Manila Standard - 2018 November 20 - Tuesday

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Duterte fires 3 DSWD officials

By Nat Mariano PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has fired three officials of the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea confirmed Monday.

Undersecretary for Protective Operations and Programs Group Mae Ancheta-

Templa, Undersecretary for Promotive Operations and Programs Group Maria Lourdes Turalde-Jarabe, and Undersecretary for Disaster Response Management Group Hope Hervilla have been terminated to give newly appointed Social Welfare Secretary Rolando Bautista a chance to pick his own team, Medialdea said.

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VOL. XXXII • NO. 278 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 • TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2018 • www.manilastandard.net • editorial@manilastandard.net

PH rolls out red carpet for China leader

‘‘

We sincerely hope that Beijing will pursue the wise path of moderation, reason and fairness with China taking into full account the legitimate national interest of its neighbors. Nowhere is this more true than in disputes over the seas that connect our region into a vibrant whole. We all have an equal stake in the safety, security and freedoms of the waters that surround us.

—Ambassador Albert del Rosario, chairman of Stratbase ADR Institute

By Nat Mariano, Maricel V. Cruz and Macon Ramos-Araneta

T

HE Palace on Monday said it hopes to forge a better cooperation, a more powerful alliance, and closer bonds with China as the Duterte administration rolls out the red carpet for the two-day state visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said Xi’s visit to the country will be a turning point in the history of both countries.

“This would be his first state visit to the Philippines, and the first of its kind by a Chinese leader since 2005, reciprocating the state visit made earlier by our Chief Executive,” Panelo said in a statement Monday.

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Pork insertions delay budget OK—solons

By Macon R. Araneta SENATOR Panfilo Lacson on Monday blamed the insertion of pork barrel as the cause of delay in the House approval of the proposed P3.757-trillion national budget for next year.

“The delay is caused by unfinished individual insertions in the 2019 House version of general appropriations bill,” said Lacson

in a media briefing.

He recalled there were four reenacted budgets in the past—all approved during election years and all under the time of former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

Arroyo is the present Speaker of the House of Representatives.

“So, it may not be a mere coincidence that under Speaker Arroyo, and the midterm elections

Verdict on Ampatuan hangs 9 years after massacre of 58

By Rey E. Requejo THE Department of Justice on Monday said the multiple murder cases against Andal “Datu Unsay” Ampatuan Jr. and other accused in connection with the massacre of 58 persons, including 32 journalists, on November 23, 2009 has already been submitted for resolution by the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 22.

“Per information from our prosecution panel, the case against Unsay is now submitted for decision upon ruling of the court on his formal offer of exhibits,” Acting Prosecutor General Richard Anthony Fadullon said in a text message.

Fadullon, head of the DOJ’s National Prosecution Service, said that Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes is now expected to set the promulgation of the case where she will decide whether to convict or acquit Ampatuan.

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next year, all indications point to another reenacted budget,” he added.

Senate President Vicente Sotto III on Monday admitted there may not be enough time for the Senate to approve next year’s budget if the House of Representatives would pass it by Nov. 28.

“That is too late,” said Sotto, raising fears that they might not be able to finish it on time. Next page

Marcos lawyer told to explain absence

By Maricel V. Cruz THE Sandiganbayan has asked one of the lawyers of Ilocos Norte Rep. Imelda Marcos to explain his absence at the proceedings on the graft cases involving the former first lady.

“Atty. Robert Sison is ordered to explain within five days from notice why he should not be fined for his failure to appear at Next page

TURNING POINT. China’s President Xi Jinping, in this 2017 file photo, is arriving for a two-day state visit in Manila Tuesday, described by Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo as a ‘turning point’ for the two countries which forged diplomatic ties in 1974 during the time of Chinese Premier Cou En-lai and President Ferdinand Marcos. AFP

WEATHER NDF leaders opted out after Storm warning up date with Du30 was scrapped over E. Visayas

By Nat Mariano

By Rio N. Araja TROPICAL storm “Samuel” accelerated slightly while moving northwest over the Philippine Sea on Monday afternoon, the weather bureau said.

The storm was forecast to make landfall over Eastern Visayas and Caraga on Tuesday afternoon or evening.

Samuel’s center was estimated 505 kilometers east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur, as of 4 pm on Monday. It was packing maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers Next page

THE National Democratic Front consultants on Monday said it was their government counterparts who advised them that their Nov. 23 meeting with President Rodrigo Duterte will not push through, thus prompting their decision to cancel their return to Manila “for the meantime.”

NDF chief negotiator Fidel Agcaoili said he was advised

by Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus Dureza that he should no longer push through with his trip.

“Yes, [we will not go there] for the meantime. The GRP panel advised me not to continue [my trip to Manila],” Agcaoili told Manila Standard in an interview Monday.

Asked if the cancellation of the meetings between the government and the leftist group stemmed from the alleged threats against the communist leaders’ lives, Agcaoili said the government panel members did not disclose anything about such threats.

“They did not say anything [about the arrest], but they told Next page

SECURITY CHECK. Members of the Manila Police Bomb Squad implement security measures along bayside Roxas Blvd. Monday on the eve of the arrival of Chinese President Xi Jinping seen by diplomats as offering an opportunity ‘to strenghten and sustain’ bilateral ties between Manila and Beijing. Norman Cruz

News

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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2018 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Aquino kin charged over Boracay

By Rey E. Requejo

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COUSIN of former President Benigno Aquino III has been charged before the Department of Justice for alleged violations of environmental laws of his posh resort in Boracay Island.

In a complaint, the National Bureau of Investigation accused Ramon Cojuangco Jr., owner of Asya Boracay and Asya Premier Suites in Barangay Manoc-Manoc, of violating Presidential Decree No. 705 or the

Revised Forestry Code of the Philippines.

The complaint filed by the NBI Task Force Boracay included as respondents for the same criminal charge other executives of Cojuangco’s resorts registered under Playa Asya Resort Inc. The bureau charged the resort owners of unlawful occupation of forest land since the land on which the resorts were constructed is classified as forest land. It said the law prohibits the building of permanent structures on forest land.

“There is no question that portion of the land where Asya Premier Suites was constructed is classified as a forest land under Presidential proclamation 1064. The investors of occupants and structure within forestland in Boracay Island, Malay, Aklan,

which the Enforcement Section of CENRO Boracay submitted to the DENT, shows that Asya Premier Suites has constructed sic structures, two of which are permanent structures with a total area of 4,511 square meters and a total of 155 square meters are of temporary structures or a total of 4,666 square meters,” the complaint stated.

The NBI also recommended charges of violations of Republic Act No. 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and R.A. 7160, otherwise known as the Local Government Code, against local executives led by Malay, Aklan Mayor Ceciron Cawaling and former Mayor John Yap. Aside from Cojuangco’s firm, the NBI also filed separate but similar charges against owners of two other resorts—

MILF chief makes history with visit to military HQ

Duterte...

From A1

MORO Islamic Liberation Front Chairman Al-Hajj Murad Ebrahim said his visit to the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo on Monday highlighted the strong partnership between the two institutions.

“Today, I am truly honored to join our partners in peace, from the highest leadership of the AFP down to the lowest ranking elements of this institution to reciprocate the visit of your Chief-of-Staff, General Carlito Galvez Jr., when he visited Camp Darapanan last Oct. 6, 2018,” Murad said in his speech.

“This visit is a concrete manifestation not only of the solid partnership of HISTORIC VISIT. Moro Islamic Liberation Front chairman Al-Hajj Murad Ebrahim our institutions but a testament to the (seated, 2nd from right) poses for a group photo with Armed Forces of the Philippines enduring friendship built upon the solid Chief of Staff Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr. (seated, middle), along with other AFP and MILF foundation of our mutual commitment to officials during a visit to Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City on Monday, Nov. 19, 2018. PNA work for peace.”

Meanwhile, 21 days before he retires After that, the two high-ranking officials Galvez wants to be a peace consultant in will have a restricted meeting and an exa bid to oversee the ongoing peace talks From A1 change of gifts, followed by a state banquet with the MILF. Panelo said the two-day visit by the Chi- with toast remarks. nese official will mark an opportunity to Galvez applied for the peace advocate On his last day in Manila, Xi will meet further strengthen and sustain bilateral rela- with House Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arportfolio at the Office of the Presidential tions. royo and Senate President Vicente Sotto III Adviser on the Peace Process during MuThe Palace official also praised China’s at the Shangri-La ]Hotel. rad’s visit to Camp Aguinaldo. “continued efforts to promote peace and Xi will then have a photo opportunity “I already conveyed my interest with stability” in the Southeast Asia region— with leaders of the Filipino-Chinese comOPAPP and I told Secretary Dureza that I even after the Chinese Foreign Ministry munity then depart Manila for China from can be some sort of consultant, so he acannounced the installation of three weather NAIA Terminal 1. cepted my request,” Galvez told reportstations in disputed territory in the South Saying that China was poised to become ers.

China Sea. the largest economy in the world, Arroyo Murad said words could not express “We laud President Xi for China’s contin- said it was essential that the Philippines ued efforts to promote peace and stability in be friends with China. Arroyo made the his gratitude and those of his people for our region, through dialogues and consulta- remarks at a keynote speech at the Boao being honored at the AFP headquarters, tions in handling the South China Sea issue, Foum for Asia Youth Summit 2018 held at considering he left school to fight the as we share his aspiration to bring our na- the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition very same institution who now honored tions’ relationship to a higher level of col- Center. him and his party. laboration,” Panelo said.

Reps. Luis Raymund Villafuerte of Cam“More than four decades ago, I walked “Indeed, amity solves international dis- arines Sur, Raneo Abu of Batangas, Johnny out of a university without completing putes and even forges a more powerful alli- Pimentel of Surigao del Sur and Rodolfo Almy engineering degree. Many of my ance between both countries against threats bano III of Isabela said they look forward to Bangsamoro colleagues did the same, to security, including terrorism, violent ex- the long-term cooperation plan between the tremism, criminality, and the drug menace,” China and the Philippines. and since then I have avoided military inhe added.

Villafuerte said the Philippines has alstallations and camps,” Murad said.

Panelo then said that with the President’s ready gained a head start in promoting “And to be very candid, during those cautious, pragmatic, and diplomatic yet in- deeper economic integration with China war years, I had thought only of destroydependent foreign policy, the Duterte ad- with President Duterte’s move to rebalance ing or neutralizing military camps and I ministration anticipates more opportunities the country’s foreign policy towards Asia. never imagined during those dark days to forge better cooperation and friendship Albano said the visit would be good for that I would one day step inside a military with China. the country as it paves the way for stronger camp and be feted with this exceptional This was after the Chief Executive openly bilateral relations, which will result in more honor by what used to be our adversary.” admitted during the 33rd ASEAN Summit trade and scientific and cultural exchanges.

But Murad said MILF never considthat China is already in “possession” of the Opposition senators, on the other hand, disputed South China Sea. filed a resolution seeking transparency in ered the AFP or any soldier as their enChina, the country’s top trading partner, the oil and gas agreement and other deals emy and emphasized that their enemies has become a leading export market for the regarding Philippine national resources that were oppression and injustice. country, and its largest source of foreign the two presidents wills sign during Xi’s “This is the teaching of Islam and this tourists. visit. is what we have always adhered to in the “We consider our country’s long-lasting At least 10 financing agreements are exCode of Conduct of the Bangsamoro Isfriendship with China and the presence of pected to be signed during Xi’s state visit, lamic Armed Forces,” Murad said.

Chinese and Chinese-Filipinos in the coun- including deals on the Manila to Bicol RailPNA, with Francisco Tuyay try as integral parts of our own growth and way Project and the Mindanao Railway Pro“In pursuit, however, of our struggle progress,” he said. ject.

Xi’s two-day visit to the country will have for the right to self-determination of our “We filed a resolution demanding for a tight schedule. transparency on what will be signed tomorpeople, we saw the AFP as the instrument The state visit includes the usual welcom- row or the next day. We will call a Senate of the injustices committed against our ing ceremony, a state banquet, a number of investigation along those lines,” said Senapeople such as the loss of our homeland, agreements to be signed, and meetings with tor Antonio Trillanes IV. discrimination and prejudices, massacres the country’s top officials.

He said they would call for the Senate as well as the denial of our freedom to Xi, however, will not travel to Mindanao committee on energy to look into the memopractice our religion.” to visit Duterte’s hometown in Davao as he randums of understanding or agreement that

PH rolls...

Marcos lawyer...

From A1

[Friday’s] hearing,” the anti-graft court’s Fifth Division said in its order on Friday but was released on Monday.

Associate Justice Rafael Lagos checked on Sison’s presence during last week’s proceedings, but his co-counsel, former Government Corporate Counsel Manuel Lazaro, said Sison was still sick.

Sison is Marcos’ lead counsel in the graft case in which she was convicted due to her “financial interests and participation in the management of private foundations in Switzerland” when she served as a Cabinet official during her late husband’s term.

Sison, along with Marcos, failed to attend the promulgation of her cases on Nov. 9.

Last Friday, the anti-graft court’s Fifth Division allowed Marcos to post P150,000 bail for her temporary liberty.

Marcos said she would have attended the hearing on her case on Nov. 9 despite being sick had she known the schedule.

The P150,000 bail bond is the same amount that Marcos posted in 1991, which was forfeited following her failure to attend the Nov. 9 promulgation of her cases.

The 89-year-old Marcos earlier apologized at the Sandiganbayan about her nonappearance on Nov. 9, citing health reasons.

She also said her absence during the promulgation did not mean she disrespected the court.

Skygarden De Boracay in Barangay Balabag and Kingfisher’s Farm and Lodging in Barangay Manoc-Manoc.

Graft charges were also recommended against Cawaling, Yap and other incumbent and former local government officials in the two other complaints.

Last week, the NBI also filed graft and malversation charges before the Office of the Ombudsman against Calawing, Aklan Gov. Florencio Miraflores, Vice Gov. Reynaldo Quimpo and other local officials over the alleged misuse of P84 million in Boracay funds.Last July, the NBI filed similar against owners of Boracay West Cove, Denichi Boracay Corporation, Seven Seas Boracay, Tanawin Resort and Karuna Boracay Suites as well as local officials of Malay town.

will stay at Shangri-La Hotel in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig for two days while in Manila.

On Tuesday, Xi will arrive at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1. After that, he will proceed with the wreath-laying ceremony at Rizal Park.

He will also attend the official welcome ceremony in the Palace. On Tuesday afternoon, Duterte and his Cabinet members will have an expanded bilateral meeting with Xi and his officials.

They are also expected to sign and exchange certain agreements and deliver joint press statements at the Palace.

Storm...

From A1

per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 65 kph, and was moving northwest at 25 kph.

Tropical cyclone warning signal no. 1 remained in effect over Masbate, Samar, Eastern Samar, Biliran, Leyte, Southern Leyte, Bohol, Cebu, Siquijor, Negros Oriental, Negros Occidental, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Agusan del Sur, Agusan del Norte, Dinagat Islands, Misamis Oriental and Camiguin.

Caraga Region, Eastern Visayas, Central Visayas, Negros Occidental, Davao Oriental, Compostela Valley, Bukidnon, Misamis Oriental and Camiguin must brace for moderate to heavy rain that could trigger floods and landslides.

will be signed.

In particular, Trillanes and Senator Francis Pangilinan said a joint exploration agreement in the disputed West Philippine Sea would violate the Constitution.

Also on Monday, the Supreme Court ordered the suspension of work in all courts in Manila City on Tuesday in time for Xi’s state visit.

Acting Chief Justice Antonio Carpio issued the order, which covers the SC, Court of Appeals and trial courts in Manila. Earlier Mayor Joseph Estrada suspended classes in the city and work at City Hall.

With Joel E. Zurbano

Verdict...

From A1

“The court has yet to set the date of promulgation, which will cover Unsay and all other accused—except those who were belatedly arrested,” Fadullon said.

The massacre, which gained global attention for the record number of journalists killed in a single incident, will mark its ninth anniversary this Friday.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra earlier said they expect the RTC to decide on the case in the first quarter next year, expressing confidence that the prosecution had presented strong evidence to establish the guilt of Ampatuan and other principal accused.

Before the RTC concluded recently the hearings on the cases, one of the witness-

“We expect the new secretary to bring his own team to provide better services to the public,” the Palace official told reporters in a text message.

Asked if the termination stemmed from the three officials’ affiliation with leftleaning organizations, Medialdea said no, and said it was for the formation of a good team.

Before joining the Duterte administration, Jarabe served as the secretary general of Gabriela Women’s Party, a leftist Filipino organization that advocates women’s rights and which has criticized the President on several occasions for his supposed misogynist remarks against women.

Hervilla is a former official of Bayan Muna party-list, while Templa has been in various groups and people’s organizations facilitating social development efforts since 1981.

Three undersecretaries now remain active in the DSWD, namely Florita Villar for policy and plans, Camilo Gudmalin for support programs infrastructure management, and Luzviminda Ilagan for legislative liaison affairs and special presidential directives in Mindanao region.

‘Terror plots‘ prompt solon to press for ML extension

By Maricel V. Cruz A PRO-ADMINISTRATION lawmaker on Monday filed a resolution extending martial law in Mindanao to June 2019, citing reports of “terrorist plots and the need to secure the May 2019 elections.”

“It is imperative that the government ensures a peaceful, orderly and honest May 2019 elections in Mindanao to secure the integrity of the ballots and the safety of voters and elections personnel,” Iligan City Rep. Frederick Siao, a member of the House committee on suffrage and electoral reforms, said in filing House Resolution 2302.

Siao, vice chairman of the House tourism committee, also cited the “sporadic incidents of violence,” including an ambush in Lanao del Sur in which five agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency died.

“The ISIS, their collaborators among lawless armed groups, and the illegal drug networks operating in Mindanao want to sow terror in pursuit of their twisted objectives,” Siao said.

“After the elected officials assume office, martial law can end and the Philippine National Police can reassume their peace and order responsibilities in Mindanao and with the civilian elected officials by their side.”

President Rodrigo Duterte first declared martial law in Mindanao on May 23, 2017, after local terrorists laid siege on Marawi City.

He asked for a five-month extension that lasted until Dec. 31, 2017, after the 60day declaration lapsed in July. A second extension was granted by the Congress to continue martial law until Dec. 31, 2018.

Pork insertions...

From A1

Instead of extending its sessions for another week before the Christmas break, Zubiri said he would propose to the senators that they extend their work week to Monday to Friday, instead of the regular Monday to Wednesday.

House Deputy Speaker Prospero Pichay Jr., meanwhile, said the discovery of about P50 billion in insertions has caused the delay of the national budget;s approval and transmittal to the Senate.

At a press conference, Pichay said the delay in the approval of the budget was because of a “certain controversy.”

“There was a P50 billion that was inserted. We were able to trace that. P50 billion is not easy to realign,” he said.

NDF leaders...

From A1

us that the appointment with the President was canceled. Just like that,” he said.

“Yes, he [Dureza] even announced it. We were told that we would meet with Secretary Dureza and Secretary Panelo before the appointment with the President on Nov. 23,” he added.

Asked on the possible reason for the cancellation of the meeting with Duterte, Agcaoili said that he does not know anything about it.

“They should answer that question. Even I don’t know about it,” he said.

Malacañang, however, said that the Duterte administration has not canceled any talks with the representatives of the NDFP. Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said the informal talk with the communists, which will serve as the backchannel talk for the resumption of the peace talks, has not been canceled.

“There is no cancellation of any informal talk, what we have is one of them saying that he is afraid of being arrested. And we’re saying that you cannot be arrested if you would want to have a talk,” Panelo told ANC. Panelo even assured that NDFP leaders will not be arrested once they set foot in the country even as Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año earlier threatened to arrest Agcaoili and his fellow NDFP consultant Luis Jalandoni when they arrive in the Philippines.

“Certainly, [I’m giving the assurance] because how can we be talking if they will be coming in just to be arrested. As I said, Secretary Año was only saying that on the basis of the cancellation the peace talks.

So, if there are any informal talks then that would not apply,” said Panelo, reiterating that Jalandoni, who earlier canceled his trip amid the warning from Ano, would not be arrested if he would come to the country for the talks.

The Palace official explained that both he and Dureza were instructed to meet with

the NDFP leaders to look for any “compelling reason” for President Duterte to resume the peace talks.

“That was the marching order. We will have to sit down and discuss if we can agree on terms and conditions prior to the talks,” he said.

“The plan is for us to talk to them informally and then we can suggest to the President how we’re going to go about the resumption of the peace talks if we so desire if we agree on terms and conditions of the peace talks,” Panelo added.

He said the government wants to push through with backchannel talks so as to make sure that the communist leaders will not be violating any conditions or terms of the peace talks.

“We need to talk, if you recall, there have been violations of the terms of the peace talks that is precisely why that was canceled... I think it’s better if we talk personally rather than on the phone given the technology,” said Panelo.

Asked why the DILG chief has mentioned the arrest of the communist leaders, Panelo said that the NDFP officials have been charged before with a crime of rebellion.

“The crime is rebellion and because of the peace talks, the court granted them temporary freedom. If that is the basis of the grant of temporary liberty then the moment you cancel the talks then there is no more basis for any grant of freedom coming from the court,” said Panelo. “[But] it goes without saying that if there is a resumption of any informal talks or formal peace talks, Secretary Año would not be effecting any arrest,” he assured.

