Manila Standard - 2018 July 3 - Tuesday

SHAMELESS SHOOTING.

Tanauan City, Batangas Mayor Antonio Halili (with eyeglasses, left inset below) who got national attention when he started the walk of shame drive for suspected drug pushers and users in his city, lies dead at the City Hall ground where the Monday flagraising

VOL. XXXII • NO. 138 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 • TUESDAY, JULY 3, 2018 • www.manilastandard.net • editorial@manilastandard.net

s ter me 150

rites were held, (in circle right below) with close-in security round him. He was apparently killed by a sniper, armed with what police described as an M-14 automatic rifle, with the barrel peeping through a small opening in between stems of robust talahib grass 150 meters away.

The chaos was caught live by the city’s Public Information Officer.

Tanauan City Hall Photo

Oust plot shows distrust in gov’t ‘Clergymen conniving with rebels’

MALACAÑANG said Monday it was not discounting the possibility that the some members of the Catholic Church may be conniving with the Communist Party of the Philippines to oust President Rodrigo Duterte, although that was something that would never happen.

Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said while the Catholic Church is not be part of any destabilization plot, some of the Church’s leaders might be conspiring with the leftist group to remove the President.

“We are fully aware of the Church’s language,” Roque told reporters.

“It all started after their favored candidates lost in the elections. They could not accept that their candidates did not make it.”

Roque said the Church should stop dreaming about ousting Duterte.

He also urged CPP founder Jose Maria Sison to wake up and stop dreaming about his plan to oust Duterte, adding Sison had been messing up the peace talks.

He said the government should not be faulted for the delay in the resumption of the peace talks with the rebels, since it was Sison who had refused to come home and talk despite an assurance from the President of his safety.

Next page

Red’s October plan killed peace—DND

By Evalea Casaljay and Rey E. Requejo

T

HE real reason peace talks were canceled was that the communist rebels were plotting since 2017 to oust President Rodrigo Duterte by October this year, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said Sunday night.

In a statement, Lorenzana said during the unilateral ceasefire from 2016 to January 2017, the Communist Party of the Philippines, New People’s Army, and the National Democratic Front called a People’s Congress during which they created a three-year plan that included the ouster of Duterte if he rejected a coalition government.

Duterte rejected the NDF demand for a coalition government in November 2017, calling it “pure nonsense.”

An ongoing review of all peace documents

Mayor in narco-list shot dead by sniper

By Roy Tomandao, Maricel V. Cruz and Macon RamosAraneta A MAYOR on President Rodrigo Duterte’s list of alleged narcoticslinked officials was shot dead Monday by a sniper during the flag ceremony at the Tanauan city hall in Batangas.

Mayor Antonio Halili was hit in the chest by a single shot fired from a distance, unleashing chaotic scenes during the weekly flag raising ceremony.

In the moments that followed, terrified onlookers screamed and the mayor’s security details opened fire, video of the scene showed.

However, the shooter managed to escape and Halili was pronounced dead at hospital at 8:10 am.

City police chief Renato Mercado said the shot was fired from about 150 meters away.

“The distance from the position was extraordinary. It could not be done by an ordinary person. His skill can be compared to a trained sniper,” he said.

Halili had compared himself to Duterte as he publicly shared the President’s hardline position against crime and illegal drugs.

But in 2017, Halili’s name surfaced on a “narco-list” presented by Duterte, Next page

Russians celebrate ‘shock victory’

Next page

Four suspects in Ecija priest’s murder arrested

MOSCOW—Russia coach Stanislav Cherchesov believes the World Cup hosts’ shock victory over title contenders Spain on penalties following a 1-1 draw in the last 16 on Sunday (Monday in Manila) “is only the beginning.”

PHILIPPINE National Police chief Director General Oscar Albayalde on Monday announced the arrest of four suspects in the killing of Fr. Richmond Nilo in Nueva Ecija last month.

In a press briefing in Camp Crame, Albayalde showed video footage of suspect Omar Mallari a.k.a. “Bulik,” admitting to the killing in exchange for a payment.

The PNP said Mallari had been recruited by Rolando Garcia, who in turn was asked by primary suspect Manuel

Next page

Next page

60% rise in leptos cases alarming—DoH THE Department of Health on Monday noted a 60 percent spike in Leptospirosis cases in Metro Manila.

In a press briefing at San Lazaro Hospital in Manila, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said that a total of 234 Leptospirosis cases were recorded compared to last year’s 146 cases, covering

Jan. 1 to June 29.

Duque said topping the list of areas in the National Capital Region was Quezon City with 87 cases, followed by Manila with 25 cases, Taguig with 20, Caloocan and Parañaque with 18 each, Makati with 11, Las Piñas and Pasig City with 10 Next page each.

Iglesia ni Duterte? Believe in it—Rody

By Ronald O. Reyes

RISING LEPTOSPIROSIS. Health Secretary Francisco Duque visits a Leptospirosis

case Monday, coinciding with the report on a 60-percent increase—from 146 cases from Jan. 1 to June 29 last year to 234 in the comparative period in 2018. Symptoms include headache, fever, vomiting and redness of the eyes.

MAASIN CITY, Leyte—President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday lashed out at those who criticized him for his attacks on God, saying people should believe in the new religion, the Iglesia of Duterte.

“Why do you get mad if I hit your god?

God is what you conceive him to be. We all have different gods,” Duterte said in a rambling speech in Maasin City, Leyte.

“They said god will put me in hell,” he said, speaking in Visayan throughout Next page

Lebron -Lakers deal: $154 m LOS ANGELES—LeBron James is to join the Los Angeles Lakers in a four-year $154-million deal, his agents said Sunday, ending months of frenzied speculation about the NBA superstar’s next career move.

Next page

News

A2

TUESDAY, JULY 3, 2018 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Team Du30 told: Regroup, reassess against crime and corruption, the centerpiece of the Duterte administration’s deliverables, but also on the economic sector as well.

WO years after Lacson made his statement even Rodrigo Duterte as Malacañang said the country had achieved significant economic feats two assumed the years into the Duterte administration and presidency, it might be wise defended the government’s continuing drive against illegal drugs. for his top advisers to go The New York-based Human Rights back to the drawing board Watch had described two years of the and reassess what they did Duterte presidency as a human rights calamity. wrong and what they were Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque doing right, Senator Panfilo said the human rights group’s statement was “ridiculous” and cited what he called Lacson said Monday. the many achievements of the Duterte He said the focus should not be only administration in protecting the civil

By Macon Ramos-Araneta and Vito Barcelo

T

liberties of Filipino people, keeping the people safe from crime and drugs and providing better social services.

“I have witnessed firsthand the President’s hard work, dedication and sense of duty,” Roque said. “[The] Major promises have materialized because we are headed by someone who has [a] strong political will, [a] decisive leadership and [a] compassion for his fellowmen.”

Lacson said the administration’s peace-and-order strategy was long on crime suppression and short on prevention. It should be the other way around.

“We prevent crimes and those that cannot be prevented from being committed must be suppressed with solid solution through efficient investigative work and

ConCom firms up Mega shabu lab case transfer OKd ’testy’ part of federal plan

By Rey E. Requejo

THE Consultative Committee tasked

by President Rodrigo Duterte to draft a federal Constitution has finalized the most difficult part of the draft: the distribution of powers between the federal and regional governments and the structure of the federated regions, an official said Monday.

Concom senior technical assistant and spokesman Ding Generoso said the Concom was set to vote on the whole draft today, Tuesday.

“Tomorrow [Tuesday], we will have the en banc voting, nominal voting on the whole draft of the Constitution,” Generoso told reporters in Pasay City.

Every member will rise and explain their vote on the entire draft,” Generoso told reporters in Pasay City.

After the voting, Generoso said, several copies of the 105-page draft will be submitted to Duterte on or before July 9.

Meanwhile, the Concom will proceed with regional presentations and consultations until Aug. 19. The feedback gathered from consultations will be part of the committee’s final report, Generoso said.

Under the draft federal Constitution, the Concom has divided the powers of the government into exclusive powers and shared powers.

Both the federal government and the federated regions will have exclusive powers, but there are powers that they will jointly exercise.

“There are powers that are exclusive to the federal government and there are powers that are exclusive to the regional government within their jurisdiction,” Generoso said.

“The regional governments can only exercise their exclusive powers within their jurisdiction; they cannot go beyond their jurisdiction.”

The powers exclusive to the federal government include defense, security of the land, sea, and air territory; foreign affairs; international trade; customs and tariffs; citizenship, immigration and naturalization; national socio-economic planning; monetary policy and federal fiscal policy, banking, currency; competition and competition regulation bodies; social security benefits; federal crimes and justice system; law and order; civil, family, property, and commercial laws, except as may be otherwise provided for in the Constitution; the prosecution of graft and corruption cases; intellectual property and elections.

On the other hand, the powers exclusive to the regional government within their jurisdiction include socioeconomic development planning; creation of sources of revenue; financial administration and management; tourism, investment, and trade development; infrastructure, public utilities and public works; economic zones; land use and housing; justice system; local government units; business permits and licenses; municipal waters; indigenous peoples’ rights and welfare; culture and language development; sports development and parks and recreation.

Russians...

From A1

Captain Igor Akinfeev saved two penalties as Russia triumphed 4-3 in a dramatic shootout in Moscow to reach a first quarter-final since the Soviet era, in 1970.

“I’m not the man of the match, the man of the match is our team and our fans,” said Akinfeev, after each converted penalty, and his saves from Koke and Iago Aspas, were greeted with a deafening roar from a crowd of 78,011 at the Luzhniki Stadium.

Meanwhile, Brazil will look to keep their bid for a record sixth World Cup crown on track when they face Mexico on Monday (Tuesday in Manila) with a quarterfinal place at stake, after seeing Spain join the list of contenders to be eliminated.

The other last-16 game sees a much-fancied Belgium take on a Japan side who are dreaming of reaching the quarters for the first time after scraping through their group thanks to their fair-play record. AFP

THE Supreme Court has approved the transfer of the drug cases against an arrested former National Bureau of Investigation official and several others implicated in the so-called “mega shabu laboratory” busted by authorities in Virac, Catanduanes in November 2016.

In a resolution, dated June 19 but released only Monday, the SC granted the request of the Department of Justice for the transfer of the three drug cases against former NBI anti-illegal drugs unit chief lawyer Augusto Eric Isidoro and nine others from Virac Regional Trial Court to the Makati City RTC. It ordered the Virac RTC Branch 43 to forward the records of the cases to the Makati City RTC, which was also ordered to raffle off the criminal cases among its branches “within three days from receipt of records.”

The SC made the order after finding

Mayor...

From A1

of officials allegedly linked to narcotics.

Hours after Halili was killed, Duterte likened him to other slain mayors who were tagged as narco-politicians, namely Reynaldo Parojinog of Ozamiz City and Rolando Espinosa of Albuera, Leyte.

But Duterte said he does not know who made the hit on Halili.

Halili was stripped of control of the police following the publication of the list, but he denied any ties to drugs.

The brazen nature of the killing and links to Duterte’s drug war drew immediate outrage.

“This is clearly another case of EJK [extrajudicial killing] resulting from the so-called drug war launched by the government,” opposition leader Senator Francis Pangilinan said in a statement.

“It is this Philippine image of a ‘wild, wild west’ that has also dampened the desire of both foreign and local investors,” he added.

The government has said that more than 4,200 suspects have been killed as part of the war on drugs that is the centerpiece of Duterte’s administration.

But rights groups charge that the actual death toll is three times higher and that the police and shadowy vigilantes are murdering people even without proof they are linked to drugs.

Three other mayors on the “narco-list” have been shot dead, one of them while being held inside a jail cell.

60%...

From A1

Out of the 234 cases, 38 led to deaths, 22 of which were in Quezon City.

As of July 2, 2018, there were 22 cases of Leptospirosis recorded in San Lazaro.

He noted that when there is inefficient garbage collection, the rats are more likely to roam around and spread the leptospirae virus through their urine, which contaminates flood water, making people prone to getting the disease.

Symptoms include headache, fever, vomiting and redness of the eyes.

Untreated Leptospirosis can result in kidney failure and damage to other organs such as the liver.

“The fact that there were deaths is already a cause for alarm. But what is disheartening is this is a preventable disease,” Duque said, noting those who have con-

Lebron...

From A1

The blockbuster contract sends the 33-year-old four-time NBA Most Valuable Player to one of the league’s most iconic clubs, adding to the legacy of such legends as Kobe Bryant and Magic Johnson.

“LeBron James, four time NBA MVP, three-time NBA finals MVP, 14-time NBA All-Star, and two-time Olympic gold medallist, has agreed to a four-year $154-million contract with the Los Angeles Lakers,” James’ management company Klutch Sports Group said in a statement.

James is considered a rival of retired Chicago Bulls star Michael Jordan for the title of greatest player in NBA history.

However, he had endured frustration with the Cleveland Cavaliers, culminating in last month’s clean sweep defeat to the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals.

James and the Cavaliers have been beaten in three out of four NBA Finals against the Warriors since 2015.AFP

merit in the reasons cited by the DoJ in its request last March.

In its request, the DoJ cited the “partiality” of the judge in Virac RTC and “local political connections of the accused” in seeking the transfer of the cases.

Then Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II did not name the judge, but there is only one judge in the Viral RTC who also handles branch 42.

In March 2017, the Catanduanes Sangguniang Panlalawigan passed a resolution urging the SC to immediately relieve Executive Judge Lelu Contreras of her appointment to RTC Branches 42 and 43 for “lack of trust and confidence” in the performance of her duty in connection with the “shabu” laboratory case.

The raid at the “mega shabu laboratory” in Virac yielded 22.509 kilos of shabu, and more than 359 kilos of ephedrine and other chemicals.

Isidoro has been under the custody of the NBI.

Mercado, the Tanauan police chief, said that the killing may be linked to the illegal drugs allegations.

Duterte’s spokesman Harry Roque condemned the crime and praised Halili as the mayor of “one of the most progressive towns,” in his province.

In 2016, Halili paraded drug suspects in a program called the “Walk of Shame” but was later also linked to illegal drugs—an allegation he denied.

The Palace condemned Halili’s assassination.

In a radio interview, Roque said the government is exerting all efforts to hunt down the suspect in the killing and give justice to the family of the slain mayor.

“We promise the family and constituents of Mayor Halili that there will be justice and an investigation, and that those behind the killing will be punished,” Roque said.

Lawmakers expressed shock and indignation over Halili’s murder.

Opposition Reps. Tom Villarin of Akbayan, Gary Alejano of Magdalo Party-list and Luis Campos Jr. of Makati City said the incident reflects the state of peace and order situation.

“I think the cornerstone of Duterte’s antiillegal drug policy is the tombstone of suspects,” Villarin said.

“While Mayor Halili has been indicted for his supposed involvement in drugs and condemned for his ‘walk of shame’ campaign, his assassination in broad daylight shows how the rule of law has been compromised and the rule of the jungle reigns,” he added. With AFP tracted the bacteria can still be treated if they consult with a physician immediately after getting the symptoms.

Meanwhile, Duque called on local chief executives to step-up their efforts to bring down the cases with preventive measures, like efficient garbage collection in their respective localities to prevent rodent infestation.

For its part, the DoH has prepositioned medicines, like Doxycycline, and other supplies for the treatment and management of Leptospirosis cases.

“Still, the best way to prevent contracting Leptospirosis is by not wading in floodwaters. If it cannot be avoided, one should always wear rubber boots for protection,” the Health chief said.

He reminded the public that at the first sign of the disease’s symptoms, one must immediately go to the nearest health facility for proper treatment and care. Macon Ramos-Araneta, PNA

Iglesia...

From A1 most of his talk. “That’s crazy. My god has no heaven or hell. Do you think god is stupid to create hell? What’s my sin? Womanizing?”

“God is all forgiving. God does not know how to put people in hell... Even purgatory is not true. There is heaven, but do not believe that St. Peter guards the gates,” he said.

Referring to the biblical reference that Peter denied Jesus Christ three times before the cock crowed, Duterte added: “If I chance upon him and the gates are filled with chicken shit, I will punch him. What kind of guard are you? Look at the shit of your chickens!”

The President acknowledged that there were ongoing talks to smooth relations with the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, which has condemned his attacks on God and which has been critical of the administration’s bloody war on drugs.

“I don’t like a fight. I will have a dialog

techniques,” Lacson said.

On the revenue side, he said, the TRAIN Law needed to be revisited and amended, and Duterte, with his strong influence over Congress, must put his foot down on the vested interests of some members of both houses.

On the expenditure side or the General Appropriations Act, Lacson suggested minimizing the wastage of the government’s hard-earned resources.

Lacson said that could be done by strictly adhering to the existing jurisprudence outlawing pork barrel, which is still evident among selected members of Congress, a few of whom enjoyed as high as nine-figure insertions during the last two budget years under the Duterte administration.

Oust...

From A1

and agreements showed that they lay the foundation for power sharing under a coalition government, Lorenzana added.

The Defense chief said the communists used the lull created by the ceasefire and peace talks to regain lost ground and rebuild their base, as well as to obtain the release of top party members who were detained.

“Based on the foregoing deliberate actions of the CPP-NPA-NDF, it is obvious that they are not sincere to talk peace and end the armed conflict. They are employing the revolutionary dual tactics to show semblance of peace but continually conducting violence and terror acts on the ground,” he added.

The communist rebels also failed to agree to the conditions set by Duterte for peace talks to resume, including a stop to its collection of “revolutionary taxes,” which the government brands as extortion. This, he said, showed that the communists were not sincere.

“They [CPP-NPA] have been tagged as a terrorist organization locally and internationally. They had their chance to work for peace when President Duterte appointed four of their members to the Cabinet. But they betrayed the government when they used their positions to advance the CPP’s revolutionary movement,” the DND chief added.

The Justice Department, meanwhile, has restarted proceedings to declare more than 600 people linked to the CPP and NPA as terrorists.

“We will continue with our petition in the court, unless and until the President and the government peace panel direct us otherwise,” acting Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said on Monday following the termination of the peace talks between the government and the communist rebels set last week in The Netherlands.

The DOJ earlier filed before the Manila City Regional Trial Court last March a petition seeking to declare communist leaders and their armed members as terrorists.

The Justice Department submitted to the court a list of over 600 names, including those of CPP founding chairman Jose Maria Sison, former Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo and UN special rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples Victoria TauliCorpuz, it tagged as terrorists.

Corpuz, a former chairman of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, was named UN special rapporteur in 2014.

She decried her inclusion in the list as “baseless, malicious and irresponsible.”

She founded the indigenous peoples advocacy and research group, Tebtebba Inc., and helped draft the Declaration on the Rights of the Indigenous Peoples, which was adopted by the United Nations in 2007.

Ocampo is facing murder charges in the Manila RTC for his alleged involvement in the murder of suspected military spies in the communist movement in the 1980s.

Also in the list are alleged CPP leaders Benito and Wilma Tiamzon, National Democratic Front of the Philippines consultant Rafael Baylosis, former peace panel chief Luis Jalandoni, human rights lawyer and former Baguio City councilor Jose Molintas and Cordillerans Joanna Carino, Windel Farag-ey Bolinget, Sherwin De Vera, Beverly Sakongan Longid and Jeannette Ribaya Cawiding.

The petition was filed following the termination of the peace talks between the government and the CPP in November last year.

“The CPP and NPA are merely buying time by deceiving the Philippine government in entering into peace talks, while their main purpose is to mobilize all their forces in preparation for the people’s war aimed at overthrowing the duly constituted authority, seizing control of the Philippine government and imposing a totalitarian regime,” the DOJ petition stated. With PNA with the CBCP,” Duterte said. “The President—[Archbishop Romulo] Valles—is from Bohol. We understand each other. He is very kind. As long as he works on his own and I work on my own, we will have no problem. If your heaven is not true, come here to my heaven. And if my heaven is not true, let me enter your heaven.”

Duterte denied allegations that his administration had anything to do with the killing of three priests in a span of six months.

“Every time a priest gets killed, they say it is because of his advocacy against the government. Why should I kill a priest? My God,” he said, while suggesting that one of the victims had engaged in illicit sex, as evidenced by the messages on his cellphone.

“There was one priest who got killed.

Based on our investigation, he had women, lots of women. In the phone, there were messages: ‘Are you naked now?’ Dirty talk,” the President said, then made moaning sounds to simulate sex to the laughter of the crowd.

Robredo hits out at OSG for ’delay tactics’

By Rey E. Requejo and Rio N. Araja THE camp of Vice President Leni Robredo on Monday slammed the Office of the Solicitor General after it filed a third motion asking the Supreme Court, acting as the Presidential Electoral Tribunal, for another extension to file a comment on her appeal seeking a 25-percent shading threshold in the contested votes in the ongoing revision of the 2016 vice presidential race.

The camp of former senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who protested Robredo’s proclamation as the elected vice president, has already opposed Robredo’s motion and asked the PET to dismiss her motion for reconsideration.

Robredo won the vice presidential race with 14,418,817 votes or 263,473 more than Marcos’ 14,155,344 votes.

In a motion, Robredo through her lawyers Romulo Macalintal and Maria Bernadette Sardillo expressed “vehement opposition” to the third motion filed by the OSG, saying the continued failure of the OSG to comment on the April 24 resolution of the PET was delaying the resolution of her appeal.

“If the motion for extension of time to file an answer to an election protest is not allowed under the rules, except for “compelling reasons” and only for a period not exceeding 10 days, there is no compelling reason why the Solicitor General and or Comelec would be given more than 10 days to file its comment on an issue the answer to which is already available to the Comelec,” Robredo said.

“Hence, this vehement opposition to the third motion for extension of time filed by the Solicitor General since it would already total to a whopping 40 days to file said comment and protestee’s motion that the said threshold issue be now resolved even without the said comment of the Solicitor General and or Comelec.”

‘Florita‘ exits PAR, ‘Gardo‘ threatens

A LOW pressure area is brewing to become another tropical depression after the exit of severe tropical storm “Florita.”

Ariel Roxas, a forecaster of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, said the LPA was estimated at 2,275 kilometers of Mindanao.

“It is still too far from the border of our Philippine Area of Responsibility. It is still at the Pacific Ocean,” he told the Manila Standard.

The LPA is likely to develop into another tropical depression over the weekend, he said, adding that it would not likely make landfall.

Once the LPA becomes a tropical depression, it would be named “Gardo,” Roxas said. Rio N. Araja

Four...

From A1 Torres to scout for a gun-for-hire to kill the priest. Aside from Garcia, a certain Mario Torres also surrendered to policemen.

Police said Manuel Torres bore a grudge against Nilo after the victim accused his nephew, a seminarian, of abusing three altar boys. The altar boys later recanted their statement against Torres’ nephew.

