Manila Standard - 2018 August 28 - Tuesday

twitter.com/ MlaStandard

facebook.com/ ManilaStandardPH

S

manilastandard.net

Missed your copy of Manila Standard? Call or text our Circulation Hotline at 0917-8848655 or email: circ@manilastandardtoday.com

Heroes’ Day: Duterte pays tribute to common Pinoys despite the challenges that come their way, continue to work for the well-being PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte said Mon- of their families, the betterment of their day the ordinary Filipinos working hard communities and the advancement of our for the welfare of their families and the nation,” Duterte said in a speech betterment of their country should be during the National Heroes honored.

Day rites at the Heroes’ “Let us honor ordinary Filipinos who, Cemetery. Next page

By Nat Mariano

VOL. XXXII • NO. 194 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 • TUESDAY, AUGUST 28, 2018 • www.manilastandard.net • editorial@manilastandard.net

FOR GENERATIONS. An unidentified Philippine Navy man lifts up his daughter during a hero’s welcome ceremony for the returning 700-member contingent aboard BRP Andres Bonifacio on Monday at Pier 13 at Manila’s South Harbor after their successful participation in the Rim of the Pacific Exercise 2018. At right, President Rodrigo Duterte executes a snappy salute as he offers a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the Libingan ng mga Bayani Monday. Norman Cruz, PNA

‘King of comedy’ Neil Simon dies NEW YORK—Neil Simon, the prolific and Pulitzer Prize-winning US playwright celebrated as the king of comedy who won more Oscar and Tony nominations combined than any other showbiz writer, died on Sunday. He was 91.

House probes rice crisis Zeroes in on NFA amid supply woes

Next page

By Maricel V. Cruz, Macon RamosAraneta and Rio N. Araja

T

HE chairman of the House committee on agriculture on Monday called for a congressional inquiry into the rising prices for rice as the National Food Authority came under heavy fire for its failure to ensure food security.

Pinay takes bronze for PH JAKARTA—Pencak silat’s Cherry May Regalado gave the Philippines its 11th bronze medal in the 18th Asian Games here on Monday.

Regalado tallied 444 points among six competitors in the women’s singles final at the Padepokan Pencak Silat Center in Taman Mini Indonesia Indah.

HAMMERED PROTEST. On National Heroes’ Day celebration Monday, workers, Church and other groups march to Mendiola near San Beda University and Centro Escolar University raising their demand for a national minimum wage, an end to contractualization, respect for trade union and human rights and policies, and the TRAIN Law. Lisa Marie David

Du30 fires back at Trillanes Marathon hearings set on impeachment for low IQ, hits nuisance bet By Maricel V. Cruz and Nat Mariano

By Nat Mariano and Macon Ramos-Araneta PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Monday lashed out at his critics, expressing shock that suspended lawyer Elly Pamatong was a UP graduate and that Senator Antonio Trillanes IV had survived the Philippine Military Academy “given his character, his mouth and low IQ.” Pamatong, several times a nuisance candidate for the presidency, had earlier filed a quo warranto petition against Duterte that the Palace dismissed.

Trillanes, on the other hand, had taken to his Twitter account to describe Duterte as “the laziest, craziest, and the worst president this country ever had.”

Next page

Next page

Rank Country

G

S

B Total

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16

81 43 28 20 16 12 11 9 7 6 6 4 3 3 3 3

60 35 33 14 15 12 6 9 10 12 8 3 8 6 2 0

40 181 54 132 41 102 27 61 15 46 17 41 7 24 32 50 20 37 12 30 28 42 2 9 15 26 3 12 5 10 12 15

China Japan Rep. of Korea Indonesia IR Iran Chinese Taipei DPR Korea Thailand India Uzbekistan Kazakhstan Bahrain Hong Kong UAE Mongolia Philippines

Panel chairman and ANAC IP Party-list Rep. Jose Panganiban said he would invite the concerned government agencies to shed light on why rice prices remained high, and how the government, through the NFA, had imported grain stock from Thailand and Vietnam that was infested with weevils.

“We have already sent a letter to NFA asking them to shed light on these issues,” Panganiban said at a news conference.

Panganiban said the NFA does not seem to have fulfilled its mandate to ensure food security and stable prices for the nation’s staple food. Next page

appointed Chief Justice Teresita de Castro.

Oriental Mindoro Rep. Salvador Leachon, comTHE House of Representatives’ committee on justice mittee chairman, predicted the swift resolution of on Monday expressed readiness to conduct marathon the impeachment complaints against the seven jushearings on the impeachment complaint filed against tices “with the expected cooperative attitude of the seven justices of the Supreme Court, including newly Next page

MMDA: P10k fine on bus leaving Edsa’s yellow lane

By Joel E. Zurbano and Macon Ramos-Araneta

From Mactan to Lapu-Lapu, airport name-change backed

By Nat Mariano PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte said Monday he favored the proposal to rename the Mactan-Cebu International Airport after the celebrated Visayan ruler and Mactan chieftain Lapu-Lapu.

“You know what, Magellan was the first invader to set foot here in the Philippines. It was

Lapu-Lapu who fought them.

Why is he [Magellan] more honored in this country?” the President said, when asked by reporters if he supported the National Historical Commission of the Philippines’ proposal to rename the Mactan-Cebu airport to Lapu-Lapu airport.

“Yes [I will rename the airport after him]. Why would Next page

FIND AND FINE THEM. Metrro Manila transport authorities are studying the possibility of imposing a hefty P10,000 penalty against each bus swerving out of the yellow lane—a move aimed at improving the flow of traffic along the already heavily congested Epifanio de los Santos Avenue, the main highway in Metro Manila that cuts through the capital of 16 million population. Manny Palmero

THE Metro Manila Development Authority is considering imposing a P10,000 penalty on buses that leave the yellow lane in a bid to improve the flow of traffic along Edsa.

Members of the Metro Manila Council, the MMDA’s policy-making body, made this announcement during a recent meeting in Mandaluyong City where they also discussed the fate of the controversial Expanded High Occupancy Vehicle Traffic scheme that prohibits drivers without companions along Edsa during rush hours from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., from Monday to Friday.

The MMC is composed of 17 mayors Next page

a2

News

Tuesday, augus augusT 28, 2018

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Courts’ handling of drug cases hit

By Rey E. Requejo

T

HE judiciary’s performance last year was lackluster in the disposition of the drug cases pending before the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals and the various trial courts.

Based on the Supreme Court’s 2017 Judicial Annual Report, out of the 928 drug-related cases filed with the high court only 206 cases were resolved last year, or a disposition rate of 22 percent.

In the Court of Appeals, of the 3,105 pending drug cases, 898 were resolved for a disposition rate of 29 percent.

The high court’s annual report also indicated that, out of the 289,316 drug-

MMda:...

From A1

and local government executives in the National Capital Region.

“There were proposals that were raised by the mayors… We will be studying this matter,” said Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista, who chairs the Council’s special committee on traffic.

At present, the MMDA penalizes yellow lane violators with P500 fine.

Under the Yellow lane policy, buses are prohibited to go outside the two lanes designated for them while private vehicles may enter the yellow lane only 100 meters before they exit.

MMDA general manager Jose Arturo Garcia Jr. expressed optimism that the new policy would smoothen traffic along Edsa.

The MMC also approved an increase in fines for illegal parking in Metro Manila, from P200 to P1,000 for attended illegally parked cars, and from P300 to P2,000 plus a towing fee for unattended illegally parked vehicles.

“We really need to increase these penalties because our motorists can no longer traverse through alternate routes as these are being obstructed by illegally parked vehicles,” said Garcia.

“We really need to do something and we’re encouraging the people to go for carpooling,” he added.

In the Senate, Senator Grace Poe said the long-delayed release of subsidies for the modernization of the transport sector will be under scrutiny when the Senate discusses the budget of the Department of Transportation.

Poe, the chairman of the Senate public services committee, said the financial assistance of P80,000 given to jeepney drivers to be affected by the modernization program to be insufficient.

Poe said she was not against modernization, but wants to know how the program is being implemented.

She said 600,000 drivers would be affected by the modernization. “If they canceled their route, what will be the substitute? And how can they buy a jeepney which costs P1.2 million to P1.8 million if they will be given P80,000 for the down payment?” Poe said.

‘King...

From A1

The brains behind more than 30 plays, 20 screenplays and five musicals, Time magazine dubbed him the “patron saint of laughter.”

Many of his works are classics of 20th century American theater and Simon has been credited with playing a seminal role—along with film director Woody Allen—in re-crafting US humor in the 1960s and 1970s.

His influence has been felt through the generations, The New York Times drawing a line between Simon’s early comedies and the character-based comedy in the 1990s hit sitcom “Seinfeld.”

Longtime friend Bill Evans announced his death early Sunday in a New York hospital of complications from pneumonia.

His wife, a daughter and grandson were at his bedside, Evans told AFP. He had represented Simon for three decades from 1976 to 2006.

Simon was the author of critically acclaimed and commercial hits such as “Barefoot in the Park” (1963) “The Odd Couple” (1965) “The Sunshine Boys” (1974) and “Lost in Yonkers” (1990). AFP

Heroes’...

From A1

In other developments: • Vice President Leni Robredo on Monday gave the migrant Filipino workers and soldiers special recognition as modern-day heroes.

In her National Heroes’ Day message, Robredo praised the great sacrifice of migrant Filipinos in leaving their families behind to seek greener pastures to improve the lives of their children and relatives, and the soldiers for ensuring the safety of the country.

related cases in the lower courts in 2017, only 12 percent or 34,683 were disposed.

At the regional trial courts alone, a total of 83,396 new drug cases were filed while 1,104 cases were reopened or revived.

The high court’s report only confirmed the admission earlier of Associate Justice Diosdado Peralta that the

lower courts were failing in the drug cases despite the measures undertaken by the high court to unclog the lower court dockets of cases related to drugs.

Peralta said the validation reports from the Office of the Court Administrator and the Management Information System Office showed that the lower courts had considerably reduced the clogged dockets on criminal cases except on the drug cases.

“We are failing in the drug cases,” Peralta said during his interview with the Judicial and Bar Council two weeks ago.

He said the lower courts were finding it impossible to comply with the “hu-

manly impossible” requirements under Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

Article XI, Section 90 of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 says cases must be resolved not later than 60 days from the date of filing of the Information or charge sheet.

The decision on a case must be issued within 15 days from submission, but Peralta said the courts were “having a hard time” complying.

He said the counting should start after the arraignment, and arraignment means the accused is brought to court and informed of the nature and cause of the allegations against him or her.

Budget debates resume; Trade, DepEd on hot seat Interior and Defense Departments.

Earlier, House Majority Leader and Camarines Sur Rep. Rolando Andaya Jr. said the “budget impasse” had been resolved as Congress might adopt a hybrid system combining cash-based and obligation-based systems, following a meeting between President Rodrigo Duterte and House Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

The cash-based budgeting system limits the appropriation, bidding, completion of projects and payments within a single year and the first three months of the following year.

Under today’s obligation-based budgeting, the government can spread out the

appropriations across two years or more to allow the completion of projects.

Andaya said they had agreed that the budgetary cuts agreed to by the previous speaker would be restored to allow the validity of some payments to one year plus six months or the first half of the following year.

Under the 2019 national budget, the Health department suffered a P35-billion cut, the Education Department’s budget was reduced by P77 billion and the budget of Public Works by P95 billion.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development and the Commission on Elections also got budget reductions of P5 billion.

to learn more about the issues involving rice, saying that the NFA is “open for scrutiny anytime.”

“Those who want to verify what we had been doing, can check our records, go around the country and ask the people,” he said.

Nograles said he discovered that there is a “large spike” in rice prices in Cagayan de Oro because the NFA had slashed the supply of NFA rice in Region 10 and diverted it to Region 9 to address the rice crisis in the Zamboanga Peninsula.

As a result, Nograles said, the residents of Cagayan de Oro have no choice but to buy commercial rice. The absence of cheaper alternatives in the form of NFA rice has allowed commercial rice suppliers to dictate rice prices in the market.

Meanwhile, Panganiban assured farmers that the proposed “Revised Agricultural Tariffication Act” that he principally sponsored will not hurt them even as it seeks the entry of cheaper rice by replacing the quantitative import re-

strictions on rice with tariffs.

Panganiban said the government is targeting to raise P20 billion to provide subsidies for the farmers.

Senator Francis Escudero on Monday said he would not join some of his colleagues in calling for the abolition of the NFA or the resignation of its administrator.

Escudero said the NFA is capable of doing things that cannot be done by private sector traders.

He also said he wants to hear what Aquino has to say about the problems that beset the rice industry.

“I have heard so many things against him, so I want to hear him,” he said.

If there is liability, all those accountable should be made fo answer for the rice crisis, he said.

He said he hopes Senator Cynthia A. Villar, chairpman of the Senate agriculture and food committee, will call another hearing to determine what the NFA and the Department of Agriculture have been doing to address the problems.

rules committee, chaired by Majority Leader and Camarines Sur Rep. Rolando Andaya, Jr. will then refer the complaint to the justice panel.

“I expect them to be cooperative.

They were witnesses during the [impeachment deliberations of former Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno]. I know they will respect the jurisdiction of each department as we submit also to the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court whenever a case is filed before them,” said Leachon.

At the same time, Leachon said the House will extend utmost courtesy to the SC justices, and that the House justice panel members will decide on the complaint based on evidence.

On Sunday, Leachon said the initial impeachment hearing against the seven

justices will be on Sept. 4.

The opposition lawmakers said the seven SC justices allegedly are accused of committing a culpable violation of the Constitution and betrayal of the public trust when they ruled in favor of the quo warranto petition filed against Sereno by Solicitor General Jose Calida.

The lawmakers said the quo warranto petition was illegal, and that the only way to oust Sereno was through an impeachment.

President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday defended his decision to appoint De Castro as chief justice, given the Court’s tradition of considering seniority.

“Whoever goes first will be promoted first and that would go for everybody,” Duterte said following the National Heroes’ Day rites in Taguig City.

I name it after the ones who were not our blood relative and who only went here [to invade us]?” he told reporters in an ambush interview.

In his speech during the National Heroes Day rites in Taguig City, Duterte expressed disappointment that LapuLapu was not given the proper recognition he deserved for being the first Filipino to resist the Imperial Spanish colonization.

“As a footnote, just a vignette of life, Lapu-Lapu was the first Filipino to kill a foreigner who invaded our country,”

Duterte remarked in his speech.

The President said it “deeply pains” him to know that history has forgotten Lapu-Lapu and regarded as a fish despite his earliest display of Filipino nationalism.

“That is why it pains me deeply to see lapu-lapu being eaten every day [and turned into] escabeche, fried, and all sorts of a recipe,” the President said in a jest, garnering laughter from diplomats, government officials, and war veterans present during the commemoration.

He also raised a question why the Lapu-Lapu statue was comparatively smaller than that of Magellan.

“There’s a Lapu-Lapu Hotel, then there’s a fish called lapu-lapu. That’s crazy. This Lapu-Lapu fought for our

country. He died, somehow, they say, after that battle. He was able to kill the Supremo of the expeditionary force.”

The President made his remarks after NHCP chairman Rene Escalante suggested to amend the name of Mactan airport in honor of Lapu-Lapu.

Escalante proposed the renaming of the airport in hope of popularizing and immortalizing Lapu-Lapu’s name in the country and overseas.

“In close coordination with local government units and legislators, the NHCP will support the renaming of Mactan International Airport into Lapu-Lapu Airport so his name will be popularized and immortalized here and abroad,” Escalante said.

“I truly thank our [migrant workers] for their sacrifices. They have to endure being away from the country to give their families a better life,” Robredo said.

“I also salute our soldiers for risking their lives to ensure that we are safe. We are with you in our prayers for your protection while you perform your duty.”

• Senator Aquilino Pimentel III on Monday cited the need to celebrate heroism in its smaller, everyday forms.

“The office worker, local entrepreneur, teacher, artist or [migrant worker] who toils hard to earn a decent living for

one’s family while also assisting others is no less a hero as a soldier who dies for flag and country,” Pimentel said.

He also said being a diligent student, a dependable parent or a law-abiding citizen required equal parts nobility of character and determination to achieve either a personal or collective goal, which were no less heroic acts.

Duterte said the country’s unnamed heroes were the ones that the youth needed to look up to.

“Let us continue to emulate their selfless ways in our daily endeavors as we effect lasting change across the nation and create a legacy upon which future

generations can build on,” Duterte said in a message sent to reporters.

Speaking in front of World War II veterans, government officials and diplomats, Duterte talked about the heroism of soldiers who fought the insurgencies in the country, especially in Marawi.

“We honor our brave troops who gallantly sacrificed their lives to defeat communist insurgents, Islamic separatists and other threats to our sovereignty, especially those who took part in the successful liberation of Marawi from the clutches of terrorism and extremism,” Duterte said. With Rio N. Araja and Macon Ramos-Araneta

By Maricel V. Cruz THE House of Representatives’ committee on appropriations resumes today, Tuesday, its deliberations on the proposed P3.757-trillion national budget for 2019 following the three-week impasse on its adoption.

The committee led by Davao City Rep. Karlo Nograles will hear the presentations of the Trade and Education Departments this afternoon.

“We will resume the budget hearings,” Nograles said.

Scheduled on Wednesday, Aug. 29, are the presentations of the Offices of the President and the Vice President and the

House...

From A1

He added that the NFA declaration that tons of weevil-infested rice brought into Subic was safe for distribution after being fumigated.

“It is not [acceptable]. That was an irresponsible statement,” Panganiban said.

Davao City Rep. Karlo Nograles, chairman of the House committee on appropriations, also urged the NFA to act on the problems plaguing the rice industry.

“The NFA administrator is right; we legislators should go out in the field and really look into the problems in the rice industry. The short recess of Congress provided an opportunity to go to our markets and learn firsthand about the prices and supplies of rice––and what I discovered is very worrisome,” Nograles said.

On Friday, NFA Administrator Jason Aquino challenged legislators and concerned parties to go around the country

Marathon...

From A1

respondents in resolving the ouster move against them.”

Leachon said the SC justices are expected to recognize the constitutional power of the House to hear impeachment complaints.

“The impeachment complaint filed by opposition lawmakers led by Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman against de Castro, Justices Diosdado Peralta, Lucas Bersamin, Andres Reyes, Francis Jardeleza, Noel Tijam, and Alexander Gesmundo, is expected to be read before the House in plenary session Tuesday following its inclusion in the Order of Business by the House committee on rules. The House

From...

From A1

Gov’t welcomes NPA members to fold of law DEFENSE Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said Monday the government would still accept fighters of the New People’s Army, the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines, who would be surrendering to it.

He made the statement after President Rodrigo Duterte said he would stop accepting members of the NPA surrendering to government forces because of their continuing hostility.

On Monday, Duterte also said he was tired of listening to Communist Party of the Philippines founding chairman Jose Maria Sison about the state of his health.

“I’m tired of listening to Joma Sison,” Duterte told reporters after leading the National Heroes Day rites at the Heroes’ Cemetery in Taguig City.

“Look at how degenerate he is. He doesn’t have an ideology. He just keeps an eye on the health of other people,” Duterte said.

On Sunday, the 79-year-old Sison challenged Duterte, 73, to release both their medical records to the public.

Lorenzana said Duterte could have made his statement about rejecting surrendering communist fighters out of frustration.

But he said there was a budget allotted for communist rebels surrendering to the government. “We have money allotted for that to rehabilitate them and to allow them to lead normal lives,” Lorenzana said.

He said the communist rebels who had surrendered to them were all sincere.

In March, Lorenzana said, 4,000 NPA members and sympathizers surrendered to the government, but the CPP denied his statement.

The formal resumption of the peace talks between the government and the communist groups was scheduled to proceed on June 28 in Norway, but it did not push through as Duterte said he wanted more public consultations before returning to the negotiating table.

In July, Duterte said he was ready for another 50 years of war with the communist groups because the latter only wanted “power sharing and a coalition government.” Nat Mariano

du30...

From A1

The President fired back, saying it was incredible that Pamatong obtained his law degree from the University of the Philippines.

He also questioned Trillanes’ intelligence and character and wondered how he survived the PMA. Trillanes responded with a challenge.

“Just to settle the matter, I am challenging Duterte to an IQ test. Even if he gets a plus 10,” he said.

If the President scored higher than him, he would resign as senator, he said.

The senator is serving his last term in the Senate which will end in June next year. He has been ineligible to seek a reelection in the coming midterm polls in May since he has served as member of the Senate for two consecutive terms or 12 years.

This was not the first time that Trillanes vowed to resign following some challenges he posed to the President.

Pinay...

