Manila Standard - 2018 September 6 - Thursday

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PESO DIVES TO 12-YEAR LOW AT 53.55 VS US DOLLAR B1 ‘Bukbok rice safe but not amag’ THERE is no harm in eating weevilinfested rice that’s properly washed and cooked, a scientist said Wednesday, but people should watch out for the growth of molds in their rice stock.

If mold or “amag” is present in any rice stock, it means a severe infestation of weevils or “bukbok,” which could endanger human health, weed science ex-

pert Dr. Pio Javier told UNTV News.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III agreed with the scientist even as he urged the Bureau of Quarantine to strictly monitor agricultural products being shipped into the country, as foreign insect species that travel through these shipments could endanger the country’s agriculture sector.

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VOL. XXXII • NO. 203 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 • THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2018 • www.manilastandard.net • editorial@manilastandard.net

Cost of living hits 9-year high Inflation surges to 6.4% in wake of food shortages, rising prices night borrowing rate of 4 percent is currently below the inflation rate.

BSP Governor Nestor Espenilla said conditions warranted “more decisive non-monetary measures.”

“Elevated oil prices also continue to impact transport and power prices. At the same time, the peso [along with other currencies] is being adversely affected by emerging market uncertainties and a strong US dollar. These are adding to the cost-push pressures,” Espenilla said in a statement.

“However, it is equally apparent that strong domestic demand is making it too convenient for producers and traders to pass on higher costs and possibly more to consumers,” he said.

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By Julito G. Rada

T

HE rate of inflation jumped to a nineyear high of 6.4 percent in August from 5.7 percent in July, on soaring prices of rice, fish and other food products, the Philippine Statistics Authority said Wednesday.

Analysts said the latest inflation data could compel the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas to raise interest rates again this month, after a total of 100-basis-point adjustments in three separate Monetary Board meetings this year. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas over-

Bigger fuel discounts for PUVs sought

By Alena Mae S. Flores ENERGY Secretary Alfonso Cusi on Wednesday urged the oil distributors to continue providing discounts to jeepneys after Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp. announced an additional discount of P0.25 per liter.

He made his plea even as the House of Representatives, in a viva voce voting Tuesday night, approved on second reading House Bill 8083 or the Tax Reform package for Attracting Better and High-quality Opportunities or TRABAHO bill.

The House approved the bill in a plenary session presided by Deputy Speaker Sharon Garin. The bill aims to reduce the corporate income tax by two percent every 2 years beginning 2021 until 2029. By then, the CIT would have been brought down to 20 percent from 30 percent now.

Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo was present when

Rice, meat, fish, electricity fuel inflation spike —Budget chief

the voting was conducted. She earlier said the second package of the Tax Reform Acceleration and Inclusion or TRAIN Law was a priority measure under her leadership.

Shell heeded the Energy department’s call to come up with more measures to help curb inflation.

The discount it offered is over and above the P1 to P2 per liter discount open to public utility vehicles under the memorandum of understanding of the department with Shell, Petron Corp. and Phoenix Petroleum Philippines Inc. signed on March 1.

“We thank Pilipinas Shell

By Nat Mariano and Maricel V. Cruz

Trillanes still a free man; court yet to rule on arrest

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Another mayor on Rody’s list of ‘narco-pols’ killed

By Rey E. Requejo, Macon Ramos-Araneta, Maricel V. Cruz and Nat Mariano SENATOR Antonio Trillanes IV will remain a free man until the Makati City regional trial court grants the Department of Justice’s motion seeking the issuance of an updated warrant of arrest against him, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said Wednesday.

The court earlier opted to hear Trillanes’ side before deciding whether to grant the DOJ motion.

“The police will have to wait for the warrant,” he said in a text message, after President Rodrigo Duterte revoked the amnesty granted him in 2010 and ordered his arrest.

Members of the Philippine National Police-Criminal

By Francisco Tuyay IN NOVEMBER last year, Ronda town Mayor Mariano Blanco told reporters that his life was in danger. He had just been stripped of his power over local police back then after President Rodrigo Duterte publicly accused him of being a narco-politician.

At 1:30 a.m. yesterday, his fears came true—Blanco was shot dead by unidentified gunmen inside his office.

“Witnesses said four armed persons alighted from a white van and entered the municipal hall...

The mayor was there as he was sleeping in his office,” Sr.

PAYING BACK IN SPADES.

Crenelated Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, holed up at the Senate since Tuesday after the grant of amnesty to him was canceled, shows to members of media on Wednesday documents related to the grant during a news conference at Next page the Senate. Ey Acasio

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BUDGET Secretary Benjamin Diokno on Wednesday attributed the rise in the inflation rate in August to a nine-yearhigh of 6.4 percent to a spike in prices for food such as fish, rice, meat and vegetables.

“The government efforts to tame inflation remain appropriate but must be delivered with a greater sense of urgency. The unconditional cash transfers and the Pantawid passes programs should be delivered much faster,” said the Budget chief in a text message.

“Congress ought to act on the rice tariffication bill expeditiously. The share of these four food items to August inflation is 2.4,” he said.

Duterte’s economic team said in a statement that the highest contributors to the latest inflation rate are electricity, gas, fuel, fish, rice, personal transport, vegetables, and meat.

“A committed effort from government in the agriculture sector to boost supply of key products and introduce policy reforms will bring down prices for all Filipino families,” their statement read.

The country’s top economic managers, together with the help of several

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Lotto produces 40 instant millionaires FORTY Filipinos became instant millionaires—some even multimillionaires—from January to August, sharing an aggregate Lotto jackpot prize of P1.63 billion.

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Du30 visit yields $83m worth of Israeli deals

BY PUSHING to boost the economic partnerships with non-traditional trading partners like Israel, the Philippine government identified several business “complementarities” that resulted in investment pledges, business collaborations and intentions during President Rodrigo Duterte’s visit on Sept. 2 to 5, Malacañang said Wednesday.

This strategy to continuously open investments and employment opportunities from non-traditional trading partners had resulted in securing $82.9 million worth of investments from Israel, the Palace said.

It made the statement even as Duterte praised the disaster response and rehabilitation presentation and viewing of Israel’s equipment on Tuesday, saying he was inspired to replicate it in the Philippines.

The Magen David Adom is Israel’s national organization responsible for emergency, disaster response, pre-hospital care and blood services, an equivalent of a Red Cross organization.

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BILLS FOR VEGETABLES. A customer hands over a P20-bill

after buying vegetables at a market in Manila almost a month back. The domestic economy slowed down sharply in the second quarter of 2018 and fell short of expectations as a result of policy decisions that included a shutdown of Boracay, with concern rising in this country of 106 million over inflation, which hit a nine-year high 6.4 percent in August. AFP

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Our weakest link actually is the agricultural sector.

— President Rodrigo Duterte

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News

Thursday, sep sepTember 6, 2018

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Duterte defiant, razzes ICC team P

RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte says he could not be prosecuted in the International Criminal Court for the human rights abuses in his campaign against illegal drugs.

He insisted on Tuesday before Filipino and Israeli businessmen in Jerusalem that the ICC could never have jurisdiction over him.

He said the Rome Statute, the treaty that established the ICC, could not be enforced in the Philippines because it was not published in a government publication or any commercial newspaper.

“You did not publish the law, so how

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for continuously supporting our efforts to fight inflation. As commodity prices continue to rise, finding immediate remedial measures to help our consumers is of the utmost importance,” Cusi said.

The additional discount may be had in 446 Shell stations in the areas with a high jeepney density. These stations are strategically located in Metro Manila, North Luzon, South Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao.

Cusi is hoping other oil companies will follow suit.

“We will work together to find winwin solutions,” he said.

Shell said the discount was in lieu of reintroducing Euro 2 diesel fuels that may take three to six months to implement due to the necessary added infrastructure and facilities needed to adapt to the proposed fuel option.

It said Euro 2 may have “minimal to zero net benefit” given the additional cost to put the infrastructure needed, and “may pose potential health and environmental risks because of the higher sulfur content.”

Reverting to Euro 2 means reverting to fuel with 10 times more sulfur at 500 parts per million as against the much cleaner diesel that is 90 percent less sulfur with only 50 ppm.

“PSPC will continue to support the government through DOE in alleviating the plight of the motorists and the general public. We enjoin the motorist to visit our participating retail stations to avail of this special program,” Shell said. With Maricel Cruz

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During MDA’s demonstration, Duterte said having technologies similar to Israel would be beneficial to the Philippines, especially in times of disaster like terrorist attacks.

Malacañang said the agreements securing the investments were presented to Duterte on Sept. 4.

“The Philippines is committed to pursue several growth opportunities by strengthening partnerships with emerging economic partners like Israel. Our engagement with them allows us to reinvigorate ties and increase trade between our countries,” Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said.

The business agreements signed consist of three Memorandums of Agreement, 11 Memorandums of Understanding and seven Letters of Intent.

These cover the joint venture agreement between Century Properties Inc. and Globe Invest Ltd. for advanced energy optimization management; agriculture and urban farming; prefabricated housing; water desalination and master-planned real estate development projects.

Armscor Global Defense Inc. and EMTAN Karmiel Ltd. had a technological agreement to create a local manufacturing facility for weapons under the license from the latter.

The MOU covers transfer of knowhow in weapons manufacturing.

Stone of David Corp. and Gaia Automotive Industries Ltd. signed an agreement to promote tactical vehicles.

Stone of David also inked a deal with MCTECH RF Technologies Ltd. for military and intelligence products and hardware development.

With PNA

Trillanes...

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Investigation and Detection Group are already at the Senate, ready to arrest the mutineer-turned-senator.

But Guevarra said he was speaking only based on rules applying to civilians and regular courts.

“I am not in the military so I don’t know

do you suppose you can prosecute me?

There is no law because if there is no publication, then the Constitution applies,” Duterte said.

“And therefore to insist on indicting me under that Rome Statute would be a violation of my constitutional right [to due process].”

Two communications filed separately by lawyer Jude Sabio, activists

and alleged victims of the drug war call for Duterte’s indictment for the alleged thousands of extrajudicial killings in the course of his drug campaign.

Acting on the first communication, the ICC prosecutor in February opened a preliminary examination to determine whether it had jurisdiction over the matter and said a full-blown investigation would serve the interests of justice and of the victims.

Duterte responded by withdrawing the Philippines’ membership in the ICC in March, citing the “baseless, un-

precedented and outrageous” attacks against him and his administration.

Law experts had earlier dismissed Duterte’s claim about the necessity of publication.

The Center for International Law said there was no further requirement of publication in any newspaper of general circulation to make the treaty binding on the Philippines. It said the Rome Statute became effective when the Senate gave its concurrence.

The International Commission of Jurists said the publication requirement was “immaterial.”

UN gathers experts to stop swine fever pandemic BANGKOK—An emergency meeting to head off an outbreak of African swine fever across Asia opened in Bangkok on Wednesday, after a mass pig cull in China sparked fears of a potential pandemic.

The three-day meeting led by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations brings together specialists in animal diseases as well as agricultural policy from nine countries neighboring China.

China, the world’s largest pork producer and consumer, reported its first case in

August in northeastern Liaoning province. The disease has since spread south prompting a cull of 38,000 pigs.

African swine fever does not affect humans but causes hemorrhagic fever in pigs and wild boars that is nearly always fatal.

There is no antidote or vaccine, and the only known preventive measure is a mass cull of infected livestock.

“It’s critical that this region be ready for the very real possibility that ASF could jump the border into other countries,” the FAO’s Wantanee Kalpravidh said in a statement.

“That’s why this emergency meeting has been convened—to assess where we are now and to determine how we can work together in a coordinated, regional response.”

Swine fever spreads by contact between infected pigs, ticks or other wild animals and can inflict massive economic damage on farms.

Participants at the Bangkok meeting come from Cambodia, China, Japan, Laos, Mongolia, Myanmar, the Philippines, South Korea, Thailand and Vietnam. AFP

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soonest and securely anchor inflationary expectations,” Espenilla said.

Alcoholic beverages and tobacco posted the highest price increase of 21.6 percent in August, followed by food and non-alcoholic beverages at 8.5 percent; furnishing, household equipment and routine maintenance of the house at 3.5 percent; health and restaurant and miscellaneous goods and services at 4 percent; and recreation and culture at 2.4 percent.

The rest of the commodity groups either moved slower or declined with the index of clothing and footwear retaining at the previous month’s annual growth rate of 2.4 percent.

Economic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia said a committed effort from agencies in the agriculture sector to boost output and introduce policy reform was needed to bring down prices of agricultural products.

“The government, particularly the Department of Agriculture, must act quickly and fervently with sound judgment to ease the increasing prices of agricultural commodities, which are the main drivers of inflation,” Pernia said.

“While the government’s economic team expected inflation to peak in the third quarter before tapering off towards the latter part of the year, inflation in August is largely beyond the

median market forecast. That is why we remain steadfast in putting forward measures that will address prices, especially for food,” Pernia said.

Damage to agriculture brought about by southwest monsoon and typhoon Karding in Ilocos, Cagayan, and Cordillera regions amounted to P33.5 million, thus taking a toll on the prices of agricultural commodities.

“The rehabilitation of the disasterstricken agriculture areas must be highly prioritized,” Pernia said.

Palay production growth also slowed down to 1.68 percent in the first half from 12.06 percent a year ago.

The country’s total rice stocks inventory of the National Food Authority further declined to 1.9 million metric tons as of Aug. 10, 2018. This was around 15 percent lower than the levels in the previous month.

“The NFA should fast-track the distribution of remaining inventories, alongside the completion of the government’s 250 thousand MT rice imports from Thailand and Vietnam in the last week of August to build its rice inventory, a necessary step to temper inflation,” Pernia said.

He also cited the weak performance of the fisheries and other crops, with output falling 2.14 percent and 0.44 percent, respectively, in the first half.

a statement.

Meanwhile, Vice President Leni Robredo and Senator Bam Aquino met poor Zamboanga City residents reeling under a rice shortage to hear from them the effects of the crisis on their livelihood and daily sustenance.

Robredo and Aquino held a town hall dialogue dubbed “Kumustahang Bayan” to listen to the woes of urban poor communities and market vendors bearing the brunt of the rice crisis at the Zamboanga City old public market.

Weevil-infested rice has put the NFA and even Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol on the defensive recently, as around 300,000 sacks of rice remain unloaded on ships docked here owing to consecutive days of heavy monsoon rains in August.

The agency has been forced to fumigate these rice stocks, which would take seven to 12 days before they can be unloaded and eventually sold to rice dealers and the public.

Piñol sought to prove these stocks are safe to consume when he ate weevilinfested rice on national television.

Weevils come in a variety of species, Javier said, with the most common, the saw-toothed beetle, living up to three years. This species can survive high temperatures and produce 300 to 500 eggs at a time, he added.

Fumigants to kill these insects don’t leave residue on the grains, added the scientist, an Adjunct Research Professor at the Institute of Weed Science, Entomology and Plant Pathology at the University of the Philippines in Los Baños.

government departments, discussed immediate reforms to bring down food prices.

On fish, the Department of Agriculture will replicate the issuance of certificates of necessity allowing imports to be distributed in the wet markets.

On rice supply issues, the economic team said, 4.6 million sacks of rice available in NFA warehouses will be immediately released across the country.

“To address the reported shortage in Zamboanga, Basilan, Sulu, and TawiTawi, 2.7 million sacks will be allocat-

ed to these areas,” they said.

They also vowed to do the following: urge the Senate to pass the rice tarrification bill within the month, reduce the gap between the farmgate and retail prices on chicken, open importation of sugar, prioritize the release of essential food items in the ports, form a monitoring team for surveillance of rice from ports to warehouse and retail outlets, and lastly, recommend to the President the issuance of a directive to simplify the licensing procedures for rice imports of the National Food Authority.

“The government’s economic team has previously announced that inflation is expected to peak in the third quarter

before tapering off towards the latter part of the year, and then fall within the government’s target by next year. However, inflation in August was beyond the median market forecast,” they said.

“We remain steadfast in putting forward and accelerating these measures that will address food prices for all Filipinos,” they added.

The Palace assured the public Wednesday that Duterte’s economic managers are taking steps to address the increasing prices of primary commodities as the country’s inflation shot up to 6.4 percent in August, recorded as the highest level in nearly a decade. With Julito G. Rada, Macon Ramos-Araneta, Vito Barcelo and PNA

their rules pertaining to arrests,” he said.

Aside from the criminal prosecution, the proclamation issued by Duterte also ordered the Armed Forces of the Philippines to proceed with the court martial case against the senator, who led unsuccessful coups against President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in 2003 and 2007.

Trillanes was granted an amnesty in 2011 by his political ally, President Benigno Aquino III.

Makati RTC Judge Andres Bartolome Soriano has set a hearing on Sept. 13 and ordered Trillanes to file a comment on the DOJ petition within five days.

In seeking the issuance of a holddeparture order and an updated warrant, the DOJ noted that the case of coup d’état against Trillanes has yet to be terminated by the court despite the issuance of Proclamation No. 75, which granted him amnesty.

The Makati City RTC Branch 148 merely granted the motion of Trillanes to cancel the promulgation by reason of Proclamation No. 75, said Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Juan Pedro Navera.

“It is clear that this instant case is still pending with this honorable court and has yet to be terminated through a promulgation of judgment, which was merely suspended last Dec. 16, 2010,” the motion read. With PNA

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Data from the PSA showed that the August inflation was the fastest in more than nine years, or since it hit 6.6 percent in March 2009. It exceeded estimates made by government and private sector economists and was faster than 2.6 percent recorded a year ago.

This brought average inflation in the first eight months to 4.73 percent, beyond the government’s official target range of 2 percent to 4 percent for the year.

Espenilla said an unfortunate confluence of cost-push factors continued to drive consumer price inflation in August “beyond the acceptable target range.”

He said the BSP would be looking more closely at the latest data to reassess the medium-term inflation forecast. He said external developments should also be considered, including the US Federal Reserve actions that could exert undue pressure on the peso.

“Under the circumstances, we will weigh the need for further monetary policy action. Appropriate recommendations will be presented to the MB [Monetary Board] on Sept. 27 at its next policy meeting. It is most critical at this point to restore inflation back to the target range

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This developed as the National Food Authority Council approved the additional importation of 250,000 metric tons of rice to augment the current NFA stocks—which have been struck by weevils, forcing the agency to fumigate thousands of bags laying idle in various ports in the country.

The council, as the rice agency’s policymaking body, instructed the NFA to hold an open tender immediately to import the additional rice stocks, which would arrive in November.

The shipment can increase NFA’s active participation in the market by as much as 20 percent, the agency said in

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Israeli support for anti-terror drive sought

By Nat Mariano PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte said Wednesday he anticipates more terrorist attacks in the south following the two deadly bombing incidents in Isulan town, Sultan Kudarat.

“There’s a lot of terror attacks going on, not only here but all over the world and my country is not an exception,” Duterte said as he and Philippine Red Cross chairman Senator Richard Gordon witnessed Magen David Adom’s response demonstration to a terror attack.

“We just had about two explosions in one of the provinces in Mindanao, and we expect more,” Duterte told Israel’s national emergency service.

“I’m sure your government would be willing to help us.”

Duterte highlighted the importance of developing the country’s emergency response to calamities and attacks.

On Sunday, a bomb was detonated inside an Internet shop in Barangay Kalawag 2, in the town of Isulan, Sultan Kudarat, at past seven in the evening, leaving two people dead and several others wounded.

On Aug. 28, an improvised explosive device was also detonated during the Isulan’s Hamungaya Festival, killing three people and injuring more than 30 others.

Following the recent bombings in the south, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea said there was a possibility martial law would be extended in Mindanao. He said the extension was an option.

Malacañang has already assured the local government of Isulan that it is in control of the situation, saying the government will defend democracy and the public.

Following the back-to-back incident of bombing under their watch, Philippine National Police chief Oscar Albayalde has already ordered the relief of the provincial police officials.

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Insp. Jayr Palcon told AFP. Since 2017, Blanco had been regularly changing his routine—including sleeping in his office—in a bid to deter would-be assassins.

Blanco’s death came seven months after his nephew, Ronda Vice Mayor Jonnah Ungab, was also gunned down in Cebu City in February. A lawyer by profession, Ungab served as legal counsel to self-confessed drug lord Kerwin Espinosa Jr. He was shot twice in the head a few meters away from the Cebu City Palace of Justice where her accompanied Espinosa.

In July, at least five politicians—including another mayor in Duterte’s narcolist—were killed in a span of six days.

On July 2, Mayor Antonio Halili of Tanauan City, Batangas was shot dead while attending a flag ceremony at the city hall. A day after, Mayor Ferdinand Bote of General Tinio, Nueva Ecija was repeatedly shot by a motorcycle-riding suspect while he was onboard his Toyota Fortuner in Cabanatuan City.

On July 7, Trece Martires City Vice Mayor Alexander Lubigan and his driver Romulo Guillemer were killed by gunmen while traversing the Indang Road. On the same day, Zamboanga City councilor Michael Magallanes and Kapatagan, Lanao del Sur municipal councilor Nassif Bansil were also shot dead in separate incidents. With AFP

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“For security purposes, we are withholding their names. The latest winner of 6/42 came from Makati. As of today, no winner yet for Ultra Lotto 6/58 and it has already an estimated P525 million jackpot prize,” Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office general manager Alexander Balutan said.

Balutan said for the first eight months of the year, Lotto 6/42 has produced 14 millionaires, sharing a total prize of P301.7 million; Mega Lotto 6/45 has 10 millionaires, sharing a total prize of P304.1 million; Super Lotto 6/49 has seven millionaires, sharing a total prize of P353.5 million; while Grand Lotto 6/55 has seven millionaires, sharing a total prize of P342 million.

“So far, we only have two lucky millionaires for Ultra Lotto 6/58 since February 16, 2018 who shared the prize of P331.9 million,” he said.

The overall jackpot sales for Lotto has reached P8.13 billion.

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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2018 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

House upbeat on approval of budget for vaccine‘victims’

LIGHT MOMENT.

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte shares a light moment with his supporters at the sidelines of the ceremonial exchange of business agreements between the Philippines and Israel at the King David Hotel in Jerusalem on Sept. 4, 2018. Presidential Photo

By Maricel V. Cruz MEMBERS of the House of Representatives’ Committee on Appropriations on Wednesday expressed hopes that the Senate will pass as soon as possible the bill providing for a P1.161-billion supplemental budget to provide assistance to Dengvaxia victims.

The lawmakers led by Davao City Rep. Karlo Alexei Nograles, the panel’s chairman, said he is optimistic the Department of Health could appeal to the Senate to fast- track the budget approval for the benefit of the Dengvaxia victims.

The House approved the proposal embodied in House Bill 7449 last May 30, while the Senate version is still at the period of interpellation.

“Right now, the Department of Health is forced to good to use present budget of 2018 because the supplemental budget [for Dengvaxia victims] has not yet available.

We will not have any problem if only we have passed this budget measure, because that will really be the budget that would concentrate on helping the victims nung Dengvaxia,” he said.

Nograles made the appeal as his panel deliberated on the DoH’s proposed budget for 2019.

Currently, the DoH is using funds from the 2018 budget for the vaccinees, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III. Duque told the Nograles panel that his office had already written the Senate a letter urging senators to pass the supplemental budget. DoH officials also go to the Senate every week to monitor the progress of its approval, said Duque.

Grab set to impose P2-per minute charge anew

By Darwin G. Amojelar GRAB Philippines is set to reimplement the P2 per minute charge to its passengers after the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board issued a circular on fare structure for transport network vehicle service.

“Upon review by the Board of the existing fare structure in the transport industry, there is a need to rationalize and adjust the fare structure for TNVS in order to maintain its viability,” LTFRB said in a Memorandum Circular No. 2018-019.

