.13 15.1 0.99

ABACORE CAPITAL ABOITIZ EQUITY ALLIANCE GLOBAL ANGLO PHIL HLDG ASIABEST GROUP ATN HLDG A AYALA CORP AYALA LAND LOG COSCO CAPITAL DMCI HLDG FORUM PACIFIC GT CAPITAL JG SUMMIT JOLLIVILLE HLDG KEPPEL HLDG A LODESTAR LOPEZ HLDG LT GROUP MABUHAY HLDG METRO PAC INV PACIFICA HLDG PRIME MEDIA SAN MIGUEL CORP SM INVESTMENTS SOC RESOURCES SOLID GROUP SYNERGY GRID TOP FRONTIER WELLEX INDUS ZEUS HLDG

0.9 49.55 10.3 0.68 10.16 0.89 750 2.48 6.29 5.87 0.218 730 74.5 6.11 5.21 0.495 3.81 10.44 0.53 3.14 4.7 1.12 132.7 992 0.82 1.12 183 164.5 0.205 0.183

8990 HLDG A BROWN ANCHOR LAND ARTHALAND CORP AYALA LAND BELLE CORP CEB LANDMASTERS CEBU HLDG CENTURY PROP CITY AND LAND CROWN EQUITIES CYBER BAY DM WENCESLAO DOUBLEDRAGON EMPIRE EAST FILINVEST LAND GLOBAL ESTATE MEGAWORLD MRC ALLIED PHIL ESTATES PHIL INFRADEV PHIL REALTY PRIMEX CORP

14.7 0.67 9.64 0.78 41.65 1.61 4.5 6.58 0.475 0.77 0.174 0.35 9.02 18.5 0.38 1.42 1.08 3.9 0.201 0.435 1.01 0.31 2.06

VOLUME

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING),

ROBINSONS LAND ROCKWELL SHANG PROP SM PRIME HLDG STA LUCIA LAND SUNTRUST HOME VISTA LAND VISTAMALLS

24.5 1.91 3.07 41.45 2.52 1.74 6.89 5.03

25.4 2 3.13 41.7 2.53 1.76 6.95 5.2

24.25 1.9 3 40.6 2.52 1.61 6.75 5.01

24.6 1.96 3.13 41.7 2.53 1.61 6.9 5.2

491,400 251,000 203,000 23,900,900 30,000 9,656,000 8,256,800 122,500

12,031,685 483,660 619,190 981,128,170 75,800 15,845,600 56,918,460 625,458

-3,273,025 -382,800 589,633,840 -46,023,562 -

2GO GROUP ABS CBN ACESITE HOTEL ALLHOME APC GROUP APOLLO GLOBAL BERJAYA BLOOMBERRY BOULEVARD HLDG CEBU AIR CENTRO ESCOLAR CHELSEA EASYCALL FAR EASTERN U GLOBE TELECOM GMA NETWORK GOLDEN BRIA GRAND PLAZA HARBOR STAR INTL CONTAINER ISLAND INFO ISM COMM LEISURE AND RES MACROASIA MANILA BULLETIN METRO RETAIL METROALLIANCE A METROALLIANCE B NOW CORP PACIFIC ONLINE PAL HLDG PH RESORTS GRP PHIL RACING PHIL SEVEN CORP PHILWEB PLDT PREMIUM LEISURE PRMIERE HORIZON PUREGOLD ROBINSONS RTL SBS PHIL CORP SSI GROUP STI HLDG TRANSPACIFIC BR WATERFRONT WILCON DEPOT

8.9 17.14 1.33 10 0.39 0.048 2.75 8.66 0.045 79.1 6.73 4.43 7.39 890 1,948 5.45 418 13.44 1.12 119.3 0.099 1.96 2.07 11.7 0.47 1.82 1.25 1.39 2.11 2.06 7.4 4.4 8.96 145.4 3.3 1,019 0.55 0.315 38.2 72 8.98 2.25 0.58 0.238 0.54 18.9

8.9 17.48 1.41 10 0.405 0.049 2.75 8.91 0.052 81 6.73 4.53 7.6 890 1,968 5.45 427.8 13.44 1.17 122 0.106 2.06 2.08 12 0.49 1.9 1.25 1.39 2.4 2.06 7.4 4.4 8.96 145.4 3.32 1,027 0.55 0.32 38.45 73.9 8.98 2.25 0.58 0.239 0.56 18.9

8.65 16.86 1.33 9.71 0.39 0.047 2.63 8.6 0.045 79.05 6.73 4.41 6.97 890 1,936 5.39 418 13.44 1.1 116 0.093 1.87 2.06 10.86 0.45 1.8 1.14 1.2 2.11 1.98 7.4 4.4 8.84 144 3.2 1,006 0.52 0.31 38.2 71 8.98 2.2 0.57 0.236 0.54 18.74

SERVICES 8.85 17.48 1.36 9.96 0.395 0.048 2.65 8.71 0.046 80.3 6.73 4.45 7.4 890 1,936 5.4 418.4 13.44 1.16 116 0.104 2 2.08 11 0.49 1.8 1.24 1.2 2.15 2.04 7.4 4.4 8.84 144 3.32 1,020 0.52 0.31 38.25 71 8.98 2.21 0.57 0.238 0.54 18.82

5,300 337,300 55,000 1,868,700 1,450,000 5,900,000 468,000 2,172,600 33,400,000 34,040 300 890,000 17,000 250 9,560 533,800 430 100 497,000 1,041,220 4,410,000 79,420,000 128,000 9,723,400 5,170,000 612,000 530,000 10,000 9,748,000 57,000 100 11,000 500 1,970 1,402,000 26,625 14,378,000 3,610,000 3,267,400 88,240 900 402,000 674,000 2,200,000 181,000 421,800

46,990 5,820,946 74,530 18,604,347 580,000 278,700 1,246,890 18,935,132 1,604,000 2,717,982 2,019 3,954,830 123,320 222,500 18,553,600 2,884,906 180,200 1,344 571,380 121,944,773 442,850 158,026,450 264,840 109,912,554 2,418,400 1,118,220 637,340 12,840 21,907,080 113,330 740 48,400 4,466 284,922 4,573,750 27,094,010 7,598,130 1,123,950 125,006,665 6,278,265.50 8,082 889,840 385,160 522,370 98,210 7,920,386

-17,800 -500,680 521,613 9,400 1,350,534.50 -222,100 -4,271,610 -66,355,613 13,940 2,032,090 -206,750 573,842 -168,650 -101,200 -59,410 125,414 -180,370 6,625,320 -540,000 -20,882,205 -526,818.50 -51,030 2,437,152

ABRA MINING ACE ENEXOR APEX MINING ATLAS MINING ATOK CENTURY PEAK DIZON MINES FERRONICKEL GEOGRACE LEPANTO A LEPANTO B MANILA MINING A MARCVENTURES NICKEL ASIA NIHAO OMICO CORP ORNTL PENINSULA ORNTL PETROL A ORNTL PETROL B PHILODRILL PX MINING PXP ENERGY SEMIRARA MINING

0.001 6.99 0.99 2.23 11.44 2.96 6.6 1.28 0.197 0.093 0.091 0.008 0.72 2.53 1.01 0.47 0.65 0.01 0.012 0.01 2.86 8.35 20.1

0.001 6.99 1 2.24 11.46 3.03 6.62 1.33 0.207 0.094 0.094 0.008 0.78 2.59 1.01 0.47 0.68 0.01 0.012 0.011 2.86 8.4 20.1

0.001 6.83 0.96 2.23 11.44 2.96 6.54 1.28 0.197 0.093 0.091 0.008 0.72 2.52 1 0.45 0.64 0.01 0.012 0.01 2.79 7.6 19.8

MINING & OIL 0.001 237,000,000 6.85 114,900 0.99 467,000 2.24 17,000 11.46 1,100 3 226,000 6.55 14,300 1.31 961,000 0.206 130,000 0.094 2,090,000 0.093 1,110,000 0.008 13,000,000 0.77 32,000 2.58 771,000 1.01 3,000 0.45 770,000 0.68 82,000 0.01 9,000,000 0.012 2,500,000 0.011 19,900,000 2.83 351,000 7.8 2,653,400 19.9 205,300

325,200 788,372 457,160 37,980 12,596 680,230 93,822 1,247,130 26,610 195,590 101,810 97,800 23,150 1,967,300 3,020 350,300 54,010 90,000 30,000 205,000 990,430 20,710,141 4,077,246

