Manila Standard - 2018 July 9 - Monday

VOL. XXXII • NO. 144 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 • MONDAY, JULY 9, 2018 • www.manilastandard.net • editorial@manilastandard.net

15-inch CHOKE POINT

START Six of 12 boys rescued inside flooded cave

Army kills 45 BIFF, loses 4 men, steps up attacks

By Francisco Tuyay THE military has killed at least 45 members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters in at least four areas in Maguindanao province as operations against the terrorist group intensify, Brig. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, commander of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, said Sunday.

Garin faces NBI inquiry into P8-b health stations

By Rey E. Requejo and Macon Ramos-Araneta THE Department of Justice has ordered the National Bureau of Investigation to investigate former Health secretary Janette Garin and other officials of the Department of Health for possible graft and corruption, in connection with the alleged irregularities in the implementation of the P8-billion program to build 5,700 barangay health stations in public schools nationwide.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said the NBI has the authority to summon Garin and former or incumbent DoH officials for its fact-finding investigation to find out their possible

Sobejana said 28 others terrorists were injured in the month-long security operations aimed at neutralizing the BIFF. Four soldiers were killed and 20 others were wounded.

On Sunday, BIFF rebels detonated a roadside bomb wounding three soldiers who were maneuvering towards the

MAE SAI, Thailand—At least six boys among a group of 13 trapped inside a flooded Thai cave emerged on Sunday.

The first two boys have already been airlifted to a hospital in Chiang Rai, while the four are in the field hospital outside Tham Luang cave.

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Amid slays, PNP junks add’l escorts for LGUs L

EGAZPI CITY— Philippine National Police Director General Oscar Albayalde rejected calls Sunday to provide additional police security to mayors and vice mayors, even as the vice mayor of Trece Martires City and a municipal councilor in Kapatagan, Lanao del Sur were shot dead in separate incidents.

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‘Only a God-believer can join ruling party’

By Macon Ramos-Araneta THE ruling PDP-Laban’s No. 1 principle is its belief in God, party president Senator Aquilino Pimentel III said Sunday.

“If a person does not believe in God, he should not join PDP-Laban,” Pimentel said in an interview over radio dzBB on Sunday. His party, he said, believes God “has a design for us... he has a plan for our people.”

Asked about President Rodrigo Duterte’s challenge for even one person to show him a selfie with God to prove he exists, Pimentel said Duterte said he believed in God when he joined the party.

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FLUVIAL FIESTA. A festive atmosphere pervades the Pagoda fluvial parade in Bocaue town which celebrates its town fiesta in honor of the Mahal na Poon Kruz sa Wawa on Sunday. Manny Palmero

England reaches World Cup semis SPORTS A8

France vs Belgium July 10

Five Pinoys abducted by armed men in Iraq, Libya; PH pleads for assistance

By Rey E. Requejo THE Philippine government has sought the help of the authorities in Iraq and Libya to secure the release of five Filipinos who were abducted by armed men in the two countries.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano said the Department of Foreign Affairs made the request after he was notified by Philippine embassies in Baghdad and Tripoli about the separate incidents of abduction.

“We are in touch with authorities in Iraq and Libya and have requested their

assistance in locating and securing the release of our missing countrymen,” Cayetano said.

Reports indicated that two Filipinas were abducted on Saturday on a road connecting Baghdad to Kirkuk.

Chargé d’Affaires Julius Torres said the women were with two other Filipinas and were on their way to Baghdad from Kurdistan when armed men stopped their vehicle.

The driver reportedly abandoned the vehicle as the armed men took all four women. However, two of them later escaped and are in police custody.

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Filipino, 4 daughters killed in US car crash

By Nat Mariano

Croatia vs England

July 11

A FILIPINO and his four daughters died in a car crash near Townsend, Delaware, while on their way home from a vacation, state police said Saturday.

The man’s wife, 53-year-old Mary Rose Ballocanag, who was sitting in the front passenger seat, survived the crash, initial reports said.

The family was cruising along Delaware Highway 1 on Friday when a pickup truck hit their car as it crossed the

road’s grassy median strip, Ballocanag’s aunt, Lydia Agas, told ABS-CBN News.

Agas said Ballocanag was sleeping during the accident and woke up with her husband’s lifeless body across her lap.

A Fox News Report identified Ballocanag’s New Jersey-based husband as Audie Marquez Trinidad and their daughters as Kaitlyn, 20; Danna, 17; and twins Allison and Melissa, 13.

An initial investigation from Delaware authorities found that Ballocanag and her Next page

Trece Martires City Vice Mayor Alexander Lubigan, 44, and his driver Romulo Guillemer, 58, were shot dead by gunmen while travercing the Trece Martieres-Indang Road onboard a black Toyota Hilux in Barangay Luciano Saturday.

In Lanao del Sur, Municipal Councilor Nassif Palawan Bansil was shot dead after five gunmen entered a house where he was in and opened fire, wounding three others.

On July 2, Tanauan City Mayor Antonio Halili was shot by an unidentified gunman while attending the morning flag-raising rites at city hall. General Tinio, Nueva Ecija Mayor Ferdinand Bote was killed in an ambush in Cabanatuan City on July 3.

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If a person does not believe in God, he should not join the PDP-Laban.

— PDP-Laban president Senator Aquilino Pimentel III

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News

MONDAY, JULY 9, 2018

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Duterte dares Reds: Prepare for war

By Nat Mariano THE doors remain “wide open” for the resumption of the peace talks even as President Rodrigo Duterte challenged the communist rebels to prepare for war, an official said Saturday.

Presidential Peace Adviser Jesus Dureza said they had not closed the doors to the peace and efforts to pursue the peace negotiations.

“As I said, the doors are still open for both sides to work on,” Dureza said.

“When that precise time comes, we at the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process will again seek the President’s guidance as we proceed to do our mandated task to bring a just and sustainable peace in the land.”

During an event in Davao City last Friday, Duterte made his remark as he thought the prospects for the continuation of the peace negotiations with the communists had become unlikely.

He said he had carefully read all the documents and previous agreements between the communists, led by the National Democratic Front of the Philippines, and the past administrations.

“If you read it, it all ends up with the power-sharing and a coalition government,” said Duterte, believing the negotiations that existed from the previous Ramos, Arroyo and Aquino administrations all indicated that the rebels wanted to share power with the government.

“I cannot give it to you. Let’s go to war. Let us all go to war. I studied it one by one [as to] what are the implications and where is the direction. It all ends up to power sharing.”

Dureza was quick to dismiss Duterte’s combative remarks.

“I was present when President Duterte said last night in an event in Davao City that if he would be removed soon from office as allegedly announced by the enemies of the state, then they would have nobody to talk with. Hence, there would be no more talks,” said Dureza, adding that the President was only making an assumption.

Last Wednesday, Malacañang announced that the doors for such peace talks were still open subject to the conditions set by the President.

“The door for the peace talks remains open provided [Duterte’s] conditions are met,” Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said in a statement following the command conference held Wednesday night.

It has been noted that Duterte wants a stop to the collection of the so-called revolutionary taxes by the communists, to make the venue of the talks here and to have a ceasefire agreement in which the armed members of the New People’s Army were encamped in designated areas.

However, Communist Party of the Philippines founding chairman Jose Maria Sison claimed that the conditions was a mere setup for a nationwide martial law.

Malacañang had previously assured the public there were no plans for a declaration of a nationwide martial law as the President deemed it to be problematic.

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“But we have no specific God. Number 1, do you believe in supreme being, who looks at you constantly,” said Pimentel.

He also said people should focus on the President’s statement that he believes in an intelligent God. But Senator Antonio Trillanes IV said Duterte’s remarks abouf God and the teachings of the Catholic Church only show that he does not believe in God. “No doubt, Duterte is an anti-Christ.

More than his numerous anti-God and anti-Church statements, Duterte has been promoting a culture of killing, violence, hatred, misogyny and indecency among our people,” noted Trillanes, a staunch critic of the President.

“In other words, everything that was taught to us growing up as Christians or as Filipinos is being undone by Duterte’s evil ways,” he added.

Pimentel said Duterte’s recent remarks have not hurt his credibility.

“I haven’t seen a survey where his approval rating declined due to the current spate of killings, issues on peace and order and the economy and other [issues] like at Boracay or land reform,” he said.

He urged the people not to make an issue about Duterte’s belief in God. “Don’t make that an issue because his first statement was that he believes in God. Except that there are some teachings which he taunted and wanted to be proved, but that’s not a violation of the Constitution,” he said.

“Let us not debate on the doctrine of the Church; it’s just a waste of time,” he added. “Let the state now concentrate on state concerns.”

Plebescite on federal practical—Koko He told dzBB radio that the plebiscite could be done simultaneously with the coming midterm elections in May next year.

“Just to be practical, I’m thinking about the time line. We can do the plebiscite to approve the federal constitution with the scheduled electoral exercise in May 2019,” Pimentel said.

He made his statement even as Vice President Leni Robredo assailed the planned amendment of the 1987 Consti-

tution as “untimely,” saying the country was plagued with more important and pressing concerns such as inflation and the killings of local officials.

“It is not timely to discuss the amendment of the Constitution, especially the proposal to change the term of [elected] leaders and the postponement of the next elections because there are too many issues besetting our people,” she said.

Pimentel said the plebiscite time line still depended on the speed of the process

in the government branches which would receive and review the draft federal charter.

The 22-man Con-Com, created by President Rodrigo Duterte, had submitted to him the final draft of the proposed amendments to the 1987 Constitution with a shift to a federal form of government.

If the Office of the President will act swiftly on the proposed draft, it could be forwarded to Congress.

“By October or November, we will already have the prepared draft. It will be difficult to wait until October,” Pimentel said.

He said the final draft of the federal Charter was expected to be delivered to Duterte on July 9, two weeks before he delivers his third State of the Nation Address on July 23.

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Authorities said Lubigan was not included in the government’s “narco-list” of politicians linked to the illegal drug trade.

“As you know, during elections, people get killed before, during and after the elections—winners and losers alike,” Albayalde said in Filipino. “[W]e are doing everything to solve these cases and we are assuring the public that we will deliver justice especially to the family of the victims.”

He also appealed to anyone with information about the cases to come forward to help the police.

The National Bureau of Investigation, meanwhile, has been ordered to conduct a thorough investigation into the Lubigan killing.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said on Sunday that he has directed NBI Director Dante Gierran to determine whether Lubigan’s killing was related to the deaths of Halili and Bote last week.

“There’s another ambush. This time the vice mayor of Trece Martires City was the target. I have instructed Director Dante Gierran to include this in the NBI’s ongo-

ing investigation and determine if there’s a pattern or if the incidents were unrelated,” Guevarra said, in a text message.

“We need immediate results,” he added.

Lubigan is the third local government official killed within last week. Authorities have already started investigating the killings of both Halili and Bote.

Halili, who among the local officials included in the narco-list, was shot dead while attending a flag-raising ceremony last Monday.

On Tuesday, Bote was killed an ambush in Cabanatuan City.

Malacañang, meanwhile, condemned the killing of Lubigan.

Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque called on the PNP to conduct “a fair and through investigation” and get to the bottom of the crime.

He also called for cooperation to stop the rising number of killings involving local government officials.

“We must band together and put an end to the worrisome incidents of violence involving local politicians,” he said. Rey E. Requejo with PNA

By Macon Ramos-Araneta and Rio N. Araja

T

HE conduct of a plebiscite to approve the constitutional commission’s draft federal Constitution is more practical, Senator Aquilino Pimentel III said Sunday.

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“We are still investigating the incident as to the motive of the killings of local officials,” Albayalde said of the vice mayor’s killing. “There are many angles that police are investigating in the recent killings like political motive, drugs and other angles.”

“We don’t need to be afraid or worry as these [killings] were all not systematic and patterned,” he added.

Albayalde said the PNP provides at least two police personnel to mayors and vice mayors, and said they cannot give them more as the police force might run out of officers.

He urged local officials to hire additional security if they think their lives are in danger.

He added that they can also coordinate with their local police to provide additional security if they plan to visit critical areas where there will be large gatherings.

SAFETY FIRST.

A small scale fisherman docks his fishing boat in Navotas as Typhoon ‘Maria’ approaches the Philippine area of responsibility.

Norman Cruz

Garin...

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involvement and criminal liabilities in the anomalous multi-billion-peso health stations project.

“The NBI may invite current or former DoH officials, including secretary Garin to shed light on the issues,” Guevarra said.

“I will leave it to the NBI if they will find it necessary to summon secretary Garin and other officials,” he said.

The DoJ chief said he has already directed the NBI to commence its own fact-finding inquiry into the controversy, which is also being investigated by the Senate.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III exposed the alleged barangay health stations anomaly, saying the project sites were “not validated” by implementing agencies and that there were “problems from the level of planning, procurement and actual project implementation.”

Duque said the contractor of the project, J. Bros. Construction, sent a letter of termination of contract for Phase 1 of the project and billed the DoH P2.9 billion for 429 units last March.

The DoH chief described the anomaly

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Elite divers on Sunday began the extremely dangerous operation to extract the 12 boys and their football coach who have been trapped in the flooded cave complex in northern Thailand for more than two weeks, as looming monsoon rains threatened the rescue effort.

The “Wild Boars” team has been stuck in a cramped chamber several kilometers inside the Tham Luang cave complex since June 23, when they went in after football practice and were hemmed in by

as “wide and deep,” adding that middleto high-level officials were involved.

Duque said he requested the Commission on Audit to conduct a “fraud audit” of the project and also asked the Office of the Ombudsman to investigate the transaction.

In Senate hearing last week, Duque slammed the lack of planning for the project that involved the construction of 5,700 school-based barangay health units by the DoH with the Department of Education and Department of the Interior and Local Government.

The DoH chief said more time should have been allotted for the planning of the 5,700 health units in barangays to ensure the program’s smooth implementation.

Duque said only 218 barangay health stations have been built with complete documents.

Garin requested funding for the construction of the health units in 2015, or less than a year before the Aquino administration ended its term.

Garin is already facing string of charges before the DoJ over the Dengvaxia anti-dengue vaccine program.

In the Senate, Senator JV Ejercito said the special allotment release orders for the Dengvaxia vaccine and the Barangay Health Stations were approved on the

same day, Dec. 29, 2015, or a few weeks before the campaign period for the May 2016 elections.

“It’s too much of a coincidence because it’s the same date,” said Ejercito, chairman of the Senate health and demography committee, which has been conducting a hearing on the Dengvaxia and health center programs.

Ejercito said his panel would recommend the filing of technical malversation charges against Garin and other health officials, as well as former Budget secretary Florencio Abad.

Abad will be invited in the next hearing.

Duque and former secretary Jean Paulyn Ubial told the committee that there seemed to be haste in the approval of the two projects.

Ubial said she noticed the lack of planning in the project when she became Health secretary.

Health Undersecretary Roger Tong-An confirmed that the SARO for the BHS was issued on Dec. 29, 2015, about six months before the end of President Benigno Aquino III’s term of office.

Senators also took note that the Miscellaneous Personnel Benefits Fund was often used as a source of funds not provided

by Congress.

rising waters.

Their plight has transfixed Thailand and the rest of the world, as authorities have struggled to devise a plan to get the boys and their coach out through twisting, narrow and jagged passageways that in some places are completely flooded.

“Today is the D-day. The boys are ready to face any challenges,” rescue chief Narongsak Osottanakorn told reporters near the cave site as weather forecasters warned of more monsoon rains that would cause more flooding in the cave.

The boys, aged from 11 to 16, and their 25-year-old coach were found disheveled

and hungry by British cave diving specialists nine days after they ventured in.

But initial euphoria over finding the boys alive quickly turned into deep anxiety as rescuers raced to find a way to get them out, with Narongsak at one point dubbing the effort “Mission Impossible.”

The death of a former Thai Navy Seal diver who ran out of oxygen in the cave on Friday underscored the danger of the journey even for adept professionals.

Saman Kunan had been trying to establish an air line in a flooded area with oxygen tanks when he passed out and perished. AFP

He believes the Con-Com’s approval of the final draft of the federal Charter is right on schedule Senator Bam Aquino has urged the public to be vigilant about the government’s Charter change move, saying it could deprive the people of the right to choose their next leaders.

He expressed alarm because, he said, under the Charter change being pushed by the current administration, the right of the people to chose and make a decision would be lost.

He said the Filipino people would be at the losing end if the administration insisted on postponing the 2019 elections.

He assured the public that the opposition would keep a close watch on the government’s efforts to change the 1987 Constitution to ensure that the Filipino people’s interest would be protected.

‘Maria’ enters PAR, unlikely to hit land TYPHOON “Maria” could enter the Philippine area of responsibility today, Monday, but is not likely to make landfall in any part of the country, the weather bureau said Sunday.

“Landfall in any part of the country remains less likely,” but Maria may enhance the southwest monsoon to bring rain over the Mimaropa region and Panay Island until Tuesday, said the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration.

Occasional rain is forecast over Metro Manila, the rest of Western Visayas and the western sections of Calabarzon and Central Luzon.

Maria will be renamed “Gardo” once it enters PAR, Pagasa said.

Maria maintained its strength while moving northwest on Sunday. Its center was located 1,820 kilometers east of Northern Luzon or outside PAR. Maria was packing maximum sustained winds of 185 kilometers per hour near the center with gustiness of up to 225 kph. It was moving northwest at 15 kph. Rio N. Araja

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direction of rebel positions reportedly led by BIFF sub-commander Samad Simpay under the Bungos faction.

Sobejana said fighting was still raging the other day and Army troops continued to pursue the BIFF who sent reinforcements in Shariff Aguak, Pagatin (Datu Piang), Mamasapano and Salibo.

He said Army blocking forces were mobilized to intercept the BIFF back-up force while artillery fire pinned down the rebel fighters.

Sobejana, who became commander of 6th ID May 26, has initiated no let-up operations against the BIFF who continue attack military posts and civilian targets.

“For as long as they still exist, I will not stop, it will continue,” said Sobejana of the BIFF, adding that he had enough forces to sustain the operations.

“We are doing our best effort to put a rapid conclusion to this problem, because the more we prolong it, the more it prolongs the agony of many civilians in Maguindanao,” Sobejana said.

Sobejana’s has been successful in operations against the Abu Sayyaf Group.

“I’m trying my best, just like what I did in Sulu,” Sobejana said.

He said operations will be deliberate to avoid collateral damage.

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husband were wearing seat belts. The girls, however, were not.

The driver of the pickup, a 44-year-old man from East New Market, Maryland, was treated and released. He was wearing a seatbelt. The cause of the crash was under investigation The Filipino American Society of Teaneck, New Jersey, created an online fund raiser for Ballocanag’s medical expenses. A total of 1,920 concerned people raised $70,777 in less than 16 hours.

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On Friday, three Filipinos and one Korean were abducted by unidentified armed men in southeastern Libya. They were working as technicians at a water plant.

According to the DFA, armed men went to the construction site 500 kilometers from Tripoli early Friday and snatched five foreigners and four Libyans from their quarters.

News

MONDAY, JULY 9, 2018

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Public Works warned over defects in187 infra projects

By Rio N. Araja

MALAYAN MARKER. President Rodrigo Roa Duterte leads the unveiling of the marker of the Malayan Colleges Mindanao during the college’s inauguration at the General Douglas

MacArthur Highway in Matina, Davao City on July 7, 2018. Joining the President are Mapua University and House of Investments chairman Helen Yuchengco-Dee, Mapua University, MCM president Dr. Reynaldo Vea and Mapua University and MCM executive vice president engineer Dodjie Maestrecampo. Presidential Photo

MWSS pushes Manila Bay rehab DILG program M fails to meet targets—CoA

By Rio N. Araja THE Commission on Audit has flagged the Department of the Interior and Local Government’s “Masa Masid” program for its low accomplishment in solving corruption, crime, illegal drugs and terrorism.

One of the core objectives of Masa Masid that began in September 2016 was to strengthen the barangay anti-drug abuse councils with a budget allocation of P90.58 million.

As of Dec. 31, 2017, CoA noted the full budget was used up but the project reported no accomplishment in its programmed activities.

A related project, setting up a Masa Masid feedback mechanism intended to streamline referral, verification and processing of reports to appropriate participating agencies spent its P2.425-million budget but turned up zero-performance output.

Of the 1,634 local government units eyed for participation in the feedback mechanism, the agency did not submit the number that was met despite the P16.942-million budget was exhausted.

On the roll-out of trainings for DILG field officers at local government levels, only 1,228 completed the course, 26 percent lower than the targeted 1,634 finishers.

Again, the P14.557-million purse was fully used up.

“We noted that management achieved low physical targets in the implementation of some activities although the allotted budget totaling P34.838 million was fully utilized,” CoA said.

The DILG claimed as of May 28, 2018, “all physical targets identified have been met” quoting its regional offices.

CoA also questioned the propriety of DILG’s decision to funnel P99.19 million to three other government agencies.

The audit team said P10.5 million went to the Presidential Communications Operations Office, P50 million to the Philippine Public Safety College and P38.69 million to the Local Government Academy.

A review of the program accomplishments at yearend revealed eight activities for the implementation by the DILG’s central and regional offices were not undertaken.

Instead the budget totaling P145.243 million were “realigned to other activities.”

ETROPOLITAN Waterworks and Sewerage System Administrator Reynaldo V. Velasco believes teamwork and adherence to the concept of shared responsibility will ensure the restoration of the Manila Bay waters to Class B level sea water according to the Water Classification Tables mandated under DENR Administrative Order No. 34.

“For the Manila Bay waters to be rehabilitated, restored and maintained to a level fit to swimming, skin diving and other contact forms of recreation, teamwork from all sectors is necessary,” Velasco said. “The concept of shared responsibility must be put into practice that will include responsible citizenship in disposing of garbage,” he added.

Velasco made the statement in the wake of Senate’s plan to look into the waste water treatment and sewerage system in Metro Manila as proposed by Senator Cynthia Villar.

Poor and inefficient solid waste management as well as inadequacy of proper wastewater facilities had been identified as contributory to the worsening state of water in Manila Bay.

While MWSS and its concessionaires are constantly working to improve their services, they are faced with major challenges in their program implementation.

These challenges include availability of lots for wastewater treatment plants; bureaucratic red tape in permit acquisition; right-of-way problems that at times include the presence of illegal settlers; limited construction on streets; and unavailability of updated drainage master plan.

The work to rehabilitate Manila Bay, however, needs more than the construction of wastewater facilities and the collective efforts the government agencies named in the Supreme Court Writ. Cooperation and collaboration from every citizen is needed to solve operational challenges such as ex-

cessive debris and garbage; theft of appurtenances; and the low acceptance rate for desludging services.

A Writ of Continuing Mandamus was issued by the Supreme Court on Dec. 18, 2008 directing 13 government agencies to clean-up, rehabilitate and preserve Manila Bay in their different capacities.

Among these agencies is MWSS which under its mandate is directed to provide, install, operate, and maintain the necessary adequate waste water treatment facilities in Metro Manila, Rizal, and Cavite where needed at the earliest possible time. The other agencies are the MMDA, DENR, DECS (DepEd), DoH, DA, DPWH, DBM, PCG, PNP Maritime Group, DILG, LWUA, and PPA. Under the Writ, MWSS shall submit to the Court the list of areas in Metro Manila, Rizal and Cavite that do not have the necessary wastewater treatment facilities. The concessionaires of the MWSS were also asked to submit their plans and projects for the construction of wastewater treatment facilities and their completion period for said facilities, which shall not go beyond 2037, the end of the concession agreements.

MARIA MOMENT. Shoppers hang out inside a Manila mall on a rainy Sunday afternoon on July 8, 2018. Heavy rains are expected in

many parts of Luzon including Metro Manila over the weekend due to the southwest monsoon, which was enhanced by Typhoon ‘Maria’ located east of Central Luzon, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration warned. The US Joint Typhoon Warning Center has categorized Maria as super typhoon a which is forecast to enter the Philippine area of responsibility today and will be given the local name Gardo. Ey Acasio

24-hour gun processing at 26th defense show THE 26th AFAD Defense & Sporting Arms Show opens its door to thousands of gun enthusiasts on July 12 to 16, 2018 at the SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City, offering exciting activities, surprises and raffle prizes.

