Manila Standard - 2018 August 21 - Tuesday

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VOL. XXXII • NO. 187 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 • TUESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2018 • www.manilastandard.net • editorial@manilastandard.net

RUNWAY MISHAP: PILOT, AIRPORT EXECS PROBED

DoJ pushes inquiry into P7-b shabu NBI told to zero in on PDEA claim

By Rey E. Requejo Narc agent’ s HE Department of Justice will continue asset killed its investigation into the alleged smuggling of in Manila a ton of shabu worth P6.8

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billion that slipped past Customs despite President Rodrigo Duterte’s doubts on the report of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Monday said the National Bureau of Investigation’s parallel probe will proceed even after the President has said that PDEA’s claims could be mere speculation as there was no evidence to back its suspicions.

“I have not revoked my directive to the NBI to do its own probe. We leave no stone unturned when it comes to cases involving illegal drugs,” Guevarra said, in a text message.

PDEA agents recently seized four magnetic lifters believed to have contained the smuggled shabu at a warehouse in General Mariano Alvarez, Next page Cavite.

PASSED UP. Thousands of stranded passengers are up in a mixture of anger and helplessness Monday after finding themselves on the rocks for x number of hours following an incoming flight of the Xiamen plane that had a tragic crash at the Manila airport Thursday that eventually cast away other incoming flights. At left, Manila International Airport general manager Ed Monreal (2nd from right) tells a news conference Monday Xiamen Air officials have apologized but Malacañang is seeking more than just an apology from those responsible, with a projected Senate investigation to begin Wednesday. PNA

By Nat Mariano and Macon Ramos-Araneta THE Palace said Monday it will seek more than an apology from those responsible for the Xiamen Airlines jet that overshot the main runway at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, and that paralyzed operations there for

New law boosts workers’ safety, health in workplace

By Vito Barcelo and Macon Ramos-Araneta FILIPINO workers will now have safer and healthier workplaces as President Rodrigo Duterte has signed into law Republic Act 11058, An Act Strengthening Compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Standards.

Various labor groups welcomed the new law that will protect workers nationwide as hundreds of workers have died due to the poor enforcement of occupational safety and health standards.

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SHOOT THAT BALL. The Philip-

pine Five, bannered

by NBA star Jordan Clarkson, will have an eyeball-toeyeball meeting and strategic dribbling of the ball at the hard court today against the Asian favorites Great Wall of China, on the fifth day of the 17-day 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta in what Filipino fans say could be a preview of the championship.

two days.

“We’re now conducting an investigation if there’s any liability on the part of the Xiamen pilot.

That’s why he has been asked not to leave the country. That’s part of an ongoing investigation,” said Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque in a Palace press briefing Next page Monday.

Coma? No; Kama? probably: Duterte in pink of health

By Nat Mariano, Macon Ramos-Araneta and Maricel V. Cruz PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte is fine and well despite claims by Communist Party of the Philippines founding chairman Jose Maria “Joma” Sison that the President has gone into a coma, the Palace assured the public on Monday.

Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said that Duterte even looked energetic while attending the activities in Davao.

“First and foremost, contrary to what Joma Sison said, the President is fine and well in Davao participating in Kadayawan. He will have a public appearance Next page

Asian Games: PH 5 faces Wall of China

By Vito Barcelo

DRUGS were behind the killing of two Chinese nationals last week, as one of them was identified as the asset of former anti-drug agent Marine Lt. Col. Ferdinand Marcelino, police said Monday.

The drug asset, Yan Yi Shou and his companion Wu Huai Hong, had pending cases with the Manila Police District for direct assault, alarm and scandal, resisting arrest, and drunk and disorderly conduct, and both were freed after posting bail on Aug. 17. A day later, both were killed by unidentified gunmen riding a motorcycle.

MPD homicide chief Sr. Inspector Rommel Anicete said the two Next page

SEA Games logo stirs up ugly yarn

By Riera Mallari JAKARTA—The logo of the 2019 Philippine Southeast Asian Games, unveiled by Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano during Next page

PHILIPPINES 2019 TH 30 SEA GAMES

NAPC head quits over peace talks

By Rio N. Araja and Nat Mariano

JAKARTA—As if the burden of steering a hastily formed national team in the 2018 Asian Games wasnít enough, Yeng Guiao has been handed another huge task by the Samahang Basketbal ng Pilipinas as head coach of the Gilas Pilipinas team in the next two Fiba World Qualifiers against Iran and Qatar.

But knowing Guiao, the eloquent mentor of the Rain or Shine Elastopainters in the Philippine Basketball Association and master tactician of the

LIZA Maza, the lead convenor of the National Anti-Poverty Commission, on Monday tendered her irrevocable resignation, saying it would be very LIZA MAZA difficult for her to work any longer with the Duterte administration.

She told reporters the decision of

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News

TUESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2018

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Gasoline price inches up 30c; diesel steady

By Alena Mae S. Flores GASOLINE prices went up to P0.30 per liter effective 6 am Tuesday but kerosene prices went down P0.20 per liter.

The oil firms, however, said that diesel prices did not move.

“PTT Philippines to implement a P0.30 per liter increase on gasoline effective 6 am Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018. No price movement for diesel,” PTT Philippines said.

Seaoil Philippines, meanwhile, also adjusted prices while others are expected to follow suit.

As this developed, Energy Secretary Afonso Cusi again clarified the department’s directive for oil companies to provide Euro-II compliant diesel fuel.

He said the move is meant to provide a cheaper diesel alternative, particularly for those operating older vehicles in the public transport sector.

“The DoE is actively finding ways to help control inflation. Bringing in Euro-II compliant diesel fuel gives our countrymen an additional option. EuroII diesel matches diesel engines without the catalytic converter. These are usually the 2015, 2014 and earlier models of vehicles,” Cusi said.

The energy chief said those owning older vehicle models from 2015 below, particularly in the transport sector, would benefit from additional savings that the Euro-II diesel fuel would provide.

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were walking along Taft Avenue in Manila when one of the suspects onboard a black Yamaha Mio approached and shot them several times at close range.

One was wearing a black jacket and a black helmet, while the other had a white and blue jacket with a white helmet on.

Two bystanders were hit by stray bullets, but are now recuperating in hospital.

Marcelino, former head of the Special Enforcement Service of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, was released from detention last year after the Department of Justice dropped the P380-million drug charges against him and his Chinese asset Yan, a former interpreter for PDEA. Marcelino and Yan were arrested during a raid at a suspected shabu laboratory in Sta. Cruz, Manila in Jan. 21, 2016 and were found with 77 kilos of shabu.

Also on Monday, the Quezon City Police District arrested two suspected drug dealers and seized 15 kilos of dried marijuana leaves along Bonifacio Drive in Balintawak.

The suspects were identified as Francis Marie Nepomuceno and his driver, Michael Gontinias. With Rio N. Araja

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two-week-old Philippine team in the Asian, he won’t back down from any challenge. But first things first. China.

Guiao and his ragtag group of pros, led by NBA star Jordan Clarkson, take on the Great Wall of China at 4 pm today (Tuesday, 5 pm Manila time) in what many Filipino basketball fans hope could be a preview of the championship in the 2018 Asian Games here at the Basketball Hall of the Gelora Bung Karno Complex.

The Filipinos hurdled their first assignment by routing a bad shooting Kazakhstan side, 96-59, during the preliminaries Wednesday, but they can’t expect the same smooth-sailing game when they face the Asian favorites.

“It’s going to be totally different. The game plan against Kazakhstan was to disrupt its offense and prepare for its three-point shooting,’’ said Guiao.

“Against China, you cannot trap them because their offense is concentrated more inside anchored on their big players. We have to play man-to-man most of the time dahil kapag ’yung malalaki nila nakatanggap na, they will be difficult to stop.

Guiao, who felt he needed all the help he could get, enlisted the services of Ryan Gregorio, himself a three-time PBA champion coach, as his chief scout.

The good soldier that he is, Gregorio responded with this assessment: The Chinese, while strong on all fronts, have four standouts who could be a pain in neck of Guiao and his wards.

They are Abudushalamu Abudurexiti, Wang Zhelin and NBA players Zhou Qi and Ding Yanyuang.

Zhou Qi is a 7’1” player who plays for the Houston Rockets while Ding, a 6’7” forward, sees action for the Dallas Mavericks. Riera U. Mallari

JBC to draw up shortlist of high court nominees T Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra, an ex-officio member of the JBC, said the seven-member council opted to defer its deliberation and vote on the shortlist for the most coveted post in the judiciary on Aug. 24 to give them more time to review all the documents submitted by the aspirants.

The five candidates for the top judicial post were subjected to a public interview on Aug. 16.

“We reset it to August 24 to have more time to review all the documents submitted by the nominees, particularly the SALNs [Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth],” Guevarra said.

The five nominees for the post are Supreme Court Associate Justices Teresita Leonardo-de Castro, Diosdado Peralta,

Lucas Bersamin and Andres Reyes Jr. and Tagum City, Davao del Norte Regional Trial Court Judge Virginia TejanoAng. Guevarra said the council wanted to scrutinize all nominees and applicants, particularly their proven integrity which was the basis for Sereno’s ouster.

“We are being extra-careful in the screening for the chief justice post,” Guevarra said.

“Surely, the Sereno quo warranto case has taught us many lessons from which we in the JBC can draw guidance in future deliberations not only for the chief justice position but also for all judicial positions that require utmost honesty and integrity.”

Guevarra said the JBC must ensure

that the next chief justice would not be the subject of another quo warranto case that could have repercussions on the stability of the judiciary.

Sereno was ousted from her post after the high court ruled with finality last June to invalidate her appointment in 2012 and grant the quo warranto petition by Solicitor General Jose Calida.

The Court ruled she was disqualified from her post for her failure to submit all required SALNs when she was teaching law at the University of the Philippines and during her application for the post, effectively reversing the finding of the JBC when it shortlisted her for the post.

The council has required the submission of at least 10 SALNs but Sereno only submitted three―for 1998, 2002 and 2006―and still made it to the shortlist.

The JBC has six members with Acting Chief Justice Antonio Carpio as chairman.

The others are Guevarra, Senator Richard Gordon, retired high court justice Jose Catral-Mendoza, retired judge Toribio Ilao and lawyer Milagros Fernan-Cayosa.

Last month, the high court submitted to the JBC its recommendation for the post of chief justice and endorsed all its four members vying for the post.

DoJ...

NBI to hunt down 11 Chinese nationals led by a certain Chao Yue Wah, alias KC Chan, Albert Chan or Tony Chan and to also secure a precautionary hold departure order against them.

Aquino said he believed that some officials in BoC could be responsible for the smuggling and were in cahoots with drug syndicate.

The PDEA chief pointed that the same type of magnetic lifters were used to smuggle P4.3 billion worth of shabu seized at the Port of Manila last week.

He said dogs detected traces of illegal drugs in the empty magnetic lifters, similar to the two seized at the Manila International Container Terminal also last week, which contained an estimated 500 kilograms of shabu.

Drug rings operating in the Golden Triangle in the shared borders of Laos, Myanmar and Thailand are believed to be behind the multibillion-peso shabu shipments.

According to PDEA, the shipment was sourced from Taiwan with Malaysia as a transshipment point before entering the country. It reportedly came into the country at the end of June and was dispatched to the warehouse, rented at P150,000 per month for a year.

Several men unloaded the illicit shipment on the night of July 15, taking three to four hours to load the drugs into an estimated 17 luggage trolley bags.

The Philippine National Police on

Monday said it has yet to validate the names which have been added to the watchlist of high-value target personalities involved in illegal drugs.

PNP chief Director General Oscar Albayalde said the list of HVTs as of Aug. 15, based on new information and continuing validation, has increased to 9,972 from 9,866 listed as of June 30.

“With this new working figure, we are setting our sights on 1,003 high-value targets as subjects of police interdiction operations through buy-bust operations and service of warrants of arrest and search warrants,” Albayalde said.

He said the names will be subject to validation by police anti-drug units, adding that the aggressive war on illegal drugs had the overall net effect of reducing incidence of other crimes in the country.

As of Aug. 15, the PNP chief said a total of 4,959 HVT personalities have surrendered and are now under monitoring and evaluation, while 2,825 others or 28.32 percent were arrested and charged.

“Only 258 HVT personalities died in police operations or 2.58 percent out of the 9,972 target personalities,” he said.

The PNP chief said there are 654 HVT personalities who can no longer be located in their last known addresses and areas of operation, while 322 other HVT personalities had become victims of homicide cases under investigation.

With PNA

the Xiamen Airlines accident highlighted.

Airport and aviation official, meanwhile, said the clearing of the runway took 36 hours because they were concerned about safety.

“We have to apply the proper procedure. We have guidelines and protocols there. Safety is our priority. What if something happened to the aircraft, like what if it exploded? What will happen now to our personnel?” said Eddie Monreal, general manager of the Manila International Airport Authority.

The MIAA chief also explained that the “aircraft recovery is the responsibility of the airline operator, however, if the incident will take its toll on airport operation the airport authority may come in to mitigate the effect on flight operations.”

Asked if there is a need to change or review policy or protocol on retrieval operations and to prevent incidents similar to what happened to the Xiamen Airlines plane, Monreal said, “There is none.”

“We have to understand the situation there and what had really happened during the retrieval. There were instances in other countries that they made that kind of operation for at least four days,” he said.

The MIAA had invited Xiamen Airlines officials to appear during the press conference Monday afternoon, but they

refused.

“I had a delegation from Xiamen Airlines this morning. They extended their sincerest apologies for incident. However, I suggested to them that they should come up with a statement to the Filipino people who were affected,” said Monreal.

In a statement posted on Facebook, Che Shanglun, chairman of Xiamen Airlines said: “After the runway excursion incident of Xiamen Airlines’ MF8667 flight, Manila Airport made huge efforts to assist us in accommodating the passengers and also helped us to move the plane away from the runway. Many thanks to Manila Airport for its great help provided to Xiamen Airlines during the process.”

“Continuous storms have rendered it extremely difficult to move the plane, causing the main runway of Manila Airport to be closed for over 32 hours and leaving many flights delayed and passengers stranded. Xiamen Airlines sincerely apologizes to all passengers affected by the incident and will do everything in its power to help these passengers.”

“We are currently cooperating with the Civil Aviation Authority of Philippines and the Civil Aviation Administration of China to investigate into the cause of the incident. In the meantime, all Xiamen Airlines’ flights to Philippines will operate normally to transport passengers.”

CAAP is investigating the case.

By Rey E. Requejo

HE Judicial and Bar Council will come up on Friday with a shortlist of the nominees for the position of chief justice that was left vacant following the ouster of Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, an official said Monday.

From A1

Drug-sniffing dogs detected traces of narcotics in the empty magnetic lifters, but President Duterte was not convinced.

In a speech last week, Duterte branded as “pure speculation” the claim of PDEA chief Aaron Aquino that the shabu shipment may have already made its way to the market.

“There was nothing there. They presumed it was filled with shabu and made assumption on the prices. You do not go into speculative content. You must be very sure that you have the goods,” Duterte said.

Despite this, the Justice secretary said that the NBI would pursue its investigation to verify PDEA’s report, trace how the latest shabu shipment was able to pass through the BoC and pinpoint who were the officials and personalities responsible for it.

If warranted, he ordered the bureau to file charges against those who will be found criminally liable for the drug smuggling.

Guevarra said he would await the initial report of the NBI to determine if there’s need to take further actions.

“We will wait for an update from the NBI to know if there’s need to take more actions,” he said.

The DoJ chief said he may order the

Runway...

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Roque said transportation officials should not be held responsible as the public apology of Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade is already enough.

“Secretary Tugade has already apologized and maybe that counts for something, that no less than the Secretary of Transportation has publicly apologized for the inconvenience caused to the public. Although, it was not the airport official himself that caused the inconvenience; it was the Xiamen Air incident,” Roque said.

Roque, who was also affected by the runway closure, said flights should have been canceled right away.

“Perhaps, we should look into contingencies,” he said. “It only got chaotic because of the several flights which could have been canceled, but they told the passengers to wait. My flight, for example, I waited for seven hours. They should have canceled it, so I could go back to the President.”

“Both the airlines and the airport authorities should already decide to cancel flights so as not to cramp people in the airport,” he added.

Roque said ongoing projects are expected to address the vulnerability of Manila’s airport infrastructure, which

SEA...

NAPC...

the Olympic Council of Asia general assembly here on Sunday, drew mixed reactions from netizens.

Comprising of 11 multi-colored circles arranged in the shape of the Philippine map, the logo, Cayetano said, was meant to symbolize unity among the countries taking part in the biennial sporting event.

“Wherever and whenever the games are played, we are one and we will as one,” said Cayetano, who is also the Chairman of the 2019 Philippines SEAG Organizing Committee.

Netizens, however, were quick to bash the logo.

President Rodrigo Duterte to terminate the peace talks with the communist rebels had something to do with her resignation.

Malacañang expressed regret over her decision but expressed its gratitude to her.

Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said the Palace was grateful for Maza’s service to the country.

“We thank Secretary Liza Maza for her invaluable services to the government for the past two years, even as we express our regret with her decision to leave the government,” Roque told reporters.

But he said he was clueless as to why Maza connected the peace negotiations

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between the communist rebels and the government in her resignation.

“I don’t know really why she had to connect the peace talks with her work in the NAPC,” Roque said.

Maza expressed disappointment over the return of the “old forces” in the Duterte administration, such as the rise of former president and Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo as House Speaker and the alliance of Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos with Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte’s Hugpong ng Pagbabago.

“While the fabricated and baseless murder charges were eventually dismissed as they should have been, and which I hailed as a triumph or truth and justice, the revival of these cases and the issuance of warrants of arrest did take its toll on the work that I was pursuing at the NAPC,” Maza said.

Coalition bats for renewable energy source

By Rio N. Araja A COALITION of civil society groups on Monday called for use of renewable energy as another source of power.

At a news conference, Gerry Rances of the Power for People Coalition and Center for Energy, Ecology and Development cited a recent Pulse Asia survey showing majority of the Filipino people are dissatisfied with the price of electricity, particularly in the National Capital Region.

“The affordability of power and the energy source have become a major concern for us Filipinos,” he said.

“Our policy-makers must consider seriously that the costly and dirty energy are no longer tolerable,” he added.

Dr. Ana Tabunda of Pulse Asia said the survey showed 84 percent of the respondents in Metro Manila were not happy with the cost of power provided by the Manila Electric Co., the largest distributor of power.

“On a national scale, 66 percent of the respondents were disappointed,” the survey read.

Coma?...

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tomorrow with the League of Cities in Cebu City,” Roque said in a Palace press briefing Monday afternoon.

Roque later hit back at Sison, saying that the NDF consultant does not truly know Duterte’s state of health as he lives far away in The Netherlands.

“Joma Sison is a spent revolutionary, not a doctor. Let’s not listen to him, as far as medical condition is concerned,” he said.

According to Roque, Duterte fell ill during a gathering with co-fraternity members in Lex Talionis Fraternitas but had since recovered.

Meanwhile, former Justice secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II, a member of the fraternity, told Roque the President stayed until 12 midnight and was, in fact, in “very high spirits.”

“I tell this to the critics of the President: Stop wishing him ill as far as his health is concerned,” Roque said. “Because every time you wish him ill, he only gets better.”

Asked whether the Palace will release Duterte’s medical documents to the public so as to put an end to the President’s health issue, Roque maintained there’s no issue to start with.

“What else is the issue? They say it’s coma, then we will see the President attending the League of Cities tomorrow.

What documents do they need? The last time, your desks said he was rushed to the hospital, unconscious. I said he will go out in public because he has two public occasions [during that time]. So, every time he appears in public, we are debunking reports that he is on coma,” he said.

“Why do you need the document to show that he is in perfectly good health when people have said that he is in a coma and yet he will be around?

So tomorrow, he will be there and that’s proof that he is not in a coma,” Roque added.

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Senator Joel Villanueva also welcomed the signing of the new law which, he said, amended the 41-year-old Labor Code of the Philippines and represented a resounding victory for Filipino workers. He said the Labor Code does not impose a fine for OSHS violations.

With this law, he said, the Labor department should be able to raise the OSH standards compliance than just the 67 percent compliance rate in 2017, with 72 workplace accidents causing fatal injuries to 95 workers and non-fatal injuries to 117.

“One death or one injury due to a workplace accident is far too many.

This should stop,” said Villanueva, author of the measure and chairman of the Senate committee on labor, employment and human resources development.

The new law says it is the duty of employers, to furnish the workers a place of employment free from hazardous conditions.

The law also says all safety and health personnel are required to undergo the mandatory training on basic occupational safety and health for safety officers as prescribed by the Labor department.

An amount up to P100,000 will serve as an administrative penalty for the erring employer for every day of the noncorrection of a violation, counted from the date the employer or contractor is notified of the violation or the date the compliance order is duly served on the employer.

News

Imee to lead NP, allies with Sara’s ‘Hugpong’

By Vito Barcelo

I

LOCOS Norte Gov. Imee Marcos will spearhead the Nacionalista Party senatorial slate in the coming 2019 local elections and will ally with Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte’s Hugpong ng Pagbabago.

During the Samahang Plaridel Kapihan forum at the Manila Hotel, Marcos said that President Rodrigo Duterte’s daughter will endorse at least eight possible senatorial candidates from the NP, NPC and PDP-Laban this coming October.

Marcos, who doubts the credibility of Smartmatic, is hoping that the Commission on Elections would closely monitor the conduct of the local elections to avoid any repeat of cheating similar to what happened to his brother, former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., who she claimed was leading by as many as 90,000 votes but was wiped out when the votes from Antique and Iloilo City were tallied and lost the vice presidential race to Liberal Party’s Leni Robredo.

She said the Comelec should cancel Smartmatic’s contract because of anomalous ownership structure, which has gone unnoticed since the controversial firm bagged in 2010 the contract to run automated elections in the Philippines.

However, Marcos expressed hopes that Smartmatic would be fair enough and respect the decision of the people.

If elected, Marcos, who continue to enjoy widespread support in Northern Luzon, their bailiwick, said she would revive his father’s “Green Revolution” to provide cheap

IMEE MARCOS

agricultural products by planting vegetables in all available lots, even in the metropolis.

Marcos admitted that there are many challenges facing the agricultural sector.

“We still have failures in irrigation and a lack of research in hybrid rice. The inability to provide farmers more inputs give our farmers problems to make their agricultural production grow,” she said.

But Marcos said she remains optimistic that poverty will be defeated once the problems with agriculture are addressed.

Caguioa still in charge of Marcos protest vs Leni

By Rey E. Requejo ASSOCIATE Justice Alfredo Benjamin Caguioa will stay as the magistrate in charge of the resolution of the electoral protest of former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. against Vice President Leni Robredo after the Supreme Court, acting as Presidential Electoral Tribunal, denied his request.

In a statement issued by the SC Public Information Office, the PET announced that it turned down the request of Caguioa for a reraffle of the case docketed as PET Case No. 005 to another member-in-charge.

The PET also debunked reports saying that Caguioa would be replaced as memberin-charge of the case who will write the Court’s draft decision.

“Contrary to these reports, there has been no change in the management of PET Case No. 005 as the request was denied unanimously,” the electoral tribunal said.

The PET was referring to an internal memorandum from Caguioa addressed to his colleagues and fellow justices seeking transfer of management to another PET justice.

