Manila Standard - 2018 August 14 - Tuesday

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PALACE SHOCKED AS HOUSE BLOCKS BUDGET in a bid to get the Department of Budget and Management to back down on its cash-based budgeting system that lawMALACAÑANG on Monday expressed makers oppose. alarm at the sudden decision by House “We are completely shocked at the releaders to suspend budget deliberations sistance of the House because we were

By Vito Barcelo and Maricel V. Cruz

confident that when there was a change of leadership [in the House of Representatives] we would still deal with very close allies,” said Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque.

In a radio interview, Roque said the

Palace has had no problems with the national budget in the last two years.

“Although there is now a change of leadership, the President, of course, is expecting the usual cooperation from an equally strong ally, Speaker Gloria Ma-

capagal Arroyo,” he said.

“The chairman of the committee on appropriations has not been changed; it’s still congressman Karlo Nograles. So we’re quite frankly surprised at this recent Next page

Watch for

Manila Standard’s

Special Report on the Economy August 15, 2018

VOL. XXXII • NO. 180 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 • TUESDAY, AUGUST 14, 2018 • www.manilastandard.net • editorial@manilastandard.net

ALLIANCE SIGNED. Hugpong ng Pagbabago, a regional political party of Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, has signed an alliance with eight local and national political parties in Aseana, Parañaque, which political observers say can be a major force in the coming 2019 mid-term elections. With Duterte is Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos of Ilokano Timpuyog, Senator Cynthia Villar of the Nacionalista Party and Senator Joseph Victor Ejercito. (Story below the fold) Lino Santos

DoF sees P1.2-t add’l deficit Pet food, pills don’t make a merry mix PHNOM PENH—Cambodian authorities seized nearly 100 kilograms of ecstasy hidden in pet food shipments from Germany, police said Monday, after charging Next page

Federalism to cost 6.7% of GDP each year

By Julito G. Rada

T

HE chief economist of the Finance department said Monday that the government would incur a budget deficit of P1.2 trillion or about 6.7 percent of gross domestic product under the provisions of the draft federal constitution, a situation that he said was not viable.

“That’s [an] additional P1.2-trillion deficit if we follow what we think they are talking about,” said Finance Undersecretary Gil Beltran in a briefing

WEATHER LPA, 3 storms pose new threat

By Rio N. Araja and Macon R. Araneta A LOW pressure area near Batanes and three storms outside the Philippine area of responsibility will Next page

‘‘

It seems the situation has been reversed. We might no longer need a Minority Floor Leader because the ones in power in Congress are acting like the minority.

—Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque, reacting to the decision of the House of Representatives to suspend budget deliberations

Monday. “For instance, allotment to federal regions will go up to P744.9 billion based on the formula of 50 percent.

And capital transfers would be P251.1

billion. So that is already almost P1 trillion. And the equalization fund would be about P131 billion.”

Other expenses would be taxes transferred to the federal regions (about P168 billion), a block grant to the Bangsamoro region (about P100 billion) and a similar grant for the Cordillera Autonomous Region (P100 billion).

“If you add all of those, it will be about P560 billion, which would be taken out of the federal government, meaning we would be cutting federal government Next page

Primer on draft Con-Com Charter

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Monday fired top officials of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Medical Center over P1.4 billion in alleged ghost transactions, and ordered court-martial proceedings against them.

Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said the President has ordered the relief of Brig. Gen. Edwin

New modus on shabu gets past X-ray

Con-Com 2018 Member

(17th of a series)

Sara’s Hugpong wins over eight political parties

By Vito Barcelo and Francisco Tuyay

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By Fr. Ranhilio Callangan Aquino

Q: Will the constitutional commissions maintain their status under the Con-Com’s Draft?

A: They will, and their independence is strengthened. There will be more constitutional commissions: Aside from the Civil Service Commission, the Commission on Audit, and the Commission on Elections, the Commission Rights is elevated to the rank of an independent constitutional commission, as is the Ombudsman (this time as a Commission), and the Competition Commission.

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Duterte axes top brass of V. Luna MC

By Vito Barcelo

SWATHE OF DESTRUCTION. The Mangas-

Esperanza Bridge in Alfonso, Cavite (top) collapsed Sunday due to erosion caused by the unforgiving monsoon rains that also inundated parts of Metro Manila, and whacked Roxas Blvd. (left) and other areas of the capital with debris, while families affected by the calamity stay comfortably (below) inside these modular tents bought by the city government of Marikina as this one in barangay Malanday. Norman Cruz, Lino Santos with PNA

THE P6.8 billion worth of shabu that entered the Manila International Container Port undetected was smuggled in through the use of a new modus operandi, Malacañang said Monday.

Palace Spokesman Harry Roque said the shabu slipped past Customs through the use of a magnetic lifter that could not be detected by X-ray machines.

He told reporters Customs was doing everything to stop the entry of illegal Next page

By Vito Barcelo

P125-m ‘hot’rice seized; trader rapped

HUGPONG ng Pagbabago, a regional political party of Davao Mayor Sara Duterte, has signed an alliance with eight local and national political parties in Aseana, Parañaque, and could be a dominant force in the coming 2019 local elections.

President Rodrigo Duterte’s daughter, better known as Inday Sara, spearheaded the signing along with Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos, former President and now Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada,

CUSTOMS agents seized P125 million worth of smuggled rice at the Manila International Container Port on Monday.

The 50,000 sacks of rice came from Thailand and were processed by customs broker Diosdado Santiago. The shipment arrived on June 14 without the necessary import permit from the National Food Authority, Bureau of Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapeña said in a statement.

The shipment was consigned to Sta.

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News

TUESDAY, AUGUST 14, 2018

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Hold order sought vs Cebu trader in drug raps

By Joel E. Zurbano GOVERNMENT prosecutors on Monday asked a Makati court to issue a hold-departure order against Cebubased trader Peter Lim in connection with the criminal charges filed against him by the Justice department.

They asked the Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 65 to order the Bureau of Immigration to issue the order against Lim, saying he was still at large and that he frequently traveled abroad.

The Philippine National Police said the Justice department’s decision to indict Lim and others on drug charges justified the police’s efforts to pin down drug lords.

“The indictment of Peter Lim is consistent with our own investigation,” Police Chief Oscar Albayalde told reporters.

“This only goes to show that the government’s campaign against illegal drugs does not discriminate against the poor. The law applies to all.”

On Aug. 11, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said Immigration had received information that Lim had returned to the country following a trip abroad.

Three days ago, the Justice department recommended Lim’s indictment for allegedly conspiring to trade in illegal drugs with self-confessed drug distributor Kerwin Espinosa and several other people. With PNA

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development. It’s as if the House is saying, with new leadership, the Palace better watch out, because it won’t be as easy as it was in the past,” Roque said.

Nograles’ panel has suspended budget deliberations “until further notice” in a bid to get the Budget department to reinstate the previous obligation-based budgeting system in which a project’s funding is good for two years.

Under the new cash-based system, agencies must spend their funds and implement their projects within the fiscal year and the next three months.

Despite the disagreement, Roque said the Palace remains hopeful that members of Congress will realize that it’s important to work together.

He said disagreements on the budget could hurt the country’s credit rating.

Roque, who was former member of the House, said he found it “curious” that the majority, not the minority, is trying to block the passage of the national budget.

“The ball is in the hands of our allies in Congress but we’re not blinking. We’re not scared of a reenacted budget,” he said.

He also hinted that congressmen who did not support the President’s proposed budget could suffer under a reenacted one.

“The congressmen better ask themselves what will happen to their pet projects because under a reenacted budget, it is Malacañang that will determine which budgets will be implemented. I don’t think they want that,” he said.

House leaders, however, allayed fears of a reenacted budget.

“We are not moving towards a reenacted budget,” House Majority Leader and Camarines Sur Rep. Rolando Andaya Jr. said at a news conference, adding that the House temporarily suspended budget deliberations “to make sense of what the budget proposals are.”

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drugs but the new scheme caught the agency and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency flat-footed because it was a new way of smuggling drugs into the country.

In other developments: • Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra has ordered the National Bureau of Investigation to conduct a parallel investigation into the recent entry of the P6.8 billion worth of shabu that slipped past Customs.

Guevarra said he had ordered NBI director Dante Gierran to create a team to probe how the shipment was successfully smuggled in.

• The House of Representatives’ committee on dangerous drugs hopes to unmask the identities of certain Customs officials in cahoots with big-time drug lords over the entry of the P6.8 billion worth of shabu last week, an official said Monday.

Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, the panel’s chairman, made the statement as his committee will conduct today, Tuesday, its inquiry into the shabu shipment.

• Senator Panfilo Lacson on Sunday said the people who smuggled the shabu into the country should drown in the floods inundating Metro Manila. With Rey E. Requejo, Maricel V. Cruz and Macon Ramos-Araneta

Ecija court drops murder charges vs four ex-solons A

By Maricel V. Cruz

NUEVA Ecija court has dumped the murder charges against four left-leaning former lawmakers for lack of probable cause, their lawyer said Monday.

Rachel Pastores said the Palayan Regional Trial Court dismissed the charges against Gabriela Women’s Party representative and now National Anti-Poverty Commission lead convener Liza Maza, former Anakpawis representative and former Agrarian Reform secretary Rafael Mariano, and former Bayan Muna representatives Satur Ocampo and Teddy Casiño.

The court issued an arrest warrant against the suspects on July 11 due to the alleged murder of the supporters of the rival party-list group, Akbayan.

Lawmakers on Monday welcomed the

court’s dismissal of the charges against Maza, Mariano, Ocampo and Casiño.

“We thank Judge [|Trece] Wenceslao for his impartiality and for not succumbing to the pressures to act against the Makabayan 4 and for dismissing these clearly preposterous trumped-up charges,” Bayan Muna Party-list Rep. Carlos Zarate said.

“Those behind these harassment charges should be held accountable,” Zarate said.

He said Citizens’ Crime Watch group member Ferdinand Topacio should be among those held accountable “for

Phoenix leads pump price hike

By Alena Mae S. Flores THE country’s oil firms are increasing domestic pump prices by P0.25 per liter for diesel and P0.15 per liter for gasoline effective Tuesday to reflect the movement of world oil prices.

“Phoenix Petroleum Philippines will increase the prices of gasoline by P0.15 per liter and diesel by P0.25 per liter, effective 6 am of Aug. 14,” the oil firm said.

The companies did not move kerosene prices.

Other oil firms raising prices were PTT Philippines, Seaoil Philippines, Eastern Petroleum and Flying V, while other companies are expected to follow.

World prices went up on optimism over United States sanctions against Iran, amid sanctions imposed on Russia.

On Aug. 7, oil firms cut pump prices

by P0.10 per liter for both diesel and gasoline.

DoF...

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expenditures. You know the P560 billion [is] about 95 percent of the [budget for] personnel services,” Beltran said.

Beltran said the highest deficit the country incurred in history was about 5 percent of GDP during the time of global financial crisis in 2008.

He added that the department did not do simulations based on a deficit of 6.7 percent of GDP because it felt this was not viable.

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III last Friday called for a dialog on the federalism issue, saying the draft federal constitution contains ambiguous provisions on the allocation of expenditures for the would-be federated government and its federated regions.

In a statement, Dominguez said these things underscored the urgency of opening more discussions on this proposed document drafted by the consultative committee (Con-Com) tasked to review the 1987 Constitution.

Dominguez made it clear that while the economic team was not against federalism, it has the responsibility to point out the ambiguous and unclear provisions in the proposed draft charter, “especially when the possible repercussions could result in dire, irreversible economic consequences.”

“We welcome a discussion on the draft so that it is clear and unambiguous. We do not want the revenue assignment and the expenditure assignment to be misunderstood, as what happened in the recent case involving the Internal Revenue Allotment [of the local government units],” Dominguez said.

As for the call of Con-Com member Ranhilio Aquino for President Rodrigo Duterte to fire him and Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia for stating their views on the proposed federal Charter, Dominguez said: “We respect the opinion of Fr. Aquino, but we believe that such attitude would not enrich the level of discourse on the proposed Constitution.”

Dominguez said that while the draft charter contained provisions on the taxation powers of the Federal Government and the Federated Region and a provision on revenue assignment in which the Federated Regions shall be given a 50-percent share in income, excise, value added taxes and customs duties, “there is no provision on expenditure assignment.”

The draft constitution also enumerated the exclusive powers of the federal government and the federated regions but was silent on the funding source for the exercise of these powers, he said.

“As we pointed out earlier, we never stated that we are against federalism.

The Department of Energy, meanwhile, has ordered oil companies to provide Euro-II compliant automotive diesel oil to help reduce fuel prices.

In a memorandum order, the department said this was pursuant to existing Philippine National Standards on Diesel Fuel Quality and in accordance with the provisions of Republic Act 8479, the Downstream Oil Deregulation Law, and Republic Act 8749, the Philippine Clean Air Act. “For the purpose of reducing the impact of rising petroleum prices in the world market, all industry players are hereby directed to provide at the retail level Euro-II compliant automative diesel oil as a fuel option for the transport and industrial customers,” the order added.

It also directed oil companies offering Euro-II compliant diesel to submit a monthly compliance report, indicating the list of participating retail outlets.

Rather, with respect to the fiscal provisions of the proposed Constitution, there are ambiguous provisions on revenue assignment and there are no provisions on expenditure assignment,” the Finance chief said. “There are, likewise, principles on revenue sharing that do not appear to be well studied.”

Citing an example, Dominguez said that although the draft constitution provided for an Equalization Fund, which shall not be less than 3 percent of the annual General Appropriations Act, it did not state whether this would be taken from the share of the federal government or of the federated regions.

Over the weekend, influential business organizations appealed to legislators to weigh carefully the costs and risks associated with the proposed monumental shift to a federal system of government.

The organizations—The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Employers Confederation of the Philippines, the Management Association of the Philippines, the Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc., the Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines, the Makati Business Club and the Cebu Business Club—threw their support behind Dominguez and Pernia.

Meanwhile, Finance Undersecretary Bayani Agabin denied Con-Com member Edmund Tayao’s claim that the committee had sought inputs from the country’s economic managers “since Day 1” and asked for their presence during the meetings.

“That’s not true,” Agabin said in an interview with the ANC news channel.

He said the economic managers were asked to attend one meeting on April 24, and it was not even about the fiscal provisions of the proposed charter.

There was no discussion then about the division of taxing powers and spending responsibilities between the proposed federal and regional governments, he said.

The Palace said Monday that President Rodrigo Duterte is determined to push through with federalism despite the concerns raised by his economic managers.

Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said the President wants solutions for the concerns of economic managers and business groups as he urged Congress to assess the costs and risks of the proposed shift to a federal form of government.

“This is, of course, an input that the President will consider. And we’re hoping that the legislature [that] will tackle Charter change will also consider the position of the business community,” Roque said.

Also on Monday, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, chairman of the Senate committee on economic affairs, said his panel was set to look into the potential impact that the shift to federalism would have on the economy. With Vito Barcelo and Macon Ramos-Araneta

unnecessarily putting the security and lives of the Makabayan 4 in jeopardy.”

Topacio earlier said “concerned citizens” had raised the reward money and coursed it through Citizens’ Crime Watch.

Zarate said “At the very least, we challenge him [Topacio] to donate the P4-million bounty he supposedly raised against the progressive leaders to the evacuees hit by the torrential rain in [Metro Manila] and other areas,” Zarate said.

Gabriela Party-list Reps. Emmi de Jesus and Arlene Brosas said the dismissal of the murder charges and the dumping of the arrest warrants against Maza and the others was “a victory against political persecution.”

They said the Aug. 8 decision issued by Wenceslao “also effectively quashes all the black propaganda by the Palace and President [Rodrigo] Duterte’s supporters against the progressive leaders.”

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Leo Torrelavega, commander of the AFP Health Service Command, and Col. Antonio Punzalan, commander at the V. Luna Medical Center.

He said about 20 other officials and members of the AFP Medical Center will be relieved, but did not name them.

“I suppose the entire office that has to do with procurement will be relieved,” Roque said in a press briefing.

President Rodrigo Duterte “went ballistic” when he heard of the corruption at the military hospital, Roque said.

He said several high ranking officials and employees of the V. Luna Medical Center and the Health Service Command undertook anomalous purchases of equipment and engaged in fraudulent transactions, including ghost-purchasing, splitting of contracts to circumvent mandatory bidding processes, and creating fictitious suppliers with total contracts worth P1,491,570.00.

He said AFP Chief of Staff Carlito Galvez has already released a memorandum relieving the officials. The orders are to take effect immediately, he added.

The multi-billion-peso anomalies at the military hospital were brought to light by a whistleblower, Roque said.

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Rosa Farm Products Corp., a rice importer with a pending case before the Department of Justice for supposedly importing 200 containers of rice without the required documents, Lapeña said.

He said the rice would be auctioned off after it is tested and found fit for human consumption.

The Bureau of Customs has filed smuggling charges against five traders and warehouse owners over a foiled attempt to spirit into the country agricultural products, fake branded cigarettes, rice, sugar, used clothing and other highly taxable items.

Lapeña said the filing of charges against the traders and importers is in line with the strict directive of President Rodrigo Duterte to intensify the drive against smugglers and violators of customs laws.

Charged were Justine Lim, operator of the warehouse located at Tondo, Manila where various fake cosmetic products and fake perfumes such as Ralph Lauren, Hugo Boss, Polo Sport, Georgio Armani, and Clinique Happy were found; Erlinda D. Rico a.ka. Linda Chua, owner of the other three warehouses at Toctocan St., and Kanlaon St. in Quezon City, and Sta. Cruz, Manila where counterfeit Marlboro, Fortune, Mighty and Winston brand cigarettes, Silka products, Cetaphil, Knorr pork cubes, and Knorr Sinigang sa Sampaloc mix were discovered by customs agents. Vito Barcelo

Sara’s...

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Zamboanga del Norte Rep. Seth Frederick Jalosjos, and Pampanga Gov. Lilia Pineda and other members of the Nacionalista Party, National Unity Party, and the Nationalist People’s Coalition and five other political parties in a packed meeting on Monday morning.

“This is just the first batch of the political groups that have signified to form an alliance with Hugpong,” said Davao del Norte Gov. Anthony del Rosario, Hugpong secretary general, told reporters. at the Blue Leaf Filipinas in Parañaque.

Senator Aquilino Pimentel III, for his part, belied an apparent internal squabble within the ruing PDP-Laban.

“The so-called internal problem is a figment of the imagination of some people,” Pimentel said.

With Jess Malabanan and Macon Ramos-Araneta

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Q: What guarantees are provided to preserve the independence of the Commissions?

A: Appointments are by the President with the Confirmation of the Commission on Appointments, but, once appointed, chairpersons and members can be removed only by impeachment. The commissions enjoy fiscal autonomy, and there can be no reduction in their appropriations from the appropriations of the previous year.

They may promulgate their own rules and regulations.

Q: What is notably new in the proposal on the Civil Service Commission?

A: There will be Regional Civil Service Commissions, but these will be more than just the CSC Regional Offices that presently exist. The Federal Commission shall set only minimum standards and policies, but the Regional Assemblies may enact laws which provide for standards, policies and qualifications even higher than the minimum standards. The Regional Civil Service Commissions’ members shall be appointed by the Regional Governor with the consent of the Regional Assembly, and selection and appointment of regional personnel shall be by the Regional Civil Service Commission.

Q: What is notably new in the proposal on the Commission on Elections?

A: Since the Comelec has repeatedly complained that much of its time is spent in the adjudication of election contests, this jurisdiction has been taken away from it, but it will have its hands full, since it will be the primary agency for the party mechanisms that the draft sets in place, such as the Democracy Fund to which contributors to political parties make their contributions.

Q: Recently, the revelations of Attorney Glenn Chong have exposed the vulnerability of automated elections to systematized and highly technical deceit. How does the draft deal with this?

A: In more than hortatory language, the Draft requires that “the appreciation of ballots, counting of votes and the overall conduct of any election, whether it be manual, automated or a combination of both, shall be accessible, verifiable and open to public scrutiny at all stages. The average citizen or a group of citizens will then have the right to demand that the process by which votes are appreciated or “counted” electronically be made clear to them, and this may include the appointment or selection of citizen IT experts who will verify the integrity of the automated elections.

Q: What of the Commission on Audit?

A: Because it is preferable to prevent irregularity rather than deal with the damage when damage has been done, or to punish malfeasance or misfeasance when committed, the Draft provides that the Commission on Audit SHALL conduct a pre-audity with a reasonable period on transactions or contracts and projects of paramount importance to economic development upon request of the head of the agency.

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continue to enhance the southwest monsoon, the weather bureau said yesterday.

The LPA was estimated at 920 kilometers east northeast of Basco, Batanes, while severe tropical storm “Leepi” was spotted 1,820 kms east northeast of extreme Northern Luzon, with maximum sustained winds of 90 km/hour and gustiness of up to 115 km/hour.

The two other weather systems were tropical storm “Karding,” which is now outside the country, and tropical storm “Bebinca” which is still at the Pacific Ocean.

Inclement weather caused by the southwest monsoon, enhanced by tropical storm “Karding” has caused the death of two persons, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said. With PNA

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a Chinese national in connection with the record haul.

The suspect, identified as Yao Zeye, was arrested on Aug. 7 after coming to the Phnom Penh central post office to pick up the boxes, said National AntiDrugs Authority deputy secretary-general Mok Chito.

In total 98 kilograms of MDMA pills–better known as ecstasy–were discovered in the shipment, which was intended for distribution locally and in Vietnam.

“This is the biggest bust of ecstasy” in Cambodia, Chito told AFP, adding that one pill of the party drug sold for between $20 and $80 and the total haul was worth “millions” of dollars.

Yao Zeye was charged over the weekend with drug trafficking and faces up to life imprisonment if convicted, as police look into possible accomplices. AFP

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TUESDAY, AUGUST 14, 2018 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Senate urged to pass bill on budget for vaccine victims

By Maricel V. Cruz THE chairman of the House of Representatives’ committee on appropriations on Monday appealed to senators to pass at the soonest possible time the measure providing P1.161-billion supplemental budget intended to provide medical assistance to 900,000 children injected with Dengvaxia vaccines.

Davao City Rep. Karlo Alexei Nograles, the panel’s chairperson, said he is hopeful that the Senate will be able to approve the measure before Congress goes on a one week break beginning Aug. 17.