From A1

Indonesia’s Puspa Arumsari submitted a total score of 467 points to win the gold medal, while Singapore’s Nurzuhairah Mohammad Yazid, the 2017 SEA Games champion, took the silver medal with a score of 445.

Laos’ Tunee Vilaysack scored 443 points to finish fourth followed by Thailand’s Salini Mamu (438) and Vietnam’s Thi Binh Vuong (434).

Arumasari is a gold medalist in the 2016 World Championships in Denpasar, Indonesia. She pocketed the bronze in the 2017 SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Regalado’s medal is the third for the pencak silat team, which got its first two bronzes from Dines Dumaan (men’s Class B 50 kg to 55 kg) and Jefferson Rhey Loon (men’s Class D 60 kg to 65 kg) on Sunday.

As of Monday noon, the Philippines is No. 16 in the medal tally board with 14 medals, including three golds.

Golfer Yuka Saso won the women’s singles while the women’s team of Saso, Bianca Pagdanganan and Lois Kaye Go also won on Sunday.

The first gold came from 2016 Rio Olympics silver medalist Hidilyn Diaz, who won the women’s 53 kg event on Tuesday. PNA

News

A3

TUESDAY, AUGUST 28, 2018 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

GMA backs Romualdez’s bill on DDR

By Maricel V. Cruz

HOUSE Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has vowed to pass the consolidated measure on the proposed law seeking to create the Department of Disaster Resilience (DDR), including the latest version filed by Leyte Rep. Yedda Marie Kittilstvedt Romualdez.

Arroyo said the establishment of DDR is among her priority bills to be approved when Congress resumes session today (Tuesday) after a 12-day recess.

“The Disaster Management bill is among the priority measures when we resume,” said Arroyo on the proposal to be sponsored in the plenary by House committee on government reorganization chairman and Camiguin Rep. Xavier Jesus Romualdo and other authors.

Earlier, the House committee on appropriations, chaired by Davao City Rep. Karlo Nograles approved the funding provision of the measure. The committee approved the proposal for a total of P20.2-billion for the DDR and P6.5 billion as Quick Response Fund or a total of P26.7 billion and the amount will be included in the 2019 proposed P3.757-trillion national budget.

Romualdez thanked Arroyo for her commitment to pass the consolidated DDR measure, which has also been advocated

by President Rodrigo Duterte “We thank Speaker Arroyo for her strong commitment to pass the DDR. With her competence and outstanding credentials as experienced leader, we can be assured that this proposal will be approved in this Congress,” said Romualdez, wife of Philippine Constitution Association (Philconsa) President Martin Romualdez, the original proponent of the bill during the previous 16th Congress where he served as the House Independent Bloc leader as congressman of Leyte.

RELIEF. House Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo led relief operations for the typhoon victims in Porac, Pampanga. Arroyo distributed rice, canned goods, noodles and sugar, among others, to more than 600 Aeta families residing in Upland Sitio Pasbul in Barangay Camias. Porac officials who joined the distribution were Pampanga Gov. Lilia Pineda, Porac Mayor Conrado dela Cruz, Vice Mayor Dexter Albert David, and Sangguniang Bayan members Olga Frances David Dizon and Rudy Enriquez.

SC adopts rules for anti-Cybercrime ‘Act’ PH hits China bid to build nuke T arms in WPS NO TO nuclear weapons in South China Sea. Department of National Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said on China’s plan to deploy nuclear weapons in South China Sea, also known as the West Philippine Sea, a dispute territory among China, Philippines and at least three other Southeast Asian countries.

“Well we definitely object to that, mag-object tayo diyan dahil hindi dapat sila magdala ng nuclear weapons diyan sa disputed area. For what? Wala naman tayong kuwan sa kanila, wala naman tayong masamang balak sa kanila, wala naman tayong balak na atakihin ‘yung mga reclaimed areas nila.”

The Defense chief territorial disputes over the South China Sea should be discussed in a “civil” way through the Department of Foreign Affairs and its Chinese counterparts.

“Kaya nga pinag-uusapan natin, we are talking about our disputes in a civil matter and there is no need for them to militarize to that level, na magdadala sila ng nuclear armed aircraft or any other weaponry there that are nuclear-tipped,” Lorenzana said.

In its annual report to the US Congress, the United States Department of Defense noted that Beijing had indicated that development plans may be underway to power islands and reefs with “floating nuclear power stations,” which reportedly will start before 2020.

The US added that China’s nuclear weapons policy prioritizes the maintenance of a nuclear force “able to survive a first strike and to respond with sufficient strength to inflict unacceptable damage on an enemy.”

By Rey E. Requejo

HE Supreme Court has approved the rules of court in the issuance of warrants and related orders pertinent to the enforcement of punishable acts provided under the six-year-old Republic Act 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.

In an administrative matter unanimously approved adopted by the Court en banc, the rules on warrants and orders involve “the preservation, disclosure, interception, search, seizure, and/or examination, as well as the custody, and destruction of computer data” as mandated by the Cybercrime Prevention law.

The SC said that the new rules supplement the Rules of Criminal Procedure on the preliminary investigation and all stages of the prosecution of criminal action

involving violations of RA 10175 with the use of information and communications technologies (ICT).

The high court said all crimes enumerated in RA 10175 are cognizable by the regional trial courts in the country and those courts specifically designated as “cybercrime courts.”

“The detection, investigation, and prosecution of cybercrime offenses necessitate a rule of procedure therefor, especially for the application, issuance,

and implementation of court warrants technically-suited to the nature of cybercrime offenses,” the SC added.

Among the crimes punishable under RA 10175 are libel, cybersex, child pornography, and offenses against the confidentiality, integrity and availability of computer data and systems like illegal access, illegal interception, data interference, system interference, misuse of devices, cyber-squatting, computer related fraud, computer-related Identity theft, and unsolicited commercial communications.

A person found guilty of violation of RA 10175 may be imprisoned from six years and one day to 12 years (prision mayor) or imposed a fine ranging from P200,000 to P500,000 or both.

If a violation is committed against critical infrastructure, the penalty is a prison term ranging from 12 years and one day to 20 years (reclusion temporal) or a fine of at least P500,000 or both.

Honasan objects suspension order on graft case

By Macon Ramos-Araneta SENATOR Gringo Honasan objected to his temporary suspension over a graft case in connection with the alleged misuse of his priority development assistance fund (PDAF) or the so-called “pork barrel” amounting to P3O million.

In his opposition submitted to the anti-graft court’s Second Division, Honasan argued that the prosecution’s motion to suspend him is premature since he already filed a petition for certiorari before the Supreme Court questioning the anti-graft court’s jurisdiction over his case.

Through his lawyers, the senator also blamed state prosecutors for allegedly failing to submit their comment on his plea on time.

Honasan said he filed his petition before the Supreme Court on January 3, 2018, but the prosecution only submitted its comment 87 days later.

“It is thus only fair for the Honorable Court to defer action on the motion given the pendency of Senator Honasan’s petition. Indeed, the motion, at this point in time, is premature since the pre-requisite legality of the Honorable Court’s process forcing the submission of Senator Honasan’s person remains hanging in the Supreme Court,” read the motion.

Honasan also pointed out that a Sandiganbayan ruling on the move to suspend him would also pre-empt the Supreme Court.

He branded as “patently designed” to remove him from office

the prosecution’s motion because it stated that he should face an “ndefinite suspension.”

“Due to its unwarranted and oppressive overbreadth, the motion is clearly unconstitutional and thus, suffers from invalidity, inoperativeness or being void ab initio,” added Honasan in his opposition.

“It therefore behooves the Honorable Court to disregard the same in toto since such an abhorrent pleading never conferred any right on the prosecution to expect any relief and never imposed any duty on the Honorable Court to grant such unjustified, baseless and pernicious relief,” it added.

Earlier, the prosecution asked the Sandiganbayan Second Division to suspend Honasan as his graft case continues.

US, USAID launch P2.5-b anti-TB projects

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

DEADLY FIRE. Residents, along with firefighters, tries to put out the fire along Franco and Herbosa Streets in Tondo, Manila on Monday where our kids were confirmed dead and two injured. Norman Cruz

U.S. Embassy in the Philippines Chargé d’Affaires (CDA) Michael Klecheski and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) launched two five-year projects valued at more than 2.5 billion pesos to support the Philippines’ goal to end tuberculosis (TB).

TB Innovations, implemented by Family Health International 360, and TB Platforms, implemented by the University Research Corporation, aim to find and cure more TB cases in the country by supporting the Department of Health’s National TB Control Program and local government units to enhance TB prevention and treatment measures.

The projects will expand access to state-of-the-art TB detection technologies and encourage high-risk populations to seek and complete necessary

TB treatment.

Approximately one million people in the Philippines currently have active TB, and many do not know they have the disease.

Although TB is curable, at least 60 Filipinos die from the disease every day. TB can result in catastrophic costs to households and causes billions of pesos in economic losses in the Philippines each year.

“Eradicating TB in the Philippines is a crucial step for the country to achieve its development goals,” said CDA Klecheski.

“The U.S. government will continue to work shoulder-to-shoulder with the Philippine government to end TB,” he added.

Klecheski launched the projects alongside Department of Health Secretary Francisco Duque III and DSWD Assistant Secretary Glenda de Rama Relova.

PAL, CEB cancel flights for repairs THE Philippine Airlines (PAL) and Cebu Pacific Air (CEB) announced the cancellations of some of their flights in connection with the scheduled repair and rehabilitation of the Mactan Cebu International Airport (MCIA) runway from September 1 to 21.

In its advisory, PAL has “either cancelled or delayed several flights in view of the 5-hour daily runway closure within the said three-week period. All other flights outside this window period shall remain operational.”

Those cancelled by PAL from Sept.

1 to 21 include daily flights of PR-2682 and PR-2683 (Cebu-Busuanga-Cebu), flights PR-2295 and PR-2296 (CebuCagayan de Oro-Cebu), and PR-1836 (Cebu-Manila), and from Aug. 31 to Sept. 20, the cancelled flight will be PR28767 (Manila-Cebu). Joel E. Zurbano

Oil firms hike prices by P.60/liter OIL firms hiked pump prices by as much as P0.60 per liter starting 6am Tuesday to reflect the movement in world oil prices.

The oil firms raised the price of diesel

by P0.60 per liter, kerosene by P0.45 per liter and gasoline by P0.10 per liter.

So far, Seaoil Philippines, Petro Gazz, PTT Philippines and Phoenix Petroleum Philippines issued advisories of the latest oil price increase but others are expected to follow suit.

“Phoenix Petroleum Philippines will increase the prices of gasoline by P0.10 per liter and diesel by P0.60 per liter effective 6am of 28 August 2018,” the company said. Alena Mae S. Flores

CA downgrades admin raps vs Mison The Court of Appeals has upheld the findings of the Office of the Ombudsman that former Bureau of Immigration Commissioner Siegfred Mison was administratively liable for unlawfully reassigning an intelligence officer in 2015 without an approval from the Justice Secretary.

In a 15-page decision, the CA’s Third Division through Associate Justice Pedro Corales partially granted Mison’s petition for review as it affirmed with modification the January 16, 2017 joint order of the Office of the Ombudsman.

The appellate court instead found Mison “guilty of simple misconduct and meted the penalty of three months suspension with the stern warning that a repetition of the same or similar acts will warrant a more severe penalty.” “ In the event that the penalty of suspension can no longer be enforced, a fine equivalent to three (3) - month salary shall be imposed, payable to the [Ombudsman], and may be deductible from his accrued leave credits or any receivable from his office,” the appellate court ruled. Rey E. Requejo

Du30 to bring cops military to Israel PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte said Monday he would bring retiring military officials and police officers as a gift for serving the country.

"I would be going there with some of the retiring military and police officers.

Many of us will go there. That is my gift to them for serving the country well," the President told reporters in an ambush interview after the commemoration of the National Heroes' Day in Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig City.

"I will be there because of the 28,000 Filipinos. And it's getting hotter there," the President added.

Duterte's visit to Israel on September 2 to 5 will make him the first Philippine leader to visit the Jewish state since the two countries established ties in 1957. Nat Mariano

A4

Opinion

TUESDAY, AUGUST 28, 2018

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

An exercise in futility

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

Chinese-Filipino tycoon throwing a party every now and then.

I also see consuls in diplomatic functions.

I believe society pages deviate THERE are mixed reactions to the ap- from the role of media in bringing pointment of second-most-senior asso- news to readers. They only emphasize ciate justice Teresita Leonardo-de Cas- the widening gap between the rich tro as chief justice. The Yellows and the and the poor. Media then become militants are still fulminating over the a tool for propagating conspicuous ouster of former Chief Justice Maria consumption.

Lourdes Sereno.

During martial law, President MarI believe what President Duterte did cos did away with the society pages in appointing Sereno was an act of giv- because they created dissatisfaction ing credibility to the Supreme Court among the poor. and the judiciary as a whole. Seniority Speaking of honorary consuls— must be a priority. This was a practice would you believe they can import broken only by former President Be- luxury goods tax-free? nigno Aquino III when he appointed I am told this is a big racket since Sereno. they sell to difWhat Aquino ferent outlets. I did was an insult to know of one conthe senior justices sul who has highof the high court.

The justices were only end wine shops.

We later found out doing their job.

He definitely that Sereno was knows how to use not even qualified his privilege! to be chief justice There are a lot anyway because of shenanigans she had failed to submit her Statement going on with this privilege. The Deof Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth. partment of Foreign Affairs should De Castro only has 41 days to serve look into this. as chief justice, but she can do a lot. *** I don’t believe her appointment was Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos said payback. President Duterte is mindful in a statement that the nation must of Supreme Court traditions. move on from the days of martial law, Insofar as the impeachment case amid so many problems hounding the against the justices who voted for the nation today. ouster of Sereno through quo warranto, Former Senator Bongbong Marcos, what these justices did was just to up- her brother, echoed this. hold the law.

It appears, however, that the Yellows I do not see the logic of the impeach- will not allow this. They insist that the ment case, which is now with the House Marcoses must apologize and must be Committee on Justice. held accountable.

How could those seven justices have My gulay, they are stuck in time! committed culpable violation of the I read what my colleague, former Constitution and betrayal of public Ambssador to Greece Bobi Toglao, trust when they were just performing wrote. He has decided to move on. their mandate?

My gulay, if Tiglao, who was himself *** a victim of martial law, can move on, Every morning I go over five nation- why can’t the others? al broadsheets, reading the headlines, It’s true we should not forget the past. then the opinion pages, and then the But we cannot blame the past for what inside pages. we are experiencing today. We need In the society pages, I see the forgiveness and unity.

Turn to A5 same names—except some affluent

TO THE POINT EMIL P. JURADO

Everybody, every day

D

URING Monday’s celebration of National Heroes’ Day, President Rodrigo Duterte paid tribute to various groups of Filipinos “who continue to make sacrifices for the welfare of their families and the advancement of our communities.”

In honoring unnamed heroes, for instance, he lay a wreath at The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

The President also cited the troops who defended Marawi City in last year’s siege by Islamist militants, and police officers who have been working on the campaign against criminality and illegal drugs.

He likewise recognized educators and overseas

workers for their sacrifices and contributions.

These everyday heroes, the President said, emulate the valor and selfless ways of the country’s heroes “as we effect lasting change across the nation and create a legacy upon which future generations can build.”

We believe a broader group deserves recognition as well— workers from all sectors across the country, who go into the daily battle of eking out a living for themselves and their families while surviving in difficult conditions.

These workers make ends meet in an environment of soaring prices and even the most basic of commodities, rice, does not come as easily anymore.

Those in urban areas also have to grapple on a daily basis with the sorry state of traffic and public transportation. Those in

the rural areas—agricultural workers, specifically—find there is little incentive for the next generation to continue their profession.

The labor situation in the Philippines remains far from ideal, with labor-only contracting remaining a pervasive practice despite strong public clamor to correct it.

We also cite public officials who toil hard and resist the temptations of riches and fame every day, contrary to the practices of their more prominent co-servants.

Indeed there is so much quiet valor going around. Sadly we are distracted by other noise that we fail to notice that heroism is not about grand one-time gestures and claims to greatness, but about constant, consistent perseverance against different kinds of odds.

Lessons from Haydee Yorac case, this doctrine applies to the case of Senator Leila de Lima, and I suspect when she is finally exonerated and all charges thrown out, it is this doctrine that will be invoked.

Going back to Yorac, I can never forTHE appointment of a woman chief get watching her (and Miriam Defenjustice this week, second only in our sor Santiago, the judge in that case) in history, reminded me of another female action, defending the oppressed those lawyer, one who should also have been days in Quezon City. Both of them had a great chief justice—Haydee Yorac, command of the law, were very articumy professor at the University of the late, courageous (as this was during a Philippines College of Law. dictatorship), and they seem to be enWhenever I am asked now why I be- joying what they were doing. Watching came a lawyer, there are four persons Judge Miriam and Professor Haydee, I blame: my grandfather and father I told myself—“If this was what bewho were also lawyers and who both ing a lawyer meant, this is for me!” I showed me that you can be a good watched Free Legal Assistance Group person as a lawlawyers Arno yer, and the late Sanida and WilSenator Jose W. liam Chua help Diokno and HayHaydee in that dee Yorac, both case and imagined May she be of whom made it emulated by all of myself to later on possible for me to do the same thing. imagine greatness us called to be part As luck would as a lawyer, to be of what was once have it, when I a “lawyer for the enrolled at the UP a noble, now more oppressed.”

College of Law a C o m p e t e n c e , ridiculed than admired, year later, Profesintegrity, and pas- profession. sor Haydee besion for justice came my teacher. matter. This is the She taught me lesson I learned Persons and Famfrom Professor ily relations and Yorac, who was one of my first men- Obligations and Contracts. She had a tors at the UP College of Law. reputation of a “terror teacher,” but was I first encountered Professor Hay- really a very soft-hearted person; she dee even before I entered law school. would intimidate us and then would In 1984, I observed her in court, de- laugh at us when we allowed ourselves fending Lino Brocka and others who to be intimidated. had been arrested for demonstrating Professor Haydee of course later against Marcos. That case is now re- became better known as a human corded in the 1990 Supreme Court de- rights icon and an exemplary cision of Brocka vs Enrile which laid government official. After Marcos down the doctrine that when bad faith was overthrown, she worked in the is manifest in the prosecution of a case Commission on Human Rights, the from its inception, all the subsequent Commission on Elections, the National proceedings are to be considered null Unification Commission (in charge and void. As I told my UP Law stu- of the peace process), and in her last dents last week, when we took up this Turn to A5

Sent packing: Hong Kong’s elderly cardboard collectors

By Yan Zhao HER fingers are bent from 20 years of collecting cardboard from Hong Kong’s streets, but Au Fung-lan says she has no desire to give up the gruelling work.

At 67 years old, she is one of around 2,900 collectors, mainly women over the age of 60, whose frail figures are a familiar sight, guiding trolleys loaded with cardboard through a city clogged with traffic and people.

They pick up discarded packing boxes from shops, markets and residential buildings, selling them for a few dollars to recycling depots, where card-

board is more valuable than plastic.

The depots then ship it abroad—up to 95 percent of it to mainland China in 2016, according to local authorities—as Hong Kong has no recycling plants of its own to convert it into usable materials.

However, as China closes the door to imported rubbish, even from semi-autonomous regions such as Hong Kong, Au’s livelihood is under threat.

Beijing no longer wants the country to be a global trash can and has already started phasing out taking solid waste—a process it expects to complete by 2020.

Pragmatic Au says she tries not

to think too much about her work drying up.

She continues to put in 14-hour days so she can afford a carer for herself and her 77-year-old husband, also a cardboard collector, when they finally decide to give up work.

“Some people think our work is arduous and look down on us. They say: ‘You are so old, go home and enjoy life. Why collect cardboard?’” Au told AFP. “But if I can still work, I don’t want to rely on others.”

Risky business Au turned to cardboard collecting Turn to A5

Rolando G. Estabillo Publisher ManilaStandard

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

ONLINE

can be accessed at: manilastandard.net

MEMBER

PPI

Philippine Press Institute The National Association of Philippine Newspapers

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

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

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

Managing Editor Associate Editors News Editor Opinion Editor

Emil P. Jurado

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

Chairman Emeritus, Editorial Board

Opinion

TUESDAY, AUGUST 28, 2018

The first female CJ FORMATION GARY OLIVAR AFTER her highly visible role in both the impeachment and quo warranto proceedings against Atty. Meilou Sereno, it wasn’t entirely surprising that the new Chief Justice of the Supreme Court would turn out to be Teresita Leonardo-De Castro.