“Wherefore, premises considered, pursuant to the Board’s power to determine, prescribe and set fares for public land transportation services under EO No. 202 and DO No. 2018-13, the Board hereby authorizes TNVS to charge P2 per minute of travel time from origin to destination as part of its fare structure,” the agency’s circular added.

The LTRB said the P2 per minute charge shall apply to all types of TNVS vehicles whether sedan, AUV/6 seater, SUV and sub-compact/hatchback.

“The electronic receipt issued by the TNCs shall be unbundled to reflect the breakdown of of the fare, e.g. flagdown rate, per km rate, travel time rate and surge price,” it added.

The LTFRB also reversed its order directing Grab to reimburse riders who paid the travel charge from June 5, 2017 to April 19, 2018.

However, it maintained that Grab must pay P10 million in penalties for hidden charges. Brian Cu, Grab Philippines Country head said its partners have endured low earnings in the last four months following the suspension of the legal P2 per minute fare component.

Aviation officials press need for ‘backup’ airport A

By Maricel V. Cruz

VIATION officials on Wednesday underscored the need for a new airport to serve as backup and even possible replacement for the Ninoy Aquino International Airport that is now operating at overcapacity.

At a hearing conducted by the House committee of transportation chaired by Catanduanes Rep. Cesar Sarmiento, Manuel Tamayo, Transport Undersecretary for Aviation and Airports, stressed the need for a new air gateway. “That is the direction of the air sector of the DOTr. I agree, we need a new gateway,” he told lawmakers.

Manila International Airport Authority general manager Ed Monreal shared a similar view.

“My solution here is), maybe it will take six to seven years, we really need to have a new airport,” he said when Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel asked for his thoughts on the embarassing incident.

“It has been the talk many years...it is about time,” Monreal said. “There should be a minimum of two runways, parallel, apart from each other. That’s the most basic requirement,” he said, noting that Naia only has two runways that intersect with each other.

Naia’s capacity with its two runways is only 40 takeoffs and landings per hour.

For his part, Sarmiento, in his open-

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ing remarks said that “While there were no recorded fatalities, there were at least 631 flights that were either cancelled, diverted, or delayed.”

“There were 250,000 passengers affected,” Sarmiento added.

Pimentel then raised the San Miguel Corp.’s proposed international airport

in Bulacan. He described it as a “very good solution” to the current airport woes.

“They [SMC] have 2,500 hectares of land in Bulacan. Their land area can accommodate four runways, and expandable to six runways. To the DOTr, can you not consider this proposal? I think this is a very good solution to the existing problem that we are experiencing in the operations of Naia,” said the Assistant Majority Leader.

Tamayo said that the unsolicited proposal of San Miguel has already been approved

by Neda (National Economic and Development Authority) Board last April 25.

“Now after the submission of the revised concession agreement along with the risk allocation matrix, the Neda and the Department of Finance submitted comments on this and after we at the DOTr commenced negotiation with San Miguel to finalize the draft concession agreement and submit the same to Neda and finally the Swiss Challenge. [That’s what we’re expediting], ” Tamayo said.

Still, the lawmakers urged DOTr to fast-track the negotiations for the construction the alternate international airport in Bulacan.

Representatives Rodolfo Albano of Isabela, Gus Tambunting of Parañaque, John Aniceto Bertiz of ACTS-OFW Party-list and Robert Ace Barbers of Surigao del Norte made the call in the wake of the Xiamen airline incident. With Romeo Dizon

Lacson tells PDEA to focus on big-time drug peddlers

By Macon Ramos-Araneta SENATOR Panfilo M. Lacson said on Wednesday that it is high time for the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and Dangerous Drugs Board to go after the so-called big fish since law enforcers had already proven that they are capable of going after street peddlers.

“You have to refocus because the police are now capable of going after street peddlers,” he said.

“You have to concentrate on those at the higher levels,” he said during the Senate hearing on the budgets of the two agencies for 2019.

Lacson said there is a need for stricter coordination at the upper levels against the entry of illegal drugs into the country.

Illegal drugs, he said, slip past the Bureau of Customs from time to time, and find their way into the hands of drug peddlers, many of whom mix them with candy or deodorizer to maximize their profits.

The PDEA is the specialized agency implementing the government’s efforts against illegal drugs, while the DDB is the policymaking body.

Under the National Expenditure Program, the PDEA is set to get P1.979 billion, while the DDB will get P258.324 million for 2019. The PDEA has asked for an additional

budget of P2.58 billion for next year.

Lacson also told the PDEA to address the issue of illegal drugs in its custody that had been seized and are being kept as evidence in court cases.

He said the weakness in the chain of custody had resulted in technicalities that lead to the dismissal of cases.

Presently, the PDEA has some P9.7 billion worth of seized illegal drugs in its custody.

“I think you should do something about the excessive quantity of dangerous drugs still in your possession… Medyo mind-boggling ang P9.7 billion worth of dangerous drugs,” Lacson said.

Hike in tobacco tax good for UHC—DoH

By Macon Ramos-Araneta HEALTH Secretary Francisco Duque said measures to increase the tax on tobacco is a win-win policy for Universal Health Care and the Filipino people.

“We need to ensure that there is sustained funding to achieve the intentions of the reform,” also said Duque.

“We encourage our legislators, especially those supporting UHC, to also push for the increase of tobacco taxes,” Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III explained.

Duque assured that the Department of Health strongly supports the bills filed by Senator Emmanuel Pacquiao (SB 1599) and Senator JV Ejercito (SB 1605), seeking to further increase the unitary excise tax of cigarettes.

With the passage of the Sin Tax Law of 2012, tobacco use prevalence significantly decreased among adults from 29.7 percent in 2009 to 23.8 percent in 2015 (Global Adult Tobacco Survey).

The proposed increase in tobacco taxes is expected to reduce the burden of noncommunicable diseases by further decreasing smoking prevalence among Filipino adults up to 18.6 percent -15.7percent.

Aside from the greater health benefits of substantially increasing tobacco taxes, additional revenues to be generated from the proposed increase are in a bid to support and fund the UHC reform in the country.

“We encourage our legislators, especially those supporting UHC, to also push for the increase of tobacco taxes,” Duque said.

He noted that the proposed UHC and tobacco tax reform would comprehensively address health needs of the population.

Last 23 July 2018, the UHC bill was declared as a priority of the Duterte administration during the President’s State of the Nation Address. Its passage will help address the pressing issues on the access to quality and affordable health services by the Filipino people.

LEARNING MOTIF. The Light Rail Manila Corp. and PLDT Smart Foundation launched the Gabay Guro Train, a themed-train initiative of LRMC which will use the LRT-1 Generation 3 trains with reading and learning as motif to promote reading and love for books in the daily life of passengers and will run for a year starting Sept. 5, 2018. Manny Palmero

Calida won’t attend Senate probe on family’s security agency

By Rey E. Requejo THE camp of Solicitor General Jose Calida on Wednesday insisted on the regularity of the contracts that his family’s security agency has with several government offices.

In a four-page letter to the Senate committee on civil service led by Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, Calida’s lawyer Jose Bernas conveyed that there is no need for the Solicitor General to appear during the hearing on Senate Bill No. 1924 that seeks to amend the provision on “conflict of interest” under Republic Act. 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.

Bernas also told the Senate committee which started hearing the proposed law last Tuesday that the Solicitor General did not violate any law as the contracts of his family’s Vigilant Investigative and Security Agency Inc. were aboveboard and did not violate the rule against conflict of interest.

“We reiterate that based on textual reading of R.A. 6713, and as confirmed by jurisprudence, the Solicitor General is not in conflict of interest,” stated Calida’s letter sent to the committee also last Tuesday.

Bernas said that the appearance of Calida in the hearings is not necessary - contrary to the pronouncement of the committee in its summons last August 30.

“Our client is not an expert on matters involving conflicts of interest. He does not administer R.A. 6713 and did not practice in that area of law prior to his appointment as solicitor general,” Bernas said.

DENR to expand forest and climate change‘project’

By Rio N. Araja THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources is hoping to expand nationwide the highly-acclaimed forest and climate change protection project that resulted in the sustainable management of resources in areas surrounding a mountain range on Panay Island.

DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu said the recently completed forest and climate protection Panay project—an eight-year initiative funded and implemented by the German and Philippine government — is worth replicating in other parts of the country.

“ForClim has proved successful in integrating biodiversity conservation, climate change mitigation and poverty alleviation through sustainable management of forest resources. With the right support from our partner organizations, hopefully we can bring this kind of success to other areas in the country in the near future,” he said.

The project introduced innovations and approaches in forest land use planning, including the establishment of critical habitats, forest conservation and management, forest rehabilitation, agroforestry and income generation for local communities.

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Opinion

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2018

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Questions on amnesty revocation

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

the food crisis and how to make life TO THE easier for Filipinos.

POINT In a previous column I said that the EMIL P. country is now facing a double whamJURADO my of inflation and rice crisis. These affect the lives of 106 million Filipinos.

Sure, the Trillanes issue needs to be PRESIDENT Duterte’s revocation of the amnesty given by his predecessor resolved. But Mr. President, please put to Senator Antonio Trillanes IV in 2010 first things first.

I can understand why the President is —which in fact erased the guilt of Trillanes and some 53 Magdalo mutineers peeved at Trillanes. But he should really pay closer attention to issues that —brings to fore disturbing questions.

Can President Duterte really nullify affect the lives of Filipinos.

The rice problem cannot be solved an amnesty? He claims Trillanes failed just by importing rice, even through a to comply with its terms.

If it is true as alleged by Trillanes government-to-government deal. It is a that he applied and accepted the terms problem that has bogged down the best of the amnesty given by former Presi- among those in public service.

Now President Duterte warns that dent BS Aquino, should it not be taken the warehouses of rice cartels will be that it is valid from the beginning?

Should not the records show this, and raided because of instances of hoardshould not the records be made public? ing. But how can there be raids when Since a President is a political ani- the government does not even know mal, wasn’t his action on Trillanes an what qualifies as hoarding?

The President act of vengeance? has given the The senator has NFA the go-signal been a vociferous to import some critic of the Presi200,000 metric dent. Mr. Duterte What suspicious tons of rice so it even once vowed could bring its he would destroy timing. buffer stock to 25 Trillanes. days. But even The timing of Agriculture Secthe revocation is retary Emmanuel suspicious. We are Piñol does not know how much rice lonow very close to having a rice crisis.

It is the height of hypocrisy for the cal farmers can produce in the wake of minions of Malacañang to claim that frequent typhoons.

In fact, rice production cannot be this act is not political in nature.

I am certain Trillanes will seek all predicted accurately at any time. Who available legal means to get himself can say whether there will be enough out of this hole. He is fortunate that harvest in November, or there would be his colleagues at the Senate are cross- no typhoons to damage the crops?

This problem is made worse with the ing party lines giving him sanctuary so that could seek redress in courts of law. incompetent officials running both the The timing is also suspicious in DA and the National Food Authority. *** that Trillanes is probing the alleged President Duterte claims that his rape conflicts of interest of Solicitor General Jose Calida who remains major joke was made because he has the right stockholder of a security agency that to free expression. This is his right as has contracts with various govern- a Filipino.

Certainly every Filipino can say ment agencies. The action on Trillanes sounds too similar to the quo warranto what he or she wishes. But as a lawyer, proceeding brought before Supreme the President must know that the right Court Chief Justice Maria Lourdes to free expression is not limitless.

This, when he makes those misogySereno.

Did Congress ratify the amnesty giv- nistic jokes—the latest being there was en by BS Aquino to Trillanes? If it did, a high number of rape cases in Davao then shouldn’t the revocation also have because there were many beautiful women there—he degrades female the concurrence of Congress?

We need this controversy like a hole sensitivities.

Turn to A5 in the head. We should be dealing with

A disturbing development

A

NTONIO Trillanes is not an affable person. He comes across as somebody who will stop at nothing to pursue his ends, and who will use every opportunity to further his political stock.

He will be remembered as a young soldier who mounted attempts to take over the government, then under President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. He won a Senate seat, however, even as he campaigned from behind bars.

This, and the subsequent amnesty granted to him in 2010 by Arroyo’s successor, President Benigno Aquino III, may have contributed to his air of defiance —the notion that he can take on anybody in government if doing so would be aligned to his crusade, whatever that might be.

But now President Duterte has issued Proclamation 572, voiding the Aquino-granted amnesty to Trillanes for failing to comply with the minimum requirements.

Trillanes remains a free man, however, according to Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra, until a Makati City court grants the DOJ’s request for an issue of an arrest warrant against the senator.

While members of the Criminal Investigation and Detention Group of the Philippine National Police are at the Senate premises ready to arrest Trillanes anytime, the court has set a hearing on Sept. 13 to hear the senator’s arguments.

But these are civilian procedures, Guevarra said. Mr. Duterte’s proclamation includes an order to the military to proceed with a court martial case against Trillanes.

Meanwhile, the senator is bent on exhausting all remedies available to stave off his arrest.

Let the lawyers argue the legality of these developments. For the rest of us, the natural reaction to President Duterte’s revocation of the amnesty is that it is a retaliatory measure for all the senator’s attempts to portray him and his family in a bad light.

It could also be seen as yet another diversionary measure to distract the public from the gut issues of rice scarcity and the high prices of goods and services. On Wednesday, we learned that the inflation rate in August reached 6.4 percent—a nineyear high.

Certainly the proclamation further divides the people, reeling as we are from making ends meet and dealing with the erratic behavior of our leaders. Certainly, too, the move reeks of politics, and attempts by Palace spokesmen to deny this only invites ridicule. This is an unsettling development, given the implications on the integrity of previous issuances and even laws.

We look forward to the issue’s swift resolution by the courts, because only they—devoid of political agenda as they ideally are —can decide whether the proclamation has merit.

We hope Malacañang realizes that such moves on anybody— even an arrogant and antagonistic senator—is setting the worst and most disturbing of precedents.

The trash fire that’s this administration in growing rice. We have rice terraces that are a global marvel. But why can’t we feed ourselves?

Punch Two: “Eat the imported galunggong.” What fresh hell is this?!

The last time I looked, the Philippines YOU’VE probably seen that meme of a is still surrounded by water on all sides. dog wearing a hat, seated at a table while We are an archipelago. Why do we have around him a fierce conflagration rages. to buy fish from China or whoever, fish He is unperturbed by the flames. The that could possibly be tainted with formalin and quite likely comes from our caption goes, “This is fine.”

That seems to be the zeitgeist of the own West Philippine Sea? If our fishermoment as the Filipino people slump ies are incapable of ensuring adequate into apathetic stupor as more instances supplies, then government should supof government incompetence and im- port and strengthen them.

Our goal should always be food secupunity are revealed. One after another rity.

We should have more than enough in quick succession, they are sucker punches to the gut, and the winded so that we’re exporting rather than imcommunity reels in disbelief and anger. porting, particularly when it comes to basic commodiPunch One: ties. We should “Eat the bukbok be able by now to rice.” What? Refeed ourselves. ally? As far as Punch Three: I know Manny We are not trees, “Davao has a lot of Piñol is the first rooted and immovable. rape cases because Agriculture secthe women there retary who’s ever are beautiful.” told fellow FiliPresident Duterte pinos to eat rice is sexist and miinfested with weevils. I know when I was a child there sogynist. An attitude such as this stems was the occasional bukbok in the bi- from toxic masculinity, the belief that lao—that’s why rice was picked over women are objects to be used by men. before being cooked—but that was Rapists rape because they are evil assduring the Marcos dictatorship when holes; what women look like or wear has he didn’t care much either what people nothing to do with it.

Duterte’s language, his so-called ate or whether they had anything to eat “jokes” (that are nowhere near fun(remember the famine in Negros?).

Rice got better in quality after that, ny, someone please tell him already) and now we can cook rice straight from only serve to reinforce and normalize the sack. But with the weevils and all, the patriarchal culture which has opwe are back to the old days of, yes, the pressed Filipinas for decades.

Punch Four: “Revoke Trillanes’s amFrench revolution, when Marie Annesty and arrest him!” These are murky toinette lost her exquisite but clueless head for saying of the peasants, “Let waters and frankly I do not see how them eat cake,” or rather, fine bread this has a legal leg to stand on. There is video documentation of the filing of (Quils mangent de la brioche).

We are still primarily an agricultural the amnesty application; there was an Turn to A5 country. We have centuries of expertise

Black Venus—the South Korean spy who met Kim Jong Il

By Park Chan-kyong BEFORE meeting North Korean leader Kim Jong Il, Southern spy “Black Venus” was told to stay up late, shower, and dress neatly. He also hid a micro recorder in his penis.

Few spies have ever got as close to the leader of an enemy state—let alone one as reclusive as the isolated North—as Black Venus, real name Park Chae-seo.

In the 1990s he posed as a disgruntled former South Korean military officer turned businessman looking to film commercials for Southern companies in scenic Northern locations.

Along the way to meeting Kim, he claims to have sold antique ceramics

for millions for members of the North’s ruling family, and seen Northern military officials counting huge bribes paid

by Southerners in political plots.

Now his story has been turned into a book and a film that shine new light on the murky connections—some financial, some political—that run across the Demilitarized Zone dividing the peninsula.

With North and South engaged in a rapid diplomatic rapprochement, “The Spy Gone North” has been an instant bestseller and box office hit, the film attracting five million viewers in just its first three weeks on release—around 10 percent of the South’s entire population.

“It was extremely stressful living

as a spy,” Park, 64, told AFP in a rare foreign media interview. “I might be exposed by the slightest mistake, like a stupid slip of the tongue.”

But unlike Northern agents sent south, he was not issued with suicide pills to ensure a quick end if captured.

Instead, he explained, “we were trained to kill ourselves with our own fingers” using “some critical points in the body”.

Fake Rolex Park started in military intelligence in 1990, tasked with gathering information on the North’s nuclear programme, then in its early stages.

He befriended a Chinese nuclear physicist of Korean ancestry who—in

Turn to A5

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Opinion Helping the government collect OVERSIGHT DANILO SUAREZ EVERY year, the government’s main revenue-generating agencies set collection targets to fund government projects and programs. The Department of Finance estimated a total of P2.806 trillion in government revenues for 2018. The bulk, worth P2.039 trillion, is expected to come from the Bureau of Internal Revenue, while P581.3 billion shall be generated by the Bureau of Customs.

As reported by the Bureau of Treasury, the total revenue collection for the first half of 2018 reached P1.41 trillion, which is 9 percent higher than the target. The BIR collected a total of P967.4 billion from January to June 2018. This gave DOF Secretary Carlos Dominguez confidence that the collection target will be attained by the end of the year.

I note the improvement in the collection efficiency of the revenue-generating agencies in 2018, but the real test is on their “consistency.” How long can they sustain this improved revenue collection? I would like to remind the BIR and the BOC that they have been fail-

ing short of their targets in the previous years. Last year, the BIR collected 97.19 percent of its P1.829-trillion target, while the BOC collected 97.86 percent of its P467.9-billlion target. To effectively and consistently improve tax collection, the DOF should consider the full implementation of the Lateral Attrition Law. Republic Act No. 9335, or the Attrition Act of 2005 provides a punishmentand-reward system towards officials and employees of revenue-generating

I will take this concern to the floor.

agencies. Under the law, if the agency exceeds its target, it is entitled to rewards and incentives equivalent to 10 percent of the excess over its allocation target. However, if tax collectors fail to meet their collection targets by at least 7.5 percent, they will be removed from office, in accordance with the criteria established by the law.

I have been calling for the ur-

gent action of DOF Secretary Carlos Dominguez with regard to this matter since the Duterte administration started. On this week’s meeting of the House Committee on Ways and Means, I was informed by DOF officials that the agency is still rehashing the Implementing Rules and Regulations of the law. However, this was the same thing they told me in 2016. I wonder what is taking them so long. This only further delays the implementation of the law.

With the passage of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Law, the DOF should double its efforts towards the improvement of tax collection of the revenue-generating agencies. Hence, I reiterate that the benefits of additional revenue will be diluted if the problems in collection are not addressed.

Come plenary budget deliberations, I will take this concern to the floor. Together with the fellow lawmakers from the Minority, we would get DOF’s commitment to effectively implement the Lateral Attrition Law by year-end. We will scrutinize their budget and review the targets of the BIR and the BOC. With the government’s P3.757-trillion proposed appropriations for 2019, we need a consistent and efficient revenue collection to effectively implement the 2019 General Appropriations Act.

Submarines and armaments DUTY CALLS FLORENCIO FIANZA WE ARE grappling with so many problems. Inflation has gone up to record levels jacking up prices of almost everything that we buy. And depending on who one talks to, there is a prevailing rice shortage but people in the government deny this saying that the shortage is artificial.

One thing that is undeniable, however, is that the price of a kilo of rice is up. If indeed the so-called rice shortage is artificial, the government must prove this by arresting those people hoarding the commodity and charging them in court.

Unless this is done, the rice shortage will continue to be a problem to those people who eat nothing but rice every day.

Because oil prices in the world market continue to go up, pump prices of gasoline have also gone up astronomically.

Yet, our callous economic managers still want to implement TRAIN 2. What they should do is make tax collection more efficient instead of imposing new taxes on the already overburdened and suffering citizenry.

As for the NFA, what is needed for the agency is a logistics person because the work is essentially a problem of logistics. What we are seeing that the NFA is doing is not encouraging. If the current problem is rice shortage, the NFA should try to see to it that rice is made available to the public and worry about debts later.

There are other problems as well. The amnesty of Senator Antonio Trillanes has just been revoked by the President which will certainly trigger another legal battle reminiscent of the Sereno case.

Our arms procurement program is also becoming a concern because we are now procuring arms from new sources aside from our traditional suppliers which will have a long-term effect on our national security. Since our country does not have an armament industry, we have to rely on other countries to provide our armed forces with the armaments

Questions...

From A4

The problem is that the people seem to enjoy his jokes. They seem to glorify his indecent language.

Black...

From A4

exchange for a million-dollar payment —later revealed that the North had made two low-level nuclear weapons.

When he joined the South’s spy agency in 1995, then known as the Agency for National Security Planning (ANSP), he was assigned the codename Black Venus.

Based in Beijing, he worked for a South Korean company importing Chinese agricultural products, disguising them as tariff-exempt North Korean goods, and built up a network of North Korean contacts and other informants.

He also bribed his way towards higher North Korean authorities, once providing the acting head of Pyongyang’s spy agency with top-quality counterfeit Rolex watches when he visited Beijing.

His big break came, he says, when he allegedly helped arrange the release of a nephew of Jang Song Thaek—the influential uncle of current leader Kim Jong Un who was executed as a trai-

that we need to defend ourselves.

For decades, we have relied on our treaty ally, the United States for all our arms requirement. Tanks, armored personnel carriers, ships, planes, helicopters, and small arms have been mostly sourced from the United States. Even our military doctrines and culture are basically patterned after the US military which is hardly surprising since we were their only colony. Even the 12 fighter jets we got from South Korea was licensed from a US company which had to give its permission in order for us to be able to purchase the planes.

What should be our primary consideration?

All these, however, abruptly changed after July 1, 2016 when President Duterte assumed office. Since the President does not seem to like the US, the country has diversified its arms procurement. China has already transferred some small arms and crew served weapons to us. Russia has also done so. Russia has even proposed to the government the putting up of a joint manufacturing facility to make the world famous AK47 Kalashnikov assault rifle which is the favorite rifle of guerrilla fighters the world over because it is cheap and easy to maintain. Just over a week ago, our Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana went to Moscow to look at the possibility of acquiring submarines from Russia. While countries would prefer to limit their arms inventory from one or two suppliers for easy maintenance and simplicity in the procurement process, there is now the possibility that we will have a military with armaments sourced from many countries.