Nograles said that passing the measure on time will enable the House to provide the needed funding for its implementation as soon as gets enacted.

At the same time, Nograles lamented that budgetary cut in the Department of Health human resource for health deployment program at P8.4 billion under the proposed 2019 cash-based budgeting system of the Department of Budget and Management may affect the implementation of the measure that shall provide assistance to Dengvaxia recipients.

“We appeal to our senators to pass the supplemental budget bill intended to provide medical assistance to 900,000 children injected with Dengvaxia vaccines before Congress on break this week [so that the needed funding for its implementation will be made available in the future while the House is trying to resolve the issue on the cash-based budgeting system with the Budget department],” Nograles said at a news conference Monday.

Congress goes on break on Aug. 17 and will resume its session on Aug. 27.

SC resets oral arguments on ICC withdrawal anew

By Rey E. Requejo THE Supreme Court has rescheduled anew the oral arguments on petitions of opposition senators questioning the constitutionality of President Rodrigo Duterte’s decision to withdraw the country’s membership in the International Criminal Court.

The oral argument which was slated today, Tuesday, has been reset to Aug. 28, the SC said, in an advisory.

The SC’s Public Information Office said the parties have already been informed of the change in schedule although the official resolution will be approved and released today.

The high court made the move upon request of six opposition senators who filed the petition after it denied their plea to have detained Senator Leila de Lima to be temporarily released from detention to argue the case for them.

The opposition senators said that they “do not have a representative for the oral arguments on 14 August 2018 whom they deem able to fully articulate their position.”

De Lima was joined by Senators Kiko Pangilinan, Franklin Drilon, Bam Aquino, Antonio Trillanes IV and Risa Hontiveros in filing the petition.

This is the third time the SC has rescheduled the oral argument on the ICC petition. It has moved the oral arguments twice—from July 24 to Aug. 7 and then to Aug. 14—to give parties more time to prepare.

SMUGGLED RICE. Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapeña inspects one of 100 shipping containers loaded with 2,500 tons of smuggled rice worth P125 million on Monday, Aug. 13, 2018, at the Manila International Container Port in Isla Puting Bato, Tondo Manila. Norman Cruz

Customs: One-Strike rule holds for underperforming collectors

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NE year after taking over the Bureau of Customs and warning BoC officials and employees that he would implement a “OneStrike Policy” for BoC personnel involved in corruption, Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapeña has adopted a similar strategy with underperforming BoC collectors who have failed to meet their monthly collection targets.

For the month of July, District Collectors Vener Baquiran and Segundo Sigmundfreud Barte of Manila International Container Port and Port of Subic, respectively, are now awaiting personnel orders for their reassignment for their failure to meet their monthly collection targets.

The MICP has failed to hit collection targets for the months of March, April, May, and June, a development that will also result in the sacking of collectors Balmyrson Valdez and Marites Martin.

Lapeña had earlier issued a memorandum directing all district collectors, including deputy collectors for assessment, the chiefs of formal entry divisions and examiners to be responsible for hitting the targets assigned to them––warning that those who failed to hit their targets would be replaced

or relieved from their posts and reshuffled to other positions.

The directive is consistent with the fivepoint reform plan Lapeña submitted to the Department of Finance in September 2017, which involves (1) stopping corruption, (2) increasing revenues, (3) ensuring trade facilitation, (4) strengthening anti-smuggling efforts, and (5) enhancing the personnel incentives, rewards system and compensation benefits for BoC personnel.

To increase revenue collections, Lapeña said he would, among others, speed up the collection and forfeiture of outstanding and demandable bonds, order the collection of additional duties, taxes or penalties from post audit, immediately auction off forfeited shipments and overstaying containers,

and implement the one-strike policy against officials who fail to reach their monthly collection targets due to incorrect or undervaluation of goods under their jurisdiction.

The MICP and Subic ports are not the only entry points that have fallen short of their collection targets from January to July 2018 this year. Other underperforming entry points include the Port of Manila, the Batangas Port, the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, the Surigao Port, the Zamboanga Port, the Port of Iloilo, and the Port of Legazpi.

Upon taking over the BoC in August 2017, Lapeña had pledged to implement President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s marching orders to “stop corruption and increase revenue earnings” in a bureau regarded as one of the most corrupt agencies in the bureaucracy.

“In conformity with the marching order of the President… everyone can expect major changes in the bureau. We will start first with the first mandate: Corruption. When we address this, along the way that will also consequently improve collections.”

The “One-Strike Rule” for BoC personnel engaged in corrupt practices have already resulted in the dismissal of over 100 BoC employees.

PNP tells units in remote areas to stay alert vs NPAs

By Macon Ramos-Araneta THE Philippine National Police has directed its units in areas with known presence of communist insurgents to be on their toes to prevent incidents similar to the attack on the town hall and police station of Lapinig, Northern Samar last week.

Speaking to newsmen, PNP chief Director General Oscar Albayalde said the PNP would also investigate the possible liability of police officials in the area in connection with the incident, which resulted in the loss of at least 10 service firearms from the PNP along with other equipment.

Part of the investigation would look into why there were only six policemen on duty at the time, Albayalde said.

The PNP chief noted that the incident was earlier reported as a mere harassment attack before the true extent of the

ransacking was bared. “[W]e are reminding our troops, especially in critical areas and infested to undertake target hardening measures,” he said.

Albayalde said the decision to relieve the personnel involved should serve as a warning to other officials and the “need to emphasize our one strike policy against lackluster performance” by PNP personnel.

Police Regional Office 8 (Eastern Visayas) director Chief Supt. Mariel Magaway was relieved from his post following the attack by communist rebels early Friday morning and was replaced

by PNP Aviation Security Group director Chief Supt. Dionardo Carlos.

Albayalde also ordered the relief of all personnel of the Lapinig Municipal Police Station in Northern Samar and their immediate superior officers as investigation into the circumstances sur-

rounding the raid is underway.

Reports said at least 100 New People’s Army members laid siege to the town around 2 am.

Two policemen, PO1 Edison Aguirre and PO2 Gerry Quilicol, were wounded in the reported initial firefight with the armed group. They were taken to the Gamay District Hospital for medical treatment.

Others relieved from their post were Insp. Noli Montebon, Lapinig chief of police; Chief Insp. Juan Byron Leogoe, commander of the 2nd Northern Samar Provincial Mobile Force Company; and Northern Samar provincial director Senior Supt. Romeo Campomanes.

Meanwhile, Senator Panfilo Lacson said on Monday that to ensure its new recruits to learn to uphold the law instead of violating it, the Philippine National Police take full responsibility— and accountability—for their training.

Batangas crime syndicate leader falls

MAYOR IN ACTION. Navotas City Mayor John Rey Tiangco, visits the families who had to take shelter at Tangos 1 Elementary School after high tide and continuous rains caused by storm-enhanced habagat flooded their homes. Tiangco also distributed financial aid and prophylaxis against leptospirosis to the affected residents. Andrew Rabulan

A KEY leader of a private armed group engaged in gun-for-hire activities operating in Batangas province has been captured, Philippine National Police chief Director General Oscar Albayalde said on Monday.

Geronimo Bantugon, an ‘armourer’ and one of the leaders of the Bantugon Group, was arrested for illegal possession of high-powered firearms and explosives by operatives of the Police Regional Office 4 (Calabarzon).

Albayalde said that the group gained notoriety for operating an illegal quarry, scrap metal trading and fuel pilferage in Bauan and Mabini towns under its former leader, Leonilo “Ka Nilo” Bantugon, who was gunned down in 2016 by a police

team serving him an arrest warrant.

Leonilo’s brother, Leonardo, has since assumed the group’s leadership.

Their cousin Geronimo, to whom Leonardo has entrusted the group’s armaments, was reported to be slowly taking over the operations while Leonardo is in hiding in Mindoro, Albayalde said. “[It is] very significant dahil [because] all part of our offensives against suspected guns-for-hire, not only guns-for-hire but also [because they are] involved in illegal drug trade, dahil ito halos lahat tinatrabaho na nila kung saan sila kikita [because they are working on all possible rackets that can be a source of income],” Albayalde said. PNA

Ombudsman slams liars, hypocrites

By Rio N. Araja OMBUDSMAN Samuel Martires on Monday said he dislikes hypocrites and liars at the workplace.

During yesterday’s flagraising ceremony, he warned officials and employees of the Office of the Ombudsman to stay straightforward and honest in what they feel about him.

He said he welcomes honest comments on him and his actions, and could accept constructive criticisms rather to be in the company of people who criticize him and talk about him behind his back.

Martires also instructed all Ombudsman personnel to hold their Monday flagraising ceremony in front of the Ombudsman’s building, and not inside the auditorium.

During the stint of retired Ombudsman Conchita CarpioMorales they used to hold the activity at the auditorium as part of the agency’s strict security measures.

Cimatu issues order to stop quarrying in Rizal

By Rio N. Araja SAYING quarrying may be one of the cause of floods in Metro Manila’s Marikina City, Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu on Monday ordered to stop its operations in Rizal province.

Undersecretary Ana Teh of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources instructed Mines and Geosciences Bureau regional director Samuel Paragas to coordinate with Environmental Management Bureau regional director Noemi Paranada and EMB engineer-director Metodio Turbella to issue a joint stoppage order on the quarrying and crushing of plants in Rizal’s San Mateo and Rodriguez, She said the DENR will conduct an investigation on the possible role of quarrying in the flooding in Marikina, a low-lying area prone to severe flooding.

“We will [have to] suspend the operations of quarrying in those areas,” Secretary Roy Cimatu said.

“We will be going to undertake dredging to deepen and widen the bottom of the water ways so we could prevent floodings,” he added.

He also called on the residents in those areas to plant bamboo in the riverbanks.

San Mateo was placed under state of calamity after heavy monsoon rains severely flooded the province.

Local officials of Rodriguez have yet to declare a state of calamity.

Despite the exit of tropical storm “Karding” from the Philippine Area of Responsibility, it still enhanced the southwest monsoon of hanging habagat to bring torrential rains and cause intense flooding in several areas of Metro Manila and Rizal.

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Opinion

TUESDAY, AUGUST 14, 2018

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Careful with federalism TO THE POINT EMIL P. JURADO

nia and Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno who will be implementing the economic and fiscal provisions of the new form of government. When we hear them warning us about the effects of federalism, we should take their word for it.

I think we can now regard federalism as dead in the water. As I said, even time is against it.

IF THERE is one thing clear in the debate on the need to shift from the unitary to the federal form of government, it is the fact that the consultative committee did not have finance and economics experts among them. *** I agree with economic managers I have long advocated the creation of Finance Secretary Carlos “Sonny” a permanent government agency under Dominguez and Socio-economic Plan- the Office of the President to replace ning Secretary Ernesto Pernia that fed- the National Disaster Risk Reduction eralism would have a negative impact and Management Council, an ad hoc on our fiscal policy. body under the Department of National President Duterte and the proponents Defense. of federalism should listen. Aside from While the NDRRMC has been dethe effect on fiscal policy, some 95 per- volved to local government units, it is cent of the 1.46-million government still a unit that only goes into action employees stand to lose their jobs. when disaster strikes.

With that many jobless people on the Thus, when President Duterte stated streets, law and order would be a night- in his State of the Nation Address that mare! he wants the creation of a Department Secretary Dominguez told the Sen- of Disaster Resiliency, I said: “It’s ate deliberating the P3.757-trillion na- about time.” tional budget for The new de2019 that he was partment can absorb the NDRconfused over the RMC, the Climate draft submitted by The President should the consultative Change Commiscommittee, spe- listen to the experts. sion and all other cifically on sharagencies in charge ing of resources of relief, rescue and rehabilitation between the naafter disasters. tional government and the federated states. Credit ratings Every year, we have flooding here will “go to hell,” he said. in Metro Manila, and landslides/ mudAnd who do you think will shoulder slides in the countryside. The need for the huge cost that comes with this exer- such an agency gets more critical every cise? We taxpayers, of course, will be year. burdened with additional taxes.

We have been needing this departWith the powerful business groups ment, with its own budget allocation led by the Philippine Chamber of and permanent personnel for a long Commerce and Industry, the Makati time!

Business Club, the Management Association of the Philippines, the Finan*** cial Executives Institute of the PhilipThere are many proposals to minipines, Employers’ Confederation of mize the gridlock at Edsa but nothing the Philippines, and Cebu Business has worked so far.

Club throwing their support behind the Now comes this idea of the Metro economic managers, President Duterte Manila Development Authority to ban should at least pause and listen. vehicles with just the drivers in them Congress, which will have to push on Edsa. Will it work?

Charter change so the country could First, there are so many heavily move toward federalism, should now tinted vehicles. Second, it’s only the stop. There are warning signs that we middle-class car owners who will sufare not ready. fer because the rich have their drivers We should take into consideration with them. the fact that it will be Dominguez, PerTurn to A5

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

The R word

T

HERE was a time when resilience was a virtue.

Many Filipinos prided themselves in being resilient in the face of adversity. Despite upheavals in politics, or the economy, and most visibly in the environment, being a Filipino meant being able to rise above it all and putting on a grin-and-bear-it face.

On Saturday, tropical storm “Karding” enhanced the southwest monsoon and brought more than half of the rainfall expected for August in just one day. The resulting flooding put residents of Metro Manila and of adjacent areas in resilient mode again.

Photos and videos seen on traditional and social media showed, for instance, showed a man smiling as he waded in chest-deep floodwater. Or a bride pushing through with her wedding in a flooded church.

Or families huddled in evacuation centers. These images remind us that it takes more than a disaster to curtail Filipinos’ penchant to be thankful for small mercies.

But that disasters are a common,

anticipated occurrence in our calamity-prone country should not make us any less forgiving of errant officials. It is their job to know exactly what the risks are, how to mitigate these risks, and what steps to follow in the event of a disaster. More importantly, the law mandates them to ensure that old problems are addressed such that communities are able to cope better and recover faster.

President Rodrigo Duterte, in his State of the Nation Address last month, called on Congress to create the Department of Disaster Management. “Our people’s safety requirements cannot wait,” he said. We agree, and we hope lawmakers take heed.

Local government units across the country take their disaster man-

agement responsibilities differently. Certainly, there are pockets of success.Some learn from experience and becoming more thoughtful about their constituents’ needs.

Others, however, equate disaster management to merely providing packaged goods and distributing them in evacuation centers without pondering long-term action like improving structure and establishing better garbage collection practices.

Disasters are a reality that will strike, not as a matter of if but of when. Filipinos should not dwell on their resilience too much. It may just become a vice—an excuse for the ineptitude of their leaders.

The challenge is not to have the same smiling-in-spite-ofthe-flood photos. We cannot control when and how disasters will come, but we—aided largely by the government— can certainly do something about how we anticipate, prepare for, respond to and recover from them.

Federalism and the destruction of local governments local government autonomy.

In that spirit, let me be as clear as pure water: The draft constitution is bad for local governments and their autonomy. It threatens their existence, in fact, and most likely will reverse the gains achieved in our mixed expeI WRITE this eighth of my series of rience of the Local Government Code. columns on the proposed constitution. Indeed, if the Con-Com draft is adoptAs in every column, this is a construc- ed, local governments could be comtive attempt to engage the country on pletely destroyed and its status, role, the new constitution that has been en- powers, and revenue powers subjected dorsed by President Duterte to Con- to the whims of untested Federated gress for its deliberation if and when Regional Governments.

This is a very strange and disturbthe House of Representatives and Senate, through separate resolutions, ing observation to make. I assume that convert into a constituent assembly. I Chief Justice Reynato Puno and other consider the text provided by the con- members of the consultative comsultative committee (Con-Com) as a mittee did not mean it to be this way, first draft—for discussion, debate, and but as a constitutional law professor and expert interpreting the text they revision as the process progresses. have proposed The Con-Com and after reading chairman and through the conmembers, many sultative commitof whom I know tee draft several A yes vote would and have the times (at least 20 highest respect be institutional times, and continfor, should not uing to do so very take my columns suicide by week as it is reand in fact all constitutional quired reading for critiques of their revision. the five constituproduct persontional law courses ally. They should I currently teach), not be defensive I have come to the and instead welconclusions in the come comments.

And if given the chance, they should preceding paragraph.

This is a strange thing to say because revise their draft.

I do this as a constitutional law pro- I count among the Con-Com some of the fessor in eight law schools from Luzon strongest advocates of local autonomy— to Mindanao (including two graduate among them former senator Aquilino law schools and the Philippine Judi- Pimentel, universally recognized as the cial Academy), as a constitutional law father of the Local Government Code of and public management scholar who 1981 and professor Edmund Tayao, long has published in many local and in- time head of the Local Government Deternational publications, as a Filipino velopment Foundation.

It is also disturbing because one of the citizen, a Mindanawon, and yes as a Turn to A5 long-time advocate of federalism and

Cows help rehabilitate prisoners in Sweden

By Hélène Dauschy IT’S barely 6:00 am and Alfred is already busy milking cows. But when his chores on the farm are done, he won’t be going home —he’ll be returning to his prison cell.

In Sweden, which prioritizes rehabilitation over long prison sentences, Alfred is one of 60 inmates preparing to reintegrate into society at a minimum security “open prison” functioning as a farm in the town of Mariestad, about 300 kilometres (185 miles) southwest of Stockholm.

Imprisoned since April for illegally possessing a gun, Alfred, a grandfather in his 50s who is due to be released in November, can’t hide the joy he gets from spending time with the animals.

“I like them... they calm me down,” he says with a sigh, wearing a cap, his arm covered in tattoos.

In this agricultural prison called Rodjan —the biggest of the Swedish penitentiary system’s three farms—his routines are the same every day.

He meets up with his work assignment partner Sofian (both names have been changed to protect their identities) in the morning for two and a half hours of work and then once again in the evening.

“I clean [the udder] to avoid the bacteria, then I disinfect it” before pulling the teats, Alfred says enthusiastically.

Other inmates work on the farm watering the plants, repainting the gates, and mowing the lawn. And a dozen of them are in charge of the livestock.

Prisoners in freedom Sweden is among the countries with the fewest prisoners in the world: there are 0.5 inmates per 1,000 inhabitants, which is half of that in France (one per 1,000), Swedish and French prison data show.

The Scandinavian nation spends twice as much as France on each detainee, including those placed under surveillance, and works hard to avoid confinement.

Instead, it prefers to put people on probation, favours widespread use of ankle monitors, sentences people to community service, and releases prisoners after twothirds of time served.

Sweden also invests heavily in reintegration through language classes and voTurn to A5 cational training.

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

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Opinion

TUESDAY, AUGUST 14, 2018

‘Pederalismo’ FORMATION GARY OLIVAR AT LAST Friday’s Nanka Forum, a weekly media kapihan at the Nanka restaurant in QC that I’m privileged to cohost, one of our guests was electoral reform activist Glenn Chong, a high-school amateur programmer, CPA-lawyer, and former congressman—in short, a man of substance.

Glenn regaled us with blood-curdling stories of Smartmatic servers transmitting 2016 poll results even if they were incontrovertibly shut down—perhaps the Comelec’s equivalent of “ghosts in the machine.” In his small province of Biliran alone, the discrepancy totaled over 200,000 votes, which also happens to be the margin of victory of VP Leni Robredo nationwide.

Could any of this have compromised Duterte’s electoral mandate? As a matter of fact, it’s the other way around, because Glenn doesn’t dismiss the widespread rumor that Duterte was actually cheated of five million to six-million votes, at a time when current fugitive Andy Bautista was running Comelec and Mar Roxas was putting to good use a multi-billion-peso LP war chest accumulated over six years under PNoy. Another kapihan guest was MMDA general manager Jojo Garcia, who gruffly informed us that his agency was ready to implement a resolution by the Metro Manila Council to ban driver-only private vehicles from Edsa during rush hours.

Such vehicles account for up to 70 percent of Edsa traffic, so the ban makes sense if only as a stop-gap measure while longer-term fixes are devised. We hope MMDA does not overlook the proper workarounds, such as clearing away sidewalk vendors and other obstructions along the alternative side streets that banned vehicles will have to use, or managing the crowd of “ride-sharers for pay” who’ll sprout up at both ends of Edsa. *** Our third kapihan guest was Con-Com member professor Eddie Alih, formerly chancellor of the University of Mindanao in Tawi-Tawi, who gamely took on the predictable media questions about uberblogger Mocha Uson’s “pepe-dede-ralismo” video.

I’ve long believed that the risqué Miss Uson, who’s followed by millions of Duterte diehards, is better left to herself as a digital free spirit rather than being weighed down by the burden of an Assistant Secretary title. Unburdened, that raunchy video would have achieved its objective of putting “pederalismo” on the radar screen of her followers without

stirring up all that harrumphing from the prim-and-proper crowd.

In any case, that little dust-up was quickly upstaged by another face-off over federalism, this time involving the President’s economic team, who declared themselves opposed to the whole idea of federalism (although they later narrowed down their criticism to only the ConCom’s draft version of it).

Among the questions and claims brought up by economic managers Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez and Neda’s Secretary Ernesto Pernia, together with my attempted answers based solely on newspaper accounts: Transition to federalism will cost P131 billion in the first year alone. I suspect that nearly half of this estimate from Secretary Pernia actually comprises outlays unrelated to federalism (e.g. establishing a lot more courts of law in order to unclog

That little dust-up over Mocha was quickly upstaged by another face-off over federalism, this time involving the President’s economic team.

vided they drop their dismissive attitude and get with the program that the President himself has put on the table.

Right now, LP Senator Kiko Pangilinan has been saying “it’s possible” that his Senate committee on constitutional change may vote against charter change, citing as one reason the apprehensions raised by Duterte’s economic team. This is why it’s always a good idea, whenever you’re quarreling among yourselves, to keep it inside and shut up when outside. *** On the infrastructure front, right-ofway issues—the traditional bane of construction projects in this country—are predictably now emerging as serious, perhaps even existential, threats to Duterte’s ambitious Build Build Build program.

Completion of the P67-billion MRT Line 7 project is being held up by a ruling from the Malolos regional trial court that would force government to pay a prohibitively high price to acquire property for a planned train depot site.

As well, Metro Pacific’s plans to start construction of the NLEX-SLEX connector road have been stymied by delays in acquiring right of way, only half of which has to date been acquired by government.

