Manila Standard - 2018 August 9 - Thursday

twitter.com/ MlaStandard

facebook.com/ ManilaStandardPH

S

manilastandard.net

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

Watch for

Manila Standard’s

Special Report on Economy

August 15, 2018 VOL. XXXII • NO. 175 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 • THURSDAY, AUGUST 9, 2018 • www.manilastandard.net • editorial@manilastandard.net

But Arroyo said Wednesday she was not in favor of reducing tariff rates on imported meat, as “there are other more substantive drivers of inflation.”

This developed as the government’s National Price Coordinating Council underscored the need to import more fish and vegetables apart from just rice and sugar, to address supply constraints and ultimately help ease local prices.

N

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte made it clear Wednesday he does not want new casinos in the country, as he explained why he fired the whole board of the Nayong Pilipino Foundation over its decision to grant a longterm lease to a foreign firm that would build an integrated resort on property the foundation managed.

At the same time, the Commission on Audit raised questions on the 50-year lease deal made by the NPF with Landing Resorts Philippines Development Corp. for the use of 9.57 hectares of land at the Manila Bay Reclamation Area in Parañaque City.

“I hate gambling. I don’t want it. There will be no casinos outside what is existing. I’m not granting anything,” the President said.

Next page

‘‘

FL

S

PEAKER Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on Wednesday rejected a reduction in tariffs on imported meat, saying this would endanger the poultry and livestock industries.

IN

By Maricel V. Cruz and Macon Ramos-Araneta

Arroyo made the statement after Albay Rep. Joey Salceda, whom she assigned to study anti-inflationary measures, said the President should consider reducing the tariff on fish and meat imports to zero.

In a media forum, Salceda said President Rodrigo Duterte was facing its “first near crisis” with faster-than-expected inflation. He warned that if left unchecked, rising prices of goods would hamper the Duterte administration’s “ability to implement structural reforms.”

By Rey E. Requejo

AT IO

Meat tariff cut seen to harm local industry

No to new casinos, Rody says after Nayon fiasco

This [inflation] is already, I would say, the first near crisis for the administration kasi it will create more poor people and definitely hungry people.

Next page

Misuse of NFA’s P5-b subsidy led to rice price surge—CoA

By Rio Araja THE Commission on Audit has flagged the decision of the National Food Authority in using P5.1-billion subsidy from the national government as payment for maturing loans instead of allocating the funds for the food security program of the agency.

In the 2017 audit report on the NFA, government auditors said the agency received the amount on March 2, 2017 representing the national government subsidy for the agency to make sure there was sufficient food in the country.

Next page

DFA chief wants gov’t to ‘put aside’ claim on West PH Sea

By Nathaniel Mariano THE Philippines is willing to “put aside” its sovereign rights over the West Philippine Sea as it eyes a possible “60-40” joint development with China along the disputed waters, Foreign Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano said Tuesday night.

He told a news conference the Philippines needed to come to an understanding just like the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea. “We have to put aside our territorial and sovereign rights claims but not abandon them,” Cayetano said, adding “the preliminary agreement is based on, let’s cooperate first, and let’s talk about who owns what, who has jurisdiction, later on.”

Next page

WEATHER ‘Habagat’ feeds TD ‘Karding’ EXPECT rain in most parts of Luzon for the rest of the week, the state weather bureau said Wednesday, as the southwest monsoon or “habagat” continued to feed Tropical Depression “Karding.”

Moderate to heavy rains are particularly expected over central and northern Luzon on Friday as“Karding” Next page

—Albay Rep. Joey Salceda, in a media forum in Manila

Arroyo: Con-Ass takes priority even as senators hesitate

By Maricel V. Cruz THE House of Representatives’ committee on constitutional amendments is now focused on convincing the Senate into convening Congress as a Constituent Assembly to begin amendments to the 1987 Constitution.

This developed Wednesday after Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo told the committee, chaired by Leyte Rep. Vicente Veloso, to withhold deliberations on the proposed shift to federalism, and leave the mat-

ter to the future assembly or “Con-Ass.” The committee on Tuesday met behind closed doors with members of the presidential Consultative Committee to discuss how the legislature will be able to convince senators to form the assembly that would tackle the proposed shift to a federal system of government.

The Con-Com, formed by President Rodrigo Duterte, had already submitted its draft federal Constitution to the Chief Executive and leaders of the House and the Senate.

Next page

Gov’t must settle P195-b IOUs to LGUs, Recto insists

By Macon Ramos-Araneta and Julito G. Rada SENATE President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto on Tuesday said the government should settle its P195-billion debt in internal revenue allocations to local government units, saying this was a test of its promise to funnel more funds to the provinces through federalism.

“The administration is being presented with the opportunity to put its money where its mouth is, in a case that will prove federalism’s model of granting the regions more money is feasible,” Recto said.

Next page

7 of 10 Pinoys go for Phil ID—SWS

By Nat Mariano and Vito Barcelo SEVEN out of 10 Filipinos approve of having a national ID system, the latest Social Weather Stations survey shows.

The survey of 1,200 respondents was conducted from June 27 to 30, a month before President Rodrigo Duterte signed the Philippine Identification Systems Act on Aug. 6, mandating the creation of a single national ID. Of the respondents polled, 73 percent said they approve of a

national ID, while 18 percent disapproved of it. Some 9 percent said they did not know enough to have an opinion.

Asked if the national ID would help them, 32 percent said it will be a “very big help,” 28 percent said it would be a “big help,” 26 percent said it would be a “moderate help,” and 8 percent said it would help them a little. The remaining 5 percent said it would not help them at all.

Proposals to create a national ID system had failed in the past because of privacy concerns.