Our treaty ally the US, probably sensing this shift in our arms procurement, recently proposed to sell attack helicopters and the improved version of the F16 flown by many Air Forces throughout

the world. But before it could get off the ground, President Duterte shot it down with the remarks that what we need are helicopters for insurgency operations and not fighter jets.

Our military establishment also came out with the statement that F16s are very expensive to operate basically in support of the statement of the President which is a little puzzling because our Air Force has always wanted F16s for our fighter requirements. Maybe things have changed and our Air Force has other and better ideas.

The President has also just issued a statement in Israel that henceforth, our military will only procure arms from Israel especially intelligence gathering equipment. What other arms that will be procured from Israel, was not mentioned by the President.

The biggest arms procurement deal that we are now working on and studying is where to buy the two submarines that the President has approved for acquisition. All the original Asean members and Vietnam have submarines. As usual, we are the only country left without any submarines. This procurement must be studied carefully as I am sure our Navy must be doing by now.

What should be our primary considerations? The price? Capability? Judging from what has already been published in the open media, it would seem to me that affordability is the primary consideration. This is probably the reason that the first countries visited were South Korea and Russia. But if we are talking of diesel submarines, the countries with the best technologies in this area are probably Japan, France, and Germany. The US is not among them anymore because it has forsaken diesel in favor of nuclear submarines.

In the end, we will almost certainly buy the submarines from the country that will give us the best deal with the money available to us which means that we will not necessarily be acquiring the best there is out there in the market.

More importantly, however, we have to analyze carefully whether procuring arms from multiple sources is a wise thing to do.

*** Yesterday I wrote about fake news. I neglected to mention one example—that the late President Corazon Aquino was labeled as an icon of democracy by local and foreign media. The truth is, she was only the beneficiary of the 1986 People Power Revolution.

She was not even at Edsa!

I asked former Defense secretary Juan Ponce Enrile why he chose Cory to succeed Marcos, he told me that she was the face of the opposition. This is so far from being an icon of democracy.

tor in 2013—from a Chinese prison by helping pay off $160,000 of debts the nephew owed to Chinese traders.

A grateful Jang family invited Park to Pyongyang and he seized the chance to sign a $4 million deal between his advertising company and a North Korean tourism agency to film TV commercials at locations including Korea’s spiritual home, Mount Paektu, and Mount Kumgang, where the two sides hold reunions of divided families.

At the time North Korea was in desperate need of funds, with its socialist economy falling apart following the collapse of the Soviet Union, its main funder, and millions of its people starving.

Park says he helped members of the Kim family sell antique pale green glazed celadon ceramics unearthed in the North to rich South Koreans, and visited a cache of hundreds more hidden near Mount Myohyang, accompanied by a South Korean expert who valued them at more than one billion dollars.

In 1997, after several trips to the North, he was taken to the Paekhwawon Guest House in Pyongyang, where Kim Jong

Il was as usual working by night, for a 30-minute meeting with the leader himself, the recorder hidden in his urethra.

Kim did not bother to shake hands when he entered the room for the 30-minute meeting, Park said, which focused on cashing in the ceramics.

“His voice was a bit husky,” said Park. “Far from being nervous for fear of being exposed, I felt rather relieved because it meant I had won the North’s complete trust.”

North Wind Kim also expressed a keen interest in the South’s upcoming presidential poll, according to Park.

Cross-border military crises have tended to occur in election years in the South, helping shift undecided votes toward conservatives, a phenomenon known as “the North Wind” in the South.

North Korean agents blew up Korean Air flight 858 over the Andaman Sea, killing 115 people, less than three weeks before the South’s 1987 presidential election.

And ahead of the 1997 presidential

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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2018

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mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Recalling the previous massive infrastructure program inaccuracy, considering that President Ramon Magsaysay did not run for reelection—Ferdinand Marcos decided, on Day One of his Presidency, that he RUDY would win the elusive second presiROMERO dential term on the back of a hithertoSO GREAT are its scope and cost not-undertaken massive infrastructure that the centerpiece of the Duterte program. Upon the advice of his Cabiadministration’s economic agenda— net that two of the nation’s most serithe Build Build Build infrastructure ous deficiencies were a good road netprogram— has given rise to two ques- work and support for the agricultural tions. The first is, does the economy sector, Mr. Marcos gave out orders for of this country have the absorptive ca- the drafting of a Rice and Roads propacity for the completion of a program gram.

Whether or not the spanking-new consisting of 75 flagship infrastructure projects? The second question is, highways and the improvements in will the implementation of Build Build the agricultural sector—the nation reBuild cause damage to the Philippine gained rice self-sufficiency, for one— were responsible for it, the fact was economy?

The first question is not hard to an- that Ferdinand Marcos won a second swer. Even for a more developed econ- term in the 1969 election.

But Mr. Marcos’s re-election came omy, 75 flagship projects—railways, highways, airports, seaports, bridges, at an extremely high cost to the Philetc.—is a problematic proposition; for ippine economy. When the reckoning an economy of the Philippine econ- was done the day after Election Day, it omy’s size, absorptive capacity is a was found (1) that the budget deficit had very big question mark. Delays in pub- skyrocketed, causing the budget-defilic bidding and other administrative cit-to-GDP ratio to reach an intolerably high level, and, requirements, more important, right-of-way is(2) that the nasues, bureaution’s GIR (gross cratic inertia and international reincompetence Will the same fate serve) to virtually and political indisappear, causing terference are befall Build Build Build? an intensification already being of inflation and experienced a sharp de facto

by Build Build devaluation of Build. True, the disbursement of finds by DBM (De- the peso. Looking for scapegoats, the partment of Budget and Management) newly re-elected President found them is better —DPWH (Department of in the Secretary of Finance (Eduardo Public Works and Highways) chief Z. Romualdez) and the Governor of the Mark Villar has reported that his de- CB (Central Bank) of the Philippines partment has now received more than (Alfonso Calalang). Both men, gentle60 percent of its 2018 budgetary al- men to the core, resigned.

Abject as the Philippine economy’s location—but the number of projects that are well underway is nowhere situation was at that point, the new near the two-thirds of the Build Build Secretary of Finance (Cesar Virata) and CB Governor (Alfonso Licaros) Build total.

With the halfway point of Mr. Du- had no choice but to fly to Washingterte’s term fast approaching, the ton D.C. to seek an IMF (International number of Build Build Build projects Monetary Fund) stand-by agreement. likely to be completed by June 30, The harsh conditionalities that nor2022 is, at this point, far less than 100 mally accompany a standby agreement—chief of this is a sharp reducpercent of target.

The second question is assuredly tion in the budget deficit—made the the more important of the two ques- Marcos administration even more tions usually asked Mr. Duterte’s in- unpopular than it was in the run-up to the 1969 election. Another major confrastructure program.

Is Build Build Build, if implemented ditionality was the transference of the as planned, likely to cause damage to peso from the parity system to the free the Philippine economy? Perhaps the exchange market system. Overnight, best way to approach this question is the peso lost close to 60 percent of its to compare it with the only other mas- legal value, adding further fuel to the sive infrastructure program undertak- inflationary fire.

The foregoing is how the last masen by the national government since Independence. I’m referring to the sive government infrastructure proRice and Roads program undertaken gram ended for the Philippine econby President Ferdinand Marcos dur- omy—and for its principal opponent. ing his first term (1966-1969). Fully Will the same fate befall Build Build cognizant of the fact that up until then Build? I hope not, but the probability no President had won re-election—an is great.

BUSINESS CLASS

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out of space. Columnists only have so much room to maneuver. But you get the gist. One after another, the blows keep landing and we are only rolling with the punches.

But we are not entirely powerless.

The people need only to shake off their apathy in order to bring about change, no need to wait for 2022.

As the Twitter account Alt Team AFP said in a recent tweet: “MOVE. YOU ARE NOT A TREE.” True that. We are not trees, rooted and immovable. We don’t have to be that dog just sitting in flames. We are the people, and we have the power.

amnesty certificate issued; the whole matter was laid before the public years ago.

For the Armed Forces of the Philippines to say that the documents are lost point to their incompetence in keeping records. This is very hard to believe.

Perhaps the papers were lost on purpose? The President considers Senator Trillanes an enemy because the latter is an outspoken and feisty critic of this administration. This entire ploy is fishy and it stinks. I hope the courts remember their independent nature and Dr. Ortuoste, a writer and researchrule properly on this matter. er, has a PhD in Communication. FB Punch Five: You know what, I’ve run and Twitter: @DrJennyO

poll, Park says, North Korean officials told him three supporters of conservative candidate Lee Hoi-chang had asked them to mount an armed attack days before polling.

In a Beijing hotel room, Park claims, “with my own eyes, I saw the North Koreans counting wads of dollars in their hotel room that they received from the South Koreans,” allegedly in exchange.

“There were 36 bundles, each of them $100,000.”

He reported his findings to his ANSP bosses and the campaign of liberal candidate Kim Dae-jung, which made them public. In the end there was no incident and Kim secured a narrow victory.

The trio of Lee supporters were later convicted of breaking the South’s National Security Law, which bans contact with the North, but were acquitted on appeal to the Supreme Court after Park refused to testify.

Final exposure His cover blown, Park was fired by the spy agency and moved to China, spending much of his time on the golf course.

The ANSP, now known as the National Intelligence Service, declined to comment on Park’s allegations.

After South Korea’s conservatives returned to power, they brought in a new spy chief and Park was arrested in Seoul in 2010 and convicted of passing classified information to the North, despite insisting he conveyed only low-level intelligence to win Pyongyang’s confidence.

“I was in solitary confinement for six years,” he said, calling his imprisonment politically motivated.

His story provides a glimpse into a “suspected but so far inaccessible truth” in inter-Korean relations, film critic Lee Yong-cheol wrote in Cine21 magazine.

And if the winds of geopolitics once again shift and leave him on the wrong side, Park has an insurance policy -the recordings he made of his meetings with Kim Jong Il, Jang Song Thaek and other officials.

He says they were not available when he was suddenly arrested in 2010.

But now he is keeping them safe “somewhere in a foreign country”. AFP

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Manila

Standard

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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2018 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

TODAY

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS INTRAMUROS, MANILA ESTABLISHMENT OF SATELLITE VOTER REGISTRATION IN MALLS OR OTHER COMMERCIAL ESTABLISHMENTS FOR PURPOSES OF THE MAY 13, 2019 NATIONAL AND LOCAL ELECTIONS

ABAS, Sheriff M. PARREÑO, Al A. GUIA, Luie Tito F. GUANZON, Ma. Amelia Rowena V. INTING, Socorro B. CASQUEJO, Marlon S. x-------------------------------------------x KHO, Antonio T. Jr.

Chairman Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner

Promulgated: September 5, 2018

RESOLUTION No. 10417 WHEREAS,, Section 1 of Resolution No. 10392 entitled RESUMPTION OF THE SYSTEM OF CONTINUING REGISTRATION OF VOTERS PURSUANT TO RESOLUTION NO. 10166 AND REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8189 FOR THE MAY 13, 2019 NATIONAL AND LOCAL ELECTIONS) allows the setting-up of satellite registration offices in commercial establishments and other public places within the city/municipality; WHEREAS, satellite registration in malls will enhance voter registration experience by providing a more comfortable and accessible venue to registrants; WHEREAS, mall registration shall promote a gender sensitive registration system which is inclusive, participatory, and non-discriminatory and shall give preference to the members of the vulnerable sectors of society; NOW, THEREFORE, the Commission pursuant to the powers vested in it by the Constitution, the Omnibus Election Code, Republic Act No. 8189 and other related election laws, RESOLVED, as it hereby RESOLVES, to promulgate the following procedures to be observed by the Election Officers (EOs) in the conduct of satellite voter registration in malls: 1.

The EO shall coordinate and discuss with owners of malls or other commercial establishments regarding the holding of satellite registration within their premises. Once the said owner/s has expressed his/her/their consent to the same, the EO shall submit a request, together with attached logistical requirements and physical layout of the registration area, to the Provincial Election Supervisor (PES) on the establishment of satellite registration in malls or other commercial establishments at least five (5) days before the scheduled registration therein. The PES shall approve or disapprove the same. In case of approval, the approved request shall be forwarded to the RED for confirmation.

2.

Upon confirmation, the PES shall then enter into a Memorandum of Agreement with the mall corporation or owner/s of the commercial establishment for the establishment of satellite registration.

In National Capital Region, Davao City, and Zamboanga City, the EOs shall submit their requests to the appropriate RED for approval. If approved, the concerned RED shall enter into a Memorandum of Agreement with the mall corporation or owner/s of the commercial establishment;

3.

Only the applicants who are qualified to vote in the city or municipality where the mall is situated shall be allowed to register;

4.

The EO shall ensure that adequate space, including waiting area for queued applicants, shall be provided by the mall owners taking into consideration the projected number of applicants and security of the Comelec personnel, registration machines and paraphernalia;

5.

No satellite registration shall be conducted in a mall owned, leased, or occupied by any officer of the government, or incumbent city/municipal/barangay official, or of any person who is related to any city/municipal/barangay official within the fourth civil degree of consanguinity or affinity, or leader of any political party, group or faction, nor in any building or surrounding premises under the actual control of any political party or religious organization;

6.

Written notices of the schedule and venue of satellite registration shall be posted in the bulletin boards of the EO and of the city/ municipal/barangay hall. The EO may avail of alternative information dissemination media such as TV, radio, print, and social media;

7.

Arrange with the local government unit, DILG or other government agencies for the transportation of Comelec personnel, Voters Registration Machines (VRMs), forms and supplies;

8.

The EO shall ensure that the database is properly backed-up before the conduct of satellite registration. EOs shall likewise ensure that the VRM, its database, and peripherals, are safe from theft, loss, and from any elements that may cause damage to the same. Access to the VRMs shall be strictly limited to the EO and Election Assistants only;

9.

The EO shall develop a system to speed up the registration process in order to minimize queuing and avoid inconvenience in the processing of applications. During the registration, an express lane shall be provided to Senior Citizens, Persons with Disability, Heavily Pregnant Women, and to other individuals of similar situation. The EOs shall ensure that women who care for small children will have full access to registration process through appropriate coordination with mall owners ensuring that an area that will serve as Day Care Center will be provided, at no cost to the Commission;

10. At the close of the registration hours, the EO shall ensure that the VRMs, including its peripherals, shall not be left in the mall/ commercial establishment where the satellite registration was conducted. The same shall be brought back to the Office of the Election Officer or any secure place and shall be set up again during the next scheduled satellite registration; 11. Mall registration shall be at no cost to the Commission; 12. The REDs, AREDs, and PESs shall monitor the conduct of registration and ensure the EOs timely reportorial compliance of the required reports in their respective areas of responsibility; 13. The REDs shall submit a weekly consolidated report on approved satellite registration to the Election and Barangay Affairs Department; 14. The Education and Information Department (EID) shall be directed to cause the widest dissemination of this Resolution and its publication. The REDs, PESs, and EOs shall likewise cause the widest dissemination of this Resolution and coordinate with the concerned citizen‘s arms, local government units, barangay officials, nongovernmental/civic organizations, and other vulnerable sectors/organizations in their respective areas of responsibility; and, 15. Pertinent provisions of other Resolutions of the Commission, pertaining to registration insofar as applicable and consistent herewith, shall apply.

This Resolution shall take effect seven (7) days after its publication in two (2) daily newspapers of general circulation in the Philippines.

Let the Office of the Deputy Executive Director for Operations, Election and Barangay Affairs Department, EID, REDs, PESs, and EOs implement this Resolution.

SO ORDERED.

SHERIFF M. ABAS Chairman

AL A. PARREÑO Commissioner

MA. ROWENA AMELIA V. GUANZON Commissioner

MARLON S. CASQUEJO Commissioner

LUIE TITO F. GUIA Commissioner

SOCORRO B. INTING Commissioner

ANTONIO T. KHO, JR. Commissioner (MS-SEPTEMBER 6, 2018)

News

Women’s groups laud passage of proposed maternity leave

By Rio N. Araja

V

ARIOUS women’s groups on Wednesday lauded the passage of the proposed 100-day expanded maternity leave in Congress on third and final reading, but told the Social Security System to improve its collection efficiency rate to be able to fund the bill once it is passed into a law.

At a news conference in Quezon City, Bagong Henerasyon Rep. Bernadette Herrera, the bill’s sponsor, said she was looking forward to work with the Senate to finalize the version of the measure.

The bicameral committee will meet to discuss and reconcile the versions of the Senate and House of Representatives, she said, adding they believe President Rodrigo Duterte would back the bill into its enactment into a law.

Judy Miranda of Nagkaisa Labor Coalition, one of the coconvenors of Work4EML Coali-

tion, said “after 26 years, the women sector was able to hurdle [various] challenges at the House of Representatives.”

“This time, we are just too happy that the proposed expanded maternity leave through Rep. Herrera is passed. We will continue to have close coordination with her office,” she told the Manila Standard.

But she raised concern over the “reservations” of the Social Security System of its incapability to fund the law on expanded maternity leave.

“During hearings, at first, the SSS had reservations toward

funding. It feared it might not be able to catch up with the [new] additional benefits,” she said.

“We have been working and talking to them [SSS]. Based on the data, the agency has a collection efficiency rate of 40 percent only, while 60 percent [of employees-employers’ contributions] remains uncollected. We told them to improve their collection efficiency. That 60 percent uncollected contributions could be used to allocate funds for the bill, if passed,” she added.

Meanwhile, the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines said it was only right that women workers be given ample time to take care of their newly born babies and avoid possible complications after giving birth.

Miranda said the House version was just above the 98-day maternity leave recommended by the International Labor Organization but far lower than the levels in Asean.

She added “We know it can

still be worked out in the bicam level. The longer the maternity leave, the better for mothers, their children, and their family members.”

Miranda noted that LPGMA Party-list Rep. Arnel Ty tried to derail the passage of the EML during the debates by taking the position of employers who are all opposed to the bill.

“We were aware of Rep. Ty’s position as he truly represented the interests of business in Congress. It is this kind of representation that defined his opposition to EML. He, of course, cannot stand as a businessman and a worker at the same time. This measure is for workers, especially women,” Miranda added.

Annie Enriquez-Geron, Public Services Labor Independent Confederation (PSLink) vice president, said the Government Service Insurance System had assured them to make funds available for the implementation of House Bill No. 4114. With Vito Barcelo

PAL, CEB cancel flights to, from Osaka

By Joel E. Zurbano

OFFICIAL BALLOTS. National Printing Office in Quezon City has started printing 76,384 official ballots for the Sept. 22, 2018 Barangay and SK election in Marawi City and Lanao del Sur. Manny Palmero

Ex-congressman to be probed for graft

By Maricel V. Cruz FORMER Bacolod City congressman Monico Puentevella has lost his bid to merely deny the charges against him without submitting counter evidence.

Thus, the graft case filed against him will be subjected to a full-blown trial by the Sandiganbayan.

Puentevella is facing charges for alleged violation of Section 3(e) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act owing to the alleged anomalous information technology project he implemented for three years.

The anti-graft court's Second Division denied Puentevella's motion for leave of court to file demurrer to evidence in its Aug. 22 resolution.

The case stemmed from the allegedly anomalous purchase of P26 million worth of computers and peripherals from 2001 to

2006 using his Priority Development Assistance Fund when he was the congressman representing Bacolod.

Ombudsman investigators said the purchased items were overpriced and the supply contract was awarded to Maryland Publishing Corp. without public bidding.

In defending himself from the allegation, Puentevella claimed the evidence against him was weak and not enough to prove his guilt.

But the Sandiganbayan said otherwise.

“The Court finds that the testimonies of the various witnesses presented by the prosecution, as well as the admissions made and stipulations entered into by the parties, and the numerous documents submitted as evidence are prima facie sufficient for conviction, unless successfully rebutted by defense evidence,” the anti-graft court said.

FLAG carrier Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific Air have separately canceled flights to and from Osaka, Japan following the temporary closure of Kainsai International Airport affected by flooding and closure of an access bridge to the mainland.

PAL said Wednesday it canceled its Sept. 5 and 6 flights: 12 flights were affected—PR 408 and 407 Osaka (Kansai)Manila-Osaka (Kansai), PR 410 and 409 Cebu-Osaka (Kansai)-Cebu, and PR 896 and 897 Taipei-Osaka (Kansai)-Taipei, all scheduled on Sept. 5.

The cancelled flights on Sept. 6 were PR 408 and 407 Osaka (Kansai)-Manila -Osaka (Kansai), PR 410 and 409 CebuOsaka (Kansai)-Cebu and PR 896 and 897 Taipei-Osaka (Kansai)-Taipei.

In a statement, PAL management said the flights to and from Tokyo Haneda, Tokyo Narita, Nagoya and Fukuoka as well as flights to and from Taipei would continue to operate based on published schedules as these areas are not affected by the typhoon.

“Land transport between the City of Osaka (Kansai) and Kansai International Airport was cut off after a connecting bridge was hit and damaged by a tanker which had been blown by strong winds,” PAL stated.

“Due to the damage caused by Typhoon “Jebi,” operations at the Kansai International Airport are currently suspended until further notice. As a result, the following Cebu Pacific flights are canceled tomorrow, Sept. 06, 2018: 5J 828 Manila-Osaka (02:55 pm 08:10 pm) and 5J 827 Osaka-Manila (09:15 pm 12:25 am),” CEB said in a statement.

The airline management also said the passengers are already being notified and have the following options—rebook flights for travel within 30 days from original date of departure; reroute to Narita (Tokyo) or Nagoya, subject to seat availability; convert into a travel fund for future use; and get a full refund.

New P1.2-b Immigration bldg to rise at Central Park 1

By Vito Barcelo A NEW P1.2-billion Bureau of Immigration building will rise at the Central Park 1, in Diosdado Macapagal Boulevard in Pasay City, to cater to the growing number of people transacting with the bureau, according to Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente.

Morente and Public Works Secretary Mark Villar led the groundbreaking ceremony to celebrate the construction of the new BI building at the 6,030-square meter lot of the Bureau of Immigration at Central

Notice to the Public Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late Linda Esmena and Alexander Esmena has been duly adjudicated to Judith Esmena as sole heir as per Doc. 76 No. 74-A; Book No. 17; Series of 2017; before Atty. Benjamin F. Alfonso, Notary Public F Alfonso, Notary Public.

(MS-SEPT. 6,13 & 20, 2018)

Business Park 1.

“The groundbreaking of our new main office and annex building is in time with the BI’s 78th anniversary, which was held last Sept. 3,” said Morente.

“We are very much excited as this development marks a new chapter for the Bureau,” Morente said.

The new building boasts a seven-story main office building with a modern design, and a five-story annex building with atrium.

The construction of the building was awarded to R.U. Aquino Construction and

Development Corporation by the Department of Public Works and Highways.

“This new building is long overdue as our current head office was constructed in 1968,” said Morente.

“This milestone is set to improve the quality of service that the BI delivers, because the bigger and better office will allow us to cater to the ever-increasing number of people transacting with the Bureau,” he added.

Construction will start immediately and the building is expected to be completed by 2020.

MIAA launches QC-Naia P2P bus service THE Manila International Airport Authority has launched its new Point-toPoint (P2P) bus service, this time covering the Quezon City—Ninoy Aquino International Airport route.

Passengers from Araneta Center, Cubao can now travel to all Naia terminals and vice-versa for a fixed rate of P100.

P2P buses will be dispatched every two hours, with the first trip leaving Cubao at 7 am and the last trip leaving at 9 pm. Trips

from Naia will leave at 5:30 am, with the last trip going to Cubao at 9 pm.