World shooting champ Jethro T. Dionisio, president of the Association of Firearms and Ammunition Dealers of the Philippines Inc., said AFAD exhibitors will launch their latest array of firearms, ammunition and shooting paraphernalia.

In partnership with the Philippine

National Police, the DSAS will again stage the PNP Firearms Caravan to assist applicants of License to Own and Possess Firearms, Provisional LTOPF, Firearms Registration, and Permit to Carry Firearms Outside of Residence.

For the convenience of applicants, there will also be services of the Health Service’s neuro-psychiatric exam and interview, Directorate for Intelligence clearance, Crime Laboratory’s drug test clearance, PNP Finance Service, NBI clearance, notary public and residence certificate. Interested applicants may

visit www.afad.ph for the complete list of requirements.

In addition, the AFAD is also working closely with the PNP to have LTOPF and Firearms Registration ID card printing at the show venue.

Visit www.feo-system.com so you can make your online account, which automatically migrates your data from the old FEO computer system.

AFAD emphasized that only those with valid LTOPF can bring home their new firearms after completion of the Firearm Registration processing.

THE Commission on Audit has flagged the Department of Public Works and Highways over various defects on 187 school buildings and other infrastructure projects undertaken by the agency’s contractors that resulted in delays in turnover and usage.

In separate findings, state auditors said P326.311 million worth of school buildings constructed under the Department of Education’s basic educational facilities fund cannot be used despite the shortage of classrooms due to structural defects, absence of utilities or facilities, and non-compliance with procedures.

The projects were located in Metro Manila’s Manila City, Quezon City, Malabon City and Navotas City; Ilocos Sur; Ilocos Norte, and Cebu province.

Three of the school buildings do not have electricity connections, one has no water supply, and two have no tables, chairs, or any of the required laboratory installations.

“The BEFF was intended to address the surmounting classroom shortage the schools are experiencing at present. Thus, the non-utilization of the completed school buildings due to lack of electricity and water and school facilities and delayed turnover hindered delivery of quality basic education,” the report read.

DPWH, however, clarified its participation was limited to construction, and that DepEd was responsible to ensure that facilities and utilities were delivered or installed.

In another observation, the audit team flagged various technical defects in 334 projects, including school buildings, roads, flood control systems, hospital and health centers, fish port and a gymnasium.

“Inspection of 334 infrastructure projects conducted by the CoA-technical audit specialists during the year revealed defects/deficiencies including items of work which were not in accordance with the standard specifications,” CoA said.

Problems noted in relation to road projects included steep gradients, fail-

House splits Aklan into two districts THE House of Representatives has approved on third and final reading House Bill 7522 seeking to split the province of Aklan into two legislative districts.

The bill authored by Aklan Rep. Carlito Marquez sought to improve the current representation of the province deemed necessary to enhance the implementation of government services and ensure proper delivery of service to the Aklanons.

Under the bill, the province’s first legislative district shall be composed of the towns of Altavas, Balete, Banga, Kalibo, New Washington, Libacao and Madalang.

On the other hand, the second legislative district shall be composed of Buruanga, Ibajay, Lezo, Makato, Malay, Malinao, Nabas, Numancia and Tangalan.

Boracay Island shall be part of District 2 being within the town of Malay. The income from Boracay Island, a major international and local tourist attraction, had helped Aklan generate a substantial P491.755 million in local revenues out of its P1.086-billion total regular income.

Reapportioning the province into two legislative districts is pursuant to Section 5, Article IV of the1987 Constitution that provides that a city or a province with a population of at least 250,000 shall have at least one representative in Congress.

One of the provinces in Western Visayas with the fastest growing population, Aklan’s population has reached 574,823 as of 2015.

Marquez said the additional legislative representation would provide the people of Aklan with more voice in the legislature to promote the province’s interest.

Marquez cited records of the Department of Finance showing Aklan was first among 80 provinces in the country in terms of its share of local income to total regular income with a 45.3 rating. Rio N. Araja

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Opinion

MONDAY, JULY 9, 2018

The trouble with demands for proof they assure me that there is an iPad in front of me, that should do it. Then, for all purposes I can declare with certainty; “There is an iPad in front of me.”

But is that declaration absolutely immune from doubt? Not really. But the point is that to ask for immunity from THE trouble with asking about a proof all doubt is to ask for what is unattainof God’s existence starts with him who able. That is not just the nature of humakes the demand, because he must man knowledge, and certainly, not the tell us first what he expects of a proof. nature of perception. In short, when A proof in mathematics proceeds in all reasonable questions have been anone way, in history, another and in swered, then that should suffice, and I law, yet another. What counts as “evi- should be able to maintain “without a dence” in one domain is not evidence doubt” that there is an iPad in front of in another. So, me. See, what a before challengtricky business ing the believer “proving” is? to prove what Now as for he believes, God, the classic In the end, one must make clear what proofs of Thomas you mean by make a choice, and it Aquinas known “proof” because as the “quinquae will not be an irrational you may very viae” (S.T. I, Q. leap, but neither will well be asking 1, A. 3) are there for what canit be one absolutely —but, and here not be given, is the important immune from the not because a point—they are assaults of doubt. proposition is good only if one unprovable, but seeks an explanabecause your tion of what preunderstandsents itself to exing of proof is perience. But if skewed. one says: I do not need an experience of Here’s how tricky proofs can be. Let motion (change), of causality, of what us start with simple perception. How comes to be or ceases to be, since I take do I know that there is an iPad in front these as final and ultimate givens, then of me? That is, of course, a matter the proofs do not work. of perception, but I can be misled, as In the end, it is a matter of “seeing dreams, illusions and mirages more as”—and there are enough examples than amply establish. So, I check once of this other than God. Is it a goblet or more: I look, I touch, I click the iPad a face? Is the misery of another peron and off to hear the sound it makes, son any matter to me or not? (That is and if I am so minded—and so desper- the ethical level of “seeing as”). One ate—I may lick it. Still unsatisfied, I can look at the fact that evolution has may call others to my room to ask them moved in crooked lines but without a what they see in-front of me. When Turn to A5

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

A counterproductive vice

O

NE of the more sensible and universally acceptable changes in the proposed new Constitution is the election of the president and vice president as a team.

In theory, a vice president warms the post until the president dies or becomes otherwise incapacitated. Meanwhile, he or she has to, at the very least, contribute to the administration to make his or her election worthwhile.

But for far too long we have seen the consequences of the two top officials hailing from different, if not rival, political groups.

At the beginning of an administration, there might be some show of goodwill between the two top officials. They might be

seen together in public events and even discussing national issues during Cabinet meetings where the vice president may hold a post.

Over time, however, the differences rear their ugly heads.

In the present administration, for instance, and before she was eased out of the Cabinet, Vice President Leni Robredo had spoken out numerous times against the policies of President Rodrigo Duterte, forgetting the fact that she was technically his alter ego.

Robredo also is now fight-

ing an electoral protest that may or may not unseat her.

It is an utter waste of time and money to occupy this high post only to be removed from it, constructively or otherwise.

Imagine the opportunities to work together that are never realized because of the inherent incongruence between officials from varying backgrounds.

The draft Constitution will certainly face rough sailing for all other provisions it offers, and for the practicability of the changes it seeks to introduce. Still, if we can contemplate a government where the two top officials can work together, not just co-exist, then that is one less problem we have to bear.

Teams over superstars necessary.

The job of a president can be very difficult and very lonely, especially if his subordinate officials cannot act as a “team.”

We have seen this lack of teamwork in so many administrations since the fall of Marcos. Some Cabinet-rank THERE is a lesson to be learned from officials wanted to hog the limelight, the defeats of highly-touted World Cup often without clearing their policy teams which relied on football super- pronouncements with the president, stars Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ron- or publicly stating contrarian posialdo. tions from some other member of the For many many years, the whole cabinet. world went gaga over the superstars of Some undersecretaries or assisthe soccer world, to the point that they tant secretaries do likewise, hoping were even given a choice or a “no-ob- perhaps that the publicity about their jection” role in members of the team. pronouncements and “achievements” That role should be for management would reach the attention of the apand coaches, but because the super- pointing authority. stars were too valuable (and too expenTurf wars, which can be expected sive), they were in any huge buconsulted as to reaucracy, are who to accept as often magnimembers of even fied by the methe national team. dia, resulting There has to be The losses in “sabong” renational purpose of the national portage, which teams show that that unites us under complicates the heavy reliance performance of common goals and on the superstars departments. aspirations. proved costly, This is not while the victors to say that the which trounced l o w e r- r a n k e d them played exbureaucracy cellently as a should keep quiteam. And even if Neymar propelled et and co-exist with incompetence or Brazil to a victory over Mexico the corruption by the higher-ups, far from other day, that does not change the ob- it. There are reasons, and a season for servation that teamwork, more than fan countering when principles are to be idols should be the rule. compromised. Still and all, there are This was the similar observation of times when very important policy decithe Argentine representative in Tai- sions and program implementation are wan during a recent conversation, that held hostage by such turf wars, resultteamwork has been sacrificed at the al- ing in unintended yet largely foreseetar of superstardom. able consequences. These should not Teamwork of course does not mean happen. teamwork even in basket-brawls. For Some sociologists and anthropoloshame, Gilas and Australia. Still, bitter gists trace this phenomenon even to lessons ought to be learned. our being a “nation of tribes,” and some In any case, the superstars have made even use this “tribalism” as a reason for their millions upon millions of dollars the current push for federalism. Withthroughout their now-abbreviated star- out debating the merits of shifting from dom. Not only in hefty acceptance fees a unitary to a federal system, such triband retainers, but even more in adver- al instincts, if indeed instincts they are, tising sponsorships. They can retire in should not be used as reason. great wealth.

There has to be national purpose “Nothing is forever” after all. that unites us under common goals *** and aspirations. That should be the Even in governance, teamwork is Turn to A5

Perpetuating power

NOW it’s out. Many have suspected that the primary purpose of changing the 1987 Constitution is for President Rodrigo Roa Duterte to stay in power beyond his six-year, single-term limit. Julio Teehankee, chairman of the sub-committee on political reforms of the consultative committee formed for the purpose, revealed that the prospect of eight

Duterte, if he decides, can run for reelection twice under a proposed federal form of government mandating four-year terms. This draconian shift would mean he could stay in Mr. Duterte can power up to 2030 if he decides and if actually stay on until people would still vote for him.

2030 if he wishes, and Lest Duterte disciples pounce on me for being “yellow” and a folso long as people vote lower of the discredited and depleted for him.

Liberal Party, let me say at the outset that I did not vote for any of the presidential candidates in the 2016 elections. Yellow has become the pemore years of President Duterte is jorative color Duterte defenders use to label and malign anyone who critistaring us in the face.

Under the changes in the Charter cizes the President and who does not drafted by the committee, President Turn to A5 Rolando G. Estabillo Publisher

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

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Opinion Trade war gets real CROSSROADS JONATHAN DE LA CRUZ WHAT the world hoped would never happen at all has been finally put in place. As of Friday, July 6, US Customs officials began collecting an additional 25 percent in tariffs on Chinese imports worth at least $34 billion. These imports range from farming plows to semiconductors and airplane parts. On top of that, President Trump also announced that he intends to add $15 billion worth of goods in two weeks and that the total could eventually reach hundreds of billions worth of imports to balance the growing trade gap between the two countries.

Not content with that, he further said that he would propose restrictions on new Chinese investments in the United States.

Citing Section 30 of the US Trade Act of 1974 giving him authority to enforce trade agreements, resolve trade disputes and open foreign markets to US products and service, Trump said that this was the first of many trade actions he intends to take to promote America’s national interest as he ramped up criticism of China’s theft of “US intellectual property” worth hundreds of billions of dollars.

As expected, the Chinese did not take things sitting down. Immediately after the announcement, the Chinese Foreign Ministry advised it was imposing tariffs worth $12 billion and counting on US imports— soya bean, pork and other farm products. The Chinese commerce ministry also advised that it has proposed a list of 128 USD products as potential targets for retaliation and intends to pursue legal action against America at the World Trade Organization.

Even as US and Chinese officials scrambled to limit the fallout from this exchange while finding ways to patch things up at the earliest possible opportunity, China’s Ambassador to the United States, Cui Tiankai, was quoted as having said that “China does not want a trade war but we are not afraid of it.”

No doubt that defiant stand can only exacerbate things at this point but there is no question that left un-

The trouble...

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doubt towards the production of ever higher levels of intelligence. There is also the fact that for all our remaining savagery, we are realizing that we ought to be kinder to each other in so many respects. There is a drive towards ethical goodness. Even the whole LGBT issue is an indication of our increasing sensitivity to the demand of “being good”—no matter that many protest the obscurity of the concept. One can see this all AS the Divine that is at work in the universe,

attended it could very well be carried over to the highest levels of China’s government. Which would be a real headache not only for both countries but for the whole world.

The betting, of course, is that President Trump is simply trying to shore up his electoral base in the run- up to the US midterm elections this November with this highly provocative, protectionist initiative. He promised during the US presidential campaign that he will redraw the line, especially on trade and security, as far as America’s relations with the world is concerned.

He has said time and again that he

As expected, the Chinese did not take things sitting down.

is guided solely by his own studied view of what the “US national interest” entails. That means he will not leave any stone unturned to ensure that America remains the world’s only super power in all aspects and against all odds and interest including those of its traditional allies.

Which is scary and risky, of course, as it can. As shown not only with this initial exchange but in previous occasions, any form of trading war has very negative consequences which can envelop the entire global trading system. As Cornell University professor Eswar Prasad advised in an article contributed to the Washington Post, a trade war wounds all combatants. Prasad said: “...It rattles business and consumer confidence, restrains exports, and hurts growth. Many US businesses rely on low trade barriers to create international supply chains that reduce costs and increase efficiency.

These could come apart amid the new tariffs. The last time the United States imposed sweeping tariffs, in the 1930s, the effect was to prolong and worsen the Great Depression.

Winning a trade war by destroying both imports and exports would be a Pyrrhic victory.”

or one can dismiss it all as happenstance.

So “God exists” and “God does not exist” are choices of interpretation, with reasons to support each, but they are not equal choices, because while the affirmation of God allows so much to be explained that would otherwise be unexplained, the denial of God leaves the whole ensemble of things an ultimate, inexplicable given!

So, yes, there is proof—there is reason to say that God exists, but there is also a choice to be made. That gap that choice fills in, that is called “epistemic distance.”

And if you think that that is a weakness of the “proofs of God’s existence,”

Prasad’s fears have gained traction with other studies conducted by economists across the globe and political spectrum. A trade war will not benefit the combatants and, based on experience, will shrink global growth. Even the proposition of the more protectionist wing of Trump’s economic team—that this temporary tariff imposition will ultimately revive the US manufacturing sector and grow jobs in the process is at best iffy.

As Ellen Zentner, Morgan Stanley’s chief US economist noted “Decades-long shrinkage in US manufacturing has not only reduced the size of the manufacturing sector to 10 percent of total private sector jobs, but years of sluggish demand for US manufactured goods also led to a mass exodus of workers and loss of skill set... thus even if companies begin to create jobs stateside, they may not be able to find the right workers to staff them, at least, in the near term. The policies could boost US GDP growth slightly in the short run ... this would come primarily from a reduction in the trade deficit..”

In fact, the Morgan Stanley report concluded that “..when it comes to the lasting effects of a protectionist trade stance, the outlook is less than optimistic as ...beyond a one-year horizon, the longer term impact on the US GDP are negative in all scenarios starting with that of 5 percent, 20 percent and 45 percent tariffs over a 50 year horizon..”

As for economies on the margins the Philippines included, the negative impact can bring trouble and we are not yet counting the latest economic figures. There is no question that this brewing trade war will impact on our own growth prospects: Higher inf lation and with it the prices of goods and services, slowing investments and job creation. As this incipient tarrification exchange between America and the rest of the world, i.e., China, European Union and Canada, among others, deepens, it also has the potential of restricting entry of our workers to existing and potential host countries, a prospect which will definitely impact negatively on our situation.

We should prepare and put coping measures in place as soon as practicable.

epistemic distance is not a weakness.

It is a feature of human cognition. Is the person I love truly loving or merely deceiving me—the ultimate lover’s dilemma. Some prefer not to face it and just to love. That might be the best thing to do. But the fact is that when one goes over the “proofs,” one will have some items listed “for” and items listed “against.” In the end, one must make a choice, and it will not be an irrational leap, but neither will it be one absolutely immune from the assaults of doubt. rannie_aquino@csu.edu.ph rannie_aquino@sanbeda.edu.ph rannie_aquino@outlook.com

MONDAY, JULY 9, 2018

Two years after tics. Faced with reports of unmitigated aggression on Philippine territory and downright bullying of Filipino fishermen, administration officials took great pains just to defend its inaction.

Most recently, news spread that antiship cruise missiles and surface-to-air HISTORY was made two years ago on missile systems had been installed on July 16 when the Permanent Court of Ar- reefs claimed by the Philippines in the bitration at The Hague ruled in favor of the South China Sea. It was a brazen move Philippines and declared that China has that earned the ire of so many, Filipinos “no historical rights” over what it claims and foreigners alike. to be within its “nine-dash line” map in But we can’t go to war with China, the South China Sea. Malacañang said, as if silence and war The decision marked a pivotal term are the only available options. A cursory in the protracted understanding of decades-long disglobal econompute over the imics should reveal portant sea lane that war is not that began in 1947 even a viable opFilipinos won because when China attion for China, an we took a stand against tempted to annex economy heavsome 3.5 million ily reliant on the a baseless claim, not kilometers of sea status quo of with threats of war by drawing an arpeaceful global bitrary perimeter but with the sensible trade. Some mararound the imporitime commons and peaceful path of tant sea lane on a it needs—the arbitration before an map.

Malacca Strait The nine-dash and the Indian international panel of line is the biggest Ocean—are conneutral experts. territorial grab trolled by our alsince World War lies, India and the II that serves to United States. secure food and Besides, it is natural resources foolish to suggest to feed China’s population and fuel eco- that no other option exists. As we have nomic objectives. Through the South witnessed in the wake of the arbitration China Sea passes a big percentage of ruling two years ago, there is an overglobal maritime trade traffic. From it is whelming consensus as regards the vaharvested an untold quantity of marine lidity of our position in the South China resources, sustaining the livelihood of Sea. A way to challenge an aggressor that tens of millions in Southeast Asia. seeks to intentionally undermine a rulesNearly 70 years later, the 2016 deci- based international order is to harness the sion assailed Beijing’s stance as contrary political ascendancy by deepening existto and in violation of international law ing relations and forging new ones. as stipulated in the UN Convention on Manila’s chairmanship of the Associathe Law of the Sea, or Unclos. It was a tion of Southeast Asian Nations last year stinging rebuke to the Asian superpower, thus represented a missed opportunity in a turnaround for the so-far-futile diplo- this regard amid a surge in support for the matic measures attempted by a number arbitration ruling from member states. of countries.

This opportunity could have been actiCrucially, the ruling was lauded all vated to consolidate a position for Asean over the world as a victory for justice and as a body. the rule of law, especially between naInstead, the deafening silence of Manila tions of disparate clout and power. Filipi- on the issue only served to weaken the nos also celebrated, some rightly painting regional bloc’s centrality in the context of a just-concluded David versus Goliath guaranteeing security in the region. scenario, in the wake of what was generThere are other strategic ways. Minor ally seen as bullying by Beijing. powers like the Philippines can foster Filipinos won because we took a stand diplomatic linkages and economic activiagainst a baseless claim, not with threats ties with two or more competing major of war but with the sensible and peaceful powers to a point that influences policy path of arbitration before an international but without surrendering its sovereignty. panel of neutral experts. It was a vindica- This way, a small state does not comprotion unlike anything else in the history of mise its economic position and can even the country’s territorial claims, our con- advance its own political interests. Bilattribution to international jurisprudence eral and multilateral dialogs with states and therefore a rules-based global order. and formations should also be explored.

Today, two years later, we must again In all these, vigilance from the citibring to the nation’s consciousness the zenry is key. Two years after the epochgroundbreaking Hague decision. defining decision, we need to call upon For its part, China refused to partici- our government to stop kowtowing to pate in the arbitration proceedings up un- Beijing supposedly as a way to maintain til the end, opting to flex its political and goodwill and jumpstart a revived ecoeconomic muscle to coerce its smaller nomic partnership. neighboring states. The militarization of It is not a zero-sum game for the Philthe South China Sea even accelerated, all ippines. There is a way to stand for a while the rest of the world watched. All peaceful, rules-based international order this was no surprise. without causing harm to the economy.

What was surprising—and shame- Unchallenged aggression has no place ful—was our own government’s willful in diplomacy. It is time to push back and complicity in the wake of China’s tac- stand up as a nation.

Teamwork..

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Perpetuating...

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agree with his policies.

“The LPs can all fit in a Volkswagen,” said a coffee shop wag to illustrate how depleted the opposition ranks are.

“It’s like a reboot, a reset,” said Teehankee during an interview on Cignal TV news last Wednesday. The news removing the ban on term limits was headlined by all four of Manila’s major newspapers.

To be fair, President Duterte in response to fears he is paving the way for perpetuating himself in power, said he will “not stay in the Palace a second longer,” adding he would be willing to step down during the transition period from presidential to federal form of government. If approved by the President’s supermajority in the House, the Senate is steadfast against joint voting by the lower and upper chambers. The 24 senators are aware of the reality that they are outnumbered by the 290 members of the House of Representatives.

The Senate and the people who will vote in a plebiscite or referendum, whether to approve or reject the new Constitution, are the last barriers to a totalitarian state.

Why a totalitarian state? One need

not be a lawyer to conclude that Mr. Duterte already has total control of the three branches of government— the legislative, the judiciary and the executive which commands the police and the military, Maria Lourdes Sereno has been removed as chief justice. President Duterte has 90 days to name her replacement. He also has the power to appoint three other associate justices who are retiring in less than a year, including Senior Associate Justice and acting chief justice Antonio Carpio, and Teresita de Castro. The chief justice and the associate justices to be named by Duterte would make up majority of the Supreme Court members Duterte appointees.

President Duterte’s statement that he will not seek reelection under a federal system has set off several political scenarios. Winning senatorial seats in the 2019 mid-term elections would give Digong’s PDPLaban party a majority, which could erode the Senate stand against joint voting in the approval of the new charter.

One such scenario being talked about is that former senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr.is going to win his electoral protest against Vice President Leni Robredo. This possibility looms with the decision of the Presidential Electoral Tribunal rejecting Robredo’s petition to lower

the shaded votes for candidates to 25 percent. The PET ruled shaded vote has to be 50 percent. This would void partially shaded votes in favor of Robredo. Expanding on the Bongbong-as-VP scenario, there are speculations that Duterte might step down earlier to give Bongbong more time to settle into the presidency.

Bongbong, they say, will then run as president in 2022 with Davao Mayor and presidential daughter Sara Duterte as vice president. The president and vice president under the proposed new charter are to be voted together as a tandem and not separately as which was the setup in the past elections.

At the 365 Club at the Holiday Inn Hotel in Makati, former senator Juan Ponce Enrile expressed his concern about the enormous cost of a shift from the presidential to a federal form of government.

“I don’t know where the government will source the money for this big shift when funds are already scarce for the administration’s Build, Build, Build infrastructure projects and the taxpayers are already groaning from rising cost of living,” Enrile said.

Enrile also said that regions under a federal system would also have the power to secure loans from other nations, making the country’s foreign debts even bigger.

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underlying basis for a national team spirit.

Japan should be the model. It is governed by a career bureaucracy, with political considerations reserved only at the choice of ministers who preside over bureaucrats who have ascended through an ingrained meritocracy.

We have yet a long way to go before we achieve this kind of national spirit let alone a national purpose. *** Even now, two years into his presidency, people both here and abroad already ask questions about succession.

What happens after Duterte? Who is likely to succeed him, and will his programs be continued?

Because ours is a president-centric government, almost everything revolves around the presidency, his goals, his policies, his priorities. And a new president, just like his new appointees in top positions, can dictate their own terms of governance.

