Manila Standard - 2019 May 28 - Tuesday

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MAGNA CARTA GRANTS POOR WIDER ACCESS TO SERVICES—RODY

By Vito Barcelo PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has signed the Magna Carta of the Poor or Republic Act 11291 aimed at uplifting the standard of living and quality of life of impoverished Filipinos.

A copy of the bill was signed by the President on April 12, but was released

by Malacañang only on Monday. The law requires departments and agencies of the government to provide full access to government services to the poor.

VOL. XXXIII • NO. 103 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 • TUESDAY, MAY 28, 2019 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

On April 17, the President also signed Republic Act No. 11321 or the “Sagip Saka Act,” that aims to improve the lives of farmers and fishermen through enterprise development and would provide mechanisms for the Farmers and Fisherfolk Enterprise Development Program.

The Magna Carta of the Poor ensures that the poor are granted ready access to government services and encourages the private sector to invest in poverty alleviation programs.

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‘Bikoy came to me for help’ Trillanes washes hands of narco-list videos

By Macon Ramos-Araneta and Rey E. Requejo

O

PPOSITION Senator Antonio Trillanes IV admitted Monday that Peter Joemel Advincula, who claims to be the hooded “Bikoy” in a series of online videos accusing the President’s family and allies of accepting drug money, had approached him last year through priests.

members of the drug syndicate.

The priests also told him they started receiving death threats after receiving the documents.

This, Trillanes said, was about the time that President Rodrigo Duterte said priests and bishops should be killed.

Trillanes said he asked some foreign and local journalists to validate the documents, but was told this might take a while.

“But if the account details are accurate, the money trail could be traced. So as far as those documents are concerned, the existence of this

In a privilege speech Monday afternoon, Trillanes said the priests, whom he did not identify, first brought Advincula to him in August 2118, and told him that he had sought sanctuary because drug syndicates wanted him dead.

“I listened to him but I found his details lacking and confusing so I set them aside and totally forgot the conversation,” Trillanes said.

The senator also said that in February, the same priests returned to him with documents supposedly containing bank accounts of the syndicate’s leaders.

The priests told him that these documents were given to him by Advincula’s two companions—a certain Jessmark Acosta and Dan de Vera, who are said to be

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PRIVILEGED SPEECH. Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, in a privileged speech on the Senate floor, admits Monday he met Peter Joemel Advincula (left), brought to him by unidentified priests, who claimed he was the narrator in the controversial ‘Ang Totoong Narcolist’ video files sometime last year but found his ‘details lacking and confusing.’ Ey Acasio

Sara’s words spell doom for rivals Under the dome: Pacific nuclear ‘coffin’ leaking for House speakership—solon

By Maricel V. Cruz DAVAO City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio’s recent remarks about Davao del Norte Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez and incoming Taguig Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano do not bode well for their bids to become the next Speaker of the House, a veteran lawmaker said Monday.

Last week, the President’s daughter spurned a reconciliation bid from Alvarez as being insincere, and said Cayetano had threatened to “break up the group” if she supported Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco as the next speaker.

House Minority Leader Danilo Suarez told reporters that the Davao mayor’s re-

MAJURO, Marshall Islands—As nuclear explosions go, the US “Cactus” bomb test in May 1958 was relatively small—but it has left a lasting legacy for the Marshall Islands in a dome-shaped radioactive dump.

The dome—described by a UN chief Antonio Guterres as “a kind of coffin”— was built two decades after the blast in the Pacific ocean region.

The US military filled the bomb crater on Runit island with radioactive waste, capped it with concrete, and told displaced residents of the Pacific’s remote Enewetak atoll they could safely return home.

But Runit’s 45-centimeter (18-inch) thick concrete dome has now developed cracks.

And because the 115-meter wide crater was never lined, there are fears radioactive contaminants are leaching through the island’s porous coral rock into the ocean.

The concerns have intensified amid climate change. Rising seas, encroaching on the low-lying nation, are threatening to undermine the dome’s structural integrity.

Jack Ading, who represents the area in the Marshalls’ parliament, calls the dome a “monstrosity.”

“It is stuffed with radioactive contaminants that include plutonium-239, one of the most toxic substances known to man,” he told AFP. Turn to A3

marks were a factor in the speakership race.

“Owing to the fact that Mayor Sara gave strong words, that will have some weight in the choice of the undecided members of the House of Representatives,” he said.

Suarez added that Carpio’s statements may have narrowed the contenders for the speakership to two—Velasco and incoming Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez.

Romualdez, president of the Philippine Constitution Association and the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats, is being backed by at least 126 lawmakers who signed a manifesto of support in his Next page favor.

Du30 all set for Tokyo trip—Palace

By Vito Barcelo THE Palace on Monday assured the public that President Rodrigo Duterte is in good health and will push through with his visit to Japan after he was observed to be wobbly and sleepy during the graduation of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 2019 on Sunday.

Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said that despite showing up late and drowsy at the military graduation, President Duterte remains in good health.

He said the President was sleepy and

“struggled to be awake” at the PMA event because of his heavy workload on the eve of the event.

“To the people who wish him to be seriously ill, they will be disappointed,” Panelo said.

“To those who are concerned about his well being, they should be assured that apart from what he already told the public of what ails him, the President is in good health, robust enough to be traveling to Japan for an official visit upon the invitation of Prime Minister Abe,” Panelo said.

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LASTING LEGACY. Concerns have risen faster than tidal waves on Runit island’s 45-cm thick concrete dome in the Marshall Islands—following the bomb test in May 1958—after it developed cracks, and rising seas are threatening to undermine the dome’s structural integrity. AFP

Back to school blues: Teachers, cops ready

EU center holds off populist surge in vote

THE government is hiring 10,000 new public school teachers and has started the construction of 80,000 more classrooms, Education Secretary Leonor Briones said Monday, a week before the classes resume.

The move is in line with the government’s plan to reduce the size of classes to 45 students in the grade school level and 25 students in the kindergarten level, Briones told DZMM radio.

Around 120,000 policemen will be de- PREPARING FOR SCHOOL. Many residents of Metro Manila flock to ployed to ensure peace and order during the capital’s Divisoria district to shop and buy school supplies on Monday for enough

BRUSSELS—Europe’s mainstream political parties took a hit in elections on Sunday but held off a strong surge by the populist right of Marine Le Pen, Matteo Salvini and Nigel Farage.

In one of the world’s biggest democratic votes, the main center-right and center-left groups lost their combined majority in the European Parliament in the face of a challenge by eurosceptic and nationalist forces.

The symbolic clash of the campaign saw French far-right leader Le Pen’s National Rally on course to come in just ahead of President

Next page lead time before the opening of Academic Year 2019 next month. Norman Cruz

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It’s a miracle! Ten survive truck crash COTABATO CITY—A pick-up truck plunged into a 20-foot ravine in Antipas, North Cotabato, on Sunday, but all 10 passengers and the driver miraculously survived the fall, an official said Monday.

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News

TUESDAY, MAY 28, 2019

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DND called out for non-use of P2.6-m ‘Yolanda’ funds since ’13

By Rio N. Araja THE Commission on Audit has called the attention of the Defense department for not using the remaining P2.62 million for the troops affected by typhoon “Yolanda” and the magnitude-7.2 earthquake that hit Central Visayas in 2013.

In a 2018 annual audit report, state auditors cited P2.14 million in unused funds from the Office of the President for the 151 civilian and military personnel affected by the natural disasters.

The commission said of the Office of the President’s P4.435-million donation, some P2.295 million had gone to the intended beneficiaries.

Another donation of P4.435 million was also designed for release.

However, the second tranche was still with the Office of the President over the Defense department’s nonliquidation of the first tranche.

The commission said the supposed beneficiaries must be eligible to get P100,000 for totally or heavily damaged houses and P30,000 for partially damaged houses.

Only 76 of the 151 beneficiaries were able to avail themselves of the financial assistance three years after the disasters. “[The Defense department] was informed that the other beneficiaries did not avail themselves of the benefits due to the distance of their residences from the department’s office,” the report said.

On the other hand, P480,388 of the P1.3-million donation from Vietnam for the victims of the quake in Central Visayas was returned to the Bureau of Treasury over the DND’s failure to use the funds.

Based on the report, the Defense department used P819,992 from the donation to procure eight generator sets, folding beds and other tools in May 2014.

Magna Carta...

From A1

The agencies include the Health, Social Welfare and Development, Labor and Employment, Education and Agriculture departments, the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council, the Commission on Higher Education and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.

The beneficiaries must be individuals whose income falls below the poverty threshold as defined by the National Economic and Development Authority, and those who cannot afford in a sustained manner to provide their minimum basic needs of food, health, education, housing or other essential amenities of life.

Within six months upon the effectivity of the law, the National AntiPoverty Commission will coordinate with the government departments and agencies, with the participation of the local government units and the basic sectors, promulgate rules and regulations to carry out the provisions of this act.

Meanwhile, farmers and fishermen under the Sagip Saka Act can avail of assistance in skills development, and gain wider access to financing in the form of credit grants and crop insurance, and access to improved technologies for research and development.

The development program covers agricultural and fisheries production; acquisition of work animals, farm and fishery equipment and machinery; acquisition of seeds, fertilizer, poultry, livestock, feeds, and other similar items; procurement of agricultural and fisheries products for storage, trading, processing, and distribution; construction, acquisition, and repair of facilities in support of agriculture and fisheries; working capital for agriculture and fisheries graduates to enable them to engage in economic activities; agribusiness activities in support of soil and water conservation; working capital for long-gestating projects; and credit guarantees on uncollateralized loans to farmers and fisherfolk.

An oversight committee known as the Farmers and Fisherfolk Enterprise Development Council will also formed under the new measure to ensure the proper implementation of the program.

Only two billionaires in Senate R

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

EELECTED Senator Cynthia Villar, the frontrunner in May’s midterm elections, and world boxing champion Manny Pacquiao were the only senators in the Billionaires’ Row in the Senate.

Villar remained the richest senator with a declared net worth of P3,719,941,858 as of Dec. 31, 2018, as shown in the list of the senators’ statement of assets, liabilities and net worth posted on the Senate website.

She had no liabilities and her net worth this year is more than P100 million higher than last year’s P3,611,260,766.

Villar’s husband, former Senate President Manny Villar, is one of the wealthiest in the Philippines, with an estimated net worth of $5.5 billion based on Forbes magazine’s 2019 list of the wealthiest people on the planet.

He ranked 317th globally.

Pacquiao, who remains active in boxing, had a net worth of

P3,005,808,000―P59 million more than last year―and P146 million in liabilities.

Like Villar, Pacquiao also became richer in 2018 compared to his declared net worth of P2,946,315,029.93 in 2017.

Villar had no declared liabilities in 2018 while Pacquiao had P146,005,728 in liabilities.

Outgoing Senator Antonio Trillanes IV reported the lowest net worth of P7,533,012.10 followed by detained Senator Leila de Lima with a net worth of 7,706,392.45.

Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto was the third richest senator with a reported net worth of P555,324,479.82, followed by Major-

‘Bikoy...

Advincula have all denied his accusations.

A lawyer, meanwhile, asked the Supreme Court to investigate the role of the IBP in Advincula’s surfacing.

In a letter to Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin, lawyer Ferdinand Topacio said the IBP officers responsible for the press conference at the IBP’s office “should be investigated and held accountable.”

Advincula had sought free legal assistance from the IBP but was denied his request. The IBP later said it was not involved in his press conference.

But Topacio said the IBP disclaimer was difficult to believe, because the function room where the press conference was held appeared to have been set up in advance, with a sound system and tables and chairs for the press.

The lawyer said Advincula’s press conference was not in line with the IBP’s objectives, and that it was highly improper for its officers, particularly, outgoing president Abdiel Dan Elijah Fajardo and incoming president Domingo Egon Cayosa, to have accommodated Advincula.

“Furthermore, Advincula was even accompanied by the IBP National Director for Legal Aid, attorney Minerva Ambrosio, as well as some Catholic nuns,” Topacio said in his letter to Bersamin.

“Much damage has been done to the IBP, as well as to the legal profession in general, hence, the officers responsible for this reprehensible event should be investigated and be held accountable,” he added.

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syndicate may be true depending on the results of the validation process later on. They said they would report on it only after it was confirmed,” Trillanes said in a mix of English and Filipino.

The senator said he went back to Advincula for details on his testimony at the time, so as not to get burned by false accusations.

After that, Trillanes said, he went on a series of speaking engagements abroad, when the “Ang Totoong Narcolist” video series started appearing on social media.

“The Senate records would bear me out that I was not in the Philippines that time,” said Trillanes, insisting he had nothing to do with the videos.

Trillanes said he did not present Advincula to any Senate hearing as he did not pass his vetting process.

On May 23, in a news conference before the Philippine National Police, Advincula retracted his earlier allegations against the President’s families and allies, and accused Trillanes and the opposition Liberal Party of being behind the video series that aimed to unseat Duterte.

This was a direct repudiation of his claims on May 6, when he held a press conference at the offices of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines to reiterate his accusations against the President’s family and allies.

The opposition politicians tagged by

Back to school...

From A1

the opening of classes on June 3, Philippine National Police Chief Oscar Albayalde said Monday.

“We have fielded a 120,000-strong police force to implement public safety and to intensify security and police operations in responding to peace and order concerns in both public and private learning institutions with the support of the Department of Education and the Commission on Higher Education,” Albayalde told reporters.

He said police patrols would be deployed near the schools to check for drug traffickers, muggers or violent street gangs who might “infiltrate the ranks of students.”

The Department of Transportation, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority and the National Capital Region Police Office, together with local government units, will implement traffic management operations within the vicinity of schools, especially along University Belt in Manila City.

The Education department had previously said it was expecting around 28 million students to return to school during the opening of classes.

It’s a miracle!...

From A1

All survived the crash at 9 a.m. in Pontevedra village with only minor injuries, said Capt. Bernard Abarquez, head of the Antipas Municipal Police.

The driver, Ronald Dayot, said the vehicle brakes quit while he was negotiating a downward portion of the

national highway in the area.

“The vehicle hit the highway barrier before plunging into the ravine,Abarquez said.

He named the survivors as Virgilio Amandoron; Heber Caahao, 59; Mary Luiz Digal, 35; Glenda Dejesica, 39; Flordeliza Pacultan; Aser Guanzon, 48; Catherine Cañete, 46; Flordeliza Pacultad and Jolly Beth Dayot, all residents of Gambodes village in Arakan, North Cotabato. PNA

Du30...

From A1

“He is a night person. He usually sleeps at 6 a.m., he had to wake up at 8:30 a.m. for the PMA graduation rites so he only had two hours sleep,” Panelo said.

The President is scheduled to travel to Japan on Tuesday for a four-day visit, mainly to attend the Nikkei Conference on the Future of Asia on May 31.

The Palace said President Duterte is also scheduled to hold talks with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Friday (May 31) where the two leaders are

ity Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri with a net worth of P182,851,570.34 and Senator Juan Edgardo Angara with P135,840,710.

Senator JV Ejercito was the sixth richest senator with a net worth of 132,820,345.73, an increase of P53.9 million from his net worth in 2017.

Ejercito said the increase was due to an asset donated to him three years ago, but its documentation was only completed and reflected in 2018.

“All of these are documented, were given a deed of donation of an asset worth P50 million three years ago but the documentation was only completed and ref lected in 2018,” Ejercito said, adding that the property was transferred to him and his wife.

Minority Leader Franklin Drilon was the seventh richest with a reported net worth of P97,726,758. Senator Sherwin Gatchalian was the eighth richest with a reported net worth of P96,210,607.14, and Senator Grace Poe was the ninth richest with a re-

ported net worth of 93,039,921.54.

Senator Richard Gordon came in as the 10th richest senator with a net worth of P71,285,178.65, while Senate President Vicente Sotto III was 11th with P70,120,700.30.

Senator Nancy Binay had a net worth of P60,132,461.00 while Senator Loren Legarda reported a net worth of P56,290,602.11.

Senator Bam Aquino was the 14th richest senator with P45,205,138.25, followed by Panfilo Lacson with a net worth of P42,442,341.00, Senator Aquilino Martin Pimentel III with P28,662,212, and Senator Joel Villanueva with P26,921,555.00.

Senator Gregorio Honasan II had a net worth of P25,882,099.00, Senator Francis Pangilinan had P16,695,048.17, Ana Theresia Hontiveros P15,627,176.04, and Senator Francis Escudero with P10,575,228, and Senator Leila de Lima with P7.7 million.

Aside from Villar, the other senators who had no liabilities were Gatchalian, Honasan and Pimentel.

Davao native completes 15-man SC

By Rey E. Requejo PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has appointed Court of Appeals Associate Justice Henri Jean-Paul Inting as associate justice of the Supreme Court, to take the vacancy left by the promotion of Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin in November last year, a member of the Judicial and Bar Council said on Monday.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra, as JBC member, confirmed last night that the President promoted Inting to the high court’s 15-member bench.

Inting is one of the 13 nominees shortlisted by the JBC and submitted to Malacañang last February.

The Davao native completes the tribunal that is expected to decide soon on controversial cases hurled against the Duterte administration, including the Chico River and Kaliwa Dam loan projects with China.

Inting, who completed his law degree from Ateneo de Davao, was ap-

Sara’s words...

From A1

Suarez said he would not be surprised if Romualdez would get more than enough votes from his colleagues in the incoming 18th Congress.

Carpio last week said “Alvarez was, and he remains to be, a very dangerous, Machiavellian individual who does not deserve peace.”

Alvarez, a known ally of President Rodrigo Duterte, was ousted as speaker in July 2018 and was replaced

by Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo of Pampanga.

Carpio was reputed to be behind the ouster of Alvarez.

As for Cayetano, the Davao City mayor pooh-poohed his “threat” to bolt the administration coalition should she endorse Velasco for the speakership.

Cayetano was President Duterte’s running mate in the 2016 presidential elections but placed a poor third behind Vice President Leni Robredo and former sebatir Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who has a pending election protest against Robredo.

Duterte, meanwhile, said he would resign if his son, Davao City congressman-elect Paolo Duterte seeks the speakership.

“I told him, if you run for speakership, let me know. Because if you run, I will resign,” Duterte said during the oathtaking of several government officials at Malacañan Palace.

The President vows to remain neutral on the issue of House speakership but admitted that some aspiring candidates, including Alvarez and Romualdez,

expected to tackle defense and security, economic cooperation, infrastructure development, entry of Filipino skilled workers to Japan, assistance for the Bangsamoro region, as well as regional issues such as Korean Peninsula and the South China Sea. During the graduation ceremony, the President tasked Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana to hand out the diploma to the graduates.

Panelo said the President did this to “reserve his energy” for other ceremonial acts he had to perform at the event.

“The protocol in distributing diplomas is either he does it himself or he tasks the Secretary of National Defense to do it,” he said.

pointed to the CA in October 2012.

The new SC magistrate had previously served as senior corporate lawyer in the National Housing Authority, senior CA supervising staff lawyer, public lawyer at the Public Attorney’s Office, and in succession as assistant city public prosecutor, presiding Metropolitan Trial Court judge and Regional Trial Court presiding judge, all in Quezon City.

His sister, Socorro Inting, is also a CA magistrate.

During his interview with the JBC, Inting said he approves of the proposal to lower the minimum age of criminal responsibility.

According to Inting, the youth, exposed to technology and the Internet, must be made aware that “there are things that are criminal acts and they should be answerable for that.”

While he said that lowering the MACE may not reduce crime rates, Inting told the JBC that it may diminish the “seriousness” or the “type of crime” committed by youth offenders. approached him even before the May 13 midterm elections.

Earlier, Alvarez said that he is willing to withdraw his bid for another term as speaker should Paolo Duterte seek the speakership.

The President’s son, however, has yet to announce a speakership bid.

The President and his daughter have announced that they would leave it to the congressmen to pick their leader as they respect the independence of the House of Representatives.

Suarez said Mayor Sara’s statement of neutrality favors the speakership bids of Romualdez and Velasco, who she said are both her friends.

Romualdez on Monday appealed to lawmakers to embrace unity and set aside politics for the time being to ensure the country’s high and sustainable economic growth.

Romualdez proposed that all legislators seeking the speakership post sign a covenant declaring their commitment to support President Duterte’s priority bills, particularly those that are needed to sustain the economic growth momentum.

“The groundwork for fiscal reform has been set. President Duterte’s fiscal reform is expected to take our economy to the next level of development,” Romualdez said.

“If we achieve the administration’s target of reducing poverty incidence to 14 percent by 2022, our country’s collective economic managers would have, in just two decades from 2001 to 2022, reduced poverty from 39 percent to 14 percent.

This would be a collective achievement our generation can be proud of,” he added. With Vito Barcelo

The President was back in his “usual alert, impassioned and assertive self” when he delivered his speech at the PMA graduation, the Palace spokesperson said.

Panelo said that the President even made jokes in his speech—where Duterte said rape and illegal drug use were among the top offenses committed

by PMA cadets.

During the rites, Duterte handed out a diploma only to class valedictorian Cadet 1st Class Dionne Mae Umalla, then sat down and let Lorenzana hand out the rest of the diplomas. He stood up again to hand out a diploma to 1st Class Danmark Solomon, the lowest-ranked member.

With PNA

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TUESDAY, MAY 28, 2019 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

PAO files plea to consolidate civil suits on Dengvaxia

Graft raps filed vs. ex-mayor, town execs in fertilizer scam

By Maricel V. Cruz THE Sandiganbayan on Monday received another complaint in connection with the fertilizer fund scam that was allegedly committed a decade and a half ago.

The Ombudsman filed charges against the former mayor of Lazi, Siquijor, who allegedly purchased fertilizers amounting to P7.68 million without complying with government procurement rules.

In their complaint, Ombudsman prosecutors alleged that former Mayor Orville Fua violated Section 3(e) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. The charge sheet was signed by Graft Investigation and Prosecution Officer II Alteza Anoso.

Others indicted by the Ombudsman are the town’s officials at the time–Municipal Accountant Ana Marie Leilani Monte, Municipal Treasurer Rose Marie Tomogsoc, Bids and Awards Committee Chairman Ivan Marchan, BAC members Natalio Jumawan Jr. and Sue Agnes Castillon, and Municipal Planning and Development Coordinator Teodoro Jumadla Jr. In the case filed at the anti-graft court’s Fourth Division, Perzebros Company representatives Nancy and Pompey Perez were included as private respondents.

The town officials led by Fua were accused of giving undue advantage to Perzebros Company in 2005 for the purchase of 1,866 liters of VITACROP liquid organic at P1,500 per liter-bottle, or a total price tag of P2.687 million.

They were also accused of favoring Mangopina Trading Company Inc., through its representatives Yolanda Milne and Merlyn Lu, for the procurement of 2,096 bottles of MRG liquid fertilizers and 1,258 bags of DEL GRO super foliar fertilizers for P4.99 million in 2004. This case was raffled off to the Third Division.

Ten PAF strike aircraft grounded after Sangley Point crash ALL OF the North American Rockwell OV-10 strike aircraft of the Philippine Air Force have been grounded following the crash of one of the bombers while about to land at the Sangley Point Airport in Cavite last May 24. “(Grounding of the remaining OV-10 aircraft is) part of our safety procedure, the aircraft will be grounded,” said PAF spokesperson Major Aristides Galang on Monday.