In February 2016, MIAA fielded 42 premium bus units to carry passengers going to and from the airports on a 24hour basis. From Terminals 1, 2, and 3, the bus service have two routes, particularly going to Roxas Boulevard and the Makati Central Business District.

Along Roxas Boulevard, passengers will be able to board and descend from

the bus at Midas Hotel, Hotel Jen, Manila Hotel, Mall of Asia, and the Entertainment City.

Passenger stops for Makati City include Glorietta 4 and 5, as well as Ascott Hotel.

The project, dubbed as Airport Bus Service, initiated by the Department of Transportation, is patterned after the Premium Point To Point (P2P) Bus Service along Epifanio de los Santos Avenue. Joel Zurbano

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Sports Enriquez sustains form, wins PPS Salug SYDNEY Ezra Enriquez completed another two-title run in the Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Pera Padala agegroup circuit, this time in big fashion as she did it before hometown crowd at the Uswag Salug Tennis Courts in Zamboanga del Norte.

Enriquez eased out top seed Rica Labrador, 6-3, 6-0, in the semis then blasted Princess Gom-os to clinch the girls’ 16-and-under singles crown in the PPS Salug leg sponsored and hosted

by Mayor Jeffrey Lim. The local ace, however, struggled in the 18-U finals, needing to come up with clutch shots to foil Gom-os, 7-5, 7-6(3), and duplicate her feat in last week’s Liloy stop of the circuit presented by Dunlop.

Aslan Carbonilla matched Enriquez’s exploits as the Abaga, Lanao del Norte bet crushed Glenn Dadan, 6-0, 6-0, and stopped Russel Daarol, 6-3, 6-3, to pocket the 12- and 14-U titles, respectively, in the boys’ side of the Group 2 tournament put up by Palawan Pawnshop, headed by president/CEO Bobby Castro.

Other winners in the event, backed

by Asiatraders Corp. and sanctioned by the Unified Tennis Philippines, made up of PPS-PEPP, Cebuana Lhuillier, Wilson, Toby’s, Dunlop, Slazenger and B-Meg, were Zamboanga Sibugay’s Jose Maria Pague, Nilo Ledama from Pagadian City, Zambo del Sur’s Garlandson Ardiente, Faith Regencia from Liloy and Sindangan’s Labrador.

Pague routed top seed Ledama, 6-2, 6-1, to nail the boys’ 18-U diadem; Ledama bounced back in the 16-U finals with a 6-2, 6-0 romp over Lex Estillore; Ardiente took the 10-unisex plum with a 4-0, 4-1 rout of Bryzen Sanchez; Regencia dismantled Murielle Baje, 6-2, 6-3, for the girls’ 12-U crown; and Labrador rebounded from a semis loss in 18-U play with a 6-0, 6-0 demolition of top seed Jalia Elumba in the 14-U finale.

Enriquez also teamed up with Faith Virgo to claim her third crown via an 8-6 escape over Gom-os and Rocel Rosales in the 18-u doubles finals with Pague also claiming the boys’ title in partnership with Carbonilla via an 8-3 rout of Ledama and Nick Akiatan.

Naascu 18th season starts on Sept. 11 Games Sept. 11 (Cuneta Astrodome) 8 a.m. - PCU vs NEU 9:30 a.m. -- OLFU vs CUP 11:30 a.m. - Opening ceremony 1 p.m.-- St.Clare vs Enderun 3 p.m. -- DOMC vs DLSAU

THE 18th season of the National Athletic Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities comes off the wraps on Sept. 11 with colorful opening ceremonies and a heavy four-game sked in basketball at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City.

Special Assistant to the President Bong Go has been invited to deliver the inspirational remarks during the 11:30 a.m. opening ceremony.

SAP Go will be joined by NAASCU Chairman Emeritus Dr. Ernesto Jay Adalem of St. Clare College-Caloocan, NAASCU president Dr. Martha Ijiran of Philippine Christian University and officials of all member-teams.

Back-to-back champion St. Clare will open its title-retention bid against Enderun Colleges in the featured encounter at 1 p.m.

Other opening-day matches will pit PCU against New Era University at 8 a.m.; Our Lady of Fatima University against Cuty University of Pasay at 9:30 a.m.; and last year’s runner-up De Ocampo Memorial Colleges against Fe La Salle-Araneta University at 3 p.m.

The traditional parade of teams and the selection of Ms. NAASCU will spice up opening-day festivities.

The other member-teams are Manuel Luis Quezon University, AMA University, RIzal Technological University, Philippine Merchant Marine School, St. Francis of Assisi College, Holy Angel University and National Teacher’s College.

Last year, St. Clare defeated De Ocampo twice 101-79, and 98-83, in their scheduled best-of-three title showdown to capture back-to-back championships.

Two-time MVP Aris Dionisio, Junjie Hallare and import Mohamed Pare starred in the Saints’ two dominant victories over the Cobras.

A7

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2018 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Nadal says sorry to beaten rival N

EW YORK—Defending champion Rafael Nadal survived an epic US Open quarter-final confrontation to defeat battling ninth seed Dominic Thiem 0-6, 6-4, 7-5, 6-7 (4/7), 7-6 (7/5) and reach the semi-finals for the seventh time.

In a gripping 4-hour 49-minute contest which concluded at 2.04 a.m. on Wednesday, world number one Nadal won through to keep his bid for a fourth title in New York and 18th Grand Slam crown on track.

However, the 32-year-old was fortunate to triumph on another hot and humid night at Flushing Meadows, 24 hours after Roger Federer had been dumped out of the tournament by John Millman.

After suffering a first set ‘bagel’, Nadal had to battle back from breaks in the third and fourth sets before seeing off the

first top 20 player he had faced at the US Open since 2013.

“I suffered, that’s the right word,” said Nadal after playing his longest ever match at the tournament.

“I said to Dominic I am sorry. He’s a great guy, a close friend who will have many more opportunities to win the big titles.”

Nadal had defeated Thiem in the Roland Garros final in June but this was their first meeting away from a clay court.

“He has a great attitude and is a great

fighter,” added Nadal.

In a dramatic final set, Nadal saw five break points come and go before Thiem went long with a smash on the first match point.

It was his 58th unforced error on a night when he sent down 18 aces and fired 74 winners.

“It’s going to be stuck in my mind forever. Forever I’m going to remember this match, for sure,” said Thiem after his first ever hard court match against Nadal.

“Tennis is cruel sometimes because I think this match didn’t really deserve a loser. But there has to be one.”

The semi-final will pit Nadal against third seed and 2009 US Open champion Juan Martin del Potro for the second successive Grand Slam.

At Wimbledon, Nadal came back from two sets to one down to win in five in a quarter-final which stretched to almost five hours.

Thiem broke three times in a 24-minute first set on Tuesday, handing Nadal just his third ‘bagel’ at a Grand Slam.

The top seed won just seven points in the opener.

‘Wake up’ “I told myself ‘wake up’,” said Nadal.

Nadal recovered from being broken as he served for the second set in the ninth game with an immediate break back to level the contest.

Thiem then grabbed a 4-3 lead in the third which he stretched to 5-3 but then it was his turn to crack as Nadal raced away with three games to claim a two sets to one lead. AFP

MILO launches Year 2 of Road to Barcelona

Dominique Sarmiento, one of the youngest lady drivers from the JAF Racing Team, completes her slalom run.

Rivera, Anton, Rafanan top Phoenix slalom IT was a tight five-way battle among Milo Rivera, his brother Estefano Rivera, Richard Gallardo, Douglas Maningding and Inigo Anton entering the second half of the 2018 Phoenix Pulse Technology National Slalom Series.

In the end, Milo Rivera of Tough Gear Racing Team won the overall and Production best time of the day by clocking 49.02 in the seventh leg held at Robinsons, Novaliches.

Rivera was followed by Anton of Mark Young Race Cars with 49.24, while Gallardo of JAF Racing Team placed third with 49.28.

Estefano Rivera (49.94) and Maningding of Speedmode Racing Team (50.06) came in fourth and fifth, respectively.

Ronz Yuzon of JAF Racing Team was sixth overall with 50.44.

For the Production Best Time, the Rivera brothers Milo and Estefano won first and second place, respectively, followed by Maningding, JC Alberto (51.14) of Speedmode Racing Team and Joseph Ortega of Pongga Racing Team (52.42).

Meanwhile, Anton captured the Front Wheel best time, followed by Gallardo

(2nd, 49.28), Yuzon (3rd, 50.44), Ram Rafanan (4th, 50.78), Powee Base (5th, 50.82), Vegil Calayo (6th, 51.08) and Dion Ortiz (7th, 51.32).

Rafanan of Speedjav Racing Team brought home the novice best time of 50.78, followed by Base of PMMS Rennsport Racing Team (50.82), Calayo (51.087) and Alberto (51.14).

The 2018 RACE Motorsports Club Phoenix Pulse Technology National Slalom Series with enhanced power and acceleration, is also supported by major sponsors Federal Tyres and 3K Batteries, New SR KYB Special Shock Absorbers, Robinsons Novaliches and Robinsons Malls. It is also backed by Starbright Body Kits, Auto Transporter, media partners Stoplight TV, C! Magazine, Motoring Today, Auto Car Magazine, Power Wheels Magazine and Medical Team AEROMED, The event was participated in by Tough Gear Racing Team, PMMS Rennsports, Speedmode Racing Team, G Spot Racing Team, Autoforce Racing Team, RODLEA Racing Team, Speedjav Racing Team, JAF Racing Team,

Pongga Racing Team and Mark Young Race Cars.

The eighth leg will be held on Sept. 9 at the Tarlac Circuit Hill, with the ninth leg set on Sept. 22 and 23 at the Athletic Bowl, Baguio City.

For details, contact Bing Bang Dulce at tel. no. 09178119337 or like the event’s Facebook page racemotorsportsclub.

Some of the official results: Novice Stock Injected: 1st Kevin Kurt Cruz 57.22; 2nd Denise Nolasco 67.48 Novice Modified A: 1st Ram Rafanan 51.82; 2nd Rod Chang 53.98. 3rd Kevin Kurt Cruz 55.06 Novice Modified B: 1st Ram Rafanan 50.78; 2nd Vegil Calayo 51.72; 3rd JC Alberto 52.24; 4th JP Polintan 53.46; 5th Powee Base 54.44; 6th Amiel Barquez 55.70 Novice Modified C: 1st JC Alberto 51.14; 2nd Vegil Calayo 52.96; 3rd Ram Rafanan 54.20; 4th Powee Base 54.72; 5th Amiel Barquez 57.02 Novice 1A: 1st Powee Base 51.16; 2nd JC Alberto 51.34; 3rd Vegil Calayo 53.42; 4th Nigel Salvador 58.04

FOLLOWING the highly successful Road to Barcelona program last year, MILO Philippines gears up for another edition of the invitational camp that gives aspiring young footballers the chance to train in one of Europe’s football mecca – Barcelona, Spain.

MILO opened Year 2 of the Road to Barcelona, the brand’s values-driven program in partnership with globally renowned football club FC Barcelona, firing off in football hotbed Cebu over the weekend.

A total of seven players from over 160 girls and boys aged 10 to 12 from all around the country joining the Sept.

8 and 9 camp will be selected to complete a 12-man pool to be sent to Camp Nou and join the life-changing champion experience in the home of the Catalan giants.

“Every kid’s dream is to become a champ, that’s why the MILOFCB Road to Barcelona Philippines Camp is back to provide kids with the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to train with coaches from FCB’s Youth Academy,” said Willy de Ocampo, VP-Nestle’ Philippines, Inc. during the media launch at KidZania Manila in BGC. “We’ve taken this year’s invitational camp to the Visayas and to share the program with even more children in the region, because we believe that these experiences can encourage them to pursue their passion for the sport and nourish their ambitions,” he added.

MILO and FCB believe in the shared HEART values (humility, effort, ambition, respect, and teamwork) equipped with a healthy and active lifestyle that are essential in every child’s overall development.

Participants of the program are chosen via a nomination from their coaches, who will vouch for both their character and talent.

Assisting MILO in the facilitation of the invitational camp are the Cebu Football Association, regional body under the Philippine Football Federation, and two coaches from Barça’s f lagship youth development program FCB Youth Academy.

Peter Paul Duran

Triple-double watch on Quinto as Knights face AU Chiefs THE triple-double watch on Bong Quinto continues as powerhouse Letran clashes with an unpredictable Arellano University today in the 94th NCAA basketball tournament at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.

Quinto dropped a pair of triple-double efforts in wins over Mapua and Emilio Aguinaldo late in the first round of elimination and averaged 12 points, 10 rebounds and 10.5 assists during that four-day span that powered the Knights to share of third spot with Bong Quinto

the St. Benilde Blazers.

By accomplishing such feat, Quinto joined an elite group of players in pro stars Calvin Abueva and Scottie Thompson as the only players to pull off back-toback triple-doubles in the league.

And there is little indication Quinto is slowing down.

“I hope he keeps playing like that in our every game,” said Letran coach Jeff Napa of pro-bound Quinto.

Letran waylaid AU, 88-70, the first time they met this season on Aug. 7 and thanks to Quinto and the former’s massive frontcourt of Larry Muyang, Christian Fajarito and Jeo Ambohot, the Knights are fancied to win again over the Chiefs.

Napa, however, warned his team against complacency.

“Arellano U has strong and quick guards, we

can’t underestiGames Thursday mate them,” said (Filoil Flying V Centre, San Juan) Napa.

10 a.m. UPHSD vs CSB (jrs) CSB, for its 12 nn.- AU vs Letran (jrs) part, will try 2 p.m.- UPHSD vs CSB (srs) 4 p.m.- AU vs Letran (srs) to keep in step with Letran as it tackles an Edgar Charcos-less Perpetual Help side at 2 p.m.

The Blazers trounced the Altas, 84-77, on Aug. 24, but the latter was without Charcos, who is resting a hurting knee.

Charcos remains a doubtful starter yet again as sources from Perpetual Help reveal the rookie transferee out of University of the East could sit one more game before returning to action.

Bulldogs foil Tamaraws, seal title duel with Tigers NATIONAL University pulled through in a tense-filled second set duel and fashioned out a 25-18, 33-31, 25-14 victory over Far Eastern U in their sudden death yesterday to arrange a showdown with UST for the men’s crown in the Premier Volleyball League Season 2 Collegiate Conference at the Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan.

Bryan Bagunas took charge with

23 points and 18 excellent receptions while Kim Malabunga and Francis Saura combined for 23 hits as the top seeded Bulldogs recovered in the last two games to frustrate the Tams, who surprised the former in the Game One of their best-of-three semis.

Game One of the men’s best-of-three final is set on Sunday.

UST took the first finals berth with a

sweep over Adamson.

After dominating the Tams in the first set, the Bulldogs leaned on Bagunas in the stretch of the second frame to thwart their rivals then reasserted their might in the next to complete the straight-set victory.

The Bulldogs had to save a couple of set advantages but also yielded a few in their thrilling second set duel. But

Bagunas stepped up and came through with a clutch hit at the middle to shove NU to a 32-31 lead then hammered in a crosscourt hit to close out the frame.

Redijohn Paler fired 15 hits for the Tams, who also drew a combined 15-point output from JP Bugaoan and Mark Calado.

FEU will face Adamson in their side of the playoff for third, also on Sunday.

Sports

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

A8

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2018

Saso to get P9m for Asiad gold

By Peter Atencio GOLFER Yuka Saso will receive the highest incentive of more than P9 million for her gold medal winnings in the recent 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta and Palembang, Indonesia.

This was made possible after President Rodrigo Duterte instructed the Philippine Sports Commission to give additional bonuses to the medallists of the Asiad.

“Through the office of Mr. Bong Go, the President said that he will give an additional amount, like P1-million to the gold medallists,” said PSC Chairman William “Butch” Ramirez in a press conference yesterday.

Saso is already guaranteed P4 million for winning the gold in the women’s individual play and as part of the three-member woman that also claimed the team gold.

Her incentive includes the P2 million each that will come from the PSC and the Philippine Olympic Committee, the P1 million from the Siklab Sports Foundation under Dennis Uy and another P1 million from Philippine Ambassador to Indonesia Cesar Lee Hiong Tan Wee. Next with the highest incentives are Olympic weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz and skateboarder Margie Didal, who will get P7 million each.

Saso’s teammates, Bianca Pagdanganan and Lois Kaye Go, are set to get more than P2 million each.

Duterte’s instructions were to give an additional P1 million each to the gold medalists, P500,000 more to silver and an added P200,000 to bronze winners.

Go, who is Mr. Duterte’s special assistant, informed Ramirez of the added incentives when he was among the top officials who greeted Diaz, Saso and the lady golfers when they arrived last week at the Naia Terminal 2.

All the incentives that were promised will be given by President Duterte when he hosts the national Asiad delegation at Malacanang on Sept. 12.

San Miguel Beer’s Christian Standhardinger scores against Blackwater’s Mike DiGregorio in a PBA Governors’ Cup game won by the Elite, 103-100.

Blackwater 5 upsets San Miguel, 103-100

By Jeric Lopez

H

ENRY Walker unloaded a game-high 35 points, 17 rebounds and five assists as Blackwater came from behind to squeak past San Miguel Beer, 103-100, for its straight win in the 2018 Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup last night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Trailing by eight entering the fourth, the Elite picked itself up and came through in winning time to outduel the Beermen when it mattered.

A game-turning 10-4 run in the latter part of the fourth, following an 88-all standstill, enabled Blackwater to build a 98-92 advantage with 3:29 left after a Walker triple capped the spurt.

San Miguel continued to fight back and had an opportunity to tie and send the game to overtime after inching closer, 100-103, with 19 seconds left and ball in hand.

The Beermen actually had two chances, but Arizona Reid and Arwind Santos both botched potential game-tying triples

in the final possession, preventing overtime and allowing the Elite to complete its impressive victory.

Everytime San Miguel rallied in the final three minutes with baskets, Blackwater protected its lead by answering right back with key hits of its own to preserve the win.

The Elite, now at 2-0, is slowly establishing itself as a giant-killer as its two wins came against the Beermen and TNT KaTropa, both perennial contenders.

As of this report, Blackwater is tied for first place with idle Magnolia and Barangay Ginebra, both at 2-0 as well. However, the Gin Kings can gain sole possession of the top spot as they are going for a third straight

win against Northport, as of the moment.

Mike DiGregorio did his job of providing offensive support for Blackwater, hitting four triples on his way to 21 points while Nards Pinto nearly had a triple-double with 15 points, nine rebounds and seven dimes.

San Miguel entered the fourth carrying an 82-74 lead after a solid third quarter showing but it was unable to finish strong in the final 12 minutes as Blackwater stole its thunder.

Reid finished with a team-high 26 points for San Miguel but he went scoreless in the payoff period after being saddled with foul trouble.

The scores: Blackwater 103—Walker 35, Digregorio 21, Pinto 15, Erram 10, Zamar 8, Maliksi 6, Jose 4, Al-Hussaini 2, Belo 2, Cortez 0, Sumang 0.

San Miguel Beer 100—Reid 26, Standhardinger 20, Lassiter 13, Cabagnot 12, Nabong 12, Heruela 7, Ross 6, Santos 4.

Quarters: 27-25, 43-46, 74-82, 103-100.

Go saves best for last in X30 Asian kart meet RISING Cebuano kart racer William John Riley T. Go saved his best for last in the rain-halted Round 6 of the X30 Southeast Asian Series over the weekend at the Bira Kart Circuit in Pattaya, Thailand.

The10-year-old Go began the sixround series running fourth in the Cadet Class at the KF1 Karting Circuit in Singapore, before dropping to 15th during the second round at the Sepang International Kart Circuit in Sepang, Malaysia.

The Piers Sexton Racing (PSR) mainstay missed the third round also at the Pattaya Circuit, but recovered from his ”worst” finish during the second leg by grabbing fourth spot in Round 4 back at Sepang and third in penultimate stop late last month at the Shah Alam International Kart Circuit in Shah Alam, Malaysia.

But knowing he had to end campaign in the international circuit with a bang, Go drove aggressively from the qualifying round up to the final battle, unmindful of the wet and slippery track.

Due to heavy rain, however, the

race was stopped with three laps left. But with more the 75 percent of the race done, Go was declared as champion as he was way ahead of his opponents.

The championship win in the final round catapulted Go to third place overall in a field of 27 karters and despite missing one round of the series.

“That is a mark of a champion racer--when you always strive to become a better version of yourself. He could have quit, what with the rain and all, but he still went all out for the win.

That kid out there is special,” said Go’s trainer/coach Piers Sexton.

Go’s teammate Eduardo Coseteng was likewise triumphant after winning the seniors’ division title.

Coseteng of PSR/Petron, started in pole 3 in the final race and ruled the final heat of 24 competing karters under the rain. He immediately seized second position as the red lights went off and stole the show from his teammate Dick Yu with few remaining laps.

For final results, visit http://www. x30sea.com/results

Eduardo Coseteng (second from left) and William Go (second from right) puts up a front and show their championship trophies with other teammates and their manager Piers Sexton of PSR after the awarding ceremony of the final round of SouthEast Asia X30 series.

Jordan storms ahead with eagle-spiked 64 DASMARIÑAS, Cavite—Aussie Damien Jordan made true his vow of putting up a solid card on a course that suits his game, firing an eagle-aided, bogey-free eight-under 64 to sneak past equally hot-starting Angelo Que, Ira Alido and Zanieboy Gialon at the start of the rich Aboitiz Invitational here yesterday.

Coming up short in last week’s rainshortened Club Filipino de Cebu Invitational which he led in the first round, the power-hitting Jordan made the most of the preferred lies rule at the rain-softened Orchard’s Palmer course, producing six birdies and highlighting his flawless 31-33 card with an eagle on the par-5 No. 6.

“I’ve never had an opening round

like this, so, it feels fantastic,” said Jordan, who hacked a solid 7-iron second shot from 169 yards to within 15 feet for eagle on the sixth. “The greens are soft but are rolling faster, which I think suits my game.”

He had earlier hinted at striking back this week after falling short in his first crack at victory in Cebu where he settled for third while downplaying Jhonnel Ababa and Korean Kim Joo Hyung’s 1-2 finish in the event reduced to 54 holes.

By backing up his words with a solid game, Jordan likewise put aside Que, Alido and Gialon’s brilliant starts, along with the rest of 43 players who broke par at the par-72 layout, which also lay defenseless in the absence of the wind.

Que actually made an early impact in

his Philippine Golf Tour Asia return while the young Alido rebounded from a string of mediocre finishes down south as they shot identical 65s which Gialon matched in one of the late flights in the $100,000 championship serving as the fifth leg of the second season of the region’s newest circuit put up by ICTSI. “I played well, I guess. I’m glad to have this kind of a round. It has been a while since I had this splendid start though I could’ve been at nine-under had I holed in an eagle from 15 feet on the sixth,” said Que, who came into the event sponsored by Aboitiz Equity Ventures without the benefit of a practice round. He also didn’t see action in Tuesday’s pro-am but still churned out a

Damien Jordan’s solid iron play nets six birdies and an eagle for the lead

Cage execs confident Clarkson can still play for PH CLEVELAND Cavaliers’ guard Jordan Clarkson will be able to play more games for the Philippines in the future.

Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas President Al Panlilio said this following a meeting yesterday with National Basketball Association Deputy Commissioner and Chief Operating Officer Mark Tatum to discuss how to further strengthen the partnership between the NBA and the SBP. Panlilio personally thanked Tatum and the NBA for giving clearance to Jordan and letting him play for the Philippines in the 2018 Jakarta Palembang Asian Games.

