Manila Standard - 2018 August 23 - Thursday

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Rody warns of war over WPS Reminds China PH has claim on disputed islands

Hidilyn’s guilty pleasures JAKARTA—Triumphant weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz, already assured of at least P2 million when she returns home, has her sights set firmly on Olympic gold, inspired by her new Chinese coach, but first she might just indulge in a guilty passion— cheesecake and bubble tea.

By Nat Mariano

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RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has warned China that war would ensue if they monopolize and exploit the oil and mineral deposits in the disputed West Philippine Sea.

VOL. XXXII • NO. 189 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 • THURSDAY, AUGUST 23, 2018 • www.manilastandard.net • editorial@manilastandard.net

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61airlines swooped down on NAIA: Who’s in control? Binay asks

Hidilyn Diaz

Spelunking spiders PUERTO PRINCESA CITY—A new cave-dwelling species of Huntsman spider has been found recently by a group of international geographical explorers and scientists in the Puerto Princesa Underground River.

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OVER THE LINE FLIGHTS.

After the fact, Manila airport officials are studying the possibility of raising sanctions against airlines that flew 61 make-up flights from Aug. 18 to 19 that caused what authorities say added flight delays and obstructed normal operations at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport after its reopening following a two-day closure.

Massacre suspect allowed to join daughter’s wedding

By Rey E. Requejo A QUEZON City judge on Tuesday granted a three-hour furlough to a principal accused in the November 2009 Maguindanao massacre case despite strong objections from government prosecutors.

Presiding Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes of Quezon City RTC, Branch 221 granted former governor Zaldy Ampatuan a threehour furlough from his detention at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City to allow him to attend the wedding of his daughter Bay Nor Aila Kristina Tuesday afternoon at a five-star hotel in Pasay City.

In the order released by the Justice department Wednesday, the judge cited humanitarian considerations in granting

Ampatuan’s plea.

“The court is of the view that despite being a... prisoner having certain restrictions, accused-movant may be allowed to attend his eldest daughter’s wedding, which, in our culture, is a significant milestone to be cherished and remembered,” the court ruled.

“It is a momentous family occasion which must be witnessed and attended by the couple’s loved ones, especially the accused-movant who will personally bring his eldest daughter to the altar,” it said.

The DoJ panel earlier opposed the furlough, arguing that Ampatuan could not “equate himself with those who have not transgressed the law.”

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‘Third force’ draws up 13 Senate prospects

By Macon Ramos-Araneta SENATE President Vicente Sotto III said Wednesday the Nationalist People’s Coalition has drafted at least 13 possible candidates for senator in the coming May 2019 elections.

Sotto, the party’s highest elected official, said the NPC is allied with the administration but is an independent third force.

He identified some of their candidates from different political parties as reelectionist Senators Grace Poe (Independent), Cynthia Villar (Nacionalista Party), Nancy Binay (Partido ng Ma-

sang Pilipino), Sonny Angara (Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino), Aquilino Pimentel III (PDP-Laban) and JV Ejercito (Puwersa ng Masang Pilipino).

Sotto said the others in the NPC senatorial slate were former Senator and now Taguig Rep. Pia Cayetano, Special Assistant to the President Christopher Go, former senators Jinggoy Estrada and Lito Lapid and former Police chief Ronaldo dela Rosa.

Two more candidates for senator were being considered by the NPC, but the party leadership was yet to make its final decision.

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Oh my GG! Fish import plan triggers protest

“I said, Mr. Xi Jinping, we also have a claim. You know we have the award. But I will not insist on recovering the award because it would result in a war, and it will be a massacre. I know. But please be it noted that one day during my term, I will assert [our rights],” said the President in his speech during the League of Municipalities of the Philippines Visayas Island Cluster Conference in Cebu Tuesday evening.

Duterte, who recognizes Xi as a good friend, earlier said he would not assert UN tribunal’s decision two years ago, but he also said he would not let China explore for oil on its own in the contested waters.

“If you take that [oil] all by yourself, that can cause trouble,” Duterte said.

“That’s when you would see Año bringing soldiers in... to chop down the Chinese,” said the President in a jest, saying he would dispatch Interior and Local Government officer-incharge Eduardo Año to attack the Chinese.

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By Joel E. Zurbano AIRPORT officials are looking into possible sanctions against airlines that flew in 61 unauthorized make-up flights that caused further flight delays and hampered normal operations at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport after its main runway was reopened following a two-day closure.

Earlier, the Manila International Airport Authority reported that 61 unexpected flights landed at Naia from Aug. 18 to 19, resulting in further congestion, problems with gate assignment of planes and more flight delays.

Among those airlines was Xiamen Airlines, which caused the runway closure when its Boeing 737-800 missed its mark upon landing on Aug. 16. Airport officials said Xiamen had flown in four uncoordinated flights, but did not say which other airlines were similarly guilty.

MAIA general manager Ed Monreal said Wednesday they were studying sanctions against the unspecified airlines, which had apparently coordinated with the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, but not with MIAA. In a statement, Senator Nancy Binay the entry of 61 unauthorized flights was “highly suspicious and anomalous” and exposed weaknesses in the country’s airport protocols and the lack of coorNext page dination among government agencies and the airlines.

CIA out to kill me, Rody says; top cop sees no plot PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte o n c e again claimed that the US Central Intell i g e n c e Agency plans to assassinate him and said he believed the security agency could be listening to his phone conversations.

“I know the US is listening. I’m sure it’s the CIA. That [agency] will kill me,” said Duterte in his speech Tuesday evening, adding that the CIA also eavesdrops on the leaders of countries such as Russia, China, Israel, Indonesia, and even America.

Philippine National Police chief Director General Oscar Albayalde, however, said there is no information among the countries’ security officials about the alleged assassination plot against Duterte.

“With regards to the CIA, we do not have information as far as the Philippine National

Police is concerned,” Albayalde said Wednesday during CNN Philippines’ The Source.

“Although, if you’re a president, there’s always a threat on your life. There’s always that assumption that there’s a death threat to your life,” he added.

Duterte, who called the federal security agency “crazy,” made the remark when he talked about the advancement of technology in cellular phones.

The President said his security personnel cautioned him not to use a smartphone as its latest software could be easily hacked and intercepted, urging him to use outdated mobile phones instead.

His two-hour speech then slipped into anger at being unable to buy submarines, and criticism of former US President Barack Obama and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

“In America, we hoped we could buy a submarine. I want two submarines just to lift the spirit [and] the soul of the Filipino soldiers because we don’t have one,” said Duterte, noting that Thailand has six or Next page

I’m in perpetual pain—Duterte

By Nat Mariano

A PARTY-LIST lawmaker on Wednesday snapped at the Department of Agriculture for its planned importation of around 17,000 metric tons of galunggong (round scads), saying the move was not only an insult to Filipino fishers but would kill their livelihood. ‘‘When it comes to plugging the problem of skyrocketing prices of basic goods, the Duterte [administration] has become addicted to importation not to fill up the supply but in fact to suppress the inflation which was caused mainly by the implementation of his flagship tax-raising project, the [Tax Reform Acceleration and Inclusion] law,” Anakpawis party-list Rep. Ariel Casilao said.

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte says he suffers from “perpetual pain” due to his spinal injury, even as his spokesman dared those questioning Duterte’s health to just hang themselves.

“I don’t think I can fly anymore, it makes me dizzy. It’s because of a motorcycle accident,” Duterte said in a speech on Tuesday night in Cebu. ] “I have an impinged C4 and C7, and that’s why I am in perpetual pain. When something snaps there, like a nerve in C7, for example, it cuts the release of the nerve train. [If it happens], your life ends there.”

But Opposition Senator Antonio Trillanes IV on Wednesday said the news that President Rodrigo Duterte fell in a coma was just a “drama” to divert the public’s attention from the real issues like the high inflation confronting his administration.

“You will be surprised that even this gimmick that he fell into a coma also came from them. You saw where they brought the media,”

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By Maricel V. Cruz, Othel V. Campos and Macon Ramos-Araneta

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 23, 2018

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Army general revisits MILF camp after AFP takeover

By Mark Navales BRIG. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, Sixth Infantry Division and Joint Task Force central commander, made a historic visit to Moro Islamic Liberation Front Chairman Al-haj Murad Ibrahim in Camp Darapanan in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao, on Aug. 19.

After almost two decades, a military commander set foot on the revered ground of the MILF’s Camp Darapanan, a historic visit after the military overran Camp Abubakar in July of 2000. The MILF set Camp Darapanan as its new enclave after the military took over their former turf.

As a sign of his commitment to pursue peace, Sobejana and his Brigade and Battalion Commanders, General Staff and Technical staff had the opportunity to be in the camp after all these years.

Said Ibrahim: “We are embracing you in this camp with a sincere and a clean heart with a common goal. We have similar objective, which is peace and progress for our people.”

On July 9, 2000, after a two-month military operation, the MILF’s Abubakar camp fell into the hands of the military with over 20,000 residents were affected.

Murad sounded the retreat of his forces when the marines broke through the camp’s gateway after days of relentless military operation in Abubakar.

It was the end of an “all-out war” struck by then President Joseph Estrada against the MILF. It was aptly called the “Erap War,” in which Estrada was determined to finish the operation with a victory.

CIA..

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eight submarines, Indonesia has over 10 underwater ships, and Malaysia recently acquired six submarines.

“Now, I want to buy in Russia. Here comes a statement from America telling me not to buy,” he said.

He also said that three of six refurbished helicopters sold by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization to the Philippines had already crashed.

“I want them to explain to us why we lost the best of our pilots in three crashes. Then here comes a guy saying, ‘No, no. It’s very dangerous for you to acquire submarines from Russia.’ When was it really a relation of mutuality and respect? They never gave it to us,” Duterte said of the Americans.

He also hit Trudeau for not understanding the situation in the Philippines.

Duterte expressed exasperation over the scuttled deal to buy choppers from Canada because Trudeau feared Duterte would only use them against his own citizens.

“For God’s sake Mr. Trudeau, my own citizens are rebelling against us, killing my soldiers and policemen and civilians. And I cannot use the helicopter because they are citizens, but they are out to overthrow my government?”

Duterte said.

“If you cannot understand, you should not be there in that mighty post of yours because you do not know the history of the world and geopolitics,” he added.

Nat Mariano

‘Third...

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Meanwhile, opposition Senator Antonio Trillanes IV said the administration bets will have formidable opponents when the opposition, which is now intact, comes out with its senatorial line-up.

“Well, the opposition is now united, and this will come out in the coming weeks. We will present the candidates of the opposition,” Trillanes said.

This will be a good fight in the coming elections because this is very critical for our country. The voters will reject all the candidates of [President Rodrigo] Duterte who deceived them.”

Trillanes said he believed the opposition would dominate the next Senate as they will win eight seats in the 2019 midterm elections due to Duterte’s waning popularity.

The victory of the Resistance Opposition, he said, would depend on things like if the voters still wanted the policy of the administration on Charter change, Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion, and the killings that he said the opposition wanted to stop.

In the opposition, he said, they wanted to block the policies prejudicial to public interest like the increase in the prices of goods.

Envoy: Russian arms for PH won’t have strings attached

By Vito Barcelo

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USSIA is willing to provide the Philippines with military hardware, including submarines, without political conditions or limitations, Philippine ambassador to Moscow Carlos Sorreta said Wednesday.

“Russia is willing to provide brandnew equipment, customized to the specific needs of the Philippines, at favorable financial terms with reasonable delivery times, full after-sales service, training and without political conditions or limitations,” Sorreta said on his Facebook page.

President Rodrigo Duterte accused the US of selling only hand-me-down weapons that he said endangered the lives of Filipino troops in a speech in Cebu Tuesday night. He cited the crash of three refurbished helicopters that killed Filipino soldiers.

Duterte said he wanted to buy at least

two submarines from the US “just to lift the spirit, the soul of Filipino soldiers because we don’t have any submarines.”

He said Thailand had about eight or six submarines, Indonesia about 10 and Malaysia six, “and we are the only ones who have none.”

“Now that I intend to purchase from Russia, here comes a statement from America saying don’t do it,” Duterte said.

“I do not have a quarrel with America, but America seems to be in a hypocritical stage always.”

In a post from the Philtizen Daily News, Sorreta said the Kremlin was willing to provide brand-new equipment that could

‘No to new casinos in Boracay’ PRESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte reiterated that he will not allow gambling on Boracay Island despite the provisional license given to a Macau-based firm to construct a resort-casino in the top tourist destination.

“I will not allow gambling. I’m not issuing any franchise for gambling in the entire Philippines now. It’s a moratorium.

Ayaw ko [I don’t like it]. I hate gambling,” Duterte said in his speech during the League of Municipalities of the Philippines Visayas Island Cluster Conference in Cebu City on Tuesday.

“Kung may mga resort diyan [So if there’s a resort there], they still talk about gambling, you better say it to them at an early time. No more gambling,” he added.

Duterte has repeatedly said that Boracay Island is a forestal and agriculture area and that if lawmakers preferred to keep the commercial quality of the island, he would allow a strip of land for that purpose.

“If you are targeting the lands behind—remember that the entire land is still forestal and agriculture. Nobody but nobody can set up anything there that’s commercial,” Duterte said.

“No more construction, no nothing. It will be destroyed,” he added.

The President further said that he will give Boracay Island “to the natives.”

“The Mangyans who are there who are present will have it,” Duterte said.

The President was referring to the Ati people.

Earlier, Duterte said he is eyeing the creation of a committee that will identify the land owners of Boracay Island, which is currently undergoing rehabilitation.

“Now the problem is how to determine who owns what. There has to be a committee to be fair to everybody. From the local government then from the origins of any title there,” Duterte said.

Upon Duterte’s orders, the government closed Boracay to tourists on April 26. It is set to reopen on Oct. 26.

Duterte, meanwhile, declared the entire Boracay Island as a land reform area last May 30.

Macau-based Galaxy Entertainment Group and its Filipino partner, AB Leisure Exponent Inc., earlier revealed a plan to build a USD500-million integrated resort-casino complex on a 23-hectare property in Barangay Manoc-Manoc on Boracay Island.

Malacañang, however, assured that all investments are still welcome in Boracay Island except casinos. PNA

Massacre..

for the cases of principal accused Andal “Datu Unsay” Ampatuan Jr. and two others.

Guevarra earlier vowed resolution of the multiple murder cases by next year.

He said the RTC where 197 accused are standing trial for the killing of 58 people, is “now winding up with the trial of this case.”

As of November last year, the RTC has already heard a total of 273 witnesses: 166 prosecution witnesses, and 107 defense witnesses. The court has resolved all the 15 sets of formal offer of evidence in connection with the bail applications of 70 accused. It has also resolved all bail applications of the accused, including that of Andal “Unsay” Ampatuan, Jr., which was denied in May. The RTC may render judgment separately on each accused and not wait for all the accused to conclude presenting their evidence.

Four of the accused, including Andal Ampatuan Sr., died while in detention while four of the accused who submitted their demurrer to evidence were acquitted by the trial court.

With Rio N. Araja

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The prosecutors also cited the court’s earlier ruling denying a similar plea of the accused to attend the graduation of his eldest son in Cotabato City.

In granting furlough to the detained former governor, the RTC ordered the head of the Quezon City Jail annex in Camp Bagong Diwa to ensure that the accused was escorted to and from the event and to immediately transport him back to the detention facility after the lapse of the period granted.

The judge also required Ampatuan to shoulder all expenses for his furlough.

It was not the first time Ampatuan was granted relief by the RTC. He was also given furlough to attend graduation of another child in a university in Quezon City.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra lamented the judge’s decision.

The criminal cases against Ampatuan and 194 other accused have been submitted for decision by the court, except

I’m...

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Trillanes said. “And after giving the media a ride, he [Duterte] suddenly appeared. So many were bum steered.”

Duterte said his own doctor advised him to “better come to terms” with his body.

“The doctor threatened: ‘When you got into an accident, there are so many nerves there. When those nerves snap, [that’s the time] you bid yourself goodbye’,” he said.

Duterte openly discussed the state of his health as he “disabused” the mind of Communist Party of the Philippines founding chairman Jose Maria Sison for his claims that Duterte went into a coma.

“Let me just also disabuse the mind of Sison. You know his mind is really abused by himself, nobody else,” Duterte said.

“I’m just in my bed, not comatose. I’m going to last long.”

Duterte said he believed Sison took advantage of the privileges allegedly given to him by The Netherlands, seeking asylum as a political refugee since 1998.

“You are availing of the funds of the Norwegian people. You do not pay anything. You are staying there for free. And you are sick with cancer, in and out of the hospital,” Duterte said.

Meanwhile, Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said Wednesday the people who wished the President ill would be better off dead.

“My suggestion for them, they should all hang themselves because what they wish for won’t happen. The President is well, he is a lawyer. If ever he is sick, he would follow the Constitution to give information about his health,” Roque said.

“I call on the CPP-NPA, lay down your weapons. The war you’re fighting is nonsense if the leader you all recognize is a person who’s not credible, a purveyor of fake news, and who won’t do good to the society.”

Sison on Wednesday refused to apologize for his “cautious and well-qualified statement.”

“Someday, I will return, physically or in ashes after my cremation. But I always consider myself being in the Philippines, especially in this digital age, so long as I talk about the demands of the people,” he said. With Macon Ramos-Araneta

better fit the Philippine Defense department’s battle plans and tactics.

Sorreta said Russia’s contribution would be preferable to second-hand equipment.

“By procuring new and customized equipment, our armed forces will be able to maximize their use since they can be made to fit into our battle plans and tactics,” Sorreta said.

Sorreta’s statement came as Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and other defense officials visited Russia to further develop the Philippines’ defense cooperation with Moscow.

Sorreta said Lorenzana and his delegation attended the International MilitaryTechnical Forum of ARMY 2018 and “examined Russian military equipment with the pressing defense needs of the Philippines in mind.”

Lorenzana said the Defense Department will procure equipment that is most advantageous to the Armed Forces of the Philippines through the AFP Modernization Program.

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“Last week’s incident pointed to a string of inadequacies and glaring lapses on the part of airport authorities and airline operators, which has a potential implication on national security,” she said.

Binay called on agencies under the Department of Transportation to explain the mysterious circumstances surrounding the 61 “uncoordinated” flights that added to the chaos at the airport.

She noted that even the Bureau of Immigration (BI) did not have enough personnel to handle diverted recovery flights in Clark International Airport prompting some airlines to return back to their original destinations after more than 10 hours of waiting at the tarmac.

The main runway closure on Aug. 16 affected at least 681 domestic and international flights and inconvenienced more than 136,000 passengers.

The main runway is used to accommodate all types of aircraft, while the secondary runway can only accommodate narrow-body aircraft. The mishap had a domino effect across all four Naia terminals, causing flights to be diverted, delayed or canceled.

Meanwhile, Philippine Airlines announced it has issued certifications addressed to immigration officials in Riyadh and Dammam concerning Filipino workers whose visas expired before they could travel after the runway closure.

“Passengers of canceled flights to the Middle East whose visas expired have been given PAL certifications indicating that they are returning with expired visas due to the force majeure situation,” said PAL corporate communications chief and spokesperson Ma. Cielo Villaluna.

A number of overseas Filipino workers earlier asked airlines and government officials to secure replacement flights before their reentry visas expired to prevent them from being sacked by their employers in their respective work places abroad.

On Wednesday, Monreal said the construction of an airport with two main runways would prevent a repeat of the Xiamen Airlines incident.

“The best basic solution is to construct an airport with at least two parallel runways, but they should be far apart for safety reasons. If there’s an incident like this one affecting the main runway, there will be another or alternate runway we can use,” he said. With Macon Ramos-Araneta and Maricel V. Cruz

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“The Department of Agriculture and the National Food Authority have only one thing in mind every time they try to explain the problem of continuing price spikes of basic commodities in the local market. They think of massive importation as a magic wand that will make inflation disappear if they wagged it strongly and repeatedly enough,” Casilao, member of the Makabayan Bloc in the House of Representatives, said.

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources has allowed the importation of fresh and/or frozen round scad for 90 days starting Sept. 1 to ease the tight supply of commercial fishes, thus reducing the price of this fish staple.

The Fisheries Bureau issued the order after some sectors proposed the importation of critical commodities whereby the lack of supply fanned the nation’s inflation rate.

Also, recent studies and statistical data revealed a consistent decrease in the production of galunggong in the Philippine waters, which resulted in the need to import around 17, 000 metric tons of round scad.

Rody...

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Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano earlier assured the public that the framework for the proposed joint exploration for oil and gas deposits with China in the West Philippine Sea would not compromise the country’s territorial and sovereign rights.

“We are working hard, and we assure our people that it will be something that will be totally beneficial to all the Filipinos,” Cayetano said two weeks ago. “It will not be harmful in any way to our territorial and sovereign rights.”

Malacañang had earlier expected that the joint exploration between the Philippines and China could be signed before Xi’s visit to Manila in November.

Duterte—keen to court trade and investment from Beijing—has mostly withheld criticism of China.

But in a change of tone last week, Duterte said China had no right to claim airspace above man-made islands.

Philippine officials have claimed military pilots are repeatedly warned off by Beijing as their planes approach Philippine-held Thitu island, which lies beside a Chinese air base built on top of Subi Reef.

“You cannot create an island. It’s manmade and you say that the air above this artificial island is yours,” Duterte said, according to a transcript released by the presidential palace.

“That is wrong because those waters are what [one] would consider international sea. And the right of innocent passage is guaranteed,” Duterte said.

He added that he did not want to “quarrel” with China.

The comments follow allegations in May of Chinese harassment of Filipino troops at another South China Sea garrison.

Duterte’s national security adviser Hermogenes Esperon told reporters at the time that the Philippines could go to war “if our people are hurt there.”

There was no immediate response from the Chinese embassy in Manila.

In May, China landed several combat aircraft—including the long-range, nuclear-capable H-6K—at another island airfield in the sea for the first time, triggering international concern.

Despite this, it has denied militarizing the area, through which roughly a third of all global maritime trade passes.

An international maritime tribunal ruled early in Duterte’s presidency in 2016 that China’s claims to the area have no legal basis.

The Philippines is a military ally of the US, which says it is not taking sides in the various South China Sea territorial disputes.

However, the US navy has forcefully asserted its right to freedom of navigation in the area, repeatedly sailing close to the man-made islands and drawing Chinese protests.

Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam also have claims in the sea. With AFP

Hidilyn’s...

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“The sacrifices you make are so hard when you’re training every day,” she told AFP after winning the Philippines’ first gold medal of the 2018 Asian Games on Tuesday.

“I can’t eat sugar and sweets. I miss eating cheesecake and drinking bubble tea with friends. It’s hard,” said the sweettoothed 27-year-old from Mindanao.

In the Senate, Senator Sonny Angara said Diaz would get P2 million, scholarship benefits and free helathcare services under athletes benefits and incentives law for winning the Philippines’ first gold medal in the Asian Games in Jakarta on Tuesday.