In his purported internal memo, Caguioa expressed willingness to inhibit as

member-in-charge to put an end to allegations hurled against him over the supposed delay in the resolution of the case, but will continue to participate in the voting of the case.

Caguioa lamented that he has been “vilified and pilloried in both the press and social media as having intentionally delayed the start of the revision process and that, to date, I continue to delay and derail the process.”

“This is, in my mind, for the best, as any resolution on this sensitive issue would certainly give rise to another round of politicking, and it is ideal that this be resolved by the en banc with me no longer being the member-in-charge,” according to the purported memorandum published in a newspaper.

As ponente of member-incharge of the case, Caguioa oversees the progress and ultimate disposition of the election protest. Despite the inordinate delays in his election protest, Marcos said he tried to remain above the fray out of respect to the PET. Apart from denying the request of Caguioa, the PET also issued a warning on the leakage of the magistrate’s internal memorandum that was supposed to be confidential and privileged under the Tribunal’s rules.

Civilians to get reward on ninja cops PHILIPPINE National Police Director General Oscar Albayalde on Monday reiterated that only civilian informants, not law enforcement officials, are entitled to the P5-million reward announced by President Rodrigo Duterte for the neutralization of the so-called “ninja cops” or rogue police officers engaged in the illegal drugs trade.

“We welcome the monetary reward offered by President Rodrigo R Duterte for the neutralization of more ninja cops from the police force. This will encourage the public to provide us more information.

However, even without an offer of reward, the PNP will continue aggressive counter-intelligence operations against these so-called ninja cops,” Albayalde said as he warned wayward officers to change their ways.

“Just as we have promised our anti-illegal drugs campaign to be relentless and chilling, so it shall be. But more so when police personnel are involved, there will be no mercy,” Albayalde said, clarifying that the directive does not authorize civilians to become bounty hunters to shoot and kill those in the list.

During the briefing, Albayalde also announced the deaths of three police officers in active service in Zamboanga City and Infanta, Quezon who were on the counter-intelligence watchlist of the PNP Directorate for Intelligence and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and who died in separate encounters with arresting officers.

PO3 Ronald Bernardo and PO2 Maria Oliver Olaso, both assigned with Police Station 9 of Zamboanga City Police Office, were slain in an encounter with a composite team from the PNP Counter-Intelligence Task Force, PDEA, Intelligence Group and SAF resulting from a buy-bust operation on Saturday wherein they immediately opened fire upon sensing the entrapment, Albayalde said.

The operation stemmed from an intelligence report stating that both policemen were involved in recycling illegal drugs and known protectors of several drug pushers in Zamboanga City since 2010.

In 2016, the two rogue police officers arrested a certain Lao in Barangay Recodo, Zamboanga City and confiscated around four kilos of shabu but they only declared 500 grams as evidence and the rest were recycled. PNA

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TUESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2018 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Two solons advise GMA not to retire from politics

By Maricel V. Cruz TWO lawmakers on Monday said that Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo should not retire from politics until President Rodrigo Duterte finishes his term in 2022, saying that the former president’s economic expertise will be essential to the Duterte administration.

Deputy Speaker and Surigao del Sur Rep. Prospero Pichay and Quezon City Rep. Winston Castelo said Arroyo’s competence as a leader and knowledge will be of great help to the country.

“She is workaholic, she should be advised not to retire because she can help the government,” said Pichay.

Pichay made the remark after Arroyo last week said she will resume writing her memoirs when she finishes her third term in the House of Representatives and that she has no plans to run in next year’s elections.

The 71-year-old Arroyo is on her third and last term as representative of Pampanga province.

“I have no plans to run for anything.

I plan to work on my memoirs, to resume writing my memoirs. Other than that, I have not given much thought about what to do to occupy my time,” she said in a TV interview.

Castelo, meanwhile, said the country still needs Arroyo.

“She should maximize her talent and experience because that will be good for the country. She is very wise in making judgments,” said Castelo, chairman of the House committee on Metro Manila development, said.

Political observers said that Arroyo is a shoo-in if she runs for the Senate in May 2019 elections.

But Arroyo said her focus now is

to help Duterte build a lasting legacy.

“I am not interested in a legacy as Speaker,” she said. “I am interested in helping President Duterte with his legacy during my short time as Speaker.”

Arroyo assumed the speakership last month, following the ouster of Davao del Norte Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez hours before Duterte’s third State of the Nation Address.

Majority of House members ousted Alvarez a few months after he had a run-in with Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio in February over the latter’s establishment of the Hugpong ng Pagbabago political party. Alvarez said Hugpong is an opposition party, drawing the ire of the Davao City mayor.

This developed as Pichay, member of the Lakas Christian Muslim Democrats, also said that Lakas-CMD may forge an alliance with Duterte-Carpio’s Hugpong ng Pagbabago party.

“If we have chance [to coalesce with HNP] why not? Right now, we are trying to [fix some matters] [but] yeah, we will pursue that direction,” said Pichay.

Pichay said the party could field former Leyte congressman and Philippine Constitution Association president, Martin Romualdez, Lakas-CMD president, and former Senator Ramon Revilla, LakasCMD chairman, as their senatorial candidates and adopt guest candidates for the Senate.

Pichay said that even if Arroyo is now a member of the ruling Partido ng Demokratikong Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan, her heart belongs to the Lakas-CMD where she is one of the founding members.

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Opinion

TUESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2018

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Cha-Cha, federalism after 2019 countries like the United States, Germany, India and elsewhere. My gulay, how can the Cebuanos and Ilonggos go together when by tradition and culture they dislike one another?

In Mindanao, how can Maranaos (traders) go well with Maguindanaoans (farmers), or with the Tausugs of Sulu? This is exactly the reason the Moro National Liberation Front and Moro Islamic Liberation Front cannot unite.

were stranded at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport with the lockdown of the single runway when a Xiamen plane skidded and blocked the entry and departure of all flights.

IT IS a foregone conclusion The incident just emthat the Duterte administraphasized how outdated our tion cannot have Charter international airport has Change, enabling the counbecome. Worse, Santa Batry to shift from a unitary to nana, how inadequate aira federal system of governport facilities are. ment, before the 2019 elecHow many times has it tions. been said that Clark InterThere are time connational Airport should straints. Congress has many now be made an alternate urgent legislation to make to Naia? It seems, however, a priority, like the national that government does not budget. Speaker Gloria Arwant to listen. royo herself has said that *** My gulay, there have Cha-Cha and federalism I can believe President been unsolicited proposals will not happen until the Duterte when he says he like that one from Ramon end of her term. is tired and would like to S. Ang of San Miguel to More importantly, within resign if and when former build another international the next few months, mem- Senator Bongbong Marcos airport in Bulacan. Governbers of the House will go wins his electoral protest ment, however, is taking its back to their respective dis- against Vice President Leni sweet time. tricts to prepare for the May Robredo. Mr. Duterte says The Senate has sched2019 elections. his war on drugs and cor- uled an investigation into Aside from these, the Du- ruption will not end even the urgency of having more terte administration must when he steps down in airports nationwide. But conduct a massive informa- 2022. to me, a probe is not anytion campaign to enmore needed. We able the people to be all know what is aware of what federneeded— more international airports alism is all about.

Actually, the accessible to people.

The proponents have postponement of If San Miguel’s Charter change is a proposal years ago run out of time. blessing in disguise were only approved for the President and years ago, this its proponents. The would not have hapcost alone will be pened. staggering at P120 billion.

Transportation Secretary The presidency is a backThe economic managers breaking job. Only those Arthur Tugade may have are also worried about how who have enough fortitude, apologized for the mess, but it will affect the country’s patience and stamina can it is not enough. fiscal position, based on withstand the pressures that the proposed 50-50 sharing go with it. He is now find*** with 18 federated states na- ing that despite his wish to Those who have recently tionwide. end the drug menace, the gone to the Balesin Island Businesses are one in problem will persist. It is Club of international busisupport of the economic not a law-and-order prob- nessman Roberto Ongpin managers. It is they who lem but a health one. tell me that Balesin is now will be most affected with The police may kill the doubly inviting with so the shift to federalism. In- last pusher, but so long as many improvements. vestors, both foreign and there is demand, it will conMy last trip to Balesin domestic, are wary about tinue. was over a year ago. Bobby, dealing with more than one As for government cor- who was my student at At(central) government. ruption, eradicating it is an eneo High School, invited These concerns must be exercise in futility. Corrup- me. addressed right away if fed- tion has become endemic in Ongpin’s latest magnum eralism’s proponents want it government. opus are the private villas. to be accepted by the peoStill, Malacañang should They come in eight-, sixple. come out with medical bul- and four-bedroom strucI have my own misgiv- letins about the President’s tures. They can be bought ings. The Philippines is an health. It’s a national con- and titled if not owned or archipelago, with multiple cern. rented by big families and cultures and backgrounds. corporations.

I believe federalism *** Other developments by would work in landlocked Thousands of passengers Turn to A5

TO THE POINT EMIL P. JURADO

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

P

Sick and tired RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte is tired—or so he says.

“Guys, I want you to know that I am thinking of stepping down.”

The operative word is “thinking,” not “stepping down.”

This is not the first time Mr. Duterte has told us he wants to quit his job. He has done it before—far too many times, actually, that we have trouble taking his words at face value.

For example, he threatened to quit if somebody could prove that God existed, if many women signed a petition protesting his act of kissing a female supporter on the lips, if he and his children are proven corrupt, or if he failed to end the drug menace beyond a self-imposed timeline.

This time around, the 73-yearold President lamented his inability to end corruption in government. He was speaking in the

context of the discover of P6.8 billion worth of methamphetamine that supposedly slipped past the Bureau of Customs.

What gave the President’s words even less credence was his expression of a preferred successor, even as the Constitution is very clear about the rules of succession, and even as he really should know better, being himself a lawyer.

The Secretary of Finance, Carlos Dominguez, says he understands why the President feels tired. Mr. Duterte works non-stop, he says, and needs a break.

It’s the people who need a break from attention-grabbing pronouncements that threaten to distract us from talking

about the more substantive things in government. For example, whether we could get some relief from the burden of high prices. Whether the proposed federal form of government would actually do more harm than good.

Whether corruption could ever really be ended. Whether infrastructure would ever really improve, or whether economic development and equity would actually reach a point when fewer Filipinos would seriously consider going abroad to earn a decent living.

Perhaps Mr. Duterte feels the need to entertain us with sound bytes—we say, no thanks, sir. Everybody gets tired, but what is more exhausting is figuring out whether somebody means what he says, or not.

In this country, one cannot rest sity where I was a Jesuit Volunteer and was interested in a Marxian approach to social change and the role of culture in that approach. My experience in Mindanao, specially with students who joined the movement and underAUG. 21, 1983. I have written and re- ground, attracted me to the idea of written my recollection of this day and helping build a united front against events that happened exactly 35 years what was then called the US-Marcos ago. But in its retelling, there is always dictatorship. Because of that I was something new and good that I discov- more open to the national democratic er about myself, our people, and this movement than most of my colleagues country. And so I come back to that and friends in Ateneo de Mania who were mostly social democrats. I was day again.

It was a quiet Sunday. I was then liv- also not sympathetic to the so-called ing in the House of Being (now Chick- traditional opposition such as Salvador en Bacolod) on Katipunan Avenue. Laurel.

Today, I still believe in a united front Dr. Leo Garcia, of the left and former Dean of center. But I am the Ateneo School less critical of polof Humanities and iticians now. My first Dean of the Until workers, 10-year stint as the Ateneo College of dean of the Ateneo Arts and Sciences, farmers, the urban School of Governhad organized that poor, indigenous ment required me house of philoso- peoples, and other to engage with phy teachers and them and I have students when he marginalized groups found enough came back from free themselves from good ones to work his doctorate studtheir oppression, until with. My experiies at the Univerence especially sity of Louvain in we have permanent with the Kaya Belgium. peace agreements with Natin Movement I was on my first for Good Governyear teaching phi- all our revolutionary ance, which was losophy at Ateneo movements, until incubated in our de Manila and had economic development school 10 years also just begun doago, made me aping my masteral becomes inclusive. preciate good polistudies on philosoticians who are phy. I was aiming also servant leadto do a thesis on Karl Marx, with no less than Fr. Joel ers—among others, Jesse and Leni Tabora SJ, now President of Ateneo Robredo, TG Guingona, Francis Pande Davao University and then newly gilinan, Bam Aquino, Fr. Ed Panlilio, returned from Germany, a true master Grace Padaca, the late Sonia Lorenzo, of Marxian texts, as my mentor. I was Mary Jane Ortega, and many others.

But in 1983, I was ambivalent about hoping to go to Italy to study Antonio Ninoy Aquino although my mother InGramsci for my doctorate.

I had just come from two years day La Vina had met him in Cagayan de teaching philosophy in Xavier UniverTurn to A5

EVERYMAN

The death of neighborhoods in Manila

By Ambassador Virgilio A. Reyes, Jr. MANILA before the Second World War was known as the Pearl of the Orient, a title that Hong Kong has recently adopted as one of its monickers.

Manila was regarded as a priceless treasure by those who came to know it since it was an artful blend of four cultures—Asian, European, Latin American and North American. When it was destroyed in WWII, not only the Filipinos lost but the world lost a precious heritage.

As recounted by the recently-departed Carmen Guerrero-Nakpil, prewar Manila literally oozed with preternatural charm: “I remember pretty houses painted in pale, pastel colors, each with a little, front garden and a low fence laden with flowering vines; especially a street that was like a bower, a long, shady, flowery tunnel, Isaac Peral [now United Nations Avenue], and moving on to “Dehwee,” Dewey Boulevard, as imposing buildings surrounded by lawns, the American clubs and the

Manila Hotel on the Luneta. Then came sweeping, mammoth boulevards, huge buildings with rows of Greek columns, flanked by trees and lawns, down to Taft Avenue and the Post Office, and more new buildings of a different style, lower with tile roofs and arcades which turned out to be the Normal School and the Philippine General Hospital.”

Nearly four centuries of history and culture turned to rubble and dust in February 1945, when the Americans led by General Douglas MacArthur and the Japanese under General Yamashita and Naval Commander Iwabuchi made Manila the scene of a horrific contest with the Filipinos caught in between.

I myself grew up in post-war Manila, when it had partially recovered from this holocaust. Miraculously, although Intramuros had been pitilessly bulldozed to the ground, there were still a few buildings which recalled Manila’s prewar glory, including the Jai Alai building, the Metropolitan Theater and the Manila Ice Plant. I came to see

these historic buildings myself (although I did not know their storied past then as a child) whenever we meandered downtown with my family or on my own as an adolescent. Neighborhoods were a part of my growing up; each one had somehow its own unique character.

My parents had lived in Singalong, successively on Dian and Bautista streets, off Vito Cruz [now Pablo Ocampo] street and not far from Pennsylvania(now Leon Guinto) street and Taft Avenue. My mother’s family considered itself trueblue Manila since they had originated in Binondo and occupied such venues as Bilibid Viejo in Quiapo; Vermont street in Malate; and Dominga St and Roberts in Pasay. They went to public schools but also to private ones such as the La Concordia college and Assumption convent, St. Paul’s College and the Philippine Women’s University. The University of the Philippines was favored by them since a granduncle Clodualdo Tempongko, had been one of its first graduates and many family

Turn to A5

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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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Chairman Emeritus, Editorial Board

Opinion

TUESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2018

Team players?

FORMATION GARY OLIVAR

Of LATE, a distressing trend has emerged among some of Duterte’s Cabinet members: Speaking out against each other in public.

Of course this isn’t the first time this has happened under any president. I can’t even say if it’s any better or worse than under previous presidencies. But that’s just a question of degree; and in any case it’s an alarming trend under a chief executive whose adulation by millions is matched by the vociferousness of the minority and the resources of their financial backers here and abroad.

The latest instance had Health Secretary Pincoy Duque criticizing the Energy Department for not bringing him into the loop when they decided to order the oil companies to start offering diesel fuel compliant with the 22-yearold Euro-2 standard, not just the current Euro-4 standard.

Duque’s concern is that the older standard will allow dirtier, albeit slightly cheaper (by only 30 centavos per liter) diesel into the country. Whichever side you believe, what’s for sure is that the environmental lobby will take up arms over this, causing another headache for Duterte that might have been avoided if his men had remembered to talk to each other first.

This whole trend really started with the President’s economic managers. Over at DBM, Secretary Ben Diokno put his foot down on the cash-based approach to replace the obligation-based approach to budgeting favored by the Lower House.

The House leadership has already offered a compromise: a 15-month obligation-based budget, instead of the traditional two years, that lets Diokno tighten up on spending while addressing the discrepancy between the calendar-based fiscal year and the school year starting June, which would leave most of the 2nd semester in public schools unfunded under a cash approach.

But as of writing, Diokno won’t even talk to the congressmen about their compromise. Which makes me wonder who in fact is supposed to enjoy the exclusive power of the public purse.

For his part, Finance Secretary Sonny Dominguez, after leading the charge against federalism based on unexamined numbers, is now questioning the

decision to bring a third telco into the country. In his view, “the priority is to have a better regulatory environment,” evidently even more important than lining up behind a long-settled policy initiative like the third telco.

Well, I used to be the CFO of a wellknown fixed-line telco some years back, and I can vouch for the outrageous offenses that the dominant telco got away with, up to and including outright defiance of the regulators at NTC. That’s what real market power means. And the only way to cut down that power is to force the telco market to be shared more equitably.

Nobody’s questioning the brains of the economic team. But perhaps it’s their braininess that makes them forget sometimes that being team players

vented later from doing exploration on our own.

To firm up the negotiating ground under us, we’d suggest holding the deal discussions in Manila, not Beijing. And to improve our negotiating strategy, our team might even solicit the advice of the lawyers who obtained that favorable UNCLOS ruling at The Hague. Even if it may have been ill-timed and ill-advised to run after that ruling, we might as well put it to good use now.

And going farther out to Russia, we’ve been politely advised by a senior US Defense Department official to “think very carefully” before buying submarines and other military goods from Russia. He warned about alleged Russian crimes in Crimea and the Ukraine, and reminded us that continuing to buy from the US ensures interoperability of systems (not to mention, I guess, availability of parts and upgrades down the road).

Some Cabinet It’s tempting to tell this American ofmembers speak out ficial to stick his suggestion up where the sun don’t shine. But interoperability against each other in is in fact a valid concern since so much public. of our military hardware does come from the US. More importantly, if push comes to shove with the Chinese, it ain’t gonna be the Russians who’ll pull our is their number one job description, in nuts out of the fire. The special relationtheir capacity as no more than alter egos ship we have with the adoptive home of of the President (under a system that is so many Fil-Ams is worth looking after. neither federal nor parliamentary). *** *** Let’s close on an inspiring note: DuOne of the (many other) things go- terte’s plan to visit Israel early next ing right under the economic team was month, at the invitation of their Prime government’s recent approval, under Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. This will NEDA’s leadership, of the long-term be the first visit there by a Philippine head rehabilitation and regular maintenance of state since diplomatic ties were estabof the problem-plagued MRT-3 system, lished between both countries in 1957. which will be financed by a 28-year, Agreements are expected to be signed on 38-billion yen Japanese loan charging trade, labor, tourism, agriculture, counannual interest of only 0.1 percent. ter-terrorism, and security.

It may be recalled that MRT’s probAs a matter of fact, Israeli-Philippine lems started when the previous admin- ties go back nearly two decades earlier istration replaced a first-class mainte- than 1957, to the time of President Manance provider like Sumitomo with a nuel Quezon, who gained a place on Isthird-rate local consortium, most likely rael’s Yad Vashem memorial to generto milk the system of funds for the LP’s ous Gentiles by deciding to admit nearly 2016 campaign war chest. Thankfully 2,000 Jews fleeing the Nazi Holocaust. that’s now behind us, though we’re still I’m proud to say that it was my grandwaiting for the scoundrels to be prop- father Don Jorge Bocobo, then a senior erly charged in court. member of Quezon’s Cabinet, who led Over on the China end of things, For- this historic open-arms initiative. eign Secretary Alan Cayetano will be This is one reason I’ve always been an visiting Beijing to firm up a joint sub- Israel-phile, even before “Wonder Wommarine oil exploration deal with China, an” Gal Gadot hit the silver screen. With among other business prospects. Critics so many Filipinos now working in that like Stratbase’s Dindo Manhit or UP part of the world, it’s good to be on the maritime law expert Jay Batongbacal sentimental good side of the Jewish state. harrumphed that we should be ready to sue China abroad if they deviate from Readers can write me at the deal, and make sure we’re not pre- gbolivar1952@yahoo.com.

In this...

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Oro and liked him very much. According to her, “My impression of Ninoy is not that of a suave politician but a man of vast knowledge under the sun: books, music, movies, literature, all the good things in life beyond politics. Indeed, it was a great honor that I will treasure forever in my heart to know a man of all and for all seasons. To quote Shakespeare: “Whence come another?”

I must admit though that in early August of 1983, when word came that he was coming back to the Philippines after the family exile in Boston, I didn’t care much. This is something I regret now. I wish I were in the airport that now carries his name—to welcome a man willing to lay down his life for the country.

I should have taken Ninoy for his word when, quoting the great American poet, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, he spoke in Los Angeles in 1981: “My friends do not forget that your readiness to suffer will light the torch of freedom which can never be put out.

Do not forget that we who are now in the middle of our years must inspire the youth when they are almost in the brink of despair. Do not forget that the purpose of life is precisely reexamining our being, not merely a floating flotsam in the time, in the floods of time. Do not forget, as Longfellow said that we should never be like driven cattle, but be a hero in the strife.”

And so on Aug. 21, 1983, in the afternoon, I was somewhere in Cubao, Quezon City., and chanced upon Tina Montiel, my social psychology professor—upset, crying, asking me if I have heard the news about Ninoy’s assassination at the tarmac.

I rushed back to the House of Being where my roommates had slowly gathered, with one of us coming from the grocery to make sure we had supplies in

case the political situation worsened. We were all numb, anxious. We knew something had irrevocably changed. I was not sure if it would be for the good or the bad.

It took a number of days before I realized how nation-changing Ninoy’s assassination would be. The next day, or maybe it was two days after the assassination, my girlfriend (now my wife) and I lined up for hours in the Church of Santo Domingo to view the remains of Senator Aquino where he was transferred when the lines in the Aquino’s Times Street residence became too long.

In the funeral march a few days later, I marched under the rain with Dr. Garcia all the way to Luneta. It was a glorious experience marching under a huge banner that said it all— “Justice for Aquino, Justice for all!

In that iconic streamer, were the pictures of Ninoy, and others killed by the dictatorship—Edgar Jopson (he and Eman Lacaba, both Ateneans, are my personal martial law resistance heroes), Macling Dulag of the cordilleras, Bobby de la Paz, the UP doctor who served the people in Samar, and Johnny Escandor, another medical doctor.

It took another three years but the dictatorship was defeated. I was already in law school then, inspired by Diokno and another great human rights lawyer, Haydee Yorac, to learn to use the tools of law—reason, knowledge, word, authority, and power—to fight the dictatorship and to help build a just society.

We defeated a dictatorship that I, a martial law baby, thought would always be there for the rest of my life.

Later also, we expelled the US military bases, a presence that I also thought would always be there.

But we also failed on so many challenges, and especially on addressing the scandal of poverty, taking care of our environment, and defeating impunity for corruption and human rights violations. We failed in the last 32 years to reform our social, economic, and political structures.