It’s well known that most of government’s institutional experience in ROW is really lodged in the engineers and other specialists of DPWH, who’re out there building roads and bridges every day.

This was supposed to be leveraged by the creation of a DPWH-led inter-agency task force to fast-track ROW solutions. What’s happened with that?

And on the political front, internal dissension continues to tear up the ruling PDP-Laban party in a stubborn face-off between Senator Koko Pimentel and Mindanao lawyer Rogelio Garcia. The party chairman, Duterte himself, has already thrown up his hands in exasperation and told his party-mates to stop adding to the problems on his plate.

Meanwhile, the newly minted Hugpong ng Pagbabago, nominally a regional party in Mindanao, has jumped to the other end of the country and recruited the Solid North through its latest member, Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos.

She joins a growing list of new members: Senator JV Ejercito, former PNP chief Bato de la Rosa, Maguindanao’s Sajid Mangudadatu.

Lately, Hugpong has even volunteered to help PDP-Laban with its “internal problems”. At the rate these regional alliances are being put together, it won’t be long—perhaps by 2022?—before this regional party, under its millennial leader Mayor Sara Duterte, becomes a national party to reckon with.

the notoriously backed-up judicial dockets) or that involve avoidable duplication of functions (e.g. the costs of regional administration can be reduced by combining or consolidating provincial governorships, assemblies and administrations).

Up to 95 percent of government employees will be laid off. This wild number from Secretary Dominguez misses the obvious: A lot of government employees will be laid off from the federal payroll because they’ll be transferred to regional payrolls, as their offices, functions, and budgets are downloaded to the regions.

Ambiguity about revenue sources and expenditure assignments between federal and regional levels. This is a Dominguez concern perhaps caused by the Con-Com formulation that “at least 50 percent” of government revenues will be reallocated to the regions. But as a practical matter, what’s likely to happen is for the federal gov’t to first cover all its expenses—especially debt service—before the regions get their revenue shares as a residual. If the federal share is still more than half, then it’ll have to shed off some more functions, otherwise the system still ain’t federalism.

Clearly, the economic team should have gotten more involved in the earlier days of the federalist discussions. But it still isn’t Readers can write me at gbolivar1952@ too late to bring them up to speed, pro- yahoo.com.

Federalism...

TRAIN caused it; let TRAIN solve it operations or (2) are major components of household budgets. As bunker fuel, petroleum products drive the wheels of RUDY industry, as gasoline and diesel fuel make ROMERO motor vehicles run and as kerosene and electricity keep households going. The national economy’s managers have preDURING its most recent meeting, the sented statistics to try and show that the policymaking body of BSP (Bangko Sen- other excise-taxed goods are equally to tral ng Pilipinas), the Monetary Board, blame for the rise in inflation, but there added 50 basis points to the BSP’s basic can be no denying that the taxes on sales lending rate, raising it to 4 percent. That of petroleum products, because of their is its highest rate since the 2008 world fi- impact on manufacturing, transportation nancial crisis. and household activity, are the princiThe BSP has issued a statement indi- pal culprit. I am prepared to wager that cating that the Aug. 9 rate increase—the if the taxes on petroleum products were third in 2018—was intended to counter reduced or withdrawn altogether, the curthe ongoing upsurge in consumer prices. rent inflationary movement would slow The 50-basis-points increase apparently substantially, making possible an earlier was the “aggressive” anti-inflationary return to price stability. In sum, what we measure that the Monetary Board has have here is a fiscal issue, i.e., taxes. said it would be taking. Both the two preWhich brings me back to the succesceding rate-increase actions had raised sive increases in the BSP’s basic interest the BSP’s basic rate by 25 basis points. rate.

The latest rate Like all interest increase and the rate increases, the August 9 Monetary two that preceded Board action and it have raised two related questions. its predecessors are Blame for the Is a BSP interestexpected to affect rate action the most inflation surge must be the current situation effective means for placed squarely at the on the monetary dealing with the door of the Department side. BSP intercurrent inflation? est rate increases, Is the said action of Finance. by tightening the likely to succeed in monetary screws, bringing to a halt cause interest rates to rise across the the continuing rise banking system in consumer prices? My answer to both questions is No. and thereby dampen both the consumer Two of the factors advanced by the and producer demand for goods and sereconomic managers for the current infla- vices. The inference is that the monetary tion—the depreciation of the peso and authorities believe that what is happenthe upward movement of world oil prices ing is a demand issue and that inflation —were already in existence at the end will go away if the demand for goods and of 2017. Still, the inflation rate was well services is pushed downward through an within BSP’s 2-4 percent inflation target increase in the cost of money. range for 2018.

But the problem is not excessive deThings changed—and consumer mand for goods and services. There is no prices began to start jumping on Jan. 1, overheating of the economy, and the BSP 2018, when the first TRAIN (the Tax and the economic managers appear to be Reform and Inclusion law) package in agreement that overheating is unlikely went into effect. True, it had an income to occur in the foreseeable future. The tax component—the exemption from problem is one of rising costs of goods taxation of all annual individual in- and services brought about by a fiscal comes below P250,000—but TRAIN 1 event—TRAIN and its package of excise was largely an indirect-taxation meas- tax increases. ure. The excise taxes on petroleum It wasn’t BSP policies that caused were increased and new taxes were the ongoing inflation; consumer prices imposed on a number of goods that were within target inflation range at included non-alcoholic beverages and yearend 2017. All hell began to break sweetened products. loose when TRAIN came into play on The goods subjected to incremental Jan. 1, 2018. or new taxes were chosen for their high Blame for the inflation surge must be revenue-generation capacity. From the placed squarely at the door of the Destandpoint of economic management, partment of Finance. TRAIN started it the most important of these goods are all, so let the solution to the inflation lie those that (1) are inputs into productive with TRAIN.

BUSINESS CLASS

Careful...

From A4

reasons for the shift to federalism is to get the government closer to the people, to shift decision making to the unit of government that is most proximate to the issues to be decided, and this is usually the local government.

For sure, the draft constitution pays lip service to local government autonomy by providing in Article 2, Section 27 as a state policy that “The Federal Republic shall promote the autonomy of local government units in line with the principle of subsidiarity and in accord with federalism.” But that’s where it ends.

Except for one mention of local governments, in Article XIX, Section 9, where the Federated Region is mandated to respond to natural or man-made disasters and calamities through its local government units, there is no other mention of such units, except in the context of their being under the Federated Region.

Thus, Article 11, Section 18 provides that, “The Regional Governor shall have the following powers and duties: a) To head the government of the region and exercise general supervision over its component local governments, while Article XII, Section 2 states, “Within their regional territory, the Federated Region shall have exclusive power over: (i) Local government units.

Unlike the 1973 and 1987 Constitutions, there is no specific article for local governments. This is a big, in fact a fatal, omission. Without such a section specifying which are our local government units (provinces, cities, municipalities, and barangays), their powers and limitations, and their relationship to the Federal Government and the Federated Regions, the very existence of these local government units and certainly their status, powers, and functions are endangered.

It should also be noted that Article XII lays down the rules on exclusive powers, thus: Article XII, Section 3: Powers which are given to the exclusion of other political authorities are exclusive powers. Exclusive powers are given to the Federal

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mst.daydesk@gmail.com

From A4

Government and the Federated Regions.

Article XII, Section 4: Powers not exclusively given to either the Federal Government or to the Federated Regions are shared powers. They fall within the relative competencies of the Federal Government and the Regional Government and can be exercised jointly or separately. In case of dispute or conflict in their exercise, the federal power shall prevail.

Article XII, Section 5: Powers which are not exclusively given to the Federal Government or to the Federated Regions nor shared by them and not prohibited by the Constitution are reserved powers.

Reserved powers shall be vested in the Federal Government.

Since the Federated Regions have exclusive power over local government units, it can in fact decide by itself which units can continue to exist and what powers and functions those units will have. The 1991 Local Government Code can be repealed by each region and replaced with whatever it wants without guidance from and limitations imposed by the Federal constitution except the principle of subsidiarity earlier cited.

On taxes and revenue sharing, Article XIII of the draft constitution provides: Section 1. The Federal Government shall have the power to levy and collect all taxes, duties, fees, charges, and other impositions except the power to tax granted to the Federated Regions.

Section 2. The Federated Regions shall have the power to levy and collect the following taxes, licenses and fees: (a) Real Property Tax; (b) Estate Tax;(c) Donor’s Tax; (d) Documentary Stamp Tax; (e) Professional Tax; (f) Franchise Tax; (g) Games and Amusement Tax; (h) Environmental Tax, Pollution Tax, and similar taxes;(i) Road Users Tax; (j) Vehicle Registration Fees; (k) Transport Franchise Fees; and (l) Local taxes and other taxes which may be granted by federal law.

Section 4. The Federated Regions shall be given a share of not less than fifty percent (50 percent) of all the col-

lected income taxes, excise taxes, valueadded tax, and customs duties, which shall be equally divided among them and automatically released.

Section 5. There shall be an Equalization Fund which shall not be less than three percent (3 percent) of the annual General Appropriations Act. The Fund shall be distributed based on the needs of each region, with priority to those that require support to achieve financial viability and economic sustainability as determined by the Federal Intergovernmental Commission.

These provisions mean that local governments, under the draft constitution, have no constitutionally authorized means to raise revenue and no constitutionally guaranteed share of government revenue. They will share in the 50 percent allocated to the regions but that would be entirely up to the regional legislatures.

For sure, all local government units, under the proposed constitution, will see its share of the Internal Revenue Allocation shrink substantially from what its currently receiving. Those gaps would not be addressed by the Federal Government which will also lose significant revenue nor by the miserly equalization fund.

In sum, the Federal design adopted by the consultative committee threatens the autonomy and even existence of local governments. Substantial changes must be made, including the restoration of an Article on Local Governments similar to the current Article X of the 1987 Constitution that would guarantee the status, role, powers and functions, and revenue powers and share of local governments as well as define its relationship with the Federal and Federated Regional Governments.

Without changes, every governor, mayor, and local legislator should oppose the adoption of the proposed constitution. A yes vote would be institutional suicide by constitutional revision.

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There are fears that the situation will encourage some to organize themselves as passengers-for-hire. The danger here is that the practice could end up in crime. There are people you just cannot trust.

The only solution, I believe, is strict enforcement of the law.

Banning provincial buses from Edsa is a good idea. The problem, however, is the lack of terminals at the outskirts of Edsa.

I guess we all just have to grin and bear it.

of shabu through Customs is no longer surprising. Shabu from China, Taiwan and Malaysia have been coming in regularly not only through Customs but through our porous borders. This, despite President Duterte’s bloody war on drugs.

As I have been saying, so long as there is demand for illegal drugs, the supply will come from syndicates and cartels.

The problem is that the drug problem is being treated like a law-and-order issue. It’s not—is a health issue, first and foremost.

I bet that until the last day of the President’s term, the drug problem *** The entry of nearly P7 billion worth will persist.

Cows...

From A4

“It’s our system for bringing people out into society in a good way, so they don’t come back to prison again,” Britt-Marie Johansson, head of the Rodjan institution, tells AFP. In Sweden, just under a third of prisoners reoffend after leaving jail or serving their term, which is half of that in France, according to the Swedish and French prison statistics.

As in all penitentiaries across Sweden, inmates have their own cells. At Rodjan, they’re unlocked. There are no security cameras, no gates, no barbed wire, and inmates are allowed to move about freely.

Sweden has more than a dozen open prisons across the country.

Inmates at Rodjan are serving sentences for all types of convictions, ranging from driving without a licence to tax crimes or assault, but prisoners placed there are all considered to not pose a threat to society.

“We count the prisoners in the morning, during the day and in the evening, and we know where they are all the time,” assures Johansson.

“If they do something wrong, they go to a higher security level” facility, she adds.

Closing the fence to the meadow after he finishes milking the cows, Alfred jokes that the cows are more locked up than the prisoners.

Work ‘incredibly well’ The inmates work 35 hours per week with two days off and are paid 13 kronor (1.2 euros, $1.15) an hour.

On his days off, Alfred admits that he regularly steps into the barn “to see if everything is fine”.

Other inmates have been known to call the prison while on their days off if they know the cows are due to give birth, to ask “How did it go? Did it go well with the calf?” Johansson says, amused.

Michael Henningsohn, the farm’s production manager, praises the detainees’ work.

“Many work incredibly well despite never having done this before. It’s fascinating to see their attitudes” after only a few days of training, he says with a smile.

In 2012, the farm received an award from Sweden’s King Carl XVI Gustaf for the quality of its milk.

The establishment’s key to success lies in the strict routines required for running a farm, according to Henningsohn.

Despite enjoying his time with the cows, Alfred does not see himself staying in the farming business after completing his sentence, even though he grew up surrounded by cows on his grandparents’ farm.

“I saw how it went for them... it’s too hard,” he says. AFP

News

A6

TUESDAY, AUGUST 14, 2018 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

CA junks plea on ad rights over MRT 3

THE Court of Appeals ordered the MRT Development Corp. to stop from exercising its advertising and commercial leasing rights over the MRT 3 system pending the result of arbitration proceedings involving the latter’s development rights payment obligations to the government amounting to P2.3 billion.

In a two-page resolution dated July 9, penned by Associate Justice Pablito Reyes and concurred in by Associate Justices Ramon Bato Jr. and Ramon Cruz, the CA’s Eleventh Division affirmed its March 5 decision as the MRTDC had failed to raise new arguments that would justify the granting of its motion.

In its March 5 decision, the CA lifted the writ of preliminary injunction issued by the Pasig Regional Trial Court as an interim measure of protection on the matter.

It noted that under Rule 5.2 of the Special Alternative Dispute Resolution Rules, a petition for IMP may properly be issued before arbitration is commenced.

The injunction ordered the Department of Transportation (formerly Department of Transportation and Communications) to issue the necessary access or work permits to the MRTDC to allow the latter to fully exercise its rights over MRT 3 pending arbitration.

The department earlier claimed that from 2001 up to 2004, the MRTDC paid according to the agreed DRP schedule under their build-least-transfer agreement covering the construction and operation of MRT 3.

However, on July 21 2004, the MRTDC ceased paying the DRPs despite repeated demands by the DoTC. In the early part of 2013, the DoTC stopped issuing access or work permits to the MRTDC, its advertisers and lessees, barring their entry in the MRT 3 system.

On May 7, 2015, the Commission on Audit issued to the DOTC an Audit Observation Memorandum noting the unpaid amount of P981,354,501 due as DRPs from the MRTDC since 2004.

The DoT then made a final demand on MRTDC for payment of the latter’s outstanding DRP obligations in the accumulated amount of P2,298,788,929.52. PNA

Double check for departing passengers

‘BOL won’t reduce ARMM gains’ C

OTABATO CITY—The Bangsamoro Organic Law would not reduce to nil the landmark developments carried by the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, but the succeeding autonomous government will build on such gains the ARMM has achieved over the years, Gov. Mujiv Hataman has said.

Hataman said Sunday the creation of Bangsamoro ARMM did not erase ARMM, adding the greater challenge ahead for the Bangsamoro people “is to ensure success in implementing the law.”

“The new law is now here. Let us unite behind it. This is a better law,” Hataman said in a message during Sunday’s presentation of the law before Moro youth groups at the ARMM Complex’s Maguindanao Village here.

Hataman said the peace process had

reached the higher plane in legislated political settlement with the passage of BOL. He described the BOL as one better than the previous Organic Acts that created and expanded the ARMM, respectively in 1989 and in 2001.

The ARMM governor’s observation was shared by lawyer Nabil Tan, Deputy Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, saying the BOL carried vast improvement over the ARMM Organic Law (RA 9054) and the final peace agreement

signed between the Philippine government and the Moro National Liberation Front in 1996.

On Aug. 8, more than 700 people flocked to the Shariff Kabunsuan Cultural Center here to listen to speakers and express support for the newly-passed Organic Law for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

Leading the presentation of the law to the Bangsamoro community were Tan, also chairman of the Government Implementing Panel for the GPH-MILF peace accord, and MILF Implementing Panel Chairman Mohagher Iqbal.

The gathering followed President Rodrigo Duterte’s presentation of the BOL to the MILF leadership in Malacañang last Monday.

NGO inks memorandum of agreement with ROTC

By Francisco Tuyay

PRESIDENTIAL ASSISTANCE. Secretary Christopher Go of the Office of the Special Assistant to the President checks Sunday the status of displaced families in evacuation centers in Marikina City following the heavy rains, ensuring them the government is ready to serve those affected by the calamity.

Albayalde orders CIDG, intel: Go after hoarders THE Philippine National Police on Monday reiterated it would be working closely with other government agencies in enforcing the law against profiteers and hoarders in areas affected by the recent flooding.

PNP Director General Oscar Albayalde cited the Price Act of 1992 (Republic Act No. 7581), which provides consumer protection by stabilizing the price and supply of basic necessities and prime c om mo d it ie s; a nd p r e s c r i bi ng measures against undue price increases, especially during emergencies.

“In the aftermath of massive flooding

in Luzon, in addition to our personnel, who have been deployed and on stand by for search and rescue operations, we will also assist the Department of Trade and Industry and local government units in enforcing a price freeze on basic commodities in areas under state of calamity to prevent profiteering, hoarding, and illegal acts of price manipulation,” Albayalde said during a press conference.

“I have directed our unit commanders in these calamity areas to take the initiative in coordinating with local DTI offices to ensure [that] we can ef-

fectively protect the interest of the general public,” he added.

The PNP chief pointed out that the Price Act, which took effect on June 7, 1992, provides a minimum of 60 days of price freeze on basic and essential commodities, and automatic price control in areas affected by calamities.

“I am directing the CIDG [Criminal Investigation and Detection Group] and the Police intelligence units to closely assist in monitoring the price freeze and take appropriate actions in support of the DTI,” Albayalde said. PNA

By Vito Barcelo THE Bureau of Immigration will strictly implement double checking of departing passengers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport following repeated attempts to leave the country by underage Filipinas who want to work abroad by using fraudulently acquired travel documents.

Immigration OIC Deputy Commissioner and concurrent Port Operations Division Chief Marc Red Mariñas said that since June this year, a total 114 girls aged under 21 years were already denied travel at the Naia for passing themselves as adults.

Mariñas said that all of the apprehended passengers presented passports purportedly showing that they were adults and with valid overseas employment permits, working visas and job contracts.

“It is evident that these young women were victimized by syndicates that specialize in the procurement of documents to make it appear that they are old enough to work abroad when in fact they are not,” Mariñas said.

Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente said that in July, the Manila Police District rescued more than 40 women, with a number of them minors, during a raid in Sta. Cruz, Manila.

They were reportedly illegally recruited from Mindanao and offered work as household service workers in Saudi Arabia.

Because of the rising attempts to leave the country, Morente ordered immigration officers at the Naia to further tighten the screening of departing Filipinos to make sure they were presenting legitimate documents.

He said 67 of the women barred from leaving confessed to being minors, contrary to what was indicated in their passports.

“We should stop these human traffickers from preying on our Filipino women through this modus operandi,” the BI chief said.

The President said the law “would serve as the final trajectory for the attainment of genuine peace, stability and good governance in Muslim Mindanao.”

Tan said the passage of the BOL marked the start of a new chapter in the lives of the Bangsamoro people.

“This is just the beginning… Much work still needs to be done. We must now double our efforts,” Tan told the forum attended by women, youth, members of the business sector and civil society organizations, as well as representatives of the diplomatic corps and foreign donor community.

Tan noted that both the Senate and House of Representatives made sure the landmark measure was crafted “within the bounds of the Philippine Constitution.” Nash Maulana

A NON-GOVERNMENT organization and accredited partner of the state drug agency has partnered with the Philippine Confederation of Reserve Officers Training Corps Association to help President Rodrigo Duterte achiueve the eradication of the illegal drugs menace in the country.

The People’s Volunteer Against Illegal Drugs, an accredited partner of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, has inked a memorandum of agreement with the confederation of ROTC to serve as catalyst in mobilizing the citizenry against the dangerous effects of all forms of illegal drugs.

Former police Col. Rodrigo Bonifacio, chairman of PVAID, said the partnership was in line with the Philippine Anti-Illegal Drugs Strategy Five Pillars of Action of the government: to include drug supply reduction, drug demand reduction, alternative development, civic awareness and response, and regional and international cooperation.

“We are all aware that the first pillar of action is the primary task of the PDEA and drug problem in the country remains a serious problem which President Duterte has stressed should,” Bonifacio said.

The war on drugs has claimed the lives of thousands of drug suspects, either peddlers or pushers in various police operations across the country since Duterte took office in July 2016.

However, despite the efforts to stop the proliferation of illegal drugs, the entry of shabu in different ports in the country remained unabated, the most recent of which is the seizure of P4.3 billion worth of shabu concealed in a metal lifters at Bureau of Customs.

With the proliferation of illegal drugs, the citizenry, through the partnership of PVAID and ROTC, will likely be a vital vehicle in stamping out the infiltration of drug peddlers and pushers in communities, Bonifacio said.

Phoenix, Sibs prepare studes

AGREEMENT SIGNED. People’s Volunteer Against Illegal Drugs chairman former police Col. Rodrigo Bonifacio (center), a nongovernment organization recognized and accredited partner of PDEA, and the Philippine Confederation of ROTC Association chaired

by Florante Gerdan (right) sign an MOA which will serve as catalyst in mobilizing citizens against illegal drugs. With them is retired Brig. Gen. Jose Gamus, PVAID national president.

Saint Padre Pio’s relic up for veneration until Sept. 8 FILIPINO Catholics will again have the chance to venerate the relic of St. Pio of Pietrelcina which arrived in Manila on July 31.

Fr. Gian Maria Di Giorgio, an Italian priest, Sister Veronica and Sister Lea are accompanying the sacred relic during the visits to various parishes in the country starting Aug. 3 until Sept. 8, said Miriam Felipe of the St. Pio of Pietrelcina Chapel in Libis, Quezon City on Sunday.

Escorting them during their more than a month tour are Angie de Castro and Archie Rodriguez of SPPC. The last time St. Pio’s relic was brought to the Philippines was in 2015.

During his lifetime, Padre Pio, according to religious documents, became fa-

mous worldwide for his stigmata boring the wounds of Christ which he endured for 50 long years without complaint but joy in his heart for being given the rare opportunity to feel the suffering of Christ when He was crucified on the Cross more than 2,000 years ago.