“Our wish of having Jordan Clarkson play for the Philippine team has become a reality in the Asian Games.

SBP’s desire is to have him play in future competitions during the NBA break,” said Panlilio, who added that with a stronger communication line and relationship with Tatum and the NBA, he is confident that this can happen again.

“The goal of SBP is to come up with the best possible Philippine team, have a chance to win every tournament and ultimately make over 100 million Filipinos happy,” added Panlilio.

Meanwhile, with seven-foot big man Greg Slaughter expected to officially join Gilas Pilipinas, national coach Yeng Guiao is giving the squad the break they need for the tough grind ahead.

Light practices were in order on Tuesday and Wednesday for the members of the squad preparing for the fourth window of the FIBA World Cup qualifiers.

“We rested them and put them in light practices,” said Guiao, who had team members view game tapes of one of their rivals, which is Iran.

Practices will get heavy for Gilas Pilipinas when players get together again on Thursday until they leave on Sept. 10 for Tehran, Iran, three days before they face the Iranian national team.

Cabagnot, Ian Sangalang, Japeth Aguilar, Matthew Wright, and Allein Maliksi.

“We’re making adjustments from the court work. The videos will help them prepare mentally,” said Guiao, who is still finalizing the 12-man roster that will see action in the game against Iran.

The squad will have members who are fresh from competing in the 2018 Asian Games, including Christian Standhardinger, Paul Lee, Stanley Pringle, Gabe Norwood, Poy Erram, Beau Belga, Raymond Almazan, and Asi Taulava.

Slaughter, who is getting his documents fixed, is listed with Scottie Thompson, Marcio Lassiter, Alex Slaughter’s eligibility status is now being awaited.

Slaughter can play as a local player since he has seen action for the teams in Cebu, with the Ateneo Blue Eagles and teams in the PBA. Greg, whose mother is Filipina, has already obtained certification from his place of residence back in high school, which is Fredericksburg, Virginia. Peter Atencio

IN BRIEF

Personal property law to boost growth

FINANCE Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said the signing into law of the Personal Property Security Act by President Rodrigo Duterte is vital to the government’s vision of a sustained economic growth and greater financial inclusion.

Duterte signed the Personal Property Security Act to boost access to credit especially of micro, small and medium entrepreneurs and farmers and fisherfolks and improve competitiveness in the country.

The landmark law simplified and harmonized the Chattel Mortgage law of 1906 and other fragmented and outdated financing regulations in the country by enabling borrowers to secure financing using non-traditional collateral such as account receivables, inventory, warehouse receipts, crops, livestock, machinery and equipment.

Republic Act No. 11057 also established a unified, centralized online noticed-based collateral registry that will be lodged in the LRA and clearer priority rules in case of foreclosure. This will provide protection and more confidence to banks and financial institutions in lending to the agriculture sector and MSMEs. MSMEs comprise 99.6 percent of total businesses in the country, of which 96 percent are micro businesses.

“President Duterte signed this measure into law in sync with his vision for sustained high growth and greater financial inclusion,” Dominguez said in a statement Wednesday.

Julito G. Rada

Berjaya PH gets stake in 7-Eleven Malaysia

BERJAYA Philippines Inc. said it acquired a 1.59-percent stake in 7-Eleven Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., the owner and operator of 7-Eleven stores in Malaysia, for P124.5 million.

Berjaya Philippines said in a disclosure to the stock exchange it purchased 6.05 million shares of 7-Eleven Malaysia through the open market on March 1, 2018 to Sept. 3, 2018. It bought the shares at an average price of RM1.48, or P19.14 per share.

Berjaya Philippines said that with the acquisitions, it now owned 18 million shares in 7-Eleven Malaysia, or equivalent to 1.59-percent stake in the company.

7-Eleven Malaysia is the single largest convenience store chain in Malaysia with more than 2,100 convenience stores all over the country.

Berjaya Philippines, the local unit of Malaysia-based conglomerate Berjaya group, is an investment holding company primarily engaged in gaming, hotels, quick service restaurant and automotive distribution. Its subsidiary Philippine Gaming Management Corp. is engaged in leasing of online lottery equipment and providing software support. Jenniffer B. Austria

Business

Globe bags deal to provide internet in remote towns GLOBE Telecom Inc. said unit Innove Communications Inc. won contracts from the Department of Information and Communications Technology to provide internet connectivity to local government units nationwide.

Globe said the DICT awarded threeyear contracts to Innove to deliver 704 circuits composed of 615 circuits for the IP Transport Municipal (project, 74 circuits for the IP Transport Municipal Ph3 project, 2 circuits for IP Transport International project and 13 circuits for IP Transport Domestic project.

Under the agreement, the company committed to deliver 704 circuits to some underserved municipalities across the Philippines, while the DICT would ensure that Innove could deploy these circuits by securing building permission from the respective local government units.

Globe general counsel Froilan Castelo said the company could complete its project deliverables to DICT by the end of the month, depending on the resolution of some circuit deployment issues.

“We will deliver the remaining 212 circuits as soon as the deliverables of other parties are accomplished. This is in line with our commitment with the DICT to work with them hand in hand in bridging the digital divide in the country,” Castelo said.

Innove was able to deliver 492 of the 704 committed circuits as of Aug. 31 this year, which would route data from one node to another. These circuits will serve as a backbone and distribution hubs for internet connectivity for municipalities across the country.

Globe earlier reported a net income of P9.78 billion in the first half, up 21 precent from P8.08 billion in the same period last year. Core net profit grew 25 percent to P9.98 billion from P7.97 billion, as consolidated service revenues reached P73.6 billion, up 11 percent from P66.54 billion a year ago.

Darwin G. Amojelar

business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2018

B1

Peso plunges to a new 12-year low

By Julito G. Rada

T

HE peso fell to a new 12-year low against the US dollar Wednesday, after the government announced that inflation rate climbed to a nine-year high of 6.4 percent in August.

The peso lost two centavos to close at 53.55 against the greenback Wednesday from 53.535 Tuesday. It was the local currency’s weakest finish in over 12 years, or since the same rate of 53.55 a dollar on June 29, 2006. Total trade volume reached $1.38 billion, higher than $440 million a day earlier.

Security Bank Corp. said in a report ahead of the release of the consumer price

index that the market was “cautious of the 53.55 level” and that the “market will also be watching for CPI data.”

Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed that the August inflation accelerated to 6.4 percent in August from 5.7 percent in July, a situation that could compel the policy-setting Monetary Board of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas to consider further monetary policy action in its next meeting later this month.

Despite the 100-basis-point adjustment this year, the Bangko Sentral’s overnight borrowing rate of 4 percent is currently below the inflation rate.

Data from the PSA showed that the faster uptick in consumer prices was driven by sustained increases in the prices of food, transport and tobacco products. The August inflation was the fastest in more than nine years, or since the 6.6 percent in March 2009. This brought the average inflation in the first eight months to 4.73 percent, beyond

the official target range of 2 percent to 4 percent for the year.

Peter Lundgreen, the chief executive of Copenhagen-based investment advisory firm Lundgreen’s Capital, said the peso could end 2018 at 55 against the US dollar.

“Since the start of this year, we forecasted that the peso-dollar should reach 55. And there is no reason to change that. I think this is where we could be at yearend. Part of the explanation this year is that the dollar, in general, has gone up, not only against the peso. But there is also some capital outflow from the Philippines,” Lundgreen said earlier.

Lundgreen said the tightening liquidity in the US would further affect Asian emerging markets such as the Philippines. “Based on last year, the Philippine central bank was behind the curve.

So what the central bank has done so far with 100 basis points [increase] is just to compensate for what was missing at the

maximum. But the US central bank has hiked as well this year. There are still hikes to come, to follow,” he said.

“If they want to show sort of they are on top of things, the work is not done yet,” Lundgreen said.

ING Bank Manila senior economist Joey Cuyegken said he expected the peso to close the year at 53 against the greenback. He said the continued hawkish BSP stance to match Fed tightening would likely see the local currency closer to P53 by year end.

“However, an extended period of EM [emerging market] risk-off sentiment would keep PHP under pressure. But a combination of such inflows, hawkish BSP, and BSP’s direct intervention [also due to additional government foreign denominated bond issuance that keeps FX reserves equivalent to seven months of imports of goods and services] would be needed to keep the peso from weakening beyond P53.55 area,” Cuyegkeng said.

Jobless rate declined to 5.4% in July

SEC warns investors vs online company

THE Securities and Exchange Commission warned investors about investing in Aibit Club and its marketing affiliate GO88 ventures Inc. that are allegedly offering online investments to the public.

The SEC said in an advisory posted on its website that Airbit Club was not registered with the corporate regulator nor was it authorized to solicit investments from the public.

It said that while GO88 Ventures was registered with the SEC as a company engaged in wholesale business, it had no registration or permit to sell securities to the public.

The SEC said that based on information it gathered, Airbit Club and GO 88 Ventures were enticing the public to invest in online subscription packages which allow investors to earn passive income through regular daily rewards or recruitment of downlines.

Airbit Club investors who subscribe to the investment packages are deemed investing in common enterprise that is allegedly engaged in cryptocurrency mining.

“Undoubtedly an Airbit Club subscription, being a cloud-mining contract, as described by the commission’s April 10, 2018 advisory, is an investment contract falling within the purview of the term ‘securities’ as defined by the law,” the SEC said. Jenniffer B. Austria

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

TOYOTA DONATION. Toyota Motor Corp. of Japan donates three brand new units of Hiace Commuter to the Philippine government in commemoration of Toyota’s three decades of strong presence in the industry. The decision was first announced during the 30th anniversary event of Toyota Motor Philippines Corp. in August at the Grand Hyatt Manila, which was attended by President Rodrigo Duterte and TMC president Akio Toyoda. Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea (fifth from right) receives the donation on behalf of the government from Toyota executives in a ceremony held at the Kalayaan Hall in Malacañang Palace.

Group offers to expand Naia without govt guarantees

By Darwin G. Amojelar THE Naia Consortium, a group of major conglomerates, said Wednesday it is not seeking any government guarantee to expand and rehabilitate the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

Jimbo Reverente, spokesperson of Naia Consortium, said all airport proposals had provisions for terminal fees subjected to reasonable adjustment during the life of the contract.

Reverente said terminal fees were not different from the fares passengers pay when riding LRT or when using toll roads.

Government guarantees are those that in general protect proponents from risks and make sure they make money even if the project fails.

Reverente said the consortium

was not asking for such protection and guarantee and was willing to take all the risks, including a drop in the number of passengers and consequently revenues.

The consortium, composed of seven of the country’s largest conglomerates, committed to spend around P102 billion to increase the terminal capacity of Naia, install a people mover that will efficiently connect the passenger terminals and raise the number of flights to give passengers more options and flexibility.

Naia, which has a design capacity of 31 million passengers, accommodated 42 million last year.

The figure is expected to go up to around 47 million by 2020 and 52 million by 2022.

“If we get the clearance to start work by late this year, we can increase

this capacity to 47 million by 2020 and to 65 million by 2022. There will be enough space for everybody and Naia can serve as a catalyst for growth all over the country in terms of trade, tourism and investments,” he said.

The Naia Consortium proposed to expand and interconnect the existing terminals of Naia, upgrade airside facilities and develop commercial facilities to increase airline and airport efficiencies, enhance passenger comfort and experience and improve public perception of Naia as the country’s premier international gateway.

GMR-Megawide, the operator of Mactan-Cebu International Airport, also bids to upgrade and operate Naia, while San Miguel Corp. proposed to build an entirely new airport in nearby Bulacan province.

UNEMPLOYMENT rate declined to 5.4 percent in July from 5.6 percent a year ago, as the labor force added nearly half a million workers this year, data from the Philippine Statistics Authority show.

“This is one of the lowest unemployment rates recorded for all surveys conducted in the July rounds since 2008,” the National Economic and Development Authority said.

The Labor Force Survey of the PSA showed that employment rate improved to 94.6 percent in July from 94.4 percent in the same month last year. It said the country recorded a net employment of 488,000, bringing the total employment to 40.7 million in July.

“An average of 1.17 million additional employment has been created so far in the first three rounds of the Labor Force Survey. And this puts the government on track in meeting its target of 900,000 to 1.1 million employment generation for 2018,” Economic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia said in a statement.

“With remarkable improvements, the government should not let up on its efforts to continually improve the employment situation in the country,” he said.

The services sector accounted for more than half of the country’s total employment, contributing additional employment of more than 1.1 million.

The industry sector also recorded positive employment growth of 2.2 percent, or 172, 000 additional employment. Among industry sub sectors, the manufacturing sector contributed the largest during the period.

The shares of industry and manufacturing to total employment at 19.4 percent and 9.0 percent, respectively, were the highest in a decade. This is consistent with the strong expansion plans of manufacturing firms as a result of a more positive employment outlook for the period.

However, youth unemployment remained relatively high at 14.1 percent.

“The share of inactive youth remains a concern. The government must equip students with industry-relevant competencies as well as increase their opportunities for work experience. A stronger academe-industry linkage should orient students better on career prospects,” Pernia said. Julito G. Rada

Manufacturing output sustains strong growth THE manufacturing sector sustained a double-digit growth in July, fueled by strong domestic demand, the Philippine Statistics Authority said Wednesday.

Results of the Monthly Integrated Survey of Selected Industries showed the volume of production index and value of production index increased 11.8 percent and 12.2 percent, respectively.

The July results were a turnaround from the 5.1-percent and 6-percent decline of VoPI and VaPI, in the same month last year. The VoPI growth in July, however, was slower than 18 percent in June and 19.8 percent in May. Economic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia said the manufacturing growth was expected to be sustained throughout the third quarter.

“We expect this strong performance of the manufacturing sector this year as we continue to see stable domestic demand, as well as robust investments due to heightened infrastructure projects and consumer spending,” Pernia said in a statement.

Growth in the food subsector was due

to strong household consumption and efficient market operations. Food manufacturing value wasdriven by increases in the production value of animal feeds and sugar, the National Economic and Development Authority said.

It said the double-digit growth in the value of refined petroleum products continued to push the overall increase in the value of petroleum products.

Meanwhile, growth in the production volume of construction-related manufactures slightly slowed down in July with slight declines in cement production and miscellaneous non-metallic minerals.

Volume of production of glass and basic metals, posted double-digit growth.

Net sales of non-metallic mineral products and basic metals also rose.

Growth in the production volume of most export-oriented products was sustained in July . The growth in petroleum products, textile, beverages and non-electrical machinery offset the declines in the production volume of tobacco, footwear and wearing apparel, wood products and furniture and fixtures. Julito G. Rada

FREIA GROUNDBREAKING. Freia, Pico de Loro Cove’s latest residential offering, holds a groundbreaking ceremony at its construction site at Hamilo Coast in Nasugbu, Batangas. The ceremonial dig is led by Costa del Hamilo Inc. executives and project consultants, including (from left) senior assistant vice president William Chew, senior assistant vice president Alexis Ortiga, vice president Camie Bolus, vice presidentNestor Javier and executive vice president Shirley Ong, with project consultants architect Arlie Cruz of GF and Partners and architects Bennie Lagos and Onet Coronel of Budji+Royal. Freia is a luxury beach condominium of the SM Group.

B2

Business

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2018 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Market slumps; BDO,BPI decline T HE stock market plummeted Wednesday, weighed down by a government report that the inflation rate in August rose to a nineyear high of 6.4 percent from 5.7 percent a month ago.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index dropped 129.55 points, or 1.6 percent, to 7,752.27 on a value turnover of P5.9 billion. Losers overwhelmed gainers, 146 to 51, with 38 issues unchanged.

Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority on Wednesday showed the faster uptick in consumer prices was driven primarily by sustained increases in the prices of food, transport and tobacco products.

The August inflation was the fastest in

more than nine years since 6.6 percent in March 2009 and surpassed estimates both from the government and private sector economists.

The faster inflation rate may prompt the policy-setting Monetary Board of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas to consider further action in its next meeting later this month.

BDO Unibank Inc., the biggest lender in terms of assets, slumped 5.1 percent to P123.30, while Bank of the Philippine Islands, the third-largest bank, fell 2.1 percent to P90.

JG Summit Holdings Inc. of industrialist John Gokongwei declined 3.8 percent to P58, while conglomerate Metro Pacific Investments Corp. also lost 3.8 percent to P5.33.

The rest of Asian markets tumbled Wednesday on growing concerns about emerging market economies, adding to the uncertainty stoked by Donald Trump’s trade rows with China and Canada.

tries and possibly spill over into major economies.

“South Africa is back in recession and that was not expected,” said Greg McKenna, chief market strategist at AxiTrader.

“The big question is whether this is a... tipping point for EM markets and if the idiosyncratic issues are now adding up to something more structurally pernicious for EM markets. My guess? Yes, it is.”

The brewing crisis has seen currencies in a number of emerging markets— mostly with deep current account deficits—take a hammering.

India’s rupee was sitting at a record low and the Indonesian rupiah at levels last seen during the 1998 Asian financial crisis.

Indonesia said it would take unspecified action against currency speculators and announced plans to delay importheavy energy projects in order to focus efforts on reducing imports and supporting the rupiah. With AFP

Hong Kong shed 2.3 percent in the afternoon and Shanghai fell 1.7 percent, while Singapore gave up 1.2 percent and Seoul dipped more than one percent.

Sydney fell one percent despite news that the Australian economy expanded far more than expected in the second quarter thanks to a pick-up in exports and consumer spending. The local dollar was marginally higher.

Jakarta led a sell-off in EM equities, diving four percent, while Bangkok lost 0.8 percent.

After Turkey and Argentina’s recent headline-making problems, South Africa became the latest country to spark panic Tuesday with data showing a shock plunge into recession for the onetime economic starlet.

The news sent the rand plunging in a similar way to the Argentine peso and Turkish lira in recent weeks. Observers increasingly fear the problems could spread to other emerging market coun-

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2018

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

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

59 91.9 2.62 130 1.7 31.85 16.32 14.7 4.05 1.6 0.59 73.65 0.99 11.6 49 193 29 196 76.2

59.7 91.9 2.62 130 1.72 31.85 16.4 14.9 4.15 1.6 0.61 73.8 1.01 11.6 49 198 29.3 198.7 76.2

59 89.05 2.6 123 1.7 30.75 16.32 14.3 4.03 1.6 0.58 72.2 0.99 11.58 47.4 193 28.4 194.5 75.9

FINANCIALS 59.7 4,200 90 2,061,850 2.6 7,000 123.3 3,609,020 1.72 4,000 30.9 266,600 16.4 14,400 14.3 1,433,100 4.03 314,000 1.6 15,000 0.58 2,504,000 72.2 3,500,050 1 689,000 11.58 5,500 47.95 52,900 194 3,700 28.5 181,400 195.3 700,760 75.9 44,470

248,526 185,361,058 18,280 450,546,080 6,820 8,287,925 236,120 20,724,374 1,273,340 24,000 1,481,570 253,503,442.50 686,300 63,694 2,536,280 725,615 5,192,060 136,848,355 3,380,560

63,248 -153,637,139 -281,473,150 -2,990,515 226,320 -11,251,270 -92,174,090.50 463,795 19,650 -4,167,040 -26,404,715 -

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

36.9 17.34 1.05 1.23 0.229 3.24 14.5 200 33.8 19.8 46 68.25 1.8 7.66 10.46 16.2 9.96 7.27 7.03 16.92 64.9 30.2 7.3 13.94 2.19 286.6 5.1 3.1 24.5 13.18 17.98 372 6.81 2.08 4.15 9 6.15 7.95 1.06 11.6 55.7 6 4.8 2.4 3.1 1.69 13.04 101 5.8 1.15 144.7 2.08 18.02 1.99

36.9 17.36 1.06 1.23 0.229 3.25 14.5 200 34.6 19.8 46 68.25 1.83 7.66 10.46 16.26 9.96 7.29 7.04 16.92 65 30.45 7.3 13.94 2.19 287 5.1 3.19 24.8 13.38 18 372.2 6.81 2.08 4.18 9 6.15 7.95 1.17 11.6 55.7 6 4.8 2.49 3.15 1.69 13.04 101 5.88 1.18 144.7 2.1 20 2.04

35.75 17 1.01 1.2 0.224 3.16 14.16 200 33.1 19.6 46 68.25 1.8 7.38 10.24 15.62 9.6 7.25 7.03 16.56 64 29.8 7.22 13.52 2.1 279 4.92 3.1 24.2 12.6 17.8 368 6.8 2.06 4.09 8.94 5.8 7.85 1.06 11.5 54.65 6 4.8 2.4 3.1 1.68 12.98 97 5.7 1.13 139.9 2.04 18.02 1.84

INDUSTRIAL 36.85 1,583,100 17.26 2,083,200 1.01 6,321,000 1.2 23,000 0.226 4,170,000 3.19 2,233,000 14.16 676,700 200 50 33.65 1,470,100 19.6 300 46 100 68.25 10 1.8 33,000 7.65 10,400 10.26 1,043,400 15.88 856,300 9.6 1,146,600 7.28 1,703,700 7.04 8,695,000 16.7 2,262,500 64.9 31,200 29.95 204,700 7.23 209,700 13.52 124,700 2.12 1,427,000 285 477,030 4.93 52,000 3.19 4,000 24.55 204,300 12.6 780,400 17.88 167,600 371 206,220 6.8 2,000 2.07 195,000 4.09 115,000 8.98 428,700 5.81 769,200 7.95 165,400 1.09 6,794,000 11.5 2,100 54.8 439,170 6 1,000 4.8 7,079,000 2.49 199,000 3.15 8,000 1.69 166,000 12.98 1,063,000 100 1,059,870 5.8 387,400 1.14 707,000 142 674,320 2.04 1,686,000 20 2,700 1.87 30,147,000

57,778,990 36,093,234 6,504,870 27,660 939,800 7,117,310 9,585,182 10,000 49,517,115 5,900 4,600 682.5 59,790 76,861 10,714,876 13,669,816 11,207,095 12,394,981 61,212,761 37,685,788 2,023,687.50 6,150,275 1,516,654 1,723,302 3,029,550 135,365,084 256,620 12,490 4,985,945 10,022,334 2,994,014 76,317,686 13,603 403,830 477,110 3,846,137 4,526,839 1,314,473 7,544,240 24,320 24,157,577 6,000 33,979,200 480,110 24,900 280,030 13,819,074 104,881,726.50 2,247,728 813,990 96,016,651 3,475,790 52,614 58,409,100

30,688,720 34,172,156 -39,470 -219,750 -263,620 1,655,310 9,150 31,500 67,642 -3,538,213 -2,816,334 -20,621,568 -1,962,972 608,783.50 -23,840 19,683 -20,520 395,750 2,858,898 -1,528,260 -452,300 -1,320,682 3,062,758 -293,990 315,700 -341,961 -34,860 -860,985 -1,611,010 -13,795,470 216,000 13,000,000 -10,184,457 4,640 40,972,128 -75,950.00 -318,550

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

0.45 53.4 14.68 0.91 6 37.9 1.47 1.5 985 6.03 12.94 7 5.27 904.5 60 5.1 0.6 5.07 17.04 0.66 5.5 0.039 1.22 2.81 179.1 969 0.79 1.49 309.8 0.345 0.207

0.45 53.5 14.68 0.94 6.1 38 1.48 1.5 985 6.1 12.94 7.3 5.27 906 60 5.1 0.6 5.1 17.08 0.66 5.52 0.039 1.24 2.81 179.2 969 0.79 1.5 309.8 0.35 0.207

0.42 52.05 14.28 0.91 6 37.1 1.39 1.4 963 5.98 12.5 7 5.27 865 57.3 5.09 0.58 4.85 16.98 0.62 5.25 0.038 1.21 2.71 173 945 0.79 1.47 300 0.33 0.207