And now we have a government, two years old only, that has now a muchworse human rights record than the Marcos regime that lasted for 14 years. Once again, our democracy is threatened, including through a charter change process that could repeat the 1973 experience when the Supreme Court legitimized an unconstitutional change.

In this country, one cannot rest. Until workers, farmers, the urban poor, indigenous peoples, and other marginalized groups free themselves from their oppression, until we have permanent peace agreements with all our revolutionary movements, until economic development becomes inclusive, until we are unified as people with a government that is truly Team Philippines and not DDS or dilawan, we cannot rest.

Still, today, as I do every year on Aug. 21, I will celebrate. I will wear yellow, not my usual color. I will attend the anniversary Mass in Santo Domingo in the afternoon. There, in that church where Ninoy Aquino’s wake was, I will pray for this country. I will thank the Lord for the gift of Ninoy Aquino who laid down his life for all of us. I will pray for eternal rest for his widow who also served us and strength and wisdom for their children. And I will promise to continue to do my part mainly by teaching and writing to help build a county of prosperous, just, peaceful and happy communities.

ing beach houses available for non-members of Balesin.

Alphaland’s Baguio Mountain Lodges, which Baguio residents now call the Forbes Park of Baguio, has continued its development.

If you find yourself in Baguio, go see the mountain lodges—and be amazed.

Facebook: tonylavs Twitter: tonylavs

Cha-Cha...

From A4

Alphaland are the Balesin Island Gateway, not far from Balesin itself.

Together with an international airport, Ongpin will build an international hotel to house foreign travelers, Ongpin is lso build-

www.emiljurado.weebly.com

A5

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Two-part rationale for third telco player try shows how duopolists can operate in a highly competitive manner. Though an superior marketing strategy—better products and aggressive pricing—Globe RUDY has steadily been taking market share ROMERO away from Smart.

The more valid part of the Duterte THE Duterte administration has made administration’s push for a third telco the establishment of a third telecommu- industry player is the technical part. The nications industry player one of its ma- Duterte administration believes that, with jor industrial policy concerns, believing only two players, the Philippine telco inthat the duopolistic situation in the telco dustry has made insufficient progress, to industry is unhealthy for the Philippine the point where this country has one of economy and therefore must be brought the lowest Internet speeds in East Asia. to an end as quickly as possible. The It wants SG capability to be installed in original deadline set for the selection of Philippine telecommunications. The goal the applicant came and went, and today, is more likely to be achieved if there were nearly two years later, the selection pro- more than two players in this country’s cess continues, with one new deadline set telco industry, the Duterte administration believes. after another.

To be able to bring about more rapid The delay is hardly surprising, considering that telecommunications is one development in the Philippine telco inof the most capital-intensive and com- dustry, the third player that the Duterte plicated of industries. It is no accident administration will select must be a that the duopolists of the Philippine telco foreign entity that has financial clout and a significant industry—Smart footprint in the Telecommunicaworld telecommutions and Globe nications industry.

Te l e c o m — a r e These two attribsubsidiaries of Is the nation likely utes go together. two of the biggest to see a new player?

The bill recently corporations in filed in Congress this country, viz., I am not holding my seeking to re-desPLDT (Philippine breath. ignate telecommuLong Distance nications as a serTelephone Co.) vice industry rather and Ayala Corpothan a utility, if will ration and that the only other attempt to break into the telco make it possible for the foreign partner to industry was made by one of the larger own more than the 40 percent to which domestic conglomerates (the Gokongwei foreign equity in a utility is limited. Most of the ten Filipino companies that have corporate group).

The Duterte administration has indi- exhibited interest in being the third telco cated that its push for the establishment industry player are neither financially of a third telco industry player has a two- nor technically solid; hence the need for part rationale. One part is economic; the a strong foreign partner.

A sure deterrent to broad foreign interother is technical.

The Duterte administration believes est in the third telco-player program of that a duopoly is not a sound structure the present administration would be a refor any industry, let alone an industry quirement—proposed by the (DoF) Deas critical and as sensitive as telecom- partment of Finance—that the incoming munications, and that competition in player pay what amounts to a fee for enthe telco industry would be better as- trance into the Philippine telco industry. sured if there were players in the in- Critics of the DoF idea, which apparently dustry besides Smart Telecommunica- includes DICT (Department of Commutions and Globe Telecoms. Although no nications and Technology), argue that an charges of collusive activity have ever entrance fee would be unfair, considering been leveled against the Smart-Globe that the government made no such imduopoly, the Duterte administration position on Smart Telecommunications believes that there would be less risk of and Globe Telecom when these compasuch activity if the domestic telco in- nies were given approval to engage in the telco business. dustry had more players.

Is the nation likely to see a new player This raises a basic equation. Would the maintenance of competitive coalitions in the Philippine telecommunications inbe better assured if the Philippine telco dustry before year-end, as indicated by industry were a triopoly rather than a du- DICT? I’m not holding my breath. There opoly? The answer is No. Three industry are so many important issues to be replayers can collude—the legal term is solved along the way to the awarding of “combine in restraint of trade”—just as the third-player slot, One thing is certain. Whichever apeasily and effectively as two players. Indeed, as the famous 1980s case of the US plicant is chosen will have to hit the electrical equipment industry showed, ground running. It is very difficult to even numerous players in an industry go into a business where the existing can, if they are so minded, engage in col- players have been there for a long time, lusive and competition-lessening activity. and Smart and Globe are already wellOn the other hand, the record of the entrenched in the Philippine telecomPhilippine telecommunications indus- munications industry.

BUSINESS CLASS

The death...

From A4

members were to succeed in his footsteps.

My father’s family came from Maragondon, Cavite and Nasugbu, Batangas but had moved to the city when their children were old enough to study in De La Salle College and St. Scholastica’s.

After the war, they moved into a two-story woodframe house on Dian St, where one could hear the bells of the neighboring Philippine Independista church.

By the time they were raising their own family, my mother and father had moved to the district of Paco. My grandmother Esther had occupied the ground floor of one of the four houses hurriedly built on Zulueta street by her father Felipe Tempongko’s sister. Dona Agapita(Lola Pitang) Tempongko de Magpayo was a genuine entrepreneur and knew that renting out real estate was one of the best ways to recuperate from wartime’s financial vicissitudes.

We lived on a street perpendicular to Zulueta called Merced, next door to the house of Speaker Jose Laurel and across Celedonio Salvador elementary school. My sisters went to Maryknoll College on Pennsylvania Street(now Leon Guinto) while my older brother was sent to the Ateneo de Manila on Padre Faura. When both schools transferred to Loyola Heights in Quezon City, my sisters switched to St. Theresa’s College on San Marcelino St. while my younger brother and I matriculated at another Belgian-run CICM institution, the Paco Catholic School. I was to switch to the Ateneo and my brother to De La Salle once we had moved to Quezon City.

This long exodus of neighborhoods is probably typical of memories by Manilans who grew up after the second world war. When I look at the 1965 yearbook of the Ateneo High School, I note that my classmates came from as faraway places as Santa Ana and Pasay, when traffic was not an issue.

In Paco, we were neighbors to my Tempongko and Alcantara relatives as well as the various school friends of my parents such as the De los Reyeses(parents of Tingting Cojuangco); the Macaraegs(relatives of the Puyats and through marriage, the Echauezes) and the Sorianos(whose judge father had adjudicated on the Marcos movie “Iginuhit ng Tadhana”).

All told, it was a very secure childhood since we grew up in the company of friends and relations. We were rarely out of sight from our parents since they could view us from the nearby houses where we frolicked.

We played such Pinoy games as tumbang preso, patintero and sipa. Next door to our house on Jose F. Nieto we could hear the croaking of

frogs in the empty grass field and we could even catch fireflies, grasshoppers and salagubangs.

Environmentalists today would have had nothing on us kids then.

School was within walking distance or a short bus-ride away. The Catholic Church and the public market were a stone’s throw away. For more sophisticated company and American amenities, we went to Acme store in Ermita. Downtown sldo meant Escolta, Santa Cruz and Quiapo, where our mother took us to shop for school supplies, books and magazines or culinary treats like hopia, siopao, caramel, buchi and bicho. Occasionally, she would take us shopping to Divisoria, where she would shop for cloth retazos for her fashionable wear. I still marvel at her knockoffs from Christian Dior, which she probably saw in the fashion magazines that she used to stock up on.

A special treat was when she and my Dad would take us to the movies on Avenida Rizal or on the Escolta. I attribute my familiarity with Hollywood and even with distant Broadway through the many films that we were taken to, when there were still stand-alone movie houses in Manila. Many of these, sadly, have been demolished. We would also take paseos in our old Ford or in the Matorco double decker buses on Dewey (Roxas) Boulevard.

It is a grand and sad disappointment to visit the neighborhoods that we were familiar with in our youth. The houses that we may have frequented in Ermita, Malate, Singalong, San Juan, Santa Mesa, and Sta. Ana are gone. Some of the once beautiful homes have become tawdry joints or have themselves been torn down to be replaced by generic high-rises. A few survive such as the Lichauco house in Sta Ana and the LaO home in Paco.

The houses where we lived in on Merced and Zulueta streets have simply vanished. The once splendid Laurel house on Merced Street is ridden with graffiti and surrounded by trash. This is possibly a symbol of Manila, once the Pearl of the Orient, which has become a seedy shadow of itself. It is extremely ironic that the Mayors of Manila adopt such slogans as “Forward Ever, Backward Never” for it and that they are responsible for the destruction of landmarks like the Jai Alai building and the erection of the Torre de Manila, a permanent and lamentable blight on the Rizal monument.

Virgilio Reyes is a retired diplomat. His last posting was as Ambassador to Italy.

News

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TUESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2018 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Binay warns drug dealers: Keep out of Makati

By Joel E. Zurbano MAKATI City Mayor Abigail Binay on Monday warned drug dealers and their clients to steer clear of the city, saying the city government was determined to put them behind bars.

This developed as the Makati City police was set to file charges against 31 employees of a high-end bar in Barangay Poblacion arrested during an antiillegal drugs operation last Aug. 11.

“We are determined to banish the illegal drug trade from our communities, especially in establishments like bars where drug dealing can easily become part of the services offered to clients because of unscrupulous business owners,” Binay said.

“I am warning business owners in Makati, their employees and patrons who are involved in illegal drugs: You have no place here in Makati. We are prepared to impose the full force of the law, no matter who you are or whom you know. We will ensure you are justly punished,” she declared.

Binay noted that out of the 31 suspects arrested at Time in Manila Bar along Makati Avenue during the said operation, only two turned out to be residents of Makati.

The rest of them, including the bar manager, are non-residents with residential addresses in the cities of Pasay, Quezon, Taguig, Las Piñas, Parañaque, Caloocan, Pasig, Manila, and in the provinces of Cavite and Rizal.

“Do not make the mistake of making a mockery of the law in our city. For us, there is no room for compromise particularly when it comes to illegal drugs,” Binay said.

Based on the report of Makati police chief Supt. Rogelio Simon to the Office of the Mayor, cases of violation of Sections 5, 6, 7 and 11 of Article II of R.A. 9165 have been filed against the suspects last Aug. 14.

Recovered during the initial drug bust on Aug. 11 were 18 pieces of heat-sealed plastic sachets of suspected cocaine; 15 capsules and four tablets of suspected ecstasy; one small vacuum-sealed suspected Kush; three tablets of suspected party drugs; and P22,500 worth of buybust money.

Maximum support for UHC up PHILIPPINE Charity Sweepstakes Office General Manager Alexander Balutan on Monday said the Universal Health Care, the flagship health program of President Rodrigo Duterte, would get maximum fund support.

He also directed the agency’s gaming sector to intensify its operations to raise more funds from its various Lotto products, Sweepstakes and Small Town Lottery.

This year, Balutan said PCSO had been an active member of the President’s “Malasakit Center” nationwide.

The other key members are the Department of Health, Department of Social Welfare and Development, and Philippine Health Insurance Corp.

Balutan said: “With the UHC law on the works by both Houses of Congress, the President is assured PCSO will work hard to provide more funds for free hospitalization of patients specially the indigents who can’t even afford to buy their own medicines.

“Patients afflicted with life-threatening illness such as those who needs chemotherapy and radiation and dialysis treatments, implant and transplant operations, and even those who needs wheelchair, hearing aids were already made easier for them to avail financial assistance through the UHC via the Malasakit Centers.”

Villar upset by DENR report

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

S

ENATOR Cynthia Villar on Monday expressed dismay that the Department of Environment and Natural Resources expected only 30 percent of the establishments in Boracay Island to operate when it resumes operation in October after sixmonth closure.

Villar stressed the lower target explains why the work of the interagency task force was slow.

She sees the 30 percent target as low as she vouched for a 50 percent target, saying there was still time to connect to a Sewerage Treatment Plant.

This target, she noted, “is unacceptable from a business person’s point of view.”

“But I asked them if the 50 percent will

open on Oct. 26, that would be better for Boracay, even if one half would not open because they did not comply with the waste water requirement,” she said.

During the hearing, Villar questioned the Boracay interagency task force regarding the “target to connect” when the six-month closure order ends.

Interior Undersecretary Epimaco Densing III said they projected around

30 percent establishments which were already connected to the sewer system and had their own sewage treatment plants.

He also raised the possibility that there were many establishments, inns and hotels which have no business permit, mayor’s permit, Pag-IBIG and PhilHealth.

“Boracay has became wild, wild, west. 163 establishments does (sic) not have mayor’s permit, building permit,” Densing said.

While their infrastructure is good in terms of roads and drainage, Villar stressed there was a problem with wastewater in the island resort.

“They find wastewater treatment costly so they are heaistant to connect.

I told them to make a policy that would

give discount or at least, lower the cost to encourage people to connect,” said Villar in an interview after the hearing of the Senate environment and natural resources committee.

She also asked the DENR to reconsider its order requiring establishments with 50 rooms and above located on Boracay’s beachfront to build their own sewage treatment plants.

She said that those with 49 rooms and below should group together and have a clustered sewage treatment plants.

The big establishments, she said, would have no problem but the rule would be hard for those with 10 to five rooms only.

According to Villar, 80 percent of the establishments in Boracay beachfront had 49 rooms and below.

Immigration deports 3 foreign fugitives

By Vito Barcelo

MOA SIGNING. FFCCCII inks MOA with ABS-CBN Lingkod Kapamilya Foundation to build 5 barrio schools. Federation of FilipinoChinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc. president Domingo Yap and Marcel Rinon, deputy director of ABS-CBN Lingkod Kapamilya Foundation’s Operation SAGIP, recently signed a memorandum of agreement for FFCCCII’s donation of five units of two-classroom public school buildings in economically-disadvantaged rural areas to be recommended by the foundation. The MoA signing was witnessed by FFCCCII executive vice president Henry Lim Bon Liong, vice president Mary Go Ng, Welfare Committee chairman Bonifacio Lui, External Affairs Committee chairman Nelson Guevarra, Media Committee chairman Wilson Lee Flores, Welfare Committee co-chairman Robert Kho Tian Ang, assistant to secretary general Reynard Hing, ABS-CBN Lingkod Kapamilya Foundation Chief of Staff Josine Reyes and chief financial officer Angelita Lara. ‘Operation: Barrio Schools’ is a flagship program of FFCCCII which has donated more than 5,500 school buildings nationwide since 1961.

Nograles plays down Grab’s P5-m damage suit

By Maricel V. Cruz PUWERSA ng Bayaning Atleta Partylist Rep. Jericho Nograles on Monday dismissed as “an act of desperation” the P5-million suit filed against him by Grab Philippines.

Nograles said it was expected since he had been critical against the ride-hailing company which he said owed the riding public over P4 billion due to its P2 per minute fare charge that was illegally charged to its patrons.

“The P5-million damage suit against me is nothing more than an act of desperation in retaliation to the recent LTFRB Order declaring the charges of Grab

Philippines as illegal,” Nograles said.

He said the Grab’s filing of a damage suit against him “comes as no surprise as there is no end to the greed of a company that demands slave-like hours and immoral commission rates from its drivers. “ Nograles, a House deputy majority leader, called on the the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board to enforce its earlier order for Grab to refund the billions of pesos in illegal charges, as ordered and without any further delay.

The LTFRB earlier ordered the Grab to reimburse its passengers through rebates in connection with the P2 per minute charge.

“The LTFRB Order confirms that Grab Philippines has engaged in illegal

overcharging affecting 67 million total rides from June 2017 to April 2018. They have lied to and cheated their riders and have also endangered the livelihood of their partner-drivers. Their illegal acts are also tantamount to large scale estafa,” Nograles, who was the one who exposed the alleged illegal charge, earlier said.

Nograles said that each Grab ride had an estimated length of 30 minutes.

With 67 million rides during that span, this equates to an overcharging of P4.02 billion.

“Since this illegal P2 per minute fare was unilaterally imposed by Grab and it is totally unknown to the drivers, the fine and the refund should be solely shouldered by the company,” Nograles said.

BETWEEN TWO RIDERS. The

bronze monument at the Ayala Triangle in Makati City of Senator Benigno Aquino Jr., done by sculptor Peter de Guzman, is seen between two motorcyclists along Ayala Avenue Monday, eve of his death anniversary, a holiday. He was slain at the Manila airport in 1983 on his return from exile in the United States, three months before he was to turn 50.

Norman Cruz

School official risks sanction

Physical exam of vaccinees begins

DAUGHTER’S DEVOTION. Senator Grace Poe visits Monday the North Cemetery tomb of her father, action king Fernando Poe Jr., who ran in the 2004 presidential elections against Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. The San Beda alumnus would have been 79 Monday. Norman Cruz

THE Bureau of Immigration ordered the deportation of three foreign fugitives: Two Britons and a German, arrested recently by the agency’s operatives in Metro Manila and Nueva Vizcaya.

Ordered deported were British nationals Stephen James Forrest and Simon Boulstridge Bailey and German citizen Thomas Michael Heinig who were apprehended in separate operations conducted by members of the Bureau’s Fugitive Search Unit.

“We have received information that all three are wanted for serious crimes in their homelands, thus they will be deported immediately so they could be tried and jailed for their misdeeds,” BI Commissioner Jaime Morente said.

The three fugitives are already undocumented aliens as their passports were already canceled by their governments.

Forrest, nabbed in Bambang, Nueva Vizcaya, was a convicted sex offender wanted by the United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency for violating the conditions of his probation.

Forrest was convicted in 2016 for sending indecent images depicting a restrained female minor and a picture of him with an older woman believed to be the child’s mother.

Heinig, wanted for a string of fraud in Germany was cornered in his residence in Mandaluyong City.

Heinig has 21 pending cases of fraud, and two cases of attempted fraud.

He allegedly scammed several travel agencies in Germany of large sums of money by booking holiday tours with the latter and later cancelling them after receiving refunds for fees that he did not pay.

On the other hand, Bailey was arrested at his room at the PSE Tower along Ayala Avenue, Makati City, subject of an Interpol red notice in connection with a case for forgery filed against him in the United Kingdom.

DEPARTMENT of Health-Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon) on Sunday started the physical examination of Dengvaxia vaccinees who have been profiled for assessment of their overall health as part of the service delivery program of the regional office.

“This is a wellness check to enable us to know if there are changes or any health concerns have occurred in their body such as ongoing pain or symptoms that they are experiencing since they were vaccinated,” said Regional Director Eduardo Janairo.

“We need to have an accurate medical information about the effects of the vaccine, if there are any, that can be used to generate definite health decisions based on these physical exams,” he added.

Janairo said the physical examination

aimed to identify any issues that might become medical concerns in the future, ensure that every vaccinee was maintaining a healthy diet and exercise routine and also to check for possible diseases that might occur so they could be treated immediately.

Records from the Regional Epidemiology Surveillance Unit showed there were 17,565 Adverse Event Following Dengvaxia Immunization cases reported from July 28 to Aug. 10, 2018 with 56 deaths recorded.

Majority of cases, 9,116 were female. Age ranged from 2 years old to 46 years old.

Laguna province had the highest number of reported AEFDI cases with 5,282 (30 percent) cases followed by Batangas with 4,639 (26 percent), Cavite—3,637 (20 percent), Quezon—2,453 (14 percent) and Rizal1,554 (9 percent). Macon Ramos-Araneta

THE Department of Education could suspend or revoke the permit to operate of a private school in Camarines Sur where an official allegedly burned students’ school bags.

In a statement released on Monday, DepEd said Secretary Leonor Briones had received initial reports from Regional Director Gilbert Sadsad confirming partial details of the incident at the Bicol Central Academy.

“If the school administrator’s accountability for the incident is established, DepEd has regulatory tools for private schools at its disposal: a possible suspension or revocation of the school’s permit to operate; or disqualification of the school to participate in the Education Service Contracting and Senior High School Voucher Program; or non-issuance of favorable recommendation for tax exemption, like import duties,” the statement read.

DepEd added BCA’s school administrator had called the schools division superintendent of Camarines Sur to explain the incident on Saturday but he had yet to submit a written response as required by Briones.

“Parents of the affected students are advised to file complaints or administrative charges against the school administrator with the proper authorities,” the statement added.

It also recommended for the school board to advise the school administrator to go on leave to make way for an impartial probe and to allay the students’ fear. PNA

Sports Pirates face Red Lions for NC’ lead Games Tuesday

(Filoil Flying V Centre) 10 a.m.- CSJL vs MU (jrs) 12 nn.- SBU vs LPU (jrs) 2 p.m.- CSJL vs MU (srs) 4 p.m.- SBU vs LPU (srs)

TUESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2018

Djokovic rules ATP Masters 1000 M ASON, Ohio—Novak Djokovic ended a career-long jinx, lifting the trophy in Cincinnati at last to complete a matched set of Masters 1000 titles.

Djokovic, who came up empty in five prior Cincin- 6-4, 6-4 in the final. nati finals, defeated seven-time winner Roger Federer The former world number one became the first man

UNDEFEATED Lyceum of the Philippines University and San Beda gun for the solo lead as the two face off today in a preview between potential championship contenders in the 94th NCAA basketball tournament at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.

The Pirates have racked up eight straight wins while the Lions have won their first six games and the winner of their 4 p.m. duel will zoom to the top.

Interestingly, LPU swept the doubleround eliminations in 18 games last season only to get swept in two games in the finals by San Beda.

There will be little difference between the two squads since that fateful finals encounter as they practically kept the same line up from last year.

“It will be an exciting game for sure,” said San Beda coach Boyet Fernandez.

The match will also feature LPU’s offense and San Beda’s defense, which were best in the league.

The Pirates are No. 1 in scoring with an average of 88.8 points a game while the Lions are the stingiest in points allowed as they held down their foes to a league-high 63.3 points an outing.

CJ Perez has been dishing out MVPlike performances and averaged a league-best 20.1 points while teammate Mike Nzeusseu of Cameroon is at No. 7 with 15.3 points.

LPU coach Topex Robinson, however, said he likes his team’s much-improved defense this year, which has improved to fifth overall.

“It’s still a work in progress but it’s noticeably improving,” said Robinson.

Letran (4-3) and Mapua (2-6) collide in the only other seniors match at 2 p.m.

DepEd holds IP Forum in Ifugao LAGAWE, Ifugao—Mindanao State University (MSU)—Marawi City Professor Henry Daut along with two other local speakers will headline the Indigenous Peoples Games Forum set 1 p.m. tomorrow at the Department of Education (DepEd)—Schools Division Office (SDO) Amongan Hall here.