Next page

News

A2

THURSDAY, AUGUST 9, 2018 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Terror attack foiled; 2 BIFF killed

By Francisco Tuyay

T

HE military on Wednesday foiled an attempted terrorist attack following the killing of two suspected members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters carrying an improvised explosive device at a checkpoint in Cotabato.

Meanwhile, the death toll from the ex-

plosion in Lamitan, Basilan, rose to 11 after another one of the wounded died in the hospital on Tuesday.

Gerry Inso, a member of the Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit, died at 6:52 pm.

Capt. Arvin Encinas, spokesman of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, said the two still unidentified BIFF members were killed in a shootout with soldiers shortly after they were were questioned at a checkpoint in Sangat village in Mlang, Cotabato, around 3:30 am.

Encinas said the two terrorists were on

board a motorcycle and carrying a paper bag when they were flagged down few meters from the barrier.

The foiled bombing attempt came barely eight days after an explosive device prematurely went off shortly after it was intercepted at a checkpoint in Bulanting, Basilan, leaving 10 people dead.

At the checkpoint, the two suspects were alarmed as the troops began interrogating them.

They attempted to escape and one of them drew a gun and fired at the troops, but the soldiers and then fired at them,

killing them on the spot.

Encinas said the soldiers discovered an IED made of an 81mm mortar and recovered a cal. 45 pistol.

He said the interception of the suspects took place after a tip from a civilian in Cotabato.

He said the IED was detonated after the shootout.

Encinas said the IEDs were to be transported to the Mlang town proper and could have wreaked havoc there.

“The IED would have been planted somewhere in Mlang, Cotabato,” Encinas said.

Du30 to cops: Don't hesitate to kill if your life's in danger

By Nat Mariano PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday urged the country’s police force to continue his war on illegal drugs, as he pledged more than P2 billion to the Philippine National Police’s Capability Enhancement Plan and P25 million for their medical expenses.

“The rule is, when your life is in danger and you feel that really you will die and leave a family fatherless, do not hesitate to kill. Do not hesitate because of a case,” the President said in his speech during the 117th Police Service Anniversary celebration at Camp Crame in Quezon City.

“If you do your duty in accordance with the law and you know that your life is in danger, you stick to the law. Never mind the idiots about the human rights, they cannot help you. But I will be here. I, as a President, will never allow you to go to jail,” added Duterte who branded himself as a “lame duck” Chief Executive.

He told the police to justly do their duties and responsibilities as workers of government in charge of the enforcement of the law.

“I will provide the lawyer for you. You have to do is call the police office. I have a small cubicle there manned by police and military. And that unit takes care of police and soldiers who find themselves in a fix and I will provide you the lawyer,” the President said.

Duterte added he would pay policemen and hire lawyers for those who would be suspended in the performance of their duties.

“I will pay you when you are suspended so that you can still bring money to your family. I will provide a lawyer. And I will see to it that the lawyer will defend you on the principles of performance of duty or self-defense. Just choose one. Both are grounds for a criminal exemption,” he said.

The President also stressed that he hates to lead a corrupt police force under his administration.

No to new...

From A1 “You don’t give gambling licenses or franchises for 75 yearst,” Duterte added.

“What I mean to say is, when a child is born today, 75 years later—he is that old —there will still be gambling in the city? I will not allow it.”

This developed as Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra ordered The Office of the Government Corporate Counsel to review “very carefully” its legal opinion that paved the way for the Nayong Pilipino Foundation to sign a lease contract with a Hong Kong-based casino resort operator.

“This review of all antecedent facts and relevant documents will guide the government in determining the proper course of action with respect to the lease contract,” Guevarra said in a text message.

Guevarra, who has administrative supervision over the OGCC, vowed to submit a recommendation to President Duterte as soon as the OGCC review was completed.

On the CoA’s part, in its 2017 audit report on Nayong Pilipino, the auditors noted the NPF Board did not give them a copy of the report on the independent appraisal on the appropriate rental rate for the property.

There was no proof of advertisement to the public to get offers from other parties aside from Landing Resorts, the report added. With PNA

Govt...

From A1

“If they cannot fund a decision based on an order of the Supreme Court, how can they spend for federalism, which needs a huge budget?” he added.

He said the government could comply with the decision on the IRA case by way of the 2019 national budget, or have a separate supplemental budget passed by Congress.

In other developments: • Senator Francis Escudero questioned the allocation of P90 million for an information campaign on federalism, where no federal system has been approved.

• Philippine Information Agency Director General Harold Clavite said Communications Assistant Secretary Margaux “Mocha” Uson should apologize to the people and take a leave of absence following the furor over her “pepedederalismo” video.

• Secretary Martin Andanar of the Presidential Communications Operations Office said it was planning to release a jingle that will have “repetitive” lines that might be helpful in embedding federalism into the public consciousness.

ADDRESSING INFLATION. House Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and Bohol 3rd District Rep. C Arthur Yap (from left),

chairman of the House Committee on Economic Affairs, joined members of the Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura in a press conference to clarify the stand of the Speaker on the tariffication of meat products. Arroyo, the former president, said she is not advocating for the importation of meat products at reduced tariff rates. SINAG chairman Rosendo So (right) noted that farmgate meat prices have remained constant and are on the downward trend. (See story on A1)

Meat...

From A1

The NPCC saw problems in supply which caused prices to go up, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said, as their meeting confirmed that some commodities got pricier, especially agriculture products, compared to last year.

“If you compare it versus last month, [prices were] relatively stable,” Lopez said.

“Supply constraints made up most of the reports.”

Earlier, Arroyo had proposed several ways to curb inflation in a meeting with President Duterte’s economic managers.

Salceda mentioned the lower tariffs, as well as a suggestion that the Department of Energy, the Energy Regulatory Commission and the Water Regulatory Office postpone regulated price increases.