The opposition is predictably up in arms against her. The most polite criticism from them is that she’ll only serve less than two months before her mandatory retirement. Which of course begs the question: If she’s so unpopular with the opposition, would they be happier if she’s CJ for two years? Or two decades?

De Castro is the second most senior on the bench, after Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio. She’s served in government for 45 years, starting in fact as a Supreme Court clerk, and was presiding justice of the Sandiganbayan before being appointed by President Arroyo to the High Court.

Among other positions, De Castro was president-elect of the International Association of Women Judges (IAWJ).

She’s a UP product for both her prelaw (cum laude) and law degrees. That is also where she joined the Sigma Alpha sorority, making me a proud brod of hers from their affiliated Alpha Sigma fraternity.

When the new CJ takes her oath of office today, she becomes the first-ever woman to lead the Supreme Court.

When she leaves office in October, she will do so at the same time that the late Renato Corona would have also retired, had he been allowed to finish his term. And after she leaves, she will be replaced by another Duterte appointee, as will every other justice retiring up to 2022, until the High Court is well and truly yellow-proofed.

I’m sure CJ Corona is grinning from ear to ear as he looks down on all of this. As the vulgar saying goes, karma can be a bitch sometimes. *** At the weekly Nanka media forum in QC which I co-host, our special guest last Friday was former Senator Bongbong Marcos, whose celebrity status guaranteed a full media turnout as well as over 2 million FB page views afterwards—and still counting.

The senator spoke mainly about the current status of his electoral protest against VP Robredo, where he accused Smartmatic outright of selling us a system for cheating, not for votecounting. And he responded cerebrally to my questions about federalism (he’s

Sent...

From A4

after being laid off as a factory worker and courier.

She has three grown-up children with jobs but does not want to depend on them for help.

By working from pre-dawn until dusk, she earns up to HK$300 (around $38) daily, selling 300 kilograms of cardboard at HK$1 (13 US cents) per kilo.

It is a phenomenal work rate and much higher than the average collector who makes around HK$47.30 a day, according to concern group Waste Pickers Platform.

Au attributes her bent fingers to years of tearing cardboard with her hands to flatten it.

She has been hit by a car twice, injuring her shoulders and feet as she pushes her trolley along a busy road to the local depot in the residential neighborhood of Kwai Fong.

Her trolley and cardboard have also been confiscated several times by government hygiene inspectors.

But she says she enjoys what she calls the freedom of working for herself.

“I’m not afraid. I do it every day,” she says.

An exercise...

From A4

*** Makati Mayor Abigail Binay has come out with an ambitious transport system for her city. This could well be her legacy. She is up for reelection next year.

The city government and a private consortium expect to begin construc-

supportive but cautious, especially about transition issues) and inflation (he mainly blames too much government money running after too few or too slow projects, a view that might be loosely labeled “fiscal liquidity preference,” which of course more aptly describes the PNoy years).

As usual, it was during the media Q&A that things got really interesting.

That’s when Marcos came out with his widely covered statements: that his sister was right to ask people to “move on”; that martial law is over and history’s verdict was rendered at Edsa; that the courts have already decided definitively on the cases filed against his family; and, somewhat plaintively, “what else do you want us to do?”

De Castro is the second most senior on the bench.

space is so cramped that they’ll even have to dismantle some airport structures to make way for it. You’ve got to wonder how we ever got into the habit of thinking so small. Most likely it’s because we’ve been disappointed so often every time we got our hopes up.

One exception, the biggest bigthinker in town, has gone the other way and offered what seems like the entire province of Bulacan to build out a huge “aerotropolis” with up to eight—yes, eight—runways. The unsolicited proposal from San Miguel’s Ramon Ang—already greenlighted in principle by government—will even include a coastal highway connecting to Naia. Best of all, it’s an entirely private-sector undertaking, with no government funding or guarantees that we can see so far.

For her part, our favorite congresswoman from Pampanga continues to plump for Clark, where US militarygrade facilities already exist. We were a bit surprised to find out that, yes, construction has in fact already started there. The boys from Clark do need to do a better job of keeping the outside world updated on what they’re doing.

Clark continues to make the most sense for all the obvious reasons. The biggest drawback—lack of express connectivity to Naia for passengers on connecting flights—may not be that big after all once we find out how much of the passenger traffic is connecting (versus terminating) AND unwilling or unable to allow for more connecting time in their flight plans, or in the worst case to stay overnight at a hotel.

Once the numbers are crunched, I suspect we’ll find that the problem isn’t that big after all. *** On a more lugubrious note, the President has disclosed that he’s in “perpetual pain,” not in the coma that his more imaginative critics have been gossiping about. He ranks the pain as a seven on a scale of 1 to 10, caused by a spinal injury he suffered from a motorcycle accident long ago. He says his doctor wants him to stop taking painkillers, but his partner Honeylet Avanceña, a nurse, won’t let him undergo an operation.

It’s a painful spot for a 72-yearold man to find himself in, caught between a rock and a hard place. It’s even worse if that man is obligated to carry the cares of an entire country on his shoulders. We can only hope that Duterte will be allowed the privacy of his pain and judged only by his performance on the job, with or without that pain around.

“Admit and apologize!” would be the stock answer of his critics. I suspect though that it will be a very long time before we hear anything like that from his family, not with at least two of the children, and maybe grandchildren down the road as well, legitimately positioned to seek high political office in coming years.

“Legitimately” is a word I don’t use lightly here, because I don’t excuse an errant son like PNoy on account of his father’s merits, just as I wouldn’t judge Bongbong on his father’s demerits.

The young man acquitted himself well during his Senate votes against DAP/ PDAF and for Corona. He’s earned my respect for that. *** People are still griping about the cluster-f__k that followed last week’s mishap at Naia, when a Xiamen Air plane ended up in muddy ground minus its tires and an engine. Luckily nobody was hurt, but as many as 61 other scheduled flights were reportedly diverted or canceled, stranding thousands of passengers.

Just as with typhoons, it seems that it takes a disaster to wake us up to what needs to be done. In this case, people are once again talking about the need for expanding Naia and/or, more importantly, building out additional airports in the Greater Manila area.

Much of the business community wants an immediate fix—don’t they always?—by adding an emergency “runway/taxiway” at Naia just a hundred Readers can write me at gbolimeters away from the current one. The var1952@yahoo.com.

As unofficial freelance workers, collectors like Au have no legal recognition or employment rights.

China’s imminent waste ban could wipe out this informal economy, which NGO workers say is key to some of the city’s elderly.

Eighty percent of the collectors are over 60, with the oldest in their 90s.

Eighty percent are women and around a third work at least an eight-hour day, according to WPP. Many are doing it to supplement their pensions and savings in a city where the wealth gap is growing—the cost of living in Hong Kong ranked fourth highest in the world in 2018, according to the Economist Intelligence Unit.

“Cardboard collecting is part of a sub-economy activity which supports grassroots residents’ livelihoods,” says WPP spokesman Tang Wing-him.

Waste crisis WPP estimates at least 193 tons of waste paper is delivered to recycling depots by the elderly collectors each day.

Jacky Lau, director of a local business association for the waste and recycling industry, said the China ban could not only wipe out work for collectors like Au, but would be devastating for the cities’ depots, too.

If those businesses were forced to close there could be a “waste paper cri-

sis” in Hong Kong as rubbish piles up, eventually ending up in landfill sites, he told AFP. The city relies on landfills to dispose of most of its waste but they are already overloaded.

Lau says he hopes Hong Kong will still be allowed to export some waste to China, given its status as a Special Administrative Region of the country.

Other countries are not an option due to the cost of shipping, according to Lau. He also urged the Hong Kong government to speed up a plan to build a local recycling plant to process waste paper.

With the future uncertain, Au and her husband at least have a roof over their heads—they own an apartment they bought in the 1970s, which gives them some security.

But it also precludes them from receiving government subsidies, except for a small monthly allowance for the over 70s, which Au’s husband receives on top of his pension as a former bus driver.

Au’s children have urged her to give up cardboard collecting, but she sees it as an investment in her future.

“I told them: ‘If you think I bring shame on you, then don’t call me Mum when you see me,’” she told AFP. “They kept quiet after that.” AFP

tion of a $3.7-million subway system in the city’s financial district.

In fact, the 20-kilometer underground train is set to be bidded out next month.

Makati will not spend a single centavo on the project.

The intercity subway is supposed to be completed in 2025. It will have airconditioned stations and can accommodate 700,000 passengers daily.

The project was an unsolicited

proposal for a public-private partnership and a joint venture of foreign and local companies led by IRC Properties Inc. In fact, the Swiss challenge shall be completed on Sept. 24. The Makati government is inviting other bidders to make an offer.

Mayor Binay is the perfect example of a local executive who thinks out of the box.

A5

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Recent policies making exports less competitive export trade—more specifically, the competitiveness of Philippine exports.

A case in point is TRAIN (the Tax Reform and Inclusiveness Law). I’m RUDY perfectly willing to bet that TRAIN ROMERO was crafted with little thought for that THERE are two rules that govern- law’s impact on the competitiveness of ments are expected to observe with Philippine exports. As things stand, regard to their countries’ export many potential exports are uncomtrades. One is to give all the support petitive in the world market, thanks that WTO (World Trade Organization) to their higher market prices brought regulations allow. The other rule is to about by high costs of production indo nothing that will have the effect of puts of all kinds. Now comes TRAIN reducing their exports competitive- with higher excise taxes on petroleum ness in the world market. products, which have translated into Of the two rules the first is the more increased manufacturing, energy and obvious. If is not difficult to discern transportation charges. TRAIN’s auif a government is oriented toward thors and proponents steadfastly reexport promotion. There will be ex- fuse to concede that the law, by pushport drives at home and abroad. The ing up the costs of manufacturing and personnel of the government’s trade transporting goods, have magnified infrastructure—DTI (Department of the uncompetitiveness of many PhilipTrade and Industry) and the GFI (gov- pine products in the world market. ernment financial Another case institutions) in in point is the this country— pair of interest would have been rate increases given marching approved by I’m perfectly willing orders to put in the Monetary to bet that TRAIN place programs Board—the polifor export promo- was crafted with cymaking body tion and to give little thought for that of BSP (Bangko all-out support to Sentral ng Pilipibusiness that are law’s impact on the nas)—in recent already in or are competitiveness of months. Higher planning to enter Philippine exports. money costs are the export sector. one of the prinBut that is not the cipal competitive disadvantages case, and apart faced by Philipfrom establishing export processing zones and providing pine exports. This country’s interest fiscal and other incentives to would-be rates are among the highest in this exporters, the Philippine government part of the world. Under great preshas not been doing much export-pro- sure to help bring down the steadily motion activity of the active, hand- rising inflation rate, the Monetary holding kind. The result has been that Board raised BSP’s basic rate to its Philippine merchandise export trade highest level since 2008 without givhas been in a rut, with more or less the ing much thought to the negative imsame products dominating the export pact of more expensive credit on the list year after year. world-market standing of Philippine Government passivity did not bring exports. Certainly the explanatory Taiwan, South Korea and Hong Kong statements that it has issued do not to the economic positions that they are indicate a strong MB concern for that in today. Unless a sharp change oc- impact. Yet, without a better mercurs in the mindset of the makers and chandise export trade performance, implementors of Philippine merchan- the peso will continue to lose ground, dise trade policy—from passive to ac- exerting further upward pressure on tive—this country cannot expect to the inflation rate. reap the rewards of a healthy external Which bring me back to the basic trade. I, for one, have come to accept promise of this column. If they will that reality. not or are unable to promote PhilipWhat I can neither understand nor pine exports, this country’s economic accept is the seeming inability of Phil- policymakers must not adopt measippine trade policymakers to grasp the ures that damage the competitiveness negative implications of certain policy of those exports. That’s the least that actions for Philippine merchandise they can do.

BUSINESS CLASS

Lessons...

From A4

post was Chairman of the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG). As a government official, Haydee Yorac was incorruptible. She was a real visionary.

But there was a less-known aspect about her: She was fiercely and deeply loyal to her family and friends, including her students.

I can personally witness to her kindness. For example, I always acknowledge that it was the recommendation that she wrote for me (3 pages long, very detailed and specific, very generous with her praise even if I was undeserving) that convinced Yale Law School, also her alma mater, to accept me as a graduate law student.

Years later when I was an Undersecretary in DENR and under attack for my work on mining by both companies (who called me an environmental terrorist and a communist gorilla) and some NGOs (who thought I was too compromising because I really believed that mining when done right could be consistent with sustainable development), Professor Haydee called me up a couple of times to encourage me to stand firm and not to be intimidated.

Haydee’s love for her family was, for me, always a reminder of my own priorities. Yes, human rights, justice, peace in our land, good governance— all these was important. But you can only be credible if you have also been a good son, daughter, sibling, spouse, parent, and friend.

From my teacher, Haydee Yorac, I learned that becoming a great lawyer demands the right combination of integrity, competence and kindness.

If you have this combination, I tell my law students, you will be able to accomplish a lot. But you would need to make a choice as to what kind of lawyer you want to be.

Will you contribute to the chaos in the Philippines, exacerbate long standing problems of poverty and social injustice, incite violence and condone corruption, and become an instrument of oppression? Or, as a lawyer, do you

want to be a healer, a problem solver, a source and facilitator of solutions not only for your clients but for your communities and for the country? In other words, do you want to be an abogado de campanilla or do you want to be a great lawyer?

Sometimes, you do not choose greatness but the opportunity comes to you and you must accept it.

This is the case of the three young lawyers of the Desierto and Desierto Law Firm who will undergo, starting today, preliminary investigation by the Office of the Prosecutor in Makati. All compañeros and compañeras should support them in this challenging moment of their careers. They represent the rule of law. They represent our ability to defend our clients and the Bill of Rights. Haydee Yorac, if she were alive, would be in Makati today to accompany these lawyers.

At the beginning of all my law classes, I tell my students I have three objectives: (1) to help them pass the bar exam; (2) to train them to become good lawyers for their clients within the bounds of ethics; and most of all, (3) to become great lawyers.

I tell my students they can be successful lawyers whatever career choice they want to make. But if they want to be a great lawyers, it is because they have made the world better—gentler and kinder. Great lawyers heal and help solves social problems; they know the law and interpret it with imagination and creativity so that practical solutions to challenges are always identified. They use legal and justice mechanisms such as courts to implement these solutions.

The great lawyer acts always with integrity and is passionate about building a prosperous and just society. In the Philippines context, the great lawyers care not only about success but cares deeply about our country and especially the poor.

Haydee Yorac was a great lawyer.

May she be emulated by all of us called to be part of what was once a noble, now more ridiculed than admired, profession.

Facebook: tonylavs Twitter: tonylavs

News

A6

TUESDAY, AUGUST 28, 2018 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Youth group tells Lambino to run for senator

HONOR FOR DEL PILAR.

George Balagtas (right), a relative of Marcelo H. del Pilar, leads Monday during the wreath laying ceremony to mark the 168th birth anniversary of Del Pilar, known as the Father of Philippine Journalism, in a program at the Manila Hotel. Others in photo are Marichu Villanueva (center), director of Samahang Plaridel, and Virgilio Almario (left), NCCA chairman, and Ariel Ayala, SP director (partly hidden).

Lino Santos

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

A MAJOR youth group has urged Presidential Adviser for Northern Luzon Secretary Raul Lambino to accede to President Rodrigo Duterte’s call for him to run for senator in the coming midterm elections in May next year.

Duterte told Lambino, also chief of the foremost economic zone and emerging financial technology hub in Northern Luzon, to take a crack at the Senate.

“He can be the voice not only of the youth of the country but of the other sectors who believe in providing equal opportunities for all Filipinos,” said Assistant Secretary Ronald Gian Carlo Cardema, commissioner of the National Youth Commission.

At a recent gathering of more than 6,000 political leaders in Davao City organized by the regional political party, Hugpong ng Pagbabago, Duterte made a personal pitch for Lambino for a potential candidacy, said Cardema.

“The President asked Secretary Lambino if he is ready for a Senate run,” said Cardema in a statement.

He further assured Lambino of support by the country’s youth.

An ardent advocate of federalism, believing it to be a force to unleash the nation’s economic potential, Lambino, a native of vote-rich Pangasinan and Ilocos Region, also serves as administrator and CEO of the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority, which operates the special economic zone and freeport based in Santa Ana, Cagayan.

In recent months, Lambino has gathered unusual interest in the major project, “Crypto Valley of Asia,” a venture he envisions as a hub for financial technology development and cryptocurrency mining in Asia.

Cardema said Lambino in the Senate would give a major voice in the Administration’s push to shift the structure of government to the Federal system, replacing the unitary, Manilacentered system that has been widely blamed for the uneven development of the country’s various regions.

“If we want somebody who could best articulate the proposed changes in the Constitution and the adoption of a federal system, we need Secretary Lambino’s voice in the Senate,” Cardema said.

In the 2016 presidential elections, then candidate Mayor Duterte made federalism a pillar in his platform of government to help end Muslim secession in Mindanao and also to bring about a more equitable development by empowering the regions.

PET gets damaged ballots from Naga

PNP eyes raps vs 15 cops

FIFTEEN police officers, alleged to have committed human rights violations, are at risk of facing provinces - Camarines Sur, Iloilo and

By Rey E. Requejo criminal charges, according to the Negros Oriental.

Philippine National Police.

Earlier, the PET rejected the plea of HE Supreme Court, acting as Presidential Electoral Tribunal, Three of these alleged violations Associate Justice Alfredo Benjamin is expected to order an investigation into the circumstances have gone viral on social media.

Caguioa to have the case re-raffled to another member-in-charge amid surrounding the turnover of “badly damaged” ballots from Among the 15 is a police officer allegations of bias for Robredo camp who allegedly slapped a bus driver Naga City in Camarines Sur, the bailiwick of Vice President Leni

by Marcos. who supposedly tried to bribe him; Robredo, whose proclamation in 2016 is subject of a poll protest Marcos sought Caguioa’s an officer from Iligan who beats filed by her rival and former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” mandatory inhibition and asked the minors for violating the curfew; and Marcos Jr. PET to resolve his urgent motion. a Taguig policeman who pointed Marcos said Caguioa should recuse his gun at two minors.

In an incident report by revisors, ballots, according to the revisors. himself from further handling the case Police sources said an investigation the PET received last week ballots and The ballots from Naga City were part due to his association with Robredo other election paraphernalia that were of the 366 ballot boxes delivered to the suggested all 15 policemen were and the Liberal Party. “badly damaged.”

PET from the HRET last August 23.

“Associate Justice Caguioa cannot guilty of committing human rights The poll materials were apparently The said ballots were previously deny that he is biased towards the abuses. kept by the House of Representatives revised at the HRET for an election ‘yellow brigade’ given his close ties They would face charges of Electoral Tribunal for poll protests in protest against 3rd district Rep. with his friend and former boss, violating the Anti-Torture Act and the congressional elections.

Bordado. The remaining 366 ballot former president Benigno Simeon would also face administrative Because of this, the revisors sought boxes will complete the 1,816 clustered “Noynoy” Aquino III,” he alleged. cases, said PNP Human Rights investigation, believing that the ballots precincts of Camarines Sur. Marcos cited Caguioa’s fraternal Affairs Office director Chief Supt. from the bailiwick of Vice President The late delivery of the said ballots bond with Aquino because they were Dennis Siervo.

Leni Robredo could be “purposely to the PET has caused delay in the classmates from grade school, high tampered in order to hide the real ongoing revision of votes in three pilot school and college at the Ateneo de “There are certain factors you need results of the elections in Naga City.” provinces identified in the protest Manila University—a fact which to filter in and what happened in that Many ballots were either “torn into against Robredo by former senator allegedly led to Caguioa’s appointment particular time, in that particular pieces” or “placed inside improvised Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to various top posts during Aquino’s environment, that led him to do such ballot boxes made of carton.”

The recount has already completed Presidency, including justice secretary act. There should be due process and There were also many wet and unreadable two-thirds of the ballots in three pilot and SC justice. investigation to be BLACK CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW conducted,” Siervo said.

Manila “We found that they indeed hit Republic of the Philippines Standard Department of Health TODAY civilians.

You’re not supposed to hit CENTRAL OFFICE BIDS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE the person or the suspect, you have InvItatIon to BId for to protect their rights,” he said. make their lands productive.

Supply, delIvery, InStallatIon and CommISSIonIng of CartrIdge-BaSed nuCleIC aCId

By Rio N. Araja amplIfICatIon teSt maChIne The 15 offenders include a chief He said the credit at LandBank was very IB no. 2018-292 AT LEAST 163 farmers in Cavite are accessible to most farmers at a very low inspector, a senior police officer 4, 1. The Department of Health (DOH), through the General Appropriations Act of now new landowners after receiving their interest rate of 6 percent per annum.