An initial suspect, Adel Milan, who was identified by a witness, was freed Thursday.

Albayalde also showed and noted the similarities in the facial features in photos of Milan, Mallari and the sketch of a then unknown suspect before the arrests were made.

Mallari’s arrest also came after police recovered vehicle registration papers in his name covering the engine block of a Nissan Sentra, which had been burnt and sold for scrap shortly after the killing.

Persons using the vehicle were seen watching the priest before the killing.

Central Luzon police director Chief Supt. Amado Corpus said Mallari admitted that he was paid P100,000 to kill Nilo.

Francisco Tuyay, PNA

‘Clergymen...

From A1 He said Sison was the one who backed out and called him arrogant.

“Sison should stop dreaming about the possible ouster of President Duterte,” Roque said.

The resumption of the peace talks between the government and the communist rebels was put on hold after Sison said the NDF, the political arm of the CPP, could “no longer negotiate with a government headed by Duterte.”

Sison said it was “relatively easier and more productive” for the communists to join the ouster moves against Duterte.

But Roque told Sison to stop dreaming because he could not overthrow a government while he was in Europe.

“You’ve been there for a long time.

Come home so you’ll see that the situation is now different,” Roque said.

News

TUESDAY, JULY 3, 2018 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

A3

SC’s Marquez faces graft charges

By Rio N. Araja and Rey E. Requejo

S

UPREME Court Administrator Midas Marquez is facing a complaint of graft and violation of Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees before the Office of the Ombudsman over his alleged misuse of a $21.9-million loan from the World Bank.

Rjhay Laurea, founder of the Group of Unified Youth for Social Change, filed the complaint against Marquez, citing a 2012 World Bank audit report that $199,900 covering 70 payments were deemed to be “ineligible or unauthorized” under the terms of judicial reform support project.

Marquez, however, denied the accusation, which he described as “baseless and recycled” issue.

“It’s an old recycled issue that does not even involve me. In fact, the JBC has already disregarded this,” Midas said in a statement.

“The World Bank project and its funds never passed me despite my numerous positions. That was under the Program Management Office or PMO, which was never under my watch,” he added.

The loan, which was approved by the World Bank in 2003, was intend-

ed for the judicial reform support project designed to restore efficiency in the dispensation of justice.

“They used these funds for goodwill games, for allowances and travel expenses, when these funds were intended for judicial reform in expediting cases,” Laurea said.

She said 16 of the ineligible expenditures “relate” to the Office of the Court Administrator, headed by Marquez.

“This senior official, due to the combination of his appointments and functions, was the requestor of the services, the approver of the terms of reference, the end-user of the services provided by the firm, the authorizer of contract extensions, and the authorizer of payments to the firm,” the complaint read.

The World Bank conducted an audit on the Supreme Court’s judicial reform support in 2012.

Drop deportation case, Fox urges BI

By Vito Barcelo

WARMING UP. Young competitors from different Asian countries prepare for the battle of mind, agility and mental prowess during the 5th Philippine International Open Memory Championship 2018 being held at the Great Eastern Hotel in Quezon City. Manny Palmero

Solon vows to sue Labor usec over phone theft PCG officials cleared of misconduct raps THE Court of Appeals has overturned its decision issued last year ordering the suspension for six months without pay of seven officials of the Philippine Coast Guard’s Bids and Awards Committee who have been found guilty of simple misconduct for failure to implement existing procurement rules and guidelines involving P125-million fund allocation for the purchase of rescue equipment and other services.

In a nine-page amended decision, the CA’s Former Ninth Division through Associate Justice Maria Elisa Sempio Diy, ruled that the petition filed

by Commodore Enrico Efren Evangelista, Capt. Noli Casiano, Capt. Ramon Reblora, Capt. Angelito Gil, Capt. Joeven Fabul, Capt. Ramon Reblora, Cdr. Teotimo Borja Jr., and Cdr. Ramon Lopez questioning an earlier ruling of the Ombudsman which found them guilty of grave misconduct and ordering their dismissal from the service should be dismissed on the ground of forum shopping. Rey E. Requejo

‘Du30 opposes same-sex marriage’ MALACAÑANG clarified that President Rodrigo Duterte is not in favor of same sex-marriage but agrees for a civil union.

Duterte’s spokesman Harry Roque said the President was only against same-sex marriage and not civil partnerships for same-sex couples which is being pushed by some lawmakers.

“Even the President is part of the majority in opposing the same sex marriage,” Roque said reporters in a press briefing. Vito Barcelo

Poe flags PNP on defective cars THE findings of the Commission on Audit on the P1.8-billion defective police patrol cars, Senator Grace Poe said, validated her concerns to a large extent.

“I will push for an inquiry to look into these and determine the culpability of the PNP officials, among others,” said Poe, chairman of the Senate committee on public services.

Poe recalled that she had already expressed serious concerns in 2014 about the way the terms of reference (TOR) for the PNP patrol jeeps bidding were crafted. She said they were tailored-fit for Mahindra. Macon Ramos-Araneta

By Maricel V. Cruz AKBAYAN Party-list Rep. Tom Villarin is set to file a complaint for grave misconduct against Labor Undersecretary Jacinto Paras before the Ombudsman.

The case stemmed from Paras’ alleged stealing of Villarin’s cellular phone sometime March this year.

“We will be filing a case with the Ombudsman over this incident.

Basically a grave misconduct case because I think that this attitude, this juvenile act of a public official should not be allowed,” Villarin said.

Villarin said he believes he would have a strong case Paras

once it is filed with the Ombudsman.

“I think the evidence against respondent Paras on this issue is very strong. If we get the CCTV footage and what has happened forms part of this political climate of harassment being undertaken against the opposition,” he said.

Paras has yet to make any comment to the media on the issue, as of press time.

On Monday, the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office started its preliminary hearing on the theft complaint Villarin earlier filed agai Paras.

Only Villarin attended the hearing, while Paras.was represented by his counsel as the Labor under-

secretary is reportedly in Switzerland for an official trip.

“For me, filing a case with the Ombudsman would serve also some sort of a deterrent that other officials that are openly anti-opposition, even if they’re holding public office, should be made accountable,” he added.

Villarin filed theft and robbery charges against Paras, the former Negros Oriental congressman for allegedly snatching his cellular phone.

The incident happened sometime in March this year during a congressional hearing when Paras put his two hand phones on top of Villarin’s Iphone X on the table.

Monthly subsidy a pie in the sky, ALU tells workers THE Associated Labor Unions told the 4.1 million minimum wage earners across the country not to expect the P200 monthly subsidy endorsed by the Department of Labor and Employment for approval by President Rodrigo Duterte for fear it might be rejected by the administration’s economic managers.

In a statement, ALU spokesperson Alan Tanjusay said workers should not expect too much from the proposed

LIGHT BANTER.

Australian nun Sister Patricia Fox and NDF Consultant Satur Ocampo share light moment during a break in the discussion on the Duterte administration’s accomplishments and shortcomings at a forum in Malate, Manila.

Norman Cruz

economic relief.

“I caution minimum wage workers, don’t expect from the proposed subsidy for them. We expect the conomic managers to recommend to President Duterte to turn it down,” Tanjusay said.

Tanjusay was referring to Budget Secretary Ben Diokno, Finance Secretary Sonny Dominguez, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque and Neda Secretary Ernesto Pernia who he said

expressed disapproval to the measure that ALU proposed to help minimum wage earners cope with rising inflation.

“Our only hope is for Mr. Duterte realize the urgent need for workers to be given economic relief in the face of the incredible series of increases in the prices of commodities and services making life difficult for workers who helps and maintain the economic growth at competitive level,” Tanjusay said.

CONTROVERSIAL Australian missionary Sister Patricia Fox on Monday urged anew the Bureau of Immigration to drop the deportation charges against her, insisting that she did not join any political activities in the country.

The 73-year-old nun who was ordered investigated by President Rodrigo Duterte for “disorderly conduct,” is facing another deportation order charge, after the Department of Justice reversed the BI’s previous ruling ordering Fox to leave the country.

Fox’s counsel has filed a memorandum to the BI’s Board of Inquiry to drop the deportation case, reiterating that her act of joining public rallies was “not political” and was “consistent” with her work as a religious missionary.

Her lawyers said that the photos showing Fox in a press conference for the workers of a softdrink company, visiting political prisoners, or holding a placard calling for their release do not reveal legal violations or amount to “political activities” as defined by the Philippine Immigration law and American laws.

“These activities do not call for or against political parties and domestic and foreign policies, but are simply “expressions of human rights advocacy and unities with the marginalized and oppressed sectors of Philippine society which are well-within the ambit of her mission pursuant to the social teachings of the Catholic faith,” Fox’s lawyers stated in the memorandum.

The nun also asked the bureau to remove her name from the bureau’s immigration watchlist.

Fox’s lawyers reiterated that she did not violate the limitations and conditions of her missionary visa under Commonwealth Act No. 613 by rendering religious work outside of Quezon City, her area of residence as indicated in the visa.

Her lawyers said a barangay certification will limit the place of the nun’s work and will unduly delimit and restrict her religious work,” a violation of the constitutional provision against interference in religious exercise. With Bianca Grajo

Bohol pushes bid as Unesco Geopark TAGBILARAN CITY—Bohol has a collection of 10 geosites in its bid to be declared as Global Geopark by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.

Dr. Patrick Kames McKeever, secretary of the International Geosciences and Geoparks Program of Unesco, will be coming here on July 23-27 to evaluate these sites.

The Unesco National Commission of the Philippines (UNACOM or PH NatCom) and the University of the Philippines’ School of Urban and Regional Planning (UP-SURP) are grooming Bohol to be declared by Unesco as a Global Geopark.

A series of meetings, capacity building and cite evaluations had already been conducted in line with this.

If Unesco gives its nod, Bohol will then be the first Global Geopark in the country.

The Unesco representative who will come in late July is also the chief of the Earth Sciences and Geo-hazards Risk Reduction Section of the Division of Ecological and Earth Sciences of the Natural Sciences Sector of Unesco.

Gov. Edgar Chatto and PH NatCom Development Management Officer/Program Officer for Science and Technology Freddie Blanco have invited McKeever “to visit Bohol to conduct an assessment of its potential and discuss or meet with the local stakeholders.”

A4

Opinion

TUESDAY, JULY 3, 2018

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

The promise of change TO THE POINT EMIL P. JURADO PRESIDENT Duterte, as commander in chief of the Armed Forces, declared that he was assuming responsibility for the alleged misencounter between the police and the military in Samar.

He said that if it was found during the investigation that the military was at fault, they would not go scot-free.

Santa Banana, that would be unfair for the six dead and the nine injured cops. From the looks of it, they never stood a chance. *** We are now on the third year of the Duterte administration, there are many questions that beg for answers.

Foremost, the President promised us change. We thought that change would be a country without illegal drugs.

The President also told us that he would conduct a war against criminality and against corruption in government. Has he succeeded so far It has not in the past two years?

I confess that I was never a fan of the President. But that does not make me a rabid critic. I am on record as a columnist who praises Mr. Duterte when I think he is doing well, and criticizes him when he is not.

This is why I believe that while he has enough political will to deliver the change he promised us, those ills will continue until the end of his term in 2022.

For the campaign against drugs, the President committed the big mistake of framing it just as a peace and order problem. This is why the killings have been prevalent.

In my years of working with a drug rehabilitation center, DARE Foundation, I have known that drug abuse afflicts both the rich and the poor. The rich go into it for the experience and the kicks. The poor are in it because they want to forget their poverty. The need for money also drives the poor to be-

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

come pushers.

DARE Foundation considered the drug menace as a health problem. A drug user must be rehabilitated —otherwise, demand for drugs will persist.

It is still happening now—the demand is so great and not only from the poor, but rich and poor alike.

Alas, the Duterte administration is focused on the poor, as shown in statistics. I say that the President has made the big mistake in trying to terminate everybody involved in illegal drugs.

It’s also a poverty issue because we see young boys smelling solvents just to mitigate their hunger.

This is a war that cannot be won because the root cause is poverty.

The President has to realize that drugs are also a problem in other countries, but they do not go about killing everybody involved.

I have covered 10 presidents in almost seven decades. Nobody among them has been able to eradicate drugs or corruption.

For as long as human nature is what it is, greed for money will come. always be there.

I recall that during the Macapagal administration when corruption as Customs was so bad, Customs officials were replaced by cadets from the Philippine Military Academy who were supposedly picked because of their idealism. Soon enough, they were also corrupted.

Initially, President Duterte was doing well when he fired his classmates and fraternity brothers at San Beda for having a whiff of corruption about them. But then he started recycling these friends, appointing them to other agencies. *** To be fair, despite the President’s failure to deliver the change we have been hoping for, the economy has been doing well. For this I give him credit for having economic managers like Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez, Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon

S

Diatribes and dialogues

POKESMAN Harry Roque visited the Papal Nuncio on Friday, and both agreed President Rodrigo Duterte would meet with the leaders of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines in the aftermath of the President’s controversial statements about the Catholic faith.

Roque, who described his meeting as “no-holds-barred,” said he and the Papal Nuncio Gabriel Giordano Caccia agreed that the State and the Church should work together for the benefit of the people.

The Papal Nuncio, who is the representative of the Vatican in the Philippines, also said he welcomes subsequent meetings with the President.

There is no date yet for the dialogue between Mr. Duterte and CBCP president and Davao Archbishop Romulo Valles, although much of the hope stems from their hailing from the same area.

In the past few days, there have been efforts to mollify members of the Catholic church who felt the President had crossed a line and done irreparable damage when he referred to the creation story in the Bible and called God stupid.

Among these efforts are apparent backpedaling on the part of the President, who “clarified” that he was referring to the qualities of the God that he believed in, instead. The Palace also formed a committee to reach out to the Catholic leaders.

But just as everybody was wondering if the damage could even be repaired, the President addressed a crowd in Leyte in his characteristic, defiant devil-may-

care way.

Mr. Duterte said he would hit St. Peter and that Iglesia ni Duterte should be the new religion. He also simulated sex sounds while talking about errant priests—to the utter delight of the crowd.

We wonder what these new remarks would do to the planned dialogue. In a dialogue, one sits down and talks to another in an effort to reach compromises and explain one’s side. But it does not look like there is much sincerity in holding the talks. Perhaps the President does believe that so long as there are people who are entertained by his words—say, would-be followers of the Iglesia ni Duterte—he can get away with saying anything he wants.

It’s a sad development not only for Catholics but also for the nation. We could certainly do away with these unnecessary divisions and focus on the real daunting work ahead.

Turn to A5

A tale of two Supreme Court decisions ulgated in 1973 falls under this category. Its infamy lies in that it removed all legal obstacles for Marcos’ dictatorial rule. After Javellana, Marcos was able to wield absolute power until he was forced out of power by the 1986 People I END my Eagle Eyes series on Repub- Power Revolt. lic vs Sereno, the quo warranto decision The Javellana decision was of the Supreme Court, by recalling an- summarized by Chief Justice Roberto other controversial Supreme Court de- Concepcion who dissented specifically cision in 1973—the infamous Javellana on its final, dispositive portion: “This vs Executive Secretary. I do not hesitate being the vote of the majority, there is to say that the Sereno decision has re- no further judicial obstacle to the new placed Javellana as the most problem- Constitution being considered in force atic decision our Philippine Supreme and effect.”

Court has ever made. And in the conIn Javellana, through the Supreme text of looming constitutional change, Court, the 1973 Constitution was legitiI venture to say that Sereno opens the mized despite the Court’s own finding path to constituthat: “there is no tional interpretaproper submission tion that will justo the people there tify constitutional being no freedom change advanced The slope has of speech, press even if contrary become even more and assembly, and to the processed there being no slippery, and certainly ordained by the sufficient time to 1987 Constitution. more dangerous for inform the people Of the thou- the country. of the contents sands of decisions thereof.” Indeed, a that the Supreme majority of JusticCourt churns out es actually found every year, only that there was no a handful can be said to have earned valid ratification of the 1973 ConstituConstitu the ire of the public, cases that evoke tion. A plebiscite is an election, accordwidespread disapproval, vigorous dis- ing to that majority, and the citizen’s sent and sometimes grudging acqui- assemblies Marcos convened would not escence. These decisions earned their qualify as an election required rules on infamy because they are perceived to qualifications of voters, secret balloting, play around with sacred constitutional and accurate counting of votes. Despite principles, and blatantly legitimize un- this, the Court, with strong dissents lawful state action. from four members of the then nineThe Court decision in the so-called person court, dismissed the petition on ratification cases officially entitled the ground that the determination of Javellana v. Executive Secretary promTurn to A5

In World Cup’s shadow, Rohingya find freedom on pitch

By Sam Reeves THEY may lack the glitz and glamour of the World Cup, but football clubs for stateless Rohingya refugees in Malaysia offer something more—a 90-minute reprieve from a grinding existence on the fringes of society.

Malaysia is home to more than 70,000 people from the Muslim minority who have fled discrimination and persecution in predominantly Buddhist Myanmar, often enduring horrific journeys at sea to escape.

And while many struggle to eke out a living and are deeply scarred by the traumas of their past, football offers a welcome respite from cold, hard reality.

On a scruffy patch of ground on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur surrounded by dilapidated buildings, those painful memories seem a world away as players pass the ball and take shots before a small crowd of spectators.

“Football takes away all of my stress for 90 minutes,” Mohamad Ishak, a 17-year-old team member, told AFP. “It helps you to forget some of your

problems.”

Nine teams took part in a recent tournament to mark the major Islamic festival of Eid-al-Fitr.

There was a particular buzz as the tournament coincided with the World Cup. Play was punctuated by excited chatter about the latest matches in Russia and many wore shirts of their favorite teams, from Argentina to Germany.

Some expressed the hope a Rohingya team might one day compete in the Turn to A5

Rolando G. Estabillo Publisher ManilaStandard

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

ONLINE

can be accessed at: manilastandard.net

MEMBER

PPI

Philippine Press Institute The National Association of Philippine Newspapers

Former Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno Anita F. Grefal Baldwin R. Felipe Edgar M. Valmorida

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

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

Managing Editor Associate Editors News Editor Opinion Editor

Emil P. Jurado

Honor Blanco Cabie Night Editor Jimbo Gulle City Editor Romel J. Mendez Art Director Roberto Cabrera Chief Photographer

Chairman Emeritus, Editorial Board

Opinion

TUESDAY, JULY 3, 2018

Zealots FORMATION GARY OLIVAR FOLLOWING his still-controversial “stupid God” remarks, the President appeared to backtrack a bit when he clarified that what he meant to say was, “your God is a stupid God, but my God has a lot of common sense… and is perfect.”

It’s a variant on the most common complaint against God: “If You’re so good, why is there so much suffering in the world?” It’s a lamentation that echoes down through the ages and, we dare say, has been asked at least once by virtually everyone who’s walked this earth. *** The most common answer is that because we were gifted with free will, God has to allow things to happen to us, both good and bad. As Job’s trials were beginning, and when his wife urged him to “curse God and die,” he answered quite simply, “We accept good things from God, should we not [also] accept evil?” [Job 2: 9-10] As for looking for a perfect world, it simply isn’t possible that what is created can be equal to Who has created.

A colorful rephrasing of this would say that if God were to love only what is perfect, like Him, that would be nothing but narcissism.

But all this theological hair-splitting really isn’t part of Duterte’s job description anyway. His redoubtable daughter Mayor Inday Sara reminded his critics not to listen to him when he interprets the Bible or the Qur’an. “He is not a priest, pastor, or imam. He is the President. Listen to him only when he speaks about his work,” was her very practical advice.

Duterte has already formed a fourman team comprising Secretaries Harry Roque and Leoncio Evasco, DFA Undersecretary Ernesto Abella, and NGO gadfly Boy Saycon to meet with the bishops this Saturday. And for the first time ever, the top brass at the Philippine National Police has sat down with the bishops to talk about the anti-drug war and the recent spate of priest killings.

Is this an example of bad things leading to good things? It wouldn’t be the first time it’s happened on God’s good earth. *** Also in the wake of the President’s remarks, we’ve seen what I think is

A tale...

From A4

whether the people have accepted the 1973 Constitution was a political question only the people, and not the Court, could decide. This was totally against the 1935 Constitution and its provisions for the process of amending the constitution or adopting a new one.

Almost half a century later, the Court once again makes a decision that is totally against the constitutional text, this time of the 1987 Constitution. The error in Republic vs Sereno lies in the fact that it reinterpreted settled constitutional principles of fairness, due process and the spirit behind the letter of the law, thereby seriously jeopardizing judicial independence if only to arrive at a desired end, i.e. to remove a sitting Chief Justice that the President wanted removed.

As the dissenters have pointed out, the Sereno decision is a dangerous precedent with serious consequences.

The ghost of Javellana is back.

Actually, the factual context in both cases cited is eerily similar in many respects. A president who is willing to take constitutional shortcuts to pursue his unilateral agenda, who

In World...

From A4

world’s most prestigious football tournament—an unlikely dream for an ethnic group that doesn’t even have a country to call home.

Relatively affluent Muslim-majority Malaysia has long turned a blind eye to the influx of Rohingya.

Despite not officially being allowed to work, they have become a cheap source of labour in menial jobs, from cleaning to laboring on building sites.

And while life is better than in Myanmar, getting by in Malaysia can still be tough for the Rohingya, who have no access to basic services such as education and healthcare.

Awful past In 2015, the Rohingya Football Club

a winnowing of the chaff from the wheat within the Church, perhaps an intended consequence of the sinner in Malacañang—as such, no different from the rest of us—playing his part in the Divine design.

Cardinal Chito Tagle advised his Manila flock to pray for the President.

Even Lingayen Archbishop Soc Villegas, one of his loudest critics, conceded that Duterte supporters should go ahead and “love the President,” but “remember to stay in the faith.” I’d like to think this wasn’t just a concession to Duterte’s popularity, but also a recognition that both sentiments aren’t irreconcilable.

There’s been a lot of soul-searching that’s taken place among all believers, not just Catholics, about their respective faiths. What was just taken for granted no longer is. Is Duterte supposed to be the president of a Christian nation, or of a nation of (mostly) Christians? Evidently his daughter takes the latter tack.

The most ferocious attacks on the President are coming from the laity.

there should be a law allowing civil union of same-sex couples. Of this number, nearly half (44 percent) “strongly” disagreed, while the other 17 percent “somewhat” disagreed.

On the other side, 8 percent “strongly” agreed with such a law, while 14 percent “somewhat” agreed. This produced a “very weak” net agreement score of only—40. This can only be good news for those among us who’re concerned that the compassion we’re taught by the Church to show those who’re “different,” can be hijacked into pushing laws that are offensive to that same Church.

We wish that the same kind of compassion would also be shown to prisoners and detainees, visiting whom is held to be among the “corporal works of mercy” that merit special graces from heaven.