Padre Pio’s stigmata generated much interest and controversy around the world.

Born Francesco Forgione on May 25, 1887, he was given the name of Pius or Pio in Italian when he joined the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin.

When he was still alive, there were reports that Padre Pio was said to “have had the gift of reading souls, the ability to bilocate, among other supernatural phenomena,” communi-

cated with angels, and healed those who were sick.

Padre Pio died on Sept. 23, 1968. He was beatified in 1999 and canonized in 2002 by Pope John Paul II. As he predicted himself when he was alive, St. Pio’s name continued to reverberate across the globe to date. “I will make more noise after I’m dead than when I’m alive. My true mission will begin after my death,” Padre Pio once said.

When he was still alive, he would levitate while attending Mass; and all the wounds of Our Lord Jesus Christ when He was crucified would appear in the same parts of Padre Pio’s body. He made miracles during his lifetime. PNA

PHOENIX Publishing House Inc. and Sibs Publishing House Inc. have teamed up and launched “Jumpstart,” a program they said guaranteed senior high school students slots for work immersion.

Slated on Sept. 13, at the Manila International Book Fair, SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia, Pasay City, “Jumpstart” is set from 9 to 11 am and 2- 4 pm.

They will have sessions on resume writing, answering interview questions, and dressing appropriately for an interview appointment given by experts in human resources, they said in a press release.

With “Jumpstart,” Phoenix and Sibs may serve as the qualified students’ workplace immersion venue, where they acquire relevant and practical skills under the guidance of publishing industry experts.

Students will also get the opportunity to learn and enhance their technical knowledge and improve their communication competence for future employment.

Proper work ethic and attitude for challenges in higher education and employment are also in the program.

Through their educational foundation, Phoenix and Sibs have also partnered with the Philippine Retailers Association, the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the People Management Association of the Philippines in helping accommodate students into the workplaces of their member companies.

Sports

TUESDAY, AUGUST 14, 2018

A7

sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Emana, Velez capture PPS net crowns MICA Ella Emana turned in a pair of superb performances to annex two titles while John David Velez settled for one victory due to cramps in the PPS-PEPP Manila Polo Club National age-group tennis tournament at the MPC outdoor courts in Forbes Park in Makati City over the weekend.

The second seeded Emana trounced No. 1 and doubles partner Marielle Jarata, 6-1, 6-2, to claim the girls’ 12-andunder plum then the rising Quezon City star upended top seed Julia Ignacio, 6-3, 6-4, in the semis then repeated over Jarata, 6-4, 6-1, to clinch the 14-U diadem.

Velez, on the other hand, crushed Keno Enriquez, 6-0, 6-0, to run away with the boys’ 14-U crown but the Davao ace failed to buck cramps and dropped a tough 4-6, 6-7(6) loss to Gabriel Gurria from Imus, Cavite in the 16-U finals of the Group 2 tournament presented

by Dunlop and sponsored by Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Pera Padala.

Unable to endure the pain, Velez yielded a 0-1 (ret.) loss to QC’s Loucas Fernandez in the 18-U championship.

But with a win and two finals stints, he shared the MVP honors with Emana.

“While breaks didn’t go Velez’s way, Emana’s twin title feat should inspire the other aspirants that hard work and determination can topple even the best in the fold. With the PPS-PEPP weekly tournaments, we hope to motivate and produce new faces and future stars,” said Palawan Pawnshop president/CEO Bobby Castro.

Other winners in the ranking tournament backed by Asiatraders Corp. and sanctioned by the Unified Tennis Philippines, made up of PPS-PEPP, Cebuana Lhuillier, Wilson, Toby’s, Dunlop, Slazenger and B-Meg were Kean Enriquez from Imus, Cavite, Manila Polo Club bet Lukas Yupangco and siblings Renee and Bea Acena.

World no. 1 Halep takes Montreal title MONTREAL—World number one Simona Halep held her nerve in a rollercoaster duel with Sloane Stephens Sunday to win the WTA Montreal crown for the second time.

In a gruelling 2hr 41min battle, French Open champion Halep prevailed 7-6 (8/6), 3-6, 6-4 over Stephens in a repeat of the duo’s meeting in the final of Roland Garros earlier this year.

The victory was Halep’s 18th career title and her second in Montreal following her success in 2016.

The 26-year-old sealed the win with an ace on her fourth match point, capping an enthralling duel marked by several momentum swings.

Halep had taken the first set on a tie-break, after saving four set points against American third seed Stephens.

Halep made the stronger start, dictating rallies from the baseline to race into a 4-1 lead after twice breaking Stephens in the opening five games.

Yet reigning US Open champion Stephens rallied superbly to claw her way back into the contest, breaking twice to level at 4-4.

That however proved to be the cue for Halep to respond, breaking back after a net cord sat up invitingly for the Romanian, who crushed a winner into the corner for 5-4.

Another poor service game from Halep though gave the initiative back to Stephens, who broke for 5-5 and then held for a 6-5 lead.

Stephens appeared to be closing in on the first set in the next game, when a wild forehand from Halep—her 20th unforced error—handed her opponent two set points.

But Halep dug deep to save both points and then forced the tie-break. AFP

FOOTBALL CHAMPS. Secretary Raul L. Lambino, administrator and CEO of the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (seated center) and concurrent presidential adviser for

northern Luzon, leads the familiar display of the clinched fist sign together with the members of the Pozorrubio United Football Association team that won the recent 1st Summer Football and Futsal Cup 2018 in Pangasinan province. With them are town acting mayor Ernesto Go (seated sixth from left), Mark Lambino, head executive assistant of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation and team head coach Josh Estigo. Joseph Muego

Nadal is Toronto tennis king

T

ORONTO—Rafael Nadal held off a late surge from birthday boy Stefanos Tsitsipas to claim the 80th title of his career with victory at the Toronto Masters on Sunday.

Nadal overcame a second set fightback from Greek youngster Tsitsipas to claim a 6-2, 7-6 (7/4) victory in just under 1hr 45mins.

The win gave the 32-year-old Spaniard a record-extending 33rd trophy at the elite Masters level as well as his 80th title.

However Nadal later raised doubts about he would be chasing an 81st title at next week’s event in Cincinnati, refusing to confirm that he would play the event as scheduled.

“Will I play in Cincinnati? I can’t answer to you right now,” Nadal said.

Earlier, a vocal crowd of local flag-waving Greek fans had sang Happy Birthday to the 20-year-old Tsitsipas as Nadal reflected on a successful campaign.

“I feel I’ve improved every match, it’s important to win even if you’re not at your best,” Nadal said as he prepares

for the US Open later this month.

“It’s been almost 10 years (2010) since I last played i n To r o n -

Rafael Nadal

to,” Nadal said of the event which comes to the city in evennumber years as it trades with Montreal.

“This trophy means a lot.”

The loss concluded the tennis week of his life for Tsitsipas, who beat four Top 10 opponent in a row to reach the final. “ I t ’s been a n amazing week for me,” he said. “This trophy means a lot after playing my first Masters 1000 final.

“Rafa is amazing, he never cracks. He will always grab you like a bulldog and he will always make you suffer on the court.

“He was (once) normal like all of us, and he managed to become this beast, this monster that he is today.

“That’s how you feel when you play against him.”

Tsitsipas is taking the lesson he learned on court to heart: “I’m really hungry for more. I believe I can achieve much more this year.

“Although I lost today, I feel like I can still beat good players. I really want to make more points this year and get the best out of myself.”

Nadal added the Canadian honour to the titles he won in 2005, 2008 and 2013.

The final featured a plot twist at the end, with Nadal broken while serving for victory leading a set and 5-4.

Tsitsipas would not buckle, making it 5-5 as Nadal hit the net, with the set f inally going into a tiebreaker.

Nadal regained control, earning a match point on a Tsitsipas forehand error.

The Spanish world number one concluded victory with a forehand winner deep into the corner.

He now owns five titles this season and has clinched the first spot in the year-end finals in London. AFP

Quiban seeks 2nd straight plum in Bacolod MPBL Datu Cup BACOLOD—From the tight Binitin layout to the wider Marapara course, Justin Quiban hopes to dish out the form he flaunted in dominating the ICTSI Bacolod Golf Challenge last week as he guns for a second straight victory in the ICTSI Negros Occidental Classic unfolding tomorrow (Wednesday, Aug. 15) at the Negros Occidental Golf and Country Club here.

“I have my sights set for win No. 2 here and I hope it works out again,” said Quiban, who broke an eightmonth slump with an emphatic fivestroke victory over Jay Bayron last weekend, dominating the stellar field with solid driving and iron game.

He hinted at using his driver again this week although the par-70, 6197yard NOGCC layout also features tree-lined fairways and water hazards that punish errant drives and an unpredictable putting surface that could make or break one’s title bid.

That should make this week’s title chase a lot more exciting than the last time with a slew of big guns, including a number of foreign aces, raring to foil Quiban’s repeat bid in the P3.5 million event put up by ICTSI and organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc. “For sure, this will be an entirely different fight. Everybody wants to strike back,” said Tony Lascuña during a break in practice in the event serving as the second of four tournaments making up the Visayan swing.

Quiban and Lascuña, along with a

resumes today Games Tuesday

(Strike Gymnasium, Bacoor) 7 p.m. – Cebu vs Davao Occidental 9 p.m. – Bacoor vs Laguna

Justin Quiban hopes to blast the opposition again at Marapara.

select group of pros, test the Marapara layout one last time in today’s (Tuesday) pro-am tournament where they will be paired with guests and officials of the event’s chief backers, including ICTSI, the NOGCC, BDO, K ZG, Custom Clubmakers, Meralco, Sharp, Champion, Summit Mineral Water and PLDT. Meanwhile, young Korean Kim Joo Hyung is back in the fold, seeking to score a follow-up to his breakthrough triumph at ICTSI Pueblo de Oro Championship last month that saw him edge Carlos by one in a thrilling finale to become the young winner on the circuit at 16.

Also in the hunt are compatriots Park Jun Sung and Hwang Myung

Chal, Japanese Yu Ikeda and Keisuke Takahashi, Americans Lexus Keoninh and Andy Kang, Salvador Paya Villa of Spain, Macedonian Peter Stojanovski and Manila-based Dutch Guido Van der Valk.

Others expected to crowd the favorites for the crown are reigning Phl Masters champion Jerson Balasabas, PGT Order of Merit winner Clyde Mondilla, Johvanie Abaño, Michael Bibat, Richard Sinfuego, Albin Engino, Zanieboy Gialon, Ira Alido, Elmer Salvador, Art Arbole, Erwin Arcillas, Ferdie Aunzo, Marvin Dumandan, Mars Pucay, Gerald Rosales, Nilo Salahog, Orlan Sumcad, Anthony Fernando, local aces Rey Pagunsan and Robert Pactolerin.

NU to open UAAP Season 81 at SM MOA Arena CELEBRATE and show off campus pride as the National University hosts UAAP Season 81, drumming up a bigger and bolder season opening ceremony, packed with fun surprises and special performances from Spongecola, James Reid, and more happening on Sept. 8 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena!

After hosting its 75th season in 2012, the biggest collegiate sports

league in the Philippines makes a comeback to the home of the Bulldogs, National University, for UAAP Season 81—treating athletes, students, and sports fans alike with a must-experience season opening.

“This season, we will bring the best out of our student-athletes as we showcase different sports events for the most-awaited uni-

versity sports league in the country,” said Nilo Ocampo, president of the Board of Managing Directors of UAAP. Don’t miss out on one of the biggest sports event of the year as school spirit comes alive this September at the UAAP Season 81 at the MOA Arena—it all begins here.

For updates on UAAP Season 81 tickets, visit https://smtickets.com/.

ACTION in the MPBL Datu Cup resumes on Tuesday as Bacoor hosts Laguna, while Davao Occidental and Cebu clash in an exciting double header slated at the Strike Gymnasium in Bacoor City.

The Strikers are coming off backto-back victories and they’re hoping to re-establish that winning run with a win against the Krah-supported Heroes in the main game at 9 p.m. right after the match between the Cocolife-backed Tigers and the Casino Ethyl Alcoholsponsored Sharks at 7 p.m.

Mikee Reyes and the rest of the Strikers picked up their second straight win following an 86-68 dumping of the Caloocan Supremos-Longrich last Aug. 2 in a game that saw the former University of the Philippines guard dishing out a triple-double performance.

Reyes finished with 21 points, 15 assists and 10 rebounds, while keeping a hold on the Strikers’ domination of the Supremos all game long all the way to posting their third win in five games.

But it wasn’t Reyes alone who had a breakout performance.

It also served as a stage for 46-yearold Marlo Aquino to unravel his best game ever in the MPBL as the cage legend came away with a league-high 16 points, four assists and three blocks.

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, AUGUST 14, 2018

Duterte to athletes: Do your best, fair and square

By Peter Atencio

Brooks Koepka of the United States poses with the Wanamaker Trophy on the 18th green after winning the 2018 PGA Championship with a score of -16 at Bellerive Country Club in St Louis, Missouri. AFP

Perpetual to bank again on Nigerian Games Tuesday

(Filoil Flying V Centre, San Juan) 10 a.m.- CSB vs EAC (jrs) 12 noon- UPHSD vs JRU (jrs) 2 p.m.- CSB vs EAC (srs) 4 p.m.- UPHSD vs JRU (srs)

PERPETUAL Help seeks to rely anew on Nigerian Prince Eze as it shoots for a share of third spot with Letran against a struggling Jose Rizal today in the 94th NCAA basketball tournament at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.

The 6’9” Eze tipped in the gamewinning shot with 3.3 seconds to go as the Altas capped their dramatic comeback from a 21-point deficit with a 78-76 victory over the luckless San Sebastian Stags Thursday at the UPHSD Gym in Las Piñas.

It was a win that kept Perpetual Help inside the magic four with a 3-2 (win-loss) record and another triumph over JRU, which has dropped its first six outings, in their4 p.m. match will push the former at joint No. 3 with Letran (4-2).

Unbeaten Lyceum of the Philippines University (7-0) and San Beda (5-0) currently lead the way.

Eze finished with 22 points, including nine in a decisive fourthquarter run and spiked it with game-highs 18 rebounds and six blocks that also earned him the Chooks to Go-NCAA Press Corps Player of the Week award.

And Perpetual Help coach Frankie Lim expects Eze to come through for the team again.

“We need him to come up big for us every game and help open up a bit for the other guys,” said Lim referring to Eze, who has been leading the league in rebounding (16.8) and blocking (5.6), while remaining sixth in scoring (15.4).

Meanwhile, resurgent Emilio Aguinaldo College aims to extend its streak to three as it squares off with an unpredictable College of St. Benilde at 2 p.m.

Led by Cameroonian Hamadou Laminou’s 17-point, 12-board and six-block effort, the Generals edged the Mapua Cardinals, 8985, Friday to nail their second win in a row after starting the season with four straight losses.

Koepka: From injury to 2 major triumphs S

T. LOUIS—Sitting on a couch watching the Masters on television with an injured left wrist, Brooks Koepka never dreamed he would win two majors this year, much less battle his boyhood idols.

But the 28-year-old American did just that, defending his title at the US Open in June and taking his third major crown Sunday at the PGA Championship by two strokes over Tiger Woods.

“When I look at what I’ve done in the past two months, it’s incredible,” Koepka said.

“Looking where I was, sitting on my couch watching the Masters, to think I would do this, I would have laughed at you and told you there was no way, no chance. I can’t even believe it.”

As impressive as his long drives was Koepka’s coolness under pressure, a composure that has become a trademark.

“When I show up to the majors I’m very focused, very disciplined,” he said.

“For some reason the majors get my attention. When you’re firing at flags you have to be calm and focus on every shot.”

To battle Woods and 2013 Masters winner Adam Scott, an Australian who took third, was a dream for Koepka, who idolized both in his youth.

“To duel it out with them, it’s pretty neat. I don’t think I ever dreamed of that situation that I was in,” Koepka said. “It really is surreal.”

Woods was impressed with Koepka’s skill.

“It’s tough to beat when the guy hits it 340 (yards) down the middle,” Woods said of Koepka. “When a guy’s doing that and hitting it straight and as good a putter as he is, it’s tough to beat.”

Scott sees how Koepka handles himself in the biggest moments.

“What has been interesting to watch is how much of a big time player he is,” Scott said. “I’d just keep doing what he’s doing because he’s showing up at the right moments in the biggest events.

He’s got that mindset. There’s something inside his brain that makes him believe that’s what he’s destined to do.”

Koepka gets into a routine and keeps swing coach Claude Harmon III, his chef and a physiotherapist near during majors.

Tiger Woods’ fist-pumping thrills, excitement are back

Tiger Woods of the United States reacts after making a putt for birdie on the 18th green during the final round of the 2018 PGA Championship at Bellerive Country Club in St Louis, Missouri. AFP

Clarkson disappointed he couldn’t join PH5 MANILA—NBA player Jordan Clarkson, who has never played for the Philippines, and the Philippine federation (SBP) said Monday they have been informed that the NBA would not release him for the 2018 Asian Games.

A Philippines bid to have the Cleveland Cavaliers shooting guard play for their Asian Games team has been dashed after the National Basketball Association re-

“He has a unique ability on these really intense weeks to be the calmest he is all year,” Harmon said. “Brooks is a creature of habit. He enjoys keeping the same guys around him. He likes the routine. That’s one reason he’s so successful. He’s able to keep things normal. He doesn’t get too high. He doesn’t get too low.”

He admits being down when injured but adds, “I’ve never been more focused, more driven, more excited to play.”

Koepka has won three majors in 14 months, the fastest such run since Ireland’s Padraig Harrington took the 2007 British Open and 2008 British Open and PGA. ‘One of the best shots’ Koepka was most proud of a 247-yard tee shot to six feet that set up a birdie at the par-3 16th hole.

“I hit a laser right at the flag,” he said. “That will probably go down as probably one of the best shots I’ve ever hit under pressure.”

And he felt pressure as the roars for Woods reverberated across the course.

“You could hear a different roar like every 30 seconds, so we knew what was going on,” Koepka said. “It’s pretty obvious when Tiger makes a birdie. I’m sure everyone is rooting for him. AFP

WITH high hopes that the Philippines will perform better, President Rodrigo Duterte urged Filipino athletes to do their best, fair and square.

Duterte said this is what he expects of around 272 athletes who are set to compete in the 2018 Asian Games in Indonesia set Aug. 18 to Sept. 2.

“All I ask from you is to do your best. Do it fair and square,” said Duterte in his speech during yesterday’s sendoff ceremonies in Malacañang.

He said that a good showing from the Philippines will mean continuous support from the government in its sports programs, intensifying its commitment towards sports excellence and global competitiveness.

Sports officials are hoping that the Philippines will show improvement this time after winning a total of 15 medals the last time around in 2014 Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea.

And Philippine Olympic Committee president Ricky Vargas said that Filipino athletes are ready to fight for the country.

“This is your army. These are the athletes who will compete in the Asiad,” said Vargas, who was joined by Philippine Sports Commission Chairman William “Butch Ramirez.

In 2014, the Philippines earned one gold, three silvers, and 11 bronze for 22nd out of the 37 participating countries.

“All you got here is proof of your commitment and dedication to your respective sports and the sacrifices you went through just to become part of this national team,” added Duterte.

Asian Games Chef de Mission Richard Gomez said the Filipino athletes should go for their best performance.

“Just go for the gold,” said Gomez as he introduced the members of the delegation.

He believes that the Philippines will be strong in the martial arts, like jiu jitsu, boxing, judo.

Among the athletes who showed up were weightlifters Nestor Colonia, Hidilyn Diaz and Kristel Macrohon.

The boxers included Carlo Paalam, Ian Clark Bautista, Mario Fernandez, James Palicte, Joel Bacho, Eumir Felix Marcial, Aira Villegas and Nesthy Petecio.

Fencers Nathaniel Perez, Brennan Louie, Michael Nicanor, Noellito Jose, Samantha Catantan, Maxine Esteban, Justine Gail Tinio and Hanniel Abella were also there, with judokas Shugen Nakano, Keisei Nakano, Kohei Kohagura, Kiyomi Watanabe, Mariya Takahashi and Megumi Kurayoshi.

fused to release him.

“To my Filipino Brothers and Sisters, I am terribly disappointed to say that I have not received the required consent to participate in the upcoming Asian Games with our National Team,” he said on his official Facebook page.

“Despite this, my desire and ambition to play with my countrymen in the future remains resolute and I am adamant that this dream will come

true! Stout Heart!” added the 26-yearold, whose maternal grandmother came from the Philippines.

SBP executive director Renauld Barrios told AFP the Asian Games was not included in the NBA’s agreement with world governing body FIBA that allows NBA players to take part in the Olympics, the FIBA World Cup and continental cup competitions. AFP

ST. LOUIS—Now Tiger Woods is back.

The 14-time major winner fired his lowest final round in a major, a six-under par64, on Sunday to finish second at the PGA Championship—and a career once seen as over might just have some magic left in it after all.

“He just kind of ho-hummed 64,” said playing partner Gary Woodland. “The putter was awesome. He had a lot of putts that didn’t go in as well -- 64 looked pretty easy, to be honest. Could have shot a lot (lower).”

From grinding out pars and turning horrible tee shots into unlkikely birdies to deadly accuracy with approaches and putts, the 42-year-old star who hasn’t won a major since the 2008 US Open turned back the clock.

Spectators responded with roars to rival anything the former world number one enjoyed in his prime.

“They were loud and they stayed around and it has been incredible,” Woods said.

Woods said it has been a long time since he felt so good about a loss, finishing two strokes behind Brooks Koepka but serving notice he truly can contend for more major titles.

This from a man who hasn’t won any event in five years and a year ago was uncertain if he would ever golf again.

“I had to go get it and I tried,” Woods said.

“I knew it was going to be a struggle to piece together a round and I did.”

Now eight months into his comeback from spinal fusion surgery, the fist-pumping thrills and excitement are back, as is the sense he could move closer to the all-time record 18 majors won

by Jack Nicklaus.

“I didn’t even know if I was going to play golf again,” Woods said. “This has been a process. I didn’t know when I was going to start and how many tournaments I was going to play, how well I was going to play. I didn’t know what swing I was going to use either.