HOLDING FIRMS 0.435 16,960,000 53.5 3,382,800 14.4 4,703,300 0.94 6,000 6.1 72,400 37.5 146,700 1.41 43,346,000 1.42 6,990,000 973 261,990 6 3,143,900 12.88 2,417,300 7.3 217,900 5.27 200 900 153,180 58 1,679,870 5.09 16,000 0.6 123,000 5 3,227,900 17.02 1,331,200 0.62 2,231,000 5.33 34,139,100 0.038 12,700,000 1.24 405,000 2.74 2,211,000 178 659,450 960 233,290 0.79 1,000 1.47 67,000 304 34,310 0.335 5,450,000 0.207 10,000

7,288,200 178,520,424.50 67,547,368 5,490 438,495 5,504,315 61,834,650 10,091,210 254,411,725 18,886,631 30,892,636 1,577,638 1,054 135,725,265 97,584,042 81,441 71,600 16,120,445 22,643,650 1,410,520 181,834,476 490,200 490,580 6,076,140 116,428,200 223,127,255 790 99,580 10,382,716 1,835,650 2,070

-21,495,283 11,763,086 227,434 317,560 3,260,440 -88,485,720 -7,239,616 7,596,724 2,970,120 -16,910,447 509.9999 -368,057 -11,929,720 -20,994,965 66,320 1,102,137 -16,081,555 -1,891,640 -10,050 -

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

7.4 0.99 12.62 2.14 0.72 44.2 3.07 4.51 5.52 6.5 0.445 0.91 0.98 0.243 0.415 9.35 25.35 0.58 0.115 1.5 1.19 1.94 4.67 0.67 0.475 0.49 3.51 21.55

7.4 0.99 13.16 2.14 0.78 44.2 3.08 4.6 5.66 6.5 0.445 0.91 1 0.243 0.415 9.35 25.55 0.58 0.117 1.5 1.2 1.94 4.69 0.68 0.475 0.5 3.65 21.8

7.22 0.97 12.62 2.04 0.72 43.15 3.04 4.51 5.23 6.5 0.425 0.91 0.96 0.235 0.41 9.09 25.15 0.57 0.115 1.45 1.18 1.84 4.49 0.62 0.46 0.49 3.48 20.8

2,984,583 929,710 516,152 37,720 5,506,330 504,879,690 1,450,090 278,240 197,551 1,300 13,077,300 16,380 297,500 1,226,580 49,350 7,726,464 6,744,370 1,077,090 33,700 11,020,370 1,397,540 37,885,910 134,302,900 62,605,500 1,082,100 275,200 9,141,850 56,833,145

-249,174 91,412 25,840 -93,822,335 -1,272,440 -12,442 -3,349,610 -570,960.00 -2,302,990 990,980 -80,247,840 1,196,540 -1,375,200 1,840,700

NAME

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

VOLUME

VALUE

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

2.03 3.22 38.05 1.2 7.23 0.77 6.4

2.03 3.23 38.45 1.2 7.84 0.81 6.42

2.01 3.22 37.55 1.12 7.23 0.77 6.3

2.02 3.22 37.75 1.14 7.84 0.81 6.4

188,000 218,000 11,356,200 5,045,000 4,266,600 196,000 1,926,700

380,860 702,460 429,544,495 5,851,940 32,541,464 156,050 12,310,320

-201,023,020 -11,400.00 226,819 138,310 6,749,293

2GO GROUP ABS CBN ACESITE HOTEL APC GROUP APOLLO GLOBAL BERJAYA BLOOMBERRY BOULEVARD HLDG CEBU AIR CENTRO ESCOLAR CHELSEA DFNN INC EASYCALL FAR EASTERN U GLOBE TELECOM GMA NETWORK GOLDEN BRIA HARBOR STAR INTL CONTAINER IPEOPLE IPM HLDG ISLAND INFO ISM COMM JACKSTONES LEISURE AND RES LORENZO SHIPPNG MACROASIA MANILA BULLETIN MANILA JOCKEY MELCO RESORTS METRO RETAIL METROALLIANCE A NOW CORP PAL HLDG PAXYS PHIL SEVEN CORP PHILWEB PLDT PREMIUM LEISURE PRMIERE HORIZON PUREGOLD ROBINSONS RTL SBS PHIL CORP SSI GROUP STI HLDG TRANSPACIFIC BR TRAVELLERS WATERFRONT WILCON DEPOT

13.8 23.8 1.42 0.51 0.045 3.05 9.28 0.062 77 8 6.37 8.25 24.25 900 2,114 5.5 317 3.88 95 12.08 7.8 0.129 3.19 3.5 4.08 1.03 19.68 0.44 5.19 6.61 2.84 2.03 8.3 9 3.65 107 5.21 1,410 0.87 0.385 45 80.55 8.1 2.25 0.85 0.67 5.15 0.8 11.34

14 23.8 1.42 0.51 0.045 3.14 9.28 0.063 77.1 8 6.37 8.75 25.5 900 2,124 5.65 317 3.94 95.1 12.08 7.83 0.129 3.22 3.6 4.25 1.04 19.7 0.44 5.33 6.61 2.84 2.03 8.38 9 3.65 109 5.22 1,438 0.87 0.395 45.5 80.55 8.1 2.25 0.9 0.68 5.17 0.82 11.34

13.4 23 1.42 0.485 0.045 2.79 9.17 0.062 75.2 8 6.28 8.25 24.2 900 2,062 5.47 308.6 3.73 93.15 12 7.8 0.125 2.95 3.43 4.05 1.02 19.32 0.44 5.15 6.42 2.72 1.95 8.12 9 3.64 107 5.07 1,401 0.85 0.38 44.65 79.4 8.02 2.09 0.85 0.62 5.1 0.79 11.14

SERVICES 13.5 23.3 1.42 0.49 0.045 2.8 9.27 0.063 75.2 8 6.28 8.64 24.8 900 2,090 5.5 316 3.73 94 12 7.83 0.125 2.97 3.58 4.13 1.04 19.42 0.44 5.15 6.44 2.72 2 8.12 9 3.64 108.5 5.07 1,438 0.85 0.39 44.8 80.05 8.02 2.11 0.85 0.63 5.16 0.82 11.2

92,400 84,400 2,000 10,300,000 16,200,000 15,070,000 5,535,500 2,580,000 228,380 5,000 696,700 41,300 37,400 100 59,485 435,000 230 2,241,000 667,620 98,100 26,000 3,690,000 12,274,000 15,000 1,660,000 76,000 822,300 150,000 114,600 2,366,600 1,316,000 431,000 1,568,100 1,900 5,000 2,630 174,300 75,015 1,992,000 1,550,000 218,700 1,107,520 24,600 7,632,000 22,723,000 48,717,000 2,814,100 5,995,000 1,307,400

1,243,072 1,972,895 2,840 5,085,880 729,000 43,510,310 51,035,005 160,060 17,333,413.50 40,000 4,389,269 347,563 931,815 90,000 124,326,510 2,416,889 72,350 8,552,080 62,691,378 1,179,828 203,250 464,950 37,491,500 52,220 6,896,070 78,670 16,014,230 66,000 592,965 15,361,639 3,625,240 846,650 12,878,611 17,100 18,230 284,470 888,892 107,076,405 1,702,290 605,400 9,797,420 88,208,893 197,825 16,465,170 19,760,640 31,364,510 14,510,858 4,855,280 14,670,906

269,500 -79,940 -3,790,834 -600,995.50 -119,780 72,484,500 -417,110 -2,035,851 -2,490 -1,526,640 -4,658,202 -9,785 -8,516,338 -81,730 201,307 -26,630 15,877,080 -152,470 -3,186,760 -14,826,357 3,447,180 1,718,240 -640,950 -5,301,314.00 -2,006,780

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

0.0026 1.56 3.4 20.5 1.52 1.45 1.95 0.31 7.49 1.98 0.222 0.121 1.39 5.4 1.18 0.61 1.33 0.013 0.012 0.012 3.9 4.1 15.22 30.6 0.0087

0.0027 1.56 3.4 20.9 1.52 1.45 1.95 0.31 7.5 2.01 0.222 0.124 1.39 5.41 1.18 0.63 1.37 0.014 0.013 0.013 3.98 4.15 15.3 31 0.0088

0.0026 1.51 3.31 20.5 1.4 1.45 1.94 0.3 7.33 1.97 0.217 0.121 1.39 5.23 1.14 0.61 1.24 0.013 0.012 0.012 3.66 4.07 14.76 29.9 0.0082

MINING & OIL 0.0026 333,000,000 1.51 2,762,000 3.35 199,000 20.9 10,600 1.4 33,000 1.45 5,000 1.94 164,000 0.3 830,000 7.43 4,800 1.98 1,203,000 0.22 230,000 0.122 2,510,000 1.39 27,000 5.25 6,797,100 1.16 72,000 0.62 32,000 1.27 7,127,000 0.014 571,300,000 0.013 7,300,000 0.012 9,100,000 3.98 542,000 4.08 688,000 14.8 3,004,000 30 2,041,000 0.0085 49,000,000

866,000 4,222,550 672,220 218,835 46,560 7,250 318,180 249,450 35,767 2,387,570 50,470 307,010 37,530 35,838,848 83,690 19,850 9,251,290 7,476,000 92,900 113,000 2,120,980 2,810,060 44,837,484 61,277,615 414,600

-26,920 -7,250 -2,000 -5,975,889 -87,560 -24,000 -58,500 -200,320 524,764 -43,029,985 -

ABS HLDG PDR AC PREF B1 AC PREF B2 DD PREF FGEN PREF G GMA HLDG PDR HOUSE PREF A PCOR PREF 2A PCOR PREF 2B PNX PREF 3A SMC FB PREF 2 SMC PREF 2B SMC PREF 2C SMC PREF 2F SMC PREF 2G SMC PREF 2H

23.2 503 502 101 101 5.3 99.6 1,011 1,050 99.6 990 77.4 80.2 76 75.7 76

23.2 503 502 101 101 5.3 99.6 1,011 1,050 99.6 1,000 77.4 80.2 76 75.7 76

22.95 503 502 100.5 100 5.26 99.6 1,011 1,050 99.5 990 77.35 79 75.5 75.7 76

PREFERRED 22.95 56,700 503 10 502 50 100.5 13,910 100 10,000 5.3 140,100 99.6 270 1,011 1,000 1,050 130 99.6 80,070 1,000 1,890 77.35 610 79 40,160 75.5 546,970 75.7 5,000 76 19,840

1,308,165 5,030 25,100 1,404,755 1,002,165 741,960 26,892 1,011,000 136,500 7,967,972 1,879,805 47,210.50 3,173,322 41,376,056.50 378,500 1,507,840

-1,254,835 -498,500 -26,892 30,960 -3,160,502 -

LR WARRANT

2.7

2.8

2.65

WARRANTS 2.7 2,304,000

6,312,730

MS

PROPERTY 7.3 0.97 13 2.04 0.76 43.4 3.05 4.59 5.53 6.5 0.425 0.91 0.96 0.235 0.41 9.09 25.2 0.57 0.116 1.46 1.2 1.86 4.53 0.63 0.465 0.495 3.65 21.8

408,300 955,000 39,600 18,000 7,254,000 11,636,800 474,000 61,000 36,000 200 30,290,000 18,000 303,000 5,180,000 120,000 844,500 266,800 1,881,000 290,000 7,509,000 1,175,000 20,078,000 29,555,000 96,593,000 2,320,000 560,000 2,546,000 2,678,600

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

OPEN

ITALPINAS XURPAS

6.6 2.79

7.08 2.79

6.2 2.72

FIRST METRO ETF

117

117.1

115.4

USD DMPL A1 USD DMPL A2

10.28 10.26

10.28 10.26

10.28 10.02

TRADING SUMMARY

SHARES

FINANCIAL

15,411,438

INDUSTRIAL

90,402,891

HOLDING FIRMS

147,451,774

PROPERTY

246,359,697

SERVICES

175,777,913

MINING & OIL

998,802,320

GRAND TOTAL

1,690,777,315

6.3 2.75

SME

15,554,000 1,004,000

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 115.5 9,320 DDS 10.28 10.02

400 4,710

103,839,231 2,743,780 1,080,893 4,112 47,427

-8,280 -30,151 -199,360 25,460 -

VALUE 1,753.84 (down) 50.76 1,071,165,161.40 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 11,226.33 (down) 99.33 930,599,610.205 HOLDING FIRMS 7,709.23 (down) 110.35 1,521,067,125.75 PROPERTY 3,856.96 (down) 73.04 1,536.78 (down) 6.91 1,344,564,727.735 SERVICES MINING & OIL 9,907.84 (down) 167.73 739,527,458.544 PSEI 7,752.27 (down) 129.55 173,779,216.611 All Shares Index 4,732.02 (down) 63.84 5,888,384,456.80 Gainers: 51; Losers: 146; Unchanged: 38; Total: 235

Alsons set to raise P1.5b from sale of debt paper

By Alena Mae S. Flores ALSONS Consolidated Resources Inc. is raising P1.5 billion from the sale of commercial paper to partially fund the development of the company’s P4.25billion run-of-river hydro at the Siguil River basin in Maasim, Sarangani province and other hydro power projects.

Alsons, the publicly-listed company of the Alcantara Group, said the planned 15.1-megawatt Siguil hydro power plant was expected to begin commercial operations in 2021 and provide electricity to Sarangani, General Santos City and key municipalities of South Cotabato province.

“The hydro project marks Alsons entry into the renewable energy sphere,” the company said.

Alsons, Mindanao’s first independent power producer, also plans to pursue additional run-of-river hydroelectric power projects with a combined output of 145 MW in Negros Occidental, Sarangani, Davao Oriental, Zamboanga del Norte, the two Agusan provinces and Surigao del Sur. The debt notes earlier this year received a PRS A plus (corp.) issuer credit rating from Philippine Rating Services Corporation (PhilRatings).

The rating means the company has an above average capacity to meet financial commitments relative to other companies.

Among the factors cited by PhilRatings as basis for the rating were “the positive growth prospects for Mindanao which will bring about an increasing demand for power,” and ACR’s “ability to establish joint ventures with strong partners for particular projects.”

The company is in the final stages of constructing the second phase of the 210-megawatt coal-fired power plant of Sarangani Energy Corp. in Maasim, Sarangani.

The second phase is expected to begin commercial operations within the first quarter of 2019.

Alsons will also begin building the 105-MW coal-fired power plant in Zamboanga City of San Ramon Power Inc., which is to start commercial operations in 2022.

ATI prepared to handle more cargo volumes

By Darwin G. Amojelar ASIAN Terminals Inc. said it is ready and capable of handling the influx of cargoes at the Manila South Harbor with the onset of the holiday peak months.

“Berth and yard operations are at normal levels. We are ready for the Christmas cargo rush and we are working closely with the Philippine Ports Authority, the Bureau of Customs and other stakeholders to sustain healthy port operations,” ATI executive vice president William Khoury, said.

The fourth quarter is typically a peak season for shipments with the influx of cargoes related to the holidays and as manufacturers build up inventories for the following year.

There are no vessels waiting to dock at Manila South Harbor, with berth utilization at a healthy 50 percent. Crane production is averaging at least 25 moves per crane per hour while yard utilization averages 76 percent.

Another efficiency indicator, according to ATI, is the number of discharged containers from the vessels compared with those that go out the terminal.

On average, Manila South Harbor on average discharges around 1,400 teus (twenty-foot equivalent units) at quayside daily with even more containers going out of the terminal gates at 1,700 teus, indicative of the seamless cargo flow from the vessel, to the yard, up to the consignees’ factory doors.

A significant contributor is the Terminal Appointment Booking System, a web-based system institutionalized in 2015, which schedules the orderly pick-up and delivery of cargoes to and from the port 24/7.

With terminal transactions prebooked online, TABS has enabled truckers to pick up containers from the port within an hour of gate entry, without causing heavy traffic along major road arteries and bottlenecks at terminal gates.

extrastory2000@gmail.com

Business/World

Runaway inflation in other countries THE inflation rate in the Philippines is a real concern after surging to a nine-year high of 6.7 percent in August from 5.7 percent in July. Soaring prices of rice, fish and other food products are driving the inflation rate and it could further act up if it remains unchecked.

The August inflation rate was the fastest since hitting 6.6 percent in March 2009 and topped the estimates of government and private sector economists. It brought average inflation in the first eight months to 4.73 percent, or above the government’s official target range of 2 percent to 4 percent for the year.

The inflation rate story in the Philippines, however, is not that alarming yet compared with prices in Venezuela, Turkey and Argentina.

Venezuela’s central bank has stopped releasing the nation’s inflation data but its opposition-dominated legislature put the figure at 46,305 percent.

The International Monetary Fund says Venezuela’s inflation could hit one million percent this year because of unsound economic policies like the printing of more money, unsustainable state subsidies and series of wage increases.

“We are projecting a surge in inflation to 1,000,000 percent by end-2018 to signal that the situation in Venezuela is similar to that in Germany in 1923 or Zimbabwe in the late 2000’s,” wrote Alejandro Werner, director of the IMF Western Hemisphere department, in a post on the agency’s blog on July 23, 2018.

“The collapse in economic activity, hyperinflation, and increasing deterioration in the provision of public goods (health care, electricity, water, transportation, and security) as well as shortages of food at subsidized prices have resulted in large migration flows, which will lead to intensifying spillover effects on neighboring countries,” Weiner adds.

Argentina is in no better shape either. The inflation rate reached 31.2 percent in July after averaging 25.68 percent in 2017. The peso, according to Agence France Presse, has lost half its value against the dollar this year, hampering government efforts to get inflation under control. Argentina is in talks with the International Monetary Fund to secure an accelerated disbursement of a $50-billion loan in an attempt to get out of the economic crisis.

The inflation rate in Turkey hit a 15-year high of 17.9 percent in August as the Turkish lira lost around 40 percent of its value against the US dollar so far this year. The weak lira increased the cost of basic goods after President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s questionable monetary policy and a worsening diplomatic feud with the US. Electricity rates still stable Stable electricity rates, meanwhile, are sparing Filipino consumers amid the high food prices, especially of rice. Manila Electric Co. raised its rates in August by just P0.0265 per kilowatt-hour.

While prices of other common goods and services continue to increase, the electricity rate is going against the tide. A recent study conducted by the International Energy Consultants among 46 countries, including Philippines, affirmed the trend. The study says power rates in Metro Manila, especially within Meralco’s franchise area, have shown significant decrease while other goods and services demonstrated large increases in the past six years. Meralco’s average tariff in 2018 is lower by 18.2 percent compared to that of 2016.

The August rate of P10.22 per kwh, moreover, is actually lower than the tariff in January 2016, when it stood at P10.67 per kwh. The rate belies the recent protest action of a militant organization at one of Meralco’s business centers. Misinformed consumer groups are protesting what they call Meralco’s “exorbitant power rates.” They fail to understand the reality that although Meralco distributes electricity across its franchise area, it doesn’t have the power to control the rates.

The Distribution Charge which accrues to Meralco only makes up 17 percent of the total bill and it is the only charge that goes directly to Meralco as revenue. All other charges are pass-through and are only collected by Meralco for other billers.

The distribution charge has not changed since July 2015. It has actually decreased and remained unchanged for the past three years.

The upward or downward movement of the electricity rates in the country is triggered by two main factors. First, the value of peso against US dollar influences electricity rates since a large part of generators’ cost are denominated in dollars. The generation charge, on the other hand, represents about 55 percent of the total bill that consumers pay monthly. The generation charge and the exchange rate movement are beyond the control of any distribution utility.

E-mail: rayenano@yahoo.com or business@manilastandard.net or extrastory2000@gmail.com

Indonesian students seek higher ground in regional tsunami drill MEULABOH, Indonesia―Indonesian high school students fled to higher ground as tsunami warning sirens blared Wednesday, launching an evacuation exercise across a region devastated by a 2004 disaster which killed over 200,000 people.

The drill simulated a magnitude 9.3 earthquake off the west coast of Indonesia’s Sumatra island. A total of 24 countries bordering the Indian Ocean, from Australia to Yemen, are taking part in the biennial disaster-preparedness exercise.

The UN-organized drill saw some 125 students in Meulaboh―a coastal town in Aceh province hammered by the 2004 disaster―hide under their desks when a mock quake struck before they ran to an open field once the shaking had stopped.

The group then fled to higher ground as tsunami sirens blared, with several other communities across the country also taking part in Exercise Indian Ocean Wave 2018.

Indonesia is one of the most disasterprone nations on earth.

The archipelago nation lies on the Pacific “Ring of Fire”, where tectonic plates collide and many of the world’s volcanic eruptions and earthquakes occur.

In December 2004 a tsunami triggered by a magnitude 9.3 earthquake off the coast of Sumatra killed 220,000 people in countries around the Indian Ocean, including 168,000 Indonesians mostly in Aceh.

Indonesia’s meteorology, climatology and geophysics agency (BMKG) took part in the latest exercises, meant to give countries an opportunity to test their operating procedures, communications and evacuation preparedness.

“This drill will give us a valuable insight... into how we can improve our disaster readiness system,” Rahmat Triyono, head of BMKG’s earthquake and tsunami division, told a press briefing Wednesday.

More than 60,000 people across the region took part in community evacuations during the last exercise in 2016, the UN said.

Sri Lanka―which lost 30,000 people to the 2004 disaster―was holding evacuation drills in three coastal districts Wednesday.

“Our target is to ensure that we complete the evacuation of the coastal areas within 10 minutes of sounding the alarm,” Disaster Management Minister Duminda Dissanayake said Tuesday.

“We want to bring down that time to about seven minutes.” AFP

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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2018 CESAR BARRIOQUINTO, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Japan evacuates airport after storm wreaks havoc

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OKYO―A major airport that was cut off when a huge typhoon smashed through its sole access road was being evacuated Wednesday, as Japan grappled with devastation caused by its most powerful storm in a quarter of a century.

Boats and buses were ferrying stranded passengers from Kansai International Airport―one of the country’s busiest―after thousands of people were forced to spend the night in the partially flooded facility.

At least ten people were killed, and hundreds more injured by Typhoon Jebi as it raked through the major manufacturing area around Osaka―Japan’s second city―wrecking infrastructure and destroying homes.

Winds up to 216 kilometers per hour ripped off roofs, overturned trucks and swept a 2,500-ton tanker into a bridge leading to the airport, the region’s main international gateway and a national transport hub.

The damage to the bridge left the arti-

ficial island temporarily cut off, stranding 3,000 travelers and additional staff overnight.

Runways were flooded as high waves washed into the facility on Tuesday, knocking out electricity and inundating buildings.

On Wednesday, boats began ferrying people out of the airport, and buses began to run on one side of the damaged bridge after safety inspections.

“We don’t know how many hours we need to bring everyone out but we’re doing our best to finish it by the end of today,” Kansai airport spokeswoman Yurino Sanada told AFP. She could not confirm how many people had left the airport so far, and there was no indication when the facility, which runs over 400 flights a day, might reopen.

“We had a blackout so there was no air conditioning. It was hot,” a woman told public broadcaster NHK after being ferried to Kobe.

Temperatures have hovered around 30 degrees Celsius (86 Fahrenheit).

“I’d never expected this amount of damage from a typhoon,” she said.

“I couldn’t sleep, but I’m relieved because I thought I might not be able to get out,” another woman told the station.

Local media said the death toll in the storm stood at 11, with over 600 people

injured.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, tweeting on his official account, said the government was working to get the airport back online.

“We continue to make utmost efforts to respond to disaster damage and restore infrastructure,” he said.