For the first half of 2018, a total of 20 inmates have died inside the jails of the PNP in Manila, most of them inside Station 3 in Quiapo. In that station, which only has a capacity of 60, over 170 inmates are presently being held. Because of the congestion, older sim inmates who are ill and weak are simply left handcuffed outside the cells.

These inmate deaths have been attributed to difficulty in breathing, as well as infection. The Novaliches station jail, where the first fatality, Genesis Argoncillo, died, reportedly has a congestion factor of 23 times. This is unconscionable, considering that jail detainees are technically still innocent oth until their court trials prove them otherwise.

It’s helped that only 240 individuals remain in custody out of some 18,000 who were arrested last month in PNP’s “anti-tambay” campaign in Metro Manila. But that only tells us the congestion problem could have been a lot worse, not that it’s any closer to what plain human decency would require.

Here’s one out-of-the-box suggestion forwarded to us: Convert all those vacant housing units originally built by NHA for our policemen and soldiers— and now being taken over one by one

by Kadamay—into makeshift jails.

They’re all located in the periphery of the capital region, far away from dense populations. And hardening them into jail facilities shouldn’t take much more than putting up barbed wire fences and guard outposts. Let’s see the Kadamay rabble-rousers try to occupy one of those.

On the other side, where I’ve been reading online the most ferocious attacks against the President are coming from laity who’re proud to be more popish than the Pope. Many of them object to the very idea itself of a dialogue between government and the Church, and aren’t above criticizing the bishops for agreeing to one.

These zealots would be right at home with the crowds two thousand years ago—including some Disciples—who excoriated Jesus for dining with tax collectors, prostitutes and other sinners, stopping the stoning of the adulterous woman; even recruiting a notorious tax collector like Matthew into the ranks of the Twelve.

These folks are just plain wrong about their religion, not just their politics. *** As Filipinos dig deep into the roots of their spirituality, the first-quarter opinion poll by SWS finds that 61 Readers can write me at gbolipercent of respondents disagreed that var1952@yahoo.com. cannot stomach criticism, and a pliant Supreme Court who is more than willing to bend constitutional principles for some motive extraneous to what the law prescribes. The effects of the first is to legitimize a prolonged iron rule by Marcos and the second is to seriously undermine judicial independence and the sacred constitutional principle of separation of powers.

For sure, Javellana and Sereno will go down in the annals of judicial history as two of the most controversial decisions that will forever be critically dissected, commented on and highly criticized. But with constitutional change looming, the precedent in Sereno of reading into the Constitution what is not in there could have the same impact as Javellana.

For the record, I am open to amending, even adopting a new constitution.

But it must be done properly—and there are only three ways to do that: First, by constitutional convention.

Second, by Congress acting as a constituent assembly. Third, by petition and initiative. Most likely, President Duterte and his allies in Congress will choose the second mode. That’s not my preference but I concede that such mode is allowed. But I expect that the Constitution will be strictly was set up to give members something constructive to do in their free time, and provide some release from unfulfilling, insecure existences.

Other Rohingya clubs have since sprung up across the country, playing against each other or local Malaysian sides.

The three-day Eid tournament gives the mostly young men something positive to focus on at a time when they may be missing family members back home and dwelling on dark memories, organizers say.

RFC secretary Mohammed Faruk said it is common for Rohingya to have flashbacks to traumatic experiences, such as military crackdowns back home that have driven one million members of the minority into vast refugee camps in neighboring Bangladesh.

“There are a lot of Rohingya who lost

followed—that the convening of a constituent assembly is properly made by each legislative chamber approving separately a resolution to that effect and that the final vote should also be separate.

I suspect the House of Representatives, regardless of any agreement it has made with the Senate or even if the Senate does not participate in a constituent assembly, will insist on adopting a new constitution and send that to the Comelec for the holding of a plebiscite. I anticipate that the Comelec will proceed to hold such a referendum. Only the Supreme Court will be able to stop such a plebiscite.

Through Javellana, the Supreme Court became an instrument that undermined constitutional rule in the country. Sereno could be a harbinger of equally bad outcomes if the Court would allow such a scenario to unfold.

In the Corona impeachment, as I wrote in my column last Saturday, President Aquino carelessly pushed the rule of law and justice into a slippery slope. The Sereno decision has made that slope even more slippery, certainly more dangerous for the country.

Facebook: tonylavs Twitter: tonylavs

their parents, who lost their siblings, who lost their homes,” the 23-year-old told A FP. “It’s really awful when they think about their past.”

Rakhine in western Myanmar, the Rohingya’s home state, has been repeatedly rocked by intercommunal violence over the years and the minority has often been targeted by the army and Buddhists.

Myanmar does not recognize Rohingya as citizens and officials often refer to them as “Bengalis”, reflecting a widespread belief they are immigrants from Bangladesh.

In the most recent violent convulsion, some 700,000 Rohingya fled Myanmar after the military launched a brutal operation against insurgents in August that the US and the UN have labelled ethnic cleansing.

The UN has said there are possible

A5

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Why US won’t win Trump’s trade wars partners were poised to hurl tariff increases at one another. China, for one, has announced tariff increases on US exports with a combined value of apRUDY ROMERO proximately $50 billion.

Will the values and volumes of goods THE establishment in 1948 of GATT coming into and out of the US decline (the General Agreement on Tariffs and because of the exchange of tariff inTrade) was intended by its founding creases, and will world trade suffer as members, led by the US, to remove the a result. The answer to both questions phrase “trade war” from the vocabu- is an emphatic Yes. Except in cases lary of national leaders and economic involving price-inelastic demand for policymakers and to replace it with imports from and exports to countries, “trade agreements” and “negotiated trade volumes and grades are bound to settlements.” WTO (World Trade Or- suffer reduction. ganization), which succeeded GATT It is very obvious that Trump’s trade four decades later, embodied the prin- wars are meant to redeem the America ciples and procedures that had guided First, no-more-unfairness-to-America the latter’s operations. promises he made to America’s votToday, seven decades later, the ers during the electoral campaign. phrase ‘trade wars’ has been brought The 45th US President was elected by back into existence. Ironically, the pro- Americans who fell for his campaign moter of the resurrection of the trade- line that the world has been unfair to war approach to international trade has the US. In American political termibeen the US, which was one of the most nology, the states that voted for Trump ardent advocates of an orderly world were the Red states, which has Repubtrade order. The world’s presidential lican majorities. These states comprise palaces and economic ministries are the political base upon which Trump heavily preoccupied nowadays with relies for his Presidency’s survival and the barrage of tariff increases that US which he therefore must protect and president Donpromote. ald Trump has In the age of the launched against WTO, and after their countries, seven decades of and hardly a day experience with Trade wars are no passes when the rules-based world international me- longer supposed to trade governance, dia don’t carry happen. these should be stories suggestno Trump-style ing the arrival of tariff campaign. a new era of tariff Trade wars are no wars. longer supposed During the 2016 to happen. electoral campaign, candidate Trump Like all angry retaliators, the coundid exhibit an obsession with what he tries that are the objects of Trump’s termed the US’s existing and prospec- tariff campaign will want to retaliate tive trade arrangements—especially with maximum effect. Their retaliatory NAFTA (North American Free Trade tariff will be targeted configured so Association) and TPP (Trans-Pacific as to hit Trump where he will be hurt Partnership—which he considered most; these will be armed squarely at unfair to the US). Thus, the ongoing his political-base states. renegotiation of NAFTA and the terBecause Kentucky is one of the redmination of the TPP negotiations came dest of Red states, the EU and other as no surprise to any well-informed retaliators are targeting for a tariff inobserver. What came as a surprise was crease the special kind of whisky that the campaign to raise tariffs on a slew Kentucky produces. Sensing the damof goods exported to the US, by such age to his state’s Bourbon whisky inlongtime US trade partners as Canada, dustry, the US Senate majority leader, Mexico, Japan, South Korea and the Mitch McConnel of Kentucky, has 28 members of the European Union. urged caution in the structuring of In a few instances the announcements Trump’s trade wars. And knowing that of the tariff hikes have been accom- some of Trump’s political-base states panied by virtually personal insults are in the farm belt, the crafty retaliaagainst the concerned government tors are targeting the agricultural prodheads. ucts of those states, like sorghum, soyIt takes two to make a war, and bean, pork and fruits. predictably the authorities of the exIn the end, the retaliators’ tariff inporting countries targeted by Trump creases on exports of his support states looked at the R work: retaliation. No are bound to hurt Donald Trump’s posooner had a bravado-oozing Trump litical standing. Were that to happen, announced the 25 percent tariff in- Trump would have achieved a pyrrhic crease on US steel and aluminum im- victory. He would have fulfilled his ports and the $60 billion worth of US America First philosophy but at the imports from China than the affected cost of his Presidency. countries unveiled schedules of tariff But the far greater damage would increases on an array of goods ex- be to the world economy: The diminuported to them by the US. Trade wars tion of world trade and the weakening are tit-for-tat affairs, and in no time of the concept of a rules-based world at all the US and its erstwhile trade trade order.

BUSINESS CLASS

The promise...

Lopez, and Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno.

The ambitions Build Build Build program may have initially given problems to the poor because of tax reforms, but in the long run, TRAIN will benefit the country.

As for foreign policy, his policy of accommodation, appeasement and acquiescence to the Chinese must be stopped.

On peace and order, his on-again, off-again peace talks with the Communists is to be expected. As I have been saying, you cannot trust the commu-

nists to talk peace. There cannot be any ceasefire, and moreover an agreement, because what the communists want is for the government to give in to all their demands.

I can only point to one thing where the administration has succeeded—the war on terrorism. He imposed martial law in Mindanao.

I am not even giving him a score. I am disappointed by the latest Social Weather Stations survey showing that people’s trust and acceptance of him remain “very good.” They are either stupid or they refuse to acknowledge what is going on. *** Please visit my web site, www. emiljurado.weebly.com

“hallmarks of genocide” with refugees bringing with them consistent testimony of murder, rape and arson, although few of the Rohingya in Malaysia are believed to be from this latest wave.

It eliminates discrimination Faruk wants to take a Rohingya squad to the CONIFA World Football Cup, a biennial competition for teams sidelined by the official competition, which includes sides representing minorities, isolated dependencies and cultural regions.

Beyond easing day-to-day frustration, playing football has helped to tackle prejudice and break down barriers between Rohingya and the local population.

“It eliminates discrimination,” said RFC’s Ishak, adding he had got to know many Malaysians through football.

The Rohingya in Malaysia have had more reason to be optimistic recently

—a surprise change in government at elections in May has brought to power an administration more sympathetic to their plight.

The new government pledged in its manifesto to ensure the “legal right to work” of refugees in the country, which —if honored—could help Rohingya find better opportunities than the few low-paying sectors currently willing to hire them.

Mohamad Younus, a 44-year-old Rohingya watching the tournament, was philosophical about the lack of current opportunities in Malaysia.

“Our country is already finished.

Here in Malaysia, young people don’t have proper work either,” he said, welcoming the power of football to help younger refugees.

When they play, “at least they have something positive in their minds,” he said. AFP

From A4

News

A6

TUESDAY, JULY 3, 2018 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Ombudsman suspends Ampatuan for 6 months

9 cops sacked over detainee’s death T

HE national police command has relieved from their posts a station commander and eight other police officers in Quezon City after a man, jailed for violating a city ordinance, died in their custody.

By Rio N. Araja THE Office of the Ombudsman has indicted a mayor from Maguindanao on four counts of violation of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees or Republic Act 6713.

It ordered the filing of charges against Mayor Bai Zandria Ampatuan of Shariff Saydona Mustapha before the Sandiganbayan.

It also directed the suspension of Ampatuan for six months without pay for simple neglect of duty.

Ampatuan failed to file her Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth from 2009 to 2011, including her entry SALN upon assuming office as acting mayor in 2009.

In another development, the Ombudsman found probable cause to charge regional director Jose Jake Dumagan Jr. of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples in Region XIII for grave threats and light threats.

The complainant—Datu Reynante Buklas, a tribal chieftain of the Mamanwa tribe in Taganito, Claver, Surigao del Norte—said he was invited by Dumagan to a meeting on March 22 last year.

During the meeting, Dumagan questioned the complainant’s act of discontinuing the services of a certain lawyer Alfonso Casurra as the tribe’s counsel without consulting respondent.

Buklas said Dumagan told him that “do you see that rifle, it has a very big scope. I will use that rifle to have you shot in the legs so you will be limped but I will not kill you. You better think of your decision.”

The Ombudsman also ordered Dumagan be suspended for six months for simple misconduct and conduct unbecoming of a public official.

Duque: Support emergency preparedness HEALTH Secretary Francisco Duque III Monday called on everyone to support and actively participate in disaster preparedness initiatives so they would know what to do in case of disaster or emergency, particularly Cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

“It may mean life or death for you or your loved ones,” said Duque, adding this year, the Department of Health would focus on empowering everyone, in coordination with various groups, in performing the hands-only CPR. Duque noted this CPR did not involve mouth-to-mouth breaths. He said this was easy to learn and remember.

“It can save lives in instances when a person suddenly collapses and another person performs this intervention until professional medical responders arrive at the scene,” said Duque.

Since heart attacks (myocardial infarction) tops the leading cause of death in the Philippines and even worldwide, Duque said CPR was a way of providing emergency response to prevent deaths from occurring if delivered immediately after cardiac arrest by anyone, anytime, anywhere.

He noted that a 50 percent survival rate ensued among victims before advance medical help arrived.

“This initiative characterizes a high-impact advocacy activity as part of the spectrum of capacity development interventions that DoH can offer to LGUs,” said Duque.

While health governance is critical in driving the health resilience agenda, he said it was “equally important to harness the strengths and potentials of the LGUs to build their own resilience during calamities and disasters at the community level.”

Other significant undertakings during the observance of July as National Disaster Resilience Month, include assessment of DoH buildings on Fire Code compliance and its subsequent commendation, simulation exercises or table top exercises, and the conduct of a dissemination forum.

Aside from CPR, theDoH has scheduled for the month activities which include mass demonstration in San Mateo, Rizal, a Disaster Risk Reduction Management in Health Research Summit, Incident Command System-Executive Course, among others. Macon Ramos-Araneta

The National Capital Region Police Office said Monday the nine policemen failed to stop other detainees from beating to death Genesis “Tisoy” Argoncillo who, according to the Quezon City police, was mauled by fellow inmates.

NCRPO director Chief Supt.

Guillermo Eleazar said the officers would face administrative charges and might be suspended or dismissed from service.

“Today, all evidence points out that he was mauled. We have filed murder cases against two co-detainees,” Eleazar told radio dzMM. Argoncillo’s now alleged beating was in stark contrast to the Quezon City Police District’s earlier claim Argoncillo might have died from suffocation and the police station commander’s separate allegation that his death was “self-inflicted.”

Police arrested Argoncillo amid an intensified campaign to enforce local ordinances.

This was after President Rodrigo Duterte ordered law enforcers to be strict against loiterers, whom he dubbed as potential trouble makers for public.

Authorities have accosted 26,792 violators of local laws since June 13.

Nearly 14,000 of those arrested were given warnings while only 4,000 were charged, according to police.

BOMB-SNIFFING DOGS. A total of 45 dogs get their badge numbers during the commissioning ceremonies Monday led by PNP chief Oscar Albayalde, during which highly-trained PNP-certified dog handlers took their oath to look after the welfare, training and maintenance of the police service dogs assigned to them. Thirteen are Labrador Retrievers while the rest are Belgian Malinois, 34 are males and 11 are females. Manny Palmero

Anti-human trafficking drive to continue—BI THE Bureau of Immigration vowed to sustain the anti-human trafficking drive even after the Philippines retained its Tier 1 rating in the US State Department’s 2018 Trafficking in Persons Report.

“We will continue to do our part to ensure that we eradicate trafficking through the strict enforcement of our immigration laws,” said BI Commissioner Jaime Morente in a statement Monday.

The country retained its premier TIP status for the third straight year and is one of 39 countries among 186 surveyed that continued to demonstrate serious and sustained efforts to fight human trafficking.

A Tier 1 rating is given to those who fully comply with the minimum standards of the US Trafficking Victim Protection Act. Morente called on all BI personnel manning the ports to maintain their vigilance in

preventing the departure of suspected trafficking victims and in apprehending human traffickers and human smugglers.

Despite corruption which has not been totally eradicated, the report lauded the Bureau’s efforts in its strict screening of departing Filipinos.

“The BI Travel Control and Enforcement continued to screen departing passengers and deferred the departure of 29,357 passengers due to incomplete or missing travel documents or misrepresentation, referred 104 potential cases of suspected trafficking to [the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking] task forces, identified 55 possible victims of illegal recruitment, and stopped 168 foreign registered sex offenders from entering the country,” the report detailed.

BI OIC Associate Commissioner and

Port Operations Division Chief Marc Red Mariñas said that from January to May this year, a total 14,076 passengers were deferred departure for misrepresentation or presentation of incomplete travel documents.

In June alone, BI officers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport intercepted at least 67 overseas Filipino workers suspected of being minors who attempted to leave by passing themselves as adults and using fraudulently acquired documents.

“We were also successful in foiling several attempts by international syndicates to use the Naia as a transit point for smuggling illegal aliens to other countries such as Canada and the United Kingdom. Those involved were apprehended, detained and later deported and blacklisted,” he said.

FIRE FLAK.

An aftermath photo of a fire that hit the residential houses at Delgado Street in Sampaloc, Manila Sunday, which also affected the fourth floor of the privaterun University of Manila.

No casualties have thus far been reported.

Norman Cruz

40 airport police officers promoted by MIAA

By Joel E. Zurbano THE Manila International Airport Authority on Monday promoted 40 airport police officers for their good performance, achievements and honesty in the line of duty.

MIAA general manager Eddie Monreal led the donning of ranks to the newly promoted airport police officers during the flag raising ceremony at the agency’s head office in Pasay City.

The police officers with the rank of Airport Police Officer 2 (APO2) and APO3 were promoted to the position of Airport Police Inspector with a government salary grade of 18.

A salary grade of 18, under existing laws, means a salary from P31,351 to P33,846.

The new set of airport police officers were also chosen on the basis of their educational attainment, length of service, relevant experience, training and performance for two consecutive rating periods.

“You don’t owe us anything. What you have achieved, you owe it to yourselves.

You owe it to your effort to improve your knowledge and your commitment to your oath of office,” said Monreal in his message addressed to the police officers.

“I appeal to you to continue implementing the law, policies and regulations through genuine public service. I believe that in this way we will be able to finally

regain the positive image we all want for this airport,” he added.

Last month, a Filipina worker in Japan was all praise for the airport police and security of MIAA personnel for the return of her wallet containing foreign and Philippine currencies worth about P100,000 which she lost at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport-Terminal 2 eight months ago.

Marilyn Vallada, a resident of Nueva Ecija, also thanked officials of the MIAA Lost and Found Section who found and took care of her lost wallet since November last year.

Monreal stressed that not everyone who works at the airport is bad.

‘Gov’t should address high prices of goods’

By Macon Ramos-Araneta SENATOR Paolo Benigno Aquino IV stressed that it was high time the government addressed the high prices of goods and services amid the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ projection that inflation rate could reach as high as 5.1 percent and the further weakening of the peso.

In a statement, Aquino said the government should immediately roll back fuel tax and suspend Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Law. With the weakening of peso, he noted Filipinos were drowning in the high prices of goods.

He said a huge percentage of our products in the market had imported raw materials.

Aquino beat off the statement of Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno that the weakenning of the peso was not bad for the domestic economy.

He said the data from the government and the experiences of many Filipinos, drowning in the worsening spike in prices were just the same.

Aquino maintained the rise in inflation rate and the weakening peso were reasons enough for the government to suspend the TRAIN Law. He is one of four senators who voted against the ratification of the TRAIN Law. “What proof does the government want to stop TRAIN?” asked Aquino.

The senator has been conducting dialogues with different sectors around the country on the effects of the TRAIN Law in the prices of goods and services.

The number of those being hit by TRAIN, Aquino said, had been increasing.

“When will the government stop this burden?” questioned the senator, who has been pushing for the suspension and rollback of the excise tax on fuel under the TRAIN Law to help lower the prices of goods.

Aquino called on the government to support his measure calling for the immediate suspension of the excise tax on petroleum products under the TRAIN Law to ease the public’s burden.

If passed into law, Aquino’s measure would roll back the excise tax on fuel under the TRAIN Law once average inflation rate surpassed the annual inflation target over a three-month period.

The oppositin senator also called on the government to fully implementation the mitigating measures under the TRAIN Law, such as the unconditional cash transfer program for poor families and the Pantawid Pasada for jeepney operators and drivers.

Sports

TUESDAY, JULY 3, 2018

A7

sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Creamline, PayMaya seek payback vs Pocari, BanKo CREAMLINE and PayMaya, stung by their respective lower ranked rivals in the opener, both vowed to bounce back when Game Two of the Premier Volleyball League Season 2 Reinforced Conference semifinals is played tomorrow (Wednesday) at the Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan.

The Cool Smashers and the High Flyers came into the semis series opener brimming with confidence following their dominant run in the elims, netting them the two outright berths in the Final Four. But the three-week layoff somehow slowed down their charge while the Pocari-Air Force Lady Warriors and the BanKo-Perlas Spikers sustained top form coming off a grueling quarterfinal phase which they topped to steal Game One of their respective series in the season-opening conference of the league organized by Sports Vision.

“We got overeager. We also wanted to win but we took it in a wrong way in this game. We have to earn it the hard way by losing. It’s not really a bad loss for the team. As they say, we learn more from losses. Hopefully this loss will make us stronger next game,” said Creamline

Petron makes PSL debut at Cadiz Arena Games Today

(Cadiz Arena, Negros Occidental) 4:15 p.m. – Cignal vs Sta. Lucia 7:00 p.m. – Foton vs Petron

CADIZ CITY—Heavyweight Petron makes its much-anticipated debut when it battles a struggling Foton side in the 2018 Chooks to Go-Philippine Superliga Invitational Conference Tuesday at the Cadiz Arena here.

After ruling the previous Grand Prix, the Blaze Spikers begin their quest for a second title in a row when they clash with the Tornadoes in the 7 p.m. main game of this prestigious club tourney bankrolled by Isuzu, UCPB Gen and SOGO Hotel with ESPN5, Hyper HD and Aksyon TV as broadcast partners.

Prior to that, defending champion Cignal eyes its third straight win when it tackles Sta. Lucia Realty in the 4:15 p.m. opening encounter of this explosive double-header that also has Senoh, Asics, Mikasa, Mueller and Grand Sport as technical sponsors.

Another win would put the HD Spikers closer from clinching the lone outright semifinal berth in their group after beating University of the EastCherrylume and Smart-Army in their first two matches last week.