Uncharted territory “I’m in uncharted territory. Because no one has ever had a fused spine hitting it like I’m hitting it. So I had to figure this out on my own and it has been really hard, a lot harder than people think.”

Woods has gone 3,709 days since his most recent major win with more to come until his next chance at the 2019 Masters next April, the 43rd major since his last win.

With silence and loud cheers the soundtrack to his day, Woods lipped out on a seven-foot birdie putt on the opening hole but sank a four-footer to birdie the second and one half as long to birdie the par-3 third.

CALM BEFORE THE STORM.

Players and coaching staff of the PH basketball team are shown at the dining area of the Athletes’ Village of the JakartaPalembang Asian Games in Indonesia.

IN BRIEF LT Group doubles net profit to P8.96b LT Group Inc., the listed holding company of business tycoon Lucio Tan, said net income nearly doubled to P8.96 billion in the first six months of 2018 from P4.53 billion recorded in the same period a year ago, lifted by the positive performance of the banking and cigarettes businesses.

LT Group said the income was boosted by the gain booked by Philippine National Bank from the sale of property and other assets.

The conglomerate said earnings from the tobacco business was normalizing as the government’s efforts to curb the illicit trade enabled the company to operate in a level playing field.

The tobacco business contributed P4.86 billion or 54 percent of the total first-half net income.

“The higher earnings were mainly attributed to better pricing as the company is now operating in a level playing field and can pass on the increases in excise taxes and no longer price its products at economically unsustainable levels,” LT Group said.

Jenniffer B. Austria

Business

NEA set to take over Zambo cooperative THE National Electrification Administration said it plans to partially and temporarily take over the management of the Zamboanga City Electric Cooperative in order to help resolve key issues besetting the power coop.

The impending NEA takeover aims ensure a smooth, orderly, timely and transparent process for the selection of a credible and experienced power distributor that will operate and manage Zamcelco under an investment management contract.

Zamcelco is reeling from a systems loss level of 23 percent and over P2 billion in liabilities that include over P1.3 billion in outstanding debt to power suppliers.

NEA administrator Edgardo Masongsong disclosed the plan at the end of a power stakeholders summit presided over by NEA in Zamboanga City Friday.

The summit, which was initiated by Zamboanga City Rep. Celso Lobregat, brought together the city’s various stakeholder segments, including consumer and industry groups, local and national government officials as well as community and religious leaders.

THE Transportation Department said Monday it asked the provincial government of Cavite to revise and improve its proposal for the Sangley Point International Airport after the agency’s legal experts claimed the provincial government lacked the technical capability to undertake the P552-billion project.

“We are not rejecting the proposal of the provincial government of Cavite to develop the Sangley Airport. The memorandum signed by our legal team was made to express our legal opinion on the draft MOA [memorandum of agreement] itself,” the DOTr said in statement.

“We are just asking the Cavite government to refine the MOA, so as to reflect all the necessary details, such as the project’s funding source, and proof of the proponent’s technical capability to handle and implement the project.

If such details are clarified, the draft

TUESDAY, AUGUST 14, 2018

B1

By Jenniffer B. Austria

CLARK LOCATOR GOES SOLAR. Viskase Asia Pacific Corp., a manufacturing company of cellulose, collagen and plastic casings and packaging materials for meat products, becomes the pioneer among Clark Freeport locators to install an industrial-scale solar power rooftop project. Viskase president and chief executive Thomas Davis (second from right) signs the contract for the first industrial scale solar power project during the 6th anniversary of the company. With Davis are officials of Viskase, Clark Development Corp. and Clark Investors and Locators Association.

Economic outlook remains bright, says BSP governor

By Julito G. Rada

B

ANGKO Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Nestor Espenilla Jr. said the outlook for the Philippine economy remains bright, despite the slowdown in gross domestic product growth to 6 percent in the second quarter from 6.6 percent in the first quarter.

“The Philippine economy is quite resilient for several reasons. One is our fundamentals are very good. We’re growing strongly. [We have] strong growth drivers.

Fiscal position is in order. The external position―despite the deficit―is moderate and our indebtedness is low. So we’re in a strong fundamental position,” Espenilla said at the sidelines of an event at the Bangko Sentral Monday.

DOTr asks Cavite to revise airport offer

By Darwin G. Amojelar

business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com

Ayala Corp.’s income grew 7% to P16.1b in1st semester

Cavite rail extension work to start October LIGHT Rail Manila Corp., a joint venture of Metro Pacific Investments Corp. and Ayala Corp., said it expects to start the construction of Light Rail Transit Line 1 Cavite extension project

by October this year.

“We’re on track for October. The right of way for one, majority of the portions have been cleared probably more than 50 percent. Right of way has to be cleared first, then it has to be certified by the independent consultant and turn over [to us],” LRMC president and chief executive Juan Alfonso said at the sidelines of the launching of ikotMNL (ikot Manila), a tourism campaign that aims to rediscover Manila using LRT-1 as the main mode of transportation.

LRMC earlier signed an engineering, procurement and construction contract with Bouygues Travaux Publics for the LRT 1 Cavite extension project.

Once built, the extension will stretch LRT1 over 33 kilometers, from Roosevelt in Quezon City to Niog, Bacoor in Cavite City.

Darwin G. Amojelar

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

MOA may be resubmitted for review and evaluation,” it said.

The agency’s Office of the Undersecretary for Legal Affairs and Procurement, along with the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Legal Affairs and the Legal Service, issued a memorandum on June 15, asking the department to refrain from signing an agreement with the Cavite provincial government on the proposed international airport.

The memo was in response to the request of Transportation Undersecretary for planning and project development Ruben Reinoso Jr. for a legal opinion of the proposed memorandum of agreement for the project.

The DOTr memorandum was signed

by Transportation Undersecretary for legal affairs and procurement Reinier Paul Yebra, assistant secretary for legal affairs Mark Steven Pastor and assistant secretary for procurement and chief of the DOTr legal service Giovanni Lopez.

“You have to analyze that we’ve been growing fairly strongly 6.6 [percent] and 6 [percent]. That’s why I was saying 6 percent isn’t bad at all. If you were expecting 7 [percent], it seems low. So 6 percent to begin with, it’s not low. And if you look at the reasons why the 6 percent, one of the things that didn’t turn out well is agriculture―on the supply side,” he said.

“And if it’s really a weather story, then we should expect a rebound down the road,” he said.

He said on the fiscal side, the government was moving forward with tax reforms. On the monetary policy side, he said monetary authorities were moving the policy rates to be responsive to inflationary pressures.

“So our policy making is dynamic, and our exchange rate is flexible. That’s the second line,” he said.

He also cited the high gross international reserves and the strong banking system.

“For those three main reasons – fundamentals, sound policy, buffers – the Philippine economy is quite resilient

F OREIGN E XCHANGE R ATE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Monday, August 13, 2018

Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

53.1360

Japan

Yen

0.009054

0.4811

UK

Pound

1.275300

67.7643

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.127398

6.7694

Switzerland

Franc

1.006644

53.4890

Canada

Dollar

0.759532

40.3585

Singapore

Dollar

0.728332

38.7006

Australia

Dollar

0.727500

38.6564

Bahrain

Dinar

2.652661

140.9518

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266645

14.1684

Brunei

Dollar

0.725689

38.5602

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000069

0.0037

Thailand

Baht

0.030075

1.5981

UAE

Dirham

0.272272

14.4674

Euro

Euro

1.137400

60.4369

Korea

Won

0.000885

0.0470

China

Yuan

0.146113

7.7639

India

Rupee

0.014517

0.7714

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.244918

13.0140

New Zealand

Dollar

0.657100

34.9157

Taiwan

Dollar

0.032540

1.7290

SOLAIRE PARTNER.

Solaire Resort & Casino welcomes AirAsia to the Solaire Rewards Program.

At the signing ceremony are Solaire Resort & Casino executive vice president for casino marketing Cyrus Sherafat (left) and AirAsia Big Loyalty chief commercial officer Victor Kaw.

to external factors. But that’s not to say that we won’t be affected by what’s going on outside. We will be affected, but we’d like to think the impact would be a relatively moderate and manageable,” he said.

The economy grew 6 percent in the second quarter, slower than 6.6 percent in the first quarter, bringing the first half average to 6.3 percent. This was below the government’s target range of 7 percent to 8 percent this year.

Economic managers listed the closures of Boracay and some mining operations, stagnant agriculture sector, higher inflation and trade imbalance as some of the factors that contributed to the lackluster performance in the first half.

Espenilla said the constant communication of Bangko Sentral to the people with regards to inflation was very important to explain to them the real drivers of higher consumer prices.

Inflation in the first seven months averaged 4.5 percent, beyond the target range of 2 percent to 4 percent this year.

Inflation in July hit a five-year high of 5.7 percent, up from 5.2 percent in June.

SM set to complete acquisition of 34% stake in Goldilocks CONGLOMERATE SM Investments Corp. said Monday it is in the final stages of completing the acquisition of a 34-percent stake in bakeshop chain Goldilocks Bakeshop Inc. “SM Investments Corp. confirms that it is in the final stages of completing its acquisition of 34 percent of the total outstanding capital stock of Goldilocks Bakeshop Inc,” SMIC said.

No other details were provided, including the acquisition cost.

The SM Group reported in February it cancelled its planned acquisition of Goldilocks because of “changes in the general business environment”.

After talks fell through, Goldilocks said it would focus on store expansion to sustain its growth momentum.

The deal back then obtained an approval from the anti-competition watchdog, the Philippine Competition Commission, after the SM Group committed to address issues on tenant discrimination and data protection.

The SM Group, which owns more than 70 malls in the country, agreed to give Goldilocks’ competitors a fair shake in their lease at all times.

It also committed to data protection which means the mall operator would not give Goldilocks access to competing mall tenants’ information including sales data captured by the POS system of SMPHI tenants.

Jenniffer B. Austria

CONGLOMERATE Ayala Corp. said Monday net income climbed 7 percent in the first half to P16.1 billion from a year ago on the solid performance of the real estate, telecommunications and power businesses.

Ayala Corp. said in a disclosure to the stock exchange equity earnings reached P19.5 billion in January to June, up 12 percent from a year ago, with strong contributions from Ayala Land Inc. and Globe Telecom Inc., which climbed 18 percent and 25 percent, respectively.

Power generation arm AC Energy’s equity earnings contribution more than doubled in the first semester from the same period last year.

“These results validate our long-term strategy to achieve a more resilient portfolio by allocating capital to new businesses from which we can derive fresh sources of growth while continuing to expand our core businesses,” Ayala Corp. president and chief operating officer Fernando Zobel de Ayala said.

“With the steady state operations of its platforms and consistent value realization initiatives, we are happy to see AC Energy starting to provide the necessary balance to some of our more cyclical and longer gestation businesses,” Zobel de Ayala said.

The conglomerate said that in the second quarter, it recorded a net income of P8.4 billion, up 3 percent year-on-year, driven by Ayala Land and AC Energy, which posted transaction gains from value realization initiatives.

The lower fee-based income and higher operating expenses recorded by the Bank of the Philippine Islands tempered the group’s net earnings during the period.

Ayala Land’s net income grew 18 percent year-on-year to P13.5 billion, driven by its residential segment and supported by the commercial leasing business.

Bank of the Philippine Islands booked a net income of P11.03 billion in the six-month period, down 5.7 percent from a year earlier, as lower noninterest income and higher operating expenses offset growth in the bank’s core business.

Pilipinas Shell’s first-half profit up 30% to P5.4b

By Alena Mae S. Flores

OIL refiner Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp. posted a 30-percent increase in first-half profit to P5.4 billion from P4.2 billion in the same period last year.

“Amidst challenges from the lower refining margin environment in the first half of the year, we continue to create value for all our stakeholders by being an integrated fuel and refining company,” PSPC president and chief executive Cesar Romero said in a statement Monday.

PSPC attributed the strong performance in the first half to the higher earnings of the marketing businesses and inventory holding gains from its manufacturing and supply chain segments.

“Our world-class marketing businesses backed by our efficient supply chain and supported by technical and trading capabilities from the Shell Group have allowed us to remain competitive in this challenging business environment,” Romero said.

The company sustained its Shell V-Power penetration at 27 percent despite the increase in retail pump prices amid the rising global oil prices and higher excise taxes.

PSPC opened 16 retail stations in 2018 and is on track to build a total of 50 to 70 new sites by the end of 2018. PSPC currently has 1,054 retail sites serving motorists in key locations across the country.

PSPC said its non-fuel retail continued to enjoy double-digit growth.

The business is poised to capture the growth in convenience retailing with 19 new Select stores, 10 deli2go stores and 26 lube bays in the first half.

The country’s second biggest oil firm also posted strong volume growth in the commercial segment, specifically in aviation, lubricants and bitumen.

B2

Business

TUESDAY, AUGUST 14, 2018 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Stocks slump; Ayala, SM Prime fall T HE stock market plunged Monday, joining the rest of Asia on fears the economic crisis gripping Turkey could spill over into the global economy.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index plummeted 169.71 points, or 2.2 percent, to 7,635.27 on a value turnover of P5.2 billion. Losers overwhelmed gainers, 140 to 58, with 39 issues unchanged.

Manila Electric Co., the biggest retailer of electricity, slumped 3.5 percent to P355.40, while SM Prime Holdings Inc. of retail tycoon Henry Sy. Sr. tumbled 3.4 percent to P37.20.

Conglomerate Ayala Corp. lost 3.2 percent to P953.50, while unit and major property developer Ayala Land Inc. also declined 3.2 percent to P41.25.

The rest of Asian markets tumbled and the Turkish lira dived almost eight percent Monday.

With investors already on edge over the China-US trade war, the lira’s collapse sparked a sell-off in Europe and New York at the end of last week, with safe haven assets including the Japanese yen and Swiss franc rallying.

“The dominating theme of this week is likely to be the Turkish situation,” Okasan Online Securities said in a note to clients.

“The ‘Turkey shock’ from last weekend, triggered by sharp plunges of the lira, has fueled fears that it may impact financial institutions in Europe,” it said.

On equity markets Hong Kong shed 1.4 percent in late trade and Shanghai finished 0.3 percent lower, while Tokyo dropped two percent with exporters hurt by the stronger yen.

Sydney fell 0.4 percent, Singapore

was 0.8 percent lower and Seoul shed 1.5 percent. There were also sharp losses in Taipei, Manila and Jakarta, which dived 3.3 percent after Indonesia reported Friday its biggest current account deficit in about four years.

The lira dived to a record low of 7.2362 to the dollar at one point overnight before recovering slightly after the country’s finance minister said Ankara was planning to roll out an “action plan” on Monday in response to the crisis.

That was followed by the central bank saying it was ready to take “all necessary measures” to ensure financial stability, easing reserve requirements for lenders and promising to provide them with liquidity.

“Our institutions will take necessary action from Monday in order to relieve the markets,” Berat Albayrak said, adding that the plan would center on “the state of our banks and the small and

medium size enterprises” most affected by the lira’s plunge.

The lira has been hammered this year, having started January at around 3.70 to the dollar according to Bloomberg data, while it is also sharply down against the euro.

However, the European unit was taking a hit against the greenback on worries about the possible impact on some European banks, including Spain’s BBVA, Italy’s UniCredit and France’s BNP Paribas.

Despite the tumult, President Tayyip Erdogan remains in combative mood, calling the rout a “political, underhand plot” against Turkey.

The crisis has been sparked by a series of issues including a faltering economy—the central bank has defied market calls for rate hikes—and tensions with the United States, which has hit Turkey with sanctions over its detention of an American pastor. With AFP

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW MONDAY, AUGUST 13, 2018

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

FINANCIALS 59.8 3,840 95.5 602,740 2.67 1,000 127.7 945,300 1.82 860,000 32.95 44,000 16.4 10,900 14.32 273,100 3.8 107,000 9.38 900 1.58 4,000 825 30 0.55 307,000 76 1,938,170 1 282,000 11.9 15,000 21.4 200 46.4 167,500 196.5 20,700 29.6 98,700 200 88,760 1,810 125 83.8 3,150

229,620.50 57,695,457 2,670 121,160,154 1,568,340 1,453,515 178,760 3,938,182 404,610 8,442 6,320 24,750 169,740 147,145,607 281,710 179,660 4,280 7,795,010 4,120,321 2,946,385 17,732,416 226,130 264,283.50

209,299 -27,180,139.50 -30,135,598 36,400 -574,465.00 563,092 3,394,797 -5,667,430 -2,603,730 6,196,227 -30,183.50

35 15.86 0.74 1.21 0.237 3.34 14.7 39.75 20.25 49.9 75.85 1.82 7.51 10.22 15.68 10.54 7.24 7 15.8 63.35 26.6 7.42 13.14 2.3 262.8 3.08 25.5 13.26 18.34 355.4 0.182 2.21 4.1 8.92 5 7.95 1.19 11.74 56 6.11 4.76 2.56 3.24 1.69 13.22 78 5.2 0.126 1.05 138.3 2.5 2.45 1.48

INDUSTRIAL 35 519,900 15.9 955,200 0.75 1,017,000 1.21 320,000 0.24 920,000 3.34 3,476,000 14.7 856,900 40 281,700 21 18,300 49.9 100 75.85 100 1.82 5,000 7.51 40,400 10.24 2,272,900 15.76 255,000 10.54 37,800 7.27 773,600 7 5,134,100 15.96 912,700 63.4 24,000 27.9 53,300 7.42 213,200 13.14 1,861,300 2.31 2,143,000 270 242,500 3.18 7,000 25.5 284,500 13.38 269,700 18.34 1,634,500 355.4 276,120 0.182 1,370,000 2.22 22,000 4.1 125,000 9 678,700 5.23 292,300 7.95 20,300 1.2 2,225,000 11.9 24,800 56.65 336,000 6.25 16,000 4.8 112,000 2.78 6,062,000 3.24 3,000 1.7 413,000 13.22 673,500 80 642,160 5.2 66,900 0.126 40,000 1.05 267,000 139.5 585,980 2.5 5,000 2.46 907,000 1.49 3,460,000

18,438,025 15,205,222 759,820 390,670 220,830 11,807,330 12,637,798 11,361,160 372,370 4,990 7,585 9,100 305,628 23,426,924 4,012,476 399,240 5,613,549 35,953,345 14,552,382 1,524,897.50 1,467,805 1,586,397 25,412,528 4,949,420 64,696,424 21,740 7,347,880 3,648,028 30,414,348 98,590,172 253,050 48,830 515,170 6,091,928 1,520,342 161,388 2,667,800 294,128 19,002,386 99,632 535,600 16,618,160 9,720 701,990 8,936,832 51,708,450.50 347,896 5,040 280,410 81,755,621 12,500 2,236,980 5,240,110

-8,388,190.00 211,858 760 754,100 -12,624,080 9,100 -290,501 -7,054,454 1,449,880 -2,795,120 -17,243,304 8,806,104 5,654 -21,600 -1,126,152 -10,762,304 -29,539,396 -5,104,865 -943,288 -20,811,156 -35,783,100 -11,060 -246,080 589,299 -1,521,600 1,988,697.50 -22,535 297,600 192,580 0 -9,663,528 38,688,254 12,500 -400,060 -

0.248 57.8 12.1 0.92 5.98 31.2 1.35 1.34 950 6.05 11.92 6.94 4.7 950 6.1 54.5 5.59 0.58 4.36 17.34 0.64 4.8 0.038 1.29 2.8 2.83 139.9 930 1.57 420 254 0.315

HOLDING FIRMS 0.26 4,820,000 59.55 893,080 12.2 6,775,900 0.96 65,000 6.1 63,500 31.3 439,300 1.38 141,496,000 1.39 29,252,000 953.5 468,430 6.08 4,617,600 11.92 884,900 7.1 600 4.7 2,000 950 49,230 6.3 34,200 54.5 818,930 5.59 1,000 0.59 221,000 4.36 333,000 17.46 154,000 0.64 16,421,000 4.89 17,912,000 0.038 300,000 1.3 3,346,000 2.8 2,524,000 2.83 3,000 142 464,280 933 312,160 1.57 632,000 456 250 255 11,270 0.32 4,810,000

1,228,650 52,354,040 83,057,404 61,790 386,895 14,360,660 200,673,410 41,501,620 447,930,060 28,055,078 10,648,730 4,244 9,400 47,123,835 220,632 45,687,044.50 5,590 128,580 1,462,400 2,687,136 10,780,590 86,843,340 11,400 4,328,570 7,244,430 8,500 65,867,038 291,529,325 1,006,700 112,670 2,882,366 1,527,150

-135,800 -26,268,576 -4,387,894 382,099 688,840 4,291,680 -209,929,640 -25,313,994 -2,943,096 106,460 1,631,144 46,600 -74,230 -443,270.00 323,840 -22,602,530.00 145,900 -24,890,721 -119,217,085 0 -

5,912,990 10,294,950 433,710 426,281,560 1,293,270 3,730,080 5,040 9,257,900 187,010 3,391,090 299,990 210,850 3,021,316 18,188,285 39,700 15,169,060 1,148,590 12,892,650 92,194,560 51,826,260 806,300 677,410 3,935,740

-157,381 999,590 -99,744,705 -366,490 -1,689,700.00 -5,040 23,350 -375,460 2,265,160 600 -1,065,780 -3,630 210,370 22,790,110 157,480 3,590

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

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

59.95 96.95 2.67 129.5 1.9 33.15 16.4 14.56 3.77 9.38 1.58 825 0.54 77.2 0.99 11.98 21.4 46.95 196.2 30.15 200 1,810 84

59.95 96.95 2.67 129.5 1.9 33.15 16.4 14.56 3.82 9.38 1.58 825 0.58 77.2 1 12 21.4 47 200 30.15 200.2 1,810 84

59.5 95.35 2.67 127.6 1.8 32.95 16.4 14.32 3.7 9.38 1.58 825 0.54 75 0.99 11.9 21.4 46.05 196.2 29.6 199 1,808 83.8

ABOITIZ POWER AGRINURTURE ALLIANCE SELECT ALSONS CONS BASIC ENERGY CEMEX HLDG CENTURY FOOD CIRTEK HLDG CNTRL AZUCARERA CONCEPCION CONCRETE A CROWN ASIA DEL MONTE DNL INDUS EAGLE CEMENT EEI CORP EMPERADOR ENERGY DEVT FIRST GEN FIRST PHIL HLDG GINEBRA HOLCIM INTEGRATED MICR IONICS JOLLIBEE MABUHAY VINYL MANILA WATER MAXS GROUP MEGAWIDE MERALCO MG HLDG 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 SWIFT FOODS TKC METALS UNIV ROBINA VICTORIAS VITARICH VULCAN INDL