Continuity has a shelf life of six years, even less, depending on the “mercury” of the president, who could always shift policy and priority. *** And if we do shift to a federal set-up, it is the transition that worries people, whether in the country or abroad.

I read that the consultative commission on constitutional change headed by the eminent CJ Reynato Puno has completed its work and is ready to sub-

mit their proposed federal constitution document to the president. Everyone should be waiting with great anticipation and even anxiety on the details.

They are polishing the unanimously approved draft for styling and proofreading. (At least one is confident it’s not the PCOO’s bright boys who are editing, but Doy del Mundo, a professional who knows his stuff).

Systemic change is never easy, especially since our unitary system has been with us since the birth of the First Republic, through the Commonwealth, and through the internationally-recognized Third Republic, through the dictatorial regime under martial law, and into our present, institutionally-weak system as governed by the 1987 Constitution.

Long before that, through the entire history of colonial rule, even if the Spanish-imposed centrality in Manila via the Viceroy of Mexico and the islands-wide friar set-up was unable to culturally unite our tribes into one solid nation.

With that kind of history, a shift to federalism will require a very smooth transition. Beyond the transitory provisions, its length, its processes, the foremost question is—who presides over the transition?

We live in very interesting times, and just as this writer is into sunset years.

What happens in the next four years of the Duterte administration will affect greatly the lives of our younger generations.

The President, we believe and we trust, understands why his God and his people placed him at the helm in these precarious period of our history.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

News

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MONDAY, JULY 9, 2018 Standard TODAY mst.daydesk@gmail.com Manila

CA: Order to install GPS in public buses ‘legal’

By Rey E. Requejo

T

HE Court of Appeals has sustained its earlier decision upholding the validity of a Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board memorandum circular that compels all public utility buses in the country to install Global Positioning System devices to promote road safety.

In a five-page resolution, the CA’s Special Twelfth Division denied the motion for reconsideration filed by Nagkakaisang Samahan ng mga Nangangasiwa ng Panlalawigang Bus sa Pilipinas (formerly Provincial Bus Operators Association of the Philippines) seeking to set aside its earlier ruling declaring the LTFRB June and November 2015 circulars as constitutional.

“After a careful scrutiny of the arguments raised in the instant motion, this Court finds that the same must be denied for lack of merit. The instant motion does not raise new and substantial issues that would warrant the reversal of this Court’s decision,” the CA ruled.

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EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT AND PARTITION OF ESTATE Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late Lindy Fernandez Balarbar has been extrajudicially settled among his heirs namely Catherine VillanuevaBalarbar (spouse) and Cate Liana V. Balarbar (child).

As per Doc. No. 484; Page 97; Book No. VII, series of 2018 in the notarial books of Atty. Alysha Grace M. Zulueta, Notary Public until December 31, 2019 with PTR No. 6997925, 1/3/18 IBP No 011076 Manila.

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(MS-JULY 9,16 & 23, 2018)

Republic of the Philippines Province of Ilocos Norte OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR 2900 Laoag City BIDS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE INVITATION TO BID The Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte, through its Bids and Awards Committee (BAC), invites Contractors registered with and classified by the Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board (PCAB) to apply for eligibility and if found eligible, to bid for the hereunder contracts: 1. Name of Contract Reference Number Location Brief Description Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) Source of Fund Contract Duration

: : : :

2. Name of Contract Reference Number Location Brief Description

: Rehabilitation of Pallas School-Namoroc-Mabanbanag Provincial Road : (ID No. BAC-IN 2018-10) : Brgy. Pallas, Vintar, Ilocos Norte : Construction of Slope Protection Wall, Rehabilitation of Canal Lining and Application of Reflectorized Thermoplastic to Pavement

Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) Source of Fund Contract Duration

: Php 2,811,989.00 : 20% Development Fund : 68 Calendar Days

3. Name of Contract

Rehabilitation of Bacarra-Macupit Provincial Road (ID No. BAC-IN 2018-09) Brgy. Apaleng, Bacarra, Ilocos Norte Construction of Stone Masonry Slope Protection Wall

: Php 3,976,307.47 : 20% Development Fund : 107 Calendar Days

Reference Number Location Brief Description

: Rehabilitation of Solsona-Bagbago Sur Provincial Road (Bagbago Section) : (ID No. BAC-IN 2018-11) : Brgy. Bagbago, Solsona, Ilocos Norte : Construction of 36lin.m. Gabion, Grouted Riprap Protection Wall with Guardrail and 320 lin.m. PCCP

Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) Source of Fund Contract Duration

: Php 3,839,999.88 : 20% Development Fund : 103Calendar Days

4. Name of Contract Reference Number Location Brief Description Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) Source of Fund Contract Duration 5. Name of Contract Reference Number Location Brief Description Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) Source of Fund Contract Duration 6. Name of Contract

: Improvement/Upgrading of Road Going to Kaangrian Falls : (ID No. BAC-IN 2018-12) : Brgy. Agaga and Brgy. Buduan, Burgos, Ilocos Norte : Construction of 177lin.m. long, 6.1m wide and 200mm thick PCCP : Php 1,499,589.04 : 20% Development Fund : 37Calendar Days : : : :

Improvement of Dungon-Dungon Access Road (ID No. BAC-IN 2018-13) Burgos, Ilocos Norte Road Widening, Construction of Drainage System and Slope Protection and Installation of Reinforced Concrete Pipe Culverts

: Php 1,746,064.00 : 20% Development Fund : 55 Calendar Days

Brief Description

: Rehabilitation and Improvement of Batac-Pinili Provincial Road : (ID No. BAC-IN 2018-14) : Brgy. Pimental, Batac City and Brgy. Dalayap, Pinili, Ilocos Norte : Provision of Additional Road Width; Repair of Damaged PCCP; Upgrading of Existing Gravel Road to 6.1m wide, 230mm thk. PCC Pavement; Installation of Directional Signs and Slope Protection with Grouted Riprap Canal Lining

Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) Source of Fund Contract Duration

: Php 48,045,393.00 : Trust Fund – DILG LGSF - FA : 225 Calendar Days

Reference Number Location

7. Name of Contract Reference Number Location Brief Description

Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) Source of Fund Contract Duration 8. Name of Contract Reference Number Location Brief Description

Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) Source of Fund Contract Duration 9. Name of Contract Reference Number Location Brief Description

Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) Source of Fund Contract Duration 10. Name of Contract Reference Number Location Brief Description

Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC)

Source of Fund Contract Duration

: Rehabilitation and Improvement of Pinili-Nagtrigoan Provincial Road : (ID No. BAC-IN 2018-15) : Brgy. Pagdilao and Puritac, Pinili, Ilocos Norte : Provision of Additional Road Width; Repair of Damaged PCCP; Upgrading of Existing Gravel Road to 6.1m wide, 230mm thk. PCC Pavement; Installation of Directional Signs and Slope Protection with Grouted Riprap Canal Lining : Php 30,744,785.00 : Trust Fund – DILG LGSF - FA : 148 Calendar Days : Rehabilitation and Improvement of Tadao-Saricao Provincial Road : (ID No. BAC-IN 2018-16) : Brgy. Tadao, Pasuquin and Brgy. Saricao, Vintar, Ilocos Norte : Damaged PCCP; Upgrading of Existing Gravel Road to 6.1m wide, 230mm thk. PCC Pavement; Installation of Directional Signs and Slope Protection with Grouted Riprap Canal Lining : Php 52,599,929.00 : Trust Fund – DILG LGSF - FA : 254 Calendar Days : : : :

Construction of 2 Units (6x6) ADIGI Housing (ID No. BAC-IN 2018-17) Brgy. Baligat and Quiling, Batac City Excavation, Concrete Works incl. Form Works, RSB, Masonry Works w/ Plastering, Roofing Works, Ceiling Works w/ Roof Eaves, Tile Works, Painting Works, Doors and Windows, Plumbing Works, Electrical Works, Septic Vault

: Php 799,998.47 799,998.47 Php 1,599,996.94 : Capital Outlay – Other Infrastructure Asset - ADIGI : 90 Calendar Days : Construction of 1 Unit (6x6) and 2 Units (5x6) ADIGI Housing : (ID No. BAC-IN 2018-18) : Brgy. Baligat and Quiling, Batac City : Excavation, Concrete Works incl. Form Works, RSB, Masonry Works w/ Plastering, Roofing Works, Ceiling Works w/ Roof Eaves, Tile Works, Painting Works, Doors and Windows, Plumbing Works, Electrical Works, Septic Vault : Php 799,998,47 666,665.39 666,665.39 Php 2,133,329.25 : Capital Outlay – Other Infrastructure Asset - ADIGI : 135 Calendar Days

Prospective bidders should possess a valid PCAB License applicable to the contract, have completed, within ten (10) years from the date of submission and receipt of bids, a contract similar with a value of at least 50% of the ABC. The description of an eligible bidder with good performance is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly in Section II. Instruction to Bidders.

Bidding will be conducted through open competitive procedures using non-discretionary “pass/fail” criterion as specified in the Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) over Republic Act 9184 (R.A. 9184), otherwise known as “Government Procurement Reform Act”. Prospective bidders should be registered with the PhilGEPS at www.philgeps.net Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens, sole proprietorships, or organizations with at least seventy-five percent (75%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines.

The schedule of BAC activities are as follows: BAC Activities 1. Issuance of Bid Documents 2. Pre-bid Conference 3. Submission and Opening of Bids

Schedule ‘July 9 – 27, 2018 July 17, 2018, 2:00 PM, BAC Office (General Services Office), Provincial Capitol, Laoag City July 30, 2018, 2:00 PM, BAC Office (General Services Office), Provincial Capitol, Laoag City

A complete set of Bidding Documents may be purchased by interested bidders at the BAC Office, Provincial Capitol, Laoag City, Ilocos Norte, and upon payment of a non-refundable fee at the Treasurer’s Office, Provincial Capitol, Laoag City, Ilocos Norte in the amount of Php 5,000.00 for items No. 1-5 and 9-10 and Php 50,000.00 for items No. 6-8.

Bids will be opened in the presence of the bidder’s representative who chooses to attend at the above address. Late bids shall not be accepted.

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

For further information, please refer to: JOSEPHINE A. CORPUZ BAC TWG Province of Ilocos Norte Telephone No. (077) 770-39-44 or 772-20-49 Email Add: bacilocosnorte.yahoo.com

(MS-JULY 9, 2018)

(SGD) DR. JOSEPHINE A. RUEDAS BAC Chairman

In its Feb. 27 decision, the CA tion,” the court said.

Requiring operators to install GPS held that contrary to the claim of the petitioner that the project is ar- device in their units, the CA said, is bitrary, the GPS project is based on within LTFRB’s power and functions a “well-thought out and carefully de- to prescribe the appropriate terms and conditions for the grant of franchises liberated plan” by the LTFRB. The CA also rejected the argument to PUV operators.

The appellate court also rejected the of the petitioners that an administrative issuance cannot amend an act of arguments of the petitioners that the circulars in question were unfair and Congress.

The appellate court maintained that unreasonable because they penalized the power and authority of LTFRB to only the operators and not the drivers issue memorandum circulars is clearly of the public utility buses.

The CA said the penalty being improvided under the Administrative posed is for the non-installation of the Code of 1987.

“Comfort and convenience to per- GPS device, which is clearly the resons and property in their charges as sponsibility of operators.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOWfor BLACK “The penalties overspeeding or well as the safety of persons and property are within their areas of opera- erring drivers, which is a different

matter and not the subject of the questioned memorandum circulars, are governed by another laws, rules and regulations,” the court said.

The LTFRB said the overall objective of the GPS Project is to promote road safety and improve land transportation services.

Under the circulars, all bus operators are required to install and register GPS devices on their units. Operators are prohibited from allowing their buses to ply their routes if they know or have a reasonable belief that the GPS device is not functioning or defective.

Non-installation of the GPS device will be penalized at P5,000 per unit and an additional P1,000 per unit per month after a grace period of 30 days.

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES REGIONAL TRIAL COURT NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGION BRANCH 223 – QUEZON CITY IN THE MATTER OF THE PETITION FOR CHANGE OF NAME FROM JEISAYLLE MIKAH CADANO TO JEISAYLLE MIKAH CADANO PASTELERO, SPEC. PRO. CASE NO. R-QZN-17-14757-SP LOUVETTE ANNE CADANO-PASTELERO, Petitioner, -versusOFFICE OF THE LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRAR OF QUEZON CITY. Respondents. x---------------------------------------x

ORDER The Compliance dated February 14, 2018 filed by the petitioner through counsel is hereby Noted.

This is a verified petition for change of name from Jeisaylle Mikah Cadano to Jeisaylle Mikah Cadano Pastelero dated December 19, 2017 filed by the petitioner of Louvette Anne Cadano-Pastelero.

Petition alleges that on May 8, 2008, petitioner contracted marriage with Aldrin B. Pastelero in Manila, as evidenced by their Certificate of Marriage dated May 8, 2008; that petitioner and her husband established their conjugal dwelling at 43 Liberation St., Galas, Quezon City right after their marriage; that unfortunately, sometime in May 2009, petitioner and her husband separated from each other due to marital problems, with her husband leaving their conjugal dwelling; that petitioner was already conceiving their first child when she and her husband separated; that on October 1, 2009, petitioner gave birth to their first child (female) at the United Doctor’s Medical Center, Quezon City. Petitoner’s husband was not present during the delivery of the child; that item 1 of the Certificate of Live Birth of the child shows that her first name is “JEISAYLLE MIKAH” and her last name is “CADANO”.

However, the space for the middle name of the child was left in blank; that the spaces for the Father’s Name, Citizenship, Religion, Occupation, and Age at the time of the birth of JEISAYLLE MIKAH under Items Nos. 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17 of the Certificate of Live, respectively, were also left in blank. The space of Date and Place of Marriage of Parents under Item No. 18 were likewise left in blank; that when petitioner supplied the entries in the Certificate of Live Birth of JEISAYLLE MIKAH to the hospital staff, she was still dizzy. She was also confused then, as she and husband were already separated, completely unaware on the legal consequences of the information she had given, that sometime in November, 2014, petitioner and her husband reconciled, and since then, they have been living peacefully and harmoniously, together with JEISAYLLE MIKAH and her younger brother ALDHRYANNE MICOH C. PASTELERO at their residence at Unit No. 2305, Building 2, Francesca Royale Condominium, Sauyo St., Brgy. Sauyo, Quezon City; that although JEISAYLLE MIKAH does not bear the family name of her father in the Certificate of Live Birth, she has been using the names JEISAYLLE MIKAH CADANO PASTELERO and JEISAYLLE MIKAH C. PASTELERO since infanthood; that she was baptized under the name JEISAYLLE MIKAH CADANO PASTELERO on November 28, 2009, at the Most Holy Redeemer Parish, Araneta Avenue, Quezon City, as evidence by the baptismal Certificate dated September 21, 2017 issued by Parish Priest Fr. Michell Joe B. Zerrudo; that she has been studying at the School of the Holy Spirit of Quezon City under the name JEISAYLLE MIKAH C. PASTELERO since 2015, as evidence by her Identification Card (Preparatory) for the SY 2015-2016, Identification Card (Lower Bed) for the SY 2016-2017, and Identification Card (Lower Bed) for the SY 2017-2018), issued by the School of the Holy Spirit of Quezon City; that the change of name of the child from JEISAYLLE MIKAH CADANO to JEISAYLLE MIKAH CADANO PASTELERO will be for her benefit as it proven confusion on her identity.

RIDING THE FEDERAL WAVE. Supporters of the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas-Calabarzon participate in a motorcade to express support to efforts to amend the Constitution and put in place a federal form of government. Roy Tomandao

DENR to use modern land mapping in Marawi

By Rio N. Araja THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources on Sunday said it will use a modern land mapping system as part of rehabilitation efforts in war-torn Marawi City in Lanao del Sur. Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu said the agency will employ the geographic information system land mapping and information system to “identify, establish, integrate, reconcile and reestablish existing technical and physical land boundaries.”

“Properties in both private and public land, formal and informal settlement descriptions and delineations in the most affected areas and other surrounding areas of Marawi City will also be included in the land mapping to collect information,” he said.

According to Cimatu, GIS-based land mapping and information system is in line with the DENR being designated as the

agency-in-charge of the newly created land conflict management unit of Task Force Bangon Marawi.

“Both our goal and strategy is ‘sustaining peace and achieving sustainable development goals through environmental peace-building’—these are the DENR’s inputs to the Bangon Marawi comprehensive recovery and rehabilitation program,” he said.

Assistant Secretary for field operations in Mindanao Michelle Angelica Go said the development of a GIS-based land mapping and information system in the area is “indispensable considering the enormity of the survey and spatial data involved.”

“The need also arises to convert, harmonize and integrate the different maps and survey data sets coming from different agencies and those which are conducted under different survey systems and integrate them into one usable spatial data framework,” she said.

Petitioner prays to this Honorable Court, after publication, notice and hearing, to render judgment ordering respondent Office of the Local Civil Registrar of Quezon City to change the name of JEISAYLLE MIKAH in her Certificate of Live Birth from JEISAYLLE MIKAH CADANO PASTELERO and to fill in Items 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18 of her Certificate of Live Birth as follows: 13. Father’s Name: ALDRIN B. PASTELERO 14. Citizenship : Filipino 15. Religion: Roman Catholic 16. Occupation: OFW 17. Age at the time Of Birth of the child: 26 years old 18. Date and Place of Marriage: May 8, 2008, Manila WHEREFORE, finding the verified petition to be sufficient in form and substance, the same is set for hearing on August 23, 2018 at 8:30 in the morning, Session Hall of Branch 223 of this Court, at which date and time, petitioner and counsel are directed to appear to substantiate the allegations of the petition and for any interested persons may appear and show cause why the petition should not be granted.

Let a copy of this Order be published at the expense of the petitioner in a newspaper of daily circulation to be selected by raffle pursuant to Presidential Decree No. 1967, once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks prior to the date of hearing.

Let a copy of this Order be furnished the Office of the Solicitor General and the Civil Registrar of Quezon City, and the Registrar General, National Statistics Office of Quezon City, who are directed to file their opposition to the petition within fifteen (15) days from the last date of the publication of this Order.

The petitioner is hereby directed to furnish the said offices with a copy of the petition and its annexes within five (5) days from the receipt of this Order and manifest to this Court her compliance herewith.

SO ORDERED. Quezon City, Philippines, March 1, 2018.

(Sgd.) HON. CARIDAD M. WALSE-LUTERO Presiding Judge CC: The Office of the Solicitor Solicarel Bldg., I & II R. General Magsaysay Blvd.,Sta. Mesa, 134 Amorsolo St., Legaspi Vill., Manila Makati City Atty. Edgardo G. Peña The Local Civil Registrar 21 Don Victorino St., Quezon City Don Antonio Hgts., Quezon City The City Prosecutor’s Office DOJ Bldg., Quezon City

Louvette Anne Cadano-Pastelero Unit No. 2305 Bldg., 2, Francesca Royale Condominium, Sauyo St., Brgy. Sauyo, Quezon City

Philippine Statistics Office (formerly National Statistics Office) (MStandard-June 25, July 3 & 9, 2018)

PLEASE BE CAREFUL WITH YOUR HEART. Ormoc Mayor Richard Gomez and Philippine Heart Association president Dr. Nannette Rey lead the launching of the AED Advocacy campaign in a bid to increase public awareness on the need for automated external defibrillators. Teddy Pelaez

Siblings mount art jam session for Unicef

By Rex Arcadio R. San Diego II A CHANCE participation in a United Nations Children’s Fund volunteers’ summit has inspired three siblings to form a local youth group to help promote the spirit of volunteerism in protecting the environment.

The Llantero siblings— Joie Angelo, 19; Julian Thomas, 13; and Alysa Corinne, 11 —through the Kid Volunteers Group they founded, have ac-

tively engaged in a cleanup drive in Morong, Bataan to help save sea turtles (pawikan). They also worked with the orphanage Little Angel’s Home where they provide food supplies and delivered violin performances.

Now, they have decided to pool their individual talents for an art jam session on July 22 at Vista Mall in Sta. Rosa, Laguna. Dubbed “Artis3 for Unicef: Art Exhibit for a Cause,” the fund-raising pro-

ject will showcase paintings of the Llantero siblings.

Activities will start at1:00 pm with free art lessons and an art demo, to be followed by a short talk by a Unicef representative, violin performances by the Llantero siblings, and dance and ballet numbers by Kid Volunteers members.

“The Llantero siblings are very promising young artists who are not afraid to dip their toes in new things,” said Lerma Julian, the siblings’ mentor.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Sports Elite cast gears up for PH Golf Tour Asia

FORTY-TWO foreign aces, led by the crack Thai contingent, dominate the early roster of players bracing for a four-day battle of shotmaking and wits when the Philippine Golf Tour Asia resumes Wednesday (July 11) at the Forest Hills Golf and Country Club in Antipolo.

Veteran campaigner Wisut Artjanawat and former PGT Sherwood leg winner Ittiphat Buranatanyarat along with Aussies Andrew Campbell and Damien Jordan, South African Mathiam Keyser, Finland’s Janne Kaske and Americans Nicolas Paez, John Michael O’Toole, Brett Munson, Lexus Keoninh and Eliott Hume are tipped to slug it out with their Filipino counterparts for top honors in the $100,000 ICTSI Forest Hills Championship serving as the fourth leg of the second season of the region’s newest circuit.

David Gleeson of Australia ruled the PGTA’s kickoff leg at Luisita last April, nipping obscure Erwin Arcillas in a playoff.

But the local top guns topped the next two with Jobim Carlos edging Tony Lascuña by two to claim his maiden victory at Riviera and Jay Bayron rallying to snare the Southwoods crown from O’Toole last month.

Another down-to-the-wire finish looms in the upcoming event sponsored by ICTSI with Forest Hill’s Nicklaus layout providing a tougher challenge for the men of the PGTA with its rolling layout, ravines, hazards and the wind that come into play in most holes.

“The course and the condition vary and one has to mind not only his game but also try to better his rivals,” said Lascuña, actually back-to-back winner of the PGT Forest Hills leg from 2016-17.

But the ace Davaoeño shotmaker has remained winless in the new season, making him hungrier for recognition along with the other locals in pursuit of glory in the lucrative circuit organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.

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MONDAY, JULY 9, 2018 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

SEAG preparations in full swing G

OVERNMENT and sports officials were all impressed – and delighted as well – with the honest-to-goodness preparations being undertaken in building worldclass facilities for next year’s Southeast Asian Games at the New Clark City in Pampanga.

Led by Philippine SEA Games Organizing Committee Chairman and Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Cayetano, the delegation came to the site of the main hub and was elated with the art and style – not to mention the quickness of the constructions of some facilities.

Cayetano and members of the Committee on Sports in the Congress and officials of the Philippine Olympic Committee and the Philippines Sports Commission are all convinced the venues will be completed as scheduled, perhaps even much earlier.

“The delegation is very impressed with what’s happening,”

said Rep. Mikee Romero (1Pacman Party-List) during the installation of composite columns inside the country’s newest sporting hub.

Cayetano, according to Romero who is vice chair of the Committee on Sports, was even elated during the video presentation of the Athletes Village.

“We’re happy that Sec. Cayetano took time out for this very important event. This marks the rebirth of Philippine sports and Sec. Cayetano has been doing great job to make our dream of having state-of-the-art sports facilities a reality,” added Romero.

Dizon, according to Romero, also deserves a big pat on the

back for implementing the project through the help of AlloyMTD. “When you talk about the Athletes’ Village, how these worldclass facilities coming up, we can all say in unison that the rebirth of PH sports could start next year,” said Romero. “I’ve been to London Games, so it brought back memories of my London experience during the video presentation of the village.”

Also witnessing the installation of the columns were POC President and PBA Chairman Ricky Vargas, BCDA Chairman Vince Dizon, Tarlac Gov. Susan Yap, Rep. Rimpy Bondoc, and officials of the PSC. With the kind of facilities being built, the delegation believes the Filipino athletes will not only be inspired but will also be fully motivated to work doubly hard in search for sporting greatness.

Royalties and dignitaries are expected to visit the country during the SEA Games slated in December next year.