Another proposal was to allow the National Food Authority to buy 500,000 metric tons of well-milled rice; and for the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas to raise its key rates by an additional 25 basis points.

Given these “vigorous economic measures,” Salceda said, the government could reduce inflation to 4.4 percent by the end of the year.

But Arroyo, in a news conference Wednesday, said her recent discussion with economic managers was “a brainstorming thing.”

“I’m not in the Executive Department; we

had a meeting.. we will do brainstorming. It is not my job to do all those things because I’m not in the executive.”

Arroyo also said Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol told her that reducing tariff on meat products would be a problem for him.

Salceda said the tariff reduction would be removed from the anti-inflation proposals.

Senator Joel Villanueva said controlling inflation must be a priority for the administration’s economic managers, who must explore all possible actions to make sure that the prices of commodities are manageable.

“My question to the economic managers, until when shall Juan tighten his belt before you act to address the problem?” he said.

The Senate, he said, is considering a bill to liberalize the importation of rice and provide consumers greater access to cheaper rice products.

He also urged the government to speed up the delivery of mitigating measures to cushion the impact that the tax reform program will have on the poor.

Opposition Senator Risa Hontiveros said controlling inflation should be a bigger priority than the push for federalism.

“President Duterte must read the writing on the wall. The climbing rates of inflation can deflate his public support and approval,” Hontiveros said.

The Associated Labor Unions-Trade Union Congress of the Philippines said Wednesday that the continuing rise in prices of basic commodities and surging costs

Misuse...

From A1

interest of NFA’s loan to the Land Bank of the Philippines and Development Bank of the Philippines.

According to CoA, NFA should have deposited the P5.1 billion to its cereal procurement fund to safeguard the fund.

The audit report noted that NFA fell short of procuring 1,24,969 metric tons of palay due to lack of funds.

“NFA could have used the subsidy for additional incentives to farmers to level up and/or compete with local traders in order to attain its objective of providing market for farmers’ produce with fair return on their investment in productin cost so as to encourage farmers to sell their produce to the Agency,” it stated.

CoA said NFA could have stayed away from rice importation if only it used the P5.1-billion subsidy to buy local produce.

“Had NFA attained its target procurement, it would not have only added to the mandatory buffer stock requirement, but would have likewise encouraged farmers to produce more and minimize the need to import rice which utilizes foreign exchange reserve that eventually result in foreign or domestic borrowings for NFA,” it added.

NFA, however, said it opted to pay the maturing loans to be able to save on interest and documentary stamp tax.

DFA...

From A1

Philippine Constitution, and we also have indisputable claims under Unclos. But again, where do we take it from there?” said Cayetano when asked about the country’s position on the matter.

“Let’s say a very generic pen was found, and you can show me a picture of you using it, I can show you a picture of me using it, so what do we do? Do we leave it in court and say no one uses it until we decide?” he added.

“It’s a matter of principled pragmatism,” Cayetano said. “What’s better, 60-40 or 0-0?”

Meanwhile, former President Benigno Aquino III had advised that the proposed 60-40 arrangement might be disadvantageous to the Philippines.

“The bargaining position is 60-40. In the end, it might be the opposite. They might get 60, maybe 70,” Aquino warned.

“We’re talking about our exclusive economic zone. We have no obligation to share it with them. During my time, there was a joke. It is said: “What is ours is ours. What is yours, we share.’ Right now, it seems it’s true,” said Aquino.

Carpio, an expert on the WPS, earlier said the current Philippine Constitution prohibited any joint development within the Philippines’ EEZ.

“In view of the effort of NFA to meet its current obligations, the funds received by the agency were utilized for the payment of maturing loans, thus, the intended purpose of the allotment/funds received for CY [Calendar Year] 2017 for the implementation of Food Security Program might not be fully realized,” the CoA said.

CoA said the subsidy should have been deposited to the Cereal Procurement Fund account to fund the purchase of rice grains in the regional offices and field operating units of the NFA. “The procurement shortfall affected other programs of NFA, such as rice distribution and buffer stocking resulting in higher price of rice, unavailability of NFA rice in the market and lower inventory of rice in various NFA warehouses,” it read.

NFA got a P5.1-billion subsidy to be used “specifically to stabilize the price and supply of rice and corn, but NFA spent P3.01 billion to pay its debt, which the Bureau of Treasury earlier paid on behalf of the agency.

The other P2.09 billion was deposited to NFA’s rice collection savings account, which was utilized to foot the principal and

The foreign secretary said the islands in the WPS still remained disputed due to the ruling by the arbitral tribunal in The Hague.

But Cayetano described the country’s rights in the WPS as just “claims” even when the arbitral tribunal upheld the Philippines’ rights over the WPS. Acting Chief Justice Antonio Carpio earlier said that Filipinos should no longer tag the WPS as “disputed” following the arbitral tribunal’s decision.

But Cayetano maintained these waters remained under dispute by some members of the Association of Southeast Asian nations, including the Philippines.

Cayetano made the remarks in reply to questions regarding the proposed joint development in the WPS, where the Philippines and China would get 60 percent and 40 percent of the profit respectively.

China is open to this 60-40 arrangement, Cayetano had said.

Cayetano said China was still holding its position that it exercised “indisputable sovereignty” over the WPS. “We also have indisputable sovereignty over our territory which is defined by the

of services will result in low productivity and output from workers and will certainly hurt the country’s economic performance.

ALU-TUCP Spokesman Alan Tanjusay said rising inflation has hurt rank-and-file workers and those allied workers in the informal economy to produce goods and render services.

“With this unfavorable condition, we don’t expect a competitive economy on the part of workers in the weeks and months ahead,” Tanjusay said.