36.2 15.9 0.76 1.24 0.237 3.53 15.2 40.75 21 49.9 75.85 1.82 7.56 10.68 15.8 10.66 7.26 7 16 63.85 28.3 7.46 14.28 2.34 266 3.1 26.5 13.74 18.84 366.2 0.189 2.25 4.11 9 5.12 7.96 1.19 11.82 56.8 6.3 4.76 2.56 3.24 1.74 13.28 80 5.2 0.126 1.06 140.6 2.5 2.5 1.55

36.2 16 0.76 1.24 0.243 3.53 15.5 40.8 21 49.9 75.85 1.82 7.7 10.68 15.8 10.66 7.46 7.02 16.08 63.85 28.3 7.46 14.3 2.38 270 3.18 26.5 13.82 19 366.2 0.189 2.25 4.15 9 5.44 7.96 1.2 11.9 56.8 6.33 4.8 2.8 3.24 1.74 13.28 81 5.21 0.126 1.06 140.6 2.5 2.5 1.56

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

0.248 60.2 12.58 0.92 5.98 32.6 1.42 1.43 975 6.08 12.22 6.94 4.7 979.5 9 58 5.59 0.6 4.45 17.4 0.7 4.98 0.038 1.3 2.93 2.84 141 953 1.61 420 258.6 0.32

0.265 60.2 12.58 0.97 6.1 34.05 1.51 1.5 975 6.1 12.34 7.1 4.7 979.5 9 58 5.59 0.6 4.54 17.6 0.7 4.98 0.038 1.3 2.97 2.84 143 953 1.61 457 258.6 0.33

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

7.87 1.07 0.74 42.35 3.21 4.65 5.6 0.465 0.97 1.01 0.208 0.405 10.14 28 0.6 1.5 1.21 1.57 4.98 0.67 0.465 0.52 3.62

7.94 1.07 0.74 42.35 3.21 4.65 5.6 0.48 0.97 1.1 0.212 0.405 10.14 28 0.6 1.51 1.22 1.59 4.98 0.68 0.465 0.53 3.64

7.7 1.02 0.71 41.05 3.12 4.6 5.6 0.46 0.93 1 0.208 0.395 9.91 26.8 0.59 1.47 1.2 1.5 4.86 0.63 0.45 0.51 3.55

VOLUME

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

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

35.7 21.2 1.99 3.21 38.5 1.14 7.34 0.76 6.04

35.7 21.2 2 3.26 38.5 1.14 7.35 0.78 6.05

35.7 20.65 1.99 3.15 37.2 1.13 7.23 0.75 6.01

35.7 20.95 1.99 3.22 37.2 1.14 7.29 0.78 6.04

1,000 2,228,300 114,000 1,802,000 8,622,600 139,000 539,900 107,000 11,636,100

35,700 46,701,710 227,390 5,712,600 325,943,300 158,410 3,925,520 80,420 70,166,561

-4,703,990 100,000 2,791,020 -59,410,405 -4,346 -19,787,788

2GO GROUP ABS CBN ACESITE HOTEL APC GROUP APOLLO GLOBAL ASIAN TERMINALS BERJAYA BLOOMBERRY BOULEVARD HLDG CEBU AIR CENTRO ESCOLAR CHELSEA DFNN INC DISCOVERY WORLD EASYCALL 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 BULLETIN 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

14.5 25 1.43 0.47 0.044 13.02 4.67 10.62 0.055 70.35 8.89 6.82 8.3 2.28 26 1,973 5.41 329 3.97 2.09 88 12.34 7.83 0.127 3.03 3.51 14.62 4.03 1.06 26.7 0.45 5.12 7.5 2.86 2.2 2.2 16.5 8.81 10.7 8.63 3.94 112 5.27 1,370 0.93 0.385 46.6 85.45 8.3 2.4 1.08 0.72 5.12 0.76 11.7

14.5 25.2 1.47 0.47 0.045 13.58 5.1 10.62 0.061 71 8.89 6.84 9.35 2.29 27.05 1,973 5.43 330 4.05 2.09 90 12.34 7.84 0.129 3.03 3.58 15.06 4.05 1.06 26.9 0.45 5.3 7.53 2.86 2.3 2.29 16.5 8.9 10.92 8.63 3.94 112 5.3 1,398 0.93 0.395 46.6 85.5 8.3 2.5 1.09 0.75 5.12 0.79 11.78

14 24.8 1.43 0.465 0.044 13.02 4.63 10.28 0.054 69.7 8.89 6.75 8.3 2.28 24.7 1,917 5.4 317 3.87 2.09 87.05 12.3 7.83 0.127 2.78 3.5 14.6 3.96 1.03 26 0.45 4.91 7.02 2.8 2.2 2.2 16.5 8.5 10.68 8.63 3.7 110.2 5.2 1,342 0.89 0.37 44.4 84.5 8.28 2.26 1.07 0.7 5.02 0.76 11.54

SERVICES 14.1 24.8 1.47 0.47 0.045 13.56 4.9 10.46 0.06 70 8.89 6.78 9 2.29 27.05 1,920 5.42 330 3.9 2.09 88 12.3 7.84 0.129 2.9 3.58 14.6 3.99 1.06 26.4 0.45 5.24 7.2 2.8 2.21 2.2 16.5 8.52 10.92 8.63 3.7 110.2 5.21 1,370 0.9 0.385 45 84.95 8.28 2.26 1.07 0.71 5.05 0.77 11.68

41,700 74,800 42,000 1,710,000 3,300,000 600 297,000 5,370,600 112,960,000 306,190 100 562,400 1,699,600 17,000 329,300 21,250 219,200 10,750 1,373,000 4,000 705,500 2,600 10,300 4,310,000 14,663,000 36,000 1,900 418,000 1,115,000 796,300 10,000 224,600 8,847,700 384,000 754,000 17,000 100 2,881,500 6,200 600 56,000 81,410 472,000 41,700 4,041,000 1,800,000 1,934,600 100,650 18,900 18,562,000 827,000 81,949,000 642,300 1,266,000 4,510,400

589,544 1,866,275 61,630 800,050 148,400 7,998 1,460,430 56,028,524 6,621,650 21,464,299.50 889 3,810,346 15,084,805 38,830 8,753,005 40,916,550 1,187,489 3,503,646 5,378,370 8,360 62,125,337 32,066 80,749 550,040 42,350,590 126,640 27,828 1,668,430 1,156,820 21,034,750 4,500 1,163,017 64,139,738 1,085,180 1,688,390 37,490 1,650 24,846,756 66,324 5,178 210,810 9,117,138 2,467,730 57,043,960 3,648,520 685,300 87,059,195 8,563,297.50 156,700 43,749,530 887,710 59,775,490 3,246,554 977,410 52,211,244

-22,020 -9,435,596 -600 -4,832,683 -1,812,764 479,609 8,608,425 106,880 21,306,692 37,940 198,600 3,193,220 -19,640 -8,286,457 -19,500 526,514 -35,860 87,336.00 8,900,070 -27,690 57,750 -29,279,275 -1,955,032.50 79,680 -2,385,510 -432,590 1,106,880 159,768 12,390 -34,692,414

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

0.0025 1.64 3.7 21.5 1.51 2.03 0.31 7.39 2.02 0.2 0.127 0.128 1.54 4.94 1.18 0.54 1.15 0.012 0.012 3.17 4.3 15.6 32 0.006

0.0026 1.64 3.7 21.55 1.51 2.03 0.31 7.44 2.03 0.211 0.128 0.128 1.54 4.95 1.18 0.55 1.23 0.012 0.012 3.17 4.32 15.92 32.3 0.006

0.0024 1.61 3.7 20.8 1.51 1.99 0.3 7.29 1.99 0.2 0.127 0.128 1.52 4.67 1.12 0.54 1.12 0.012 0.011 3.02 4.28 15.36 31.7 0.0059

MINING & OIL 0.0026 103,000,000 1.62 1,873,000 3.7 33,000 21.15 45,500 1.51 2,000 2 741,000 0.3 380,000 7.29 25,400 2 9,088,000 0.206 240,000 0.127 1,230,000 0.128 90,000 1.52 227,000 4.69 6,804,000 1.15 216,000 0.55 31,000 1.16 14,060,000 0.012 502,500,000 0.011 2,300,000 3.02 157,000 4.28 183,000 15.6 3,294,100 31.9 2,549,200 0.0059 19,000,000

253,600 3,033,150 122,100 961,250 3,020 1,482,720 115,000 187,804 18,319,380 49,340 156,660 11,520 347,960 32,764,290 242,520 16,750 16,628,180 6,030,000 26,500 482,370 785,210 51,613,804 81,350,900 113,000

-11,100 -59,800 -1,990 -3,781,150.00 11,520 10,170,560 35,010 13,900 -154,300 1,350,430 -28,598,815 -

ABS HLDG PDR ALCO PREF B DD PREF GMA HLDG PDR GTCAP PREF A GTCAP PREF B HOUSE PREF A SMC FB PREF 2 SMC PREF 2B SMC PREF 2C SMC PREF 2D SMC PREF 2F SMC PREF 2I

26.3 101.6 101.9 5.16 974.5 970 101 985.5 76.5 80 75.05 77 76

26.3 101.6 101.9 5.22 975 987.5 101 1,000 76.5 80 75.05 77 76

24.7 101.6 101.9 5.16 970 970 101 980 76 79.95 75 77 75.05

PREFERRED 24.9 115,900 101.6 10,000 101.9 100 5.2 191,700 975 280 987.5 20,010 101 160 1,000 2,140 76 100,000 79.95 8,100 75 4,000 77 6,830 75.05 53,500

2,908,560 1,016,000 10,190 993,782 272,665 19,409,875 16,160 2,113,900 7,609,968.50 647,650 300,001.50 525,910 4,016,746.50

1,437,510 -950,468 -7,609,968.50 -

LR WARRANT

2.38

2.38

2.35

WARRANTS 2.36 98,000

232,630

-

ITALPINAS MAKATI FINANCE XURPAS

5.2 3.03 3.11

5.25 3.03 3.12

5.12 3.02 3.09

5.15 3.02 3.1

716,000 10,000 418,000

3,719,494 30,250 1,296,330

515 -86,830

FIRST METRO ETF

116.5

116.5

114

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 114 64,220

7,423,755

92,950

MS

PROPERTY 7.91 1.05 0.71 41.25 3.12 4.61 5.6 0.47 0.93 1.02 0.208 0.395 9.91 26.9 0.6 1.48 1.21 1.51 4.9 0.63 0.45 0.52 3.59

756,400 9,926,000 606,000 10,319,700 411,000 810,000 900 19,750,000 201,000 3,279,000 1,440,000 530,000 302,200 668,600 67,000 10,204,000 949,000 8,453,000 18,809,000 80,734,000 1,780,000 1,316,000 1,098,000

TRADING SUMMARY

SHARES

FINANCIAL

5,774,589

INDUSTRIAL

43,166,353

HOLDING FIRMS

238,329,313

PROPERTY

199,661,902

SERVICES

285,452,685

MINING & OIL

668,412,999

GRAND TOTAL

1,442,007,167

SME

VALUE 1,832.66 (down) 22.11 367,562,413.24 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 10,999.75 (down) 134.71 596,350,390.036 HOLDING FIRMS 7,505.69 (down) 217.44 1,482,665,953.33 PROPERTY 3,778.26 (down) 112.24 1,521.47 (down) 13.93 1,191,813,606.495 SERVICES MINING & OIL 10,242.48 (down) 83.17 1,302,238,551.85 PSEI 7,635.27 (down) 169.71 215,116,928.979 All Shares Index 4,632.53 (down) 82.16 5,168,222,072.59 Gainers: 58; Losers: 140; Unchanged: 39; Total: 237

Vista Land raising P10b from loans and bonds

By Jenniffer B. Austria VISTA Land & Lifescapes Inc. plans to raise between P5 billion and P10 billion in fresh capital through a combination of bond issuance and loans to partially finance capital expenditures and refinance maturing debt.

Vista Land president Manuel Paolo Villar said in a press briefing the company planned to conduct the fund raising activity by the second half of the year, citing the group’s remaining P15 billion under a bond shelf registration program.

Villar said the company had raised the full-year net income growth target for 2018 to 15 percent to 17 percent from the initial goal of 12 percent after posting strong first-half results.

Vista Land’s net profit in the first six months of 2018 rose 17 percentto P5.2 billion from P4.5 billion year-on-year.

First-half consolidated revenues increased 16 percent to P21.1 billion from P18.2 billion a year ago, with real estate and recurring sales both registering a 16 percent growth to P16.7 billion and P3.3 billion, respectively.

“We remain confident about the company’s prospects for the rest of the year as we continue to expand our rental spaces which complements our existing core and stable end-user housing business,” Villar said.

Vista Land as end June this year has over 1.1 million square meters of leasable space following the recent opening of malls in the cities of Iloilo and Naga.

Six new malls are slated to open in the second half of the year to boost total gross leasable space to 1.4 million sqm.

The group also launched residential projects worth P23.7 billion during the first semester of the year, mostly low and affordable and outside of Metro Manila.

Another P27 billion worth of residential projects are scheduled for launching in the second half of the year.

“As a result we have increased our geographic presence to 143 cities and municipalities and 47 provinces, moving closer to our 200 cities and municipalities target in the near future,” Villar said.

Reservations sales grew 18 percent during the period to P38 billion, up 12 percent from a year ago.

EDC registers consolidated profit of P4.1b

By Alena Mae S. Flores ENERGY Development Corp. posted P4.1 billion in consolidated recurring net income attributable to equity holders of the parent in the first six months, down 21 percent from P5.2 billion yearon-year.

The country’s largest geothermal and wind energy company registered consolidated revenues of P17.1 billion in the six-month period, down three percent from P17.7 billion a year ago.

“Our first-half results, similar to what we communicated to the market during our first-quarter earnings announcement, were largely dominated by the impact of Typhoon Urduja that hit Leyte island, site of our biggest business unit, in December. Leyte’s generation volume was down by 18.5 percent for the first six months”, EDC chief financial officer Nestor Vasay said in a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange.

EDC is optimistic of better power generation figures in the second half as some of its Leyte power plants will go back online.

“However, we expect this downtrend to reverse in the second half of 2018, as our major power plants in Leyte are now back in service. We also see our operational efficiency initiatives starting to pay off,” Vasay said.

EDC said all other units posted higher revenues during the period, led by the 150-megawatt Burgos Wind project in Ilocos Norte, which rose 15 percent to P1.66 billion from P1.44 billion in the same period last year.

Revenues of the the Bacon-Manito geothermal plants increased 10 percent to P2.13 billion from P1.95 billion, benefitting from efforts to mostly contract its generation capacity.

World

Investigators find black box of crashed Seattle airplane

PARTY. From left, actors

Sawyer Sharbino, Brighton Sharbino and Saxon Sharbino attend Indiana Massara and Brighton Sharbino’s birthday party on August 12, 2018, in Sherman Oaks, California. AFP

IN BRIEF Quake death toll in Lombok tops 400

JAKARTA―The death toll from an earthquake on the Indonesian island of Lombok has topped 400, authorities said Monday, as bodies were still being recovered from the ruins of destroyed buildings.

The shallow 6.9-magnitude quake on August 5 leveled tens of thousands of homes, mosques and businesses across Lombok, just a week after another tremor surged through the island and killed 17.

“Search and rescue teams are still removing victims who were buried beneath collapsed buildings and landslides,” said national disaster agency spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho.

The total number killed in the quake is now 436, Nugroho said, with more than 1,300 injured and nearly 353,000 displaced.

The hardest hit region of Lombok has been in the north, where 374 people died and more than 137,000 have been forced from their homes, according to the latest official tolls.

Most of the displaced are sleeping under tents or tarpaulins near their ruined homes or in evacuation shelters, while makeshift medical facilities have been set up to treat the injured. AFP

SEATTLE—US investigators on Sunday said they found the flight data recorder of the Horizon Air plane stolen by a troubled Seattle airport worker amid plane wreckage on a sparsely populated island in Washington state.

After falling through several 100-foot lines of trees, the Bombardier Q400 plane broke up into pieces small enough to pick up by hand, National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Western Pacific Region chief Debra Eckrote told CNN. “You couldn’t even tell it was a plane except for some of the bigger sections, like the wing section,” Eckrote said.

“Even the small sections, most of it doesn’t resemble a plane.”

Ekrote said that the flight data recorder―commonly known as the airplane’s “black box”―was burned but otherwise intact.

NTSB investigators will send the recorder to Washington D.C. to analyze the data for clues next week.

Two F-15 fighter jets chased the twinengine turboprop plane that baggage handler Richard Russell hijacked late Friday.

Promenade collapse injures hundreds

MADRID-More than 250 people have been injured, five of them seriously, after part of a wooden promenade collapsed at a music festival in Spain, local officials said Monday.

The seafront platform, which was 30 meters (98 feet) long by 10 meters wide, was packed with people watching a rap artist in the northwestern city of Vigo when it suddenly collapsed just before midnight on Sunday, Vigo mayor Abel Caballero told reporters at the scene.

“The causes have yet to be determined. Everything indicates that no one is trapped underneath,” he added.

Witnesses told Spanish media that people struggled to scramble for safety from under the debris of the structure.

A total of 266 people were injured, five of them seriously with broken bones requiring hospitalization, the regional health minister in the northwestern region of Galicia, Jesus Vazquez Almuina, told local radio. AFP

During the hour he spent in the air, Russell flew the plane in a loop―an improbable stunt caught on video by a surprised bystander―then slammed it into the small, heavily forested Ketron Island in Puget Sound.

Authorities ruled out any link to terror, and determined Russell had flown alone.

No one besides Russell was hurt, and the F-15s did not shoot down the plane, according to officials.

The local sheriff described Russell, nicknamed “Beebo,” as “suicidal” when he flew off in an empty passenger plane from Seattle’s main airport late Friday. Colleagues remembered him as “quiet” and “very friendly.”

Russell’s family said the incident came as a “complete shock to us.”

“It may seem difficult for those watching at home to believe, but Beebo was a warm, compassionate man,” the family said in a letter, which they said would be their only statement.

We are “stunned and heartbroken” by the incident, the letter read.

“He was a faithful husband, a loving son and a good friend.” AFP

Probers documenting what Rohingya suffered last year

C

OX’S BAZARCross-legged in a windowless, almost pitch-black bamboo shack, the investigator pressed record on a video camera and asked the young Rohingya woman to describe the night the Myanmar soldiers came.

“They broke down our door. They took my husband outside and shot him,” recalled the 20-year-old, one of around 700,000 Rohingyas driven from Myanmar into Bangladesh a year ago.

“Then they killed my son. Four of them raped me,” said the woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, only her eyes visible beneath a veil covering her face, as the monsoon rain fell outside.

Different teams of investigators in the world’s biggest refugee camp in Bangla-

Top Bangladesh photographer jailed

DHAKA―Award-winning Bangladesh photographer Shahidul Alam was in jail on Monday, 10 days after being arrested following an interview with Al Jazeera about massive student demonstrations, police said.

Alam, 63, who accused police of assaulting him in custody and was earlier sent to a hospital for a check-up following an order from the high court, was taken to a magistrate’s court late on Sunday.

“The court then sent him to jail,” police official Moshiur Rahman told AFP. Another police officer told the local Daily Star newspaper that Alam would be kept in prison until the completion of the probe into his charges.

Alam was accused of making “false” and “provocative” statements on Al Jazeera and on Facebook Live as tens of thousands of students protested in Dhaka in late July and early August.

He also published photos of the demonstrations.

He is being investigated for allegedly violating Bangladesh’s internet laws, enacted in 2006 and sharpened in 2013, that critics say are used to snuff out dissent and harass journalists. AFP

B3

TUESDAY, AUGUST 14, 2018 CESAR BARRIOQUINTO, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

desh, home to a million people, have been quietly documenting what the Myanmar Muslim minority suffered in 2017.

From seasoned professionals working for governments, the UN and international rights groups, to grassroots volunteers armed with pen and paper, a trove of evidence is being amassed that, it is hoped, will help bring the Rohingya some justice.

Another of those giving testimony is Nurjahan, whose husband and son were also murdered.

She has taken it upon herself to secure justice for them and for all the girls in her village raped at gunpoint.

She was among the first of 400 Rohingya women to put their inked thumbs to a legal document formally requesting a probe by the International Criminal Court.

The group of largely illiterate women she is part of, Shanti Mohila (“Peace Women”), has also collected victim testimonies and signatures to lobby the

ICC thousands of miles away.

“We’ve lost our sons. Our daughters have been violated. We want justice for them,” the 45-year-old told AFP. The only other Rohingya submission before the world’s only permanent war crimes court is for the victims of Tula Toli, a Myanmar village whose Muslim inhabitants were rounded up and methodically slaughtered on August 30, 2017.

Some testimony for a broader enquiry has already reached The Hague, where the ICC is being urged to investigate crimes against humanity, something that Myanmar denies.

There is a new Myanmar-led commission to examine abuses, but this has been denounced by many observers as an empty stunt that will fail to establish accountability.

A handful of soldiers have been charged by Myanmar for involvement in a single massacre but UN special rapporteur Yanghee Lee has tempered

expectations that Myanmar’s generals would stand trial anytime soon.

Myanmar is not a signatory to the court but ICC prosecutors and human rights lawyers have taken a unique approach by arguing that the crime of deportation was not complete until the Rohingya crossed into Bangladesh.

And as Bangladesh is an ICC signatory, they say the court has jurisdiction.

A pre-trial chamber of ICC judges is reviewing the unprecedented request, alarming Myanmar which voiced “serious concern”.

“They do feel some threat from this.