The Lady Realtors, who turned back Cocolife in four sets last week in Bacoor City, try to utilize their momentum and stop the reigning titlist to force a tie on top of Pool B. But all eyes will be on the Blaze Spikers, who will be parading the core of Mika Reyes, Aiza Maizo-Pontillas, Ces Molina, Rhea Dimaculangan and Remy Palma that won the Grand Prix title early this year.

“This Invitational is very unpredictable because all teams are tough to beat,” said Petron head coach Shaq Delos Santos.

“We need to be more prepared every game in. This conference and give our best to show a great competition.”

Delos Santos, who also calls the shots for the women’s national team, will be having more firepower from the returning college stars Sisi Rondina and hometown hero Bernadeth Pons as they try to add more frustration on the skidding Tornadoes.

Motocross tilt at PSA Forum THE Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum takes on motor racing as it tackles the ongoing MMF (MX Messiah Fairgrounds) Supercross series in today’s session at the Tapa King Restaurant at Farmers Plaza in Cubao.

Leading overall rider Jerick Mitra of Nueva Ecija and Pastor Sam Tamayo of Messiah Fairgrounds will be on hand to discuss the fourth leg of the successful series set on July 7.

Tamayo is expected to talk about his chances of winning the overall title over top favorite Bornok Mangosong.

The public sports program is set at 10:30 a.m. and presented by San Miguel Corp., Tapa King, and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp.

Games tomorrow

10 a.m. – Vice Co vs Air Force (men’s) 1:45 p.m. – BanKo-Perlas vs PayMaya (women’s) 3:45 p.m. – Pocari-Air Force vs Creamline (women’s) 6 p.m. – Cignal vs PLDT (men’s)

star Alyssa Valdez, who fired 16 hits and made nine digs but failed to draw the needed support from reinforcements Kuttika Kaewpin of Thailand and American Laura Schaudt, who replaced Serbian Nikolina Asceric.

Kaewpin struggled for six markers while Schaudt hardly mattered with a solitary point contribution as the Cool Smashers dropped a 23-25, 12-25, 23-25 loss Sunday.

The second seeded High Flyers actually put up a tougher stand and leveled the match after two sets but the third ranked Spikers’ reasserted their might in the next two to fashion out a 25-19, 26-28, 25-23, 25-23 victory in their side of the duel.

“Our three-week layoff took its toll on us. Maybe we got rusty but it will never be an excuse. A loss is a loss so we just have to accept that,” said PayMaya coach Roger Gorayeb.

Led by BPI President Cezar P. Consing, BPI and BanKo employees and volleyball fans trooped to the Flying V Centre, San Juan City to cheer on the BanKo Perlas Spikers. The Spikers’ campaign to the championship lives on, as it doused the Fly Highers in a four-set game Sunday. BPI Direct BanKo, Inc., a subsidiary of BPI, began supporting the team last year to promote the sport nationwide and reach out to more people. BanKo focuses on delivering financial solutions to the unbanked and underserved, thereby bringing the benefits of financial inclusion to many Filipinos.

Wimby wants fans’ attention L

ONDON—Roger Federer and Serena Williams bring the curtain up on Wimbledon Monday with the All England Club confident their tournament can comfortably capture the imagination of a public distracted by the World Cup.

Federer, the record eight-time champion, opens proceedings on Centre Court against Serbia’s Dusan Lajovic.

Williams, meanwhile, has been shunted off to Court One where she tackles Dutch outsider Arantxa Rus. The American returns to the tournament for the first time since claiming a seventh title in 2016 having missed last year to give birth to her daughter.

“I think it remains a little bit nervewracking. It’s a big deal,” said Federer on returning to Centre Court and who is marking the 15th anniversary of his first Wimbledon title in 2003.

“Besides the history and the mythical place that it is, you cannot also practice on it.

“The entire atmosphere changes at Wimbledon, and you realise the eyes are on you.”

World number 57 Lajovic will know what to expect—the Serb was beaten

by Federer in straight sets in the second round of Wimbledon in 2017.

Federer is the overwhelming favorite to lift a ninth title and 21st career major especially with old rival Rafael Nadal, fresh from an 11th French Open, not having played a

grass court warm-up event.

The 36-year-old Swiss star’s odds also improved when two-time champion Ansy Murray withdrew on Sunday with injury.

Three-time winner Novak Djokovic, meanwhile, is still struggling with form and confidence so badly bruised by the elbow injury he suffered at Wimbledon 12 months ago.

However, even Federer cannot escape the giant shadow cast on the sporting landscape by the ongoing World Cup. He was even dragged into a discussion on Sunday over whether or not he and Nadal—10 years after their epic All England Club final—could be likened to Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

“Sure, yeah. They have a longstanding rivalry. I have the same with Rafa,” Federer said.

“They’re very different from one another. I guess there’s some similarities there as well.”

The All England Club will stick to its policy of refusing to show World Cup matches on its giant screen adjacent to Court One. The men’s final, meanwhile, will still start at 2pm local time as scheduled on Sunday, July 15—ust two hours before the World Cup final kicks off in Moscow.

Williams, seeded 25 this year despite a ranking of 181, has never played Rus, the world 107 who made the third round in 2012 but failed to get out of qualifying on her last three visits.

Monday’s other Centre Court matches see Australian Open champion Caroline Wozniacki face Varvara Lepchenko of the United States. AFP

Ombudsman grabs playoff for UNTV twice-to-beat edge

Lawyer Jorge Espinal (left) also shone in Ombudsman’s 55-54 win over the Judiciary Magis. He finished with 16 points.

OMBUDSMAN fended off Judiciary’s determined comeback and pulled off a thrilling 55-54 win to secure a playoff for the last twice-to-beat advantage in the 2nd UNTV Cup Executive Face-Off held over the weekend at the Pasig City Sports Center.

The Judiciary Magis rallied from a 9-point deficit early in the payoff period, but the Graft Busters held on to their ground and frustrated their bitter rivals for their fifth win in six games in the annual tournament for public servants.

Lawyer Armando Sanchez Jr. was two steals shy of completing a rare triple double after posting 20 points, 11 rebounds and eight steals for the Graft Busters, who also drew big games from Jorge Espinal with 16 points.

They still need to beat the deposed champion Armed Forces of the Philippines Cavaliers to advance to the semis

G ames Thursday

(Pasig City Sports Center) 2p.m. – AFP vs Ombudsman 3:30 p.m. – Malacañang-PSC vs PNP 5 p.m. – Judiciary vs Senate

without going through an extra game.

Despite the loss, the Magis still made it to the semis – thanks to the DOJ Justice Boosters who snuffed out MalacañangPhilippine Sports Commission’s hopes with a 85-81 win in the event offering P1 million to the champion.

The Kamao dropped to 2-4 in the single-round tournament organized by UNTV president Daniel Razon.

Idle Philippine National Police clinched the first semis berth and the corresponding twice-to-beat bonus as early as two weeks ago. The Magis and the Senate Sentinels are tied for third and fourth places with similar 4-2 cards.

Eala siblings reach finals of Jakarta International Tennis tourney ALEX Eala and Miko Eala, members of the Unified Tennis Philippines’ National Junior Team, impressed the crowd by making it to to the finals of the ITF-AGS Junior International Championships held at Jakarta, Indonesia recently by toppling higher-ranked players.

Alex dropped a 2-6, 2-4, 2-6 setback to top seed Priska from Indonesia, while Miko also yielded a 3-6, 7-6, 5-7 loss to top seed Matsushita of Japan.

Alex, who recently turned 13, defeated older opponents such as Indonesian players, Nur Hadiati.

Joleta Budiman, Janice Tjen as well as AI Yamaguchi from Japan and Aesha Patel from the US on the way to the finals, while Miko bested Kenneth Legacy, Muhammad Muzaqir, Karan Srivastava and Odeda Arazza from Indonesia, as well as Sohma Nakagomi from Japan.

Miko also reached the semifinals of the doubles competition.

“We congratulate Miko and Alex for proving that the Philippine team is a force to reckon with, we also commend the rest of the UTP national team who joined this tourney for exhibit-

ing great sportsmanship and their passion for the sport. Rest assured that I and their UTP family will continue to support them.” said Jean Henri Lhuillier, president of the Unified Tennis Philippines.

Other members of the team were Bea Acena, Manuel Balce III. Melanie Dizon and Macie Carlos.

“Part of UTP’s mission is to continuously expose our emerging junior tennis players to global competitions, thus giving them the opportunity to hone their skills on and off the court against some of the world’s best junior Alex Eala (second from left) and Miko Eala (center) display their trophies. players,” Lhuillier added.

SBP calls on Fiba to look into tampering of arena stickers THE Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas through its Legal Counsel Atty. Aga Francisco, conveyed to Fiba during the technical meeting for the PhilippinesAustralia match on July 1, a very diplomatic but strong message about the unilateral and uncalled for tampering of the stickers on the hardcourt of the Philippine Arena by the Australian team.

During the closed-door practice of the Australian National Team from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Sunday, members of the Australian team forcibly removed the stickers of the game

sponsors from the hardcourt of the Philippine Arena without first conferring with Fiba or the SBP. As it was a closed-door practice, no member of Fiba or the Local Organizing Committee was present to prevent the removal of the stickers, which permanently damaged the floor of the court.

According to the Australian team, they were concerned about the safety of their players citing a slippery surface.

The Local Organizing Committee through SBP Deputy Executive Director Bernie Atienza acknowledged the

right of the visiting team to complain, but didn’t have the right to remove anything as all the stickering of the floor has been approved by Fiba, through its branding manager who was present for the placement of the stickers.

Atty. Francisco added that this is no mere small incident but could be “international in nature” as the owners and operators of the Philippine Arena could possibly file a criminal action of malicious damage to property through pre-meditation and in conspiracy with each other.

LOTTO RESULTS

6/55 00-00-00-00-00-00 P0 M+ 6/45 00-00-00-00-00-00 P0 M 4 DIGITS 0-0-0-0 3 DIGITS 0-0-0 2 EZ2 0-0

Sports

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

A8

TUESDAY, JULY 3. 2018

Croatia’s goalkeeper Danijel Subasic stops a penalty kicked by Denmark’s midfielder Lasse Schone (not pictured) during the penalty shootouts of the Russia 2018 World Cup round of 16 football match between Croatia and Denmark at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium in Nizhniy Novgorod. AFP

PH athletics’ team may swell to 15 Asiad bets

By Peter Atencio THE number of national athletes competing in athletics in the Asian Games could reach 15.

An increase in the list of delegates may happen after two more hopefuls, sprinter Francis Medina and Clinton Kingsley Bautista, moved closer to the qualifying times in their respective events.

National coach Joebert Delicano said this after Medina and Bautista made efforts to improve on their performances during their training activities at the newly-opened Vermosa Sports Hub in Imus, Cavite.

Delicano said their training stint at the Vermosa facilities is working well for the jumpers like Marestella Torres-Sunang and sprinters like Medina and Bautista.

That’s because the balsam surface of the track oval is similar to the one being used in the Asian Games in Indonesia.

Medina, who is into the 4x400meter relays, is .5 seconds closer to the qualifying time of 4.1 seconds.

On the other hand, Bautista is .1 second short of of the 50.8-second time required to join to the men’s 100-meter hurdles.

So far, there are 335 delegates in the final list of the Philippine delegates to the 2018 Asian Games Indonesia, comprising 272 athletes and 63 officials.

From this list, there is an 8-member track and field contingent that’s already in the list of national athletes going to the Asiad.

This includes marathoner Mary Joy Tabal, Torres-Sunang, decathlete Aries Toledo, middle distance runner Marco Vilog, triple jumper Mark Harry Diones, sprinters Trenten Beram and Eric Cray.

The Philippines Athletics Track and Field Association has also added FilAmerican sprinter Kristina Knott to the mix, along with Francis Medina (400-meters), Clinton Bautista (100 meter hurdles), long jumper Janry Ubas and Anfernee Lopena (100-meters).

La La Land in a frenzy with LeBron’s coming L

OS ANGELES—Hollywood rolled out the red carpet for LeBron James on Sunday as the basketball superstar confirmed his blockbuster move to the Los Angeles Lakers.

Tinseltown celebrities and Lakers legends expressed delight at news of the deal while NBA rivals digested a move that sent the odds on a Los Angeles revival next season tumbling.

Lakers icon Kobe Bryant was among the first to congratulate James on his fouryear, $154 million deal.

“Welcome to the family @KingJames,” Bryant wrote on Twitter. “#lakers4life #striveforgreatness” The Lakers have not made the NBA playoffs for five straight years, the longest streak of futility in franchise history.

But Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the six-time NBA champion who was part of the Lakers dynasty through the 1980s, expressed hope that James’s arrival signaled a change in fortunes.

“I am sure the Lakernation is rejoicing,” Abdul-Jabbar wrote on Twitter.

“The acquisition of LeBron James means that the Lakers are just a smidgen away from being real contenders.”

That belief appeared to be shared by Las Vegas oddsmakers, who rapidly installed the Lakers as contenders for next season’s NBA crown.

The odds on the Lakers lifting the NBA title in James’ first season fell to 7-2

on Sunday on the Westgate SuperBook following a flurry of betting.

Only the reigning champion Golden State Warriors are ahead of the Lakers in the betting.

Rival NBA players appeared to have been shocked by the move. “Damn,” was the oneword verdict of Golden State’s Nick Young.

Milwaukee Bucks point guard Eric Bledsoe meanwhile added: “Didn’t see that one coming.”

ESPN analyst Adrian Wojnarowski said James’ move represented a “seismic shift in the league” which sees him follow in the footsteps of Lakers icons such as Abdul-Jabbar, Wilt Chamberlain and Shaquille O’Neal.

“They all went from the East to the West and all found their

way to LA,” Wojnarowski said on ESPN. “In a lot of ways it’s the logical next step, maybe the final step, for LeBron James.”

‘Sweet Baby Jesus!’

Entertainment industry luminaries, fellow athletes and public figures were also ecstatic.

“LeBron welcome to Los Angeles,” former action hero and California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger declared on Twitter in a video message.

“It’s so exciting that you’re coming to the city of stars. And you’re without going to be the biggest star of all, on the court and off the court.

I love it,” Schwarzenegger added.

Hollywood director Ava DuVernay added: “Welcome to LA, @KingJames!

You’re gonna love my hometown. And we’re gonna love you back!”

Iconic Hollywood horror director John Carpenter was similarly impressed.

“Staggering news.

LeBron James is coming to the Lakers. Sweet Baby Jesus!,” Carpenter wrote on Twitter. AFP

STAMINA BOOST. Eight-

division world champion Senator Manny Pacquiao (right) jogs in the mountainous portions of Sarangani in order to boost his stamina when challenges World Boxing Association welterweight champion Argentine Lucas Matthysse on July 15 in Malaysia.

Sonny Espiritu

tion of his rivals’ charge, including the Korean duo of Lee Song and Kim Joo Hyung and local aces James Ryan Lam, Tony Lascuña, Jay Bayron, Jobim Carlos, Elmer Salvador and Jerson Balasabas, among others.

Song and Kim, for one, are raring to atone for their final round miscues at Del Monte with the former failing to force a playoff with a last-hole bogey and the latter blowing an early cushion with a disastrous triple-bogey on the ninth.

The local aces are also out to foil their foreign rivals’ drive for another win in the fourth leg of the circuit organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. with Lam hopeful of finally snapping a long title chase after a joint runner-up finish last week on a birdie-birdie finish.

In contrast, Lascuña is out to make up

for his uncharacteristic final round meltdown, hobbling with a 74 that dropped him to joint fourth after sharing the third round lead with the young Kim. But there are a lot of others, including the lesser lights, armed with games honed up by the weekly PGT tournaments, virtually making them contenders for the top P550,000 purse in the 72-hole championship organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. They include Justin Quiban, Mhark Fernando, Jet Mathay, Rufino Bayron, Erwin Arcillas, Johvanie Abaño, Ferdie Aunzo, Jun Bernis, Marvin Dumandan, Albin Engino, Jelbert Gamolo, Zanieboy Gialon, Kris Etter, Rene Menor, Robert Pactolerin, Ebarra Quiachoin, Joenard Rates, Gerald Rosales, Mars Pucay, Orlan Sumcad and Arnold Villacencio.

NIZHNIY, Novgorod—Zlatko Dalic said he wanted Croatia’s World Cup adventure to continue past the quarter-finals after his team secured a last eight spot with a dramatic penalty shootout victory over Denmark.

The Croats won 3-2 on penalties after a tense 1-1 draw, to set up a clash with hosts Russia on Saturday.

But Dalic said his team, who have been tipped for World Cup glory, want to go much further.

“We have come so far but we don’t intend to stop here,” Dalic told reporters after the victory.

Sunday’s win over Denmark was secured in the same stadium, Nizhny Novgorod, where the Croats thumped Argentina 3-0 in the group stage.

But this was a far more difficult game for Croatia, who came from behind after conceding a goal in the second minute and being on the backfoot for most of the second half.

Dalic said his team “played for the result”, and he was unconcerned about the performance.

Victory came after three penalty saves from keeper Danijel Subasic in the shootout, the first keeper to do that since Portugal’s Ricardo against England in 2006.

“You have to earn your luck and the lads earned theirs,” he added. “Without luck you cannot do anything in life.”

Dalic said Subasic won them the game but he was also full of praise for Luka Modric after the Croatian skipper missed a 116th minute extra time penalty but volunteered to take another penalty in the shootout.

“He said it himself, ‘I am going to take a penalty in the shootout,’.

“Can you imagine what would have happened if he had not scored, but he’s a great player.”

Denmark coach Age Hareide said he thought his team were unlucky not to win.

“I think we had a good chance against Croatia, I think we played a good match,” he said.

Hareide added that he had set up his team to deny Modric and his midfield partner Ivan Rakitic—who struck the winning penalty in the shootout —space as he described the Croats as the best counter-attacking team in Europe.

Danish Keeper Kasper Schmeichel won the man of the match award for his penalty saves, two more followed in the shootout, but said the result was a “huge disappointment”.

“I don’t think we had much luck, I don’t think the referee liked us today, it’s very difficult to accept, it’s difficult to put into words,” he said.

Pirates are team to beat THE Lyceum Pirates are seen as a team to beat in season 94 of the National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball tournament.

The defending champion San Beda Red Lions are wary of them, since not much has changed from the Pirates’ roster since they fought it out for the crown last year.

Lyceum team manager Andro Lopez said a three-week training camp for two of their top cagers CJ Perez and MJ Ayaay has helped improved their skills.

For the rest of the Topex Robinsoncoached Pirates, a team-building session in Batangas also helped keep the team in high spirits.

“We want to prove that we’re better team than last year,” said Lopez.

Last season, the Pirates went 18-0 in the elimination round, but bowed to the Lions in the championship round.

This year, the Pirates will play without veteran sniper Wilson Baltazar and heady guard Pipoy Marata, who have used up their eligibility years.

Lopez said 6’3” Ranzhelle Yong and Letran Squires’ defensive big man Enoch Valdez are coming in to take their place.

He said the team reached the finals last year without having the needed championship experience.

“But now, we have championship experience,” said Lopez.

Perez forms the core of the team with Cameroonian big man Mike Nzeusseu, Ayaay, and twins Jaycee and Jayvee Marcelino still around.

The team has earned a championship winning experience in both the Philippine Collegiate Champions League and the Philippine Basketball Association D-League. Peter Atencio

Paez targets 2nd win at P3M golf in Pueblo de Oro NICOLAS Paez heads to the ICTSI Pueblo de Oro Championship bristling with confidence coming off a breakthrough victory over the weekend, ready to pounce on the very same cast he beat at Del Monte and earn another title shot in the P3 million event in Cagayan de Oro. But the Venezuelan-American shotmaker will be hard-pressed to duplicate his feat and will be as much tested as the rest of the field at the Robert Trent Jones II-designed Pueblo de Oro layout that features daunting natural ravines and sleek, unpredictable putting surface.

After playing consistently to clinch his maiden Philippine Golf Tour victory, emerging the only player to complete a run of under par scores at the mountaintop layout, Paez would need to raise athe level of his game at Pueblo in anticipa-

Croatia’s Dalic: We don’t want to stop here

Nicolas Paez

TUESDAY, JULY 3, 2018 advertise@manilastandard.net

SPECIAL FEATURE

B1

RIDING THE WAVE OF TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION

T

NAVIGATING THE FUTURE AT 25

ECHNOLOGYdriven innovations in financial services, or fintech, have become a prominent driving force in reshaping the financial system landscape here and abroad.

Fintech is fast transforming and disrupting traditional financial services delivery with the increased adoption of innovative digital solutions to maximize operational efficiency, enhance customer experience,

to leverage on innovative digital banking solutions to expand the scope of delivery of financial services to the financially unserved and underserved market. The BSP allows the use of third party cash agents as a cost-efficient service delivery channel and encourages banks to implement riskbased Know-Your-Customer (KYC) rules for certain low-risk accounts. The use of technology as a substitute for face-to-face contact requirements to facilitate customer on-boarding has become an allowable option for banks to benefit from innovative solutions. The BSP has enhanced its regulatory oversight for pawnshops and money service businesses (MSBs) allowing them to play a greater role in providing basic financial services to the unbanked.

The use of innovative technologies also creates opportunities for both regulators

Chairman of the Monetary Board (MB) and Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Nestor A. Espenilla Jr. [center] welcomed newly-appointed MB Member V. Bruce Jularbal Tolentino to the BSP on 8 June 2018. With them in this photo are [from left] MB Members Antonio S. Abacan Jr., Felipe M. Medalla, Peter B. Favila, and Juan D. de Zuniga. Not in photo is Finance Secretary and Monetary Board member Carlos G. Dominguez III. Mr. Tolentino’s appointment completes the seven-member Monetary Board.

and gain competitive advantage.

Fintech allows consumers (including those untapped by traditional financial intermediaries) to access financial services with utter speed, efficiency, affordability and convenience via multiple channels.

In this changing and dynamic ecosystem, financial institutions, regulators and consumers must be vigilant and aware of fintech risks that may adversely affect the general safety and soundness of the banking system. The challenge is to capitalize on fintech while mitigating its associated risks.

and financial institutions to effectively pursue regulatory oversight and supervisory functions as well as to efficiently comply with regulatory requirements.

Given the promising role of regulatory and supervisory technology, or RegTech, and the efficient data analytics, the BSP is currently exploring the possible adoption of RegTech solutions to strengthen its risk-based regulatory oversight and supervisory activities.