2018intends to apply the sum of Two Hundred Ninety Seven Million Six Hundred three PO2s and six neophyte PO1s, Thirty Nine Thousand Two Hundred Twenty Three Philippine Pesos and Twenty certificates of land ownership award from “The department also has a housing program said Siervo.

Centavos (PhP297,639,223.20) being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) to payments under the contract for the Supply, Delivery, Installation and the Department of Agrarian Reform. for the farmers. We already have its pilot PO1s account for majority of Commissioning of Cartridge-Based Nucleic AcidAmplification Test Machine under At the International Institute for Rural project in the central office and other parts of IB No. 2018-292. Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected offenses because they are at the helm at bid opening.

Reconstruction in Silang, Cavite, Secretary the country, including Nueva Vizcaya, Cebu of police operations, he said.

2. The DOH now invites bids for the procurement of the above-captioned package.

John Castriciones spearheaded the and Davao. When this program reaches your “They’re the ones conducting the Delivery of the Goods is required within period specified under Section VI. Schedule distribution of the CLOAs covering 112.32 community, avail (yourselves) of this program of Requirements. Bidders should have completed, within the past five (5) years: patrol, a close engagement with the hectares of agricultural land to farmer- because you also need to have a house of your a. At least two (2) similar contracts for local and/or international contracts and the members of the community,” he aggregate contract amounts should be equivalent to at least fifty percent (50%) beneficiaries from the municipalities of Naic, own,” he said. of the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC); and added.

Tanza, Trece Martirez City, Dasmariñas, He reminded the farmers of their b. The largest of these similar contracts must be equivalent to at least half of the “Every day, when you are Magallanes and Indang. obligations to their newly acquired property, fifty percent (50%) of the (ABC) as required above. performing your duties as a He told the farmers to organize into a advising them not to sell their lands.

3. Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using a non-discretionary “pass/fail” criterion as specified in the 2016 Revised Implementing poiliceman, you have to balance this cooperative.

He said their properties were very Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (RA) 9184, otherwise known as the infringement of rights,” he said.

“Government Procurement Reform Act”.

“Now that you have your land titles, important since they would be passed on to But he stressed that police should Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, partnerships, or I encourage you to join agrarian reform the their next generations. organizations with at least sixty percent (60%) interest or outstanding capital stock beneficiaries’ organizations because it never be lenient in enforcing the law.

According to Castriciones, DAR was belonging to citizens of the Philippines, and to citizens or organizations of a country the laws or regulations of which grant similar rights or privileges to Filipino citizens, is through these organizations that the working hard to increase its issuance “The infringement of rights should pursuant to RA 5183.

DAR courses through its various support of CLOAs and speed up giving various mean that you have to contain this 4. Interested bidders may obtain further information from the COBAC Secretariat, G/F, services,” he said. support services to the beneficiaries of the Bldg. 6, Department of Health, San Lazaro Compound and inspect the Bidding right in order to prevent chaos, in Documents at the address given above during 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Monday to He encouraged the farmer-beneficiaries Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program. order to prevent anarchy. If you say Friday. to avail themselves of the Land Bank of He said President Rodrigo Duterte had that rights are absolute, there should 5. A complete set of Bidding Documents may be acquired by interested Bidders the Philippines’ accessible and sustainable tasked him to look after the welfare of the on 28 August 2018 to 18 September 2018from the address above and upon be limitation...” Siervo added. payment of the applicable fee for the Bidding Documents, pursuant to the latest lending program for a start-up capital to farmers and uplift their living conditions.

Guidelines issued by the GPPB, in the amount of Fifty Thousand Philippine Pesos

T

163 Cavite farmers new landowners

(PhP50,000.00).

It may also be downloaded free of charge from the website of the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) and the website of the Procuring Entity, provided that Bidders shall pay the applicable fee for the Bidding Documents not later than the submission of their bids.

The DOH will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on 04September 2018, 10:00 A.M. at the COBAC Conference Room, Ground Floor, Bldg. 6, Department of Health, Sta. Cruz, Manila, which shall beopen to prospective bidders.

6.

Bids must be duly received by the COBAC-D Secretariat at the address below on or before 18September 2018, 9:00 A.M. All Bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in ITB Clause 18.

Bid opening shall be on 18 September 2018, 9:00 A.M. at the COBAC Conference Room, Ground Floor, Bldg. 6, Department of Health, Sta. Cruz, Manila. Bids will be opened in the presence of the bidders’ representatives who choose to attend at the address above. Late bids shall not be accepted.

7.

8.

The DOH reserves the right to reject any and all bids, declare a failure of bidding, or not award the contract at any time prior to contract award in accordance with Section 41 of RA 9184 and its IRR, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders.

For further information, please refer to: COBAC-D Secretariat Department of Health San Lazaro Compound Sta. Cruz, Manila Tel. Nos. 651-7800 local 1625 to 1627; 1650 to 52 Facsimile No.: 741-9775; 740-6830

(MS-AUG. 28, 2018)

(SGD) MARIO C. VILLAVERDE, MD, MPH, MPM, CESO I Undersecretary of Health Chairperson, COBAC – D

Live water buffaloes for slaughter get rarer, pricier THE average April-June farmgate price of carabao or water buffalo for slaughter rose further this year amid dipping production and inventory of the livestock animal.

The average carabao liveweight price per kilogram rose 9.74 percent to P93.43 in 2018 from 2017’s P85.14, latest Philippine Statistics Authority data showed.

The average carabao price was even lower in 2016 at P75.09.

The PSA defined farmgate price as the price at which farmers and livestock and poultry raisers sell their produce “at the first point of sale, net of freight.”

The PSA said the Philippines produced 38,467 metric tons of live carabaos in the second quarter of 2018, down from 39,690

MT last year.

“The highest reduction in terms of production level was reported in Western Visayas due to lower liveweight of carabaos disposed for slaughter,” the PSA said.

The nationwide carabao production volume was even higher in 2016 at 40,298 MT. The PSA said it considers the volume of locally raised animals disposed for slaughter in its production volume data.

Inventory of carabao nationwide as of July 1 also decreased 0.17 percent this year from 2017’s 2.88 million heads, the PSA said.

It added the bulk of this year’s inventory still consisted of backyard farms’ carabaos totaling 2.87 million heads and commercial

farms’ carabaos numbering 10,724 heads.

The PSA said that for inventory, it counts the actual number of domesticated animals present in farms as of a specific reference date.

According to the Philippine Carabao Center, carabao is among the country’s sources of meat and milk.

Carabao is also used in farming, especially in rain-fed or upland areas, the organization said.

The PCC said despite mechanization, farmers nationwide still generally use carabaos for draft, particularly when farming in fragmented and small landholdings and in areas where these animals are already wellintegrated. PNA

Sports Iron duel looms at Invitational in Danao City THE men of the Philippine Golf Tour braces for what promises to be a duel of iron play as they tackle a short but challenging, unfamiliar course in the rich ICTSI Club Filipino De Cebu Invitational beginning tomorrow, Wednesday, Aug. 29, in Danao City, Cebu.

The par-71 Club Filipino De Cebu layout has been spruced up to championship condition in time for its first-ever hosting of a Philippine Golf Tour event, a P3.5 million championship that drew the cream of the local crop and a slew of foreign aces.

But the water-laced 6692-yard course carved out from steep hills hopes to bring out the best – and the worst – from the elite field with its narrow fairways and sleek putting surface with the wind also expected to come into play in all four days.

That should premium on accuracy and course management on a layout that also features dogleg holes although some are tipped to take the risk and use their drivers in a bid to come up with a strong start for the needed momentum and confidence.

In-form Jobim Carlos and fellow PGT and PGT Asia leg winners Korean Kim Joo Hyung, Jay Bayron and Justin Quiban along with reigning Philippine Masters champion Jerson Balasabas and veterans Tony Lascuña and Elmer Salvador head the select pros testing the up-and-down layout one last time in today’s (Tuesday) pro-am tournament with guests and officials of the event’s chief backers, including ICTSI, Custom Clubmakers, Meralco, Champion, Summit Mineral Water, K&G Golf Apparel, BDO, Sharp, KZG, PLDT and M.Y. Shokai Technology, Inc. While Carlos looms as the player to beat with his three victories and a string of top five finishes in the last 10 tournaments, a horde of others are also all primed up for the event, all aiming for the top P650,000 purse in the final stop of the four-leg Visayan swing of the circuit organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.

Lady Maroons take last seat in PVL semis Games Wednesday 2 p.m. – AdU vs UP (women’s) 4 p.m. – UST vs FEU (women’s)

UNIVERSITY of the Philippines romped away with a 25-19, 25-16, 25-9 victory over San Beda while Adamson completed its elims sweep with a 19-25, 25-10, 25-21, 25-13 win over San Sebastian in the Premier Volleyball League Season 2 Collegiate Conference at the Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan.

Isa Molde unleashed a 19-hit game, including 17 kills, Marian Buitre finished with 10 markers and 11 digs, Maristela Layug blasted in eight points and Roselyn Rosier added seven markers for the Lady Maroons who took the No. 4 slot with their fourth win in seven tries.

The Lady Red Spikers wound up a 2-5 card behind the St. Benilde Lady Blazers (3-4) UP thus set up a best-of-three semifinal duel with unbeaten top seed AdU on Wednesday at 2 p.m. at the same venue.

Earlier, Bernadette Flora hammered in 17 points anchored on 11 hits, three blocks and three aces she topped with 12 excellent receptions while Eli Soyud chalked up her own doubledouble effort of 15 markers and 13 digs to help lift the Lady Falcons past the strong-starting Lady Stags.

No. 2 University of Santo Tomas will try to score a repeat of their victory last Saturday over third-ranked Far Eastern U when they meet anew in their own side of the Last Four clash at 4 p.m.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 28, 2018

A7

sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Serena, Nadal kick off US Open N EW YORK – Serena Williams launches her bid for a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam title on Monday, sharing the Arthur Ashe Stadium stage with defending men’s champion Rafael Nadal in a blockbuster US Open opening night.

The two superstars, who own 40 Grand Slam titles between them, headline an opening day that sees eight former US Open champions in action.

Williams counts six US Open titles among her 23 Grand Slams, and with one more she will equal Margaret Court’s all-time record for major titles.

But the US superstar is something of an unknown quantity as she seeks her first Slam title since the birth of daughter

Olympia last September.

“I can just continue to strive,” says Williams, the 17th seed who called it “interesting” to be tipped as a favorite to win her first US Open title since 2014.

She’s shown flashes of the old brilliance since her return in March, reaching the final at Wimbledon only to fall to Germany’s Angelique Kerber.

Williams opens her campaign against Poland’s Magda Linette, the

Rafael Nadal of Spain in action during previews for the US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 26, 2018 in the Flushing Neighborhood of Queens borough of New York City. AFP

Secretariat attends to athletes’ needs JAKARTA — Behind the force that drives the Philippine campaign here in the 18th Asian Games in Jakarta are the men and women who make sure the needs of the Filipino athletes are well taken care of.

Led by Ormoc Mayor Richard Gomez as Chef de Mission, the members of the Philippine secretariat practically eat, sleep, cry and celebrate with the Filipino athletes.

Consider them the unsung heroes, who take care of the athletes’ needs from transportation, food up to their participation.

“We work from the background and we’re happy to serve our athletes, “Gomez, who is also the president of the Philippine Fencing Association.

The Philippine secretariat is a combined work force from the Philippine Olympic Committee and the Philippine Sports Commission.

The members of the Philippine Secretariat at the Athletes Village of the 18th Asian Games in Jakarta are Josefino Hizon, Paul Ycasas, Julia Llanto, Arturo Aro, Deputy chef de mission Robert Bachman, Dr. Gerry Pencerga, Eleanor dela Pena, Reina Evangelista, Carol Tobias, Belinda David, Norberto Dinglasan, Andromeda Tortousa, Malyn Bamba and Ma. Matea Linco.

Chef de Mission Richard Gomez (standing, 6th from left) and Philippine Sports Commission Commissioner Charles Maxey (standing, fifth from left) are shown with the members of the Philippine Secretariat at the Athletes’ Village of the 18th Asian Games in Jakarta. They are (standing, from left) Josefino Hizon, Paul Ycasas, Julia Llanto, Arturo Aro, Deputy chef de mission Robert Bachman, Dr. Gerry Pencerga and Eleanor dela Pena, and (seating, from left) Reina Evangelista, Carol Tobias, Belinda David, Norberto Dinglasan, Andromeda Tortousa, Malyn Bamba Ma. Matea Linco.

Taekwondo Association stages championship in Alabang

CALUAG WITH CYCLING HEAD. Danny Ca-

laug displays his bronze medal from cycling’s men’s BMX of the 2018 Asian Games beside PhilCycling President Rep. Abraham Tolentino before he departs for the US. Caluag received a bonus for his medal from the federation and instructions to prepare for the 30th Southeast Asian Games next year in the Philippines.

THE Philippine Taekwondo Association stages its premier event – the 2018 SMART/MVP Sports Foundation Best of the Best Championships – on September 1-2 at Ayala Mall’s South Park in Alabang, Muntinlupa with 750 participants.

Top black belts from 12 regions including ARMM, CAR, CARAGA and the National Capital Region (NCR) will showcase their talents in the prestigious tournament. Fight-

ers with Olympic weight will vie in the senior division while those with WTF weight will dispute honors in the Junior, Cadet and Gradeschool divisions.

Competition will be conducted in Kyorugi (free sparring) and Poomsae (forms).

Poomsae contenders are expected to present a high level of taekwondo’s foot techniques like jumping yopachgi, 720spinning kick and kicking with

acrobatic actions.

Only gold medal winners in national events such as NCR Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao as well as UAAP, NCAA, AFP-PNP Olympics and all PTA competitions in Metro Manila and the other regions, the Taekwondo Blackbelt Brotherwhood, Taekwondo Blackbelt Sorority and the Philippine team are qualified to join, according to tournament director Jesus Morales III.

world number 60 whose first career match against the imposing American will thrust her into the glare of the Ashe stadium lights on a night when organizers are pulling out all the stops in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the US Open.

Defending men’s champion Nadal, ranked number one in the world and seeking a second Slam title of the season after yet another Roland Garros triumph, faces an emotional duel with old friend and Davis Cup teammate David Ferrer.

“It will be a special meeting,” said Nadal, well aware that the slumping Ferrer will call time on his career at the end of the year.

Nadal was looking forward to playing in front of the boisterous New York fans.

“I always had a great connection with the crowd here,” he said. “The crowd brings me to another level of energy.

That’s something that I enjoy.”

Ashe stadium will be rocking after a pre-match a pre-match ceremony to honor past US Open champions and a musical set headlined by Kelly Clarkson, with entertainer Maxwell tapped to perform the national anthem.

The festivities won’t be confined to the main court either as the new Louis Armstrong Stadium hosts a night twinbill featuring former world number one Victoria Azarenka and 2009 US Open champion Juan Martin del Potro.

Azarenka, runner up to Williams in Flushing Meadows in 2012 and 2013, is unseeded as she, too, seeks to return to the top after time off to have a baby.

She faces Slovakia’s Viktoria Kuzmova while del Potro, seeded third behind Nadal and No. 2 Roger Federer, takes on American qualifier Donald Young.

“This is my favorite tournament -- I have big expectations playing in New York,” said del Potro, who heads a quarter of the draw that also includes unseeded past champions Andy Murray and Stan Wawrinka.

Murray, still on the road back from a hip injury and downplaying his chances in his first Grand Slam in over a year, takes on Aussie James Duckworth in an Armstrong day match while Wawrinka, further along in his return from knee surgery, opens the action on Ashe against eighth-seeded Grigor Dimitrov.

It’s a nightmare scenario for Dimitrov, who was seeded sixth when he lost to Wawrinka in the first round at Wimbledon. AFP

PH Rising Stars squad beats HK THE Philippine U19 National Rugby Development Team, proudly sponsored by MVP Sports Foundation, defeated Hong Kong in the opening match of the International Development Series.

The future batch of the Philippine Volcanoes, better known as Rising Stars, put together a stellar performance to outplay their opponents 36 to 12 in sunny conditions at the Southern Plains Sports Field, Calamba.

It was the visitors who opened up the scoring 5 points to nil early in the match, however it wasn’t long until the local heroes put together some teamwork of their own. Lyndon Adlao, an experienced member of both the Eagles RFC and previous National Youth Teams, continued to show why he was force, as he led from the front, on all facets play.

Adlao broke the defensive line early with a barnstorming run for his first try. A strong display from the Philippine backline kept the Philippines in the match, pressuring the Hong Kong Warriors and capitalizing on their strong defense. It wasn’t long until Adlao swooped again, finding loose ball and open space to score his second try and take the Volcanoes to a 12 to 5 lead after 20 minutes of regular play.

The Philippine forward pack continued to provide strong go forward from Marco Xavier Tan and Fausto Eizmendi. Coach Carlito Abono opted for an early injection for some fresh impact. Abono called upon Reymarc Faller Bustillo of the Makati Chiefs who proved to be a notable difference.

Bustillo was too fast and strong for his opponents causing havoc with his speed and agility. Bustillo coming off a strong season in the domestic season for the Chiefs, continues to show positive signs of his development. Bustillo scored two tries of his own, one just before half time and another early into the second half.

Jordan Clarkson (top) goes for the basket against South Korea in the men’s basketball quarterfinal match between South Korea and the Philippines during the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta on August 27. AFP

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

A8

TUESDAY, AUGUST 28, 2018

Sports Red Lions battle JRU Bombers Games today (Filoil Flying V Centre, San Juan) 10 a.m.- UPHSD vs AU (jrs) 12 nn.- UPHSD vs AU (jrs) 2 p.m.- SBU vs JRU (srs) 4 p.m.- SBU vs JRU (srs)

SAN BEDA hopes to rely anew on the red-hot shooting of Robert Bolick as it takes on Jose Rizal today in the last playdate of the first round of the 94th NCAA basketball tournament at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.

Bolick unleashed a career-high 50-point effort in a 98-79 rout of the Arellano University Chiefs Tuesday that not only propelled the Lions to their seventh win in eight games but also set a league record as the second highest individual scoring in a game next only to the late Lim Eng Beng’s all-time best 55 points he set in 1974.

“Hopefully he can sustain his hot shooting,” said San Beda coach Boyet Fernandez of Bolick.

But it’s possible the Bombers, who own a 2-6 (win-loss) slate, are planning to throw the defensive gauntlet on Bolick in their 4 p.m. duel.

“I expect that to happen. I just have to be prepared and find ways to hit shots or just help my team get a win,” said Bolick.

In the only other seniors’ game, Perpetual Help guns to reclaim its place inside the magic four as it tackles AU at 2 p.m.

The Altas lost to the St. Benilde Blazers, 77-84, that sent the former from solo third to fifth with a 5-3 slate.

Perpetual Help will play an AU squad (3-5) out to close out the round with a win.

Bolick had a career afternoon when he scored 50 points against Arellano last Friday.

San Beda upped its record to 7-1, while Arellano dropped to 3-5.

After scoring just 13 in the first half, where the Red Lions held a slim 42-40 lead, Bolick dropped 18 in the third quarter and 19 in the fourth to lead the Red Lions to the easy win.

Bolick drilled five three-pointers and shot 18 of 25 from the floor or 72 percent.

Clarkson-led PH beaten by Korea

By Riera U. Mallari

J

AKARTA — Zone. Shooting. Ratliffe.

A patient Korean team stuck to what they are good at even when the going got tough and were amply rewarded with a 91-82 victory over a hastily assembled Philippine Team that was trying to bite off more than what it could chew in the 2018 Asian Games here.

Playing zone defense, shooting the lights out in the fourth quarter and getting a monster game from naturalized player Ricardo Ratliffe, the Koreans advanced to the semifinals with the win that ended all of the Filipinos’ hopes of advancing to the medal round.

The Koreans hit 12 triples, five in the fourth quarter when they pulled away.

Ratliffe, a former import of the Star Hotshots in the Philippine Basketball Association, was a steadying force all game long for the Koreans, scoring a gamehigh 30 points, while hauling 14 boards.

He also had four of Korea’s 27 assists, proof of the team’s crisp ball movement that had Coach Yeng Guiao’s nationals scrambling on defense.

“It’s my fault, I take responsibility for this loss,” said Guiao, whose wards could not handle the Koreans’ long bombs, Ratliffe and their zone defense.

“We just weren’t comfortable with the zone. Even Jordan (Clarkson) had a lot of problems dealing with it. They just zoned us all game long. They stuck with the zone, lived and died with the zone, and we couldn’t adjust in time,” Guiao added.

Even when the Filipinos led comfortably, 54-46, the Koreans stuck to their zone and kept shooting the long bombs that were not falling.