-40,548 24,480 -15,680 -137,590 40,960 30,000 -109,200 -512,998 294,520.00

ABS HLDG PDR ALCO PREF B CPG PREF A FGEN PREF G GMA HLDG PDR GTCAP PREF A HOUSE PREF A MWIDE PREF PCOR PREF 3A PCOR PREF 3B PNX PREF 3B PNX PREF 4 SMC PREF 2C SMC PREF 2D SMC PREF 2E SMC PREF 2F SMC PREF 2H SMC PREF 2I

15.6 100.1 101 107.8 5.21 990 99 100.2 1,049 1,063 109 1,050 78.2 75.7 75.05 76.5 76 75.5

15.9 100.1 101 107.8 5.32 990 99 100.5 1,050 1,063 109 1,050 78.2 75.7 75.05 76.5 76 75.5

15.6 100 100.8 107.8 5.21 990 96.4 100.2 1,025 1,063 109 1,050 77.5 75.65 75.05 76.5 76 75.5

PREFERRED 15.9 239,100 100 10,870 100.8 4,000 107.8 120 5.32 45,300 990 790 96.4 7,000 100.5 9,500 1,040 9,340 1,063 100 109 100 1,050 2,730 77.6 61,560 75.65 240 75.05 17,000 76.5 30,300 76 20,500 75.5 2,850

3,801,370 1,087,118 403,600 12,936 239,849 782,100 680,684 952,254 9,620,020 106,300 10,900 2,866,500 4,772,009 18,162.50 1,275,850 2,317,950 1,558,000 215,175

-854,130 -106,000 993,950 -

LR WARRANT

1.13

1.17

1.13

WARRANTS 1.17 90,000

103,180

-

ITALPINAS KEPWEALTH XURPAS

3.26 9.8 0.78

3.26 9.92 0.8

3.16 9.61 0.78

3.26 9.63 0.79

326,720 1,639,864 508,800

16,300 19,250 -

FIRST METRO ETF

110

110.7

109.7

493,649

-3,294

USD DMPL A1 USD TECH B2

10.04 0.95

10.04 0.95

10 0.95

150,228.80 14,725

-

MS 11,980,544 3,350 2,805 260,640 428,461,705 1,077,410 6,946,460 15,150 4,012,450 82,180 191,060 18,407,650 587,458 3,585,270 91,300 13,721,370 43,980 33,218,840 1,051,440 82,650 1,738,880 40,300 252,890

251,904

44,481,525 23,850 -5,777,990 4,700 -158,650 479,150 -2,825,570 1,717,270 201,020 31,000 -

Trading Summary

SHARES

FINANCIAL

7,946,524

INDUSTRIAL

94,749,974

HOLDING FIRMS

53,664,875

PROPERTY

147,574,516

SERVICES

186,243,147

MINING & OIL

291,494,444

GRAND TOTAL

782,595,420

SME

102,000 169,600 643,000

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 110.3 4,480 10 0.95

DDS

15,000 15,500

VALUE 1,744.61 (up) 37.22 636,232,575.15 FINANCIAL 8,991.3 (upwn) 54.66 INDUSTRIAL 576,397,283.018 7,147.23 (up) 95.26 HOLDING FIRMS 3,814,462,531.89 PROPERTY 3,926.88 (down) 1.77 1,435.94 (down) 4.36 2,058,526,615.725 SERVICES 7,030 (down) 28.56 MINING & OIL 715,330,278.28 7,326.85 (up) 44.85 PSEI 32,579,221.49 All Shares Index 4,338.7 (up) 19.59 7,836,503,626.61 Gainers: 107; Losers: 77; Unchanged: 49; Total: 233

BDO Leasing seeks reversal of SEC ruling

By Jenniffer B. Austria BDO Leasing and Finance Inc. of the Sy Group will ask the Securities and Exchange Commission to lift the suspension of its registration statement as a listed company that barred it from selling securities to the public.

BDOLF said in a disclosure to the stock exchanges there was “no sufficient basis” for the SEC to suspend the registration statement, citing that the company and its majority shareholder BDO Unibank Inc. had made timely and updated disclosures about its planned sale of the majority stake in BDOLF to new investors.

“BDOLF believes that there are no sufficient grounds for the suspension of its registration statement. Both BDOLF and BDO Unibank, Inc. have consistently been upfront and have made full, timely and fair disclosures regarding this transaction and all the steps leading to it,” the company said.

“In particular, minority shareholders are vested with appraisal rights and the mandatory tender offer will allow them to sell their shares at a premium,” it added.

The SEC’s Market and Securities Regulations Department last week issued an order of suspension against BDOLF following a share purchase agreement that enabled BDO to sell its controlling stake in BDOLF to third parties and the subsequent amendment of BDOLF’s primary business to a holding company.

The MSRD noted a change in the primary business from leasing to holding company as a resulted of the transaction.

MSRD said the Securities Regulation Code required the filing of an amended registration statement if a company underwent a major change in the primary business.

“MSRD finds that the suspension order of the registration statement is consistent with the public interest and protection of investors as the registration statement is materially incomplete and inaccurate and, if left unchecked would tend to work a fraud on investors,” it said.

BDOLF said it would continue to update the Philippine Stock Exchange and the market on the development of its discussions with the SEC. BDOLF on January 24 reported that BDO Group agreed to sell 1.914 billion shares, representing 88.54 percent of BDOLF, to a group of new investors led by 8990 Holdings director Luis Yu Jr. and Apollo Global Capital Inc. president Vittorio Lim, who will each acquire 33 percent.

The buyers bared their intention to make a tender offer to other shareholders.

ICTSI signs deal to dispose 30% of South Pacific unit

By Darwin G. Amojelar INTERNATIONAL Container Terminal Services Inc. said it entered into agreements with community landowner groups in Lae to sell a 30-percent stake in South Pacific International Terminal Limited.

ICTSI said in a disclosure that ICTSI South Pacific Limited signed a deal with local communities, Ahi Terminal Services Limited and Labu Investment Limited, to each acquire a 15-percent stake in SPICTL. ISPL is an ICTSI subsidiary that owns 100 percent of SPICTL. The signing of the agreements completes the transfer of 30 percent of SPICTL to the local communities in compliance with the terminal operating agreement.

ICTSI in September 2017 signed 25year concessions to operate ports in Lae and Motukea.

SPICTL will provide and deploy cranes, berth and yard equipment at the Port of Lae. The port is the largest container handling facility in Papua New Guinea.

Lae, capital of Morobe province, is PNG’s second largest city.

ICTSI earlier reported a net income of $184.9 million in the first nine months of 2019, up 29 percent from $142.9 million a year ago.

Revenue from port operations increased 3 percent to $355.6 million from $344 million.

ICTSI handled consolidated volume of 7,590,090 twenty-foot equivalent units in the nine-month period, or 6 percent higher than 7,152,392 TEUs it handled in the same period in 2018.

Manila

Standard

TODAY

World

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2020

B3

CESAR BARRIOQUINTO, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Armed robbers steal toilet paper in HK H

ONG KONG―Armed robbers who stole hundreds of toilet rolls were being hunted

by Hong Kong police on Monday, in a city wracked by shortages caused by coronavirus panic-buying.

AT THE BAZAAR.

People have food and drink as they sit outside the historical Grand Bazaar in the Iranian capital Tehran on February 12, 2020. Many Iranians, battered by economic sanctions, political turmoil and the lingering threat of military conflict, say they are in no mood to vote in the general elections.

Speaking of heavy hearts and a sense of bitterness, Tehranis complain that they are tired of politicians who have failed to keep their word or to raise living standards. AFP

Toilet rolls have become hot property in the densely packed business hub, despite government assurances that supplies remain unaffected by the virus outbreak.

Supermarkets have found themselves unable to restock quickly enough, leading to sometimes lengthy queues and shelves wiped clean within moments of opening.

Alongside toilet rolls, there has been a run on staples like rice and pasta as well as hand sanitizer and other cleaning items.

Police said a truck driver was held up early Monday by three men outside a supermarket in Mong Kok, a working class district with a history of “triad” organized crime gangs.

“A delivery man was threatened by three knife-wielding men who took toilet paper worth more than HK$1,000 ($130),” a police spokesman told AFP. Footage from Now TV showed police investigators standing around multiple crates of toilet roll outside a Wellcome supermarket. One of the crates was only half stacked.

Hong Kongers reacted with a mixture of bafflement and merriment to the heist.

One lady passing by the scene of the crime who was interviewed by local TV station iCable quipped: “I’d steal face masks, but not toilet roll.”

Uganda’s acid-attack survivors want justice KAMPALA―Ugandan university student Linette Kirungi was on her way to class when she heard footsteps behind her. The next thing she felt was liquid on her face―then burning agony.

She had just turned down a marriage proposal from her ex-boyfriend. He responded by throwing acid.

“I screamed and fell down,” the 27-year-old told AFP. “The pain was too much. The skin was peeling off.”