The BSP has partnered with RegTech for Regulators Accelerator (R2A) to assess the feasibility of two (2) RegTech solutions which include an Application Programming Interface (API) system that will allow machine-to-machine reporting by banks to the BSP that further utilizes the more current and advanced Extensible Markup Language (XML) format in lieu of the existing reporting formats (Excel and CSV), thereby fully automating the end-to-end process of data capture and dissemination and an automated complaintshandling system or “chatbot” that will enable financial consumers to submit their concerns to the BSP via SMS, Viber and web portal for automatic processing. R2A is a pioneering project that provides technical assistance for financial sector regulators to develop and test the next generation of digital supervision tools and techniques.

Cognizant of the clear benefits and opportunities offered by technological advancements, the BSP remains committed to further enhance and strengthen its supervisory framework to balance the benefits that fintech may bring with its potential risks. The BSP has taken a proactive stance in implementing various regulatory reforms and initiatives to strengthen its supervisory and technical capacity.

Balanced Approach towards Innovation The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) recognizes the potential of innovative digital solutions in fostering greater efficiency in financial services delivery, and in further advancing financial inclusion. Thus, one of its strategic policy objectives is to support responsible fintech innovation.

The BSP systematically adopts a regulatory environment that allows innovations to flourish while ensuring that risks are effectively managed and that consumer welfare is equally protected. The BSP recognizes that regulations should be agile to respond to fast changes in the fintech space.

The BSP has a balanced regulatory approach to fintech anchored on three core principles, namely, risk-based and proportionate regulation, active multi-stakeholder collaboration, and consumer protection.

These principles are implemented through the BSP’s flexible “test and learn” approach to financial innovations.

In this approach, innovators can conIn 2017, the BSP issued the appropriate nect to banks and other financial system prudential guidelines on mitigating techplayers with clear authority from regulanology-related risks, including anti-money tors. The approach is also known as the laundering/combating the financing of ter“regulatory sandbox.” rorism (AML/CFT) concerns related with the use of fintech. These include the issuHarnessing Benefits ance of guidelines on virtual currency (VC) while Managing Risks Fintech innovations also support the exchanges which facilitate the conversion BSP’s financial inclusion objectives. or exchange of fiat currency to VC or vice Leveraging on safe, innovative and versa; social media risk management which cost-efficient digital solutions, finan- advocates responsible use by BSFIs of social cial institutions can significantly reduce media; and business continuity management transaction costs, provide faster banking which incorporates cyber-resilience in the services and expand market reach. Fin- BSFI’s business continuity planning process tech innovations provide people from all to adequately capture the potential impact walks of life (especially the unbanked of cyber events. Practical guidelines were and underserved populace) alternative also issued on the adoption of multi-factor access to much needed financial services authentication (MFA) measures for highrisk transactions and sensitive communicaand investments.

Consistent with the BSP’s thrust to tions in response to rising cyber-attacks and promote a truly-inclusive and efficient threats involving fund transfers, payments financial system, regulations allow BSP and card-not-present (CNP) transactions.

Parallel to this, the BSP is monitorsupervised financial institutions (BSFIs)

ing other fintech activities by emerging market players such as industry developments on crowd-funding and peer-topeer lending to determine if regulatory action is necessary.

Recently, the BSP established a unit dedicated to studying cybersecurity threat and tasked to enhance regulatory policy framework and to institutionalize cybersecurity due diligence within the financial industry. Similarly, the BSP has approved in May 2018 the creation of a regulatory subsector to serve as primary contact point of the BSP for fintech firms.

Recognizing the cross-border nature of digital services, the BSP also strengthens multi-sectoral and regional collaborative engagements with relevant stakeholders to boost the financial system’s cyberposture and resilience. At present, the BSP is part of information sharing fora, in both domestic and international fronts, on various topics such as technology risk management, innovation, payment systems and cybersecurity.

Moreover, the BSP closely coordinates with its foreign counterpart regulators for benchmarking and knowledge exchange with particular focus on fintech. In November 2017, the BSP and the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) entered into a Fintech Cooperation Agreement which enables both regulators to refer capable fintech firms, share emerging fintech trends and developments, and facilitate work on fintech projects together.

Indeed, both financial institutions and regulators must know how to keep pace and ride the waves of technological innovations to thrive and survive in this increasingly digital environment. On the part of the BSP, remains committed in monitoring fintech developments to ensure the stability of the banking system and to preserve the trust and confidence of the banking public. The appropriate gameplan is to design and implement clear and appropriate fintech policies and framework which are the important catalysts to innovation and opportunities inherent in fintech to successfully navigate the future.

The logo features a stylized maze depicting the BSP’s 25 years. It is a symbol of the BSP’s journey through the years, ready for a more technologydominated future.

On its 25th year, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) continues to be the country’s vanguard of price, financial and monetary stability. With increased vigilance, it is ready to navigate the digital frontier and the ever-changing economic and financial landscape.

Under the leadership of its 4th Governor, Nestor A. Espenilla, Jr. and the auspices of his “Continuity Plus Plus” agenda, the BSP builds on strong frameworks, methods, and buffers already put in place, and on its consistent legacy of excellence in fulfilling its core mandates.

Its current strategic direction also recognizes the need for bold and purposeful financial sector reforms, including the need to leverage on technology and digitalization to make the banking and financial system and payments and settlements system stronger, more dynamic, efficient and truly inclusive.

IN BRIEF DBCC hikes inflation rate forecast for 2018 THE inter-agency Development Budget Coordination Committee on Monday adjusted upward the inflation forecast in 2018 to 4 percent to 4.5 percent from the previous estimate of 2 percent to 4 percent, taking into account the rising consumer prices in the first five months of the year.

The DBCC, however, kept the forecast of 2 percent to 4 percent from 2019 until 2022 as inflation is expected to remain manageable within the four-year period.

“It is based on the year-to-date average inflation rate of 4.1 percent,” Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno said in a text message.

Despite the adjustment in 2018 forecast, Diokno said inflation was decelerating, month-on-month.

“With world price of oil slowing down and with rice importation done, we expect inflation rates in the second half of the year to start to taper off,” Diokno said.

Inflation in May rose to 4.6 percent from 4.5 percent in April, bringing the first five months’ average to 4.1 percent, slightly above the upper limit of the target range of 2 percent to 4 percent. Julito G. Rada

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

B2 TUESDAY, JULY 3, 2018

Business SMC to join auction for Malampaya gas reserves

By Alena Mae S. Flores

DoE clears power firms to conduct grid studies THE Department of Energy in the first four months of 2018 allowed power generating companies with a proposed combined output of 1,458.52 megawatts to conduct grid impact studies.

The projects approved to conduct a grid impact study include Maranao Energy Corp.’s 225-MW Agus 3 hydro project in Mindanao and Currimao Solar Energy Corp.’s 201.6-MW Talim wind project in Binangonan and Cardona, Rizal.

The agency also allowed Tri-Conti ECC Renewables Corp. to conduct the study for its Bohol 1 (Ubay) and Bohol 2 (Anda) in Bohol and the Batan wind project in Aklan totaling 200 MW. Also approved were Barracuda Energy Corp.’s solar projects Laguna LakeBalibago (126 MW), Laguna Lake-Bay (126 MW), Laguna Lake-Cabuyao ( 100.5 MW), Laguna Lake-Calamba (100.5 MW), Laguna Lake-Los Baños (100.8 MW), Laguna Lake-Lumban (65.5 MW) and Laguna Lake-UPLB ( 30 MW).

Green Atom Renewable Energy Corp. received the same go-signal for its wasteto energy projects in Pampanga, Pangasinan and Batangas totaling 18 MW. Alena Mae S. Flores

Consumer group wants more powers for MWSS CONSUMER protection advocacy group Laban Konsyumer Inc. is seeking assistance from the Senate and Congress to create a bill that will upgrade the status of the Manila Waterworks and Sewerage System regulatory office to a quasi-judicial entity.

The group in a letter dated June 29, 2018 stressed the need to disclose petitions submitted by Manila Water Co. Inc. and Maynilad Water Services Inc. and subject them under public scrutiny.

“The MWSS regulatory office has no quasi-judicial functions to allow MWSS to disclose the petitions (for rate hike),” said Laban Konsyumer president Victorio Dimagiba.

He added the consumer group saw the need to revisit and transform the current review process of water rate increase similar to that of other government agencies dealing with transport fare, airline fare and power rate.

The group invoked the authority of the MWSS to require the two major water concessionaires to further unbundle the details of the rate rebasing scheme. Othel V. Campos

CURRENCY EXCHANGE KIOSK AT CLARK. Clark International Airport Corp. president and chief executive Alexander Cauguiran (third from right) and LuLu International Exchange Inc. vice president for Asia-Pacific Region Surendran Amittathody (second from left), lead the ribbon-cutting ceremony to inaugurate the LuLu Phils.-International Exchange Inc. Currency Exchange kiosk at the Arrival Area of Clark International Airport. With them are (from left) LuLu International chief compliance officer Christos Christou, LuLu Philippines general manager Sunil Kumar, LuLu Philippines operations manager Sandeep Vazhuthakkadu and LuLu Philippines Clark Branch assistant supervisor Claire Ann Sadsad. LuLu International Exchange has its global headquarters in Abu Dhabi.

Budget deficit to hit record P774b by 2022 T

By Julito G. Rada

HE Development Budget Coordination Committee updated the medium-term fiscal program, with the budget deficit expected to reach a record P774.3 billion by 2022 on the back of higher expenditures.

“We have reviewed the government’s macroeconomic assumptions and updated the medium-term fiscal program to ensure that the 2019 budget reflects prevailing economic conditions,” said Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno, who is also the chairman of DBCC. Diokno was joined by fellow economic managers Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez and Economic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia, as the DBCC

held its 173rd meeting Monday.

“I can assure you that our fiscal strategy remains to be prudent, sustainable and supportive of our development objectives,” Diokno said.

Revenue collection is now expected to reach P3.208 trillion in 2019, equivalent to 16.6 percent of gross domestic product. This is projected to rise to P4.588 trillion by 2022, or 17.7 percent of GDP. Meanwhile, government disbursements are programmed to hit P3.833 trillion in 2019, or 19.8 percent of GDP, rising to P5.362 trillion by 2022, or 20.7 percent of GDP. “Government spending will continue to be a growth driver for the Philippine economy, especially as we invest on public infrastructure and human capital development,” said Diokno.

“We are optimistic that we will virtually eradicate underspending in fiscal year 2019, as we transition to cashbased budgeting,” Diokno said.

The planned budget deficit is set at P624.0 billion for 2019, rising to P774.3 billion by 2022. As share of GDP, this is equivalent to 3.2 percent in 2019, up from the previous target of 3 percent.

“We have slightly adjusted the deficit forecast in order to maintain the aggressive spending strategy that will sustain the momentum of the ‘Build, Build, Build’ program,” said Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez.

He said the economic managers slightly adjusted the deficit forecast from 3 percent to 3.2 percent through 2019. “We assure our people that the government remains committed to fiscal discipline even as it pursues a high level of productive spending that will clear the way to high―and inclusive― growth,” Dominguez said.

Data showed that in the first five months of 2018, revenue collection reached P1.19 trillion, up 19 percent from a year ago and 7.4 percent above the target.

Cebu Pacific converts 2 aircraft to venture into cargo transport

By Darwin G. Amojelar CEBU Air Inc., the operator of Cebu Pacific and CebGo, said Monday it converted two ATR 72-500 passenger planes into a dedicated cargo aircraft.

The low-cost airline of the Gokongwei Group said it signed an agreement with Switzerland-based IPR Conversions Ltd. for the conversion of the aircraft.

This marks the foray of Cebu Pacific in operating specialized aircraft to transport cargo.

“We will be able to offer cargo capacity that no other carrier in the Philippines can provide,” Cebu Pacific president and chief executive Lance Gokongwei said.

“With the freighter aircraft, we will further support the growing needs of the logistics industry, especially as the

FIRST SIARGAOCLARK FLIGHT.

Philippines’ e-commerce businesses expand rapidly and look for faster delivery schedules,” he said.

Cebu Pacific said it expected to receive the first of the two converted aircraft in the fourth quarter of 2018.

The cargo aircraft will continue to be operated through wholly-owned subsidiary CebGo. IPR Conversions, based in Lausanne, Switzerland, is one of the leading ATR freighter conversion service providers in the world.

The conversion of two of CEB’s passenger ATR 72-500 aircraft into dedicated air freighters involves the installation of a large cargo door, allowing standard containers and pallets used throughout the aviation industry to be loaded.

A Philippine Airlines’ nextgeneration Q400 turboprop receives the traditional water salute and later a warm send-off at Sayak airport in Siargao, marking PAL’s inaugural Siargao-Clark daily flight on July 1, 2018.

DoF backs planned people exchanges with India FINANCE Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said he is supporting the proposal of former Indian Ambassador Gopalkrishna Gandhi to expand people-to-people exchanges to strengthen bilateral ties between the Philippines and India.

The former ambassador said the exchanges should engage the youth of India and the Philippines by encouraging them to participate in dialogues with academic leaders and artists to promote the arts, culture, literature and philosophy of their respective countries.

Gopalkrishna Gandhi is the grandson of Mahatma Gandhi, one of the greatest leaders of the 20th Century whose major contribution to society was his philosophy of non-violent resistance, which he had practiced to lead India in its path toward independence against the British Rule, and later, inspire movements for civil rights and freedom across the globe.

Dominguez consulted Gandhi on how

India and the Philippines could better enhance their bilateral ties in line with President Rodrigo Duterte’s recalibration of the country’s foreign policy towards Asia.

“The pendulum is swinging back where India and China will become or are already well on their way to becoming the engines of growth in this world. And we want to ask your advice on how we can improve our relations with India,” Dominguez told Gandhi during their meeting.

“We want to find a way of becoming closer and having more cooperation between us not only in business but through people-to-people [interactions],” he said.

Gandhi said that there should be a “meeting of the young minds of the two countries” by involving them in in-depth discussions about the affairs of the state but with more focus on the social and philosophical aspects.

Gandhi said Dominguez’s visit to

CONGLOMERATE San Miguel Corp. expressed interest to bid for Philippine National Oil Co.’s banked gas from the Malampaya natural gas project in northwest Palawan, its top executive said Monday.

SMC president Ramon Ang confirmed that the company was looking into the sale of 97.67 petajoules of banked gas or unutilized gas from the Malampaya gas project.

“Yes [we are interested],” Ang said, when asked about the banked gas sale.

San Miguel manages the electricity output of the 1,200-megawatt Ilijan natural gas plant in Batangas under its independent power producer agreement with the government.

The Ilijan plant, now operated by Kepco Philippines, sources its gas supply from the Malampaya consortium.

Ang earlier said San Miguel could expand the capacity of the Ilijan natural gas power plant by another 1,800 MW, once liquefied natural gas became available in the country.

“For Ilijan, we will retain [it] as gas [power plant] and we may even expand that. Floating terminal or regas needs at least 3,000 MW to be economical,” Ang said.

Ang also expressed willingness to team up with First Gen Corp. for the planned LNG facility in Batangas. No agreement was signed yet.

State-run PNOC scheduled the submission of offers from interested parties at 2 p.m. on July 23. PNOC wanted to use the banked gas to finance its entry into theplanned first integrated LNG facility.

PNOC said interested parties should consider the maximum average delivery quantity of 32.22 terajoules per day with the delivery point at the Malampaya onshore gas plant in Batangas or mutually agreed upon.

PNOC said the banked gas should be consumed by Feb. 23, 2024.

The government previously estimated that the sale of the banked gas could fetch about $650 million.

The Management Association of the Philippines earlier expressed concern that the banked gas could no longer be withdrawn because of technical constraints.

Chennai, where he spoke before the MS Swaminathan Foundation about how the Philippines was fulfilling its vision of making growth sustainable and inclusive for its people, was the kind of dialogue that was needed to engage the youth in constructive discussions.

“The speakers need not necessarily be young. They can be but they need not be. But they should address the young.

And I think it’s very important that they speak to that generation,” Gandhi said.

The majority of the populations of both India and the Philippines are young.

Gandhi is currently a professor of Political Science, History and Indian Civilizations at Ashoka University. He used to be the Indian ambassador to Norway and Iceland and was a former governor of the Indian state of West Bengal. He also served as officer of the Indian Administrative Service and had written a novel and a play. Julito G. Rada

Megawide weighing Clark airport bid as SMC pursues Bulacan project

By Jenniffer B. Austria MEGAWIDE Construction Corp. said it is carefully evaluating plans to bid for Clark International Airport’s operating and maintenance contract because its viability could be affected by San Miguel Corp.’s planned Bulacan airport and the rehabilitation of Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

Megawide president and chief executive Edgar Saavedra said in a news briefing the Clark International Airport O&M project could no longer be that attractive because of the proposed rehabilitation of Naia and the implementation of the Bulacan airport project.

“The numbers could be challenging because of the award of original proponent status to San Miguel’s Bulacan

airport and the Naia rehabilitation plan, which could potentially cannibalize the market,” Saavedra said.

Saavedra said the ongoing Clark International Airport terminal expansion, which Megawide was currently constructing, involved the construction of a new passenger terminal capable handling twice the size of Terminal 2 of Cebu Mactan International Airport.

Clark International Airport is currently handling 1.5 million passengers.

“The size of [Clark Airport] terminal we are building right now is twice the size of Terminal 2 of Cebu because the plan last year was close down Naia eventually. So the traffic will go to Clark and they wanted to build a bigger terminal even though traffic is currently only at 1.5 million passengers,” Saavedra said.

Business

TUESDAY, JULY 3, 2018

Stocks up slightly in thin trading

T

HE stock market rose slightly Monday in thin trading, with many investors adopting a cautious stance ahead of the release of the June inflation data on Thursday.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index added 34.28 points, or 0.5 percent, to 7,227.96 on a value turnover of P4.8 billion. Gainers beat losers, 116 to 94, with 40 issues unchanged.

The Philippine Statistics Authority will release on July 5 the inflation figure for June, which the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas expects to reach between 4.3 percent and 5.1 percent.

SM Investments Corp. of retail tycoon Henry Sy Sr. gained 2.9 percent to P900, while GT Capital Holdings Inc. of tycoon George Ty climbed 2.2 percent to P930.

IRC Properties, formerly Interport Re-

sources Corp. and now led by businessman Antonio Tiu, jumped 17.3 percent to P1.63. The company is transforming itself into a holding company with investments in infrastructure and real estate. The company made the shift after obtaining an original proponent status for its planned $3.7-billion Makati intrarail city project.

Philippine H2O Ventures Corp., which businessman Dennis Uy recently acquired, advanced 4.3 percent to P7.35.

The company is converting itself into a resort and property development company.

The rest of Asian markets, meanwhile, kicked the week off with sharp losses Monday as investors prepare for the US to impose hefty tariffs on a range of Chinese imports, taking their trade row to another level.

The levies on billions of dollars of goods, which are due Friday, come after data at the weekend showed Chinese

manufacturing activity slowed in June as the world’s number two economy shows signs of struggling.

Fears of a trade war have rattled world markets and particularly China’s, which are now in bear territory having fallen 20 percent from their recent highs.

“China’s economy will slow down for the rest of the year, but we don’t need to worry about any stall yet,” Zhu Qibing, chief macroeconomy analyst at BOC International China in Beijing, said. “The key is how international trade and the dispute between China and the US will evolve.”

On Monday, Shanghai dived 2.5 percent, while the Chinese yuan extended a retreat that has led some observers to suggest the country’s central bank is weakening the unit to offset the impact of a trade war.

Tokyo tumbled 2.2 percent as a closely watched gauge of Japanese business

showed sentiment was softening.

In other markets Seoul dropped 2.4 percent, Sydney shed 0.3 percent and Singapore retreated 0.9 percent, while Taipei gave up 0.5 percent and Wellington was flat.

Hong Kong was closed for a public holiday.

The Bank of Japan’s Tankan report— a quarterly survey of about 10,000 companies—showed a dip in confidence from the previous three months, though economists pointed out that it is still around its highest level in more than a decade.