Philippine SEA Games Organizing Committee Chairman and Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Cayetano takes a “selfie” with BCDA Chairman Vince Dizon, Amy Eisma, POC President Ricky Vargas, Tarlac Gov. Susan Yap and Rep. Mikee Romero during the installation of composite columns at the New Clark City in Pampanga. Also shown is Rep. Rimpy Bondoc (partly hidden).

Pacquiao, Matthysse peaking at right time

Serbia’s Novak Djokovic reacts after winning against Britain’s Kyle Edmund during their men’s singles third round match on the sixth day of the 2018 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Lawn Tennis Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on July 7, 2018.

Djokovic won the match 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4. AFP

Halep, Zverev crash out of Wimby; Nadal, Djokovic win LONDON—German fourth seed Alexander Zverev and women’s world number one Simona Halep wilted in 33-degree heat and crashed out of Wimbledon in the third round on Saturday.

Zverev, playing for the third day in succession, was shocked by Latvian qualifier Ernests Gulbis, ranked 138, in a gruelling five sets, 7-6 (7/2), 4-6, 5-7, 6-3, 6-0.

French Open champion Halep lost to Taiwan’s Hsieh Su-Wei 3-6, 6-4, 7-5 which leaves just one of the top 10 seeds in the last 16.

Meanwhile, two-time champion Rafael Nadal made the fourth round with a 6-1, 6-2, 6-4 win over Alex De Minaur

of Australia which ensured he would retain the world number one spot at the end of the tournament.

Three-time winner Novak Djokovic made the last 16 of a Slam for the 44th time with a 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 win over Kyle Edmund, the last remaining Briton.

Despite being widely-tipped to be a Grand Slam threat, it was another letdown for Zverev whose run to the quarter-finals at Roland Garros last month remains his best performance at the majors.

Gulbis, a former world number 10 who famously defeated Roger Federer on his way to the French Open semi-

finals in 2014, will be playing in the last 16 at Wimbledon for the first time at the 11th attempt.

The 29-year-old will take on Japan’s Kei Nishikori who registered his 350th career win with a 6-1, 7-6 (7/3), 6-4 victory over Australian Nick Kyrgios.

His win on Saturday was his third successive five-setter having also played three matches in qualifying.

“It’s a great day, it’s been a great match for me,” said Gulbis who before Wimbledon had won just one match on tour in 2018.

He fired 18 aces and 61 winners past Zverev who said he felt he had been “unplugged” in the fourth set. AFP

“I didn’t think I could win after losing the third set, but he got tired and I played smarter,” added Gulbis.

Defeat for Halep means that Karolina Pliskova, at number seven, is the only women’s top 10 seed to reach the fourth round.

It’s the first time in the Open era that none of the top five women’s seeds have made the last 16 of a Slam.

Hsieh, the world number 48, battled back from 2-5 down in the final set and saved a match point when the Romanian served for the match at 5-3 in the decider.

It will be Hsieh’s first appearance in the last 16 at Wimbledon where she will face Dominika Cibulkova of Slovakia.

Suns’ Booker inks $158-M contract

LOS ANGELES—Star guard Devin Booker signed a maximum contract extension with the Phoenix Suns on Saturday worth a reported $158 million over five years.

“We are thrilled to announce this contract extension with Devin,” Suns general manager Ryan McDonough said in a statement. “’Book’ has been a pillar for the Suns franchise ever since he arrived in Phoenix in 2015. Devin and the team both wanted to extend his agreement with the club as long as we possibly could.”

Booker, 21, said he was “humbled and honored” to make a long term commitment to the Suns.

“Thank you to the Suns for drafting me and believing in me,” he said.

Through his first three seasons with the Suns, Booker has averaged 19.8 points, 3.5 assists and 3.3 rebounds in 208 games.

On March 24, 2017, Booker scored a franchise record 70 points at Boston, becoming just the sixth player in NBA history to record a 70-point game.

Booker averaged 24.9 points, 4.5 rebounds and 4.7 assists per game last season, making him one of nine players in the league and the youngest to average at least 24 points, four rebounds and four assists per game.

Booker has 4,120 career points and eclipsed the 4,000-point mark on March 2, 2018, at the age of 21 years, 123 days old. AFP

GENERAL SANTOS CITY--Challenger Manny Pacquiao sparred for five rounds Saturday, while World Boxing Association champion Lucas Matthysse doubled up the effort as the main combatants to “Fight of Champions” ground it out with eight more days before their monumental clash in Malaysia.

Pacquiao, fighting for the first time after losing a controversial bout with Australian bruiser Jeff Horn last year, looked calm and happy with the way his preparations have transpired thus far.

The 39-year-old legend of boxing feels rejuvenated. He hopes to win an unprecedented 11th world title in his 23rd year of boxing come July 15 at the Axiata Arena in Kuala Lumpur.

Standing in his way is “The Machine” Matthysse, who is leaving no stone unturned in his own bid of retiring Pacquiao at all cost, even hinting of giving up his own life in defending the crown he won early this year.

Pacquiao sparred for two rounds with compatriot Jheritz Chavez and another three with unbeaten Australian lightweight George Kambosos Jr., as training sessions started to taper down.

In stark contrast, Matthysse’s corner is showing a different route of training as they closed out sparring sessions also on Saturday.

Trainer Joel Diaz was satisfied with his ward’s condition and speed and was convinced his fighter is ready to fight at any moment now.

Matthysse and his team planed in two nights ago from Los Angeles, California in hopes of acclimatizing early in his bid to retain his welterweight belt against the eight-weight division boxing champion Pacquiao.

But Pacquiao’s think-tank remains unfazed. Chief trainer Buboy Fernandez thinks his boyhood friend has done enough in training to dethrone Matthysse.

Fans, players join PBA’s Blood Donation Drive

Players and coaches showed up at the upper box lobby of the Smart Araneta Coliseum to support the PBA Blood Donation Project held in partnership with Dugong Alay, Dugtong Buhay, a non-stock, non-profit organization, headed by founder Nap Marilag and the Doctors and Nurses of Philippine Orthopedic Center, and the Margarito Duavit Hospital.

MORE than a hundred fans took part in the second Blood Donation Drive held by the PBA on Saturday.

Players and coaches also showed up at the upper box lobby of the Smart Araneta Coliseum to support the worthy cause held in partnership with Dugong Alay, Dugtong Buhay, a non-stock, non-profit organization headed by founder Nap Marilag and the Doctors and Nurses of Philippine Orthopedic Center, and the Margarito Duavit Hospital.

The players present, however, were no longer compelled to do-

Lady Warriors close in on PVL 3rd place POCARI-AIR Force bucked the absence Games Wednesday of local ace Myla Pablo and turned back (MOA Arena) BanKo-Perlas, 25-22, 17-25, 16-25, 26-24, 10 a.m. – PLDT vs Vice Co (men’s – for third) 15-11, to zero in on third place honors in the 1:45 p.m. – Pocari-Air Force Premier Volleyball League Season 2 Revs BanKo-Perlas (women’s – for 3rd) inforced Conference at the MOA Arena in 3:45 p.m. – Creamline vs PayMaya (women’s – for crown) Pasay yesterday.

6 p.m. – Cignal vs Air Force Maddie Palmer unloaded 22 attack (men’s – for crown) points, the last three giving the Lady Warriors a 12-9 cushion in the fifth before Arie Love took over with back-to- the start of their best-of-three series for back hits and Elaine Kasilag finished off third in the season-opening conference of the rallying Perlas Spikers with a dump at the league organized by Sports Vision and

backed by Mikasa and Asics.

Palmer also delivered two aces for a 24hit output while Love and a slew of locals also stepped up for the dethroned champions, who lost Pablo to injury before the start of their sudden death for the first finals berth with the Creamline Cool Smashers last Friday.

But the Lady Warriors still lived up to their name, fighting back from 1-2 set down and recovering from a late fourth-set meltdown before holding sway in the fifth to steal the victory from the Spikers.

nate their blood with the playoffs of the Commissioner’s Cup set to start Monday.

Commissioner Willie Marcial was also around to supervise the event held just before the doubleheader between Rain or Shine versus TnT Katropa and Magnolia against defending champion San Miguel Beer.

At least more than 80 bags of blood were collected from the various donors, who were all given free upper box tickets, snacks, and souvenir shirts from the PBA and Dugong Alay, Dugtong Buhay Inc.

LOTTO RESULTS 6/45 00-00-00-00-00-00 P0.0 M+ 4 DIGITS 00-00-00-00 3 DIGITS 00-00-00 2 EZ2 00-00

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

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MONDAY, JULY 9, 2018

Sports

Junior Altas upset SBU Red Cubs Games Tuesday (at the Arena in San Juan) 8 a.m. Letran vs EAC-ICA (jrs) 10 a.m. UPHSD vs LSGH (jrs) 12 nn Letran vs EAC (srs) 2 p.m. UPHSD vs CSB (srs) 4 p.m. Arellano vs San Beda (srs) 6 p.m. Arellano vs San Beda (jrs)

TWO rookies, Yukihiro Kawamura and Edzel Galoy, came up with big plays at endgame to carry the University of Perpetual Help Junior Altas to a 72-69 upset of the multi-titled San Beda University Red Cubs yesterday at the Arena in San Juan.

For the Junior Altas, their win is considered historic as they have not beaten the Red Cubs in the last 10 years. They pulled it off in the start of the 94th National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) junior basketball tournament.

The 5’9” Kawamura, a transferee from La Salle Zobel, forced a turnover with his steal and scored two charities in the last 2.2 seconds to go win the contest for the Junior Altas.

The match was tied at 69-all when Mark Gallano, unable to find an opening underneath, passed the ball to Galoy, who converted on a layup with 4.9 seconds remaining.

“I told the boys to stay composed so we can run our plays and win this game,” said Junior Altas coach Myk Saguiguit.

The Red Cubs, with Zach Estacio leading with 20 points, struggled from 11 points down in the third quarter.

They drew seven points from Estacio in the fourth period, as they rallied and tied the count, 69-all, off Kent Pelipel’s two freebies with 34.2 ticks to go.

Gallano and Galoy showed the way for the Junior Altas with 16 points apiece while Kawamura banged in 15 points.

Josiah Alcantara struck with 12 points for the Red Cubs, while Pelipel contributed nine. Peter Atencio

England’s midfielder Dele Alli (right) heads the ball to score his team’s second goal during the Russia 2018 World Cup quarter-final football match between Sweden and England at the Samara Arena in Samara. AFP

England reaches WC semifinals M

OSCOW, Russia – England celebrated reaching the World Cup semifinals for the first time in a generation as Russia came to terms Sunday with a heartbreaking exit from their own party.

Gareth Southgate’s young team swept Sweden aside 2-0, sparking scenes of unconfined joy in London and elsewhere as World Cup fever reached new heights with the country sweltering in a summer heat wave.

“Cancel your plans for Wednesday night - England have reached their first World Cup semi-final in nearly 30 years,” said the Sun on Sunday.

“The dream goes on! England in ecstasy,” trumpeted the Mail On Sunday.

Leicester defender Harry Maguire headed England ahead in the first half and Tottenham’s Dele Alli added a

second just before the hour as Southgate’s team enjoyed the lion’s share of possession in Samara.

Man-of-the-match Jordan Pickford made three outstanding saves to keep Sweden at bay, further burnishing a reputation that has grown throughout the tournament.

“It’s a great achievement for the team, we owed it to the fans back home who believed in us,” said Alli.

“It’s always nice to score, especially on occasions like this. It’s an amazing feeling to be going to a semi-final at a World Cup.”

Captain Harry Kane, who leads the goal scoring charts in Russia with six strikes, failed to find the net for the first time but said confidence was high after England posted their best run at a major tournament since Euro ‘96.

“We’re buzzing. We know there is still a big game ahead, but we’re feeling really good,” he said.

Prince William, the president of the Football Association, praised Southgate’s men.

“You wanted to make history @England and you are doing just that,” he tweeted. “This has been an incredible #WorldCup run and we’ve enjoyed every minute. You deserve this moment Football’s Coming Home!”

Even if Southgate’s team reach the final, William will not attend the match because of Britain’s diplomatic boycott of the World Cup in Russia over a nerve

agent attack in England this year.

In the later match in Sochi, Russia’s fairytale run came to a halt as they were beaten on penalties by Croatia after 120 gruelling minutes of football.

Russia – the lowest-ranked nation at their own tournament – refused to die despite enjoying just 36 percent of possession against a superior Croatian team led by Luka Modric.

Croatia thought they had won the match when Domagoj Vida rose to nod in a corner in the first period of extra time but Mario Fernandes headed home from a free-kick to pull Russia level at 2-2.

The host nation, who beat Spain on penalties in the last 16, failed to convert two of their spot-kicks, leaving Barcelona’s Ivan Rakitic with match point and he made no mistake, sealing a 4-3 win. AFP

Sotto shoots 28 points as Gilas juniors arrest slide

By Peter Atencio KAI SOTTO shot 28 points and grabbed 13 rebounds as Batang Gilas claimed its first victory Sunday, July 9 in the 2018 FIBA Under-17 Basketball World Cup. Sotto canned four free throws in the final 13 seconds to push the Philippines to a 70-66 victory over Egypt in the classification semifinals at the Technological University Stadium in Santa Fe, Argentina This put the Philippines in a fight with New Zealand for 13th place.

Batang Gilas’ first triumph came after they lost five straight games in the world stage.

New Zealand won over China, 6257, to arrange a meeting with Batang Gilas, which blew a chance to fight for

ninth place with their 59-95 loss to Mali.

The Philippines led comfortably for most of the game and built a 20-point lead, 39-19, with two minutes to go in the second quarter off two free throws from Sotto.

But the Egytians fought back to within a point Omar Morsy’s threepoint play in the last 1:15, 64-65.

Raven Cortez then scored a clutch putback off Gerry Abadiano’s miss for a 67-64 advantage with just a minute left to play.

Two freebies from Egypt’s Omar Morsy allowed them to stay within a point.

As Egypt tried to take the lead, Momen Hassan missed his attempt, and Sotto knocked down four more free throws afterwards to give Batang Gilas the win.

Beermen face TNT KaTropa

By Jeric Lopez With his photos displayed on the background, Golden State Warriors’ superstar Kevin Durant talks about his NBA journey in an effort to inspire basketball fans who emulate him. Rochelle Salvador

Durant on Warriors: We’re till not satisfied

By Rochelle Salvador WHAT happens when a champion team is still not satisfied of its haul?

More titles.

That seems to be the battlecry of the Golden State Warriors through the eyes of their superstar player Kevin Durant, who is in the country to promote his latest shoe, the KD 11, and shared his insights during a press conference, Sunday, at Whitespace in Makati.

The back-to-back Finals’ Most Valuable Player , who averaged 28.8 points, 10.8 rebounds, 7.5 assists and 2.00 blocks during the 2018 NBA Finals, spread the word of commitment to the

game and his belief of giving one’s relentless focus.

“We’re still not satisfied, we’ve got a way long to go,” Durant said. “We never talk about the championship until we actually have a chance to get it.”

And they may yet get another one, with the acquisition of All-Star DeMarcus Cousins, formerly of the New Orleans Pelicans.

“I think it is going to be fun year for us,” said Durant of Cousins’ coming.

Asked on his thoughts about how the other NBA teams are building their super teams to beat GSW, Durant said: “I think it is great for the league. It is a great time to be a basketball player.

I’m just trying to stay at the moment as much as possible.”

Durant and Leo Cheng, the designer of his KD shoes, also presented to the media the newest addition to his Nike shoe collection, the KD 11.

After the conference, Durant headed to the Smart Araneta Coliseum to train selected Nike coaches and collegiate players, teaching them his skills in an event dubbed “KD Hyper Court Team All-Star Challenge.”

The KD 11 “Still KD” was launched at selected outlets on July 1, while limited quantities of the KD 11 “Peach Jam” was released exclusively at Titan Park Fort and Nike Park Fort on July 8.

RIVALRIES will spearhead the quarterfinals of the 2018 Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup. The playoffs begin with No. 3 seed TNT KaTropa facing arch-nemesis San Miguel Beer, seeded No. 6, at 4:30 p.m. in Game 1 of their best-of-three quarterfinals showdown at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

No. 4 Meralco and No. 5 Barangay Ginebra have their own battle and open their series at 7 p.m. in the nightcap.

Expect a lot of fireworks in these pairings as both rivalries present a lot of history, especially in recent memory.

Aside from their already colorful history, the Tropang Texters and the Beermen will be figuring in a rematch of last season’s championship.

Defending champion San Miguel finished off TNT KaTropa, 4-1, to take home the crown last year.

The Beermen look to continue their mastery of the Texters as they took their elimination meeting, 99-94, last June 16.

“We lost our last game in the eliminations but we’re still in a good position since we’ll be facing Talk ‘N Text in a best-of-three,” said San Miguel coach Leo Austria. “It’s a new game for everyone. We know we need to be at our best in the playoffs.”

TNT finished with an 8-3 card while San Miguel ended up at 6-5.

The Gin Kings have prevented the Bolts from winning two titles the past two years, having copped the last two Governors’ Cup at Meralco’s expense.

But Meralco sent a statement in the eliminations with its 93-82 rout of Ginebra in their meeting last June 1.

However, that Ginebra team the Bolts faced was nowhere near what it is at this point.

The Gin Kings are the league’s hottest team, finishing the eliminations on a six-game winning streak to climb out of 1-5 hole and claim the No. 5 seed with a 6-5 mark.

Meralco, though, has been steady all conference long, finishing at 7-4 despite losing its last two games.

IN BRIEF Lufthansa Technik, carriers sign contracts LUFTHANSA Technik Philippines signed multiple maintenance contracts with several carriers on A380 aircraft.

Lufthansa Airlines, the largest German airline, tapped the services of LTP in an agreement formalized on June 24, 2018.

The contract covers heavy base maintenance checks of Airbus A380 aircraft.

The latest deal caps off a fruitful A380 program for the MRO (maintenance, completions, repair, and overhaul) provider, as it comes at the heels of other customers that contracted LTP for their base maintenance services as well, including Korean Air and Asiana Airlines.

LTP is slated to conduct the base maintenance checks for the Airbus A380 planes of the two carriers for the next several years.

All A380 contracts would generate over $200 million in export business to LTP and support more than 500 jobs within the company.

With plans to expand its operations and facility, LTP is seeking to boost its capabilities and aggressively capture future market opportunities. Darwin G. Amojelar

No construction work yet on Atimonan plant ATIMONAN Mayor Rustico Joven Mendoza assured residents that there is no ongoing construction yet of the 1,200-megawatt coal-fired power plant in the town.

“There are no ongoing construction activities contrary to what the groups say. Atimonan One Energy is still waiting for the PSA (power supply agreement) approval,” said Mendoza.

Atimonan One Energy, owned by Meralco PowerGen Corp., has a power supply agreement pending approval with Manila Electric Co. with the Energy Regulatory Commission.

“Atimonan One Energy regularly updates us about the status of the project,” he said.

Residents of Atimonan, Quezon also expressed support to the planned 1,200 MWproject, according to Mendoza, despite protests from certain groups.

There were also claims that no public consultations were made about the coalfired power project, but the allegations were countered Greg de Gracia, a fisherman and chairman of the Samahan ng Maliliit na Mangingisda ng Balubad, Lubi, Talaba at Kilait.

“I attended all public consultations together with my fellow fisherman and fellow Atimonanins,” said de Gracia. Alena Mae S. Flores

Business Telco bidders oppose auction of frequencies

By Darwin G. Amojelar

M

OST groups seeking to become the country’s third major telecommunications player opposed the auction of frequencies as proposed by the Finance Department.

The Department of Information and Communications said an informal survey among 15 potential players that participated in the public hearing Friday found that 75 percent preferred the highest committed level of service or HCLoS for the selection of the new major telco player.

Results of the survey showed that only 17 percent among the participants chose the auction mode being pushed by Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez.

Eight percent abstained from the survey.

“This is a DICT affair... I have full re-

sponsibility, therefore I have to decide that I have to go forward because I am being instructed by the President,” acting DICT Secretary Eliseo Rio said.

“Secretary Dominguez can come up with his own, defending his own position, but more or less as far as the DICT is concerned, we have I think enough data, enough encouragement to go ahead with the highest committed level of service,” Rio said.

“If everything goes well and there would be no major setback, we can now name the third telco by end of September or early October,” he said.

The results of the survey will be presented to an oversight committee, composed of the DICT, the National Telecommunications Commission, the Department of Finance, the National Security Adviser and the Office of the Executive Secretary.

Under the HCLoS, the criteria for the selection of new major telco player are national population coverage (40 percent weightage), minimum average broadband speed (20 percent

weightage) and annual capital and operational expenditure (40 percent weightage) computed annually over a five -year period.

The annual minimum levels for each of the criteria are 30 percent for national population coverage, 5 megabits per second for the minimum average broadband speed and P40 billion for the capital and operational expenditure.

The selection committee will use a point system based on the documents submitted by the potential players.

Based on the second draft of memorandum circular in selecting the third major telco player that would challenge the duopoly of PLDT Inc. and Globe Telecom, the DICT said the participant with the highest amount of bid for five years would be selected as the new major player.

“After the said period, the NMP shall be subject to the applicable SUF [spectrum users fee] pursuant to prevailing rules and regulations. The minimum amount of bid shall be P36.58 billion,” the DICT said.

SSS disburses P17m under Flexi-Fund plan STATE-RUN pension fund Social Security System said over the weekend it disbursed over P17 million worth of annual incentive benefit under the Flexi-Fund program in 2017 to its more than 47,000 overseas Filipino workers members.

SSS president and chief executive Emmanuel Dooc said in a statement the disbursement to qualified OFWs increased 12 percent to P17.38 million in 2017 from P15.5 million in 2016.

He also said the number of qualified OFWs with active accounts under the SSS Flexi-fund program in 2017 rose 9.9 percent to 47,284 from the 43,035 over the same period in 2016.

“It is worth noting that our OFWs are making use of the Flexi-Fund program wherein they can invest their savings which will yield higher returns compared from saving it in the bank for a period of time.

As Senator Richard Gordon kept on saying during our charter amendment hearing, one should ‘Save, Invest and Prosper’,” Dooc said. Julito G. Rada

BALANCED ENERGY MIX. Executives and managers of Global Business Power Corp. gather at the 2018 GBP Management Convocation for the company’s annual strategic planning session. In line with the theme “Initiate, Ignite, Innovate,” GBP president Jaime Azurin (seated, center) challenged the company’s officers to rethink strategies and innovate new approaches as the company gears towards becoming a total energy solutions provider to adapt to the industry landscape and heed the call to make the energy sector more responsive to the environment. The company plans to work towards achieving a balanced energy mix in its portfolio and is continuously studying various opportunities to go into the renewable energy market and complement its existing portfolio.

ERC preparing for transition after suspension of four commissioners

By Alena Mae S. Flores THE Energy Regulatory Commission is preparing for transition this week, after the Office of the President affirmed the suspension of its four commissioners.

ERC chairman Agnes Devanadera vowed to implement the suspension of the four commissioners Monday, after receiving an order from the Office of the President after office hours Friday.

The Office of the Ombudsman ordered the suspension of commissioners Alfredo Non, Gloria Victoria Yap-Taruc, Josefina Patricia Asirit and Geronimo Sta. Ana for three months without pay on May 18. The order was not immediately implemented pending the directive from Malacañang.

“ERC received the memo on the suspension of the four commissioners from

Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com MONDAY, JULY 9, 2018

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Megawide, Filinvest agree to settle dispute on P800-m fees

By Jenniffer B. Austria CONSTRUCTION company Megawide Construction Corp. and developer Filinvest Land Inc. are close to signing an amicable settlement over an P800-million collection case.

Megawide chief finance officer Oliver Tan said a settlement could be finalized within the third quarter, with FLI agreeing to pay the construction company.

“I think we were able to come into a compromise agreement, so we should be disclosing the detail of that this third quarter,” Tan said.

Both parties are expected to sign the amicable settlement soon, he said.

Tan said while the structure of the amicable settlement was still being finalized, FLI, the property arm of the Gotianun family, was now willing to pay Megawide for the unpaid receivables from various projects it had undertaken for the property firm.