Meanwhile, Senator Paolo Benigno Aquino IV said he was committed to blocking the removal of the 10 percent preferential tax rate for private non-profit schools under the proposed second phase of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN).

He said the removal of the 10-percent preferential tax rate would lead to ab increase in tuition and other fees.

Currently, private non-profit proprietary educational institutions receive a preferential 10-percent income tax rate, together with non-profit hospitals, offshore banking units and regional operating headquarters.

But under the TRAIN 2 proposal, these institutions may be taxed up to 25 percent, more than double their current rate, leaving them with less money to invest in quality education for their students. What’s more, this additional cost may result in higher tuition, Aquino said. With Vito Barcelo and PNA

Arroyo...

From A1

Arroyo joined that meeting and said she favors separate voting for both chambers to begin the task of rewriting the Charter.

Veloso had maintained the House and the Senate must discuss proposed changes together in the Con-Ass, though the two chambers would still vote separately.

Veloso cited House Resolution 2056 authored by Arroyo, where the former President and Pampanga lawmaker said: “There is an urgent need to convene the Senate and the House of Representatives as Constituent Assembly in order to consider the proposed amendments to the 1987 Constitution.”

“It is incorrect for anybody to say that this is only the view of the Speaker. Because if this is adopted by the House of Representatives, it will be the collective view of the House, binding on the part of the House, that as the Constituent Assembly convened, we shall eventually be voting separately,” Veloso said.

Convening Congress into an assembly is necessary because it will shorten the time needed to rewrite the Constitution, the Leyte solon said.

The House and the Senate could proceed with the substance of the proposed provisions as soon as the two chambers sit as a ConAss, he added.

“We cannot tackle the substance without settling first the matter of how to go about it, how to receive your proposal,” Veloso said.

He also stressed the need for the country to adopt a federal system to “dismantle the highly centralized government” and the unequal distribution of wealth and representation in the country.

“There is really a need for us to federalize. There is really a need for us to distribute the number of senators that we have regardless of voting population. There is a need for us to find a way that our people in various regions are equally represented.

And we can have this only through federalized government,” Veloso said.

During Tuesday’s meeting, Veloso’s panel also sorted the proposals of the Con-Com, such as the division of the nation’s resources and the establishment of an Equalization Fund for federal states that might not be able to survive on their own.

Con-Com member and former Senate President Aquilino Pimentel Jr. noted that under the proposed federal system, the overall resources of the country shall be divided 50-50 between the national government and the federal states.

FM Jr. complies with tribunal's penalty order

By Rey E. Requejo FORMER senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said Wednesday he had already complied with the order of the Supreme Court―acting as the Presidential Electoral Tribunal―penalizing him and Vice President Leni Robredo for violating the gag order imposed by the tribunal over the ongoing revision of the votes in the 2016 vice presidential election.

The PET, in its June 26, 2018 resolution, ordered Marcos and Robredo to pay P50,000 each for violating the sub judice rule when both discussed the merits of Marco’s election protest in public.

Marcos is contesting the result of the 2016 vice presidential race won by Robredo and demanded a recount of the votes, claiming Robredo’s camp had cheated.

In a manifestation, Marcos told the PET that he had paid the amount in compliance with the resolution.

“Protestant Ferdinand Marcos Jr. most respectfully manifests that he has paid the amount of Fifty Thousand Pesos [P50,000] in compliance with [the PET’s] Resolution dated 26 June 2018,” Marcos said in his pleading.

On April 10, the PET ordered Marcos and Robredo to show cause and explain why they should not be cited in contempt for violating the resolutions dated Feb. 13, 2018 and March 20, 2018, where they were required to observe the sub judice rule pending the proceedings of the case.

The manual recount of the votes began on March 19 covering Marcos’ three pilot provinces Camarines Sur, Iloilo,and Negros Oriental.

Marcos filed his protest on June 29, 2016 questioning the proclamation of Robredo as vice president because of the allegations of massive cheating during the election.

In his protest, Marcos contested the results from 132,446 precincts in 39,221 clusters covering 27 provinces and cities.

Robredo was declared the winner of the vice presidential race in the May 2016 election with 14,418,817 votes or 263,473 more than Marcos’ 14,155,344 votes.

7Fromof 10...

A1

But the SWS found that the respondents believed that the government can be trusted to protect their private information (59 percent in Mindanao, 53 percent in the Visayas, 52 percent in the balance of Luzon, and 50 percent in Metro Manila).

Asked if the government might use the national ID against those who oppose it, 49 percent of the respondents said they trust the government not to do so; 39 percent were undecided, and 13 percent said they had little trust in the government.

The net approval rating of the national ID system was 55 percent, categorized by the SWS as “extremely strong.”

The SWS suvey had sampling error margins of ±3 percent for national percentages, and ±6 percent each for Metro Manila, the balance of Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

Under the new law, all Filipino citizens and registered aliens need to register their demographic information and biometrics data in the system.

At the signing ceremony, the President asked the public to support the Philippine ID Act as it seeks to promote the efficient delivery of services to the people through a single ID that will be issued to all citizens and resident aliens.

“This ID, which will be called the ‘PhilID,’ will dispense with the need to present multiple IDs for different [government] transactions,” said Duterte, adding that the national ID system also reduces corruption, curtails bureaucratic red tape, promotes the ease of doing business, averts fraudulent transactions, strengthens financial inclusion, and creates a more secure environment for the Filipinos.

National Statistician and Civil Registrar General of the Philippine Statistics Authority Undersecretary Liza Grace Bersales said two classes of information would be collected: demographics and biometrics.

Demographics include full name, birthday, birthplace, sex, blood type, address, and citizenship. Then the four optional are marital status, e-mail address, and mobile number. Biometrics include facial imagery, iris scan, and 10-finger capture.