Panelo said he is hopeful that the government and the communists would “agree” on the terms and conditions to resume the peace talks.

“Well, hopefully, as I said, we have to agree on the terms and condition. We have to make sure that they will not be violating any condition as they did before - the very reason why the talk has been canceled,” he said.

es—Thonti Lawani—recanted his testimony on the involvement of Ampatuan in the massacre.

Lawani has recanted his earlier testimony that he saw Ampatuan giving orders to his commanders at a crossing in Sitio Masalay, Ampatuan town and that he also saw the convoy of vehicles going toward the hilly portion of the area where the massacre happened.

In his 10-page affidavit submitted to the court last Sept. the witness took back his testimony and claimed that he was pressured by the family of Maguindanao Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu to testify against Ampatuan.

However, Guevarra said that such recantation barely have an impact on the case.

“It has no impact on the case against Ampatuan. The prosecution has more than

enough evidence and its case against Ampatuan remains very strong despite the recantation,” he said.

Guevarra pointed out that the prosecution panel composed of public prosecutors and private lawyers had presented many eyewitnesses during trial to establish the involvement of Ampatuan in the massacre.

Lawyer Nena Santos, lawyer of Mangudadatu and private prosecutor in the case, has denied the allegation and said their camp plans to file perjury charge against Lawani.

Santos also submitted to the RTC affidavits of two other witnesses—Abdulsatar Maliwawaw and Faisal Amilil - who claimed that they were offered money to also recant their testimonies against Ampatuan.

“They have to do better than that and submit earlier,” Sotto said.

Sought for his comment, Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri echoed the same concern, saying the target approval in the House would make it “more difficult” for the Senate to approve it by Dec. 12.

The House leaders have set Nov. 28 as its target to approve the bill and pass it onto the Senate. Congress is set to go on Christmas break on Nov. 14.

“We will be cramming on the budget if we stick to the six session days left to us by the delay,” he said.

News Senators willing to compromise with House on UHC positions—JV

By Macon Ramos-Araneta SENATOR JV Ejercito on Monday assured the public that senators are willing to compromise with their counterparts in the House on disagreeing positions in the proposed Universal Health Care program to ensure that PhilHealth will not go bankrupt.

The Senate has proposed a P40,000 ceiling for premium contributions from direct contributors.

Ejercito, chairman of the Senate health and demography committee, said the senators are open to a compromise just to make sure there would be enough funds for the PhilHealth to sustain the UHC program.

Philhealth Independent Director and Risk Management chairman Antony Leachon warned that PhilHealth will go bankrupt if the Senate version will dominate the bicameral meeting.

He noted that their actuarial estimates showed that the Senate’s P40,000 ceiling is not sustainable.

Aside from compromising the viability of the health insurance fund, he said the proposal, if adopted, will violate social, health insurance principles.

“We are supporting the House position of ‘No Ceiling’... this is not possible, the PLLO (Presidential Legislative Liason Office) position of P100,000 ceiling,” he said.

For the first year of its implementation, the UHC program would need P257 billion which is way above the P93 billion budget of the Department of Health in 2019.

This has a funding gap of P164 billion.

Ejercito allayed fears that there is no enough budget to start implementing UHC program. He said the funding could last for two years, but on the third year, there will be no more funds.

Ejercito also agreed that there is a need to increase sin taxes particularly on cigarettes.

The senator added that they would conduct two more bicam meetings to settle the differences in the Senate and House versions of the UHC. He hopes to reconcile the disagreeing positions before Congress goes on Chrismas break.

BI arrests two Korean fugitives involved in cyber fraud

By Vito Barcelo IMMIGRATION authorities arrested two Korean fugitives wanted by authorities in Korea for cyberfraud and swindling a number of their victims amounting to more than P10 million.

The Koreans, identified as Jang Kilwan and Lee Junhee, were arrested inside their condominium unit in Fairview, Quezon City by operatives from the BI, led by Immigration Officer Edward Mabborang.

The two Koreans reportedly fled to the Philippines three years ago to escape prosecution from justice.

Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente said the Korean embassy sought the bureau’s assistance for the arrest and deportation of the two suspects so that they can be tried and sentenced for their crimes.

Both Jang and Lee are wanted in Korea for illegally operating and maintaining a private Internet sports gambling site from which they allegedly profited of more than US$200,000 or equivalent to more than P10 million.

“They would reportedly ask customers who gamble on their site to remit money to their illegally borrowed bank accounts. Having them remain in the country poses a risk against public interest and safety,” Morente said.

“Their illegal activities likewise prompted the Interpol in Seoul to put them in its Red Notice list,” the BI chief said.

The bureau included Jang’s and Lee’s name in the BI blacklist to prevent them from reentering the Philippines.

“They are now banned from returning to Philippines to ensure that they will not transfer their illegal activities here,” Morente said.

“Foreign criminals are not welcome to hide here. We are in close coordination with our foreign counterparts to ensure that these fugitives be sent back to their countries to face justice,” he added.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2018

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Gov’t agencies told to take active role in fight against illegal drugs P

By Nat Mariano

RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has tasked all government agencies to take an “active role” in his administration’s campaign against illegal drugs, stressing that it has evolved into a national security problem.

Issued by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea on Nov. 12, Memorandum Circular 53 orders all government offices, agencies, and instrumentalities, including government-owned and controlled corporations and state universities and colleges to “immediately mobi-

lize their assets and take an active role in the government’s anti-illegal drugs campaign, in accordance with their respective mandates.”

“It is the policy of the State to pursue an effective campaign against trafficking and use of dangerous drugs through

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an integrated system of planning, implementation, and enforcement of antiillegal drug abuse policies, programs, and projects,” the circular read.

According to the order, the drug menace in the country continues to degrade the moral fiber of society, undermining the rule of law and has evolved as a national security problem.

The circular also cited laws and previous issuances of the President in relation to strengthen the Duterte administration’s centerpiece program, including Executive Order 66 which institutionalized the Philippine Anti-Illegal Drugs Strategy.

The PADS, which was signed by the President last month, “outlines the balanced efforts of the government to strengthen its campaign against prohibited drugs and their precursors, and contribute to international efforts to counter the worldwide illegal drug problem.”

Duterte has designated the Dangerous Drugs Board as the lead agency to lead the implementation of PADS. The President also directed government agencies, including state-run corporations, colleges, and universities to formulate and submit to the DDB their respective operational plans to participate with the implementation of PADS.

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Opinion

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2018

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

‘Ang Probinsyano’ controversy that, to my mind, is the problem with portraying institutions like the police in a bad light.

Still, filing a case against ABS-CBN for its portrayal of the police could conINTERIOR and Local Government stitute a violation of freedom of speech Secretary Eduardo Año and Philippine and expression, just as when I say “poNational Police chief Oscar Albayalde licemen are crooks and thugs.”

Año and Albayalde should worry are being criticized for their stand on the ABS-CBN telenovela “Ang Probin- about things more important than the demoralization of the police. Really, syano” starring Coco Martin.

In a statement last Friday, a subor- they have better things to do! Again, dinate of Año said the DILG was seri- things that are better than imposing ously considering legal action and im- a fine on security guards for wearing posing sanctions against the TV show. costumes for Christmas—likely upon According to the TV network, the show the orders of the mall owners. I repeat what the Standard’s editorial said: The is getting excellent ratings.

I am not a teleserye fan myself. But I sense of justice of the police is enough asked around, intrigued about the show to make us weep. *** that Año says is demoralizing the poActing Chief Justice Antonio Carpio lice force.

I also asked our house helpers if they has supported the declaration forged by believe the portrayal of crooked cops President Duterte and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo and a crooked sysAbe calling for tem can actually freedom of navicause demoralizagation and overtion. flight in the South I got mixed reReally, Año and China Sea. actions.

In a statement, Actually, there Albayalde have got Carpio stressed are two ways of better things to do. that the agreement looking at the was consistent controversy. First, with the 2016 rulAño and Albaying of the Permaalde should not be bothered at all by the show because nent Court of Arbitration that the Philthey have many more serious things to ippines has a full 200 miles exclusive think about. The midterm elections are economic zone.

Carpio’s statement should be apprefast approaching, and for some people, elections are a matter of life and death! ciated from a wider perspective—espeI would rather see these two officials cially in connection with his nominago after private armies and loose fire- tion as the next chief justice to replace Chief Justice Teresita Leonardo-de arms.

The TV show is nothing but fiction. Castro who has since retired.

There is speculation that Carpio may However, not many people can distinnot even be appointed to the top post by guish fact from fiction.

The late action star Fernando Poe Jr. the President because he is constantly is perhaps the best example of the point critical of the President’s foreign policy.

Just recently, Carpio rebuffed the I am driving at. FPJ championed the poor, such that the masa idolized him President when he said that China is and almost made him president of the now in possession of the South China country. I have been told that in Mus- Sea with its occupation of some islets lim Mindanao, people would fire at the and shoals that had been the subject of movie screen if the audience saw Poe dispute. But Carpio did not actually rebuff Duterte—he simply clarified what being beaten by his enemies.

Senator Grace Poe knows this too the latter said. Carpio said that in efwell—in fact, she capitalized on her fect, China has less than 8 percent posadoptive father’s popularity. She session of some of the islets and shoals topped the Senate race and in 2016 also claimed by the Philippines and that in the South China Sea, there is still ranked third in the presidential race.

For lack of education, Filipinos can- freedom of navigation and overflight.

Turn to A5 not distinguish fact from fiction. And

TO THE POINT EMIL P. JURADO

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

A

Let sleeping dogs lie

T THE very least, nobody can accuse President Rodrigo Duterte of being afflicted with FOMO—the Fear of Missing Out. The 73-year-old President was reported to have missed four of 11 meetings and a gala dinner at a regional summit last week and over the weekend. His spokesmen said he had been taking “power naps.” Mr. Duterte himself later expressed surprise at people’s reaction to his absences: “What’s wrong with my nap?” he asked.

In his stead, he fielded his trade secretary to join other Southeast Asian heads of state in the traditional photo session.

In fact, it was a bonus that Mr. Duterte stayed on after he had said he wanted to head back

home earlier. It is likely he did not feel well, even as his spokesmen said he merely lacked sleep.

Or it could be he could not contain his disdain of and discomfort at such formal, high-level gatherings. An official told foreign media that Mr. Duterte feels “constrained by formalities and finds them unproductive and a slight waste of time.”

His applauding loyalists chalk it up as Mr. Duterte being true to his maverick, honest self.

Others, however, are not as merciful. Before seeking the post, he should have known that being president entailed hobnobbing with his foreign counterparts. He should appreciate the value of visiting and being visited. And if he were indeed feeling sick, why even leave the country to begin with?

Then again, this is the kind of leader a plurality of Filipinos did

bargain for. No surprise there, really. It seems too much to expect him to change at this late stage.

Mr. Duterte’s absences in the meetings likely caused us nothing but a few raised eyebrows and questions from other leaders, especially those who compared him to Malaysia’s nonagenarian leader Mahathir Mohamad who felt duty-bound to be present in all sessions.

In the end, what will matter is not how often Mr. Duterte appeared in pictures or made small talk with his counterparts, but whether he helped forge genuine cooperation and meaningful dialogue among other countries in the region.

At any rate, we don’t expect the President will be wanting to take a nap today, when he welcomes his Chinese counterpart and dear friend.

Sanctioning a TV show laid down the following guideline: All forms of media, whether print or broast, are entitled to the broad protection of the freedom of speech and expression clause. The test for limitations on freedom of expression THE Philippine National Police lead- continues to be the clear and present ership expressed its displeasure over danger rule—that words are used in the supposed inaccurate and unfair such circumstances and are of such a portrayal of the organization in the nature as to create a clear and present popular TV series “FPJ’s Ang Prob- danger that they will bring about the insyano.” The long-running teleserye substantive evils that the lawmaker is being accused of giving a wrongful has a right to prevent. The well enportrayal of police characters which trenched rule is that censorship is alis detrimental to the public image lowable only under the clearest proof of the police force. As a result, the of a clear and present danger of a subPNP is threatening to sue and impose stantive evil to public safety, public sanctions on the program. morals, public health, or any other There is something wrong when legitimate public interest. In Victhe PNP leadership threatens to im- toriano vs. Elizalde Rope Workers pose sanctions on Union, the Court the people behind ruled that x x x a TV program. it is only where The television it is unavoidably episode in quesnecessary to preRespect is earned; it tion is protected vent an immeby the constitu- is never imposed. diate and grave tional guarantee danger to the of free speech security and weland expression fare of the comunder Article III, munity that inSection 4 of the 1987 Constitution. fringement of religious freedom may Freedom of expression is one of the be justified, and only to the smallest cherished rights in a democracy. The extent necessary to avoid the danger. marketplace of ideas, knowledge of As a protected right, any form of prior information, debate on public issues restraint bears the presumption of invaor matter of public interest without lidity. Prior restraint has been defined fear of reprisals is critical in a work- as official governmental restrictions ing democracy. Thus, full protection on any form of expression in advance of this right is guaranteed by the Con- of actual dissemination. However, the stitution. threat of reprisals or sanctions is also Yet no right is absolute. Every right a very effective form of prior restraint is subject to restrictions and limita- anathema to the spirit of the Constitutions defined by law as interpreted tion. For the PNP to now threaten to by the Courts. In Philippine case law, arbitrarily punish or actually punish which is derived from U.S. Court de- the people behind the teleserye is effeccisions, freedom of expression is cir- tively tantamount to prior restraint. The cumscribed by the clear and present grievance of the PNP leadership is best danger rule. As defined in Eastern ventilated in a proper forum, namely Broasting Corporation v. Dans, Jr., Turn to A5

History in a life: Bio of Francisco Ortigas Jr. ily archives for his material. Though he was not able to interview the subject, who passed away in 2003, at 96 years of age, Yuson reconstructed the latter’s thoughts through the many

IT WAS a gathering of the crème of Spanish-Filipino society, as the prominent Ortigas family celebrated with relatives and friends the launch of the biography of businessman and philanthropist Francisco ‘Paquito’ Ortigas Jr. The event, held Nov. 10 at the Edsa Shangri-La hotel, was hosted by Ortigas’ son Fernando ‘Nando’ Ortigas.

Some years back he had commissioned multi-awarded writer, my good friend Alfred ‘Krip’ Yuson, to write the book, entitled “Lineage, Vision, and Empire: Don Francisco ‘Paquito’ Ortigas Jr.” Yuson delved into the Ortigas fam-

Ortigas and other family members.

The result is a handsome coffee table book that combines family narrative with historical tidbits. Copious photographs from various points in Don Paquito’s life amply enliven the text and help the reader place the subject in historical context. The book design, admirably executed by Orland S. PunThe result is a zalan, provides a visual feast.

Among those present at the event handsome coffee table were Yuson, the Singapore-based book that combines Punzalan, his son Sir Lancelot family narrative with Punzalan, actor Jaime Fabregas, Nena historical tidbits. (a warm and vibrant personality and friend of the Ortigases), Philippines Graphic literary editor Alma AnonasCarpio, Business World columnist writings he left behind—diary entries, Albert Gamboa, and many others from correspondence, poetry—and through the business and film realms. Former interviews he conducted with Nando Turn to A5 Rolando G. Estabillo Publisher

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Opinion MAIL MATTERS

An open letter to His Excellency Xi Jinping EXCELLENCY, In recalling our bilateral meeting years ago in Beijing, please allow me to extend to you our warm welcome to the Philippines.

Your visit underscores the future of the relationship between the Philippines and China. Our peoples have had centuries-old ties that predate the advent of the West in Asia. Today, as Asia surges forward as one of the most economically dynamic regions, we hope to look forward to a closer cooperation by building on the foundations of our long standing traditional friendship.

China has contributed vastly to the Asian economic miracle in the 21st century. Under the domestic development policies pursued by Beijing, China has lifted more millions out of poverty in a shortest span of time than any other country. China has more than matched this spectacular feat with its rapid economic growth.

Today, China is admired as the workshop of the world. Tomorrow it will earn greater accolades as a mighty factory of the new global economy driven by the Fourth Industrial Revolution and the instrument of Artificial Intelligence.

Embracing globalization has brought China unimaginable dividends, making it virtually the second-largest economy in the world.

Now China is stepping out to contribute even more. The Belt and Road initiative is a major investment that proposes to draw the world even closer together in shared prosperity.

Perhaps, now is the most auspicious

IN CHINA, where children are often saddled with a packed schedule of extracurricular activities before they even enter grade school, some parents are making room for a surprising pursuit: hip-hop dance classes.

Inside a dance studio in central Beijing, a group of kids bopped up and down to an American hip-hop beat as they mimicked their teacher, a young woman in a dark blue beret and loose clothing.

Some practised in earnest—bending their arms just so—while others giggled, treating the class more like play.

“I want my son to be more extroverted. Kids these days lack spunk,” explained Liu Li, whose son, a shy fouryear-old with a large dimpled smile, just started taking dance classes at the studio, FunkAsista, this year.

It is not uncommon for children as young as three to take English lessons, piano classes and other more traditional after-school activities in China, where the pressure to compete with other students can be all-consuming.

But Liu wanted something different for her son, who often struggles to feel comfortable in group settings.

“I want to encourage him to be more lively and carefree,” the 36-year-old told AFP. Though China’s nascent street dance scene took root as early as the 2000s —thanks in part to Korean boy band H.O.T.—it wasn’t until recently that the style exploded into mainstream culture.

Underground street dancers were thrust into the limelight after a few TV competitions featuring celebrity judges, such as “Street Dance of China”,

History...

From A4

DILG secretary Raffy Alunan was also there and gave a short speech.

Nando Ortigas, it will be recalled, financed the production of historical films ‘Heneral Luna’ and ‘Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral.’ He referred to this in his short but heartfelt opening remarks at the launch adding, “We are not making this [the bio] into a movie.

So please read the book.”

‘Lineage, Vision, and Empire’ is getting a wider reach soon. The Ortigas Foundation will be giving copies of the book to public libraries across the country, upon request of the librarian on official letterhead.

Don Paquito’s parents were Don Fran-

A5

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Deciding Panay Electric’s renewal: The rational approach “The (family that owns PECO) thinks (the coming elections are a factor), noting that they were not big donors to politicians, unlike their rival.”

RUDY And what is the case in favor of ROMERO PECO’s application for a renewal of its PANAY Electric Co. Inc. (PECO) is franchise? one of the grandest old ladies of IlFirst, the issue of alleged overbilling, oilo business. A 95-year-old corporate which appears to be the most contenveteran, PECO is now fighting for its tious. life. Its current franchise will expire in The record—including its testimony January 2019, and it applied in 2017 for at the Senate hearings—shows that the franchise’s renewal. However, the PECO has attributed the alleged overHouse of Representatives overwhelm- billing to its new metering system, ingly voted against a renewal, citing which, it explained, has computed its complaints from some of PECO’s cus- customers’ bills so as to reflect uncollected and unbilled consumption. tomers and some Iloilo officials.

Waiting in the wings, ready to take Haven’t Meralco’s customers received over from PECO, is More Minerals similar explanations from this counCorporation, a mining company owned try’s largest power distribution compaby tycoon Enrique Razon Jr. Recently, ny? Yet, Meralco’s franchise has never Mr. Razon made an offer to the govern- been in real danger of non-renewal. ment for the development of the part To refute the charge of bad service, of Iloilo City and one other Iloilo port. PECO cited before the two chambers Seen against the offer, Mr. Razon’s in- of Congress the commendations it has terest in Iloilo City’s power generation repeatedly received from the Departand distribution business is easy to un- ment of Energy (DOE) for its exemderstand. plary management. The latest was for With More Minerals’ public relations 2015; that’s only three years ago. I am (PR) apparatus in full cry, PECO has not aware that DOE goes around comclearly become an underdog. It does mending companies without sufficient not have a PR apparatus to promote and basis. PECO’s oppositors have adverted to the 2014 Energy defend its cause, Regulatory Comwhich is the remission (ERC) newal of a franorder directing chise to continue PECO to refund providing service Where there is a P631 million to a population worth of overbillthat it has served sturdy and reliable horse ings to its customc o n t i n u o u s l y , in the picture, there is ers. But alleged through a world surely no need to bring overbillings are a war and other national vicissi- in a pony. matter, at worst, of tudes, for almost a computation; they century. do not amount to What is the case totally bad corpoagainst PECO rate performance. made of? A major newspaper columnist Last but not least, PECO has stressed wrote recently about “complaints from that managing a power distribution Iloilo City households over monthly company requires not only know-how bills that rose by 1,000 percent” and but also, perhaps more important, exabout “mounting consumer complaints perience. The choice facing Iloilo against the firm’s service record.” That City residents is one between a DOEis the sum total of the case: alleged commended company with 95 years of over-billing and alleged bad service experience and a company with absolutely no power-industry experience. record.