While China is a key target in Donald Trump’s protectionist America First agenda, he has also set his sights on allies including the European Union and Canada, which on Friday imposed hefty tariffs on $12.6 billion of US goods in retaliation for US measures on aluminum and steel. With AFP

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW MONDAY, JULY 2, 2018

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

FINANCIALS 59.6 16,160 87.5 2,121,980 2.8 23,000 126 1,349,270 1.5 173,000 33.4 109,000 16.46 43,000 14.3 64,900 3.58 42,000 1.46 20,000 0.54 283,000 74 1,319,340 1.11 812,000 11.9 61,800 19.6 200 48.5 564,600 194.9 1,700 119.6 3,160 28.5 58,000 202 177,170 1,851 20 87.7 18,680 1.18 120,000

960,911 185,368,614 64,270 169,976,062 258,970 3,657,490 708,056 926,926 147,830 29,200 146,540 97,685,413 887,210 735,420 3,960 28,085,995 331,423 372,635 1,650,135 35,798,090 37,020 1,635,749.50 141,800

912,836 -138,341,446 -51,520,361 258,615.00 -118,608 -35,326,697 -111,000 224,500 381,295 1,493,536 405,452 -

34.45 15.4 0.57 1.15 24.7 0.231 100 3.14 15.74 47.5 21.6 54.55 60 94.95 1.81 7.63 10.16 15.7 10.7 7.16 5.19 14.12 61.05 20.9 7.38 13.38 2.18 259 5.08 3.17 27.7 11.22 19.96 350.8 0.177 6.85 2.2 4.11 8.68 7.32 7.78 1.25 11.84 51.2 5.8 4.6 2.16 3.32 1.83 12.3 60 5.27 0.93 119 2.41 1.45

INDUSTRIAL 34.8 1,320,500 15.72 1,449,100 0.58 1,165,000 1.18 416,000 25.9 219,400 0.232 2,690,000 100 1,010 3.22 2,442,000 16 132,300 47.85 490,200 21.95 18,400 59.9 150 63.5 3,830 94.95 30 1.85 160,000 8.27 8,200 10.16 3,055,200 15.86 445,500 11 15,800 7.19 358,400 5.23 495,700 14.5 346,400 61.1 154,800 21.3 25,500 7.38 6,000 13.38 2,632,400 2.4 1,954,000 260 965,510 5.14 148,900 3.31 3,000 27.7 1,458,000 11.26 78,000 19.98 1,156,600 353 315,720 0.18 120,000 6.95 46,000 2.2 4,349,000 4.12 50,000 9 893,100 7.35 21,947,900 7.78 100 1.25 141,000 11.9 29,100 51.35 589,200 5.9 58,300 4.6 1,000 2.19 864,000 3.32 21,000 1.84 74,000 12.44 2,054,100 61 75,420 5.35 218,500 0.93 11,000 122 1,254,610 2.49 4,645,000 1.45 11,562,000

45,932,090 22,498,022 667,170 485,200 5,699,380 632,910 101,000 7,808,580 2,099,678 23,611,695 405,275 8,771 235,774 2,848.50 291,520 65,821 31,138,708 7,037,180 169,890 2,587,635 2,591,018 4,969,514 9,454,194 542,590 44,346 35,701,472 4,528,290 251,287,770 756,924 9,650 40,536,610 877,242 23,371,406 111,426,380 21,420 317,553 9,654,760 206,430 7,977,435 182,026,280 778 176,570 346,178 30,269,067 338,615 4,600 1,920,470 69,920 136,980 25,676,200 4,595,118.50 1,168,068 10,230 152,257,774 11,546,470 17,322,040

-33,004,290 482,258 2,525 17,000 4,159,730 3,116 23,750 9,400 -17,447 -1,159,902 -228,780 -13,880 -472,308 1,136,748 -2,292,354 57,425 14,133,412 -219,860 -94,482,856 -655,320 9,226,090 109,092 486,522 48,941,678 -4,440 3,711,426 -352,569 14,001,928.50 -61,012 -98,640 25,179,596 1,372,291.50 93,518,217 45,800 -121,460

0.235 52.8 11.6 0.92 5.95 0.65 0.67 912 6.01 10.54 6.96 4.47 5.2 0.205 910 5.96 49.2 5.5 5.34 0.53 3.54 17.94 0.59 4.59 0.037 1.15 2.61 2.95 137 863 0.77 1.56 496 258 0.23 0.203

HOLDING FIRMS 0.243 1,970,000 53 989,630 11.62 4,129,600 0.95 280,000 5.97 340,200 0.68 7,612,000 0.68 1,210,000 915 119,680 6.14 106,200 10.9 4,441,100 6.97 70,100 4.5 116,000 5.3 15,300 0.21 320,000 930 181,950 5.96 6,800 50 1,692,990 5.5 600,900 5.34 1,200 0.55 555,000 3.58 1,892,000 18.18 14,813,400 0.73 29,992,000 4.62 25,119,000 0.039 2,000,000 1.16 234,000 2.65 77,000 2.96 34,000 137.9 198,650 900 225,310 0.77 130,000 1.62 323,000 496 140 259.8 3,900 0.234 4,070,000 0.203 430,000

474,540 52,672,066 48,008,636 261,510 2,027,643 5,084,530 818,740 109,709,130 643,422 48,340,024 491,410 521,380 80,120 66,950 169,277,415 40,528 84,763,071 3,304,950 6,408 305,610 6,807,650 267,927,490 20,715,290 116,005,270 76,500 271,270 202,790 100,440 27,359,028 201,951,085 100,600 505,980 70,340 1,008,392 965,510 91,080

-34,825,278.50 -14,989,096 29,853 -60,401,530 -117,509 -560,564 123,142,465 -48,467,466.50 -54,880 1,221,970 -8,474,450 -205,850 -70,676,000 -13,150 -494,501 14,058,355 -

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 PB BANK PBCOM PHIL NATL BANK PHIL STOCK EXCH PHILTRUST RCBC SECURITY BANK SUN LIFE UNION BANK VANTAGE

59.5 88.5 2.67 125.5 1.49 33.6 16.6 14.16 3.53 1.46 0.53 73.5 1.07 11.9 20 48.2 195.1 119.9 28.5 202.4 1,851 87.8 1.18

59.6 88.65 2.8 127 1.51 33.6 16.6 14.38 3.58 1.46 0.54 74.4 1.11 11.9 20 49.9 195.1 119.9 28.5 204 1,851 87.8 1.2

59.1 86.5 2.67 124.9 1.49 33.4 16.46 14.16 3.5 1.46 0.51 73.5 1.06 11.9 19.6 48.2 194 113 28.05 200.4 1,851 87.15 1.18

ABOITIZ POWER AGRINURTURE ALLIANCE SELECT ALSONS CONS ASIABEST GROUP BASIC ENERGY BOGO MEDELLIN CEMEX HLDG CENTURY FOOD CIRTEK HLDG CNTRL AZUCARERA CONCEPCION CONCRETE A CONCRETE B CROWN ASIA DEL MONTE DNL INDUS EAGLE CEMENT EEI CORP EMPERADOR ENERGY DEVT FIRST GEN FIRST PHIL HLDG GINEBRA HOLCIM INTEGRATED MICR IONICS JOLLIBEE LMG CHEMICALS MABUHAY VINYL MANILA WATER MAXS GROUP MEGAWIDE MERALCO MG HLDG PANASONIC PEPSI COLA PETROENERGY PETRON PHIL H2O PHINMA PHINMA ENERGY PHX PETROLEUM PILIPINAS SHELL PRYCE CORP RFM CORP ROXAS AND CO ROXAS HLDG SFA SEMICON SHAKEYS PIZZA SMC FOODANDBEV SPC POWER TKC METALS UNIV ROBINA VITARICH VULCAN INDL

34.75 15.52 0.57 1.19 24.7 0.235 100 3.21 15.74 48 22 59.9 60 94.95 1.81 8.44 10.18 15.8 11 7.35 5.2 14.46 61.1 21 7.39 13.98 2.24 263 5.08 3.17 28 11.4 20 352 0.177 7.19 2.22 4.14 8.8 8 7.78 1.25 11.9 51.3 5.8 4.6 2.3 3.33 1.83 12.5 60 5.39 0.93 121 2.55 1.53

35 15.72 0.58 1.2 27.05 0.24 100 3.22 16 48.55 23 59.9 63.5 94.95 1.88 8.44 10.26 15.9 11 7.35 5.23 14.5 61.25 21.5 7.4 14 2.4 263.2 5.14 3.31 28 11.4 20.45 355 0.18 7.19 2.22 4.15 9 9.2 7.78 1.26 11.9 51.75 5.9 4.6 2.35 3.33 1.91 12.8 61.1 5.39 0.93 122 2.56 1.58

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

0.236 54.5 11.66 0.93 6 0.66 0.67 915 6.06 10.56 7.2 4.69 5.21 0.205 910 5.96 50 5.5 5.34 0.56 3.59 18.08 0.59 4.64 0.039 1.15 2.61 2.95 138 875 0.78 1.62 496 258 0.23 0.22

0.245 54.5 11.72 0.95 6 0.68 0.69 926.5 6.14 10.94 7.2 4.69 5.3 0.21 937 5.96 50.7 5.5 5.34 0.57 3.64 18.54 0.74 4.64 0.039 1.18 2.65 2.96 138 907 0.78 1.62 516 259.8 0.245 0.228

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 DM WENCESLAO DOUBLEDRAGON EMPIRE EAST EVER GOTESCO FILINVEST LAND GLOBAL ESTATE IRC PROP MEGAWORLD MRC ALLIED PHIL ESTATES PHIL REALTY

7.3 0.97 13.46 1.96 0.76 37.9 3.14 4.57 5.6 0.44 1.02 0.92 0.213 10.12 26.1 0.61 0.116 1.41 1.22 1.39 4.3 0.58 0.41 0.47

7.4 0.98 14.48 2 0.78 38.75 3.19 4.59 5.85 0.44 1.03 0.93 0.213 10.64 27.2 0.61 0.116 1.43 1.22 1.64 4.41 0.58 0.43 0.48

7.23 0.94 13.42 1.96 0.76 37.85 3.14 4.45 5.6 0.43 1.02 0.91 0.208 10.06 24.85 0.61 0.116 1.41 1.19 1.38 4.3 0.56 0.405 0.47

VOLUME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

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

3.01 18.6 2 3.17 35.8 1.05 6.97 0.75 6.14

3.03 18.7 2.02 3.28 36.5 1.08 7.15 0.8 6.24

2.92 18.36 2 3.16 35.3 1.04 6.97 0.75 6.1

2.97 18.7 2.01 3.25 35.9 1.08 7.07 0.8 6.11

1,200,000 1,572,900 1,082,000 66,000 6,099,200 3,121,000 1,171,400 76,000 4,526,700

3,557,230 29,252,228 2,168,660 209,860 218,892,640 3,318,310 8,263,716 57,050 27,683,313

38,310 -14,724,374 1,228,000 41,080 -5,410,285 -312,000 34,085 -7,200,692

2GO GROUP ABS CBN ACESITE HOTEL APC GROUP APOLLO GLOBAL ASIAN TERMINALS BLOOMBERRY BOULEVARD HLDG CEBU AIR CENTRO ESCOLAR CHELSEA DFNN INC EASYCALL FAR EASTERN U GLOBE TELECOM GMA NETWORK GOLDEN BRIA HARBOR STAR IMPERIAL INTL CONTAINER IPEOPLE IPM HLDG ISLAND INFO ISM COMM JACKSTONES LBC EXPRESS LEISURE AND RES LORENZO SHIPPNG MACROASIA MANILA JOCKEY MELCO RESORTS METRO RETAIL METROALLIANCE A METROALLIANCE B 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

14.96 25.3 1.3 0.46 0.043 13.5 9.9 0.053 69.3 8.78 7.58 6.71 20.15 905 1,540 5.39 251 3.05 2.12 77.5 12.98 8.1 0.144 3.31 4.58 15.36 4.16 1.12 24.5 4 5.33 2.62 2.53 2.5 17.1 9.03 11.04 8 3.26 140 5.24 1,260 0.87 0.355 46.6 79.5 8.31 1.82 1.14 0.405 4.83 0.77 11.98

14.98 25.3 1.42 0.465 0.043 13.52 9.99 0.053 70 8.79 7.76 7.56 20.15 910 1,600 5.4 260 3.15 2.12 79.45 13 8.1 0.151 3.48 4.61 15.36 4.17 1.19 24.8 4.15 5.33 2.62 2.63 2.69 17.1 9.29 11.06 8.5 3.5 140 5.25 1,295 0.87 0.355 47 81.5 8.31 1.89 1.15 0.425 4.9 0.78 11.98

14.96 25 1.3 0.46 0.043 13.3 9.72 0.052 68 8.78 7.45 6.71 19.6 905 1,533 5.33 240 3.05 2.12 77.5 12.98 8 0.137 3.08 4.1 15 4.08 1.07 24.5 4 5.2 2.56 2.53 2.5 17 8.8 11.04 7.6 3.26 125 5.12 1,252 0.85 0.355 46.1 79 8.12 1.82 1.13 0.405 4.83 0.76 11.76

SERVICES 14.96 25 1.38 0.46 0.043 13.5 9.75 0.053 68.2 8.79 7.45 7.5 19.9 910 1,600 5.4 249.8 3.08 2.12 78 12.98 8.03 0.137 3.2 4.1 15 4.17 1.09 24.5 4.05 5.22 2.58 2.58 2.68 17 9.09 11.04 8.5 3.48 125 5.18 1,295 0.85 0.355 47 79.7 8.15 1.86 1.15 0.42 4.89 0.78 11.9

10,100 62,200 16,000 2,380,000 16,400,000 37,500 2,090,400 6,350,000 331,740 1,000 2,390,600 5,200 56,300 2,200 23,000 185,600 14,850 674,000 4,000 1,639,080 700 26,000 44,430,000 42,135,000 1,483,000 400 209,000 11,182,000 31,400 33,000 572,700 143,000 487,000 14,000 8,000 3,956,600 12,200 9,900 174,000 2,740 343,800 80,240 1,540,000 100,000 174,500 433,850 54,200 1,578,000 501,000 4,820,000 298,000 1,071,000 828,600

151,208 1,562,620 21,800 1,095,750 705,200 505,402 20,540,552 334,540 22,941,597.50 8,788 18,209,147 36,554 1,117,678 1,992,000 36,539,420 996,387 3,654,830 2,077,940 8,480 127,929,319 9,090 209,010 6,435,440 138,356,270 6,213,670 6,072 863,750 12,585,200 773,660 133,050 2,999,791 372,340 1,249,740 37,070 136,248 35,705,817 134,738 79,580 589,530 353,310 1,774,994 103,245,860 1,327,890 35,500 8,160,340 34,508,628 443,666 2,916,220 571,750 2,005,750 1,448,300 820,170 9,829,308

-520 9,300 -3,334,037 -17,526,511 -562,320 -2,787,470 224,700 -59,001,694 93,850.00 -11,190,610 -62,130 3,000 -42,220 10,000 169,770 1,027,909 -10,360 -296,066.00 -60,151 -21,253,055 -538,560 -6,631,125 -15,649,256.50 -947,380 40,540.00 -85,050 208,980 -464,286

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

0.0026 1.44 4.03 19.74 1.68 0.3 7.65 2.18 0.187 0.128 0.13 0.0079 1.6 4.63 1.19 0.51 1.29 0.012 0.013 0.012 2.7 4.49 10.94 30.3

0.0026 1.49 4.03 19.74 1.7 0.3 7.95 2.2 0.187 0.13 0.13 0.0079 1.63 4.7 1.3 0.51 1.42 0.013 0.013 0.012 2.7 4.99 10.96 30.95

0.0025 1.44 4.02 18.9 1.68 0.3 7.55 2.11 0.183 0.128 0.13 0.0079 1.55 4.62 1.1 0.51 1.2 0.011 0.013 0.011 2.54 4.48 10.7 30.2

MINING & OIL 0.0026 200,000,000 1.45 951,000 4.03 21,000 19.26 21,400 1.7 200,000 0.3 30,000 7.8 40,500 2.18 1,519,000 0.186 50,000 0.13 2,390,000 0.13 40,000 0.0079 1,000,000 1.57 1,111,000 4.65 124,000 1.24 656,000 0.51 5,000 1.37 23,809,000 0.013 24,000,000 0.013 2,300,000 0.011 7,000,000 2.61 243,000 4.7 64,000 10.7 617,000 30.6 1,278,800

511,600 1,395,990 84,540 408,434 338,700 9,000 314,145 3,275,150 9,260 309,520 5,200 7,900 1,745,700 575,090 789,570 2,550 31,007,720 291,300 29,900 81,500 630,030 303,990 6,638,724 39,077,170

15,950 9,500 -25,200 -6,000 2,130 -153,100.00 -27,120 -13,000 -30,000 52,180 64,600 -1,668,185

ABS HLDG PDR AC PREF B1 AC PREF B2 ALCO PREF B DD PREF FGEN PREF F GLO PREF P GTCAP PREF B HOUSE PREF A MWIDE PREF PCOR PREF 2B PNX PREF 3B SMC FB PREF 2 SMC PREF 2B SMC PREF 2D SMC PREF 2E SMC PREF 2F SMC PREF 2G SMC PREF 2H SMC PREF 2I

24.2 499 505 101.2 100 103 501 965 100 103 1,074 108.5 999 76.2 75.05 75.3 76.1 76.5 76.65 77

24.2 500 505 101.2 100.7 103 501 989 100 103 1,074 108.5 1,000 76.2 75.1 75.3 76.1 76.5 76.85 77

24.2 495 505 101.2 100 103 501 965 99 103 1,074 108.5 999 76.2 75.05 75 75.8 76.5 76.65 77

PREFERRED 24.2 81,200 495 4,040 505 190 101.2 1,000 100.7 21,080 103 300 501 20 989 1,180 99 2,000 103 100 1,074 5 108.5 500 999 20,900 76.2 70 75.1 3,100 75 6,720 75.8 26,710 76.5 520 76.85 5,000 77 5,000

1,965,040 2,009,870 95,950 101,200 2,108,700 30,900 10,020 1,154,930 199,000 10,300 5,370 54,250 20,879,220 5,334 232,720 505,550 2,030,341 39,780 383,750 385,000

-96,800 -1,019,840 -229,770 -

LR WARRANT

2.35

2.45

2.35

WARRANTS 2.44 200,000

482,200

-

3,109,577 28,892,290

14,529 -5,760,980

1,232,171

-

39,794

-

NAME

MS

PROPERTY 7.4 0.95 13.46 1.99 0.77 38 3.14 4.57 5.85 0.43 1.03 0.91 0.208 10.14 25.3 0.61 0.116 1.41 1.22 1.63 4.3 0.56 0.425 0.475

255,600 10,677,000 12,500 66,000 170,000 14,869,000 89,000 1,197,000 9,100 1,040,000 16,000 248,000 730,000 8,935,100 1,950,600 10,000 850,000 9,843,000 271,000 58,459,000 15,873,000 15,497,000 4,620,000 740,000

1,879,625 10,200,390 172,884 129,940 129,570 568,864,615 280,370 5,415,010 51,731 453,400 16,390 228,140 153,300 92,498,458 50,819,945 6,100 98,600 13,927,570 323,750 90,373,720 68,703,910 8,831,670 1,955,800 353,350

-598,220 33,270 -69,833,720 -28,450 89,040 39,297,054.00 3,717,385 -7,567,230 42,730 -9,955,450 -43,320.00 -

ITALPINAS XURPAS

5.01 3.38

5.1 3.52

4.96 3.23

FIRST METRO ETF

108

108.7

108

USD DMPL A1

10.1

10.1

10.1

TRADING SUMMARY

SHARES

FINANCIAL

7,382,499

INDUSTRIAL

73,175,735

HOLDING FIRMS

104,380,538

PROPERTY

165,418,812

SERVICES

153,270,357

MINING & OIL

267,509,387

GRAND TOTAL

780,247,526

B3

extrastory2000@gmail.com

5.02 3.43

SME

622,300 8,472,000

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 108 11,380 10.1

DDS

3,940

VALUE 1,781.52 (up) 2.22 529,637,766.35 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 10,385.91 (down) 28.93 1,106,790,226.37 HOLDING FIRMS 7,115.74 (up) 64.00 1,178,021,677.36 PROPERTY 3,551.90 (up) 2.79 SERVICES 1,399.01 (up) 6.39 1,211,772,072.49 MINING & OIL 9,748.40 (up) 75.18 651,661,108.69 PSEI 7,227.96 (up) 34.28 87,849,863.642 All Shares Index 4,398.15 (up) 5.37 4,798,981,533.12 Gainers: 116; Losers: 94; Unchanged: 40; Total: 250

NLEX sells bond issues worth P6b —BDO Capital

By Jenniffer B. Austria NLEX Corp., a unit of Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. successfully raised P6 billion from 7- and 10-year bonds, the underwriter handling the deal said Monday.

BDO Capital and Investments Corp. president Eduardo Francisco noted a strong demand in the offering that prompted NLEX to exercise the oversubscription option.

NLEX issued P6 billion worth of fixed rate bonds under a P25-billion bond shelf registration program.

The Series A bonds due 2025 carry an interest rate of 6.6407 a year, while the Series B bonds due 2028 offer an annual yield of 6.9 percent.

NLEX plans to use the proceeds from the bond issue to partially fund the construction of the R-10 Section Project.

The R-10 Section Project is a 2.6km elevated toll road that will extend the C-3 Road exit ramp of Segment 10 to R-10 Road near the Port Area, providing an alternative route to motorists who suffer from the worsening traffic congestion in the Port Area.

The R-10 Section Project, which is estimated to cost ₱6.6 billion, is scheduled to be completed in 16 months after the start of construction.

BDO Capital and First Metro Investments Corp. are the joint underwriters of the transaction. The bonds will be listed with Philippine Dealing & Exchange Corp. on July 4.

NLEX Corp., formerly known as Manila North Tollways Corp., operates the North Luzon Express Expressway and the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway.

The NLEx spans approximately 95 kilometers and serves an average of 237,046 vehicles a day.

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

The company said it would explore opportunities to expand the NLEx footprint either by acquiring existing concessions or obtaining rights to new concessions for toll road projects, especially those connecting to the NLEx or SCTEx.

Ecuador govt boosts ICTSI’s port operations

By Darwin G. Amojelar INTERNATIONAL Container Terminal Services Inc. on Monday said a unit in Ecuador secured a government approval to serve larger vessels that will further strengthen its market position .

The Ecuadorian Ministry of Transport and Public Works, through the Subsecretary of Ports and Maritime Transportation, recently gave its green light for CGSA to accommodate mega vessels of up to 305 meters in length at the Port of Guayaquil’s Berths 2 and 3.

CGSA is now the first and only terminal in Ecuador with the capacity to serve two mega vessels at the same time, resulting in higher efficiency and productivity levels.

“Our public-private partnership in the Port of Guayaquil is one of the most successful concessions in our portfolio. The government’s trust, through their approval for CGSA to handle mega vessels, speaks of our excellent track record in operating the port. It represents the harmonious relationships we have with our regulators, shipping line clients, port stakeholders, and our employees,” said ICTSI chairman and president Enrique Razon Jr. ICTSI head of the Americas Region Anders Kjeldsen said ICTSI was now on its 11th year in Ecuador.

“We have made strides in the facilitation of trade and commerce, and in supporting the local economy through our investments in port infrastructure and technology. We thank the government for their continued confidence in CGSA and ICTSI,” Kjeldsen said.

Ecuador President Lenin Moreno, who visited CGSA in January to inaugurate the port’s expansion, lauded ICTSI’s contribution to the economy, especially its investments over and above its contractual commitments.

B4

TUESDAY, JULY 3, 2018 advertise@manilastandard.net

SPECIAL FEATURE

NEW GENERATION CURRENCY NOTES AND COINS

AND PROMOTING CURRENCY INTEGRITY

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Nestor A. Espenilla Jr. presented to President Rodrigo Duterte the new generation currency (NGC) banknotes and coins in a ceremony in Malacañang in May 2018. He was joined

by Finance Secretary and Monetary Borad member Carlos G. Dominguez III. The New Generation Currency (NGC) series banknotes were introduced on 16 December 2010. These eventually replaced the New Design Series (NDS) banknotes issued on 12 June 1985.

As of June 2018, approximately 59.86 billion pieces of banknotes and coins valued at Php1,769.25 trillion have been issued by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

NGC banknotes production is a multistep process involving multiple specialized high capacity printing press and finishing machines. It consists of six major stages; litho/ offset printing, intaglio printing, Optically Variable Device (OVD) patch application (for 1000-Piso and 500-Piso denominations), sheet inspection, numbering and banknote finishing process. The production of banknotes utilizes four Banknote Printing and Finishing Equipment (BPFE) lines able to produce 10,000 sheets per hour or 3.4 billion notes per year.

For coins, there are at present two series of coins in circulation, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Coin Series, which have been in circulation since 1985 and the NGC coin series. The BSP has started to introduce the NGC Coin Series with enhanced security features using the latest technology in minting to prevent counterfeiting. The metallic composition of the NGC coins was changed to discourage illegal extraction of valuable metal content. In the past this practice has resulted in the hoarding of large quantities of coins, for extraction of metallic contents in overseas smelting entities. The metallic composition of the NGC Coin Series also

contributes to improved wear and corrosion resistance capabilities.

Information about the NGC coins including animation videos and infographics are posted in the official BSP social media accounts i.e. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Youtube.