Acid is cheap and easy to find. Some just use acid for car batteries. It melts the flesh, sometimes to the bone.

That attack was in 2012.

Today, Kirungi works to support survivors of acid attacks in Uganda―and close a legal loophole that allows attackers to easily evade justice.

In Uganda, in 2018, 42 cases were reported to the End Acid Violence campaign group, listing motives including jealousy and relationship arguments.

More go unreported, activists say, who are pushing the government to declare acid attacks a “serious crime” and police to take action.

Uganda’s Justice Minister Ephraim Kamuntu said he wanted to stamp out the attacks.

“We are working... to see that a new law is in place to stop this crime,” Kamuntu said.

But Kirungi, whose ex-boyfriend was never arrested, said that police lose interest if victims don’t follow the case—but they are in hospital struggling with the pain. AFP

The city, which has 57 confirmed coronavirus cases, is currently experiencing a genuine shortage of face masks.

The hysteria that has swept through Hong Kong since the coronavirus outbreak exploded on mainland China is partly fueled by the city’s tragic recent history of confronting a deadly disease.

In 2003, 299 Hong Kongers died of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), an outbreak that began on the mainland but was initially covered up by Beijing, a decision that left a lasting legacy of distrust towards the authorities on public health issues.

The new coronavirus outbreak also comes at a time when the city’s pro-Beijing leadership has historic low approval ratings after refusing to bow to months of angry pro-democracy protests last year.

Authorities have blamed false online rumors for the panic-buying and say supplies of food and household goods remain stable.

But the panic-buying has itself created shortages in one of the world’s most densely populated cities where supermarkets and pharmacies have limited floor space.

Photos posted online have shown some people proudly stuffing their cramped city apartments with packets of hoarded toilet rolls. AFP

Manila

Trump, Turkey urge end to Russia’s Syria support WASHINGTON―President Donald Trump has called for Russia to end its support for the Syrian regime’s “atrocities” as he expressed US concern over violence in the Idlib region, the White House said Sunday.

Turkey’s foreign minister also pressed his Russian counterpart over the attacks by Damascus on the last rebel-held bastion in the country.

Backed by Russian air power, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad made fresh gains Sunday as he intensified his assault on the holdout northwestern province of Idlib.

In a call with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Trump “expressed concern over the violence in Idlib, Syria and... conveyed the United States’ desire to see an end to Russia’s support for the Assad regime’s atrocities.”

Turkey has 12 observation posts in Idlib as part of a 2018 deal reached between Ankara and Moscow to prevent a regime offensive, but Syrian regime forces have pressed ahead regardless.

Four of the Turkish posts are believed to be encircled by Syrian forces, and Ankara has threatened

to attack Damascus if they do not retreat by the end of February.

“I stressed that the attacks in Idlib must stop and it was necessary to establish a lasting ceasefire that would not be violated,” Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu told journalists at the Munich Security Conference, after he met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

Rebel supporter Turkey and Damascus ally Russia have worked closely on Syria in recent years despite being on opposing sides of the nine-year conflict.

A Turkish delegation will head to Moscow on Monday, after Russian officials visited Ankara last weekend but failed to reach a concrete deal.

War monitor the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights on Sunday said regime forces “were in control of all the villages and small towns around Aleppo for the first time since 2012.”

Regime forces have for weeks been making gains in northwestern Syria and chipping away at territory held by jihadists and allied rebels, focusing their latest operations on the west of Aleppo province. AFP

Pneumonia forces Elton John to cut gig WELLINGTON―Elton John has tearfully apologized to fans after cutting short a concert in New Zealand due to illness, with the British superstar saying he was suffering from “walking pneumonia.”

The 72-year-old, who is in the midst of a grueling world tour, struggled to sing while seated at a grand piano during a performance at Mount Smart Stadium on Sunday night.

After being checked by a medic with a stethoscope, he battled on through two more songs before calling a halt to proceedings barely halfway through his setlist.

“I can’t sing, I’ve just completely lost my voice,” he told concert-goers in a croaky rasp.

“I’ve got to go. I’m so sorry.”

Elton John’s illness comes as health authorities worldwide are on high alert for signs of the novel coronavirus, which has infected more than 70,000 and killed 1,770 in mainland China.

New Zealand has no reported cases of the virus.

Video footage showed Elton John, dressed in a powder-blue suit and wearing his trademark oversized glasses, standing at the piano and shrugging his shoulders at the crowd in a gesture of helplessness.

He then shuffled off the stage with his head bowed, helped by members of his road crew as the crowd cheered their support.

“I was diagnosed with walking pneumonia earlier today, but I was determined to give you the best show humanly possible,” he later tweeted.

“I played and sang my heart out, until my voice could sing no more. I’m disappointed, deeply upset and sorry. I gave it all I had.”

Walking pneumonia is an informal term for atypical pneumonia, which causes mild infections of the respiratory system, according to the US Centers for Disease Control. AFP

Standard Republic of the Philippines

18. The load of the Maa substation was temporarily shifted to adjacent substations to maintain the supply to existing customers. On 5 November 2019 an old 15 MVA power transformer is installed in and a 33MVA mobile substation was placed besides the Maa Substation. The mobile substation was energized on 20 December 2019 to temporarily accommodate the load of the Maa Substation.

TODAY

ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION San Miguel Avenue, Pasig City

IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION FOR APPROVAL OF EMERGENCY CAPITAL EXPENDITURE PROJECT (MAA SUBSTATION TRANSFORMER REPLACEMENT AND OTHER RELATED ACTIVITIES)

19. On the other hand, the 15 MVA power transformer is being prepared and tested to temporarily take part of the load of the Maa Substation. Once the 15 MVA power transformer is ready to operate, it will be energized and will take on part of the load of the Maa Substation. This temporary set-up will provide power through the Maa substation until the arrival of a new 33 MVA power transformer, which is expected to be installed and energized within 2020.

ERC CASE NO. 2020-001 RC DAVAO LIGHT AND POWER COMPANY, INC., Applicant. x ---------------------------------------------------------- x

20. Considering the foregoing circumstances, the replacement of the transformer is an emergency CAPEX project that must be immediately implemented to ensure the safe, reliable, secure, and efficient operation of the power system and prevent unserved customers. It is critical that the replacement of the transformer be implemented immediately to prevent unserved customers.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES:

21. The total estimated cost of Davao Light’s emergency CAPEX project is PhP 43,649,783.53, which includes cost for the purchase of a new 33 MVA power transformer and associated equipment. The cost of the project shall be financed using internally generated funds.

Notice is hereby given that on 03 January 2020, Davao Light and Power Company, Inc. (DLPC) filed an Application dated 23 December 2019, seeking the approval of its emergency capital expenditure project for the Maa Substation Transformer replacement and other related activities.

22. The implementation of this emergency CAPEX project will not have a direct impact on the current rates of Davao Light until this project is approved by the Honorable Commission as part of Davao Light’s Regulatory Asset Base (RAB) in the next PBR regulatory period.

The pertinent portions of the said Application are hereunder quoted as follows: 1. Davao Light is a corporation duly organized and existing under and by virtue of the laws of the Republic of the Philippines, with office address at C. Bangoy Sr. St., Davao City. It is the grantee of a legislative franchise under Republic Act No. 89601 to construct, operate and maintain an electric light, heat and power system in the Cities of Davao and Panabo, and in the Municipalities of Carmen, Sto. Tomas and Braulio Dujali, Province of Davao del Norte. Davao Light may be served with orders and other processes of the Honorable Commission through its undersigned counsel at the address indicated below.

23. The justification, technical analysis, economic analysis, and alternatives considered, as applicable, of the emergency CAPEX project are discussed in detail the following annexes, in support of the Application for the approval of this emergency CAPEX project, and in compliance with the filing requirements of the Honorable Commission:

2. Republic Act No. 9136, or the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 (“EPlRA”), under Section 23 thereof, obligates a distribution utility, such as Davao Light, to provide distribution services and connections to its system for any end-user within its franchise area, consistent with the distribution code. Further, distribution utilities share in the objective of the EPlRA to ensure the quality, reliability, security and affordability of the supply of electric power. 2 3. To pursue its mandate under its franchise and the EPIRA, it is necessary for Davao Light to continuously invest in the improvement of its system and services to better serve its customers.

4. As such, Davao Light, in accordance-with Section 3.4 of ERC Resolution No. 26, Series of 2009,3 hereby applies for approval from the Honorable Commission of the replacement of its Maa Substation power transformer, with other related activities, as an emergency Capital Expenditure (“CAPEX”) project.

7. The transformer of the Maa substation was manufactured in January 2014. It was initially installed and energized at the Pampanga substation in May 2014.