Around five to six OV-10s are still being operated by the PAF. If needed, the South Korean-made FA-50PH fighter aircraft and McDonnell Douglas MG-520 “Defender” attack helicopters can be deployed for missions.

“Depending on the type of missions, we can use the MG-520s or FA-50s if necessary,” Galang said.

There is no order yet as to when the grounding order for the OV-10s would be lifted.

Last May 24, PAF OV-10 with tail number 402 and belonging to the 15th Strike Wing, crashed while turning crosswind for landing on runway 25 of Sangley Point Airport during the scheduled proficiency flight.

The two pilots safely ejected and were recovered by local fishermen in the area 2.5 kilometers from the shoreline of Rosario, Cavite.

The personnel were immediately picked up by a civilian fishing boat and brought to Major Danilo Atienza Air Base Hospital.

“The investigation team was already activated to conduct a thorough investigation of the mishap,” Galang said. PNA

EU...

From A1

Emmanuel Macron’s centrist movement, damaging his drive for deeper European integration.

In Britain, Farage’s one-issue Brexit Party appeared to have trounced the main parties and he will send a large contingent of British eurosceptics to a parliament they want to leave in a few months.

And in Italy, Salvini’s far-right League achieved a similar result, strengthening its role at the core of a vocal populist faction in the EU’s legislature.

The advance of the right was less pronounced in Germany—where a strong showing by the Greens was reflected in a

By Rio N. Araja

BATTLE OF ALAPAN. Workers from the National Historical Commission of the Philippines hoist Philippine flags at the plaza

of Alapan yesterday in preparation for the celebration of Battle of Alapan on Tuesday, May 28. The Battle of Alapan was the battle between Filipino revolutionary forces led by General Emilio Aguinaldo on May 28, 1898 against Spanish naval infantry led by Capt.

Pedro Castillo. Norman Cruz

Angara endorses bill hiking excise tax on tobacco products

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

T

O REDUCE smoking prevalence among Filipinos and raise crucial funding for the government’s Universal Health Care program, Senator Sonny Angara on Monday endorsed to the Senate plenary a bill increasing the excise tax on tobacco products, which was signed by 11 senators.

The Senate Committee on Ways and Means, which Angara chairs, adopted a committee report (CR No.714) on the consolidated measure that will raise the excise tax for every cigarette pack from P45 to P60 for the next four years.

Aside from Angara, the other signatories to the committee report are Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto, Senators Win Gatchalian, JV Ejercito, Risa Hontiveros, Manny Paquiao, Panfilo Lacson, Francis Pangilinan, Franklin Drilon, Nancy Binay, Loren Legarda and Migz Zubiri.

Angara said the committee report proposes a starting rate of P45 in 2020 or an

increase of P10 in the first year of implementation, followed by a series of annual P5 increases until the rate reaches P60 in 2023. Thereafter, the rate automatically increases by 5 percent.

In resorting to gradual tax increase instead of an immediate P25 bump to the current rate, Angara said the committee did a delicate balancing act in considering a measure that will reconcile the competing interests of the government, health advocates, the cigarette industry and tobacco farmers.

Hontiveros said “the Senate must finish strong on health reforms in the closing stretch of the 17th Congress.”

Under...

“The coffin is leaking its poison into the surrounding environment. And to make matters even worse, we’re told not to worry about this leakage because the radioactivity outside of the dome is at least as bad as the radioactivity inside of it.”

Staggering’ challenges The dome has become a symbol of the mess left by the US nuclear test program in the Marshall islands when 67 bombs were detonated between 1947-58 at Enewetak and Bikini atolls.

Numerous islanders were forcibly evacuated from ancestral lands and resettled, including Enewetak’s residents. Thousands more islanders were exposed to radioactive fallout and suffered health problems.

The people of Enewetak were allowed home in 1980, and about 800 islanders now live in the southern part of the atoll, 20 kilometers (12 miles) from Runit.

After the US military withdrew, the Marshall Islands government officially accepted a “full and final” settlement to cover the impact of the nuclear tests.

But there have long been complaints that the compensation paid by Washington was inadequate, and the United Nations has described “a legacy of distrust” towards the United States.

UN Secretary General Guterres raised the issue earlier this month after meeting Marshall Islands President Hilda Heine in Fiji, when they discussed the nuclear legacy and the prospect of radioactive leakage from Runit dome.

“The Pacific was victimized in the past as we all know... the consequences of these have been quite dramatic, in relation to health, in relation to the poisoning of waters in some areas,” he said.

Marshalls Foreign Minister John Silk said he appreciated Guterres bringing the Runit dome to world attention with this comments.

“We are pleased that the Secretary General made these statements, since so often it seems that these ongoing legacy issues that continue to impact our people are forgotten by the international community,” he said.

Uncertain future Rhea Moss-Christian, who chairs the Marshall Islands National Nuclear Commission, said the country “needs the support of the international community to address the staggering health and environmental challenges across the Pacific.”

The consequences of the dome failing are unclear.

A 2013 inspection commissioned by the US government suggested radioactive fallout in the Enewetak lagoon sediment was already so high a catastrophic failure would not necessarily result in locals receiving increased dosages of radiation.

Silk, noting that the US government had committed to ongoing monitoring of the dome, said an independent assessment of the structure’s status “would be helpful.”

But Ading said the situation was “a constant source of anxiety for the people of Enewetak.”

“We pray that the Runit dome does not eventually become our coffin,” he said.

AFP

“green wave” in many countries—but the anti-immigrant AfD broke the 10-percent barrier.

“We are facing a shrinking centre,” said German conservative Manfred Weber, lead candidate for the centre-right European People’s Party (EPP) to replace Jean-Claude Juncker as European Commission chief.

‘Big win’ Turnout EU-wide was estimated at 51 percent, the highest in 20 years, suggesting more than 200-million citizens across the 28-nation bloc voted in a poll billed as a battle between populists and pro-European forces.

Across Europe, according to updated projections prepared by the parliament, the EPP is on course to have the most seats in the assembly with 179, down

sharply from 216 in 2014.

With the center-left Socialists and Democrats projected to win 150, down from 185, the two mainstream parties will no longer have a majority and will have to reach out to liberals to maintain a “cordon sanitaire” and exclude the far-right from decision making.

The Liberals (ALDE), who include Macron’s party, are on course for 107 seats against 69 previously while the Greens are forecast to take 70 seats, up from 52.

The various populist, eurosceptic and right-wing parties won more than 150 seats, but form no coherent coalition.

The Europe of Nations and Freedom— composed mainly of the French National Rally and Salvini’s League—saw their share rise from 37 to 58 seats. AFP

From A1

She said that the passage of the measure will reduce the incidence of smoking among Filipinos and at the same time fund accessible and effective health programs for all.

“Let us not miss this opportunity to save Filipino lives, as well as ensure our good health and well-being. One of the best parting gifts from the Senate this 17th Congress would be the passage of a law that will reduce incidence of smoking among Pinoys and at the same time fund accessible and effective health programs for all,” she said.

Sin tax coalition advocates led by Dr. Anthony Leachon appealed to senators to pass this bill, stressing that the health and welfare of Filipinos should be placed above any business interests, particularly in a product that causes nothin harm to users and non-users He said raising the taxes on cigarettes is known to be one of the most effective measures to reduce smoking prevalence in the country. He said the funds that will be generated from the increased taxes can be used to bankroll the UHC implementation.

THE Public Attorney’s Office has filed motions for reconsideration before the Quezon City Regional Trial Court in a bid to consolidate the civil suits filed by the kin of the 32 school children who died after receiving Dengvaxia vaccine shots.

“Wherefore, premises considered, it is most respectfully prayed of this Honorable Court that the herein Motion be GRANTED and that the present case be consolidated with the case entitled ‘Heirs of Abbie Hedia, namely, Ariel A. Hedia and Ruby N. Hedia vs. Sanofi Pasteur Inc., et al.’ with Docket No. RQZN-18-05227-CV pending before the Regional Trial Court-Branch 226, Quezon City,” the motions read.

“Other reliefs that are just and equitable are likewise prayed for.”

The signatories in the motions included PAO chief Persida Acosta, Deputy Chief Public Attorneys Silvestre Mosing and Ana Lisa Soriano, Regional Public Attorney (National Capital Region) Marlon Buan, Regional Public Attorney (Region IV-B) Revelyn RamosDacpano, Public Attorney IV Demiteer Huerta, Assistant Regional Public Attorney (NC) Rigel Salvador, and Public Attorney III Ronald Macorol, Julius Ceasar Balbuena, Marilyn Balbin and Mark Jayson Gambon.

“Thus, the consolidation of the instant case, with other similar Dengvaxia cases, is desirable to expedite the hearing of the cases, and to avoid confusion, conflicting ruling, and unnecessary costs entailed with multiplicity of suits as the two cases involve common questions of facts and law,” the PAO said.

“The PAO at the instance of several families of the deceased victimrecipients of Dengvaxia vaccine administration through indiscriminate mass inoculation program of the Department of Health without appropriate screening and prior informed consent, instituted several complaints for damages against the herein defendants, including the instant case. To wit,” it added.

Branch 226 Judge Manuel Sta. Cruz Jr. earlier denied the motions to dismiss the case filed by the Sanofi and Zuellig Pharma executives.

He upheld that the complaint filed the parents of the 13-year-old Abbie Hedia had sufficient basis to take actions.

AWARDING. Land ownership is right around the corner for 156 families residing in Barangay Punta in Sta. Ana, Manila, as House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo presided on Monday the awarding of Certificates of Land Allocation to qualified beneficiaries.

The event was attended by Rep. Rosenda Ann Ocampo (6th District, Manila) as well as local government officials and community leaders. With the receipt of their CELA, the families in Barangay Punta can move on to the titling process by paying the monthly purchase price of P1,333 for 10 years. The awarding of CELA is pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 1193, signed by Speaker Arroyo in 2006 during her presidency.

Proclamation 1193 transferred the management and administration of a parcel of land measuring 62,273 square meters in Sta. Ana, Manila from the National Housing Authority to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

Amend Foreign Investment Act—Win SENATOR Win Gatchalian is pushing for the amendment of the Foreign Investments Act of 1991 to provide a renewed boost to the entry of foreign direct investments into the country and stimulate job creation.

Senate Bill No. 2227, sponsored by Gatchalian, seeks to amend certain provisions of the FIA to “take advantage of global and regional economic dynamics”

and help make the Philippines a more attractive investment destination.

“These amendments will result in a foreign investment regime that is more fine-tuned to the changing economic climate and its accompanying demands,” said Gatchalian, chairman of the Senate Committee on Economic Affairs.

Macon Ramos-Araneta

PCGG asks OP to sell P704.8-m Marcos jewelry THE Presidential Commission on Good Government has asked the Office of the President to approve its proposal to sell one of three jewelry collections of former First Lady and now Ilocos Norte Rep. Imelda Marcos through a public auction.

Based on the list provided by the PCGG, the Hawaii Collection under the safekeeping in the vaults of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas was worth P704.8 million.

The letter, dated Sept. 7, 2018, was sent to Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, Finance Secretary Carlos Domin-

guez, and Commission on Audit chairman Michael Aguinaldo.

Records of Civil Case No. 0141 showed there were three collections of jewelry seized from Marcos. The more valuable ones were the so-called Hawaiian and Roumeliotes collections composed of extravagant pieces and loose gemstones seized by Customs officials, and the “less fancy” Malacañang Collection consisting of trinkets and ornaments left behind by the Marcos family when they fled the country in February 1986. Rio N. Araja

A4

Opinion

TUESDAY, MAY 28, 2019

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

The tragedy of unpaid Customs overtime SOMETIME toward the end of the administration of former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, a group of Customs employees approached me.

They claimed that they belonged to a group of Customs personnel assigned to arriving and departing airlines at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

They were expected to serve beyond their mandated eight-hour work schedule. Often, they did the additional work late at night and the early hours of the following day.

They told me they had not been given their overtime pay. In the beginning, they were given this, but later on, Cus-

This has dragged on for much too long.

toms refused to pay overtime.

I was told there were some 900 Cus Customs personnel affected by this.

Consequently, I took time to investigate, and the Customs collector assigned did file a protest over the unpaid overtime work.

The case was later elevated by the Commissioner of Customs and the Finance secretary to the Office of the Solicitor General to decide what action to take. The SolGen filed a case in court.

The argument of the SolGen was that when government personnel work overtime, beyond their eight-hour official duty, they should be paid overtime.

Otherwise, it would be a violation of the law to require government employees to work overtime and not get paid for it.

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

I followed the case until it reached the Supreme Court. Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio came out with a landmark decision that the Customs and Tariff Code required the payment of those who work overtime to be paid, not by Customs, but by the airlines who benefited from the overtime work.

The amount of unpaid overtime was estimated at P2.1 billion.

The Board of Airline Representatives headed by Philippine Airlines started to quibble on the amount to be paid and even accused the Customs personnel that the amount actually due them was much less.

It came to a point during the Aquino administration when no less than six commissioners took over Customs in succession. None of them ever bothered to compel the BAR to pay. This controversy continued until the end of the Aquino administration. The local and foreign airlines refused to pay overtime.

There was even a move by the Cus Customs personnel to cite the BAR for con contempt because the Supreme Court had already decided on the matter.

Strangely, when this happened, the SolGen, the same agency that succeeded in making the airline pay, turned down the contempt charge. This gave rise to the question: On whose side was the SolGen, anyway?

Almost all of the 900 Customs personnel adversely affected by the nonpayment of overtime have since retired.

Some of them have even died. And still the issue seems to have been forgotten.

You know what Customs did to resolve the issue? It hired people to augment the shortage of personnel. On record, Customs had to spend millions to make overtime duty a thing of the past.

I had wondered why the overtime pay has not been paid after all these years. This has raised questions on the competence of Customs higher ups, and even Finance people have said not to pursue the case. ***

I

Long after Marawi T REMAINS A puzzle to many Filipinos how Marawi City is really doing two years after the siege.

On one hand we are told that recovery is under way, and that the people who were displaced have gone back to their homes rebuilding what was destroyed by the terrorists and the efforts to contain them.

In fact on May 23, the second anniversary of the siege, the Office of Global Media Affairs of the Presidential Communications Operations Office brought more than 40 foreign journalists to showcase the rehabilitation program of the government.

The event supposedly counters the disinformation and inaccurate narratives going around about what is happening in Marawi.

Secretary Eduardo del Rosario, chairman of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council, assured the locals that Marawi would rise as a prosperous city again. “We are with you

until the end of the rehabilitation in 2021.”

But the International Committee of the Red Cross says more than 100,000 displaced people still have to return to their homes.

Countless aid organizations have complemented government efforts to rehabilitate the city and to solve the humanitarian crisis that has resulted from the siege.

Unfortunately the solutions have been far from sustainable.

“The people of Marawi have grown tired and frustrated. They want to stand on their own feet again and stop depending on assistance," said Martin Thalmann, ICRC head.

Rehabilitation efforts are of course difficult, complex and never linear. Aside from the provision of basic needs to those who still cannot return from their

homes, there remain the issue of livelihood, psychosocial rehabilitation, infrastructure and employment.

It's a good thing President Rodrigo Duterte was only joking when he said he would leave the rehabilitation of the city to its businessmen and affluent residents.

Nobody should consign Marawi to history: It is an ongoing saga of what could go wrong and what could hamper even the most earnest efforts to do good. It reminds us that ultimately it is the people who become casualties of such disasters, and that the decisions made by people at the top affect those on the ground the most.

Moreover, the threat of terrorism looms large still, despite our apparent distraction with politics and other issues. May we remember Marawi every day, despite its distance from the political centers, for all its painful lessons, dire warnings, and continuing challenges.

Turn to A5

Institutionalizing and not ending ‘endo’ THE recently passed Senate Bill 1826, known as “Security of Tenure” Bill (SoT), is seen by the Senate and some labor organization as the beginning of the end of endo, (fixed-term contractual employment of regular jobs), a fulfillment of President Duterte’s promise of ending contractualization.

Basically, SoT amends Articles 106 to 109 and 294 to 297 of the Labor Code. Articles 106 to 109 concerns the payment of wages of workers under a third-party contractor while Articles 294 to 297 specifies the “just” and “authorized” causes for terminating employment.

Unfortunately, this new bill, if passed by the 17th Congress after a bicameral conference, might end up institutionalizing and not terminating the despicable practice that all labor unions have been decrying.

According to lawyer and Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino president Luke Espiritu in his position paper “Demystifying Contractualization,” Articles 106 to 109 neither explicitly created nor legalized endo and contractualization in its most rampant form—trilateral employment (workers indirectly hired through third-party contractors/agencies). It simply states that employers should be “jointly and severally liable” with the contractor if the wages of employees of the contractor is not paid. These articles were written in 1974 at a time when trilateral employment through job contractors and manpower agencies was not rampant.

In the SoT Bill, however, the Senate explicitly legalizes trilateral employment by legislating a new Article 107, which explicitly allows the licensing of job contractors that the hitherto Labor Code does not provide.

This comes at a time when trilateral employment and not endo is the main

scheme for contractual employment, with thousands of third-party manpower agencies acting as “employers” for the current generation of contractual workers.

The number one complaint of many Filipino workers is that they are employed under an agency instead of being directly employed by the company where they are working. These agencies, all of which are licensed by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) under Department Order 174, are notorious in not paying the proper wages benefits such as social security, PhilHealth, service incentive leave, 13th month pay, and holiday pay. These contractual workers “under agency” could not complain to the company because under a

Who’s the best bet to lead the House?

This is how to really put a stop to this practice. trilateral setup, the company is not the real employer but the third party.

This inane scheme is institutionalized not by the Labor Code but by various DOLE Department Orders.

Hence, it is hard for workers to win regularization cases before the National Labor Relations Commission because for as long as an agency is licensed, their trilateral employment arrangement with a company is legal.

Aside from depressing wages and benefits, trilateral employment is a surgical scheme to curb unionism.

Since agencies free companies from an employer-employee relationship, workers could unionize only with the contractor. If they enter into collective bargaining with the contractor to increase their wages and benefits, the contractor will naturally increase its service fee to the company. Always, businesses will go for cheaper service fees from contractors, arguing cut-

Turn to A5

AS THE 2019 midterm elections enters the country’s contemporary history as a generally peaceful political exercise characterized by the overwhelming dominance of the Duterte administration’s chosen candidates at both the national and local levels, public attention is now focused on who would hold the mantle of leadership at the House of Representatives from July 1st onward.

At this point, three names are among the leading contenders for the post to be vacated by former President and outgoing Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as Speaker of the House of Representatives.

The three potential candidates are former Senator and Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano, for-

Known as a team player, Romualdez has shown an uncanny ability to forge close personal and working relationships with the senior members of the Lower Chamber. mer Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez, and Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco. All three are lawyers, and highly qualified to lead the lawmaking function of the Lower House of Congress until 2022.

The choice of House leader is significant as the nearly 300-strong House membership is expected to deliberate on key components of the Duterte administration’s legislative agenda. Hence, the success or failure

of the administration’s economic, political and social reforms hinges on how well the lawmakers are able to agree on what to do in the next three years.

The choice of House leader is crucial particularly in light of the acrimonious debate between leaders of the House and the Senate, on the one hand, and between a key member of the Duterte Cabinet and a leading member of the House, on the other, that led to delay in the passage of the reenact 2019 national budget. With a reenacted budget from last year that affected es the timely disbursement of funds especially for vital Build, Build, Build infrastructure projects, the delay proved disastrous for the economy as we failed to achieve the first quarter growth target. Our economic managers projected a quarterly growth rate of 6.6 percent, but the reenacted budget brought this down to a measly 5.6 percent.

Turn to A5

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Opinion Holidays

incur a public cost in terms of lost productivity. But it also reminded me of all those other public holidays when, in fact, people do take time off from work and incur enormous costs to the economy and to productivity.

Right now, the Philippines ranks third IN A weekend opinion piece on yel- worldwide in number of non-working low online outlet Rappler, the unla- holidays. mented outgoing Senator Trillanes opined as to how there were in fact so many positive takeaways from the For 2019, I estimate electoral rout of the Otso sa Nitso that one might be forgiven for considering that we could have it a victory in disguise. eliminated as many as For starters, although nine of the Hugpong’s twelve candidates won, 10 recurrent regular or Trillanes crowed over the handful of special holidays that administration candidates who lost. fall on a weekday.

Bong Go “only” won 44 percent of the vote. Gary Alejano would have won with just a hundred million Just how big is the cost of those more pesos. Even if Bam Aquino holidays?

Well, let’s start with the only placed an unspectacular 14th , Trillanes claimed this already makes country’s annual GDP, which, say, in Bam “a base the opposition can build 2018 was worth $350 billion. If we assume that everybody takes two weeks on for the political battles ahead.”

The senator reminds me of the los- vacation a year, that GDP is generated ing basketball coach who whined that by fifty weeks of work-time, incluhe would have won if the game hadn’t sive of all those public holidays. This been five minutes too short. Not only means that, per week, we generate $7 does Trillanes see the half-empty glass billion of GDP, or P350 billion. Asas half-full; give him a three-fourths suming a five-day work week, that’s empty glass and he’ll brag that it’s $1.4 billion, or P70 billion, per day.

Now let’s look at the schedule of one-fourth full. You’ve got to admire the do-or-die attitude of this recidivist holidays. For 2019, I estimate that we could have eliminated as many as 10 mutineer.

Bottom line, how does Trillanes recurrent regular or special holidays explain his victory-disguised-as-de- that fall on a weekday. These can be feat? “Why do the masses still support broken down as follows: Cancel three holidays: People PowDuterte and his allies?” he rhetorically asks his comrades. “The simple er and Ninoy Aquino days, and the answer is, they don’t know what you 2nd day of Eid’l Adha The following 3 holidays are not know and they haven’t seen what you’ve seen. In other words, the Fili- based on specific historical dates. pino masses…are just not as enlight- Thus we could move them to the nearest week end instead: Labor Day (in ened as you are.”

Wow. Great words of wisdom from the US it’s celebrated in September, the outgoing senator, who says he’s not May), National Heroes Day, and now considering a teaching job. We All Souls Day (but not All Saints).

Although these next three holidays can only wish the best of luck to his are based on specific dates, I see no unlucky future students. compelling reason why they couldn’t *** As an observant Catholic, I was also be moved to the nearest weekend delighted by the recent declaration instead: Day of Valor (Fall of Bataan), of December 8 as a special working Bonifacio Day (his birthday), and holiday to honor the Feast of the Im- Rizal Day (his death).

Reduce Christmas Eve and New maculate Conception of Our Lady.

This doctrine is, to my knowledge, the Year’s Eve holidays to half a day only only Church pronouncement, centu- instead of one full day each.

Fully implemented, these 10 adries ago, when Papal infallibility was ditional working days—equal to two invoked ex cathedra.

I’m happy that as a working holi- full working weeks—could have addday, the now-public feast will not ed $14 billion, or P700 billion, to our

Who’s...

From A4

It should be pointed out that all three potential Speakership candidates have close ties to the Executive branch. Cayetano ran as Duterte’s vice presidential bet; Romualdez is a close ally of President Duterte, Davao Mayor Sara Duterte, and former Special Assistant to the President Christopher “Bong” Go; and Velasco has shown unswerving loyalty to Malacañang.

But the President would do well to choose Romualdez as House Speaker.

For one thing, Cayetano harbors presidential ambitions, and he would certainly exert every effort to shore up his image instead of steering the passage of priority legislation. Cayetano seems to forget that no House Speaker ever succeeded in winning the presidency.