‘Habagat’...

From A1

enhances the habagat, forecaster Aldzar Aurelio of the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said.

“Karding” had slightly intensified while remaining almost stationary over the Philippine Sea, Pagasa said in its 4 pm weather bulletin.

The storm’s center was estimated at 1,220 kilometers east of Basco, Batanes with maximum sustained winds of 65 kms per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 80 km/h. It was moving east northeast at 15 km/h.

A low pressure area spotted west of Subic, Zambales had already left the Philippine Area of Responsibility last Tuesday.

Cloudy sky with rain showers and thunderstorms are expected over Metro Manila, Pagasa added. Rio N. Araja

News

A3

THURSDAY, AUGUST 9, 2018 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

DENR seeks ‘slightly lower’ budget for 2019

Fertilizer scam case vs ex-mayor dismissed THE Sandiganbayan has ordered the dismissal of the fertilizer fund scam case against former mayor Leonard Martin Sr. of Aglipay, Quirino, because the investigators took almost 12 years to file the graft charge.

In a resolution dated July 26, the antigraft court’s Fifth Division granted the motion to dismiss the charge levelled against Martin. The court said his right to due process and speedy disposition of cases was violated.

The court also dismissed the case filed against then-municipal treasurer Maritoni Eustaqio, municipal accountant’s office officer-in-charge Gilvern Manzano, municipal supply officer Reynante Pastor, Argi-Component Corp. representative Elpideo Colobong Jr., and Agricomp head Elmer Baquiran for the same charge.

Martin and his co-accused public officials allegedly conspired with each other when they favored a contract with Agricomp without public bidding as they resorted to direct contracting. The alleged offense took place between May 2004 and June 2006, The contract was intended for the purchase of one unit of Kubota Tractor 4WD Model 90000DT valued at P2.09 million worth, one unit of Agricomp Harrow Model 10x10 frame, at P180,000; two units of dumping trailer double tire at P220,000 each, a Multi Crop Thresher worth P121,000, and one set of maintenance tools worth P59,000.

Maricel V. Cruz

By Rio N. Araja and Maricel V. Cruz THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources is seeking a slightly lower budget of P24.17 billion for 2019 to bankroll numerous environmental programs, mainly on forest rehabilitation and protection and biodiversity conservation.

The agency’s 2019 budget proposal, which is P740 million less than its current allocation of P25.72 billion, represents only 0.64 percent of the proposed P3.757-trillion national budget for next year.

Despite a lower budget, Secretary Roy Cimatu assured the public that the agency could “still be able to effectively carry out its mandate of protecting the environment and rich natural resources in the country.”

“The DENR does not need a bigger budget to carry out its mandate. All we need is to be prudent and judicious in spending our budget and make sure that every single centavo is spent efficiently for programs promoting environmental protection,” she said.

The agency is asking Congress almost P6 billion to finance the government’s reforestation and forest protection projects for 2019 with the enhanced national greening program getting the lion’s share among its programs.

Of the total P5.96 billion allocated for reforestation and forest protection, P5.15 billion goes to ENGP, while P809.4 million will be used for the forest protection program and antiillegal logging program.

As this developed, senior deputy minority leader and Buhay partylist Rep. Lito Atienza took to task the DENR for its reported failure to clean up Manila Bay, Pasig River and Laguna de Bay despite the huge budget given to it for the purpose.

Bitag has yet to return ‘ad’ money to DoT WHERE’S the money?

Ben Tulfo, owner of the nowcontroversial Bitag Media, has yet to make good his promise to return the P60 million in ad placement fees, which state auditors flagged earlier as ‘‘possible conflict of interest.”

Tulfo is a brother of former DoT chief Wanda Teo, who resigned after the controversy involving his brother.

According to new Tourism Secretary Berna Romulo-Puyat, Tulfo has yet to return the money.

“It hasn’t been returned to the DoT,” said Puyat on the sidelines of the budget hearing at the House of Representatives committee on appropriations.

Teo earlier rejected accusations of conflict of interest in the deal where funds from DoT went to her brother’s company.

Teo’s counsel, Ferdinand Topacio had said last May that the Tulfos agreed to return the P60 million they received from the Department of Tourism after a “ family council.”

But Ben Tulfo apparently had a change of mind in July, saying that they will not return the money, “even if the eyes of those urging them to do so turn white,” as he insisted that the transaction between Bitag Media and DoT was ‘aboveboard.’

SCALAWAGS. President Rodrigo Roa Duterte vents his anger against the scalawag police officers who were presented to him at

Malacañan Palace on Aug. 7, 2018. Joining the President are Secretary Bong Go of the Office of the Special Assistant to the President, Department of the Interior and Local Government Office-in-Charge Eduardo Año, and Philippine National Police Director General Oscar Albayalde. Presidential Photo

‘Satur et al., non-parties to DoJ case vs CCP-NPA’

By Rey E. Requejo

A

REGIONAL Trial Court in Manila has declared former Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo, a United Nations special rapporteur and a consultant to the National Democratic of the Philippines as “non-parties” to the case filed by the Justice department seeking to tag the Communist Party of the Philippines and the New People’s Army as terrorist organizations.

In a July 27 resolution, the Manila RTC, Branch 19, resolved to declare Ocampo, UN Special Rapporteur Victoria Tauli-Corpuz, NDFP consultant Rafael Baylosis, and former Baguio City councilor Jose Melencio Molintas, alleged officer of CPP-NPA under the Ilocos Cordillera Regional Committee, as non-parties to the case.

As a result the lower court recalled the summons it issued to compel them to appear before the proceedings in connection with the petition filed by the Justice Department seeking to declare the CPP and the NPA as terrorist organizations.