8. In 20 March 2015, following manufacturer’s local distributor’s advice, the transformer was shipped to the manufacturer for further investigation and testing in view of a report sent by Applicant to the manufacturer in September 2014.

9. The transformer was repaired by the manufacturer and then shipped back to the Applicant in October 2015. It was then placed in the Maa Substation in November 2015.

12. The transformer was energized in the Maa Substation on 14 September 2016.

13. The transformer was subjected to several Dissolved Gas Analysis (“DGA”) tests. During the tests conducted in the second quarter of 2019, the transformer’s DGA test revealed that there were problems with its internal heating. Upon communication with the manufacturer, Applicant was advised by manufacturer through its local distributor to observe the condition of the transformer after conducting an oil filtering process with vacuum and heating oil filtering equipment.

14. On 29 and 30 September 2019, the transformer was de-energized and subjected to testing and diagnostics. The electrical tests results are within published limits. On the other hand, the result of the Frequency Response of Stray Losses (“FRSL”) reading taken together with the DGA results may be an indication of short circuit fault between parallel strands. Nonetheless, the transformer was re-energized as the tests results overall are within limits.

15. On 12 October 2019, the transformer was again de-energized for degassing then DGA trending. After 36 hours of oil filtration of the unwanted combustible gasses, the DGA levels improved. The transformer was then re-energized.

“B”

Decommissioning Report

“C”

Emergency CAPEX - Budget

“D”

Emergency CAPEX - Financials

“E”

Emergency CAPEX - Gantt Chart

“F”

Emergencv CAPEX - Single Line Diagram

PRAYER

Other relief just and equitable under the premises are likewise prayed for.

The Commission has set the Application for determination of compliance with the jurisdictional requirements, expository presentation, Pre-trial Conference, and presentation of evidence on 05 March 2020 (Thursday) at two o’clock in the afternoon (2:00 P.M.) at the ERC-Mindanao Area Operations Division (ERC-MAOD), Mezzanine Floor, Mintrade Building, Monteverde Avenue cor. Sales Street, Davao City.

All persons who have an interest in the subject matter of the instant case may become a party by filing with the Commission a verified Petition to Intervene at least five (5) days 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 subject matter of the case may file their Opposition or Comment thereon at any stage of the proceeding before Applicant rest 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.

Applicant 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 and other pertinent records filed with the Commission during the standard office hours.

WITNESS, the Honorable Chairperson and CEO AGNES VST DEVANADERA, and the Honorable Commissioners ALEXIS M. LUMBATAN, CATHERINE P. MACEDA, and PAUL CHRISTIAN M. CERVANTES,, Energy Regulatory Commission, this 21st day of January 2020 in Pasig City.

16. However, after two (2) weeks of service, the presence of a higher Total Dissolved Combustible Gas (“TDCG”) than that prior to the filtration process became more alarming. TDCG was now in Condition 4, which required the de-energization of the transformer as soon as possible.

17. Considering the results of the testing and the close monitoring of the transformer, the transformer is no longer reliable and safe. Thus, Applicant was constrained to de-energize and permanently shut-down the transformer. The latest test results of the Dissolve Gasses are in the Decommissioning Report attached as Annex “B” of the Application.

Distribution Development Plan Emergency Capital Expenditure Proiect

WHEREFORE, it is respectfully prayed that the Honorable Commission APPROVE the proposed emergency Capital Expenditure Project program of Davao Light and Power Company, Inc. for the replacement of the transformer of the Maa Substation.

10. During the commissioning and testing in February 2016, test results on the transformer were satisfactory, although the result on the Insulation Power Factor (“IPF”) showed that it was slightly higher for a brand unit but within tolerable limits for an in-service power transformer.

11. In a letter dated 16 April 2016, the manufacturer formally assured Applicant that the transformer was in good condition and may operate.

Document

“A”

24. The benefits arising from this emergency CAPEX project will ultimately redound to the end-consumers of Davao Light because the project will ensure continuous, reliable and efficient power supply to all endconsumers.

5. Pursuant to the said Resolution, emergency CAPEX projects are those that require immediate implementation during an event other than those enumerated and covered in the definition of a force majeure or fortuitous event, in order to maintain safe, reliable, secure, and efficient operation of the power system. 4 6. The proposed emergency CAPEX project will address the power transformer problem at Maa substation, which will result to unserved customers, if not resolved immediately.

Annex

JOSEFINA PATRICIA A. MAGPALE-ASIRIT Oversight Commissioner for Legal

1

2 3 4

Entitled “An Act Further Extending the Term of the Franchise Granted to Davao Light and Power Company, Inc. to Construct, Operate and Maintain an Electric Light, Heat and Power System in Davao City and the Municipalities of Carmen, Panabo, Dujali, and Santo Tomas, Province of Davao del Norte, for a Period of Twenty-Five (25) Years and for Other Purposes”; Section 2(b) ofthe EPlRA; Otherwise known as the Resolution Amending the Rules for Approval of Regulated Entities’ Capital Expenditure Projects; The Resolution defines force majeure as “a typhoon, storm, tropical depression, flood, drought, volcanic eruption, earthquake, tidal wave, or landslide”, while a fortuitous event is defined as “an act of public enemy, war (declared or undeclared), sabotage, blockade, revolution, riot, insurrection, civil commotion or any violent or threatening actions.” (Section 1.3, Resolution No. 26, Series of 2009); (MS-FEB. 11 & 18, 2020

LGUs

Jimbo Owen Gulle, Editor lgu@manilastandard.net editor.lgustandard@gmail.com

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LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2020

Tiangco opens Social Services One-Stop Shop

By Jun David TO EASE access and delivery of social services, the city government of Navotas inaugurated Monday its social services one-stop shop at the Navotas City Hall compound.

Mayor Toby Tiangco, together with Rep. John Rey Tiangco and other city and barangay officials, led the blessing and ribbon-cutting of NavoServe at the Navotas City Hall Annex.

“People who visit the city hall and apply for social services come from the vulnerable sectors of the community.

To alleviate at least a bit of their concerns, we need to ensure that they get the help they need in a manner that is comfortable, easy and convenient,” said Mayor Tiangco.

Congressman Tiangco, on the other hand, reminded city hall employees to always serve with compassion and care.

“Most of those who come here for help do not have much in life. Let us always strive to treat them with respect and compassion,” he said.

NavoServe offers a seamless processing of documents required to avail government assistance including the certification from the City Information and Communications Technology Office, certificate of indigency, and social case study.

It provides services such as the Navotas Hospitalization Program; medical assistance from Mayor Tiangco; Commission on Higher Education educational assistance and medical assistance from Congressman Tiangco; processing of senior citizens and persons with disability ID and booklet; and burial assistance.

The one-stop shop also caters to senior citizens who would claim their P500 NavoRegalo and PWD students who would get their educational assistance.

COURTESY VISIT. Las Piñas City Mayor Mel Aguilar (sixth from right) and Vice Mayor April Aguilar (fifth from right) welcomed

newly appointed Southern Police District Director Col. Emmanuel Peralta to the city hall. He was accompanied by City Chief of Police Col. Segundo Lagundi Jr. and other officers of the Las Piñas police. Also present were City Administrator Reynaldo Balagulan and former councilors Mark Anthony Santos and Henry Medina. Norman Cruz

QC forms task force for 2nd road clearing

By Rio N. Araja

UEZON City Mayor Joy Belmonte has created a new task force for the second round of road clearing operations that kicked off Monday as mandated by the Department of the Interior and Local Government.

Belmonte issued Executive Order No. 9 Series, creating the Quezon City Task Force Road Clearing 2.0 under the Office of the Mayor.

“We will pursue what we have already started last year,” she said.

The order stemmed from DILG’s Memorandum Circular No. 2020-27, mandating the continued implementation of President Rodrigo Duterte’s directive to clear roads of illegal obstructions and ensure efforts to maintain the cleared roads are sustained.

With her latest directive, Belmonte urged local residents to cooperate with

the city government to clear roads from different kinds of obstructions.

Aside from posting it on the city’s official Facebook page, residents can also report abusive traffic enforcers via Hotline 122.

Under Belmonte’s order, she will head the task force with the chief of staff and assistant city administrator for operations as vice chairpersons.

Meanwhile, Toro Hills Elementary School in Project 8, Quezon City was chosen as beneficiary of the Bureau of Plant Industry Crop Research and Production Support Division in partnership with the

Los Baños Crop Research and Production Support Division.

The BPI-Manila personnel selected three schools in each division for their beneficiaries. Toro Hills joined Camp Crame and San Gabriel as the project’s recipients among the 95 schools in Quezon City.