“They will pay something. The structure of the settlement will mend the relationship in such a way that we will not incur losses for the projects and they will walk away their good reputation still intact,” Tan said.

He said with the amicable settlement forth coming, Megawide would no longer pursue any legal action against FLI. In 2017, Megawide said it was claiming roughly P800 million in unpaid receivables from various projects it had undertaken for FLI. FLI said it was also demanding payment from Megawide for its failure to complete several projects.

The issue stemmed from the claim of FLI that Megawide failed to deliver the projects based on an agreed timetable.

Megawide, however, said the five high-rise projects it constructed for FLI were completed within the timetable, based on the approved extension and well within the new turnover schedule.

FLI said Megawide was liable for liquidated damages amounting to P793.5 million, plus another P72.24 million and other costs allegedly incurred by the property developer for rectification works, takeover works, importation and other expenses.

DTI: Higher meat tariff to increase canned food prices

By Othel V. Campos

the Office of the Exec Secretary close to 6 p.m. [Friday]. By then, I already left the office. I will be able to serve the suspension on the commissioners only on Monday at the earliest,” Devanadera said.

The ERC official said two commissioners, Non and Yap-Taruc, were also scheduled to retire Tuesday.

“Our office shall remain open and ready to render services except those which require the action of the commission en banc,” Devanadera said.

Rolly Faller, the private legal counsel for the suspended officials, said the commissioners would comply with the order.

“The commissioners respect the decision of the Office of the President in implementing the suspension order of the Ombudsman, thus, they will comply,” he said.

TRADE Secretary Ramon Lopez wants to keep the import tariff on mechanically deboned meat at 5 percent “for the best of the people and the country.”

“If not, we will all see higher major costing for the basic canned meat products that will push up prices of a basic commodity consumed by the mass based market if we allow a major input to have higher tariff, when MDM is not even locally produced. [There is] no sense in increasing tariff on MDM,” Lopez said over the weekend.

The Philippines mainly imports MDM, made from beef, pork, mutton, turkey or chicken, as raw material for the local production of corned beef, hotdog, sausage and other canned meat products.

A rough estimate by DTI showed that

if the tariff of MDM was increased to 40 percent from 5 percent, the price of canned products would go up by around 25 percent.

“Assuming a P25 canned meat product, the price can go up to P31. We should not trigger this thing to happen,” Lopez said.

He said there would also be a high probability that local manufacturers would leave or reduce operations, leading to job losses.

These companies may pull out investments to start operating in other countries, where MDMs are levied 5-percent, and export products to the Philippines at a lower tariff, according to the agency.

The department said such a scenario would be quite unfortunate because amid the current inflation, it is the manufactured food products that enjoyed

stable prices and was not a major cause of the 5.2-percent inflation in June.

The agency emphasized the importance of stability in prices especially at a time when other prices in other sectors were going up.

Canned products are basic commodities in the food basket of the mass based market and are usual part of the grocery items of common Filipinos.

Lopez signed an amendment to Executive Order 190 on April 30, 2017 that extended the importation of MBMs and other edible offals at lower tariff over the next three years.

The EO stated that the reduction of tariff for MBM imports to 5 percent was in compliance with the country’s commitment to the World Trade Organization as concession to the extension of protective measures on rice imports.

Renewable firms ask clarification on supply deals RENEWABLE energy associations are seeking clarification from the Office of the Executive Secretary on the procurement rules issued by the Department of Energy, which ran contrary to the policy of the Energy Regulatory Commission.

The Developers of Renewable Energy for Advancement, an alliance of renewable energy developers associations, sought the opinion of Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea regarding the validity of the Swiss Challenge form of procurement.

The group sent a letter to Medialdea regarding the “impasse” between DoE and the ERC over the unsolicited proposals or Swiss Challenge procedure supposedly prohibited by Department Circular No. DC 2018-02-0003 entitled “Adopting and Prescribing the Policy for the Competitive Selection Process in the Procurement by the Distribution

Utilities of Power Supply Agreement for the Captive Market.”

The group said while the DoE circular prohibited Swiss Challenge, it was allowed under the draft rules of the ERC entitled “Rules Governing the Execution, Review and Evaluation of Power Supply Agreements entered into by Distribution Utilities for the Supply of Electricity to their Captive Market” “We seek confirmation…as the current inconsistent policies of the DOE and ERC have resulted in the inability of our members to proceed with their planned investments in renewable energy by submitting detailed and well submitted proposals to distribution utilities and electric cooperatives,” the group said.

The group said the unresolved issue had prevented distribution utilities and electric cooperatives from pursuing collaboration with renewable energy developers in building

new power plants.

The new power plants are supposed to comply with DOE Circular DC 2017-12-0015 or the rules governing the establishment of the renewable portfolio standards for on-grid areas.

The rules mandated power industry participants to source or produce a specified portion of their electricity requirements from eligible renewable energy sources.

The group said the Swiss Challenge was a valid form of competitive selection process and was not prohibited under the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001.

It said the ERC had the sole authority under the Epira law to issue rules and regulations pertaining to the supply by distribution utilities and electric cooperatives to the captive market, including the procedure for procurement. Alena Mae S. Flores

PRACTICAL SAVING TIPS. Philippine Deposit Insurance Corp. leads the “Save Wisely, Live Confidently” exhibit to observe the 16th Depositor Protection and Awareness Week on June 16 to 22, 2018. The exhibit highlighted practical and useful saving tips from financial experts and personal finance advocates such as Efren Cruz, Rose Fres-Fausto, Randell Tiongson, Ardy Roberto, Miriam Quiambao, Chinkee Tan, Lianne Martha Maiquez Laroya, Alvin Tabañag and Rhea Mocorro-Haguisan. The DPAW is a yearly campaign spearheaded by the PDIC in accordance with Presidential Proclamation No. 358 issued on April 4, 2003, which declared June 16 to 22 of every year as Depositor Protection and Awareness Week.

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Business

MONDAY, JULY 9, 2018 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Stocks to retreat amid trade war S

By Jenniffer B. Austria

HARE prices this week are expected to retreat to recent low levels as investor sentiments continue to be weighed down by rising interest rates and a growing trade war.

Analysts said investors are expected to remain cautious and hesitant about investing in the stock market given the several negative sentiments hounding the market.

“Should the index encounter more weakness next week, expect its initial support near the 6,900-7,000 levels, the area of its most recent lows,” Papa Securities trader Gio Perez said.

BDO Unibank Inc chief investment strategies Jonathan Ravelas said the latest inflation rate report reignited fears among the investors that another round of interest rate hike could be looming.

“The week’s close of 7,186.71 signals the market’s retreat from its assault of the 7,500 levels and resumes another attempt below the 7,000 levels,” Ravelas said.

The inflation rate surged to a five-year high 5.2 percent in June from 4.6 percent in May, and much higher than 2.5 percent registered in the same month last year.

Analysts said the high inflation rate in June would likely require further monetary policy response as early as August.

At the same time investors, investors are awaiting the impact of the trade war between China and United States that took effect Friday.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index in the first trading week of July ended lower by 0.1 percent to 7,186.71, while the All Shares Index dipped 0.12 percent to 4,387.34.

Foreign investors were net sellers by P1.59 billion, while the average daily value traded stood at P4.9 billion, down from the previous week’s average of P6.2 billion.

Weekly top price gainers were Wellex Industries Inc., which rose 32 percent to P0.310; Globe Telecom Inc., which advanced 8.2 percent to P1,667; and Robinsons Retail Holdings Inc., which climbed 5.6 percent to P83.95.

The weekly top price losers were Nickel Asia Corp., which dropped 7.9 percent to P4.27; ABS-CBN Corp.,

which fell 7.9 percent to P23.30; and Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co., which declined 4.9 percent to P69.75.

Global stock markets advanced Friday, overcoming earlier wobbles prompted by China and the United States firing opening salvos in a trade war that pits the world’s two biggest economies against each other.

Wall Street gained on the back of a solid US employment report that was strong enough to reassure investors of the health of the economy, but did not exhibit robust enough wage growth to suggest the Federal Reserve will need to raise interest rates more aggressively.

All three major US indices ended higher, with the Nasdaq chalking up its second straight gain of more than one percent.

European markets finished modestly higher, even as trade worries remained investors the biggest concern, dealers said.

US President Donald Trump on Friday rolled out 25 percent tariffs on $34 billion of Chinese goods in what Beijing called the “largest trade war” in economic history.

China said it was hitting back with retaliatory measures on US goods but did not immediately provide precise details on what products would be targeted in the first wave. With AFP

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS WEEKLY STOCKS REVIEW STOCKS

JULY 2-6, 2018 Close Volume

Value

Asia United Bank Banco de Oro Unibank Inc. Bank of PI BDO Leasing & Fin. INc. Bright Kindle Resources China Bank Citystate Savings COL Financial Eastwest Bank Ferronoux Holding Filipino Fund Inc. First Abacus I-Remit Inc. Manulife Fin. Corp.

MEDCO Holdings Metrobank Natl. Reinsurance Corp.

PB Bank Phil Bank of Comm Phil. National Bank Phil. Savings Bank Philippine trust Co. PSE Inc. RCBC `A’ Security Bank Sun Life Financial Union Bank Vantage Equities

58.8 128.50 87.50 2.76 1.50 33.35 7.8 16.4 14.68 3.52 8.71 0.68 1.53 855.00 0.530 69.75 1.05 11.9 20.80 47.45 80 116 189 28.6 201.2 1910.00 86.00 1.18

44,450 9,798,450 13,737,790 38,000 271,000 1,587,600 900 176,000 2,078,000 210,000 14,400 4,000 26,000 110 626,000 17,826,200 4,171,000 94,900 400 878,300 620 4,150 21,350 231,100 2,446,770 390 172,450 223,000

FINANCIAL 2,617,868.50 1,247,321,692.00 1,198,390,639.00 107,590.00 403,330.00 52,942,465.00 7,115.00 2,893,364.00 30,526,648.00 731,780.00 125,078.00 2,720.00 38,240.00 92,670.00 327,280.00 1,285,678,433.50 4,535,590.00 1,129,310.00 8,120.00 43,248,635.00 51,255.00 530,539.00 4,138,121.00 6,600,095.00 493,421,355.00 723,630.00 14,931,707.50 263,340.00

Aboitiz Power Corp.

Agrinurture Inc. Alliance Tuna Intl Inc. Alsons Cons.

Asiabest Group Basic Energy Corp.

Bogo Medelin C. Azuc De Tarlac Cemex Holdings Century Food Chemphil Cirtek Holdings (Chips) Conc. Aggr. ‘A’ Conc. Aggr. ‘B’ Concepcion Crown Asia Da Vinci Capital Del Monte DNL Industries Inc. Eagle Cement EEI Emperador Energy Devt. Corp. (EDC) First Gen Corp.

First Holdings ‘A’ Ginebra San Miguel Inc. Holcim Philippines Inc. Integ. Micro-Electronics Ionics Inc Jollibee Foods Corp.

Liberty Flour LMG Chemicals Mabuhay Vinyl Manila Water Co. Inc. Maxs Group Megawide MG Holdings Mla. Elect. Co `A’ Panasonic Mfg Phil. Corp.

Pepsi-Cola Products Phil.

Petroenergy Res. Corp.

Petron Corporation Phil H2O Philweb.Com Inc. B Phinma Corporation Phinma Energy Phoenix Petroleum Phils.

Pilipinas Shell Pryce Corp. `A’ RFM Corporation Roxas and Co. Roxas Holdings SFA Semicon Shakeys Pizza SMC Food and Beverage SPC Power Corp.

Swift Foods, Inc. TKC Steel Corp.

Universal Robina Victorias Milling Vitarich Corp.

Vivant Corp.

Vulcan Ind’l.

35.3 15.94 0.6 1.15 28.25 0.237 100 21.80 3.09 15.94 192.1 45.55 66 94.95 59.8 1.79 4.95 7.4 9.990 15.5 10.76 7.33 5.15 14.86 61.5 21.95 7.04 14.46 2.520 251.00 39.60 5.1 3.23 26.8 11.08 19.2 0.180 358.00 6.90 2.25 4.06 8.71 6.12 12.2 7.80 1.28 12.00 52.8 5.8 4.65 2.09 3.3 1.9 12.42 62 5.2 0.125 0.93 122 2.51 2.59 21.00 1.36

4,982,900 8,242,100 5,442,000 1,963,000 1,647,200 15,550,000 1,010 77,200 9,657,000 748,700 70 2,352,900 16,330 30 340 1,129,000 1,000 195,300 7,693,600 1,144,500 101,600 5,943,300 20,177,600 7,084,100 340,760 182,900 234,600 6,555,300 22,556,000 4,330,730 300 566,600 31,000 2,473,400 503,000 11,127,200 3,120,000 1,402,590 112,900 10,709,000 251,000 3,129,200 40,815,400 166,200 61,200 340,000 128,100 4,859,260 326,100 1,845,000 2,101,000 42,000 376,000 2,551,300 383,840 520,200 650,000 17,000 7,630,500 38,000 17,945,000 11,500 49,134,000

INDUSTRIAL 174,010,220.00 129,528,098.00 3,193,060.00 2,293,040.00 46,336,475.00 3,670,210.00 101,000.00 1,708,565.00 30,192,470.00 11,977,364.00 14,740.00 111,607,835.00 1,069,228.50 2,848.50 20,148.50 2,027,190.00 4,950.00 1,492,116.00 78,019,317.00 17,961,434.00 1,096,726.00 43,121,029.00 103,804,765.00 103,534,300.00 20,831,799.00 3,941,940.00 1,659,864.00 92,047,784.00 55,487,740.00 1,113,283,632.00 10,560.00 2,897,144.00 101,090.00 68,176,860.00 5,615,008.00 220,664,039.00 591,090.00 498,054,712.00 778,068.00 23,732,050.00 1,029,460.00 27,709,596.00 313,825,575.00 1,981,412.00 473,290.00 433,600.00 1,535,724.00 251,893,556.00 1,899,131.00 8,493,330.00 4,582,370.00 139,450.00 706,830.00 31,807,542.00 23,742,009.00 2,737,895.00 84,060.00 15,810.00 933,390,413.00 95,730.00 45,415,040.00 233,700.00 72,224,620.00

Abacus Cons. `A’ Aboitiz Equity Alliance Global Inc. Anglo Holdings A Anscor `A’ ATN Holdings A ATN Holdings B Ayala Corp `A’ Cosco Capital DMCI Holdings F&J Prince ‘A’ F&J Prince ‘B’ Filinvest Dev. Corp.

Forum Pacific GT Capital House of Inv. JG Summit Holdings Jolliville Holdings Keppel Holdings `A’ Keppel Holdings `B’ Lodestar Invt. Holdg.Corp.

Lopez Holdings Corp.

LT Group Mabuhay Holdings `A’ Metro Pacific Inv. Corp.

MJCI Investments Inc. Pacifica `A’ Prime Media Hldg Prime Orion Republic Glass ‘A’ San Miguel Corp `A’ Seafront `A’ Sinophil Corp.

SM Investments Inc. Solid Group Inc. South China Res. Inc. Top Frontier Transgrid Wellex Industries Zeus Holdings

0.242 53.10 11.70 0.95 5.97 0.700 0.700 898 5.85 11.02 4.25 5 7.00 0.226 890 5.99 50.00 5.03 4.47 5.36 0.56 3.57 17.6 0.670 4.63 3.48 0.0390 1.190 2.620 2.75 137.00 2.55 2.550 879.00 1.63 0.77 259.000 490.00 0.3100 0.204

9,100,000 5,799,690 20,017,600 470,000 720,600 105,067,000 23,719,000 1,056,310 6,990,000 20,735,500 192,000 25,300 74,400 4,730,000 839,800 55,600 7,980,930 636,500 2,000 2,100 1,982,000 3,805,000 19,794,100 169,508,000 100,511,000 3,000 9,100,000 1,206,000 1,329,000 146,000 851,050 75,000 94,000 1,393,060 380,000 343,000 16,860 910 315,950,000 1,050,000

HOLDING FIRMS 2,217,650.00 312,615,073.00 233,652,602.00 436,550.00 4,303,011.00 73,205,050.00 16,675,520.00 961,471,005.00 42,054,834.00 227,859,536.00 844,280.00 130,140.00 521,707.00 992,360.00 761,433,940.00 333,511.00 401,260,087.50 3,496,909.00 8,940.00 11,232.00 1,087,660.00 13,687,940.00 356,763,704.00 124,791,580.00 466,237,260.00 10,450.00 354,700.00 1,411,640.00 3,509,260.00 411,480.00 116,776,753.00 191,250.00 239,700.00 1,256,777,630.00 596,930.00 264,010.00 4,335,282.00 450,740.00 92,720,122.00 217,350.00

2,703,300 20,605,000 217,000 490,000 3,555,000 112,192,800 638,000 1,831,000 84,900 4,400 7,020,000 988,000 2,657,000 49,760,000 1,640,000 26,048,600 4,505,700 1,356,100 1,080,000 43,683,000 4,192,000 210,808,000 86,655,000 88,767,000 60,380,000

PROPERTY 20,060,938.00 20,955,340.00 3,049,870.00 942,590.00 2,658,180.00 2,113,788,405.00 3,605,810.00 8,279,520.00 482,533.00 29,040.00 3,042,400.00 960,300.00 2,368,700.00 11,238,750.00 656,550.00 263,095,133.00 115,685,740.00 817,810.00 125,300.00 62,583,830.00 4,986,570.00 339,319,800.00 379,427,840.00 51,040,240.00 28,085,600.00

8990 HLDG A. Brown Co., Inc. Anchor Land Holdings Inc. Araneta Prop `A’ Arthaland Corp.

Ayala Land `B’ Belle Corp. `A’ CEB Landmasters Cebu Holdings Cebu Prop. `A’ Century Property City & Land Dev. Cityland Dev. `A’ Crown Equities Inc. Cyber Bay Corp.

DM Wenceslao Double Dragon Empire East Land Ever Gotesco Filinvest Land,Inc. Global-Estate Interport `A’ Megaworld MRC Allied Ind. Phil. Estates Corp.

7.370 0.95 14.10 1.900 0.740 36.700 3.13 4.53 5.72 6.6 0.440 0.95 0.880 0.219 0.400 9.800 25.35 0.600 0.116 1.45 1.19 1.53 4.4 0.590 0.4600

JUNE 25-29, 2018 Close Volume 59.5 125.00 88.70 2.73 1.59 33.55

Value

1.46 830.00 0.540 72 1.04 11.9 20.00 48.50 86.4 111 200 28.5 200 1900.00 87.05 1.18

69,460 16,736,700 30,980,710 150,000 98,000 598,600 3,500 76,000 4,010,000 158,000 34,800 25,000 36,000 250 2,363,000 19,456,890 2,829,000 116,000 22,300 833,600 400 5,860 125,280 941,400 3,819,960 425 450,590 6,000

4,119,107.00 2,084,368,609.00 967,596,799.00 413,160.00 150,960.00 20,099,770.00 25,570.00 1,258,150.00 58,215,708.00 553,230.00 301,035.00 17,000.00 53,010.00 208,700.00 1,235,760.00 1,414,136,845.00 2,960,510.00 1,390,798.00 446,935.00 40,389,020.00 34,594.00 689,251.00 24,102,147.00 26,677,005.00 760,713,536.00 794,975.00 39,260,319.50 7,080.00

34.25 15.28 0.58 1.15 23.95 0.240 100 23.00 3.01 15.8

8,216,700 4,780,500 3,687,000 1,194,000 422,900 60,510,000 340 90,700 9,666,000 1,613,600

287,683,310.00 72,364,300.00 2,121,920.00 1,407,330.00 10,079,330.00 14,637,290.00 34,000.00 2,021,300.00 29,330,230.00 25,944,618.00

48.15 60 89.95 57.1 1.85 4.95 8 10.020 15.8 11.20 7.23 5.22 14.3 61.2 21.15 7.05 13.9 2.220 259.60 52.45 5.1 3.31 27.1 11.12 19.96 0.189 344.20 7.20 2.2 4.15 8.89 7.05

2,350,900 9,330 330 400,260 688,000 21,000 102,600 8,519,600 2,797,900 1,403,200 1,839,700 19,544,000 2,455,300 571,760 158,600 383,500 5,950,300 5,373,000 3,799,030 10 691,600 34,000 9,337,200 375,600 9,295,200 1,040,000 2,545,130 133,000 2,686,000 178,000 4,247,500 6,789,200

115,173,905.00 543,714.00 28,164.50 22,855,200.00 1,274,920.00 103,990.00 832,147.00 85,583,046.00 44,197,868.00 15,616,758.00 13,469,333.00 101,928,836.00 35,233,972.00 35,225,401.00 3,302,945.00 2,807,403.00 84,876,854.00 11,903,020.00 1,007,706,662.00 524.50 3,621,672.00 108,960.00 253,879,430.00 4,217,316.00 188,777,444.00 184,140.00 877,981,964.00 953,098.00 5,950,780.00 747,070.00 37,083,577.00 45,177,720.00

7.50 1.28 11.92 51.55 5.8 4.55 2.47 3.32 1.83 12.5 59.9 5.22 0.126 0.90 118.9 2.65 2.65 16.00 1.58

131,100 1,853,000 181,100 3,594,660 67,200 205,000 4,567,500 40,000 949,000 4,688,900 1,335,550 577,500 960,000 34,000 5,853,560 12,000 70,673,000 800 140,920,000

984,169.00 2,396,730.00 2,182,660.00 183,659,813.00 394,356.00 933,670.00 22,598,430.00 136,740.00 1,746,930.00 58,404,386.00 79,380,427.00 2,897,864.00 122,370.00 30,810.00 694,718,154.00 31,240.00 179,139,910.00 14,000.00 214,284,700.00

0.239 54.00 11.60 0.95 5.96 0.620 0.640 905 6.1 10.54 4.7

11,270,000 9,495,130 65,801,400 366,000 494,300 24,688,000 2,593,000 1,195,560 14,466,700 36,877,600 231,000

2,690,790.00 515,280,038.00 768,456,542.00 350,560.00 2,965,693.00 15,742,000.00 1,675,380.00 1,067,591,755.00 88,813,720.00 385,225,208.00 1,002,970.00

7.01 0.196 900 6.00 49.20 5.5 5.4 6 0.53 3.72 18.08 0.580 4.5 3.36 0.0380 1.180 2.620 2.99 139.00 2.55

230,600 2,470,000 690,540 122,800 10,916,910 1,797,800 28,500 1,700 7,177,000 20,761,000 12,478,100 5,847,000 99,509,100 6,000 42,200,000 1,600,000 1,506,000 166,000 1,793,390 213,000

1,627,609.00 521,770.00 618,918,050.00 738,126.00 537,879,226.00 9,887,908.00 152,980.00 10,358.00 3,814,540.00 74,581,660.00 227,511,922.00 3,390,300.00 505,005,950.00 20,810.00 1,588,700.00 1,871,340.00 3,972,230.00 492,590.00 531,624,419.00 543,150.00

851.50 1.57 0.78 259.000 500.00 0.2470 0.224

1,825,670 189,000 105,000 17,600 1,080 119,820,000 3,560,000

1,566,129,150.00 299,450.00 81,900.00 4,464,234.00 554,120.00 31,315,170.00 741,120.00

7.350 0.99 13.58 1.960 0.760 37.000 3.17 4.56 5.9

1,371,900 21,515,000 29,200 184,000 2,046,000 79,284,300 6,470,000 3,129,000 55,400 1,000 17,950,000 114,000 913,000 10,080,000 5,420,000 43,591,300 9,577,000 451,000 3,270,000 59,844,000 2,158,000 107,763,000 86,835,000 173,794,000 23,970,000

9,968,839.00 17,608,900.00 415,574.00 362,050.00 1,568,770.00 2,954,266,785.00 20,487,720.00 14,370,980.00 310,354.00 6,000.00 7,660,600.00 114,430.00 835,550.00 2,085,030.00 2,184,750.00 450,801,539.00 243,820,630.00 277,120.00 402,410.00 86,602,280.00 2,584,080.00 149,058,900.00 331,457,170.00 99,925,160.00 10,666,950.00

16.5 14.14 3.54 8.65

0.425 1.01 0.900 0.208 0.395 24.4 0.610 0.121 1.41 1.20 1.40 4.25 0.580 0.4450

STOCKS

JULY 2-6, 2018 Close Volume

JUNE 25-29, 2018 Close Volume

Value

Phil. Realty `A’ Phil. Tob. Flue Cur & Redry Primex Corp.