Daut, who facilitated the two previous IP Forums in Tagum City, Davao del Norte and Lake Sebu, South Cotabato, will tackle “Restoring the Heritage, Reliving the Past, Rekindling the Spirit”.

Joining him are Tourism Officer Roscoe L. Kalaw and Indigenous Peoples Education (IPED) Division Coordinator Herminia L. Hoggang. Kalaw will discuss the Ifugao culture while Hoggang will speak about the IPED. Some 60 participants are expected to grace the Forum, comprised of Music, Arts, Physical Education, and Health (Mapeh) teachers in the division.

Ifugao Schools Division Superintendent Gloria B. Buya-ao, during the courtesy call of Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Commissioner Charles Raymond A. Maxey Monday morning, said Mapeh teachers were invited to the Forum.

“We actually invited Mapeh teachers in various schools to be part of the Forum,” Buya-ao said.

Maxey said he is hopeful that more participants will join the Forum as it is the education aspect of the IP Games project.

“We need to spread awareness to key stakeholders in order for the sustainability of the Indigenous Peoples Games project. And our Mapeh teachers are one of the key stakeholders,” Maxey said.

Some 400 Indigenous Peoples are expected to compete in 15 traditional sports and games.

WOMAN POWER. Lifter Elien Rose Perez takes her turn on the Weightlifting stage in womens Category 48kg during the 18th Asian Games 2018 Jakarta Palembang.

to win all nine of the ATP’s Masters 1000 events in the elite series’ current configuration.

Federer, meanwhile, lost a final in the hardcourt US Open tuneup for the first time.

“I played five finals [here] before, and most of those finals I lost to this great man, Roger ... thank you for letting me win here once in Cincinnati,” Djokovic joked.

“This is a dream come true,” Djokovic said. “I finally won Cincinnati after six finals, some against the greatest ever, Roger.”

Federer, a 20-time Grand Slam winner, said his game wasn’t sharp -- but he didn’t want to take anything away from Djokovic’s achievement.

“Novak is a great champion,” Federer said. “This is about him making history.”

The 37-year-old Swiss had been aiming for a 99th career trophy, but was unable to get over the line due in part to four double-faults at the most inopportune of times, but he said his return game was also lacking.

“It was definitely not my best day on the return—it was just awful,” Federer said. “Missing every second serve on the forehand side, I don’t know what that was about.

“But I don’t even want to look for reasons why it happened,” he added. “Novak totally deserved to win today. This (effort) was not good enough.

“Good week, but I’m happy it’s over and I need to rest,” added Federer, his eye on the US Open starting in New York in eight days.

Djokovic claimed the opening set in 37 minutes and came back from an early break in the second to overhaul his longtime rival as they played for the 46th time.

The Serb now leads Federer 24-22 and has won their last three encounters.

The pair had not played since the 2016 Australian Open semi-finals more than two and a half years ago.

Roger Federer had been aiming for a 99th career trophy, but was unable to get over the line due in part to four double-faults at the most inopportune of times Wimbledon champion Djokovic claimed his Masters record on his first match point and now heads to the US Open as a title favorite after a string of sub-par seasons and an elbow injury which required surgery.

“It’s a wonderful feeling. it’s been a couple of tough months for me with an injury and then winning Wimbledon and Cincinnati,” Djokovic said.

Federer started the match with three aces in the opening game, then added a pair of love games for a 3-2 lead.

But it began to unravel as the Swiss double-faulted to yield a break point, dropping serve as Djokovic moved ahead 4-3.

Djokovic took advantage for a 5-3 lead and closed out the set after 37 minutes.

Federer broke for a 2-0 lead in the second set but gave the break back immediately as he double faulted to give Djokovic a break point which the Serb promptly converted.

Djokovic broke again to lead 4-3, and after Federer held to close the gap to 4-5 Djokovic ended the afternoon in the next game on his first match point. AFP

Banario eyes 6th straight victory in Shanghai THEY say success is forged in the fires of defeat. For former ONE Featherweight World Champion Honorio “The Rock” Banario, his re-emergence as a top lightweight contender was sparked during the unlikeliest of times.

The Team Lakay veteran went on a five-bout skid between 2013 and 2015, and was on the verge of retirement when he decided to take a step away from competition to regain his bearings.

Coming back to the cage as a lightweight a year after, Banario looked like a new man.

“I have always believed in myself, but I was surprised to have done what I did,” said Banario.

“With the help of my teammates, and the support of my friends and my family, I continued with my career and it was a good decision.”

Now, Banario is on an unprecedented five-bout win streak, defeating a handful of solid opponents, among those are Eddie Ng, Jaroslav Jartim, and top lightweight Adrian Pang.

With momentum on his side, Banario is closer than ever to a shot at the ONE Lightweight World Championship held currently by Martin Nguyen.

“Right now, I’m just motivated to keep on winning. Whether that means I’m on the road to another title shot or not,” said Banario.

“I just want to beat whoever they put in front of me. If that leads to the title, then I’m fine with it.”

Banario is set to return to action at ONE: Beyond the Horizon, which takes place 8 September at the Baoshan Arena in Shanghai, China. He will face top

Former ONE Featherweight World Champion Honorio Banario acknowledges cheers of fans on his way to the cage. ONE Championship

lightweight Amir Khan of Singapore in a battle with serious title implications.

Khan, a former Muay Thai champion, is coming off a solid technical knockout victory over Korean Sung Jong Lee. He is known as a dangerous striker, capable of finishing contests quickly and efficiently behind his Muay Thai experience.

“Amir [Khan] is a hungry young lion

and one of the top contenders at lightweight. He’s tall and long and uses his distance very well. It’s going to be a good challenge for me. If I can defeat him, I can gain more solid footing among the division’s best,” said Banario.

“I know he is a great striker, but I am also.

It’s going to be Muay Thai versus wushu when we meet at the center of the ring.”

Carlos tries to zero in on OOM title in Iloilo

Jobim Carlos

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sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

ILOILO— Jobim Carlos hopes to come out better, stronger from a playoff setback to veteran Juvic Pagunsan as he shoots for another crown and tries to zero in on the Order of Merit title in the ICTSI Iloilo Golf Challenge beginning tomorrow (Wednesday, Aug. 22) in Sta. Barbara here.

Carlos, whose game went on an upswing after scoring a breakthrough at Philippine Golf Tour Asia Riviera leg last June, nearly upended the fancied

Pagunsan in last Saturday’s ICTSI Negros Occidental Classic finale, losing on the second playoff, a setback many believe will only make the hottest player on the circuit today a lot better, tougher.

“Juvic hits consistent short game shots and that’s I think what I should do,” said Carlos when asked what aspect of the former Asian Tour No. 1’s game had impressed him most during their encounter.

That should make him the marked

man in the P3 million event sponsored

by ICTSI at the quaint Iloilo Golf and Country Club, which requires accuracy off the tee and a solid short game to buck the challenges lurking from the trees, tall hills, rolling terrains and water hazards that come into play in most holes.

Cassius Cassius reigned when the country’s oldest golf course last hosted a PGT event in 2004 with the now-retired former hotshot edging Elmer Salvador by one on an eight-under 270 aggregate.

Valientes battle Rizal Crusaders RESURGENT Zamboanga Valientes tangle with slumping Rizal Crusaders at 7 p.m. as the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Datu Cup resumes at the Pasig Sports Center Tuesday.

Navotas Clutch try to climb out of a deep pit when they battle cellar-dweller Pasig Pirates at 9 p.m.

After a two-game slide, the unheralded Valientes have won their last three to raise their record to 4-2 in the regional league founded by Senator Manny Pacquiao.

For this reason, the Valientes, owned by Yacob Ati and supported

by Family’s Brand Sardines, have been tagged slight favorites over the Xentro Mall-backed Crusaders, who tote a 1-5 slate.

The Valientes will again draw firepower from former pro Reed Juntillathe league’s second leading scorer with an average of 21.33 points per game, just behind the 23.8 average of Michael Juico of the Pampanga Lanterns.

Other key players for the Valientes are former pros Leo Avenido and Robert Sanz and Noy Javier.

Reeling from three straight losses after winning their first two, the Clutch remain the slight pick over the Pirates, the only winless squad among 26 teams entered.

The Clutch will lean on team skipper Rey Publico, former pro Levi Hernandez and Ron Dennison to get back on track.

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

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TUESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2018

Filipinas battle mighty Japan Game Today

(Bulungan Sports Hall) 4:30 pm – Philippines vs Japan

Twenty-year-old Agatha Wong displays the form that won her a bronze medal in the women’s taijiquan and taijijian all-around final of the 2018 Asian Games on Monday, August 20 at the Jakarta International Expo.

Azkals retain FIFA ranking

Wong grabs Asiad bronze in Wushu

By Peter Atencio

By Riera U. Mallari

THIS month, the Philippine Azkals national men’s football team did not budge on the latest FIFA rankings.

The Azkals stood still at 115th place at the end of recent FIFA World Cup. Within the Southeast Asian region, the Azkals are considered as the second best team because they are behind Vietnam, which is 102nd in the world, and ranked 21st in Asia, Meanwhile, France moved up six notches to the number one spot in the world rankings, while Belgium, moved up to second in the world, and Brazil is now third overall.

Croatia, the other finalist, climbed 16 notches to fourth overall.

Irish adviser Scott Cooper will take over the coaching chores of the Azkals. The team is set to go into a training camp in Bahrain this Septembers.

The Azkals are focused on getting the best preparation for the ASEAN Football Federation-Suzuki Cup and the Asian Football ConfederationAsian Cup. Meanwhile, Uruguay moved nine places to fifth in the world rankings, while England is now at sixth.

Home games at the Panaad Stadium in Bacolod will spice up the campaign of the Philippine Azkals national men’s football team’s campaign in the 2018 Asean Football Federation-Suzuki Cup. They will be involved in a fiveteam round-robin group stage of the Suzuki Cup, which will feature a new home-and-away format.

First, the Philippines will host Singapore in Bacolod’s Panaad Stadium on November 13 before playing either Brunei or Timor Leste away four days later.

On November 21, the Azkals will clash with Thailand at the Panaad Stadium.

They will close out their group stage against Indonesia, in an away game in Jakarta, on November 25.

The semis will then run from December 1 to 6, with the two-legged finals being held on the 11th and 15th.

AKARTA—Stung by sharp pain with every landing and the bending of her knee, Agatha Wong filtered the pain and delivered the Philippines’ third bronze medal in the women’s taijijian and taijiquan all-around wushu competition of the 2018 Asian Games held Monday at the Jakarta International Expo here on Monday.

Philippines’ flagbearer Jordan Clarkson leads the delegation during the opening ceremony of the 2018 Asian Games at the Gelora Bung Karno main stadium in Jakarta on August 18, 2018. AFP

J

Performing second in a field of 16 entries in front of an animated crowd that included Indonesian President Joko Widodo, the 20-year-old Wong finished third with a 9.68 in the taijiquan on Monday to go with a same score of 9.68 in the taijijian Sunday for a total score of 19.36, just enough for her to clinch the bronze and grab her very first medal in her maiden Asian stint.

But while her moves looked flawless at times, Wong said she went through her routine in pain.

“Nahirapan po talaga ako tumapak

dahil sa tendinitis ko, tapos hirap ako mag-bend dahil sa knees ko. But I felt relieved kasi tapos na ako and my hard work paid off,” said Wong, who didn’t expect to finish in the podium right on her first try in the Asiad.

“I had no expectations. I just wanted to do my best and I think, I did my best performance. So I think that’s worth it na din for my sacrifices and my family, who always supports me. I just always keep a very positive mindset and that has taken me places already ever since the SEA Games and World Championships,” add-

ed Wong, who had an impressive stint in the 2017 Southeast Asian Games in Malaysia with her gold in the taijiquan event and another silver in the taijijian event.

Performing to the tune of “Heal The World,” the La Salle-St. Benilde student tried to focus amid all the noise of a pumped-up crowd, led by Widodo, who came as early at the start of the event and personally witnessed home bet Lindwell Lindwell score a 9.75 first-place performance for a total of 19.50 points and the gold medal.

Juanita Uen Ying Mok of Hong Kong grabbed the silver with 19.42 points.

“I was so nervous because I placed fifth in the first discipline. I had to make sure of an impressive performance in the second discipline so I can have a chance,” said Wong, Wong’s bronze medal was the third of such color for the Philippine team here, counting the two others from the men’s and women’s poomsae taekwondo teams.

JAKARTA—After collapsing to powerhouse Thailand in the opener, the Philippines marches to battle anew as it clashes with another super team – Japan – in the preliminaries of the women’s volleyball tournament of the 18th Asian Games Tuesday at the Bulungan Sports Hall here.

Action starts at 4:30 p.m. (5:30 p.m. in Manila) with the Filipinas coming in with zero expectations knowing that the Japanese are a force to be reckoned with.

Japan is a five-time Asian Games champion and a regular fixture in elite tourneys like the World Championships, Volleyball Nations League, World Cup and the Olympics.

The squad is marching with a chip on its shoulder after Thailand dominated it in the bronze-medal match of the previous Asian Games in Incheon in 2014.

Seasoned international campaigners Nana Iwasaki, Risa Shinnabe and Yuki Ishii remain as the leaders under the guidance of head coach Kumi Nakada.

During its opening-day salvo, the troika did most of the damage as the Japanese clobbered the Indonesians, 25-20, 25-11, 25-19, to join Thailand on top of Pool A. The Philippines’ head coach Shaq Delos Santos knows that Japan is nearly indestructible so they would use the match as an opportunity to gauge where they stand against an elite team that had already tested its mettle against the world’s best teams like Olympic champion China, Serbia and the United States.

“We will study them and train hard in preparation for our match against these Japanese,” said Delos Santos, who just came from a two-week training in Osaka and Okayama City in Japan where they polished their floor defense and blocking.

The Thais gave the Filipinos a rude welcome into the Games after the latter’s 36-year absence.

They had an impressive start, but collapsed in the final stretch of the first set as rising star Chatchu-on Moksri and Pimpichaya Kokram started to wax hot while veteran Pleumjit Thinkaow and Onuma Sittirak asserted their will over the Filipinos.

Jaja Santiago and Alyssa Valdez were the bright spots in the first set, but their luster faded as Delos Santos opted to dig deep into his bench in quest of a spark.

“They made us realize that the Asian Games is no picnic,” said Delos Santos following their 22-25, 12-25, 15-25 setback to the 11-time Southeast Asian Games champion.

Unheralded Tallo is surprise PBA Player of the Week FREE AGENT pick up Mac Tallo is making the most of the minutes he’s getting in the absence of NLEX’s top guards as he helped the Road Warriors get off to a quick 2-0 start in the 2018 PBA Governors’ Cup. Only in his second month with NLEX since being picked up from the free agent pool, the shifty Cebuano guard now seems at home with his new team after averaging 15.0 points, 2.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists to become the first Cignal-PBA Press Corps Player of the Week for the conference.

The former Southwestern U star playmaker beat teammate Larry Fonacier and TNT guard Terrence Romeo for the weekly citation.

Tallo, the 10th overall pick in the 2017 PBA Rookie Draft, banged in 16 points, along with three assists and a rebound as NLEX shocked powerhouse TNT on opening day, 103-90 at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.

Two days later, the son of former Pepsi guard Mark Tallo, contributed 14 points,

four rebounds and one assist as NLEX hammered a Stanley Pringle-less NorthPort, 123-107.

Tallo averaged 24 minutes of play in the first two games, capitalizing on the playing time given to him by acting coach Jojo Lastimosa as the Road Warriors continue to miss starting guards Kiefer Ravena and Kevin Alas.

Making NLEX’s win even more impressive was the fact that the team did it with an injured import Olu Ashaolu, who valiantly played with a ruptured patellar tendon. The Road Warriors also played the first two games of the import-spiced conference without head coach Yeng Guiao and slotman Asi Taulava, both currently serving the Philippine men’s team in the Jakarta Palembang Asian Games.

The Road Warriors will play their third game in six days this Wednesday when they go up against the Magnolia Pambansang Manok.

Aaron Fuller, who played for NLEX, is coming in to replace Ashaolu.

NLEX guard Mac Tallo (26) passes the ball to a teammate while being guarded by NorthPort’s Paolo Javelona. PBA Image

Clarkson calls on NBA to free players for global tourneys JAKARTA, Indonesia—Cleveland Cavaliers guard Jordan Clarkson has called on the NBA to let players compete in more global tournaments to boost the sport’s popularity worldwide, ahead of his first appearance for the Philippines at the Asian Games.

Clarkson, who dashed to Jakarta last week after the US league released him in a lastminute U-turn, said Sunday he had wanted to play for the Philippines for years but had been repeatedly blocked.

“After being told no so many times, I refused to give up. I kept fighting,” he said.

“I’m here now, ready to compete.”

“Just playing in the Games already means a lot me. It’s a great experience for me. Getting a medal would be an amazing achievement.”

Excitement is brewing in the basketballmad Philippines over Clarkson, who was born in the US but has Philippine citizenship through his grandmother.

The Asian Games are the world’s secondlargest multi-sport event, but unlike the Olympics it is not among the competitions NBA players are normally allowed to participate in.

The multi-billion dollar US league has expressed concern that players could pick up injuries or miss pre-season training on

international duty.

NBA officials agreed Wednesday to grant a “one-time exception” for the 26-year-old Clarkson and two Chinese players—Houston Rockets centre Zhou Qi and Dallas Mavericks forward Ding Yanyuhang—- to play in Jakarta.

Speaking to reporters ahead of his first match on Tuesday against China, Clarkson said star-studded international matches could help the sport to overtake soccer.

“I think they get the point —in Asia kids are picking up a basketball. I feel like the NBA is allowing us to do our thing. AFP

IN BRIEF Kalinga geothermal field receives priority THE Department of Energy declared the Kalinga geothermal prospect of Aragorn Power and Energy Corp. as an energy project of national significance.

Parent APC Group Inc. said in a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange Monday the Energy Investment Coordinating Council through the DoE recently approved the application of Aragorn Power to develop the Kalinga geothermal area as an energy project of national significance.

Aragorn Power said the status assures action on its application within 30 working days.

The company along with partner Guidance Management Corp. owns the geothermal service contract in the province of Kalinga covering an area of around 26,000 hectares.

The area is estimated to have a power generation potential of between 120 megawatts and 200 MW. The department granted Aragorn and Guidance the five-year contract in 2008.

The APC Group has investments in energy, mining and manpower outsourcing businesses and telecommunications.

The Philippines is the world’s second largest geothermal energy producer, second to the US. Alena Mae S. Flores

Business

PSALM ready to re-bid 2-hectare Paco property POWER Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. will re-bid the Manila Thermal Power Plant land as soon as it finalizes the terms of the transaction.

PSALM president and chief executive officer Irene Joy Besido-Garcia declared the first public auction a failure after no bids were submitted during the August 15 deadline.

Garcia said PSALM will look into the reasons why the four bidders, who initially purchased bid documents, decided not to participate in the auction.

The MTTP Land covers an area of about 20,975 square meters in Isla de Provisor along Pasig River in Paco, Manila.

Prior to the decommissioning of MTPP in 2000, it provided electricity to users in the Luzon grid.

The decommissioned MTPP was privatized in 2009, with the proceeds used for the liquidation of maturing power sector debts.

The MTPP’s privatization paved the way for a complete clean-up of the land.

Alena Mae S. Flores

TUESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2018

B1

By Othel V. Campos

ECONOMIC FORUM. Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Nestor Espenilla Jr. (center), with Philippine Competition Commission chairman Arsenio Balisacan (left) and Finance Assistant Secretary Antonio Lambino II (right), answer questions from journalists during a news briefing Friday on the Philippine economy at the National Press Club in Intramuros, Manila. Lino Santos

DMCI, Japan firm to bid for Malolos-Tutuban rail D

By Jenniffer B. Austria

MCI Holdings Inc. said Monday it teamed up with a Japanese group to bid for the first phase of the North South Commuter Rail project.

DMCI Holdings president Isidro Consunji did not identify the Japanese joint venture partner because of a nondisclosure agreement.

Consunji earlier flew to Japan to finalize the joint venture partnership with the Japanese group.

The joint venture partners plan to bid for the 38-kilometer rail line connecting Malolos, Bulacan and Tutuban, Manila.

The first phase of the elevated rail-

PH becomes investment-led economy—DoF THE Philippine economy has become more investment-led, as capital formation, foreign direct investments and portfolio investments showed sustained growth this year, the Finance Department said Monday.

Finance Undersecretary Gil Belran said as a percentage of the gross domestic product, capital formation―a most comprehensive measure of investment―rose from 24.4 percent in 2016 to 27.4 percent in the first half of 2018.

Capital formation is one of the foremost determinants of future growth, in addition to employment and factor productivity, he said.

“Capital formation, which is tracked by the national income accounts issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority, shows a real growth of 9.4 percent in 2017 and 16.4 percent during the first half of 2018,” Beltran, the DoF’s chief economist,

business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com

Business group pushes for dual airport system

MFT Group expanding portfolio by 30% yearly MFT Group, a Philippine private equity fund, plans to increase its asset portfolio annually by 20 percent to 30 percent as it aggressively pursues the expansion of the new medical equipment and food and beverage businesses here and overseas.

MFT Group, which has investments in real estate, healthcare food and beverage, financial services and technology, credit petroleum and lifestyle and entertainment, has P3.2 billion in its asset portfolio.

MFT Group chief executive Mica Tan said the company would actively expand its presence in 100 cities worldwide across asset class.The group has investments in 18 countries, including Spain, the US, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Vietnam, Indonesia and Malaysia.

For the healthcare venture, MFT Group recently acquired Meihao Corp. of Hong Kong. MFT Group already established itself as one of the largest private providers of medical equipment and supplies to hospitals and health institutions in the Philippines. Jenniffer B. Austria

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

said in an economic bulletin.

“These growth rates are higher than real GDP growth of 6.7 percent [in 2017] and 6.3 percent [in the first half 2018], respectively,” he said.

He said of the major components of investments―fixed capital which consists of construction and durable equipment―grew 9.5 percent in 2017 and 14.8 percent in 2018.

Another measure of investment is foreign direct investment and portfolio investments tracked by the balance of payments account which is released periodically by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. These measure the amount of investments from foreign investors.

Data showed that FDIs increased 21.4 percent to $10.05 billion in 2017 and 48.9 percent in the first five months of 2018. As percentage of GDP, this showed an increase from 2.7 percent in 2016 to 3.7 percent in 2018. Julito G. Rada

way is expected to reduce travel time from Malolos to Tutuban to 35 minutes from 2 hours and allow economic activities to spread out to the surrounding areas of Metro Manila.

The NSCR project will be partially funded by Japan’s official development assistance loan amounting to 241.991 billion yen signed in November 2015.

The project will use advanced Japanese technologies, including seismic designs to make the infrastructure disaster-resilient.

Meanwhile, DMCI Holdings said construction unit D.M. Consunji Inc. posted a net income of P676 million in the first half, up 36 percent from P479 million recorded in the same period last year.

This was brought about by higher gross profit percentage of the business units due to the late approval of variation orders which were already accomplished in the previous period.