Presiding Judge Marlo MagdozaMalagar said the summons were wrongly issued to Corpuz and the other alleged CPP-NPA members and officers identified as former Bayan Rep. Satur Ocampo, communist consultant Rafael Baylosis and Jose Melencio Molintas, officer of CPP-NPA under the Ilocos Cordillera Regional Committee or ICRC. The court ruled that the alleged CPP-NPA officers were not properly impleaded in the case, thus the need to recall the summons issued against them.

The court said the subject of the

prayed-for declaration was the CPPNPA as an organization, association or group of persons, thus neither Ocampo nor Baylosis could be considered a party-respondent in the petition.

The court turned down the argument of the Justice department that the inclusion of the names of Ocampo and Baylosis in the body of the petition and tagging them as officers of the CPPNPA was because the organizations had no known addresses and had no juridical personalities, and therefore, could be served with summons through the two alleged officers.

Instead, the court gave credence to the denials of Ocampo and Baylosis that they had links with the CPP-NPA either as members or officers.

“In this case, Ocampo and Baylosis had done more than give notice of severance of their association with the CPP-NPA; they had denied being actually members or officers of said respondent-organizations,” the resolution said.

The court noted that it was the CPP and the NPA that were the respondents because it was against them that the declaration was being sought.

ILBOs vs famous personalities facing raps stays—DoJ

By Rey E. Requejo JUSTICE Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Wednesday said the immigration lookout bulletin orders issued by the Department of Justice against highprofile personalities facing criminal charges, including former President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, will stay despite the new guidelines set by the Supreme Court to avert flight of respondents.

Guevarra made the statement after the SC adopted a new rule on the prevention of flight of criminal suspects through a Precautionary Hold Departure Order after it earlier nullified the power of the DoJ to issue hold departure orders or watchlist orders.

The Justice secretary said LBOs were not covered by the SC ruling last April that voided DoJ Circular No. 41 issued by former DoJ secretary and now detained Senator Leila De Lima for violation of the

constitutional right to travel.

“The LBO does not restrain foreign travel but serves only as a measure to monitor movements abroad of certain persons of interest,” he said in a text message.

Aquino, former Health secretary Janette Garin and former Budget secretary Florencio Abad Jr. are covered by an existing LBO in relation to charges of multiple homicide and physical injuries through negligence under the Revised Penal Code, malversation of public funds, and violations of Republic Act 3019 (AntiGraft and Corrupt Practices Act) and R.A. 9184 (Government Procurement Reform Act) filed against them by Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption and Vanguard of the Philippine Constitution Inc. last February.

Guevarra said that the DoJ is keeping the LBO, which was issued by resigned Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II in December last year when a key witness

surfaced to spill the beans on the P3.5billion dengue immunization program.

He added that a similar order against Cebuano businessman Peter Lim, who is facing drug charges before the DoJ, also stays.

“The LBOs issued on these high-profile personalities (Aquino, Garin, Abad and Lim) are not lifted,” the DoJ chief said.

However, the DoJ chief admitted that the rule on issuance of LBO would have to be modified insofar as it requires the subjects to secure an Allow Departure Order from the department before they could be allowed to leave the country.

“We are reviewing if we should modify the LBO in its present form or scrap it altogether in the light of the SC ruling.

With the new PHDO, this ADO element of the LBO will not be necessary,” Guevarra said, even as he welcomed the new rule issued by the high court involving PHDO on criminal suspects that will be issued by the trial courts this time.

Martires vows to dismiss year-old cases hit

By Maricel V. Cruz

RITUAL FOR ZERO POVERTY. Tribal people conducts a ritual during the Zero

Extreme Poverty 2030 which launched 12 IP social enterprises as part of the celebration of Advocafe’s 8th Anniversary and New Social Enterprises of the Indigenous Peoples Movement which underscores the importance of marginalized communities attaining self-sufficiency at Advocafe’s in Mendiola, Manila. Lino Santos

A MILITANT lawmaker on Wednesday thumbed down Ombudsman Samuel Martires’s pronouncement to dismiss cases that have been pending at the investigation phase for over a year.

ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio made the statement as Martires said his leadership would want to shorten the period of preliminary investigations.

“We are dismayed when he said he would focus on dismissing cases in his stint as Ombudsman,” Tinio said of Martires.

Martires, who was sworn into office earlier this week, said “We will give investigators a period of 90 days….I promise you all motions for

reconsideration must be resolved within a period of 60 days. Anything beyond 60 days, the investigation officers must explain why it took him more than 60 days to resolve the motion.”

Tinio said Martires’ policy seemed to cause a “huge problem.”

“Martires said based on the latest SC decision regarding inordinate delay, all cases that remain in the investigation stage for more than one year would be dismissed,” Tinio said.

Tinio said that instead of determining the causes of the delay and acting upon them, Martires would simply order the dismissal of all cases that have taken too long to investigate.

Cases filed against the Ombudsman deal with accusations of wrongdoing by government officials and employees.

Binay urges gov’t to jail smugglers SENATOR Nancy Binay yesteday expressed dismay that for years not one smuggler has been charged, arrested or jailed.

Despite the repeated warnings to those behind large-scale smuggling activities, no crackdown on warehouses of alleged rice hoarders and smugglers has been made.

“It’s one giant step that the President will use the entire power of the State to go after rice smugglers and hoarders,” she said.

Binay said that despite the numerous congressional probes and warnings, rice cartels continue to freely operate.

“I hope the government is serious in going after those behind large-scale rice smuggling activities. Ang usual na ginagawa kasi ay wawarningan ang mga smugglers at hoarders. The funny thing is, we’re giving smugglers and hoarders a lead time to clean up their tracks,” she said.

Law enforcement agencies have not made any major crackdown or arrest in spite of the intelligence reports.