“We are one with million of Filipinos elated with Hidilyn’s victory. She once again showcased the Filipino fighting spirit. She deserves all the support in recognition of the honor she continues to bring to our country,” said Angara, who is set to file a resolution commending Diaz and the rest of the Filipino medalists in the Asian Games.

Under Republic Act 10699, which Angara sponsored, Diaz is entitled to a P2-million cash incentive from the government.

AFP with Macon Ramos-Araneta

Spelunking...

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Elizabeth Maclang, park superintendent of the Puerto Princesa City Subterranean River National Park, on Wednesday said the new Huntsman spider species was described as “Heteropoda simoneallmannae sp. nov. (female) from the underground river cave system.”

Huntsman spider belongs to the family “Sparassidae” because of its method of speed and hunting insects as food in deep crevices and narrow openings.

Maclang said the new species was found by experts from the University of Florence, Italy, whose expedition to the PPUR in November 2017 and May this year was arranged by La Venta, a geographical explorations group.

We are so happy about this new species of spider found inside the cave system of the underground river because it only shows how healthy the ecosystem is there,” Maclang told the Philippine News Agency. PNA

BSP barred from auctioning Banco Filipino assets

By Rey E. Requejo THE Court of Appeals has restrained the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas from bidding out, selling and disposing the assets of the defunct Banco Filipino Savings and Mortgage Bank.

In a six-page resolution, CA’s Former Fifteenth Division through Associate Justice Edwin Sorongon reversed and set aside its earlier decision issued Nov. 27, 2017 which lifted the writ of preliminary injunction issued by the Regional Trial Court of Makati City enjoining the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas from disposing the assets of the bank.

Instead, the appellate court granted the motion for reconsideration filed by Ekistics Philippines, Inc., a stockholder of Banco Filipino, seeking the reversal of its Nov. 27, 2017 ruling and to reinstate the orders of the Makati RTC issued on Oct. 17, 2016 and Oct. 25, 2016.

The CA sided with Ekistics that the BSP should be enjoined from disposing of Banco Filipino’s assets until the question on the propriety of its closure and liquidation has been resolved with finality.

The appellate court ruled that the validity of BSP resolution which placed Banco Filipino under receivership is still pending appeal before the Supreme Court.

Besides, the CA noted that the legality of the resolution which ordered the liquidation of Banco Filipino is yet to be resolved by another division of the CA. “Based on these circumstances, it is not difficult to see that the implementation of our assailed decision might put to naught the appeal thus filed since it would effectively render a favorable resolution in these cases moot and academic,” the CA said.

The appellate court also said that it should extend judicial courtesy on the case pending before the SC and another division of the CA in order not to render moot and academic the said cases.

Court orders cops in Ick-Joo case transferred to city jail A REGIONAL trial court in Pampanga has ordered the transfer of detention of accused police officers in the kidnapping and killing of South Korean businessman Jee Ick-joo in October 2016.

In a four-page order, a copy of which furnished to the Department of Justice, Judge Erin Zenaida Buan of Angeles City, Pampanga, RTC Branch 56, granted the motion of government prosecutors for the transfer of Superintendent Rafael Dumlao III, Senior Police Officer 2 Ricky Sta. Isabel and Jerry Umlang to the Angeles City Jail.

The court cited practical reason in ordering the transfer of Dumlao from the Philippine National Police custodial center in the PNP headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City and of Sta. Isabel and Umlang from the National Bureau of Investigation custodial center in Manila.

“Considering the distance between this Court and the PNP Custodial center as well as the NBI detention facility, it would be more practical for the accused to be detained at the city jail in order to facilitate their attendance during court hearings of their cases,” the RTC ruling stated. Rey E. Requejo

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 23, 2018 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

NFA asked to look into high rice prices in Zambo

MWSS chief to keynote MAP water forum

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HIGH RICE PRICES.

The price of commercial rice (shown in this photo at Paco Market) next month will be higher, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority.

Norman Cruz

By Maricel V. Cruz

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HE chairman of the House of Representatives’ committee on appropriations on Wednesday urged the National Food Authority to look into the alleged price manipulation by rice traders in Mindanao.

Davao City Rep. Karlo Nograles, the panel’s chairman, made the call following reports of what he described as ‘‘abnormally’’ high rice prices in Zamboanga City, where the prices of the staple grain ranges from P55 to P68 per kilo.

Citing data from the Philippine Statistics Authority, Nograles said the average retail price of a kilo of regular milled rice in the country is P42.26, while the average retail price of wellmilled rice is P45.71 per kilo.

“Even accounting for less than optimal weather conditions, the discrepancy of the prices in the Zamboanga Peninsula is huge. Prices like these put a huge strain on the

limited budgets of families who just want to have three square meals a day.

The NFA should check if something illegal is going on,” Nograles said.

Nograles, a Mindanaoan, was in Zamboanga earlier this week to help facilitate the release and distribution of NFA rice in Zamboanga City. NFA rice is P27 a kilo and is the most affordable rice variety in the market.

“Some 120,000 bags or 6,000 metric tons of rice were allocated by the NFA for Region IX. This will help stabilize the soaring prices of local commercial rice since the consumers would have more choices of rice to choose from,” said Nograles.

The NFA said the current scarcity of

rice in the country is due to the spate of bad weather which has affected both rice production and the shipment of the food staple, he said.

“What is worse, the information relayed to me is that unscrupulous traders are hoarding more rice, thereby driving up prices further. They are manipulating the market in their favor but this is making ‘probinsyanos’ suffer.

The NFA must find out if this practice occurs in Zamboanga City alone or in the entire Zamboanga Peninsula,” Nograles said.

Rotting rice Meanwhile, the NFA said that 133,000 sacks of rice were infested with rice weevils in the Subic Freeport Zone.

The rice came from Thailand and arrived at the Freeport last Aug. 2, NFA said.

The sacks of rice remain with the supplier which should bear the cost of fumigation, NFA said. It would take from 7 to 12 days to kill the weevils.

NFA said it was natural for rice to be infested with weevils but the pests have to be killed first before the sacks could be transported from the warehouses.

SC ruling upholding taxes on ‘allowances’ appealed VARIOUS groups of state workers trooped to the Supreme Court on Wednesday to seek for reconsideration of its ruling last July that upheld the Bureau of Internal Revenue’s imposition of withholding tax on their non-salary benefits.

The petitioners led by the Confederation for Unity, Recognition and Advancement of Government Employees pleaded the SC to overturn its decision that affirmed the legality of Revenue Memorandum Order No. 23 issued by the BIR in June 2014 that imposed up to 32 percent tax on allowances, bonuses, compensations for services and other fringe benefits of government workers.

COURAGE national president Ferdinand Gaite said that the high court ruling would have adverse effect to government personnel.

“We are already reeling from the effect

of high prices caused by the TRAIN Law [Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Act], oil price increase and the peso depreciation, and now this reduction on our ‘take-home pay’ which is not even enough to take us home will further aggravate our situation.” Gaite said in an interview.

The petitioners reiterated their assertion that the RMO widened the scope of taxable fringe benefits, which is not allowed under the National Internal Revenue Code.

In its decision last July 3, the SC held that the BIR did not violate the constitutional right of government workers to due process and did not usurp the legislative power of Congress.

According to the tribunal, the tax bureau’s imposition of withholding tax on the benefits of government workers under Sections 3 and 4 of RMO cannot

be considered as a new tax.

The SC ruled that “no additional tax is imposed as the two sections merely mirror the relevant provisions of the National Internal Revenue Code [NIRC] of 1997 on withholding tax on compensation income.”

The high tribunal also held that not even petitioners from the judiciary, the Office of the Ombudsman and constitutional commissions that enjoy fiscal autonomy are granted immunity or exemption from payment of withholding taxes under the law.

However, while the SC upheld the tax measure on allowances and bonuses of government employees, it struck down Section 6 of the assailed RMO that required provincial and local officials from withholding and remitting taxes of government workers under their respective offices.

Rey E. Requejo

Conviction of Zambo mayor affirmed

By Maricel V. Cruz and Rio N. Araja

MORE TYPHOONS. Pagasa weather forecaster Ezra Bulquerin said that based

on available data, typhoons ‘Cimaron’ and ‘Soulik’ is monitored at 2,000 kilometers east-northeast of extreme Northern Luzon (outside PAR) with maximum winds of 145 kilometers per hour at the center with gustiness of up to 180 km/hour. Manny Palmero

THE Sandiganbayan has affirmed the conviction of the vice mayor in Zamboanga del Sur who had his first cousin appointed treasurer of his town.

Vice Mayor Allan Damas of Kumalarang, Zamboanga del Sur was found guilty of having Nellie Poliran Toledo, a fourth degree relative, appointed treasurer of the town when he was still the mayor in 2006.

The anti-graft court’s Sixth Division denied Damas’ motion for reconsideration of the June 22 Sandiganbayan decision that found him guilty of violating Section 3(e) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. Damas was charged in connection with his recommendation for the appointment of Toledo. The court

found that Toledo is Damas’ relative within the fourth civil degree of consanguinity.

Damas had certified that Toledo is not his relative, but this violates Section 79 of the Local Government Code which prohibits the appointment of persons who are related to the appointing authority within the fourth civil degree of consanguinity, the court said.

The questioned decision said the prosecution was able to prove the family relations of Damas and Toledo, who turned out to be first cousins. It said that Damas’ mother, Agatona Poliran, is the sister of Toledo’s father, Simeon Poliran.

Damas, in his appeal, said the prosecution failed to prove the presumption of bad faith and assailed the documents presented in court against him as “full of discrepancies on names and dates.”

METROPOLITAN Waterworks and Sewerage System Administrator Reynaldo V. Velasco will keynote a water forum organized by the Management Association of the Philippines, the country’s leading organization committed to promoting management excellence for nation-building, this Friday Aug. 24, 2018 at the Conservatory in Peninsula Manila, Makati City.

The forum titled “Ensuring Water Security and Sustainability” and a project of the MAP Climate Change and Sustainable Development Committee brings together water leaders and environment officials from various organizations to discuss the various plans of the government, public and private sectors in ensuring water security and sustainability in the country.

“This forum comes at a time when our country is witnessing the phenomenal growth of infrastructure aligned with President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s Build, Build, Build initiative,” Velasco says. “I am proud to inform you that water infrastructure is not far behind.”

MAP president and Maynilad CEO and president Ramoncito S. Fernandez adds, “As players in the water industry, we need to realize that the challenges that we are facing are bigger than us, individually. Sustainable solutions to these problems may require putting our heads —if not our resources—together.”

Confab gathers educators, policy makers and researchers THE 10th International Conference on Teacher Education, a biennial gathering of teacher educators, researchers, policy makers, administrators, students, and allied professionals, will be held on Aug. 23-25, 2018 at Seda Vertis North in Quezon City.

Organizers described the event as an “opportune occasion to share experiences and create networks and a perfect forum for discussions that consider rapid intellectual and socio economic transformations and emerging technologies, improved interconnectedness within the global village, and the challenge to uphold equity.”

The conference is one of the major events lined up to celebrate the centennial of the College of Education, University of the Philippines-Diliman.

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES

COMMISSION ON APPOINTMENTS

ANNOUNCEMENT President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has submitted to the Commission on Appointments (C.A.) for confirmation the ad interim appointments of the following officials in the Department of Foreign Affairs: Ms. Sharon Johnnette Macalalad Agduma, Ms. Kristine Fronda Bautista, Mr. Jan Kenneth Eduarte Bolante, Ms. Joyce Marison Marasigan Camacho, Ms. Luningning Golong Camoying, Mr. Andre Peter Cabuay Estanislao, Mr. Ryan Francis De Leon Gener, Ms. Cecille Joyce Yap Lao, Ms. Andrea Boongaling Leycano, Ms. Monika Kamille Bacani Limpo, Mr. Francis Maynard Sarmiento Maleon, Mr. Glenn Joseph Quilantang Obach, Ms. Rowena Rivera Pangilinan-Daquipil, Ms. Khrystina Corpuz Popov, Ms. Fatima Guzman Quintin, Mr. Robert Diclas Quintin, Ms. Ira Micheline Reyes Valdez, Mr. Jeffrey Angelo Valdez and Mr. Jan Sherwin Perez Wenceslao – Foreign Service Officer, Class II

The public may submit any information, written report, or sworn/notarized complaints or oppositions in thirty two (32) copies on the above appointments to the CA Secretariat, 6th Floor, PNB Financial Center, D. Macapagal Blvd., Pasay City, Metro Manila.

For the schedule of the public hearings and any other inquiry, contact the CA Secretariat through telephone numbers 834-2713, 831-1824, 831-0527, 832-9830, 834-2706 and 551-1989.

22 August 2018.

HECTOR A. VILLACORTA Secretary

(MS-AUG. 23, 2018)

A4

Opinion

THURSDAY, AUGUST 23, 2018

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

Our gain

What happened to us?

TO THE POINT EMIL P. JURADO SANTA Banana, in the 1950s, the Philippines was considered next only to Japan in economic development.

Now, despite our increasing growth rate, we remain the slowest-growing Asean nation.

Peter Wallace, an Australian consultant who came to the Philippines may years ago, married a Filipina and became naturalized as a Filipino citizen, has this to say: Since 1970 until 2016, Singapore’s gross domestic product has grown by 15,353 percent, Indonesia’s by 1,071 percent and Thailand’s by 5,637 percent.

The Philippines has grown by just 531 percent. We remain the basket case in the region.

Our GDP per capita is even worse. Singapore’s grew 6,377 percent, Thailand’s grew We used 2,973 percent, Ma- promising. laysia’s 453 percent and Indonesia’s 315 percent. Philippine GDP per capita grew by a pitiful 119 percent.

This is ridiculous for a country like the Philippines. Forty years since we were deemed a promising nation, we are lagging behind our neighbors.

The big question—what happened?

Should we blame our leaders? Or is it the kind of government we have?

I believe it’s a confluence of events.

In this context, the fact that we have President Duterte as our leader becomes relevant. Recall that no less than 16.6-million Filipinos voted for him on the promise of change. During the campaign, Mr. Duterte told us that the country will be a better place to live in because he would crack down on drugs, criminality and corruption.

I myself believed him.

Two years hence, however, that change has remained a dream.

So what should be done? Does the President need to be given emergency rule so that he can deliver on his promises?

This is why I hesitate to endorse the

proposal for federalism. This is a leap into the unknown.

I believe we are lagging behind because of the kind of politicians that we have. The country is ruled by the elite.

Political dynasties are only for their own interests and not for the common good.

The late Lee Kwan Yew once said the trouble with us Filipinos is that we have too much politics. I agree. We eat politics for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

One look at the newspapers every morning and you will read nothing else but politicians bickering.

I am an incurable optimist. I always see the glass as half full. I choose to believe that between now and the end of President Duterte’s term, meaningful change can still happen. *** I woke up yesterday recalling memorable events in the 1960s. My first-ever trip to Australia upon the invitation of the Australian government, and then to Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, when Lee seceded from the Federation of Malaysia to be so and became an independent city state, and then to South Korea.

My trip to various places in Australia—Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane and Canberra down to Hobart and Tasmania, and up north to Townsville and Darwin —was the experience of a lifetime.

At that time, Australia still had its ban on non-whites. That policy was directed against the Chinese. Australians felt the Chinese would take over their economy.

When we got to Sydney, passengers were sprayed with some kind of chemical just in case we came from a place with disease. The passengers had to rub their shoes against a carpet, also with chemicals.

Thank goodness Australia does not do that anymore!

I was billeted at a government hotel called The Australian. I was happy to be transferred to a Hilton hotel, more to my liking.

Seeing many places in Australia was great. I was told I saw more places in Australia than most Australians have.

Turn to A5

A

MID the negativity and uncertainty about our nation’s affairs, news of weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz’s gold medal at the 2018 Asian Games comes like a breath of fresh air.

The 27-year-old Air Force servicewoman, who competed in the 53-kg event, earned for the country its first gold at the Games. She also has the distinction of being the first woman from the Philippines to earn an Olympic medal—she won a silver in Rio de Janeiro in 2016.

With her victory Diaz will reap several rewards—a P2-million cash prize, a scholarship, and health care benefits as provided for by the Athletes’ Benefits and Incentives Act. She will also receive P2 million from the Phil-

ippine Olympic Committee and P1 million each from the Siklab Foundation and Philippine Ambassador to Indonesia Lee Hoong.

Diaz is hopeful that with the help of her new coach, Gao Kaiwen, she can score a gold in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Diaz hails from Zamboanga and plans to pursue her college education, continue her air force career—all while preparing for the Olympics.

Filipinos like Diaz serve as an inspiration to millions of aspiring athletes especially those

who have encountered disappointments, even adversity, in the past. Their determination and dedication extends not only to their sporting career but in other aspects in general.

Moreover, with their success, they think not about self-aggrandizement but about giving back to society.

In Diaz’s case, she plans to help the fledgling weightlifting community in the Philippines.

Diaz gained a gold and the Philippines gained a source of national pride anew. The rest of us, meanwhile, gained a reminder that no matter how murky the national situation appears, there are individual stories of success that will see us through difficult times.

Pristine no more: Cruise ships, crowds swamp Montenegro

By Sally Mairs and Olivera Nikolic MONTENEGRO’S medieval walled city of Kotor, an Adriatic seaport cradled in a spectacular fjord-like bay, has survived centuries of weather and warfare.

Now it is facing a different kind of assault, that of gargantuan cruise ships disgorging throngs of tourists threatening a place that was only a few years ago commonly described as a “hidden gem.”

The coastline the poet Lord Byron called the “most beautiful merging of land and sea” is now one of unbridled real estate development.

With rocky slopes jutting into azure waters, Kotor’s bay and its white-stone old town have been hailed as an alternative for travellers looking to avoid the mass tourism choking Dubrovnik some 70 kilometers (45 miles) up the coast in Croatia.

Last year the hugely popular Dubrovnik—like Kotor, a medieval walled city and a Unesco World Heritage site—became synonymous with the global “overtourism” scourge, showing up on lists of destinations to avoid.

Dubrovnik has seen a marked surge of visitors since scenes of the HBO series “Game of Thrones” were set there.

Now there are fears Kotor could meet a similar fate.

“Kotor was once known for being more authentic [than Dubrovnik], but now we’re in the same place,” said Sandra Kapetanovic from Expedito, a local architecture group that advocates sustainable development.

“We are being transformed into a city of souvenir shops,” she said, not-

ing that rising prices have forced out a library, hair salon, market and shoemaker in the past year.

Last week a Lonely Planet travel writer tweeted a photo of a massive cruise ship moored in Kotor, which welcomes up to four of them at once, contributing to some 10,000 daily visitors at the height of the season.

Tipping point?

“There were 3 of these obnoxious giants clogging up the bay yesterday,” wrote Peter Dragicevich. “They’ve killed #Venice and #Dubrovnik. Here’s hoping they don’t kill #Kotor as well.”

Unesco, which named Kotor a World Heritage site in 1979, has been warning for years that rampant construction in the bay is threatening its main appeal —the city’s “harmony” with the natural landscape.

In 2016 the UN cultural body threatened to revoke Kotor’s heritage status —a wakeup call for the Montenegro authorities, who imposed a temporary moratorium on construction last year.

“The question is what happens next?” asked Ana Nives Radovic, head of Kotor’s local tourism body.

“We are witnessing an era where we either make big changes, or we will be completely devastated if we just choose some profit from investments,” she warned.

Montenegro was once a magnet for the glitterati, drawing American movie stars like Elizabeth Taylor and British royalty like Princess Margaret in the 1960s.

But the tourism industry collapsed with the wars leading to the break-up Turn to A5

EVERYMAN

Entombed by fake news

By Honor Blanco Cabie DISCUSSIONS on the imbalance in the flow of news and information worldwide appear to have been obscured with the recent inroads of fake news in various news organizations and social media platforms.

Nearly 40 years ago, the debate on communication became controversial as regards the creation of a new international economic order.

The emotional rhetoric was at that time waged on a strong stage—with some academics and communication experts, including self-appointed ones, joining in the debate, nearly similar to a

modified Oxford-Oregon type: with research, constructive paragraphs, questions and rebuttals.

But with fake news making a loud ripple in different broadcast, print and news agency newsrooms, the world news flow issue has become nearly, if not totally, forgotten.

What exactly was the analysis as regards the imbalance in the flow of world news?

One side—those advocating a rationalization in the perceived imbalance— was saying the volume of news from the West or the developed countries to the developing and underdeveloped nations was heavily in the former’s favor.

This means, in that view, that the volume in the flow of news from the developing and underdeveloped nations to the West was not reciprocative.

A side bar to this was that even among developing and underdeveloped nations the volume of news about themselves to the other was not as overwhelming, plus the fact that these countries would rather disseminate, pretty sadly with an obnoxious jab, what had been reported about them by the West.

There were of course several reasons for this imbalance picture.

The developed countries—like the United States, France, and Britain— Turn to A5

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Chairman Emeritus, Editorial Board

Opinion Out of the box

The House Committee on Games and Amusements has been deliberating my proposed bill, House Bill No. DANILO 5026, otherwise known as, “An Act SUAREZ Declaring the PCSO Lottery “Philippine Lotto” and Small Town Lottery OUR country’s unemployment rate in (STL) the Solely Recognized Legal January 2018 was at 5.3 percent. By July Numbers Game.” Nationalizing the 2018, unemployment rate increased to 5.5 percent. Some may argue that there is a decreasing trend given the previous years, still these numbers are high.

As for underemployment, this inGambling has been creased from 16.3 percent in January 2017 to 18.0 percent in January a way of life of many 2018. We can interpret the increase Filipinos. in underemployment as an increase in the mismatch of available jobs to the skills of available workers. Workers are underused because work requirements do not match the qualifications STL alone, this will generate around of applicants.

800,000 jobs nationwide. This will Most of the unemployed and under- benefit people who may be underemployed are physically able to work, qualified in other jobs due to educaand can read and write, but may not be tional attainment, health conditions, qualified for permanent employment or previous record of drug use. This because of lack of skills, experience or will also prevent unemployed people education. There are jobs that would fit to resort to criminal acts just to feed their limited qualifications. their families.

OVERSIGHT

At the end of first quarter of 2018, STL generated P6.1 billion worth of revenues for the government. More than 400,000 are currently employed as bet collectors, bet collector supervisors, or bet checkers, by STL-authorized agent corporations nationwide. Most of them were former workers of “jueteng,” which is an illegal numbers game. Their employment under STL gave them legal means to earn money. I believe they earn at least P150 a day.

STL should also be regulated by the Philippine Amusements and Gaming Corporation instead of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. We should let PCSO focus on the “Philippine Lotto” and its charity programs. I recommend PAGCOR so they can focus on gaming, including STL to raise revenue and generate employment.

Gambling has been a way of life of many Filipinos, and we should take advantage of nationalizing STL to generate jobs for Filipinos and earn revenue for the government. Hence, I look forward to the passage of HB 5026 before the 17th Congress comes to a close.