Velasco’s youth may work in his favor, but his experience in legislative work pales in comparison with those of his older colleagues. Can he get the cooperation and support of more experienced legislators behind his pet bills? I don’t think so.

The tragedy...

From A4

The race for the Speakership at the House of Representatives has been narrowed down to Rep. Lord Allan Velasco and Rep. Martin Romualdez. Both have been endorsed by presidential daughter Sara Duterte Carpio.

It seems that the other contenders, Representatives Alan Peter Cayetano and Pantaleon Alvarez, have lost the confidence of their colleagues.

But Romualdez’s CV speaks for itself. He graduated from UP where he took up his LLB and Cornell for his post-graduate studies. He is the president of the Philippine Constitution As-

GDP this year. In my book, a permanent bump of this size in our economy virtually guarantees us a credit upgrade to the coveted single-A rating, sooner rather than later.

But the benefits need not be enjoyed only by the bankers and businessmen.

Effective last year, the lowest minimum wage in our country is P500 per day, received by some 2 million minimum wage earners. This could imme immediately be doubled to P1,000 per day at an additional annual cost of P250 billion, or less than half of the additional P700 billion in GDP gained by giving up all those holidays. This doubles the minimum wage, pumps up aggregate demand, but without inflation.

By cutting those holidays, we would have reduced our non-working holidays in 2019 to only 11 or 12— the same as the average of 11 holidays worldwide. The issue here is how seri serious we are, really, about working hard and growing our economy. We need to work harder, but still no harder than the rest of the world. *** In John’s running account of Jesus’ discourses during the Last Supper, today’s Gospel (John 16: 5-11) talks about the coming of the Paraclete, the Holy Spirit, the Advocate who will take His place in this world after Jesus leaves it.

What does the Advocate wish believers to understand? That refusal to believe in Jesus is sinful. That death simply opened Jesus’ way back to the Father. And that this resurrection of His condemns the earthly rule of Satan.

This Advocate is supernally powerful. In the first reading (Acts 16: 22-34), Paul and Barnabas are freed from prison in Philippi by a severe earthquake—one so severe that it also persuades their jailer to convert, with his family, to the new religion.

In today’s world, the Holy Spirit continues Jesus’ work of building the kingdom of God on earth by breathing His Divine love into the hearts of men. *** We’d like to congratulate Manila Archbishop Luis Cardinal Tagle on his recent reelection in Rome to the presidency of Caritas Internationalis, the world’s biggest network of Catholic charities. He was first elected to the post in 2015, making him the first president from Asia.

God bless you on your good works, Your Eminence. You truly do us proud.

On the other hand, Martin Romualdez vies for the prestigious House leadership with solid academic credentials. He holds degrees from Cornell University in the United States and from the University of the Philippines College of Law. His curriculum vitae lists down many years of experience in both the public and private sectors. Not many know, of course, that Romualdez also headed the Philippine Constitution Association, or Philconsa, an institution that upholds the sanctity of the rule of law and firm adherence to constitutional processes.

More than this, Romualdez has shown an uncanny ability to forge close personal and working relationships with the senior members of the Lower Chamber. He is also known for being a team player, with former House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. citing him for being a conscientious House member who helped the Majority in passing important pieces of legislation. That he has earned the respect of other lawmakers because of his ability to reconcile conflicting viewpoints and to work with other legislators from the opposite side of

the political fence would be another plus in his favor. This is of crucial importance since the next three years would most likely witness intense jockeying for positions among legislators who want to either keep themselves in power or want to aspire for higher political office in 2022.

If the majority of those who won in the midterm polls have indicated their preference for Romualdez as House Speaker and are willing to cross party lines to see to it that he takes over as the fourth highest official in the country, it is a testament to his firm hand and wealth of experience in public office over the years.

The question uppermost in the minds of the direct representatives of the people in the legislature is: Who can best lead the institution in this crucial junction in our contemporary political history?

From where we sit, the choice is clear: Romualdez is the best choice for the job, and given the mandate by his colleagues, he is certain to lead the House in the correct path.

sociation.

Romualdez is a consensus builder.

He is somebody who listens. His wife Yedda is now Tingog Party-list representative. He has all the qualities to be the next Speaker of the House.

Speaking of Yedda, I support her appeal to the Senate to give priority to the passage of the bill creating the Department of Disaster Resilience.

The DDR bill has been approved at the House and is now at the Senate.

This will reduce the bureaucratic red tape that has caused delays in the delivery of assistance to disaster victims.

Nobody can argue against the need to provide leadership in disaster mitigation, prevention, preparedness and

response, as well as recovery and rehabilitation. *** Malacañang is wasting time and energy giving importance to the habitual liar, Peter Joemel Advincula, also known as Bikoy.

He came out with that video claiming that the Duterte family was receiving drug money. And now he has recanted this claim, pointing to Senator Antonio Trillanes IV. The Manila Standard editorial said “once a liar, always a liar.” I agree Advincula, who is facing charges of estafa and illegal recruitment, insults the intelligence of the people.

Email: ernhil@yahoo.com

www.emiljurado.weebly.com

TUESDAY, MAY 28, 2019

A5

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Credit rating agencies’ judgments need closer examination This brings me back to the issue of the treatment that is generally accorded to the judgments and opinions of the international credit rating agencies. The latest S&P judgment on this country’s long-term credit rating was naturally—and predictTHE international credit rating agen- ably—accepted without any negacies belong to a class of institutions tive comment. While I, a Filipino, whose judgments and opinions are am very pleased about the resulting supposed to be accepted without lowering of the cost of Philippine question by governments and finan- borrowing in the international financial communities. The upgrade and cial markets, I am not at all sure that downgrade judgments that those this country’s long-term credit rating agencies—S&P Global Ratings, merits an upgrade at this time. The Moody’s Investor Services and the rating should have been kept at BBB Fitch Group—make and the rea- for now, in my view.

The fact is that, since the day on sons that they present in support of those judgments, are supposed to be which S&P upgraded the Philippines’ regarded by governments and finan- long-term credit rating to BBB, there has been no sigcial communinificant posities virtually posi tive change in like the tablets any of the three with which We are mere areas that S&P Moses came considers essendown from the mortals and they tial to any decimountain. Afsion to upgrade ter all, we are are the international or downgrade a mere mortals agencies that rate the long-term sovand they are the creditworthiness of ereign credit ratinternational ing. For starters, agencies that sovereign and private this country’s rate the credit- borrowers. “institutional worthiness of settings” have sovereign and not improved private borrowmarkedly; the ers.

Should everything that emanates shifts that have taken place in PhilPhil from S&P, Moody’s and Fitch be ippine external relations and the proaccorded the status of Gospel truth? posed changes in the nation’s govShould they—judgments, opinions ernmental structure have created a and analyses—be accepted in un- climate of uncertainty and hesitancy questioning fashion? Or ought they among international organizations, to be subjected to scrutiny and, if foreign governments and investors.

The Duterte administrations’ reliance need be, challenge?

Clearly, the judgments of the Big on excise tax increases strengthen Three of international credit rating the public finances have, predictably, do not possess the status of Gospel ignited inflationary fires and social truth and should not be accepted un- unrest. And the stepped-up foreign questioningly. Case in point is the borrowing to help finance the Buildmost recent S&P judgment on the Build-Build infrastructure program, credit rating on the Philippines—the undertaken within the context of sovereign credit rating, in interna- a fragile balance of payments, has prevented the securing of the Philiptional financial parlance.

A few weeks ago, April 30, S&P pines’ status as a net external credidecided to raise the long-term credit tor.

One gets the impression that the rating of the Philippines one notch— to BBB+ from BBB, with stable out- international credit rating agencies look. That has placed this country concentrate on the state and proswithin striking distance of an A-1 rat- pects of financial blows and take liting. A-1 rating is the first step along tle account of the serious shortcomthe road to an AAA rating, which is ings and flaws in the real economy the highest in the international credit that gives rise to such flows. These shortcomings and flaws include an rating system.

S&P cited three factors in its deci- inefficient agriculture (2018 growth: sion to upgrade the long-term Phil- a miniscule 0.6%), a chronically imippine credit rating to BBB+. These balanced external trade (first quarwere (1) a healthy external position, ter 2019 deficit: $9.8 billion) and (2) sustainable public finances and an equally chronic failure to attract (3) above-average economic growth. sufficient FDI (foreign direct investS&P said that its stable-outlook as- ment). The rating-agency analyses sessment “reflected its assumption that accompany the changes in sovthat the Philippine economy would ereign credit ratings have little to say continue to achieve above-average about the impact of such shortcomreal GDP growth over the medium ings and flaws on the current and futerm, supporting the sovereign credit ture performances of the credit-rated profile.” S&P further stated that it economies. The latest S&P upgrade attaches great importance to three of the Philippines’ long-term credit factors in deciding whether to revise rating is no exception to this state of a country’s credit rating or to not re- affairs.

In sum, the judgments and provise it. These are “significant further achievements in … fiscal reforms”, nouncements of the international a country’s “status as a net external credit rating agencies need to be creditor (becoming more secure)” subjected to examination closer than and a country’s “international set- that which they have accustomed to receive. Failure to do so is unhealthy. tings’ (improving) marketing.”

Institutionalizing...

From A4

could reprobate. Rather than legalizing manpower agencies, legislators ought to push for a Security of Tenure Bill that would explicitly prohibit all forms of trilateral employment. The law in its current form would only further institutionalize the trilateral work arrangement.

The SoT Bill, hence, will secure trilateral employment and strengthen contractualization. Third-party contractors such as the Philippine Association of Legitimate Service Contractors (PALSCON) and AsiaPro are now having their celebratory toast because this law will be good for their business. With them in their banquet are corporations who will be freed from their obligations to their workers.

As the bill heads into the bicameral conference, my hope is that a provision prohibiting trilateral employment arrangements is included.

There might be a few exceptions but they should be rare and the presumption should be that such arrangements are illegal. This is how to end endo once and for all.

throat competition. Hence, companies will go for de-unionized agencies for cheaper labor—a race to the bottom.

As for regular, directly-hired workers who may form unions, it would be likewise hard for them to bargain for higher wages, as their bargaining power through their capacity to strike is hindered when majority of their colleagues are employed under an agency. If regular workers decide to strike, they would be a lonely platoon for infantries of contractual workers employed by an agency are not compelled to join the strike and as such will continue working for the company.

With the SoT Bill, contractualization through trilateral employment will be backed by a national law—a Republic Act—and no longer by a DOLE order. This means that repealing the new Article 107 legalizing job contractors and manpower agencies should be an act of Congress—a snailpaced amendment process that could take decades unlike a DOLE order Facebook Page: Professor Tony La which a Labor Secretary or President Viña Twitter: tonylavs

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Manila

Standard

News

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TODAY MAY 28, 2019 TUESDAY, mst.daydesk@gmail.com

TUCP bats for security of tenure bill

By Vito Barcelo

T

HE labor group Trade Union Congress of the Philippines said at least 10,000 fly-by night third party labor contractors would be affected once the Security of Tenure Bill was approved by President Rodrigo Duterte.

“These are the ones who are operating illegally by hiring workers and supplying these to principal firms without the required sufficient capital, office and the needed equipment and tools to be considered legitimate labor contractors,” TUCP spokesperson Alan Tanjusay said.

The TUCP also said the SOT bill would cut labor cost on the part of employers while it would stimulate higher productivity for workers and improve

the business climate in the country.

“On the part of labor, the bill will incentivize workers to higher labor productivity by regularizing huge numbers of them. On the part of the business and employers, it will cut down production costs by doing away with ‘Labor-only’ contractors whose financial services charges add 15 percent to the labor costs of employers utilizing such agencies,” TUCP president Raymond Mendoza said.

ERRATUM

Y

By Rey E. Requejo A BICOLANO lawmaker has asked the Supreme Court to stop the controversial policy of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority banning provincial buses along EDSA, the main thoroughfare in the national capital region.

In a 12-page petition filed on Monday, Albay Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda sought issuance of a temporary restraining order or writ of preliminary injunction to immediately enjoin the MMDA from implementing its Regulation No. 19-002.

The former Albay governor also asked the SC to nullify the controversial regulation purportedly intended to ease traffic in Metro Manila’s main thoroughfare.

Salceda stressed the MMDA overstepped the boundary of its power in issuing the regulation, saying it had neither police power or legislative power to unilaterally revoke or prohibit the issuance of permits to all bus terminals along EDSA. “In issuing the MMDA Regulation prohibiting and revoking permits to all affected PUB terminals along EDSA, [it] is already encroaching into the realm of a legislative body and not performing an administrative function which is the

In the publication of the Application more particularly paragraph 13 thereof, there appears some entries that were rendered unreadable because of some highlighting.

Thus, the entirety of paragraph 13 of the Application showing the figures is hereby republished as follows: “13. The indicative rate impact on ISELCO I’s overall generation rate with and without the supply from SPDC is as follows: BLENDED GENERATION COST WITHOUT SPDC KWH PURCHASED

RATE/KWH

AMOUNT P

I

KWH Generated

141,367

4.3648

II

KWH PurchasedSMEC(forward)

9,099,515

5.7190

52,039,683

III

KWH PurchasedSMEC(extension)

9,390,248

7.4829

70,266,530

IV

KWH PurchasedISELCO-II

2,062

14.0700

29,012

V

KWH PurchasedWESM

14,723,090

5.4918

80,856,774

TOTAL

33,356,282

VI

617,039

203,809,038 Generation w/o SPDC

Computation of Generation Rate: Total cost of power purchased

P

203,809,038

Less: Prompt Payment Discount (PPD)

(7,367,138.99) P

PPD Availed by EC

(7,367,139)

Less: PPD Granted to Customers

3,683,569

Less: Recoveries from Pilferage for the month

(114,800) P

33,356,282

Generation Rate for the Month (P / KWH)

5.9962 P

Total Generation VAT

InvItatIon to BId for one (1) Year ItSd data Center faCIlItIeS ComprehenSIve maIntenanCe wIth an aBC of php 1,080,000.00

19,675,020

Over the total KWH purchased for the month

33,356,282

Generation VAT Rate for the Month (P / KWH)

0.5898

Total Generation Rate for the Month (P / KWH)

6.5860

1.

The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), through the Corporate Budget 2019 intends to apply the sum of One Million Eighty Thousand Pesos (Php 1,080,000.00) being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) to payments under the contract for One (1) Year ITSD Data Center Facilities Comprehensive Maintenance. Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening.

2.

The PCSO now invites bids for maintenance of its in-house Data Center Facilities which include the Precision Air Conditioning Unit (PACU), Uninterrupted Power Supplies (UPS) and Fire Suppression System (FSS). Delivery of the Goods is required within fifteen (15) days upon receipt of contract or Purchase Order (PO). Bidders should have completed, within five (5) years from the date of submission and receipt of bids, a contract similar to the Project. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instructions to Bidders.

3.

Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using a non-discretionary “pass/fail” criterion as specified in the 2016 Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (RA) 9184, otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”.

BLENDED GENERATION COST WITH SPDC SUPPLIER

KWH PURCHASED

RATE/KWH

AMOUNT P

I

KWH Generated

141,367

4.3648

II

KWH PurchasedSMEC(forward)

4,843,515

5.4800

26,542,581

III

KWH PurchasedSMEC(extension)

5,134,248

7.4829

38,419,197

IV

KWH PurchasedISELCO-II

2,062

14.0700

29,012

V

KWH PurchasedWESM

10,467,090

4.0199

42,076,655

VI

WITH SPDC

12,768,000

5.9000

75,331,200

TOTAL

33,356,282

617,039

183,015,685

Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, partnerships, or organizations with at least sixty percent (60%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines, and to citizens or organizations of a country the laws or regulations of which grant similar rights or privileges to Filipino citizens, pursuant to RA 5183.

4.

Total cost of power purchased

P

183,015,685

5.

Less: Prompt Payment Discount (PPD) PPD Availed by EC

(7,251,317.94) P

(7,251,318)

Less: PPD Granted to Customers

3,625,659

Less: Recoveries from Pilferage for the month

(114,800)

Over the total KWH purchased for the month

ACTIVITIES Issuance of the Bidding Documents Pre-bid Conference

179,275,226

Opening of Bids

6.

5.3746 P

10,399,807.39 33,356,282

Generation VAT Rate for the Month (P / KWH)

0.3118

Total Generation Rate for the Month (P / KWH)

5.6863

VENUE

Bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in ITB Clause 18.

7.

8.

The PCSO reserves the right to reject any and all bids, declare a failure of bidding, or not award the contract at any time prior to contract award in accordance with Section 41 of RA 9184 and its IRR, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders.

For further information, please refer to: The Bids and Awards Committee c/o The Secretariat PCSO BAC Office 3rd Floor, Conservatory Building 605 Shaw Boulevard, Mandaluyong City Telefax :(02) 997 0247 (Telefax) Email Address: bac@pcso.gov.ph (Sgd) Atty. LAURO A. PATIAG Assistant General Manager PCSO BAC Chaiperson

*The above rate impact computation shows that the proposed P5.9/kWh offer from SPDC will decrease the existing Average Generation Rate by P 0.8997 / kWh.” (MS- May 28, 2019)

SCHEDULE

May 28, 2019 (Tuesday) up to 9:00 a.m. of June 17, 2019 (Monday) BAC Office, 3rd Floor June 05, 2019 (Wednesday), Conservatory Building, 1:30 p.m.

605 Shaw Boulevard, June 17, 2019 (Monday) at Mandaluyong City 9:30 a.m.

June 17, 2019 (Monday) at 10:00 a.m.

Late bids shall not be accepted.

33,356,282

Generation Rate for the Month (P / KWH)

Over the total KWH purchased for the month

The schedule of activities is listed, as follows:

Deadline of Submission of Bids

P

Total Generation VAT

A complete set of Bidding Documents may be acquired by interested Bidders on May 28, 2019 (Tuesday) until 9:00 am of June 17, 2019 (Monday) from the address below and upon payment of the applicable fee for the Bidding Documents, pursuant to the latest Guidelines issued by the GPPB, in the amount of Five Thousand Pesos (Php 5,000.00).

It may also be downloaded free of charge from the website of the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) at www.philgeps. gov.ph and the website of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office at ww.pcso.gov.ph, provided that Bidders shall pay the applicable fee for the Bidding Documents not later than the submission of their bids.

Generation w/ SPDC

Computation of Generation Rate:

while low rates could compromise the revenue generation of the LGUs. With this JMC, we are able to set the standard for the appropriate rates for the fees and charges to be imposed by the LGUs,” Año pointed out. Francisco Tuyay

limits of its authority under R.A. 7924 (MMDA Charter),” Salceda’s petition stated.

The lawmaker further alleged that the measure violated the franchises issued by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board on affected buses and also the lease agreements between the affected bus operators and terminal owners.

He added the regulation was “oppressive, unfair” and “will cause economic disruption, inconvenience and added financial burden to ordinary commuters.”

Salceda believes banning provincial buses will not solve traffic on Edsa.

“How then will they reduce traffic when they will add an assortment of close to 20,000 new vehicles just so they can evict 6,000 provincial buses from EDSA? Add the Grab vehicles who will be paged by loyal riders to and from both stop off points towards EDSA and what do we have?” he said.

“There are 2.8-million cars in the National Capital Region plying Edsa versus only 6,000 provincial buses, who do you think is actually causing traffic?” the lawmaker added.

A similar petition citing the same arguments was filed last month by the AKO Bicol Party-list group.

200,010,669

Over the total KWH purchased for the month

(MS-MAY. 28, 2019)

Joint memo to make LGUs more friendly

bill without the interference from the Palace.

THE Interior department and the Finance The Presidential Legislative Liaison deparment have partnered to ensure that Office assured the TUCP that President Local Government Units will be more Rodrigo Duterte would not veto the anbusiness-friendly in consonance with the ti-Endo Security of Tenure that would guidelines adopted by both government be tackled by the bicameral conference entities giving reasonable regulatory fees committee this coming Wednesday afand charges for their services.

The two agencies have signed a joint ter it was passed 15-0 vote by the Senmemorandum circular guiding LGUs to ate last week. set reasonable fees and charges in acTUCP vice president Louie Corcordance with the provisions of Republic ral said the Security of Tenure bill that Act 7160 or the Local Government Code was passed by both the Senate and the of 1991 and RA 11032 or the Ease of DoHouse of Representatives will convene ing Business Law. as bicameral conference committee on DILG Secretary Eduardo Año said Wednesday (May 29) to reconcile the with the issuance of the JMC, LGUs two versions. would be effectively guided on how to “The House and the Senate versions adjust and revise their fees and charges “at just and reasonable rates sufficient to look almost the same. We don’t see any cover the cost of services rendered.” difficult differences between the two CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK “High rates discourage investors versions,” said Corral.

Solon joins bid in SC vs. EDSA bus ban

In the 21 May 2019 issue of the Manila Standard, the un-docketed Application of the Isabela I Electric Cooperative Inc. (ISELCO I) and Strategic Power Devt.

Corp. entitled “IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION FOR THE APPROVAL OF THE EMERGENCY POWER SUPPLY AGREEMENT (EPSA) BETWEEN ISABELA I ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, INC. (ISELCO I) AND STRATEGIC POWER DEVT. CORP. (SPDC), WITH PRAYER FOR CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT OF INFORMATION ISABELA I ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, INC. (ISELCO I) AND STRATEGIC POWER DEVT. CORP. (SPDC)”, was published.

SUPPLIER

He added: “The measure will also reduce training costs for firms who are constantly refitting a new workforce as they phase out workers whose ‘Endo’ contracts have run out. It means having an experienced and loyal workforce for employers treating their workers fairly.

“After all, our labor market model should not be sweatshop countries like Bangladesh. By equipping our workers with world-class labor standards, we help our workers make world-class products.”

Once the bill is approved, industrial tripartite councils composed of government, employers and labor groups shall identify the type of jobs which can be considered seasonal, regular, probationary and project-based.

Meanwhile, Malacañang assured the labor group of passage of the

IN BRIEF

DOJ drops murder raps vs. 3 cops THE Department of Justice has dropped the murder complaint filed by the National Bureau of Investigation against three policemen implicated in the killing of Quezon City deputy city prosecutor Rogelio Velasco in May last year.

In a 32-page resolution issued by Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Peter Ong, the DoJ stressed that there was no probable cause to indict Sr. PO2 Rodante Lalimarmo, PO3 Arthur Lucy, and PO1 Jose Mercado for murder.

Ong said the evidence presented by the NBI were insufficient to subject the policemen to a full trial by a criminal court.

Ong said the complainant merely relied on “speculations and conjectures” to support their case against the policemen.

“Mere speculations and probabilities cannot substitute for proof required to establish the guilt of an accused beyond reasonable doubt,” the DOJ ruled.

“Neither should complainants rely on suspicion, for suspicion alone is not sufficient. Suspicion, no matter how strong should not sway judgment, it being an accepted axiom that the prosecution cannot rely on the weakness of the defense to gain a conviction, but must establish beyond reasonable doubt every circumstance essential to the guilt of the accused,” it said. Rey E. Requejo

BI agents arrest Japanese fugitive wanted for fraud after posting bail IMMIGRATION agents arrested a Japanese fugitive wanted

by Japanese authorities for fraud right after posting bail in Pasay City jail, police said Monday.