More than 1.2 million people had been advised to leave their homes as Jebi approached the Kansai area―Japan’s industrial heartland―although it was unclear how many had heeded the warnings. Around 16,000 people spent the night in shelters, local media said.

Japan is regularly hit by powerful typhoons in the summer and autumn, many of which cause flooding and landslides in rural areas.

Jebi appears to have caused damage to the region’s infrastructure on an unusual scale.

In the tourist magnet of Kyoto― home to ancient temples and shrines―it brought down part of the ceiling of the main railway station, while in nearby Osaka, the high winds peeled scaffolding from a multi-story building.

Businesses, factories and schools in the affected area shut down while the storm barreled across the country, forcing the cancellation of hundreds of flights, ferry services and some bullet trains. AFP

IN BRIEF Cambodia launches era of one-party rule PHNOM PENH―Cambodia’s new parliament met for the first time Wednesday, launching an era of one-party rule after an uncontested election handed the ruling party of strongman Hun Sen all 125 seats.

July’s poll has been derided internationally after the only credible opposition party was disbanded before the vote.

On Wednesday lawmakers from Hun Sen’s Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) took their seats as Heng Samrin, the parliament’s oldest member, was appointed as temporary prime minister.

Parliament will reconvene on Thursday for the formality of voting Hun Sen back in as prime minister, extending his 33-year rule over the country by another five years.

King Norodom Sihamoni, Cambodia’s head of state but whose role is mainly symbolic, opened the session, urging the country to “stand united and show strong national solidarity”.

The election run-up divided Cambodians between those who buy into Hun Sen’s mantra of stability and economic growth and younger people wearied by rampant graft, the shrinking space for free expression and the nepotism of the CPP’s networks.

But on election day voter turnout was 83 percent.

Over 600,000 ballots―around 10 percent of the total cast―were spoiled, indicating discontent with the lack of a credible opposition. AFP

Australia’s economy powers ahead SYDNEY―Australia’s buoyant economy posted strong growth in the second quarter of the year on the back of increasing exports, consumer and government spending, official data showed Wednesday.

The economy expanded by 0.9 percent in the March-June quarter, following a 0.7-percent growth in the first three months of the year, to take the annual rate of growth to 3.4 percent―the fastest pace since September 2012.

The quarterly reading was far above market expectations of 2.8 percent, and comes after the previous quarter’s yearon-year reading of 3.1 percent.

The increase sent the Australian dollar jumping almost half a cent to 72.17 US cents.

“The national accounts for the June quarter highlight the strength and the resilience of the Australian economy, which is in its 27th year of consecutive economic growth,” Treasurer Josh Frydenberg told reporters.

“The economy is strong, the fundamentals are good and momentum has continued and these are an encouraging set of numbers.”

The economy has recorded uneven expansion in recent years as an unprecedented period of mining investment reaches its end, with the Reserve Bank of Australia cutting interest rates to a record-low of 1.5 percent to support growth.

Household spending jumped 0.7 percent during the quarter to contribute 0.4 percentage points to growth, while net exports added 0.1 percent.

Government expenditure rose 1.0 percent in the period to continue its stellar growth through the year. “[Household] consumption continues to hold up pretty well, facilitated by the savings ratio continuing to fall,” JP Morgan economist Henry St John told AFP. AFP

PREMIERE. Mary Elizabeth Ellis attends the premiere of FXX’s ‘It’s Always Sunny

In Philadelphia’ Season 13 at the Regency Bruin Theater on September 4, 2018, in Los Angeles, California. AFP

Head-turning violence helps tiny songbirds kill large prey PARIS―They may be small and striking, but shrikes are songbirds known for viciously impaling their victims with a razor-sharp bill although experts have long wondered about their ability to subdue much larger prey.

Now researchers say these carnivorous killers use powerful beak-and-jaw motions to shake their victims vigorously, whirling them around at speeds that cause injuries akin to whiplash.

“We already knew that they can kill surprisingly large animals for their size, but we didn’t know specifically how they do it,” said Dr Diego Sustaita, lead author of a study published in Wednesday’s Biology Letters journal.

Although shrikes have sharply hooked, falcon-like beaks that they jab into the head or neck of their prey, causing partial paralysis, they don’t have the large talons possessed by other birds of prey to help them finish the job.

But researchers at the San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research on California’s San Clemente island found clear evidence of violent shaking in a motion that uses the victim’s weight against it, Sustaita said.

“The way that shrikes shake their prey is likely to be important for immobilizing and killing it because the accelerations of the prey’s own body around its neck results in forces that could

break or damage the neck,” he told AFP. “The rate at which the shrikes shake their heads was surprising, especially with relatively large animals in their jaws!” he said, with the study suggesting the movement resulted in accelerations equivalent of around 6g-force.

For the study, researchers studied footage of attacks by 37 loggerhead shrikes involving live domestic black mice and other creatures. In 28 cases, they observed prey-shaking behavior with the results giving a clear indicator of how the birds subdued larger creatures.

“They help explain how a small songbird is able to kill relatively large animals in ways that differ from large raptors like hawks. Shrikes have some of the ‘equipment’ like the sharply-hooked beak, but not all, like the talons, and so they seem to have found another way to get the job done.”

Shrikes, he said, are disproportionately strong for their size but their ability to kill is actually more reliant on speed.

“As a group, shrikes can take prey larger than you would expect for their body sizes and ‘types’―keep in mind, these are songbirds. You wouldn’t expect a robin, for instance, to have the strength to kill a mouse and they don’t,” he said. AFP

LGUs

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

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Ombudsman case won’t stop me from doing my job—Eisma

LocaL government units

thursday, september 6, 2018

By Butch Gunio

Church, groups key to QC drug control—Joy

By Rio N. Araja QUEZON City Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte on Wednesday cited the active involvement of the Church and church-based groups as a key ingredient to sustain the community-based drug rehabilitation program.

“Out of all government-based treatment programs, Quezon City is one of the first, if not the first, that was able to establish a very good relationship with the church toward addressing the issue of rehabilitating our surrendering dependents,” she said during the Abot Kamay Alang-Alang sa Pagbabago initiative last Sept. 3.

Launched by the Diocese of Novaliches, the program mobilizes members of involved parishes to encourage persons with substance abuse problems to voluntarily enroll in rehabilitation programs.

“The AKAP approach is very consistent with the program of QCADAAC The diocese works in coordination with the Quezon City AntiDrug Abuse Advisory Council and the Quezon City Police District to implement program,” Belmonte said.

“The spiritual aspect combined to the clinical aspect, which is provided

by QCADAAC, will ensure a sustainable rehabilitation process for our drug surrenderers,” she added.

Meanwhile, Mayor Herbert Bautista officially handed over a new utility van to the Quezon City Police District for the use of its Scene of the Crime Operatives.

Chief Insp. Joselito Savares, acting head of QCPD Crime Laboratory, accepted the symbolic key from Bautista, along with Senior Supt. Enrique Ancheta, regional director of the PNP Crime Laboratory as witness.

“We can easily respond to any reported crime,” Savares said.

Ancheta said Quezon City will soon open the Fairview crime laboratory satellite office.

The Soco commended the continuous support of the city government under Bautista’s administration to beef up police capability.

“We thank the mayor for his all-out support to the police, especially the Soco,” Ancheta said.

The Soco van is a new Toyota HiAce that can accommodate five to eight operatives and their forensic equipment from the QCPD Crime Laboratory office.

REGIONAL PLANNING. In his concurrent capacity as Presidential Adviser for Northern Luzon, Cagayan Economic Zone Authority Administrator and CEO Sec. Raul L. Lambino (left) gathers the regional directors of various national government agencies at the Royce Hotel in Clark Freeport, Pampanga, for a comprehensive review of the development plans of the various regional field offices as well as programs and projects already under way. Lambino stressed an integrated development framework that encompasses the Northern Luzon quadrangle. Joseph Muego

Cayetano lauds ‘life’ vs Taguig pushers

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aGuiG Mayor Lani Cayetano has welcomed the life imprisonment meted on three big-time drug pushers for violating Section 5 of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act in Taguig City.

In a statement, Cayetano lauded Judge Antonio Olivete of Taguig Regional Trial Court Branch 267 for the conviction of Jose Vastine, Edilberto Ty and Alberto Joaquin Ong and also fined P500,000 each were guilty beyond reasonable doubt of violating Section 5 of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act on Monday.

Ong and Vastine were also ordered to undergo rehabilitation for a minimum period of six months in a government center after they were found guilty beyond reasonable doubt for violation of Section 15 Article 2 of the same law.

Olivete ordered the commitment of the three convicted drug pushers to the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City.

“This is a crucial victory in a crusade we’ve begun in 2010. The adverse effects of illegal drugs ripple from the individual to the community at large so

we’ve maintained the offensive versus this industry. Each drug personality we pin down is definitely a win for the city,” the mayor said.

“We’ve always been confident that the people would win this litigation.

This is a fitting conclusion. It is proof that the city is committed to the safety and well-being of Taguigeños,” Cayetano added.

Earlier, Tinga Drug Syndicate members Joel Tinga and Elisa “Ely” Tinga were also sentenced to reclusion perpetua for selling illegal drugs in September 2016 and February 2017, respectively.

Elisa, wife of Noel Tinga and reportedly a cousin of former Taguig mayor Freddie Tinga, was the third most wanted person on the list of illegal drug personalities. She was the seventh member of the Tinga Drug Syndicate arrested and jailed.

The Top 10 drug personalities in

2015—Michael Butch Tan, Sancho Espiritu, Alfonso Dacquel, Richard Silvestre, Isidro Llagas, Mardie Talampas, Jackie Abone, Adonis Venus, Bags Malay and Rawie Castro—are now behind bars, thanks to the continuous efforts of the police.

Several initiatives were also introduced to curb the drug menace.

In 2016, the Taguig Anti-Drug Abuse Council launched the drug-free community program for drug dependents. The two-month program aims to rehabilitate drug users and reintegrate them as productive members of society.

Taguig, under the leadership of Mayor Cayetano, also implements a “one-strike policy” against business establishments allowing patrons and customers to use illegal drugs. The city government immediately revokes business permits even though establishments are first-time offenders.

“All these measures and convictions should be a clear warning to users, and pushers. We will not stop playing our part in making the nation drug-free,” Cayetano noted. PNA

Carmen Copper’s aid to foundation helps transform Cebu street kids afTer years of living in the streets of Cebu City, “Kokey” finally learned how to read at the age of 17. He is now motivated to go back to school as a first grader despite his age and be integrated back into his own family.

Once a dirty, stinky, raucous street child, Kokey is now a groomed and behaved teenager. Most importantly, he has strengthened his spirituality, which helped him transform into the better person he is today.

Kokey is one of the 70 streetchildren whose lives were transformed by Dilaab Foundation Inc. through its Youth for Empowerment and Restoration Program.

YERP is helping streetchildren in Cebu by teaching them good habits and empathy so they will become dignified and responsible individuals by nurturing their mind, body and soul.

To support this noble program, Carmen Copper Corp., a mining company based in Toledo City, provided funds to

Dilaab Foundation Inc. for the feeding of the 70 kids this school year 2018-2019.

While they are in school, the kids shall receive one free meal a day for five days a week to improve their health and nutrition, and at the same time encourage them to attend classes daily.

Fr. Carmelo O. Diola, Dilaab Foundation chairman, thanked Carmen Copper and revealed the help came at an opportune time, because the foundation needed funds for the feeding component of YERP. “Indeed, God is always ahead of us,” he said.

Before, these street kids were subjects of ridicule and countless life threatening circumstances. They turn to the streets not because they were willing, but because of challenging circumstances at home, the priest said.

“Before, they were ‘yagit’ [filthy].

But they have changed so much, and now they are the ones supporting other street kids,” Diola said.

The Dilaab Kids gather every week for values formation, tutorials, catechism and other activities that aim to pique their interest to go back to school and return to their homes, away from the perils of the streets.

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT―“The Ombudsman complaint will not stop me from what I started doing here in SBMA and [I will] just continue working.”

SBMA chairman and Administrator Amy Eisma said this following the graft complaint against her before the Office of the Ombudsman filed by Manila-based lawyer Raymund Palad.

The complaint claimed the SBMA chairman failed to divest herself of shareholdings in Teco 3 Philippines―a home appliance maker and locator at the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

According to the complaint, Eisma owns 25 shares of Teco 3 and was even appointed as a member of the company’s board of directors while being administrator of SBMA. Eisma bewailed that some parties appear to be making up issues about the SBMA to gain public exposure, presumably for political gain or to protect their business interests in Subic.

“I know that we in the current SBMA Board of Directors are stepping on some big toes because of our program to collect overdue accounts and to take over facilities that investors have failed to develop and maintain, but we are not here to make popular decisions, just the right ones,” Eisma said.

“Now these people who are apparently concocting charges from thin air, why do they want me suspended or maybe even removed? Whose interest are they protecting?” she asked.

“Who are the people behind this?

What is their motivation? They may be using this issue for a political motive,” the SBMA chief asked.

“I tell you this will not be last, I expect more cases to be thrown against me. This is a demolition job,” she said.

“If I get afraid to collect overdue accounts because of cases they will file against me, what will happen?”

Eisma noted that she is from Olongapo City, the gateway to Subic Bay. “I love Olongapo. I was one of the original volunteers here. Do you want me out of SBMA?” she asked during the conference attended mostly by Olongapo-based newsmen.

Globe, Hineleban lead drive to save primary rainforests Globe Telecom, together with Hineleban Foundation Inc., aims to educate the public and raise awareness about the severe state of Philippine primary rainforests, which only have 1.5 percent of its forest cover remaining.

Globe hopes to raise at least P18 million by end of 2021 on top of an estimated P12 million already donated from proceeds of the company’s paperless billing campaign and internal fundraising activities since December 2016.

This time, the company is enjoining its partners and the public to participate in the reforestation drive. Globe has committed to donate P30 million within a five-year period to cover 300 hectares of denuded primary rainforests in Bukidnon and Lanao del Sur. Bukidnon is prioritized as the starting point for rainforestation in Mindanao since it hosts four main mountain ranges that serve as the watersheds for the island.

It’s also where six major rivers emanate, providing the much-needed water for drinking, hydro power, and irrigation for agriculture food production.

With two other mountain ranges in Lanao del Sur, these areas are vital for food, water and energy security in Mindanao, the company noted.

To show the current situation of primary rainforests not only in Mindanao but in the rest of the country, Globe and Hineleban came out with online videos that educate the people on the causes and effects of forest denudation, and ways on how they can help address the problem.

GenTri mayor picks Barison as new city dad

AGRI DEVELOPMENT. Believing that agriculture can address many problems and issues, Senator Cynthia Villar tells the country’s vice mayors to prioritize agriculture development in their respective areas, whether rural or urban.

The senator was the Guest Speaker in the Vice Mayors’ League of the Philippines 3rd Quarter National Executive Board meeting held at the Diamond Residences in Makati City.

GENERAL TRIAS CITY, Cavite—Mayor Antonio “Ony” Ferrer has appointed his chief of staff, lawyer Kristine Perdito Barison, as the new city councilor to replace Christopher Custodio, who resigned due to personal reasons.

Barison, 32, fills the Sangguniang Panglungsod position left by three-time councilor Custodio, who stepped down on Aug. 29 following the council’s 112th regular session.

Barison took her oath of office on Monday before Cavite Gov. Boying Remulla, witnessed by former governor Jonvic Remulla, Rep. Jon Jon Ferrer, Vice Mayor Morit Sison, Provincial Board Members Kerby Salazar, Jango Grepo, and the other councilors.

She joined the 113th session of the SP presided over by Sison on Wednesday.

The laweyer graduated from San Beda College Alabang—College of Law in 2012, took and passed the Bar in the same year, and was admitted to the Integrated Bar of the Philippines roll in April 2013.

“Very thankful for the trust and confidence of the boss. I still have a lot to learn and I am willing to listen to the wisdom of those who are more experienced,” she said.

“But first and foremost, thank you to the Lord, and to Mayor Ony and Cong. Jon,” she added.

Custodio served GenTri as councilor for eight years and six months.

Life

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

household

@mstandardLIFe thursday, september 6, 2018

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Prime view beach homes

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KICKING IT AT THE BEACH. Every day’s a beach holiday at Freia, the latest

magIne this: You wake up from a restful sleep to a view of the sun rising over crystal blue waters alongside verdant landscapes and mountains as the sea breeze touches your skin.

Such is the view that rejuvenates one’s weary body and soul, and such is the view that welcomes residents every morning at Freia.

Freia is the latest luxury beach condominium in Pico de Loro Cove. Perched near a 1.5 kilometer shoreline of pristine white sand within Hamilo Coast, it offers captivating views of the West Philippine Sea and Pico de Loro mountains.

This haven of contemporary tropical architecture consists of spacious two-bedroom flats and three-bedroom

luxury beach condominium in Pico de Loro Cove, as it features contemporary tropical architecture offering a captivating views of the West Philippine Sea and Pico de Loro Mountains.

bi-level penthouses ranging from 67 to 392 square meters, each with large picture windows and a spacious balcony. every unit has been tastefully designed by acclaimed firms, Broadway malyan and gF & Partners.

Walking out of the unit and into Freia’s grand lobby and common arar eas is a treat as they boast modern luxury, utilizing cutting-edge concepts and

Freia features contemporary tropical architecture consisting of spacious two-bedroom flats and three-bedroom bi-level penthouses.

high-quality fixtures as prescribed by renowned interior designer Budji+Royal.

The luxury beach condominium also has exclusive resort-style amenities, including an outdoor pool, lounge deck, function rooms, and lush pocket gardens amidst a picturesque landscape designed by landscape architects of Crearis. moreover, each Freia unit owner is provided comprehensive access to a wide array of land- and sea-based adventures at the adjacent Pico de Loro Beach and Country Club.

Construction of Freia will soon be in full swing following the groundbreaking in august.

In honor of grandparents

By Diana Noche Some parents are convinced that Sesame Street, Peppa Pig, and Barbie and Friends are great electronic baby sitters. The kids are hooked. They can talk like american kids talk. Their language is definitely of the english Queen’s accent. Parents take pride in that.

Children are like empty vessels. You can fill them with animosity or loving kindness. Chances are, there will be a shortage of positive learning— family love and duty, personal honor and we-group commitment, loyalty, and creative thought—the after-effect of insufficient attention.

Parenting is not a lot of fun, actually. Whatever those glossy family magazines proclaim, frayed nerves go off every day. Deal with overripe infants.

Children mope for hours over parental issues. Future artists in the family flaunting snakelike swirls of crayons on the white walls, screaming over and over, “Look, mommy, look!” as if an artwork without an assenting critic is not a masterpiece.

Parenting requires an extraordinarily high level of patience, which can diminish with each tick of the clock every time the rules are bent. on the other hand, grandparents are so welladored. They have, from past experiences, learned the true meaning of unselfish love, and will stand by their grandchildren and keep standing by their grandchildren. and it’s all for free. Gratis et amore. What they get is absolute grandchildren acceptance—the happy, sincere smiles as the kids cluster around them, purring on their lap, giving them full bear hugs, or showering their face with kisses tasting of ketchup. Big returns that add an extra sprinkling of sweetness to their bowls of oatmeal.

Today’s grandparents are moving with the times. They are now in sync with the new world.

Freed of their middle-age insecurities, they have overcome some of their own prejudices and can tolerate grandchildren’s infractions to the starched codes of behavior they have previously imposed on their own children when they were small.

LOLA’S LOVE. 70-year-old Daisy Mijares playing with her granddaughter.

Happily for the grandparents that era of tiny commotions and ear-splitting shrieks are things of the past. a more relaxed horse-and-buggy house rules had become the favored compromise. grandparents acknowledge that kids are relatively entitled not to be right occasionally. They do not

One-year-old Gio Mindo monkeying around with his grandma (left), while Daisy Mijares bonds with his granddaughter at the mall.

expect the kids to be harnessed like obedient Labradors at all times. That adolescents must be given “moments to be lazy” with their electronic buddies in their own virtual space. That kids enjoy nightowling in a billiards hall, do sleep overs after a bruising school exam, go on a truanting spree in a shopping mall after school, snicker and hee-hee, smile those twisted little smiles as soon as they get old enough to feel some hormonal stirrings.

But it’s not likely going to be a candy-and-flowers kind of grandparental love at all. old conventions don’t cheerfully go away. When elderly people go up the second floor of the house then ask themselves what the heck they were there for, it is just one of the things that are generally admitted as signs of the waning years.

Kids quite easily get the drift when they haggle for some inordinate requests and get a firm, feisty “no” for an answer. That puckishness at mealtimes could get them grounded. and a second taste of mommy’s slipper is a morbidly dreadful thought.

How wonderful it is to have grandparents around the house. a reciprocal love would be nice. after all, we can’t have them forever. Here today and then whoosh! they’re gone.

Photos by Diana B. Noche

Life

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thursday, september 6, 2018 manilastandardlife@gmail.com

Umbrella, bags and makeup products available at Miniso

Natural disasters can happen anytime, thus it’s important to make sure the whole household is prepared.

Singer and actress Julie Anne San Jose picks her favorite We Bare Bear plush toy.

Miniso opens 60th PH store

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ow-cost consumer goods retailer Miniso continuously grows in the Philippines as it recently opened its 60th store on the third level of sM Aura Premier.

the one-stop store opened with a kagami biraki, a Japanese traditional ceremony performed at significant events, with singer and actress Julie Anne san Jose as its special guest.

Miniso president Michael Hong, vice president Mariano Guy, international country director Johnny Huan led the ceremonies together with sM supermalls assistant vice president for operations Bernice Baculi, assistant vice president for leasing Kimmi siu Dewar, and sM Aura mall manager Margie De Leon.

Miniso sM Aura offers a wide selection of creative and low-priced products available in different categories, including creative Home Necessities, Health and Beauty, Fashion Accessories, stylistic Gifts, office supplies, stationery Gifts, seasonal Products, Boutique Package Decoration, Digital Accessories, and Food and Drink.

How to prepare family

for natural disasters

NAtURAL disasters like earthquakes, typhoons, and floods are hard to predict and are out of anyone’s control. they can have devastating effects, but these can be reduced through preventive measures. Here are some tips on how to prepare the family for natural calamities:

Prepare an emergency kit

Having an emergency kit ready is an important first step in preparing for unforeseen circumstances. It’s important to ensure the kit has the basic necessities to sustain the needs of the family (including pets) during severe calamities. the emergency kit should include a gallon of water per person and canned goods that will last for at least three days. It should also contain flashlights and extra batteries, a first-aid kit, seven-day supply of medicines, and multi-purpose tools such as a screwdriver and can opener.

Keep mobile phones and power banks fully charged in case of power outage.

Include family and emergency contact information, copies of personal documents, extra cash, and blankets.

Miniso offers a wide selection of quality and affordable products including creative home necessities, health and beauty, digital accessories, and stationery items, among others.

the store likewise has a great deal of products perfect for the rainy season. there are fancy umbrellas in Pink Panther designs, waterproof and long lasting makeup products, and silicone bags and pouches in bright colors.

Headquartered in tokyo, Japan, Miniso was jointly founded by chief designer Miyake Junya and chinese entrepreneur

Jacky Ye following their three core values: Quality, Idea, and Low Price. to date, it has opened more than 2,100 stores around the world—the United states, canada, Russia, singapore, Brazil, saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, turkey, south Africa, Korea, Malaysia, thailand, and the Philippines.

Have an emergency plan with your family

some disasters might require the family to leave home. when this happens, it’s beneficial to have an emergency plan that shows emergency exits for easy access.