The Balangiga bells DUTY CALLS FLORENCIO FIANZA THE principal reason some veteran groups in the United States have refused to return the Balangiga bells is that the bells were taken as war booty which is allowed by the customs of war. As they say, in war, the victors get to write the history.

The victors can also plunder the vanquished and take whatever they want as war booty. The customs that have developed in war is indeed harsh to the defeated. When Rome finally defeated Carthage, the Romans leveled the city to the ground, spread salt on the land and Carthage never rose again.

But the customs of warfare have changed.

During the Second World War the Nazis looted many valuable art and cultural treasures in countries they conquered. Later, the thievery was deemed illegal and these items were returned to their rightful owners by those individuals and governments who took them.

The bells of Balangiga, Samar are the same and should be returned. The Bells are not only religious artifacts but cultural as well. The continued objections of certain veteran groups in Wyoming is therefore misplaced and Secretary Mattis’ announcement that the Defence Department intends to return the bells is just righting a wrong done over a hundred years ago.

This is not only because of the subsequent events that took place after the so-called “massacre” if it is was indeed a massacre. In today’s laws covering warfare, there is really no justification in keeping those three bells.

The claim of war booty is no longer a tenable reason because of the many legal decisions that required possessors of stolen artifacts whether private persons or governments to return stolen valuable items to rightful owners.

The Americans took three bells from the Balangiga Catholic Church as a result of the death of about 54 soldiers belonging to Company C of the 9th US Infantry Regiment on

Sept 28, 1901 when attacked by Filipino forces while the US soldiers were having breakfast. The actual number of casualties differ depending on the report that one reads. Some records mention 45 while others mention 52 or 54. The Filipino forces also captured about 100 rifles and ammunitions. As usual, the Americans labelled these attack as a massacre and Brig General Jacob Smith who was in Command of the US troops in the area that included Samar, ordered Major Littleton Waller to kill everyone capable of bearing arms against the United States. When Waller

asked for the age limit, Smith said ten years old and above.

Smith’s exact orders to Waller was; “I want no prisoners, I wish you to kill and burn, the more you kill and burn, the better it will please me.” He wanted Samar to become a howling wilderness.

As a result of his orders, thousands were killed. A British researcher in 1990 estimated that about 2,500 people were killed together with the destruction of 255 dwellings and the slaughter of 13 carabaos. All these were certainly conservative estimates of the destruction done after the Balangiga incident. Filipino historians come up with a much-higher estimate of about 50,000 the people killed and properties destroyed. The story did not end there. The incident was hidden from the American public for about six months. It was only on March 1902, during the court-martial of Major Littleton Waller on an entirely unrelated offense that the Balangiga atrocities became known to the American public. The court martial of Waller was not because of the murder of thousands of innocent Filipino non-com-

batants but because Waller ordered the killing of eleven Filipinos that the Americans were using as helpers. During the trial, he revealed the order of Smith forcing the American authorities to institute courtmartial proceedings against Smith. Had Smith not been called to give testimony in Waller’s trial, the Balangiga massacre of Filipino non-combatants would never have been made public. But the charge against Smith is one for the books. The charge was not against the murder of thousands of Filipinos but simply for “conduct to the prejudice of good order and military discipline.”

As a punishment, he was admonished and was subsequently retired from the US Army with no additional subsequent punishment.

Such was the value of Filipino life as seen in the eyes of the Americans during that period.

Today, what Smith did would fall under crimes against humanity. The world had to wait until the end of the Second World War to recognize crimes against humanity. Smith was retired with all his benefits intact and furthermore, was allowed to be buried at the Arlington military cemetery in Washington D.C. when he died. US officials criticize Japanese officials when they visit the controversial Nakasone while it is perfectly alright to bury someone like Smith at the Arlington cemetery. Even with the announcement of Secretary Mattis, some US veteran groups are still resisting the return of the bells. Two of the bells are in F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne while the other is at the 9th Infantry Regiment base in Camp Red Cloud in South Korea.

The Balangiga encounter which the Americans was a legitimate military operation where the Americans were caught unprepared. There were no guards and perimeter security while the rest of the company were having breakfast. For that, thousands of Filipino non-combatants paid with their lives.

The words of Secretary Mattis that his department intends to return the Balangiga bells is therefore very encouraging.

If it will indeed happen, it will right a wrong committed over a hundred years ago and make the people of Balangiga, Samar extremely happy who after all this time never replaced the three bells of their parish Catholic Church.

I was with a group of journalists when we interviewed Lee. He told us about his vision of Singapore being a number-one industrial city state.

I remember going to a small cottage with stern-looking guards.

From Singapore I went to Kuala Lumpur, where we interviewed then-Prime Minister Tungku Abdul Rahman. He told us how he fought the communist incursion into Malaysia through “hamleting”—when government forces secure one vil-

lage after another to prevent communist intrusion.

From mainland Malaysia, I was taken to Sabah’s Jesselton, now called Kota Kinabalu, and to Labuan Island.

Here Muslims were allowed to engage in barter trade.

When I went to Korea, I saw the demilitarized zone. It was a learning experience. I stayed at a government hotel. Heating came from under the floor.

I wrote about the DMZ for my newspaper.

Thousands of Filipino non-combatants paid with their lives.

What...

From A4

In Brisbane, at Surfers’ Paradise, women in bikinis were giving parking tickets to visitors.

In Singapore, I was billeted at a hotel called Singapura along Orchard Road.

There were no hotel chains yet at that time. At 4 in the afternoon, Orchard Road was closed to traffic because hawkers of all kinds gathered to sell their wares.

I was taken to Singapore’s famed open market, where you just pointed to what you wanted to eat.

Pristine...

From A4

of Yugoslavia in the 1990s.

After the tiny country of just 600,000 people declared independence 2006, it went on a construction spree.

Foreign investors—mostly Russians —drove a property boom that saw apartment complexes blight the coast.

Tourism was largely spared the ravages of the 2008 global financial crisis, and today accounts for nearly a quarter of Montenegro’s gross domestic product.

The annual influx totals around two million visitors—mostly in summer, and mostly on the coast.

During that time, tourism puts “great pressure on cities, on the area, on communal infrastructure,” said Damir Davidovic, a senior tourism ministry official.

Authorities are “analysing” the situation to find the right balance, he told AFP. One key concern is the rise of private accommodation—a model that hurts ho-

tel operators and is changing the character of communities, as many locals evacuate for the summer to rent their homes.

The explosion of online rental platforms like Airbnb has only amplified the problem.

“It is really a serious issue,” said Davidovic, estimating that more than half the private accommodation for tourists operate in a “grey zone”, with owners evading taxes by not registering their properties.

Rade Ratkovic, a professor of tourism in nearby Budva, another hotspot marred by over-construction, said the town was being “attacked by huge buildings.”

Ulcinj farther south, local journalist and tourism expert Mustafa Canka shook his head.

“Traffic, parking, electricity... with such huge numbers of tourists it is an attack on the infrastructure -- and on the nerves of the local people,” he said.

“But,” he added, “all of us who work in tourism live for these 45 days.”

Without other industries in Montenegro’s coastal towns, the crucial income from travellers has so far staved off “overtourism” protests like those seen in Barcelona and Venice.

Yet Canka is worried about the future.

“We are not worthy of this city and its history,” he said, gesturing towards UlLove-hate cinj’s ancient castle, perched on a rocky For now, many locals are trapped peninsula. in a love-hate relationship with the “Greed is what is happening, and this visitors. consumerism is eating up our space and Gazing at a jam-packed beach in our people—and now our future.” AFP

THURSDAY, AUGUST 23, 2018

A5

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Why BOT is in deep trouble The second reason why this country’s BOT is in deep trouble is that the economic managers (1) are not overly concerned about the chronic trade imbalance RUDY and (2) have nothing to offer by way of a ROMERO solution to the imbalance. In the meantime the Build Build Build imports conTHIS country’s BOT (balance of trade, tinue to pour in and the trade gap continthe non-financial component of its BOP ues to widen. (balance of payments), is in deep trouble.

This is what Neda’s director-general, There are two reasons for this. They can Dr. Ernesto Pernia, has to offer as a sobe discerned from recent statements of the lution: “[In improving our export marGovernor of the BSP (Bangko Sentral ng ket moving forward], creating a broader Pilipinas) and the Director-General of Neda market base for exports through effective (National Economic and Development Au- trade facilitation and by effectively utilizthority). ing existing free trade agreements as well First, the data from the PSA (Philippine as forging new ones.” This is hardly the Statistics Authority). This country’s mer- stuff of export trade energization. chandise trade incurred a deficit of $19.1 And this is what BSP chief Nestor billion—imports totaling $51.8 billion Espenilla Jr. has had to say about the versus exports totaling $32.7 billion— increasingly toxic BOT situation: “The during the first half higher cumulative of 2018. In June BOP deficit for (the alone the deficit first seven months was $3.35 billion. of the year) may be The first-semester attributed partly to There is a sense trade deficit largely the widening merof non-urgency made possible a chandise trade defi$3.71 billion Phil- among the economic cit for the first half ippine BOP deficit managers regarding the of the year that was in the first seven brought about by months of this year. worrisome merchandise the sustained rise The seriousness of trade gap coupled in imports of raw the BOP situation with a non-negotiable materials and capibecomes apparent tal goods to support when it is pointed posture regarding the domestic economic out that $19.1 billion Build Build Build import expansion.”

The represents about program. trade deficit was one-fourth of this brought about by country’s current the sustained rise GIR (gross internain imports of raw tional reserve). materials and capiThe first reason why the Philippine tal goods? How about exports? The trade BOT is in trouble is that the continuing deficit was not brought about by the susdecline in this country’s merchandise tained decline in exports? export trade is taking place against the A sense of non-urgency among the backdrop of an import binge associ- economic managers regarding the worated with the Duterte administration’s risome merchandise trade gap coupled Build Build Build program, which the with a non-negotiable posture regardPhilippine economy’s managers have ing the Build Build Build import prodeclared to be irreducible. They have gram—that is bad new for this counin effect been saying, never mind try’s BOP. And, by extension, for the the burgeoning trade deficit, the in- exchange rate of the peso, whose defrastructure-related imports have to preciation adversely affects the inflacome in. That is surely a formula for tion rate and the cost of servicing the economic disaster.

Philippine external debt.

BUSINESS CLASS

Entombed...

From A4

had sufficient technical equipment to support their worldwide network and infrastructure.

Not to mention the other news organizations—the initially community newspapers and broadcast networks that eventually became interested in events beyond their own shorelines— that have aired their opening billboards and lead paragraphs and now compete with Reuters, Associated Press, and Agence France-Presse.

The result, in the eye range of many advocating the creation of a New International Economic Order, is that those in the Third World, including the Philippines, know more about the developed countries than they are supposed to know about events in fellow Third World nations.

In the early 80s, news executives from the Third World—like Malaysia, Indonesia, South Korea, the Philippines, Japan, India, Pakistan, Thailand, Iran, Greece, China and the Soviet Union at that time—organized the Asia-Pacific News Agencies.

This was followed by the First Asean Editors Conference in Manila, hosted by the Philippines News Agency, which launched the Asia-Pacific News Network or ANN. Through ANN, a new news window on Asia, where nearly half of mankind live, was opened after several years during which national news agencies in the region struggled for the establishment of a news exchange program among them.

Many, even then, were agreed that the media had a significant role to play in regional development and cooperation.

Neither could it be under-emphasized that there continued to exist the overwhelming dominance of the wellentrenched and powerful transnational news agencies which remained the major communication conduits to the Asian countries from the developed world—and vice versa—and among the Asian nations themselves.

That was the stark reality on the imbalance in the flow of news and information which confronted news executives and policy makers—that reality expected to continue and confront nations now excited by the flirty fake news.

The inequity predated and still overrides the concept of a “free and balanced flow” of information mentioned in the MacBride Commission report.

The concept slowly but steadily took flesh between the 1960s and the 1970s, by which time the imbalance in the flow of news and information between rich and poor or between industrialized

and developing countries had become the subject of many international debates.

Today, virtually no one—from the academic halls to editorial newsrooms as well as coffee shops visited by newsmen—disputes the reality.

But what exactly does the imbalance look like?

The MacBride Commission report, the product of years of study of a body headed by the Irish jurist Sean MacBride, correctly stressed that the imbalance in news circulation was a complex and varied phenomenon.

The imbalance can be quantitative and qualitative and can occur at various levels and in different forms. It can as well occur between rich and poor countries, to the extent that the news or information flow is dependent on the existence of infrastructures and other transmitting facilities.

Quantitatively, the flow of news from developed to developing nations was and remains greater than the flow in the opposite direction.

The imbalance, say some experts, has been so pervasive on a global scale that sometimes it can also occur, paradoxically, between developing nations themselves, where superpowers can flex their communication muscles at the not-so-superpowers.

Add this to quickie reports by socalled visiting newsmen – or the selfdeclared instant experts – from magazines and other publications based abroad, on a country they have just known for a few hours or a few days, believing in the stock knowledge and observation faculty of their new-found friends whose credential as news sources is arguably questionable.

These self-proclaimed journalistic whiz kids file back home their reports with the country’s dateline, often when they are back in their own regional base elsewhere.

In many instances, these journalists have relied on unproven and apocryphal sources of information, singled out the bizarre and the sensational and then depicted them as the topical truth.

The debate continues, fake news despite.

Like other news stories, the debate will continue to be retopped—with a different slant the next time around.

(HBC, a practitioner and academic, represented the Philippines in some editorial and board meetings of the Asian News Agencies and the Organization of Asia Pacific News Agencies in Manila, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Langkawi in Malaysia, Seoul, and Beijing.)

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Manila

Standard

News

A6

TODAY THURSDAY, AUGUST 23, 2018 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

House to probe police search of raided bar

By Maricel V. Cruz TWO lawmakers on Wednesday sought a congressional inquiry into the case of three lawyers arrested recently by police for allegedly obstructing the service of the search warrant against Time in Manila bar, a suspected drug den, in Makati City.

In House Resolution 2086, Reps. Doy Leachon of Oriental Mindoro and Salvador Belaro Jr. of 1-Ang Edukasyon party-list asked the House committees on justice, and good

government and public accountability to probe the detention by the Makati police of Jan Vincent Soliven, Lenie Rocel Rocha, and Romulo Bernard Alarkon.

Leachon is the chairman of the House committee on justice.

“Whereas, in the event said lawyers’ presence in the said raid is found out to be only for the fulfillment of their duties as officers of the court, a reference of the said irregularity should never be countenanced because of its chilling effect on the rule of law,” said

Republic of the Philippines ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION San Miguel Avenue, Pasig City IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION FOR APPROVAL OF FORCE MAJEURE EVENT REGULATED FM PASSTHROUGH FOR EARTHQUAKE IN LEYTE IN THE VISAYAS REGION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RULES FOR SETTING TRANSMISSION WHEELING RATES, WITH PRAYER FOR PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY

is allowed to recover the cost incurred for the repair, restoration, and rehabilitation of damage sustained by its transmission assets and other related facilities as a result of an FME. A copy of the FM Pass-Through Amount Computation is hereto attached as Annex “D.” 16. Further, the FM Pass-Through Amounts in this Application do not breach the Force Majeure Threshold Amount (FMTA) of PhP0.0357/kWh in accordance with the RTWR. A copy of the FMTA Computation is hereto attached as Annex “E.” 17. Also, NGCP considered the NFAV of the transmission assets and other related facilities damaged by the FME Earthquake in Leyte given that NGCP would have normally fully recovered the return of capital on said assets for the duration of their economic lives had these assets not been damaged or destroyed by said FME.

ERC CASE NO. 2018-073 RC

NATIONAL GRID CORPORATION OF THE PHILIPPINES (NGCP), Applicant. x - --- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - x

JUSTIFICATION FOR THE ISSUANCE OF PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

18. NGCP respectfully moves for the issuance of a provisional approval for the immediate recovery of the FM Pass-Through Amounts pursuant to Section 3, Rule 14 of the ERC Rules of Practice and Procedure.

TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES: Notice is hereby given that on 05 July 2018, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) filed an Application dated 21 June 2018 (Application), seeking the approval of Force Majeure Event Regulated FM pass-through for earthquake in Leyte in the Visayas Region, in accordance with the Rules for Setting Transmission Wheeling Rates, with prayer for provisional authority.

19. NGCP needs to immediately recover the actual expenses incurred for the repair, restoration and rehabilitation of the damaged transmission assets and other related facilities. It must be emphasized that the rehabilitation of the assets damaged by the FME Earthquake in Leyte required capital infusion, the recovery of which should be allowed immediately in order to avoid any financial strain in the operation of NGCP and to allow the continuous provision of transmission service to the grid customers.

NGCP alleged the following in its Application: 1.

2.

NGCP is a corporation created and existing under the laws of the Republic of the Philippines, with principal office address at NGCP Building, Quezon Avenue corner BIR Road, Diliman, Quezon City. It is the concessionaire that operates and maintains the nationwide transmission system pursuant to Republic Act No. (RA) 9136, otherwise known as the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 (EPlRA).1

4.

5.

20. In addition, the timely implementation of the FM Pass-Through Amounts will allow the equal or even spread of the increases or decreases in tariffs from the initial implementation of the recovery of the cost.

21. A copy of the Judicial Affidavit of Agnes F. Dela Cruz, Head, Tariff Design and Billing Management Division, Revenue and Regulatory Affairs, in support of the instant Application, is hereto attached as Annex “F.”

Under RA 95112, NGCP was granted a franchise to construct, install, finance, manage, improve, expand, operate, maintain, rehabilitate, repair and refurbish the present nationwide transmission system of the Republic of the Philippines.

STATEMENT OF FACTS

3.

On 6 July 2017, an earthquake with a magnitude of 6.5 on the Richter Scale occurred in Leyte in the Visayas region. Due to its intensity, NGCP’s transmission assets and other related facilities in Visayas were damaged. A copy of the Certification dated 31 August 2017 issued by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) is attached hereto as Annex “A.”

PRAYER to:

7.

WHEREFORE, it is most respectfully prayed of this Honorable Commission 1.

DECLARE the earthquake in Leyte in the Visayas region as Force Majeure Events (FME);

2.

Immediately GRANT Provisional Approval to implement and bill the following FM Pass-Through Amounts starting August 2018 billing month to December 2020 for Visayas, or until such time that the amounts incurred are fully recovered:

In compliance with Article X of the Rules for the Setting of Transmission Wheeling Rates (RTWR), NGCP filed with this Honorable Commission a Force Majeure Event (FME) Notice dated 24 August 2017, copy is attached hereto as Annex “B,” receipt of which was acknowledged by the Honorable Commission in its Letter dated 19 September 2017, copy is attached hereto as Annex “C.”

Visayas P/kW-mo.

P/kWh

Immediately after the devastation of the earthquake, NGCP started the repair, restoration and rehabilitation of its damaged transmission assets and other related facilities in order to restore transmission service to its customers and the public. As a result, NGCP incurred additional costs for the repair, restoration and rehabilitation of the said damaged transmission assets.

FORCE MAJEURE EVENT CLAIM

6.

8.

Pursuant to Section 10.1.1 of the RTWR, NGCP is· allowed to recover the cost it incurred in the repair, restoration, and rehabilitation of its transmission assets and other related facilities damaged by the earthquake in Leyte through an FM PassThrough Amount.

9.

Within three (3) months after the occurrence of the FME Earthquake in Leyte, NGCP filed before the Honorable Commission FME Notice dated 24 August 2017, pursuant to Sections 10.2.1 and 10.2.2 of the RTWR.

10. Thereafter, within twelve (12) months after the occurrence of the FME Earthquake in Leyte, NGCP hereby files the instant FME Application, in accordance with Sections 10.2.1 and 10.2.3 of the RTWR. FM PASS-THROUGH AMOUNT COMPUTATION 11. It must be noted that NGCP has not recovered from its Industrial All-Risk (IAR) Insurance Policy procured from the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) for the year 2017 the cost NGCP incurred in the repair, restoration and rehabilitation of the transmission assets and other related facilities damaged by the FME Earthquake in Leyte, considering that the affected assets are not covered by the IAR as they are located beyond the 1,000 meters radius from the nearest substation perimeter fence, and that the total cost of damage is below the One (1) Million US Dollars deductible amount. Thus, it is but proper for NGCP to file the instant FME Application to recover the cost it incurred for the repair, restoration and rehabilitation of its transmission assets and other related facilities damaged by the FME Earthquake in Leyte pursuant to the RTWR. 12. The total cost NGCP incurred for the repair, restoration and rehabilitation of its transmission assets and other related facilities damaged by the FME Earthquake in Leyte is One Hundred Ninety-Three Million Eight Hundred Thirty-One Thousand Four Hundred Forty-Eight Pesos and 44/100 (PhP193,831,448.44) broken down as follows:

41,616,874.46

Net Fixed Asset Value (NFAV)

39,290,534.84

Total

193,831,448.44

13. NGCP proposes the FM Pass-Through Amounts, in P/kW month, as additional network charges starting August 2018 billing month until December 2020 for Visayas, or until such time that the amounts incurred are fully recovered, computed as shown in the tables below: Visayas P/kWh

2018

2019

7.24

3.21

3.40

0.0150

0.0067

0.0072

0.0150

0.0067

0.0072

2018

2019

2020

7.24

3.21

3.40

0.0150

0.0067

0.0072

5.

APPROVE and ALLOW the recovery of the Net Fixed Asset Value of the transmission assets and other related facilities damaged by the FME Earthquake in Leyte amounting to Thirty-Nine Million Two Hundred Ninety Thousand Five Hundred Thirty-Four Pesos and 84/100 (PhP39,290,534.84) given that it would have been fully recovered by NGCP if these transmission assets and other related facilities have not been damaged or destroyed by the said FME; and

6.

EXCLUDE the proposed Pass-Through Amounts from the side constraint calculation.

NGCP prays for other relief deemed just and equitable under the premises The Commission has set the Application for determination of compliance with the jurisdictional requirements, expository presentation, Pre-trial Conference, and evidentiary hearing on 28 September 2018 (Friday) at one o’clock in the afternoon (1:00 P.M.) at the ERC Visayas Field Office, St. Mary’s Drive, Banilad, Cebu City.

All persons who have an interest in the subject matter of the instant case may become a party by filing with the “ Commission a verified Petition to Intervene at least five (5) days prior to the initial hearing and subject to the requirements under Rule 9 of the 2006 Rules of Practice and Procedure, indicating therein the docket number and title of the case and stating the following: 1)

The petitioner’s name and address;

2)

The nature of petitioner’s interest in the subject matter of the proceeding and the way and manner in which such interest is affected by the issues involved in the proceeding; and

3)

A statement of the relief desired.

All other persons who may want their views known to the Commission with respect to the subject matter of the case may file their Opposition or Comment thereon at any stage of the proceeding before Applicant rests its case, subject to the requirements under Rule 9 of the 2006 Rules of Practice and Procedure. No particular form of Opposition or Comment is required, but the document, letter, or writing should contain the following: 1)

The name and address of such person;

2)

A concise statement of the Opposition or Comment; and

3)

The grounds relied upon.