In this regard it is pertinent, nay nec- Where there is a sturdy and reliable essary, to point out that utilities like horse in the picture, there is surely no power companies are vulnerable to need to bring in a pony. complaints relating to billing and serThe negative arguments that have vice record. Manila Electric Co. (Mer- been attributed to PECO are all remealco) is forever at the receiving end of diable; they can, and should, be adcomplaints of that nature. But do they dressed. But lack of experience is not necessarily lead to the non-renewal of remediable. A company either has opan expiring franchise and the grant of erational experience or it doesn’t. More a franchise—in overwhelming fash- Minerals Corporation clearly doesn’t. ion—to another company? If that were The matter of PECO’s franchise rethe case, Meralco’s franchise would newal must not be settled on the basis have been non-renewed long ago. Or of discontent on the part of a minorare power companies like Meralco and ity of that company’s customers. Nor the Visayan Electric Co. (VECO) of the should it be settled on the basis of popolitically powerful Aboitiz family too litical factors. It needs to be settled on big for the Representatives to take on? the only basis that will truly serve the The newspaper columnist I cited above interest of Iloilo City power consumers ended his piece with this statement: —economic rationality.

BUSINESS CLASS

Del Rosario

Xi

moment in the history of our region.

Anticipating that we can all build a future together, we sincerely hope that Beijing will pursue the wise path of moderation, reason and fairness with China taking into full account the legitimate national interest of its neighbors.

Nowhere is this more true than in disputes over the seas that connect our region into a vibrant whole. We all have an equal stake in the safety, security and freedoms of the waters that surround us. This should be the animating spirit for all of us as we settle down to manage such challenges.

Clearly, it is more crucial now than ever that all members of the global community should strive together to preserve a rules-based international order.

Given its stature and power, Your Ex-

cellency, it is imperative that China play its proper role in adhering to the rule of law to preserve stability, security and peace in the world so that we may all continue to pursue our aspirations for development and progress. China would possess, moreover, an incredible opportunity to stand as a champion of principle, fairness and inclusiveness in disputes and disagreements in the world.

We Filipinos look forward to the success of your visit to our country. Much is invested in terms of hope in what the Philippines and China, as sovereign equals, can achieve together.

Respectfully yours, AMB. ALBERT DEL ROSARIO Chair, Stratbase ADR Institute

China’s youth embrace street dance amid hip-hop crackdown

By Eva Xiao

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2018

blew up.

Young parents like Liu view the contemporary dance style as a cure for introversion while others see it as a hip form of exercise or even an alternative way of living that embraces self-expression at the expense of traditional social norms.

“All parents want their daughters to be well-behaved and find a stable job, then find a good husband, get married, and have kids,” said Ya Xin, a 25-yearold dancer.

Ya moved to Beijing in May to pursue dance full-time, renouncing her 9-to-5 gig at a government bureau in Hebei province. Her parents were not pleased.

“They didn’t agree, but I am willing to push back,” she said. “They are not paying for my living expenses, so doing what I want isn’t their burden.”

Street culture The buzz has not, however, resulted in a movement towards actual dancing in the street, with most aspiring dancers practising within the confines of a studio instead.

There are over 5,000 street dance studios in China, according to local media reports citing figures from the national dance association.

The association has also developed a level-based certification test for street dance—though many dancers feel the system is antithetical to street culture.

“I personally feel that certification tests are not useful because street dance comes from the street,” said Zhao Lun, who started street dancing in 2001 and co-founded FunkAsista in 2016.

“There’s no concept of ‘levels’.”

While street culture elsewhere— which includes rap and graffiti art—

is often used to expose social ills or dissatisfaction with the status quo, in China, where tattoos and even makeup can be considered politically sensitive or inappropriate, there seems little chance of that happening.

Earlier this year, high-profile rap musicians from “Rap of China” faced censure over explicit song lyrics and tattoos.

In mid-January a leaked government directive banned airtime for “artists with tattoos, hip-hop music” and other content that “conflicts” with party morals.

Zhang Jianpeng, a well-known street dancer in China, said he was forced to remove his makeup before going onstage during a televised dance competition.

“On TV shows, you can’t show tattoos” and “men cannot dress like women,” said Zhang whose dance workshop, T.I. Studio, hangs a large rainbow-colored flag in its lobby, and prides itself on being a LGBT-friendly space.

Everyday folks are “very accepting” of street culture, even if China’s media regulators are not, he said, adding that he thought it best to avoid high-profile competitions, since “you can’t be yourself anyway.”

Others in China’s street dance community agree.

“As long as you are not on stage, you have freedom of speech,” said Lian Jiulong, a “boy” who has been dancing in China for over 15 years.

In 2017, Lian helped organise and judge a TV show called “Dance Awakening”. All music used in the show had to be approved before launch.

“These are the circumstances in China,” he said. AFP

cisco ‘Paco’ Ortigas Sr. and Doña Julia Vargas de Ortigas. Like his father, Don Paquito was a lawyer and businessman—articulate and savvy. He kept up a lively correspondence with a wide range of contacts all over the country and the world. Some of the most interesting letters he wrote are reprinted and explained in Yuson’s biography.

Of all Don Paquito’s writing, I was most touched by his ‘My Last Prayer’, among the last entries in his journal.

It goes: “And when my time comes to change my residence from this earth to heaven (I hope and pray for), this is the prayer I’d like to recite… My Last Prayer. / O God, when in my hour of death, I am unconscious or my thoughts are confused, this will be my dying prayer:/ I thank Thee for a life of usefulness, For love of wife and

children; Forgive me / I forgive those who have wounded me / Forgive them, Lord. / Take care of my family; Take care of my country, I pray for humanity, especially the poor, Take me into Thy kingdom. Amen.”

Almost everyone, I told my children, will think of their family and loved ones on their deathbeds, and wish for their protection and well-being. But how many people will use their last moments to pray for their country, for humanity, for the poor? How many will even care?

Don Paquito was such an individual.

May his life of work, charity, and love of country serve as an example for the rest of us.

Dr. Ortuoste, a writer and researcher, has a PhD in Communication. FB and Twitter: @DrJennyO

Sanctioning...

From A4

the courts and until and unless the courts issue the proper order to restrain the television the PNP cannot threaten unilaterally much less actually impose sanctions on the program. The burden is on the censor to justify any imposition of prior restraint.

While I believe the PNP is within its right to protest or express its indignation when its public image is tarnished or is being tarnished by the media, there is a right platform to do so, and the immediate resort is to course its grievance through proper channels such as the MTRCB and eventually to the courts. It can in no way dictate or impose its will on media.

By any measure, however, any undue interference by the PNP and the DILG on the plot of Ang Probinsyano and force it to conform to its liking is repulsive to the constitutionally guaranteed freedom of expression. Any resort by the government to strong arm tactics on media is to lay the ground work for the

‘Ang Probinsyano’...

From A4

When Carpio contradicts what the President says, he is not attacking him personally—unlike, say, Senator Antonio Trillanes. Carpio’s criticism is based on fact. Thus, Mr. Duterte should not take Carpio’s criticism personally to a point where he would refuse to name Carpio the next chief justice. Carpio is truly deserving of the appointment.

As far as experience, credentials, probity and integrity are concerned, there is no other person for the job than Carpio. Even his colleagues are one on this issue.

establishment of crony media much like during the Marcos dictatorial regime.

The Concerned Artists of the Philippines (CAP) puts it most bluntly when it said in a press release: “This conveys a chilling message to all TV producers, writers, and directors: do not criticize us or cast us in an unflattering light, or risk retaliation in various means,” x x x “They should stick to cleaning up their own ranks of real-life destabilizers, human rights violators, and other shady suspect characters if they really want to project an image of credibility to the Filipino people.”

A captured media by the government can only dish out what it wants for the public to consume. This kind of media suppresses freedom of expression and stifles the free flow of information and debate of public opinion which is repugnant to the workings of a democracy. If at all, any criticism on the government, including the PNP, must be seen as a challenge to improve its public image by performing faithfully its mandate.

Respect must be earned and never imposed. *** The critics of the Marcoses say former First Lady Imelda Marcos is being given special treatment by the Sandiganbayan that convicted her for graft and corruption—as if the Marcoses have not done anything good for the country.

Imelda is already 89, and her health is deteriorating.

During her time, Imelda made arts and culture flourish. It made many Filipinos proud.

Yes we should not forget the abuses and atrocities committed during martial law. But we should also not forget the things the Marcoses did for our country. www.emiljurado.weebly.com

News

A6

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 20 2018 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

House to ensure implementation of Du30 gov’t priority bills

By Maricel V. Cruz THE House of Representatives will work double-time to ensure that the priority legislation of President Rodrigo Duterte fulfill its mandate by exercising its oversight function.

“We are now moving in the last months of the 17th Congress [and] most of the priority bills of President Duterte are already in the final stages,” Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo told reporters at the sidelines of the inaugural meeting of the newly created House Committee on Disaster Management at the Lower House.

“We have to start moving into the oversight function so that the implementation can be attended to, and we would like to help the Executive Department to push and see what are the problems of implementation,” she added.

The House earlier named House Minority Leader Danilo Suarez as head of the House oversight committee.

The committee of Suarez, representative of the third district of Quezon, is tasked to assess the performance of various government agencies and its failure to spend public funds amounting to billions of pesos as well the check on the implementation of laws passed by Congress.

The Arroyo-led House is expected to finish the legislative agenda of the administration during its last few months.

In the first 25 session days under Arroyo’s watch, the Lower House tackled 778 measures, or an average of 31 measures a day.

This means that in only 25 session days, Arroyo was able to accomplish 21 percent of the total 3,707 measures or output of the 17th Congress that opened on July 25, 2016.

Most of the measures tacked are on the legislative agenda of President Duterte as Arroyo made true her word that she will endeavor to push the measures backed by Duterte.

During her watch, Arroyo attended committee hearings and plenary sessions to ensure that vital socioeconomic measures are deliberated upon and approved on schedule.

During the plenary budget deliberations on Oct. 1, the Speaker, along with members of the House, stayed overnight until session was adjourned at 6 o’ clock in the morning the next day.

Then at 9 o’clock am that day, she attended the hearing of the Committee on Ways and Means chaired by Rep. Estrellita Suansing of Nueva Ecija which tackled the fiscal regime for the Mining Industry bill.

Of the 778 processed measures during the Third Regular Session, 32 were enacted into law, eight of which were of national significance and 24 of local significance.

‘Filipino veto bad for PH culture’

By Rio N. Araja and Macon Ramos-Araneta

IN BRIEF

E

DUCATORS on Monday maintained the exclusion of Filipino, Panitikan and the Constitution as required subjects in college will do no good for “our culture.”

At a media conference at the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City, Vladimeir Gonzales, a UP professor from the Departamento ng Filipino at Panitikan ng Pilipinas, said with the Supreme Court’s lifting of a temporary restraining order affirming a memorandum of the Commission on Higher Education to remove Filipino, Panitikan and Constitution in the general education curriculum, “the [high] court is killing our [mother] language and literature.”

“On Nov 26, we will be filing our motion for reconsideration,” he told the Manila Standard.

“The Temporary Restraining Order dated April 21, 2015 issued in G.R. No. 217451 is hereby lifted,” the Supreme Court’s Oct. 9 unanimous en banc decision read.

In a related development: • In the Senate, Akbayan Senator Risa Hontiveros called on the Commission on Higher Education to reexamine its move to remove Filipino, Panitikan (literature), and Constitution from the college level, saying removing these subjects endangered Filipino culture and identity.

She noted that “we need our language in all levels of education,” adding “I can understand some of the reasons for suggesting their removal, but I believe that in the long run, the loss of these subjects at the college level will be detrimental.”

The opposition senator said that Filipino, as the national language, should be preserved not only as a tool for work, but also as a means of discourse, cultural expres-

Campaign bill up for deliberation

LANGUAGE DEFENSE. Filipino language professors gather Monday to defend Filipino courses in college, at a press forum organized by “Tanggol Wika” sponsored by UP Diliman’s Departamento ng Filipino at Panitikan ng Pilipinas and Sentro ng Wikang Filipino at University Hotel UP Diliman Campus in Quezon City. In photo is national artist for Music Dr. Ramon Santos. Manny Palmero

sion and a language for advanced research into our culture.

Many observers have note that the Filipino being used is in fact Tagalog, which should only be the basis of the national language—a scenario which has angered and disappointed other major regional language experts.

In the 94-page ponencia, Associate Justice Benjamin Caguioa, in an en banc, declared K-12 [program] constitutional and lifted the TRO against CHED’s Memoran-

dum Order 20 excluding Filipino and Pantikan as core courses in college.

The Supreme Court also excluded the Constitution subject.

Advocates, however, said the removal of Filipino from the curriculum in college violated Section 6, Article XIV of the 1987 Constitution.

Under the provision, “the Government shall take steps to initiate and sustain the use of Filipino as a medium of official communication and as language of instruction in the educational system.”

Angara’s hopes high on tax amnesty bill

By Macon Ramos-Araneta SENATOR Juan Edgardo Angara on Monday expressed hope the tax amnesty bill, approved in the Senate on third and final reading, would encourage those in the formal and non-formal sector to legitimize, properly declare and pay the correct taxes without fear of civil, criminal or administrative penalties.

Angara, chairman of the Senate Ways and Means Committee, said the difficulties and the apparent heartlessness of the process partially explained why estate taxes accounted for so little of our total collections.

He said the one-time opportunity to settle tax obligations that would include estate taxes, general taxes and delinquent accounts would soon be granted to those who had failed to pay for taxable year

2017 and prior years.

Senate Bill 2059, or the “act enhancing revenue administration and collection, and broadening the tax base by granting an amnesty on all unpaid internal revenue taxes imposed by the national government for taxable year 2017 and prior years with respect to estate tax, other internal revenue taxes and tax delinquencies add cross-border tax evasion and for other purposes,” has been approved on third and final reading.

Once the bill is enacted into law, taxpayers can avail themselves of a reprieve from all estate taxes on covered taxable years and pay a rate of 6 percent based on the total net estate.

The Bureau of Internal Revenue, the senator said, collected a little more than P4 billion in estate taxes in 2016 or only 0.28 percent of the agency’s total collections

worth P1.57 trillion.

The ratio between the number of estate tax returns filed and number of registered has remained at a low average of 7.16 percent, Angara added.

The grant of general amnesty which shall cover all national internal revenue taxes, including value-added tax and excise taxes collected by the Bureau of Customs, is also included in the bill.

In lieu of the taxes supposed to be paid, only 5 percent of the total net worth or a minimum of tax depending on the subscribed capital for corporations will be collected.

Those who will avail will need to accompany their General Amnesty Tax Return with a notarized Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth. Discounts will also be granted for early availers.

CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY. Philippine Constitution Association president and former Leyte Congressman Martin Romualdez (center) lead the Upsilon Sigma Phi Batch 1985 during the Centennial Anniversary (1918 2018) Celebration of Uspsilon Sigma Phi Alumni Association Sunday night at the Grand Ballroom of the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City.The USPAA recognizes former President Ferdinand Marcos, former Vice President Salvador Laurer, former Senate President Arturo Tolentino and former Senator Benigno Aquino as awardees for the Legion of Honors.

Ver Noveno

Ilonggos appeal to Duterte: No to Panay Electric Co. RESIDENTS of Iloilo City have appealed to President Rodigo Duterte, the Senate and the House of Representatives to listen to consumers’ appeal to not renew the franchise of the controversial utility firm Panay Electric Co. They want a new company to take over and improve electricity service in the city.

PECO has been distributing electricity to Iloilo residents for 95 years.

The Ilonggo consumers said if the numerous complaints and petition they had sent to the House and the Senate during the hearings for the franchise of PECO were not enough, they were willing to meet with and dialogue with the President and legislators to convince them there was real clamor from Iloilo City residents for the replacement of PECO with another service provider.

PECO’s franchise is set to expire on Jan. 18, 2019 and its application remains pend-

ing with the House Committee on Legislative Franchises.

According to Hazel Fernandez, a ship captain and resident of Jaro, Iloilo City, he is a victim of PECO’s bad service as he had to return to PECO continuously for five months before it acted on his complaint that he was being overbilled by an average of P4,000 every month.

“Every month, PECO will send us a bill based on the wrong reading of the meter that even a Grade 1 pupil can do. So, what my neighbors and I did was to take a cellphone photograph of our meter reading and show it to PECO to prove that we are being overbilled. It’s such a hassle,” Fernandez said.

Eventually, an investigation showed that PECO really did not have a meter reader and its billing to customers was based on its own calculation on how much each household consumed every month, Fernandez said.

Until the Energy Regulatory Commission sent a team to settle PECO customers’ complaints in April this year, there was no consumer complaint section to handle the complaint of PECO’s customers.

A retired teacher, Ms. Mildred Jaromahum, a resident of Barangay Sinikway, Iloilo City, said she suffered nights of sleeplessness and stress because PECO sent her a monthly bill of P114,375 in March 15, 2017 for her February consumption.

Jaromahum said she paid only P3,000 in average monthly bill before that, and after months of follow-up with PECO, she was told to just pay it in installment instead of determining if the billing was an error.

In relation to this, iloilo residents asked President Duterte to send a personal representative or any official of the ERC to Iloilo and meet with them so they could explain their opposition to the renewal of PECO’s franchise.

TO ENCOURAGE transparency in reporting campaign expenses, the bill proposing an increase in the spending limit of candidates and political parties is due for floor deliberations in the Senate.

Senator Aquilino Pimentel III, chairman of the Senate Committee on Electoral Reforms and People’s Participation, said Monday the measure which he himself had refiled was recently approved for floor deliberations.

Despite the increase in the cap in the campaign expenditures, Senate Bill 2072 proved that the amount to be spent “per voter” by candidates and political parties would have to remain conservative.

This is to discourage overspending and to ensure that all those participating in the poll exercise will be competing on equal footing with other candidates, said Pimentel, who is also president of the ruling Partido Demokratiko Pilipino Lakas ng Bayan.

In Committee Report 497, independent senatorial, party-list and other candidates may spend from P6 to P8 per voter.

Candidates who are running under a political party or being endorsed by political parties may spend P6 per voter, the report said.

For political parties, every voter currently registered in the constituency or constituencies where it has official candidates, the existing cap of P5 is increased to P8. Macon Ramos-Araneta

PNP plan may spark abuse, say senators SENATORS warned Monday aganst a possible “serious” peace and order problem and “rampant atrocities and abuse” in the country with the plan of the Philippine National Police to expand the Community Mobilization Project into an Alsa Masa-like network to help combat crimes in the country.

“It could be a very dangerous move especially if it spins out of control,” said Senator Panfilo Lacson, former police chief.

“Going by what transpired in the past— using that same tactic against the insurgents in Davao City and elsewhere in northern Mindanao where the Kuratong Baleleng of Octavio Parojinog was utilized by the AFP [Armed Forces of the Philippines], bordering even on vigilantism,” he said.

“Without a well-planned, and structured exit program, it resulted on their choice of crime as the next career,” he pointed out.

He said if the PNP would adopt the same method without seriously considering the lessons of the past, the country “could face a serious peace and order problem.”

Senator Francis Pangilinan called on the PNP to “seriously reconsider” its plan of reviving Alsa Masa as it might be a “recipe for rampant atrocities and abuse.”

Macon Ramos-Araneta

BSP capitalization increased to P200b TO RESPOND to contemporary challenges for the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas to remain effective in its conduct of monetary policy and supervision of entities within the financial system, the Senate passed on third and final reading a bill increasing its capitalization from P50 billion to P200 billion.

Once signed into law, Senator “Chiz” Escudero said the payment of the increase in the capitalization shall be funded through the retention of declared dividends and taxes due to the national government and the adequacy of the P200-billion capitalization shall be subject to review every five years, to be adjusted upon joint recommendation by the secretaries of finance and budget and management as well as the Monetary Board.

Aside from providing policy directions in the areas of banking and credit, the bill calls for the BSP to have supervision over the operations of banks and exercise such regulatory and examination powers over quasi-banking operations.

“The bill proposes to strengthen the tools which the BSP exercises in performing its mandates, supplement the mechanism in protecting savings of depositors and in ensuring the smooth flow of transactions in the financial system as well as to enhance the corporate viability of the BSP,” Escudero said after the approval of Senate Bill 1297 titled “An Act Amending RA 7653, otherwise known as “The New Central Bank Act.” Macon Ramos-Araneta

US to extend P37.3-m new aid for families lashed by ‘Ompong’

By Rey Requejo THE United States government will extend P37.3 million in new assistance for families affected by Typhoon “Ompong” in Benguet and Cagayan provinces.

The funding from the United States Agency for International Development, the lead US government agency for international development and disaster assistance, will provide six months of emergency home rental assistance for 375 families in Benguet province displaced by landslides.

This will be implemented in partnership with Catholic Relief Services.

At a meeting with landslide-affected families in Itogon on Monday, the US Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission John Law said, “The US government is honored to

provide shelter, to support the reestablishment of livelihoods, and to walk alongside those in need on their road to recovery.”

The embassy official added the assistance would also be used to purchase seeds for 1,400 small-scale farmers in Cagayan province to help them plant new crops, in partnership with World Vision.

The assistance aims to ensure that displaced families have safe shelters and help farmers regain their livelihood.

This P37.3 million in new assistance brings the total US funding in response to Typhoon Ompong to P42.5 million.

Law was joined by Mayor Victorio Palangdan of Itogon municipality, Fr. Manny Flores of the Diocesan Social Action Center, and representatives from Catholic Relief Services.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Manila

Standard

TODAY

Sports Metro League Open finalists now complete Games Today (Tanada Homeowners

Association Gym, Valenzuela City) 5 p.m. Valenzuela Workhorses vs. Caloocan Supremos All-Star 7 p.m. Taguig Generals vs. Solid San Juan

THE finalists in the North and South Division in the Metro League Open basketball tournament are now complete.