I think that’s important,” said international lawyer Megan Hirst from Doughty Street Chambers in London, who is representing the Tula Toli villagers at the ICC. Back at the camps in Bangladesh, another of those painstakingly pulling together evidence is Osman Jahangir, a field investigator from Bangladeshi rights watchdog Odhikar. AFP

Two Koreas set to hold summit in Pyongyang

JEMBER FASHION FESTIVAL. This photograph taken on August 12, 2018, shows models parading various fashion designs with the theme ‘Asia Light’ during the Jember Fashion Festival in Jember, East Java province. AFP

Scandal in Argentina brings down 20 titans so far BUENOS AIRES―Records kept in notebooks of the kinds used by schoolchildren are bringing down titans of Argentina’s industry in a multi-milliondollar corruption scandal.

Dirty dealings are nothing new in Argentina.

What sets this case apart is the large number of people going down―around 20 so far, with additional names surfacing regularly―and their high-flying status in the business world.

The scandal involves under-the-table payments to the governments of Nestor and Cristina Kirchner, the Peronist couple who ruled before the current president, Mauricio Macri.

One big mystery is whether the money went to enrich government officials personally or was helped finance election campaigns.

Investigative Magistrate Claudio Bonadio is raising eyebrows by aggressively ordering the arrest and question-

ing of so many business leaders, from both ends of the political spectrum in Argentina. Most of the arrests happened on August 1.

“It is not the first time that major businessmen have gone to jail. What is new is the number and the reason,” said Sergio Morresi, a political scientist at San Martin National University.

Prosecutor Carlos Stornelli has said bribes paid in the so called “corruption copybooks” case total $160 million.

Bonadio began jailing tycoons after the publication of the records by Oscar Centeno, who worked as a driver for the deputy planning and public works minister Roberto Baratta.

In these notebooks, Centeno meticulously recorded the alleged receipt of sacks of money from 2005 to 2015.

The whistle blower had been expelled from the army for bad behavior.

“There is no doubt that the copybooks describe in detail the way in

which the Kirchners raised money illegally for seven years without any alarm going off at any oversight agency,” said Nicolas Solari of the consultancy Poliarquia.

So far, eight business leaders have confessed and struck plea-bargain deals.

Angelo Calcaterra, a cousin of Macri, acknowledged having ordered the payment of cash requested as a bribe in order to receive government contracts.

Testifying before the judge, he said he thought this was a mandatory election campaign contribution.

Leaders of big multinational companies such as Argentina’s Techint and Isolux of Spain have paid a visit to Bonadio’s office.

“The indictment and arrest of business leaders is new, and considering the unpopularity and impunity that big business people enjoy, it will probably be well received by public opinion,” said sociologist Ricardo Rouvier. AFP

SEOUL―North and South Korea agreed Monday to hold a summit in Pyongyang in September after highlevel talks in the Demilitarized Zone that divides the peninsula.

The two sides “agreed at the meeting to hold a South-North summit in Pyongyang in September as planned”, the joint statement said, without giving a precise date.

A trip by the South’s President Moon Jae-in to the North’s capital would be the first such visit for more than a decade, as the diplomatic thaw on and around the peninsula builds.

But despite the rapprochement, the international sanctions against the North for its nuclear and missile programs have kept economic cooperation between the two Koreas from taking off, while little progress has been made on the key issue of Pyongyang’s denuclearization.

“The September summit can be viewed as North Korea’s strategy to find a breakthrough in its stalled talks with the US,” said Asan Institute of Policy Studies analyst Go Myonghyun.

“For South Korea, President Moon wants to improve inter-Korean ties but that’s hard without progress in USNorth Korea talks,” he told AFP. At the historic first summit between Moon and the North’s leader Kim Jong Un in Panmunjom in April they agreed the South’s president would visit Pyongyang during the autumn.

The first South Korean president to go to the North’s capital was Kim Dae-jung, who met the current leader’s father and predecessor Kim Jong Il in 2000 and later won the Nobel Peace Prize, in part for his efforts at interKorean reconciliation. AFP

LGUs

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

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Davao looking to build tribal cultural center

LocaL government units

tuesday, august 14, 2018

By F. Pearl A. Gajunera

RAINY DAY ART. Students from Pasig City and Marikina City join the Triangles Colorgram at SM City Masinag, a colorful pop-up exhibit themed for the rainy season, as they displayed their creativity by painting their own ‘Funbrellas’ in colorful designs. These will be display at the mall to encourage other artistic students to develop their skills. Manny Palmero

UMak grads pass board exam DENR, EDC, 9 firms ink pact for Boracay

By Alena Mae S. Flores THe Department of environment and Natural Resources has partnered with geothermal leader energy Development Corp. to rehabilitate and restore Boracay Island through BINHI, a flagship environmental program of eDC where only native trees will be planted and grown in its adopted wetland. eDC supports the government’s efforts to rehabilitate Boracay Island and restore its natural resources, the company said in a statement.

DeNR signed a Memorandum of Agreement on Monday with its corporate partners, including eDC, which will adopt nine wetlands within Boracay. eDC, through BINHI,has committed to adopt the island’s wetland number 2, a 7.79-hectare area in Barangay Balabag, where only native trees will be planted and grown and an arboretum or botanical garden will be put up.

The BINHI program does not just reforest eDC’s geothermal sites; it also grows 96 priority threatened native species.

Foresters of the BINHI program have successfully located samples of these species in the wild, and collected and are currently being propagated in eDC’s state-of-the-art automated nurseries in Antipolo and Negros Oriental. eDC said planting of native species is beneficial to the local ecosystems, as they adapt to local conditions better and can support native fauna better than exotic species like acacia, mahogany, and gmelina. eDC also plans to build an information center for visitors of the wetland, and a platform to allow visitors to view the birds and bats that have been sighted in the area.

Now on its tenth year, the BINHI program has planted 9,196 hectares across its geothermal sites located in Leyte, Bicol, Negros Oriental, and North Cotabato. To help propagate these native tree species, BINHI now has 162 partners across 16 regions.

By Joel E. Zurbano

S

eVeNTY-SeVeN graduates of the University of Makati passed the latest licensure examinations for Pharmacists and Radiologic Technologists held in August and July, respectively, where the city-run institution obtained passing rates that surpassed the national passing rate.

“My warmest congratulations to our latest board passers from the UMak College of Allied Health Studies. Your city salutes you for exemplifying the values of diligence and perseverance in learning in order to achieve your dreams,” said Mayor Abigail Binay.

The city chief executive also commended the COAHS led by its Dean, Dr. Maria Fay Nenette Cariaga, for the remarkable outcome of the recent board exams.

Based on official results released by the Professional Regulation Commis-

sion, 26 out of 28 Pharmacy board examinees from UMak passed, posting a 92.86 percent passing rate which is higher than the national passing rate of 69.21 percent.

On the other hand, 51 out of 65 UMak Radiologic Technology (Radtech) graduates who took the board exam last July passed, which translates to a 78.46 passing rate—higher than the 47.23 percent national passing rate.

Professor Justine Marie Ocampo of the UMak Center of Pharmacy said the 26 new board passers include Ariel

Abancia, John Alindayu, Denice Alto, Devine Joy Baillo, Karen Baylin, Lea May Bea, Camille Bernabe, Jerico Bernal, Abegail Bulos, Princess Calpito, Ma. Vendela Carrasco, Lee-ra Anne Gregorio, Jamie Mae Intia, Faustine Aleisah Lucero, Rose Ann Maaño, Shalom Ian Rose Mojares, Rudy Leo Quiniquinto, Angel Grace Reyes, Geramae Sagario, Roselle Saludaga, Claire Soronio, Mark Vryane Sulit, Angela Mae Tehano, Via Toreja, Ruel Tumaca, and Maruja Usi. Meanwhile, UMak Center of Imaging Health Sciences (RadTech) director professor Myna Marie Nero has provided a list of its 51 board passers, which include Jill Brigitte Alastre, Irene Kaye Ardona, Trixcy Balderama, Ma. Jestissa Bassig, Ron Samuel Cabigao, Ruffy Rose Ann Cacho, Justice Mark Casilao, Patricia Shane Chavez, Arben Dela Cruz, and Laura Del Mundo;

What once was a mining rock dump is now a cacao and coffee plantation thanks to the progressive rehabilitation by the twin mining companies behind the Masbate Gold Project in Aroroy, Masbate.

DAVAO CITY—The City Government of Davao looks forward to a bigger tribal village in the future that will showcase the culture of the 11 tribes of the city.

City Tourism Operations Office head Gene Rose Tecson said Davao is now targeting a cultural center structure that will preserve and showcase the culture of city’s indigenous peoples.

“In the future, what we hope is to really have a Kadayawan tribal village that is huge where we can really set up a cultural center, and instead of just one house per tribe maybe we can make it a small community,” Tecson said.

The city is now looking for a property where the cultural center can be built, she added.

The Kadayawan Village has attracted local and international tourists and has become a tourist destination in the city.

“The NCCA (National Commission for Culture and the Arts) is very much interested with the tribal village and they want to turn it into a hub for culture and peace,” Tecson said.

Currently, the tribal village is located inside Magsaysay Park, with a house showcasing each tribe.

Tecson said the Kadayawan Village has improved significantly a year after it was established. This year, visitors have more interaction with the tribal “residents” and can even try their traditional clothes.

After its establishment during last year’s Kadaywan Festival, the village has become a primary tourist destination in the city, she said.

It also exhibits how peaceful Davao City is through the unity of the 11 tribes.

Joy’s volunteers help distribute aid to families

By Rio N. Araja AMID the floods brought about by torrential rains that forced thousands to evacuate, Quezon City Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte on Monday mobilized volunteers to help in disaster relief operations.

Members of the Joy Belmonte Volunteers’ Movement distributed food, sacks of rice, blankets and beddings to families and individuals who evacuated from their homes in barangays Roxas, Bagumbayan, Damayan, Masambong, Manresa, Tatalon, Matandang Balara, and other areas.

“Here, our strength is volunteerism,” the vice mayor said.

Launched in 2008 when Belmonte was not yet a public official, the movement was convened to respond to the needs of the city.

At present, JBVM has 20,000 members.

Belmonte called on the volunteers to work with the city government as “force multipliers.”

In Quezon City, the massive flooding and heavy downpour caused by the southwest monsoon and surrounding storms forced the evacuation of at least 1,623 families or 6,455 individuals.

Two persons died due to drowning due to the floods.

According to Belmonte, Ordinance No. 2578 was passed to establish multi-purpose permanent evacuation centers in every city district.

Masbate Gold Project revives Aroroy rock dump, plants 2.2-m trees A MASSIVe rehabilitation of a mining rock dump by Masbate Gold Project in Masbate has made substantial progress, which is mostly planted with cacao and coffee seedlings.

Cocomats and cocologs are used to control erosion and top soil run off, according to MGP officials.

MGP is made up of two companies

that operate in Aroroy in Masbate― Filminera Resources Corp. and Phil Gold Processing and Refining Corp.

Filminera holds the mining tenements, surface rights and environmental Compliance Certificate, and PhilGold holds the mineral processing permit and owns and operates the processing plant.

The rehabilitation of the mining rock

dump is part of MGP’s much larger project, which led to the planting of 2.2-million trees spread over 1,897 hectares of reforested area in Aroroy. Planting activities began when MGP started operations in 2009.

Due to its consistent responsible mining practices and commitment to preserve the environment, environment Secretary Roy Cimatu cited the MGP twin firms as

Camp Ricarte Hospital gets SM makeover PUERTO PRINCESA CITY―SM Foundation has renovated and refurbished Camp General Artemio Ricarte Station Hospital, making it capable of providing basic ancillary services including eCG, X-ray, and laboratory services to enlisted men, their dependents and authorized civilians.

CGARSH is the only Military Treatment Facility in Palawan servicing the entire Western Command.

Wescom is the guardian of Palawan, known as the nation’s last frontier, and the defender of the West Philippine Sea. It is considered the most strategic United Command in the Armed Forces.

The rehabilitation and improvement of the Station Hospital also included the Nurses’ Station, Treatment Room, Officers Ward, Military Ward, Pediatric Ward, Female/OB Ward, Physical Rehab, Recovery Room, Intensive Care Unit and the OR/ DR Complex. It now has an improved pharmacy and central supply room.

To ensure the comfort and convenience of the patients, SM Foundation built a Patients’ Waiting Lounge and a Changing Room, which serves as a dressing room for military patients to don their complete military uniform after consultation.

At the same time, a breastfeeding area is provided for nursing mothers, mostly dependents and authorized civilians.

The 20-bed capacity hospital, which can be expanded to 50 is licensed by the Department of Health and accredited by PhilHealth, The level 1 hospital provides services in General Medicine, General Surgery, OB-Gyne, General Pediatrics, Anesthesia and eeNT. Other services include Out-Patient Care, Physical Therapy, Physical examination, Family Planning, emergency Room Services, NP Screening, Preventive Medicine Activities and Aero-medical Services, including Search and Rescue Operations and Mercy Missions.

SM Foundation officials led by Connie Angeles, SM Foundation SVP and executive director for Health and Medical Programs, and Wescom Commander Lt. Gen. Rozzano D. Briguez witness the turnover of the refurbished Camp Ricarte Station Hospital, which gives soldiers serving in Palawan, their dependents, and residents of Puerto Princesa City a top-class medical facility to count on.

“one of the best mine sites” he has visited.

Cimatu inspected the mine site earlier this year.

MGP’s rehabilitation program is not limited to the land, but also to coastal areas. The project has a massive mangrove rehabilitation program in which they planted 388,500 mangrove shrubs over 866 hectares of coastal areas.

Life

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

health and environment

@MstandardLIFe tuesday, august 14, 2018

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Talk abouT environment

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WooDWorker and a community engagement consultant talk about their roles in their respective fields in promoting and empowering environmental efforts.

The first edition of BFF Talks, entitled “Creation, Conservation, and Communities,” organized by the Best Friends of the Forest Movement, brought together Niccole Jose and Jen Horn to share insights on how their roles as creators help protect and conserve the environment.

Faced with the combined threats of land development, logging activities, and mining projects in areas such as Palawan, Sierra Madre, Samar and Leyte, and Bukidnon and Misamis oriental, the BFF Movement was launched in March 2018. The movement gathers a community of young, action-oriented environmentalists, travelers, social entrepreneurs, and artists who aim to inspire people to be advocates of forest conservation and protection.

As the BFF representing the arts and culture passion point, Jose talked about how art engages people in a personal way—helping raise awareness on environmental issues and stirring the youth into action toward conservation and protection.

For this sculptor, art is just one of the many extensions of his advocacy.

Being a woodworker and a conservationist may seem like two completely opposite things, admitted Jose, as being a woodworker requires the use of wood, which raises the question of where it was sourced or if a tree was felled for this very purpose.

But as a staunch practitioner of upcycling, all of Jose’s works were crafted from reclaimed wood—effectively bridging the gap between creation and conservation.

“I am very conscious of the material I use. I always use second-hand lumber from junk shops, fallen trees after typhoons, or even from old houses,” he shared.

He continued, “At the same time, in my studio we practice zero waste.

Nothing gets thrown out. everything is used to the

BEST FRIENDS OF THE FOREST. The best Friends of the Forest Movement, launched in March 2018, gathers a community of young, action-oriented

environmentalists, travelers, social entrepreneurs, and artists who aim to inspire people to be advocates of forest conservation and protection.

point that it’s a sawdust. But even then, the sawdust gets used for the vermiculture and also for the plant nursery.”

Through the BFF Movement, the thirty-something artist hopes to galvanize a new generation of advocates to take action.

“For me, being a BFF is

learning how to share your ideas, inspire people to be creative with what’s around them, and above all, to help people appreciate nature more,” he averred.

Horn, on the other hand, took advantage of the BFF Talks platform to discuss the growing role social enterprises serve in promoting advocacies and raising awareness on social issues.

After all, social entrepreneurship in its simplest terms is “doing business for a cause.” And while these causes may vary, most of them provide support to communities through initiatives that aim to develop a positive impact on social and environmental issues.

“Conservation is a community effort,” said Horn. Speaking of her experience as MUNI’s chief collaborator, Horn recounted working with social entrepreneurs and discussed how enterprises can serve as a platform for promoting advocacies.

MUNI builds a community of causedriven creatives through meaningful events and experiences that change how we shop, eat, travel, and do business.

“We create events that connect communities—the conscious consumers and the mindful producers. We aim to provide a platform for more socially and environmentally mindful businesses who are creating products that have the people and the planet in mind,” shared Horn Since its inception as a grassroots movement in November 2012, MUNI has organized over 50 meet-ups across the country and abroad.

Philippine Eagle

The movement aims to protect and conserve Philippine forests, such as in Mt. kitanglad in bukidnon.

Niccolo Jose and Jen Horn talk about how their roles as creators help protect the environment.

Horn concluded her talk with an impassioned call inviting the youth to take action.

“The objective of the movement is to encourage sustainable change and inspire more people to take action for the

environment, and this can be achieved by building a community that supports each other, that can learn from each other, and share different ways on how we can live a more sustainable life and help protect the forests and the planet as a whole.”

the bad effects of intermittent fasting INTerMITTeNT fasting or IF is currently one of the most popular weight loss methods, thanks to promising studies and glowing reviews by individuals who have done or are doing the fast.

IF was highly popularized in 2012 by the BBC documentary Eat Fast, Live Longer by broadcast journalist Dr. Michael Mosley. Basically, it is an eating pattern that cycles between periods of eating and fasting.

Common methods involve daily 16hour fast and 8-hour eating window or fasting for 24 hours, twice a week.

IF helps in weight loss by allowing the insulin levels to go down far enough and long enough that fat cells can release their stored sugar to be used as energy.

While this eating pattern may help lose pounds, experts at Cohen Lifestyle Center look at the flipside, tackling the detrimental effects of IF, especially when not done right, on a person’s health.

Intermittent fasting is a weight loss approach that involves a period of eating and a period of fasting.

It can trigger or worsen eating disorders ing disorders like bulimia, wherein one thing good to eat. Many of those who which prompts them to eat whatever It may lead to sleep problems

Intermittent fasting may promote the unhealthy binge-and-purge routine.

Since this approach does not specify which food items to eat but only when to eat, a person can eat almost anything during the feeding state. If an individual’s mental and emotional state is fragile, this may lead to or worsen eat-

binges on food and then purges, which do intermittent fasting try to live off they want later. It is possible that a can have serious effects on health. caffeine, but too much of it can increase person “break-the-fast” diet consists anxiety and stress. of gluten, dairy, soy, and artificial It can increase stress and sweeteners. These are reactive food It may lead to developing that can contribute to a leaky gut and anxiety Studies show that hunger can inintolerance to certain foods serious health conditions, such as food crease the stress hormone cortisol, leavintolerance, gastric ulcers, diabetes, and suffer inflammation ing a person angry and craving someFasting leaves a person hungry, and esophageal and colorectal cancer.

People practicing intermittent fasting often complain about feeling restless before going to sleep. Food may be the reason for this. If a person eats refined and processed carbohydrates, like white rice, during dinner, they are more likely to experience blood sugar crashes, which can interrupt sleep.

Life

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tuesday, august 14, 2018 manilastandardlife@gmail.com

Multi-stakeholder group

i

launches new cancer game plan

N reSPONSe to the growing threat and impact of cancer to Filipino patients, a multi-stakeholder gathering was held recently to publicly launch a movement to help arm patients with the necessary resources for them to effectively fight the dreaded disease.

An expanded plan stemming from last year’s Hope From Within campaign, the Cancer Game Plan PH is geared to systematically change the face of disease care—highlighting existing targeted therapies and breakthrough new treatments, such as immunotherapy, that address a greater body of cancers, effectively helping many patients in their journey to be better.

Cancer Game Plan PH expands this scope in particular to include, in addition to lung cancer, melanoma, head and neck, gastric, bladder, and Hodgkin lymphoma types of cancer.

To provide a diverse set of clear perspectives on the advocacy and the plan, representatives were present from the Department of Health, Philippine Alliance of Patient Organizations, Philippine Society of Medical Oncologists, Sun Life insurance Corporation, and Cancer Coalition of the Philippines, together with the newly introduced Cancer Game Plan PH influencers.

Cancer Game Plan PH influencers include longtime lung cancer ambassador and the face of Hope From Within: Test, Talk, Take Action campaign Diego Castro, television personality Susan Africa, medical oncologist and Kaalaman at Katotohanan Tungkol sa Kanser Facebook community founder Dr. Meredith Garcia, multi-sport athlete and cancer survivor Louie Sangalang, occupational medicine specialist and breast cancer survivor Dr. Gia Sison, and melanoma survivor Danny Dimabuyu.

Dimabuyu shared his experience in battling cancer on various occasions, highlighting in particular how he was able to benefit from immunotherapy through the assistance of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

Dr. Clarito Cairo, cancer program manager of the DOH and a staunch advocate in the fight against cancer, gave his expert overview and analysis on the burden of cancer in the Philippines and how the government has been seeking better alternatives to give better support to patients.

He referenced the plans in the DOH cancer road map, which include broader coverage of the Philippine Health insurance Corporation’s Z benefit package.

PAPO president Fatima “Girlie”

Representatives from the Department of Health, Sun Life Insurance, Philippine Society of Medical Oncology, and Cancer Coalition of the Philippines discuss the importance of early testing.

system of cancer care. She also shared the new treatment options available in the Philippines, such as immunotherapy, and the importance of discovering eligibility for the treatment through proper testing methods and expert recommendations.

The cost of cancer treatment being a recurring challenge for both patients and caregivers was also discussed. As therapies have significant costs attached to them, it is imperative for policymakers and leaders to provide better support systems that make access more

Cancer Game Plan PH ambassadors emphasize the importance of having a proper and reliable support system in the cancer patient journey.

Lorenzo, meanwhile, shared and elaborated on the stages of a patient’s journey in the context of cancer care.

Lorenzo provided a clear grounding of the situation, painstakingly going through each emotion, consideration, and burden that a patient experiences during the whole process.

Together with Dr. Herdee Luna, multimedia committee associate of PSMO,

Lorenzo reiterated the vital significance of empowering cancer patients—giving them real options and solutions, through collaborative actions and initiatives.

Dr. Luna then cited the work between teams of medical experts as an example of this, saying that they have key roles to play in improving overall survival rates of patients, underscoring their distinct and integral functions in the eco-

Amway launches oral rehydration drink

Dental hypersensitivity or pangingilo is commonly caused by wearing of enamel, gum receding, over-brushing, and acidic food.

How to enjoy treats

sans teeth sensitivity

Water soluble vitamins should be regularly replenished as they are used up quickly when a person’s active.