All such persons who wish to have a copy of the Application may request from Applicant that they be furnished with the same prior to the date of the initial hearing.

Applicant is hereby directed to furnish all those making such request with copies of the Application and its attachments, subject to the reimbursement of reasonable photocopying costs. Any such person may likewise examine the Application and other pertinent records filed with the Commission during the standard office hours.

Pasig City, 01 August 2018.

FOR AND BY AUTHORITY OF THE COMMISSION:

2020

AGNES VST DEVANADERA Chairperson & CEO

14. NGCP proposes the FM Pass-Through Amounts for the years 2018 to 2020 to allow the recovery of the expenditures incurred

by NGCP relative to the FME Earthquake in Leyte, pending the reset process for the Transmission Services for the Fourth Regulatory Period.

15. Considering that NGCP’s Final Determination for the fourth (4th) Regulatory Period has yet to be issued by the Honorable Commission, the proposed FM Pass-Through Amounts can be recovered pursuant to Section 10.1.1 of the RTWR where NGCP

3.40

APPROVE, after due notice and hearing, the proposed FM PassThrough Amounts to be collected from the Visayas customers starting August 2018 billing month or until such time that the amounts incurred are fully recovered, as follows:

P/kWh

112,924,039.14

Capital Expenditure (CAPEX)

2020

3.21

4.

Visayas

AMOUNT Operating Expenditures (OPEX)

2019

7.24

APPROVE the FME CAPEX and OPEX amounting to One Hundred Fifty-Four Million Eight Hundred Fifty-Three Thousand Forty Pesos and 16/100 (PhP154,853,040.16) incurred by NGCP for the repair, restoration and rehabilitation of the damaged transmission assets and other related facilities due to FME Earthquake in Leyte;

P/kW-mo.

Based on the Certification issued by PHIVOLCS, an earthquake with a magnitude of 6.5 on the Richter Scale occurred on 6 July 2017 in Leyte in the Visayas region, thus, falling within the definition of an FME in accordance with Section 1.3 of the RTWR.

2018

3.

Under Section 1.3(a) of the RTWR, an FME is defined as a “typhoon, storm, tropical depression, flood, drought, volcanic eruption, earthquake, tidal wave or landslide; or an act of public enemy, war (declared or undeclared), sabotage, blockade, revolution, riot, insurrection, civil commotion or any violent or threatening actions.”

P/kW-mo.

Leachon and Belaro.

They said “now that no less than National Police chief Oscar Albayalde has publicly come to [the] defense of the Makati City police officers who arrested the three lawyers last August 16, the proper legal remedies of those lawyers does not include the Commission on Human Rights, which can only investigate but not prosecute.”

The two lawmakers also urged the National Police Commission to recommend the filing of charges against the Makati City police officers.

1 2

Republic Act No. 9136 entitled, “An Act Ordaining Reforms in the Electric Power Industry, Amending for the Purpose Certain Laws and for Other Purposes” Republic Act No. 9511 entitled “An Act Granting the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines a Franchise to Engage in the Business of Conveying or Transmitting Electricity Through High Voltage Back-bone System or Interconnected Transmission Lines, Substations and Related Facilities, and for Other Purposes” (MS-AUG. 23 & 31, 2018)

DENR failed to collect P3b in royalty fees

By Rio N. Araja

T

HE Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ Mines and Geosciences Bureau has failed to collect P2.67 billion in royalty fees from five mine firms.

In an audit report, the Commission on Audit said the P2.67billion fee representing the 5-percent royalty fees from 2012 to 2016 should have been collected from Philsaga Mining Corp. at P1 billion, SR Metal Inc. at P728 million, Marcventures Mining and Development Corp. at P475 million, JCG (Greenstone) Resources Corp. at P392 million and Agata Mining Ventures Inc. at P25 million from 2014 to 2016.

The mining companies were operating outside the mineral reservation areas in Region 13.

However, under the Mining Act, the State owns all mineral resources but allows the establishment of MRAs in case there is a need to preserve raw materials critical to national development.

According to CoA, the mining firms only paid for taxes based on existing mineral production sharing agreements.

“Royalty should have also been imposed against these mining companies as these companies also extract mineral resources owned by the State. It is worth mentioning that the aforesaid mining companies operating outside the MRAs were granted permit to operate by the secretary of the DENR without specific requirement to pay royalty,” the audit report read.

CoA also called the attention of MGB for the absence of a database system on ore transport permits, mineral ores exportation permits, shipment records and other pertinent documents.

It flagged the bureau’s mining management division for having no personnel to keep the shipment reports of the mining companies.

It told MGB to ask Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu to urge President Rodrigo Duterte to declare the areas where these companies operate as MRAs or issue an authorization to impose royalty fees.

Election watchdog lauds Du30 vow of ‘clean’ polls LESS than a year into the 2019 midterm elections and amid rumors of a so-called “no election” scenario, election watchdog Democracy Watch supports President Rodrigo Duterte’s assurance of a “clean and orderly” polls.

Citing the great strides introduced by the switch to the Automated Election System in the past three elections, the country can ill afford to go back to how things were, Democracy Watch Secretary General Claudette Guevara said in a statement.

“Transparency is a key principle in ensuring credible elections as it helps establish trust and confidence in the process by guaranteeing that the results reflect the true will of the people,” Guevara said.

The 2016 elections was widely believed to be the most credible in recent memory, a view attested by nationwide opinion polls and accounts of foreign observers although there is an ongoing protest filed by losing vice presidential candidate Ferdinand Marcos Jr. against the proclaimed winner Leni Robredo.

In a Pulse Asia survey conducted after the polls, more than 90 percent of respondents believed that the conduct of the exercise

was fast, orderly, and peaceful.

By election night, some 86 percent of all votes had transmitted, something that was unheard of in the history of Philippine elections long marred by cheating and sluggishness.

“On May 2016, the world saw more than 44 million Filipinos troop to their respective polling precincts and made their voices heard through a process that has long been a cornerstone of our democracy. The faster conduct resulted in less instability and greater confidence in the process,” Guevara said.

Duterte’s assurance also came amidst a protracted and bitter electoral protest by Marcos.

“An election that is hailed as one of the most successful and credible in history should be above senseless politicking,” Guevara said.

Democracy Watch said a way to improve the polls even more is to invest on the retooling and building of an adequate IT infrastructure and developing the human resources for the Commission on Elections so it can fulfil its mandate.

“Such investments are also investments in our political stability,” Guevara said.

BI authorities arrest German

By Vito Barcelo IMMIGRATION authorities arrested Wednesday a German national who attempted to spirit out of the country four Filipinas hired to work as caregivers in Germany.

The German, 72-year-old Herbert Joseph Vogt, was intercepted, along with four Filipino women, at the Clark International Airport in Angeles City, Pampanga.

Vogt and the four women, whose names were withheld, attempted to board a Qatar Airways flight bound for Doha en route to their final destination in Germany.

OIC Deputy Commissioner and concurrent BI-Port Operations Division chief Mark Mariñas said the four victims aroused the suspicion of the immigration officer when they initially claimed to be traveling in sets of two, and denied knowing each other.

“The victims later admitted during questioning that they were hired to work as caregivers at a nursing home in Germany. They were made to lie about the circumstances of their travel,” Mariñas said.

He said the victims studied the German language at a popular university in Manila, and NOTICE they confessed that Vogt helped them process their application for said work.

“Public notice is hereby given that The victims also admitted that Vogt was Tridom Trading & their German language professor at the unConstruction, a identified university. sole proprietorship located in 068 San Vogt was turned over to the National Bureau Roque, Virac, of Investigation where he is detained pending Catanduanes, has the filing of illegal recruitment and human trafchanged business name and status ficking charges before the court. to Virac Tridom The four victims were immediately reConstruction Corp, ferred to the Inter-Agency Council Against a SEC-registered corporation.”

Trafficking for assistance and further investigation.

(MS-AUG. 23, 2018)

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Sports Knights stop Cardinals; Eagles beat SJC Bulacan

By Peter Atencio THE Letran Knights and the First City Providential College of Bulacan Eagles prevailed over separate foes over the weekend in the 16th Fr. Martin Cup Division 2 basketball tournament.

Jap Pambid and King Caralipio drilled in big baskets that lifted the Letran Knights to a 88-83 triumph over the Mapua Cardinals at the St. Placid gymnasium inside San BedaManila campus in Mendiola.

Ken Laquibla struck with 31 points for the Eagles as they toppled St. Joseph College-Bulacan, 103-91.

Pambid and Caralipio banged in 23 and 17 points to lead the Knights to their second straight win in the senior division.

The Knights, who had earlier prevailed over the Arellano Chiefs, 7569, are now on top of Group B. This puts the Knights in contention for a quarterfinals seat, according to commissioner Robert de la Rosa.

On the other hand, the Eagles, who also got 20 points from John Bravo, earned win no. 3 in Group A of the junior side.

The Eagles share the lead with the La Consolacion College Junior Royals, who smashed the Diliman Preparatory School Baby Blue Dragons, 68-42.

The Chiang Kai Shek College Blazing Dragons soared to their fourth straight victory also in Group B after they won over Paco Catholic Academy Foundation, 8980.

The San Beda Taytay Red Cubs, led by JR Gloria with 15 points, now have a 1-1 slate in the junior action after they won over San Beda-Manila, 84-57.

Dragon boat team gets more time PALEMBANG—Deputy chef de mission (CDM) Manny Cabili assured Philippine Canoe Kayak Dragon Boat Federation president Jonne Go on Wednesday that the dragon boat team will get an extra day of practice before the 18th Asian Games competitions start here on Saturday.

“I talked to the Olympic Council of Asia official who presided during last Tuesday’s CDM meeting and he told me that all foreign teams should get at least two days of practice,” said Cabili, who was with Go as they watched the start of the bowling competitions here at the Jakabaring Bowling Center.

“All that (dragon boat) coach Lenlen Escollante has to do is talk to the technical delegate in charge of the event to work it out,” he said.

Go had earlier complained that the Asian Games organizers had limited the sessions of the foreign teams to just one day of workouts on the eve of the event at the Jakabaring Sports City Lake here, contrary to the practice in previous Asiads.

“One day is definitely not enough to adjust to the weather, water and lane conditions of the course,” Go said. “I find this unreasonable.”

She, however, welcomed the development but admitted that “Indonesia will have the hometown advantage because of their familiarity with the course.”

A7

THURSDAY, AUGUST 23, 2018 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Yulo chases gymnastics gold

By Riera U. Mallari

J

AKARTA—In the Doha World Cup early this year, upand-coming Filipino gymnast Carlos Yulo stunned Ryohei Kato, the gold medalist from Japan in the team all-around gymnastics’ event of the 2016 Rio Olympics. Yulo finished behind a Russian champ in Qatar and took the silver, while Kato settled for the bronze.

Let that, for a moment, sink in—a young Filipino gymnast beating a certified Olympic champion.

Kato is some sort of a home town hero back in Japan. He was even part of an elaborate celebration lighting up

the night sky at the Japanese capital in the colors of the Olympic rings in July to mark the two-year countdown to the 2020 Tokyo Games.

Today, Yulo, armed with a strict threeyear training regimen in Japan, shoots

for history as he aims to win the Philippines’ first-ever gold medal in Artistic Gymnastics in the 18th Asian Games at the Jakarta International Expo Hall here.

It has been ages since the Philippines has had a gymnastics’ star to embrace.

The last gymnast to have mesmerized our country was Bea Lucero, who mixed her good looks with her amazing grace and fluidity on the floor.

Yulo could be that star gymnast we have been yearning for.

On Monday in the Asian Games, Yulo finished on top of an 8-man field that made it to the medal round of the

Aussie grabs ICTSI lead as Jahns stumbles

Tim Stewart looks for a way out from under the trees on No. 18.

Angara expects Diaz to help fellow athletes EXPECT Hidilyn Diaz to use her winnings to benefit many athletes and help them shine as well.

Senator Sonny Angara said this as he lauded weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz for winning the Philippines’ first gold medal in the Asian Games in Jakarta, Indonesia on Tuesday.

“Ginugol niya sa pagpapatayo ng isang weightlifting training facility sa kanyang bayan sa Zamboanga ang napanalunan niya noon. Ito ay para matulungan ang mga kababayan niya na nangangarap din maging world-class na atleta tulad niya. Tayo po’y nakatitiyak na muling gagamitin ni Hidilyn ang kanyang napanalunan sa isang napakamakabuluhang paraan,” said Angara in

a statement.

Under Republic Act 10699, which Angara sponsored, the 27-year-old Diaz is entitled to a P2-million cash incentive from the government.

RA 10699 increased the amount of cash incentives and expanded the benefits given to winning athletes, coaches and trainers.

Before the new law was implemented, Asian Games gold medalists only received P1 million.

“Tayo po ay nakikiisa sa milyonmilyong Pilipinong nagbubunyi sa pagkapanalo ni Hidilyn. She once again showcased the Filipino fighting spirit.

She deserves all the support in recognition of the honor she continues to bring

to our country,” said Angara.

Senator Angara is set to file a resolution commending Diaz and the rest of the Filipino medalists in the Asian Games.

So far, the Philippines has also won four bronze medals in the Jakarta Games.

The law likewise raised the cash incentives of bronze medalists to P400,000 from P100,000.

Aside from the P2-million incentive under RA 10699, Diaz stands to receive P2 million from the Philippine Olympic Committee, and P1 million each from the Siklab Foundation and the Philippine Ambassador to Indonesia Lee Hoong. Peter Atencio

BACOLOD—Tim Stewart of Australia marked his return to the Philippine Golf Tour in smashing fashion, shooting a four-under 66 then pouncing on fellow big-hitting Keanu Jahns’ late-hole miscues to wrest a one-stroke lead at the start of the ICTSI Iloilo Golf Challenge at the par-70 Iloilo Golf and Country Club here yesterday.

Back in the circuit after finishing fourth at PGT Asia Southwoods last June, Stewart leaned on his hot putter to produce seven birdies that negated a double-bogey and bogey on Nos. 3 and 13, respectively. But the 33-year-old winner of the recent Tahiti Open had to watch Jahns waver in the last two holes at the front to snatch the lead in the early going of the 72-hole championship sponsored by ICTSI. “I putted well at the back side and hopefully, I’ll do better tomorrow (today),” said Stewart, who also placed fifth at PGTA Luisita and tied for 25th at PGTA Riviera.

Jahns came away with two pitch-in eagle feats on par-4 holes, the first spiking his big opening charge on No. 11 and the other on No. 6 that put him on top of the 71-player starting field at five-under. But the Fil-German shotmaker, one of the rising young guns in the circuit organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc., threeputted No. 8 and missed the last green, enabling Stewart to seize control.

“I got confused with the speed of the greens. My putts were way off in the last two holes, both going past the cup,” rued Jahns, who also shot four birdies against three bogeys at the back.

He settled for a 67 and dropped to joint second with PGT Asia Forest Hills leg winner Jhonnel Ababa, Elmer Salvador and Dutch Guido Van der Valk, while Jay Bayron, Clyde Mondilla, Erwin Arcillas, Dino Villanueva and Ramil Bisera turned in identical 68s to make it a crowded leaderboard in the third of four tournaments making up the Visayan swing of this year’s tour.

Torres once had hoop dreams THE Zamboanginian Fighter returns in ONE: Quest of Heroes on 22 September. Jomary Torres is sure to Jomary Torres once dreamed of playing basketball as a pro.

Football is widely regarded as the most popular sport in the world, but in the Philippines, basketball has become woven into the cultural fabric of the country where the overall lack of height does not interfere with the love of the game.

Like many other Filipinos in the archipelago, homegrown mixed martial arts prospect Jomary “The Zamboanganian Fighter” Torres had a simple dream of becoming a basketball player when she was a young girl.

“I really wanted to play basketball,” she shared. “Most men play basketball in our country. Since it is like our national sport, I was fascinated by it,” she said.

Having played in fiestas and for her school, Torres thought that she could eventually find a way to make a career out of her hobby.

“It’s natural for Filipinos to play basketball. You can see hoops everywhere.

We play the game every single day. Like

many of my countrymen, I was good at it. I thought of playing in the professional ranks and have the chance to earn money from it,” she said.

However, circumstances in life would not allow Torres to pursue a professional career in basketball.

Torres and her older brother were actually left under the care of their grandmother since they were infants.

Despite not having a stable business as a source of income, Torres’ grandmother found ways to provide, such as picking up extra work at a school cafeteria.

“Instead of letting my grandmother work even more just to get me through college, I decided to stop going to school and find a job to help her out,” she said.

Torres eventually shelved her hoops dream and emerged as a promising mixed martial arts talent from the Philippines.

She has compiled an undefeated professional record of 4-0.

The 22-year-old Zamboanga del Norte native directed her career path to ONE Championship in 2017, winning her first three assignments in astonishing fashion.

Filipina MMA fighter Jomary Torres listens intently while being introduced while inside the cage as she awaits to start another MMA battle. ONE Championship

Navotas Clutch, Rizal Crusaders post contrasting victories THE Navotas Clutch and the Rizal Crusaders pulled off contrasting win in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Datu Cup at Pasig Sports Center Tuesday night.

Returning to form, the Clutch dumped the Pasig Pirates, 97-70, while the Crusaders stopped the Zamboanga Valientes, 77-73.

Pouring a league-record 36 points in the third quarter, the Clutch halted a threegame slide and leveled their slate at 3-3.

floor exercises on Thursday, starting at 4 p.m. (5 p.m. in Manila).

Standing just 4’11” but is a bundle of energy on the floor, Yulo led the field as he submitted a score of 14.500, followed by Taipei’s Chia-Hong Tang with 14.450, while Japan’s Kakeru Tanigawa had the third-best score of 14.400.

He is the odds-on pick for the floor gold, his favorite among the 5 apparatus in the Artistics Gymnastics finals.

“I’m ready na po,” said Caloy, Yulo’s nickname. “I’m focused and concentrated. Hindi po ako nangangako pero ipapakita ko po ang lahat ng aking makakaya sa laban.”

The Crusaders, on the other hand, rallied from 11 points down in the fourth quarter to snap the Valientes ‘three-win run and improved their record to 2-5.

With their starters delivering, the Clutch surged to an imposing 80-43 spread ending the third.

Navotas coach Richie Ticzon then decided to let his second stringers finish the demolition that put the Pirates deeper in the cellar at 0-6, the only winless squad among the 26 teams vying in

the regional league.

Showing their balanced firepower, five Clutch players tallied twin digits with Matthew Salem scoring 14, Gino Jumao-as, Levi Hernandez and Michole Sorela 13 each and Klyde Drexler Neypess chipping in 12.

While it was a cruise for the Clutch, the Crusaders needed to endure a bumpy ride against the Valientes, whose guns went silent except for Reed Juntilla, in the fourth quarter.

“We were able to contain their wing

men in the end, “said Braulio Lim, coach of the Xentro Mall-backed Crusaders, who blanked the Valientes in the last minute while coming through with seven points.

Marco Balgatas led the Crusaders with 15 points, followed by James Abugan with 14, Popoy Banzali 12 and Marvin Mercado 10.

Juntilla fired a game-high 19 points, including Zamboanga’s last 11, but the rest of the Valientes failed to notch double figures.

LOTTO RESULTS

6/49 00-00-00-00-00-00 P0.0 M+ 6/42 00-00-00-00-00-00 P0.0 M+ 6 DIGITS 00-00-00-00-00-00 3 DIGITS 00-00-00 2 EZ2 00-00

Sports

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

A8

THURSDAY, AUGUST 23, 2018

PH volleybelles face improved Hong Kong squad Game today

(Bulungan Sports Hall) 12:30 p.m. – Philippines vs Hong Kong

JAKARTA—Determined to put its two straight losses to powerhouse teams behind, the Philippine women’s volleyball team goes all out against Hong Kong in the preliminaries today at 12:30 p.m. (1:30 p.m. in Manila) in the women’s volleyball competitions of the 18th Asian Games at the Bulungan Sports Hall here.

The PH volleybelles have beaten the HK tossers several times in the past, but head coach Shaq Delos Santos and his wards vow to never let their guard down in the game which he says “they can’t afford to lose” as it stakes a ticket in the quarterfinals.

The Philippines’ latest win against HK came in the form of a 25-21, 2516, 25-17 victory in the AVC Asian Senior Women’s Championship last year, a triumph Delos Santos would like to repeat today.

“We were studying them and it’s very obvious that they have greatly improved,” said Delos Santos, adding that Hong Kong is already entering the crucial stretch of its three-year rebuilding program.

“These players, whom we used to easily beat before, have already matured and developed. They have been together for the past three years. We have to be at our best against them if we want to make it to the next round.”

And while the volleybelles suffered humiliating setbacks to favorites Thailand and Japan, Delos Santos still believes that they still have enough to hurdle over Hong Kong and Indonesia for a chance to advance to the quarterfinals.

“We’re coming off two opponents with very high level of volleyball.

And so the game against Hong Kong is a must-win for us,” said Delos Santos. “This is the game where we will go all-out. Everybody in the team knows it. This is the game we’ve all been waiting for.”

Nation celebrates Hidilyn’s victory THE Philippines saluted Asian Games gold medallist Hidilyn Diaz on Wednesday as the soldier-weightlifter gave the basketball-mad nation a lift after a heartbreaking hoops loss to China.

Footage of the tearful Diaz, the silver medallist from the Rio Olympics, saluting the flag after Tuesday’s victory brought goose bumps to Filipinos following the Indonesia event.

President Rodrigo Duterte excitedly announced in a speech late Tuesday that the country had broken its gold medal drought at the games with Diaz’s victory.

“Congrats @diaz_hidilyn U make us feel like crying tears of joy and pride too,” wrote Twitter user @yusuf ledesma.

Vice-President Leni Robredo hailed her “story of triumph over adversity”, while the lifter earned a special citation from the Air Force.

“We give (Airwoman First Class) Hidilyn Diaz our snappiest salute for her discipline, perseverance and hard work that made her achieve another milestone,” it said in a statement. AFP

Hidilyn Diaz celebrates at the podium during the victory ceremony for the women’s 53kg weightlifting event during the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta on August 21. AFP

Gilas Pilipinas point guard Stanley Pringle (11) challenges a Chinese defender during the Philippines-China game while his teammate Christian Standhardinger looks on.

Gilas Pilipinas shifts focus on beating Korea J

AKARTA—The Philippine Team wants to move on from that heartbreaking two-point loss to China on Tuesday night in the 2018 Asian Games here, with coach Yeng Guiao now focusing on an expected makeor-break showdown with South Korea on Monday

Expect the nationals to play much wiser after their disappointing 82-80 loss to China—and with more ferocity—in their knockout match, possibly with the Koreans next week.

As of this writing, no quarterfinal pairings have been made available yet as the competitions are still finishing the basketball preliminaries as of yesterday.

Guiao and his coaching staff are bracing for a different battle.