When they finally did in the fourth quarter, the Koreans began pulling away at 72-68 on a three by Heo Ilyoung.

Stanley Pringle momentarily stopped the bleeding with a reverse layup, but Ratliffe’s dunk and another trey from Heo gave the Koreans firm control of the match at 77-70.

Clarkson finished with 25 points and eight rebounds, while Fil-German Christian Standhardinger backed him up with 16 points and nine boards.

The loss put the Philippines in classification phase where the highest finish it can achieve is fifth place, still better than the seventh its Gilas Pilipinas counterpart achieved in the 2014 Incheon Asiad. The setback also added to the nationals’ string of losses to the Koreans in these games.

“We’ll go for fifth. It’s the least we could do,” said Guiao.

Pinays win two more Bronze medals JAKARTA—From beauty pageants to an Asian Games bronze medal, pretty Cherry May Regalado has indeed come a long way.

The 23-year-old Nutrition Course graduate at the Aklan State University in Banga, Aklan turned her 2017 Southeast Asian Games frustration into a bronze in the 18th Asian Games as she finished third in the Women’s Seri Singles Finals of the Pencak Silat competition Monday at the Padepokan Pencak Silat TM III here.

“Hindi ko napigilan ang pag-iyak noong SEA Games kasi po alam ko na magkakamedal ako,” said Regalado, who placed fourth in the KL games.

“Hindi po ako nag-give up at sinabi ko po sa sarili ko na patutunayan ko sa kanila na nagkamali sila ng judging.”

Regalado, who was coming off a gold medal feat at the 2018 Asian Games Invitation Tournament in Indonesia prior to these games, made true her promise as she delivered the country’s 11th bronze medal, becoming the first female medallist for pencak silat.

Her achievement was the third bronze medal for Philippines in the sport, counting the third-place finishes of Dines Dumaan and Jefferson Rhey Loon on Sunday.

Regalado’s feat, coupled with Junna Tsukii’s bronze medal later in the day after she crushed Thailand’s Paweena Raksachart in the 50kg karate competitions, raised the Philippines’ total gold-silver-bronze medal haul to 3-0-12, good for 16th spot overall.

“Hindi ko man po nakamit yung inaasam ko na gold medal, alam ko po sa sarili ko na binigay ko ‘yung makakaya ko para sa bayan natin.

Kung hindi man into naging sapat para sa ngayon, alam ko po na marami pang pagkakataon na ibibgay sakin. Tiwala lang po sa sarili at sa Diyos,” said Regalado, who used to join and win beauty contests in high school.

Regalado scored 444 points, just a point shy from silver medal won by Singapore’s Nurzuhairah Mohammad Yazid.

Indonesia’s Puspa Arumsasi won the gold with a total of 467 points.

“Masaya po ako, dahil alam ko po na ibinigay ko po ang best ko at may magandang plano para sakin. Gusto ko pong pasalamatan ang lahat, lalo na ang Panginoon, pamilya ko, buong Pilipinas na nakasuporta at nakaabang sa akin, sa NSA ko po PhilSilat Association at sa mga taong hindi nagdalawang isip na tulungan kami,” said Regalado, who tried out in athletics and volleyball before finally deciding to train in martial arts prior to college. Riera U. Mallari

China’s Su rules 100m dash with new record JAKARTA, Indonesia – China’s Su Bingtian stormed to the Asian Games 100 meters title in a meet record of 9.92 seconds on Sunday, missing out on a new continental best by a whisker.

The 28-year-old streaked away to win the Jakarta final ahead of Nigerian-born Qatari Tosin Ogunode – the younger brother of Femi Ogunode, with whom Su shares the Asian mark of 9.91.

Su pumped his fists and roared in delight as he won by eight-hundredths to improve on his 2014 silver medal. Japan’s Ryota Yamagata took the bronze.

“All I was thinking about was winning the gold medal,” Su told reporters.

“The time doesn’t matter. I was finding it a little hard to get up for the races and was doing just enough in the heats. But I found a little something extra when it mattered.”

Bahrain’s Edidiong Odiong snatched the women’s 100m title in 11.30 seconds after a photo finish with India’s Dutee Chand, who clocked 11.32 with China’s Wei Yongli taking bronze.

Odiong, who originally hails from Nigeria, was one of six African-born athletes to snaffle track and field gold medals in Jakarta on Sunday.

Chand’s silver came after she missed the 2014 Games in a row over her elevated testosterone levels caused by hyperandrogenism, the condition that also affects South African middle distance star Caster Semenya.

“I’ve gone through a lot of pain and anguish since the last Asian Games,” said Chand.

“To come here and win a silver I feel is redemption for all that I’ve suffered in that time.”

Bahrain’s Salwa Naser blazed to gold in the women’s 400m, silver dreadlocks billowing behind her as the Nigeria-born sprinter clocked a Games-record 50.09.

Naser, who took silver at last year’s world championships in London, led from wire-to-wire with India’s world junior champion Hima Das runner-up seven-tenths back.

China’s Su Bingtian celebrates winning the final of the men’s 100m athletics event during the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta on August 26. AFP

Alvarez slams ‘hypocrite’ Golovkin ahead of awaited rematch

AWAITED REMATCH. Canelo Alvarez works with his trainer during a media workout before his fight against Gennady “GGG” Golovkin. AFP

LOS ANGELES—Saul “Canelo” Alvarez branded middleweight rival Gennady Golovkin a “hypocrite” on Sunday as their war of words escalated ahead of next month’s eagerly anticipated rematch in Las Vegas.

World middleweight king Golovkin and Alvarez will climb into the ropes at the T-Mobile Arena on September 15, a year after their long-awaited first encounter ended in a controversial draw.

A planned rematch in May was cancelled when Alvarez failed a drug test, a development which infuriated Kazakh star Golovkin, who later accused his Mexican rival of doping.

Acrimony between the two camps has simmered

ever since, and on Sunday both men traded verbal body blows in comments to reporters at an open workout in front of fans at Los Angeles’s Banc of California Stadium.

Alvarez, 28, said the bad blood between the duo made it unlikely that he would ever form a friendship with Golovkin once the fight was over.

“For me that would be very difficult,” Alvarez said.

“All of the things that have been said. For me, personally, it’s very difficult to leave that door open.”

Alvarez also bridled when asked to comment on Golovkin’s frequent assertion that his trademark aggressive style had made him popular amongst Mexican boxing fans.

“It’s hypocritical,” Alvarez said. “He’s a hypocrite.

Maybe he uses it to get fans. If something tragic were to occur in Mexico, he wouldn’t be there.”

Alvarez, who fought cagily in the first fight 12 months ago which most neutrals believe Golovkin should have won, also rejected suggestions that his opponent had a more “Mexican” style of boxing.

“There’s no defined Mexican style,” Alvarez said.

“There have been many fighters from Mexico who have different styles. My style is mine, I’m Mexican.”

Alvarez meanwhile said he is confident that Golovkin has not yet seen the best of him. “He doesn’t know what I have left to show,” he said. AFP

IN BRIEF

Solar Philippines building mini grids

SOLAR Philippines is completing hybrid mini-grids in 12 towns in response to President Rodrigo Duterte’s call for the private sector to contribute to ending energy poverty in the Philippines.

Solar Philippines launched ‘Solar Para Sa Bayan’ to bring 24/7 power to far flung and off-grid towns at a lower cost to consumers and at zero cost to the government.

The company said an estimated 200,000 Filipinos will benefit from these projects, in provinces, including Mindoro, Palawan, Masbate, Cagayan, and Aurora, marking the first time a private company will energize these many households at zero cost to the government.

“Our aim is not to make the most profit, but to help the greatest number of our fellow Filipinos. We hope all other stakeholders will likewise support such initiatives for the DOE to achieve its vision of ending energy poverty by 2022,” said Solar Philippines president and Solar Para Sa Bayan founder Leandro Leviste.

The company’s Solar Para Sa Bayan installed Southeast Asia’s largest solar-battery minigrid for Paluan, Mindoro in March, bringing 24/7 power for the first time in the town’s history. Alena Mae S. Flores

Business

Think tank opposes Biofuel Act suspension THE Center for Alcohol Development and Research on Monday warned that the suspension of the Biofuels Act will imperil the country’s P30-billion bioethanol industry and drive away foreign investors.

“If we are going to suspend this and if we are going to change the rules in the middle of the game, then we are scaring the foreign investors away. We are sending a negative, wrong signal to these companies,” Card president Gerardo Tee said.

The country’s P30-billion industry consists of 11 bioethanol companies. Each bioethanol investor spent about P3 billion to P5 billion for a distillery with capacity of 100,000 liters per day, depending on the technology used, Tee said.

“The Biofuels Law is not about lowering the prices of gasoline. It is about the diversification of the sugar industry which empowers the marginalized farmers, sugarcane farmers, it is about rural development.

It is about putting the people, making the people go to agriculture, developing our farms, providing livelihood in rural areas rather than them moving away to Metro Manila,” he said.

The Energy Department of Energy earlier asked oil companies to roll out the lower priced Euro 2 diesel fuel in their retail stations to help mitigate the impact of rising inflation to consumers. Alena Mae S. Flores

NO MORE BROWNOUTS. Residents of Paluan, Occidental Mindoro celebrate the completion of the largest solarbattery minigrid in Southeast Asia, bringing 24/7 power for the first time in the town’s history, at 50 percent lower cost than the local electric coop and National Power Corp. The project is the first in Asia to feature Powerpacks from Tesla, a leading supplier of batteries and electric vehicles. Solar Philippines, a company established by Leandro Leviste, is now completing hybrid minigrids to deliver electricity at a lower cost to consumers, and at zero cost to the government, in towns that have never before received adequate electric service.

Economic zone developers buck 2nd set of tax reforms

By Othel V. Campos

A

GROUP of private economic zone developers expressed concern over the possible impact of Comprehensive Tax Reform Package 2 on investments in the country.

The Philippine Ecozones Association said in a position paper the removal or withdrawal of the existing fiscal incentives granted to qualified registered enterprises should be reconsidered.

It said the proposed reforms such as shortened income tax holiday period, reduced corporate income tax for a reduced period, the exclusion of VAT exemption and local tax exemption as incentives could have negative effect on ecozone operations.

Philea said the benefits of granting incentives which consistently attracted foreign investments and exponential-

ly spurred economic growth far outweighed the costs of the projected foregone revenues.

“It should be emphasized that what the DoF has computed as foregone revenues of the government would not even be possible if not for the existing incentives that attract foreign investments.

Without the incentives offered by these IPAs [investment promotion agencies], there would be no revenue to collect in the first place because investors would not be drawn to the Philippines,” the group said.

The group, citing the experience in 2016, said the projected P163 billion in foregone income was compensated by the P685 billion in approved investments by the IPAs, generating jobs for 196,003 persons and supporting a GDP growth rate of 6.9 percent.

It said the proposed removal of incentives would not necessarily improve the country’s productivity and competitiveness.

“The Finance Department claims that the Philippines offers ‘very generous tax incentives’ which are too costly to

SUBIC INVESTOR.

Senator Richard Gordon (right), the proponent of the Regional Investment and Commercial Hub or Rich Road Map, meets with Mahanakorn Partners Group chairman Luca Bernardinetti to review proposals to transform Central Luzon into the country’s leading business center.

The MPG, a Bangkokbased accounting and trade finance advisory firm, earlier signed a memorandum of understanding with the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority to conduct a feasibility study on Subic Bay International Airport as an alternative to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

Domestic air travel grew 9% in 6 months despite Boracay closure

By Darwin G. Amojelar DOMESTIC air travel rose 9 percent year-on-year in the first half despite the closure of Boracay Island for six months starting April 26.

Data from the Civil Aeronautics Board showed the number of domestic passengers reached 13.92 million in January to June, up from 12.78 million travelers in the same period last year.

International traffic also increased 11.9 percent to 13.83 million passengers in the six-month period from 12.36 million passengers a year earlier.

Cebu Pacific flew the most number of domestic passengers with 6.24 million, up 1.6 percent from last year’s 6.14 million domestic passengers.

business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com TUESDAY, AUGUST 28, 2018

B1

San Miguel says Bulacan airport construction to create 1m jobs

BDO pledges support for Mindanao projects BDO Unibank Inc., the biggest bank in terms of assets, pledged its continued support for the development of Mindanao.

Ed Francisco, president of BDO Capital and Investment Corp., the investment banking arm of BDO Unibank, said in an economic forum held in Davao City the bank remained committed to support both the government and the private sector in their efforts to invigorate economic activities in the region.

“We’re really here to support everyone, the SMEs, as well as the MSME. We intend to be there to assist in their growth. BDO has various subsidiaries to support them because the objective really is the trickle down effect,” Francisco said.

The forum, which carried the theme ‘Progressive Philippines’ was attended by nearly 600 Davao-based businessmen who bank with BDO. Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said Mindanao would be a key to a progressive Philippines.

He said if further developed, the island region would pose continued if not an unprecedented growth for the country. Julito G. Rada

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

This was followed by PAL Express with 3.21 million passengers, down 3.8 percent from 3.34 million last year.

Philippine Airlines carried 869,492 passengers, up 56 percent from 554,835 last year. Philippines Air Asia flew 2.35 million passengers, a huge improvement from 1.59 million passengers last year.

Cebgo carried 920,072domestic passengers, higher by 1.4 percent than 907,297 domestic passengers a year ago. Magnun Air served 155,490 domestic passengers in the six-month period, up from 136,396 domestic passengers last year.

Other domestic airlines are AirSwift Transport Inc. and AirJuan Aviation Inc. Meanwhile, Philippine Airlines carried

the most number of international passengers with 3.77 million in the six-month period, followed by Cebu Pacific with 2.57 million international passengers.

Philippines Air Asia flew 811,902 million international passengers in the first half.

Foreign carriers carried a total of 6.52 million international passengers, up 12.8 percent from 5.78 million last year.

Data from the Tourism Department showed that international visitor arrivals increased 11.2 percent in the first seven months to 4.26 million from 3.83 million a year ago.

This was led by a 40-percent growth in arrivals from China to 764,094 in January to July from 545,725 in the same period last year.

maintain. This is incorrect,” Philea said.

It said the incentives offered by the Philippines was not even at par with other countries, as other Asean members were dangling longer tax holiday periods and other incentives such as cash grants/subsidies like in the case of Singapore.

The group computed that in the absence of fiscal incentives, the Philippines’ effective tax rate or the difference between the pre-tax of return and the after-tax rate of return to those financing the investments, including the burden of personal and indirect taxes, would be high by regional standards.

“Thus, to be competitive, the Philippine government, through the different IPAs, must continue to offer various fiscal incentives to lure investors to park their capital in the country. The provision of incentives will be the only consolation for investors to stay in the Philippines. If these fiscal incentives will be removed as part of the proposed tax reform package of the Philippine government, there will be a huge risk of losing these investors,” Philea said.

DMCI Homes’ reservation sales rise 4% to P23b

By Jenniffer B. Austria DMCI Homes, the property arm of conglomerate DMCI Holdings Inc., recorded P23.01 billion worth of reservation sales in the first half, up 4 percent from P22.12 billion in the same period last year, as demand for housing remains strong despite rising interest rates.

DMCI Homes said net income reached P1.76 billion in the first half, compared with P2.48 billion registered in the same period last year.

“Our pioneering resort-style developments have gained a strong following among buyers. There is healthy demand for our projects in Metro Manila, and even in Davao and Baguio,” said DMCI Homes president Alfredo Austria.

DMCI Homes said it was looking to replicate its success in other parts of the country.

“We are also exploring new product formats as condo units continue to evolve as a versatile solution to urban living challenges,” said Austria.

The company recently acquired two properties in Cebu. Austria said the company planned to launch its Cebu projects, which include an eight-hectare lot in Cebu and 6,000-square-meter lot in Lahug, by mid next year.

DMCI Homes is also launching its second residential project in Davao City.

Austria said the company would also construct a 30-story residential project in Pasay City.

The new project is among the P40 billion worth of projects DMCI Homes expects to launch this year.

SAN Miguel Corp. said the New Manila International Airport that it will build in Bulacan province to replace Ninoy Aquino International Airport as the country’s main gateway is expected to create one million jobs during the construction phase.

The company said in a statement it would hire the best Filipino talents from here and abroad―especially from among the ranks of overseas Filipino workers.

“Once the airport project is given the green light to proceed with construction, we will tap our best workers from here and overseas,” SMC president and chief operating officer Ramon Ang said.

“It’s a massive undertaking. We will need Filipino talents in engineering, construction, hospitality and airportrelated services. Hopefully, this will give many of our OFWs countrymen a reason to come home, be with their families, and at the same time help in building a better future for our nation,” he said.

Ang, speaking on the day the country celebrated National Heroes Day, said overseas Filipino workers truly deserved a world-class airport at par with the best in the world, with sufficient facilities and infrastructure support that would reduce delays and traffic and provide an enjoyable travel experience for the country’s growing population.

“Our modern-day heroes have been dreaming of a world-class airport for such a long time. We want to make that dream a reality for our migrant workers at no cost to the Philippine government,” Ang said.

SMC proposed to build a massive, P736-billion airport complex on a 2,500-hectare property in Bulakan, Bulacan―just 27 kilometers away from Naia, or 45 minutes from any point in Metro Manila via multiple expressways.

The National Economic Development Authority approved the project in April.

Govt asks China to join Marawi pledging session

By Julito G. Rada THE Philippine government invited China to participate in the pledging session in November to raise funds for the recovery and rehabilitation of war-torn Marawi City.

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III extended the invitation to China during a meeting between Filipino Cabinet secretaries and officials of China’s Ministry of Commerce in Beijing last week.

Dominguez expressed the Philippines’ “deep gratitude” for its swift response in providing assistance for the reconstruction efforts in Marawi.

“We acknowledge with deep gratitude that China was among the first countries to respond to our immediate requirements in our recovery and reconstruction efforts in Marawi City,” Dominguez said during the meeting led by Commerce Minister Zhong Shan.

Dominguez said the pledging session would be held in the latter part of November to “support the implementation of the Bangon Marawi Comprehensive Rehabilitation and Recovery Program.”

“Your government’s active support and participation would be highly appreciated,” Dominguez told Zhong during the meeting.

Dominguez also thanked Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Zhao Jianhua for “responding quickly” to Manila’s request in July last year for assistance in Marawi’s recovery and rehabilitation.

He said that as a result of Zhao’s efforts, China was able to deliver by October 2017 several units of heavy equipment for Marawi, which immensely helped in preparing the temporary shelters for the city’s displaced residents.

B2

Business

TUESDAY, AUGUST 28, 2018 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Mexican Economy Minister Ildefonso Guajardo leaves the office of the US Trade Representative during a lunch break in between meetings on the NAFTA talks in Washington on August 26, 2018. The North American Free Trade Agreement, the trilateral treaty which includes Canada, has been a key target in US President Donald Trump’s aggressive trade strategy, and he has repeatedly threatened to scrap it altogether, branding it a “disaster.” AFP

US, Mexican negotiators Airbnb sues set to resume Nafta talks New York over govt ‘overreach’ NEW YORK―Airbnb sued the city of New York on Friday, denouncing as “an extraordinary act of government overreach” a new law forcing home-sharing platforms to disclose data about hosts.

It was a dramatic escalation in the battle between the $30-billion company and authorities in America’s most populous city, amid a global backlash against “sharing economy” startups disrupting traditional industries.

The rental site filed the lawsuit in a federal court in Manhattan, asking for the law to be scrapped and branding it a product of a “multimilliondollar campaign funded by the city’s powerful hotel lobby.”

The law, which comes into effect on February 2, 2019, requires home-sharing platforms such as Airbnb to disclose information about hosts and imposes hefty fines for non-compliance.

The 29-page suit called the ordinance “illegal” and argues that it “breaches critical privacy protections” for both homesharing platforms and New Yorkers.

“No probable cause, notice, or legal review is contemplated in connection with the bulk collection of this data, and no real restrictions are placed on its use or dissemination,” the suit argued.

City Hall hit back hard Friday.

“This law provides the city with the critical data it needs to preserve our housing stock, keep visitors safe, and ensure residents feel secure,” said Christian Klossner, executive director of the mayor’s office of special enforcement. “This city will defend it.”

Supporters say the legislation will clamp down on illegal short-term rentals, which they argue drive up rents and make housing even less affordable.

Airbnb contends that most users in the city are hardpushed New Yorkers trying to make ends meet by renting out rooms in their homes. New York is the company’s biggest US market.

The state of New York already tightened the rules in 2016, slapping steep fines on those who let out unoccupied apartments for fewer than 30 days―which is against the law unless the owner or lessor is present.