Robinson’s Land `B’ Rockwell Shang Properties Inc. SM Prime Holdings Sta. Lucia Land Inc. Starmalls Suntrust Home Dev. Inc. Vista Land & Lifescapes

0.490 29.00 3.33 19.50 2.01 3.2 36.65 1.05 7.06 0.760 6.090

3,060,000 3,000 21,897,000 5,325,500 1,900,000 229,000 30,643,100 5,430,000 5,271,400 1,184,000 20,319,800

1,472,250.00 87,260.00 73,352,060.00 102,069,294.00 3,807,040.00 732,000.00 1,117,107,285.00 5,727,910.00 37,276,384.00 872,560.00 124,199,056.00

2GO Group’ ABS-CBN Acesite Hotel APC Group, Inc. Apollo Global Asian Terminals Inc. Berjaya Phils. Inc. Bloomberry Boulevard Holdings Cebu Air Inc. (5J) Centro Esc. Univ.

Chelsea DFNN Inc. Discovery World Easy Call “Common” FEUI Globe Telecom GMA Network Inc. Golden Haven Grand Plaza Hotel Harbor Star I.C.T.S.I. Imperial Res. `A’ IPeople Inc. `A’ IPM Holdings Island Info ISM Communications Jackstones LBC Express Leisure & Resorts Lorenzo Shipping Macroasia Corp.

Manila Broadcasting Manila Bulletin Manila Jockey Melco Crown Metro Retail MetroAlliance A MetroAlliance B NOW Corp.

Pacific Online Sys. Corp.

PAL Holdings Inc. Paxys Inc. Phil. Seven Corp.

Philweb.Com Inc. PLDT Common PremiereHorizon Premium Leisure Puregold Robinsons RTL SBS Phil. Corp.

SSI Group STI Holdings Transpacific Broadcast Travellers Waterfront Phils.

Wilcon Depot

15.16 23.3 1.34 0.465 0.045 14.46 5.04 9.80 0.0530 66.05 8.8 6.98 7.29 2.16 23.45 910 1667 5.40 286.00 11.00 3.30 79 2.11 12.7 8.00 0.134 2.6200 4.06 15 4.08 1.03 24.00 17.10 0.430 4.25 5.05 2.62 2.51 2.73 9.660 11.08 8.30 3.16 122.60 5.41 1290.00 0.340 0.840 45.90 83.95 7.91 1.86 1.140 0.445 5 0.790 12.000

42,500 997,300 171,000 6,800,000 45,300,000 62,400 2,100 19,880,800 21,455,000 1,792,560 2,600 8,648,400 47,100 2,000 1,558,400 2,200 132,880 483,500 46,930 1,300 5,391,000 6,316,750 80,000 42,600 109,200 99,930,000 145,918,000 4,932,000 5,900 1,171,000 19,851,000 1,812,500 15,200 60,000 1,370,000 4,990,500 1,956,000 4,789,000 172,000 17,292,000 28,100 17,300 732,000 337,440 4,314,900 305,970 2,450,000 8,928,000 2,588,100 1,454,350 631,700 8,102,000 3,001,000 89,410,000 8,970,700 9,240,000 14,434,800

SERVICES 639,198.00 24,414,765.00 232,300.00 3,136,250.00 1,974,500.00 858,198.00 11,356.00 198,451,246.00 1,434,210.00 121,046,858.50 22,908.00 62,768,416.00 329,369.00 4,320.00 34,872,565.00 1,992,000.00 217,226,010.00 2,603,065.00 12,186,950.00 14,300.00 17,778,320.00 497,072,542.50 166,660.00 541,508.00 875,468.00 14,129,770.00 452,312,740.00 19,772,740.00 88,518.00 4,812,880.00 22,076,220.00 43,878,910.00 259,018.00 25,800.00 5,585,480.00 25,667,186.00 5,088,510.00 12,563,550.00 467,680.00 160,475,244.00 310,762.00 142,345.00 2,432,690.00 41,386,383.00 22,934,103.00 392,088,865.00 841,350.00 7,602,710.00 119,198,055.00 116,737,504.50 5,092,261.00 15,049,720.00 3,432,260.00 39,865,800.00 45,563,018.00 7,224,570.00 170,151,756.00

Abra Mining Apex `A’ Atlas Cons. `A’ Atok-Big Wedge `A’ Benguet Corp `A’ Century Peak Metals Hldgs Coal Asia Dizon Ferronickel Geograce Res. Phil. Inc. Lepanto `A’ Lepanto `B’ Manila Mining `A’ Manila Mining `B’ Marcventures Hldgs., Inc. Nickelasia Nihao Mineral Resources Omico Oriental Peninsula Res. Oriental Pet. `A’ Oriental Pet. `B’ Philex `A’ PhilexPetroleum Philodrill Corp. `A’ Phinma Petro Semirara Corp.

United Paragon

0.0025 1.43 3.81 19.00 1.5700 1.7 0.290 7.99 2.200 0.187 0.128 0.130 0.008 0.0078 1.53 4.27 1.33 0.5000 1.2900 0.0120 0.0130 4.43 10.72 0.0120 2.9100 30.70 0.0063

359,000,000 6,867,000 761,000 155,100 120,000 1,101,000 4,140,000 128,400 11,252,000 190,000 8,962,000 1,640,000 12,000,000 13,000,000 2,947,000 6,885,000 3,272,000 536,000 58,276,000 136,840,000 4,400,000 721,000 5,070,600 150,300,000 3,838,000 4,160,300 19,000,000

MINING & OIL 910,500.00 9,895,290.00 2,966,310.00 3,001,189.00 189,500.00 1,868,440.00 1,232,650.00 974,524.00 24,430,210.00 35,280.00 1,236,160.00 211,090.00 92,200.00 101,500.00 4,547,620.00 30,370,560.00 4,187,770.00 266,970.00 76,708,570.00 1,684,600.00 55,200.00 3,321,260.00 54,529,962.00 1,812,900.00 11,495,020.00 127,511,700.00 116,800.00

ABS-CBN Holdings Corp.

Alco Preferred B Ayala Corp. Pref `B1’ Ayala Corp. Pref ‘B2’ DD PREF First Gen F First Gen G GLOBE PREF P GMA Holdings Inc. GTCAP PREF A GTCAP PREF B House Preferred Leisure and Resort MWIDE PREF PCOR-Preferred A PCOR-Preferred B PNX PREF 3A PNX PREF 3B SMC FB PREF 2 SMC Preferred B SMC Preferred C SMC Preferred D SMC Preferred E SMC Preferred F SMC Preferred G SMC Preferred H SMC Preferred I Swift Pref

21.7 101.2 496 500 100.5 102.5 106.8 500 5.28 997 987.5 99.1 1.03 102.9 1021 1050 103.9 110 985 76.3 79 75.1 77 76.5 75.75 77 77 1.96

1,265,800 1,000 13,320 2,900 111,120 440 4,050 12,810 463,400 2,060 2,250 58,980 964,000 86,390 500 1,940 510 16,380 23,490 30,150 187,030 18,200 43,510 178,800 13,820 64,720 5,000 3,000

LR Warrant

2.310

672,000

PREFERRED 28,625,000.00 101,200.00 6,623,460.00 1,455,300.00 11,153,969.00 45,266.00 405,748.00 6,405,680.00 2,421,607.00 2,053,455.00 2,211,845.00 5,883,501.00 994,790.00 8,894,345.00 510,500.00 2,037,395.00 52,439.00 1,775,880.00 23,464,710.00 2,300,438.00 14,799,228.00 1,366,730.00 3,323,075.00 13,652,626.00 1,047,255.00 4,970,786.00 385,000.00 5,880.00

WARRANTS & BONDS 1,593,460.00

Value

0.480 29.20 2.9 18.50 2.03 3.21 34.25 1.13 7.21 0.750 6.150

4,560,000 100 10,287,000 12,826,100 1,972,000 385,000 54,557,200 19,791,000 18,625,300 491,000 22,117,400

2,163,400.00 2,920.00 30,277,820.00 238,439,694.00 3,979,340.00 1,223,140.00 1,883,638,050.00 22,062,100.00 143,386,932.00 371,470.00 137,136,107.00

15 25.15 1.39 0.445 0.043 13.06 5.01 9.60 0.0530 72 8.8 7.21 7.48 2.16 19.22 940 1507 5.40 250.00 11.32 3.24 77.2 2.12 12.9 8.00 0.135 2.5700 4.48 15.3 4.00 1.02 24.05 17.76 0.440 4.1 5.23 2.60 2.62 2.70 9.500 11.06 8.65 3.74 120.00 5.17 1248.00 0.345 0.850 47.30 77.80 8.15 1.84 1.130 0.41 4.86 0.780 11.800

54,000 476,400 99,000 5,620,000 41,200,000 72,300 167,100 23,950,600 98,720,000 1,900,610 600 7,487,400 128,200 11,000 1,044,300 3,010 223,060 706,100 163,700 800 3,111,000 9,733,580 103,000 23,000 94,900 196,210,000 247,668,000 15,125,850 6,600 3,263,000 1,509,000 2,657,100 30,600 150,000 4,628,000 44,298,700 2,435,000 12,911,000 276,000 49,822,500 317,700 15,200 4,594,000 443,440 5,429,500 482,825 3,889,000 9,315,000 3,990,300 4,419,160 613,200 18,434,000 3,934,000 26,060,000 14,134,000 11,685,000 16,651,900

806,978.00 12,101,895.00 132,970.00 2,536,100.00 1,769,300.00 942,216.00 968,648.00 233,004,516.00 5,215,780.00 140,454,601.00 5,280.00 54,534,900.00 897,314.00 23,940.00 20,875,630.00 2,709,400.00 343,700,325.00 3,808,880.00 43,706,570.00 8,896.00 9,914,330.00 765,204,537.50 224,050.00 298,014.00 760,055.00 27,241,320.00 692,553,190.00 31,097,464.00 99,062.00 13,092,180.00 1,543,220.00 64,213,665.00 524,282.00 65,300.00 17,840,500.00 231,335,637.00 6,327,040.00 35,269,900.00 727,070.00 481,026,994.00 3,534,942.00 131,611.00 16,612,590.00 54,512,765.00 28,670,419.00 588,497,695.00 1,454,700.00 8,072,840.00 187,247,185.00 346,892,308.50 5,124,987.00 34,496,300.00 4,459,490.00 10,779,650.00 68,729,310.00 9,079,690.00 195,969,838.00

0.0026 1.44 4.08 20.90 1.6000 1.68 0.300 7.88 2.200 0.188 0.129 0.127 0.008

185,600,000 5,102,000 187,000 128,800 12,000 3,295,000 1,980,000 59,600 33,011,000 410,000 16,860,000 5,740,000 45,000,000

691,100.00 7,435,010.00 769,150.00 2,620,463.00 19,040.00 5,565,850.00 592,250.00 443,531.00 72,281,160.00 76,360.00 2,190,100.00 743,580.00 362,900.00

1.75 4.67 1.33 0.5100 1.2500 0.0110 0.0120 4.48 10.98 0.0120 2.8400 30.05 0.0059

6,748,000 7,657,000 4,018,000 2,541,000 70,742,000 38,800,000 8,400,000 3,680,000 5,794,300 151,300,000 4,522,000 8,144,700 16,000,000

11,230,730.00 35,591,480.00 5,052,070.00 1,294,580.00 84,466,180.00 463,000.00 100,800.00 16,762,530.00 63,470,382.00 1,738,700.00 12,555,960.00 244,707,225.00 96,100.00

24.2 495 505 100.7 80 100.1 500 5.14 999 990 99.9 1.04 103 1021 1080 102.8 108.5 1000 76.3 79 75.3 75.3 76.5 76 76.5 76

299,700 10,000 20,080 410 109,550 10,330 20,630 19,630 243,900 100 32,040 42,780 470,000 39,740 3,400 100 1,480 20 12,200 240,010 39,060 7,720 4,370 30,070 13,680 180,710 61,750

7,309,315.00 1,013,420.00 9,956,560.00 205,350.00 11,061,136.00 834,171.00 2,071,880.00 9,819,560.00 1,275,168.00 96,810.00 31,270,300.00 4,240,375.00 487,330.00 4,093,220.00 3,471,400.00 108,000.00 152,144.00 2,170.00 12,115,830.00 18,086,513.00 3,065,006.00 581,608.00 330,720.00 2,293,496.00 1,039,850.00 13,612,858.00 4,695,310.00

2.300

1,032,000

2,342,120.00

SME 32,460.00 15,883,293.00 71,542,230.00

5.06 3.19

2,448,400 8,840,000

12,358,537.00 28,192,530.00

Makati Fin. Corp.

Italpinas Xurpas

2.95 5 3.51

11,000 3,119,300 20,919,000

First Metro ETF

107.3

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 35,140 3,807,708.00

106

122,960

13,102,457.00

10.1 10

DOLLAR DENONIMATED SEC. 13,280 134,128.00 6,020 60,200.00

10.1 10

12,980 100

130,698.00 1,000.00

USD DMPL A1 USD DMPL A2

WEEKLY MOST TRADED STOCKS Abra Mining Wellex Industries Interport `A’ Mabuhay Holdings `A’ Philodrill Corp. `A’ ISM Communications Oriental Pet. `A’ Ayala Land `B’ ATN Holdings A Metro Pacific Inv. Corp.

VOLUME 359,000,000 315,950,000 210,808,000 169,508,000 150,300,000 145,918,000 136,840,000 112,192,800 105,067,000 100,511,000

STOCKS Ayala Land `B’ Metrobank SM Investments Inc. Banco de Oro Unibank Inc. Bank of PI SM Prime Holdings Jollibee Foods Corp.

Ayala Corp `A’ Universal Robina GT Capital

VALUE 2,113,788,405.00 1,285,678,433.50 1,256,777,630.00 1,247,321,692.00 1,198,390,639.00 1,117,107,285.00 1,113,283,632.00 961,471,005.00 933,390,413.00 761,433,940.00

Global-Estate launches 2nd condo tower in Southwoods GLOBAL-Estate Resorts Inc., a unit of Megworld Corp., is launching a second residential property in Southwoods City in Biñan, Laguna, which is expected to generate P1.2 billion in sales.

GERI said in a statement over the weekend the launching of Tulip Gardens followed the strong sales of four towers of Holland Park amounting to around P2.7 billion.

The 22-story Tulip Gardens offers units ranging from studio (up to 28.5 square meters) and one-bedroom (up to 41 square meters). Some units have their own lanai, allowing residents to enjoy the refreshing views of Southwoods City and the Laguna and Cavite landscapes.

“The spike in the demand for residential condo units in Southwoods City was a big surprise considering that the township has been known for its vast horizontal residential villages like Pahara. We have sold out over 600 units of Holland Park in just a little over a year and the demand for more units continues to grow,” said Rachelle Peñaflorida, vice president for sales and marketing of Megaworld Global-Estate Inc., the marketing unit of GERI’s residential projects.

The new residential developments are a short walking distance to the newly-opened Southwoods Mall. They are also just a minute away from the Southwoods exit of the South Luzon Expressway.

GERI said Tulip Gardens’s amenities included jogging paths, recreational zones and picnic areas with cabanas and pavilions, active zone for kids that include an indoor playroom and two outdoor playgrounds, a fitness center, as well as two swimming pools--a lap pool and a kiddie pool.

The property will have its own multipurpose hall for parties, gatherings and bigger functions.

“Tulip Gardens is an innovation in residential high-rise living, where leisure and relaxation take centerstage in a community setting. We are providing more amenities so that our residents will feel like they live in a resort,” Peñaflorida said. Jenniffer B. Austria

Maynilad Water finishes rehab of treatment plant

By Othel V. Campos MAYNILAD Water Services Inc., the water concessionaire in the west zone of Metro Manila, recently completed the upgrade of a sedimentation basin at the La Mesa Treatment Plant 1 in Quezon City.

The upgrade is part of the company’s P7-billion rehabilitation of LMTP 1 and 2, which produce about 2,400 million liters of water a day for some 9 million customers.

The 12 sedimentation basins at LMTP 1 are being fitted with tube settlers and sludge scrapers, increasing the plant’s capacity to address high turbidity in the raw water during the rainy season.

“While there are 11 more basins to go, this is a significant milestone in the rehab project of La Mesa and our ability to respond to the challenges of climate change,” said company chief operating officer Randolph Estrellado.

The rehabilitation of the 12 basins is being done in phases so that plant operations will not be disturbed even if the upgrades are being done.

“We are upgrading one basin at a time, because we cannot shut down the plant and interrupt water service to give way to the rehabilitation work,” Estrellado added.

Other upgrades being done in LMTP 1 and 2 are the retrofitting of structures for enhanced earthquake resiliency and the automation of processes for more reliable operations.

The rehabilitation project is expected to be completed by 2020.

Maynilad is the largest private water concessionaire in the Philippines in terms of customer base.

It is the agent and contractor of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System for the west xone of the Greater Manila Area, which is composed of the cities of Manila (certain portions), Quezon City (certain portions), Makati (west of South Super Highway), Caloocan, Pasay, Parañaque, Las Piñas, Muntinlupa, Valenzuela, Navotas and Malabon all in Metro Manila; the cities of Cavite, Bacoor and Imus, and the towns of Kawit, Noveleta and Rosario, all in Cavite province.

extrastory2000@gmail.com

Trump faces protests on trip to Britain EDINBURGH―A barrage of nationwide protests will greet US President Donald Trump’s four-day trip to Britain from Thursday, with organizers hoping to stage one of the country’s biggest demonstrations in decades following a series of diplomatic spats.

The divisive American leader, arriving after a NATO summit in Brussels, will be largely away from London during a tour expected to bring at least tens of thousands of people onto British streets.

“We are confident that there will be huge demonstrations against Trump wherever he visits,” said Chris Nineham, of the Stop the War Coalition, which is helping to stage the so-called “carnival of protest”.

“The protest against Trump will be a real celebration of the diversity that we love in the UK―and will give a strong signal that his message of hate and division is not welcome in this country.”

The US president appears unpopular in Britain, where his brash style and hard-line “America First” policies have caused consternation across the political spectrum and society.

He was severely criticized last November, including by Prime Minister Theresa May, after sharing three inflammatory anti-Muslim videos posted by far-right group Britain First.

Opposition lawmakers, backed by an online petition signed by nearly 1.9 million people, called on May to cancel the state visit offered when she met Trump in Washington after his inauguration in January last year.

Following the incident and several other diplomatic spats, his first trip to Britain since taking power was repeatedly delayed and scaled back, with speculation it has now been designed to avoid the demonstrations.

The US ambassador in London told reporters Friday that Trump was “aware” of the planned protests but “is not avoiding anything”.

“The president is simply trying to get as impactful a trip as he can get in a 24-hour period,” Woody Johnson said. AFP

Business/World

Scramble to rescue flood victims H IROSHIMA―The death toll from the record rain that has devastated parts of Japan rose Sunday to at least 57, officials said, as rescue workers and troops struggled in the mud and water to save lives.

Local media put the toll at 67, with dozens more people missing and the number of fatalities expected to rise.

Earlier Sunday, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe warned of a “race against time” to rescue flood victims as there were still many people whose safety has yet to be confirmed.

The torrential downpours have caused flash flooding and landslides across central and western parts of the country, prompting evacuation orders for more

than two million people.

The rain has completely blanketed some villages, forcing desperate residents to take shelter on their rooftops with flood water swirling below as they wait for rescue.

Over two million people have been told to evacuate, but the orders are not mandatory and many remained at home, becoming trapped by rapidly rising water or sudden landslides.

The meteorological agency issued its highest level alert for two new regions on Sunday, before lifting them after rains began subsiding later on the day.

In the town of Mihara, in the south of the Hiroshima region, a let-up in rain laid bare the devastation wrought by the downpours.

Roads were transformed into muddy flowing rivers, with dirt piled up on either side as flood water gushed around the wheels of stranded cars.

“The area became an ocean,” said 82-year-old Nobue Kakumoto, a long-

time resident.

“I’m worried because I have no idea how long it will stay like this.”

Several dozen residents descended into the village to inspect the damage after spending the night in a tiny shelter on higher ground.

Masanori Hiramoto, a 68-year-old farmer, didn’t bother observing the Japanese custom of removing his shoes when he entered his ravaged home, the woven tatami mat floors carpeted with mud.

“I don’t even know where to start cleaning. I don’t know what is where,” he told AFP. Elsewhere, work crews tried to clear multiple small landslides that coated roads, rendering them virtually impassable.

“We are carrying out rescue operations around the clock,” Yoshihide Fujitani, a disaster management official in Hiroshima prefecture, told AFP. “We are also looking after evacuees and restoring lifeline infrastructure like water and gas,” he added.

Rain devastates Japan town

BULL RUN. Participants run next to Jose Escolar fighting bulls on the second day of the San Fermin bull run festival in Pamplona. AFP

snorkeling spot on Thursday.

The latest victim was found Sunday, officials said.

Relatives have been asked to identify their next-of-kin through photographs and to provide DNA samples.

The ashen-faced families wiped back tears in a waiting area of the Vachira Hospital on Sunday while several got increasingly agitated when asked for further information.

“I’ve already told you the name, why can’t you take me there now?” a man was heard shouting at hospital staff.

A Chinese woman who only wanted to be identified by her family name, Su, said she was still waiting to claim the body of her sister, Su Jiao Min. “There should definitely be compensation [for the accident],” she told AFP while waiting to be signed into the hospital.

“But I don’t want to talk about that right now. All I want is to identify and claim (my sister’s) body and return home.”

Some have called for legal action to be taken after the boat was among

three that ignored a bad weather warning against day trips to the islands surrounding the tourist magnet of Phuket.

Gao Kai, who arrived in Phuket on Saturday, said the bodies of his eightyear-old daughter and seven-year-old nephew were identified on Saturday, but he was still waiting for news of his wife, sister and brother-in-law.

“The adults still haven’t been found.

We’re waiting for them to return so we can take them home,” he told AFP, breaking down several times during the interview. AFP

Is green in? A look at shifting to sustainable living JONNA BAQUILLAS

GREEN LIGHT

CONSUMER choices make a difference. Our love for everything instant— instant coffee, noodles, juice—is powered by our preference for convenience.

Our current shopping habits and consumption patterns form a throwaway culture. Our appetite for new things and the accessibility and affordability of these products have produced garbage and toxic materials more than the planet could handle. Products that fail can be easily replaced, instead of exhausting efforts to repair, reuse, or recycle them. Clothes are produced to cater to “fast fashion”–-they are built to only last for a very short time, so they can be replaced and thrown away when they go out of style. Products that are commercially available are packed in single-use containers that are mostly plastic. Visit a supermarket and you’ll see rows after rows of “convenience” products that cater to the demand to make our lives easier.

Guess where all these end up? EVERYWHERE. Plastic litters the oceans and makes up about 80 percent to 85 percent of marine waste. Household waste generated by residential areas contribute 56.7 percent to the total municipal solid waste (MSW). This is mainly composed of glass bottles, plastic containers and bags, kitchen scraps, yard or garden waste (leaves and twigs), boards and papers, soiled tissues and diapers, batteries and electronic equipment. According to the Na-

“We are doing our best.”

In western Okayama prefecture, rescue operations were underway to evacuate several hundred people including children and the elderly from a hospital, some by helicopter.

Those in the building became trapped when a nearby river burst its banks and flooded the area, and a nurse inside told local media there was no power or water, and food was running short.

“Around 1,000 people were seeking rescue by Sunday morning, but we don’t yet have a complete picture of the disaster, which is enormous,” Mutsunari Imawaka, a spokesman for the prefecture’s disaster management office, told AFP. “We are working hard to rescue them as quickly as possible. Time is running out. “ Over 50,000 rescue workers, police and military personnel have been mobilized to respond to the disaster, which has left entire villages submerged by flooding, with just the top of traffic lights visible above the rising waters. AFP

IN BRIEF

Relatives identify victims of tourist boat sinking in Thailand PHUKET—Distraught relatives descended on a Thai hospital Sunday as many waited for news of missing family members who disappeared when a tourist boat sank in rough weather, killing dozens of Chinese passengers.