“Korea has a different system. Hindi sila nagri-rely sa malalaki nila,” Guiao said. “They rely on ball movement. We have to prepare for their quickness.”

Not only that. The Filipinos must also prepare for the intangibles that former PBA import Ricardo Ratliffe can provide

for the Koreans as their naturalized player.

But Guiao is unfazed.

“Our familiarity with Ratliffe will save us some time on the scouting report, but Korea is more than Ratliffe. Korea is more of a team game. They move the ball around. If you lose your focus, if you lose your patience, that’s the time you break down on defense. I guess those are the things that we have to plan against Korea,” Guiao said.

Guiao believes the team’s gutsy performance against China should be an indication of their chances in the medal round even though the team has had its shares of heartbreaking experiences against the Koreans.

“If we play with the same effort just like

what we’ve shown against China, tingin ko kaya natin ang Korea,” Guiao added.

The Nationals should be reminded that the Koreans had inflicted so many heartaches to the country—notably in the Asian Games.

In the 1986 Asian Games in Seoul, the Philippines was deprived of a chance to face China for the gold medal when a controversial charging foul was called against Allan Caidic.

That gave the Koreans the win.

Fast forward to 2002 in Busan. Lee Sang Min buried his only three-point shot in the closing seconds of the game that propelled Korea to an intense win over the Jong Uichico-coached national squad.

After breaking the Korean curse in the 2013 FIBA Asia Championship in Manila, the two teams that qualified from the Asian region met again in the World Cup a year later and the Koreans, led by TJ Moon, pulled off a come-from-behind victory over the Filipinos.

History speaks and Guiao and his troops are here to make one.

Phelps power Phoenix past Columbian Dyip

By Jeric Lopez RESIDENT Phoenix import Eugene Phelps went back to his scoring ways, exploding for a game-high 50 points to help the Fuel Masters escape with a tough 113-107 victory over gritty Columbian Dyip in the 2018 Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Wednesday night.

The do-it-all reinforcement added 17 rebounds and eight blocks to his production in a spectacular performance that nearly got him a triple-double.

The Fuel Masters banked on key several points from the charity line and offensive rebounds in the final minute to avoid the Dyip’s upset bullet and ice their win.

Columbian managed to come within a single-possession of the Phoenix lead in the final minute multiple times but was unable to breakthrough as the latter made vital defensive stops.

Calvin Abueva finally made his much-awaited Phoenix debut.

Abueva was key down the stretch, squeaking in a critical point and getting critical rebounds on his way to a double-double of 12 points and 13 rebounds on top of five assists to further help his new team’s cause.

This is the star forward’s first game after getting suspended by his former team Alaska in the Commissioner’s Cup. Showing its hunger to get its campaign rolling, the Fuel Masters caught the Dyip off-guard from the start.

Led by Phelps, Phoenix broke out of the gates with a blistering 28-10 opening salvo in the game’s first 10 minutes to seize a tight grip on the game right away.

Phelps already had 12 points at the end of one and 20 by halftime.

At the half, Phoenix remained in control, carrying a 56-42 cushion at intermission.

Columbian Dyip import Akeem Wright (34) takes it strong to the hoop against Phoenix counterpart Eugene Phelps (left).

Finally showing resistance, the Dyip fought back in the third, outscoring the Fuel Masters by nine, 37-28, in the third, to trim its deficit to only five, 79-84, heading into the final 12 minutes of action.

However, that was Columbian’s best stand as Phoenix regained steam and closed out the Dyip in the fourth.

With 7:46 remaining, the Fuel Masters were able to re-establish their twin-digit lead, 96-84, after a split from Jason Perkins capped a 12-5 run.

Still, the Dyip threatened again late in the match before eventually falling short for the second straight game, allowing the Fuel Masters to have a triumphant conference debut.

Third time was charm for Diaz JAKARTA—For Hidilyn Diaz, a third time has always be a charm.

The 27-year-old pride of Zamboanga City captured a weightlifting silver in her third Olympics in Rio de Janeiro in 2016, ending a medal drought that lasted four Summer Games.

On Tuesday night, Diaz snatched a gold medal on her third Asian Games campaign.

“Nagkataon lang,” said Diaz the morning after her golden lift in the women’s -53 kgs category of the 18th Asian Games that put the country in the gold column of the medal tally board only three days into the Games.

The hard work, sacrifice and long hours of lifting steel several times heavier than her weight finally paid off for the former Philippine Sportswriter Association Athlete of the Year, who again came to the rescue of an embattled Team Philippines the same way she did in Rio. “I really didn’t sleep easily the past months, 3 a.m. na ako nakakatulog.

And I wake up at aroudd 6,” said Diaz, who was 14 when she was spotted in Zamboanga and an innocent 16-year-old when she was tossed to the lions of the sport so to speak in Beijing 2008.

Diaz beat Turkmenistan strongwoman Kristina Shermetova by a mere kilo, a calculated victory that was a result of a comprehensive scouting by her coaching staff led by long time coach Tony Agustin.

Diaz lifted 92 kgs in the snatch and 115 in the clean and jerk for a total of 207, enough to shove Shermetova (206) to the silver. Thailand’s Khambao Surodchana completed the podium with 201 kgs.

For Diaz, all the sacrifices she poured for these Asian Games—like what she did for Rio—reaped her dividends.

“I sacrificed a lot. The pressure was even tremendous because everybody expected me to win,” she said.

Weightlifting federation president Monico Puentevella was all praises for Diaz, stressing the way she sacrificed a lot for the gold medal here has no equal.

“She’s now a class act but how she managed to win this one is for the books. She poured in so much in training, shut out herself from socials—but at the same time made sure she continued her studies,” Puentevella said.

Diaz’s path to the Asian Games gold medal was a rags-to-riches of sorts.

Guiao blasts referee choice in China game JAKARTA, Indonesia—The Philippines’ basketball coach said a referee from “Chinese territory” should not have officiated his side’s narrow loss to China at the Asian Games, querying the number of fouls his side was awarded.

A Philippines side bolstered by newly arrived NBA star Jordan Clarkson lost 82-80 in Tuesday’s thrilling match after China scored two free throws awarded by the Hong Kong referee with just 13 seconds left.

“They let a Hong Kong referee, which is also Chinese territory, referee against us,” said Yeng Guiao. “And they gave them 39 free throws and they gave us only 15, no?”

“So I thought somebody from Hong Kong which is controlled by China should not referee a China game,” Guaio told ABS-CBN on Wednesday, referring to chief official Yuen Chun Yip. Hong Kong is a semi-autonomous Special Administrative Region of China, but competes separately at major sports events including the Olympics and Asian Games.

The loss leaves the Philippines relying on results elsewhere in their group to progress to the knockouts of Asia’s regional Olympics.

The Philippines side are no strangers to controversy, and almost did not attend the tournament after having 10 players and two coaches suspended by world body FIBA following an on-court brawl in a World Cup qualifier against Australia.

Cleveland Cavalier guard Clarkson only joined up with the team last week after the NBA released him to play in the event in a dramatic late U-turn.

Clarkson top-scored in the match against China, with 28 points including five three-pointers. But he was sidelined with cramp during the final quarter, before returning to give away the two vital free throws that ultimately handed China victory.

“Jordan Clarkson cramped so we had to put him on the bench for several minutes,” said Guiao. “He was really in pain. He was not hundred percent when he got back.” AFP

IN BRIEF PH car production fell 44.3% in June AUTOMOTIVE production fell 44.3 percent in June from a year ago, data from the Asean Automotive Federation show.

Automotive sales also declined 12.5 percent in June, making the Philippines one of the weakest performers in the region this year.

Vehicle production slowed to 40,982 units in June from 73,594 units in the same month in 2017. It followed a 3.5-percent decline in January, 39.3 percent in February, 32.7 percent in March, 34.2 percent in April and 58.7 percent in May. Automotive sales started out with a shaky 4-percent growth in January, followed by a 3.2-percent decline in February, 22.8 percent in March, 11.9 percent in April and 13.7 percent in May. Meanwhile, the Philippines posted the highest sales growth for motorcycles and scooters of 25 percent to 768,609 units in the first half from 613,896 units a year ago. Local production of motorcycles and scooters also increased 1.3 percent to 641,647 units as of June from 723,507 units a year ago. Othel V. Campos

Train law boosts spending—DoF AN official of the Finance Department said the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion law that cut personal income taxes and put more money into the pockets of most Filipinos boosted household spending this year.

Finance Assistant Sscretary Antonio Lambino pointed to the robust retail sales at shopping malls, fast food restaurants and other dining places that indicated higher consumer demand as a result of the Train law’s implementation.

Lambino said retail giants and fast food chains such as Robinsons Retail Holdings Inc., Philippine Seven Corp., Puregold Price Club and the Max’s Group Inc. reported increased sales since this year’s implementation of the law, which slashed personal income tax rates and benefitted 99 percent of all taxpayers.

Estimates by the agency showed that the implementation of the Train law gave a combined P12 billion in additional income to the country’s individual taxpayers, most of them compensation earners.

“The significant growth in sales reported by retail establishments and restaurants point to the fact that people now have more money to spend as a result of the hefty PIT cuts under Train, which is now benefiting 99 percent of our taxpayers,” Lambino said. Julito G. Rada

Business

Globe obtains SEC nod for tower business GLOBE Telecom Inc. said Wednesday it obtained an approval from the Securities and Exchange Commission to create a tower company that will speed up the deployment of cellular towers nationwide.

The company said in a disclosure to the stock exchange it already received the approval of the SEC on the incorporation of GTowers Inc. “The establishment of a tower company will help speed the building and deployment of cellular towers in the country,” Globe said.

Globe early this year announced it initiated talks with independent third parties to manage the tower assets.

“As a major industry player, we understand what this country needs to improve the internet experience of our customers. Putting up more towers based on global standards within strategic areas will make spectrum use more efficient,” Globe president and chief executive Ernest Cu earlier said.

The company is pushing for the establishment of tower companies similar to those found in developed countries. With the proposed tower holding company, any player can do outright lease of the towers using standard, non-discriminatory commercial terms.

The lack of cellular towers was identified as the greatest barrier to seamless mobile internet connectivity with no viable short-term solution because of permitting issues.

The Philippines has one of the lowest tower densities in the world with less than 20,000 towers serving more than 100 million people.

Industry analysts said more than 50,000 towers should be built to serve the current voice and data traffic that was growing exponentially every year.

Darwin G. Amojelar

business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com THURSDAY, AUGUST 23, 2018

B1

7-month budget deficit hit P279b T

By Julito G. Rada

he government’s budget deficit climbed 71 percent in July to P86.4 billion from P50.5 billion a year ago, as spending picked up 34 percent ahead of the 24-percent increase in tax collection.

The Bureau of the Treasury said as a result, the cumulative budget deficit in the first seven months hit P279.4 billion, or 36 percent higher than the P205-billion shortfall in the same period last year.

Expenditures jumped 34 percent in July to P328.1 billion, after temporar-

ily slowing in June.

“Year-to-date NG expenditures of P1.93 trillion is 23 percent higher than in 2017. This already represents 57 percent of the P3.36 trillion full-year NG expenditure program,” the Treasury said.

Data showed that primary expenditures, or excluding debt interest payments, amounted to P283.3 billion in July, up by 41 percent or P82.8 billion compared to last year. The sevenmonth primary expenditures reached P1.7 trillion.

The remaining 13.7 percent amounting to P44.8 billion went to interest payments which were virtually unchanged from the July 2017 level.

“The lower domestic IP on account of debt that matured last year was offset by the increase in foreign payments from new bonds issued in February 2018 and in part due to the deprecia-

tion of the peso. This brought total IP to P210.4 billion, up 7 percent from last year,” the Treasury said.

Meanwhile, revenue collection improved 24 percent in July to P241.7 billion from the same month last year. This brought the seven-month collections to P1.65 trillion, or 21 percent higher than the comparable period in 2017. It also represented around 58 percent of the P2.84-trillion full-year program.

Bureau of Internal Revenue collections grew 19 percent over the July 2017 level to reach P164.0 billion. Total BIR collections in the first seven months rose 14 percent to P1.12 trillion.

Customs collections surged 49 percent in July to P52.1 billion. “Strong enforcement and revenue enhancement measures, coupled with the weaker peso and higher oil price allowed the bureau to sustain its strong year-on-

year growth for the seventh consecutive month of the year. Year-to-date, BOC revenue has increased 35 percent year-on-year, registering at P331.5 billion,” the Treasury said.

The Treasury’s income amounted to P11.8 billion in July, up 39 percent from the previous year. The agency’s seven-month income also hit P77.9 billion, surpassing the 2018 full-year program of P55.8 billion by P22.1 billion or 40 percent.

Non-tax collections from other offices contributed P12.2 billion in July and reached P101.9 billion in the first seven months on a 54-percent growth over the same period last year.

The Treasury said netting out interest payments from the expenditures, the government recorded a P41.5-billion primary deficit in July. The primary deficit reached P69 billion in the sevenmonth period.

C3 Expressway in conflict with another project —DPWH official

Negros Oriental backs renewables NEGROS Oriental province vowed to continue to promote clean energy as more companies put up renewable energy projects in the province.

Negros Oriental Governor Roel Ragay Degamo said during the State of Nature Assessment organized by non-profit environmental group Green Convergence in partnership with the Forest Foundation of the Philippines and Energy Development Corp. that more hydro power plants were expected to be put up in the province.

Degamo said three separate hydro facilities would be put up in the municipality of Amlan with a total capacity of 5.5 megawatts, with the target testing and commissioning date of the first two in December 2020 and the final one in December 2025.

Degamo described himself as “an advocate of clean, renewable energy” and “a humble representative of the peace-loving and nature-loving people of Negros Oriental.”

Degamo reiterated his province’s stance against fossil fuel in power generation, with the issuance of Executive Order No. 9 in March mandating the use of clean and renewable energy in all 19 municipalities and six cities of Negros Oriental.

“This means that our local government will no longer issue any permit, authorization or endorsements that support development and operation of coal-fired and fossil-fuel power plants,” he said.

“The province is committed not to use coal as an energy source because of its impact on the environment, on health and global climate,” he said. Alena Mae S. Flores

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

By Darwin G. Amojelar

CONCENTRIX’S NEW SITE. Global business service company Concentrix Philippines opens its ninth site at Exxa Tower, Bridgetowne, Quezon City. The 18,000-square-meter site occupies seven floors with facilities that provide an environment for growth and well-being. At the inaugural rites are (from left) Concentrix Philippines delivery senior director Digvijay Ankoti, IT director Felranie Velasco, and projects director Mitzi Ignacio, Robinsons Land Corp. executive vice president Faraday Go, Concentrix vice president of Philippines operations and delivery and country leader Elek Toth, human resources senior director Hazel Bañas and business operations services and delivery governance senior director Amit Jagga.

San Miguel food ICCP supports Bulacan airport project unit selling P142b amid the congestion problems at Naia

By Othel V. Campos worth of shares

By Jenniffer B. Austria SAN Miguel Food and Beverage Inc. plans to raise P142.8 billion from the sale of up to 1.02 billion secondary shares before the end of the year, sources said Wednesday.

Informed sources said SMFB filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Wednesday an application for a follow-on offering involving the sale of 887 million secondary shares owned by parent company San Miguel Corp. and another 133 million shares to cover over allotment.

The company set an offer price of up to P140 per share, significantly higher than the stock’s closing price of P80 on Wednesday.

SMFB hired JP Morgan Securities Plc, Morgan Stanley Asia (Singapore) Pte., UBS AG Singapore, Goldman Sachs (Singapore) and Duetsche Bank as the international book runners.

BDO Capital and Investments Corp. and BPI Capital Corp. were tapped as the local lead underwriters for the offering.

The planned share sale will enable the company to comply with the 10-percent minimum public ownership requirement of the Philippine Stock Exchange for listed companies.

The public float of SMFB is currently less than 5 percent after implementing a share swap with San Miguel to facilitate the merger San Miguel Foods Co., San Miguel Brewery Inc. and Ginebra San Miguel.

Sources said if the P142-billion planned share sale of SMFB pushed through, it would be the largest equity deal in the local bourse and would easily surpass the P38-billion ($912 million) follow-on offering of LT Group Inc. of beer and tobacco billionaire Lucio Tan. SMFB reported a consolidated net income of P15.4 billion in the first half, up by 20 percent from a year ago.

THE International Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines on Wednesday threw its support behind the Bulacan International Airport project proposed by a consortium led by San Miguel Corp., a day after another group pushed for the rehabilitation of Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

Both groups issued their statements in the wake of the congestion problem at Naia caused by an incident involving a Xiamen Air flight that left thousands of passengers stranded for days at Naia.

“After carefully studying all airport proposals today, we strongly believe that San Miguel Corp.’s New Manila International Airport proposal is the best for the Philippines,” ICCP founding chairman Francis Chua said.

San Miguel’s unsolicited project would not cost the government anything and would not require any subsidy or guarantee. San Miguel proposed to build a futuristic “aerotropolis” with up to four parallel runways―

which can be expanded further to six.

With capacity for 60 aircraft movements per runway per hour, the new airport will eliminate all congestion issues and significantly raise the country’s attractiveness as tourism and investment destination in the region, according to ICCP. Chua said the project’s modern air terminals and cargo facilities, along with a seaport and industrial zone, would make it strategically focused on increasing growth opportunities for the country, and providing more convenience for travelers.

It is also the best option when it comes to accessibility, he said. Located just north of Metro Manila in Bulakan town, Bulacan province or some 27 kilometers from the present Naia, the new airport would be accessible within 45 minutes or less from anywhere in Metro Manila via multiple expressways.

Chua said many of the needed infrastructure components were already existing, such as the Skyway and its ongoing extension projects, and the North Luzon Expressway.

THE unsolicited proposal by AC Infrastructure Holdings Corp. and SM Investments Corp. to build the P23.7-billion Circumferential Road 3 Elevated Expressway has an alignment conflict with another expressway project, according to the Public Works Department.

Alex Bote, director of DPWH Public-Private Partnership Service, said the planned 8.6-kilometer C3 Expressway that would pass the Ayala central business district and connect cities of Manila, Makati and Pasay, would have a conflict in terms of alignment with the C3 Missing Link Project.

The C3 Missing Link is among the 75 high-impact infrastructure flagship projects approved by the National Economic and Development Authority.

“We’re not sure if they’re revising the proposal. It has a minor conflict with C3 Missing link. This is unsolicited, everything will come from the proponent. We will declare completeness [review] once it is clean,” Bote said.

AC Infrastructure, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ayala Corp. and SM Investments Corp., submitted their proposal to the Public Works Department to design, finance, construct, operate and maintain for a period of 35 years the proposed C3 Elevated Expressway.

The elevated toll road will run about 8.6 kilometers from Sta. Mesa, Manila to the Mall of Asia complex in Pasay City.

The proponents said C3 Expressway would provide an alternative to Edsa, which was now congested, and improve access to the Manila Bay development areas, the Makati central business district and the cities of Mandaluyong, San Juan and Manila.

The project would have five interchanges located in Sta. Mesa, the Circuit Makati, Ayala-Gil Puyat, Roxas Boulevard and SM Mall of Asia complex.

CONSUMER HOTLINE. Globe Telecom Inc., through technology arm Globe Business, teams up with the Trade Department to make it easier for Filipino businesses and consumers to air their issues and concerns via the 1-DTI (1-384) consumer hotline which is now ready to accept calls. Shown during the launching of 1-DTI hotline partnership are (from left) Globe Business industry sales head Odel Hernandez, pre-sales manager Grace Derro, account manager Katrina Salarda, Globe senior legal counsel Terry Montano, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez, Undersecretary Ruth Castelo, Globe Business cluster sales head Robie Reyes and Globe head of sector relations Bobby Aquino.

B2

Business

THURSDAY, AUGUST 23, 2018 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Market rebounds; Jollibee climbs T HE stock market bounced back Wednesday ahead of the keenly awaited trade talks between China and the United States, with investors also playing catch-up with the rest of the region after Tuesday’s holiday.

The Philippine Stock Exchange surged 131.73 points, or 1.8 percent, to 7,632.26 on a value turnover of P6.5 billion. Gainers and losers were even at 103 each, with 36 issues unchanged.

Jollibee Foods Corp., the biggest fast-food chain, advanced 4.8 percent to P286, while Universal Robina Corp.,

the largest snack food maker, also climbed 4.8 percent to P139.

Manila Electric Co., the biggest retailer of electricity, rose 3.7 percent to P363, while SM Prime Holdings Inc. of retail tycoon Henry Sy Sr. gained 2.8 percent to P37.10.

The rest of Asian markets mostly rose Wednesday, while early worries over a double whammy for Donald Trump also eased.

While not expecting a major deal when officials from Beijing and Washington meet, investors are hopeful they can find a way out of the months-long row that has seen tariffs imposed on billions of dollars of goods and stock markets tumble.

Recent comments from US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, signaling plans to delay a final decision on whether to impose duties on auto imports, have also provided some cheer.

Tokyo ended 0.6 percent higher

and Hong Kong added 0.5 percent in the afternoon, while Seoul and Taipei each put on 0.1 percent and Wellington closed up 0.5 percent. Jakarta was also well up.

However, Shanghai finished 0.7 percent down while Sydney shed 0.3 percent, with political uncertainty in Canberra adding to selling pressure.

The day had started with a wobble as the US president’s legal troubles deepened when his long-time personal lawyer Michael Cohen admitted several charges including illegally using campaign contributions to pay off a porn star and a Playboy model ahead of the 2016 election.

Cohen also said he had been directed to do so “at the direction of a candidate for federal office” and with the aim of influencing the election.

The claim could put Trump in legal jeopardy and throws open the prospect Cohen is about to open up to lawyers

for the Russia investigation.

Also Tuesday the tycoon’s one-time campaign chairman Paul Manafort was convicted on eight counts, including bank fraud, tax fraud and a failure to declare foreign bank accounts.

However, Richard Harris, chief executive officer at Port Shelter Investment Management, said he thought Trump would ride out the storm.

“I don’t think that what we saw... in terms of Manafort and Cohen are necessarily fatal to the president,” he told Bloomberg TV. “There are quite a lot of things that could continue and he could still ride them out. It takes an awful lot to impeach a president and it may take an awful lot for Trump not to be elected for a second term.”