F OREIGN E XCHANGE R ATE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Monday, August 20, 2018

Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

53.4140

Japan

Yen

0.009042

0.4830

UK

Pound

1.274800

68.0922

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.127398

6.8048

Switzerland

Franc

1.004722

53.6662

Canada

Dollar

0.765697

40.8989

Singapore

Dollar

0.729288

38.9542

Australia

Dollar

0.731500

39.0723

Bahrain

Dinar

2.652661

141.6892

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266645

14.2426

Brunei

Dollar

0.726639

38.8127

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000068

0.0036

Thailand

Baht

0.030120

1.6088

UAE

Dirham

0.272301

14.5447

Euro

Euro

1.144000

61.1056

Korea

Won

0.000894

0.0478

China

Yuan

0.145212

7.7564

India

Rupee

0.014267

0.7621

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.243605

13.0119

New Zealand

Dollar

0.663500

35.4402

Taiwan

Dollar

0.032552

1.7387

PSBANK’S AWARD. Philippine Savings Bank receives the Bronze Award in the Brand Builder Excellence in Brand Positioning category of the Philippine Association of National Advertisers’ 2018 PANAta Awards.

PSBank won the award for its “Techie” campaign which was intended to communicate a message of simplicity behind the bank’s advanced and innovative banking solutions.

Receiving the award at Discovery Primea Suites in Makati City is PSBank senior vice president and marketing group head Noel Tuazon (center) from PANA executive director Bobby Simborio (left) and public relations officer Jake Lugay.

First-half revenues reached P7.2 billion, up 13 percent from P6.4 billion a year ago, as the company completed more projects this year.

DMCI expects better performance from the construction unit this year because of more ongoing projects and newly-awarded projects that will commence later this year.

The company said the building business saw a 48-percent increase in revenue in the first half, while the infrastructure business suffered a 9-percent dip in revenue because of the delays related to right-of-way issues.

DMCI said recent developments in the availability of right-of-way would help improve the company’s revenue in the second half.

It said the ongoing bids and negotiations for privately-funded projects and the government’s rollout of the ‘Build, Build, Build’ program would also help the company increase its order booking next year.

BoP deficit jumped 168% to $3.7b in first seven months

By Julito G. Rada THE balance of payments deficit widened by 168 percent in the first seven months to $3.7 billion from a shortfall of $1.38 billion registered a year ago, data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas show.

“The higher cumulative BoP deficit for the period may be attributed partly to the widening merchandise trade deficit [based on the Philippine Statistics Authority’s preliminary data] for the first half of the year that was brought about by the sustained rise in imports of raw materials and capital goods to support domestic economic expansion,” the Bangko Sentral said.

The merchandise trade deficit hit $19.1 billion in the first half, up 62.6 percent from the $11.7-billion gap a year earlier. Imports increased 13.2 percent in the six-month period to $51.8 billion, while exports fell 3.8 percent to $32.7 billion.

The Bangko Sentral said the BoP position yielded a deficit of $455 million in July, lower than the $678-million gap in the same month last year.

“Outflows in July 2018 stemmed mainly from payments made by the national government for its maturing foreign exchange obligations and foreign exchange operations of the BSP,” it said.

These were partially offset by net foreign currency deposits of the national government and income from the BSP’s investments abroad.

THE Management Association of the PhIlippine on Monday pushed for the immediate upgrading of Ninoy Aquino International Airport following the congestion caused by an incident involving a Xiamen flight on Thursday.

The influential business group said the upgrading of Naia would be a cost-effective and fastest solution to the severe congestion plaguing the Manila airport, while the expansion of Clark airport in Pampanga province would prevent future air traffic bottlenecks.

“The upgrade should realize the optimal safe capacity of Naia. The Clark International Airport should be expanded to relieve the current demand pressure on Naia and, more importantly, meet future demand growth,” MAP said.

“We strongly object to the closing of Naia – which we consider as a very drastic and counter-productive move,” it said.

It proposed the adoption of an airport complementation strategy where the existing Naia and Clark international airports would be developed and operated as an integrated system with the two airports complementing each other, ideally with an express rail link in place.

Under the dual airport system, Naia should be upgraded expeditiously, preferably undertaken by the private sector, including a possible close-in parallel runway for emergencies, such as the recent closure of the main runway, according to MAP. “We urge the government to fast track the approval of the private-sector upgrade of Naia, particularly airside and landside improvements, based on value for money principles. While physical improvements are slated, airport management, including maintenance and upkeep, must be raised to world standards,” the group said.

It suggested that terminal assignments among airlines be rationalized without further delay to resolve the severe congestions in Terminal 2, which is being currently used for both domestic and international operations although it was not designed and configured as such.

ADB approves $300-m loan for infrastructure THE Asian Development Bank said Monday its board of directors approved a $300-million, policy-based loan to support the Philippines’ efforts to strengthen the framework for the ‘Build, Build, Build’ infrastructure development program.

Government reforms supported by ADB under the Expanding Private Participation in Infrastructure Program subprogram 2 seek to create the enabling policy environment that will allow public-private partnership projects to flourish using private sector expertise and innovation.

“PPPs can raise the quality of life for citizens by providing reliable public services through efficient infrastructure. Reforms under the EPPIP program have been successful in stimulating the PPP market and improving the quality of infrastructure projects in the Philippines,” said ADB senior trade specialist Cristina Lozano.

The government aims to raise infrastructure investments to 7.4 percent of gross domestic product by 2022 from 5.1 percent in 2016.

The BBB program, a part of the medium-term Philippine Development Plan, is estimated to require a $168 billion in investments for 75 high-impact priority projects nationwide. The government wants to use an optimal funding mix composed of government spending, official development assistance and private capital to finance the projects.

ADB said it supported reforms that helped ensure sustainable funding for government direct and contingent support to PPPs, improve long-term infrastructure planning, strengthen the government’s capacity to manage the PPP program and enhance the legal framework for PPP preparation, approval and implementation.

B2

Business

TUESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2018 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Stocks down; Ayala, Meralco drop T HE stock market fell Monday in cautious trading, with investors looking for catalysts that could shore up the bourse.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index dropped 82.99 points, or 1.1 percent, to 7,500.53 on a value turnover of P5.4 billion. Losers beat gainers, 115 to 85, with 40 issues unchanged.

Investors are monitoring overseas developments as well as discussions on the second package of the government’s tax reform program and efforts to contain inflation.

Conglomerate Ayala Corp. lost 4.4 percent to P955, while Manila Electric Co., the biggest retailer of electricity, declined 3.5 percent to P350.20 on continued profit-taking.

GT Capital Holdings Inc. of tycoon George Ty decreased 2.4 percent to P874, while SM Investments Corp. of retail magnate Henry Sy Sr. slipped 1 percent to P918.

The rest of Asian the market mostly rose on Monday as investors grow hopeful that China and the United States will resolve their trade dispute.

Hong Kong rose 1.3 percent in the afternoon session and Shanghai closed up 1.1 percent, while Sydney and Singapore each climbed 0.1 percent and Seoul ended with marginal gains.

Jakarta soared 1.8 percent, while Wellington and Taipei also posted gains.

Tokyo pared early losses to end 0.3 percent lower.

Wall Street ended last week with gains following a report that top officials from the world’s top two econo-

mies would hold talks to resolve a crisis that has seen them hit each other with tariffs on billions of dollars worth of goods, with more in the pipeline.

The report in the Wall Street Journal said the talks were aimed at easing the trade dispute before President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping hold a summit in November.

The possibility that the months-long row which has battered world markets could be brought to an end was enough to spur optimism on trading floors.

Greg McKenna, chief market strategist at AxiTrader, pointed out that Beijing, which is struggling to support the economy while also addressing a debt mountain, may have had a “lightbulb moment” last week with the release of more weak data and a sharp drop in the troubled yuan.

Authorities in China appeared to be

moving to support the yuan last week as it headed towards seven to the dollar, its weakest level since January 2017.

Some observers have suggested the central bank has been letting the yuan soften in recent weeks to offset the effects of any US tariffs, a claim China has denied.

“President Trump is winning again,” he said. “That’s the takeaway he’s likely to get from news that China’s resolve may be cracking and the trade delegation being sent to Washington is not as low-level as many thought.”

On currency markets the Turkish lira was hovering above six to the dollar, well off the record levels around seven seen last week but still under pressure after Ankara and Washington traded fresh sanctions threats as the row over a jailed American pastor drags on. With AFP

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW MONDAY, AUGUST 20, 2018

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

FINANCIALS 59.95 5,010 90.1 1,018,270 2.71 55,000 126.5 906,360 1.77 395,000 32.3 216,200 16.38 1,400 14.46 215,800 3.89 79,000 1.57 8,000 0.58 4,003,000 73.6 768,650 0.99 320,000 11.8 17,400 21.5 1,000 45.9 291,200 196.6 590 104.2 450 29.3 50,000 198.6 212,240 83.7 17,250

300,349.50 91,998,226.50 141,940 115,414,442 705,280 7,036,260 22,922 3,126,752 308,640 12,570 2,341,110 56,650,448.50 316,800 205,290 21,500 13,360,535 116,064 47,026 1,465,975 42,142,031 1,445,748.50

299,750 -44,958,390.50 -78,106,063 -1,454,365 73,060 -35,183,828.50 0 -9,440,515 -573,010 22,274,896 -44,398

35.5 16.7 0.99 1.18 0.236 3.21 14.6 39.2 20.05 75 88 1.8 7.48 10.18 15.5 10.28 7.27 7.02 1.8 15.44 62.2 26.7 7.36 13.12 2.24 271.2 4.97 3.12 24.55 13.08 18.8 350.2 0.18 7.05 2.16 4.24 8.88 5.1 1.04 11.72 56 6.1 4.75 2.28 3.1 1.72 13.08 79.7 5.33 0.13 1.02 132.6 2.5 2.19 1.77

INDUSTRIAL 36.2 432,200 16.98 1,006,800 1.22 57,675,000 1.19 124,000 0.24 640,000 3.25 6,609,000 14.88 11,500 40 248,800 20.5 8,900 75.95 1,910 90 250 1.8 1,000 7.77 4,200 10.18 2,059,700 15.7 488,500 10.3 64,400 7.28 676,000 7.02 2,342,200 1.8 1,000 15.52 495,500 63.1 95,800 27 30,700 7.38 168,400 13.12 791,200 2.29 565,000 273 403,650 4.97 67,400 3.15 19,000 24.55 628,600 13.18 306,800 18.94 408,700 350.2 182,100 0.182 1,060,000 7.05 100 2.16 147,000 4.24 113,000 8.88 200,100 5.1 285,900 1.05 2,533,000 11.92 42,900 56 94,870 6.1 22,100 4.75 7,000 2.3 1,010,000 3.1 67,000 1.75 343,000 13.08 11,000 81 337,600 5.33 17,100 0.13 40,000 1.06 393,000 132.6 1,232,330 2.5 60,000 2.27 9,298,000 1.85 82,654,000

15,552,905 17,073,050 64,494,830 147,260 153,610 21,596,360 169,564 10,068,860 179,920 144,826.50 22,098.50 1,800 31,491 21,055,272 7,635,196 668,218 4,920,815 16,460,280 1,800 7,689,662 6,035,647 828,750 1,244,348 10,428,116 1,280,710 110,204,642 334,978 59,670 15,624,540 4,047,984 7,739,370 64,266,858 192,950 705 318,230 480,450 1,785,727 1,475,392 2,672,720 508,994 5,321,302.50 134,996 33,470 2,375,810 210,070 598,040 144,202 27,150,662.50 91,158 5,200 412,510 165,997,015 150,540 20,926,880 158,289,910

-10,874,720.00 3,380,434 -2,603,180 2,168,470 -26,410 -1,382,135 -1,800 924,382 5,588,512 -488,472 -163,540 -13,988,801 -3,638,820 -5,485,035.50 752,460 -1,017,810 9,781,432 0 -6,415,130 -739,074 -937,066 -49,938,514 109,200 32,230 174,688.00 -10,203 -1,675,280 -1,025,561.50 -30,544 -19,220 20,620 -91,692 -14,542,288.50 182,630 69,265,900 45,000 135,950.00 614,650

0.3 55.45 12.12 0.91 6 33.15 1.39 1.42 955 6 10.98 6.9 0.21 874 5.99 51.3 0.57 4.3 17.34 0.64 4.82 0.039 1.29 2.75 2.8 145.5 908 0.77 1.58 400.2 258 0.34 0.209

HOLDING FIRMS 0.305 4,890,000 55.45 811,990 12.16 2,058,200 0.97 73,000 6.1 34,900 34 86,400 1.43 69,292,000 1.43 11,931,000 955 117,480 6.03 7,960,100 10.98 3,633,700 7.1 3,000 0.21 250,000 874 85,350 6.05 2,600 51.3 944,550 0.58 37,000 4.3 732,000 17.7 973,900 0.65 2,613,000 4.82 8,117,000 0.042 143,700,000 1.3 19,950,000 2.76 1,045,000 2.8 1,000 147.5 385,000 918 214,780 0.8 353,000 1.59 17,000 411 80 258.4 1,110 0.355 46,760,000 0.209 50,000

1,486,050 45,208,845.50 25,124,046 67,630 212,204 2,931,765 100,825,110 17,606,080 113,203,870 48,052,339 40,690,644 20,929 52,500 75,323,490 15,696 49,130,741.50 21,280 3,185,360 17,143,388 1,694,250 39,254,810 5,970,000 29,443,880 2,937,070 2,800 56,732,281 197,475,070 287,510 26,910 32,664 286,424 16,824,100 10,450

-28,703,207 -10,998,460 200,204 66,650 2,574,090 -35,463,645 -36,881,935 -24,664,276 -44,987,455 -26,350,403 -2,388,690 -1,232,488 -2,609,240 13,100 -18,150 -11,350 -36,022,812 -99,414,700 3,600 -

5,865,244 5,404,390 8,376 216,450 171,940 241,597,455 529,820 8,278,480 208,485 3,501,450 565,190 442,680 20,831,590 190,450 1,349,548 12,305,720 1,170 2,472,490 1,162,800 19,153,650 36,640,550 16,583,160

-580,032 569,600 51,125,805 -213,990 -6,747,630.00 -76,348 9,100 -84,000 761,490 -147,600 3,827,275 901,050 110,970 -14,319,140 62,620

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

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

59.95 91.5 2.75 129.7 1.78 32.8 16.36 14.48 3.89 1.58 0.58 74.75 0.99 11.7 21.5 45.6 198 105 29.5 199 83.8

59.95 91.5 2.75 131.4 1.84 32.8 16.38 14.52 4 1.58 0.6 75.3 0.99 11.8 21.5 46.4 198 105 29.95 199 84

59.95 90.05 2.56 126.1 1.71 32.3 16.36 14.42 3.86 1.57 0.55 73.1 0.99 11.7 21.5 45.5 196.6 104.2 29.2 198.4 83.7

ABOITIZ POWER AGRINURTURE ALLIANCE SELECT ALSONS CONS BASIC ENERGY CEMEX HLDG CENTURY FOOD CIRTEK HLDG CNTRL AZUCARERA CONCRETE A CONCRETE B CROWN ASIA DEL MONTE DNL INDUS EAGLE CEMENT EEI CORP EMPERADOR ENERGY DEVT EUROMED FIRST GEN FIRST PHIL HLDG GINEBRA HOLCIM INTEGRATED MICR IONICS JOLLIBEE LMG CHEMICALS MABUHAY VINYL MANILA WATER MAXS GROUP MEGAWIDE MERALCO MG HLDG PANASONIC PEPSI COLA PETROENERGY PETRON PHIL H2O PHINMA 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 16.82 1.05 1.18 0.24 3.32 14.6 40 20.2 75 89.95 1.8 7.48 10.3 15.88 10.4 7.3 7.03 1.8 15.5 63.45 26.8 7.44 13.5 2.26 271.6 4.97 3.16 25.2 13.1 18.86 362.8 0.182 7.05 2.16 4.29 8.95 5.3 1.07 11.8 56.25 6.11 4.82 2.49 3.2 1.73 13.6 80.2 5.33 0.13 1.04 135 2.52 2.38 2

36.6 17.04 1.24 1.19 0.242 3.33 14.88 41.5 20.6 75.95 90 1.8 7.77 10.3 15.88 10.44 7.3 7.05 1.8 15.78 63.45 27.5 7.44 13.5 2.29 274.8 4.97 3.16 25.2 13.46 19.12 362.8 0.183 7.05 2.2 4.29 8.96 5.37 1.08 11.94 56.25 6.24 4.82 2.49 3.2 1.78 13.6 82 5.34 0.13 1.07 136 2.52 2.39 2.06

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 FORUM PACIFIC GT CAPITAL HOUSE OF INV JG SUMMIT LODESTAR LOPEZ HLDG LT GROUP MABUHAY HLDG METRO PAC INV PACIFICA PRIME MEDIA PRIME ORION REPUBLIC GLASS SAN MIGUEL CORP SM INVESTMENTS SOC RESOURCES SOLID GROUP SYNERGY GRID TOP FRONTIER WELLEX INDUS ZEUS HLDG

0.305 56.3 12.4 0.92 6 33.15 1.43 1.43 970 6.06 11.48 6.92 0.21 895 5.99 53.5 0.61 4.45 17.34 0.67 4.93 0.041 1.53 2.82 2.8 147.5 927.5 0.79 1.58 411 258 0.34 0.209

0.31 57 12.4 0.98 6.1 34.7 1.52 1.51 985 6.06 11.48 7.19 0.21 900 6.05 54.2 0.61 4.45 17.7 0.67 4.93 0.044 1.66 2.85 2.8 148.2 942.5 0.88 1.59 411 258.4 0.37 0.209

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

7.72 1.03 13.96 1.95 0.76 42.5 3.11 4.62 5.65 0.45 0.97 1.04 0.233 0.395 9.84 26.7 0.59 1.51 1.2 1.63 4.94 0.63

7.72 1.03 13.96 1.95 0.76 43 3.15 4.63 5.7 0.46 0.98 1.04 0.26 0.4 9.95 28 0.59 1.51 1.2 1.66 4.94 0.63

7.48 1.01 13.96 1.95 0.72 42 3.08 4.45 5.45 0.445 0.97 0.99 0.233 0.395 9.76 26.6 0.58 1.49 1.2 1.59 4.86 0.61

VOLUME

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

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

0.45 0.49 3.61 20.3 1.98 3.16 36.2 1.14 7.24 0.76 6.3

0.495 0.51 3.69 20.5 2 3.2 37 1.15 7.39 0.76 6.35

0.45 0.49 3.57 20.2 1.98 3.16 36.1 1.14 7.2 0.76 6.25

0.485 0.5 3.6 20.3 2 3.2 36.1 1.15 7.25 0.76 6.29

42,460,000 1,010,000 1,592,000 1,243,700 37,000 160,000 4,871,600 1,014,000 355,300 15,000 1,400,200

19,583,850 504,250 5,741,810 25,236,215 73,350 509,220 177,647,365 1,160,060 2,578,636 11,400 8,809,559

420,550 35,930 -21,938,380 34,760 -45,028,110 44,164 610,663

2GO GROUP ABS CBN APC GROUP APOLLO GLOBAL ASIAN TERMINALS BERJAYA BLOOMBERRY BOULEVARD HLDG CEBU AIR CHELSEA DFNN INC 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 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 24.5 0.47 0.044 13.02 6.6 9.54 0.061 71.65 6.69 8.6 27 1,965 5.48 297.2 4.21 2.08 89.95 12.3 7.85 0.129 3.1 3.59 14.62 3.82 1.03 19.66 0.44 5.18 7.05 3.04 2.05 2 8.45 10.98 8.7 3.69 111.5 5.24 1,395 0.86 0.39 44.5 82 8.24 2.26 1.01 0.67 5.06 0.79 11.62

14.18 25 0.69 0.048 13.02 6.68 9.8 0.062 71.7 6.72 8.86 27.3 1,985 5.52 308 4.31 2.1 90 12.3 7.85 0.13 3.1 3.71 14.62 3.9 1.05 20 0.44 5.29 7.05 3.04 2.14 2.18 8.49 11.46 8.7 3.7 114.7 5.34 1,408 0.88 0.4 45 82 8.39 2.32 1.02 0.7 5.06 0.79 11.62

14 24.5 0.47 0.044 13.02 4.2 9.45 0.058 71.2 6.68 8.02 25.7 1,922 5.43 296 4.08 2.07 88.9 12.3 7.75 0.125 2.9 3.55 14.62 3.79 1.02 19.66 0.435 5.15 6.91 2.95 2.05 1.84 8.3 10.92 8.5 3.6 111.5 5.23 1,386 0.85 0.385 44.25 79.5 8.21 2.24 1 0.65 5.02 0.76 11.58

SERVICES 14 24.95 0.61 0.047 13.02 4.2 9.5 0.059 71.4 6.7 8.8 26 1,985 5.46 307 4.15 2.07 90 12.3 7.75 0.125 2.92 3.71 14.62 3.8 1.05 19.88 0.435 5.28 7.02 2.95 2.11 2.18 8.33 11.38 8.5 3.7 112 5.34 1,399 0.87 0.39 44.75 79.5 8.39 2.29 1 0.66 5.05 0.76 11.6

3,600 91,300 244,300,000 57,900,000 3,700 22,625,400 15,407,400 48,770,000 316,000 611,000 376,000 78,100 54,100 105,200 3,980 4,407,000 23,000 311,980 19,000 15,000 3,360,000 8,216,000 22,000 100 803,000 126,000 121,400 160,000 55,300 1,133,800 336,000 280,000 18,000 954,500 14,057,600 2,100 37,000 900 164,500 60,285 885,000 2,000,000 401,500 299,810 32,100 12,553,000 5,802,000 91,528,000 852,200 2,070,000 1,585,300

50,454 2,277,555 148,417,700 2,629,200 48,174 106,881,495 146,857,037 2,905,950 22,562,311 4,089,629 3,257,474 2,058,560 106,962,020 575,720 1,200,992 18,625,490 47,870 28,063,176 233,700 117,250 424,560 24,457,400 78,830 1,462 3,075,670 129,220 2,398,542 70,350 287,534 7,931,795 1,005,070 579,310 35,750 7,990,991 155,771,914 17,965 135,000 100,919 868,410 84,277,915 768,940 777,000 17,952,375 24,041,216 264,688 28,702,290 5,837,280 62,095,160 4,295,763 1,596,660 18,367,596

-15,400 126,200.00 185,804 -50,899,398.00 -12,696,263.50 6,680 48,600 -12,505 58,650,140 373,550 -2,338,821.50 64,500 -358,580 -1,513,230 286,400 2,539,724 12,020 -169,229 288 -11,100 40,300 111,280 -46,125,190 -29,370 -10,042,845 -13,505,660.50 160,051 -1,266,280.00 -5,294,640 668,710 -177,050 -966,456.00

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

0.0025 1.62 3.6 20.9 1.99 0.305 7.4 1.97 0.208 0.121 0.126 0.0082 0.0083 1.39 4.77 1.12 0.55 1.2 0.013 0.014 0.011 3.38 4.08 15.52 29.9 0.0059

0.0026 1.64 3.61 21.1 2.01 0.305 7.4 1.98 0.215 0.123 0.126 0.0082 0.0083 1.46 4.83 1.17 0.55 1.2 0.013 0.014 0.011 3.5 4.24 16.14 30 0.0059

0.0025 1.59 3.58 20.7 1.95 0.3 7.31 1.93 0.208 0.121 0.126 0.0082 0.0083 1.38 4.6 1.1 0.55 1.13 0.012 0.013 0.011 3.37 4.06 15.36 29.1 0.0058