The BSP is also tasked with safeguarding the integrity of Philippine currency. The BSP is vested with police authority to investigate, make arrests, and conduct searches and seizures in accordance with law, for the purpose of maintaining the integrity of the currency.

BSP conducted more than 127 successful anti-counterfeiting operations for the past years that led to the arrest and filing of criminal cases to more than 217 individuals involved in counterfeiting activities as well as confiscation of various counterfeit currencies.

The BSP also conducts information dissemination campaigns to train cash handlers and familiarize the general public on the security features of genuine Philippine currency notes and coins and other acceptable foreign currencies. At the same time, BSP advocacies such as the Clean Note Policy, Coin Recirculation Program, Revised Reward System and other related campaigns are promoted.

As of 2017, the volume of documented counterfeit banknotes in the Philippines remains low at 9.1 pieces per million of banknotes in circulation. Using the benchmark of the G-20 countries to categorize a currency system as secured at 50-PPM below, the Philippine banknote is considered safe.

LGUs LoCaL government units

Jimbo Owen Gulle, Editor lgu@manilastandard.net editor.lgustandard@gmail.com tuesday, july 3, 2018

C1

‘Chet’ Cuneta to run for Pasay mayor—Sharon

OATHTAKING. Secretary Raul L. Lambino (left), administrator and CEO of the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority, takes his oath of office as concurrent presidential adviser on Northern Luzon before Pampanga 2nd District Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (right) at the former President’s residence in Quezon City recently. Witnessing the oath-taking are the Ceza chief’s daughter, lawyer Rhaquel Lambino, his wife Marilyn Lambino, Ilocos Norte Rep. Imelda Marcos, and Cagayan 3rd District Rep. Randy Ting.

Mayor Sara opens Talomo health center fixed by SM DAVAO CITY—Mayor Sara Duterte joined SM Foundation’s Connie Angeles and Davao City Health Officer Dr. Josephine Villafuerte in formally inaugurating the Rural Health Unit in Talomo North District on Friday.

Considered a main health center with seven sub-centers, the Talomo facility caters to 160,560 residents of seven barangays, as one of Davao’s districts with the largest population.

SM Foundation undertook the complete renovation of the Center, which now qualifies Talomo for PhilHealth accreditation for residents seeking to use their primary care benefit, maternity care benefit, and TB-Dots (tuberculosis-directly observed treatment short-course).

Its laboratory was also upgraded and expanded to meet Department of Health standards for Level 1 accreditation.

A GeneXpert testing area was likewise added for TB diagnosis and resistance testing. GeneXpert is a molecular test for TB which diagnoses tuberculosis by detecting the presence of TB bacteria as well as testing for resistance to the anti-TB drug rifampicin.

The Talomo birthing center is now equipped to make it fully operational to cater to the needs of residents. The Felicidad Sy Wellness Center for the Elderly and an activity center for children are new additions to the center.

The improved center also has the following: a reception and waiting area, pharmacy, dental room, family planning room, breastfeeding area, vaccination area, doctors’ consultation rooms, supply room, nurses station, and comfort rooms.

Estrada hands out 1.7k PhilHealth cards to poor

M

ANILA Mayor Joseph Estrada has distributed some 1,708 PhilHealth cards to indigent residents and persons with disabilities as part of the city government’s health insurance program to alleviate their burden of the high cost of hospitalization and medical services.

The city chief executive led the ceremonial distribution of the PhilHealth ID cards to residents of Baseco, Districts 1 to 6 at the San Andres Sport Complex on Friday.

Estrada said the indigent were recipients of the expanded Philhealth program implemented in line with the city’s accelerated health program, to ensure that the marginalized and deserving residents of the city will have something to turn to in cases of health problems and emergencies.

The mayor said he wants all poor Manileños enrolled to PhilHealth, citing the high cost of hospitalization in the country, including medicines, laboratory fees, and other medical expenses.

He vowed that all qualified families of 896 barangays in Manila will be given PhilHealth cards.

The National Health Insurance Act states that the government should give priority to health as a strategy for achieving economic development and improving the quality of life.

“The PhilHealth ID cards can be used for persons who need to undergo dialysis, chemotherapy and cataract operations,” Estrada said.

He thanked Manila Department of Social Welfare chief Nanet Tanyag for initiating the project aimed to provide quality medical service to thousands of Manilenos.

As local government-sponsored Philhealth members, the beneficiaries are entitled to benefits enjoyed by regular members.

The mayor also said all poor Manileños are entitled to subsidized hospitalization, medicines, and healthcare services in the city’s six newly modernized public hospitals.

Senior citizens receive free maintenance medicines through the Manila Health Department.

Davao City Vice Mayor Bernie AlAg, Davao City Health Officer Dr. Josephine Villafuerte, Mayor Sarah Duterte, SMFI’s Connie Angeles, SM Vice President for OperationsMindanao Oliver John Tiu, and SM Foundation Trustee Chito Macapagal (from left) cut the ceremonial ribbon to open the new Rural Health Unit in Talomo North District on Friday.

Heeding SBMA call, Redondo energy firm joins coastal cleanup

By Butch Gunio SUBIC BAY FREEPORT—Responding to the call for “malasakit” from the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, Redondo Peninsula Energy joined the Subic Bay Community in a clean-

up drive here on Friday.

The onset of heavy rains for the past weeks has caused a lot of trash to be lodged along the bay, which is not a good sight for Subic Bay Freeport Zone as a rising cr uise ship destination.

“I have always been amazed by how volunteerism has helped shaped the SBMA of today. It is the kind of culture that is needed for us to solve our interconnected problems,” said Jason Gavina, Corporate Social Responsibility officer of RP Energy.

Tacloban wraps up Sangyaw Festival

By Robbie Pangilinan THE month-long Sangyaw Festival, dubbed the brightest festival in the Philippines with the happiest people in the world, closed with the Sangyaw Parade of Lights on Sunday.

The event was graced by Senator Cynthia Villar, Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos, Former Senator Bong Bong Marcos, and former mayor Alfred S. Romualdez.

Tacloban City Mayor Cristina Gonzales-Romualdez was grateful for the successful 129th City Fiesta of Tacloban in honor of the city’s patron saint, Señor Santo Niño de Tacloban.

“I thank my people who had been there to support us, our sponsors, the media, and my

family. It’s a great blessing and experience to celebrate with the happiest people in the world,” said the mayor.

Alfred Romualdez was thankful the events of the fiesta went peacefully and that everyone helped each other to promote the city’s tourism. He was happy for the big turnout of visitors and foreigners the past month.

“I love Tacloban—it’s Ilocos’ sister city.

Every year I need to be here for this fiesta,” said Bongbong Marcos.

The Sangyaw Festival featured daily fiesta activities like sports competitions: the 6th Sangyaw Frisbee Competition and National Darts Competition; Sangyaw Mini X Games competition and Battle of Kankabato: 1st Sangyaw Airsoft Tournament; the 2018 Jet Ski Tacloban Race;

Aside from SBMA employees, the cleanup drive also attracted other companies here in the Freeport, environmentalists, and volunteers.

RP Energy is the developer of a 2x300 MW coal-fired power plant in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

CESAR “Chet” Cuneta will run for mayor of Pasay City in next year’s elections, his sister, singer-actress Sharon Cuneta, said Monday in an Instagram post.

Sharon said Chet wants to continue the legacy of their late father Pablo Cuneta, who was mayor of Pasay for a total of 41 years—the longest-serving local executive in the country’s history.

The singer posted the photo of her and Chet at the local Commission on Elections office, where her brother enlisted as a voter in Pasay, as voter registration for the 2019 polls resumed and will last until Sept. 29.

“It took us many, many heart-toheart talks throughout some time to finally come to this decision. And we made sure that when we came to it, it was with all our hearts and souls,” Sharon wrote on Instagram.

“Only with the spirit to serve honestly and with our father Pablo’s legacy in mind,” added the performer, who is married to Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, the president of the opposition Liberal Party.

“The Megastar” said Chet is giving up “32 years of his career as a hardworking pilot” to serve the people of Pasay City” and she will be “110% behind him.”

“He will make sure that all of Pasay’s earnings will go toward making the city progressive and will be for the benefit of the people. I myself will be by his side,” Sharon said.

P70-m dialysis center opens in Pampanga

By Romeo Dizon

MEXICO, Pampanga—The biggest, most modern hemodialysis center in the province, built for, was inaugurated here over the weekend for the benefit of residents who cannot afford dialysis treatment.

Mayor Teddy Tumang said the P70million center was constructed inside the 2,000-square foot Mexico Community Hospital in Barangay San Carlos of this first class municipality.

Tumang said that the center has 24 hemodialysis machines and equipment are ready to serve patients from the municipality and nearby towns of Arayat, San Luis, San Simon, and other towns of Pampanga.

Tumang said that the construction of the center was financed by the municipality with an addition of P32 million from the projected taxes of SM Prime Holdings Inc. SM Pampanga, one of the fifth and the biggest mall of the firm operating in the province was bounded between the City of San Fernando and Mexico.

According to the mayor the center was constructed primarily to the residents who are looking for free and affordable hemodialysis treatment.

The P110-million 50 beds capacity Mexico Community Hospital were the dialysis center was located was also constructed during the past nine years of Tumang.

He is now serving his first term as the new mayor of this first municipality withe annual income of Php 429,126,361.46 and a total of population of 154,624 based on the 2016 census.

Tacloban City Mayor Cristina GonzalesRomualdez (left) joins (from left) Senator Cynthia Villar, former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos, and former mayor Alfred S. Romualdez (behind Cristina) on the float as the month-long Sangyaw Festival and Parade of Lights closed Sunday. The festival is dubbed ‘the brightest in the Philippines with the happiest people in the world.’

Robbie Pangilinan

C2

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

World

TUESDAY, JULY 3, 2018 CESAR BARRIOQUINTO BARRIOQUINTO, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

PARTIAL PARTITION AND DISTRIBUTION OF ESTATE

Rohingya tell stories of atrocities K

UTUPALONG, Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late BENJAMIN Bangladesh―UN Secretary TRINIDAD ROMUALDEZ, has been General Antonio Guterres partially partitioned and distributed, particularly a Manila Polo Club said he heard “unimaginable” Propriety Share with Propriety accounts of atrocities during a visit Membership Certificate No. 2396 Monday to vast camps in Bangladesh (the “MPC Share”), by adjudicating and transferring said MPC Share in that are home to a million Rohingya favor of FERDINAND MARTIN G. refugees who fled violence in ROMUALDEZ, as per Doc. No. 170; Page No. 35; Book No. I, Series of 2017; Myanmar. before Atty. LINA G. FERNANDEZ, Notary Public, Mandaluyong City, Guterres described the situation for the persecutPhilippines; and as per Doc. No. ed Muslim minority as “a humanitarian and human 14744; Service No. 032-037; Series rights nightmare”, as he prepared to tour makeshift of 2017; before KERWIN ORVILLE C. shelters crammed with people who escaped a huge TATE, Consul of the Republic of the Myanmar army operation last year that the UN has Philippines, Consular District of New likened to ethnic cleansing.

York; and ANDREW CASINO, Notary YELLOW BLACK “InMAGENTA Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, I’ve just heard unPublic, State of New York, County of CYAN Queens, United States of America imaginable accounts of killing and rape from Rohingya refugees who recently fled Myanmar. They MS-JUNE 26, JULY 3 & 10, 2018)

want justice and a safe return home,” Guterres said on Twitter.

“The Rohingya are one of the most discriminated against and vulnerable communities on Earth,” he said in tweet before his visit to the camps in southern Bangladesh.

Accompanied by the head of the World Bank, Jim Yong Kim, he called it a “mission of solidarity with Rohingya refugees and the communities supporting them. The compassion & generosity of the Bangladeshi people shows the best of humanity and saved many thousands of lives”.

The bulk of the Rohingya in Bangladesh, or some 700,000 people, flooded across the border last August to escape the violence.

They are loathed by many in Myanmar, where they were stripped of citizenship and branded illegal immigrants from Bangladesh, despite calling Rakhine their homeland.

A UN Security Council delegation visited Myanmar and Rakhine state in early May, meeting refu-

gees who gave detailed accounts of killings, rape and villages torched at the hands of Myanmar’s military.

Myanmar has vehemently denied allegations by the United States, the UN and others of ethnic cleansing.

Bangladesh and Myanmar agreed in November to begin repatriating the Rohingya but the process has stalled, with both sides accusing the other of frustrating the effort.

Fewer than 200 have been resettled, and the vast majority refuse to contemplate returning until their rights, citizenship and safety are assured.

Around 100 Rohingya staged a protest just before Guterres’s visit, unhappy about a preliminary UN deal with Myanmar to assess conditions on the ground for their possible return home.

The United Nations has said however that conditions in the persecuted minority’s home state of Rakhine in western Myanmar are not conducive for the refugees’ safe, voluntary and dignified repatriation.

AFP

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES REGIONAL TRIAL COURT NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGION BRANCH 223 – QUEZON CITY

IN BRIEF

IN THE MATTER OF THE PETITION FOR CHANGE OF NAME FROM JEISAYLLE MIKAH CADANO TO JEISAYLLE MIKAH CADANO PASTELERO,

Classmates miss Thai boys trapped in cave

SPEC. PRO. CASE NO. R-QZN-17-14757-SP LOUVETTE ANNE CADANO-PASTELERO, Petitioner, -versusOFFICE OF THE LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRAR OF QUEZON CITY. Respondents. x---------------------------------------x

ORDER The Compliance dated February 14, 2018 filed by the petitioner through counsel is hereby Noted.

This is a verified petition for change of name from Jeisaylle Mikah Cadano to Jeisaylle Mikah Cadano Pastelero dated December 19, 2017 filed by the petitioner of Louvette Anne Cadano-Pastelero.

Petition alleges that on May 8, 2008, petitioner contracted marriage with Aldrin B. Pastelero in Manila, as evidenced by their Certificate of Marriage dated May 8, 2008; that petitioner and her husband established their conjugal dwelling at 43 Liberation St., Galas, Quezon City right after their marriage; that unfortunately, sometime in May 2009, petitioner and her husband separated from each other due to marital problems, with her husband leaving their conjugal dwelling; that petitioner was already conceiving their first child when she and her husband separated; that on October 1, 2009, petitioner gave birth to their first child (female) at the United Doctor’s Medical Center, Quezon City. Petitoner’s husband was not present during the delivery of the child; that item 1 of the Certificate of Live Birth of the child shows that her first name is “JEISAYLLE MIKAH” and her last name is “CADANO”.

However, the space for the middle name of the child was left in blank; that the spaces for the Father’s Name, Citizenship, Religion, Occupation, and Age at the time of the birth of JEISAYLLE MIKAH under Items Nos. 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17 of the Certificate of Live, respectively, were also left in blank. The space of Date and Place of Marriage of Parents under Item No. 18 were likewise left in blank; that when petitioner supplied the entries in the Certificate of Live Birth of JEISAYLLE MIKAH to the hospital staff, she was still dizzy. She was also confused then, as she and husband were already separated, completely unaware on the legal consequences of the information she had given, that sometime in November, 2014, petitioner and her husband reconciled, and since then, they have been living peacefully and harmoniously, together with JEISAYLLE MIKAH and her younger brother ALDHRYANNE MICOH C. PASTELERO at their residence at Unit No. 2305, Building 2, Francesca Royale Condominium, Sauyo St., Brgy. Sauyo, Quezon City; that although JEISAYLLE MIKAH does not bear the family name of her father in the Certificate of Live Birth, she has been using the names JEISAYLLE MIKAH CADANO PASTELERO and JEISAYLLE MIKAH C. PASTELERO since infanthood; that she was baptized under the name JEISAYLLE MIKAH CADANO PASTELERO on November 28, 2009, at the Most Holy Redeemer Parish, Araneta Avenue, Quezon City, as evidence by the baptismal Certificate dated September 21, 2017 issued by Parish Priest Fr. Michell Joe B. Zerrudo; that she has been studying at the School of the Holy Spirit of Quezon City under the name JEISAYLLE MIKAH C. PASTELERO since 2015, as evidence by her Identification Card (Preparatory) for the SY 2015-2016, Identification Card (Lower Bed) for the SY 2016-2017, and Identification Card (Lower Bed) for the SY 2017-2018), issued by the School of the Holy Spirit of Quezon City; that the change of name of the child from JEISAYLLE MIKAH CADANO to JEISAYLLE MIKAH CADANO PASTELERO will be for her benefit as it proven confusion on her identity.

Petitioner prays to this Honorable Court, after publication, notice and hearing, to render judgment ordering respondent Office of the Local Civil Registrar of Quezon City to change the name of JEISAYLLE MIKAH in her Certificate of Live Birth from JEISAYLLE MIKAH CADANO PASTELERO and to fill in Items 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18 of her Certificate of Live Birth as follows: 13. Father’s Name: ALDRIN B. PASTELERO 14. Citizenship : Filipino 15. Religion: Roman Catholic 16. Occupation: OFW 17. Age at the time Of Birth of the child: 26 years old 18. Date and Place of Marriage: May 8, 2008, Manila WHEREFORE, finding the verified petition to be sufficient in form and substance, the same is set for hearing on August 23, 2018 at 8:30 in the morning, Session Hall of Branch 223 of this Court, at which date and time, petitioner and counsel are directed to appear to substantiate the allegations of the petition and for any interested persons may appear and show cause why the petition should not be granted.

Let a copy of this Order be published at the expense of the petitioner in a newspaper of daily circulation to be selected by raffle pursuant to Presidential Decree No. 1967, once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks prior to the date of hearing.

Let a copy of this Order be furnished the Office of the Solicitor General and the Civil Registrar of Quezon City, and the Registrar General, National Statistics Office of Quezon City, who are directed to file their opposition to the petition within fifteen (15) days from the last date of the publication of this Order.

The petitioner is hereby directed to furnish the said offices with a copy of the petition and its annexes within five (5) days from the receipt of this Order and manifest to this Court her compliance herewith.

SO ORDERED. Quezon City, Philippines, March 1, 2018.

FIRE RITUALS. Inija Trinkuniene,

chief of Lithuania’s Romuva Religion, participates in fire rituals to the Lizdeika altar during the traditional Lithuanian summer solstice in Verkiai Park in Vilnius on June 22, 2018. Dancing around a blazing fire with garlands of wildflowers in their hair, members of Lithuania’s Romuva neo-pagan community mark the summer solstice as the Baltic state undergoes a revival of its pre-Christian beliefs. AFP

Mexico’s next president a ‘stubborn’ leftist MEXICO CITY―”Stubborn” is among the many insults that have been hurled at Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, the veteran leftist who swept to victory in Mexico’s presidential election Sunday.

He considers it a compliment.

The man known as “AMLO” kicked off his third presidential bid vowing to use his headstrong personality to fight for the change that so many Mexicans are demanding this election year.

Republic of the Philippines NUEVA ECIJA UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Cabanatuan City 044-463-0228 www.neust.edu.ph Invitation to Bid for the PROPOSED INSTALLATION OF CENTRAL SPLIT TYPE AIR-CONDITIONING SYSTEM WITH PRE-COOLER SYSTEM INCLUDING TESTING AND COMMISSIONING UniversityClosed Gymnasium, Sumacab Campus, Cabanatuan City The Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology through the University’s Trust Fund/Special Trust Fundintends to apply the sum of Seventeen Million Four Hundred Eighty Five Thousand Ninety Five Pesos and 90/100(Php17,485,095.90) being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) to payments under the contract for the Proposed Installation of Central Split Type Air Conditioning System with pre-cooler system including testing and commissioning of University Closed Gymnasium, Sumacab Campus, Cabanatuan City.Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening.

The Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology through the Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) now invites bids for the Proposed Installation of Central Split Type Air Conditioning System with Pre-cooler System including Testing and Commissioning of University Closed Gymnasium, Sumacab Campus, Cabanatuan City. The location of the project is at NEUST Sumacab Campus, Sumacab Sur, Cabanatuan City.

The specification of the project are the following: A. Standard Design Conditioned 1.Space Temperature shall be 22ºC ± 2ºC 2.Humidity shall be 55% RH ± 10% B. Equipment: Evaporator/Condenser System 1.Refrigerant Direct Expansion Type (R407C) 2.Air Cooled Condenser System 3.Outside Air Temperature 38ºC 4.Entering Air Temperature 27.4ºCDB/19.8ºCWB 5.Leaving Air Temperature 12.22ºCDB/11.95ºCWB C. Pre-Cooler Air Conditioning system 1.Outside Air Temperature 38ºC 2.Entering Air Temperature 38ºCDB/27.77ºCWB 3.Leaving Air Temperature 23.88ºCDB/23.52ºCWB 4.Discharge Air Temperature 27.4ºC D. Supply of materials and labor of 280 TR total capacity of Air-conditioning Equipment including precooler system E. Supply of materials and labor of air ducts (supply and return ducts) AS PER SMACNA STD F. Supply of materials and labor of air conditioning field piping system, use hard drawn pipe.

G. Supply of materials and labor of electrical power system of 280 TR air conditioning system H. Power Supply 220V-230V – 3 Phase – 60 Hz I. Completion of the works required is one hundred five (105) calendar days.

The participating bidders/contractors should have completed a similar project with the value of at least 50% of the ABC, and have key personnel and equipment (Listed in the Eligibility Forms) available for the prosecution of the contract.

The BAC will use non-discretionary pass and fail criteria in the eligibility Check/Screening as well as the examination of the bids. The BAC will conduct post qualification of the lowest calculated bid.

Interested bidders are required to present to the BAC original copies of the following documents on the scheduled dates for Receipt of LOI’s stated hereunder: 1.Valid and Current Mayor’s permit/Municipal License 2.Valid Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board (PCAB) License 3.DTI Certificate of Business Name Registration/SEC Registration Certificate 4.Certificate of PhilGEPS Registration 5.Net Financial Contracting Capacity (NFCC) at least equal to the ABC 6.Certificate of BIR Registration 7.Statement of all ongoing government and private contracts within the relevant period, where applicable, including contracts awarded but not yet started, if any, whether similar or not similar in nature and complexity to the contract to be bid; and statement of the bidder’s Single Largest Completed Contract (SLCC) similar to the contract to be bid in accordance with ITB Clause 5.4 of PBD. 8.Audited financial statements, stamped “received” by the BIR or its duly accredited and authorized institutions, for the immediately preceding calendar year, showing, among others, the total and current assets and liabilities 9.Tax Clearance Certificate Bidding Documents shall be issued only to those bidders declared by the BAC to be eligible for the bidding upon payment of the applicable fee for the Bidding Documents, pursuant to the latest Guidelines issued by the GPPBin the amount of P25,000.00.