To realized the BPI Agriculture Office program, the bureau also conducted extensive training to help EPP Teachers donate their start-up Plants to School Projects to their schools.

Roger S. Tamondong, EPP Education Program Supervisor and Division Coordinator, urged Toro Hills to promote food and nutrition security and encouraged students, parents, as well as students teachers to grow and consume healthy vegetables.

At the bench marking conducted at Holy Spirit Elementary School and San Gabriel Elementary School, Mrs. Fridita S. Galilee, project coordinator, suggested having “Magic Spots” for all grade levels.

Smart supports Laurel families with Taal work MANY residents in communities near the Taal Volcano have relied on fishing, farming, and tourism as sources of income. The recent eruption of the volcano, however, caused significant damage not only to their homes but also to their livelihood.

PLDT wireless unit Smart Communications Inc. is extending its support to families affected by the Taal Volcano eruption by providing cash-for-work assistance, materials to rebuild homes, and early warning tools for selected communities.

For the cash-for-work initiative, Smart worked with the social welfare office of the town of Laurel in Batangas to identify beneficiaries.

Under the program, Smart will provide cash assistance to selected families in Barangay Buso-Buso per day in exchange for cleaning and rehabilitation of their own homes.

Most of the affected residents are still staying at evacuation centers, but the municipal social welfare office has allowed some of them to go back to their homes at certain times of the day to clean up, feed their pets, and take care of other household concerns.

Laurel also got disaster warning tools in the form of “batingaw,” a bell or a siren used by communities as an early warning device. Smart turned over two batingaw that the villagers could use to inform their fellow residents of imminent natural or manmade threats.

An Aeta community in Batangas province also received assistance from Smart. Longtime residents in the coastal areas of San Luis town, the group bore the brunt of the eruption, their homes and sources of livelihood destroyed.

Most of the heads of families in this community were construction workers, fisherfolk, or raised animals in farms.

Smart also provided “pawid” (nipa palm), “sawali” (bamboo mats), and other housing materials that they could use to build their new homes as they moved from the seaside to the town’s mountainous areas. Around 70 Aeta families or 300 individuals now seeking shelter in Barangay Banoyo were selected as beneficiaries.

“The best way to show our love for residents affected by the Taal Volcano eruption is through actions that can help them rebuild their lives,” said PLDT-Smart public affairs head Ramon R. Isberto. “In time for Valentine’s Day, instead of just offering thoughts and prayers, let us show our concern in more tangible and meaningful ways.”

NEW OFFICERS. The International School of Sustainable Tourism announces its new directors (from left) in former Philippine Airlines president and COO Jaime Bautista; former Tourism Secretary Mina Gabor; Manila Yacht Club Commodore Robert Lim Joseph; former Social Welfare Secretary Corazon Alma de Leon; and Michael Guioguio as treasurer during their first meeting held at Manila Yacht Club. They discussed several ISST programs and projects for this year.

Pepsi aids Taal Volcano evacuees PEPSI Cola Products Philippines Inc. recently provided assistance to thousands of affected families in various evacuation sites in Batangas after being displaced amid the continuous unrest of Taal Volcano, which erupted last Jan. 12.

Led by its Southern Tagalog Region Operations Plant volunteering personnel, PCPPI coordinated with the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management team of Santo Tomas, Batangas to provide 100 bundles of carton, 300 pieces of empty sacks, and 100 gallons of drinking water.

The items were assessed as the most immediate needs of the evacuees in San Miguel Elementary School and San Roque

Elementary School.

An additional 100 cases of purified drinking water were also delivered to the Capitol Site of Batangas City, distributed to nearby evacuation centers.

The STRO Plant also assisted other local government units by providing two hydrant connections for raw water and one hose connection for drinking water, accessible 24/7. Three lines were also mobilized to clean thick layers of ash accumulated from Taal’s ash fall.

After coordinating with the National Red Cross Capitol Site, PCPPI committed to organize a blood donation program to support evacuees with medical conditions in times of emergencies.

Pepsi’s STRO team delivers 100 cases of purified drinking water to the Capitol Site of Batangas City for distribution to nearby evacuation centers.

Life

Bernadette Lunas, Editor manilastandardlife@gmail.com @manilastandardlife @MStandardLIFE

HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2020

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A BIG SMILE FROM THE UNIVERSE.

Smile Train global ambassador Catriona Gray meets cleft patients and their families at Philippine Band of Mercy.

Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray shares her smile with the young ones as global ambassador for an organization that provides free corrective surgery for children with cleft lips and palates.

(Photo from @catriona_gray / Instagram)

Catriona Gray creates smiles

By Monica Sanchez

T

HERE is something pure and sincere about Catriona Gray’s smile. It has this child-like appeal to it; contagious and all-encompassing—a smile that transcends the universe.

So it was rather fitting that our very own Miss Universe has been chosen as the new global ambassador of Smile Train, an international nonprofit organization that provides free corrective surgery for children with cleft lips and palates.

“I have always believed that children Catriona turns over the check for the proceeds she raised from her birthday fundraiser to deserve every chance in the world to Smile Train East Asia director Kimmy Flaviano. achieve their goals. Through Smile Since its establishment in 1999, Smile lion children in need, 60,000 of whom Train-supported cleft treatment, they are given the opportunity to become Train, with the help donors and partners are from the Philippines, since the charmore confident and live their lives to around the world, has provided safe and ity arrived in 2001.

As the newest ambassador, Gray requality cleft care for more than 1.5 milthe fullest,” said Gray.

Suwag o suko: Endangered tamaraw on focus

‘Suwag o Suko’ features footages of the expedition to Mts. Iglit-Baco National Park in Mindoro.

IN A bid to protect the life and livelihood linked to tamaraws, Canon Philippines produced a 60-minute documentary scheduled for nationwide release in March.

Entitled “Suwag o Suko,” the documentary features footages of the expedition to Mts. Iglit-Baco National Park in Mindoro, the last frontier of tamaraws. Canon teamed up with the United Nations Development Programme and Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Biodiversity Finance Initiative.

Considered one of the world’s critically endangered animals, the water buffalos are closely watched by a band of 23 rangers from the Tamaraw Conservation Program. The joint initiative sheds light on the program’s conservation efforts and the many realities the rangers face in the call of duty.

“Hidden from sight, the challenge of

conservation becomes all the more difficult. That’s why Canon Philippines and our partners are pooling our resources together to share the cause of the rangers to a wider audience,” said vice president Anuj Aggarwal.

The docu-film follows the trail of rangers, from when they leave camp to when they overcome external threats of weather, tensions arising from cultural practices, and come home to choose to strike or surrender their cause for another day.

The documentary premiered at the National Museum of the Philippines in October 2019, in celebration of the National Tamaraw Month.

With full intent to reach as many local viewers as possible, “Suwag o Suko’s” narrative is told in the language of the rangers (Filipino) and is intended to be translated for native speakers of Cebuano, Hiligaynon, Turn to C2

cently turned over P388,200 she raised from her “Catriona Gives A Smile” birthday fundraiser. The amount, which Smile Train East Asia director Kimmy Flaviano received, will support cleft care treatment for at least 30 Filipino babies born with a cleft.

“Working with Smile Train has allowed me to help create smiles around the world,” enthused Gray.

“As one of their newest global am-

bassadors, I will continue to use my voice and platform to help raise awareness and advocate for children with clefts here in the Philippines and all around the world.”

Flaviano expressed delight working with the beauty queen. “She is committed to furthering our vision of giving new smiles and second chances to those born with a cleft, not only in the Philippines but around the world.”

5 common mistakes that hinder a decent sleep A GOOD night’s sleep is a luxury for many, especially for adults. According to the 2016 Healthy Living Index Survey, around 46 percent of Filipinos are sleep deprived and at least 32 percent only get a maximum of six hours of sleep a day.

Lack of sleep is bad for the health.

Ideally, a person needs 7.5 to 8 hours of quality sleep a day to function properly, said the UK’s National Health Service.

Sleep deprivation causes fatigue, irritability, and lack of focus—and that’s just for occasional poor night’s sleep. Several sleepless nights have much more serious mental effects such as difficulty to concentrate and make decisions.

While many desire to get that rejuvenating shuteye, there’s plenty of rea- Can’t sleep? A premium mattress and pillow brand says it might be because of things one sons it can be quite elusive. A premium does during the earlier part of the day. mattress brand shares five possible culprits that prevent one from having a ter 4:00 p.m. may result in difficulty in Extensive workout sleeping at night. A glass of cold water good night’s sleep. before bedtime is a great alternative to get a boost of Try to schedule exercise time in the energy. For a restful slumber, consider morning or hit the gym in the afternoon, Late afternoon coffee Caffeine is a natural memory and replacing that cup of joe with a relaxing as a heart-pumping, sweat-dripping energy enhancer, but having coffee af- and calming chamomile tea.