Macon Ramos-Araneta

DPWH set to desilt N. Ecija river THE Department of Public Works and Highways has started desilting the Digmala river in Bongabon, Nueva Ecija to prevent the river from overflowing that may cause flooding in several towns in that province.

DPWH Nueva Ecija 2nd District Engineering Office engineer Ricardo Puno said the desilting is expected to prevent the recurrence of river overflow that causes flooding in lowlying areas in the town of Bongabon and its surrounding areas.

“Silt deposits washed down from the mountainous sections of Aurora and Nueva Ecija to Digmala River led to decrease in water depth, thereby increasing the risk of overflow and flooding,” he said.

When completed, the desilting of Digmala River will protect the lowlying villages not just of Bongabon, but also other flood-prone areas near Pampanga River.

The Digmala River is one of the allied rivers and tributaries of the 260-kilometer Pampanga River that traverses the provinces of Nueva Ecija, Bulacan and Pampanga. Vito Barcelo REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES

COMMISSION ON APPOINTMENTS

ANNOUNCEMENT President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has submitted to the Commission on Appointments (C.A.) for confirmation the nomination of MR. LEO M. HERRERA-LIM, Chief of Mission, Class I, as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Kingdom of Denmark in the Department of Foreign Affairs.

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

For the schedule of the public hearings, the CA Secretariat can be reached through telephone numbers 834-2713, 831-1824, 831-0527, 832-9830, 834-2706 and 551-1989.

08 August 2018.

HECTOR A. VILLACORTA Secretary (MS-AUG. 9, 2018)

A4

Opinion

THURSDAY, AUGUST 9, 2018

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Time constraints doom federalism faster than the growth of the economy.

TO THE It is just a matter of supply and dePOINT mand. Thus, when the supply of money is constant or increases at a slow/ EMIL P. steady rate, the purchasing power of JURADO money will be relatively stable.

In contrast, when the supply of DOES Congress even have enough money expands faster than the suptime for charter change that will pave the way to a shift from the unitary to a ply of goods and services, the value of money declines and prices soar. federal form of government?

The problem is that politicians often While House Speaker Gloria Macablame inflation on greedy businesspagal Arroyo is pushing for both men, infrastructure funding, the tax chambers to vote separately in a Constituent Assembly, some senators are reform program and even external destill wary that some characters at the velopments like the rise in price of oil.

But as economists know, persistent House will propose a joint session inflation has a single cause—the rapid where legislators would vote jointly. growth of the supply of money.

There are so many pieces of priority The problem as I see it is that when the legislation that Congress has to tackle. Among these are the 2019 budget, supply of money outgrows the supply of goods and services, prices increase and phase 2 of TRAIN and many others.

Let us also not forget that 2019 is investors, both domestic and foreign, an election year. In a few months, cannot plan well. As a result, they go to House members up for reelection will other more stable destinations.

Countries that increase their money go home to their supply at a slow districts to camrate of 5 percent paign. This will of less also expesurely derail any rience low inflacongressional acRemember that 2019 tion rates. This tion on charter is true for highchange. is an election year. income countries Santa Banana, such as the US above everything and Canada, as else, most Filipiwell as Singapore, nos are unaware New Zealand and of what federalism is. The Duterte adSweden.

It is also true for poor counministration needs to work harder at tries like the Central African Republic an education campaign. That video by Assistant Secretary Mocha Uson was and Mauritius.

Economists and businessmen know an ugly start.

Just because Uson campaigned for that high and variable rates of inflaPresident Duterte, she remains at her tion undermine prosperity. It causes post despite the many embarrassments uncertainty. It also undermines the she has caused him. And at a salary credibility of the government. People expect their government to protect she clearly does not deserve!

Perhaps Uson has got something the them and their properties.

But how can the government protect rest of us don’t. the people when it cannot control Going back to Charter change, I don’t think Congress has time. While inflation?

High prices will hit the ceiling and I believe that no constitution is cast in stone, the move toward federalism has this will create all sorts of problems for the government. to be studied well.

It’s good we now have somebody And, anyway, with that lewd video, Uson may just have sealed the fate of like Arroyo as Speaker of the House.

She understands economics. federalism for now. *** *** International businessman Roberto According to the Bangko Sentral, Ongpin has a new set of directors for the country’s inflation rate is hitting 5.7 percent. This simply means that Alphaland. He remains chairman and there is inflation when there is excess CEO. They are: Turn to A5 liquidity—when money supply grows

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

I

Death by fake news

T IS easy to imagine how fake news is a big problem here at home. The truth is that it is creating trouble in other countries as well.

As a timely reminder, Singapore minister for social and family development, Desmond Lee, rallied Southeast Asian countries to address the proliferation of fake news with its damaging, sometimes fatal, consequences.

In July, at least 20 were killed in India when unverified reports of kidnapping spread through WhatsApp and drove hordes of people to commit violent acts.

“I hope to see that in Asean, firstly as a regional grouping, that we all collectively recognize the severity of the challenge, and we have actually

proactively had meetings and discussions,” Lee said.

Lee said he hopes each member-state of the Asean would come up with a framework with which to combat fake news. The measures, of course, have to be appropriate to each country’s social norms.

Fake news—a contradiction in terms because the news is ideally all the time accurate —is a plague that consigns citizens to stupidity and irrationality. There are those who knowingly start it, knowing that wrong information is just as deadly, or even deadlier, than no information at all.

Some help fuel it unwittingly, sharing posts and stories on social media without ensuring that the sources are credible and official.

Unfortunately, here, even official sources may sometimes willingly spread fake

news. They blur the line between fact and uninformed opinion. They string discordant arguments together and pass this off as enlightened conversation.

With the prevalence of social media it has become easier to just pass off unverified information. This then contributes to the dumbing down of society.