Practice using the exits with the family members, especially children. Identify a meeting place with the family in case one gets separated. Learn about potential hazards in the community, as well as its evacuation procedures to know where to go in case another family member is away when disaster strikes.

Be informed about basic emergency response procedures

Many medical emergencies can occur during disasters and medical help may not be immediately available, thus it is important to know how to handle basic emergency situations. Ask family members to research and read up on how to cope with emergencies. It is also a good idea to take a first-aid class, which some communities offer for free.

Get insurance for your family

Julie Anne San Jose (center) graces the grand opening of Miniso’s 60th branch at SM Aura Premier. San Jose is flanked by Miniso president Michael Hong and vice president Mariano Guy, Miniso international country director Johnny Huan, SM assistant vice president for operations Premier 4 Bernice Baculi, assistant vice president for leasing Premier 4 Kimmi Siu Dewar, SM Aura mall manager Margie De Leon, leasing manager Charles De Jesus, and leasing manager Candice Gil.

Encouraging kids to eat healthily DoMEstIc appliance and consumer electronics brand Beko Philippines has recently unveiled an information dissemination campaign that aims to help parents give their children healthy food choices. the Eat Like A Pro advocacy is in support of Beko’s current global initiative of eliminating unhealthy eating habits, which affects Filipino families, especially the young ones.

“As the ‘official Partner of the Everyday,’ we are not only driven by the constant desire to create meaningful, fast, and flexible solutions but to also help people solve their real, everyday problems,” said Dyeun Zapanta, assistant general manager of Beko Philippines. “this drive is what makes us a trusted partner to our customers,” added Zapanta.

The Eat Like A Pro advocacy seeks to raise awareness on childhood malnutrition and encourage parents to give their children healthy food choices.

the ELAP campaign seeks to raise awareness on the rapidly growing rates of childhood malnutrition due to unhealthy eating habits.

A report recently released by Food Nutrition Research Institute revealed that Filipinos’ intake of fruits and vegetable is declining while their consumption of meat and eggs is increasing. According to an FNRI data from 1978 to 2013, we are eating more rice and meat while cutting down on fish, fruits, and vegetables.

FNRI-NNc’s report released in 2017 also showed that seven out of 10 households did not meet their dietary energy requirement and that only a small portion of households met the estimated average requirement for nutrients (vitamins A and c, riboflavin, and thiamine).

Kids are among those who are most affected by these habits. Beko aims to tackle the issue by empowering and helping parents on the importance of healthy eating through its advocacy. “the Eat Like A Pro advocacy is important to us, especially with the issue of childhood malnutrition. we want to elevate the growing concerns of parents about the matter by making them realize that it is possible to promote healthy eating habits to support their child’s nutrition without having to compromise the taste of the meals they prepare, regardless of their budget,” said Zapanta.

Go to Beko Philippines social media sites or at www.beko.ph to know more about #EatLikeAPro advocacy.

Insurance covers a family against unplanned expenses arising from disasters like earthquakes, typhoons, floods, and fire.

AXA Philippines’ Family Protection Package is a good example of an insurance product designed to help families during natural calamities. the package includes Personal Accident Insurance with coverage of up to P50,000, Fire Insurance with coverage of up to P150,000 and Earthquake, typhoon, and Flood Insurance with coverage of up to P50,000.

Visit www.axa.com.ph for more information.

sale alert

SM Supermalls in Metro Manila offers a special sale for UAAP schools

Discounts, promos for UaaP schools students, faculty members, employees, and alumni of all UAAP schools can proudly wear their colors while enjoying dining deals and discounts at sM malls in Metro Manila this coming weekend. shoppers from Adamson University, Ateneo de Manila University, De La salle University, Far Eastern University, National University, University of the East, University of the Philippines, and University of santo tomas get up to 70 percent off on dining deals, fashion promos, and more at the UAAP sale, happening on sept. 7 to 9. “this UAAP season, students can shop and celebrate their university colors, or have fun with friends at the first-ever UAAP sale, where they can experience a weekend full of fashion deals and dining treats in select sM malls,” said Jonjon san Agustin, sM supermalls senior vice president for marketing.

Entertainment

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2018

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nickie.standard@gmail.com

Jessica Soho receives the Gawad Plaridel Award

MUST READ

Multi-awarded broadcast journalist Jessica Soho underscores the value of ‘The Story’ as she receives the Gawad Plaridel Award.

These ten must-read books adapted into film this year are available at the 39th MIBF, set from Sept. 12 to 16 at the SMX Convention Center.

Ten books adapted into films this 2018

I

T’S only halfway through 2018 but it has already been a great year for book-to-film adaptations. With the amount of adaptations still coming this year, read on for a list of books that every book and film lover must catch up on before seeing them onscreen.

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows. Set in postWorld War II London in 1946, this epistolary novel follows author Julie Ashton as she corresponds with the members of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, a book club hastily created by its members as an alibi for breaking curfew during the German occupation. Mike Newell’s film adaptation is currently available on Netflix and stars Lily James as Juliet Ashton.

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han. The author, who graced last year’s Manila International Book Fair (MIBF) for a book-signing event, was inspired to write To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before from her teenage habit of writing letters to her crushes. Susan Johnson directs the Netflix film based on the novel, released on Aug. 17, starring X-Men: Apocalypse’s Lana Condor.

Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan. This breakout debut novel pulls readers into the whirlwind that is the lives of, well, crazy rich Asians. Directed by Jon M. Chu, the film adaptation of Crazy Rich Asians is the first Hollywood film since The Joy Luck Club in 1993 to feature an all-Asian cast. It’s now in theaters everywhere.

First Man: The Life of Neil A. Armstrong by James R. Hansen.

This official biography gives an indepth account of astronaut Neil Armstrong’s life and career, and the journey leading to the momentous Apollo 11 mission. First Man, the film based on the biography, stars Ryan Gosling as Neil Armstrong and Claire Foy as Janet Shearon, Neil Armstrong’s first wife. The movie is set for a theatrical

release in October.

The Girl in the Spider’s Web by David Lagercrantz. In The Girl in the Spider’s Web, Lagercrantz continues the late Stieg Larsson’s gripping Millennium series that began with The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. Taking the place of Rooney Mara, Claire Foy plays Lisbeth Salander in the November film sequel directed by Fedé Alvarez, also known as director of acclaimed thriller Don’t Breathe.

Boy Erased: A Memoir by Garrard Conley. In his memoir, Conley recounts his childhood as the son of devout Baptist parents who was made to undergo conversion therapy after being outed at 19 years old. Joel Edgerton directs and stars in Boy Erased, also starring Nicole Kidman and Russell Crowe as the parents of Jared Eamons, played by Lucas Hedges. The film is set to be released in November.

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by J.K. Rowling. Potterheads, time to dive back into the wizarding world. The sequel to the 2016 adaptation of Rowling’s Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, a textbook on the universe’s magical creatures, is coming out this November. Eddie Redmayne reprises his role as Newt Scamander in Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, accompanied by Jude Law as Albus Dumbledore and Johnny Depp as Gellert Grindelwald. David Yates returns to direct the sequel with a screenplay again by Rowling.

Mortal Engines by Philip Reeve.

This book imagines a post-apocalyptic world in which London has been transformed into a “Traction City”

CROSSWORD PUZZLE Thursday, September 6, 2018

ACROSS 1 Zorba portrayer 6 Dietary needs 10 Comics’ Miss Kett 14 Loosen 15 Scandinavian city 16 Heart of the matter 17 Skilled person 18 Suggestive 19 Letter encl.

20 — Kippur 21 Stole 23 Hand-dyes with wax 25 Socrates’ forte 27 Car models 28 Barbers’ implements 30 Tableware item 31 Practical joke 32 Cel character 33 Guru’s practice 37 Drei less zwei 38 Swigs 39 Small untruth 40 Long story 42 Barn colors 43 Hunter’s gear 45 Andes ruminant 47 Warning 48 Wine server 50 Connoisseur 51 Least common

52 Noted potters 53 Stage scenery 56 Brainstorm 57 Russian czar 59 Gullible 61 What willows do 62 Shade of green 63 Leprechaun kin 64 Overnight visit 65 Present 66 Psychics DOWN 1 Wharf 2 Bring to ruin 3 Making a list 4 Tweak 5 Computer system 6 Raid 7 Without delay 8 Gentle treatment 9 Forage crop 10 Rapturous delight 11 Travel option 12 Ivory sources 13 Fires abruptly 22 Med. personnel 24 Yellow Pages 26 “Arabian Nights” bird 27 Trudges 28 AAA suggestions

29 Diva’s rendition 30 Imported cheese 32 Topic 34 Highly disagreeable 35 Arizona river 36 Encourage 38 Artfully making by hand 41 By this time 43 Arroyos 44 — got it!

46 Refrain syllables

47 Surpass 48 Youngest son 49 Rock concert venue 50 “Haystacks” painter 51 Barbecue treats 52 Two quarters 54 Anon’s companion 55 Miss Trueheart of the comics 58 Clock numeral 60 Tavern order

that moves on wheels and consumes other cities to obtain resources. Cowritten and coproduced by Peter Jackson, Christian Rivers’s film adaptation comes out in December, starring Hugo Weaving and Hera Hilmar as Tom Natsworthy and Hester Shaw, respectively.

My Heart Is My Own: The Life of Mary Queen of Scots by John Guy. In this biography, Guy examines the archives and reanalyzes the life of Mary Stuart, opening room for new interpretations to the queen’s tragedy-laden life. Saoirse Ronan stars as Mary Stuart opposite Margot Robbie as Queen Elizabeth I in the historical drama directed by Josie Rourke. The film is set for a December release.

Mary Poppins by P.L. Travers.

It’s only been a 54-year-long wait, but finally, the sequel to the classic film starring Julie Andrews is coming in December. Mary Poppins Returns will see Emily Blunt starring as the titular character, with LinManuel Miranda, Julie Walters, Colin Firth and Meryl Streep joining her in the cast.

Grab all of these books and more at the 39th MIBF, set from Sept. 12 to 16 at the SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City.

The MIBF is organized by Primetrade Asia Inc., in partnership with Asian Catholic Communicators Inc., Book Development Association of the Philippines, Philippine Booksellers Association Inc. and the Overseas Publishers Representatives’ Association of the Philippines. For details, call 896-0661 or 896-0682, e-mail bookfair@primetradeasia. com, or follow @ManilaBookFair on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

Referring to herself as “a promdi, or a small town girl, who made good”, broadcast journalist Jessica Soho underscored the value of “The Story” as she humbly accepted her Gawad Plaridel Award for Journalism conferred to her by the University of the Philippines on Aug. 29. She is the first UP College of Mass Communication alumna to receive the award.

Speaking emotionally in front of an audience comprised of students from various Universities, UP Officials and many members of Soho’s GMA News and Public Affairs family—Soho said she cannot overemphasize enough how ‘The Story’ is the reason why she is in media.

“The Story is what we’re really here for; the reason for our being, if you will, and what we should all continue working hard for—to get it right,” she shared.

She added that through the years, she learned the value of upholding the truth no matter what. And that defending the integrity of The Story is now, more than ever, crucial.

“We need more of this in these perilous times when journalism and journalists are under attack by those who try to discredit us and undermine our credibility,” she said.

She pointed out that fake news is just a deliberate distortion of truth and reality and that what is scary is that fake news has been weaponized and has be-

come so powerful. But she is quick to say that there is hope.

As such, she urged the millennials in the audience to fight fake news by being more discerning.

Soho currently anchors GMA News TV’s flagship newscast State of the Nation with Jessica Soho (SONA). She also hosts the top-rating magazine show Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho on GMA7 and is the chief correspondent/ host of the investigative news magazine program Brigada on GMA News TV. Soho—who is widely regarded as the most-trusted and most-awarded broadcast journalist in the country— becomes the 14th person to receive the U.P. Gawad Plaridel, joining the ranks of Eugenia Duran-Apostol (2004), Pachico Seares (2008), and Jose Lacaba (2013).

She also recently received the History Maker Award during the History Con 2018 for her significant contribution to the nation’s life and culture.

Apart from being the first Filipina recipient of the highly acclaimed George Foster Peabody Award, Soho is also the first and only Filipino broadcast journalist to have been nominated and to have won the bronze medal in the prestigious New York Festivals “World’s Best TV and Films” Competition in the Best News Anchor category. She is a seven-time recipient of the “Most Trusted News Presenter” award of Reader’s Digest Asia.

2nd year of ‘Class Project’ docu tilt kicks off

12 to 15 minutes.

The documentaries will go through a three-level judging process conducted by ABS-CBN to choose the Top 10 entries. Last year’s winners included De La Salle University-Dasmarinas students’ entry Lupang Pinangako: Mga Rizalista ng Ronggot, a documentary on a community of devout believers of Jose Rizal as a deity, Basilica from students at the Lyceum of the Philippines University-Laguna that focused on the contro2017's winning entry 'Lupang Pinangako' by versies surrounding the national historical shrine Taal Basilica, and Manila Sound: Sunshine of the 70’s, from DLSU Dasma students. students at Southville International School and ColYoung aspiring filmmakers will once again leges that was about the rise of original Pilipino music have the chance to show their documentaries to (OPM) in that decade. a national audience through ABS-CBN’s “Class The winners will be awarded during the “Pinoy Project: An Intercollegiate Mini-Documentary Media Congress Year 13” (PMC) in February 2019.

Competition,” which kicked off in August and is In partnership with PACE, ABS-CBN gathers comnow accepting entries. munication professors and students from all over the Now on its second year, “Class Project” aims country in the annual conference to learn the latest to provide students with an opportunity to show- trends and issues in media and communication. Last case their work and contribute to the body of year, PMC had over 1,000 delegates at the College knowledge and media available to the Filipino of the Holy Spirit Manila and Cebu Technological youth. The winning documentaries will be aired University, who learned from the likes of media luon the program “Class Project” on the country’s minaries Ricky Lee and ABS-CBN head of Integratonly local educational channel Knowledge Chan- ed News & Current Affairs Ging Reyes, journalist nel, while the teams behind them also win tro- Jeff Canoy, and actress-screenwriter Bela Padilla. phies and cash prizes.

Meanwhile, ABS-CBN will also hold a “Docu Eligible college students from Philippine As- Caravan” together with Knowledge Channel and ABSsociation for Communication Educators (PACE) CBN Integrated News & Current Affairs starting this member schools can submit until Nov. 30 relevant September to teach and inspire students to create inforeducational documentaries that feature Knowl- mative and relevant documentaries. edge Channel’s values of social justice, passion to For more information visit www.pinoymeserve, commitment to holistic learning, integrity, diacongress.com. Inquiries can also be sent to and nationalism and with a total running time of classproject@knowledgechannel.org.

Nickie Wang, Issue Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com

C4

Entertainment

Singing their way

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2018

GMA takes lion’s share of August TV viewership GMA Network kept its dominance in the nationwide television ratings competition based on the latest data from industry’s widely-trusted ratings service provider, Nielsen TV Audience Measurement.

From Aug.1 to 31 (with Aug. 26 to 31 based on overnight data), the media network registered an average total day people audience share of 42.6 percent in the National Urban Television Audience Measurement (NUTAM), beating ABSCBN’s 36.2 percent.

Viewers continued to prefer GMA more than its rival network as the Network widened its lead anew across all day parts.

In the morning block, GMA garnered 38.9 percent people audience share versus ABS-CBN’s 34.2 percent.

GMA’s biggest lead was in the afternoon block as it tallied a 44.3 percent audience share, which toppled ABS-CBN’s 34.9 percent.

Continuing well in the evening block, GMA posted an average of 43 percent as against ABS-CBN’s 37.9 percent.

The Kapuso Network also remained as the ratings frontrunner in the viewer-rich areas of Urban Luzon and Mega Manila, which respectively account for 72 and 59 percent of all urban viewers in the country.

GMA recorded an average total day people audience share of 48 percent in Urban Luzon, while ABS-CBN only managed to get 30.2 percent.

With official data from August 1 to 25, the Kapuso Network gained an average total day people audience share of 49.4 percent in Mega Manila which was way ahead of competition’s 27.7 percent.

In NUTAM’s list of top-rating programs, GMA bagged 7 spots out of the top 10 with Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho (KMJS) still reigning as the most watched GMAprogram, followed by Kambal, Karibal, Pepito Manaloto, 24 Oras, Victor Magtanggol, Onanay, and Magpakailanman.

Completing the Network’s list of ratings drivers for August were The Clash, Daig Kayo ng Lola Ko, Amazing Earth, Inday Will Always Love You, 24 Oras Weekend, Wowowin, Imbestigador, Eat Bulaga, Sunday Pinasaya, and Kapuso Movie Night.

GMA Network likewise dominated the list of top programs in Urban Luzon by taking 9 out of 10 spots while GMA swept Mega Manila’s top 10 list.

Nielsen data is gathered through a greater number of sampled homes nationwide in comparison to Kantar Media. With approximately 900 more homes surveyed in Total Urban and Rural Philippines compared to Kantar, Nielsen data is statistically considered more representative of the total TV population.

In 2018, Nielsen TV Audience Measurement’s client pool covers a total of 34 clients/subscribers consisting of 8 local TV networks including ABS-CBN, TV5, Aksyon TV, CNN Philippines, and Viva Communications Inc., among others; 3 regional clients; 2 blocktimers; and 21 agencies (17 media agencies, 3 consulting agencies, 1 digital agency).

Alden Richards' 'Victor Magtanggol' joins the list of GMA Network's most watched shows.

VERY WANG NICKIE WANG

to stardom I

caught up with some of the finalists of The Clash, the original reality singing competition hosted by Regine Velasquez on GMA. They were introduced to the press via a media conference where each of them had to perform a two-minute piece and tell the attendees why they deserve to win.

'The Clash' host Regine Velasquez joined onstage by the singing reality show's Top 12 contenders.

Regine with one of the contestants whose journey in the show has just ended.

Everyone had the same answer – it’s their dream and music is already part of their life that’s its almost void of meaning without it. In fact, some of them even gave up “something important” just to be part of the show.

After witnessing the regional auditions in Baguio in February and its Manila leg last summer, it’s easy to understand where they are coming from. They’ve faced numerous hurdles just to pursue their love for music and, somehow, for the love of having a more comfortable life that comes with stardom. Take note, The Clash grand winner will have an exclusive management contract with GMA Network and will take home P1 million cash, a brand new car and a Bria house and lot.

After some intense battles in the past rounds, not to mention some dramatic turns, 12 aspiring contenders are now vying to become the very first The Clash grand winner.

Representing Luzon are Anthony Rosaldo of Valenzuela, Mirriam Manalo of Pampangga, Melbelline Caluag of Bulacan, and Garrett Bolden of Olangapo.

Visayas bets are Kyryll Ugdiman of Iloilo, Lyra Micolob of Davao, Esterlina Olmedo, Danielle Ozaraga of Cebu, and Golden Cañedo.

Meanwhile, the Mindanao hopefuls are Jong Madaliday and Josh Adornado of Cagayan de Oro. International clasher Mika Gorospe from the U.S. also made the cut.

And now that they are close to the finals, Regine Velasquez reminds the clashers to always put their hearts into their performances as the challenges become more extreme.

“They should take care of themselves and always choose a good song.

And you know while they are here, I want them to put their hearts in every performance, that’s what’s going to make them stand out,” she said.

Meanwhile, executives were reluctant to share more details on what the audience can expect from the show now that there are only 12 contestants vying for the title.

“Since this is an original concept, we can’t really tell what’s going to happen in the next episodes. Things can still change. But what we can assure the audience is that they will appreciate how the show progresses in the coming weeks,” a GMA executive said.

The Clash airs every Saturday after Pepito Manaloto and every Sunday after Daig Kayo Ng Lola Ko on GMA.

INTERNATIONAL

Van Gogh was murdered claims new film at Venice A new film about the artist Vin- Van Gogh killed himself? Absocent Van Gogh claims that he lutely not!” was murdered rather than having “He came back to the auberge shot himself. with a bullet in his stomach and At Eternity’s Gate starring nobody ever found the gun or his Willem Dafoe as the tortured painting materials,” Carriere added. genius, was premiered Mon“What we have been fighting day at the Venice film festival. against is the dark romantic legend In it the painter is shot after a of Van Gogh. In the last period of struggle with local youths near his life Van Gogh was working conthe village of Auvers-sur- stantly. Every day he made a new Oise outside Paris, where work,” he said. the artist spent his final His final weeks, when he painted months in 1890. He died the Portrait of Dr Gachet, which 36 hours later after stag- set a world record when it sold for gering back to the local $82.5 million (77 million euros) inn in the dark. in 1990, were “not at all sad”, the While most historians writer argued. AFP agree that Van Gogh killed himself, renowned painter and Oscar-nominated director Julian Schnabel fuels a theory that he was killed in the film.

Legendary French screenwriter Jean-Claude Carriere, who co-wrote the script with Schnabel, told AFP there “is absolutely no proof he killed Willem Dafoe as Vincent Van Gogh in himself. Do I believe that a new film entitled 'At Eternity's Gate .'

An emotional win for Anthony Rosaldo of Valenzuela in one of the past episodes of The Clash.

YUGEL LOSORATA

Union of the snares

Indie musician and Tree:ty drum-maker Toks Paras painstakingly handcrafts snare drum using recycled wood.

To fully enjoy the experience of playing steady, a drummer is somewhat at the mercy of the kit’s quality.

Such consideration makes Filipino indie musician Toks Paras extra admirable among his fellows for he can build a proper-sounding and nice-looking drumset from scratch and out of scrap.

Painstakingly handcrafted using recycled wood, the equipment he produces, especially customized snare, is fast-establishing itself under the branding Tree:ty Drums.

“My drummer-brother Tas was looking for a snare and drum kit with a unique sound.

That gave me the idea to manually produce him one,” shared Toks who actually plays bass guitar as official post in his own band The Soledads.

“Four years ago,” he continued, “I heard about a Japanese drum-maker who also plays the bass. That was my cue and I made my first snare in two weeks, all from scrap materials.

My mother was really pleased with the final product and that further encouraged me.”

By the following year he was regularly supplying the Rizal Park Open Air Auditorium in Manila for Saturday live performances.

In 2017, FM radio station Jam 88.3 enjoyed Tree:ty’s service in its sessions with Jah dela Cruz and Pepe Smith. In fact, Tree:ty drums withstood the numerous bands that went on stage during the controversial Pepe Smith Rock Fest in Amoranto Stadium last June. Well, Toks’s product delivered for sure.

Someone exclaimed on the brand’s FB Page: “Gawang kamay. Solidong kalidad. Swabeng tunog. Higit sa lahat, sariling atin.”

The birth of Tree:ty is in line with the maker’s acknowledged efforts to keep the indie music scene alive at least in the south area of Metro Manila. For the record, The Soledads took its name from a street in Parañaque City.

Along with lead vocalist TJ Tirante and with ample support from their back up personnel, Toks spearheaded the band with the release of digital singles and a couple of EPs since their formation in 2009. Their debut “Stay Away” reached the top spot on Radio Pilipinas countdown and earned raves from Rakista Pilipinas. Another called “AWOL” is a semifinalist in the KBP Pop Festival Songwriting Contest in 2010.

Last summer, The Soledads performed with Ben & Ben and Autotelic at Makati Shangrila and then at a music festival in Las Piñas City headlined by current rap sensation ExBattalion. Not even a steady job and a regular family routine can dissuade Toks from joining late-night production gigs where big pay is almost non-existent.

He reasoned, “By doing it I get to know more fellow musicians as well as our audience. I want to reach more artists and music enthusiasts through my band and my drums.”

By late 2016, snare orders began pouring in. He later met Leiz Jimenez, widow of late comedian Tado Jimenez and the one running the bar Limitado in Marikina. The place became