The Japanese, identified as Fuminori Sato, was apprehended at the headquarters of the Pasay City police station, Fugitive Search Unit Chief Bobby Raquepo said.

Pasay policemen earlier arrested Sato inside his hotel room based on a complaint filed against the alien for violating the Republic Act 9262 or antiviolence against women and children.

“He was released after posting bail when he was picked up

by BI-FSU operatives who were armed with a mission order from Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente,” Raquepo said.

Morente issued the mission order at the request of the Japanese Embassy in Manila who informed the BI that the latter was wanted for embezzlement, and that an arrest warrant was issued against him by a JapaLEGAL NOTICE Notice is hereby given to the public that an ExtraJudicial Settlement has been executed by the heirs of the late Alfredo G. Fernando, namely: Maxima H. Fernando, Adriano H. Fernando, Felix H. Fernando, Maria F. Disto, Sergio H. Fernando, Marina F. Marcelo, and Reynaldo H. Fernando, all of legal age, over personal and real properties, per deed executed on 24 May 2019 before Notary Public Atty.

Efren G. Gumatay, Jr., per Doc. No. 495; Page No. 90; Book No. I; Series of 2019.

(MS-MAY 28, JUNE 4 & 11, 2019)

LEGAL NOTICE Notice is hereby given to the public that an ExtraJudicial Settlement has been executed by the heirs of the late Reynaldo Disto, namely: Maria F. Disto, Ma. Elaine F. Disto and Mary Joyce F. Disto, all of legal age, over personal and real properties, per deed executed on 17 May 2019 before Notary Public Atty.

Efren G. Gumatay, Jr., per Doc. No. 439; Page No. 89; Book No. I; Series of 2019.

(MS-MAY 28, JUNE 4 & 11, 2019)

nese court.

According to Japanese police records, Sato was asked by a compatriot to keep her bank book back in 2012. But he took advantage of this and reportedly withdrew a sum of 200,000 Japanese yen or almost 100,000 Philippine pesos for his personal use.

“We had to be very discreet as there was a threat that he would destroy the evidence against him if he knew of the arrest,” said Raquepo.

Police said Sato was already an undocumented alien as his passport expired more than two years ago and was never renewed.

Investigation revealed the Japanese last arrived in the country as a tourist on Dec. 4, 2013 and he never bothered to extend his stay since then.

He will thus be deported for being an overstaying and undocumented alien after which he will be placed in the BI blacklist to prevent him from reentering the country. Vito Barcelo

Lawyers group rejects LTFRB proposal on UV

By Rio N. Araja THE Lawyers for Commuters Safety and Protection on Monday rejected the proposal of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board to restrict the services of UV Express units to a point-to-point transport basis.

Ariel Inton, LCSP founding president, asked “what if you are coming from SM Fairview, and the P-2-P is up to Makati City, but you are just going to Quezon City hall or in the Cubao area? How would that be?”

“The P2P transport basis would just be too disadvantageous,” he said.

He blamed the poor implementation of the traffic laws, and other traffic rules and regulations to decongest Metro Manila.

“Can the law enforcers monitor it? Or would it just be a milking cow?” he asked.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Sports 10th Le Tour de Pilipinas a tactical race THE rider with the all-around skill would most likely dominate the fivestage 10th edition of the Le Tour de Filipinas that hits the road from June 14 to 18.

National team coaches Reinhardt Gorrantes and Ednalyn Hualda believe this year’s Le Tour de Filipinas would not only favor the sprinters and the climbers but the cyclists who are strong in both terrains.

“There are mountain passes in the race but let us not forget the middle stages which are almost all flat with a slightly reclining gradient,” said Gorrantes, head coach of the Philippine National Team composed of the riders from Philippine Navy-Standard Insurance.

Hualda agreed saying Stage 1 and Stage 5 offer challenges for the climbers, but with the long Stage 1, 2 and 3, tactical riding is a must in the race organized by Ube Media Inc. and which is celebrating its 10th anniversary.

“It would be a race of strategies,” Hualda said. “Like a chess game, you have to ponder your moves to win.”

The entire race covers 822.20 kms of paved road down south of Manila.

The Le Tour kicks off on June 14 with a short and demanding 129.50km Stage 1 on an out-and-back course in Tagaytay City, followed by the 194.90-km Stage Two on June 15 from Pagbilao in Quezon to Daet in Camarines, Norte.

Stage Three on June 16 will be 183.70 kms from Daet to Legazpi City and Stage Four will cover 176.00 kms from Legazpi City via Sorsogon and Gubat and back to the Albay capital.

Stage Five will also be out-andback in Legazpi City but this time it will be via Donsol in Sorsogon for a total of 145.80 kms—a crucial final leg where the cyclists will have to endure pedaling over rolling hills and strong winds

PSA Forum tackles Jones, UNTV Cups CAGE great Fortunato ‘Atoy’ Co and the Mighty Sports team bound for the coming Jones Cup are appearing at the Amelie Hotel-Manila in an all-basketball session of the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum today.

Mighty Sports assistant team manager Jessie Angchonghoo will be coming over with some members of the squad competing in the annual cage tournament in Taipei this July in the 10 a.m. forum.

Mighty also represented the country in the Jones Cup in 2016 where it completed an eight-game sweep of the meet to win the championship.

Joining the team in the session presented by San Miguel Corp., Braska Restaurant, Amelie Hotel, and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation is Co, the former PBA MVP and Crispa stalwart to talk about the UNTV Cup PBA Legends FaceOff. Co serves as the commissioner of the month-long tournament that kicks off on June 2 at the Pasig City Sports Center.

PSA members are enjoin to attend the forum.

A7

TUESDAY, MAY 28, 2019 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Real Gold wins Triple Crown 1 leg st

R

EAL Gold won the initial battle of the country’s best threeyear-olds, obliterating the eight-horse field that included undefeated and overwhelming favorite Obra Maestra to secure the 1st leg of the Philippine Racing Commission’s Triple Crown series Sunday at the San Lazaro Leisure Park in Carmona, Cavite.

Sneaking in from fifth spot when the rest of the pack concentrated on favored pick Obra Maestra, Real Gold made its move from the outside in the last 400 meters, grabbing the lead in the final turn and sprinted home with a blinding burst that netted the John Paul A. Guce-ridden colt to an eight-length win in the 1,600-meter race.

Real Gold proved to be a goldmine to its C&H Enterprise C&N conglomerate of owners Butch Mamon, Robert Ramirez, Jing Javier and Joseph Dyhengco as they pocketed the whopping top purse of P1.8

million, plus an additional P100,000 to breeder Dyhengco.

“We are ecstatic,” said Mamon during the awards rites, attended by Philracom officials, led by Chairman Andrew A. Sanchez, Alfonso “Boy” Reyno, Jr., chairman and CEO of the Manila Jockey Club and Captain Mohammed Al Hashmi, racing manager of The Royal Horse Racing Club of Muscat, Sultanate of Oman.

JAYZ of jockey JA Guce and owner SC Stockfarm finished runner-up and clinched the prize of P675,000, while

Alfredo Santos’ Toy for the Big Boy, ridden by JB Cordova, pocketed P375,000 at third spot.

Obra Maestra (Jockey JB Guce), the overwhelming pick, suffered its first loss but still received P150,000 at fourth for owner Leonardo Javier Jr. “Remate po kami. Naramdaman ko last 600, mananalo,” said Real Gold’s jockey JPA Guce, who added that it was their second major victory together, counting their Philtobo triumph a few months back.

In the Philracom Hopeful Stakes, also ran in 1,600 meters, Shanghai Noon, ridden by OP Cortez and owned by Emmanuel A. Santos, captured the top prize of P1 million, with P30,000 awarded to breeder Kerby Chua.

Phenomenal (jockey JPA Guce, owner Enrique Javier), Best Regards (CP Henson, Peter Aguila) and Two Timer (JA

Guce, Melaine Habla) placed second to fourth, respectively, with prizes of P225,000, P125,000 and P50,000.

Meanwhile, Serafina, ridden by MB Pilapil and owned by Peter Aguilar, ruled the 1st leg of the Locally Bred Stakes Race (1,600 meters) and received the champion’s prize of P300,000.

Silab (AR Villegas, Benjamin Abalos Jr.), Iikot Lang (EG Guerra, Cipriano Sison Jr.) and Dansalan (JB Hernandez) ranked 2nd to 4th, with respective prizes of P112,500, P62,500 and P25,000.

The last horse to win all three legs of the Triple Crown was Sepfourteen of SC Stockfarm in 2017. Prior to Sepfourteen’s Triple Crown achievement two years ago, the last time one horse won it all in one year was in 2014 when Emmanuel Santos’s colt Kid Molave (Into Mischief x Unsaid) scored the rare 3-peat.

Steffen, Duke brace for Ironman duel

Real Gold owners Butch Mamon, Robert Ramirez, Jing Javier and Joseph Dyhengco comprising C&H Enterprise, together with jockey JPA Guce and son, display the champion’s trophy their horse won in ruling the 1st leg of the Triple Crown series. They are joined by Philracom officials Chairman Andrew A. Sanchez, Commissioners Bienvenido Niles Jr., Dante Lantin and Lyndon Guce and Executive Director Andrew Rovie Buencamino, Chairman and CEO of the Manila Jockey Club Alfonso “Boy” Reyno, Jr., MJC racing manager Ding Magboo and Captain Mohammed Al Hashmi, racing manager of The Royal Horse Racing Club of Muscat, Sultanate of Oman.

Horse death roll rises at Santa Anita, California LOS ANGELES—A third horse has died in nine days at Santa Anita Park, bringing the equine death toll at the Southern California track to 26 since December 26.

Track officials confirmed that 9-yearold gelding Kochees was euthanized on Sunday, a day after suffering a leg injury in a $10,000 claiming race.

Mike Willman, Santa Anita’s director of publicity, confirmed that surgeons determined the animal couldn’t be saved because of loss of blood flow to the injured limb.

The three deaths in nine days follow nearly six weeks without a fatality at the scenic race track northeast of Los Angeles.

But 26 horses have died in either racing or training since the current race meeting opened on December 26.

The fatalities sparked protests from animal rights activists and resulted in extensive tests of the surface and subsurface of the dirt track -- which found no apparent cause for the increase in breakdowns.

The Stronach Group, owners of Santa Anita and other tracks around the coun-

try, has proposed changes to promote horse welfare including a reduction in race-day administration of medications and the elimination of the use of riding crops except to ensure safety.

Stronach officials, including president and chief executive Belinda Stronach, wanted to extend the reforms to their facilities in other states as well, but have encountered resistance from some working in the racing industry.

Santa Anita is slated to stage this year’s Breeders’ Cup on November 1-2.

AFP

PRURide PH CHAMPION. Filipino

professional cyclist Marcelo Felipe (podium center) of 7-11 CLIQQ AIR21 bagged the overall championship of PRURide PH 2019 Stage Race held from May 24 to 26 at Harbor Point, Subic. He also won the Best Filipino Rider and King of the Mountain titles after outracing more than 150 riders. Felipe received a plaque, a token, and Php120,000. He also earned additional 16 UCI points to help qualify for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Joining him on the podium are 2nd place Brendon Davids of Australia’s Oliver’s Real Food Racing and 3rd place Michael Vink of Australia’s St. George Continental Cycling Team. Awarding them are (from left): Melanie Mader, Miss Earth-Air 2018; Zac Prendergast, UCI Technical Director; Mabel Leung, Prudential Corporation Asia Sr. Director-Strategic Marketing; Allan Tumbaga, Pru Life UK Senior Vice President and Chief Customer Marketing Officer; and Diane Pender, Prudential plc Sponsorship Manager.

Cangolf rebounds, shares lead

TAIWAN GOLF WINNER. Philippine Golf Tour Asia mainstay Thai Wisut

Artjanawat (left) poses with his trophy after rallying from six down and beating Taiwanese Sung Mao Chang by two in the TPGA (PGA of Taiwan) Open, the first PGT Asia event in Taiwan last Sunday. With him is Joop Kalambakal, PR manager of the sponsoring ICTSI.

CANLUBANG pulled off a victory and two podium finishes as it dominated the 2019 Champion WGAP Circuit at home recently and gained a share of the overall lead with Tagaytay Highlands after two legs of the course-hopping tour.

Rosabel del Leon fired 40 Stableford points while Colo Ventosa sizzled with 39 points and Lea Suarez and Charo Buencamino each scored 38 points as the Cangolf ladies pooled a 155 and edged the Fernando Air Base side by two in Class B. The hosts also placed second to surprise Class C winner Wack Wack and settled for third in Class A behind Alabang and Sta. Elena as they racked up a total of six points to join the Highlanders on top in the early going of the eight-stage circuit organized and conducted by Women’s Golf Association of the Philippines.

Alabang drew 43 points from Marilyn Reyes while Rita Horan, Jocelyn Garcia and Lanfen Hsieh backed her up with 40, 37 and 36 points, respectively, as it as-

sembled a 156 and posted a huge sevenpoint victory over Sta. Elena in the centerpiece Class A division.

The STE ladies, led by Therese Dabao’s 40 points, Carina Ricamonte’s 37 and Carmela Lee and Wilhermina Attwood’s identical 36 points, came up with a 149 while Cangolf got a pair of 38s from Recy Barrientos and Flor Silao and a couple of 36 points from Luisa Lorenzo and Ikuko Kito for a 138.

Reigning Asian Games golf medalist Yuka Saso, a member of the host squad, also graced the event and finished with 33 points as she primed up for the US Women’s Open beginning Thursday in South Carolina.

After scoring two victories at Villamor, Tagaytay went scoreless, placing fourth in Class A with a 144 led by individual champion Marianne Bustos’ 41 points while Fernando Air Base came in fifth with 139 followed by Forest Hills (138), Manila Southwoods (130), Camp Aguinaldo (129) and Villamor (124).

SWISS Caroline Steffen and Aussie Dimity Lee Duke set out for another clash of power and endurance tipped to go down-to-the-wire as they banner the elite cast in the Century Tuna IRONMAN 70.3 Subic Bay presented

by Big Boss Cement which gets going Sunday (June 2).

The veteran campaigners are seeking to snap a spell in local endurance racing with Steffen out to improve her runner-up finish to Czech Radka Kahlefeldt in the recent second Alveo Davao where Duke struggled to finish fourth.

But both are coming into the 1.9km swim-90km bike-21km run event brimming with confidence, so do New Zealand’s Laura Wood, Manami Iijima of Guam and Lisa Tyack, another star from Down Under, guaranteeing a fierce showdown for top honors and the top $3,000 purse in the centerpiece women’s pro division.

“I’m excited to return to Subic for the fourth time,” said Steffen, who is also using the event organized by Sunrise Events, Inc. as part of her buildup for the World Chanmpionships.

“I’m still building up my fitness towards the World Championships in October and the CT IRONMAN 70.3 will be a great test in the heat to see where I am at,” she added.

Duke, on the other hand, hopes to flash her familiarity with the course where she also reigned in a 5150 event while placing second to compatriot Liz Blatchford in the first Philippine full triathlon last year.

“IRONMAN racing is a lot different racing over the 70.3 distance and each year the competition is always getting better and better,” said Duke.

“But I am fortunate to have raced this course over a number of years so I hope this will put me in a good position come race day.

Na takes 2-shot lead at Colonial LOS ANGELES—Kevin Na fired a oneunder par 69 on Saturday to take a twoshot lead in the US PGA Tour Charles Schwab Challenge, where three-time major winner Jordan Spieth was among those in hot pursuit.

Na, in search of a fourth US PGA Tour title, started the day one off the lead of Sweden’s Jonas Blixt -- who slid down the leaderboard with a four-over 74.

Na seized the lead at 10-under par with back-to-back birdies at the first and second holes at Colonial Country Club.

An unlucky double-bogey at the parfive 11th cost him the lead, but he steadied himself with a birdie at 13 to finish with a nine-under par total of 201.

That put him two strokes clear of Spieth, fellow Americans Jim Furyk and Tony Finau, Taiwan’s Pan Cheng-tsung and Canadian MacKenzie Hughes, who shared second on 203.

“After the double-bogey I hit a bad tee shot at the next hole and it looked like the wheels could fall off,” Na said. “But I stayed positive, tried to put the next one in play.”

The California, who carded a 62 on Friday, believes Colonial is one of a handful of courses used on the PGA Tour that gives him a good chance at a title.

“Over the years I’ve had some good rounds (at Colonial) and it’s a golf course you don’t have to overpower,” he said. “You have to keep it in play.

“From fairway in I’m a pretty good player, so I think it plays right into my game.” AFP

Sports

Riera U. Mallari, Editor; Reuel Vidal, Assistant Editor sports@manilastandard.net sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

A8

TUESDAY, MAY 28, 2019

Federer makes Roland Garros return after 4-year absence PARIS, France—Roger Federer marked his return to Roland Garros after a four-year absence with a straight sets win over Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego on Sunday (Monday Manila time), admitting he “felt on edge”, as Angelique Kerber’s hopes of completing a career Grand Slam suffered a quick kill.

Federer, a 20-time major winner, hadn’t played the tournament since 2015 when he reached the quarterfinals.

However, on Sunday, it was as if the 37-year-old had never been away as he swept to a 6-2, 6-4, 6-4 victory in one hour 41 minutes on a packed, rebuilt Court Philippe Chatrier.

It was his 60th successive first round win at a Grand Slam.

“I felt on edge at the start, my heart was beating crazily,” said Federer, who hailed the new-look stadium which has been 90% rebuilt in readiness for the installation of a retractable roof for 2020.

“I felt great playing on this court. It looks very attractive, so congratulations to everyone involved.

“Hopefully I can play here again for my next match.”

That match will be against German lucky loser Oscar Otte who won just his second match in eight years on the tour by seeing off Malek Jaziri of Tunisia 6-3, 6-1, 4-6, 6-0.

“I would be surprised if Roger knew my name,” said Otte, the world number 145.

Federer broke serve five times and fired 36 winners past 24-year-old Sonego, the world number 73 who made the quarter-finals at the Monte Carlo Masters.

German fifth seed and reigning Wimbledon champion Kerber saw her hopes of a career Grand Slam ended

by Russian teenager Anastasia Potapova.

Kerber slumped to a 6-4, 6-2 defeat to 18-year-old Potapova who was making her French Open debut.

“Kerber is actually one of my idols, and when I was young I was looking for her game,” said the 81st-ranked Russian who hit 28 winners past her German opponent.

Kerber, 31, has now lost six times in the French Open first round.

Switzerland’s Roger Federer serves against Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego during their men’s singles first round match on day 1 of The Roland Garros 2019 French Open tennis tournament in Paris. AFP

Vargas calls for POC elections

By Peter Atencio

E

LECTIONS for a new Philippine Olympic Committee president will be held as soon as the 30th Southeast Asian Games are over. POC president Ricky Vargas said this following a meeting of the POC General Assembly yesterday at the Max’s Restaurant in Pasig.

Vargas said the new polls will be held January 2020 before the Tokyo Olympics, which will be a break from POC tradition.

“I’m saying to them. Let’s have elections already. My appeal to them is to get together after the SEA Games,” said Vargas.

New elections were called after officials of the POC were removed from key positions, and after questions on the status of the Philippine SEA Games Organizing Committee were raised and answered by the POC legal counsel in previous days.

Vargas said loss of trust and confidence was the main reason why former POC president Jose “Peping” Cojuangco Jr., Joey Romasanta, Robert Bachmann, Makati Congressman Monsour del Rosario and lawyer Charlie Ho were removed from their posts.

“I will not allow the POC to be dragged down by the very people who caused the miserable performance of Team Philippines in the recent past. I will not allow people who have mismanaged POC for more than a decade to throw us back to

the dark ages,” said Vargas in his statement he read during the meeting.

Bachmann’s position as chairman of the membership committee was given to Muay Thai’s Lucas Managuelod, while Vargas will fill the spot of chairman of the constitutional amendments committee, in place of Cojuangco.

Philippine Sports Commission chairman William Ramirez was appointed as chef de mission of the 30th SEA Games, in place of del Rosario. POC chairman Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino takes over from Romasanta as Tokyo Olympics chef de mission.

Tolentino informed Ramirez of his appointment but the PSC chairman declined. Ho was also removed as assistant SEA Games CDM. The revamp in positions in the POC took place after seven board members, led by Cojuangco, Romasanta, Antonio Tamayo Jr., Mikee Cojuangco-Jaworski, Julian Camacho and Clint Aranas convened a special meeting last April 30 to raise ques-

tions on the incorporation and role of the Phisgoc in the coming SEA Games.

Also present were Bachmann, Ho and Frank Elizalde.

The questions in the special meeting were eventually answered by POC legal counsel Alberto Agra in a separate letter last May 26.

The GA meeting was adjourned some 90 minutes after it started, and after Bachmann raised a howl of protest over the POC’s actions.

“Sad. It’s sad. I expected more from him. I expected more from him as president,” said Bachmann.

Vargas was installed as president of the POC in place of Cojuangco February last year.

Vargas said there was a move to remove Karen Caballero as deputy secretary-general but Caballero will keep her post.

A representative from sponsor Asics attended the meeting yesterday. He was unable to speak after the meeting was adjourned early.

Malacañang will provide additional funding to the country’s hosting of the 30th Southeast Asian Games after President Rodrigo Duterte approved the release of an additional P1 billion in funding for ongoing preparations.

So far, a total of P6.5 billion has been allocated for the Games preparation and management.

Tarlac rules RC Cola 3x3 Liga ng Bayan WENCY Sagun scored six points, including four in the final minute that lifted Team Sto. Cristo Tarlac to a 20-18 triumph over Team Sto. Rosario-A of Malolos, last Sunday in the finals of the RC Cola-Liga ng Bayan national tournament at the Market! Market! In Taguig.

The 5’7” Sagun came into the picture after they rallied from four points down, and his efforts earned him the MVP honors when it was over.

“Talagang gagawin po namin ang best namin para manalo,” said the 14-yearold Sagun, the son of a referee, after Team Tarlac took a home the top purse of P50,000.

Sagun’s jumper and charity in the last 1:07 allowed Tarlac to move a point closer, 17-18.

After teammate Francis de la Cruz tied the count, 18-all, Jelo Mangoba shattered the tie with a rainbow shot.

Then, Sagun finalized the count with a drive with 12.3 ticks to go.

Mangoba showed the way for Tarlac with nine points.

Twelve barangays in provinces around Luzon reached the national finals.

The final list of participants came from 41 teams, and since the tournament started on March 23, and with Arc Refreshment Corporation as organizers.

Sagun made a game-high nine points when Team Tarlac beat Bacoor, 13-12, in the semifinals.

Justin Ramos fired 15 points for Malolos when they turned back Binan, 21-12, in the other semis encounter. Peter Atencio

Philippine Olympic Committee president Ricky Vargas speaks to reporters during the POC General Assembly yesterday at the Max’s Restaurant in Pasig. Peter Atencio

82nd UAAP season set to break tradition TRADITION will be broken when the 82nd season of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) gets going September 1 at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Instead of holding basketball games to usher in the season, festivities will be held during the day.

Incoming league secretarytreasurer Em Fernandez of season 82 host Ateneo de Manila said this following turnover ceremonies with outgoing host National University held at the Mall of Asia Arena.

“There will be no opening games. We’re having opening festivities,” said Fernandez.

During the turnover rites, Ateneo president Father Jose Ramon T. Villarin, S.J. took the hosting flag from NU president Renato Ermita.