According to the lawsuit, “entire home” Airbnb listings make up only around 0.8 percent of homes in the city of 8.5 million people. AFP

WASHINGTON―Talks between US and Mexican negotiators on updating the North American Free Trade Agreement are set to resume Monday after a weekend of marathon bargaining in Washington, and hints that a deal is near.

Mexican Economy Secretary Ildefonso Guajardo cited unspecified “advances” following eight hours of talks Sunday with a team led by US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and President Donald Trump’s son-in-law and senior White House adviser Jared Kushner.

Talks will resume at 9 a.m. (1300 GMT) Monday, Guajardo said.

The negotiations are aimed at ironing out bilateral issues and then finalizing the new agreement with Canada, the third Nafta partner.

Guajardo and Mexico’s Foreign Minister Luis Videgaray have been shuttling back and forth to Washington for more than a month for meetings with Lighthizer to try to iron out the bilateral stumbling blocks, including rules for the auto market, before the end of August.

Talks ground to a halt in May, in part due to the July 1 presidential elections

in Mexico.

The trilateral treaty has been a key target in Trump’s aggressive trade strategy, and he has repeatedly threatened to scrap it altogether, branding it a “disaster.”

But after a year of intense negotiations to salvage the 25-year-old pact, the United States and Mexico appear close to a point where Canada―which had been waiting for US-Mexican agreement on auto industry rules―can rejoin the talks.

US and Mexican negotiators are keen to seal a new deal before Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto hands over power to president-elect Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador on December 1. For that to happen, the US Congress must be notified 90 days in advance.

Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland of Canada said earlier that she was encouraged by the progress and would rejoin the talks once bilateral discussions concluded.

Trump hinted that a deal was near in a Saturday morning tweet.

“Our relationship with Mexico is getting closer by the hour,” Trump wrote.

“A big Trade Agreement with Mexico could be happening soon!” AFP

Asian markets up sharply after Wall Street rally

H

ONG KONG, China―Asian markets rallied Monday following a record lead from Wall Street, while the dollar recovered some ground but remained under pressure after the Federal Reserve boss suggested it would not speed up the timetable for interest rate rises.

Jerome Powell said the US economy was healthy and prices showed no sign of rising more than the bank’s two percent target, adding that there appeared to be no risk of overheating.

The remarks at the annual Jackson Hole central bankers’ symposium in Wyoming on Friday were taken as a sign the Fed would stick to its gradual increases in borrowing costs―a development which weighed on the dollar but boosted equities.

The S&P 500 and Nasdaq closed at fresh records and Asian equity traders took up the lead.

Tokyo ended 0.9 percent higher, Hong Kong jumped more than two percent in the afternoon, Shanghai added 1.9 percent and Singapore put on 0.7 percent. Seoul gained 0.3 percent and Sydney put on 0.4 percent while there were also gains in Wellington, Taipei and Jakarta.

In forex trading the dollar was mixed after tumbling Friday, while Mexico’s peso was boosted by news that US and Mexican officials were close to a deal on a revised free-trade pact.

The yuan also won support after the People’s Bank of China said Friday it had made a policy tweak to prevent the currency from falling too sharply.

The central bank adjusted the way it fixes the unit’s midpoint each day as it looks to provide more stability at a time when the dollar is broadly in the ascendant.

It also comes as leaders try to ease trade tensions with the United States, with Donald Trump accusing Beijing of keeping the yuan artificially low to boost its exports and offset the impact of tariffs.

The announcement “should calm both local and international investors that this move does signal the PBoC has no intention of moving into a full-scale currency war in the trade war escalations”, said Stephen Innes, head of AsiaPacific trading at OANDA. He also said the euro could face headwinds after Italy’s populist government threatened to withdraw European Union funding unless it agrees to take some of the 150 people stranded on an Italian coastguard ship.

“I expect the market to start fading on this recent euro move because of Italy’s risk, which matters because it’s enormous and the ECB is more than content sitting on their hands,” Innes said.

In early European trade Paris rose 0.4 percent and Frankfurt was 0.5 percent higher. London was closed for a public holiday. AFP

Cryptominers dreaming of rebound after price crash

By Kevin Trublet LONDON, United Kingdom―Surrounded by the cryptocurrency mining “rig” that is taking over his bedroom, “Ali” lays bare the risks of his trade, revealing his profits “are a tenth of what they were.”

Prices of cryptocurrencies have plunged since the heady heights of last year, slashing the profits of miners such as Ali. “This is the worst possible time to invest,” the young Lyon native, who preferred to keep his name secret, told AFP. Ali still ekes out a profit and has amassed enough reserves to absorb around six months of losses, but the days of generating 15,000 euros (f13,580; $17,450) profit per computer seem long gone.

He acquired his first rig, an assembly of six graphics cards, in January 2017, and was just about to buy his seventh.

This investment totaled around 13,000 euros, soon paid off with his initial gains.

But the cryptocurrency boom at the end of 2017, of which Bitcoin was the best-known example, has multiplied the number of miners.

Many virtual currencies require that machines are connected to the network and miners are rewarded with units of currency when they create a new block, achieved by solving complicated mathematical problems.

However, the more units are mined, the more the currency is devalued.

‘Not fair!’

“We were of course very uneasy about seeing our customers not getting what they expected,” recently admitted Genesis Mining, a company that rents computing power.

It blamed the “downward trend” of prices and the “heavily rising difficulty” of mining since April.

The collapse of Bitcoin, which has lost two-thirds of its value since December and dragged many more cryptocurrencies in its wake, has not discouraged miners.

An employee inspects machines for the production of bitcoins and lightcoins at the “Kriptounivers” (CryptoUniverse) mining center during a presentation of the largest crypto currency centre in Russia in Kirishi on August 20, 2018. A Russian company opened on August 20, 2018 what it said was the country’s largest cryptocurrency mining unit, in a former Soviet fertilizer-producing laboratory.

The opening comes as Russian authorities seek to regulate the booming cryptocurrency sector. Russia is in third place after China and the United States in the ranks of cryptocurrency-producing nations since 2015, according to a study published at the end of last year by Ernst & Young. AFP

On the contrary, the power dedicated to Bitcoin mining has more than tripled since its peak prices, and the trend shows no sign of abating, according to the bitinfocharts site.

A “farm” consisting of more than 3,000 mining units was inaugurated in Russia last week, cutting profitability even further.

In mid-December, the reference unit for computing power, the THash/second, permitted the equivalent of $3.84 to be mined in one day, compared to only 25 cents today.

As a result, Genesis Mining offered its customers newer equipment to rent at a reduced price, halving maintenance costs, but the proposal was not greeted warmly.

“This is not fair! Your early customers helped you get to where you are now. Give us a free upgrade, we deserve it and you know it,” tweeted one customer.

Electricity burden Mining can also be expensive due to the huge amount of electricity required to earn units.

For example, the Antminer S9―a mining device dedicated to Bitcoin―is worth more than 600 euros and consumes 1,600 euros of electricity per year.

Individuals, who generally focus on other virtual currencies that are easier to mine than Bitcoin, tend to rely on graphic cards to do the heavy lifting, which are less power hungry.

Those who get special rates on their electricity bills, such as EDF employee Philippe Vanbaelinghem, a miner for almost a year, can therefore exploit their “huge advantage” for monetary gain.

His staff discount allows him to reduce his bill by 80 euros per month, helping him generate around 140 euros in monthly mining earnings.

“Not everyone is equal on this,” he

admitted, pointing out that he could still have made a profit on standard tariffs when prices were high, but not now.

As a tenant, Ali’s electricity bill is fixed each month, and he has not received any complaints from his landlord.

Other costs include technical faults, maintenance and the hours required to learn how to optimize equipment, meaning miners have little room to cut costs, despite market prices.

“As strong believers in the industry and its potential, we are certain the market will soon recover,” said Genesis Mining.

Ali and Philippe are among the many miners who have incorporated speculation into their business model, hoarding some of their mined cryptocash.

Ali hopes to stop mining in four or five years.

With cryptos, “you have to expect everything,” said 25-year-old. AFP

World

B3

TUESDAY, AUGUST 28, 2018 CESAR BARRIOQUINTO, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

‘Myanmar army chief must be prosecuted for genocide’ GENEVA―United Nations investigators on Monday called for an international probe and prosecution of Myanmar’s army chief and five other top military commanders for genocide against the country’s Rohingya minority.

“Myanmar’s top military generals, including Commander-in-Chief SeniorGeneral Min Aung Hlaing, must be investigated and prosecuted for genocide in the north of Rakhine State, as well as for crimes against humanity and war crimes in Rakhine, Kachin and Shan States,” a UN-backed fact-finding mission said.

Some 700,000 Rohingya Muslims fled northern Rakhine state to Bangladesh after Myanmar launched a brutal crackdown last August on insurgents amid accounts of arson, murder and rape at the hands of soldiers and vigilante mobs in the mainly Buddhist country.

Myanmar has vehemently denied allegations of ethnic cleansing, insisting

WORKSHOP. An Indian artist works on an eco-friendly figure of the Hindu deity Ganesh at a workshop in Hyderabad on August 27, 2018, ahead of the coming Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations on September 13. The eco-friendly Ganesh idols are made with mud, jute fiber and bamboo, and are aimed at reducing pollution during the Ganesh immersion rituals. AFP

IN BRIEF More than 1,200 killed in South Asia monsoon NEW DELHI―More than 1,200 people have been killed across South Asia in monsoon storms so far this year, according to figures collected by AFP as India counts the rising toll from floods that have devastated southern Kerala state.

The monsoon, which lasts from June to September, causes widespread death and destruction across South Asia each year, with the tourist hotspot of Kerala suffering its worst floods in nearly 100 years.

Kerala has reported 445 deaths with more bodies discovered each day as a massive cleanup gets underway. The floods forced more than a million people to seek shelter in temporary relief camps and 15 others were reported missing up to Monday.

Kerala accounted for nearly half of the more than 1,000 deaths reported across India, with over 160 killed in neighboring Karnataka state, more than 200 fatalities in Uttar Pradesh state, and 195 in West Bengal, according to official figures.

The monsoon also battered Nepal, with 87 people killed since June, according to the home ministry, including a woman and eight children swept away by a landslide in a remote village.

But in Sri Lanka, where authorities organized the early evacuation of 750,000 people in threatened areas this year, the death toll from monsoon floods fell to 24 from 224 killed in May and June last year, official figures showed.

In Bangladesh, floods and landslides killed at least 29 people, according to official figures.

In the deadliest monsoon-induced disaster in recent years in South Asia, flooding and landslides killed around 5,800 people in India’s northern Uttarakhand state in June 2013. AFP

Chilean tourists face death penalty

America mourns war hero, political icon John McCain

P

HOENIX-America paid tribute Sunday to John McCain, the Vietnam War hero and twotime presidential candidate with a legendary temper whose personal courage and insistence on treating even his foes with respect earned him near-universal admiration.

McCain died on Saturday, four days shy of his 82nd birthday, following a yearlong battle with an aggressive form of brain cancer. He is survived by his wife Cindy and seven children, three of them from an earlier marriage.

Flags flew at half-staff over the White House and US Capitol in honor of McCain, as organizers announced he will lie in state at the US Capitol Rotunda.

That honor has been accorded to only a few notable Americans, including John F. Kennedy, Ronald Reagan and civil rights icon Rosa Parks.

A memorial service will take place at the massive National Cathedral overlooking Washington on Saturday before McCain is laid to rest according to his wishes at the US Naval Academy in nearby Annapolis, Maryland, on September 2, his office said.

Ahead of the national ceremonies, McCain will lie in state at the Arizona State Capitol Rotunda on Wednesday and a memorial service will take place at the North Phoenix Baptist Church.

“This is a rare and distinct occurrence for a truly special man,” said Arizona Governor Doug Ducey, adding: “John McCain is Arizona.”

In Phoenix, a succession of ordinary Arizonans left flags or flowers at McCain’s office or a local mortuary to honor the man who represented them in Congress for 35 years.

Former presidents George W. Bush, a Republican, and Barack Obama, a Democrat -- his successful rivals in, respectively, the 2000 and 2008 elections -- are set to speak at the national memorial service, according to The New York Times.

Media reports earlier this year said the senator had expressly asked that President Donald Trump not be invited.

Instead, Vice President Mike Pence is expected to attend.

As tributes poured in from the US and abroad, Trump said simply that he sent his “deepest sympathies and respect” to the McCain family.

A rare Republican critic of Trump, McCain had accused the president of “naivete,” “egotism” and of sympathizing with autocrats, especially after Trump’s widely criticized appearance in Helsinki alongside Russian President Vladimir Putin.

McCain cast a decisive vote last year that killed Republican attempts to repeal

MASS WEDDING. Participants pose for photos before a mass wedding ceremony entitled the ‘Hyojeong Holy Blessing Ceremony’ organized by the Unification Church at the church’s Cheongshim Peace World Center in Gapyeong on August 27, 2018. AFP

KUALA LUMPUR―Two Chilean tourists facing the death penalty in Malaysia for allegedly murdering a man in a hotel are innocent and acted in self-defense, their lawyer said Monday.

Felipe Osiadacz and Fernando Candia are on trial over the killing of a Malaysian in the lobby of the Kuala Lumpur hotel in August last year, less than 24 hours after they arrived in the country on holiday.

The young men have pleaded not guilty. Malaysia has a mandatory death penalty for murder, and if convicted the pair will be hanged.

“It was all an accident. A person went into the hotel and demanded money from them,” their lawyer Venkateswari Alagendra told reporters at the Kuala Lumpur High Court after a hearing.

The Malaysian man then attacked the Chileans and they fought back in self-defense, before calling the police, she said.

She said she was confident that the pair, who went on trial earlier this year, would be acquitted.

Two women were seen hugging the men after Monday’s court hearing, but declined to speak to reporters.

The trial resumes on September 24. AFP

Verdict for Reuters journalists postponed YANGON―Two Reuters journalists in Myanmar accused of breaking a state secrets law while investigating a massacre of Rohingya Muslims face another week of uncertainty after the verdict in their trial was delayed on Monday.

Wa Lone, 32, and Kyaw Soe Oo, 28, have been detained in Myanmar’s infamous Insein prison since December in a case that has sparked a global outcry.

The reporters had been investigating the September 2017 killing of 10 Rohingya Muslims in conflict-scarred Rakhine state, a week after Myanmar’s military launched a sweeping crackdown on members of the stateless minority.

They were invited to dinner with police in Yangon, handed some documents, and then arrested as they left the meeting and accused of possessing classified material on operations in the area.

The pair were charged with violating the state secrets act, which carries a maximum sentence of 14 years.

The expected ruling at the court in northern Yangon had drawn a crowd of diplomats, wellwishers and media, some wearing t-shirts with the words “Journalism is not a crime”.

But district judge Khin Maung Maung said the presiding judge was ill and the verdict would be announced on September 3.

Wa Lone told reporters as he left the courthouse that they were not afraid, whatever the decision.

“We have the truth with us and we did not do anything wrong,” he said.

The case has sparked fears of eroding press freedoms under civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi, whose international reputation has been tarnished by the treatment of the Rohingya. AFP

it was responding to attacks by Rohingya rebels.

But in Monday’s report, the UN mission insisted the army tactics had been “consistently and grossly disproportionate to actual security threats.”

The mission, which was created by the UN Human Rights Council in March 2017, concluded in a report that “there is sufficient information to warrant the investigation and prosecution of senior officials in the Tatmadaw [Myanmar army] chain of command.”

“The crimes in Rakhine State, and the manner in which they were perpetrated, are similar in nature, gravity and scope to those that have allowed genocidal intent to be established in other contexts,” the report said.

The investigators named Min Aung Hlaing and five other top military commanders, adding that a longer list of names could be shared with “any competent and credible body pursuing accountability in line with international norms and standards.” AFP

Pope to hold giant mass before wrapping up visit DUBLIN―Pope Francis will visit an Irish shrine and hold a giant mass in Dublin on Sunday as he wraps up a visit overshadowed by abuse scandals and cover-ups in the Catholic Church.

Francis is due to speak in front of some 500,000 faithful in Phoenix Park, as abuse victims and their supporters gather in a “Stand for Truth” rally in the city center to demand justice.

Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar on Saturday urged the pope to take action against abuses and ensure justice for victims worldwide, while Francis admitted the Church’s “failure”.

Francis said inaction over “these repellent crimes has rightly given rise to outrage, and remains a source of pain and shame for the Catholic community.

I myself share those sentiments”.

Francis on Saturday also met eight victims, including a woman assaulted by a priest when she was in hospital aged 13 and a man who was illegally adopted because his mother was unmar-

ried.

In a strongly-worded speech at the start of the pope’s visit, Varadkar said the abuses in Ireland were “stains” on the Catholic Church, the state and Irish society as a whole.

“There is much to be done to bring about justice and truth and healing for victims and survivors. Holy Father, I ask that you use your office and influence to ensure that this is done here in Ireland and across the world,” he said.

“Far too often there was judgment, severity and cruelty... people kept in dark corners, behind closed doors, cries for help that went unheard,” he added.

He demanded of Francis “that from words flow actions”.

Paul Jude Redmond, who was illegally adopted from a Church-run “Mother and Baby Home” and met the pope on Saturday, said the pontiff appeared “genuinely shocked” by the stories of abuse.

But at a news conference in Dublin

on Saturday by the group Ending Clergy Abuse (ECA), victim Mark Vincent Healey said the pope’s speech in Dublin was a “total missed opportunity”.

“We’re still waiting. We’re left with uncertain silence. When is he going to act? What is he going to do?”

This is the first papal visit to Ireland since John Paul II spoke in front of 1.5 million people during a visit in 1979.

The Church’s role has been badly dented by abuse scandals and the Irish have shed traditional mores, voting earlier this year to legalize abortion after approving same-sex marriage in 2015.

The pontiff is in Ireland to close the 2018 World Meeting of Families (WMOF)―a global Catholic gathering that addressed issues including the treatment of gay people in the Church.

But street vendors in Dublin selling papal souvenirs have complained of sluggish trade, as protesters rubbed shoulders with devout Catholics in the streets of the city. AFP

Obama’s health care reforms. The repeal was a Trump priority, and the president never forgave McCain.

The hawkish McCain was an unrelenting critic of Obama’s foreign policy, saying the Democratic president was weak on Libya, Iraq and Syria.

Still, Obama said he and the senator “shared, for all our differences, a fidelity to something higher―the ideals for which generations of Americans and immigrants alike have fought, marched and sacrificed.”

Bush, whose tough campaign against McCain in 2000 left both sides bruised, praised the Arizonan as “a man of deep conviction and a patriot of the highest order.”

Ordinary Americans also paid tribute, many of them in Phoenix, McCain’s hometown.

“I didn’t agree with him all the time,” said Michelle Hasnelle of Phoenix, “[but] he was always for the people of Arizona―he was one of us.” AFP

Seoul may delay plans for office in North Korea

SEOUL-South Korea said Monday it may delay the imminent opening of a liaison office in North Korea, after US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s trip to Pyongyang was abruptly canceled

by Donald Trump.

Trump on Friday pulled the plug on the visit, blaming a lack of progress in denuclearization efforts since his historic summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in June.

The sudden cancellation has put the brakes on Seoul’s plans to open a liaison office in North Korea following a rapid diplomatic thaw on the Korean peninsula.

“I can’t say it won’t have any impact,” Kim Eui-kyeom, the South’s presidential spokesman, told reporters.

“We were considering the opening of the liaison office as part of a smooth series of events including Pompeo’s visit to the North and the inter-Korean summit, but there is a need to review it since a new situation has arisen,” he added.

Blue House officials told AFP he was referring to the timing of the opening rather than the project as a whole.

The setting up of the inter-Korean liaison office was agreed between South Korean President Moon Jae-in and the North’s Kim at their summit in April.

Moon favors engagement with the North and has pressed for a resumption of cross-border cooperation, potentially risking differences with Washington.

The South Korean leader is due to visit Pyongyang next month for what will be his third meeting with Kim this year.

But the office, to be located in the North’s border city of Kaesong, has raised concerns that the transfer of material there could violate UN sanctions against North Korea. AFP

LGUs

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

B4

LocaL government units

tuesday, august 28, 2018

Parañaque City to host metro tourism forum The City of Parañaque takes center stage as it hosts the Metro Manila Tourism Forum 2018 set on Aug. 30-31 at The Blue Leaf Filipinas in Aseana City.

Themed “City Tourism: Rebuilding a Local Destination to a Global Brand,” the confab will be participated in by local government executives, tourism council officers, tourism educators and students, and industry frontliners.