Caloocan subdued Manila, 116-102, to reach the North Division finals, while San Juan ousted Pateros, 78-76, to advance to the South finals in a pair of playoff games at the Niagara Industrial Equipment Corporation gym.

Having already made it earlier to their respective finals of the tournament organized by the Metro Manila Development Authority and supported by the Philippine Basketball Association were Valenzuela, which defeated Quezon City, 111-102, in the North; and Taguig, which downed Parañaque, 84-78, in the South.

McArthur Enriquez and Kristoffer Torrado provided the 1-2 punch for Caloocan, which finished No. 4 seed and needed to beat top seed Manila twice to advance to the finals.

Enriquez finished with 25 points, six rebounds and five assists and Torrado added 24 points, eight assist, and five rebounds for the Supremos of Mayor Oca Malapitan and Rensy Bajar.

Aevin Coquia contributed 14 points, Reynaldo De Mesa Jr. added 13 points, Michael Perez had 11 points and Jethro Sombero had 10 points and 11 rebounds in the Supremos’ second straight win.

Mark Christian Yu scattered 26 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds, while Almel Orquina added 19 points for the All Stars.

Equally impressive was Solid San Juan-Big Chill, which slammed the door on Pateros.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2018

A7

sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Spurs add to Warriors’ woes L

OS ANGELES—The Golden State Warriors’ malaise deepened Sunday with a third straight NBA defeat, the two-time defending champions falling 104-92 to the Spurs in San Antonio.

LaMarcus Aldridge scored 24 points and grabbed 18 rebounds for the Spurs, who thwarted the Warriors’ late rally bid, keeping the champions winless in a threegame swing through Texas.

It’s just the third time since coach Steve Kerr took the helm at Golden State in 2014 that the Warriors have lost three games on the trot.

They were held to a season-low in points in a 107-86 loss to Houston on Thursday—after which Kerr admitted the team was both physically and “spiritually” banged-up—a reference to superstar Stephen Curry’s groin injury and the spat between Draymond Green and Kevin Durant that saw Green suspended by the team for one game.

A day after a disappointing loss to the Mavericks in Dallas, the Warriors still couldn’t find their rhythm, losing for the fifth time in seven games.

“We’ve got to get back to our team identity,” Kerr said, saying they couldn’t give in to frustration despite the injury absences of Curry and Green—who was again sidelined by a sprained toe.

“Everyone has to come together,” Kerr said. “You can’t feel sorry for yourselves. You have to commit to fighting, and executing, competing for 48 minutes. We did that for maybe 24 minutes tonight... you’ve got to do that the whole time, playing with some poise and playing with a purpose. I don’t think we did that tonight.”

Durant led the Warriors with 26 points, but made just eight of 25 shots —and only one of eight from three-point range.

Klay Thompson scored 25 points on 11 of 26 shooting, making just three of his attempts from beyond the arc.

DeMar DeRozan scored 20 points and Rudy Gay chipped in 19 for the Spurs, who snapped a three-game losing streak.

With the defeat, the 12-6 Warriors slipped to second in the Western Conference, a game behind the Portland Trail Blazers who improved to 11-5 with a 119-109 victory over the Washington Wizards.

Damian Lillard scored 40 points and C.J. McCollom added 25 for the Trail Blazers. Jusuf Nurkic scored 13 points with 14 rebounds and equaled his career high with eight assists as Portland bounced back from a loss at Minnesota. AFP

CAGE OPENER.

Cocolife First Vice President Joseph Ronquillo makes the ceremonial toss opening the SM-Metro Manila Basketball League at the San Beda University gym in Manila, while SBU basketball operations head Edmundo ‘Ato’ Badolato and Cocolife sports director Ray Alao look on. The grassroots basketball tournament participated in by over 100 school teams backed

by SM and Cocolife is a concept of sportsman Eric Altamirano, with SBU coaches Manu Inigo,VL Sandalo,Andy Mejos and Noli Mejos.

Sea Lions ready for UCBL semis OLIVAREZ College primed itself up for the semifinals as it smothered Technological Institute of the Philippines, 82-67, yesterday in the University and Colleges Basketball League Season 3 at the Olivarez gym in Sucat, Parañaque yesterday.

The Sea Lions actually struggled in the early but picked themselves up from the second quarter on, overcoming a 12-point deficit in the first quarter by dominating the next three on their way to the 15-point romp.

Lawrence Castro came away with 26 points on 11-of-17 shooting clip from the field and finished with four assists, three steals and two rebounds and three turnovers while Harond Sala and Joshua Almajeda combined for 27 markers for the hosts, who fell behind, 10-22, after 10 minutes.

They still trailed, 30-37, at the turn but turned on the heat at the resumption of the contest, matching their output in the first two quarters to wrest control at 6054 then kept their charge in the last 10 minutes to win pulling away.

Almajeda’s charities capped Olivarez’s 25-17 run as the Sea Lions grabbed a 55-54 lead and stayed in command the rest of the way.

Bryan Santos fired 18 points while Papa Ndiaye added 13 markers for the Engineers, who looked poised to pulling off a reversal early on but crumbled in the face of the Sea Lions’ stirring third quarter run.

Meanwhile, Centro Escolar U, the inaugural champion in the tournament backed by Café France, Yakult, Gerry’s Grill, Hapee Toothpaste, MaxSell Power Tool and Tough Mama Home, and Diliman brace for a top showdown for the No. 1 seeding on Thursday.

Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo

and the Members of the House of Representatives condole with the family of the late

HONORABLE GUALBERTO B. LUMAUIG Representative, Lone District of Ifugao in the 8th Congress (1987-1992) Assemblyman, Interim Batasang Pambansa, Region II (1977-1984)

who passed away on 18 November 2018 at the age of 85.

His remains lie in state at the Emerald Chapel, Loyola Memorial Chapel, Marikina City.

His remains will be brought to Lagawe, Ifugao on Friday, 23 November 2018, to Kiangan, Ifugao on Saturday, 24 November 2018 and back to Loyola Memorial Chapel, Marikina City on Sunday, 25 November 2018.

Interment will be on Monday, 26 November 2018, 8:00 a.m. at the Loyola Memorial Park, Marikina City.

We request the pious readers to pray for the eternal repose of his soul.

Sports

Riera U. Mallari, Editor Reuel Vidal, Assistant Editor sports@thestandard.com.ph sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

A8

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2018

Bulacan, Parañaque clinch top 2 NBL seeds BULACAN and Paranaque secured the top two seeds and outright semifinal berths at the end of the eliminations of the National Basketball League.

The Bulacan Makabayan beat the CamSur Express, 98-85, last Wednesday, while the Paranaque Aces picked up wins over the Laguna Pistons, 81-80, last Wednesday and the Dasmariñas Ballers, 80-77, last Saturday to clinch the first two spots in the standings.

With the wins, Bulacan and Paranaque finished the eliminations with a 7-2 slate with the Makabayan and the Aces claiming the incentive for the top two advancing to the semifinals outright.

Dominick Fajardo and Jerick Sumampong had 22 and 21 points each for Bulacan in the match against CamSur to secure the victory.

Richmond Sunga had 26 points in Parañaque’s win over Laguna, while JR Galit had 13 points, seven rebounds, and five assists for the Aces in the victory over Dasmariñas.

The NBL playoffs begin on Wednesday with knockout quarterfinal matches at the Philippine Christian University-Dasmariñas gym, with the third-seed Laguna Pistons facing the sixth-seed Nueva Ecija Go Bespren at 4 p.m., and No. 4 CamSur Express batting No. 5 Dasmariñas Ballers at 6 p.m.

Cignal tries to recover winning ways Games Today (Filoil Flying V Centre) 2 p.m. – Cocolife vs Foton 4:15 p.m. – Sta. Lucia vs Petron 7 p.m. – Cignal vs Smart

CIGNAL seeks to regain its winning ways when it battles struggling Smart in the Philippine Superliga All-Filipino Conference today at the Filoil Flying V Centre.

Action kicks off at 7 p.m. with the HD Spikers looking to bounce back from a sorry loss to Petron in this women’s club tourney bankrolled by Isuzu, Senoh, Sogo, Mikasa, Asics, Mueller, UCPB Gen and Bizooku with Genius Sports as official technical provider.

Meanwhile, the Blaze Spikers are out to extend its winning run when they collide with winless Sta. Lucia at 4:15 p.m., while Cocolife guns for a fitting followup to its first victory when it tackles Foton in the 2 p.m. appetizer.

Petron, the reigning champion of this battle that also has ESPN5, Aksyon TV and Hyper HD as broadcast partners, remains on top of the team standings with a 5-0 win-loss card, while Foton and F2 Logistics are not far behind with 4-1 and 4-2 slates, respectively.

That makes this match interesting for the HD Spikers as they seek a crucial win that will put them in the top four of this season-ending conference.

Cignal coach Edgar Barroga said they have to play with more confidence, especially after absorbing a sorry 22-25, 16-25, 19-25 loss to Petron in their previous game at the Caloocan Sports Complex over the weekend.

Tennis officials grace PSA Forum TOP officials of the Philippine Tennis Association will discuss the leadership issue that continues to plague the federation in Tuesday’s session of the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum at the Tapa King Restaurant in Farmers Plaza in Cubao.

Philta president Antonio Cablitas graces the public sports program together with Philta secretary general Romeo Magat and training director Martin Misa.

Cabiltas and Co. will also discuss the coming Asian Tennis Federation meeting, which Philta will be hosting at the end of the month.

The weekly session is presented by San Miguel Corporation, Tapa King, and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation.

Bulacan Makabayan’s Dominick Fajardo goes for a layup against CamSur defenders.

PH women’s booters near Olympic dream

By Peter Atencio

T

HE Philippine national women’s football team is getting close to its dream of making it to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Led by coach Let Dimzon, the Filipinas are now a step closer to their goal after winning three matches in an Olympic qualifying tournament last week in Tajikistan.

Their 3-0-1 win-draw-loss record assured the Filipinas of a slot in the next round of qualifiers in April of 2019.

The Pinays first overwhelmed Singapore before coming away with a 3-1 squeaker over the host team of Tajikistan, 3-1.

They then outplayed Mongolia,

FEU coach thankful for chance to advance

Sara Castañeda, Hali Long and Irish Navaja were the three other Filipinas scoring three goals each during this qualifying phase.

Aside from Long, Patrice Impelido and Patricia Tomanon, the squad is Philippine-born and raised, a testament to the rising quality of women’s football in the Philippines.

Dimzon said some national team players missed a few playdates in the Philippine Football Federation women’s league because of national team duty.

But their stint in the league kept them in midseason shape for months Let Dimzon leading up to the games in Ta5-1, before absorbing a 0-5 loss to jikistan.

And that’s after the national squad the Chinese Taipei.

Shelah Mae Cadag was the breakout did some intensive training at the artifiplayer for the Philippines with hat tricks cial pitch of the Manila Jockey Club in Carmona, Cavite. against Singapore and Mongolia.

NU volleybelles stay perfect; La Salle wins REIGNING four-time girls’ champion National University swept UP Integrated School, 25-5, 25-20, 25-10, to stay perfect Sunday in the UAAP Season 81 high school volleyball tournament at the Far Eastern University-Diliman Gym. Jessa Ordiales had eight points, Alyssa Solomon had three service aces to finish with seven hits while Minerva Maaya also added seven points for the Bullpups.

With its ninth consecutive win, NU is just three victories away from claiming an outright finals’ berth.

Angel Canino had 23 points, 14 receptions and seven digs, while Alleiah Malaluan added nine hits, nine digs and 10 receptions as second-running De La Salle-Zobel prevailed over University of the East, 25-20, 30-28, 25-19, to formalize its semifinals entry with its seventh win in nine matches.

Adamson University outlasted Far Eastern University-Diliman, 25-27, 25-22, 12-25, 25-22, 15-13, to solidify its hold on third spot with a 6-3 record.

The Baby Falcons also opened a one-and-a-half game cushion over the Baby Tamaraws (4-6) in the race for the last semis slot.

In the boys division, NU topped De La Salle-Zobel, 25-11, 2518, 25-17, to rose at 11-0 and also move within three wins of gaining an outright passage to the Finals.

Meanwhile, Ateneo turned to rookie Manu Mariano’s early goal to beat De La Salle-Zobel, 1-0, for a winning start in the UAAP Season 81 juniors’ football tournament Sunday at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.

Mariano struck in the fourth minute as the Blue Eaglets claim their first win after two seasons.

Last year, Ateneo was winless and had one draw.

ON TO THE LPGA. Filipina pro Dottie Ardina (left) presents to Ricky Razon, president and CEO of International Container Terminal Services, Inc., her main sponsor, the official marker of the Symetra Tour, naming her No. 2 in the money list in the recent season that earned her a full card in the Ladies Professional Golf Association in 2019.

FAR Eastern University is seeking a sixth straight semifinal appearance in 81st University Athletic Association of the Philippines men’s basketball tournament.

And the Tamaraws will have to make the most out of the opportunity they got following their 82-56 victory over the no. 2-seeded Adamson Falcons.

“If we took care of business early, dapat nasa magandang puwesto kami ngayon. Pero hindi maiiwasan ang mga injuries, tulad kay Prince (Orizu),” said Tams’ coach Olsen Racela.

Midway in the second round, the Tams trailed the La Salle University Green Archers and the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons as they were still in contention for the last two slots in the Final Four.

That’s when Orizu went down with an injury and Arvin Tolentino got slapped with a two-game suspension, But luck still smiled on the Tams after they won their last two games.

They needed to score a win in their final game with the Falcons to force a playoff for the last spot.

“Right now, we have an opportunity. We have one more game,” said Racela as the Tams get ready to face the Green Archers on Wednesday for the no. 4 seeding and the right to face the defending champion Ateneo Blue Eagles in the Final 4.

Meanwhile Nigerian student-athlete Bright Akhuetie leads the UAAP Season 81 Men’s Basketball Most Valuable Player race.

Bright, a transferee from University of Perpetual Help, is the first Fighting Maroon expected to win the top individual honors in 32 years.

The last time a Fighting Maroon won the MVP plum was back in 1986 with Eric Altamirano.

Akhuetie collected 82.5 Statistical Points coming from his norms of 18.9 points, 14.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.1 steals.

Ateneo rookie Angelo Kouame is second in the race with 14.4 points, 13.6 rebounds, and 3.2 blocks norms, and 76.21 SPs. In the Mythical Team are Alvin Pasaol (UE,74.57), Juan Gomez de Liano (UP,63.85), Justine Baltazar (DLSU, 62.28), and Jerrick Ahanmisi (ADU,58.38). Peter Atencio

Go For Gold now a continental cycling team

Members of the Go For Gold Cycling Team with their godfather Jeremy Go

TEAM Go For Gold has transformed into a continental cycling team to boost the chances of sending a Filipino cyclist to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Going continental was a move in the right direction for Go For Gold after keeping up with the best riders in the international arena and consistently reaching the podium in several local and overseas races throughout the year.

“I believe it’s the next logical step in order to improve our cyclists,’’ said Go For Gold godfather Jeremy Go. “This will allow us access to bigger competitions, which we can use to gauge our performance.’’

Go For Gold riders Jonel Carcueva, Ronnel Hualda, Jay Lampawog, Daniel Carino, Boots Ryan Cayubit and Rex Luis Krog are bracing themselves for a bigger challenge starting with the Tour de Indonesia in January next year.

Also up to the task are Ismael Grospe Jr., Ronnilan Quita, Elmer Navarro, Jericho Jay Lucero and Joshua Bonifacio as the team prepares for its 2019 calendar of competition filled with the more punishing UCI 2.1 category races.

According to Go For Gold project director Ednalyn Hualda, the step toward going continental was necessary not only for the progress of the team, but also for the riders to gain more UCI points and earn a shot at qualifying in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Hualda said they are looking at 10 international races a year with each Go For Gold rider competing in at least seven races.

“We have been trying to get more races for them para tuloy-tuloy ang development ng mga riders. It will also help them earn more points in their bid for Tokyo 2020,’’ said Hualda.

IN BRIEF APO Cement raising products by P10/bag APO announced a P10 increase per bag in its cement products in Cebu and other areas in Visayas starting Monday.

APO Cement said production costs had suddenly risen after opting to buy raw materials from different areas in the country and abroad with the suspension of its main supplier of raw materials, APO Land & Quarry Corp.

APO Cement accounts for 20 percent of clinker production in the Philippines and 60 percent of CEMEX’s total volume in the country where at least 275,000 bags are produced daily.

ALQC’s operations remain suspended nearly two months after the landslide in the City of Naga, Cebu. Expert geologists from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Mines and Geosciences Bureau ruled the landslide was a natural phenomenon.

ALQC earlier said it could no longer support the 8,000 individuals in 11 evacuation centers in the City of Naga, Cebu starting Nov. 16 due to lack of resources.

Business

Melo: Clark passengers to hit 2.5m in December THE CLARK International Airport will hit the 2.5-million mark in the number of passengers before the year ends, the top executive of government-run Clark International Airport Corp. said on Monday.

CIAC president and chief executive officer Jaime Melo said CRK was expected to receive its 2.5 millionth passenger around the third week of December.

“CRK is now one of the country’s busiest airports and this 2.5-million passenger mark is another record-breaking milestone for Clark,” Melo said.

CRK recorded an all-time high of over 1.5 million passengers in 2017, translating into 4,500 domestic aircraft movement and 6,484 international aircraft movement.

“At present, CRK sustains 390 domestic and 184 international flights weekly. We are also targeting at least 11 domestic and 24 international destinations for next year,” Melo said.

CRK tallied 242,840 passengers from May 1 to 31, 2018―the highest monthly total passengers recorded in the 23-year history of the airport.

CRK on August 17 handled the most number of travelers in a day with 11,472 passengers.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2018

B1

By Jenniffer B. Austria

CITI’S AWARDS. The Asian Banker Philippines recognizes Citi Philippines’ innovation in digital consumer banking as Best Frictionless Mobile Initiative, Application or Program. The country’s largest foreign bank also receives an award for Best Wealth Management Bank. Shown are (from left) The Asian Banker managing editor Foo Boon Ping, Citi Philippines consumer banking head Manoj Verma, retail bank head Rene Aguirre, Banking Reports chief executive David Gyori and Transcarta managing director Richard Hartung.

Govt declares Mislatel as third telecom player

By Darwin G. Amojelar

T

HE National Telecommunications Commission on Monday confirmed Mislatel Consortium, led by Udenna Corp. of businessman Dennis Uy and China Telecommunications, as the third major telecom player.

The NTC en banc, in a three-page order, confirmed the status of new major player in favor of Mindanao Islamic Telephone Company Inc. and partners Udenna Corp., Chelsea Logistics Holdings Corp. and China Telecommunications Corp. in accordance with the Section 7.6 of Memorandum Circular 09-09-2018 and Section 9.8 of the Invitation to Participate.

It gave the Mislatel Group 90 days to submit the necessary documents, including the roll-out plan and perfor-

mance security.

Mislatel was also required to secure a certificate of public convenience and necessity and radio frequency after the 90-day period.

The NTC will assign the frequencies 700 megahertz, 850 MHz, 2100 MHz, 2010 MHz, 2.5 GHz, 3.3 GHz, 3.5 GHz and 10.5 GHz to the new major player.

“If they could not accomplish in 90 days, they will be disqualified,” Department of Information and Communications Technology Acting Secretary Eliseo Rio told reporters.

Rio said he expected Mislatel to operate commercially by mid-2019.

“Better telecommunications services for Filipinos will only succeed if all our stakeholders–national government, LGUs, civil society groups, and even private industries, and even our competitors―will work with us to achieve the common goals of better, cheaper, and more widely available telecommunications. In fact, even telco players that did not win the bid or decided not to bid, such as PT&T, Converge, etc. can partner with us and we can use their ex-

isting telecommunications facilities for a faster roll-out,” Mislatel Consortium spokesperson Adel Tamano said.

“Furthermore, we emphasize our longstanding view that in order to make this venture a success, we will make other players, such as the regional telecommunications companies, cable operators, and broadband providers, our partners. This will create jobs and business opportunities that will not only improve the telecommunications sector but will boost the economy as a whole. We aim to be a positive force in the telecommunications industry and for the country as a whole,” Tamano said.

Mislatel Consortium committed to improved the country’s telecommunications capability within five years, by increasing basic internet speed to 55 mbps and covering more than 80 percent of the country’s population.

The consortium, during the bid evaluation, got a commitment rate of 456.84 out of 500 points and offered a P25.7billion performance bond, if it failed to deliver its promises to provide faster telecommunications and internet services in five years.

Authorities seize P15.5b worth of illicit cigarettes

OKADA Manila, the integrated resort and gaming complex owned by Japan’s Universal Entertainment Corp., said it posted record-high gross gaming revenue and earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortization in October.

Univeral Entertainment said in a statement posted on its website the casino resort business under Okada Manila registered a gross gaming revenue of P2.67 billion in October.

It also declared an adjusted segment Ebitda of P370.6 million last month.

“The adjusted segment Ebitda of October reached an all-time high.

Excluding the result of May 2018 which was driven by one-time temporary spike due to junket grand opening events, the gross gaming revenue of October also reached an all-time high,” Universal Entertainment said.