Host Ateneo, according to Fernandez, also plans to adjust the league schedule as the Philippines hosts the 2019 Southeast Asian Games starting November 30.

With the men’s basketball action usually ending in early December, league officials are getting ready to compress the schedule and finish first semester games by the third week of November.

Under the proposed schedule, eight teams will have to play in four games every Wednesday.

On the other hand, the weekend games, are set to go on with the regular two-game schedule.

Peter Atencio

Riders brave Rizal terrain at PH MTB National Championships

A rider in the Women’s Elite category braves the dangerously narrow path in the downhill course

OVER 200 mountain bike enthusiasts competed at the 2019 Philippine Mountain Bike National Championships in Rizal in early May for a chance to be part of the National team that will represent the country in the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.

The two-day race event is the premiere mountain bike event in the country sanctioned by Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), and included the Downhill Mountain Biking (DHI) and Cross-Country Olympic (XCO) categories.

Organized by 7-Eleven in partnership with National Federation of Cycling (PhilCycling), the Philippine Mountain Bike National Championships (PH MBNC) aims to promote mountain biking in the country and produce world-class racers who will represent the country in international UCI-sanctioned races.

“The collaboration (of 7-Eleven) with PhilCycling is aimed at making the National Champi-

onships more accessible to Filipino cyclists. We are very happy for the turnout this year – at 252 registrants. It’s the biggest registration so far and we are committed to improve on those numbers.

Filipinos can excel in mountain biking. We have talented cyclists and we have good topography for mountain bike courses. We can produce world champions. We only need to have a systematic approach,” says Victor Paterno, CEO and President of 7-Eleven Philippines, who himself is a competitive mountain biker.

Niño Martin Eday was the UCI-DHI National Champion for Men’s Elite Category finishing with a record time of 2:34:785. “It has been a childhood dream of mine to join international competitions, and now that I have achieved it, I am really honored and proud to be given the chance to represent our country in the upcoming SEA Games,” the 26-year old biking champ from Iloilo City said.

Lea Denise Belgira, 22, from Guimaras, emerged as the UCI-DHI National Champion for Women’s Elite with a record of 3:21:996. “More than being focused on the training and practicing self-discipline, it is important to be passionate in whatever you want to do,” Belgira said happily in an interview.

Other winners in DHI Elite Men category include Eleazar Barba (0:02:35.781) and John Derick Farr (0:02:36.371), while Naomi Gardoce (0:03:28.566) and Marinela Puno (0:04:02.609) joined Belgira in the DHI Elite Women podium.

For the XCO Elite Men category, EJ Flores finished first place with a record of 1:32:11, followed by Nino Surban (1:32:56) and Alvin Benosa (1:33:46). Meanwhile, Timberland Queen of the Mountain, Ariana Dormitorio, landed first in the XCO Women’s Elite category with a record of 1:26:39, followed by Avegail Rombaon (1:30:25) and Mellisa Jane Jaroda (1:38:20).

IN BRIEF

Drilon backs ICTSI’s bid to rehab Iloilo port THE plan of International Container Terminal Services Inc. to invest P8.7 billion to develop the Port of Iloilo drew support from Senator Franklin Drilon, who is widely credited for the exceptional development of the Visayan city.

ICTSI global corporate head Christian Gonzalez, in a briefing attended by Ilonggo political leaders and business groups, represented by the Iloilo Economic Development Foundation, said ICTSI, owned by tycoon Enrique Razon Jr., planned to upgrade the Iloilo Port once the Philippine Ports Authority acted on its unsolicited proposal.

Attending the briefing held on May 24, 2019 in Makati City were Drilon, Mayorelect Jerry Trenas, Congresswoman-elect Julienne Baronda and the Ilonggo business community represented by Narzalina Lim, Jocelyn Perez, Terence Uygongco, Rex Drilon and Francis Gentoral of ILED. “The expansion of Iloilo port sits well with our plans for the province. This early we are seeing a heightened shipping activity in the province due to the economic developments that have taken place in the province for the past years,” Drilon said.

Business

Peso stable despite BSP easing—ING EFFECTIVE communication of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas to the market about the successive policy and reserve requirement cuts this month helped stabilize the performance of the peso against the US dollar compared to other currencies in the region ING Bank Manila senior economist Nicholas Mapa said in a report that despite the “double-barreled” easing from the BSP, followed up by a reduction in RRR for smaller banks, the peso has continued to outperform its regional peers. “... BSP’s ability to communicate its policy bias to the market has gone a long way to helping keep the currency stable despite the dovish bias. With market believing inflation to be tame and BSP not behind the curve, further easing moves by the BSP may be welcomed should they be communicated effectively to the market,” he said.

“Timing of the RRP cut and RRR redux rather than sequence may have had more weight in FX performance,” Mapa said.

The peso closed at 52.22 against the US dollar Monday, down from 52.16 Friday. Julito G. Rada

TUESDAY, MAY 28, 2019

B1

By Alena Mae S. Flores

NXTFOOD ASIA. Top government officials and diplomats open the 13th edition of Ifex Philippines NxtFood Asia on May 24 at the World Trade Center in Pasay City. The event is considered the biggest gathering of delectable and export-quality food finds.

Attending the opening are (from left) Embassy of Malaysia chargé d’affaires Rizany Irwan bin Muhamad Mazlan, Agriculture program director Bernadette San Juan, Venezuela Ambassador Capaya Rodriguez Gonzales, Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions executive director Pauline Suaco-Juan, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez, Cabinet Spouses Association Inc. executive secretary Betty Medialdea, Trade undersecretary Abdulgani Macatoman, Philippine Food Processors and Exporters Organization Inc. president Roberto Amores and Hungary Ambassador Dr. Jozsef Bencze.

PH, Japan to sign P300b worth of business deals F

By Othel V. Campos

ILIPINO and Japanese companies are expected to sign more than 20 business agreements worth nearly P300 billion or $5 billion at the conclusion of the Philippine trade mission to Japan on May 30.

The business deals are also expected to generate at least 80,000 jobs in the Philippines, according to the Trade Department.

“The Department of Trade and Industry is consistently pursuing investments from all countries to provide decent employment opportunities to Filipinos.

This is a part of the approach to nationbuilding and DTI’s priorities, summed up as Trabaho, Negosyo, Konsyumer,” said Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez who

will witness the signing of the business agreements.

The trade mission is a side event during President Rodrigo Duterte’s trip to Japan to attend Nikkei’s 25th International Conference on The Future of Asia on May 30 to 31.

The mission aims to secure not only investments but also Japan’s continued support for the Philippines.

Lopez said Japanese investors remained bullish on the sustained growth momentum of the Philippine economy, given its aggressive infrastructure buildup, meaningful investment and financial reforms and demographic advantages.

The investment pledges will be in the areas infrastructure, manufacturing, electronics, medical devices, business process outsourcing, power, electricity, transport, automotive, food manufacturing and marine manpower industries.

The Trade Department will also hold a business forum and roundtable discussions to have a closer dialogue with the Japanese investors and an opportunity

for greater business-to-business interactions.

The Philippines will continue to push for substantive market access of Philippine products to the Japanese market through the Philippines-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement.

The Trade Department aims to wrap up the general review of the PJEPA in five to six months.

PJEPA has prime importance to move forward with the discussions on tariff preferences, particularly for products of interest to the Philippines such as bananas, mangoes and pineapples.

PJEPA covers trade in goods, trade in services, investments, movement of natural persons, intellectual property, customs procedures, improvement of the business environment and government procurement.

Japan was the Philippines’ second largest trading partner in 2018 with total trade of $20 billion including $9.5 billion worth of exports to Japan and $10.5 billion worth of imports from Japan.

First segment of expressway to Cabanatuan nearly finished

By Darwin G. Amojelar THE Public Works Department said the first package of a new expressway linking Tarlac City and Cabanatuan City is nearly completed.

It said the construction of Central Luzon Link Expressway Phase 1, Contract Package 1, beginning at the connection of Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway and Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway in Balincanaway, Tarlac was 97-percent completed.

Public Works Secretary Mark Villar said Contract Package 1 with a budget of P1.603 billion involves the construction of a four-lane expressway, spanning 4.1 kilometers, with the provision of an underpass bridge and two farm passages.

CLLEX Phase 1 is divided into four packages which cover the construction of a 30-kilometer, 4-lane expressway which when completed will shorten the travel time of 70 minutes between Tarlac City and Cabanatuan City to just 20 minutes.

Its alignment will traverse the towns of La Paz in Tarlac and Zaragoza and Aliaga in Nueva Ecija and will benefit an annual average daily traffic of 11,200 motorists.

“This project will decongest Daang Maharlika by 48 percent by serving as an alternate route to and from the two cities. Aside from that, we expect the project to promote more livelihood opportunities in Region 3 that will further contribute to reducing traffic in Metro Manila,” Villar said.

business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com

Meralco sales rebounded by 11% in April

DoubleDragon opens bay area solar rooftop DOUBLEDRAGON Properties Corp. on Monday inaugurated the solar installation at the rooftop of DoubleDragon Plaza, DD Meridian Park.

The company said the 1,098-panel high efficiency solar installation was designed and installed by FP Island Energy Corp, a wholly-owned subsidiary of First Philippine Holdings.

The solar installation is expected to displace 418 tons of CO2 a year, equalling to over 13,565 trees planted.

“We endeavor to build sustainable and eco-friendly structures that will blend well with the community and should remain productive and relevant in the next 100 years,” said DoubleDragon chairman Edgar Sia II. DoubleDragon chief investment officer Hannah Yulo said the company expects to soon host 100 megawatts of solar power on its various properties across the country, which will add considerable additional revenues to the company.

Darwin G. Amojelar

Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor

BEST ASIAN RESORT. Solaire, one of the world’s top luxury integrated resorts, is named the ‘Best Regional Asian Integrated Resort’ by an independent panel of judges at the recently-concluded 2019 G2E Asia Awards held in Macau. Receiving the awards are Solaire Resort & Casino’s management team including (from left) Chin Gan Lim, vice president of slot operations; Tony Boglic, director of floor operations table games; Lorenzo Manalang, vice president of brand marketing; Cyrus Sherafat, executive vice president of casino marketing, Thomas Arasi, president and chief operating officer; Donato Almeda, board director and Tony Wun, executive director of credit and collection.

ADB approves $300-m loan to support secondary education in PH

By Julito G. Rada THE Asian Development Bank said Monday it approved a $300-million loan to support government’s efforts to achieve inclusive growth by improving access to high-quality secondary education that responds to labor market needs.

The multilateral lender said in a statement the Secondary Education Support Program would help 10.6 million students nationwide who are currently enrolled in high school and an additional 2 million grade 7 entrants yearly from 2019 to 2023.

It will help the country boost job opportunities and substantially reduce poverty. The government set a target of lowering poverty incidence to 14 percent by 2022

from the current 21 percent.

“Sustaining the Philippines’ strong growth momentum will require a workforce equipped with the appropriate set of advanced skills and knowledge to allow them to keep in step with the rapid technological changes in the global economy,” ADB senior education specialist for Southeast Asia Lynnette Perez said.

“Continued investments in highquality education are crucial to attaining the government’s vision of lowering unemployment and poverty rates,” she said.

The ADB said while reforms in the Philippine secondary education system had shown progress, enrollment and graduation rates remained low especially among students from the poorest households.

The government is continuing to address the challenges to quality education by, for example, deploying adequate numbers of specialized teachers, providing sufficient teaching resources and ensuring the alignment of the curriculum to labor market needs.

The results-based Secondary Education Support Program will help the government sustain reforms, particularly in offering the poor greater access to better, affordable education. It will disburse funds to the government based on the achievement of agreed reform targets within a specific period.

The ADB is providing technical assistance to the Education Department to ensure they achieve targeted reforms and priorities which are aligned with the Philippine Development Plan.

POWER retailer Manila Electric Co. said sales volume climbed 11 percent in April from a year ago on higher demand amid soaring temperature, a top executive said Monday.

The growth in April picked up from just a 2.3-percent increase in sales volume registered in the first quarter.

“April [growth] was 11 percent.

It went up because it’s a hot month.

For May, I don’t know the indication but the first quarter was slower. We reported about three percent. So that pushes up the cumulative increase to four percent plus,” Meralco chairman Manuel Pangilinan said.

Meralco’s consolidated energy sales reached 10,381 gigawatt-hours in the first quarter, up from 10,145 gWh in 2018 which was attributed to the “high base effect” of the volume attained in 2018 and the slightly cooler average temperature throughout the quarter.

Pangilinan earlier said the lowerthan-expected sales growth in the first quarter, particularly in the residential and commercial sectors, was attributable to concerns on higher interest rates, the weakening of the Philippine peso against the US dollar and their impact on fuel and commodity prices. The situation was exacerbated by the recent red and yellow alerts caused by the forced outages of several plants.

“The financial results for first quarter 2019 are quite encouraging albeit the first quarter volume, while better than the comparative period, is showing signs of a slowdown. This could be a point of concern, moving forward,” Pangilinan said earlier.

Meralco said that while economic indicators were relatively stable, the overhang from the slightly lower gross domestic product growth in 2018 of 6.2 percent compared with the government’s target range of 6.5 percent to 6.9 percent, the spill-over effect of the fourth-quarter spike in inflation and the weaker peso all contributed to tempered growth in electricity consumption in the first three months.

Ayala unit gets PCC nod to buy Negros Grace THE Philippine Competition Commission approved the acquisition

by Ayala Healthcare Holdings Inc. of shares in Negros Grace Pharmacy Inc., saying the move will not obstruct fair competition in the healthcare space.

The Ayala Group’s generics line proposed to buy into a regional fullrange drugstore chain within the sphere of the local pharmaceutical retail market.

The transaction involves the acquisition of shares by AHHI of 75 percent of the outstanding capital stock of Negros Grace from Jasminum Corp.

The remaining shares will remain with JC. After the transaction, the resulting capital structure of Negros Grace will have an authorized capital stock of P100 million divided into 100 million shares with a par value of P1 per share.

AHHI, the corporate entity that includes AC Health, owns generic pharmacy line Generika Drugstore, community-based clinic brand Family Doc, online pharmacy and delivery platform MedGrocer, medical records app Vigos and doctor-patient booking app Aide.

Negros Grace and its subsidiaries, Solomon Drug Corp. and Samuel Drug Corp., are pharmaceutical firms with strong regional presence in Central and Western Visayas with a total of 70 drugstores. Negros Grace drugstores sell mostly branded drugs and a few generic drugs.

The PCC review looked into how the transaction would affect consumers in the retail sale of pharmaceutical products in the islands of Negros and Panay.

The PCC said in a decision on May 23 that the merger review found that the transaction would not likely lead to a substantial lessening of competition in the relevant market as the merged firms did not have an incentive or the ability to increase prices or reduce product assortment. Othel V. Campos

B2

Business

TUESDAY, MAY 28, 2019 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Market slips; PLDT, Jollibee fall T HE stock market slipped Monday on lingering worries over the worsening US-China trade war.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index fell 22.08 points, or 0.3 percent, to 7,725.01 on a value turnover of P5.5 billion. Losers beat gainers, 99 to 83, with 56 issues unchanged.

PLDT Inc., the biggest telecommunications firm, declined 5 percent to P1,282, while BDO Unibank Inc., the largest lender in terms of assets, lost 1.3 percent to P132.

Jollibee Foods Corp., the biggest fast-food chain, fell 1.4 percent to P274, but Security Bank Corp., the sixth-largest lender in terms of assets, rose 2 percent to P173.80.

The rest of Asian markets made a tepid re-

covery Monday as investors sought to shrug off a difficult week dominated by anxiety over the fractious US-China trade war.

As the two economic superpowers ready for a prolonged battle, with no date set for tariff negotiations to resume, all eyes were on US President Donald Trump’s visit to Japan, where he held formal talks with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Monday.

Ahead of the talks, Trump hit out at the “tremendous imbalance” in trade with the US ally, but said he was confident that things would “work out over a period of time”.

He also said that there was a “very good” chance of clinching “a great trade deal” with China “sometime in the future.”

On the geopolitical front, the US leader reiterated his criticism of the nuclear deal with Iran but emphasized that Washington was “not looking for regime

change” and was open to holding negotiations with Tehran.

In Asian markets, Tokyo rose 0.3 percent, while Shanghai closed 1.4 percent higher. But Hong Kong and Singapore each lost 0.2 percent.

The cautious recovery in Asia came after the Dow retreated for the fifth straight week, its longest losing streak since 2011.

Investors were expected to welcome a three-day weekend that saw US and UK markets closed on Monday, with the resignation of British Prime Minister Theresa May raising the likelihood of a no-deal Brexit.

The strong show of support for the Brexit Party in the European elections over the weekend will do little to ease those fears, analysts said.

“The problems that Theresa May faced will not go away with a new leader. In fact, they may get worse, because

this weekend’s election shows a large proportion of voters out there are still adamant they want a Brexit and don’t seem minded to negotiate with Brussels,” said OANDA senior market analyst Jeffrey Halley.

The results of the vote “should highlight how fractured both Parliament and the British electorate remain. The new Prime Minister will face the same issues—including a non-majority in Parliament-–as his or her predecessors,” Halley added.

In a further blow to Brussels, the farright National Rally party led by Marine Le Pen made a strong showing in France, leaving pro-EU President Emmanuel Macron trailing.

Oil prices made a lukewarm comeback after suffering a sudden rout last week due to a surprise increase in US crude and gasoline inventories.

With AFP

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW MONDAY, MAY 27, 2019

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

FINANCIALS 59 3,550 81 1,152,470 2.17 13,000 132 1,234,950 1.18 10,000 26.5 121,700 8 500 18.76 10,500 11.76 169,800 4.56 27,000 0.53 35,000 1.34 54,000 780 30 0.445 290,000 71.8 4,835,460 1.04 151,000 13.2 500 22.4 300 58.4 176,520 185 70 57.75 1,500 26.6 16,800 173.8 1,112,000 61 1,620

208,964 93,359,720 28,210 163,099,656 11,800 3,226,845 4,000 197,126 1,987,238 120,660 18,550 73,200 23,400 130,050 348,203,507 152,840 6,600 6,720 10,301,200 12,950 86,625 446,915 191,056,738 98,160

182,060 -2,665,069 -22,102,316.00 498,730 470,570 5,520 -7,673,590.50 -1,000 1,342,136.50 49,087.50 -255,360 -182,884,824 0

INDUSTRIAL 35.35 761,800 15 331,400 0.69 2,884,000 1.41 1,431,000 0.285 6,180,000 2.54 8,462,000 14.7 816,900 26 157,600 15 2,000 45.5 793,500 65.7 130 1.96 195,000 5.25 36,200 5.5 900 10 2,465,800 16.02 3,082,300 10 3,718,700 7.5 55,500 21.8 1,404,300 76.4 19,720 44.1 26,300 2.28 6,404,000 13.8 639,500 10.4 980,300 1.71 52,000 274 812,360 3.57 19,000 9.69 32,900 22.6 3,875,600 12.52 1,212,300 20.9 5,444,600 367 115,890 0.189 100,000 1.24 2,395,000 4.78 93,000 6.08 1,923,000 2.21 96,000,000 12.08 1,600 40.85 384,500 4.77 64,000 5.1 21,700 1.55 146,000 1.95 115,000 1.19 303,000 13 391,700 105.5 304,090 6.48 136,700 1.35 17,692,000 152.7 544,190 2.47 10,000 1.15 3,182,000 15.02 400 1.14 13,417,000

27,098,360 4,990,868 1,992,080 2,014,110 1,735,250 21,210,430 12,010,918 4,124,850 30,000 35,752,850 8,548 381,670 190,050 5,027 24,687,460 50,589,064 37,078,890 415,721 30,511,010 1,507,792.50 1,158,875 14,549,900 8,782,478 10,154,308 88,270 223,814,782 63,150 306,874 87,048,140 15,276,050 118,805,775 43,085,512 18,900 2,993,910 435,630 11,774,988 210,627,470 19,328 15,794,755 305,440 109,874 228,460 227,080 361,940 5,086,504 32,177,202 877,596 25,847,420 83,307,069 24,850 3,665,700 6,204 15,173,500

998,635 757,848 28,800 -538,690 2,331,580 -157,774 41,200 -29,400 -3,850 -15,859,881 10,436,560 -2,950,741 -112,350 -2,084,970 -149,778 263,520 1,063,020.00 2,614,818 -2,674,036 -130,046,840 5,472.00 50,250 188,928 -24,615,240 -22,688,884 -382,330 -321,750 5,182,630 -8,518,945 -5,960 1,281,722 -21,210,111 -67,380 -14,180,596 12,350 -1,174,070

3,095,650 36,059,521 35,638,582 2,626,180 2,044 357,948 2,991,290 508,230 220,690,670 7,011,510 167,545 25,983,148 1,437,460 27,530 121,283,560 492,509 58,108,597.50 46,610 33,871,010 90,375,020 1,120 22,281,730 328,300 29,980 10,188,421 11,920 168,403,590 9,719,270 27,280 13,020 202,946 46,360 469,050

-55,290.00 5,211,123.50 -10,158,510 75,000 -122,210 -20,400,710 179,240 1,370 -8,125,274.00 -278,224 49,250,670 -13,246,862.50 -22,074,220 -19,072,712 -11,311,250 4,000 645,779 -2,200,345 55,200 -

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

ASIA UNITED BANK PH ISLANDS BDO LEASING BDO UNIBANK BRIGHT KINDLE CHINABANK CITYSTATE BANK COL FINANCIAL EAST WEST BANK FERRONOUX HLDG FIRST ABACUS IREMIT MANULIFE MEDCO HLDG METROBANK NTL REINSURANCE PB BANK PBCOM PHIL NATL BANK PHIL STOCK EXCH PSBANK RCBC SECURITY BANK UNION BANK

57.15 81 2.17 133.7 1.18 26.55 8 18.8 11.5 4.4 0.53 1.38 780 0.45 72 1.06 13.2 22.4 59 185 57.75 26.6 170.4 59.6

59 81.5 2.17 134 1.18 26.6 8 18.8 11.76 4.57 0.53 1.38 780 0.45 72.95 1.06 13.2 22.4 59 185 57.75 26.95 174.6 61

57.15 80.85 2.17 131.1 1.18 26.45 8 18.76 11.5 4.4 0.53 1.34 780 0.445 71.8 1 13.2 22.4 58 185 57.75 26.6 170.4 59

ABOITIZ POWER AGRINURTURE ALLIANCE SELECT ALSONS CONS BASIC ENERGY CEMEX HLDG CENTURY FOOD CIRTEK HLDG CNTRL AZUCARERA CONCEPCION CONCRETE A CROWN ASIA DAVINCI CAPITAL DEL MONTE DNL INDUS EAGLE CEMENT EEI CORP EMPERADOR FIRST GEN FIRST PHIL HLDG GINEBRA GREENERGY HOLCIM INTEGRATED MICR IONICS JOLLIBEE MABUHAY VINYL MACAY HLDG MANILA WATER MAXS GROUP MEGAWIDE MERALCO MG HLDG PEPSI COLA PETROENERGY PETRON PHINMA ENERGY PHX PETROLEUM PILIPINAS SHELL PRYCE CORP RFM CORP ROXAS AND CO ROXAS HLDG SFA SEMICON SHAKEYS PIZZA SMC FOODANDBEV SPC POWER TKC METALS UNIV ROBINA VICTORIAS VITARICH VIVANT VULCAN INDL