According to Parañaque Mayor edwin Olivarez, this year’s forum will focus on redefining city tourism as an international icon not just showcasing the destinations, but also opening economic opportunities for the local and international markets. he added that the MMTF will integrate tourism in promoting inclusive and sustainable growth, employment and poverty reduction, environmental protection and climate change, cultural values, diversity and heritage, and peace and security. he noted that the two-day meet will also showcase Paranaque’s world-class business and leisure centers, as well as the rich cultural heritage it has managed to preserve despite its rapid urbanization.

Organized by the International School for Sustainable Tourism and supported by the Department of Tourism and the Automobile Association Philippines, the MMTF will have a parallel Metro Manila Travel Mart which will exhibit the various attractions and packages offered by the local government units and private tour operators.

MEDICAL MISSION. The local government of

Sta Maria, Laguna recently conducted a medical mission led by Mayor Tony Carolino, his wife Atty Cindy Carolino (standing in background) and missionaries from South Korea through the team of Jeju Medical Association Medical Service, led by president Kang Ji Eon. Nine Korean doctors and 27 nurses gave free medical checkups and medicines for more than a thousand beneficiaries in three days in the mission with the theme ‘Heart to Heart: Sharing Smiles in the Philippines.’ Roy Tomandao

Monsoon rains leave 3 dead

L

AOAG CITY—heavy rains caused by the southwest monsoon left three persons dead and caused P282 million worth of damages, the Provincial Risk Reduction and Management Council reported Monday.

In its latest situation report, the PDRRMC said the biggest damage was recorded for infrastructure, particularly unfinished national roads and bridges including flood control projects at P226.7 million.

Floodwaters submerged rice fields and other high-value crops in some areas of the province due to torrential rains over the past days, reaching damage of more than P3.5 million in crops, P1.5 million

in fisheries, and around P779,000 in livestock, the council added.

It also reported that two houses were completely destroyed in Barangay Caruan of Pasuquin and Adams.

Twelve houses were partially damaged in the low-lying villages of Carusipan in Pasuquin, Cabulalaan in Bacarra, Ablan, Baoa east and Rayuray in Batac and Adams, the agency added.

The persons reported dead were in Badoc, due to hypothermia; in Nueva era, due to a landslide; and in San Nicolas, due to drowning.

The Ilocos Norte Sangguniang Panlalawigan declared the province under a state of calamity on Saturday afternoon.

Since Sunday, Ilocos Norte Gov. Ma. Imelda Josefa Marcos led the inspection of damages and distribution of relief goods to the 7,518 affected families or 32,285 persons in the entire province.

“We know well the condition of erratic weather. As you can see, even PAGASA (Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administra-

tion) is hilo (dizzy) about it. So, we will consult with you (farmers) how can the government help you,” Marcos said during the inspection of habagat damages and relief distribution.

Meanwhile, as the weather continues to improve in Laoag City, the Ilocos Norte Tourism Office announced that its tourism facilities are now open. however, Ianree Raquel, supervising tourism operations officer of the province, advised tourists to avoid beach destinations and other high-risk areas for swimming, hiking, and trekking, among others, as Ilocos Norte is still under a state of calamity. PNA

Quezon City cops round up 6,034 ordinance violators in just one day

By Rio N. Araja

IMPORTING SEMINAR. A one-day seminar on ‘How to Import Goods into the Philippines’ organized by the Center for Global Best Practices in cooperation with Coltrans Cargo Philippines was successfully held with over 102 importers from different industries at Edsa Shangri-La in Mandaluyong City. Shown here is Deedee Ledonio (standing left), president of Coltrans Cargo, receiving her plaque of appreciation from Billy Daland of the Center for Global Best Practices. Seated (from left) are Jemky Flor Sacar, chief of Naia Entry Processing Unit, lawyer Marlon Agaceta, chief of Naia Law Division, and Arnaldo dela Torre, chief of Naia Customs Bonded Warehouse.

IN JuST one day, the Quezon City Police rounded up 6,034 violators of various city ordinances and other laws.

Chief Supt. Joselito esquivel Jr. said Monday those rounded up had been reprimanded, fined, or charged in court. he clarified that apprehended minors were turned over to their parents or guardians after going through the documentation procedures.

“We continue to remind our people to always obey the law and the city ordinances because it is our mandate to implement these for the welfare of our fellow citizens,” he told Manila Standard.

“Simply abiding with the law could be a big factor to help maintain our peace and order,” esquivel added.

Among the violations of those rounded up were smoking in public places, roaming half-naked, jaywalking, other traffic violations, drinking liquor in public places, urinating in public place, violating the anti-barker ordinance, littering, loitering, violating the curfew hours, driving

PCOO hails Bohol provincial board for passing FOI ordinance TAGBILARAN CITY—The Freedom of Information-Project Management Office under the Presidential Communications Operations Office has commended the Province of Bohol for being the first in coming up with an FOI ordinance in the region.

Gov. edgar Chatto said Sunday he received last week a letter, dated

Aug. 13, from Policy and Special Concerns assistant secretary and FOI-PMO director Kristian Ablan, commending the Province of Bohol for pioneering the FOI ordinance in the Visayas.

“On behalf of the National FOI Program, let me congratulate the Province of Bohol on its achievement as

the pioneer province in the Visayas to have an FOI Ordinance,” Ablan said in his letter.

Ablan added that the FOI-PMO thanks Bohol for the “efforts and dedication in localizing the FOI. This milestone is a step forward towards the FOI program’s vision for a more transparent nation.”

For this, the FOI-PMO “assures the provincial government of Bohol of its commitment in providing constant guidance on this venture.”

“We are of service in providing assistance in the implementation of the FOI program. If you have concerns, please do not hesitate to contact the FOIPMO,” Ablan said. PNA

Nueva Vizcaya foots bill for repair of NIA irrigation works under BSPP

By Ben Moses Ebreo BAYOMBONG—The provincial government here recently gave funds for the repair of several irrigation projects covered by the National Irrigation Administration’s Balikatan Sagip Patubig Program.

The recipient irrigation projects were the Calitlitan Lower Communal Irrigation System, which received P4.5 million, Paitan Communal Irrigation System (P3.75 million) and the PaoacBarobbob Communal Irrigation System (P2.25 million).

These projects managed by farmer-

irrigators are located in the towns of Aritao and Bayombong, respectively.

Gov. Carlos Padilla said the financial assistance serves as the counterpart of the provincial government in support of the BSPP. “This is a yearly funding assistance to further improve and develop the irrigation projects which will benefit farmers in the province,” he added.

Padilla added that over the years, farmers continue to contribute to the quality production of rice and corn in the province, which has earned various awards from the Department of Agriculture.

PET LOVE. Owners bond with their pet dogs during the celebration of the 1st year anniversary of SM Pet Park in SM City Taytay, Rizal, which also observed National Dog Day. Norman Cruz

motorcycle without helmet, concealing a bladed weapon, sleeping in public places and illegal parking.

Meanwhile, in celebration of National heroes Day, Quezon City Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte urged more citizens to become modern heroes by volunteering their time and effort to help those in need.

She cited Quezon City as the site of heroic acts, such as the Cry of Pugad Lawin, and the birthplace of revered historical figures such as Melchora Aquino or “Tandang Sora.”

Belmonte underscored the importance of modern heroes, sharing her own story as a volunteer teacher in Bukidnon when she was just 21.

“In my younger days, all that I have learned came from being a volunteer.

I was working as a teacher from first year to fourth year high school. Nobody would want to volunteer in that municipality since it was too far, and life was too difficult (there),” she said.

One of her students, who had low grades and numerous absence, had become a mayor, Belmonte said.

Caloocan named Kabalikat Award winner for NCR

By Jun David The local government of Caloocan City, under the leadership of Mayor Oscar “Oca” Malapitan, has bagged the 2018 National Kabalikat Award for the National Capital Region.

The trophy and plaque of recognition were handed over by undersecretary John Titus Vistal and Tesda Director General Guiling Mamondiong to Caloocan City Public employment and Service Office Manager Violeta Gonzales, Labor employment Officer emilio Resuello II, and Tesda-Camanava officials at the Tesda Women’s Center in Taguig City on Thursday.

Among all cities and municipalities in Metro Manila, only Caloocan got the award, as the agency cited the city government for its exemplary support and cooperation to Tesda’s technical vocational education and training.

According to Tesda, the city government gives importance to the development of its constituents by upgrading of training facilities and equipment.

Life

health and environment

Bernadette Lunas, Issue Editor manilastandardlife@gmail.com @manilastandardlife @MstandardLIFe tuesday, august 28, 2018

C1

Unaids goodwill ambassador Pia alonzo Wurtzbach urges decisionmakers to create safe spaces responsive to the needs of young people at risk of HiV. (@piawurtzbach/ instagram)

Weightlifter Hidilyn diaz clinches Philippines’ first gold medal at the 2018 asian Games

Hidilyn diaz’s

sweet victory

O

ne of the most difficult hurdles for athletes to overcome is making weight for competition, especially if one has a sweet tooth.

diaz satisfies her sweet food cravings with a cup of Kaffea coffee.

Weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz likes to eat sweets—especially cheesecake—which she had to forego to maintain her weight. She clinched Philippines’ first gold medal at the 2018 Asian Games.

While her competitors in the 53kg category for women struggled to cut weight, she easily achieved her target thanks to a strict regimen, good planning, and a little help from Kaffea coffee which she drank regularly during her preparation for the games.

The coffee blend helped her satisfy her cravings for sweets.

“Iyong cravings ko sa sweet [food] naibigay ni Kaffea (Kaffea satisfied my sweet food cravings). Without eating desserts. This is what I like best about Kaffea, it is delicious yet healthy,” said Diaz.

The 27-year-old athlete shared she first tasted the coffee a few months ago when Philippine softball team captain Cheska Altomonte gave her a sample.

“Na-addict ako sa Kaffea. Siguro dahil din healthy iyong Kaffea. Kasi hindi ako pwede mag-sugar, calculated ang calories ko. So with Kaffea na-regulate (I became addicted to Kaffea, perhaps because it’s healthy and it has helped regulate my calorie intake),” shared Diaz.

The Asiad gold medalist received extra energy as well as health benefits from Kaffea. The interaction of the 10 essential ingredients of the coffee has helped in her weight management hence she had no problem making her weight class.

“Kasi sa training tumutulong sa metabolism. Kagaya ko nag-da-drop ako ng weight. Kaffea tumutulong sa akin (Kaffea has helped with my metabolism during training, especially since my weight drops),” shared Diaz.

Aside from satisfying her cravings for sweet food and helping in her weight management, the coffee blend has also helped improve her skin texture and elasticity with its collagen and glutathione.

Diaz, however, said she didn’t notice how Kaffea made her skin glow, making her more attractive than before. But she was the only athlete in the competition who was fully made up and ready to face the cameras.

Kaffea is available nationwide at Shopwise, Rustan’s, SM Hypermarket Bazaar, SM Market Street, SM Kultura, CityMall GoLokal stores, and online at lazada.com.ph and beautymnl.com. Call (02) 477-9920 for inquiries.

Makati Medical Center’s MCF dermlaser and Phototherapy Center offers a 5+1 noninvasive laser treatment until aug. 30.

Sexy in bikini A MUlTI-SPeCIAlTY medical center in Makati offers a body sculpting promo, ideal for individuals who want to look sculpted and sexy all year round.

Makati Medical Center’s MCF Dermlaser and Phototherapy Center has an ongoing Shape it Up Promo wherein patients may avail of five individual non-invasive laser treatments for the abdomen, arms, back, bra line, buttocks, calves, hips, or thighs, and get one free procedure.

The promotion runs until Aug. 30.

MMC said all laser treatments are performed in a hospital setting where only dermatologists certified by the Philippine Dermatological Society perform the procedure using the most advanced gold-standard laser equipment and the latest medical technologies.

The facility provides a full range of aesthetic procedures, from body contouring to laser-assisted skin treatments.

Call (02) 8888-999 local 3101 or email mmc@makatimed.ph or visit www.makatimed.net.ph for more information.

Pia wurtzbach

calls for creating safe spaces for young people at risk of HIV UnAIDS goodwill ambassador for Asia and the Pacific Pia Wurtzbach on Saturday urged decision-makers to address causes that put young people at risk of HIV. Speaking at the International Youth Day Conference, organized by the United nations Youth Association of the Philippines in collaboration with the United nations Association of the Philippines, held at the University of Makati, the beauty queen emphasized the need to create safe spaces responsive to young individuals’ needs.

“We live in a world where adolescents and young people, especially from key populations, are still left behind. We cannot fail to address their needs. I challenge the indifference and I call for action now,” said Wurtzbach.

Wurtzbach encouraged participants to advocate young people’s participation in the AIDS response as leaders and agents of change, and build strategic partnerships to end the AIDS epidemic.

“We have miles to go to end AIDS in the Philippines and we need to equip young people with the right information and enable them to access services that are safe and responsive to their needs,” she concluded.

UnAIDS, in a statement, said every day approximately 230 young people are newly infected with HIV in Asia and the Pacific. In 2017, almost half a million young people between the ages of 15 to 24 were living with HIV in the region.

In the Philippines, young people account for 69 percent of new HIV infections, and data indicates that there is a growing HIV epidemic among young men having sex with men.

Young key populations (including gay men and other men who have sex with men, bisexual people, transgender people, sex workers, and people who use drugs) are at a high risk of HIV acquisition due to rights violations, discrimination, exclusion, criminalization, and violence.

This year’s theme for International Youth Day was Safe Spaces for Youth, highlighting the need of young people for safe spaces to come together, hang out, and participate in decision-making processes. These include healthcare settings, which should be places of safety, free from stigma, discrimination, and violence.

This is not always the case in Asia and the Pacific, where policies and attitudes remain barriers to youth-friendly HIV as well as sexual and reproductive health services. In the region, available data indicate that more than half of the countries require parental consent for HIV testing for people younger than 16 years old. ‘‘We need a critical change to respond to the dynamic shift of the HIV epidemic among young key populations, not only in the Philippines, but in Asia and the Pacific,” stressed eamonn Murphy, UnAIDS regional director for Asia and the Pacific.

He added, “We need the innovation and creativity of young people in designing HIV interventions that work for them and, at the same time, support their leadership in challenging structural barriers in accessing health services, including parental consent requirements for adolescents and the lack of comprehensive sexuality education.”

Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach was appointed Unaids goodwill ambassador last year.

(Photo from www.unaids.gov)

Life

C2

tuesday, august 28, 2018 manilastandardlife@gmail.com

HEALTH BULLETIN

Singaporean oncologist attests

to immunotherapy for lung cancer

Watsons Malaysia customers who made the switch and won a trip to the Philippines.

Malaysians switched, saved, and visited PH

F

ollowing the success of watsons’ Switch and Save campaign in the Philippines launched in 2012, the health and beauty retailer adapted it in Malaysia.

Malaysian model and Miss World Malaysia 2009 Thanuja Ananthan joins the Switch.Save.Win winners.

The campaign aims to educate shoppers not to compromise quality and savings when it comes to personal care and healthcare essentials. watsons Malaysia partnered with Philippine Department of Tourism and Cebu Pacific to launch the Switch.Save.win contest which attracted 70,000 entries nationwide. The contest was exclusive to watsons Card ViP members only.

A minimum spend of 30 Malaysian ringgit on watsons Brand items qualified shoppers to play at the watsons Malaysia event held in May. in July, 80 watsons Malaysia shoppers who won the Switch.Save. win grand prize were treated to a holiday for two that included flights, accommodation, and tours for a four-day/three-night stay in the Philippines.

Customers take the Switch Test challenge.

Green group raises concern on lead solder fumes wASTe and pollution watch group ecowaste Coalition has called the attention to the use of lead solder wire by cellphone repair shops, which can be inhaled by technicians, their customers, and passersby.

The group pressed for the observance of safety precautions, including the use of lead-free solder, following President Rodrigo Duterte’s recent signing of the Republic Act 11058, or the occupational Safety and Health Standards Act. “while we do appreciate their role in reducing e-waste by prolonging the life of e-gadgets, we are concerned that lead solder fumes are exposing repair technicians to hazardous emissions that can harm their health and those of others, including customers who are often seen watching, sometimes in the company of young children, while their phones are being fixed,” said ecowaste Coalition e-waste campaigner Primo Morillo.

The inhalation of lead solder fumes and the ingestion of lead from a contaminated surface are potential exposure routes, the ecowaste Coalition emphasized. “it’s very important that air pollution from soldering activities, especially in an enclosed space is appropriately addressed,” added Morillo, in line with R.A. 11058, the group urged the Department of labor and employment, through the occupational Safety and Health Center, to con-

Samples of lead solder wire purchased and screened for lead.

duct training programs in collaboration with shopping mall management that will train cellphone repair technicians on safe soldering work practices.

The group made the proposal after learning about the widespread use of lead solder by technicians in cellphone repair shops that are often located inside shopping malls.

Based on information gathered from

cellphone repair technicians, the group obtained six samples of soldering alloys from electronic supplies stores that are commonly used in cellphone repair.

All six samples of solder wire had lead in the range of 4.62 to 67.15 percent as per X-Ray Fluorescence chemical analysis. Further, none of the samples provided safety information about the usage of lead-based solder.

A new way of cancer treatment that harnesses and augments the abilities of the body’s own immune system has been found effective in improving survival rates and quality of life of lung cancer patients.

Dr. Daniel Chan, senior consultant medical oncologist at the icon SoC Mount elizabeth Medical Centre in Singapore, was one of the doctors who spoke at a recently held cancer treatment symposium that focused on immunotherapy.

Dr. Chan has treated a number of Singaporean and Southeast Asian patients using immunotherapy, applied through an immune checkpoint blocker called pembrolizumab. “in 2014, when pembrolizumab was first approved for use in the United States, there was a lot of skepticism in Dr. Daniel Chan, senior consultant medical the medical community that something oncologist at the Icon SOC Mount elizabeth as gentle as immunotherapy could work Medical Centre in Singapore. for something as aggressive as cancer,” and it takes half an hour, unlike chemosaid Dr. Chan.

He continued, “But from recent clin- therapy for lung cancer, which includes ical trials we now know that it could be hydration and antiemetics—this takes easily three to four hours,” shared the effective in the right circumstances.”

As a medical oncologist, Dr. Chan is Singaporean health expert.

Dr. Chan added, “even in this day especially concerned with cancer drug efficacy and safety, because lung can- and age, people are still very resistant to cer specifically is often diagnosed in its chemotherapy because they hear it will late stages and usually at a time when weaken the immune system—and thus weaken the body. They think it is the the patient is already in a frail state. chemotherapy—not the cancer— This makes the cancer harder to that will kill them. So when they control, not only because it has alget immunotherapy instead and ready spread to other parts of the see how it is more tolerable for the body, but also because the patient body, it is really a load is often already beset off their minds.” with other health conHowever, not all ditions that make palung cancer pa their body more tients are ideal vulnerable to immufor an immu the rigors of notherapy conventional t reat ment. treatments, Researchas in the case ers have with chemfound that otherapy. non-small “Before cell lung im mu nocancer or therapy nSClC c a m e patients around, who rethe median spond best survival of Immunotherapy to pembrolistage 4 lung has been found zumab are cancer paeffective in improving those whose tients was just survival rates and quality cells show a a little over a of life of lung cancer patients. high level of a year. And in that protein biomarker remaining time, the patients endured repeated chemo- on the cancer cell surface called PD-l1.

Therefore, PD-l1 testing proves to be therapy, so their quality of life was very an invaluable screening tool to deterpoor,” said Dr. Chan. in contrast, studies on immunother- mine the chances of treatment success apy where pembrolizumab was used with each individual nSClC patient on have shown median survival rates of pembrolizumab. it also improves the 2.5 years and above. As the observa- cost-effectiveness of the drug.

At present, immunotherapy treattion period for immunotherapy patients continues, researchers are finding that ment costs are not yet covered by many patients are staying alive longer PhilHealth, but are subsidized up to than they were expected to, had they 55 percent by the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes office upon confirmation undergone chemotherapy instead.

“The most common side effects i see that the patient is qualified for healthwith pembrolizumab are rash, fatigue, care subsidy. in the Philippines, pembrolizumab and thyroid gland dysfunction,” said is already approved for the treatment Dr. Chan. in lung cancer chemotherapy, on the of non-small cell lung cancer, head other hand, patients normally experi- and neck squamous cell carcinoma, ence nausea, vomiting, hair loss, low melanoma, gastric cancer, urotheblood count, and a host of other adverse lial cancer, and classic Hodgkin lymphoma. Potential patients may coneffects from their treatment.