MINING & OIL 0.0026 21,000,000 1.59 2,443,000 3.58 298,000 21.1 7,500 1.95 1,558,000 0.3 60,000 7.4 4,700 1.96 3,507,000 0.215 80,000 0.122 1,520,000 0.126 30,000 0.0082 7,000,000 0.0083 8,000,000 1.46 1,136,000 4.6 3,907,000 1.15 128,000 0.55 10,000 1.16 4,276,000 0.012 5,700,000 0.013 700,000 0.011 600,000 3.4 365,000 4.13 649,000 15.84 3,214,100 29.15 1,255,200 0.0058 5,000,000

52,800 3,932,740 1,070,970 156,265 3,071,420 18,050 34,771 6,876,040 17,000 184,980 3,780 57,400 66,400 1,612,540 18,477,450 142,500 5,500 4,959,130 70,700 9,700 6,600 1,245,200 2,666,570 51,222,462 37,155,705 29,400

-1,610 -61,000 -29,400 49,250 -864,160 4,341,030 33,640 -478,490 -1,137,200 -11,566,965 -

ABS HLDG PDR AC PREF B1 ALCO PREF B DD PREF FGEN PREF G GMA HLDG PDR GTCAP PREF B HOUSE PREF A PCOR PREF 2A PCOR PREF 2B SFI PREF SMC PREF 2B SMC PREF 2C SMC PREF 2E SMC PREF 2G SMC PREF 2H SMC PREF 2I

24.2 490 102 101.5 99 5.25 987 99.6 1,021 1,050 1.92 77 79.05 75.5 75.6 75.5 76.4

24.6 490 102 102 99 5.25 987 101.1 1,021 1,050 1.93 77 79.1 75.5 75.6 75.9 76.5

24.2 490 101.6 100.9 99 5.22 987 99.6 1,010 1,050 1.92 76 79 75.4 75.6 75.5 76.4

PREFERRED 24.25 60,000 490 1,320 101.6 5,800 100.9 4,340 99 11,120 5.22 142,600 987 10 101 9,830 1,010 1,620 1,050 10 1.93 8,000 76.5 5,220 79 24,500 75.4 1,370 75.6 800 75.9 5,510 76.5 5,000

1,474,725 646,800 590,084 440,385 1,100,880 744,540 9,870 979,098 1,647,210 10,500 15,370 399,137.50 1,935,535.50 103,312 60,480 418,205 382,196

-75,025 -535,740 -1,580,030 -

LR WARRANT

2.32

2.36

2.32

WARRANTS 2.34 198,000

461,270

-116,700

ITALPINAS XURPAS

5.06 2.9

5.19 2.94

5.05 2.8

5.19 2.81

2,387,561 8,533,240

20,240 -533,660

FIRST METRO ETF

113.5

113.5

113

1,120,247

-175,432

MS

PROPERTY 7.62 1.02 13.96 1.95 0.75 42.2 3.09 4.5 5.6 0.45 0.98 0.99 0.26 0.4 9.95 27.4 0.58 1.5 1.2 1.64 4.86 0.61

773,600 5,324,000 600 111,000 238,000 5,692,700 170,000 1,845,000 37,500 7,740,000 579,000 443,000 83,740,000 480,000 136,500 451,700 2,000 1,647,000 969,000 11,737,000 7,490,000 26,941,000

TRADING SUMMARY

SHARES

FINANCIAL

10,582,182

INDUSTRIAL

187,511,460

HOLDING FIRMS

368,746,130

PROPERTY

220,100,654

SERVICES

553,779,313

MINING & OIL

73,423,583

GRAND TOTAL

1,417,646,413

SME

467,700 3,024,000

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 113 9,900

VALUE 1,785.45 (down) -11.15 596,016,686.5 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 10,882.85 (down) -93.7 883,840,468.12 HOLDING FIRMS 7,312.52 (down) -156.81 1,805,954,098.525 PROPERTY 3,762.14 (down) -9.99 SERVICES 1,515.52 (up) 3.34 822,887,508.81 MINING & OIL 9,733.5 (down) -153.49 1,145,800,028.95 PSEI 7,500.53 (down) -82.99 133,177,135.2672 All Shares Index 4,570.13 (down) -36.56 5,399,721,413.83 Gainers: 85; Losers: 115; Unchanged: 40; Total: 240

Moody’s keeps credit rating of Security Bank, cites its assets

By Julito G. Rada GLOBAL debt watcher Moody’s Investors Service on Monday affirmed the investment grade rating of Security Bank Corp. with a stable outlook, citing the bank’s high asset quality and strong capital position following its partnership earlier with MUFG Bank Ltd. of Japan.

Moody’s said in a statement Security Bank’s Baa2 deposit ratings included a one-notch uplift from the bank’s baa3 Baseline Credit Assessment to reflect Moody’s expectation that the bank would receive support from the government of the Philippines in times of need.

The outlook on the long-term ratings is stable, in line with the stable outlook on the government’s bond rating.

“Security Bank’s baa3 BCA is underpinned by the bank’s above-industry-average asset quality and strong capital buffers, boosted by a capital infusion from its new strategic partner, MUFG Bank Ltd. At the same time, the BCA takes into account Moody’s expectation that following the capital infusion, the bank’s asset quality and capital profile will moderate over time because of its higher-than-industry growth plans,” Moody’s said.

“In addition, the BCA takes into account Security Bank’s modest funding, owing to its small deposit franchise and branch network in the Philippines and its higher reliance on market funds than that of its domestic peers.

The bank’s overall liquidity remains comfortable, with sufficient liquid resources to meet near-term obligations,” Moody’s said.

Moody’s assumes a moderate likelihood of government support for Security Bank’s depositors and senior unsecured creditors, driven by the bank’s significance to the Philippine banking system, which in turn is underpinned by its 4-percent share of total system deposits and sizable share of the domestic corporate and capital markets.

Security Bank’s deposit ratings of Baa2 are at the same level as the Philippines’ sovereign rating. Moody’s said it was unlikely that the bank’s ratings would be higher than the sovereign rating because Moody’s viewed the correlation of risk between the bank and the sovereign as high.

SMC’s tollway company raises profit to P791m

By Darwin G. Amojelar THE tollways unit of San Miguel Corp. said net income rose 5 percent in the first six months of the year due to higher vehicle traffic volume.

South Luzon Tollways Corp. booked a net profit of P791.2 million in the January-to-June period from P750.6 million year-on-year.

The company’s toll revenues amounted to P1.55 billion, up six percent from last year’s P1.47 billion, driven by higher vehicle traffic volume.

SLTC attributed the increase in revenue during the period to the expansion of housing communities and vibrant consumer socio-economic activities and industrial development in the south of Manila.

“These developments enhanced the volume for class 1 vehicle. The traffic volume for class 3 vehicles also went up mainly due to the thriving Calabarzon, the second most densely populated region after NCR [National Capital Region],” SLTC said.

Earlier, SLTC said it would spend P14.85 billion to extend South Luzon Expressway by more than 56 kilometers from Sto. Tomas, Batangas to Tayabas, Quezon.

The project is divided into five sections. Section 1 covers Sto. Tomas, Batangas to Macban, Laguna (11.32 km); Macban, Laguna to San Pablo, Laguna (12.2 km); San Pablo, Laguna to Tiaong, Quezon (7.5-km); Tiaong to Candelaria, Quezon (15 km) and Candelaria to Tayabas/Lucena, Quezon (10.93 km).

SLTC said the project would reduce travel time along the 58-kilometer stretch between Sto. Tomas and Lucena from four hours to one hour.

Standard Standard TODAY

TODAY

IN BRIEF Bodies found as floods recede KOCHI, India―Receding flood waters left Indian troops and rescuers the grim task Monday of hunting for bodies left by the worst monsoon in a century in Kerala state as the death toll rose above 400.

With nearly three quarters of a million people packed into relief camps in the southern state, known for its tourist beaches and hill resorts, authorities also fear outbreaks of disease.

After a week of fierce downpours, rainfall eased Monday and flood levels have fallen in many districts.

Army helicopters and boats kept up missions to find trapped survivors and drop food and water in isolated villages.

Officials said 22,000 people were rescued on Sunday. At least 30 bodies were also found taking the death toll above 200 since the torrential rain started falling on August 8 and more than 400 since the monsoon started in June. AFP

Trudeau to run again in 2019 MONTREAL―Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Sunday he will run for re-election in the 2019 legislative polls.

The Liberal Party leader was officially nominated by his party in the central Montreal district of Papineau, a centrist stronghold he has represented since 2008. He was re-elected in 2011 and 2015.

He spoke of his “deep conviction that despite the politics of fear and division, staying positive, pulling people together, looking for ways to emphasize our common ground, our shared values among our differences, is the only way to build a stronger country, a stronger world.”

Trudeau also promised to reduce the gap between rich and poor, and to lift up indigenous populations. AFP

B3

Earthquakes rock Lombok again M ATARAM, Indonesia―A series of powerful earthquakes have rocked the Indonesian holiday island of Lombok, killing at least 10 people and setting off fresh waves of panic after nearly 500 died there following a huge tremor two weeks ago.

The quakes hit throughout Sunday, with the first measuring 6.3 shortly before midday that triggered landslides and sent people fleeing for cover as parts of the island suffered blackouts.

It was followed nearly 12 hours later by a quake measuring 6.9 magnitude and a string of powerful aftershocks.

The picturesque island next to holiday hot spot Bali was already reeling from two deadly quakes on July 29 and August 5 that left hundreds of thousands homeless.

Ten people were killed in the quake Sunday evening, mostly by falling debris, with four deaths in eastern Lombok and six on the neighboring island of Sumbawa, according to the national disaster agency.

Two more Lombok residents died of heart attacks after the morning quake, it said.

Some two dozen people were injured and more than 150 homes and places of worship were damaged, the agency said.

“When the earthquake happened most people were outside their homes or at shelters so there have not been that many fatalities” compared to the August 5 tremor, said national disaster agency spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho.

“The trauma because of the earlier quake on Sunday (morning) made people prefer to stay outside,” he added.

Officials have evacuated some patients from a hospital in Sumbawa island and in Lombok’s capital Mataram for fear of worse destruction.

Blackouts have hit much of Lombok, according to Sutopo, who posted pictures of cracked roads and video footage of a large fire that broke out in a village

on Sumbawa.

Video images from an evacuation camp in Lombok showed children and adults taking cover inside makeshift tents.

“I’m too scared to stay at my house because it’s damaged,” said Lombok resident Saruniwati, who like many Indonesians goes by one name.

“I’ve been here since the quake [earlier this month].

I went home two days ago and now I’m back here again.”

Earlier, local resident Agus Salim said the powerful tremor jolted him awake Sunday evening.

“The earthquake was incredibly strong. Everything was shaking,” he told AFP. “Everyone ran into the street screaming and crying.”

A dozen foreign guests at the hotel Lina Senggigi, which is in a popular tourist spot, were ushered out of the building as the quake struck.

There were landslides in a national park on Mount Rinjani where hundreds of hikers had been briefly trapped after the quake in late July. The park has been closed since then. AFP

Confusion as Venezuelans await banknotes’ release

Shots fired at US embassy ANKARA―Gunshots were fired early Monday at the US embassy in Ankara but caused no casualties, Turkish and American officials said, amid the escalating tensions between the two NATO allies.

Six shots were fired at the US embassy, the Ankara governor’s office said, adding that three bullets hit the iron gate and window wall.

“There are no casualties,” it said.

US embassy spokesman David Gainer confirmed to AFP that a “security incident” had taken place.

“We have no reports of any injuries and we are investigating the details.

We thank the Turkish National Police for their rapid response,” he said.

A bullet mark was clearly visible on a security booth at the embassy, an AFP journalist at the scene reported. AFP

CYAN CYAN MAGENTA MAGENTA YELLOW YELLOW BLACK BLACK TUESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2018 CESAR BARRIOQUINTO, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

World

Manila Manila

ARAFAT DAY. Muslim pilgrims gather on Mount Arafat, also known as Jabal al-Rahma (Mount of Mercy), southeast of the Saudi holy city of Mecca on Arafat Day, which is the climax of the Hajj pilgrimage early on August 20, 2018. Arafat is the site where Muslims believe the Prophet Mohammed gave his last sermon about 14 centuries ago after leading his followers on the pilgrimage. AFP

S. Koreans meet relatives in North SOKCHO, South Korea―Dozens of elderly and frail South Koreans met their Northern relatives Monday for the first time since the peninsula and their families were divided by war nearly seven decades ago.

The three-day reunion is the first for three years and follows a diplomatic thaw on the peninsula. The meetings began at Mount Kumgang, a scenic resort in North Korea, Seoul government officials said.

Millions of people were swept apart by the 1950-53 Korean War, which separated brothers and sisters, parents and children and husbands and wives.

Hostilities ceased with an armistice rather than a peace treaty, leaving the two Koreas technically still at war and the peninsula split by the impenetrable Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), with all direct civilian exchanges― even mundane family news―banned.

The 89 aging South Koreans, dressed in their best suits in the scorching sun, hobbled one by one to 14 coaches in the South Korean port of Sokcho―wheelchairs alongside the vehicles― some excited and others in a state of disbelief.

Then the convoy set off, escorted by police and medical personnel, and later crossed the DMZ into the North.

Among the group was Lee Keum-seom, now a tiny and frail 92, who was to see her son for the first time since she and her infant daughter were separated from him and her husband as they fled.

At the time the boy was aged just four. He is now 71.

“I never imagined this day would come,” Lee said in Sokcho. “I didn’t even know if he was alive or not.”

With time taking its toll, such parent-child reunions have become rare. AFP

CARACAS―Beleaguered Venezuelans braced Monday for the roll-out of President Nicolas Maduro’s radical new plan to curb the spiraling hyperinflation that has thrown their oil-rich, cash-poor nation into turmoil.

Caracas is issuing new banknotes after lopping five zeroes off the crippled bolivar, casting a pall of uncertainty over businesses and consumers across the country.

“There will be a lot of confusion in the next few days, for consumers and the private sector,” said the director of the Ecoanalitica consultancy, Asdrubal Oliveros.

“It’s a chaotic scenario.”

Other measures―revealed by Maduro in a speech to the nation late Friday―include a massive minimum wage hike, the fifth so far this year.

As it stands, the monthly minimum wage―devastated by inflation and the aggressive devaluation of the bolivar―is still not enough to buy a kilogram of meat.

The embattled Maduro, a former bus driver and union leader, said the country needed to show “fiscal discipline” and stop the excessive money printing of recent years.

But economists say the radical overhaul could only make matters worse.

In the capital Caracas, residents were skeptical about the new measures.

“Everything will stay the same, prices will continue to rise,” 39-year-old Bruno Choy, who runs a street food stand, told AFP. Angel Arias, a 67-year-old retiree, dubbed the new currency a “pure lie!” AFP Republic Republic of of the the Philippines Philippines Province Province of of Bataan Bataan City City of of Balanga Balanga BIDS BIDS AND AND AWARDS AWARDS COMMITTEE COMMITTEE OFFICE OFFICE IInvItatIon nvItatIon to to B BIdId n noo.. G Goods oods-046-2018 -046-2018 046 046

The intends to to apply apply the the The Provincial Provincial Government Government of of Bataan, Bataan, through through the the Trust Trust Fund Fund intends below below listed listed procurement procurement w/ w/ corresponding corresponding Approved Approved Budget Budget of of the the Contract Contract (ABC).

(ABC).

Bids Bids received received in in excess excess of of the theABC ABC shall shall be be automatically automatically rejected rejected aa bid bid opening. opening.

Name Name of of Project Project

Approved Approved Budget Budget of of the the Contract Contract (ABC) (ABC)

1.

1. Purchase Purchase of ofThirty Thirty Five Five (35) (35) Units Units of =P= of Multi Multi Purpose Purpose Vehicle, Vehicle, 44 xx 22 for for Deployment Deployment =P= 29,995,000.00 29,995,000.00 to to Compliant Compliant Barangays Barangays in in the the Province Province of of Bataan Bataan The TheProvincial ProvincialGovernment Governmentof ofBataannow Bataannowinvites invitesbids bidsfor forthe theabove abovelisted listedProcurement.

Procurement.

Delivery Delivery of of goods goods isis required required within within 60 60 Days.

Days. Bidders Bidders should should have have completed, completed, at at least least one one (1) (1) contract contract that that isis similar similar to to the the contract contract to to be be bid. bid. The The description description of of an an eligible eligible bidder bidder isis contained contained in in the the Bidding Bidding Documents, Documents, particularly, particularly, in in Section Section II. II. Instructions Instructions to to Bidders.

Bidders.

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

Act”.

Republic Republicof ofthe thePhilippines Philippines CITY CITYGOVERNMENT GOVERNMENTOF OFCAVITE CAVITE Invitation Invitationto toBid Bidfor for Project ProjectNo. No.2018-3-43 2018-3-43 REGULAR REGULARHAULING HAULINGOF OFRESIDUAL RESIDUALWASTE WASTE(20,000 (20,000CU.M.) CU.M.) The TheCITY CITYGOVERNMENT GOVERNMENTOF OFCAVITE, CAVITE,through throughthe thePeace Peaceand andOrder Orderand andPublic PublicSafety Safety(POPS) (POPS) Fund Fund intends intends to to apply apply the the sum sum of of TWELVE TWELVE MILLION MILLION TWENTY-TWO TWENTY-TWO THOUSAND THOUSAND FOUR FOUR HUNDRED HUNDRED THREE THREE PESOS PESOSAND AND 46/100 46/100 (P (P12,022,403.46) 12,022,403.46) being being the theApproved Approved Budget Budget for for the the Contract Contract (ABC) (ABC) to to payments payments under under the the contract contract for for the the REGULAR REGULAR HAULING HAULING OF OF RESIDUAL RESIDUAL WASTE WASTE(20,000 (20,000CU.M) CU.M)AT ATMATERIAL MATERIALRECOVERY RECOVERYFACILITY FACILITY(MRF), (MRF),BARANGAY BARANGAY48-A, 48-A,SAN SAN ANTONIO, ANTONIO,CAVITE CAVITECITY. CITY.

RELIEF CAMP. Babies and their mothers seeking refuge from

1.

1.

Bids Bidsreceived receivedin inexcess excessof ofthe theABC ABCshall shallbe beautomatically automaticallyrejected rejectedat atthe thebidding. bidding.

2.

2.

The The CITY CITY GOVERNMENT GOVERNMENT OF OF CAVITE CAVITE now now invites invites bids bids for for the the REGULAR REGULAR HAULING HAULING OF OF RESIDUAL RESIDUALWASTE WASTE(20,000 (20,000CU.M) CU.M)AT ATMATERIAL MATERIALRECOVERY RECOVERYFACILITY FACILITY(MRF), (MRF),BARANGAY BARANGAY 48-A, 48-A, SAN SAN ANTONIO, ANTONIO, CAVITE CAVITE CITY. CITY.11 Completion Completion of of the the Works Works isis required required ONE ONE HUNDRED HUNDRED EIGHTY EIGHTY (180) (180) CALENDAR CALENDAR DAYS. DAYS. Bidders Bidders should should have have completed, completed, within within ten ten (10) (10) years years from from the the date date of of submission submission and and receipt receipt of of bids, bids, aa contract contract similar similar to to the the Project.

Project. The The description description of of an aneligible eligiblebidder bidderisiscontained containedin inthe theBidding BiddingDocuments, Documents,particularly, particularly,in inSection SectionII, II,Instruction Instructionto to Bidders.

Bidders.

3.

3.

Bidding Biddingwill willbe beconducted conductedthrough throughopen opencompetitive competitivebidding biddingprocedures proceduresusing usingnon-discretionary non-discretionary pass/fail pass/fail criterion criterion as as specified specified in in the the Implementing Implementing Rules Rules and and Regulations Regulations (IRR) (IRR) of of Republic RepublicAct Act 9184 9184(RA (RA9184), 9184),otherwise otherwiseknown knownas asthe the“Government “GovernmentProcurement ProcurementReform ReformAct”.

Act”.

flooding interact at a relief camp in Aluva on the outskirts of Kochi in the south Indian state of Kerala on August 20. AFP

Kicked out for buying sex JAKARTA―Four Japanese basketball players were sent home from the Asian Games in disgrace for paying prostitutes for sex as the regional Olympics was hit by scandal on Monday.

The players were spotted in a notorious red light district of Jakarta in their national jerseys, JOC officials said, adding that the four had been ordered to leave immediately.

News that Yuya Nagayoshi, Takuya Hashimoto, Takuma Sato, Keita Imamura had been booted out will come as a major embarrassment for Japan, which will host the Tokyo Olympics in two years’ time.

“I just feel a sense of shame,” Japan’s chef de mission Yasuhiro Yamashita told reporters. “We deeply apologize and intend to give the athletes thorough guidance from now on.”

The basketball players had dinner after leaving the Games village last Thursday and are believed to have been solicited by a pimp to go to a hotel with women, Yamashita added.

They “paid for the services of prostitutes”, Yamashita said, according to Japan’s Kyodo news agency.

The story broke after the four, who play in Japan’s B-League, were spotted in the red light district by a reporter for Japan’s Asahi Shimbun newspaper. AFP

Bidding Biddingisisrestricted restrictedto toFilipino Filipinocitizens/sole citizens/soleproprietorships, proprietorships,partnerships, partnerships,or ororganizations organizationswith withat at least leastseventy seventyfive fivepercent percent(75%) (75%)interest interestor oroutstanding outstandingcapital capitalstock stockbelonging belongingto tocitizens citizensof ofthe the Philippines.

Philippines.

4.

4.

Interested Interested bidders bidders may may obtain obtain further further information information from from BIDS BIDS &&AWARDS AWARDS COMMITTEE COMMITTEE –– CITY CITY GOVERNMENT GOVERNMENT OF OF CAVITE CAVITE and and inspect inspect the the Bidding Bidding Documents Documents at at the the address address given given below below from from9:00 9:00A.M A.M––4:00 4:00P.M. P.M.DURING DURINGWORKING WORKINGDAYS DAYSONLY. ONLY.

5.

5.

AAcomplete completeset setof ofBidding BiddingDocuments Documentsmay maybe bepurchased purchasedby byinterested interestedBidders Biddersfrom fromthe theaddress address below below and and upon upon payment payment of of aa nonrefundable nonrefundable fee fee for for the the Bidding Bidding Documents Documents in in the the amount amount of of TWENTY-FIVE TWENTY-FIVETHOUSAND THOUSANDPESOS PESOS(P25,000.00).

(P25,000.00).

ItIt may may also also be be downloaded downloaded free free of of charge charge from from the the website website of of the the Philippine Philippine Government Government Electronic Electronic Procurement Procurement System System (PhilGEPS) (PhilGEPS) and and the the website website of of the the Procuring Procuring Entity, Entity, provided provided that thatbidders biddersshall shallpay paythe thefee feefor forthe theBidding BiddingDocuments Documentsnot notlater laterthat thatthe thesubmission submissionof oftheir theirbids. bids.

6.

6.