35.6 14.6 0.72 1.42 0.275 2.45 14.7 26.5 15 45 65.8 1.94 5.25 5.9 9.96 16.24 9.8 7.49 21.8 76.5 44.5 2.33 13.84 10.14 1.7 278.2 3.31 9.81 22.45 12.88 21.5 378 0.189 1.31 4.83 6.08 2.08 12.08 41.2 4.8 5.1 1.58 2 1.23 12.96 107 6.5 1.4 153.9 2.5 1.17 16.98 1.09

35.9 15.26 0.74 1.42 0.29 2.54 14.98 26.5 15 45.5 65.8 1.97 5.25 5.9 10.1 16.7 10.1 7.5 21.85 76.55 44.5 2.33 13.84 10.48 1.71 278.6 3.57 9.82 22.75 12.92 22.2 378.8 0.189 1.31 4.83 6.16 2.26 12.08 41.55 4.8 5.1 1.59 2 1.23 13 107 6.5 1.57 153.9 2.5 1.17 16.98 1.19

35.35 14.6 0.66 1.4 0.275 2.43 14.7 26 15 45 65.7 1.94 5.25 5.5 9.96 16.02 9.65 7.49 21.4 76.4 43.75 2.24 13.66 10.12 1.68 274 3.31 9.05 22.2 12.5 20.75 367 0.189 1.23 4.66 6.08 2.06 12.08 40.85 4.77 5 1.55 1.95 1.18 12.9 105.5 6.41 1.35 151.5 2.47 1.14 15.02 1.08

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

0.57 52.05 14.74 0.79 6.84 12.98 1.23 1.25 903.5 3.25 6.95 10.04 14.7 0.25 883.5 6.15 59.75 0.5 4.65 15.1 0.56 4.32 0.039 1.16 179 2.39 920 0.97 1.36 434 267 0.232 0.275

0.58 54.4 14.74 0.82 6.84 13.36 1.23 1.25 904 3.42 7.15 10.3 14.7 0.26 910 6.18 61 0.5 4.8 15.4 0.56 4.33 0.04 1.16 182.9 2.39 920.5 1.06 1.37 434 267.2 0.235 0.285

0.56 52.05 14.46 0.75 6.8 12.7 1.2 1.21 891.5 3.21 6.95 10.04 14 0.249 876 6.13 59.7 0.47 4.65 14.96 0.56 4.28 0.039 1.06 179 2.38 890.5 0.9 1.36 434 267 0.23 0.275

8990 HLDG A BROWN ANCHOR LAND ARANETA PROP ARTHALAND CORP AYALA LAND BELLE CORP CEB LANDMASTERS CENTURY PROP CITY AND LAND CITYLAND DEVT CROWN EQUITIES DM WENCESLAO DOUBLEDRAGON EMPIRE EAST EVER GOTESCO FILINVEST LAND GLOBAL ESTATE MEGAWORLD MRC ALLIED PHIL ESTATES PHIL INFRADEV PHIL REALTY

15.8 0.78 10.98 2.13 0.75 47.15 2.29 5.08 0.6 0.81 0.86 0.225 9.75 24.1 0.485 0.13 1.6 1.48 5.47 0.3 0.465 1.76 0.42

15.98 0.79 11 2.14 0.78 48.3 2.33 5.1 0.61 0.81 0.88 0.226 9.8 24.1 0.485 0.13 1.6 1.48 5.48 0.31 0.475 1.76 0.42

15.76 0.78 10.98 2.13 0.74 47.15 2.2 5 0.57 0.81 0.86 0.225 9.49 23.75 0.48 0.13 1.56 1.42 5.43 0.29 0.46 1.71 0.41

VOLUME

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

PRIMEX CORP ROBINSONS LAND ROCKWELL SHANG PROP SM PRIME HLDG STA LUCIA LAND STARMALLS SUNTRUST HOME VISTA LAND

2.04 23.9 2.01 2.99 38.65 1.92 6.36 0.71 7.19

2.1 24.5 2.04 2.99 38.8 1.92 6.45 0.78 7.19

2.03 23.75 2.01 2.98 38.15 1.88 6.3 0.71 7.1

2.08 24.3 2.03 2.99 38.4 1.9 6.37 0.78 7.18

1,457,000 898,400 28,000 43,000 9,197,800 4,433,000 100,500 5,000 793,500

3,011,250 21,750,810 56,770 128,420 353,017,395 8,445,060 636,692 3,620 5,694,237

168,250 11,004,075 95,000 -2,581,418

2GO GROUP ABS CBN ACESITE HOTEL APC GROUP APOLLO GLOBAL ASIAN TERMINALS BERJAYA BLOOMBERRY BOULEVARD HLDG CEBU AIR CHELSEA DFNN INC DISCOVERY WORLD EASYCALL FAR EASTERN U GLOBE TELECOM GMA NETWORK GOLDEN BRIA HARBOR STAR IMPERIAL INTL CONTAINER IPEOPLE ISLAND INFO ISM COMM LEISURE AND RES LORENZO SHIPPNG MACROASIA MANILA BULLETIN MANILA JOCKEY METRO RETAIL METROALLIANCE A 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 TRAVELLERS WATERFRONT WILCON DEPOT

11.5 18.7 1.38 0.4 0.044 21.25 2.82 11.1 0.06 88.8 6.58 5.9 2.04 10.5 890 2,062 5.36 398 2.4 1.76 134.3 10.98 0.122 6.19 4.45 0.9 19.94 0.56 3.92 2.72 1.59 2.05 3.37 9.72 4.35 9 120 3.17 1,313 0.75 0.78 45.1 70.8 9.7 3.15 0.65 0.31 5.4 0.71 16.42

11.7 18.7 1.38 0.415 0.046 21.25 2.82 11.16 0.062 90.2 6.6 5.9 2.04 10.56 890 2,110 5.42 419.8 2.45 1.76 136.9 10.98 0.123 6.19 4.73 0.98 20 0.57 3.92 2.72 1.59 2.17 3.37 10 4.35 9 120 3.46 1,340 0.75 0.8 45.95 71.1 9.7 3.25 0.66 0.335 5.4 0.72 16.48

11.4 18.18 1.38 0.4 0.044 21 2.74 11 0.06 88.05 6.3 5.9 2.03 10.22 890 2,062 5.35 398 2.35 1.76 134.3 10.8 0.122 5.89 4.43 0.84 19.92 0.54 3.7 2.63 1.59 2.04 3.15 9.72 4.32 9 120 3.15 1,282 0.72 0.76 44.1 70.8 9.4 3.15 0.64 0.31 5.27 0.7 16.34

SERVICES 11.6 18.18 1.38 0.4 0.046 21 2.82 11.16 0.062 90.15 6.39 5.9 2.03 10.52 890 2,080 5.36 408 2.4 1.76 135.9 10.8 0.123 6.1 4.68 0.89 20 0.56 3.71 2.63 1.59 2.1 3.33 9.89 4.32 9 120 3.41 1,282 0.75 0.79 45.6 71 9.67 3.16 0.64 0.335 5.3 0.71 16.34

5,400 107,300 7,000 220,000 28,200,000 1,200 501,000 1,183,200 22,220,000 193,580 1,119,100 2,200 17,000 27,100 10 31,290 154,500 820 1,259,000 1,000 1,124,860 1,600 670,000 9,494,400 3,191,000 2,823,000 1,719,500 1,195,000 33,000 4,040,000 6,000 1,761,000 291,000 23,100 24,000 1,000 74,900 13,329,000 76,155 2,642,000 15,883,000 891,900 259,510 19,500 2,822,000 1,565,000 9,950,000 484,300 1,637,000 522,500

61,920 1,969,848 9,660 88,900 1,257,900 25,250 1,392,850 13,072,378 1,369,100 17,420,123.50 7,183,800 12,980 34,660 284,306 8,900 65,586,940 832,045 334,804 2,993,120 1,760 152,951,634 17,460 81,970 57,044,102 14,823,420 2,580,850 34,386,824 659,300 123,530 10,745,900 9,540 3,708,920 953,100 226,281 104,040 9,000 8,988,000 44,814,470 98,494,165 1,943,430 12,434,170 40,306,430 18,425,661 187,984 9,012,170 1,018,770 3,249,050 2,565,611 1,149,900 8,588,474

-22,500 0 -1,120,280 260,431 -240,123 8,338,260 93,100 -3,352,333 -11,070 924,335 9,860 19,832,254 -413,820 -20,800 0 -6,563,880 -37,138,240 -17,740 -782,000 -5,232,475 -2,654,247 -41,581 682,610 24,180 -376,098

58,900 6,110,430 29,620 34,068 23,700 608,180 8,550 28,322 1,938,450 467,940 53,220 23,400 50,740 4,616,590 26,730 11,440 28,740 99,000 3,300 1,321,000 1,182,880 860,540 21,203,324 74,972,255 27,100

-2,141,090 -305,440 587,320 22,220 -318,210 332,200 -34,710 -92,815 24,498,715 -

MS

HOLDING FIRMS 0.57 5,434,000 54.4 673,930 14.54 2,449,800 0.75 3,391,000 6.8 300 12.92 27,800 1.22 2,465,000 1.24 410,000 902 244,650 3.38 2,098,000 7.1 23,800 10.16 2,552,000 14.1 101,700 0.26 110,000 901 135,800 6.18 80,000 60 967,610 0.5 98,000 4.69 7,210,000 15.1 6,002,200 0.56 2,000 4.3 5,180,000 0.04 8,400,000 1.06 28,000 181.1 56,390 2.38 5,000 915 186,520 0.9 9,929,000 1.37 20,000 434 30 267 760 0.232 200,000 0.285 1,670,000 PROPERTY 15.96 0.79 11 2.14 0.77 48.1 2.23 5.05 0.58 0.81 0.88 0.226 9.5 23.9 0.48 0.13 1.58 1.46 5.46 0.31 0.475 1.74 0.415

335,500 679,000 4,300 167,000 1,145,000 13,000,200 3,116,000 982,200 35,585,000 8,000 32,000 1,280,000 1,592,000 271,600 610,000 10,000 3,973,000 2,861,000 11,611,900 16,620,000 280,000 1,307,000 360,000

5,344,282 530,510 47,234 357,040 870,320 623,779,080 6,973,560 4,973,576 20,761,710 6,480 27,540 288,270 15,202,667 6,489,420 295,050 1,300 6,260,020 4,173,990 63,433,088 4,993,450 130,350 2,266,930 149,150

477,988 156,000 36,234 89,079,040 -5,690,940 -624,270 654,460 -365,689 -271,250 -213,400 -2,332,310 207,200 14,126,706 38,350 -55,970 41,500

ABRA MINING APEX MINING ATLAS MINING ATOK BENGUET A CENTURY PEAK COAL ASIA HLDG DIZON MINES FERRONICKEL GEOGRACE LEPANTO A MANILA MINING B MARCVENTURES NICKEL ASIA NIHAO OMICO CORP ORNTL PENINSULA ORNTL PETROL A ORNTL PETROL B PHILODRILL PHINMA PETRO PX MINING PXP ENERGY SEMIRARA MINING UNITED PARAGON

0.0019 1.09 2.71 11.6 1.19 2.81 0.285 7.8 1.54 0.233 0.109 0.0078 1.02 2.16 1.01 0.57 0.87 0.011 0.011 0.011 3.95 2.94 8 22.3 0.0064

0.0019 1.16 2.71 11.9 1.19 2.81 0.285 7.91 1.56 0.245 0.11 0.0078 1.02 2.21 1.01 0.61 0.88 0.011 0.011 0.011 4 2.94 8.65 22.95 0.0071

0.0019 1.06 2.65 11.6 1.18 2.77 0.285 7.67 1.52 0.23 0.106 0.0078 1.01 2.16 0.98 0.57 0.87 0.011 0.011 0.01 3.8 2.87 8 22.05 0.0064

MINING & OIL 0.0019 31,000,000 1.09 5,546,000 2.65 11,000 11.8 2,900 1.18 20,000 2.77 219,000 0.285 30,000 7.85 3,600 1.53 1,262,000 0.242 1,950,000 0.106 490,000 0.0078 3,000,000 1.02 50,000 2.19 2,130,000 1 27,000 0.61 20,000 0.88 33,000 0.011 9,000,000 0.011 300,000 0.011 120,400,000 3.92 303,000 2.88 297,000 8.29 2,544,000 22.15 3,358,900 0.0065 4,000,000

ABS HLDG PDR AC PREF B2 ALCO PREF B DD PREF FGEN PREF G GMA HLDG PDR GTCAP PREF A LR PREF PNX PREF 3A PNX PREF 3B SMC FB PREF 2 SMC PREF 2B SMC PREF 2C SMC PREF 2D SMC PREF 2E SMC PREF 2F SMC PREF 2I

18 499 99 98 104.3 5.35 899 0.98 102 106 980 75 76.9 71.8 71.75 73.85 73.8

18 499 99 98 104.3 5.35 899 1 102 106 980 75 76.95 71.8 71.75 73.85 73.8

17.9 499 99 98 104.3 5.35 898.5 0.98 102 106 980 75 76.9 71.5 71.65 73.85 72.25

PREFERRED 17.9 5,500 499 10 99 100 98 25,080 104.3 1,200 5.35 18,700 899 110 1 217,000 102 10 106 1,560 980 120 75 24,310 76.95 1,950 71.5 14,800 71.65 4,230 73.85 5,000 73.5 14,420

98,850 4,990 9,900 2,457,840 125,160 100,045 98,885 213,090 1,020 165,360 117,600 1,823,250 149,995 1,059,700 303,304.50 369,250 1,046,239

-82,740 -

LR WARRANT

2.09

2.34

2.08

WARRANTS 2.25 3,461,000

7,768,510

-67,740

1,902,580 2,323,750

-48,470

592,985

-232,389

ITALPINAS XURPAS

4.73 1

4.73 1

4.63 0.96

FIRST METRO ETF

116.3

116.3

115.6

TRADING SUMMARY

SHARES

FINANCIAL

13,814,616

INDUSTRIAL

189,797,208

HOLDING FIRMS

65,317,978

PROPERTY

112,848,558

SERVICES

135,534,639

MINING & OIL

186,006,757

GRAND TOTAL

706,117,711

4.64 0.99

SME

408,000 2,376,000

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 116 5,120

VALUE 1,702.39 (down) 4.40 1,455,650,346.27 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 11,114.30 (down) 101.43 1,211,838,527.58 HOLDING FIRMS 7,387.54 (up) 11.53 930,612,904.385 PROPERTY 4,172.61 (up) 0.30 SERVICES 1,640.79 (down) 16.68 1,162,619,070.19 MINING & OIL 7,238.20 (up) 41.02 651,790,213.24 PSEI 7,725.01 (down) 22.08 113,811,693.03 All Shares Index 4,765.43 (down) 16.42 5,531,182,467.65 Gainers: 83; Losers: 99; Unchanged: 56; Total: 238

MPIC eyes partners in toll road, hospital businesses

By Alena Mae S. Flores METRO Pacific Investments Corp. plan to take in strategic partners in the toll road and health care businesses to raise funds for expansion projects.

“I think we’ve indicated that we might do a partial divestment of our hospital. And I think it’s time to get in a new strategic partner for the tollways but that would be small, maybe up to 20 percent will be available,” said MPIC chairman Manuel Pangilinan at the sidelines of the annual stockholder’s meeting Monday.

MPIC owns 60 percent of Metro Pacific Hospital Holdings Inc. while Singapore-owned GIC Private Ltd. holds 40 percent. MPH is the largest operator in the country with 14 hospitals nationwide. It also operates a network of primary care clinics and cancer centers.

“They know we’re planning to do it. GIC, I believe they’re staying. We don’t know whether they’ll sell down with us for the 40 percent,” Pangilinan said.

He said talks were ongoing with potential investors and that MPIC was hoping to close a deal in the hospital business within the year.

“Already in talks, investment banks have been engaged for the hospital.

There have been some preliminary talks with potential strategic partners for the tollway, but nothing definite,” Pangilinan said.

MPIC owns Metro Pacific Tollways Corp., which operates and maintains 212 kilometers of expressways across three major Philippine tollroads system.

MPTC will be further adding 84 km of expressway at a cost of P104 billion.

“So far those who have expressed are mostly private equity funds. There have been indications from hospital operators down the road as well,” Pangilinan said.

He said proceeds from the sell-down would depend on the percentage to be offered to the new investors.

“Depends on the percentage, it will be a significant sum. Because for the hospital it has been earning and the growth prospect is good,” Pangilinan said.

BDO declares cash dividends of P0.30/share

By Julito G. Rada BDO Unibank Inc., the biggest lender in terms of assets and controlled by the Sy family, is declaring cash dividends on common shares for the second quarter this year after posting a record net profit of P32.7 billion in 2018.

The bank said in a disclosure to the stock exchange Monday the declaration of cash dividends was approved by the board in a meeting held Saturday. “... The board of directors of BDO Unibank, Inc., at its regular board meeting held May 25, 2019, approved the declaration of regular cash dividends on common shares of BDO in the amount of P0.30 per share for the second quarter of 2019 payable on June 24, 2019 to all stockholders of record as of June 11, 2019,” the bank said.

It said the source of dividend payment was the “surplus profits of the bank as of December 2018 [net of previously issued dividends less capital adjustments per relevant regulations].”

BDO’s net income in 2018 jumped 17 percent to a record P32.7 billion from P28.1 billion in 2017 on the sustained strength of its core businesses. The 2018 net profits also surpassed the P31billion guidance set by the bank for the year.

The bank also capped another milestone as the first Philippine bank to breach the P3-trillion mark in total assets.

Gross customer loans rose 15 percent to P2 trillion on healthy increases across all segments, while total deposits increased 14 percent to P2.4 trillion, with low-cost CASA ratio at 70 percent.

This resulted in the 20-percent expansion in net interest income to P98.3 billion on better net interest margins. The bank’s net interest margin improved to 3.64 percent from 3.48 percent in 2017.

Non-interest income settled at P49.7 billion, with fee-based income contributing P30.7 billion and insurance premiums up 20 percent. Gross operating income rose 15 percent to P148 billion.

World

B3

TUESDAY, MAY 28, 2019 CESAR BARRIOQUINTO, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Five critical takeaways from the EU elections

IN BRIEF Strong quake jolts Peru

LIMA―A powerful 8.0-earthquake toppled houses, blocked roads and knocked out power in parts of Peru on Sunday, killing one person and injuring at least 26 others as the shock waves extended into neighboring Ecuador.

The quake hit in a sparsely populated region of Peru’s Amazon basin region but was felt over a wide area. In Lima and other cities, frightened residents rushed into the streets.

“There are many old houses that have collapsed after this strong earthquake,” said Hugo Araujo, the mayor of Yurimaguas, a town near the epicenter.

Peru’s civil defense coordinator Ricardo Seijas told RPP radio that a man was killed by falling debris in his house in Cajamarca.

Danilo Munoz, the 48-year-old victim, was asleep when the quake struck at 2:41 am (0741 GMT).

Seijas said 11 people were injured in Peru, and more than 50 houses were left uninhabitable.

Reports said 15 people had been hurt in Ecuador.

The quake blocked roads, damaged a bridge and knocked down houses, said Peru’s President Martin Vizcarra, adding that it was the most powerful quake to hit the country in 12 years.

“It is an earthquake affecting the entire Peruvian jungle,” he said.

“We are working on establishing an air bridge to transport people who have an emergency,” he said.

The quake struck about 75 kilometers southeast of the town of Lagunas at a depth of at least 110 kilometers.

The US Geological Survey and Peruvian geophysicists said the quake registered 8.0 in magnitude. They said it lasted just over two minutes.

The mayor of Lagunas, Arri Pezo, said many residents who fled from their homes later stayed in the streets for fear of aftershocks.

“You could not walk at the time of the earthquake, things were falling,” Pezo told RPP. Power was knocked out, making it difficult to assess the damage, he said.

One of the most dramatic moments captured on social media happened in Yurimaguas. Video from the police station shows the police chief shouting at his subordinates to quickly open the jail cells and get inmates outside.

“The earthquake is strong!” he is heard yelling. “Open the cells! Help with the detainees, get one each!”

The shockwave of Sunday’s tremor also extended to neighboring Ecuador, where power cuts were reported in parts of its Amazon basin region.

Peruvian media said the tremor was also felt in parts of Colombia and Venezuela.

Peru lies on the so-called Ring of Fire— an arc of fault lines that circles the Pacific Basin and is prone to frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. AFP

Minaret saved from floods

HERAT, Afghanistan―The minaret of Jam, a revered Afghan historical treasure, has been saved from imminent danger after hundreds of workers diverted surging floodwaters that were gnawing at the 12thcentury tower, officials said Monday.

Torrential rains last week sent churning water roaring down the narrow valley that is home to the minaret, a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in a remote part of the western province of Ghor.

Dramatic video footage showed brown torrents crashing up against the base of the brick minaret, which was built in about 1190 and is the pinnacle of a surrounding archaeological site.

The Afghan government hired a local crew who worked for three days to channel water away from the minaret.

“Now the flow of water has been diverted but the flood has destroyed some 50 feet of protection wall around the minaret,” Abdul Hai Khatebi, a spokesman for the governor of Ghor, told AFP. Fakhruddin Ariapur-the Ghor province director of information and culture-said a team of experts is urgently needed to clean the base of the minaret and construct proper defensive walls.

“There is no danger to it now, but if it rains and floods again, the minaret has become too exposed and vulnerable,” he told AFP. The Jam minaret, located in an area largely under Taliban control, is the world’s second tallest made of bricks, reaching a height of 213 feet.

It is situated on the frontier of Ghor and Herat provinces, at the heart of the former Ghorid empire which dominated Afghanistan and parts of India in the 12th-13th centuries.

In 2002, the minaret and its archaeological remains became the first site in Afghanistan to be added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List. AFP

WELCOME CEREMONY. President Donald Trump inspects an honor guard at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on May 27, 2019. AFP

Brexit Party triumphs in EU parliament polls

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ONDON―AntiEU populist Nigel Farage’s Brexit Party triumphed early Monday in European Parliament elections that Britain was never meant to hold, while the ruling Conservatives suffered a historic blow.

But the polls exposed the divisions that remain three years after Britons voted to leave the European Union, with the pro-EU Liberal Democrats and Greens also making huge gains.

Sunday’s election was held against the backdrop of political disarray in Britain that saw Prime Minister Theresa May last week announce her resignation after failing to deliver Brexit on time.

Farage only registered his party in February but with most results declared, it won 28 out of 73 available seats with almost 32 percent of the vote.

Much of this support was at the ex-

pense of May’s Conservative party, which slumped to nine percent of the vote, apparently its worst electoral performance since 1832.

But the main opposition Labour party, which has been accused of a confusing position on Brexit, also took a hit with its vote share falling to around 14 percent.

Farage, the lead campaigner in the 2016 referendum to leave the EU, said his party should now have a say in any new Brexit negotiations with Brussels.

And he warned that failure to leave the EU on October 31—the latest Brexit deadline—would see his party replicate its victory in a general election.

“We are getting ready for it,” he warned in Southampton as ballots were being counted in his South East region.

However, he acknowledged the result reflected a split in nationwide opinion similar to that expressed when Britons voted by 52 to 48 percent to leave the EU. The Liberal Democrats, who want another referendum with the goal of

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP. Corgi dogs

race during the Southern California ‘Corgi Nationals’ championship at the Santa Anita Horse Racetrack in Arcadia, California, on May 26, 2019.