The gross gaming revenue increased across all segments of VIP, mass market table games and gaming machine.

The company attributed the higher gross gaming revenue to the additional contribution from new contracted junkets in VIP table games and mass marketing initiatives which started in July to September quarter and continuously drove the foot traffic in the mass market.

“The adjusted segment Ebitda increased sharply driven not only by revenue increase but also by increased proportion of higher margin mass market revenue, more favorable junket agreements and reduced fixed cost ratio,” Universal Entertainment said.

Okada Manila’s hotel business remained strong, with the average daily room rate of P9,241 per night and occupancy rate of 97.7 percent in October.

The $2.4-billion Okada Manila is the third integrated resort and casino to open in Pagcor Entertainment City in Parañaque City, after Bloomberry Resort’s Solaire Resort & Casino and Melco Crown’s City of Dreams.

Outlook for PH banks remains stable—Moody’s

By Julito G. Rada

By Othel V. Campos

LAW enforcement agencies confiscated P17.9 billion worth of counterfeit items, including P15.5 billion worth of contraband cigarettes in the first three quarters, the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines said Monday.

IPOPhl director-general Josephine Santiago said the confiscated illicit products were the highest ever, and exceeded the previous record haul of P13.3 billion in the whole of 2014. The items were seized by different agencies under the National Committee on Intellectual Property Rights.

Data showed the recent haul also represented an 840-percent increase from what authorities seized in the first three quarters of 2017.

“More than the amount of seizure this year, what we want is for the public to know that these are fake items and that it is legally wrong to patronize such. The staggering amount of seized cigarettes must have been due to the additional taxes slapped on these products,” Santiago said.

Most cigarettes carried the brand Mighty, which became a serious concern for Mighty Corp.’s new owner Japan Tobacco Philippines.

JTC said it was losing an average of P12.6 billion yearly from the sales of fake Mighty cigarettes. About 50,000 to 60,000 fake cigarette sticks were being sold monthly, it said.

IPOPhl deputy director general Teodoro Pascua said the about five variants of fake Mighty cigarettes had been confiscated, so far.

business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com

Okada Manila’s gross revenue hit P2.7b in October

PH, Japan hold 6th infra loan meeting ANOTHER high-level meeting on infrastructure is set this week between Filipino and Japanese government officials in Manila to discuss the processing of new concessional loan agreements that will finance the Duterte administration’s “Build, Build, Build” program.

The Department of Finance said in a statement Monday the meeting would be the sixth between the two parties.

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III will head the Philippine side in the sixth meeting of the Philippines-Japan High-Level Joint Committee on Infrastructure Development and Economic Cooperation, which also includes key members of the government’s “Build, Build, Build” infrastructure team.

The Japanese side will be led by Hiroto Izumi, who is Special Adviser to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Since its first meeting in March last year, the high-level joint committee has made substantial progress in expediting the processing of approvals for Japanese loans for projects under President Duterte’s centerpiece program “Build, Build, Build.”

Julito G. Rada

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

CUSTOMS’ MOBILE X-RAY UNITS. San Miguel Corp. turns over four units of Rapiscan Mobilecheck 636SV mobile x-ray screening units to the Bureau of Customs. Built for scanning baggage and parcels, the units will be deployed in the ports of Clark, Cebu, and the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. The mobile units will complement the strict implementation of ‘non-intrusive examination’ of baggage and boxes arriving at airports. SMC also donated four units of fixed x-ray machines that are currently installed in terminals of major airports nationwide.

Balance of payments incurred $5.59-b deficit in first ten months THE balance of payments posted a deficit of $458 million in October, higher than the $368-million shortfall a year ago, as imports continued to outpace exports and after the government settled some of its maturing foreign debt, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said Monday.

It said other reasons for the cash outflows were the government’s net foreign currency withdrawals and foreign exchange operations of the Bangko Sentral. These were partially offset by the BSP’s income from investments abroad.

Data showed that on a cumulative basis, the BoP registered a deficit of $5.59 billion in January to October, amid the widening trade-in-goods deficit.

“The higher deficit may be attributed

partly to the widening merchandise trade deficit [based on the Philippine Statistics Authority’s preliminary data] for the first three quarters of the year,” the BSP said.

“This, in turn, was brought about mainly by the sustained rise in imports of raw materials and intermediate goods as well as capital goods to support domestic economic expansion,” it said.

The BoP position reflected the final gross international reserves level of $74.71 billion as of end-October. At this level, the BSP said the GIR were equivalent to 6.8 months’ worth of imports of goods and payments of services and primary income, above the international benchmark.

It was also equivalent to 5.7 times the country’s short-term external debt based

on original maturity and 3.9 times based on residual maturity.

The BoP position in September posted the biggest deficit in nearly five years at $2.7 billion, pulled down mainly by the government’s payment of its foreign exchange obligations.

The Philippine Statistics Authority said the trade-in-goods deficit hit $3.9 billion, bringing the nine-month trade deficit to $29.9 billion, up from $17.5 billion a year ago.

The Bangko Sentral earlier said it was expecting the balance of payments this year to post a wider deficit of $1.5 billion instead of $1 billion that was projected earlier. It said this was due to the strong importation of capital equipment and raw materials. Julito G. Rada

GLOBAL debt watcher Moody’s Investors Service said the outlook for Philippine banks over the next 12 to 18 months remains stable, despite some risks such as higher inflation and interest rates.

Moody’s said in a banking system outlook for the Philippines that the robust economy and solid bank fundamentals supported stable outlook, although it identified the accelerating inflation rate as one of the risks the industry should watch out for.

The outlook for domestic banks has been stable since November 2015.

Moody’s said the stable outlook reflected the banks’ good asset quality, strong loss buffers and ample liquidity, allowing for the accommodation of rapid loan growth in a robust economy.

“The operating environment will continue to be supportive for banks, with GDP growth to slow but remain strong compared to the Philippines’ own historical rates and growth in peer economies in the region,” Moody’s vice president and senior credit officer Srikanth Vadlamani said in the report.

“Specifically, we forecast the country’s real GDP will grow 6.3 percent and 6.2 percent in 2018 and 2019, respectively—rates that are among the highest in the region, although lower than the 6.7 percent recorded in 2017...

However, accelerating inflation is a risk,” Vadlamani said.

Inflation in October was unchanged at a nine-year high of 6.7 percent, the same rate in September, on faster increases in the prices of food and oil.

This brought average inflation in the first 10 months to 5.1 percent, above the target range of 2 percent to 4 percent for the year.

B2

Business

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2018 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Stocks surge; Megaworld climbs T HE stock market jumped Monday, boosted by falling oil prices in the world market and the latest interest rate hike that that could have successfully tempered rising inflation.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index surged 186.92 points, or 2.6 percent, to 7,270.26 on a value turnover of P8.3 billion. Gainers beat losers, 107 to 81, with 49 issues unchanged.

The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries may reduce output as “oil prices have entered into a bear market, falling over 20 percent from the peak in early October when Brent was at $86 per barrel,” said Margaret Yang Yan, market analyst at CMC Markets

Singapore.

Traders are also betting a rate hike last week by the central bank will help attract more foreign investment and temper inflation.

GT Capital Holdings Inc. of tycoon George Ty advanced 6.6 percent to P860, while Megaworld Corp., the biggest lessor of office spaces, climbed 6.2 percent to P4.62.

PLDT Inc., the largest telecommunications firm, rallied 6.1 percent to P1,236, while ISM Communications Corp., a member of the group that was selected as the country’s third major telecommunications company, rose 5 percent to P8.20.

The rest of Asian markets mostly rose Monday but investors were keeping a close eye on the China-US trade row after Donald Trump’s optimistic comments on a possible deal were offset by a war of words between his vice president and Xi Jinping.

Still, investors in Asia were in a buy-

ing mood Monday as they picked up bargains.

Hong Kong rose 0.6 percent and Shanghai added 0.9 percent while Tokyo ended 0.7 percent higher.

Seoul gained 0.4 percent and Taipei added 0.3 percent. However, Sydney and Singapore each dropped 0.6 percent and Wellington eased 0.2 percent.

The mood across the region was a little calmer at the start of the week, providing some much-needed support after the volatility of seven days ago, with oil stabilizing and the Federal Reserve tempering fears about its plans for interest rate hikes.

US markets provided a positive lead after Trump said Friday that Beijing had made overtures toward resolving their trade war, meaning he might hold off imposing another round of tariffs.

The president’s comments followed an indication from one of his top economics advisers that talks were under

way ahead of a planned meeting at the G20 in Argentina at the end of this month.

However, hopes for an early agreement were jolted by a spat at the weekend APEC meeting between Mike Pence and Xi over China’s economic and regional ambitions, with the US vice president mocking Beijing’s “constricting belt” and a “one-way road” initiative.

Xi defended his scheme and hit out at Trump’s “America First” protectionist agenda, saying it was a “short-sighted approach” that was “doomed to failure.”

The stark differences between the two sides meant the APEC gathering ended without a final communique for the first time in its history.

There was also some support from comments by top Fed officials last week hinting at concerns about the global economic outlook, indicating they see signs of slowing that could affect their plans for raising borrowing costs. With AFP

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW MONDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2018

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

FINANCIALS 59.5 20,300 88.7 2,055,510 2.3 128,000 129.7 2,730,660 1.57 14,000 27.75 58,600 15.6 1,600 10.7 334,000 3.96 1,000 1.39 3,000 0.455 440,000 72.15 5,578,780 0.76 737,000 39.8 89,200 183 2,260 71.7 5,790 28.25 235,400 146.5 1,487,340 65.8 14,780

1,207,200 182,285,789.50 295,290 349,637,722 21,930 1,627,890 24,592 3,588,682 3,960 4,150 200,350 401,303,662 564,000 3,549,765(3, 393,373 416,585 6,568,820 216,688,830 974,171.50

1,194,810 45,493,421.50 148,598,531 -535,625 -730,674 76,488,891.50 -76,000 438,265.0002) -35 14,363,574 -358,319

31.4 17 1.06 1.23 0.21 1.99 14 36.5 14.62 35 60.6 1.4 5.2 7 10.76 15.22 8.34 6.89 17.14 64.35 22.8 1.61 6 7.8 1.46 278.4 4.65 3.21 9.5 25.3 10.3 17.16 376.6 1.44 4.03 7.66 4.5 8.5 0.9 11 48.4 5.18 4.66 2.82 1.2 9.99 83.85 5.27 0.125 0.84 130.2 2.33 1.41 1.42

INDUSTRIAL 32.5 1,759,900 17.68 486,900 1.07 6,978,000 1.26 805,000 0.225 240,000 2 2,468,000 14.08 1,520,400 37.9 162,400 16.08 3,400 35.2 641,000 60.6 110 1.4 71,000 5.2 3,100 7 8,000 10.78 395,000 15.4 74,100 8.5 67,200 6.99 3,196,100 17.54 1,760,600 64.6 302,270 23.05 91,100 1.61 5,814,000 6.15 13,300 7.8 8,800,700 1.47 315,000 282 562,330 4.65 6,000 3.36 10,000 9.5 1,600 25.4 346,300 10.3 353,200 17.34 2,533,900 384 184,710 1.44 308,000 4.03 10,000 7.66 4,051,700 4.66 563,000 8.5 14,900 0.91 632,000 11 190,700 48.4 630,000 5.18 53,600 4.7 64,000 2.82 8,000 1.24 383,000 10 52,500 84 1,573,350 5.28 1,203,700 0.125 20,000 0.87 10,000 131 628,410 2.33 60,000 1.49 9,863,000 1.45 6,280,000

56,375,395 8,553,808 7,564,190 995,230 52,690 4,973,850 21,367,002 6,123,230 53,578 22,435,020 6,668 100,330 16,120 56,000 4,257,510 1,129,630 573,242 22,148,530 30,773,824 19,559,734.5(1, 2,095,555 9,421,870 82,251 70,797,460 465,300 158,730,652 27,900 32,250 15,200 8,835,870 3,674,946 43,896,178 71,017,290 446,240 40,460 31,488,583 2,548,080 126,750 573,440 2,104,358 30,684,910 279,066 298,760 22,560 467,510 525,099 132,043,704.50 6,427,940 2,500 8,510 82,727,358(1, 139,800 14,441,530 9,221,570

5,579,320 775,174 -749,840 6,104,832 10,500 11,320 56,000 -2,541,884 741,366 -14,600,436 13,972,674 766,392.5003) 1,694,870 1,322,150 -1,875 -5,752,508 9,570,048 2,647,190 -1,028,614 -17,109,550 27,061,470 -374,990 -19,206,263 -770,248 -19,461,200 -70,756 -9,320 20,000 39,386,012.50 153,656.0002) 139,800 -274,200 -143,080

0.47 47.3 10.82 6.3 23 1.48 1.49 945.5 1,800 7.39 13.1 7.6 0.235 865 47.35 0.52 4 16.36 0.53 4.68 0.036 1.16 2.51 2.68 172 2.29 928 0.78 1.31 580 280 0.216 0.192

0.455 45.55 10.6 6.2 20.75 1.43 1.47 915 1,200 7.04 12.8 7.36 0.23 802.5 45.65 0.495 3.74 15.84 0.51 4.5 0.033 1.16 2.44 2.68 168.5 2.29 890 0.71 1.27 470 266 0.21 0.192

HOLDING FIRMS 0.465 4,240,000 46.85 1,130,600 10.76 16,400,100 6.2 17,100 20.75 26,100 1.48 4,050,000 1.48 579,000 945.5 248,330 1,800 205 7.35 5,960,000 13.1 3,580,900 7.6 334,200 0.235 190,000 860 267,720 47 1,964,800 0.51 225,000 3.84 128,000 16.28 3,516,000 0.53 504,000 4.65 63,628,000 0.036 14,500,000 1.16 75,000 2.5 601,000 2.68 10,000 169.9 215,590 2.29 1,000 928 331,940 0.78 2,000 1.31 17,000 515 810 280 2,730 0.216 590,000 0.192 40,000

1,954,850 52,989,655 175,994,714 106,030 558,070 5,912,530 857,180 232,356,570 312,085 43,087,207 46,393,980 2,514,983 44,600 229,300,185 91,318,605 111,900 502,110 56,511,176 8 262,280 293,110,710 493,600 87,000 1,496,720 26,800 36,678,013 2,290 303,087,525 1,490 21,830 407,212 758,676 125,170 7,680

226,450 21,115,710 -120,441,246 31,000 -6,600 -264,600 75,662,105 6,055 -3,756,443 14,702,566 -332,880 96,186,355 -29,493,670 8,490 ,462,755.9998 -134,862,830 71,820 3,632,480 18,976,690 7,680

7.45 0.78 11 1.78 0.56 39.9 2.24 3.9 6 0.42 0.85 0.87 0.22 0.34 7.61 19.44 0.5 1.5 1.02 2.46 4.67 0.355 0.445 0.37 3.6 21.05 1.94

7.25 0.73 11 1.77 0.51 39.3 2.22 3.78 6 0.405 0.79 0.85 0.211 0.34 7.53 18.02 0.5 1.46 0.99 2.35 4.5 0.345 0.44 0.35 3.58 20.25 1.91

3,365,911 1,000,710 105,600 95,600 215,820 482,782,765 6,693,330 7,705,570 3,000 1,694,800 73,980 240,790 274,800 88,400 2,212,459 11,962,960 500 9,169,380 1,102,060 22,154,080 88,765,750 29 7,497,250 330,100 110,200 2,931,320 24,514,045 53,660

-95,600 24,016,100 -4,576,790 1,501,710 -452,300 0 56,970 746,238 4,449,614 6,213,040 -315,560 ,471,879.9999 999,350 -495,500 9,291,585 15,350

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

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

59 89 2.33 123.5 1.5 28 15.2 10.76 3.96 1.38 0.47 70.3 0.77 40 174.1 71.7 27.9 141.8 65.85

59.5 89 2.33 129.7 1.59 28 15.6 10.82 3.96 1.39 0.47 72.4 0.8 40 183 72.1 28.4 147.3 65.95

59 88 2.3 123.3 1.5 27.7 15.12 10.68 3.96 1.38 0.455 70.3 0.76 39.6 174 71.7 27.9 140.1 65.8

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 LMG CHEMICALS MABUHAY VINYL MACAY HLDG MANILA WATER MAXS GROUP MEGAWIDE MERALCO PEPSI COLA PETROENERGY PETRON PHIL H2O PHINMA PHINMA ENERGY PHX PETROLEUM PILIPINAS SHELL PRYCE CORP RFM CORP ROXAS HLDG SFA SEMICON SHAKEYS PIZZA SMC FOODANDBEV SPC POWER SWIFT FOODS TKC METALS UNIV ROBINA VICTORIAS VITARICH VULCAN INDL

31.6 17 1.08 1.23 0.226 2 14 37.2 16.2 35 60.7 1.4 5.2 7 10.76 15.42 8.8 6.99 17.38 64.85 22.8 1.61 6 8.67 1.5 280 4.65 3.21 9.5 25.7 10.56 17.48 383 1.46 4.06 7.88 4.55 8.5 0.91 11.08 48.5 5.23 4.66 2.82 1.25 10 83.95 5.27 0.125 0.84 130.7 2.33 1.43 1.5

32.5 17.76 1.11 1.27 0.226 2.05 14.14 37.9 16.2 35.2 60.7 1.45 5.2 7 10.8 15.42 8.84 6.99 17.54 64.85 23.45 1.65 6.25 8.67 1.5 284 4.65 3.36 9.5 25.95 10.8 17.6 387 1.47 4.06 7.93 4.66 8.52 0.93 11.3 50 5.23 4.7 2.82 1.25 10.02 84 5.41 0.125 0.88 134.4 2.33 1.5 1.51

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

0.47 47 10.8 6.3 21.5 1.46 1.49 918 1,251 7.05 12.86 7.4 0.23 807 45.8 0.52 3.74 16.06 0.52 4.55 0.034 1.16 2.44 2.68 168.5 2.29 890 0.71 1.27 580 266 0.212 0.192

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

7.25 0.77 11 1.78 0.51 39.35 2.23 3.8 6 0.415 0.79 0.85 0.22 0.34 7.58 18.1 0.5 1.48 0.99 2.44 4.53 0.35 0.44 0.37 3.6 20.4 1.91

VOLUME

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

SHANG PROP SM PRIME HLDG STA LUCIA LAND STARMALLS SUNTRUST HOME VISTA LAND

3.15 32.65 1.13 4.03 0.72 5.2

3.15 32.9 1.14 4.1 0.72 5.2

3.11 32.25 1.12 4.01 0.72 5.15

3.15 32.9 1.13 4.05 0.72 5.2

70,000 14,573,400 31,000 82,000 121,000 1,277,800

218,020 476,825,960 34,960 332,220 87,120 6,640,380

143,220 -110,600,360 -2,058,717

2GO GROUP ABS CBN ACESITE HOTEL APC GROUP APOLLO GLOBAL ASIAN TERMINALS BERJAYA BLOOMBERRY CEBU AIR CHELSEA DFNN INC DISCOVERY WORLD EASYCALL GLOBE TELECOM GMA NETWORK GOLDEN BRIA HARBOR STAR IMPERIAL INTL CONTAINER IPEOPLE IPM HLDG ISLAND INFO ISM COMM LBC EXPRESS LEISURE AND RES LORENZO SHIPPNG MACROASIA MANILA BULLETIN MANILA JOCKEY MELCO RESORTS METRO RETAIL METROALLIANCE A MLA BRDCASTING NOW CORP PACIFIC ONLINE PAL HLDG PAXYS 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

9.65 19.86 1.26 0.36 0.037 13.2 1.69 7.45 65.3 8 7.98 2.43 5.29 1,925 5.27 318 3.29 1.8 94 10.12 7.1 0.095 8.4 14.28 2.77 0.69 14.4 0.355 5.65 7.13 2 1.05 16.44 3.1 10.76 7.8 3.38 104.6 3.1 1,170 0.64 0.315 42 74.4 6.74 2.7 0.58 0.36 5.13 0.48 12.36

9.95 19.98 1.26 0.365 0.039 13.2 1.73 7.58 68 8.04 7.98 2.43 5.29 1,999 5.27 320 3.29 1.8 96 10.12 7.2 0.098 8.57 14.28 2.89 0.72 14.4 0.36 5.65 7.14 2.07 1.4 16.44 3.29 10.76 7.8 3.5 108.9 3.1 1,236 0.7 0.32 43 76.7 6.74 2.81 0.62 0.37 5.19 0.48 12.48

9.55 19.86 1.26 0.35 0.037 13.06 1.62 7.36 65.3 7.78 7.9 2.43 5.01 1,924 5.24 315 3.14 1.63 94 10.12 7.1 0.09 7.95 14.28 2.7 0.68 14.2 0.355 5.37 7.13 1.98 1.05 15.1 2.9 10 7.69 3.38 104.6 3.03 1,170 0.64 0.315 41.75 74.4 6.74 2.67 0.58 0.355 5.12 0.46 12.1

SERVICES 9.9 19.9 1.26 0.365 0.039 13.06 1.7 7.58 67.4 7.94 7.9 2.43 5.03 1,999 5.27 320 3.19 1.7 95.3 10.12 7.2 0.098 8.2 14.28 2.78 0.68 14.36 0.36 5.6 7.14 2 1.28 16.44 2.98 10 7.8 3.5 105.1 3.09 1,236 0.67 0.315 42.7 76.7 6.74 2.78 0.62 0.365 5.19 0.47 12.36