Turn to C2

Comfort Living mattress topper is made of cool gel beads that keep body temperature down, lulling the user to sleep.

Life

C2

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2020 manilastandardlife@gmail.com

From left: Dr. Barnet Eskin, Dr. Donald T. Allegra, and Dr. John R. Allegra talk about the advantages of ambulatory care and the dangers of inpatient care.

O

Dr. Norman San Agustin of Asian Breast Cancer Center leads a talk on global trends in healthcare.

Advantages of ambulatory care

VER the years, doctors and health professionals are seeing a shift toward outpatient care as it costs less and can benefit patients. But the debate between outpatient procedure and inpatient care continues to baffle the public.

To shed light on ambulatory care, Dr. Norman San Agustin, president and chief executive of Asian Breast Center, led a talk on global trends in healthcare.

Together with his former colleagues from Morristown Medical Center—Dr. Donald Allegra, Dr. John Allegra, and Dr. Barnet Eskin—Dr. San Agustin discussed the advantages of ambulatory care and the dangers of inpatient care.

The seminar, held at Centuria Medical Makati where the Asian Breast Center is located, tackled infection control and how breast cancer surgeries can be done in an outpatient setting.

Experts opine hospitals are considered the most dangerous places in the world, and it’s the duty of the doctor to make sure a patient is discharged as soon as possible to avoid hospital-acquired infections.

“There are three pillars of infection control— hand hygiene, environmental cleaning, and antibiotic stewardship. Proper hand hygiene is probably the single most important thing one can do to reduce the transmission of bacteria. Our mindset is that every infection should be treated as a case of smallpox. Our goal is to have zero infections,”

shared Dr. Donald Allegra.

Given the probability of contracting infections, many doctors aim to shorten the duration of a patient’s stay in the hospital as shorter length of stay lessens the risk of getting infections. This belief supports the idea of promoting outpatient surgeries.

“What we found in these comparisons between ambulatory care centers and in-hospital breast surgeries are results were better in the ambulatory care centers. Patient satisfaction is better and costs are favorable. It’s okay and safe to do ambulatory surgery,” said Dr. John Allegra.

Asian Breast Center, a one-stop comprehensive ambulatory breast care center, offers consultations, diagnostic radiology and nuclear medicine, surgery, and radiation therapy. Headed by Dr. San Agustin, the center takes pride in being a world-class and innovative breast facility that brings personalized, supportive, and evidence-based patient care.

Asian Breast Center is located at 8/F Centuria Medical Makati, Kalayaan Avenue corner Salamanca Street, Barangay Poblacion, Makati City.

Ormoc leads pneumonia vaccination of seniors “PNEUMONIA is one of the leading causes of death in the Philippines along with cancer, heart disease, and stroke,” said Dr. Niño Jessielito Doydora, internist-pulmonologist at OSPA-Farmers Medical Center, Ormoc Doctor’s Hospital, and Gatchalian Hospital.

“But the good thing is that pneumonia is preventable through vaccination.”

Dr. Doydora shared this information in his keynote speech during the pilot implementation of the free pneumonia immunization program for senior citizens at Ormoc City Superdome in Ormoc City, Leyte.

With the campaign theme “Bakunado si Lolo at Lola Iwas Pulmonya,” around 400 senior citizens benefitted from the program. Participants were from six clustered districts of Ormoc City which included Curva District, Doña Felisa Mejia District, Ipil District, Linao District, San Pablo District, and Valencia District.

The immunization program was led by the Department of Health, City Government of Ormoc led by Mayor Richard Gomez, and the Office of Senior Citizens Affairs.

Dr. Doydora emphasized the importance of educating people about the nature of pneumonia, its complications, and how to prevent the disease.

He further explained that the most common cause of pneumonia is the bacteria known as Streptococcus pneumoniae. However, the pulmonologist clarified that aside from bacteria, virus and fungi can also lead to the development of pneumonia.

Pneumonia is a disease that causes inflammation of the air sacs in one or both lungs. It can be caused by a variety of organisms, including bacteria, viruses,

Hospitals are considered one of the most dangerous places in the world, experts say, due to the presence of hospital-acquired infections.

Suwag...

From C1

Visayan, Chavacano, and Bicolano.

“We do not want to simply raise funds for tamaraw conservation through this film. We also want to spread awareness of the plight of the largest land mammal in the Philippines, similar to our very own Philippine Eagle, which is well known

by Filipinos and people around the world,” said Ricardo Calderon, assistant secretary for climate change and concurrent director of the Biodiversity Management Bureau of DENR.

The DENR is currently reviewing the Tamaraw Conservation Program in order to strengthen the conservation of the critically endangered tamaraw.

“Found nowhere else in the world, the tamaraws are a source of pride for Filipinos. As the film’s viewers will discover, the survival of these animals is closely linked to the lives of rangers and communities surrounding the conserved area,” said Aggarwal.

Aggarwal added, “Suwag o Suko is a call for solidarity, for us to collectively stand with the rangers and show our support for the Tamaraw’s and country’s biodiversity conservation efforts.”

The docufilm follows the trail of rangers from the Tamaraw Conservation Program.

Senior citizens are given free pneumonia vaccine during the ceremonial vaccination in Ormoc City, Leyte.

and fungi. It is most life-threatening for infants, the elderly, and people with health problems or weakened immune systems.

Symptoms may include difficulty of breathing, coughing, fever, and weakness.

Elderly patients suffering from pneumonia are more prone to severe complications, hospitalization, and even death due to their compromised immune systems and pre-existing health conditions such as diabetes and chronic lung, kidney, or heart conditions, among others.

During the program, Dr. Sarah Hermoso, Ormoc City Health Department - National Immunization Program manager, shared that the objective of the program is to introduce the value of vaccination to the citizens of Ormoc City.

Dr. Niño Jessielito Doydora stresses that vaccination is the most effective way to prevent pneumonia.

“Ang amo gusto nga mabakunahan ang mga senior citizens, nga nag edad ug 60 years old and above, para makalikay sila sa sakit nga pneumonia. Labi na nga ang atong senior citizens mao na sila ang prone ine nga sakit (What we want is that all senior citizens, 60 years old and above, should be immunized so they can avoid pneumonia. Especially since senior citizens are prone to this disease),” said Hermoso.

When asked about his thoughts on the immunization program, Ebenesir Molinas, one of the senior citizens who got free pneumonia vaccination, said he was grateful to the government for coming up with such a program that aims to protect the senior citizens which he claimed as one of the most underrated members of the society.

“I am really grateful that programs like the ‘Bakunado si Lolo at Lola, Iwas Pulmonya’ exists. There is no better way for the government to show that they value the elderly than ensuring that they are protected from deadly diseases like pneumonia,” he shared.

Felix Inghug, another recipient of pneumonia vaccine, pointed out the importance of immunization to senior citizens.

“Senior citizens like me must eliminate their doubts and instead just give their full trust and confidence to pneumococcal vaccine because this is proven to be effective not only in the Philippines but across the United States and Europe,” said Inghug.

5 common...

From C1

cardio workout three hours before going to bed may result in difficulty to snooze off. Those who are busy and only have time to squeeze in a quick workout at night are advised to opt for a casual walk or find some alternative exercises that can be done while lying on bed.

Too much stress and worries

Stress is inevitable, especially for working people, but it is best, as much as you can, to not let it affect sleeping time. Avoid thinking about work or any other issues when in bed. Experts suggest keeping a bedside journal onto which one can write thoughts.

Room lighting and exposure to blue lights

Light exposure impairs the quality of sleep because it prevents the brain from releasing the sleeping hormone, melatonin. The darker the room, the easier for the brain to enter into sleep mode.

Additionally, using gadgets and watching TV affect sleep as well as distract

mind. If possible, keep phones and gadgets away from bed or bedside table.

Wrong choice of bed

Not all beds, specifically mattresses are created equal. If bed is too hard, it may cause backache and discomfort; if it’s too mushy, it may be uncomfortable and result in poor spine alignment. A good quality mattress is an investment, as a person spends a third of their lifetime sleeping. However, if investing in a full-size mattress is not yet on budget, consider a topper instead.

Comfort Living offers a mattress topper made using gel-infused memory foam technology. According to the brand, its gel-infused topper keeps body temperature down, which slowly lulls the user to sleep. Since its material is also made of cool gel beads, it provides a long-lasting cool surface that molds to the body and relieves pressure points. Prices start at P4,999 for twin/ single size.

In addition to toppers and mattresses, Comfort Living also offers premium memory orthopedic pillow and body pillow. Go to www.comfortlivingph. com or call (02) 8425-6989 to order.