The event saw hundreds of Corgi dogs compete for the coveted fastest corgi title at the 17 race event. AFP

The eight North Korean filmmakers who defied Pyongyang SEOUL―As the Korean War raged eight of Pyongyang’s young heroes― all members of the North’s new elite, destined for a life of privilege and power―left for Moscow to study at a prestigious film school. They never returned.

Scattered to the corners of the Soviet Union after they chose asylum and exile to denounce the personality cult around the North’s founder Kim Il Sung, they lived as authors and filmmakers, forever separated from friends and family.

“We call the places we are born our homes,” wrote one, Han Tae Yong, in a short story.

“There should be a separate word for the places we die, a word that sounds as fond as the word ‘home’ does.”

Now their lives have been made the subject of a documentary by South Korean scholar and filmmaker Kim So-young, “Goodbye My Love

reversing Brexit, came second with around 20 percent of the vote and 15 MEPs, while the similarly pro-European Greens were on 12 percent.

Britain had planned to leave the EU on March 29 and these European elections were never meant to happen, but parliament’s inability to agree on how to leave has left the country in limbo.

Farage said his party won with “a big, simple message, which is we’ve been badly let down by two parties who have broken their promises”.

May’s bickering Conservative party — now in the throes of a leadership contest involving much of her current cabinet—had been braced for poor results and barely bothered to campaign.

But Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said there was an “existential risk to our party unless we now come together and get Brexit done”.

The result for Labour meanwhile triggered a fresh bout of arguing within the party over its strategy, which backs Brexit but holds open the option of a new vote. AFP

North Korea”.

In a peninsula defined by the split between North and South, it highlights the Korean diaspora and the impact of separation from a unique perspective.

Known as the “Moscow 8”, the group were chosen by Pyongyang to study at the Moscow Film School, now known as the Gerasimov Institute of Cinematography and the world’s oldest institution of its kind, in 1952, as Kim Il Sung’s forces―backed by Moscow and Beijing―fought against the US-led United Nations coalition.

At the time only the North’s brightest minds, regardless of academic background, were allowed to study cinema, filmmaker Kim said.

Film was considered crucial in developing the loyalty of the masses.

“The North was obviously heavily influenced by Lenin, who said cinema

is the greatest art form that exists,” she told AFP. “Among the eight exiles, one studied nuclear physics before being selected to study cinema in Moscow―he didn’t even know what a movie was until then,” she added.

Kim Il Sung’s son and successor Kim Jong Il―father of the current leader Kim Jong Un―was an avid film fan who ordered the kidnapping of a South Korean film director and an actress in 1978 to help develop the North’s cinema industry.

Even now the impoverished country pours significant resources into movies, although many of its productions are propaganda works extolling its Juche ideology and the ruling Kim family, with titles such as “Under the Guidance of the Great Brilliant Commander” and “We Will Follow You to the End of the Earth”. AFP

PARIS―The EU elections have been marked by successes for the far right, a surge by the Greens and setbacks for traditional parties across the continent.

AFP selects five takeaways as the first results come in across Europe: Far-right, populists advance The first results and projections suggested France’s euroskeptic far-right National Rally party led by Marine Le Pen was set to finish top in France, narrowly ahead of the ruling faction of President Emmanuel Macron.

In Italy, Interior Minister Matteo Salvini’s far-right League was set to win the most votes, and Germany’s far-right AfD was set to improve on their 2014 score of 7.1 percent, with exit polls seeing it coming in at 10.5 percent.

But the picture is far from uniform: in Austria the far-right Freedom Party was lagging in third after becoming engulfed in corruption scandal during the campaign.

And the party of Dutch far-right leader Geert Wilders looked set to lose all its seats in the European Parliament as results confirmed a win for the social democrats.

Observers doubt the populists’ ability to form an effective coalition, with differences on key issues including how close to be to Russia.

Green surge Environmentalist parties performed strongly, reflecting how the issue of climate change has leapt up the agenda as young activists take up the cause.

In Germany, the Greens were on course to knock the centre-left SPD, the coalition partner of Chancellor Angela Merkel, from second place.

Exit polls also showed the French green party EEVL led by a former top figure at Greenpeace France making strong gains with a score of 12-12.7 percent compared with 8.9 percent in the last EU elections in 2014.

Through school strikes, civil disobedience and large-scale marches, the movements have succeeded in highlighting how human behaviour threatens the future of the planet.

And unlike the eurosceptic populists, the Greens are not riven by division on a pan-European level.

Blows for leaders Macron had made no secret of the significance he attached to the results and his party’s performance was a symbolic blow for the president two years into his five year mandate.

But his office sought to put a brave face on the indications, saying that the performance was “respectable” after reports indicated that a bad showing could lead to a cabinet reshuffle.

The night was no better for Merkel, as exit polls showed the list of her centerright bloc was due to only garner around 28 percent.

Elsewhere, Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said he would call snap elections after voters relegated his Syriza party to second place behind the opposition conservative New Democracy party.

Turnout jumps After fears ahead of the election that voters would stay away, turnout across the European Union excluding Britain was estimated at 51 percent, the highest in 20 years, the EU parliament said.

A variety of issues ranging from immigration, Brexit, the economy to climate change have made these polls the most closely watched EU elections in a generation.

In the first election to the European Parliament in 1979, 62 percent of eligible voters cast a ballot in what were then nine member states.

Brexit party sweeps Britain Britain took part in the EU elections despite still being scheduled to leave the bloc by October 31 amid the crisis and confusion over its delayed exit.

The ruling Conservatives of Prime Minister Theresa May―who announced her resignation last week―are set to be punished by falling into fourth place.

AFP

Political novice Gitanas Nauseda wins presidential race in Lithuania VILNIUS—Gitanas Nauseda, a center-right independent and political novice, won Lithuania’s presidential runoff in a race marked by low populist sentiment and concerns over inequality in the Baltic eurozone state.

Although Lithuanian presidents do not directly craft economic policy, bread-and-butter issues have dominated the race.

Experts also noted that by choosing between two pro-EU, center-right candidates in the runoff, Lithuanians who see the European Union as a source of prosperity and security bucked growing euroskeptic and populist sentiment in the bloc.

Vowing to build a “welfare state”, Nauseda said he would bridge the gap between rich and poor in Lithuania, which is among the most pronounced

in the 28-member EU, adding that he would also seek to bring urban and rural Lithuanians closer together.

“All people can live with dignity in this small country,” the 55-year-old former bank advisor and economist told reporters as he claimed victory at his campaign headquarters in the capital Vilnius following Sunday’s vote.

Nauseda also hinted he wanted to soften Lithuania’s often sharp rhetoric towards Russia, but insisted that relations could only be improved if Moscow changes its policy towards Ukraine.

Challenger Ingrida Simonyte, a conservative-backed independent MP conceded defeat, telling public broadcaster LRT she had wished Nauseda “success in uniting Lithuanian people.” AFP

LGUs

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

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TUESDAY, MAY 28, 2019

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

Cebu LRT seen operational by 2022—Dino CEBU CITY—The top presidential aide for the Visayas has expressed confidence that the long-dreamed of body that will harmonize development in Metro Cebu and the Light Rail Transit project would materialize now that the Province of Cebu and the City of Cebu have new leaders belonging to one party.

Secretary Michael Lloyd Dino, chief of the Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas, assured the Cebuano community that the Metro Cebu Development Authority may soon have its “breath of life” because of the election of Cebu’s 3rd District Rep. Gwendolyn Garcia as governor of the province and Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella as mayor here.

With the new leaders, Dino, in his message during the unity and solidarity meeting between Garcia and Labella here Saturday, said he was also positive that the LRT would be operational before President Rodrigo Duterte’s term ends in 2022.

In its first-quarter meeting last March 18, the Metro Cebu Development and Coordinating Board pushed for the approval of an executive order creating MCDA, that “will act as the overall body to oversee services that have multi-local government unit or metropolitan-wide coverage.”

The MCDA will “formulate, coordinate, regulate and monitor the short, medium, and long-term plans, policies, and programs for the sustainable development and integration of Metropolitan Cebu Area.”

In 2017, Cebu City’s North District Rep. Raul del Mar said House Bill 6227 seeking for the creation of MCDA had passed the House committee on rules.

SM helps prep Bulacan schools for SY 2019-20

ULIRANG INA. In celebration of Mother’s Day, the local government of Muntinlupa through the Gender and Development Office honored eight outstanding women. Brgy. Tunasan resident Lilian Enriquez (center) was hailed this year’s champion in the Search for Gawad Ulirang Ina, receiving a P55,000 cash incentive and a trophy in the awarding ceremony at Ayala Malls South Park, Alabang last May 25. Finalists were Avelina Destura (Poblacion), Herminia Pascua (Putatan), Leticia Guevarra (Sucat), Luzviminda Gutierrez (Bayanan), Mayumi De Mesa (Alabang), Graciana Rosel (Buli), and Zenaida Villas (Cupang). Finalists received cash prizes amounting to P35,000 each. Attending the ceremony were Mayor Jaime Fresnedi, Rep. Ruffy Biazon, and Gender and Development Office Program Director Trina Biazon.

Biggest beach party set

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HE Province of Sarangani is set to hold another recordbreaking edition of the Sarangani Bay Festival, the country’s biggest beach party at Gumasa White Beach in Glan town, which lured some 150,000 merrymakers last year.

Dubbed the “Boracay of Mindanao,” Gumasa emerged 45th in the prestigious Australia-based Flight Network’s Asia’s Top 50 Beaches in 2018.

Set on May 30 to June 1, this year’s edition of the summer fest themed “Neon Summer” will sizzle once more with the rock scene’s top bands and deejays, a powerhouse lineup of musical artists, and an assortment of water sports and fitness activities.

Sarangani Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon said this year’s SarBay Fest will continue to celebrate the innovations the beach event has undergone over the past decade, most notably its advocacy for sustainable tourism and

family-oriented recreation.

“As a sign of our commitment to environmental protection, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan passed Resolution No. 2019-9-028 encouraging all beach goers and hotel owners not to use single-use plastic and styrofoam materials on the celebration of this year’s Sarangani Bay Festival,” he said.

As in previous years, SarBay will emphasize environmental awareness among party-goers with the round-theclock beach cleanups, ban on plastics, segments on educational activities, and the “scubasuero” underwater cleanup of volunteer scuba divers.

The three-day extravaganza kicks off

with the San Miguel Night featuring Rocksteddy band, and DJs Kouta Kutsuma and Cupcakes.

The party goes on with the Bay Bodies ’19 pageant, DJ Battle, and the Talk N Text party featuring 6Cyclemind, DJ Marc Marasigan, and DJ Kat. Curtains fall down with the Globe party series featuring Ben & Ben band, and deejays Tom Taus and Carlo Atendido on June 1.

Sporting events include the 15-km Swim Across the Bay relay, Asia’s most extreme swimming event, SarBay Strongman, beach volleyball and football, skim boarding, frisbee, jet ski race, bancathon, mountain bike, skim boarding, and frisbee tournaments.

Fringe events such as Zumba sessions with the Legendz, drum beating competition, firedancing exhibitions, body painting and family sand sculpture contests will add sizzle to the beach fest.

By Jun David EMPLOYEES, volunteers from SM Malls in Marilao, Baliwag, Pulilan, and San Jose Del Monte trooped to public schools in Bulacan to work together for the Brigada Eskwela 2019.

Employees waste no time in preparing school facilities and cleaning classrooms for the opening of classes. Various activities ranging from carpentry work, paint jobs, repairs, replacements as well as greening the school surroundings were assigned to volunteers to ensure school grounds are clean, safe, and conducive for learning.

SM City Baliwag and SM Center Pulilan volunteers gave classrooms a brand new look by cleaning, repairing chairs and desks, and painting colorful murals.

The rundown rooms of Baliwag North Central School and Sto. Cristo Elementary School in Pulilan were masterly restored and given a makeover. Beneficiaries also received cleaning materials and supplies for repairs and painting.

SM City Marilao volunteers brought back vibrancy into the nearby Saog Elementary School. The building and classrooms got a touch up in the form of fresh wall paint, new murals, dust-free chairs and tables, repaired jalousie windows, and sanitized comfort rooms.

NEW CLASSROOMS.

Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco (in blue shirt) and Mayor John Rey Tiangco (white polo), together with OIC Schools Division Superintendent Meliton Zurbano and other Schools Division officials, barangay officials and school principal, led the blessing and inauguration of a fourstory school building on Friday. Tangos Elementary School-Mother in Brgy.

Tangos North now has an additional 12 classrooms to accommodate the growing number of enrollees this upcoming school year.

Jun David

E-TRIKES TO MANILA. A total of 100 electric tricycles were turned over by the Department of Energy to Manila Mayor Joseph ‘Erap’

Estrada at the city hall’s quadrangle on Friday. With Mayor Erap are DOE officers Arnel Matthew C. Garcia, Jorge Vincent R. Bitoon, Armando Bombales and Oscar Malvar.

4 halal goat production projects in Sultan Kudarat

By Butch Gunio LUTAYAN, Sultan Kudarat―The Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development and Sultan Kudarat State Universty are currently implementing four science and technology-based halal goat production projects, the agency said Monday.

“There is the Development of LAMP Assay and Quick Test KIT for Haram Detection,” said Marita Carlos, PCAARRD Applied Communication Division Director, during the inauguration of the halal slaughterhouse and processing center at the SKSU Lutayan campus here.

“The slaughterhouse is another project, upgrading SKSU’s agro-mechanic

building into a slaughterhouse and processing center area for small ruminants,” she added.

The other project is the establishment of halal goat enterprises thru the FLS Halal GEM in Region 12 and ARMM, Carlos said, along with institutionalizing halal goat enterprises thru halal goat production.

20 new lanes to hike SCTEX toll capacity

By Orlan L. Mauricio MALOLOS CITY—NLEX Corp., the operator of the North Luzon Expressway and Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway, continues to conduct systematic repairs, upgrading and capacity expansion to ensure safe, reliable and seamless travel for the motoring public.

After rushing repair works on cracks and deformations on road pavements caused by the recent earthquakes that hit the Porac and Floridablanca portions of SCTEX in Pampanga, NLEX Corp. engineers are now focused on capacity expansion works.

Due to start in July is the construction of 20 additional lanes in various toll plazas along SCTEX, including vital construction at the Subic Freeport Expressway.

The additional toll plazas at SCTEX is aimed at improving the customer processing time at exit and entrance booths, the company said in a statement.

The toll plaza capacity expansion project, which is expected to be completed by November this year, covers Clark North, Clark South, San Miguel, Bamban, and Tarlac toll plazas.

One new toll lane each will be built in Clark North entry/exit and Clark South B exit. Two new toll lanes each will be added at Clark South A exit and Tarlac entry/exit to serve the growing number of motorists traveling in these areas.

NLEX Corp. will further increase the service capacity of San Miguel (Luisita) entry/exit plaza and convert it to a full interchange. This means that San Miguel will be more accessible to motorists, as those coming to and from San Miguel will now have complete entry and exit points from both northbound and southbound directions.

Meanwhile, two lanes each will be constructed at San Miguel northbound entry and southbound exit and another toll lane will be added to the northbound exit.

The soon-to-open Bamban Interchange will likewise have three entry and three exit lanes. The new interchange will become the direct connection to New Clark City, the main venue for this year’s Southeast Asian Games.

Quake-damaged Leyte capitol up for facelift TACLOBAN CITY—The historic Leyte provincial capitol will undergo a major facelift after it was slightly damaged by a recent strong earthquake.

Leyte Vice Governor Carlo Loreto said offices housed at the provincial capitol main building have been transferred to nearby structures as a safety measure and to pave the way for the major repair works.

“We will talk with officials of the National Historical Commission as to the repair of the capitol since the building is a significant part in the Philippine history,” Loreto said on Monday.

Based on initial talks, the capitol will be turned into a main museum of the province. Mini museums will be created in some parts of Leyte.

The local government has yet to come up with budget requirements based on designs recommended by the NHC.

Loreto expressed optimism that the central government will help finance the project.

“This is part of making the province disaster resilient. In case, calamities struck in some parts of the province, data and information are still intact since museums are interconnected,” he added.

The building has sustained cracks after the magnitude 6.5 earthquake that shook Leyte and Samar on April 27.

The provincial capitol was the seat of the Commonwealth Government of the Philippines (Oct. 23, 1944 to Feb. 27, 1945) when President Sergio Osmeña came into power in 1944 with the World War II Liberation Forces.

He was sworn into office by General Douglas McArthur inside the building in the “presence of Cabinet men, liberation forces and many other grateful people.” PNA

Life

Bernadette Lunas, Issue Editor manilastandardlife@gmail.com @manilastandardlife @MStandardLIFE

HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT

TUESDAY, MAY 28, 2019

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Life beyond Tourette syndrome

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S (Tourette syndrome) is not a hindrance if you really want to achieve your dreams.”

This is what Marlon Barnuevo, an individual diagnosed with the incurable neurological disorder, tells others who suffer from the same. He genuinely believes that there is more to life than his condition.

At seven years old, he first experienced the symptoms which started with motor tics. These are sudden twitches, involuntary head jerking, or spasm-like contractions involving the eyes, mouth, face, neck, and shoulders.

A year after, he suffered from vocal tics. These can be as simple as repetitive humming or clearing of the throat.

“What my parents knew then was the common misconception, which is still applicable today: these tics are nothing but mannerisms. They always reprimanded me to stop,” he shared. “Since they did not know what was wrong with their child, they panicked.”

The Barnuevos, much like most Filipino families at that time, had no knowledge of Tourette syndrome. “There was no Internet then. I tried to look it up in the Encyclopedia but I did not know what to look for! I did not even know the word ‘tics’ or much more, ‘Tourette syndrome’,” he related.

The young Barnuevo then became an easy target for bullies. He received a lot of stares in and outside of the school and he was depressed.

Finally, as a high school freshman, they consulted a neurologist. After a series of check-ups, a counselling neuropsychiatrist was able to explain to my parents my condition.

“And at age 19, my family fully accepted that I have TS.” Surprisingly, Barnuevo found himself overwhelmed with relief. “[I told myself] ‘I can now tell people what it is. I now have an answer. I have Tourette Syndrome’,” he beamed.

Adding music to his life

Since he was young, Barnuevo has dreamt of being a musician. He started playing the piano in kindergarten, and honed his musicality in high school. He formed his first band as the keyboardist soon after.

Barnuevo wins 5th Best Song in the Himig Handog P-Pop Love Songs 2016.

Dignosed with Tourette syndrome, Marlon Barnuevo proves there’s so much life beyond the neurological disorder.

In college at De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, he joined an independent organization composed of musicians, and became good friends with fellow performers, including singer Nyoy Volante, Mark Escueta of Rivermaya, and the late Bryan Velasco of Razorback.

He then became a full-time musician, and after his time on stage, he concentrated on music production via his home-based outfit named G-Strings

Studio where he worked with various artists both for originals and revivals.

He did commissioned musical arrangements for Dingdong Avanzado and K Brosas, and composed songs for Christian Bautista and Regine Velasquez. He was musical director for Volante and his regular patron Davey Langit.

In 2016, Barnuevo became a finalist in the PhilPop Music Festival for his song Araw, Ulap, Langit interpreted by Christian Bautista. He likewise bagged the 5th Best Song for Parang Tayo Pero Hindi, performed by Michael Pangilinan and Angeline Quinto in the 2016 Himig Handog P-Pop Love Song.

He helps his students design their lives as an educator in Benilde’s Industrial Design Program.

Pharmacists at the Get Well at Mercury Drug Diabetes Care corner provide free pharmacy counselling.

Designing his life

With his background in interior design, he ventured as a freelance artist and as a designer. A profession that requires precision might be a trying path for someone who has TS but he proved it otherwise.

By 2011, Barnuevo found a new interest as an educator, which he is very passionate about.

“I have done so much in my life, But so far, teaching is the most fulfilling,” he beamed. “I get so much joy seeing my students learn and I know that I contributed to it.”

Sharing his knowledge, in a way, is him giving back to his alma mater, where he felt more accepted.

It is when he is naturally concentrated doing the things he love that he can control his tics.

Barnuevo serves as a songwriting coach for the PhilPop Community.

Turn to C2

Pharmacy promotes immunization among diabetics IN CELEBRATION of World Health Organization’s World Immunization Week, Mercury Drug Corporation, partnered with the Philippine Society of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism (PSEDM), the Philippine Pharmacists Association (PPhA), and global healthcare company MSD to facilitate a series of diabetes care and immunization lectures at selected Get Well at Mercury Drug Diabetes Care specialty corners.

The lectures highlighted the importance of vaccination for persons living with diabetes.

“Mercury Drug’s foremost priority is the health of Filipinos and knowing that diabetes is the sixth leading cause of death in the country. We partnered with PPhA, PSEDM, and MSD for the

Get Well at Mercury Drug Diabetes Care program, which was launched in August 2018. Our vision is to improve diabetes care for Filipino patients through an inter-professional collaborative approach,” said Annie Tejada, Mercury Drug district manager.

The patient-centered program aims to ensure continuity of care at the pharmacy level and address all relevant areas in diabetes care—including vaccination.

Vaccination is crucial in diabetes management, given that it is harder for the immune system of patients with diabetes to fight infections.

“We should be proactive in ensuring that we comply with the vaccine recommendations of our doctors. In the Philippines, though, there’s generally a Turn to C2

Officials of PSEDM, PPhA, Mercury Drug Corporation, MSD, and Paymaya unite for the celebration of World Immunization Week.

Life

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TUESDAY, MAY 28, 2019 manilastandardlife@gmail.com

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DEFENDING, twotime gold medalist in the Southeast Asian Games triathlon and the chairman of the National Athlete’s Commission with a strong resolve to be the best athlete he can be, Nikko Huelgas is an inspiration to many.

More than an image of success, he is a shining example of how hard work, perseverance, and unwavering faith can go a long way in beating the odds.

Now a trained swimmer, Huelgas revealed he used to panic before hitting the water.

“When I was young, I had swim trauma,” he related. “I always had anxiety minutes before gunstart during my swimming competition years.”

To overcome it, Huelgas came to the realization that fear was inevitable, and that staying focused on doing well by training hard was the only way forward.

“Fear becomes the main reason why we become the best version of ourselves,” he said.

And train well he did, driven by the desire to serve and represent the country as a National Athlete.

“I prepare by fixing my schedule, creating a timeline breakdown,” he shared, “That way, I can give my full attention to everything—it all starts with the mind—where I become a different person because I have a clear vision of what needs to be done.”

Huelgas has also learned to train smart—utilizing proper warm ups and stretching, meditating in the morning, eating right, and getting at least seven hours of sleep a day. After all, winning a triathlon entails a combination of physical fitness and the mental strength necessary to keep going at any cost.

“You have to enjoy your training sessions and respect your coach. Having a mentor you can work with, who can answer all your questions, is a big help too.”

Having the proper equipment is also

Nikko Huelgas faces his fears SEA Games gold medalist and triathlete Nikko Huelgas has learned to overcome his fears by staying focused and training hard.

crucial, he opined. Huelgas shared he can’t live without a proper aerodynamic bike, good suction swim goggles, high responsive run shoes and his TechnoMarine Shark watch—inspired and named after one of the fiercest preda-

tors found in our oceans.