Recovery divers have pulled 42 bodies from the sea off the resort island of Phuket, but authorities have said 14 other passengers remain unaccounted for.

The Phoenix was carrying 105 people―mostly Chinese tourists―when it sank on the way back from a popular

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MONDAY, JULY 9, 2018 CESAR BARRIOQUINTO, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

tional Solid Waste Management Status Report 2008-2014 by Department of Environment and Natural Resources, majority of these waste materials are bio-degradables (52.3 percent) and recyclables (27.78 percent) which can be reused, recycled or composted at the household level, instead of being sent to landfills.

While the convenience these products offer make our lives easier, it drives our planet towards destruction.

Now, the pressure to adapt sustainable consumer behavior does not only fall on the laps of corporations and the government, but on individual consumers as well. You may feel that a person’s purchase does not matter; but all the small purchases combined to cover the needs of 7.6 billion people on this planet add up to one big impact that leads to environmental issues we are dealing with today. In Robert Swan’s words, “The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it.” Swan is a British historian, explorer and activist who is best known for being the first person to walk to both North and South poles.

In my research investigating the sustainable consumption behavior of Filipino consumers, internal, external and social factors play an important role in driving an individual’s sustainable choices and practices. One’s understanding of the impact of individual activities on the environment and the acceptance of the responsibility related to this behavior influence the internal factors towards eco-consciousness. On the other hand, limitations such as high prices and accessibility to green products compose the

external factors that affect sustainable choices. Finally, social factors, such as one’s perceived influence in the social network—for example, you feel motivated to engage in green practices if you think that you are able to influence your family or circle of friends—also drive an individual to practice sustainable behavior.

How then do we shift to a more sustainable lifestyle? Below is far from an exhaustive list, but this can jumpstart your eco-conscious consumption behavior.

Refuse Single-Use Going to your favorite coffee shop?

Bring your own tumbler and straw.

Some major cafes give a discount if you bring your own container.

Always buying bottled water? Bring your own water bottle instead and refill in drinking fountains or food establishments. Not only are you helping save the environment, you are also saving precious money!

Heading to the supermarket? Bring your own shopping bag. Brown paper bags are hard to reuse because they rip easily; they will only contribute to the pile of garbage in landfills.

Buy Green Choose environmentally-friendly alternatives to regular products that you use—shampoo, detergent, soap, and many other products are now available in greener versions. A lot of chemicals in the regular products we use actually harm the environment; they seep into the water system, and upset the ecological balance.

Buy local. When you patronize Filipino products, you help our GDP grow, and you also lower your carbon foot-

print because the products don’t have to travel from halfway around the world to reach you.

Go organic. Organic produce and livestock do not use pesticides or antibiotics to grow them. They are naturally nurtured and harvested at the right season.

Conserve Resources This sounds cliché, but turn off lights that you no longer use. This applies to appliances, too; don’t just turn the power off—unplug those that you are not using!

Turn off the faucet when you brush your teeth.

Going two floors up or down? Take the stairs—you’re also making your heart healthier when you do so.

Bike or walk when traveling short distances. You can also carpool with friends, classmates, or work colleagues, or use ride-sharing services, to save on gas.

While these are simple steps, they collectively contribute to better environmental practices if we all commit to doing them. We only have one planet; don’t you think it deserves a little bit of sacrifice from us?

Jonna Baquillas is a Doctor of Business Administration student at the De La Salle University. She teaches marketing, brand, business, and retail management classes in Asia Pacific College. She believes that everyone should take action to reduce environmental impact – collective small steps result to a huge impact. She is committed to switch to a sustainable lifestyle, one step at a time. She can be reached at jonna.baquillas@gmail.com.

MIHARA, Japan―Masanori Hiramoto stood before his traditional home in the Japanese town of Mihara, speechless at the destruction caused by record rain that has killed dozens of people.

“I have lived here all my life. I have never seen anything like this,” he said, standing in shock before the house where he and his wife raised their three daughters, all now adults.

Hiramoto was one of around 60 evacuees from Hongo district in southern Hiroshima prefecture, who ventured back to their homes on Sunday, two days after fleeing when authorities issued evacuation orders.

More than two million people across parts of central and western Japan have been issued similar orders, but they are not mandatory and many of those who defied the instructions have found themselves caught up in flash floods and landslides.

Japan’s government said Sunday that at least 48 people had been killed in days of record rains, but the toll was expected to rise further, with local media saying more than 60 people were dead and dozens more remained missing.

As Hiramoto inspected his ravaged home, it became clear that his decision to evacuate was the right one.

Most houses in his small rice-farming community stand on elevated ground above rice fields, but surging water swallowed fields and homes alike, including Hiramoto’s. AFP

Turkey sacks 18,500 state employees ANKARA―Turkish authorities ordered the dismissal of more than 18,500 state employees, including police officers, soldiers and academics, in a decree published on Sunday.

The Official Gazette said 18,632 people had been sacked including 8,998 police officers in the emergency decree over suspected links to terror organizations and groups that “act against national security”.

Some 3,077 army soldiers were also dismissed as well as 1,949 air force personnel and 1,126 from the naval forces.

Another 1,052 civil servants from the justice ministry and linked institutions have been fired as well as 649 from the gendarmerie and 192 from the coast guard.

Authorities also sacked 199 academics, according to the new decree, while 148 state employees from the military and ministries were reinstated.

Turkey has been under a state of emergency since the July 2016 attempted overthrow of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Turkish media dubbed the decree as the “last” with officials indicating the state of emergency could end as early as Monday.

The emergency has been renewed seven times and the latest period is officially due to end on July 19.

Over 110,000 public sector employees have been removed previously from their jobs via emergency decrees since July 2016 while tens of thousands more have been suspended in a crackdown criticized by Ankara’s Western allies. AFP

Pompeo: Sanctions on N. Korea to remain TOKYO―The sanctions on North Korea will remain in place until Pyongyang carries out “final” denuclearization, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Sunday.

“Sanctions will remain in place until final, fully verified denuclearization as agreed to by Chairman Kim [Jong Un] occurs,” Pompeo said, speaking in Tokyo after the talks with his Japanese and South Korean counterparts.

“While we are encouraged by the progress of these talks, progress alone does not justify the relaxation of the existing sanctions regime.”

Pompeo held more than eight hours of talks with North Korean officials in Pyongyang from Friday, seeking to flesh out a bare bones deal made by US President Donald Trump and North Korea’s Kim last month.

He characterized the discussions as positive, but hours after he left Pyongyang, North Korea issued an angry statement rejecting what it described as Washington’s “gangsterlike” demand for rapid nuclear disarmament.

Pompeo, who was in Tokyo to brief his Japanese and South Korean counterparts on the talks, brushed aside the characterization, saying the discussions were continuing in “good faith”.

“If those requests were gangster-like, the world is a gangster, because there was a unanimous decision at the UN Security Council about what needs to be achieved,” he said.

Pompeo also insisted that Pyongyang was committed to broad denuclearization and said that while some security guarantees could be on the table during the process, sanctions relief would not be. AFP

LGUs

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

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monday, july 9, 2018

LocaL government units

AID TO SAMPALOC.

Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada, assisted by City engineer Rogelio Legaspi and Manila Department of Social Welfare chief Nanet Tanyag (center), donates several pieces of construction materials to residents of Galicia Street, Barangay 401 in Sampaloc (inset), and financial assistance worth P200,000 to help them repair their homes that were damaged by a huge fire recently. A total of 70 families received P1.5 million worth of roofing sheets, lumber, and nails from the city government last Friday.

‘QC teachers’ woes solved’

By Rio N. Araja

Q

UEZON City Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte on Sunday said the 37-member city council has already resolved the allowance concerns of over 15,000 public school teachers even before their July 6 rally at the city hall.

In a statement, Belmonte, as presiding officer of the city council, said: “I would like to clarify to the public that out of the five concerns they raised in addition to their opposition to drug testing, the following concerns have already been addressed by the city council via legislation before the said rally even took place.”

The councilors have approved the increase in the supplemental monthly allowance from P1,000 to P1,500 and the increase in longevity pay from P200 to P300, she added.

“This was passed by the city council just recently. You should be receiving P300 per year of service upon retirement. But this starts on your

sixth year of service. That is what longevity pay means,” Belmonte said.

The adjustment in the quarterly rice allowance from P1,500 to P2,000 for teaching and nonteaching staff has been passed in the first reading.

Last Friday, public schoolteachers staged a protest in front of Quezon City hall to dramatize their sentiments on the delay in the release of their allowances, salary increase, and even the mandatory drug test for teachers and non-teaching personnel.

They called on the local government to return the allowance disbursement platform from mobile money system Globe BanKo back to Land Bank of the Philippines, saying since the transfer

to Globe BanKo, they have experienced up to a year’s delay in the issuance of allowances.

Belmonte said the issue is under the jurisdiction of the Office of the City Mayor, while the salary increase could only be mandated by the national government.

Meanwhile, Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista has approved an amendment involving the Barangay Council for the Protection of Children.

BCPC was created in 2005 and primarily aims to protect children from all forms of neglect, abuse, cruelty, exploitation, and other conditions prejudicial to their development and to foster education, good health and nutrition, and other services necessary for child and youth welfare.

City Ordinance 2671-2018, introduced by Councilor Julienne Alyson Rae V. Medalla, enhances Ordinance 1623-2005 which created BCPC, by adding child representatives in the members of the said council.

NV miner OceanaGold cited for 5 years of CSR excellence KASIBU, Nueva Vizcaya—OceanaGold Philippines Inc. bagged another special recognition for five consecutive years of excellence in corporate social responsibility or CSR. The special award was handed during the 10th Golden Year celebration of the world-renowned Global CSR Summit and Awards at the Sheraton Senggigi Beach Resort in Lombok, Indonesia last April 19-20, 2018.

The judges noted OGPI’s leadership in environmental and social sustainability.

OceanaGold’s Didipio Mine was also given the Gold Award for Best in Workplace Practices highlighting its workplace culture, comprehensiveness of workplace policies, and its innovations in pioneering new workplace solutions and programs.

The Global CSR Summit and

Awards is an invaluable opportunity for showcasing best practices and inspiring more companies to be involved in Corporate Social Responsibility.

“The awards demonstrate the quality and safe workplace for the company’s employees, protection of our environment for future generations, and delivery of our commitments to our communities wherein we operate,” OGPI

General Manager David Way said.

“We acknowledge the role of mining companies in empowering countryside communities. OceanaGold is providing leadership, capacity building, and enterprise development, and technical assistance that strengthen community businesses ensuring the sustainability of all our communities even after the life of mine,” Way added. Brenda Jocson

Capiz lawyer bikes to raise funds, fight rare illness

By Ronald O. Reyes (First of a series) LAWYER JP Anthony Cuñada, 37, is so desperate that he is taking his bicycle and riding across the country for the second time this year.

Why? To raise public awareness to one of the rarest diseases among humans, X-linked dystonia-parkinsonism, a rare neurodegenerative disorder that affects muscular movement that incidentally spread only in Panay Island, where he came from.

Cuñada said that he is riding his bike from Luzon to Mindanao because he wanted dystonia “to end in his generation.”

“I want to be the last person to have this dystonia in this generation. This is how desperate I am,” Cuñada told reporters in an interview in Tacloban City where he had a brief stop before heading to Dipolog City on Friday, July 6.

While most cases of dystonia are recorded from men coming from Panay Island, Cuñada said that “women are the carrier but the disorder manifests only in men.”

As to his family, Cuñada said his dystonia was traced from the first generation in his mother side whose three brothers died due to the ailment which remains largely a mystery with still no known treatment.

“While in our own family, my eldest brother died due to dystonia on July 31, 2014. He did not undergo an operation. He was only 44 years old. I saw his suffering. It was really painful,” Cuñada added on how he and his other four remaining siblings have seen the misery brought by dystonia to their eldest brother.

Cuñada’s mother, a retired midwife, is now 75 years old. His father’s death, however, was not related to dystonia.

Last July 14, 2017, Cuñada was lucky enough to undergo an operation via Deep Brain Stimulation for his brain to be able to produce “enough electricity” to control his normal movement.

Cuñada’s medical operation, however, did not come cheap. It would cost P2 million for a dystoniastricken person to be able to at least regain his normal muscular movement, he said.

“Before I was operated, I said to myself I don’t want to go that operating room. But my cousin arrived from Canada and gave me a seed money of 35,000 Canadian dollars, which is equivalent to P1.3 million,” Cuñada recalled on how he was lucky enough to get a second lease on life through the help of family and friends who contributed money for his operation.

(Continued tomorrow)

Cops catch thief of bar review papers in Laoag AUTHORITIES have warned the public, especially students, against scammers using the Internet following the arrest of man selling stolen bar review materials from a legitimate review center in Las Piñas City.

Lawyer Hazel Riguera, president of Jurists Review Center Inc. based in Las Piñas, filed a complaint against Jake Bryson Dancel of Sitio 3, Bgy. Buttong, Laoag City.

Dancel faces charges for violation of Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 (Republic Act 10175) and the Electronic Commerce Act (RA 8792) under the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines.

Based on the initial probe of the National Bureau of Investigation’s Special Action Unit and Investigation Service, Dancel was able to access the website of Jurists Review Center Inc. where he stole the bar review materials and has been selling to the public for P2,500 a copy.

The suspect used the Facebook account name “Res Nullius” to advertise his sale of the bar review materials to the Facebook group “Law Student Help Group Philippines.”

Investigators also found out that payments to Dancel were made through money courier Palawan Express.

Taguig: Let law take course vs Councilor Jordan

RPOC MEETING. Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista (second from left), chairman of the National Capital Region Peace and Order Council, presents a plaque of appreciation to Parañaque City Mayor Edwin Olivarez during the RPOC’s 9th Regular Council meeting at Blue Leaf Filipinas on Belle Avenue, Aseana City in Parañaque. The meeting, hosted by Parañaque, tackled the illegal drug situation, security for hotels and tourist establishments, jail congestion, and terrorism threats in the metropolis. In photo are Ma. Lourdes Agustin (left), DILG-NCR regional director and RPOC secretary, and Parañaque Rep. Eric L. Olivarez.

THE Taguig City government has released a statement noting that the “law should be allowed to take its course” on the case of Councilor Richard Paul Jordan who faces charges of drug possession and theft.

Jordan was arrested last week at the Solaire Bay Tower Hotel and Casino in Parañaque City for possession of 30 tablets of the Ecstasy party drug.

“We do not condone his conduct,” stated Taguig officials of the councilor, who has since resigned. “We commend those responsible for the apprehension.”

The city’s leadership puts its full trust on the government regarding the cases, the statement added.

Navotas teaches entrepreneurship to poor

THE Navotas City Government has started rolling out its NavoNegoSerye to empower poor Navoteños with knowledge and skills on entrepreneurship.

The NavoNegoSerye is a series of seminars that aims to equip participants with livelihood skills trainings and teach them how to avail the city government’s Tulong Puhunan and Tulong Negosyo programs.

The City Government, through the NavotaAs Hanapbuhay Center, intends to hold 100 NavoNegoSerye this year to groups composed of at least 20 participants.

“We want Navoteños, especially those from lowincome families, to learn how to start and sustain a business,” Mayor John Rey Tiangco said.

“Through the NavoNegoSerye, we aim to encourage them to venture into entrepreneurship and earn a decent living,” he added.

Tiangco also urged the participants to enroll at the Navotas Training and Assessment Institute to acquire technical-vocational skills.

“Studying at our training centers is free.

You can learn bread and pastry making, dressmaking, welding, automotive servicing, and others at no cost,” he said.

“We expect nothing less than the firm implementation of the government’s hard line stance against illegal drugs,” it said.

The national government’s approach to the drug menace has been effective in Taguig, the statement noted. In 2016, Taguig was No. 1 in southern Metro Manila in terms of the arrest of drug peddlers. It has also arrested, jailed, and prosecuted drug personalities, including those in PNP’s Top 10 list.

During her administration, Mayor Lani Cayetano has led a campaign to end the notoriety of Taguig as an “illegal drug hot spot” that was mainly due to the extensive operations of the Tinga

drug syndicate.

In 2017, a member of the syndicate, Elisa Tinga, was meted a life sentence and a substantial fine for selling illegal drugs. She is the seventh member of the Tinga drug syndicate nabbed by the authorities since 1996.

“The case of the councilor is a timely reminder to us that the drug menace is real, and that it continues to exist in our midst despite the unrelenting campaign by the national and local governments,” Taguig noted.

“This only proves that instead of going easy on the anti-drugs campaign, as being insisted by a misguided few, the government must remain focused on this fight against illegal drugs.”

COCO CONFAB. Benedicto Lor Jr., newly reelected president and chief executive officer of the Coconut Industry Investment Fund Oil Mills Group, addresses the opening of the CIIF Coconut Farmers Cooperatives Organizers’ Conference in Makati City. Lor said CIIF organizers will be deployed in regions and provinces to build coconut farmers cooperatives, which will then set up coconut product buying stations capitalized and funded by a CIIF-guaranteed micro-financing program. This will enable farmers to sell their products direct to CIIF at a higher price and not to unscrupulous middlemen and loan sharks.

Life

Bernadette lunas, Issue Editor manilastandardlife@gmail.com @manilastandardlife @mStandardlIFE

food

monday, july 9, 2018

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SLURP IT. Bai Nian Tang Bao brings to the country its best-selling Giant Tang Bao, which is eaten by sipping the soup using a straw, as well as other xiao long bao varieties.

By Gabbie Parlade

A

CCORDING to Chinese food experts, the right way to eat xiao long bao or the Shanghainese soup dumpling, is by picking a piece from a steamer basket using chopsticks, transferring it to a Chinese soup spoon, biting or poking the skin to slurp the soup, and finally taking a big bite.

But when you are served with a soup dumpling bigger than your palm, you won’t be needing a soup spoon but a straw.

Shanghainese restaurant Bai Nian Tang Bao has brought to the country its famous Giant Tang Bao and other dishes when it opened its first store at Uptown Parade in Bonifacio Global City early this year.

Bai Nian Tang Bao, whose name came from the words bai nian, which means hundred years and tang bao, which translates to soup dumpling, currently has over 300 branches across China, Korea, and the US prior to opening in the country.

The restaurant has been serving authentic xiao long bao from an original recipe that dates back to 1786.

Co-owner Paul Li revealed that the secret to Bai Nian Tang Bao’s xiao long

Braised Pork Noodle Soup

Braised Pork

Where xiao long bao is eaten with a straw bao is in the soup which, according to him, “takes around 12 hours to cook.”

He added, “Also, it takes about 20 steps to make an original xiao long bao, and all is made fresh in our kitchen.”

The restaurant’s best-selling Giant Tang Bao is served with a paper straw that can be used to poke the bao and sip the piping hot soup. A dash of crab roe adds flavor on top of the delicate tang bao wrapper filled with minced pork.

Li said the crab roe in the tang bao and in other xiao long bao varieties, such as the Crab Roe Xiao Long Bao, is made from a special crab found only in a particular lake in Shanghai and is shipped to the Philippines to preserve its authentic taste.

Bai Nian’s other xiao long bao variants include Chicken Soup Pork Xiao Long Bao, Scallops and Pork Xiao Long Bao, and Golden Corn Pork Xiao Long Bao. They also have a pan-fried version called Shanghai Golden Sheng Jian Bao, which is crispy on the outside with a juicy soup inside.

For the noodle fans, the restaurant offers a variety of dishes such as Three Seafood Treasure Fried Noodles and Shanghai Scallion Oil Noodles, among others. Rice dishes include Beef Fried Rice and Special Sausage Fried Rice.

The Bai Nian Tang Bao Braised Pork is perfect for meat lovers.

Bai Nian Tang Bao has won in the 4th China Food Festival Golden Award in 2002. It was also named the Famous Snack Brand by China Cuisine Association in the same year, while in 2015 it was recognized as Shanghai’s ATP Master Reporters and Athletes Designated Food.

The restaurant is an official member of the Shanghai’s Xiao Long Bao Association since 2006. They also won in many food competitions such as in Germany in 2014 and in Shanghai XingShang Channel in 2015. The restaurant also became the representative of the Shanghai Xiao Long Bao in Japan’s New Year Festival last year.

“We are glad to bring authentic xiao long bao to the Philippines. We invite everyone to visit us here at Uptown BGC to try the xiao long bao that even the royalty loved,” enthused Li. Bai Nian Tang Bao is open from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. on weekdays and from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m. on weekends.

Photos from Bai Nian Tang Bao’s Facebook page

Bai Nian Tang Bao co-owners at the ribbon cutting ceremony of the first Bai Nian Tang Bao branch in the Philippines.

Rochelle Salvador

Dining with a view

Freshly baked pan de coco and warm cup of chocolate are best enjoyed with a view of Taal Lake.

FOR the exhausted urban dwellers in Metro Manila, a weekend getaway in Tagaytay City is always a good option. Imagine taking a bite of freshly baked pan de coco and sipping a cup of warm chocolate made from Cavite tablea while the fresh mountain air kisses your cheeks—here you can leave your worries, your deadlines, and your stress behind and just chill with nature.

It takes a little less than two hours to get to Taal Vista, the Grand Dame of Tagaytay’s getaways, which will reward you with the most majestic view of Taal Lake from its view deck, or from one of its lakefront rooms. The trip to Taal Vista itself is a preview of the gustatory delights that await you in Tagaytay. Rows and rows of pineapple plantations announce their presence early on, the sweet fruit being the primary agricultural produce of the city. There is buko pie (get yours from The Original Buko Pie Shop which does not scrimp on coconut meat and is not too sweet), dried tawilis and ayungin, and of course, the ubiquitous bulalo, with some restaurants offering not one but two “utak” (bone marrow)—sinful as heck but worth every mouthful.

Taal Vista houses the charming restaurant Taza, whose name is derived

Tomahawk - Bukidnon Wagyu

from the Arabic word taaza which means fresh. It has recently been named

Quatro Staggioni

again as one of the Best Restaurants of Tatler Dining.

Taza takes its claim of freshness seriously. Some of the herbs and vegeta-

bles that are used by the specialty restaurant come from Taal Vista’s mini farm while the rest are sourced from Baguio. The freshest bounties from the sea are delivered almost every day from Iloilo. Beef is sourced from Bukidnon, which is carving a name as a ranch country where local producers have successfully raised Wagyu cattle that are guaranteed hormone- and enhancer-free and as tender and intensely marbled as its Japanese counterpart in the hinterlands of Mt. Kitanglad.

Taza uses free-range pork and chicken that were raised with only natural feeds, sans hormones and antibiotics. Cheese comes from the Davao-based awardwinning Malagos Farms while dairy products, including kesong puti, are from Laguna. Black rice is sourced from Mt. Kanlaon in Negros, the perfect place to grow the best varieties of the heirloom rice which is known for Turn to C2

Life

C2

monday, ju juLy 9, 2018 manilastandardlife@gmail.com

By Raye Sanchez

K

oREAn heartthrobs nichkhun of 2PM and former U-KiSS member Alexander “Xander” Lee had to stretch their stomachs to take on Filipino celebrity cousins Ciara Sotto and Danica Sotto-Pingris in the 48-hour food trip challenge around the Philippines.

K-pop idols vs. celebrity cousins

in food trip contest

The upcoming second season of tvn Asia’s One Night Food Trip – International Edition brought the Korean idols to the country to travel, eat, and compete against the Sotto cousins.

The pairs flew separately via Cebu Pacific to different destinations where tons of stunning sights and exotic delicacies awaited them. nichkhun and Xander went on a trip from Cebu to Pampanga, while Ciara and Danica traveled from Coron, Palawan to Legazpi, Albay.

Each team were tasked to complete missions by experiencing the local tourist attractions and trying out cuisines to acquire stamps. The team with the most stamps after the 48-hour food trip takes home the Golden Passport.