The The BIDS BIDS AND AND AWARDS AWARDS COMMITTEE COMMITTEE –– CITY CITY GOVERNMENT GOVERNMENT OF OF CAVITEwill CAVITEwill hold hold aa Pre-Bid Pre-Bid Conference Conference on on August August 30, 30, 2018 2018 at at MULTI-PURPOSE MULTI-PURPOSE HALL HALL BUILDING, BUILDING, CITY CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S ADMINISTRATOR’S OFFICE, OFFICE, P. P. BURGOS BURGOS AVE., AVE., SAN SAN ROQUE, ROQUE, CAVITE CAVITE CITY, CITY, which which shall shall beopen beopenonly onlyto toall allinterested interestedparties partieswho whohave havepurchased purchasedthe theBidding BiddingDocuments.

Documents.

Bids Bidsmust mustbe bedelivered deliveredto tothe theaddress addressbelow belowon onor orbefore beforeSeptember September11, 11,2018 2018AT AT10:00 10:00A.M. A.M.at at the the BIDS BIDSAND ANDAWARDS AWARDS COMMITTEE COMMITTEE OFFICE OFFICE –– CITY CITY GOVERNMENT GOVERNMENT OF OF CAVITE. CAVITE. All All bids bids must mustbe beaccompanied accompaniedby byaabid bidsecurity securityin inany anyof ofthe theacceptable acceptableforms formsand andin inthe theamount amountstated stated in inITB ITBClause Clause18.

18.

Bids Bidswill willbe beopened openedin inthe thepresence presenceof ofthe thebidders’ bidders’representatives representativeswho whochoose chooseto toattend attendat atthe the address addressbelow. below.Late Latebids bidsshall shallnot notbe beaccepted. accepted.

The The CITY CITYGOVERNMENT GOVERNMENTOF OF CAVITE CAVITE reserves reserves the the right right to to accept accept or or reject reject any any bid, bid, to to annul annul the the bidding bidding process, process, and and to to reject reject all all bids bids at at any any time time prior prior to to contract contract award, award, without without thereby thereby incurring incurringany anyliability liabilityto tothe theaffected affectedbidder bidderor orbidders. bidders.

For Forfurther furtherinformation, information,please pleaserefer referto: to: Ms. Ms.RAEJEAN RAEJEANE. E.VASQUEZ VASQUEZ Head, Head,BAC BACSecretariat Secretariat Office Officeof ofthe theCity CityAdministrator Administrator Multi-Purpose Multi-PurposeHall HallBuilding, Building, San SanRoque, Roque,Cavite CaviteCity City cavitecityao@gmail.com cavitecityao@gmail.com Telefax: Telefax:046-431-0162 046-431-0162

Bidding Bidding isis open open to to all all interested interested bidders, bidders, whether whether local local or or foreign, foreign, subject subject to to the the conditions conditions for for eligibility eligibility provided provided in in the the Implementing Implementing Rules Rules and and Regulations Regulations (IRR) (IRR) of of Republic Republic Act Act (RA) (RA) 9184, 9184, otherwise otherwise known known as as the the “Government “Government Procurement Procurement Reform Reform Act”.

Act”.

Interested Interested bidders bidders may may obtain obtain further further information information from from Office Office of of Bataan Bataan Bids Bids &&Awards Awards Committeeand Committeeand inspect inspect the the Bidding Bidding Documents Documents from from 8:00 8:00 a.m. a.m. –– 5:00 5:00 p.m. p.m. at at the the same same office. office.

Bid Bid documents documents will will be be available available only only toto eligible eligible bidders bidders upon upon payment payment ofof aa non-refundable non-refundable amount amount ofof using usingstandard standardrates ratesapproved approvedby byGPPB GPPBas asstated statedon ontheir theirResolution ResolutionNo. No.04-2012 04-2012listed listedbelow. below.

Approved Approved Budget Budget for for the the Contract Contract 500,000 500,000 and and below below More More than than 500,000 500,000 up up to to 11 Million Million More More than than 11 Million Million up up to to 55 Million Million More More than than 55 Million Million up up to to 10 10 Million Million More More than than 10 10 Million Million up up to to 50 50 Million Million More More than than 50 50 Million Million up up to to 500 500 Million Million More More than than 500 500 Million Million

The The Provincial Provincial Government Government of of Bataan Bataan will will hold hold aa Pre-Bid Pre-Bid Conference Conference on on August August 28, 28, 2018 2018 at at 10:00 10:00 A.M A.M at at Provincial Provincial BAC BAC Office, Office, PEO PEO Capitol Capitol Compound, Compound, Balanga Balanga City, City, Bataan.

Bataan.

Bids Bidsmust mustbe bedelivered deliveredon onor orbefore beforeSeptember September10, 10,2018 2018at at2:00 2:00p.m. p.m.at atProvincial ProvincialBAC BAC Office, Office, PEO PEO Capitol Capitol Compound, Compound, Balanga Balanga City, City, Bataan.

Bataan. All All bids bids must must be be accompanied accompanied by by aa bid bid security security in in any any of of the the acceptable acceptable forms forms and and in in the the amount amount stated stated on on IRR IRR of of RA RA 9184 9184 or or Bid Bid Securing Securing Declaration Declaration in in standard standard form. form.

Bids Bids will will be be opened opened in in the the presence presence of of the the bidders’ bidders’ representatives representatives who who choose choose to to attend attend opening opening of of Bids Bids at at Bataan Bataan BAC BAC Office.

Office. Late Late bids bids shall shall not not be be accepted. accepted.

In In case case of of the the above above dates dates isis declared declared aa special special Non-Working Non-Working Holidays, Holidays, itit will will automatically automatically reset reset on on the the next next working working days. days.

Other Other necessary necessary information information deemed deemed relevant relevant by by the the Provincial Provincial Government Government of of Bataan Bataan Activities Activities 1.

1.Advertisement/Posting Advertisement/Posting of of Invitation Invitation to to Bid Bid 2.

2. Eligibility Eligibility Check Check 3.

3. Issuance Issuance and and availability availability of of Bidding Bidding Documents Documents 4.

4. Request Request for for Clarification Clarification 5.

5. Opening Opening of of Bids Bids

Schedule Schedule August August 21 21 -- 27, 27, 2018 2018 Refer Refer to to date date of of Opening Opening of of Bids Bids August August 21 21 –– September September 10, 10, 2018 2018 August August 31, 31, 2018 2018 September September 10, 10, 2018 2018

The The Provincial Provincial Government Government of of Bataan Bataan reserves reserves the the right right to to accept accept or or reject reject any any bid, bid, to to annul annul the the bidding bidding process, process, and and to to reject reject all all bids bids at at any any time time prior prior to to contract contract award, award, without without thereby thereby incurring incurring any any liability liability to to the the affected affected bidder bidder or or bidders. bidders.

For For further further information, information, please please refer refer to: to: Ms. Ms.Aileen Aileen C. C. Sagun Sagun Provincial Provincial BAC BAC // PEO PEO Bataan Bataan Provincial Provincial BAC BAC // PEO PEO Office, Office, Capitol Capitol Compound, Compound, BalangaCity, BalangaCity, Bataan Bataan 047-237-9316 047-237-9316 bac@bataan.gov.ph bac@bataan.gov.ph

(SGD) (SGD)Arch.

Arch.ALLISON ALLISONB. B.SANTIAGO SANTIAGO City CityAdministrator Administrator BAC BACChairperson Chairperson (MS-AUG. (MS-AUG.21, 21,2018) 2018)

Maximum Maximum Cost Cost of of Bidding Bidding Documents Documents (in (in Philippine Philippine Peso) Peso) 500.00 500.00 1,000.00 1,000.00 5,000.00 5,000.00 10,000.00 10,000.00 25,000.00 25,000.00 50,000.00 50,000.00 75,000.00 75,000.00

(MS-AUG. (MS-AUG.21, 21,2018) 2018)

(SGD) (SGD) EMERLINDA EMERLINDAS. S. TALENTO TALENTO BAC BAC Vice-Chair Vice-Chair

CYAN CYAN MAGENTA MAGENTA YELLOW YELLOW BLACK BLACK

LGUs

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

B4

LocaL government units

tuesday, august 21, 2018

QC vice mayor pushes for drug-free work environment

Estrada earmarks P83m for garbage collection, disposal MANILA Mayor Joseph Estrada has set aside at least P83 million to keep Manila clean and to address the existing garbage problem, starting from collection and transportation to disposal system.

Floods have swamped many parts of Manila during the recent habagat rains due to waterways clogged with garbage.

“To address the garbage problem, I have already set aside P45 million for the Department of Public Services to hire 1,000 street sweepers and another P38 million to purchase six dump trucks,” Estrada said.

Estrada said he is just waiting for the City Council to approve the resolution for the implementation of the project.

He also warned the city’s hauling contractor, IPM, to improve its garbage collection or he will revoke its contract with the city government.

Estrada likewise appealed to PhilEco, the barge operator that transports tons of garbage to the Navotas dumpsite, to prioritize hauling the waste from Manila.

Jica funds P16.8-m upland road project

By Ben Moses Ebreo KASIBU, Nueva Vizcaya—The Japanese International Cooperation Agency has funded the construction of a P16.8 million road project to further boost the agricultural economy of the community.

The road project will be constructed in the upland barangay of Nantawakan.

“It was a dream come true. With this project, our farmers will have more ease in bringing their products to the market,” said Juanita Dumayahon, a 73-year-old resident.

She said the 5.7-kilometer tire path is a fulfillment of the government’s commitment to uplift the lives of the indigenous people in the upland areas of Nueva Vizcaya.

The recent groundbreaking program was attended by Gov. Carlos Padilla, Mayor Alberto Bumulo, Department of Environment and Natural Resources—Forest Land Management Project Dir. Marlon Atienza and former Gov. Ruth Padilla.

The project, which is being implemented under the Agri-Forestry Support Facilities of the DENRFLMP, is expected to be completed in March 2019.

The tirepath project will also benefit villagers of sitios Upper Parai, Domang and Bingo.

“The project will not only benefit the farmers in the faster delivery of their agricultural product but it will also help boost the agri-tourism industry of the municipality,” Padilla said.

He said three more upland towns of Nueva Vizcaya are also expected to receive the same project from Jica.

Padilla said the other recipients are Kayapa town with P14.1 million for a 7.1-km tire path, Ambaguio town with P19 million for the construction of Ammoweg Bridge, and Dupax del Norte town with P17 million for a 3.2km tirepath.

By Rio N. Araja

BILATERAL TIES. Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista unveils the special marker installed at the Philippine-Israel Friendship Park

dedicated to the late President Manuel Quezon in honor of his effort to save the lives of over 1,000 Jewish refugees during World War II, and also to commemorate the Philippines’ vote in favor of the creation of the state of Israel. Also in photo are Cory Quirino (third from left), Manuel R. Roxas, grandson of former President Manuel Roxas (second from right), Israeli Ambassador to the Philippines Ephraim Ben Matityau (far right), National Historical Commission of the Philippines chairman Dr. Rene Escalante (far left), and Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque (second from left). The Philippine-Israel Friendship Park is located inside the Quezon Memorial Circle.

Leptospirosis death toll up by 100% in Pangasinan

L

INGAYEN, Pangasinan—The Pangasinan Provincial Health Office has recorded 137 cases of leptospirosis in the province from Jan. 1 to Aug. 13 this year, representing a 90-percent increase from the 72 cases recorded during the same period last year.

Anna Teresa De Guzman, provincial health officer, said 21 fatalities have been recorded this year, up by more than 100 percent from only 10 deaths recorded during the same period last year.

Most of the victims, she said, were male, between 15 to 24 years old.

PHo is closely monitoring the towns and cities with the highest number of leptospirosis cases, including Binmaley

with 13 cases; Mangaldan and Mangatarem with seven cases each; Sual with six cases; Calasiao and San Fabian with five cases each; and Manaoag, Sta. Barbara, Umingan and Urdaneta City with four cases each, De Guzman said.

Dagupan City, a chartered city of the province, recorded 34 cases of leptospirosis with four mortalities from January 1 to August 13 this year.

De Guzman noted that leptospirosis

cases in Pangasinan soared last month when severe flooding took place in the province due to intensified southwest monsoon rains.

“Seek early consultation. Do not self- medicate if flu-like symptoms are being experienced. Wear boots if there is flooding in your area. If you cannot avoid soaking in the flood waters make sure to take prophylaxis for leptospirosis, which you can ask from your health center,” she said.

“Clean your surroundings. Throw your garbage properly, so there will be no rats in your area. And eat vegetables, fruits and drink plenty of water, so that your immune system will be strong,” De Guzman added. PNA

PRC distributes safe housing units to ‘Yolanda’victims

By Ronald O. Reyes MACARTHUR, Leyte—The Philippine Red Cross has continued the promotion of community resilience in areas hit by 2013 Super Typhoon “Yolanda” through the distribution of safe and durable housing units.

PRC chairman and Senator Richard Gordon said they remain “committed to helping people get back on their feet” as he led the turnover ceremony of another 48 permanent shelters to storm victims in the interior village of Villa Imelda in Mac Arthur, Leyte over the weekend.

“We came here to honor you. We’re here to strengthen each other,” said Gordon who was accompanied by American Red Cross Country Rep. Shir Shah Ayobi.

Gordon said the Villa Imelda Relocation Site has 24 duplex housing units, a multipurpose hall, 14 community solar lights, a drainage system, and individual household water connection.

Recipients of the housing units were the those who were affected by the declaration of no-dwelling or no-build zones in the area.

Gordon thanked the coordinated efforts of volunteers from the Red Cross’ “Tindog

Senator Richard Gordon, who is also the chairman of the Philippine Red Cross, along with American Red Cross Country Rep. Shir Shah Ayobi, lead the turnover of 48 houses for ‘Yolanda’ victims in Brgy. Imelda, Mac Arthur, Leyte. Ronald O. Reyes

Leyteno Tabang Program” which covers The program has already helped health, shelter, water and sanitation, liveli- 26,820 individuals and 5,364 househood and disaster risk reduction. holds in the province.

QUEzoN City Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte on Monday urged bar, clubs and businesses to promote a drug-free workplace.

“While those who work in the city government are already required to undergo drug testing at least once a year, we also want drug-free business establishments in the private sector,” she said.

She cited the “Quezon City Business Establishment Drug-Free ordinance” which aims to promote a “safe and healthy environment free from the use of dangerous drugs” pursuant to the Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

The measure covers entertainment establishments, such as KTV bars, nightclubs, spas, massage parlors, bars, restaurants and other business establishments employing 10 or more workers.

“To help the business establishments, we have an ordinance to establish more drug testing centers in our health centers, in the Quezon City General Hospital, and in the Novaliches District Hospital so that [employees] can go there in addition to all the other DoH-accredited laboratories,” she said.

S. Cotabato seeks oil palm expansion GENERAL SANToS CITY—The provincial government of South Cotabato is pushing for the entry of foreign investors to help expand the province’s growing oil palm plantations.

Emmanuel Jumilla, head of the South Cotabato Local Economic and Investment Promotions office, said they have initiated discussions with potential investors for the development of more oil palm farms in parts of the province.

Jumilla said they are currently working on establishing linkages with palm oil producers in Indonesia to explore possible expansions in the area.

Last month, officials from the Indonesian consulate in Davao City offered to facilitate investments by Indonesian palm oil companies during a visit in the province.

“We’re mainly offering the development of some of our idle lands for these projects,” Jumilla said.

Based on a report from the office of the Provincial Agriculturist, he said around 1,500 hectares of land are currently planted with oil palm.

Jumilla said they are encouraging local farmers to plant oil palm in idle lands within their farms as an alternative crop.

“We’re offering it as an option to turn vacant lands into productive farmlands,” he said.

The opening of a refinery plant in the area will be a big boost to the province’s oil palm sector as by-products of palm oil are much more expensive than raw oil palm, he added. PNA

Mabolo school seeks 4-peat of Brigada award WHAT does a multi-awarded elementary school do after winning a major award for exemplary school opening preparations three years in a row?

Simple. Aim higher and aim for a fourth award.

Mabolo Elementary School, which sits on the corner of M.J. Cuenco and Juan Luna Avenues in Cebu City, showcases a simple and unassuming façade.

Yet behind the school’s walls and gates is an engaged community of teachers, students, and volunteers who eagerly prepare the school well in time for the opening of classes every year.

Last year, the Department of Education recognized Mabolo Elementary School

as the country’s best implementer of Brigada Eskwela Plus, a “national community involvement in education” initiative. The recognition is for initiatives such as disaster preparedness site development plans, anti-drug campaigns, financial literacy programs, and school beautification plans, among others.

“We are hoping to sustain that this year. In fact, we are now vying for the Hall of Fame award this year,” Teresita Manzanades, Mabolo Elementary School principal, shares proudly, referring to the activity’s national awarding this December.

The private sector plays a major part in the improvement of schools like Ma-

bolo Elementary School. For instance, the Aboitiz Group has in recent years intensified its participation during Brigada Eskwela Plus on top of the annual school repainting and refurbishing drives undertaken by company volunteers.

Earlier this year, AboitizPower unit Visayan Electric Co. Inc., the country’s second-largest private distribution utility, launched at Mabolo Elementary School its first-ever E-Learning Center. Formerly a dilapidated bus, the vehicle was transformed into a leaning space with equipment that set a different standard of learning to inspire students to stay in school and perform better.

Life Nurture nature

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

health and environment

@MstandardLIFe tuesday, august 21, 2018

C1

How a luxury resort puts sustainability first

SOWING SUSTAINABILITY. Luxury resort Club Paradise Palawan has been proactive in protecting and sustaining the environment in its day-to-day operations through its ECOCONSERVE program.

T

The resort’s own Taranuman Farm supplies fresh herbs and vegetables so guests can enjoy true farmto-table dishes.

HE welfare of guests is top priority and “the” business of tourism industry players, especially hotels and resorts. but aside from making sure service and amenities are good, more and more upscale establishments seek to ensure that how they do business creates the least impact on the environment through proper management and planning controls.

Initiatives that promote sustainability have become timely and important globally and nationally primarily because sustainability makes perfect business sense. by taking care of the environment and the communities where they operate, businesses make a positive impact on society, the local economy, and the bottom line, and ensure their own longterm survival.

Club Paradise Palawan, a premier resort managed by the Discovery Leisure Company, is among those forwardlooking properties that have realized sustainability is good for business.

The Coron-based resort has been proactive in protecting and sustaining the environment in its day-to-day operations through its program called ECOCONSERVE. ECOCONSERVE aims to rebuild, protect, and conserve the environment. It is one of the sustainability initiatives of the Discovery Group, which also supports the annual Sustainable Seafood Week and the Heirloom Rice Project in the Cordillera region.

“Sustainability and environmental consciousness is one of the organiza-

of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization that is a nesting site for hawksbill and green sea turtles.

Annually, from November to January, around 200 turtle hatchlings are released to the ocean.

Club Paradise Palawan is also comtion’s top priorities,” says Joegil Esco- mitted to protect the azure waters that surround it against ilbar, resort manager. legal fishermen. It acts as “Sea Guardians” of marine ecosystems and reefs.

The Discovery Scouts program aims to develop in children love for Mother Earth. It organizes different activities daily at 4:00 p.m. at the Tree House.

At the Firefish Restaurant and Lounge, on the other hand, delightful internainterna tional and homegrown comcom fort cuisine is served using ingredients from sustainable sources. The resort’s own Taranuman Farm, for instance, supplies fresh herbs and vegetables so guests can enjoy true farm-to-table dishes.

The CoronThe verdant 19 hecbased resort is committed to protect tares where Club Paradise the azure waters that surround it against illegal fishermen.

Palawan’s island resort is He continues, “We see them as part located is home to beautiful birds, fruit and parcel of our responsibility to act as bats, and other wildlife. A dense forstewards for the environment, working est cover provides a natural habitat for hand in hand with the communities we these creatures.

Further, in the pipeline is a water deserve in caring for nature.”

Through ECOCONSERVE, Club salination plant to provide the island a Paradise Palawan promotes “nurture drought-proof, alternative water supply.

Club Paradise Palawan also undernature” through its line-up of activities takes beach clean-up activities regularly and initiatives.

For instance, the hotel ensures the with the help of volunteers. It practices protection of its 700-meter pristine waste segregation by providing colorbeach, situated in a biosphere Reserve coded garbage bins within the property.

Luxury resort Club Paradise Palawan ensures the protection of its 700-meter beach, which is a nesting site for hawksbill and green sea turtles.

Lymphatic filariasis is a debilitating mosquito-transmitted disease that can lead to elephantiasis.

Pharma firm donates 255-m albendazole tablets GLObAL pharmaceutical company GSK has donated 255 million tablets used to eliminate lymphatic filariasis in the Philippines over the last 17 years. by the end of 2018, GSK projects to reach the albendazole donation to reach 261 million tablets. This medicine is used in combination with other medicines to help prevent transmission of lymphatic filariasis.

Lymphatic filariasis or LF is a mosquito-transmitted disease that burdens identified rural communities in the country. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, LF is found in the tropical and sub-tropical areas of Africa, Asia, the Pacific, the Middle East, and the Americas.

This disease is one of the world’s leading causes of disability. The World Health Organization says the symptoms can include chronic swelling of the legs, arms, and male genitals. People with LF are also less able to resist common skin infections, resulting in a cruel cycle of fever and painful swellings. In its severest form, it leads to elephantiasis, a crippling condition in which the limbs are swollen with marked thickening of the skin and underlying tissues.

The WHO estimates that 856 million people in 52 countries are living in areas where LF is transmitted and are at risk of being infected.

In the Philippines, it was reported in year 2000 that over 25 million people live in LF-endemic areas.

Following almost two decades of successful LF elimination efforts by

the Philippine government led by the Department of Health, the DOH reported that only eight provinces remain endemic for LF out of the 46 earlier established.

During the first Asean Lymphatic Filariasis Forum 2018, which was held in Manila in July, Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III stressed, “The DOH is ready to take the challenge of eliminating filariasis in the country by being more responsive through the DOH’s revitalized agenda of Fourmula 1 Plus for Health.”

Fourmula 1 Plus for Health is a DOH strategy focusing on health financing, health service delivery network, health regulation, governance in health, and performance accountability.

GSK Philippines general manager Sriram Jambunathan commended the DOH for its achievement in the elimination of LF in many provinces in the last two decades.

“This is a testament to the commitment and dedication of the government at the national and local government units, especially the health workers delivering treatments on the ground,” said Jambunathan.

He continued, “We, in GSK, remain committed to playing our part with the global donation of albendazole for as long as it is needed to replicate this success throughout the remaining eight endemic provinces, freeing Filipino communities from the burden of LF.” Globally, GSK has donated 8 billion tablets of albendazole to help eliminate this disabling disease.

Life

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tuesday, august 21, 2018 manilastandardlife@gmail.com

Studies show the risk of death due to influenza complications for people with heart conditions increases tenfold.

Diabetics need to maintain their body’s defense against viruses.

P

4 high-risk groups that need to avoid flu

eoPLe often mistake flu as an easy-tocure disease, disregarding the fact that, if left undiagnosed and untreated, it can lead to serious complications.

According to the center for disease control and Prevention, patients already diagnosed with other complications have a compromised immune system. More than finding a cure, it’s crucial for these high-risk groups to avoid flu altogether.

Those with heart conditions

Almost half of the patients suffering from cardiovascular diseases are hospitalized because of influenza. Unfortunately, the cdc said, risk of influenza-related hospitalization is three times more for patients with heart diseases. Aside from hospitalization risks, respiratory infections like flu can trigger a heart attack. Studies show the risk of death due to influenza complications for people with heart conditions increases tenfold.

Nutritionists advise individuals to plan their diet based on a rainbow, which means it should include all healthy colors, from green to purple.