A take-off from the iconic Cruise Collection, the Shark, with its bold elements of design and color, coupled with a vibrant style and Technomarine’s trademark precision, is a perfect fit for

Huelgas’ go-getting personality and active lifestyle.

“It is light and versatile, so you can easily move around anywhere. It’s my go-to everyday wristwatch, especially when I travel.”

Canon recycles empty ink cartridges GLOBAL imaging solutions leader Canon believes one of its missions is to maximize the use of finite resources.

“We at Canon strive hard to not just create superior imaging products and business solutions for our consumers and partners; we also innovate ways to deliver products and processes in a more eco-friendly manner,” said Canon Marketing (Philippines), Inc. president and chief executive Kazuhiro Ozawa.

Ozawa said the company is aware that their products may eventually end up in landfills. “As a global company, we are mindful of our environmental impact and take responsibility by implementing a closed-loop recycling system. We are proud to be the first company globally to recycle toner cartridges since 1990,” he added.

Canon believes that smart designs and recycling are some of the solutions in addressing global waste and resource issues. As such, they design products that are easier to reuse and recycle, which starts from the selection of materials down to limiting the types of plastics used.

In the manufacturing process, they practice a closed-loop recycling method where the byproduct of one process is used to make another product, thereby minimizing or eliminating waste altogether.

In Japan in the 1990s, the company pioneered the recycling of toner cartridges.

Last year, it celebrated the 10th anniversary of Project Homecoming, a recycling program that allows people to properly dispose their empty ink cartridges. To

Canon Marketing Philippines, through its local partner Envirotech Waste Recycling, turns empty ink cartridges and other refuse into useful items such as school chairs.

Pharmacy...

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lack of awareness about the benefits and importance of vaccination, not only for diabetics, but also for the general population,” emphasized Dr. Jeremy Robles, president of PSEDM. For instance, pneumonia is one of the infections that can be prevented by vaccination. Fighting pneumonia can be burdensome, costly, and critical. According to Dr. Aurora Macaballug, board member of PSEDM, the cost of vaccination is minimal compared to pneumonia medication and hospitalization which can escalate to up to P250,000 per patient.

Even for non-diabetic individuals, protection from pneumonia through vaccination is equally critical, since the disease factors in as one of the leading causes of deaths in the country, according to the Department of Health. In fact, the department includes pneumonia vaccination in its Expanded Program on Immunization.

“If a person aged 50 and above has never received any pneumonia vaccine, it’s time to get vaccinated. If a patient has a risk factor like diabetes and heart disease, even if the patient is not yet 50 years old, immunization is needed,” asserted Dr. Joel Santiaguel, pulmonologist at the Philippine General Hospital.

In fighting burdensome diseases, it is crucial to ensure that Filipino patients get quality and accessible healthcare.

Collaborative interventions are needed to address priority healthcare areas, such as diabetes management and immunization.

Medication adherence, or the taking of medications correctly as prescribed by the doctor, is another integral aspect of diabetes care and management that many patients usually take for granted.

Miriam Soriano, aged 71 and diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, tells of a common occurrence among diabetic patients given that they have to take several types of medicines per day.

“Yung isang manugang ko nga para di makalimutan uminom ng gamot, la-

make it accessible for everyone, over 6,000 recycling bins were deployed across Japanese cities that resulted in 24 million cartridges being collected.

Canon wishes to replicate the success of Project Homecoming in the Philippines with the relaunch of its ink cartridge recycling program.

Together with its local partner Envirotech Waste Recycling, Inc., the company plans to transform the collected refuse into usable items. Collected cartridges will be given new life as new collection bins, effectively fueling the program’s expansion.

“Since we started the ink cartridge recycling program here in the Philippines only six years ago, we have collected 7,000 empty ink cartridges from consumers,” shared CMPI vice president Anuj Aggarwal.

He continued, “Our business partners have also been supportive. They have submitted for recycling 99 percent of the toner cartridges they purchased from us. In doing this, we hope to encourage everyone to be more conscious about the environment and to start practicing recycling.”

To meet its goal of collecting at least 30 percent more ink cartridges and 10 percent more toner cartridges, Canon is encouraging everyone to drop off empty ink cartridges (non-Canon cartridges are welcome, too) in recycling bins located in the following stores: Canon Customer Care Center in Commerce and Industry Plaza; Canon Image Square in SM Aura Premier; Canon D-Center in SM Megamall; Canon D-Zone in SM North Edsa; and Canon D-Zone in SM Mall of Asia. hat iniinom niya ng sabay-sabay,” she lamented. (My daughter in-law takes all her medicines in one go so she will not forget it.)

The PPhA asserts the important role of pharmacists in guiding diabetes patients. “Pharmacists not only help ensure that patients have the right knowledge about drugs, but they also guide them in preventing possible complications that can arise from drug interactions or non-adherence. Pharmacists can also check for complications, administer screening tests, and make referrals to other members of the diabetes care team,” explained Dr. Yolanda Robles, president of PPhA. “In the future, pharmacists would actually be able to administer adult vaccines under The New Pharmacy Law. In the meantime, we’re calling on the pharmacists to also educate patients about vaccination,” she said.

Mercury Drug, in partnership with PPhA, are working together to empower and equip pharmacists with the knowledge and skills to provide better counseling and support to patients.

Even with all the hard work he has put in and continues to put in, Huelgas is enjoying every moment, every victory, in his continuing journey. “Aside from being an athlete, I also dream of being a pilot someday.”

Cebu’s endangered insect featured in Lacoste shirt A CRITICALLY endangered insect native to Cebu is featured in Lacoste’s polo shirts as part of a campaign t o help raise awareness of the extinction of threatened species and support conservation action on the ground.

Only 50 damselflies are known to be alive in Cebu today, for which the brand is releasing 50 polo shirts to emphasize this number. Damselflies’ wings are similar to dragonflies, with the former smaller and more delicate looking than the latter.

The Cebu Damselfy is part of the 10 limited edition polo shirts featuring threatened spe- cies from around the globe in place of the brand’s signature crocodile logo. The collection is part of the brand’s collaboration with the International Union for Conservation of Nature

Life...

disability,” he said. “However, now, I understand that proving myself to the world is not the only answer.”

Twenty years ago, Barnuevo started to raise awareness of TS through his own website. He realized then there was not enough awareness of TS in the country as some years back, St. Lukes Medical Center in Quezon City conducted a case study on TS and only found Barnuevo and a registered nurse named Rowena Balmores Victorino, who was currently researching on TS for her dissertation, to assist her two siblings who have the syndrome.

Fueled by their common goals, Barnuevo and Victorino were encouraged to form Philippine Tourette Symptom Association (PTSA).

Today, PTSA continues to be a growing family and grants the much-needed support system for people with TS or parents whose children share the condition. Barnuevo, currently the PTSA spokesperson, continues his mission by engaging in various seminars.

“Everyone should know what TS is, there is no reason for this advocacy to fail,” he reiterated.

Barnuevo stressed that persons who show signs of tics should get a proper diagnosis. “Do not lose hope; everything is possible even if you have TS,” he encouraged.

If there is one thing that can stop his tics, it is when he is naturally concentrated doing things that he is most passionate about such as playing the keyboards or designing. “I stopped taking the meds before I finish college since it was really expensive and I was also afraid of the possible side effects.”

From C1

“I experienced more stares and bullying when I was in high school.

The people in college did not mind,” he stated. “Every now and then you encounter people who talk about you but that is unavoidable. I totally understand that it happens.”

Understanding the importance of life

“When I was much younger, I used to say that the biggest solution to overcome TS is to become an achiever. It tends to make people look past my

Barnuevo shares his passion for music.

The shirt is now available at the Lacoste store in Shanghai, China.

The Cebu Damselfly Lacoste polo shirt

For more information on PTSA and its advocacies, visit www.facebook.com/ptsamain.

Entertainment SNAPSHOT

‘One Music X’

fever reaches Singapore

TOURING THE CITY. The ABS-CBN artists went to different areas in Singapore for a quick tour and to have sumptuous meals. (Top) MOR 101.9 DJ Eva Ronda, Jayda Avanzado, Darren Espanto, Bugoy Drilon, KZ Tandingan, and Robi Domingo at El Lamesa, (bottom) while folk-pop band Ben & Ben are at Don Lechon.

OVER the weekend, music artists KZ Tandingan, Orchard Link, Singapore.

Darren Espanto, Bugoy Drilon, Ben&Ben, and Jayda The top music artists were warmly welcomed by the Avanzado set the stage on fire as they bannered One Singapore community during their activities around the Music X Singapore held at the Scape, The Playspace in country.

Firefalldown’s ‘Kahulugan’ now streams on Spotify POST hardcore rock band Firefalldown has released a new single entitled “Kahulugan” under Warner Music Philippines.

During the single launch on April 30, the band composed of frontman and composer Jon Blaylock, bassist Djimi Django, and drummer Jedd Manjares, discussed how the song would help them promote their advocacies on social change and why music fans should watch out for it.

“I wanted to make this about seeking truth - both with a big T and a small t. The point is that you cannot just rely on what you’re spoonfed at university or through the media.

The truth does find you but it still needs to be sought’, Blaylock explained.

For them, the single, “Kahulugan”, is about finding meaning in the midst of the pursuit of truth.

“If you still believe what you’re fed by Hollywood and the mainstream media, then in a very real sense, you are part of the problem,” Blaylock added.

Firefalldown, which was founded in the United Kingdom in 2008, returns to the music industry after a one-year hiatus. Since relocating to Manila in 2014, the post-hardcore trio has been in and out of the scene, independently releasing a second full length and a handful of singles including “Forever Never the Same”, “These Wounds” and the political thought stimulating “Halimaw.”

This time around, the band offers listeners an evolved sound that music fans are sure to love - they call it rhythmic post hardcore with pop leanings. They also promise to deliver a well-crafted, energetic live show through the band’s #TrutherTour. In fact, it is now beginning to gain momentum with an extensive string of dates set to take place throughout the country, stopping at familiar music venues and food parks from Laguna to Naga.

“Kahulugan” is now available on Spotify and it will be available on your favorite streaming sites such as Apple Music and iTunes soon.

(var.)

22 Is in store for 23 Time period 24 Indy champ — Andretti 25 Bluegill 29 Glazier’s units 30 Soldering tools 32 Swami’s attire 33 Woodwind player 34 Zeroed in on 35 Virtuous 36 Without warmth 42 Nonsense

nickie.standard@gmail.com

No, Alden and Winwyn are not an item W I N W Y N Marquez just laughs off the rumor linking her to Pambansang Bae Alden Richards. It all started when she attended the opening of the latter’s franchise restaurant.

The beauty queen is aware that that there are fans who expressed their being dismayed with her presence in the event.

“You know, it’s funny because I don’t know where it came from. Some even sent storylines just like in Wattpad,” she begins.

Fans started reacting when a picture of her in which she and Alden were so close together circulated on social media.

“And they instantly speculated that we have something special going on between us. It really made me laugh,” she admits.

For the record, the 27-year-old actress says she and Alden are just friends and that she’s not affected at all with the controversy. She doesn’t care about the bashers but understands where Alden’s fans are coming from.

“They’re really sensitive. And one thing more, their attacks are not that personal so it’s just fine. Actually, there’s no special reason why I was there at the opening. As a friend, I was there to support,” she says.

Unknown to many, her friendship with Alden dates back to the time when they did One True Love in 2012.

“In the past, I’ve also posted some photos of our Party Pilipinas days in which we also worked together.

We also go mountain-climbing along with Rodjun (Cruz) and Bea (Binene).

In most of his previous openings, he invited me. It’s just that I wasn’t able to attend. So, it was just given malice when I attended the recent opening of his franchise restaurant,” she recalls.

Interestingly, didn’t she get attracted to the handsome Kapuso pride at one point?

“Honestly, no because he’s my friend.

When we talk about personal things, we talk as good friends, no more, no less. In fact, when the rumor reached me, I was very surprised and couldn’t imagine why I got linked to him!”

The Dahil sa Pag-ibig star has only good words for the Pambansang Bae. “One good thing about Alden is that he is a deep person and a good listener. He’s also nice to everyone. Never did it cross my mind that there will be an issue on our closeness,” ends Winwyn. *** Daniel Padilla admits that he is not really used to the scenario that he and ladylove Kathryn Bernardo are physically away from each other. That’s

why he recently flew to Hong Kong to give her a surprise visit while she’s there for the filming of her latest potboiler Hello Love, Goodbye opposite Alden Richards.

“I’m not used to it,” he says. “It’s hard to think that we are working separately.

I find it kind of bizarre to be in this situation. Kath was so far from me and it felt like ages. So I decided to pay her a surprise visit. I felt that I had to be there.

My heart can’t just wait!”

Actually, this is not the first time that he and Kathryn were apart for some time.

“I recall that during the period when we were doing Princess and I back in 2012, there came a point when the two of us had to be physically away from each other. I exactly felt the same. I thought it would be like before. It’s hard because you’re used to each other’s presence for the longest time, seeing each other almost every day and then suddenly you will get separated.”

In spite of this development, the popular young actor understands why such needed to happen.

“Of course at first, you will be surprised because you’re not yet ready. As I’ve said, it’s difficult if you’re not used to something and you are made to undergo and face it. But I realized that you have to support your girlfriend in what she does since she’s exerting her best efforts. She’s putting all her blood, sweat and tears, so to speak and it’s no joke.

“I see that it has a long-range benefit.

It’s for our growth as artists. There’s a purpose why things happen. I needed to understand the process. There are certain points when you have to take risks. In this case, I’m giving Kathryn my hundred percent support!” Daniel states.

A recent photo of Winwyn Marquez and Alden Richards shared by the beauty queen on her Instagram page.

Christian Bables in 'Signal Rock'

Firefalldown frontman Jon Blaylock

Tuesday, May 28, 2019

strengthen them 46 Insult, slangily (var.)

47 Scaloppine base 48 Physicist Nikola — 51 Many mins.

52 Incorrectly 53 Scouts 56 Shah’s land 57 Customary practice 58 Sibilated 62 Blarney stone locale 63 Alps, for short 64 Dog breed 65 Stand up to 66 Cave dweller 67 Burning DOWN 1 Incite Rover 2 Trendy meat 3 Aries mo.

4 Allergic reactions 5 Cumulus, e.g.

6 Injure 7 Eye part 8 Sci-fi robot 9 Short play 10 Mocking 11 Played out (2 wds.)

12 Epic by Homer 13 Bends forward 21 Protozoans

C3

PH films win big at ASEAN fest

CROSSWORD PUZZLE ACROSS 1 Rummage 7 Investment options 10 Clink or cooler 14 Veld antelope 15 Mork’s planet 16 She, in Cherbourg 17 Screen blinker 18 King, in France 19 Essayist’s pen name 20 Having concern for the wellbeing of people 23 Plant firmly 26 Sz. option 27 Meanders, as a river 28 Standards 29 Tender pod 30 Holm or Fleming 31 Unrefined metal 32 PC key 33 Paper-folding art 37 Spies’ org.

38 — Merkel 39 Plant sci.

40 Winter Games org.

41 Tijuana guys 43 Switch positions 44 Hosp. scan 45 Sit-ups

TUESDAY, MAY 28, 2019

46 Most dull 47 Feudal tenant 48 Endeavored 49 Creepy 50 Fashion accessory 51 Shade-loving plant 52 Concise 54 Make insensitive 55 Island near Corsica 59 Golfers’ org.

60 Stately shader 61 “Gidget” star

THE Philippine delegation for the fourth ASEAN International Film Festival & Awards (AIFFA) bagged three major awards during AIFFA’s Red Carpet Gala Night held at the Pullman Hotel in Kuching, Sarawak in Malaysia.

This year, eight Filipino films were shortlisted, and among these, the multiawarded film Signal Rock directed

by Chito Roño produced by Regal Entertainment took home the Best Film.

Signal Rock was also featured in Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino 2018 and won the Critics’ Choice Award.

Filipinos’ acting prowess was also recognized during the film festival as Kapuso child star Barbara Miguel received the Best Supporting Actress for her performance in Carlo Obispo’s 1 2 3 (Wan-Tu-Tri) from TBA Studios and late indie actor Kristoffer King won the posthumous Best Actor for his role in HF Yambao’s Kristo from Eichef Films.

Meanwhile, Gawad Urian nominee Timothy Castillo is featured in Malaysian film Crossroads: One Two Jaga, which garnered accolades at AIFFA. Filipino delegates also participated in the Philippine Cinema Night sponsored by the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), the country’s film agency.

“We are very proud of our winners who continue to promote Philippine cinema on a global level. AIFFA showcases the different voices that are truly distinct in the region, and we are pleased that they continue to give recognition to our talents and stories,” said FDCP Chairperson and CEO Liza Diño.

The biennial film festival AIFFA celebrates Southeast Asian films from ten ASEAN countries, including the Philippines, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Entertainment

Nickie Wang, Issue Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com

C4

TUESDAY, MAY 28, 2019

S

OMETIMES we just have to explore other ideas and not NICKIE take comedians literally WANG especially when words instantaneously come out of their mouth after being asked series of questions.

Case in point, when top comedienne Eugene Domingo said that she doesn’t like “drama,” we had to ask her one more time because we thought she meant something else.

“I mean I don’t like to do drama anymore because I have already done a serious role in Barber’s Tale. I prefer doing comedy because it doesn’t involve too much emotion yet the effect on the viewers is the same. You even make them happy,” Eugene told showbiz writers in a recent pocket press conference for the weekly comedy anthology, Dear Uge. “It’s always better to make people laugh. Sabi nga nila, laughter is the best medicine. And you know, every time I do drama, I don’t eat. Doon galing ang mag hugot ko...sa gutom,” she said in jest.

Meanwhile, the 38-year-old actress is glad that through her show, Dear Uge, people tend to recognize her contribution as a comedian. She is also proud that in three years that the show is on air on GMA, it has already won numerous accolades.

Most recent of which were the best comedy program trophies given

by Gawad Tanglaw and Catholic Mass Media Awards, and when Eugene was named Comedy Actress of the Year by the BoxOffice Entertainment Awards.

“Initially, Dear Uge was just an experiment, but people liked it so we continue doing the show featuring actors showing their comic side. And the actors we feature in the show are the ones that people normally see doing heavy drama,” she said.

The show, which marked its third year in February, is celebrating its anniversary for the whole year.

“That’s how we do it. We treat every episode special as if every episode is an anniversary episode. We have funny scripts, heartwarming stories. The viewers laugh but they also learn lessons and get advice on finding solutions to everyday concerns,” Eugene beamed with pride.

As part of making each

EUGENE DOMINGO means no drama

episode special, the comedian was excited to reveal that Michael V. will appear as a guest on the show.

“It’s his way of returning the favor because I did a cameo on his directorial movie debut. I really appreciate his effort.

I know he has a busy schedule,” she said.

For her parting words, Eugene said that apart from the comedy genius, she also wanted her “BFF” Ai-Ai deals Alas to guest in one of Dear Uge’s episodes.

“Hopefully she’ll be able to accommodate us on my birthday month, July. But we would have to save up. We need big money to afford her talent fee,” she ended with a loud laugh.

A new chapter in Matteo’s music MATTEO Guidicelli finally ends the long wait of his fans with the release of his highlyanticipated new single entitled “Sundo.” This is his first single under his new record label, Viva Records after he signed with the company just a few months ago.

It might have taken Matteo two years before releasing a new track but his fans patiently waited for this highly- anticipated comeback. This may as well be because of how he throws himself completely in everything he does.

Whether it was being a skilled race car driver during his younger years, or faring well on the famous Ironman triathlon, or having a laser-like focus on his career, Matteo makes sure that his passion comes through every endeavor he takes.

In his latest single “Sundo” that sings about searching high and wide for a special someone, he uses the words of the original songwriter to express his message: “Kay tagal kong sinusuyod ang buong mundo Para hanapin, para hanapin ka.”

This is not far from his own journey of

discovery. Along the way, he found a new home as he signed with Viva and discovered more of himself as he enlisted with the Philippine Army.

And with assuredness of finding a home in these places, he sings with assuredness in the chorus: “Asahan mo mula ngayon, pag-ibig ko’y sayo.”

Sonic-wise, Matteo’s rendition goes back to the alternative pop sound of the original while infusing some tangly acoustic pop flavors to create the heartfelt ballad version of “Sundo.”

Prior to the first performance of his latest single on Friday at The Music Hall at Metrowalk, Matteo also gave the audience an exclusive peak to the premiere of his music video directed by Direk Nolan Bernardino.

During the show, he sang a few songs culled from his previous album and even performed a rendition of his girlfriend’s, Sarah Geronimo, hit song “Kilometro.”

For latest updates, you can follow him on his social media accounts: Facebook: (facebook. com/matteog) Matteo Guidicelli Twitter: matteoguidicelli Instagram: matteog.

Singer and actor Matteo Guidicelli drops a new single, a fresh rendition of ‘Sundo.’

Top comedienne and 'Dear Uge' host Eugene Domingo

FILM ICONS. Carrying on the tradition of paying tribute to biggest movie stars of Philippine cinema, the 3rd EDDYS will honor Joseph Estrada, Tirso Cruz III, Vilma Santos, and Lorna Tolentino (along with Christopher de Leon, Eddie Gutierrez, Anita Linda, Dante Rivero, and Celia Rodriguez) as Movie Icons.

The EDDYS 2019 honors 10 movie icons TEN respected local film luminaries will be recognized in the third edition of the Society of Philippine Entertainment Editors’ (SPEEd) The EDDYS happening in July.

Carrying on the tradition of paying tribute to movie stars who have made an indelible mark in the industry through their significant bodies of work, this year’s Icon Awards will be conferred upon Amalia Fuentes, Tirso Cruz III, Christopher de Leon, Joseph Estrada, Eddie Gutierrez, Anita Linda, Dante Rivero, Celia Rodriguez, Vilma Santos, and Lorna Tolentino.

Meanwhile, as SPEEd joins in the celebration of the 100 years of Philippine Cinema, in partnership with the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) led by Chairperson Liza Diño, the group will also honor some of the industry’s “unsung heroes” who work behind the camera.

These film workers are the backbones of movie projects. For years, they have dedicated their talents, working tirelessly for long hours deriving their professional satisfaction from their contribution behind the scenes.

Also included in the list are the three major studios that inspired new players in film production. These are Sampaguita Pictures (represented

by Marichu Vera Perez-Maceda) LVN Studios (Maroth de Leon) and Premiere Productions (Digna Santiago).

Completing the “Parangal Sa Sandaan” list are Armida SiguionReyna (posthumous), Val Iglesias, Vic Delotavo, Romy Vitug, Romy Peralta, Lucy Quinto, Val Campbell, Rustica Carpio, and Rosa Rosal.

The 100 years of Philippine Cinema was recognized through Presidential Proclamation 622 Series signed in November, assigning FDCP as lead agency for the celebration.

The editors’ group has already unveiled the list of nominees for the third edition of The EDDYS. Citizen Jake, Goyo, Liway, Rainbow’s Sunset, and Signal Rock are the five films vying for the coveted best picture at this year’s ceremony.

The EDDYS aims to encourage local filmmakers, producers, writers, and actors to continue pursuing their passion for creating films that mirror the realities of our society.

The SPEEd is made up of entertainment editors of newspapers and tabloids circulated daily nationwide.

The non-profit organization, established in 2015, is led by Ian F. Farinas as president and Isah V. Red as chairman emeritus.