39,000 30,700 5,000 470,000 700,000 3,800 2,217,000 4,926,600 214,920 3,726,900 600 5,000 152,700 39,555 79,000 650 2,860,000 62,000 4,439,250 1,000 9,900 910,000 57,306,800 600 250,000 38,000 218,700 150,000 5,600 729,200 1,272,000 202,000 1,400 5,664,000 10,900 13,500 2,000 2,170 282,000 73,780 6,577,000 1,220,000 3,015,100 230,680 200 4,384,000 1,355,000 33,270,000 1,925,300 590,000 6,035,400

380,030 611,786 6,300 169,650 26,100 49,684 3,709,490 36,885,340 14,497,207 29,556,400 4,748 12,150 774,054 77,904,620 415,852 206,570 9,143,590 102,830 423,217,600.50 10,120 71,150 86,330 472,368,909 8,568 702,660 26,350 3,137,420 53,500 31,319 5,203,766 2,543,680 258,250 22,618 17,099,100 111,056 105,289 6,880 227,834 865,530 90,383,630 4,451,960 384,850 128,699,720 17,447,404(10 1,348 12,104,460 818,050 12,099,700 9,931,830 277,600 74,466,256

-108,870 112,990 -3,375,903 1,486,815 -434,198 24,702,070 368,500 -279,289,120 -5,458,028 -22,250 5,724 -2,089,811 103,540 -572,530 44,569 -160,820 13,964,955 -2,074,540 -9,419,845 ,340,000.0003) 385,840 -204,690 2,052,200 -4,186,180 20,745,646

695,800 48,221,730 96,230 580,842 284,630 11,800 267,428 1,721,330 20,120 87,850 1,050 127,350 43,513,870 114,010 6,760 289,050 44,600 1,150,500 587,500 382,650 8,658,000(6, 311,243,582 57,349,645 17,600

1,842,250 -11,750 -622,250 -6,350,420 99,000 -1,049,100 567,200.0001) 6,504,552 11,119,655 -

MS

PROPERTY 7.45 0.76 11 1.77 0.52 39.9 2.23 3.87 6 0.41 0.85 0.86 0.22 0.34 7.6 18.88 0.5 1.48 1.01 2.42 4.62 0.35 0.44 0.36 3.6 21 1.91

455,200 1,317,000 9,600 54,000 406,000 12,157,000 2,997,000 1,996,000 500 4,090,000 93,000 282,000 1,270,000 260,000 291,400 641,100 1,000 6,183,000 1,090,000 9,191,000 19,217,000 21,450,000 750,000 310,000 816,000 1,171,300 28,000

ABRA MINING APEX MINING ATLAS MINING ATOK CENTURY PEAK COAL ASIA HLDG DIZON MINES FERRONICKEL GEOGRACE LEPANTO A LEPANTO 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

0.0021 1.81 2.36 15.2 1.91 0.295 7.13 1.73 0.201 0.1 0.105 1.12 2.29 1.01 0.52 0.88 0.013 0.013 0.012 4.18 2.8 18.34 26 0.0059

0.0021 1.91 2.36 16.2 1.95 0.295 7.27 1.74 0.206 0.1 0.105 1.15 2.29 1.01 0.52 0.93 0.013 0.013 0.012 4.18 2.95 19.48 26.5 0.0059

0.0019 1.8 2.34 13.9 1.91 0.295 6.99 1.69 0.199 0.099 0.105 1.12 1.94 0.99 0.52 0.88 0.012 0.013 0.011 3.91 2.72 18.32 25.7 0.0058

MINING & OIL 0.002 349,000,000 1.89 25,744,000 2.35 41,000 16 38,200 1.95 149,000 0.295 40,000 6.99 38,100 1.7 1,008,000 0.204 100,000 0.099 880,000 0.105 10,000 1.15 111,000 2.04 21,454,000 1 114,000 0.52 13,000 0.89 320,000 0.012 3,700,000 0.013 88,500,000 0.012 49,200,000 3.94 97,000 2.74 3,120,000 18.94 16,455,000 26 2,190,200 0.0058 3,000,000

AC PREF B2 DD PREF FGEN PREF G GMA HLDG PDR GTCAP PREF A GTCAP PREF B HOUSE PREF A MWIDE PREF PCOR PREF 2B PNX PREF 3A PNX PREF 3B SFI PREF SMC FB PREF 2 SMC PREF 2B SMC PREF 2F SMC PREF 2G SMC PREF 2H SMC PREF 2I

488 96 102.5 5.25 915 920 95 99.3 1,001 99.5 101.6 2 969 75.3 74.55 74.5 72.2 73.5

488 98 102.5 5.25 925 920 95.1 99.3 1,002 99.5 109.9 2.09 969 75.3 74.55 75 74 73.5

488 96 102.5 5.25 915 920 95 99.3 1,001 99 101.6 2 969 75.3 74.3 74.5 72 73.5

PREFERRED 488 80 98 1,010 102.5 6,800 5.25 10,000 925 1,890 920 900 95 590 99.3 10 1,002 25 99 1,100 109.9 40 2.09 3,000 969 5,000 75.3 570 74.3 7,350 75 2,700 74 12,700 73.5 300

39,040 96,980 697,000 52,500 1,744,250 828,000 56,082 993 25,035 109,095 4,147 6,180 4,845,000 42,921 546,405 202,150 922,648 22,050

-4,845,000 -

LR WARRANT

1.72

1.82

1.65

WARRANTS 1.68 280,000

471,010

-

ITALPINAS XURPAS

4.16 1.19

4.3 1.21

4.03 1.15

4.18 1.17

1,689,630 3,161,840

-109,900 -210,400

FIRST METRO ETF

106.9

108.4

106.9

660,422

-

29,795

-

USD DMPL A2

10.1

TRADING SUMMARY FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL HOLDING FIRMS

10.1

SHARES

18,442,774 67,205,002 123,542,915

PROPERTY

108,714,057

SERVICES

146,634,635

MINING & OIL

891,930,908

GRAND TOTAL

1,359,587,915

10.1

SME

411,000 2,698,000

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 108.4 6,120 10.1

DDS

2,950

VALUE 1,701.32 (up) 39.48 1,574,718,816.26 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 10,703,73 (up) 30.88 1,000,179,895.465 HOLDING FIRMS 7,172.27 (up) 257.98 1,614,697,344.38 PROPERTY 3,478.14 (up) 51.67 SERVICES 1,415.89 (up) 34.71 1,349,255,129.84 MINING & OIL 8,929.92 (down) 18.20 1,473,308,396.43 PSEI 7,270.26 (up) 186.92 1,325,928,137.573 All Shares Index 4,368.82 (up) 76.30 8,343,607,104.68 Gainers: 107; Losers: 81; Unchanged: 49; Total: 237

NLEX posted net income of P4.25b in 1st nine months

By Darwin G. Amojelar

NLEX Corp. said net income rose 25 percent in the first nine months of the year on higher vehicle traffic.

Net income amounted to P4.25 billion in the January-to-November period this year from P3.4 billion year-on-year.

The company attributed the increase in the net profit to higher toll revenues in the North Luzon Expressway and Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway and more efficient utilization of resources covering toll operations and maintenance costs.

Toll revenues during the period reached P9.6 billion, up 14 percent on year, due to the steady increase in traffic and steady growth in non-toll revenues.

The average daily traffic in NLEx reached 250,992 daily entries, 7.6 percent higher than 233,332 daily entries recorded during the same period last year.

The average daily traffic for the SCTEx during the period reached 61,071 daily entries, 14.3 percent higher than 53,407 during the same period last year.

Non-toll revenues grew 10 percent from P122 million to P134 million due to increase in toll service facility fees and placement of advertising materials.

NLEX Ventures Corp., a whollyowned subsidiary of NLEX Corp., also contributed P13 million mainly from the commercialization of roadway maintenance services.

Repairs and maintenance in the first nine months of the year stood at P257 million, higher by P66 million from a year ago due to the continuing enhancement of several toll plaza equipment along the NLEx and SCTEx. The NLEx currently spans approximately 95 kilometers or 527-lane kilometers, serving an average of 237,046 vehicles a day in 2017. It is the main infrastructure backbone that connects Metro Manila to Central and Northern Luzon.

SCTEx, meanwhile, is a 94-km, 2x2 expressway stretching from Subic-Tipo until La Paz, Tarlac, connecting the special economic zones in Subic and Clark, Olongapo City, to Tarlac City.

DMCI Power’s profit increases 4% to P337m

By Jenniffer B. Austria OFF-GRID energy player DMCI Power Corp. reported a consolidated net income of P337 million in the first nine months of 2018, up four percent from P325 million year-on-year, after record sales were tempered by reduced provisional tariff rate for its Aborlan bunkerfired power plant.

DPC president Nestor Dadivas said the company posted a 25-percent growth in revenues in the first nine months of 2018, with volume reaching 226 gigawatt per hour from 181 GWh in the previous year.

The higher power demand and dispatch across all operating segments accounted for the 25-percent improvement.

Energy sales to Palawan Electric Cooperative rose a record 39 percent to 96.35GWh from 69.32GWh on year.

Sales to Oriental Mindoro Electric Cooperative grew 24 percent from 38.38GWh to 47.61GWh, while the dispatch to Masbate Electric Cooperative climbed 11 percent from 73.73GWh to 81.99GWh. “The continued economic growth and booming tourism industry across all operating segments coupled with our reliable operations and effective partnership with the off-takers accounted for the dramatic increase in our power sales,” said Dadivas.

He said the company was waiting for the Energy Regulatory Commission’s decision on its request for a re-computation of the Aborlan power plant rate.

“We are hopeful that our pending motion for re-computation with the Energy Regulatory Commission will be taken up soon now that ERC has a full set of commissioners,” Dadivas said.

“DPC is committed to sustain the economic growth of these missionary areas by supplying reliable energy to meet the power demand required by the cooperatives,” he added.

Dadivas said the company was prepared to submit unsolicited proposals to expand the capacity of power plants in Masbate, Oriental Mindoro and Palawan provinces.

DPC was established in 2006 to provide sufficient and reliable electricity to areas not connected to the main transmission grid.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

World

Manila

Standard

TODAY

B3

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2018 CESAR BARRIOQUINTO, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

HK democracy leaders plead not guilty in ‘umbrella’ trial

TEA, COFFEE AND WINE EXPO. A barista makes a cup of coffee at a display at the Taiwan International Tea, Coffee and Wine Expo in Taipei on November 19, 2018. The exhibition is taking place from November 16 to 19. AFP

HONG KONG―Three leading Hong Kong democracy campaigners pleaded not guilty on Monday to public nuisance charges over their involvement in massive rallies calling for political reform, as room for opposition in the semi-autonomous city shrinks under an assertive China.

The pioneering trio are among nine activists all facing “public nuisance” charges for their participation in the 2014 Umbrella Movement protests.

The charges are based on colonial-era law and carry jail terms of up to seven years.

Sociology professor Chan Kin-man, 59, law professor Benny Tai, 54, and baptist minister Chu Yiu-ming, 74, founded the “Occupy Central” movement in 2013 and joined with the student-led Umbrella Movement which brought parts of the city to a standstill for months, calling for free elections for the city’s leader.

The activists were welcomed outside court by hundreds of supporters shouting: “Peaceful resistance! I wanted real

universal suffrage!”

Prosecutor Andrew Bruce argued that the mass protests had caused a “common injury done to the public”, who had been affected by the blockage of major roads.

He accused the trio of taking part in and supporting the demonstration “by way of unlawful obstruction of public places and roads”.

Occupy Central called for the occupation of Hong Kong’s business district if the public was not given a fair vote for the city’s leader, who is appointed by a pro-Beijing committee.

It was overtaken by the student movement that exploded in September 2014 when police fired tear gas on gathering crowds.

The Occupy trio urged people to join what became known as the Umbrella Movement as protesters used umbrellas to shield themselves from tear gas and pepper spray.

The movement failed to win reform and since then activists have been prosecuted, with some jailed. AFP

Rising murder rate worries Venezuelans C ARACAS-As if coping with constant food and medicine shortages were not enough for crisis-weary Venezuelans, many live in constant fear in a country where three people die violently every hour.

The South American nation registered 26,000 homicides last year, 89 per 100,000 inhabitants and a figure 15 times the global average, according to the Venezuelan Observatory of Violence, a non-governmental group.

How do ordinary Venezuelans try to survive in one of the world’s most dangerous countries?

“Venezuelans take precautions every day to try to protect themselves. But

adapting to insecurity means they are losing their freedom,” the group’s director Roberto Briceno told AFP. Teacher Yamileth Marcano’s younger brother Willis was stabbed to death for his smartphone as he left work.

“Was that what his life was worth, a mobile phone? Every time I hear of another home in mourning, the bad memories come back,” she told AFP. Marcano, 46, lives in a house with barred windows and doors in eastern Caracas. Her son emigrated to Italy. The tipping point came when two youths on a motorbike put a gun to his head and told him to hand over his cellphone as he drove through Caracas.

“I was screaming like crazy: ‘give it to him!’” Marcano, who was in the car, said. “I was thinking of my brother.”

“Young and old are being killed. Everyone’s exposed to it. They rob you in the street, on the beach, in the market, at the hospital... it’s terrible to live like this.”

Like her, almost everyone in Venezuela uses an older cellphone in public, keeping their smartphone out of sight.

The murder of former Miss Venezuela Monica Spear and her husband— shot dead by two youths in a roadside robbery in 2014 after their car broke down—is etched in the nation’s collective memory.

Since then, an application called “Pana”—a slang word for friend—was created to help ensure people could feel more secure on the road.

Recently, bikers with high-visibility vests, dark glasses and radios sped to the rescue of a young medical student in distress on the highway.

It took eight minutes for the rescue squad to reach Carmen Garcia after she had activated the “Pana” panic button on her mobile phone after her car broke down.

“We provide a service that’s fast, reliable and simple—not everyone can have security escorts or bullet-proof their

car,” said Pana’s chief, Domingo Coronil.

In a Caracas shopping center, Blindacars Express manager Julio Cesar Perez delivers two black vans with newly reinforced laminated glass for a client.

“Delinquents don’t discriminate between social class. We have low, medium and high-end vehicles coming in to us” for security upgrades, said Perez.

The owner of the vehicles said he uses one for his wife and children, and the other for his business trips outside Caracas. Thugs often target vehicles with stones, sticks or bottles to force drivers to stop, intent on robbery or even kidnap.

“Horrible things happen. Insecurity is much worse than it used to be,” said the businessman, who did not want to be identified for security reasons.

“It used to be that only diplomats would bulletproof their cars, but in Venezuela ordinary citizens suffer the same problems now.”

In the streets of Venezuela it’s rare to see a car without tinted, reinforced glass.

Sundown brings challenges for the citizens of Caracas. Once filled with light and bustle, economic crisis and accompanying crime means the capital now switches off at night.

“As soon as I leave my house I feel in danger,” said Adrialis Barrios, 23, who works in communications.

“If I go out at all, to the discotheque for example, I pay for someone FLORENTINO I know to take S. me. I don’t trust JUMAQUIO taxis.” peacefully joined Most people his Creator on 14, now gather in September 2018 at the of 66. His loving private homes, age wife Elizabeth; children being safer and Marvin, Irene, Jamie & cheaper, and pre- Joy; grandchild Ilyza, request your prayers fer to wait until for the eternal repose the light of dawn of his soul. His remains at St. Therese before they ven- lie Columbarium in Pasay ture home. AFP City.

(MS-NOV. 6,13, & 20, 2018)

IN BRIEF

Republic of the Philippines Department of Education REGION IV-A CALABARZON Gate 2, Karangalan Village 1900 Cainta, Rizal

Toll hits 77 in California wildfire

InvItatIon to BId REGIonaL MaSS tRaInInG oF tEaCHER-advISER tRaInInG PRoGRaM

PARADISE―The toll from the deadliest and most destructive wildfire in California’s history rose further on Sunday to 77, the sheriff’s office said, after a vigil to honor the victims.

“One human remain was located today,” raising the toll by one in the so-called Camp Fire that broke out 10 days earlier in northern California, a statement from the Butte County Sheriff said, following US President Donald Trump’s visit on Saturday to survey the devastation.

On Sunday, mourners gathered at First Christian Church in Chico, near the incinerated community of Paradise, to hold a tearful vigil for the fire’s victims.

“We will rise from the ashes,” said a sign on the altar of the church, where survivors embraced, and one woman carried a picture of her father who died.

“Of the 77 fatalities, we have tentatively identified 67 individuals,” the sheriff’s office said.

The number of people unaccounted for has fallen to 993, from a peak that exceeded 1,200, the statement added.

More than 10,000 homes have been destroyed in the blaze which has devoured an area roughly the size of Chicago, and essentially wiped Paradise off the map.

Thousands fled and many found temporary refuge at churches or in tents.

The National Weather Service said low humidity and gusty winds would continue across portions of California through Monday but the pattern could change.

The forecast for the Paradise area called for rain by Tuesday night, becoming heavy on Wednesday—a day before the major annual American celebration of Thanksgiving.

During his visit Trump trod through ash, flanked by skeletal trees and twisted cars, seemingly shocked by the intensity of what he witnessed. AFP

The Department of Education, Region IV-A, through the 2017 OSEC Fund 4A-18-9243 intends to apply the sum of One Million Forty Nine Thousand Four Hundred Pesos Only (Php1,049,400.00) only being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) to eligible payments under the contract for the provision of venue for the Board & Lodging of the participants to the Regional Mass Training of Teacher-Adviser Training Program Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening.

Fencing unfurled at Mexico border LAREDO—They started work in the cool of the morning and moved quickly, uncoiling reel after reel of vicious-looking fencing and tying it with barbed wire to green poles hammered into the ground.

Over the course of three days, a gleaming, shoulders-high barrier of concertina-wire emerged like a silver snake along a lush riverbank, stretching as far as the eye could see.

This was the work of 100 or so American troops from the 19th Engineer Battalion, based in Fort Knox, Kentucky.

Rather than finding themselves in a far-off war zone, the soldiers are in Laredo, a busy border town overlooking a stretch of the Rio Grande river in southwest Texas, carrying out controversial orders from President Donald Trump.

He has sent about 5,800 troops to the border to forestall the arrival of large groups of Central American migrants traveling through Mexico and towards the US, in a move critics decry as a costly political stunt to galvanize supporters ahead of midterm elections earlier this month.

Before the election Trump called the matter a “national emergency” and warned that so-called migrant caravans were an “invasion” with “some very bad thugs and gang members.”

So far at least, the most visible aspect of Trump’s deployment is the fence, a visible deterrent and physical obstacle to migrants, designed to corral would-be asylum seekers towards organized points of entry into the US. Over the weekend, Lieutenant Alan Koepnick’s platoon could be seen stringing concertina wire, which is built to snag clothing, along one edge of a quiet riverside park near downtown Laredo.

As families walked dogs, grilled sausages and relaxed, the soldiers mounted the wire, occasionally ripping their camouflaged uniforms on its metal barbs.

Koepnick said some Laredo residents had voiced disquiet about the fencing and the presence of US troops. AFP

Date

No. of pax

Rate per day

No. of days

203

Php1,800.00

2

Php730,800.00

59

1,800.00

3

318,600.00

Dec. 16 - 18, 2018

Approved budget

Total ABC Php 1,049,400.00

The Department of Education Region IV-A, through its Bids and Awards Committee (BAC), now invites bids for the herein-mentioned Goods. Bidders must have completed, within five (5) years from the date of submission and receipt of bids, a contract similar to the Project with an amount of at least 50% of the ABC to be bid. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, I.e., in Section II, Instructions to Bidders. Bids received that exceed the ABC shall be rejected at bid opening.

GOVERNORS’ AWARDS. Emma

Stone attends the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ 10th annual Governors’ Awards at The Ray Dolby Ballroom at Hollywood & Highland Center on November 18, 2018, in Hollywood, California. AFP

North Korean defector soldier is a general’s son, says report TOKYO―The North Korean soldier who defected to the South in a hail of bullets last year is a general’s son but says most Northerners of his age have no loyalty to Kim Jong Un, according to a Japanese newspaper.

Oh Chong Song’s dramatic dash across the border at the Panmunjom truce village in the Demilitarized Zone—under fire from his comrades—made global headlines last year, and saw him hospitalized with serious injuries.

It is very rare for the North’s troops to defect at Panmunjom, a major tourist attraction and the only place on the frontier where forces from the two sides come face-to-face.

The 25-year-old Oh is the son of a major-general, Japan’s

Sankei Shimbun newspaper reported, in what it said was the defector’s first media interview.

But despite his privileged birth—he described himself as “upper class”—he felt no allegiance to the North’s leadership.

“Inside the North, people, and especially the younger generation, are indifferent to each other, politics, and their leaders, and there is no sense of loyalty.”

He was “indifferent” to the rule of Kim Jong Un, the third generation of the Kim family to lead the North, and had no interest in how his friends felt about it.

“Probably 80 percent of my generation is indifferent and has no loyalty,” he was quoted as saying. AFP

Contract duration-----three (3) days - December 16 -18, 2018 Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using a nondiscretionary “pass/fail” criterion as specified in the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (RA) 9184, otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act.” 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, pursuantto RA 5183 and subject to Commonwealth Act 138.