The schedule of the bidding activities is as follows: Activities 1. Advertisement/Receipt of Letter of Intent 2. Issuance of Bid Documents 3. Pre-bid Conference

(Sgd.) HON. CARIDAD M. WALSE-LUTERO Presiding Judge CC: The Office of the Solicitor Solicarel Bldg., I & II R. General Magsaysay Blvd.,Sta. Mesa, 134 Amorsolo St., Legaspi Vill., Manila Makati City Atty. Edgardo G. Peña The Local Civil Registrar 21 Don Victorino St., Quezon City Don Antonio Hgts., Quezon City The City Prosecutor’s Office DOJ Bldg., Quezon City

Louvette Anne Cadano-Pastelero Unit No. 2305 Bldg., 2, Francesca Royale Condominium, Sauyo St., Brgy. Sauyo, Quezon City

Philippine Statistics Office (formerly National Statistics Office) (MStandard-June 25, July 3 & 9, 2018)

4. Submission of Bids 5. Opening of Bids 6. Post Qualification

Schedule July3-10, 2018 July 11-20, 2018 July11, 2018, 9:00AM NEUST President’s Office Conference Room, Gen. Tinio St., Cabanatuan City July 23, 2018, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM NEUST President’s Office Conference Room, Gen. Tinio St., Cabanatuan City July 24, 2018, 9:00 AM NEUST President’s Office Conference Room, Gen. Tinio St., Cabanatuan City July 25, 2018, 9:00 AM NEUST President’s Office Conference Room, Gen. Tinio St., Cabanatuan City

Bids must be delivered on or before the deadline for the submission of bids and it must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in the Instruction to Bidders. The bids shall be opened in the presence of the bidders or their duly authorized representatives. Late bids shall not be accepted.

The Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology (NEUST) reserves the right to accept or reject any or all bids, to annul the bidding process, and to reject all bids at any time prior to contract award, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders.

For more information concerning this bidding, please contact the following: ATTY. BENER O. BAUTO/MS. MICHELLE A. SUPEÑA NEUST Gen. Tinio St., Cabanatuan City Telephone No. (044) 463-0226 Email Address: neustmain@yahoo.com Approved by: (MS-JULY 3, 2018

(SGD) ATTY. BENER O. BAUTO BAC Chairman for Infra

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

“I’m stubborn. It’s a well-known fact,” he said.

“With that same conviction, I will act as president... stubbornly, obstinately, persistently, bordering on craziness, to wipe out corruption.”

Those close to him can vouch for that.

“We’re talking about a man whose main quality is his tenacity,” Mexican writer and historian Paco Ignacio Taibo II, an outspoken supporter, told AFP. Lopez Obrador, 64, is one of the most divisive figures in Mexican politics: his critics hate him as fervently as his fans love him.

But his vows to fight for a “radical turn” in Mexico worked in a nation fed up with seemingly endless corruption scandals and a horrifically violent drug war.

According to exit polls, the former Mexico City mayor won the vote by a large margin, leading his rivals to concede defeat.

Lopez Obrador’s fiery attacks on the “mafia of power” tapped the frustrations of voters sick of the two parties that have governed Mexico for almost a century: the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) and the National Action Party (PAN).

But the two-time presidential runner-up also managed to present a cooler side this time around, answering criticism with humor and laughing off dire warnings about how he would wreck Latin America’s second-largest economy.

When enemies accused him of ties to Russia, he slyly turned the insult to irony, donning a Russian ushanka hat and calling himself “Andres Manuelovich.”

When the three other candidates took turns attacking him during debates, he calmly stayed above the fray -- at one point whipping out a chart with the latest poll numbers by way of rebuttal.

“I don’t want to brag, but I humbly submit to you the latest poll,” he said.

It turned out his confidence was justified.

As his rivals battled each other to sound the toughest on corruption, Lopez Obrador easily emerged as the anti-graft poster boy, vowing to lead by example.

He vowed to halve the presidential salary if elected, live in his modest home instead of the presidential residence, and sell the presidential jet.

“Not even Donald Trump has a plane like that,” he was fond of saying.

He clashed with Mexico’s business community, with some warning he would pursue Venezuela-style socialist policies.

Seeking to ease those fears, he appointed a team of market-friendly advisers and backpedaled on some of his most controversial proposals. AFP

MAE SAI, Thailand―The classmates of 12 boys trapped in a flooded Thai cave spoke of their hopes for a miracle rescue Monday, as divers inched through thick mud and water towards an air pocket where the group is believed to be.

There has been no contact with the boys, aged between 11 and 16, since they went missing with their football coach nine days ago.

The massive rescue effort has been hampered by heavy rain that flooded the Tham Luang cave in northern Thailand, blocking the access to chambers where it is hoped the group will be found alive.

Divers took advantage of a brief window of good weather on Monday to edge further into the cave, with forecasters predicting downpours could return in the coming days.

Friends and teachers of the “Wild Boar” football team refused to give up hope of seeing the young players again.

Tilek Jana, 14, whose friend Prajak is among the missing, expressed his wish that his friend will soon return.

“Let him come and let’s play [football] together, I miss him,” he told AFP. The principal of Mae Sai Prasitsart school, which is attended by six of the missing boys, said it had been a painful week.

“We chant and pray and send our support to them to give them power to wait for help to arrive,” Kanet Pongsuwan told AFP. Officials on Monday said the divers were less than one kilometer from an elevated area called Pattaya Beach where the boys are thought to be stranded.

“We are fighting against time and water to save the 13 lives,” Chiang Rai governor Narongsak Osottanakorn said. AFP

Aussie supermarkets impose ban on plastic SYDNEY―Dozens of supermarket staff have suffered abuse as two major Australian grocery chains struggled to impose a ban on single-use plastic bags, with one irate customer putting his hands around a shop assistant’s throat.

Woolworths and Coles last year announced plans to voluntarily remove free lightweight plastic bags from their stores nationally and instead offer more environmentally friendly reusable bags for 15 Aus cents (11 US cents) each.

The Coles ban came into force on Sunday. Woolworths’ took effect on June 20, but the company was forced to delay the move by 10 days after customers complained, with staff bearing the brunt of their anger.

A survey by the Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees’ Association― the union that represents shop assistants―showed that of the 141 members employed by the two chains to respond so far, 61 said they had been subjected to abusive behavior.

It included a worker being assaulted by a customer after being told there were no free plastic bags at a store in Western Australia state.

“A male customer in the selfserve area swore loudly at a female worker,” the union’s assistant secretary Ben Harris told AFP on Monday. “She provided him with some complimentary bags and apologized.”

The customer then made a mistake by scanning an item twice, but when the same worker came to help him, “he walked up behind her and put his hands around her throat”, Harris said.

Other customers have thrown grocery items on the floor and stormed off after swearing at staff.

“While we understand that some customers may be frustrated by this change, there is absolutely no excuse for abusive or violent behavior towards retail staff,” Gerard Dwyer, the union’s national secretary said in a statement.

He said the ban could also pose a health risk, with people bringing filthy used bags to pack their shopping without considering hygiene issues. AFP

Life

C3

tuesday, ju juLy y 3, 2018 Bernadette Lunas, Issue Editor manilastandardlife@gmail.com

health and environment

Optimizing food intake based on genes

GlaxoSmithKline medical expert for Urology Dr. Carmela Marie Lapitan (third from left) with other GSK executives.

In the name of prostate health:

GSK pioneers World BPH Day

By Gabbie Parlade

o

Ne of the most common health complications among men is prostate enlargement. And many don’t know they have it until the symptoms have already worsen.

According to global healthcare company GlaxosmithKline Philippines, 24 percent of Filipino men aged 50-59 years old suffer from at least moderate symptoms of Benign Prostatic hyperplasia (BPh), a condition in which the prostate gland grows larger than normal.

Although BPh is not cancerous, the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases said, as the prostate enlarges, the gland presses against and pinches the urethra and causes the bladder wall to thicken, potentially causing various urinary symptoms.

“The lack of knowledge on BPh especially among elderly men may lead to late diagnosis and late management of the disease,” said Dr. Jay Javier of GsK Medical Affairs for Urology. he also added that because of late diagnosis, it often leads to poor quality of life.

Patients affected by BPh suffer from sleep disruption and sexual dysfunction. The complications of the condition can be a source of embarrassment. If untreated, BPh can also lead to Acute Urinary Retention and may require surgery.

According to GsK medical expert for Urology Dr. Carmela Marie Lapitan, although some patients have already been suffering from the symptoms, such as nocturia or excessive urination at night, it takes them a while before they see a doctor.

“The most bothersome for them (patients) is getting up at night often [to urinate], but what actually brings them to the doctor is when they have to strain and wait for a very long time before they can finish urinating,” said Dr. Lapitan.

Lapitan explained that the condition affects men’s quality of life in such as a way that the symptoms require them to

limit, if not stop, some of their normal activities. “studies have also shown that it does not [only] affect the quality of life of the patient, [as] it also significantly affects the quality of life of the partner because of intimacy issues [and] the physical fact na nagigising din ‘yung wife kapag nagigising ang husband,” said Lapitan.

To raise awareness about prostate health and help improve the quality of life of Filipino men, GsK launches FUN to be WIse on BPh advocacy campaign during the World BPh Day on June 25.

To help everyone understand the condition better, the symptoms for BPh are classified through the FUNWIse acronym, which is based on the International Prostate symptom score.

F stands for Frequency, U for Urgency, N for Nocturia, W for Weak stream, I for Intermittency, s for straining, and e for incomplete emptying.

The Fun to be WIse advocacy calls on every individual to take action: men are urged to consult their doctors while others can encourage the men in their lives to seek medical advice and treatment.

Remember, it is never too early but it can be too late.

The age-old saying “You are what you eat” is real when it comes to nutrigenomics.

Nutrigenomics is the study of genes and how they affect your reaction to certain food compounds and chemicals.

With advanced genetic technology, scientists can determine how your body absorbs and processes nutrients, vitamins, and other complex substances. For instance, if your body needs help in absorbing vitamin B, a particular diet or supplement may be recommended based on the findings.

It can also point out your biological sensitivity to certain micronutrients. When a carbohydratesensitive individual eats white rice, for example, this person may experience a greater spike in blood sugar for a longer period than a nonsensitive person. A fat-sensitive individual, on the other hand, may be genetically predisposed to absorb the compound quicker than others.

If you are not aware of your sensitivity to these micronutrients, you may have increased risks for physical conditions such as Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease. You may also find it difficult to lose weight.

Knowing your dietary needs via genetic testing can help you finetune your own health and wellness program. A nutrigenomics report may generate personalized recommendations based on certain food sensitivity findings.

Carbohydratesensitive person may experience a greater spike in blood sugar than a non-sensitive individual when they eat carbs.

British insurer Pru Life UK and Prenetics Ltd, a hong Kong-based genetic testing company, have collaborated to launch myDNA Pro Bundle.

Pru Life UK’s insuravest bundle, a first in the Philippine life insurance industry, provides wealth and health protection with a comprehensive genetic program that assesses customers’ nutritional needs and health risks. Customers can also develop customized financial plans and diet programs catered to their budgets and needs.

Go to prulifeuk.com.ph/mydnapro to know more.

Nutrigenomics is the study of genes and how they affect an individual’s reaction to certain food compounds and chemicals.

7 ways to help combat malnutrition among schoolchildren MosT schoolchildren in disadvantaged communities are not getting enough calories and nutrients to fuel them for an entire school day, leading them to struggle with daily schoolwork, physical education classes, and homework.

United for healthier Kids, an advocacy program initiated by Nestlé Philippines which helps address malnutrition in schoolchildren, has linked up with local organizations to provide volunteer and donation opportunities to individuals, groups, organizations, and businesses. These local organizations work to address various aspects of malnutrition, such as access to food, nutrition education, water, sanitation and hygiene, and nutrition in disaster. here are seven ways you can help fight malnutrition:

Participate in a feeding program.

Project PeARLs (monica@projectpearls.org) and Reach out and Feed Philippines (dawn@feedphilippines. org) conduct feeding programs where volunteers can help serve food and clean up dishes afterwards.

Project PeARLs supplements its feeding programs with reading, toy library, and tutorial sessions, while Reach out and Feed Philippines holds nutrition sessions and monthly check-ups. Both organizations welcome volunteers as well as cash and in-kind donations to help support its feeding programs.

You can also volunteer to help Children’s hour (0917-5935161) which supports the Christian Mission service Philippines’ daily feeding program for kids aged six to 18 years old.

malnutrition. This is done in partnership with a local religious, civic, or nongovernmental organization. Volunteers and donors can help start a kitchen in their neighborhood and maintain it after it’s been built.

Build water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities in schools.

The Philippine Red Cross (markalvin. abrigo@redcross.org.ph) distributes hygiene kits and builds water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities in schools. Volunteers can support these WAsh programs by raising funds to build more WAsh facilities in schools, or by volunteering for the Philippine Red Cross’ Children’s hygiene and sanitation Transformation program where children learn the basics of hygiene and sanitation, supplemented by peer-to-peer sessions and extra-curricular activities.

Help educate parents and

guardians on proper nutrition and healthy lifestyle.

Children’s Mission Philippines (evamari.blomqvist@childrensmission. ph) has a Community Nutrition Program. Volunteers can help curb malnuIndividuals or groups can help fight or provide solution to malnutrition by volunteering or donating to local organizations that work to trition by conducting cooking sessions address various aspects of this problem. together with the parents, giving lessons about cheap, nutritious, and healthy food Batangas, and Bulacan locations, and Build and maintain a school Bring water filters to remote can cover 10-20 volunteers for each to parents and guardians, and teaching garden. communities. them how to purify their drinking water. east-West seed Foundation (crisanto. school partner.

Those looking to combine their love for the mountains and the oceans with helping sabino@ewsphfoundation.org) builds Tell an organization’s story on Help establish a school or others can volunteer with Waves for Wa- and maintains gardens in public schools community kitchen. social media. ter (jenica@wavesforwater.org) which through its oh My Gulay!–Tanim sa Gawad Kalinga’s Kusina ng Kalinga These organizations are present on soworks to provide access to clean water Kinabukasan program. Volunteers can (rmajallorina@gawadka- cial media and would appreciate a boost by providing water filtration systems and participate in activities such as design- program linga.com), Reach out and Feed Phil- every now and then. Documenting your ing containers, setting up container rainwater harvesting systems to underserved communities. Through its Clean gardens and planters, and transplanting ippines, and Advancement for Rural volunteer experience through blog posts, Water Couriers program, volunteers are vegetable seedlings. The foundation is Kids (adrian.bonifacio@ruralkids.org) photos, and videos will help get the word encouraged to pack and bring a few filters currently accepting volunteers for its build kitchens for communities will- out about their work to more people, parIfugao, Makati, Malabon, Valenzuela, ing to invest in a long-term solution to ticularly to potential donors. to a less-privileged community.

Entertainment

Nickie Wang, Issue Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com

C4

TUESDAY, JULY 3, 2018

People are talking about Pasay’s beaucon queen

James Reid serenades the Miss Q and A candidates

ALMOST a year after she stepped on the It’s Showtime stage for the first time, Juliana Parizcova Segovia was named “Miss Q and A” 2018 in the competition’s grand finals on Saturday held at Resorts World Manila.

Based on the scores of ten celebrity judges, Juliana gave the best “final answer” to the question “What do you think is the hardest question and why?”

Juliana offered an emotional one and said that it would be “What are you most afraid of?” and pertained to fear of losing her mother, whom she considers her inspiration and strength.

The Pasay City beauty queen native beat out fellow hall of famer Matrica Matmat Centino who was named first runner-up, and Lars Pacheco who was hailed as the second runner-up.

As the grand winner, Juliana won a “retoke” package worth P500,000, an all-expense paid trip for two to Thailand, a business franchise worth P900,000, the “Miss Q and A” crown and trophy, and P1 million.

Juliana, the competition’s first hall of famer, was considered one of the early favorites whose “Beklamation” answers often provided insight and wisdom.

From one of the ten grand finalists, Juliana got into the top six, then made it to the top three after beating Elsa Droga in the Debattle round.

The conclusion of the first season of “Miss Q and A” pushed for deeper understanding of everyone’s differences and coincided with this year’s Pride

March, which celebrated the solidarity of the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) community and its allies.

LGBT icon and host Vice Ganda also opened the show with an electrifying number alongside “Miss Q and A” candidates, who wore costumes in all the colors of the rainbow, which is the symbol of the LGBT community.

The candidates were judged by Jugs Jugueta and Teddy Corpuz, Karylle, fashion designer Paul Cabral, Miss Universe-Philippines 2018 Catriona Gray, Miss Grand International 2016 first runner-up Nicole Cordoves, actor JM De Guzman, mixed martial artist Brandon Vera, broadcast journalist Korina Sanchez, and King of Talk Boy Abunda.

The “Miss Q and A” grand finals also gave out special awards, such as Beks in Costume to Elsa Droga, Beks in Chukchak or introduction to Odessa Jones, Beshie ng Bayan or Miss Congeniality to Gianna Castiliogne Francisco, Beks in Long Gown to Benzen Galope, and Ganda Ka? Award or the most photogenic to Lars.

“Miss Q and A” was launched in July 2017 in It’s Showtime to showcase the wit of gay men and transgender women in answering different types of questions.

In the “Miss Q and A” grand finals dubbed “Miss Q and A: The Final Answer… And I Thank You!” it was announced that a second season will be launched soon.

Lloydie not begging to GET PROJECTS

CONTROVERSIAL. Couple John Lloyd Cruz and Ellen Adarna still make headlines despite being away from the limelight.

By Clay Moreno

INTERNATIONAL

J

OHN Lloyd Cruz has found himself in plenty of headlines of late, most notable are the issues surrounding his supposed baby with actress Ellen Adarna and the alleged incident concerning his showbiz comeback.

Lloydie took a break in October last year, and since then, his name has become a hot topic among tabloid writers and netizens on social media.

ABS-CBN has released its official statement on Lloydie’s showbiz comeback after reports came out that the network allegedly turned its back on him.

In a statement sent to MS Entertainment

by Kane Errol Choa, ABS-CBN Head for Integrated Corporate Communications, the executive belied any incident that happened

regarding Lloydie’s showbiz return.

“There is no truth to reports that John Lloyd Cruz approached ABS-CBN to request that he return to work, and that the network turned him down,” Choa’s statement said.

“John Lloyd is still on an indefinite leave to attend to personal matters.

ABS-CBN values its strong relationship with John Lloyd built through the years. ABS-CBN’s doors are always open to John Lloyd, and he will always be a Kapamilya,” the statement ended.

PIA WURTZBACH a confirmed ELF FILIPINO ELFs or Ever Lasting Friends, a moniker for the avid fans of K-Pop group Super Junior, went all out to support the #SS7Manila concert.

Five years after the spectacular Super Show 5 concert was attended by over 10,000 Filipino ELFs, the sought-after K-Pop boy band came back to Manila and gave its fans another explosive concert with Super Show 7 on Saturday at SM Mall of Asia Arena.

Being a live platform where people go to find out #WhatsHappening, the K-Pop scene counted, Filipinos went to Twitter to share their experience during the Super Show 7 concert, including 2015 Miss Universe Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach.

The beauty queen had her fangirling moment at the concert and scored a photo with Super Junior Choi Siwon.

“Finally! A true fan girl moment for me!” says Pia on her social media post tagging the hunky member of the group.

Days before #SS7Manila, #PHELFs have already shared their excitement on Twitter - from the ticket selling, pre-concert preparations for their chants and props up to the latest whereabouts of the group. Fans tweeted requests of the group’s hit singles like “Sorry, Sorry”, “Bonamana”, “Mr. Simple” and “Black Suit” especially their Super Junior biases Leeteuk, Heechul, Yesung, Shindong with the comeback of Super Junior Siwon, Eunhyuk and Donghae after their two-year mandatory military service.

Super Junior member Leeteuk made the event more memorable by celebrating his birthday (July 1) with their beloved #PHELFs in Manila. The crowd showed their love by singing Happy Birthday in unison and also went wild when SuJu spoke in Filipino and declared being a huge fan of boxing legend Manny Pacquiao during their performance.

First Turkish drama on Philippine TV

A scene from the Turkish drama 'Wings of Love' starring Kadir Dogulu and Seda Bakan.

AS PIONEERS of introducing different dramas from Asia, GMA Network brings another ground-breaking content to the Philippine audience with Turkish drama, Wings of Love.

Yesterday, Wings of Love started bringing an interesting story of a single mother named Leyla who will try to escape her marriage with a respectable businessman named Hasmet. Leyla found out on the day of their wedding that Hasmet is hiding his identity as a drug dealer, and decides to run away and protect her son.

While on the run, Leila will meet Albert, a business partner to Hasmet who also had an unfortunate life behind

him. After losing his brother to a car accident that also sent his wife to a coma, Albert was just starting to get his life back through the help of Hasmet.

However, as he began to suspect Hasmet of his illegal activities, it became easy for him to offer his help to Leyla.

Leyla and Albert find comfort in each other and will eventually fall in love, but the circumstances and the people around them will try to break them apart. Will their love see their problems through? What secrets will unfold as they try to fight for their love?

Catch the first Turkish drama on Philippine TV via Wings of Love, weekday mornings after Wolfblood on GMA.

Drake smashes streaming record with new album DRAKE has smashed streaming records with his new album Scorpion, with Apple Music and Spotify both reporting unprecedented listenership in its first day.

Apple Music said on Instagram that the Canadian hip-hop superstar’s fifth studio album was streamed 170 million times in the 24 hours since its release Friday.

The worldwide figure is the highest ever reported by any streaming service for an album over one day and comes even though Apple Music significantly trails industry leader Spotify in total users.

Drake has a lengthy relationship with Apple, which heavily promoted Scorpion. The hotly anticipated album inexplicably appeared two hours late on Spotify.

But Scorpion also set a record on Spotify, which heavily featured the album after it went live.

The site Spotifycharts, which tracks listening data, said that Spotify users streamed the album’s 25 songs more than 132 million times over the first day.

The figures smash the previous record for one-day streaming -- rapper Post Malone’s album Beerbongs and Bentleys, which was streamed just under 79 million times on Spotify on the first day of its release in April.

Streaming records are being frequently broken as growing numbers of listeners embrace Spotify, Apple Music and competitors such as Deezer and Tidal, which allow unlimited ondemand music.

Just days ago, the Colombian reggaeton star J Balvin surpassed Drake as the artist with the most regular monthly listeners on Spotify -- but Drake quickly retook the crown with Scorpion.

Drake has found massive success releasing sprawling albums and mixtapes of danceable tracks online without consideration to physical formats.

Scorpion features a posthumous duet with Michael Jackson, a collaboration with rap great Jay-Z and an admission that Drake secretly had a son with Sophie Brussaux, a French actress in pornographic films. AFP

Drake's 'Scorpion' shattered singleday streaming records on both Apple Music and Spotify.