On currency markets the dollar continued to stutter after Trump’s negative remarks about the Federal Reserve’s

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 22, 2018

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

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

57.8 90.5 129.9 1.84 32.4 16.36 14.46 4 9.34 1.61 810 0.58 73.55 0.98 11.96 21.5 46.05 196.5 105 29.95 198.6 1,850 83.7

60 91.95 129.9 1.84 32.45 16.36 14.5 4 9.34 1.61 810 0.58 73.6 1 11.96 21.7 46.3 197 105 29.95 201.8 1,850 84

57.8 90.2 125 1.71 32.2 16.36 14.42 3.81 8.67 1.52 800 0.56 71.65 0.98 11.96 21.5 45.55 196.5 104.4 29.1 198.2 1,850 83.7

FINANCIALS 60 22,510 91.1 1,372,270 126.5 1,913,230 1.71 197,000 32.2 106,000 16.36 1,100 14.48 174,300 3.86 93,000 8.67 500 1.6 32,000 800 890 0.57 324,000 72.45 5,219,610 0.99 204,000 11.96 2,000 21.7 1,500 46 267,700 197 240 104.5 580 29.15 15,700 201.8 192,780 1,850 5 83.7 2,240

1,347,674 125,017,906.50 241,861,630 339,780 3,416,150 17,996 2,521,758 363,970 4,536 51,370 714,100 183,700 378,081,847.50 201,610 23,920 32,530 12,320,350 47,270 60,829 461,515 38,502,367 9,250 187,673.50

1,264,725 6,712,378.50 -127,431,258 -1,840 -2,023,320 -793,960 -1,600 -149,884,664 -8,033,500 5,990 2,024,697 -20,945.50

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

36.4 16.98 1.2 1.19 0.242 3.25 14.88 40 20.5 48.5 73 1.8 4.95 7.51 10.18 15.5 10.36 7.28 7.02 15.52 63 27.1 7.58 13.12 2.25 275 4.98 3.3 12.52 24.75 13.18 18.96 351.4 0.183 7.05 2.2 4.21 8.88 5.1 7.6 1.05 11.8 56 6.22 4.75 2.3 3.1 1.76 13.2 81.5 5.23 0.126 1.07 134.8 2.51 2.21 19 1.85

36.75 16.98 1.24 1.22 0.242 3.26 14.88 40.85 20.8 52 73 1.84 4.95 7.77 10.28 15.86 10.36 7.29 7.08 15.76 63.5 27.5 7.58 13.52 2.33 286 4.98 3.3 12.52 25 13.46 19 364.4 0.199 7.05 2.2 4.25 9.04 5.2 7.6 1.05 11.92 56.25 6.22 4.8 2.47 3.1 1.78 13.2 82.4 5.45 0.128 1.09 139 2.51 2.25 20.5 2.05

35.6 16.6 1.01 1.17 0.237 3.2 14.8 37.9 20.1 48.5 72.1 1.8 4.95 7.51 10.16 15.5 10.3 7.26 7.02 15.42 62.8 26.65 7.38 13.12 2.16 273.6 4.96 3.18 12.5 24.75 13.12 18.8 351.4 0.182 6.85 2.18 4.2 8.85 5.08 7.55 1.02 11.76 55.8 6.1 4.75 2.3 3 1.7 13.2 80 5.23 0.126 1.01 134 2.51 2.1 19 1.7

INDUSTRIAL 36.7 1,032,000 16.94 672,800 1.03 57,621,000 1.17 84,000 0.237 1,570,000 3.22 1,544,000 14.84 106,900 38 525,100 20.75 8,800 52 2,313,300 72.1 800 1.8 168,000 4.95 800 7.6 4,300 10.18 1,472,100 15.66 337,700 10.36 38,400 7.28 28,700 7.08 3,295,900 15.5 272,700 63.2 318,710 27 91,900 7.38 17,000 13.3 120,400 2.2 1,798,000 286 1,729,220 4.96 47,000 3.18 17,000 12.5 9,100 24.9 304,100 13.18 501,500 18.8 654,100 363 195,730 0.195 6,330,000 6.85 22,500 2.19 68,000 4.25 58,000 8.9 725,900 5.08 276,500 7.6 12,500 1.04 1,333,000 11.92 39,900 55.9 148,410 6.1 24,600 4.8 70,000 2.42 242,000 3 54,000 1.77 554,000 13.2 1,700 80 281,880 5.32 231,500 0.128 110,000 1.04 1,129,000 139 898,650 2.51 5,000 2.1 7,003,000 20.5 50,100 1.79 73,645,000

37,714,705 11,350,394 64,395,780 99,440 374,510 4,972,270 1,588,998 20,167,620 181,105 112,237,630 58,006.50 302,800 3,960 32,754 15,002,378 5,275,742 397,326 208,703 23,251,600 4,230,950 20,141,883.50 2,482,125 127,501 1,596,298 4,022,690 486,459,290 233,670 55,110 113,754 7,573,570 6,611,956 12,324,824 70,926,136 1,225,720 154,520 148,900 245,030 6,467,796 1,409,129 94,930 1,390,420 473,764 8,308,004 150,112 332,550 575,980 162,970 956,040 22,440 22,796,300.50 1,242,029 14,040 1,182,810 123,820,424 12,550 15,170,600 1,026,900 141,304,350

8,867,075 442,144 219,440 986,840 -104,070 -3,019,380 -520,000 9,200 -9,324 -784,806 1,127,818 -376,606 -10,916 12,021,870 -60,356 182,137 -347,888 -118,280 79,147,962 5,304,255 -1,466,772 -7,455,880 33,717,720 1,950 -98,430 -190,170 -667,568 -840,100 -5,112,880 -30,500 -318,300 30,500 -13,646,961.50 -9,414 41,425,575 38,790 -1,025,000 151,980.00

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 JOLLIVILLE HLDG 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

0.31 56.1 12.18 0.91 6 34.1 1.43 1.46 970 6.03 11 6.9 0.21 877.5 5.99 51.4 5.3 0.6 4.31 17.7 0.66 4.82 0.042 1.34 2.99 2.78 147.5 918 0.78 1.58 411 257.4 0.37

0.33 56.85 12.68 0.97 6 35.5 1.47 1.47 975 6.03 11.6 7.1 0.21 896 6.03 52.4 5.3 0.61 4.31 17.7 0.66 4.88 0.042 1.36 3.24 2.78 148 936.5 0.78 1.6 411 258.6 0.375

0.305 54.1 12.18 0.91 6 34.1 1.43 1.43 955 5.93 11 6.9 0.21 869 5.99 51.4 5.15 0.59 4.15 17.5 0.63 4.81 0.04 1.29 2.97 2.78 146.5 913 0.77 1.58 400 257 0.34

HOLDING FIRMS 0.32 15,830,000 55.95 1,253,880 12.68 4,417,400 0.97 30,000 6 2,100 34.95 155,200 1.43 20,604,000 1.44 1,714,000 975 356,940 6 818,900 11.6 2,859,300 7.1 1,300 0.21 60,000 895 97,790 6.03 5,400 52 598,600 5.16 10,000 0.61 581,000 4.15 673,000 17.7 1,103,600 0.63 3,631,000 4.84 14,011,000 0.04 28,700,000 1.33 3,196,000 2.98 21,838,000 2.78 3,000 147.3 500,730 936.5 211,260 0.77 115,000 1.6 505,000 400 90 258.6 7,670 0.34 27,130,000

5,002,800 69,580,658 55,480,326 27,920 12,600 5,431,870 29,771,790 2,484,320 346,539,030 4,890,584 32,527,908 9,170 12,600 85,823,560 32,390 31,095,596 51,622 345,640 2,831,660 19,518,582 2,318,280 67,829,860 1,151,400 4,197,680 67,546,270 8,340 73,569,221 195,202,095 89,140 807,790 36,550 1,974,810 9,546,850

32,000 -14,265,224 3,327,796 395,915 12,813,730 -3,240,579 -5,977,808 -41,273,550 -13,132,136 -1,515,580 -667,158 -9,750 -12,313,630 12,300 -1,211,010 -19,801,550 -54,623,015 -131,250

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

7.61 1.02 13.2 1.95 0.72 42.2 3.1 4.49 5.65 0.45 0.99 0.26 0.4 9.9 27.3 0.59 1.52 1.2 1.65 4.9 0.62

7.61 1.02 13.7 1.95 0.74 43.15 3.1 4.49 5.65 0.455 1 0.275 0.41 9.98 27.45 0.59 1.54 1.21 1.67 4.94 0.62

7.38 1 13 1.94 0.72 42.2 3.05 4.44 5.5 0.445 0.99 0.25 0.4 9.7 26.85 0.59 1.51 1.2 1.56 4.87 0.61

2,938,510 2,443,170 1,005,974 173,460 164,350 650,597,930 366,630 2,584,860 56,130 1,432,650 103,360 68,717,000 100,800 564,863 9,017,330 1,770 16,200,120 1,233,500 14,601,320 36,556,460 9,809,000

-393,087 5,050 39,100 260,919,845 -252,640 -2,340,170 -55,000 31,680 -21,079,350 -2,168,730 3,767,960 -48,080 749,250 -426,000

NAME

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

VOLUME

VALUE

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

0.485 0.5 3.64 20.3 1.98 3.2 36.8 1.14 7.28 0.76 6.22

0.53 0.5 3.65 20.6 2.02 3.2 37.1 1.15 7.33 0.76 6.39

0.48 0.495 3.51 20.3 1.98 3.2 36.25 1.13 7.21 0.75 6.22

0.51 0.495 3.51 20.5 2 3.2 37.1 1.14 7.27 0.76 6.28

32,650,000 430,000 2,940,000 816,400 161,000 686,000 8,808,200 923,000 221,000 90,000 1,849,400

16,608,450 213,375 10,487,490 16,769,430 322,360 2,195,200 324,528,210 1,052,390 1,602,337 68,070 11,605,101

798,350 1,334,230 -3,536,730 1,395,200 94,750,005.00 29,040 -7,536,259

2GO GROUP ABS CBN ACESITE HOTEL APC GROUP APOLLO GLOBAL ASIAN TERMINALS BERJAYA BLOOMBERRY BOULEVARD HLDG CEBU AIR CHELSEA DFNN INC EASYCALL GLOBE TELECOM GMA NETWORK GOLDEN BRIA GRAND PLAZA HARBOR STAR INTL CONTAINER IPEOPLE IPM HLDG ISLAND INFO ISM COMM JACKSTONES LEISURE AND RES LORENZO SHIPPNG MACROASIA MANILA BULLETIN MANILA JOCKEY MELCO RESORTS METRO RETAIL METROALLIANCE A METROALLIANCE B NOW CORP PACIFIC ONLINE PAL HLDG 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 25.15 1.47 0.63 0.047 13.5 4.5 9.51 0.059 71.4 6.71 8.8 25.5 1,986 5.5 316.8 11.2 4.14 89.95 12.3 7.51 0.125 2.92 3.55 3.8 1.03 19.88 0.44 5.25 7.04 2.95 2.12 1.97 8.3 11.38 8.55 112 5.28 1,399 0.88 0.395 44.95 80 8.22 2.28 1 0.67 5.09 0.76 11.58

14.1 25.15 1.47 0.64 0.047 13.68 4.64 9.61 0.061 71.7 6.74 8.9 26.3 1,999 5.53 316.8 11.2 4.23 91 12.3 7.85 0.128 3.04 3.69 3.85 1.04 20.65 0.44 5.51 7.08 3 2.12 2.14 8.32 11.38 8.55 115 5.35 1,408 0.89 0.4 46.3 81.8 8.31 2.35 1.02 0.69 5.09 0.82 11.64

13.8 24.9 1.43 0.56 0.045 13.5 3 9.35 0.059 71 6.65 8.41 25.5 1,986 5.46 307.2 11.2 4.02 89.9 11.8 7.51 0.123 2.87 3.55 3.8 1.02 19.52 0.44 5.17 6.91 2.95 1.95 1.97 8.22 11.02 8.45 111 5.2 1,375 0.86 0.385 44.95 80 8.2 2.25 1 0.66 5.01 0.76 11.58

SERVICES 13.8 25 1.43 0.57 0.045 13.5 3.28 9.35 0.061 71.4 6.66 8.5 25.95 1,997 5.48 316 11.2 4.04 91 12 7.85 0.123 2.98 3.69 3.82 1.04 20 0.44 5.5 7.03 2.99 2.04 2.13 8.22 11.2 8.45 114 5.29 1,408 0.86 0.385 46.1 81.05 8.31 2.25 1.01 0.67 5.06 0.8 11.58

116,800 54,200 98,000 64,585,000 9,500,000 821,300 52,121,000 13,614,400 46,070,000 114,520 549,300 76,000 39,200 98,820 57,800 5,510 300 1,472,000 1,059,140 46,200 36,600 5,730,000 4,624,000 24,000 234,000 133,000 1,424,300 20,000 619,100 6,198,700 238,000 667,000 15,000 1,085,300 35,100 2,600 41,520 237,400 54,045 1,843,000 560,000 598,800 266,250 53,900 3,028,000 758,000 29,656,000 140,800 15,317,000 381,000

1,613,150 1,355,520 140,710 38,348,390 428,600 11,087,568 173,703,870 128,464,667 2,763,640 8,164,784.50 3,665,964 657,396 1,014,915 196,858,990 317,124 1,736,906 3,360 6,060,300 95,506,141 565,770 283,160 708,880 13,670,930 85,620 897,400 136,020 28,290,909 8,800 3,381,151 43,586,363 703,810 1,338,230 30,190 8,961,784 389,036 22,065 4,674,320 1,244,999 75,757,565 1,600,500 218,200 27,447,610 21,554,901 442,546 6,909,320 765,410 19,976,180 711,196 12,285,860 4,417,360

-12,110 -350,700 -1,923,750 -273,120 -43,345,663 -2,859,993 -5,160 60,161,035 -9,216 500,050 36,147,157 123,000 -136,320 -137,940 3,105,909 10,279 -2,069,532 74,000 8,250 -1,080,644 12,044,995 -110,160 28,000 5,553,465 -12,153,315.50 69,310 -196,530.00 -346,390 -90,540.00 8,100 -2,107,690

163,000 4,201,570 665,410 892,355 2,123,650 80,159 14,736,600 29,480 367,380 893,590 4,426,860 200,100 89,100 2,189,520 7,700 3,600,000 2,486,300 2,280,180 154,255,970 70,295,190 1,730,300

-55,000 57,050 -35,430 -500,535 237,680.00 266,190 -825,220 186,270 -30,309,290 66,200

MS

PROPERTY 7.38 1.01 13.2 1.95 0.74 43.1 3.07 4.45 5.65 0.45 1 0.25 0.41 9.7 26.85 0.59 1.52 1.2 1.56 4.89 0.61

394,200 2,435,000 74,200 89,000 225,000 15,136,500 119,000 581,000 10,200 3,180,000 104,000 262,980,000 250,000 57,800 334,000 3,000 10,560,000 1,027,000 8,984,000 7,454,000 16,056,000

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

OPEN

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

0.0026 1.62 3.58 21.1 1.94 7.4 1.95 0.209 0.123 1.46 4.65 1.17 0.55 1.16 0.012 0.012 3.45 4.08 15.9 29.15 0.006

0.0026 1.64 3.58 21.65 1.98 7.41 2.02 0.215 0.124 1.46 4.75 1.17 0.55 1.18 0.013 0.012 3.46 4.13 16.68 29.7 0.0083

0.0025 1.58 3.53 21 1.94 7.21 1.95 0.209 0.123 1.4 4.59 1.1 0.55 1.13 0.012 0.012 3.23 4.07 15.72 29.1 0.006

MINING & OIL 0.0026 65,000,000 1.61 2,606,000 3.53 187,000 21 41,900 1.98 1,086,000 7.36 10,900 2 7,377,000 0.21 140,000 0.123 2,980,000 1.4 630,000 4.66 948,000 1.13 181,000 0.55 162,000 1.13 1,923,000 0.013 600,000 0.012 300,000,000 3.4 742,000 4.08 557,000 16 9,479,400 29.7 2,402,600 0.007 240,000,000

ABS HLDG PDR AC PREF B1 AC PREF B2 DD PREF FGEN PREF G GMA HLDG PDR GTCAP PREF A GTCAP PREF B LR PREF PCOR PREF 2A PNX PREF 3A SFI PREF SMC FB PREF 2 SMC PREF 2C SMC PREF 2E SMC PREF 2F SMC PREF 2G SMC PREF 2H SMC PREF 2I

24.25 490 505 100.8 104 5.17 975 987 1.04 1,010 101 1.92 985 79.1 75.75 76.4 75.3 75.5 75.5

24.25 490 505 100.8 104 5.29 975 987 1.04 1,010 101 1.92 985 79.1 75.75 77 75.6 75.5 75.5

24.25 487 505 100 104 5.17 975 987 1.04 1,010 100 1.92 985 79 75.75 76.4 75.3 75.5 75.3

PREFERRED 24.25 300 487 1,520 505 30 100 60,940 104 2,000 5.22 97,800 975 200 987 10 1.04 1,000 1,010 50 100 9,700 1.92 2,000 985 10 79 8,500 75.75 10 77 12,250 75.6 510 75.5 33,400 75.3 24,000

7,275 744,710 15,150 6,101,101 208,000 510,846 195,000 9,870 1,040 50,500 970,530 3,840 9,850 671,663 757.5 937,070 38,406 2,521,700 1,808,513

LR WARRANT

2.33

WARRANTS 2.33 2.31

2.33

ITALPINAS XURPAS

5.19 2.81

5.19 2.9

5.03 2.81

5.03 2.83

FIRST METRO ETF

113.2

113.5

112.6

253,600

USD DMPL A1 USD DMPL A2

10.3 10.26

TRADING SUMMARY

10.3 10.26

SHARES

FINANCIAL

10,701,248

INDUSTRIAL

170,254,517

HOLDING FIRMS

151,142,376

PROPERTY

394,813,291

SERVICES

278,289,131

MINING & OIL

639,245,761

GRAND TOTAL

1,645,314,782

10.3 10

SME

-

403,100 458,000

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 113.2 6,750 10.3 10

DDS

9,000 11,900

-508,778 -671,663 109,000

2,048,013 1,304,220

-28,600

763,977

-53,363

92,700 119,525.20

-

VALUE 1,788.09 (up) 2.64 876,679,870.16 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 11,169.26 (up) 286.41 1,255,815,816.446 HOLDING FIRMS 7,441.82 (up) 129.3 1,153,799,309.585 PROPERTY 3,833.02 (up) 70.88 1,527.8 (up) 12.28 1,759,614,908.42 SERVICES MINING & OIL 9,862.38 (up) 128.88 1,167,869,073 PSEI 7,632.26 (up) 131.73 265,750,121.5196 All Shares Index 4,623.61 (up) 53.48 6,483,647,407.73 Gainers: 103; Losers: 103; Unchanged: 36; Total: 242

Prime Orion raised profit to P70m in six months

By Jenniffer B. Austria PRIME Orion Philippines Inc., a unit of Ayala Land Inc., posted a three-fold growth in net income in the first half of the year to P70 million, boosted by the industrial park and real estate logistics businesses.

Prime Orion said in a disclosure to the stock exchange first-half revenues more than doubled to P925.9 million from P271.9 million year-on-year on robust sales of industrial lots, improved rental income from warehouse facilities and higher earnings from commercial properties.

The company achieved the positive first-half results three months after it announced plans to venture into the real estate logistics and industrial estate development with the acquisition of the 460-hectare Laguna Technopark Inc. Prime Orion is also operating the 118-hectare Cavite Technopark in Cavite and Tutuban Center in Manila.

“We are very happy with our firsthalf result. With the recent acquisition of majority stake in Laguna Technopark Inc., we continue to evolve and transform POPI into a ral estate logistics-focused business,” Prime Orion president and chief executive Maria Rowena Tomeldan said.

Prime Orion posted a net income of P64.3 million in the second quarter, up nearly 500 percent from P10.7 million on year.

Prime Orion has earmarked a new phase in LTI, an 11-hectare warehouse and logistics facilities in Biñan, Laguna and the phased redevelopment of its 14-hectare Lepanto warehouse in Calamba, Laguna to sustain the growth momentum, “We believe we are taking concrete steps towards jobs and skills creation.

These will hopefully empower the local economy and benefit more communities. Moving forward we plan to grow beyond our current footprint of Tutuban, Muntinlupa, Calamba, Sta. Rosa and Naic to further develop industrial estates and logistics facilities,” Tomeldan said.

Aboitiz Power to finish Cebu plant this year

By Alena Mae S. Flores ABOITIZ Power Corp. is on track to complete a 300-megawatt coal power plant in Barangay Bato, Toledo City, Cebu late this year through unit Therma Visayas Inc. Therma Visayas plans to start commercial operation of unit 1 by September and unit 2 by December, according to latest data from the the Department of Energy Aboitiz Power president Antonio Moraza, however, said the company would determine the actual completion and commercial operations date shortly.

Aboitiz Power earlier said it planned to complete three plants this year, namely the 68.8-MW Manolo Fortich hydro plant in Bukidnon, 400MW Pagbilao 3 coal plant and and the Therma Visayas coal plant.

Aboitiz Power plans to increase its attributable capacity to 4,000 MW by 2020, with new plants increasing the output to 3,600 MW to 3,700 MW this year.

Moraza earlier said open access was the best way to support the company’s expansion.

“The company looks forward to the continued drop in the threshold for contestable customers from the current 1 MW and above to 750 kilowatts, and eventually to 500 kW, in order to encourage more investors and assure the viability of the Philippine power industry,” he said.

Moraza said the company would to maximize the benefits of open access through a balanced portfolio of contracted and spot capacity, and contract majority of its base load and diesel capacity under price-stable bilateral contracts.

He said Aboitiz Power would offer most of its hydro power capacity for peaking and ancillary or reserves services.

“Doing it this way will minimize volatility while yielding the highest returns for its resources,” Moraza said.

extrastory2000@gmail.com

Business/World

TNVS over-regulated; Cheaper telecom rates THE transport network vehicle service is no longer a luxury—it has become a necessity amid the Metro Manila traffic congestion A commuter, instead of bringing his vehicle to ply the busy and tumultuous streets of Metro Manila to get to his destination, can take public transportation with several choices. He can either take a bus, a jeepney, the train, or even a taxi. But not one of these choices seems to be appealing. Except for a taxi, the other modes will not bring you direct to your destination. But many taxi drivers can give you nightmares— they are reckless and discourteous, their air-con doesn’t work, and worse they ask for amounts on top of what their meter reads.

The TNVS providers offer a different choice. By simply downloading apps on your mobile phone, you can book a ride and the rate is there for you to see. The app tells you where your hailed ride is exactly and you are informed real time when it has arrived. It also provides you a photo of the driver, his mobile number and the plate number of the vehicle that will be fetching you. These are information that you can share to someone for protection.

Demand for TNVS, thus, has skyrocketed in recent years because of convenience. Around 600,000 bookings are being made daily, but news reports indicate only 20,000 TNVS vehicles were registered with the Land Transport Franchising and Regulatory Board, a fraction of the 100,000 TNVS vehicles in the country.

What accounts for the difference? The government is making it difficult for TNVS vehicles to operate. They have to secure provisional authorities and certificates of public convenience to avoid being tagged as colorum or illegal.

Why do TNVS drivers, especially private owners of vehicles, have to go through such a rigorous process and treat them like public transport vehicles like jeepneys, buses, and taxis?

In the United States, rules subject TNVS app providers such as Uber to a rigid screening process to protect the public without applying the rules on ordinary taxis.