A complete set of Bidding Documents may be inspected or purchased at DepED IV-A BAC Secretariat, located at Supply Office, Gate 2 Karangalan Drive, Cainta, Rizal upon accomplishing a bidder’s information sheet and payment in cash of a non-refundable fee by interested bidders in the amount of Five Thousand Pesos (PhP5,000.00) to the DepED IV-A Cashier. Only bidders who purchased the Bidding Documents will be allowed to submit bids.

It may be viewed or downloaded free of charge from the website of the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhiIGEPS), www.philgeps.net and the website of the Procuring Entity, www.depedcalabarzon.gov, provided that bidders shall pay the fee for the Bidding Documents not later than the submission of their bids. The schedule and venue of the procuring activities are as follows: Activity Issuance of Bidding Documents Pre-Bid Conference Submission and Opening of Bids

Date and Time Venue From November 21 Supply Office-DepED IV-A, December 10, 2018 Gate 2 Karangalan Village, 8:00am to 5:00pm (Mon. - Fri.) Cainta, Rizal November 26,2018 -10:00 am.

RDs Conference Room December 10, 2018-10:00 a.m.

-same-

Prospective bidders are strongly encouraged to order or dowlnload the electronic copy of the Bidding Documents from the PhilGEPS website: www.philgeps.net for them to be included in the Document Request List of the project. The pre-bid conference is open-to-all interested parties who may have or have not bought the bidding documents.

Bids must be delivered to the address and on the date and time stated herein. All bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in the ITB Clause 18. A valid Bid Securing Declaration must accompany the bid(s) in lieu of a bid security.

Bids will be opened in the presence of the bidders’ representatives who choose to attend the opening of bids at the address, date and time stated herein. Late bids shall not be accepted.

The DepED Region IV-A reserves the right to reject any and all bids, declare a failure of bidding, not award the contract(s), or annul the bidding process without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders.

For further information, please refer to: Ann Geralyn T. Pelias BAC Vice-Chairman Virginia O. Bagacay BAC TWG DepEDIV-A Gate 2 Karangalan Drive, Cainta, Rizal 6458406 (SGD) CARLITO D. ROCAFORT BAC Chairman (MS-NOV. 20, 2018)

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

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

B4

tuesday, november 20, 2018

LGUs

In BrIef

LoCaL GovernMent unitS

ROUSING WELCOME. Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo led a medical mission over the weekend at Brgy. Northbay Boulevard South-Proper in Navotas City. Residents thanked Arroyo for signing the Free Patent Law in 2010, which they said thwarted attempts to seize the land they were living on by granting them security of tenure.

Senate oks 3 Palawan provinces

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

T

HE Senate on Monday approved on third and final reading a bill dividing Palawan—the country’s largest province—into three new provinces, namely Palawan Del Norte, Palawan oriental, and Palawan Del Sur.

House Bill No. 8055 was sponsored

by Senator Juan Edgardo Angara, chairman of the Senate Committee on Local Government, and was passed with 14 affirmative votes, one negative vote from Senator risa Hontiveros and zero abstention.

Under the bill, the province of Pala-

wan del Norte will be composed of the municipalities of Coron, Culion, Busuanga, Linacapan, Taytay and El Nido.

The province of Palawan oriental, in turn, will be comprised of the municipalities of roxas, Araceli, Dumaran, Cuyo, Agutaya, Magsaysay, Cayancillo, and San Vicente.

The province of Palawan del Sur, which will be considered as the “mother province,” will be composed of the municipalities of Aborlan, Narra, Quezon, rizal, Espanola, Brooke’s Point, Bataraza, Balacbac and Kalayaan.

The three proposed provinces will be created upon the approval of majority of voters in the affected areas in a plebiscite to be conducted in 2020, Angara said.

Angara said due to the “vastness” of Palawan, an archipelago of 1,800 islands with a population of at least 1.1 million, the division of the existing province under the bill will comply with the requirements for the creation

Makati buys 180 body cams for enforcers

STATE OF THE ART HEALTH CARE.

A world-class hospital rises in Laguna to serve the health needs of the people, including those from neighboring provinces of Batangas and Quezon.

Global Care Medical Center of Bay will officially open in January 2019.

By Joel e. Zurbano THE Makati City government has acquired 180 units of body-worn cameras for members of its Public Safety Department traffic enforcers as part of its thrust to utilize modern technology to enhance efficiency and transparency in its programs and services.

“The city government has invested in high-tech live video recording and wireless transmission equipment for traffic management and related operations of PSD to ensure faster response and prompt action during emergency situations, including road accidents and crimes in progress,” Mayor Abigail Binay said.

The body-worn cameras, Binay said, can also locate the whereabouts of traffic officers, thus facilitating strategic personnel deployment during critical operations and emergency situations.

The camera and wireless transmission system was developed by British company Digital Barriers and is widely used in the UK, US, and Asia. Each camera comes with a built-in microphone, at least 32 GB built-in TF memory, and 3G/4G real-time transmission, among other features.

“Aside from deterring our enforcers from engaging in any form of bribery and corruption, the body-worn cameras will also clearly show whether or not an apprehension has been done correctly,” Binay said.

She said cases of motorists accusing enforcers of abusive behavior can be quickly confirmed or disproved since operators at the command center are able to see exactly what is being seen by their colleagues on the field.

of of a province set forth by the Local Government Code.

He said the three proposed provinces will meet the land area requirement, and that Palawan del Norte and Palawan oriental are expected to satisfy the population requirement imposed by law by 2020.

“If we speak of economic potential, Palawan is a powerhouse. Its local growth rate has been clocked at bristling 7 percent per annum for many years now. And this was achieved with a total ban on the exploitation of natural resources over a wide swath of its land,” Angara added.

Manila hospital gets 10 new dialysis machines

By Vito Barcelo THE Manila City government has acquired and installed 10 additional dialysis machines at the Gat Andres Bonifacio Memorial Medical Center to serve the increasing number of patients with kidney diseases.

Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada said the 10 new dialysis machines were installed at the center to provide free and quality dialysis treatment as part of the city’s

medical expansion program to serve poor patients suffering from kidney ailments.

Estrada said the increase of dialysis patients mirrors the rising number of deaths due to kidney failure, noting that patients requiring dialysis services have grown from 100 to 200 a day since 2013.

Estrada chose GABMMC as the city’s dialysis center because of its proximity to Tondo, Manila’s poorest district.

“Kidney dialysis is so expensive, and only a few can afford to go to private

hospitals so it is the duty of the city government to help and support its constituents. I have ordered the expansion of the dialysis center at the medical center to ease the financial burden of many Manileños,” Estrada said.

“The average cost of dialysis treatment is nearly P3,000 and it can even go as high as P4,000 in major private hospitals. And that is only for one session. Each patients need at least three times a week,” he added.

Malabon bags second SGLG award For the second year in a row, the city of Malabon bagged the Seal of Good Local Governance awarded by the Department of the Interior and Local Government this year.

Malabon is one of only five cities in Metro Manila which passed the “all in” performance indicators set by the DILG, such as financial adm i n ist r at ion , disaster prepar- Mayor Antolin Oreta III edness, social protection, peace and order, business friendliness and competitiveness, environmental management, and tourism, culture, and the arts.

“This is proof of all Malabonians uniting and working hard for the betterment of the city. This truly encourages us more to think bigger, do greater and work harder,” said Mayor Antolin oreta III. Malabon has flourished amid the various livelihood projects initiated by the local government, oreta said..

These projects strategically targeted citizens belonging to marginalized sectors of society, including women, single parents, senior citizens, and people with disabilities, among others.

The city has also been active in addressing environment and nutrition and nutrition concerns, the mayor added.

Catholic Church aid to ‘Yolanda’ victims hit P3.2b PALo, Leyte—The Catholic Church has spent a total of P3.2 billion for reconstruction efforts in areas hit by Super Typhoon Yolanda in the central Philippines in 2013.

Fr. Edwin Gariguez, executive secretary of the National Secretariat for Social Action/Caritas Philippines, said at least 33, 253 houses were constructed for Yolanda victims five years after the storm.

The housing projects were implemented directly by NASSA/Caritas Philippines together with Caritas Internationalis Member organizations.

Garinguez said their Yolanda aid, which officially started in 2014, was the “most massive, largest-funded and most comprehensive humanitarian response.”

He said the Church-backed reconstruction efforts benefitted some 1.4 million Yolanda-affected people in Iloilo, Aklan, Capiz, Palawan, Cebu, Antique, Samar, Eastern Samar, and Leyte, among others.

“We are very proud of this accomplishment, yet humbled by the experience,” he said. Ronald O. Reyes

‘Pink’ film festival aims to promote LGBTQ rights in Quezon City

By Rio N. Araja THE Quezon City government is trying to combat discrimination against members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and in question community through the conduct of a film festival.

Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte urged

film audiences to participate in the Quezon City International Pink Film Festival which will run until Nov. 25 in selected cinemas.

“As a gender-fair city, this film fest allows us to fight for our advocacy to promote awareness about LGBTQ issues, to promote diversity and

equality, to combat discrimination, stereotyping and stigmatization, and to promote our city as a city of tolerance,” she said.

“At the same time, we also want to remind our brothers and sisters in the LGBTQ community that they are just the same as anybody else. We are all

equal here, and public service is given to all,” she added.

A project of the Quezon City Pride Council in partnership with the Quezon City Government and the Philippine Initiative on LGBT Pride Advocacy Inc, the QCIPFF is the only LGBT-themed film festival in the Philippines.

Life

bernadette Lunas, Issue Editor manilastandardlife@gmail.com @manilastandardlife

health and environment

@mstandardLIFe tuesday, november 20, 2018

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E’vE all been told that adopting a healthy lifestyle is the best way to achieve physical, mental, and emotional health. But it’s easier said than done; following a rigid routine and drastically changing one’s way of living can be challenging, especially for those who have developed unhealthy habits over the years.

As with most things in life, the key to success is to slowly integrate changes into one’s way of living. Experts say once a person gets into the habit of maintaining healthy practices and making them part of their routine, they will start to see benefits.

Here are five daily, easy-to-do habits anyone can start integrating into their life:

THE COLOR OF HEALTH. Slowly integrating simple changes into one’s daily life, such as eating more whole foods instead of processed food, helps improve overall health and well-being.

How to be healthy

in 5 simple ways term stress can be a precursor to issues such as depression, anxiety, and even memory loss.

But it can be managed. One good way to deal with it is through a balanced schedule. Experts suggest finding time for self-care in between work and social life. This allows an individual to have a new perspective, thus they would feel less overwhelmed. Having a social support can also help relieve distress. However, it is important to note that everyone is different. Thus, it is essential to experiment and find out what best works.

Don’t smoke

Getting 7 to 8 hours of sleep gives individuals enough physical and mental energy.

Get enough sleep

Before engaging in, say, physical activities, it is vital that a person has gotten enough shuteye. Loss of quality sleep not only impacts mood and performance but can also result to health problems, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity.

Getting enough sleep—ideally seven to eight hours, not more than nine—offers tremendous benefits to achieve both mental and physical wellness; thus one can be at their best every day.

Move more

Daily physical activities are essential to maintaining a healthy body and reducing the major risk factors for chronic conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, non-coronary heart disease, and hypertension, among Running is one of the simple physical others. activities that do not require fancy gym Exercising is not equipment. only good for the body, but also for the mind. According to FNRI-DOST, exercise helps enhance psychological well-being, improve selfesteem, and maintain motivation.

Increasing physical activities is not exclusive to enrolling in a gym or engaging in a trendy or strenuous workout routine. Simple activities like walking, running, biking, or even stretching, can help maintain weight loss. The important thing is to commit to it. Committing to regular exercise may be challenging at first, but the benefits will make it all worth it.

Manage stress

Stress is inevitable; many factors in one’s life can lead to it, from work to relationship problems to traffic congestion.

Stress is a natural reaction, and is the body’s way of responding to the mental or emotional strain or tension from adverse or demanding circumstances. However, Keeping a balanced schedule helps chronic or longmanage stress.

It is no secret that tobacco has negative impacts on health. In fact, smoking remains as one of the leading causes of preventable death worldwide.

According to the World Health Refraining from smoking reduces the risk Organization, to- of acquiring lung cancer and heart disease, bacco kills more among others. than seven million people each year. More than six million of these deaths are the result of direct tobacco use, while around 890,000 are caused by second-hand smoking.

Refraining from smoking tobacco—not getting into the vice or finally quitting it—reduces the risk of acquiring illnesses, such as lung cancer, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and asthma, among others.

Make better food choices

Making smart, healthy food choices helps the body get the nutrients it needs every day as well as lowers risk for developing health problems.

The key to eating well is to enjoy a variety of nutritious foods from the five food groups namely: (1) vegetables and legumes/beans, (2) fruits, (3) grains (cereal), (4) lean meats and poultry, fish, eggs, tofu, nuts, and seeds, and (5) milk, yoghurt, cheese and/or alternatives, mostly reduced fat. Consuming food items from every food group helps support optimal health and prevent diseases.

Several supplements help complete and boost balanced diet. For instance, natural and organic Santé Barley—available in powder form and in vegetable capsules—is a good source of niacin (vitamin B) that provides numerous benefits to the cardiovascular system. Niacin can help reduce bad cholesterol, lipoprotein (a), and free radicals. It also reduces the risk of blood clots. It can also help promote bowel movement for optimal health as it is high in fiber.

Eating well means enjoying Go to www.santebarley. balanced meals composed mostly com for more information. of whole foods.

Let it go effortlessly OvERINDuLGENCE is common during the holidays, what with several parties and get-togethers. But overeating, coupled with lack of exercise, may lead to constipation or worsen the condition.

According to National Health Services uK, constipation is common and affects people of all ages. There are five ways to know if a person has it, first is if they move their bowels less than three times a week.

The second common sign is when moving bowels has become painful and the stool is dry and dark. According to the Bristol Stool Chart, if the stool is hard to pass, lumpy, and shaped like nuts, it’s a sign of constipation. Experts say the stool of a person with a healthy digestive system has cracks on the surface and is smooth and soft—but not too soft as soft stools bordering on being almost liquid is a sign of other health issues.

Being flatulent or always gassy can also be a sign of constipation, as having stored feces makes it difficult for a constipated person to pass gas normally. Further, blood in stool can also be a sign of this condition. Having bloody stools can be caused by anal fissures resulting from hard bowel movement. But it can also mean there is bleeding somewhere in the digestive tract. When this happens, it is

Dulcolax, the country’s leading laxative, helps individuals move their bowels easily.

best to have it checked by a doctor.

Constipation may require individuals to take laxatives to move their bowels. Laxatives stimulate the lining of the intestine to haste the stool’s journey through the colon. They also help increase stool’s hydration.

Taking laxatives is not considered an unhealthy habit, as there is no evidence that the use of stimulant laxatives leads to serious health problems.

The country’s leading laxative, Bisacodyl (Dulcolax) helps individuals suffering from constipation be in control of their life by helping them poop regularly. visit www.dulcolax.com for more information.

Having difficulty moving bowels is one of the common signs of constipation.

Life

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HEALTH BULLETIN

Study reveals atrial fibrillation-related strokes can be prevented

LVNG With Lung Cancer aims to activate a community of Filipinos with lung cancer and their loved ones.

Specialists, patients

form lung cancer community A

DA (not her real name) thought the dull pain in her back was just muscle soreness. She took an X-ray which showed a “spot” on her lung. Since she is a non-smoker and resides in a tuberculosis-endemic country, it was suspected as TB, hence she was prescribed anti-tuberculosis medications for several months.

Still bothered by intermittent back pain, she consulted another doctor who eventually ordered a CT scan with biopsy. In January this year, more than a year after consulting a doctor for her back pain, Ada was diagnosed with stage 4 adenocarcinoma of the lung, the most common type of lung cancer.

“Lung cancer disease landscape is steadily changing. Whereas before, only smokers are considered to be at risk of the disease, now, there are more people living with lung cancer who do not have family history of cancer and who were never smokers,” said medical oncologist Dr. Charles Uy. He continued, “People shrug off symptoms of a possible lung cancer as probably from a benign condition such as colds or arthritis. Some are diagnosed as spot in the lungs and treated as tuberculosis, many of them will not be doing biopsy to rule out cancer.”

According to Cancer Research UK, one in five women who has lung cancer never smoked. But the lack of awareness of the disease leads to misconception that those who have it are smokers.

“The stigma means people with lung cancer don’t easily form the same kind of

communities as people with other types of cancer,” said Dr. Denky Shoji Dela Rosa, a medical oncologist at St. Luke’s Medical Center and University of the East Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center.

Lung cancer can also be caused by exposure to radon (a naturally occurring radioactive gas), second-hand tobacco smoke, air pollution, or other environmental factors.

To help address the stigma, low awareness, and lack of community ac-

LVNG With Lung Cancer aims to raise awareness of lung cancer.

From left: Dr. Denky Shoji Dela Rosa, Dr. Marcelo Severino Imasa, Dr. Claire Soliman, and Dr. Donald Josue

tivation and advocacy on lung cancer, AstraZeneca Philippines has partnered with the Philippine Society of Medical Oncology and local cancer support groups, such as the Philippine Alliance of Patient Organizations and Cancer Coalition Philippines to launch LVNG With Lung Cancer in the country.

“Every year, lung cancer kills more people than any other type of cancer,” lamented Paul Perez, spokesperson of Cancer Coalition Philippines and executive director of Project Brave Kids.

It is estimated that more than 13,000 Filipinos develop lung cancer each year. “But awareness of and support for lung cancer survivors and their loved ones is very low,” he added.

LVNG With Lung Cancer is an online resource that aims to activate a community of Filipinos living with lung cancer and their loved ones, allowing them to connect and learn, as well as share their experiences and inspire one another.

“This community will embrace them in every step of their journey in an uplifting, validating, and refreshingly authentic way that moves people from simply coping to living with their disease,” said Dr. Donald Josue, medical affairs head of AstraZeneca Philippines.

LVNG With Lung Cancer has three key objectives. First, build a local lung cancer community that can provide resources and support for lung cancer patients and caregivers. Raise the relevance of lung cancer and build advocacy through partnership with medical societies, patient groups, and academe. Finally, empower lung cancer patients and caregivers through disease education.

The LVNG With Lung Cancer website features inspiring and informative content delivered through personal stories. People with lung cancer have said that connecting with others who have received a lung cancer diagnosis can make all the difference in inspiring them to learn to “live with lung cancer.”

“By providing access to inspiring stories, expert opinion, and knowledge on where to get tested and what are the available treatment options, people living with lung cancer will now have a new horizon ahead of them,” added Dr. Josue.

Visit www.lvngwithphilippines.com or www.lvngph.com to learn more about lung cancer.

ATRIAL fibrillation or AF is a heart condition characterized by irregular heart rhythms, which increases the risk of stroke caused by blood clots by five-fold. According to a 2015 study published on National Center for Biotechnology Information’s website, strokes due to AF are more severe, causing disability in over 50 percent of patients.

It is one of the leading causes of severe strokes in Asia. The Department of Health said diseases of the vascular system, including stroke, which is a complication of non-valvular atrial fibrillation, is the second leading cause of mortality in the Philippines, after diseases of the heart. AF occurs in 2 percent of Filipinos above 70 years old based on a national survey conducted by the DOH and the Food and Nutrition Research Institute.

The prevalence of AF increases with age, hence it is a growing concern in Asia due

This was despite the underlying fact that based on epidemiologic studies, having an Asian ethnicity has been associated with both a higher risk for stroke and intracranial hemorrhage/bleeding.

However, there is still a significant number of AF patients in Asia not receiving optimal anticoagulant therapy for stroke prevention.

“While NOACs offer a new standard of care in preventing AF-related strokes, major bleeding is a key consideration of doctors when prescribing NOACs for AF patients. This data confirm the low bleeding risk of Rivaroxaban in Asian patients, thus reaffirming its positive benefit/ risk profile, and demonstrate its value in preventing the negative impact of stroke on patients and society,” said XANAP principal investigator, Professor Young-Hoon Kim of Korea University Medical Centre.

NOACs like Rivaroxaban (Xarelto) match Warfarin in stroke

Atrial fibrillation or AF is one of the leading causes of severe strokes in Asia.

to the region’s rapidly aging population. It is estimated that in 2050, Asia will have 72 million AF patients, and 2.9 million of them will suffer from an AF-associated stroke.

A recent real-world study on the Prevention of Stroke in Patients with AF in Asia followed 2,273 Asian patients from 435 sites across Hong Kong SAR, Indonesia, South Korea, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, and Pakistan in routine clinical practice.

Elderly patients, with an average age of 70.5 years old, were observed.

The participants have varying levels of stroke risk, with significant medical co-morbidities including heart failure, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, prior stroke/systemic embolism/ transient ischemic attack, and myocardial infarction.

The study showed AF-related strokes can be prevented. Good results of a low bleeding rate of 1.5 percent per year and low stroke rate of 1.7 percent per year were recorded in AF patients treated with non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulant (NOAC) Rivaroxaban.

Over 96 percent of patients treated with Rivaroxaban in the study did not experience any major bleeding, stroke/systemic embolism, or allcause death, thereby reinforcing the safety and efficacy of Rivaroxaban among unselected patients in the real world.

prevention, but are easier to administer and significantly reduce the risk of life-threatening bleeding, particularly skull bleeding. Regular tweaking is not required and dietary restrictions and interactions with other substances are few and insignificant.