The immune system of chronic kidney disease patients is weaker.

Those with diabetes

Aside from managing their sugar levels, diabetics also need to maintain their body’s defense against viruses and infections as occurrence of flu can be more frequent for them. According to the cdc, people who are suffering from the disease are three to six times more likely to be hospitalized due to flu. What is more dreadful is that with influenza complications, the risk of death in diabetics can increase up to six times more than the average.

Those with kidney disorders

Just like those with heart conditions and diabetes, the immune system of chronic kidney disease patients is weaker, thus compromising their recovery. dr. Leslie Spry, in article published on the national Kidney Foundation website, urged patients with chronic disease and those who went through a kidney transplant to have flu shots, as people with kidney disorders have 10 times more chances of getting pulmonary infections like flu. influenza can

It is crucial for patients diagnosed with other health complications to avoid flu altogether.

trigger pneumonia in kidney disease system. More often, flu infections can sufferers which adds another layer of cause complications like pneumonia, risk in their recovery. according to the cdc. A list of recommended vaccines, which includes for Those infected with HIV diseases such as hepatitis B, pneumoHiV weakens the body’s immune nia, and influenza is given to those insystem and a viral infection like flu can fected with HiV to prevent worsening stress an already weakened immune of their conditions.

Purple means healthy

According to nutritionists, the healthy content of fruits, vegetables, and other plant-based food are reflected on their colors. This has to do with phytochemicals—naturally occurring compounds on plants that provide their color, odor, and flavor.

“Fruits that are blue and purple carry anthocyanin that helps the heart and blood pressure. reds are rich in cancerfighting lycopene. Yellow and orange fruits and vegetables are abundant in vitamin c and beta-cryptoxanthin, which is converted to vitamin A when ingested by the body. green vegetables carry vitamin K, folic acid, potassium, carotenoids, and modest amounts of omega-3 fatty acids,” explains Ma. Paz L. Sales, a registered nutritionist-dietitian. nutritionists generally advise individuals to plan their diet based on a “rainbow” and inject a balanced mix of various colors into their diet.

However, not all colors are found in local fruits and vegetables.

“Unlike other colored fruits and vegetables, blue and purple hues don’t occur locally as much, except on a few plants. They are equally important since they bring anthocyanin and polyphenols that lessen the risk of lifestyle diseases, such as cancer and heart illnesses,” says Sales.

The most popular fruit under these spectrum are grapes. Welch’s 100 percent grape juices maximize the naturally occurring nutrients of the concord grape. grapes from this variety have thick, dark purple skins and crunchy seeds, which carry the healthy polyphenols behind the grape’s “superfruit” status.

The American drink company claims drinking Welch grape juice provides more polyphenols than eating the same fruit, as making a pure grape juice involves crushing the fruit, including seeds and dark purple skin, which releases more of these nutrients.

Welch’s 100 percent grape juice is available in leading supermarkets nationwide.

iphoto

PCHRD taps DLSU’s medical school in multimillion TB study de LA SALLe Health Sciences institute’s Angelo King Medical research center has been tapped by the Philippine council for Health research and development to undertake a multimillion study in the continuing fight against drug-resistant tuberculosis.

The study, officially titled the “community Approach to control and Halt drug-resistant Tuberculosis” or coAcH–drTB, will aid the country’s national Tuberculosis Program in formulating the policies and guidelines in investigating the household contacts of active TB cases, and in enhancing the support of local partners in managing TB in the community.

The study will also assess the effectiveness of the community approach in detecting and treating drug-resistant TB cases. Another goal of the study is to create a “Biobank” where a collection of body samples and specimens from patients suffering from the disease will be stored in a laboratory so that future researchers can use the specimens to study TB or other diseases that can affect TB in the future. dLSHSi’s vice chancellor for research and noted TB expert dr. charles Y. Yu will be the principal investigator of the study. He will be aided by subinvestigators dr. Victoria dalay, dr.

Melchor Frias, dr. Jovilia Abong, and

PCHRD executive director Dr. Jaime Montoya with DLSHSI president Br. Gus Boquer and vice chancellor for research Dr. Charles Yu at the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement for the COACH-DRTB project.

naida Marcelo, all from the Angelo King Medical research center.

The project will run for five years and has an approved budget of P123 million. coAcH–drTB is one of the biggest funded projects of PcHrd. PcHrd’s department of Science and Technology executive director dr. Jaime Montoya said they are truly blessed to be working with dr. Yu’s team. dr. Montoya said he hopes that through this project they can significantly contribute to con-

trolling tuberculosis in the Philippines.

“As a national coordinating agency for health research, your success is our success and that we all work for a common goal and that is to provide the best quality healthcare for each and every Filipino. We look forward to the successful conclusion and maybe even better future partnerships with dLSHSi with the group of dr. Yu,” dr. Montoya said during the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement for the project.

Medical supplies store unveils GE’s panda Incubator HealthSolutions Enterprises Inc. president and chief executive Ralph A. Ante together with Yin Ching Fong, product marketing leader-Asean for Life Care Solutions of GE Healthcare and HealthSolutions Enterprises, Inc. chief operating officer Ronnie J. Herrera, recently unveiled GE Healthcare’s Panda Incubator to doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals at the Edsa Shangri-La Hotel in Mandaluyong City. The Panda Incubator is an innovation that aims to keep newborn babies in the NICU healthy, with its reliable, simple, and flexible design that is easy to use.

Entertainment

TUESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2018

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nickie.standard@gmail.com

Toni Gonzaga on providing Seve the #SpringofLove

By Dence Benedito MANY consider Toni Gonzaga as one of the most admired new moms in show business for being able to perfectly balance her commitments and responsibilities as a TV host and actress, daughter, sister, wife, and a mother.

In the press launch of Nature’s Spring Distilled Water, a product that she endorses along with her sister Alex Gonzaga, Toni revealed the many little things that make her feel fulfilled as a mom, and among them are discovering the right and best choices for her son, Seve.

“Finding something as basic yet as essential as safe and clean drinking water with guaranteed quality, inexpensive, talagang nakakasaya at nakakapagbigay ng fulfilment sa ‘kin,” she said.

Toni, who is thankful and confident to the bottled water’s guaranteed quality, said that all mothers will find peace of mind in terms of finding clean and safe drinking water for their child.

It is with Nature’s Spring, that mothers are capable of showing the overflowing spring of love to their babies.

Alex, in also spreading the flow of her spring of love to her nephew said, “Kami kasing magkapatid, hawaan eh.

Nakakahawa yung outpouring of love nya. Parang nag-viral sa akin. Kaya pati ako ganun na rin kay Seve. I guess motherly love is like that, it serves as an inspiration.”

Meanwhile, with Paul Soriano on board as the TVC director, Toni shared with MS Entertainment how Seve felt so “homey” and comfortable during their shoot with Nature’s Spring.

“He didn’t really feel like he was working at all, it was such a home-y environment, especially our family from Nature’s Spring made sure na Seve is not at all forced or pressured to do anything out of his not liking,” she said.

“It was an easy shoot for everybody else, it was Paul directing the commercial, mas may affiliation, mas may connection silang dalawa so it was just a fun environment for all of us,” Toni added.

According to Toni, the feeling is surreal and overwhelming when you’re working with your child.

“Minsan hindi pa rin ako makapaniwala, na ang katrabaho mo ay nanggaling sa’yo. It’s still surreal, overwhelming,” she said.

Toni and Paul became open to opportunities for Seve like doing commercials when he turned 1 year old.

Siblings Alex and Toni with baby Seve

Thai film

‘BROTHER OF THE YEAR’

moves you to ‘happy tears’

KRIS BERNAL

not quitting showbiz

Sunny and Chanchalerm with film director Vithaya Thongyuyong pose for the cameras during the film's presscon held at Marco Polo Hotel in Pasig.

By Darwin Pesco

T

HE director and cast members of the Thai film Brother of the Year assured Filipino fans to be filled with happiness after watching the movie, which is set to premiere nationwide next month.

“All can relate to it,” Sunny Suwanmethanont, Chanchalerm Manasaporn and director Vithaya Thongyuyong said in unison promising fans to leave the cinema with teary eyes when they promoted their latest feature in a press conference held at Marco Polo Hotel in Pasig The romantic-comedy movie stars Thai heartthrob Sunny, Nichkhun Horvejkul of Korean boy band 2PM, and TV Actress Urassaya “Yaya” Sperbund. After the success of his films My Girl and The Little Comedian, director Vithaya is happy to share his latest feature with the Filipino viewers.

He immediately accepted directing the film for he found each sibling relationship as “very engaging and unique.”

From the production studio Gross Domestic Happiness (GDH) that produced the top-grossing film Bad Genius, Brother of the Year has been ranked as No. 1 in Thai box offices and across Asia. Garnering about 250 Million Baht (approximately 7.8 million dollars), the film is touted as the highest-grossing Thai film that has been screened across Asia.

Additionally, the film revolves around the siblings, Chut (Sunny) and Jane (Sperbund). They have a cat-dog quarrel about anything that tests their relationship. Chut as “demon brother” makes a lot of trouble to his sister even to her perfect half-Japanese boyfriend Moji (Nichkhun Horvejkul). The

CROSSWORD PUZZLE Tuesday, August 21, 2018

ACROSS 1 Flinch 6 Location technique (abbr.)

9 Jug and cooler 14 Dress up 15 — and Perrins (steak sauce) 16 Courtyards 17 Wandered freely 18 Hearing aid?

19 Sends a package 20 Place to learn about stars 23 Urban rds.

24 Gouda cousin 25 Showed the way 27 “— never fly” 30 NHL team 35 Playwright — Coward 36 Ms. Thurman 37 Student 39 Comet cloud 40 Rajahs’ wives 42 Polynesian cookout 43 Oodles (2 wds.)

44 Unit of work 45 They need a PIN 46 Trickiest 50 Siesta

51 Payable now 52 Leaning tower town 54 Villain’s cry 57 Arrange 63 Wolf-pack member (hyph.)

65 Intimidate 66 Bogged down 67 Delicate fabric 68 Get more mellow 69 Get on a plane 70 Mug 71 Riled up 72 Tick off DOWN 1 Deform 2 False god 3 Exploding star 4 Like many battlements 5 Wrapped up 6 Twinkles 7 A fruit 8 Indian wrap 9 Got stuck 10 — — premium 11 Spring flower 12 Cheerful tone 13 Talk back 21 Mai — 22 Arm bones 26 Statement

Thai actors Sunny Suwanmethanont and Chanchalerm Manasaporn in a scene from the film 'Brother of the Year,' which also stars 2PM's Nichkhun Horvejkul.

27 Quechua speaker 28 Hammers and saws 29 Kind of pie 31 Charge ahead 32 Friend of Henri 33 Trip itinerary 34 Pants features 38 Do housework 40 Type in again 41 “Exodus” name 47 Novelist Jane — 48 Erupted

49 Bob Cratchit’s son 53 Brazilian dance 54 Shacks 55 Border on 56 Plot inconsistency 58 Swindle 59 Livy’s togs 60 Mideast power 61 Goose egg 62 Mini vortex 64 Ring champ

siblings are never finding the middle ground, and it affects every decision in their life.

Asked about working with his director and co-stars, Sunny said that he felt a connection with all the people in the movie.

“It’s like the past life, destiny is destiny,” Thai actor comically remarked.

Director Vithaya has a plan to make a film similar to Brother if he would be given an opportunity, and this time with a Filipino as one of the siblings.

“We’re all Asians, all can appreciate this movie,” the director said as he believes that Filipinos can also relate to the message of the movie, which is loving our siblings no matter what.

Similarity of the Philippine and Thailand culture added to the director’s certainty that Filipinos can find the film great.

“You will cry watching this movie,” casts vowed and they also invited all the Filipinos to go watch the film. They have a plan to go back to the Philippines for they found the country similar to Thailand. Furthermore, the film will make everyone realize that people are lucky to have siblings.

Right after the press conference, a red carpet premiere happened on Cinema 7 of SM Megamall. Fans were given a chance to meet and greet the actors and director, and they luckily got the chance to watch the film ahead of its nationwide showing on Sept. 5.

ACCORDING to Kris Bernal, there’s no truth to the rumor that she is soon quitting show business and just concentrate on her business.

In a recent interview, the actress said it’s not true and that as long as she’s being offered with projects, she’d continue working.

“I just want to have other things to do apart from showbiz that’s why I venture into business. I mean, it’s crazy to do showbiz 24/7, right? You have to have other diversions and for me, it’s business,” she says.

Maturity gradually becomes her.

“I’m 29 already. I’m not that young anymore to be a robot in the business and listen to what others tell me. I have my own decisions now and it’s good because my life has directions, right?”

As long as GMA is still giving her assignments, the petite star promises she’ll continue acting.

“In fact, I have an upcoming show opposite Thea Tolentino. It has an interesting plot in which my former husband will become my rival. My leading man here is a former talent of the other network who switched to being a Kapuso. I’m sure viewers will be intrigued by our latest offering so they better watch out for it.”

Speaking of partner, Kris reveals she’s not getting married anytime soon.

“I’m still saving. Even if I have a little money and business already, I feel it’s not yet time. I’m planning it after three years. At this point, I would like to take advantage of the fact that I can use myself to market my business,” she states. *** It’s the first time that Cherry Pie Picache will be working with Maine Mendoza in the 2018 Metro Manila Film Festival entry Jack en Poy: The Pulis Incredibles topbilled by Vic Sotto and Coco Martin and she only has good words for the Kapuso star.

“That’s right,” she avers. “I’ve worked with Bossing and Coco many times already but with Maine, it’s my first time. Surprisingly, contrary to her comic and cheerful side on screen, I find her very quiet off cam. You wouldn’t believe that she’s the jolly girl seen every day on ‘Eat Bulaga.’ As I’ve said, she’s just quiet.”

They met during the recent story conference of the movie.

“That’s the first time that I’ve met her personally. I haven’t really had the chance to talk to her, but with the little time given to us, it was a nice experience. Maine is such a pleasant lady and I’m glad to have the opportunity to work with her on this project.”

The award-winning character actress is grateful as well to be part of the movie.

“But of course! Who wouldn’t be?

Apart from Maine, it’s with Coco and Bossing. It’s a great opportunity to be working with people you love to work with. Work becomes fun and enjoyable. There’s no dull moment.”

Cherry Pie is aware that their film faces stiff competition from other equally interesting entries particularly Vice Ganda’s Fantastica: The Princess, The Prince and The Perya.

“Oh, I know! This early, many are already pitting the two movies against each other. I believe it will be a constructive and positive competition if ever. The annual film fest is a very lucrative avenue and a perfect time to showcase nice Filipino movies. This forthcoming edition of the MMFF is no exception.

“I’m certain that it’s the primary intention of each of the entries to entertain the viewers. Of course, to do well at the box-office is there already but first and foremost, it’s for the enjoyment of local film buffs. They’re really the star of the festival. So I’m praying and hoping that all entries this year will score big at the tills,” ends Cherry Pie. Kris Bernal photographed in her newly-opened Korean restaurant in Quezon City.

Nickie Wang, Issue Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com

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Entertainment

TUESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2018

Donita Rose whips up Pinoy dishes with a twist CELEBRITY chef Donita Rose takes over the primetime once more as the Heart Mate Kitchen’s Season 2 Cooking Capsules go on air in GMA 7 starting tomorrow until October this year.

Donita’s easy-to-follow and heartfriendly Filipino recipes are guaranteed to be delicious and healthy for the whole family with the use of Jolly Heart Mate Canola Oil, the consistent #1 Canola Oil brand in the Philippines.

Heart Mate Kitchen Season 2, coproduced by GMA 7 and Jolly Heart Mate Canola Oil, will air during commercial gaps of Unang Hirit and Wowowin during weekdays and in Sarap Diva and Kapuso Movie Festival during weekends.

While the Season 1 focused on Donita’s twists on Filipino dishes, the second season will showcase Chef Donita solving real kitchen problems with the help of Kapuso celebrities.

The episodes are filled with hearty conversation and excitement as Chef Donita will be cooking dishes with some of the country’s favorite Kapuso stars: slumber party meal for kids with Camille Prats, out-of-town “baon” food with Mikael Daez, post-work-out meal with Rocco Nacino, a dish to impress Jason Abalos’ grandparents, heart-healthy breakfast for Julie Anne San Jose, family-friendly dish for Zoren Legazpi’s kids, and a movie dinner meal with Yasmien Kurdi.

“The Season 2 episodes showcase recipes that anyone can cook at home, especially with the use of the hearthealthy Jolly Heart Mate Canola Oil that perfectly suits all kinds of cooking techniques while keeping the dishes healthier. From sautéed dishes to deep fried, to desserts, sauces and dressings— the possibilities are endless,” said the Heart Mate Kitchen’s resident chef.

“The launch of Heart Mate Kitchen Season 2 cooking capsules marks our renewed partnership with Donita Rose and GMA 7 in continuing to educate food lovers and passionate home cooks about the value of using Jolly Heart Mate Canola Oil in every day cooking. Jolly Heart Mate Canola Oil does not only makes dishes heart-healthy and delicious, it is also budget-friendly,” said Fly Ace Corporation’s Group Product Manager for Edible Oils, Zen Prudentino.

An ideal kitchen staple that possesses chock-full of benefits such as Vitamin A for good eye sight and high amounts of Omega 3 and 6 that is good for the heart, Jolly Heart Mate Canola Oil is also the lowest in saturated or bad fat among all vegetable oils and also has one of the highest heat point that makes it ideal for frying.

For more information on Jolly Heart Mate Canola Oil, visit our Facebook Page on www.facebook.com/ JollyHeartMateCanolaOil.

Sarah G gives

‘MISS GRANNY’

a different flavor

F

RESH from the success of her concert tour in the US, Pop Queen Sarah Geronimo is back on the big screen via Viva Film’s latest offering, which also coincides with the singer-actress’ celebration of her 15th anniversary in show business.

In 'Heart Mate Kitchen,' celebrity chef Donita Rose gives easy-to-cook local dishes an interesting twist by using ingredients that can excite someone's palate.

SOLID KAPAMILYA

Ace celebrities renew contract with ABS-CBN SIX celebrities remain Kapamilya stars after renewing their respective contracts with ABS-CBN on Aug. 16.

The line-up of Kapamilya stars include “Mr. Pure Energy” Gary Valenciano, who will continuously be seen in the Sunday noontime variety show ASAP. Fans of the show in Sydney, meanwhile, can expect to catch him as he joins ASAP Live In Sydney: The Grand Kapamilya Party Down Under in October. He will also serve as a hurado in It’s Showtime’s ‘Tawag ng Tanghalan’” and a juror in the program Your Face Sounds Familiar.

Meanwhile, Maja Salvador is set to do a new program and movie with the Kapamilya network that are yet to be disclosed. The “Dance Princess” shared how grateful she is to ABS-CBN as she was given the opportunity to showcase her talent to a bigger audience specifically in Thailand.

Actor, comedian, dancer, and TV host John Prats also remains a Kapamilya as he continues his role in FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano and hosting stint in Banana Sundae.

Robi Domingo, on the other hand, will continue being one of the hosts of the Sunday noontime

Clockwise: Gary Valenciano, Maja Salvador, John Prats, Robi Domingo, Beauty Gonzales, and Joseph Marco

variety show ASAP, the sports program U Town together with Gretchen Ho, the digital travel series Lakwatsero, and will still be regularly seen as a VJ of the music channel MYX. Robi will also be seen on the new Kapamilya program Star Hunt and on the new season of Pinoy Big Brother set to air by the end of the year. He also disclosed that he is working with kids on a new project.

Beauty Gonzales also inked her contract with ABS-CBN. Her upcoming projects are yet to be disclosed.

Star Magic artist Joseph Marco completes the roster of celebrities who renewed his contract with ABS-CBN. With projects still confidential, Joseph cannot hide his excitement as a Kapamilya actor saying signing up with ABS-CBN is still overwhelming experience for him.

Present during the signing were ABS-CBN chairman Mark Lopez, ABS-CBN president and chief executive officer Carlo Katigbak, chief operating officer of broadcast Cory Vidanes, TV production head Laurenti Dyogi, head of finance for Broadcast and news and current affairs Cat Lopez, along with the respective managers of the artists.

Sarah with costars Xian Lim and James Reid

Co-starring with James Reid and Xian Lim under the able direction of certified hit maker Joyce Bernal, the film Miss Granny is Sarah’s biggest film without the aid of an onscreen partner or a love team.

In an interview with Manila Standard, the multiplatinum singer said that as much as possible she tried to get involved in the creative process of Miss Granny – from the music, which is a big component of the film, to how the already familiar tale would unfold on the big screen.

“The movie is a collaborative project,” she starts, “I tried to discuss a few things with our director before we started filming and every time we do a scene.”

The film, which enjoyed considerable popularity upon release in its native South Korea earning more than $60 million, centers on a 70-year-old widow who lives with her son and his family.

Foul-mouthed, stubborn, controlling and shameless, she has a difficult relationship with her depressed daughter-in-law, but is

In the Viva Films production, Sarah plays Aubrey who regains her appearance after being photographed at a mysterious studio curiously called 20-year-old, ‘Forever Young.‘

very proud of her son who became a university professor.

The movie, originally topbilled by Eun Kyung Shim and Moon He Na, bagged several prestigious awards and has had similarly successful adaptations in China, Japan, Taiwan, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, India, Germany and other countries.

Currently in the works are the English and Spanish language versions from Hollywood.

In its Philippine adaptation, the story follows the magical tale of a pensioner Fely (played by senior actress, Nova Villa), who magically transforms back to her 20-yearold self as Audrey (portrayed by Sarah) after having her picture taken in a mysterious photo studio.

Before the whole mysterious incident happens, Fely is a cranky and a control freak septuagenarian. Living together with her son’s family leads to the hospitalization of her daughter-in-law and her son wanting to throw her out of his place.

But she is a loving grandmother as well who gives all-out support to her grandson Jeboy’s (James) dream of becoming a musician.

“We wanted to be as faithful as possible to the original version.

Before I agreed to do the film I spoke to our director, Joyce Bernal, and Boss Vic del Rosario that I wouldn’t want to change the story. I don’t want them to tweak or adjust the story just because it’s me who’s going to star in it,” Sarah recounted.

But what makes Miss Granny different from the Korean version of the film is how Filipino values are imbedded in the story.

“The local version, I guess, has more heart. We Filipinos, we value the elderly so much. In our culture, it’s not accepted to take them for granted,” the 30-yearold said in vernacular.

Understanding her character, including the emotional requirements to play Audrey, Sarah had an acting coach. She wanted to portray Audrey who’s actually Fely as truthful as possible.

“It’s one of the biggest challenges I encountered doing the film. Of course, a woman is her 70s has different nuances compared to a 20-year-old. And since, I’ve been out of the acting scene for quite some time I needed some help to make me fit for the role,” Sarah shared.

More than playing a challenging role, Sarah said that she wanted to send a specific message that she hopes viewers would see upon seeing the film. She said that it’s a lesson about love of family, which is the main Granny. core of Miss Granny ““Miss Granny had an unfulfilled dream.

She’s a frustrated singer. Her life revolved around her family being a single parent. And now, she’s given another chance to pursue her dream but she still feels so empty. The film wants to convey that fame doesn’t define success, and fame doesn’t always make you happy. Love and family do,” she ended.

A scene from the movie, which according to Sarah, is a story about family and second chances.