Making things worse for the TNVS system is the cap that LTRFB has placed on the allowable common supply base for TNVS cars, which as of February is at 65,000. In its official masterlist, LTRFB has 55,000 vehicles for purposes of processing the certificates of public convenience and provisional authorities but only 35,000 are active daily.

LTRFB’s suspension of the P2 per minute travel time charge last April also has greatly affected driver income, resulting in the number of online drivers dropping by 6 percent from April to July.

Grab and the other TNCs have been asking LTFRB to open the remaining 10,000 slots to increase the supply of cars but LTFRB declined to take immediate action.

The limited TNVS supply is making it difficult for the new local TNC players to get drivers and start operations. Newcomer Hype had to move its launch date multiple times because they don’t have enough drivers for a proper launch.

Regulation is good but overregulation is bad for business.

Boon to phone users For Filipinos feeling the squeeze because of surging prices, the cost of voice calls and text messages should be the least of their worries.

The National Telecommunications Commission recently ordered the reduction of interconnection rates among network operators to “make voice and SMS more affordable to the general public.” The lower rates comes as a relief to a nation known as the “texting capital” of the world as it tries to come to grips with the surging prices of consumer goods.

Memorandum Circular No. 05-07-2018, signed by NTC Commissioner Gamaliel Cordoba on July 19, 2018, slashed the interconnection rate for voice calls by 80 percent, bringing it to P0.50 from P2.50. The directive also reduced the interconnection rate for SMS by 66 percent to P0.05 from P0.15.

Lower interconnection charges mean consumers will not shell out more for their communication needs. The current rates should be reduced once the new charges take effect in the middle of August.

The measure essentially benefits every mobile phone user across the socioeconomic spectrum with phone calls and text messages anticipated to be cheaper, unlike other commodities which have become more expensive due to lack of supply.

The country’s telecom companies may have misgivings due to lower return on investment and revenues, but the new rates should encourage consumers to use their services more. Simply put, more calls and SMS should translate into better earnings.

The NTC last adjusted the interconnection rate for voice calls in 2016 when it cut the charge by half from P5 to P2.50. Interconnection rate for SMS dropped in 2011 to P0.15 from P0.35.

The NTC earlier joined forces with the Department of Trade and Industry and Department of Information and Communications Technology in late 2017 to mandate telcos to extend the validity of prepaid load to one year.

Both Globe Telecom Inc. and Smart Communications in July reported their compliance to MC No. 05-12-2017, which extended the prepaid load validity to one year. Only prepaid load amounting to P300 and above had a one-year validity prior to the directive.

Weary consumers can at least appreciate the fact that some agencies in the government are protecting their interest amid the high inflation rate.

Trump implicated as two of his aides found guilty

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EW YORK― Donald Trump stood accused of conspiring to commit campaign finance fraud and two of his closest aides faced jail time Tuesday, after court proceedings delivered a legal and political one-two punch to his embattled presidency.

In a drama that played out simultaneously across two US cities, a court found one former aide guilty of eight charges―and the other pleaded guilty to another eight―stemming from the federal investigation into the 2016 presidential election.

In New York, Trump’s longtime fixer,

the attorney Michael Cohen, admitted to charges that included making illegal campaign contributions.

Cohen detailed how he made preelection hush payments to porn star Stormy Daniels and Playboy model Karen McDougal. Both claim to have had affairs with Trump.

But in a sensational twist, Cohen also pointed to the president―or “individual 1” as a co-conspirator―alleging that he acted “in coordination and at the direction of a candidate for federal office” in making those payments.

“I participated in this conduct with the purpose of influencing the election,” a visibly crestfallen Cohen told the judge, his voice trembling at times as he addressed the packed courtroom.

That admission put Trump himself in legal jeopardy. And it raised the prospect that a once-trusted lieutenant is ready to spill secrets, gathered over decades, in exchange for a reduced sentence.

its military drills around the self-ruled island.

El Salvador’s President Sanchez Ceren said its decision Tuesday to switch ties from Taipei to Beijing was part of the “inevitable trends of our day”, while Taiwan accused China of using dollar diplomacy to lure away its supporters.

Taiwan, whose official name is Republic of China, now has only 17 official diplomatic allies, the vast majority of them small economies in the Pacific, Caribbean and Central America.

Five have jumped ship since Tsai took power in 2016, with three this year alone.

The allies may not punch much weight internationally, but chipping away at

German actress sues Weinstein LOS ANGELES―A German actress has filed a lawsuit against Harvey Weinstein alleging the disgraced movie mogul raped her in 2006 at the Cannes Film Festival.

Emma Loman says in a complaint filed on Monday in Los Angeles that she met Weinstein in 2004 at the Venice Film Festival and he later invited her to Cannes as his guest to discuss her career.

The model-turned-actress says she was initially hesitant to accept the invitation, but Weinstein was persistent, with his assistant calling Loman up to 30 times a day.

Loman says she finally relented and found Weinstein to be very professional during several meetings.

That changed, however, after he lured her to his hotel suite, presumably to discuss possible acting roles in some of his films, the lawsuit states.

“Upon arriving at Weinstein’s suite...

Weinstein quickly dropped his professional demeanor. He instead overpowered Loman and raped her,” according to the lawsuit. AFP

Opposition leader denied bail again

GENERAL AUDIENCE. Pope Francis waves as he arrives for his weekly general audience in Paul VI hall on August 22, 2018, at The Vatican. AFP

them has deep significance for Taiwan as it strives to hold on to any formal recognition of its legitimacy.

Taiwan sees itself as a sovereign country and has its own democratic political system, laws and currency.

However, Beijing considers it a stray province to be brought back into the fold, by force if necessary, with President Xi Jinping repeatedly underscoring the importance of territorial integrity to China’s resurgence.

“If the ROC is completely unrecognized I believe Beijing’s calculation is that it will be easier to delegitimize the government in Taipei and prime demoralized Taiwanese and international society for unification,” said Jonathan Sullivan, Director of China Programs at the

University of Nottingham.

Wooing El Salvador was also a warning shot to the United States, said Fan Shih-ping, a political analyst at National Taiwan Normal University.

The US is Taiwan’s most important informal ally and major arms supplier, despite having switched official diplomatic ties to Beijing in 1979.

Beijing protested last week when Tsai spoke publicly in Los Angeles―the first Taiwan president to do so for 15 years― and has also complained about recent friendly overtures from the Trump administration, including a fresh commitment to support Taiwan militarily.

“It’s an indirect slap in Trump’s face as El Salvador is in the US backyard,” said Fan. AFP

North and South Koreans prepare to part for last time SEOUL―Elderly North and South Korean family members allowed to meet for the first time in nearly seven decades prepared to bid each other farewell Wednesday, in all probability for the last time in their lives.

Millions of people were swept apart by the 195053 Korean War, which left the peninsula split by the impenetrable Demilitarized Zone and separated brothers and sisters, parents and children and husbands and wives.

Over the years most have died, and fewer than 60,000 South Koreans remain alive who have registered to meet their Northern kin at the occasional reunions-this week’s are the first for three years.

Those survivors lucky enough to be chosen to take part-89 families this time, with a similar number to follow later this week―have to cram a lifetime’s re-

In a statement to US media, Trump’s lawyer Rudy Giuliani said, “there is no allegation of any wrongdoing against the President in the government’s charges against Mr. Cohen.”

Cohen’s lawyer Lanny Davis explained his client’s about face after years spent vowing to “take a bullet” for Trump.

“This is Michael fulfilling his promise... to put his family and country first and tell the truth about Donald Trump,” said Davis.

“Today, he stood up and testified under oath that Donald Trump directed him to commit a crime by making payments to two women for the principal purpose of influencing an election,” the lawyer continued.

While the Cohen drama was unfolding in New York, a jury in Virginia found Trump’s one-time campaign chairman, Paul Manafort, guilty on eight counts, including bank fraud, tax fraud and failure to declare foreign bank accounts. AFP

IN BRIEF

Taiwan’s battle for allies and identity receives another blow TAIPEI―Taiwan’s loss of another diplomatic ally to China is the latest strike in a multi-pronged effort to isolate the island, undermine its claims to sovereignty, and render it invisible on the global stage.

As Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen refuses to bend to Beijing’s demand that she recognize the island as part of “one China”, the Chinese government has stepped up its campaign to shrink its status.

Major international businesses including airlines and hotels have recently caved to pressure to list Taiwan as part of China on their websites.

Taiwan has also been shut out of many high-profile global forums at Beijing’s request and China has stepped up

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 23, 2018 CESAR BARRIOQUINTO, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

lationship into just three days.

When they come to an end, the realities of age and the nuclear-armed North’s isolation mean they are unlikely ever to see each other again.

At a morning reunion before the final farewells, South Korean Kim Byung-Oh, 88, started to sob as soon as his younger sister joined him at the table.

“Brother, don’t cry. Do not cry,” she said, squeezing his hands hard, but his tears kept flowing, before his sister―who had bitten her lips to try to stay calm―also broke down.

They squeezed each other’s hands, without saying a word, for nearly 10 minutes.

“I didn’t know my father would cry this much,” said Byung-oh’s son.

Hostilities ceased with an armistice rather than a

peace treaty, leaving the two Koreas technically still at war and with all direct civilian exchanges―even mundane family news―banned.

Many drew family trees on pieces of paper and exchanged relatives’ names and photos, according to South Korean pool reports.

As South Korean Lee Soo-Nam, 77, sat with his eldest brother he abruptly asked his Northern nephew to write down all his siblings’ and children’s names.

“I asked for their names to remember them while I’m alive,” Lee said.

“Words fail to describe how I am feeling right now,” he went on. “When can we meet again? No one knows. It’s so sad. I wish we were younger.”

But he was “tremendously happy” they had been able to meet. AFP

PHNOM PENH―Cambodia opposition leader Kem Sokha was denied bail Wednesday after almost a year in jail on treason charges that critics say were trumped up by premier Hun Sen to gift himself a free run in last month’s election.

Kem Sokha was detained as part of a crackdown last year on the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP).

The party was dissolved in November, leaving Hun Sen to extend his 33year stay in office at THE July’s polls where his party won every parliamentary seat in a vote without a credible opposition.

On Wednesday, the Supreme Court in the capital Phnom Penh rejected an appeal by Kem Sokha’s lawyers to give him bail on grounds of ill health.

Prosecutor Ouk Kimsith argued that if released, Kem Sokha could provoke “unrest in the society... his release would affect the political stability”.

The opposition leader, held in a remote prison near the Vietnamese border, was not present at the hearing.

But lawyer Chan Chen said the 65-year-old leader needed to travel abroad for medical treatment. AFP

Strong earthquake rocks Venezuela CARACAS-Venezuela was rocked by a 7.3-magnitude earthquake near its northeastern coast, the US Geological Survey said Tuesday, though there were no immediate reports of injuries or damage.

The tremor was felt for several seconds and caused panic in Caracas, notably in tall buildings, many of which were evacuated for fears of aftershocks or lasting structural damage.

Venezuela’s Interior Minister Nestor Reverol said the prolonged quake “was felt in several states” but that “for now, there are no reports of victims.”

He added that potential damage was still being assessed.

The USGS said the tremor occurred just after 5:30 pm (2130 GMT), with the epicenter close to the coast of the state of Sucre, at a depth of 123 kilometers.

Venezuela’s Seismology Investigations Foundation measured the quake at magnitude 6.3, saying it was around 400 kilometers east of the capital Caracas.

“There is no tsunami threat from this earthquake,” the US Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said.

Social media was inundated with messages of alarm, particularly in the greater Caracas area that has a population of around four million. AFP

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

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LGUs LocaL government units

Reformed drug users ‘graduate’ from QC rehab

DENR body wants fishing ban in Snake Island

By Rio N. Araja AT leAST 128 reformed drug users have completed their six-month rehabilitation and livelihood training at the Tahanan rehabilitation center in Payatas, Quezon City.

“Thank you for coming over to Tahanan. There are users who do not to go through rehabilitation because they do no want to change,” Quezon City Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte said as she attended the ceremony.

The graduates underwent six months of counseling and livelihood training in partnership with the Technical education and Skills Development Authority.

“Tahanan is not a hospital or a detention facility, but a home to look after you, to care for you and give you the love of a parent,” Belmonte said.

“I am happy that Quezon City has one of the best facilities,” she added.

Tahanan, which opened in 1993, is the country’s first treatment facility for drug dependents that is accredited by the Department of health and is fully funded and managed by a local government unit.

LGU expands drug education to HS students GeNeRAl SANTOS CITY— The provincial government of South Cotabato will expand its advocacy programs against illegal drugs to secondary schools within the province.

South Cotabato Gov. Daisy Avance-Fuentes said Wednesday they have already linked up with the Department of education to facilitate the implementation of the Barkada Kontra Droga program in all local public high schools.

Fuentes said the program has been an effective tool in preventing young people, especially students, from getting involved in illegal drugs.

“The war against illegal drugs is not just about law enforcement. We need to really go down to our communities, including our schools, to educate our young people and tap them to become advocates against this menace,” the governor said.

BKD, which is supported by the Dangerous Drugs Board, was adopted by Deped to strengthen the implementation of the National Drug education Program.

The governor said the provincial government will spearhead efforts in promoting advocacy activities to address peer pressure problems among students and out-of-school youths.

The primary focus, she said, is to make the youth more aware and capable of resisting pressure from their peers who are into illegal drugs.

“We want our advocates to instead set a trend among their peers that being associated with drug users is not an ‘in’ thing. We want that culture for our millennials,” she added. PNA

The ecosystems Research and Development Bureau has asked local government units to demarcate “no fishing” zones in “coral-bleached” Snake Island in Palawan to help replenish the depleting fish inventory in what is also a tourist haven.

The Department of environment and Natural Resources closed Snake Island to the public in 2012 after finding evidences of coral bleaching.

While a rehabilitation program has shown initial success, eRDB’s monitoring team still finds reason to advise a fishing ban in identified areas to save the coral reefs in the fringing and winding 7.5-hectare island.

A 2016 review of DeNR-eRDB discovered that significant portions of the reef have started to provide spaces for settlement of young coral colonies. however, some parts have been found

to have high algal cover (algal bloom) which is known to hinder the recovery of affected corals.

Algal-feeding fish such as the parrotfishes, siganids, acanthurids, and wrasses among others were observed but these must be constantly protected from fishing to increase their meager numbers.

“In order to protect the Island and to help in the recovery of the corals in the

area, there is a need to delineate areas for fishing and non-fishing. This will allow the coral reefs to recover,” eRDB director Sofio Quintana said. “hard corals can survive a bleaching event and return to their normal state unless the unfavorable conditions continue for a prolonged period of time,” added Jose Isidro Michael Padin, eRDB Supervising Science Research Specialist.

Bacolod bags competitiveness award

T

he National Competiveness Council has placed Bacolod at the eighth spot among the country’s top Most Competitive Cities during the 6th Competitiveness Summit and Awards.

Bacolod secured the highest ranking among Visayan cities that qualified for the award.

The “City of Smiles” was also listed the third Most Improved highly Urbanized City after moving up from the 20th spot last year.

“Our local officials are inspired to do their best in bringing the city to greater heights and are appealing to all Bacolodnons to ride on this growth momentum,” said Mayor evelio leonardia.

The top 10 most competitive hUCs are as follows: Quezon, Manila, Pasay, Davao, Cagayan de Oro, Makati, Pasig, Bacolod, Cebu, and Muntinlupa.

The Philippine Chamber of Com-

Mayor Evelio Leonardia accepts the award for Bacolod as the ‘3rd Most Improved Highly Urbanized City’ from NCC co-chairman Guillermo Luz during the 6th Annual Regional Competitiveness Summit and Awards at the PICC. Joining them are Rep. Greg Gasataya, Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran, and councilors Cindy Rojas, Em Ang, and Bartolome Orola.

merce and Industry earlier recognized Friendly City” search. the country for “property searches,” by Bacolod as one of the top national fiAlso this year, Bacolod was identified lamudi, an online real estate marketplace nalists in its recent “Most Business- as one of the 4 fastest-growing cities in with operations in 34 countries.

QC choral group wins three silver medals at Singapore singing tilt The Quezon City government has commended the singing group Galaw Awit Ngiti Arte Palakpak from the QC Polytechnic University (GANAP-QCPU) for winning three silver medals at the Singapore International Choral Festival 2018.

The recognition was given to the group in a ceremony that followed the Aug. 20 flagraising ceremony.

GANAP-QCPU clinched a silver medal each in the Mixed Voices under 25 category, Folklore Open category, and Musica Sacra Open during the international choral festival last month held at the National University of Singapore.

According to Alexis Jan Patacsil, artistic director of GANAP QCPU, there were over 60 choral groups from different countries in Asia, europe, and North America that joined the competition.

“This is the first time that GANAP-QCPU competed and we are lucky that in our first competition, we won,” Patacsil said.

GANAP-QCPU, the only theater group in the competition, competed alongside los Contantes de Manila and Cordillera Chamber Singers who also bagged awards for the country.

Patacsil said they are thankful to the city government for providing support for the QCPU group.

“We are really grateful and thankful to Mayor herbert Bautista and to the city government as they were instrumental in giving these kids the opportunity to bring pride for our country,” Patacsil said.

Ateneo fetes AFP chief, theologian, late journalist

By Frencie L. Carreon ARMeD Forces of the Philippines chief of staff Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr., Bro. Carlito Morante Gaspar, and the late journalist and press freedom fighter Antonio Ma. Nieva were awarded by Ateneo de Zamboanga University as the sole Jesuit educational institution in Western Mindanao marked its 17th year as a full-fledged university.

Galvez was presented the Ateneo Peace Award “for his achievements as a peace-oriented leader in the military; his leadership role during the Marawi siege as commanding general of the

Western Mindanao Command, his contribution to the peace process as deputy commander for the Peace Process of the Mindanao Command, and as chairman of the Coordinating Committee on Cessation of hostilities.”

Gaspar was given the Pro Deo et Patria Award “for his achievements as a scholar, community development worker, theologian, and friend-advocate of the indigenous peoples, faith organnizations, the Church, and the por, especially of Mindanao.”

Nieva was conferred the Mayor Cesar Climaco Award “for his critical leadership role as founder of the National Journalists

of the Philippines, and his contribution as a journalist to the struggle to restore Press Freedom during a most turbulent time in Philippine history.”

The three were honored on Aug. 21 as the university also commemorated the death of Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. “for his heroism in defense of Philippine democracy.”

Galvez moved the audience as he expressed his apologies to those who were victims during the Martial law regime. he added that such pain and suffering “will never happen again” and that the AFP remains committed to “observe human rights.”

From left: Gen. Carlito Galvez, Bro. Carlito Gaspar and the late Antonio Ma. Nieva.

Contributed by Samuel Santos

Galvez and Gaspar personally re- award was received by his daughter ceived their awards while Nieva’s Aleta Nieva-Nishimori.

Life

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

household

@MstandardLIFE thursday, august 23, 2018

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CHIC AND COMFORTABLE. Models showcase the four different ways to wear Rajo Laurel’s mother wrap he created for his collaboration with mother and childcare brand Philips Avent.

Style and comfort for nursing mothers

wherever, thus he realized that comfort and convenience for mothers are important when feeding their baby. n reCent years, support for breastfeeding has been the rajo X Philips avent does not increasing. a number of companies are now taking part to only promote the welfare of infants, but promote its significance and encourage nursing moms. also allows for a more conducive nurturing environment for nursing mothers in public spaces.

In celebration of national Breast- it so with an innovative brand with Pia Umayam, Philips Personal health feeding awareness Month this august, proven and tested products.” lead said, “We Filipinas have always been mother and childcare brand Philips the designer shared his inspiinspired by the works of rajo. he has alavent has collaborated with leading ration for the collection ways been passionate about elevating Filipino fashion designer rajo Laurel to was his sister who seemingly conventional clothes.” unveil a new collection for the label. is a breastfeeding She continued, “Being a leader the rajo x Philips avent collection mother as well. in childcare category with over 25 consists of an exclusively designed From her, he years of experience in the Philipmother wrap and baby bag for every said, he learned pines, Philips avent’s collaboranursing Filipino mom. breastfeeding tion with rajo is a source of pride It aims to provide support for moth- doesn’t just and joy, because we know that ers who wish to breastfeed in public, at happen at the result of this partnership will home, at work, or when out and about. home, but enable Filipinas to breastfeed Laurel created a stylish mother wrap w h e n more comfortably.” to help moms feel confident and com- e v e r Go to www.philips. fortable when feeding their baby; it a n d com.ph to know more. can be worn in four different ways. the baby bag, on the other hand, was Photos by Mae designed as a baby bag but fashionable Gianina Pascual enough for mothers to use as their personal handbag.

“Breastfeeding is an empowering act. It creates an intimate relationship between moms and their child emotionally and nutritionally. the same is true with fashion—it visually narrates your connection to the world quietly, yet with impact,” stated Laurel. he added, “as a designer, I am thrilled to have been given a chance to marry these two caption concepts, and do

By Mae Gianina Pascual

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Paw Patrol

Amazing toy expo Gather the kids and kids-at-heart as toy Kingdom brings together the most amazing selection of toys in this year’s toy expo happening at the SMX Convention Center in Mall of asia Complex on aug. 24-26 the three-day expo will feature the newest toys in the market as well as discounts and exclusive promo items. early birds can kick start their Christmas shopping to take advantage of the wide selection of items and promos. toy Kingdom also joins in SM’s 60 th anniversary celebrations by treating

kids to 60 exclusive meet and greet sessions with their favorite characters like Peppa Pig, My Little Pony, Play Doh, Shopkins, Littlest Petshop, Paw Patrol, Superwing, and many more. there are also fun booths with games, themed areas with life-size character statues, and exciting activities where kids can explore and play with their family and friends.

For more details on Toy Kingdom’s Toy Expo 2018, visit www.toykingdom.ph or follow @ToyKingdomPH on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

My Little Pony

Rajo Laurel’s mother wrap aims to bring comfort to mothers who breastfeed in public, at home, or at work while still being fashionable.

Shimmer and Shine

Life

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thursday, august 23, 2018 manilastandardlife@gmail.com

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N MoST Filipino households, stovetops are expected to take a lot of use and abuse. Gas burners can rust and clog, while electric range coils and stovetops scratch and accumulate grime.

Kitchen appliance brand La Germania, which is known for its durability and longevity—so much so it is said they can be passed on from one generation to another—shares five tips on how to keep stovetops in prime condition for years.

How to care

for your stovetop

Clean it today

Spills and grease splatters can build up over time, hardening into blackened, stubborn spots that clog burner’s holes, initiate rust, and invite the risk of grease fire. Stovetop owners are highly advised to wipe up all spills as soon as possible and to give it a wipe down using degreaser after frying food.

A deep-cleaning session should be done every few months, but being proactive with cleaning also ensures that owners don’t have to do it as often as they would have if they let spills go unchecked.