“Pembrolizumab infusion is also sult their medical oncologist to learn fast. You get it once every three weeks more about immunotherapy.

iphoto

DepEd launches flagship health program in Muntinlupa City The Department of education has recently launched its flagship program OK sa Deped in Muntinlupa City through an interactive session held at Poblacion elementary School.

OK sa Deped focuses on five major school health programs of the department: School-Based Feeding Program; National Drug education Program; Adolescent Reproductive health education; Water, Sanitation, and hygiene in Schools Program; and medical, nursing, and dental services. Deped first introduced the program in Makati City.

Present during the launch were Mayor Jaime R. Fresnedi and Congressman Ruffy Biazon. Also in attendance were stakeholders from private companies such as PepsiCola Products Philippines Inc.

Entertainment From C4

The film, which stars Canadian Ryan Gosling, follows the life of astronaut Neil Armstrong in the years leading up to 1969, when he became the first man to walk on the moon.

However the most eagerly awaited appearance on the red carpet will undoubtedly be that of provocative pop superstar Lady Gaga, who stars in the out-ofcompetition A Star is Born.

Bradley Cooper plays a harddrinking country artist who discovers a young singer played

by Gaga and is also making his directorial debut with the film.

The pair also wrote and recorded new songs for the film, the third remake of the entertainment industry romance classic.

Among the major names expected on the lagoon are Frenchman Jacques Audiard— who this time is taking on the Western genre with The Sisters Brothers—and his countryman Olivier Assayas, in competition with the comedy Non-Fiction, starring his favorite actress Juliette Binoche.

Grand Prix winner at Cannes in 2015 and Oscar winner for best foreign film the following year with his first feature film The Son of Saul, the Hungarian Laszlo Nemes will return to big competition with Sunset.

Big things are also expected from The Favourite, a period drama by Greek director Yorgos Lanthimos that plunges viewers into the court of Queen Anne at the beginning of the 18th century and stars Emma Stone and Rachel Weisz.

As every year, the festival will award two Golden Lions for their career to two film giants, in this case the 81-year-old British actress Vanessa Redgrave and Canadian director David Cronenberg. AFP

From left: GMA Network Excellence Award Ambassador Benjamin Alves, GMA Network Chairman and CEO Felipe L. Gozon, 2018 GMA Network Excellence Awardee (Communication category) Mark Roland Romas, YesPinoy Foundation Chairman Dingdong Dantes, and GMA Vice President for Corporate Affairs and Communications Angela Javier Cruz.

M

ARK Roland Romas of University of San Jose Recoletos - Cebu and John Elmer Loretizo of Central Philippine University-Iloilo are the recipients of the 2018 GMA Network Excellence Award (GNEA).

The two achievers were conferred with the Network’s recognition for their exemplary performance in academic, leadership and social responsibility. The awarding ceremony was held at the GMA Network Center, led by GMA Network Chairman and CEO Atty.

Felipe L. Gozon. The winners each received P50,000 and a plaque.

Romas, who received the GNEA for Communication category, graduated Cum Laude from the University of San Jose Recoletos - Cebu with a Bachelor’s degree in Communication.

He felt honored to receive the recognition as he represented the Cebuanos, “I would like to take advantage of this award, and would like to use this po as a platform to speak on behalf of my

fellow youth who are continuing to fight for our country. I’m sharing this award to all of them.”

Meanwhile, Loretizo received the GNEA for Technology-based category.

He graduated Magna Cum Laude from the Central Philippine University - Iloilo with a Bachelor’s degree in Software Engineering. His mother Mary Jean Loretizo accepted the award on his behalf.

GMA Chairman and CEO Felipe L. Gozon is proud to recognize young individuals who excel in their respective fields and advocacies.

He attests, “They are the best and the brightest, at nagdaan yan sa very rigid screening. I think they will contribute to the country using that talent.”

Jake feels awkward with Erich on the set

just don’t know with Erich. I’m shy to ask.”

The competent actor doesn’t deny though that he goes out on dates.

“But to reiterate, I’m not yet in the position to commit to a serious relationship due to my hectic schedule. My workload is busy but I’m not complaining. First, I will top-bill a new program in which I’m the male lead. There’s also the movie I’m producing which highlights the lives of one of local ‘’biz’s unsung heroes, the stuntmen.

Of late, he’s given villain roles in his screen outings. Isn’t he afraid of being typecast?

“Nope, I don’t have that thinking. As a true actor, I have to prove to all and sundry that if you’re good enough, you won’t get typecast to a certain character.”

In fact, between lead and villain, the good-looking lad opts for the latter.

“Playing ‘contravida’ is so much fun.

It’s closer to being a real person whereas sometimes, being the lead is too good to be true,” Jake ends.

“For me, her beauty goes beyond physical. I can also see her passion towards her craft. She wants to hone her acting skills to the hilt. I was able to watch her in the 2017 MMFF entry Siargao with Jericho Rosales and Jasmin CurtisSmith and she amazed me. Apart from her physical allure, I’m hats-off to her acting skills.”

Jake further says that he always wanted to work with her and it happened in The Blood Sisters. And he thinks that what Erich did in the show was simply remarkable.

“It’s not easy breathing life to three different characters and yet, she delivered!

Her patience is just commendable. Especially if you’ll consider that it was a teleserye that aired five times a week.

It’s more difficult than shooting a movie,” says Jake.

If analyzed, they would make a handsome pair if ever.

“Well, thank you! At this point, I’m single. I’ve got no girlfriend. I

CROSSWORD PUZZLE Tuesday, August 28, 2018

DOWN 1 Resided 2 Chain mail 3 Torah reciter 4 Pollution org.

5 Mesh, as gears 6 Korean city 7 Opposite of post8 Drowses off 9 Exotic flowers 10 Proclaim 11 Miles away 12 Gam or Rudner 13 Summer, in France 18 “Walk Away —” 23 Skirt cut (hyph.)

25 “Hawkeye” Pierce

nickie.standard@gmail.com

Was the Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino a success?

ACCORDING to Jake Cuenca, it’s hard to be bad on screen with your crush and this he experienced in the recently-concluded Kapamilya soap The Blood Sisters where he was mean with female lead Erich Gonzales whom he admires off cam.

“As Rocco in the soap opera, I was bad to Erich. Although I enjoyed doing the character because it was challenging, I found it difficult at first because of her. She’s my crush!”

For how long does he have this crush on Erich?

“It’s been a long time now. You know, ever since, I was already attracted to her.”

How difficult was it being mean to the lovely star on screen?

“Honestly, it was the first time on my being a screen villain that I felt pity on the main character, only with Erich.

I didn’t feel the same when I became ‘contravida’ to Gerald Anderson (‘Ikaw Lang ang Iibigin’) or Coco Martin (‘Panday’). But in Erich’s case, I had to motivate myself to play my part effectively. It’s really hard.”

Jake reveals he really requested top management to include him in The Blood Sisters.

“Yes! If I remember right, I was still doing Ikaw lang ang Iibigin then. I asked Tita Cory Vidanes if it’s possible for me to be given a role in Erich’s new soap. I’m truly glad and thankful that my wish was granted.”

Interestingly, which of Erich’s qualities does he admire?

49 Atomizers 54 Half a score 57 Big Ben numeral 58 Mauna — 59 Garage contents 60 Accommodation for friends (2 wds.)

63 Dugout 64 — up (pay) 65 As much as (2 wds.)

66 Kudu cousin 67 Week units 68 Butte

C3

GNEA recognizes top graduates from Visayas

Glamorous...

ACROSS 1 Have the nerve 5 “NBA Friday” broadcaster 9 Chicago’s airport 14 Coat or sweater 15 Agrippina’s son 16 Tailoring job 17 Prohibited 19 Dilapidated car 20 Slow pitch 21 Water, in Cannes 22 Bedouin’s domain 24 Geometric figure 27 Small, in Dogpatch 28 Protective shelter 29 Pancake cooker 33 Put up with 36 Becomes a member 37 Launch site 39 Flo’s co-worker 40 Pantyhose shade 41 Hideous giant 42 KLM datum 43 Course 44 Lower in esteem 45 Competitor 47 Dazzle 48 Craving

TUESDAY, AUGUST 28, 2018

26 “Me” types 30 Equips 31 Sorenstam’s org.

32 Cornfield sight 33 Wide st.

34 — noire 35 Qom’s country 36 Harlow or Simmons 38 Scottish river 40 Not at all spicy 41 Toe the line 43 Wrinkled 44 Look forward to 46 Big wheel

47 Originates 50 Devoutness 51 Wed in secret 52 Carrots or beets 53 Fiji neighbor 54 Like some controls 55 Sight from Messina 56 Major Hoople’s word 59 First-rate 61 One, to Juan 62 Sugarcane product

Jake Cuenca admits that he's been crushing on Erich Gonzales for a long time now.

IF WE were to grade the second year of the Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino, the film festival that the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) instituted, will it merit a very good, average or a freaking F? Did the Liza Diño headed festival of quality Filipino film end with a big bang? Or did the PPP just earned a lot of heavy sighs, raised eyebrows and betterluck-next-year consolation?

Its week old reign ended in a supposedly thanks giving party wherein Christian Bables, lead star of Signal Rock, received a citation as Special Jury for Outstanding Acting and the Chito Roño opus, went home as Critic’s Choice.

Bakwit Boys and The Day After Valentine’s, both directed by Jason Paul Laxamana, on the other hand, were cited as Audience Choice.

And the rest of films, we are not made aware why they were not cited all. Given the fact that only a triumvirate of films were found meritorious, why then did they choose eight?

Can FDCP quantify and qualify their claim that this year’s PPP was better in all aspects of festival mounting and implementation if compared to last year’s festivity?

When one monitors the many posts and shouts outs from various social networking sites, how come that there seem to be an impression and impression that the cinema audiences support to it is deemed wanting?

With only four motion pictures making a “killing” at the box-office and if we are to believe the unofficial grosses, despite the claim that the festival had more audiences during the weekend, indeed, the audience appreciation and appreciation for PPP’s year 2 was quite unimpressive.

Can we affirm that this was a case of festival fatigue? The days that separated the conclusion of the 14h Cinemalaya and the beginning of PPP were just too close for comfort.

Per reports, Cinemalaya had a bigger audience turn out, not only at the CCP but also in its Makati venues. The biggest box-office drawers were the martial law themed

movies ML and Liway. The roster of winners were generally well ALWIN accepted.

IGNACIO Did the price of the ticket for the PPP films dampened the enthusiasm of potential audiences? Ticket prices for the PPP films ranged from P180 up to P270, depending on the venue where you watched. Cinemalaya ticket prices were at P150 only.

During its initial year, the PPP ticket prices were similar with the one held at CCP. If they continued with last year’s ticket price, can we safely conclude that more people could have flocked the cinemas?

On Facebook, Nonoy Gallardo shared this post, “Ang Cinemalaya claro ang positioning: Festival of independent movies. Kaya claro ang expectation ng audience: Hindi pandering to popular taste. Yung PPP ano?”

What branding and imaging did PPP project? An August MMFF? A film festival that looked and felt like a Cinemalaya copy cat? Or, since it is just two years old, the definite branding and imaging is still being discovered and shaped?

Another post on Facebook from Terence Ang, “Let’s be honest here.

Kumita ba talaga ang PPP last year?

Isn’t it true that more than half of the gross ay galing sa 100 Tula? And that’s not because of PPP or their management, mas gusto lang talaga ng madla ang mga “romantic” films.

Hindi rin natin pwede icompare ang PPP sa Cinemalaya, Q at C1, kasi iba yung reach nila.”

The next back to back festival will happen in October, Cinema One Originals and QCinema. With the same time frame as Cinemalaya and PPP. In September, TOFARM Film Festival, according to reports, will have more cinemas and a host province.

We still await the four finished films for this year’s MMFF 2018 to complete the top 8 film entries.

Thus, I cannot help but wonder, with too many festivals happening in a given year, continuing the PPP, will it be a boom or a bane?

ARIAS

Christian Bables, lead star of 'Signal Rock,' a PPP 2018 entry.

Nickie Wang, Issue Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com

C4

Entertainment

TUESDAY, AUGUST 28, 2018

Toni Gonzaga in #NoFilter beauty campaign

INTERNATIONAL

THEY Say that real beauty is always predicated by a glamorously glowing skin, no matter what hue or tone you may have been blessed with.

And Belo Medical Group’s current campaign “Find Your Light” brandishing Dr. Vicki Belo’s latest beauty innovation called the Lumina System programgives exactly what most of women want – the ultimate beauty goals.

Endorsed by singer-actress Toni Gonzaga,� a Belo baby for 16 years now, and going strong in her relationship with the country’s leading dermatology and beauty clinic, “Find your Light” is the answer to common skin woes like roughness, dullness, uneven skin pigmentation and tired-looking skin.

For busy ladies like her, having a fairer, brighter and glowing skin even without make-up is a deal-breaker.

With Belo Lumina Program- Find Your Light campaign, Toni says, goodbye to filters.

“It is customized for one’s personal need and beauty goal and it offers the most complete range of skin treatments,” Toni explained why she loves the Belo Lumina Program and added, “a Belo doctor will first give you an assessment before they will design a Lumina program that will best suit your needs and the vision that you have for your skin care.”

Specifically, Toni’s Lumina Program involves the following treatments: Madonna Oxylight facial pampering, Angel Whitening to even out skin tone; Wet and Dry Dermabrasion to remove dead skin cells and Cinderella Drip to get her regular supply of antioxidants.

“I have been with Dr. Vicki for 16 years already and we celebrate this relationship because they never failed to help me look my best. A Belo clinic is like my second home and you can easily contact them simply at 819-BELO. I really do trust them. Kaya nga only Belo touches my skin di ba?”

Toni ends.

GLOBAL superstars Lady Gaga, Ryan Gosling and Vanessa Redgrave descend on Venice this week as the annual film festival kicks off Wednesday to controversy over the inclusion of Netflix productions and there being just one female director in competition.

Some 21 features will be locking horns for the prized Golden Lion, which will be awarded on Sept. 8 at the Palazzo del Cinema on the Venice Lido, the iconic setting for Luchino Visconti’s masterpiece Death in Venice.

The festival jury is chaired by Guillermo Del Toro, last year’s winner with The Shape of Water.

Australian Jennifer Kent is the only woman gunning for the Golden Lion this year, with The Nightingale.

The lack of female directors was blasted by feminist associations in an open letter sent on Aug. 11 to the festival’s artistic director Alberto Barbera.

The letter was a reaction not just to the festival’s male-centric selection but also to statements by Barbera, who in a recent press conference explained that he made his choices based on “the quality of the film and not the sex of the director”.

“If we impose quotas, I resign,” he said, defending a selection criticized as “politically incorrect”, especially compared to the latest edition of Canne, which saw a call for gender equality in cinema.

A number of films being shown in Venice have been picked up by streaming service Netflix, including the Coen Brothers’ The Ballad of Buster Scruggs.

Starring Tim Blake Nelson, James Franco and Liam Neeson, The Ballad of Buster Scruggs features six tales about the Wild West narrated

by Joel and Ethan Coen.

The inclusion of Netflix films and their contemporaneous release in theatres and online has drawn the wrath of Italy’s two major cinema associations Anec and Anem, who feel people will stay at home rather go out to watch the movies.

“I can’t see any reason why a film by (director of Golden Lion contender Roma, Alfonso) Cuaron or the Coens should be excluded just because they’re produced by Netflix,” Berbera said during the press conference presenting the festival to reporters last month.

First Man The star-studded festival kicks off with First Man, the new film from the Oscar-winning director of La La Land Damien Chazelle. Continued on C3

Glamorous Venice Film Festival courts controversy

Callalily frontman Kean Cipriano has launched his own record label that gives its artists full creative control on their music.

KEAN CIPRIANO goes beyond the stage, launches own record label

H

AVING your own record label, even if you’re a musician yourself, is not a walk in the park.

Once you are there it’s no longer about your music, your style, your image and reputation. And it also involves a lot of decision making. So, would it be worth it to go out of your way and create your own music label?

Carving his own musical path, Unique signs up with O/C Records to further introduce his own style and brand of music.

Toni Gonzaga is a Belo Baby for life

For Callalily frontman Kean Cipriano, who just launched O/C Records, along with Viva Entertainment’s Vic del Rosario, and his wife, actress, Chynna Ortaleza, venturing into this kind of business is not just about being his own boss, it’s a gamble underscored by his effort to live with a commitment to manage an artistfriendly organization.

In this newly launched business, Kean is the label’s chairman and chief executive officer, while Chynna is the vice president for production and talent development.

“It’s a gamble, that’s what business is all about and I want to take the risk on giving the artists full creative control,” Kian said. “Music is art, and when art becomes successful it avoidably becomes a business.”

The rock musician wanted to give his stable the full creative control because he said he’s just putting himself in their shoes. And as a “music as an art” advocate, giving the artists the full creative control, he believes it will allow the artists to express their art. “ I want them to experience that once in their careers as professional musicians they got to do what they want and showcase their art. I grew up in an era where you get to know the artists based on their album. And that’s what I would like to do…introduce these great and talented artists,” Kean explained.

Echoing what her husband said, Chynna expounds their choice to give their signed artists the full creative control.

“We’re artists as well and we know how that feels. So when you’re asked to do things that you’re not necessarily into, especially when it comes to music, ‘di ba parang sayang naman,” Chynna told reporters during the label’s recent

launch.

The character actress also likened their venture to having another child.

“When we got into this recording label thing, after like 3 months in, I was like, oh my God, I just had another kid.

That’s how it felt for me. It’s another baby, it’s just not human. It’s the same effort,” Chynna said adding that she’s been holding back her tears since the artists took the stage to perform.

“It’s been a journey,” she added.

O/C Records, whose name stands for Chynna and Kean’s surnames, spans various genres including acoustic funk, pop, rock, and folk. Six acts are currently signed to O/C and that include Earl Generao, Rice Lucido, Frizzle Anne, Bita and the Botflies, Unique, and Kean himself.

“O/C is an initial but we wanted it to be open for interpretation – own choice, over confidence, original content – because we are open-minded creatures.

Again that’s OC,” Kean said.

Although he has his own record label now, Kean shared that he won’t necessarily be compromising his own career in favor of the label. While being the chairman of O/C records, his band and his career as an actor and solo artist are being managed by two different managements.

“This is just part of my personality.

I’m the type of artist who chooses what I want to do. Like what happened to me and Unique, we were recording his album for two months so my focus was there, but I would still go to taping and gigs. That’s me as a person. I always want to be doing a lot of things. It’s sometimes disturbing, but this is who I am,” he explained.

One of O/C records big projects is Unique’s his first major solo concert at Kia Theatre on Sept. 29.

Pop superstar Lady Gaga appears in the out-of-competition 'A Star is Born'

Courtside charmer Rizza Diaz is JDI’s calendar girl TRUSTED industry leader Jardine Distribution has signed up PBA courtside reporter and model Rizza Diaz as the newest face of its 2019 calendar.

Diaz, who has been highly visible at PBA games since 2013, launched her sportscasting career in the collegiate level when she was courtside reporter for the National University Bulldogs in the UAAP. She has also pursued a career in modeling, gracing the pages of men’s magazine FHM both here in the Philippines and in Singapore.

During her contract signing with JDI officials last Aug. 2, at F8 Imaging Studio in Makati City, the 27-year-old Diaz expressed her excitement in working with what she considers a “trusted and credible” company.

“I didn’t have to think twice about signing up with JDI, knowing that consumers, particularly homeowners, building professionals, and those from the agricultural sector, have always relied on it for their needs,” said Diaz.

During the contract signing, which was attended by Edwin H. Hernandez, Hernandez JDI president; AVP for Construction Supplies Peachy C. Tiu; Tiu and AVP for Agro Products Robert L. Littaua, company officials warmly welcomed Diaz into the JDI family.

“Every year, we collaborate with different talents to give a young and vibrant face to the brand as it ushers in another year,” Hernandez said. “We are very happy that Rizza Diaz has agreed to doing this project with us, and we are even more enthusiastic to work with her in the coming year.”

JDI is a wholesale distributor of agricultural and applied con-

struction chemicals. Its crop protection product portfolio includes insecticides, molluscicides, herbicides and fungicides for use in a wide range of agricultural crops that include rice, corn, mango and other fruits and vegetables, while its applied construction chemical product range includes wood preservatives, soil termiticides, waterproofing, cementitious add mixtures and various household pests control products.

Jardine Distribution, Inc., represents a number of local and global companies that provide world-class crop protection and construction chemical products. They are focused on the safe use of these products, providing technical support, and with due consideration of environmental protection.

For more information, visit www.jardinedistribution.com.

PBA courtside reporter Rizza Diaz (center) poses for a group photo with JDI officials after her contract signing as JDI’s 2019 calendar girl in Makati City early this month.