During the recent press conference at City of Dreams Manila, nichkhun shared how the show posed a big challenge to his “small stomach.” “i don’t go to these shows because i’m not a big eater; my stomach is very small. Before we started eating almost every meal, we did stretching for our stomachs,” shared the 2PM member.

“For this show, eating is something more like an exercise than something Korean idols Nichkhun and Alexander ‘Xander’ Lee team up against celebrity cousins Ciara Sotto and Danica Sotto-Pingris in the second season of One Night Food Trip - International Edition. Raye Sanchez you enjoy.”

Twists and tweaks on Pinoy merienda classics ALL-TiME favorite Filipino snacks such as kakanin, pancit, and palamig get a makeover at Andrew Café.

Chef Jester Arellano, resident culinary professor of hotel, Restaurant, and institution Management at the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, together with his students, spent weeks of thorough research, experimentation, analysis, and food-tasting to create the café’s Merienda Menu.

The dishes are inspired by merienda icons, some of which are also perfect as hearty meals for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

According to the chef, the team did more than just tweaks and twists— they revolutionized the creations as they provided enhancements that would make them tastier while preserving the tradition.

The lumpia wrappers which are made in-house serve as a vessel for several local classics they made such as spring rolls in the form of piniritong lumpia, vegetarian favorite ube lumpiang sariwa, the spicy laing lumpia, the iconic sisig lumpia, and shrimp saucedrenched palabok lumpia.

For the main course—where all the noodles are made from scratch—the deep-fried pancit palabok, is seasoned with eggs, chicharon, smoked fish flakes, squid, and drizzled with shrimp sauce; the laing ravioli is dressed in chili coconut tomato sauce; and the bestseller sisig pasta is drenched in tamarind cream sauce.

The champorado mousse cake blends tablea, rice crispies, pinipig-polvoron, and optional caramelized tuyo to make

one mouth-watering dessert. Favorite sticky dessert sapin-sapin gets a facelift in the form of sapin-sapin panna cotta made with layers of ube and coconut pudding served with jackfruit coulis and coconut sauce.

Thirst-quenching beverages such as the refreshing langka samalamig, a serving of sago’t gulaman infused with hints of jackfruit, and the zesty house-blend sampaloc (tamarind) juice are sure to complement the updated food items.

The Merienda Menu is available all day until August 4 at the Andrew Café, located at De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde Taft Campus, corner of Estrada and Leon Guinto Streets, Malate, Manila. It is open Mondays to Fridays from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and on Saturdays from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

But it was a different case for Xander as, he said, he loves food and participating in food shows. he admitted, however, that he had never eaten as much in other food shows as he had in One Night Food Trip.

“The format of the show is to not only eat food, but to get a lot of dishes. At first we were worried [about the quantity] but when you watch the show, you’ll think we’re monsters,” quipped Xander When Ciara and Danica were asked where all the food they consumed went, nichkhun quickly butted in, “We all know that women have more than one stomach: they have appetizer stomach, they have the main dish stomach, and then they have the dessert stomach.”

The Korean idols talked about trying local foods like sisig, which they both loved. “i had it with rice and a hot chili pepper in one hand. i’m pretty sure the 2PM members would love it,” said nichkhun.

During the competition, each team was allowed to send special challenges to the other group. “[They] gave us the worse,” said Xander. Ciara, on the other hand, shared the other pair sent them a challenge “that made it hard for us to eat.”

But apart from the food, the show also allowed them to see the beauty of the country. Despite being locals, Ciara and Danica said the experience made them appreciate the Philippines more.

“We went to secret places that not much people know about so they really have to watch the show to see it,” said Ciara.

One Night Food Trip – International Edition 2 will premiere on July 30 at 18:30 (GMT +8). tvN is available in Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka.

Solo servings Who says you can’t enjoy your favorite dishes by yourself?

Krazy Garlik now serves its bestselling items in single servings for as low as P165. Solo dishes on offer include Raving Riblets, Krazy Garlik’s Binagoongan, Solo Seafood in a Big, Sisig Like Krazy, Mad Tuna, Adobo Loco, Souper Dapper Sinigang, and

Tofu & Baby Eggplant Duo. Korean food cravings are also covered with the new Kimchi Rice Bowl, a meal consisting of roasted beef chunks, kimchi, and topped with sunny side up egg.

Krazy Garlik is located on the 2nd floor of Greenbelt 5.

Kimchi Rice Bowl

Solo Seafood Deep fried spring rolls: laing lumpia, palabok lumpia, sisig lumpia

Langka samalamig

Raving Riblets

dining...

From C1

Laing ravioli

Sapin-sapin panna cotta

Deep-fried pancit palabok

Sisig pasta

its high fiber content, nutritional value, and antioxidant properties. here you can order Taza’s four cheese pizza—a delightful medley of Laguna kesong puti and mozzarella, Pato quezo de bola, and homemade ricotta. The restaurant also serves duck and mushroom lasagna which showcases Tagaytay mushrooms—oyster, shiitake, and button—topped with béchamel sauce and parmesan cheese, and short rib ravioli in red wine, ricotta, and parmesan.

For Taza’s main dishes, there is Moroccan chicken which is served with couscous; homemade bacon that is cured for 10 days and comes with a side of apple-mango compote; grilled iloilo prawns; and the restaurant’s showstopper: 1.2-kg Tomahawk Bukidnon Wagyu with four kinds of dips—chimichurri, au poivre, béarnaise, and pink sea salt.

Binagoongan

of course, when you have had your fill of all the good food Taza (or Taal Vista’s buffet station, Veranda) has to offer, you can burn some calories by visiting Sky Ranch, a mini amusement park with the iconic 63-meter-high ferris wheel aptly called The Sky Eye, which will give you an uninterrupted view of Tagaytay and even its neighboring provinces. or if you don’t feel like leaving the hotel, soak in the scenery of Taal Lake and Taal Volcano from the view deck and take a selfie with Taal Vista’s giant hashtag.

Before you know it, the weekend is over, and you have to make that trip back to Manila, thankfully recharged from the respite Tagaytay has to offer.

Don’t forget to bring home a box or two of Taal Vista’s pan de coco and cheese bread—a little delicious something to remind you to schedule your next staycation ASAP. I’m at joyce.panares@gmail.com.

Entertainment

MONDAY, JULY 9, 2018

C3

nickie.standard@gmail.com

Dystopian ‘Sorry to Bother You’ affirms vitality of black cinema

W The cast of the LGBTQ+ themed indie movie, 'Bitter Melon'

‘Bitter Melon’ makes its way to Outfest in L.A. WHEN the very first Cinematografo International Film Festival (CIFF) launched in November last year, it also introduced select originals and new projects that their committee has carefully selected to fund and support. One of these is Bitter Melon.

Bitter Melon is the third feature film that filmmaker H.P. Mendoza directed (Fruit Fly, I Am a Ghost). It is the story of a Filipino-American family who reunites for a Christmas party, only to find out that Troy, the second oldest child, has been ruling the house with fear-intimidating everyone who lives there-including his mother, and even physically abusing his wife. What starts as a fun holiday reunion turns into a darkly humorous crime scene as Declan, the youngest son, leads the family as they conspire on how to best murder the violent and abusive Troy.

After the movie’s world premiere at the CAAMFest 36 in May, where Mendoza has premiered all his other earlier movies, Bitter Melon will be screened at the Outfest, one of the premier LGBTQ film festivals in the world. Outfest runs from July 12 to 22 in various theaters around the city.

Bitter Melon is one of the featured narratives to be shown on July 13 at Harmony Gold.

In an interview with the weekly magazine show, Adobo Nation, Mendoza shared that the film is about domestic abuse and the system of violence that repeats itself every generation. Bitter Melon tackles “what would happen if someone said something, or even better, if someone did something.”

According to Mendoza, Bitter Melon has been in the works for two decades now, starting with a script he wrote in 1997. He admits that he was a different person in 1997. “As I got older, I realized I was being wacky because that made it safe. It was a dark comedy, but it was a wacky, dark comedy. And it really is no laughing matter because it touches all of us in whatever shape or form.”

Why Bitter Melon? Mendoza had said that if he ever made a film about a dysfunctional family, he would name it after the bane of his childhood existence. “Me and my brothers would hate it every time our mother would cook bitter melon. She would say, ‘I know it’s hard to swallow, but it’s good for you.’” That is how he would describe the movie. “The situations in the movie are hard to swallow, but you have to watch it and talk about it.”

Bitter Melon stars Jon Norman Schneider as Declan, Brian Rivera as Moe, Patrick Epino as Troy, Josephine De Jesus as Prisca, L.A. Renigen as Tiya, and Theresa Navarro as Shelly.

Outfest is an LGBTQ-oriented film showcase and festival in Los Angeles.

For more festival information, go to www.outfest.org. For more information about the Cinematografo Original, go to http://bittermelonfilm.com/.

Simply Red… From C4

For the third time, the Navotas City Government has received the highest audit rating from the Commission on Audit (COA).

COA has given Navotas “unqualified opinion” ratings in 2016, 2017 and this year.

According to the Independent Auditor’s Report handed to Mayor John Rey Tiangco, the city’s financial reports for 2017, including its financial position, financial performance and cash flows, were presented fairly in all material respects and in accordance to the Philippine Public Sector Accounting Standards.

“We are truly pleased and honored to receive another unqualified opinion from COA. It validates our efforts to ensure that the city’s financial transactions are honest and transparent,” Tiangco said.

“COA’s findings also reflect the city’s endeavors to spend the people’s taxes properly and provide them with the best service they deserve,” he added.

Tiangco commended the department heads and employees of the city government for performing

Monday, July 9, 2018

49 White 51 Faster 56 Dilly 57 Guthrie of folk music 59 Craft knife (hyph.)

60 Toward shelter 61 — -Aid (drink mix) 62 “Maria —” 63 Direction: suffix 64 Thought 65 Four-door model DOWN 1 Boundless 2 Ibsen’s home 3 Polygraph flunker 4 Barn topper 5 Quebec neighbor 6 Rectangular 7 Nasty look 8 — Vegas 9 Despot 10 Outback cuties 11 Benefits 12 Raid 13 Marine bird 21 Wear 23 Cater for 25 Literary work 26 Did batik 27 Movie with a

posse 28 Dealer in large quantities 29 — compos mentis 31 In plain sight 33 Vt. neighbor 35 Japanese clog 37 Marinated Japanese dish 38 Road map info 39 Eggs, to Ovid 41 Expense account 42 House addi-

The movie, which hit US theaters on Friday, comes a year after the runaway success of Get Out, the first feature film by Jordan Peele about a town of wealthy white people who conspire to implant themselves into African American bodies.

Sorry to Bother You, also made on a small budget, marks a new outlet for the militant voice of Riley, best known as the frontman of The Coup, the politically engaged and critically praised hip-hop group.

With echoes of science-fiction classic Metropolis, the film focuses on exploitation at a telemarketing firm, whose workers are crammed into the basement as executives work on floors above them in vast rooms bathed in light.

Separating them is an elevator, which becomes the setting for several comical scenes. The hero Cassius—played by Lakeith Stanfield, who also starred in Get Out—can only ascend in the elevator, and the symbolic social ladder, as he switches into a “white voice.”

New settings for race Much like Get Out, set in a placid town where the villain is said to have voted for Barack Obama, Sorry to Bother You shines a light not on police brutality or other more obvious issues in Donald Trump’s America but instead looks at racism in ostensibly safe confines.

In Sorry to Bother You, the CEO of fictitious corporation WorryFree reflects the worst traits of a Silicon Valley executive, a visionary who dreams of uber-workers who are half-human, halfhorse.

Riley—the son of Chicago labor activists who has spent his life on the fringes of Silicon Valley in Oakland, California—searched for several years to find an audience for his screenplay.

Millenial actor and rapper Lakeith Stanfield in the American science fiction comedy 'Sorry to Bother You.'

He first turned Sorry to Bother You into a 2012 album by The Coup which merged rap delivery with live orchestration.

The 47-year-old first-time director said it was an uphill battle to be taken seriously in film.

It’s “as difficult as it would be if your favorite saxophone player said he wanted to build your house. You are a musician with a script—who wants to read that?” he told AFP. The film pays tribute to several social movements of recent years including Black Lives Matter and Occupy Wall Street, in which Riley was active.

It is too early to tell if Sorry to Bother You, which won acclaim at the Sundance Film Festival in January, will see the same success as Get Out—let alone Black Panther, the much-larger budget film from Marvel about an African superhero that has quickly become one of the highest-grossing movies of all time.

But cast members are saluting the rise of such films as proof that, some 30 years after the breakthrough of Spike Lee’s

their duties well.

“Getting an unqualified opinion, third years in a row, was the result of everyone’s cooperation, hard work and commitment to serve. I trust that this achievement will inspire us to do more and to continuously provide quality public service to Navoteños,” he said. *** Cebu Pacific (PSE:CEB) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) renewed their partnership for the Change for Good program. CEB is the first airline partner of UNICEF for Change for Good in Southeast Asia and the only partner in the Philippines.

To date, CEB is also the only local airline partner who raises funds to benefit children in its home country.

To signify the partnership renewal, UNICEF Advocate for Children Anne Curtis surprised passengers on a Cebu Pacific flight from Cagayan de Oro to Manila when she collected donations for UNICEF’s Change for Good program. Curtis proudly Actress Anne Curtis takes her advocacy a notch higher showed the filled-up collection bag and thanked all aboard a Cebu Pacific flight . passengers who gave their spare change to benefit tell passengers just how much their spare change can Filipino children. make a difference in children’s health and nutrition.

“Collecting donations on board gave me a chance to I’ve been to Bobon, Northern Samar and I saw that

CROSSWORD PUZZLE ACROSS 1 Swedish auto 6 Earthen jar 10 Moolah 14 From Rangoon 15 Boyfriend 16 Garbage bin output 17 Reporter’s angle 18 In case 19 Stratford’s river 20 Cape waver 22 Recently (2 wds.)

24 Harry Potter’s pal 25 Body of water 26 Swallowing 30 On the double 32 Lout 33 View from the dorm 34 Arith. mean 36 British school 37 Confidence 39 Kind of molding 40 Md. neighbor 41 Rozelle or Sampras 42 Turn away 43 Midnight rider 45 1950s card game 47 Rani’s garments 48 Vase with a foot

ITH its dystopian story of racial exploitation behind the veneer of modern America, Sorry to Bother You, the first movie by the rapper Boots Riley, is showing the fresh vitality in African American cinema.

tions 44 Esteemed 45 Dome 46 “We — not amused” 49 Dog nail 50 Luau entertainment 51 Tart plum 52 Jarrett of NASCAR 53 Clinched, as a deal 54 Sicilian landmark

racial drama Do the Right Thing, African American cinema is dynamic, original and nuanced.

Tessa Thompson, who plays Cassius’ girlfriend Detroit in Sorry to Bother You, voiced hope that more movies would follow, saying that black cinema’s problem had never been a lack of talent.

“It really has to do with a lack of opportunity and a perceived lack of an audience. What you see with Get Out is that there is an audience for it—and the audience, by the way, is not just black,” said Thompson, whose previous films have included 2014’s historical saga Selma and last year’s action flick Thor: Ragnarok.

Stanfield said that African American films were showing they can be “imaginative and crazy”—and also simply fun.

“You don’t have to come see us talk about our place in America and cry all the time,” he said. “You can leave the theater feeling hopeful, like this film makes me feel, and still talk about the deep things that affect us every day.” AFP

children need medicine and trained health workers to combat malnutrition and other diseases. So the next time you see a flight attendant bring the Change for Good bag down the aisle, please give your spare change. Any amount, no matter how big or small, goes a long way for children’s health and nutrition,’’ said Anne Curtis, UNICEF Celebrity Advocate for Children.

“We are hugely grateful to Cebu Pacific and its flying public for helping children stay healthy and alive through the Change for Good program. Through the tireless and enthusiastic support of the crew and passengers, we have been able to give thousands of children and pregnant women access to vital health and nutrition services,” said Lotta Sylwander, UNICEF Philippines Country Representative.

Launched in 2016 with Cebu Pacific, the Change for Good program is an innovative global partnership between UNICEF and the international airline industry. The alliance is designed to collect spare currency from passengers and convert these into lifesaving materials and services for vulnerable children around the world. Since its launch in 1987, it has generated over $160 million for children in need.

Nickie Wang, Issue Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com

C4

Entertainment

MONDAY, JULY 9, 2018

ISAH V. RED

It’s Eddys night tonight at The Theatre at Solaire

MATTEO

to star celebrities from across

Southeast Asia

‘rips’ another

dream

“M

TODAY, Monday, is a Red Letter Day for movie fans as the Society of Philippine Entertainment Editors announce the winners in their annual selection of the outstanding performances in films released commercially last year.

Will it be the ABS-CBN funded Unexpectedly Yours or the independently produced films like Birdshot, the gay-themed Deadma Walking, the socio-political drama Respeto or the religious thriller Smaller And Smaller Circles.

Will the actors in the independent films nominated also shine tonight? Or will the mainstream actors claim their space in the awards universe.

Among the editors, anybody and any film can win this years coveted Eddys.

The winners will not be known, not even by the members, until the announcement in the theatre during the awards ceremonies. The results are held in secrecy by the accounting firm chosen by the organization of entertainment editors.

They say that to be nominated in the annual Eddys is tantamount to winning the award, and what more if the nominee is called by the presenters to receive his or her trophy.

So, all roads lead to Solaire tonight for the glittery second Eddys.

Continued on C3

‘EXTREME ENDS’

GUIDICELLI

By Michie Marie Galanida

Siblings Ruffa and Raymond Gutierrez host this year's edition of the prestigious The Eddys.

New series

Matteo Guidicelli collaborates with fashion mogul Avel Bacudio

ORE holes the better,” was how Matteo Guidicelli envisioned his carefree and wild set of jeans as he ventures into the world of fashion.

For him, a pair of ripped jeans never fails to deliver in complementing outfits at any time of the day. Since it is very wearable, it can easily transition to whatever style he wishes, and that’s how he truly fell in love with the rugged yet stylish look it creates.

Matteo shared that he likes going out wearing a simple pair of ripped jeans, a white shirt, and sneakers. He feels more comfortable when his lower outfit allows him to move freely without compromising his sense of style and his meticulous eye on fabric quality.

Matteo confessed that superstar Adam Levine is his inspiration when it comes to music and fashion. No wonder, he sometimes channels Adam when he performs on stage singing, another facet of his career, of course. He doesn’t deny that the Maroon 5 frontman also inspired him to design ripped jeans with “rock and roll, loose, and sexy” theme.

“But really in the beginning I wanted to be wild, like to have jeans with so many holes -- butas na butas. Syempre Avel has been around for 20 years so he knows what people like so he kind of tamed the design so to speak,” Matteo shared in an interview.

He collaborated with Avel Bacudio because he wanted to come up with a design that only fashion field professional could execute. Although it took him a year, it was the perfect time to introduce his ripped, stretched, and lightweight jeans reinforced with Bacudio’s talented hands.

When Matteo asked him for this partnership, he was elated but challenged at the same time because the first was asking for jeans that are ripped, and not just ripped, he wanted them to have more holes for better airflow that will also allow the person wearing them to show off his toned legs.

He discussed how raw denim lasts

longer and how washed ones are easy to work with because they are softer and can effortlessly turned into the signature look Matteo is known for.

It’s good to note that their line isn’t limited to men because Matteo is fond of girls wearing ripped jeans, too, Avel jokingly revealed. “I think it’s

very sexy especially [for] women to have ripped jeans. The ripped jeans we constructed [for] the females contour someone’s bottom (and everything) and legs.”

Considering that Matteo is an allaround buddy, actor, entrepreneur, and triathlete, he felt fulfilled that he can do whatever he wants wearing his jeans.

“That’s why we were able to come up with designs that are exactly how I wanted them to be – sexy yet wearable at the same time. I’m very happy with how the jeans turned out. They’re very me,” Matteo excitedly shared.

Although the ripped jeans screams very Matteo, he proudly shares that their line also caters to people who like it plain and simple, yet stylish.

“We also have non-ripped jeans and [we] also designed straight cuts that fit perfectly,” he said.

Just like his perfect pair of jeans, the launch of his jeans line was a perfect night for Matteo as well with his relatives, close friends, and girlfriend Sarah Geronimo showing their support.

Matteo stepping into the world of fashion isn’t just another business venture. It’s also an advocacy. Twenty percent of their sales will be donated to help the visually impaired children in Baguio.

The multi-hyphenate heartthrob entertains the guests at the launch of his jeans line.

SNAPSHOT

Orchestra of the Filipino Youth holds concert for members of diplomatic corps THE Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Office of International Economic Relations presented recently a concert featuring Ang Misyon’s Orchestra of the Filipino Youth (OFY) at the DFA Auditorium in Manila. The audience was composed mainly of members of the diplomatic corps in the Philippines, with Venezuelan Ambassador to the Philippines Capaya Rodriguez Gonzales as special guest.

Ang Misyon is a music program inspired by Venezuelabased El Sistema, which is known worldwide for teaching orchestral music to underprivileged youth.

Those in photo include (from left, front) Jovianney Emmanuel Cruz, co-founder of Ang Misyon; Leo HerreraLim, DFA assistant secretary; Federico Lopez, co-founder and president of Ang Misyon; Maria Theresa Dizon De Vega, DFA consul general; Manuel A.J. Teehankee, DFA undersecretary; Joshua Dos Santos, OFY conductor; Ambassador Rodriguez Gonzales; Maria Louella Duarte, DFA consul; OFY members Angelbert Limjoco, Channen Macris Gudelano, and Germaine Pia Lagrada; and Marianne Quebral, Ang Misyon director for marketing and partnerships.

Billy Crawford (center) with other Southeast Asian celebrities in Celestial Tiger Entertainment's previous original production, 'The Ultimate BROcation'

CELESTIAL Tiger Entertainment (CTE), operator of the largest bouquet of pan-Asian channels dedicated to Asian entertainment, recently announced that it is collaborating once again with Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) on a second original production to be shot in Hong Kong.

The reality series, called Extreme Ends will be shown on CTE’s topEnds, rated action channel KIX. Prior to Extreme Ends, Hong Kong Tourism Board had collaborated with CTE to produce the original production The Ultimate BROcation.

Set in Hong Kong, Extreme Ends showcases the richness and diversity of the island, where travelers can experience the best of everything and discover Hong Kong like a local. The four-episode series, slated to begin production in July, will follow the adventures of four celebrities from four different Southeast Asian countries.

Each celebrity will bring along his or her travel companion, be it their best friend, family member or colleague, to experience the “extreme” sides of Hong Kong. Each episode will feature a theme showcasing the compact variety, fascinating contrasts and non-stop intensity and distinctively trendy attributes of Hong Kong, which makes the city unique, memorable and instantly recognizable.

Casting has already begun in Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand, to identify celebrities with vibrant personalities, off-thechart energy levels and a huge appetite for adventure.

“We are thrilled to produce another exciting and extremely entertaining destination series which goes beyond conventional travelogues,” said Betty Tsui Vice President, Programming – KIX Tsui, and Thrill, Celestial Tiger Entertainment.

“For Extreme Ends, we plan to utilise different shooting techniques to demonstrate the extreme contrasts more dramatically. This ensures our action-loving and adventure-seeking KIX audience will see the most interesting extremes Hong Kong has to offer,” she added.

“We are glad to partner Celestial Tiger Entertainment again, given the success of The Ultimate BROcation. Hong Kong remains as Southeast Asians’ destination of choice for its diversified dining options, shopping experiences, nightlife and events; as well as thrilling adventures overseeing breathtaking natural sceneries. The celebrities from the different Southeast Asian countries in the series will definitely bring new insights and inspire the audience to create their very own authentic experiences when they visit Hong Kong, and discover Hong Kong like a local,” said Raymond Chan, Regional Director, Southeast Asia, Hong Kong Tourism Board.

CTE’s previous collaboration with HKTB, The Ultimate BROcation, followed the adventures of four male celebrities from across Asia as they went on the ultimate holiday of every guy’s fantasy in Hong Kong. The reality series won its premiere timeslot against other regional English general entertainment (GE) channels in the Philippines and Malaysia among its targeted adult male pay TV audience*.