Entertainment

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2020

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nickie.standard@gmail.com

‘Panata’ video hits 5 million views

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VER six million Filipino families know the challenges of not having their own home. They toil in jobs to pay their rent, pouring hours of their time into work so they can have a place to sleep at night. It is a familiar struggle for millions of ordinary Filipinos all over the country who just want a roof over their heads.

It’s this experience that is poignantly portrayed in BRIA Homes’ video Panata, which has now garnered over five million views online. Set to a gripping poem by award-winning author Louie Jon A. Sanchez, “Panata” depicts the life of ordinary Filipinos and their families and the sacrifices they make to pay the rent on time.

Comments have poured in from Filipino netizens who were touched by

Within a week, ‘Panata’ has already garnered over 3 million views on Facebook

the video’s relatable story. “Nakakaiyak! Tagos sa puso!” wrote Facebook user Rachel Laguna. Meanwhile, Facebook user Lianne Roannie Saavedra called it a “Must watch!”

Panata showed its millions of viewers how they can find relief and the fulfillment of their dreams from Bria Homes. With the affordable and high-quality dwellings that the mass housing developer offers, families can now live in homes they can call their own. The video certainly serves to reiterate BRIA Homes’ dedication to being the “Pambansang Pabahay” of the Philippines, giving families a foundation on which to build better lives for themselves and the nation.

‘Panata’ was directed

by Ice Idanan and produced by Christopher Cahilig.

The video, which can be viewed on the Bria Official Facebook page, stars Jal Galang, Zarah Pagay, Star Orjaliza, Dido de la Paz, and Maricor Canlas with Skye Aguila, Jhedd Geraban, Raymond Rinoza, Aylwin Salazar, Kylie Velasco, Anne Dizon, Jefferson Ducanes, Daniella Gestiada, and Marijoy Cacho in supporting roles.

Panata was made possible by Insight 360 (Production Company); Christopher Cahilig (producer); Ice Idanan (director/DOP); Louie Jon A. Sanchez (writer/poet); Lorraine Intes (script/production manager); Jay Castillo (line producer); Sue Aspiras (assistant director); Yvette Mijares (production coordinator); Christine Galia (production assistant); Patrick Ostrea (drone operator); Kenneth Amparo (editor); Richard Gonzales (musical scorer); Kat Salinas (sound designer); and Joe-Nico Ebora (colorist).

Bria Homes is a subsidiary of GOLDEN BRIA Holdings, Inc., considered the third largest real estate company in terms of market capitalization valued at more than P250B. The fastest-growing mass housing developer in the Philippines, Bria Homes is primed to bring affordable house-and-lot packages and condominium units closer to ordinary Filipino families.

This is the goal that drives every single employee in the company, for which the ultimate fulfillment is seeing a client happily moving into Bria’s homes. To know more about Bria Homes, call (0966) 277 5944, like “Bria Official” on Facebook, and follow “@TheBriaOfficial” on Twitter and Instagram.

Kim Chiu program timeslot doesn’t matter THREE years after top-billing the hit soap Ikaw Lang ang Iibigin on ABSCBN in 2017, Kim Chiu is back on the small screen via Love Thy Woman.

Here, she shares stellar billing with reel-and-real-life partner Xian Lim. Though the series has been performing well since its pilot week, many of her fans got dismayed though that the show was fielded in the afternoon slot amid being a primetime material.

“Time slot is not really a big issue to me. These days, it doesn’t matter if your offering airs on daytime, afternoon or primetime. You know, there’s the Internet and iWanTV. Things have changed,” the petite charmer explains.

“The time slot doesn’t define your star magnitude. Whether it’s on daytime or primetime, you exert the same amount of energy and efforts. You deliver the best acting that you can. When it comes to television, everything’s on the same level at this point!”

What matters to Kim is the trust her home studio continuously gives her.

“I don’t think they will still get my services and make me star in their grand projects if they don’t believe in me anymore, right? For me, that shows your worth.”

Considering her co-actors in Love Thy Woman, her fans point out that the show is of primetime caliber.

“Well, thank you if they view it that way. I’m grateful that Xian and I are surrounded by some of the industry’s brightest and seasoned thespians today. That’s one of the key reasons why I’m so excited about this program. We’ve been taping for months and all of us in the production are thrilled on what the public’s reception to the story would be,” avers Kim. The popular actress doesn’t deny that

G Diaries was named winner of the Makakalikasan Media Excellence Award

Kapamilya network recognized at 3rd Dangal ng Bayan Awards

Kim Chiu with co-stars Yam Concepcion (left) and Xian Lim

she missed doing a soap opera.

“Oh yes! It’s been three years. I missed acting and being watched by televiewers on a daily basis. That’s why I’m grateful that this material came along.”

Kim admits that she also missed working with Xian once again.

“That’s another thing. Our last soap together was The Story of Us way back in 2016. Yes, it’s been quite a while actually. Really, we missed working together. Funny, but after doing our maiden scene together, we watched ourselves in the monitor. Yes! Ha-ha-

ha! Surprisingly, we felt as if we’ve just started all over again.”

Interestingly, in Love Thy Woman, Kim plays a different character: that of a mistress.

“My role is Jia, a girl who will fall in love with her sister’s husband. It’s something new for me. For the longest time, I’ve been playing the oppressed parts. Here, I’m strong-willed and ready to fight. It’s kind of hard since it’s not my usual stuff. That’s why I studied each scene to come up with an accurate portrayal,” she ends.

*****

Kyline Alcantara shares a good laugh with Nora Aunor at the media conference of ‘Bilangin Ang Bituin Sa Langit’

Kyline Alcantara is very vocal in saying that she still couldn’t believe she’s sharing the frame with Superstar Nora Aunor in the boob tube remake of the latter’s classic potboiler Bilangin ang Bituin sa Langit on GMA-7. “it’s really a surreal experience to work with a showbiz icon like her in a grand soap opera,” she states. “All stars especially the new ones like me dream of acting with her in highly dramatic scenes. It’s a big honor.”

The competent young star vows to give her best in this project.

“I really will even though I’m nervous. Apart from Ms. Nora Aunor, our director is also topnotch (Laurice Guillen). I just wish she won’t shout at me. Ha-ha-ha! This early, I feel challenged.”

According to Kyline, she’s very excited about their new offering which will begin airing on Feb. 24.

“I feel anxious about it. I don’t know how the viewers will receive it especially since it’s a reboot of one of Ms. Nora Aunor’s award-winning movies. Of course, all of us in the production wish for its overall success. I really hope that the public will like, appreciate and support our TV version,” she says.

ABS-CBN and its relevant news and current affairs programs were recognized for media excellence in the 3rd National College of Science and Technology Dangal ng Bayan Awards.

The Kapamilya network raked in nine awards, including the Media Excellence Award for Engineering, Media Excellence Award for Information and Technology for ABS-CBN News Online, and the Makabayan Media Excellence Award for its comprehensive Halalan 2019 election coverage.

Failon Ngayon was also bestowed the award for Media Excellence Award for Public Administration, while Matanglawin was hailed as the recipient for the Media Excellence Award for Education.

Other ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs programs that received recognition were My Puhunan (Media Excellence Award for Business and Entrepreneurship), G Diaries (Makakalikasan Media Excellence Award), and On The Money (Media Excellence Award for Accountancy), which airs on the ABS-CBN News Channel (ANC).

Meanwhile, ABS-CBN Lingkod Kapamilya Foundation was named as the recipient for the Makatao Media Excellence Award.

Launched in 2018, the Dangal ng Bayan awards program “recognizes the outstanding body of work of different media practitioners that correspond to the values upheld by NCST’s current curricular offerings.”

DZBB’s Dobol B Balitang Balita welcomes new anchor GMA’s flagship AM radio station Super Radyo DZBB revamps its early morning program Dobol B Balitang Balita as it introduces a new host, veteran radio anchor Weng dela Peña.

On Feb. 10, the newest Kapuso radio anchor started delivering the day’s freshest news from 4:30 to 5:30 a.m..

“I’m just happy and blessed na ‘yung tiwala ay naibigay sa akin,” Dela Peña expressed.

He also shared that the program’s content is very important to get the listeners’ attention. “Malaki ang contribution ng mga istoryang ilalabas ko. More than me, it’s the story that I deliver. You have to somehow tell the story in a way na talagang ang ganda ng pagsabi. If the person you listen to sounds interested and

sincere in his delivery, that is how you keep them more alert and attentive,” he added.

With over two decades of radio experience, Dela Peña’s previous stint as a news anchor and commentator was with the Philippine Broadcasting Service. He was recently awarded as the Best Radio Public Service Host at the 2019 KBP Golden Dove Awards.