Use back burners more often

Whenever possible, use the range’s back burners more often, turning in the handles away from the edges to avoid accidentally nudging them. This not only protects the range but also serves as additional protection for anyone who happens to be hanging around the kitchen while someone cooks.

Pick out special pans for glass stovetops

There are easy ways to keep stoves and ranges in their prime condition for years.

Electric stovetops are usually made of glass and ceramic, and while they are tough, they can get scratched up with the wrong kind of cookware, shortening their usable lifespan. Those with this kind of stove top should avoid very heavy pans and pots that have rough bottoms such as cast iron or ceramic pots with unfinished bottoms.

It is also crucial to remember to avoid placing stirrers and spatulas on them while cooking as they may leave residue that will get burnt into the stovetop, or, in the case of plas-tic, melt into the surface.

Deep cleaning for glass stovetops, on the other hand, is as simple as washing it with a soft cloth and a non-abrasive cleaning solution.

Know when you need maintenance

Do a deep-clean routine regularly

Stovetop owners must read through the user manual to learn how to properly deep clean their burners. An open pin or a paperclip is useful for clearing out tiny holes in the burner, a brush for the parts that can be soaked in water and washed, and a soft, non-abrasive cloth for the stovetop itself.

Gas burners can rust and clog when not cleaned regularly.

Run, baby, run!

A DIAPEr brand and an e-commerce portal team up to produce the firstever virtual baby marathon.

Dubbed #babyMarathon, this event is part of the Pampers x Lazada Super brand Day, happening on Aug. 29.

Super brand Day allows customers to discover the best of what the featured brand offers, which include exclusive vouchers, limited edition products at its best prices, and offline events.

The 42-minute #babyMarathon video montage, which will be aired on Aug. 29, will feature hundreds of babies and toddlers in the Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Singapore, all “running” in a relay race. In the final video, parents may even find their children racing alongside Seve, the son of Pampers Philippines brand ambassador Toni Gonzaga.

“The #babyMarathon is part of our My baby Can Do That Campaign, where we hope to show how babies can do nakaka-wow and amazing things when they have the freedom to move, especially in a less lawlaw (sagging) diaper,” said Pampers Philippines brand manager Akhil Meshram.

Any good brand that has faith in its products will always offer assistance for maintenance and regular upkeep.

La Germania, for example, has one of the best after-sales services in the industry, with one main office in Metro Manila and several other service centers all around the Phil Philippines. It also has office service assistance for outdated models.

La Germania advises to always call a service center to replace old and worn out burner tops to extend the overall life of the range.

It’s also a must to have the range checked if it has gone through something damaging, like a flood, or if it has been standing idle for a few months.

Search is on for outstanding Filipino microentrepreneurs

babies aged 5 months and above are welcome to join. To participate in the virtual run, parents need to take a video of their baby walking, playing, or running in their Pampers diaper, and post it on social media using the hashtags #PampersxLazadaPH, #BabyMarathon, and #SuperBrandDay. There will be five winners in the Philippines who will each get a sixmonth supply of Pampers diapers plus a grand winner who will receive P30,000 cash.

“This #babyMarathon video collaboration excites us as this allows both brands and our customers to connect in the online and offline space. The campaign also strengthens Lazada’s continued commitment to be a one-stop shopping destination for all baby’s needs,” said Lazada Philippines chief executive officer ray Alimurung.

Pampers has put together a series of exclusive deals of up to 35 percent off on Lazada.

Toni Gonzaga’s son, Seve, will join the first-ever virtual baby marathon on Aug. 29.

GLobAL bank Citi once again shines the spotlight on outstanding Filipino microentrepreneurs who have successfully risen from poverty and built businesses for themselves while helping others and their communities.

The bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and Citi Philippines and Microfinance Council of the Philippines, Inc., with funding support from Citi Foundation, partner for the 16th Citi Microentrepreneurship Awards.

CMA recognizes and awards microentrepreneurs who have beaten the odds through hard work and perseverance, lifting themselves and others from poverty. bSP Governor Nestor A. Espenilla Jr. said, “CMA had inspired microentrepreneurs nationwide to reach greater heights.”

It also recognizes the strong support from microfinance institutions as key partners, and underscore the role the organizations play in financial inclusion and enterprise development.

Chosen every year are the Microentrepreneur of the Year, regional awardees from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, and Youth Microentrepreneur of the Year. Special awards are given for agri micro-business, community leadership, and green/sustainable business.

“CMA’s about the passion, energy, and commitment of microentrepreneurs to improve themselves and their families. At Citi, we are proud to help people pursue their dreams because we are committed to making a difference in the communities where we live and work,” said Citi Philippines chief executive officer Aftab Ahmed.

Awardees will receive a total of P2 million cash prizes, as well as laptop computers, and entrepreneurship training and mentoring at the Citi Microenterprise Development Center.

Citi Philippines chief executive officer Aftab Ahmed and BSP Governor Nestor Espenilla Jr.

Citi Philippines public affairs head Lisa Coory and Microfinance Council of the Philippines, Inc. chair Fr. Jose Victor Lobrigo

Entertainment Beyond beautiful teeth

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By Robbie Pangilinan OVER the past years, Fashion Smile’s Dental Specialist educated their patients about the importance of Dental health, how the health of your mouth, teeth and gums can affect your general health, and the connection between the health of your teeth and gums and facial aging.

Poor dental health has a very significant negative effect on the appearance of your face. Regardless of your facial features, your smile and the condition of your teeth are one of the first features that a stranger notices when you first meet them.

Discolorations, unevenness, an altered bite or missing teeth significantly detracts from the youthfulness and attractiveness of the face. The bones of the face need the forces generated by the teeth to maintain their volume. Loss of boney volume causes a decrease of the vertical dimension of the face (VDF) or facial height. This decrease in facial height leads to premature drooping of the soft tissues of the face.

Fashion Smile Dental Health & Wellness is excited to announce that Dr. Shideh L. Nikbin is now certified to administer Facial Aesthetic as an addition to the Orthodontics & Cosmetics procedures already offered Fashion Smile now offers everything from Botox and Dermal Filler injections, through to chemical peels, laser skin rejuvenation, Facial & Body contouring, Skin Tightening.

Fashion Smile is uniquely suited for providing Facial aesthetic treatments.

They are skilled at assessing the balance and overall esthetics of the face.

They have had extensive treatment procedures in the anatomy of the head and neck every day.

Dr. Shideh L. Nikbin, orthodontists and specialists in both dental and facial esthetics has always been interested in “face” based treatment to ensure as much as possible that her patient’s smile matches and enhances their facial features. For adult patients, Facial Aesthetics (Botox , Dermal Fillers & Lips enhancement ) can add to another options for Cosmetic or Orthodontics treatment plan if needed such as gummy smile, face slimming, jaw reduction, uplifting smile, TMD, teeth grinding and facial pain to name a few.

Patients are happy and satisfy at Fashion Smile because it brings more than a smile for them. They can also relax after a whole day of work or treatment at their very own Persian Spa. Stay tuned for the next Branch of Fashion Smile Dental Spa at BGC.

During the two-night TV spectacle, viewers witnessed worldwide sensation TNT Boys hailed as the newest grand winner of Your Face Sounds Familiar Kids after astounding the jurors and viewers with their transformation into the iconic trio of Jessie J, Ariana Grande, and Nicki Minaj in the season’s grand showdown Sunday night (Aug. 19).

The bigshot trio’s performance of the hit song “Bang Bang” earned them the highest combined judges’ scores and public text votes—a whopping 100 percent—beating out seven other performers.

As the winners, Mackie Empuerto, Kiefer Sanchez, and Francis Concepcion took home P1 million, house and lot, and a gadget showcase as prizes.

Onyok Pineda, on the other hand, finished second with 67.59 percent as he performed as Steven Tyler, while Esang De Torres landed on the third

‘YOUR FACE SOUNDS FAMILIAR KIDS’

finale rules weekend programming spot with 58.52 percent with her performance as Barbra Streisand.

Meanwhile, Your Face Sounds Familiar brings more surprises this coming weekend (Aug. 25 and 26) as the show’s performers from both regular and kids seasons come together for an all-star concert treat.

Don’t miss their transformations that will once again grace the stage and impress viewers.

Groundbreaking fantasy drama 'Goblin,' starring Gong Yoo in the title role with Kim Go-eun as the female lead.

The cast of Blue Ant Entertainment's reality show, 'First Dates.'

get ahead of you. Before letting loose Cupid’s proverbial arrows, there are a few basic things to keep in mind that will up your chances of successfully matching singletons in your circles, or at least convince them to go on a date without risking your friendships with them.

Are they interested?

You might think it’s sweet to set single friends up behind their backs.

Newsflash: Not all singles are unhappy being single. They may not even be ready to date, so your “sweet gesture” might just turn against you. If you think two of your friends might work out as a couple, best to ask them first if they’re interested in dating.

No two singles are alike Singlehood won’t automatically match two people. Find out what your single friends are after in a date, like personality, hobbies, or career, so you know who

CROSSWORD PUZZLE Thursday, August 23, 2018

ACROSS 1 Physique 5 Make sore by rubbing 10 Blowout 14 Actress — Falco 15 Residences 16 Earthen pot 17 Pot covers 18 Smidgens 19 Lady’s honorific 20 Seriously annoys (2 wds.)

22 Burrow makers 24 Chatty alien 25 Bleachers shout 26 Grow quickly 30 Serf 34 Nautical position 35 Tent dweller 37 Part of a grove 38 Ultimate degree 39 Defense org.

40 Oddjob’s creator 41 OPEC rep, maybe 43 Liquefies 45 Green Hornet’s aide 46 Classified 48 Backer 50 Spy org.

51 Letter after pi

52 Excellent 56 Bishop’s domain 60 Hydrox rival 61 Jury complement 63 Tool sets 64 Go over rapidly 65 Vertical 66 Was, to Ovid 67 Smidgens 68 Smells terrible 69 “Fancy” singer DOWN 1 Knew somehow 2 Comics dog 3 Catch a wave 4 Phone playback 5 Sheer fabric 6 — it (walk) 7 Qty. 8 Scary feeling 9 Tried 10 Pretentious talk 11 Range in Asia 12 Chair-back piece 13 Scenery chewers 21 Fiesta cheer 23 Fergie’s daughter 26 Dull and ordinary 27 Very

nickie.standard@gmail.com

Vocal trio Mackie Empuerto, Kiefer Sanchez, and Francis Concepcion otherwise known as TNT Boys.

Reality TV show reveals the ins and outs of matching lovebirds WE ALL have that one datable colleague who seems to be the perfect match to that single, lovelorn friend from college. Playing the matchmaker sounds like harmless fun, but setting them up without knowing what they want in a partner, or whether they have anything in common, might just put them in an awkward situation that you unwittingly helped make.

Without practice and experience, you might end up with more misses than hits that could have terrible consequences on your friendships. It would help to pick up a few tips from the pros, like maître d’ Fred Sirieix and his crew on Blue Ant Entertainment’s British reality show First Dates. Not only do they give romantic hopefuls a chance at love over cocktails and dinner, they also pair people based on their personality and what they’re looking for in a partner.

So don’t let the excitement of romance

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ASDFSD

By Clay Moreno

ORE viewers nationwide tuned in to the kiddie performers’ two-night grand showdown of Your Face Sounds Familiar Kids as it hit a national TV rating of 36.5 percent versus The Clash (18.9 percent) last Saturday (Aug. 18), according to data from Kantar Media.

It also ruled last Sunday (Aug. 19) as it recorded 37.1 percent, compared to its rival program with only 18.4 percent.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 23, 2018

28 Fixed-up building 29 Sniffed at 30 Agreements 31 Caruso renditions 32 “Peachy-keen!”

33 Soprano counterpart 36 Bad prefix 42 Gestures 43 Wander 44 Dashes 45 Noisemaker on a door

47 Caesar’s 52 49 Cry of discovery 52 Expense 53 Ocean predator 54 Use the library 55 Singer Leslie — 56 Ship’s floor 57 Patrick’s domain 58 Wild guess 59 This, in Spanish 62 Last letter

among them are compatible. Be detailed.

Don’t just tell them you know someone who looks great and is looking for a relationship. Still, be ready with a few pictures—with consent, of course.

Movie vs. coffee date You wouldn’t want the first date in the movies where your potential lovebirds will end up glued to the big screen and not talking to each other. Encourage conversation by having them meet in a cozy café or a hip but family-friendly restaurant. Just avoid locations that are too “off the beaten path” so they don’t feel trapped or forced into a romantic situation.

Want more tips on matchmaking?

Catch First Dates every Tuesday at 8:50 p.m. exclusive on Blue Ant Entertainment available on SKYcable channels 53 (SD) and 196 (HD), SKYdirect channel 35, Destiny Cable channel 53, and Cablelink channels 37 (SD) and 313 (HD).

‘Goblin,’ other hit Asian dramas dominate ABS-CBN TVplus NON-STOP TV marathons begin on ABS-CBN TVplus this month as its newest channel offering, Asianovela Channel, unloads a ton of hit K-Dramas for its viewers.

Asianovela Channel’s programs are bound to keep Asian Drama fans glued on the TV screen with uncut episodes of all-time favorite shows like the groundbreaking fantasy drama Goblin (weekdays at 5:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., and 5:00 p.m.) and the bittersweet romantic series Uncontrollably Fond (weekdays at 6:00 a.m., 12:00 noon, and 7:00 p.m.).

The fantasy series Orange Marmalade (weekdays at 7:00 a.m. 1:00 p.m., and 8:00 p.m.), which tells the story about a vampire who falls for the most popular boy in her school, will surely keep fans entertained.

Back-to-back marathons of K-Dramas that made Filipinos go crazy also air on weekends including Love in the Moonlight, (9:00 a.m., and 7:00 p.m.), Sensory Couple, (1:00 p.m.), and Oh My Lady (5:00 p.m.), among others.

To begin watching shows from Asianovela Channel, TVplus users need to press the scan button on their TVplus remote and browse the TV list to find the channel assignment. The four other new channels on ABS-CBN TVplus are Movie Central, Jeepney TV, MYX, and O Shopping.

The five new channels are initially available in Metro Manila, Rizal, Cavite, Laguna, Metro Cebu, and Cagayan de Oro. All channels except O Shopping are on free trial until Dec. 31.

Since 2015, ABS-CBN TVplus has transformed the way Filipinos watch television as it delivers clear picture and crisp sound without any monthly and installation fee. As the pioneering digital terrestrial television (DTT) product in the Philippines, ABS-CBN TVplus also adds to the digital properties of ABS-CBN as the network transitions into an agile digital company.

Visit tvplus.abs-cbn.com or follow ABS-CBN TVplus on Facebook for more details.

Entertainment

Nickie Wang, Issue Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 23, 2018

Band leader Amelia “Leya” Roberts

YUGEL LOSORATA

Fil-Aussie lady rocker hopes for a breakthrough ENJOYING mainstream success is understandably the ultimate vision of most indie musicians yet to gain the attention of general public. Fame and fortune are simply irresistible.

Girl-fronted band Amelia is one fastgaining a following, with an intact lineup playing relatable alt-rock compositions, and led by a pretty, charming vocalist.

The group practically needs just one breakout hit to fully realize their potential.

For Amelia “Leya” Roberts, the Filipina-Australian front lady who speaks fluent Tagalog and is every bit Pinay, staying positive and spiritual is the key to keeping the faith.

“By God’s grace we will hit mainstream one day. Through our music we want to be there with those artists we look up to,” shared the head-turner whose father is from the Australian state of Queensland.

When she was sweet 16 she appeared on TV as a model for Nivea lotion. Yet she felt within that she’d rather flaunt her music thereon.

Fast-forward to present and Amelia the band has gone to play at venues like 70s Bistro, Route 196, and Saguijo, and bigger stages for special shows like in Music Museum. It was in Rizal Park some months ago where they launched their original “Unan” with a music video directed by filmmaker Edmer Guanlao.

The track itself features guitar parts by the late rock pioneer Jun Mallilin who died early this year.

As Leya put it, “‘Unan’ has taken us to hotels, mall shows, out-of-town gigs, and well-paying gigs.”

The group makes use of social media in developing fan base while delivering numbers tackling topics and expressions familiar to the masses like “Walang Forever,” “Basted,” “Kambyo King,” “Akinse,” among others. Their latest is called “Advance Akong Mag-Isip.”

With Leya handling singing and songwriting chores, the boys make sure the backing track is covered. They are bassist Roderick Pani, strummer Marc Cruz, lead guitarist Duane Claude Javier, and drummer Roland Paras.

Roland is the brother of Toks Paras, bassist from indie vet Soledads and maker of tree:ty drums.

The Amelia lady leader, who cited Lolita Carbon and Sampaguita as key influences, reflected, “Basically our songs are inspired by regular human experiences like heartbreak and separation. Where general words fail, we put in our music to capture the heart.

‘Walang forever’ is from a viral phrase so I composed one about it.”

The band often cuts demos that get the likes when uploaded. Somehow the ploy is their way to get gig invites and satisfy their crowd’s craving.

Like most indies, the Amelia personnel have day jobs. One is a real estate broker, another is with AXA Phils. Leya herself was once a sales manager at Unilab.

“If you are an independent artist, you need to have a stable job to support your own music,” she argued.

Even scoring a major hit is not a guarantee for continued success, so a regular job or a business venture as fallback is not bad at all.

‘VICTOR MAGTANGGOL’

now streaming 24/7 Primetime action fantasy 'Victor Magtanggol' topbilled by Alden Richards can now be streamed exclusively on HOOQ.

HOLLYWOOD

Eagles overtakes Michael Jackson with biggest selling album A BOX set of The Eagles’ greatest hits has surpassed Michael Jackson’s Thriller as the biggest selling album of all time, according to a new ranking by the Recording Industry Association of America.

RIAA said The Eagles: Their Greatest Hits 197175, a compilation of the country-rock group’s first four albums, has now sold 38 million units, topping Thriller’s 33 million.

The set had long held the top spot but was overtaken in 2009 by Thriller following a surge of sales for the album after Jackson’s death.

Hotel California, the Eagles’ 1976 album with the hit single of the same name, was ranked third, with 26 million units sold.

The new ranking includes sales both of discs and via streaming, which had not been calculated for the Eagles since 2006, according to Rolling Stone magazine.

“We are grateful for our families, our management, our crew, the people at radio and, most of all, the loyal fans who have stuck with us through the ups and downs of 46 years. It’s been quite a ride,” Don Henley, 71, the group’s lead singer and co-founder, said in a statement carried by Rolling Stone.

After the death of Eagles co-founder Glenn Frey in 2016 at the age of 67, the group was reconfigured and resumed touring the following year. It has scheduled a series of concerts in the United States in September. AFP

HOOQ and GMA executives during their contract signing.

F

ANS of Kapuso of the latest primetime fantasy series Victor Magtanggol, which stars Alden Richards, can now catch the latest episodes on HOOQ.

HOOQ, the largest Video on Demand service in Southeast Asia, has renewed its partnership agreement with GMA Network and will continue to stream GMA’s top rating shows and also stream fresh episodes of selected top rated series from GMA 24 hours after broadcast.

In addition, Kapuso fans can catch up on other GMA Network hits like Contessa, Inday will Always Love You, and Hindi Ko Kayang Iwan Ka including I-Witness documentaries.

Jennifer Batty, Chief Content Officer at HOOQ said, “We know and understand that our subscribers love homegrown talent and content. GMA Network is a strong and valued partner for HOOQ in our commitment to strengthen our Filipino catalogue. The content they provide is important in delivering what our consumers are looking for.”

GMA shows have always been highly rated on HOOQ and some of the most watched GMA titles on HOOQ over the past three years include Ika-6 na Utos, Meant To Be, My Korean Jagiya, Destined to Be Yours, Mulawin Vs. Ravena and classic titles like Encantadia and My Husband’s Lover.

Judd Gallares, President of GMA New Media, Inc. said, “We have been partners with HOOQ since they launched in 2015 and are very pleased to renew this partnership. We are also very excited to bring our new titles to the platform and HOOQ is currently playing some of our finest primetime series on catch up! We have always valued our partnership with HOOQ and look forward to a long and rewarding partnership ahead!”

HOOQ continues to have one of the largest and strongest catalogues of Filipino content on any video-on-demand service from top local studios in the Philippines.

Marking another milestone

Mark Herras celebrates his 13th year in showbiz with an exclusive contract that he signed with GMA Network on Aug. 16.

Looking back on his humble beginnings as the first Starstruck Ultimate Male Survivor, Mark feels grateful that his home network has been supportive of him since.

“I am confident to say that I will be with GMA for the rest of my life, if possible.

GMA gave me the opportunity to do things I love as an actor, help my family and have a better life…so yung loyalty ko talaga is with GMA.” The actor who was once

GMA drama series ‘Contessa’ and ‘Ika-6 na Utos’ streaming on HOOQ, too.

called the Bad Boy of the Dance Floor still has a lot of things up his sleeve. He enjoys having character roles, since it hones him further as an artist. “It started in The Cure yung kontrabida roles, so most of the roles that I’mgoing to play in the future are gray and baddy roles. Mas challenging gawin, at doon ko kasi mas kayang laruin yung karakter sa screen,” Mark added.

GMA Chairman and CEO Atty. Felipe L. Gozon commended the loyalty of the Kapuso star, “Well, I remember Mark as one of the first winners of Starstruck. Original yan. That’s why he’s really home-grown. And I am very glad that he’s succeeding in his craft.”

GMA Entertainment Group Senior Vice President Lilybeth G. Rasonable reveals that the actor will be seen on primetime soon. She also noted that Mark expressed his interest in doing character roles, “We see him develop as an actor, that’s why we are happy. So we want to give him more challenging roles. We’re glad because he is able to stretch his abilities and it shows his maturity and his growth as an artist, and he’s willing to tackle not only good boy roles but also a wider range of roles.”

Apart from Gozon and Rasonable, present in the contract signing were GMA Vice President for Corporate Affairs and Communications Angel Cruz Assistant Javier Cruz, Vice President for Talent Imaging and Marketing Simoun S. Ferrer, Ferrer and Senior Talent Manager Joy Marcelo.

Marcelo Mark Herrras renews his contract with his home studio, GMA 7.

THROWBACK THURSDAY. American rock band Eagles with founding members Glenn Frey, Don Henley, Bernie Leadon, and Randy Meisner.

SNAPSHOT

IV of Spades at the Shang BREAKOUT indie band IV of Spades will be bringing its signature sound to the stage this August at ShangriLa Plaza. Recently hailed as Myx Music Awards’ New Artist of the Year for 2018, IV of Spades gained massive popularity with its catchy, refreshing retro-inspired tunes like “Hey Barbara” and “Mundo”—as well as for the band members’ slick, ‘70s-inspired outfits. Get into the groove with Zild Benitez, Badjao de Castro, and Blaster Silonga as they rock the Shang on Aug. 25, 7:00 pm at the Grand Atrium.

For inquiries, call 370-2597/98 or visit www. facebook.com/shangrilaplazaofficial. Follow the Shang on Instagram: @shangrilaplazaofficial.