Anticoagulant medicines are potent therapies used to prevent or treat serious illnesses and potentially lifethreatening conditions. Before initiating therapy with anticoagulant medicines, physicians should carefully assess the benefit and risk for the individual patient.

“It is important to consider a patient’s individual risk factors to prescribe the right NOAC to the right patient for AF stroke prevention,” noted Professor Chia-Ti Tsai of National Taiwan University Hospital, another XANAP principal investigator.

Tsai continued, “Rivaroxaban’s robust experience and evidence in patients across different risk profiles, including those with high stroke risk, will best support doctors and patients in their treatment decision in AF management. The positive data of XANAP further add to this and reaffirm the proven safety profile of Rivaroxaban in Asian patients.”

Responsible use of Rivaroxaban (Xarelto) is a very high priority for Bayer, and the company has developed a Prescribers Guide for physicians and a Rivaroxaban (Xarelto) Patient Card for patients to support best practice.

Fast facts: Philippine crocodile AMONG the rare animals native to the Philippines 3. The Philippine crocodile is one of the most critiis the Philippine crocodile, which unfortunately is cally endangered freshwater crocodiles in the world now critically endangered. Although with only an estimated 250 adult crocodiles in general are regarded as Philippine crocodiles left in the wild. fearsome predators, conservation of 4. The massive decline of the critically endangered species such as Philippine crocodile was caused the Philippine crocodile is important by excessive over-exploitation for as they play a crucial role in keeping commercial use. ecosystems balanced.

5. The Philippine crocodile has Know more about this endanbeen completely wiped out in Samar, gered species to help raise conserJolo, Negros, Masbate, and Busuvation awareness: anga. However, small populations 1. Crocodile are prehistoric reptiles still survive in the Luzon rainforest, that survived the extinction of dinoBabuyan Islands, and Bukidnon. saurs. Crocodiles are actually closely For more awe-inspiring stories related to dinosaurs.

The Irwin Family stars in a show and adventures on wildlife con2. The buwaya (crocodile) was re- that features awe-inspiring servation, tune in to Crikey! It’s garded sacred by the ancient Tagalog stories and adventures on The Irwins at 9:00 p.m. on Animal people as they believed crocodiles wildlife conservation.

Planet. The Irwin Family continferry departed souls safely to the land ues the legacy of Steve Irwin “The of the dead. In fact, crocodiles were held so sacred Crocodile Hunter” through their work at the that to kill one was punishable by death.

Australian Zoo. An adult Crocodylus mindorensis basks in the morning sun. (Photo by Gregg Yan)

Entertainment

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2018

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nickie.standard@gmail.com

A Jolina-Marvin reunion soon?

CHRIS HEMSWORTH

in R-rated ‘Bad Times at the El Royale’ Australian actor Chris Hemsworth as an egomaniacal cult leader in 'Bad Times at the El Royale.'

B

ENEATH the sexiness, glitz and glamour is paranoia in the riveting mystery thriller Bad Times at the El Royale set in the tumultuous 1960s directed and written by blockbuster filmmaker Drew Goddard (The Martian, World War Z).

The film stars a powerhouse cast composed of Chris Hemsworth, Academy Award-winner Jeff Bridges, Tony Award-winner Cynthia Erivo, Lewis Pullman, Dakota Johnson, Cailee Spaeny and Emmy Award-winner Jon Hamm.

Set in the late ‘60s, the ingenious plot revolves around seven strangers with dark secrets, who cross paths at a rundown hotel right on the border of Nevada and California. Over the course of one fateful night, the lives of these individuals become entangled, as mysterious and

shocking events unfold. Everyone at the hotel El Royale has something to hide and it is impossible to know who to trust.

As the lives of the characters become inextricably entangled, we meet Billy Lee, an egomaniacal cult leader, played

by Hemsworth in a role unlike any he’s tackled in the past.

“Billy Lee sees himself as a God-like figure. He believes he’s rescuing people and saving them from ‘the system’ or from the government or forces that are controlling all of us. He is saying, ‘There is another way; look how we can live in peace and warmth and love one another.’

But it is all a façade for his own psychotic ego,” says Hemsworth, who previously worked with Goddard on The Cabin in the Woods.

“He is essentially a lost soul himself. I desperately wanted to do something like this and not just for the sake of being a villain. This role meant digging into the psyche of someone a bit further. It was also the most free I’ve ever felt, because there is so much texture to the role,” he adds.

Hemsworth having worked with Goddard before, was already a huge fan, but even so, says Hemsworth, the script

“is one of the best things I’ve ever read. It is fresh, unique, full of drama and sinister humor, complex and layered. The chaos just builds and builds and becomes this house of cards that all goes very pearshaped. It’s wildly unpredictable and intense.”

One of the most interesting challenges for costume designer Danny Glicker was dressing Hemsworth’s maniacal cult leader.

“The idea was to really find an outfit that expresses the kind of effortless sensuality he projects to get what he wants. The shirt he’s wearing has hand embroidery all over it and really represents the efforts of his followers—because he’s not doing the embroidery, they’re doing it.”

As, of course, is his character. “I didn’t think I’d have that much fun,” laughs Hemsworth. “I’ve spent a lot of my career playing the hero, and there are certain rules that they have to stick by, and so it becomes predictable. So to be able to be unpredictable, to keep the audience guessing, was surprisingly enjoyable.”

Strictly for 16 years old and above, Bad Times at the El Royale opens tomorrow Nov. 21 in cinemas nationwide from 20th Century Fox.

‘Box City’ wins at San Francisco Press Club’s journ awards A DISTRESSING design of cardboard roofs and plywood floors hunched and cramped beneath the majestic backdrop of San Francisco’s glossy high-rise apartments, sparkling condominiums, and million-dollar homes is captured in Balitang America’s documentary, Box City. It is also an encampment that many homeless in the community call home.

Box City won 1st place, besting AJ+, in the TV/Video Documentary category of San Francisco Press Club’s 41st Annual Greater Bay Area Journalism Awards. The team behind Box City—producer/writer Henni Espinosa, director of photography Jeremiah Ysip, cameraman Patrick Luna, editor Jon Santos, and graphic designer Mike Carrion were awarded certificates of excellence for their notable work.

The San Francisco Press Club presented certificates of excellence to various individuals and news organizations at the awards banquet, held at the Hilton San Francisco Airport Bayfront. The yearly event honors the outstanding work of Bay Area print, TV, radio and digital media journalists, graphic designers and photographers, as well as the work of documentary filmmakers.

The mission of the San Francisco Press Club is to encourage excellence in journalism by providing training, grants, scholarships and recognition for professionals and students in the Greater Bay Area. Their mission is driven by the belief in the

First Amendment, integrity in reporting and the essential role of journalism in a democracy.

Tim Redmond, SF Press Club Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, emphasized the importance of the job when he said in his speech that “Democracy cannot survive without journalists.”

San Francisco Press Club outgoing president Antonia Ehlers expressed her gratitude to the journalists and media practitioners “for all that you do to make the Bay Area a better place, and for inspiring our residents with your thoughtful stories, photography, digital media, graphic design and more.”

This year’s winners were judged by the press clubs of San Diego, Cleveland, Orange County, Florida, New Orleans and Milwaukee.

CROSSWORD PUZZLE Tuesday, November 20, 2018

ACROSS 1 Brokaw’s business 5 Enough 10 Absorbed 14 Europe-Asia range 15 Claw 16 Colleen’s home 17 Capshaw or Moss 18 Gemstones 19 Turmoils 20 Regard highly 22 Not having any inkling 24 Work stations 25 Hold a grudge 26 Nymph who pined away 28 Tiny specks 32 Sear a steak 35 Decide 37 Floating 38 Chick’s mother 39 Poor 41 Firearms lobby 42 Annoying 45 Dundee refusal 46 James Bond’s school 47 Chatter 48 Recipe qtys.

50 Mr. Bunker 54 Investment 58 Begged 61 Kitchen gadget

30 Frizzy coif 31 Comedian — Laurel 32 Porcelain flaw 33 Frau’s spouse 34 Tuneful Paul — 36 Twice five 37 Certain votes 40 Sticky fruit 43 Popular dressing 44 Agrippina’s son 46 Attempted DOWN 49 Links goal 1 Microwaved, 51 Make by hand slangily 2 Clean the board 52 Word of wel3 Light-bulb units 4 More wellgroomed 5 Physicist’s study 6 Road guide 7 Location 8 Lounges around 9 Follow as a consequence 10 Home finder 11 Candy-striper 12 Big leaguers 13 Harper in “Far North” 21 PC bailout key 23 Wife of Geraint 25 Hawser 27 — Kong 29 Windshield option 62 “— Ha’i” 63 It may be airtight 65 Good old days 66 Thought 67 Ceiling opposite 68 Great Lakes port 69 Yoko’s son 70 Demolish 71 Changed colors

come 53 — box 55 Tale 56 Spine-tingling 57 Cornered 58 Heron cousin 59 Fabricated 60 Urgent appeal 61 Bikini sporter 64 Anaconda

The team behind Box City: (from left) director of photography Jeremiah Ysip, producer/ writer Henni Espinosa, editor Jon Santos, and graphics designer Mike Carrion.

JOLINA Magdangal and Marvin Agustin are keen on collaborating for a screen reunion soon.

The first revealed that they already have initial plans.

“It’s just that we haven’t really sat down to discuss it. But for the longest time, Marvin and I are in contact for the realization of this dream.,” says Jolina.

“In fact, after he arrived from a foreign trip months ago, he promised that it will be his priority until 2019. He really wants us to do a project together in which we are involved hands-on in the concept and production. We want a film as much as possible. It will be a co-production if ever,” she adds.

Asked as to the concept of the movie they want to work on together after so many years, the Magandang Buhay host avers: “Hope it will be a sequel to our 1998 movie, Labs Kita, Okay Ka Lang?I will still suggest it to Marvin.

Lang?

It’s interesting to follow what happened to our characters Ned and Bujoy after 20 years, right?,” she says.

Meanwhile, Marvin is excited because the fans still clamor for his reunion project with Jolina every time he posts some of their throwback photos.

He finds it amazing how our fans warmly react to the pictures he shares online.

“They remember lots of memories. It’s simply heart-warming. I’m glad that they still want Jolina and me to appear in a film together after so many years. Personally, I miss working with Jolens. We used to be together most of the times during our younger days because of our love team.

I really want it to become a memorable project for us.”

The bedimpled actor states that he made a promise to Jolina to make sure that the project sees the light.

“Yes, I told her that I’ll take care of it. Actually, it just got delayed because I was away and she got pregnant with her second child. It’s just a matter of right timing and the right project. No matter what, I will fulfill my promise to Jolina,”

ends Marvin. *** It’s no big deal for Joshua Garcia if in the recent Star Awards for Television, he shared the Best Drama Actor recognition with Jerome Ponce for the same soap, The Good Son. “I’ve seen how good his performance was so there’s no problem. Personally, I’m proud and happy with the award. All the hard work I put in was worth it,” he shares.

Many say that he’s the best actor of his generation.

“I can’t claim that. I see a lot of young good actors out there. Aside from Jerome, there’s also Nash (Aguas) and McCoy (De Leon). I’m just thankful that I was given this talent for acting.”

Does he have any dream role?

“I want to portray the role of a psychotic like in the film Split starring James McAvoy. That would be very challenging since in the film, he essayed 23 different personalities,” says Joshua.

Jolina and Marvin keen on doing a reunion movie

Lonewolf to develop, produce content for global exposition

By Ymmanwel Rico Provino LONEWOLF Films is an independent TV and film production company with resources to develop and produce original content for global exposition. Its goal is to provide fresh and unique narratives with high production values at reasonable cost.

It is headed by Benedict Mique and Roselle Lorenzo who have worked for two decades in all major TV networks and film companies in the country. Benedict takes charge of the artistic and technical aspect of the company while Roselle handles the production side.

“We are a newly organized group composed of both seasoned and fresh talents, offering creative and production services for TV, film and digital platforms,” says Benedict.

For its initial presentation, Lonewolf Films offers the controversial and highly acclaimed film, ML, starring the iconic Eddie Garcia Garcia, and one of the hottest stars today, Tony Labrusca. It is a suspense thriller that confronts the current wave of historical revisionism, and presents the stark truth about Martial Law. It was feted with two major awards at the Cinemalaya 2018 and was a big hit with the audience, making it one of the highest grossing films in the history of the festival.

“For the past 20 years I have worked for the film and television industry as a Creative

Consultant, Director and Writer,” claims Benedict. “I’m a storyteller by heart, a teacher by vocation, and a creative collaborator by profession”. He is a passionate and versatile writer-director whose works cross all genres.

For inquiries regarding Lonewolf Films and ML you may contact 401-2462 or email at Lonewolf.filmsph@gmail. com. You can also check out their social media account @mlfilm2018.

Entertainment

Nickie Wang, Issue Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com

C4

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2018

'Hintayan ng Langit,' topbilled

by Eddie Garcia and Gina Pareño, is a film that confronts timeless, bittersweet truths on loving and living.

Toyota Classics donates proceeds to Philippine Paralympic Committee

‘Saxophone Idols Live in Action’ at Music Museum SAXOPHONE Fastrack and Light Symphony Music Horne Integrated School will be having its first saxophone concert dubbed as Saxophone Idols Live in Action (S.I.L.A.) on Nov. 29 at Music Museum 7:00 pm.

The concert will feature well-known local artists like Josh Espinosa, a saxophone virtuoso and Eat Bulaga’s Saxophone Hero. He is also the saxophonist of Martin Nievera, Gary V and other famous artists.

Archie Lacorte, a faculty member of UST Conservatory of Music, has performed in International Jazz Festivals across Asia. He played for international artists like Stephen Bishop, Kenny G, Peter Cetera of Chicago and recently for John Ford Coley. He also performed locally for Sitti Navarro,and Ely Buendia to name a few.

Marc Vincent a.k.a Sax Serenade, the rising YouTube sensation famous for his sax cover, including IV of Spades’ “Mundo” and Moira Dela Torre’s “Tagpuan” that garnered hundreds of thousands of views Performing with them is saxophone Fastrack’s top student Nix Lontoc, who is also the saxophonist of Benny Band and b. Along with Ms. Nix, Kimwell Bunag, Christian Chiu a.k.a. XT On Sax, Jon Bautista, Enchong Formosa of Midlife Crisis, Genick Generoso, Julio Medina, and Raul Banzon.

Jaybee Javelosa, the producer of the aid concert and coach of Saxophone Fastrack, will join his students on stage.

The SILA Concert is also proud to have SUD, a local indie Jazz band known for their single hits “Sila” and “Di Makatulog,” as their special guest.

Proceeds of this saxophone concert will go to Operation Blessing Foundation Philippines, a nongovernment organization that provides medical and disaster response missions and other community projects.

For more details about the concert, inquire at 0915 2642335 or 02 3979091 and check out their Facebook page SILA Saxophone Idols Live in Action.

Heart-wrenching

‘HINTAYAN NG LANGIT’ in cinemas nationwide

I

S LEAVING a mark on this world what really matters most in life?

That’s one of the questions the film Hintayan ng Langit would like answer based on its trailer. But according to it’s director Dan Villegas, it’s not entirely what the film really wanted to tackle.

“I hope people would fall in love after watching the film, because the bottom line is, Hintayan ng Langit is a love story. When you get married you promise your partner ‘till death do us part,’ but what if when you die and see your other love in heaven? What do you do?,” Villegas told the author in an interview.

“I also hope that after watching the film, once they stepped out of the cinema, they’d realize the essence of valuing what they have, the love they have at the moment. Life is short and we can’t really tell if it’s our time to go,” the director added.

The feature film stars multi-awarded

VERY WANG NICKIE WANG veteran actors Gina Pareño and Eddie Garcia and is written by spoken word artist Juan Miguel Severo based from his one-act stage play for The Virgin Lab Fest.

“We planned to make the story bigger than the original version. In Virgin Lab Fest, the story runs with just two characters talking. With our version, we added geography, and we added more rules, conflicts and mood swings,” Villegas shared.

In Hintayan ng Langit, Lisang (Pareño) has overstayed in her waiting room in purgatory, occasionally causing other souls trouble for her own entertainment. But today her waiting ends. Finally, she is set to cross over and her room is to be leased to a new tenant, Manolo (Garcia), who turns out to be her newly-deceased ex-

From left: Senior actor Eddie Garcia with writer Juan Miguel Severo, co-star Gina Pareño and director Dan Villegas.

boyfriend. But life—or death—takes a heartbreaking turn as Lisang and Manolo get a second chance to get to know each other again and, in the process, begin to realize what it really means to be “alive” again. As Lisa and Manolo look back in retrospect and they examine the decisions they made in their lives, they can’t help but ask “what if?”

The film is a co-production between Globe Studios and Project 8 Corner San Joaquin Projects, a film production company owned by top filmmakers Villegas and Antoinette Jadaone.

The movie adaptation premiered last October in QCinema and won the Best Actor and Audience Choice awards.

While #HintayanNgLangit is trending on social media for its gripping theme and excellent production values, the film is also the latest commitment of Globe Studios in delivering heartfelt but top-quality films not only for its customers but among all Filipino film buffs as well.

“When I first read the Hintayan Ng Langit script for QCinema, I couldn’t put it down, and when I finished it, I couldn’t hold back my tears,” says Globe Studios Head, Quark Henares.

“When I handed it to our producers, they felt the same way. This is a film Globe Studios had to do, and I’m so proud and happy we’re giving everyone a chance to see it nationwide.

It’s different. It’s touching. It stays with you. Hope you can all catch it in theaters.”

Due to insistent public demand, moviegoers can catch Hintayan Ng Langit starting tomorrow, Nov. 21, when it makes its nationwide theatrical run.

“I’m glad that we are having a wider release. This triumph of Hintayan Ng Langit is not just for our film, it’s the triumph of indie movies. That’s the dream of every filmmaker—for their film to be seen by a wider audience,” Villegas concluded.

Lea Salonga headlines Toyota Classics 2018 at the Theater at Solaire Resort & Casino on Nov. 7.

TOYOTA Motor Philippines is pleased to announce the success of its charity concert held on Nov. 7 at the Theater of Solaire Resort & Casino.

Due to the overwhelming support of the public, the Toyota Classics 2018 has reached a record breaking ticket sales of over P2 million.

In line with its first global corporate initiative “Start Your Impossible” (SYI), Toyota believes that mobility goes beyond cars and is about overcoming challenges and making dreams come true. With the theme, “Music that Moves Lives for All”, Toyota Classics has been touching the lives of people both within and beyond the concert hall, supporting people in realizing their dreams and celebrating their achievements.

The proceeds from this year’s Toyota Classics will go to the Philippine Paralympic Committee and Toyota’s SYI Hero Athlete and first Filipino Gold medalist, Para swimmer Ernie Gawilan.

Topping up more than double the ticket sales, Toyota also donated one unit of a 29-seater Coaster and P1 million for the purchase of multi-sports wheelchairs to support the Paralympic athletes in their transportation and training requirements.

With better resources, the Philippines’ Para athletes can train and prepare better for their succeeding Paralympic competitions, hopefully enabling them to bring more pride to the country.

With unrelenting commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility and sustainable development, Toyota Motor Philippines shall continue forging new avenues to serve the Filipino society.

INTERNATIONAL

HBO goes the foreign language route with ‘My Brilliant Friend’

‘Saxophone Idols Live in Action (S.I.L.A.)' features virtuoso artists on one stage on Nov. 29 at the Music Museum.

HBO is at the forefront of the “peak TV” revolution—from The Sopranos and The Wire to Game of Thrones and Westworld, the US premium cable Westworld network has produced high-quality content for two decades.

On Sunday, it is breaking new ground with its first non-English series, My Brilliant Friend Friend, an Italian-language adaptation of a wildly popular series of novels by Elena Ferrante.

The much-anticipated premiere is evidence of the globalization of television in the internet era, with audiences no longer primarily concentrated in America.

Fans of the books—Ferrante is a pseudonym and the true identity of the author is unknown—are champing at

the bit to see the series.

More than 10 million readers have fallen in love with the novels—the tale of a life-long friendship between Elena and Lila, who first meet in Naples in the 1950s—since the first one was published in 2011.

The broadcast rights for the eightepisode HBO series were sold in 56 countries. It will air in Italy on public broadcaster RAI from Nov. 27 and on Canal Plus in France in December.

Even in the United States, where books translated into English barely represent one percent of the market, the four Neapolitan Novels have been big business, with 2.6 million copies sold, according to publishing house Europa Editions.

But the leap to the small screen is still a risky one for HBO, which is collaborating with RAI on the series, which was filmed in Italy by Italian director Saverio Costanzo.

The dialogue is actually in the thick Neapolitan dialect, and not pure Italian, so even RAI will show the series with subtitles.

“That really struck me,” Costanzo told The Hollywood Reporter.

“I asked why an American network should care about the accuracy of a language if their audiences would be watching the series with subtitles.

They replied that they wanted the series to be authentic,” he added.

“There, in that moment I understood why HBO is HBO.” AFP

HBO launches its newest books-to-TV-adaptation of 'My Brilliant Friend,' based on the ridiculously popular novels by Elena Ferrante.