Catch Dobol B Balitang Balita every Monday to Friday, at 4:30 to 5:30 a.m. on Super Radyo DZBB 594kHz or online via live audio stream at www. gmanetwork.com/radio/ streaming/dzbb.

Weng Dela Pena hosts ‘Dobol B Balitang Balita’

Entertainment

Nickie Wang, Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com

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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2020

Will Myrtle Sarrosa star opposite Alden Richards in a GMA project?

Myrtle Sarrosa says she’s starting a new chapter in her career and she can only be happy for the opportunities that knock on her door.

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VER the weekend, Myrtle Sarrosa, with Hashtags member Ryle Santiago, and rapper Young JV, welcomed the guests and visitors in the office blessing of Megasolf, a brand known for affordable hygienic products.

After the event, the 25-year-old Myrtle graciously accommodated questions from the members of the entertainment press and was glad to share how she started the year off right. But there’s one question that the popular cosplayer and online gamer was trying dodge.

Rumor has it that she’s finally decided to cut ties with ABS-CBN and hopped over to its rival network. Though still all smiles, Myrtle declined to directly answer whether or not she’s going to be called a “Kapuso” in the next coming days.

“I’ll answer that in a separate press conference. I hope you understand,” she told Manila Standard during the pocket interview.

But members of the showbiz press were persistent and asked her who among the Kapuso actors would she be willing to work with in case she becomes an official GMA artist.

“That would be Alden Richards,” she said smiling. “I’ve told people in previous interviews that I would like to work with him because he’s a gamer like me. I believe would click because of our passion for online games.”

Inspiration

As ambassador of Megasoft, Myrtle is able to go around the country visiting different schools. With a common advocacy aimed at inspiring students to fin-

EXTRA INTERNATIONAL

Megasoft ambassadors Young JV, Myrtle Sarrosa and Hashtag Ryle Tan

ish school, Myrtle is grateful to be part of Megasoft Hygienic Products, Inc. family.

“What we do here is a group effort but I’m grateful for every milestone we achieve. We go to schools and we give out awards. Those who don’t excel well in academics are also given a chance to showcase their talents. We believe that everybody has his or her own strength and intelligence. Some in academics,

some in sports, and some in arts and performing. We recognize them so they could also serve as an inspiration among their peers,” Myrtle related.

Representing the brand for almost five years now, she has already visited more than 70 schools across the country and is eager to continue sharing the vision and passion for education because she knows how difficult but exciting it is for a student

Billie Eilish drops James Bond track don alongside O’Conner, movie score maestro Hans Zimmer and former Smiths legend Johnny Marr.

Eilish’s signature style features oversized sweatshirts and baggy pants, often paired with sunglasses and the garish extra-long nail extensions more often associated with rapper Cardi B. At just 13, she unveiled her debut bedroom-produced single “Ocean Eyes” on SoundCloud, the do-ityourself streaming platform that has also brought a generation of young rappers to fame.

Interscope signed her at age 14 -- making the Californian a rare internet-age pop star to win big online and then see a label invest time and money in cultivating her talent over the long term.

Last year she dropped a number one album entitled “When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?”, led the hot songs chart with her single “Bad Guy” and played a set on a prime stage at the Coachella music festival. AFP

to transition from high school to college.

Aileen Choi-Go, Megasoft Vice President for sales and marketing, couldn’t be any happier to have Myrtle on board.

“We’re proud of her achievements.

The company is proud of all the people behind our brand, from the ambassadors to our normal employees. With Myrtle, she’s shown that she’s a good model,” Choi-Go said.

Songs of Jay Durias find new home SOUTH Border singer-songwriter-producer, Jay Durias, recently inked an exclusive publishing agreement with Viva Music Publishing, Inc. As the publishing component of Boss Vic Del Rosario’s music group, VMPI now handles Durias’ songs, specifically the string of hits he wrote for South Border including “Kahit Kailan,” “Habang Atin Ang Gabi,” “Love Of My Life,” “Sa ‘Yo,” and “Rainbow,” to name a few.

VMPI is now in-charge of all pertaining to these compositions and these include mechanical performance, synchronization and digital rights. Alex Camurungan, Publishing and Digital Media Manager of VMPI said, “we are now the administrator of Mr. Durias’ music. And it’s our job to take care of it.”

One of the tasks of the publishing outfit is to see to it that the music of South Border is perpetuated. Music Publishing Executive Liz Lorenzo said «that›s one of the allure of being with VMPI, these songs will be reinterpreted by other Viva artists. The idea of maybe having the likes of Sarah G., John Roa, and Janine Tenoso singing a song like “Langit Sa’yong Tabi,” or “Rainbow” is an exciting prospect.”

Camurungan also added that Durias is “also happy for the opportunity na ma-push namin yung mga kanta nya na malagay as theme song sa mga movies, TV and the like” He also mentioned that Boss Vic Del Rosario also intends to utilize the music-arranging and producing skills of Durias

Billie Eilish has unveiled her epic James Bond theme tune to rapturous online reception

TEENAGE pop iconoclast Billie Eilish dropped her James Bond theme tune on Friday, racking up 2.2 million views in just six hours as the teenage prodigy continues her stunning rise.

Sharing the same name as the upcoming movie “No Time To Die,” the ballad features the grungy melancholic feel that has propelled Eilish to star status and caps a remarkable few weeks for the teenager.

Last month Eilish was the breakout star at the Grammys, sweeping five awards including the “big four” prizes: Album of the Year, Song of the Year, Record of the Year and Best New Artist.

The Los Angeles-born singer, who only turned 18 in December, is the youngest artist to record a Bond track.

The song was written with her primary creative collaborator -- and brother -- Finneas O›Connell.

Her Facebook page said Eilish would perform the world premier of the new track at next Tuesday’s Brit Awards in Lon-

From left: Anthony Taberna and wife Roselle, brand ambassador Myrtle, Congresswoman Nina Taduran, and Megasoft’s Aileen Choi-Go and Emilio Go

South Border frontman Jay Durias

on several upcoming projects not limited to publishing.

As for Jay Durias, he was succinct in his reaction regarding all this attention regarding his song catalog.

VMPI now has a growing roster of artist catalogs that includes the music of Rico Blanco, Wency Cornejo, Top Suzara, Thyro Alfaro and Yumi Lacsamana, Nica “Tala” Del Rosario, Euwie Von Loria (This Band) and classics songs such as those of Willy Cruz, Snaffu Rigor and Rene, and Dennis Garcia of Hotdog, to mention some.

‘HiPP’ moms Andi, Nikki, and Pauleen HIPP Organic, a popular organic baby food brand and Europe’s no. one organic milk formula brand, recently introduced its holistic-living HiPP mom ambassadors Andi Eigenmann, Nikki Gil-Albert, and Pauleen Luna-Sotto.

Moms like Andi, Nikki, and Pauleen will do whatever it takes to love, nourish, and protect their children. To them, only the purest nutrition free from harmful chemicals should be given to children.

According to Andi, her daughter, Ellie, grew up with HiPP Organic and now loves the natural taste of HiPP Organic Kindermilk. That is because HiPP Organic Kindermilk is free from added artificial sugars.

Meanwhile, Nikki and Pauleen say that they have done their own research, and when their little ones, Finn and Tali, reach three years old, they can finally introduce HiPP Organic Kindermilk.

Both Nikki and Pauleen are convinced that harmful chemicals may interfere with their children’s natural development. They find assurance in the HiPP Organic seal as this guarantees that HiPP Organic Kindermilk is “Free From chemicals that don’t belong in their children.”

HiPP has been an established German baby food company and recognized as

From left: Ed Feist, Pauleen Luna-Sotto, Andi Eigenmann, Nikki Gil-Albert, and Stefan Hipp

Baby Food Experts for more than 120 years. They are the pioneers of organic farming and today, one of the world’s largest processors of organic raw materials. It is produced according to strict organic regulations free from any use of chemical synthetic pesticides or insecticides, artificial fertilizers, artificial growth hormones, prophylactic use of antibiotics, and GMOs. Moreover, HiPP Organic products are produced and formulated to be free from gluten-containing ingredients, artificial flavors, artificial colors, and soy protein.

HiPP Organic Kindermilk for three

years and above is developed from the best principles of nutrition science. It contains Organic Lactose or the “Brain Sugar”, which is the natural sugar found in milk. It contains natural Omega-3 that may help support brain development, Calcium and Vitamin D that may help support strong bones, and Organic Prebiotics or Galacto-oligosaccharides that may help support healthy digestion.

The conference was attended by Stefan Hipp, the Owner of HiPP, and Edwin Feist, the Chairman, and CEO of Advanced Nutritional Technologies, Inc. (ANTECH).