DireCT selling company Amway launches Nutrilite’s brand of water soluble oral rehydration drink.

Nutrilite’s PhytoPowder is a healthy beverage that addresses dehydration while providing important water soluble vitamin replenishment at the same time.

Water soluble vitamins, such as vitamin b Complex and vitamin C, are used up quickly when a person’s active.

These vitamins can and should be replenished often in a single day, as they provide mental and physical benefits, from improved alertness and increased energy, to improved immune function.

Aside from containing water soluble vitamins, PhytoPowder is phytonutrient and fiber enhanced.

affordable, especially to those who most need it.

Currently, the PCSO extends these benefits to eligible patients; and the PhilHealth, through its Z benefit Packages, provides financial assistance for certain types of cancers.

As a further testament to the advocacy, Allan Ancheta, oncology business unit lead of MSD in the Philippines announced the formal launch of the Cancer Game Plan PH social media platforms to encourage more stakeholders to be involved in the cause.

Nutrilite’s PhytoPowder oral rehydration drink.

Phytonutrients are plant-based compounds with myriad benefits that were first identified by Nutrilite founder Carl rhenborg in 1934. The benefits of phytonutrients include improved vision, improved mental alertness, and improved joints, prostate health, and cellular health, among many others.

The benefits of fiber, on the other hand, are well documented, particularly its role in digestion, nutrient absorption and detoxification.

PhytoPowder comes in two variants: refresh Lemon for regular hydration, and electrolyte Orange for those extra active days.

CeLebriTy mom Chesca Kramer, who is an oral healthcare advocate, recalls how she and husband Doug would cap off their romantic dinner dates with sweet indulgences.

“There are moments however where i feel that sharp pain in my teeth, preventing me from truly enjoying our date,” shares Chesca.

According to a study in 2011 by the National Monitoring and evaluation Dental Survey, 48 percent of Filipinos suffer from some form of gum disease. receding gums are often accompanied with teeth sensitivity or pangingilo.

Commonly caused by wearing of enamel (the thin outer covering of the tooth), over-brushing, acidic food, and gum receding, pangingilo or dental hypersensitivity begins when the inner part of the tooth, called dentine, is uncovered. Once this part of the tooth is exposed, various external triggers such eating sweets can easily agitate the nerves inside the tooth.

When left untreated, it can lead to further pain and swelling that can even lead to tooth removal.

To prevent this from happening, toothpaste brand Gumtect Sensitive shares tips on how to prevent pangingilo from ruining any future memories:

Avoid highly acidic food

Acidic food items, such as meat, dairy, sugar, and coffee contribute to tooth sensitivity as they can tear away the tooth enamel. The key is to balance

them with food high in alkaline like fruits, nuts, and vegetables.

Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and desensitizing toothpaste

Using a toothbrush with hard bristles can tear down the tooth enamel, exposing it to the sensitive root area. Along with a soft-bristled toothbrush, desensitizing toothpaste would make sure that the teeth are well protected every day. Gumtect Sensitive has a Dynamic Desensitizing System that aids in preventing the pain caused by sensitive teeth as it protects the exposed dentine of the teeth. it also has Gumshield+ that helps repair, renew, and rejuvenate gums, as well as Active Anti-Cavity Protection that ensures fresh breath and strong teeth enamel.

Clean mouth regularly

Plaque that clings to teeth also causes tooth sensitivity. Drinking the recommended eight glasses of water every day would help get rid of them. For tougher and stickier plaques, use Gumtect Sensitive Mouthwash that easily cleanses in between teeth, tongue, and cheeks.

Visit your dentist

There is a general rule of thumb to visit a dentist at least twice a year. even if a person feels that their gums are in top shape, there are symptoms that are not easily recognized unless checked by a professional.

Entertainment

TUESDAY, AUGUST 14, 2018

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nickie.standard@gmail.com

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FTER ten years, Kim Chiu is back in Regal grounds to do a film opposite Dennis Trillo. According to the actress the film is entitled One Great Love.

'Victor Magtanggol' stars Lindsay Johnston, Dion Ignacio, and Reese Tuazon in Robinsons Luisita,Tarlac.

GMA Regional TV keeps rainy season bright with various events nationwide GMA Network’s regional arm, GMA Regional TV (RTV), kept the rainy days bright for Kapuso fans, kicking off the third quarter of the year with jam-packed events nationwide.

Last July 7, hunks Rafael Rosell and Kristoffer Martin flew to Iloilo and treated the mallgoers of Festive Walk Mall to a kilig-overloaded Kapuso Mall Show.

Meanwhile, the stars of the latest fantasy Victor Magtanggol—Dion Ignacio, Lindsay Johnston, and Reese Tuazon—were in Robinsons Luisita in Tarlac for a Kapuso Mall Show last July 21. Joining them were Jake Vargas and Inah de Belen who will star in the upcoming drama series Ika-5 Utos.

On the same day, Asia’s Nightingale and The Clash judge Lani Misalucha wowed the Kapusong Ilonggos who came to Robinsons Place Pavia in Iloilo.

This year’s celebration of Tanjay City Fiesta was made extra special with the participation of veteran actor Gabby Concepcion. The Kapuso celebrity was at the Osmeña Park, Tanjay City, Negros Oriental for the Matron Queen Coronation Night last July 22.

GMA Regional TV also participated in Batangas City’s Sublian Festival last July 23. Ika-5 Utos cast Jake Vargas, Inah de Belen, Migo Adecer, Jeric Gonzales, and Klea Pineda entertained the audience who flocked to SM City Batangas. Treating them further was pop sweetheart Julie Anne San Jose.

Actor Dennis Trillo made hearts

flutter when he graced the Miss Tanjay 2018 at Osmena Park Tanjay City last July 23 as part of the ongoing celebration of Tanjay City Fiesta. Joining him was Rafael Rosell.

Celebrating the Tanjay City Fiesta through a Kapuso Fiesta the following day (July 24) were Kapuso Oppa Alexander Lee, Marucci, Boobay, Tetay, and The Clash judge Lani Misalucha.

Capping off the series of July events was the Kapuso Mall Show in Magic Mall Urdaneta last July 29. Alexander Lee and Marucci kept the crowd energized as they promote their single, “S.M.N.” Providing fun as well were Bubble Gang girls Arra San Agustin and Denise Barbacena.

“While the rainy season can dampen the mood of some people, it actually inspires us even more to go around the country and spread happiness to our loyal Kapuso viewers via various mall shows and events,” says GMA Regional TV Department Vice President and Head Oliver Amoroso.

“We thank our Kapuso artists for joining us in in this endeavor. We are also grateful to the local government units and malls for partnering with us. Expect more from GMA Regional TV in the coming months as we roll out bigger events in the regions,” he ends.

To know more about the Network’s regional events, follow GMA on Facebook at www.facebook.com/gmanetwork and GMA Regional TV at www. facebook.com/GMARegionalTV and on Twitter and Instagram via @ GMARegionalTV.

“It feels good to be working with Regal again after a decade. My last outing with them was in the 2008 edition of Shake, Rattle & Roll, which was fielded in the annual Metro Manila Film Festival. I starred in the ‘Class Picture’ episode,” she says.

Asked how the deal materialized considering she’s a contract artist of ABS-CBN’s film arm Star Cinema, the 28-year actress said she asked permission from the big bosses especially to Olive Lamasan.

“I talked to them for this project. I asked permission from them if I can do a movie outside while waiting for my next one in Star Cinema. Inang is so nice to allow me. She just asked if I like the material and when I said yes, she consented right away.”

Kim further adds that the film, to be directed by Eric Quizon, is a comingof-age love story, which a lot of people can relate to.

“It’s about a woman who is already in her late twenties and is confronted with questions as to when she’ll get married. Interestingly, I read the script in one of my air travels. As soon as the airplane landed, I immediately called my handler to express my desire to do it. I instantly fell for the story.”

What adds excitement to Kim is the fact that this is the first time she’ll be doing a potboiler with an actor from a rival station as screen partner.

“I’m nervous with the thought.

Everybody knows how good an actor he is. I always attend awards nights and he always bags an acting trophy. I know my acting side will get challenged!”

Kim Chiu and Dennis Trillo pair up in an upcoming film under Regal Films.

Kim Chiu, Dennis Trillo’s

‘ONE GREAT LOVE’ They already had a story conference for the movie which also features JC De Vera, Miles Ocampo and Marlo Mortel.

“It was the first time as well that I saw Dennis personally. During awards ceremonies, we don’t get to talk. It was the first time that I had communication with him.

A showbiz scribe even teased me that Dennis is the quiet type to which I said, I’m the opposite so there will be balance,” ends Kim. *** Many observe that due to John Lloyd Cruz’s decision to lie low from the showbiz scene, Piolo Pascual and Jericho Rosales benefit from it when it comes to

From left: Marlo Mortel, Miles Ocampo, Kim Chui and Dennis Trillo pose for the cameras during ‘One Great Love’ story conference.

projects in their home studio ABS-CBN as well as product endorsements.

To this, Echo avers: “Well, I don’t want to think about it that way. Personally, I’m happy with all the positive developments that are coming my way at this point. It’s heart-warming for sure!”

The award-winning actor believes that Lloydie will stage a comeback soon.

“Actually, I can’t speak for John Lloyd. I can only speak for myself. He is a great person and is very talented. I’m certain that he will bounce back into the scene with a bang.”

Jericho is part of the latest Kapamilya soap titled, Halik.

“I’m very excited with my new show.

I’m with Sam Milby here along with Yen Santos and Yam Concepcion. It’s romantic in nature so viewers will see the various facets of love in here. I hope the people will support our new offering. I promise them it is good stuff.”

Meanwhile, the appealing star also made it to the list of the “Men Who Matter” of a widely circulated society magazine.

“It’s a huge honor on my part to be chosen there. I’m with other respectable figures. I even posted it on my social media account. They told me they picked me because of my career choices. I’m thankful to make it to their roster for 2018,” states Echo.

MOR Global Pop Icon flies to South Korea AFTER being floored with the amazing talents from Taiwan this summer, the search for the talented overseas Filipinos moves forward with “MOR Global Pop Icon in Korea”, with the auditions kicking off on July 29 at the Hyehwadong Church in Seoul, South Korea.

“MOR Global Pop Icon” is a singing competition organized by ABS-CBN, the largest and leading Filipino-owned media and entertainment company, MOR 101.9 For Life!, the corporation’s official FM radio arm in Mega Manila and delivered overseas by The Filipino Channel, the flagship brand of the ABS-CBN subsidiary, ABS-CBN Global Recognizing the need to provide a platform for the talented Filipino singers, the competition aims to discover amateur singing talents and

CROSSWORD PUZZLE Tuesday, August 14, 2018

ACROSS 1 Lose brightness 5 Pool shot 10 Better than stereo 14 Veld predator 15 Part of PABA 16 Language of Pakistan 17 Garbage bin output 18 Procrastinator’s motto 19 Ms. Dinesen 20 Deaden 22 Blazing 24 Stare at 25 Civil disorder 26 Censors 29 Hung around 33 Zest 34 Dark complexion 36 Like blue moons 37 — a deal!

38 Malt beverage 39 Hero sandwich 40 Feng — 42 Kind of turf 44 Dr.’s visit 45 Acuity 47 Explodes 49 Fictional sleuth — Wolfe 50 Polite chap 51 Marinated beef strip

54 Country consisting of 1,200 islands 58 Zest for life 59 Fountain in Rome 61 Aloha in Rome 62 Protracted 63 Relieves 64 Title for Byron or Tennyson 65 Pigskin props 66 Piece of celery 67 Jazz great — Fitzgerald DOWN 1 Plop down 2 Met role 3 Cabinet part 4 Riled up 5 Trinidad music 6 Surprise greatly 7 Formal observance 8 Small bill 9 Glacial deposit 10 Bee participant 11 Bear in the sky 12 Bede or Sandler 13 Noble title 21 Drink like Rover 23 Low-lying clouds 25 Where hippos swim 26 Chilly

27 Not stiff 28 Result 29 Hums 30 Sounds hoarse 31 Throw lava 32 Mortgages 35 Roundup need 41 Turns at bat 42 Adds oxygen 43 Egyptian monument 44 Newspaper piece 46 Party fabric 48 And, for Wolf-

gang 50 Chair’s mallet 51 Snow-boot liner 52 Medicinal plant 53 Chimp expert — Goodall 54 Tableland 55 Cello kin 56 NBA’s — Monroe 57 Fizzy drink 60 Lab denizen

empower the overseas Filipinos by letting their talents shine before the world.

Interested parties may choose to audition either by submitting an online audition or joining the on-ground auditions on Aug.19, Aug. 26, and Sept. 2 at the Hyehwadong Church in Seoul, South Korea. For further details, please contact Roger Amboy at +821067201972.

Meantime, the online auditions will run until Sept. 2. For more details on how to submit your online audition entry, visit facebook.com/ TFCKoreaOfficial.

Lucky auditionees will learn of their initial successful foray by an ABS-CBN representative. ABS-CBN MOR and TFC share a few more reminders for interested parties: aspiring contestants should be 18 years old and above; must have proof of Filipino origin;

and are working overseas on date of entry to the competition. They should also choose their pangmalakasan (all-out) song piece with discernment.

After the audition period, the public will be given the power to choose who is the rightful finalist to be hailed as the “TFC People’s Choice” awardee. The voting will start on Sept.

9 and will last until Sept. 23. For details on how to vote, visit facebook.com/TFCKoreaOfficial.

Filipinos based on South Korea can get those vocal chords conditioned and choose the perfect audition piece for a chance to be hailed as the “MOR Global Pop Icon in Korea”, and fly to Manila, Philippines for the “MOR Global Pop Icon” grand finals.

For more details about the competition, visit facebook.com/TFCKoreaOfficial

Entertainment

Nickie Wang, Issue Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com

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TUESDAY, AUGUST 14, 2018

Barbie Forteza and Ricky Davao in 'Inday Will Always Love You.'

Exciting plot twists in ‘INDAY WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU’ ROM-COM series Inday Will Always Love You (IWALY) remains unbeatable on its timeslot and viewers can only expect more plot twists on the Barbie Forteza starrer in the coming days.

It was indeed an explosive week. The truth behind Ayra Mariano (Sunshine Cruz) identity has been revealed and Happylou’s (Barbie) family found out that it was Amanda (Gladys Reyes) who was the mastermind of everything.

She even abducted Philip (Ricky Davao) and forced him to transfer all his business to her name and tried to kill him afterwards.

While Philip survived the blast, all his wealth now belongs to Amanda and Happylou has to think of ways to support her family.

She tries her luck in selling lechon in a market stall in Carcar, Cebu. But Amanda will not stop from making her life miserable and sabotages Happylou’s small business.

Patrick (Derrick Monasterio) confronts Amanda and asks her to leave Happylou alone. But his mother will only do such thing if he stops seeing Happylou.

Meanwhile, Erika (Kim Rodriguez) is back and much to everyone’s surprise, she has transformed into a kinder person. But can Happylou and Patrick really trust her? Or is she just plotting another evil plan to get Patrick back?

Will Happylou still have her happy ending? Find out in Inday Will Always Love You, weeknights after Onanay on GMA Telebabad. Kapuso viewers abroad can also catch Inday Will Always Love You on GMA Pinoy TV. For the program guide, visit www. gmapinoytv.com.

FOR 11 days an international group of music composers from several countries lived in the fabled land of the Banaue rice terraces to eventually share with the world their symphonic works – their tribute to a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a call for help to save those stairways to the sky.

Coming down from the mountains to prepare for the finals of their competition at the Cultural Center of the Philippines on July 25, at which the 10 winning works performed, they were one in expressing amazement at a sight that they had only imagined from studying video and other images.

Equally captivating was their experience living with the farmers and their families, musicians and dancers, whom Caterina Di Cecca of Italy described thus: “You are so kind, full of smiles, so gentle and open. I embrace you.”

Her music, she said, seeks “to re-create feelings of a traveler watching the terraces, not to describe the landscape but to build a memory of looking at them.”

Alessandra Salvati of Italy observed how the Ifugao “play (their music) with their entire bodies.” She added, “I have never seen anything like this competition in my entire life. The people are very kind, every minute of our daily schedule,” referring not only to the Banaue community but also the staff of Dr. Mila O. How, spearhead and producer of the Banaue International Music Composition Competition (BIMCC).

Eteri Kourbanov of Israel narrated how

I

Can a person be allergic to WiFi?

N 2005, the World Heart Organization (WHO) identified a need to conduct a world-wide program for a research that would allow a better understanding of any health risk associated with electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure, which is believed to cause electromagnetic hypersensitivity (EHS).

Lead cast members Markus Paterson, Sue Ramirez and Jameson Blake

If you are familiar with the fictional television show Better Call Saul, one of the characters, a lawyer and former bright star of his profession, is depicted as experiencing the symptoms of EHS. In one of the episodes, he wraps himself in space blankets, lights his home with lanterns, and tells his guests to leave their mobile phones in the mailbox outside his house.

The scene may look so funny and even outrageous but throughout the world, albeit inconsistent findings, many have shown interest in EHS studies because if this case was really true, would you be able to imagine your life without WiFi, much worse a mobile phone?

Even Gen X-ers who lived through the preInternet era have already adapted to the so-called wonders of digital technology and have become reliant on WiFi in the way they “connect” with friends, work colleagues, and even their family. But what happens when one day, you have to give up all these because of unexplained allergies that occur when you are exposed to radiation and EMF? In Ang Babaeng Allergic sa WiFi, actress Sue Ramirez plays a typical millennial who is dependent on WiFi in her daily interactions with friends and her boyfriend Leo (Markus Paterson).

But one day, Norma (the name of her character) experiences symptoms of electromagnetic hypersensitivity, which forced her to live in isolation.

According to Jun Robles Lana, the writer and director of the film, the story is based on a report about a British guy who generally lives his life online then discovers that he’s allergic to anything that emits radiation.

“It’s inspired by a new report I read a few years ago where the person claimed that he’s allergic to radiation. This is what happens to Sue in the movie as the lead character, Norma,” Lana said.

With no digital gadgets and no WiFi, Norma struggles to save her relationship with Leo. Now enter his brother Aries (Jameson Blake) who tries to bridge the PPP entry 'Ang Babaeng Allergic sa WiFi' is a millennial gap between their worlds. story about love and family.

Jameson, Markus and Sue with Keiko Necesario (rightmost) perform 'While We Are Young,' the film's OST, during a presscon held last week.

“I find out that I’m allergic to electromagnetic waves emitted by gadgets. My nose bleeds and rashes appear throughout my body. This affects my relationship with my boyfriend, Markus Paterson as Leo. My mom, Yayo Aguila, takes me to my grandmother, Boots Anson Roa, who lives in a distant province where there’s no WiFi or any radiowaves that can worsen my condition,” Sue described her character.

It is particularly unimaginable story of young people struggling to “connect” and interact with their peers and loved ones outside the ever-bustling world of social media given that today’s millennials are unfamiliar with the old-school type of romance, and most of them cannot relate with the physical effort of writing love letters to someone distant and the thrill of waiting weeks or months for a reply.

“This is the kind of nostalgia that breathes life to Ang Babaeng Allergic sa WiFi. The charcter discovers the beauty of living a simple life without gadgets. And it is the same message that we would like to reinforce,” Lana shared adding that the movie, apart from the strange WiFi allergies as base of the story, is all about love and family.

Ang Babaeng Allergic sa WiFi is produced by The Idea First Company, Cignal Entertainment, and October Train and also stars Lee O’Brian, Kiko Matos, Angelie Sanoy, and Adriana So. The movie is one of the eight full length feature films of Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino (PPP) 2018 and is touted as the most anticipated PPP 2018 entry with its trailer hitting over 9 million views on social media. The movie opens in cinemas tomorrow, Aug. 15.

BANAUE RICE TERRACES Through the eyes of musicians

Composer-fellows with locals in Banaue during the group's immersion in the province.

two other participants from Israel were so gratified by Dr. How’s ability to produce “a ton of kosher food,” have it loaded into a refrigerator and transported the cargo of 10 days’ worth of meals to the mountains.

The food had been sourced from a rabbi in Manila.

Harmony with nature The music coming from an orchestra of 72 members during rehearsals must have sounded like an unfolding miracle to the Ifugao, for whom the experience was a first. The children mimicked conductor

Prof. Chino Toledo’s movements. Ritual dances welcomed the visitors. Avner Finberg of Israel observed how “even the old men looked healthy.”

To Miran Tsalikian of Greece, the inspiration provided by the terraces means composing a symphony-like work “with its root in Ifugao culture, in touch with tradition.” The music is “very tense, like holding your breath until you expel it, then you are liberated.”

Charlie McCarron of Minnesotta, USA, traveled 90 minutes on rough moun-

Slovenia's Leon First with Universal Harvester's Dr. Milagros O. How.

tain roads from their hotel to the terraces on the roof of a jeepney with a bunch of his male colleagues. His music is based on an Ifugao folk tale about Balituk, the son of a god and a female earthling. After the

immersion program, Charlie added percussion and gong to his competition piece.

Blending native with Western music may seem like a tall order, but to these composers the task is nothing more or less than using the language of notes to reach their listeners. As Christian Joshua Ansale, 21, of the Philippines puts it, “How to describe my piece? I’m at the mercy of the performers and the audience, but happy and humbled that my music was able to leap off notation and I’m hearing it (played) on stage.”

Winning tribute Out of the ten composer-fellows Leon First of Slovenia was the grand winner for his “The Story of Ifugao” entry and Alessandra Salvati of Italy for “Hudhud” received a runner-up consolation prize.

Dr. Ricardo Lorenz proclaimed the winners of the contest among with the panel of judges Dr. Chinary Ung, National Artist Dr. Ramon Santos and Dr. Isao Matsushita.

The finalists composition-entries covered a total of 150 minutes (Two hours and 30 minutes) of a harmonizing symphony music performed by the 72-piece TOFARM Festival Orchestra that was conducted by BIMCC Artistic Director Maestro Josefino Chino Toledo.

With the project’s initiative to aid the Banaue Rice Terraces that is at risk for deterioration, the team of Universal Harvester, Inc. (UHI) has already cleared 16 hectares, completely restored and planted on 4 hectares in just one year.

Dence Benedito