The effect may not be physical deaths as what happened in India, but a different kind of death: That of critical thinking and honest discourse that are crucial to building a nation.

With no apparent leadership from pertinent government agencies, it is up to homes and schools to remind younger Filipinos to respect the truth and to not immediately believe anything they see or hear or read.

Internal cleansing the public an idea of how difficult the problem is. If the enforcers themselves cannot resist getting involved in the illegal drug trade, how much more the FLORENCIO public? Time to change strategy and FIANZA tactics?

Camp Crame also came out with the INTERNAL cleansing is a term we often hear every time a new Chief of the figure of 6,401 administrative cases Philippine National Police assumes of- being resolved which means that those fice. It is similar to politicians promis- personnel involved have been meted ing to eradicate poverty when they win various punishments ranging from susbut as always, poverty is still prevalent. pension, demotion, reprimand and othPolice chief Oscar Albayalde is ers. What Camp Crame did not release promising to root out and fire all scala- is the figure for the number of pending wags in police uniform. But I suspect administrative cases which I suspect that it is going to be a hard slug for him. must be considerable. What is botherPresident Duterte as we know has a dif- some is that many of those policemen ferent approach to this problem as he getting involved in crimes are the PO1s demonstrated when he gave a sermon —the recently graduated policemen or rookies. This is to dozens of posupposed to be licemen brought to the group who him in Malacanang should still be three days ago. very idealistic, He wanted to slap Is it time to change possessing the them and he threatfervor to do well. ened them that if strategy and tactics?

Instead, they they do not change throw away their their ways, they careers. As they might not live long say, sayang. enough to regret it.

There must be something terribly Something to that effect.

Maybe this is the best way to make wrong when policemen getting arrestthese people understand the problem. ed for crime are mostly rookies. Police Over the last several months, the prob- Chief Albayalde wants a more thorough lem of policemen getting involved in vetting on the backgrounds of police serious crimes have been hogging the applicants. This is a step in the right direction but a lot more has to be done. headlines.

Just a few days ago, several police- There must be a review on the whole men from Taguig were arrested for recruiting process and the training of their involvement in kidnap for ransom. these recruits. We have often heard of Camp Crame said that since July 2016, the plan for the PNP to train their own some 2,181 policemen of various ranks recruits but up to now, this has not haphad been fired for involvement in the pened. The curriculum and training illegal drug trade notwithstanding the facilities must also be reviewed and upaggressive policy of the government to graded. For instance I pass by a police get rid of the problem. This should give Turn to A5

DUTY CALLS

MAIL MATTERS

Romero’s approval badly misplaced

THE National Economic and Development Authority considers the approval that columnist Mr. Rudy Romero has of Socioeconomic Planing Secretary Ernesto M. Pernia as badly misplaced in his recent article, “Bravo, Secretary Ernie,” published on Aug. 2, 2018.

Neda acknowledges that government has to speed up efforts to address increases in prices of consumer goods mostly caused by exogenous factors and only marginally by the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law. The entire economic team remains solid and undivided in advancing related programs and policies to help improve the lives of Filipinos—including the proposed rice tariffication bill.

Neda has issued joint statements together with the Department of Finance

and the Department of Budget and Management reflecting their said commitment. You may access these here: a) Neda-DBM-DoF Joint Statement on the May 2018 Inflation Report (http://www.neda/gov.ph/2018/06/05/ neda-dbm-dof-joint-statement-on-themay-2018-inflation-report/) b) DoF-DBM-Neda Joint Statement on June 2018 Inflation Report (https:// www.dbm.gov.ph/index.php/secretarys-corner/press-release/list-of-pressreleases/1108-dof-dbm-neda-joint-statement-on-june-2018-inflation-report)

You will also find in the statements the economic managers’ unified stand on the TRAIN Law in relation to inflation. Secretary Pernia has emphasized that TRAIN has had a minimal effect on inflation and has rather helped Filipinos cope with prices of goods by raising their take-home pay.

MARIA ELOISA I. CALDERON OIC Director Development Information Staff National Economic and Development Authority

Rolando G. Estabillo Publisher ManilaStandard

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

ONLINE

can be accessed at: manilastandard.net

MEMBER

PPI

Philippine Press Institute The National Association of Philippine Newspapers

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

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

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

Managing Editor Associate Editors News Editor Opinion Editor

Emil P. Jurado

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

Chairman Emeritus, Editorial Board

Opinion

THURSDAY, AUGUST 9, 2018

Budget for the people OVERSIGHT DANILO SUAREZ DEBATES on the proposed budget is the busiest time for the Lower House.

The Committee on Appropriations commenced with a briefing by the Development Budget Coordination Committee last week.

The General Appropriations Bill proposes P3.757-trillion budget, with cash-based appropriations of P3.468 trillion. The Department of Budget and Management explained that the shift from multi-year obligations-based to annual cash-based budgeting “limits incurring obligations and disbursing payments for goods delivered and services rendered, inspected, and accepted within the fiscal year.” With this new budgeting scheme, project implementation is only within a year, with an “Extended Payment Period” of three months after the fiscal year.

Ideally, the cash-based budgeting system shall improve budget utilization and reflect the annual outputs of the government.

The two highest receivers of allocated funds under the 2019 proposed budget receive a significant increase from their 2018 budget. The education sector receives the biggest share of the budget at P659.3 billion,

which is P72.2 billion higher than its cash-based equivalent in 2018. The Department of Public Works and Highways receives the second biggest share of funds at P555.7 billion, which is 68.2 percent higher than its P225.5billion budget for the previous year.

It is noticeable that the 2019 proposed budget is relatively lower than the 2018 national budget worth P3.767 trillion.

The health sector receives a budget cut

We will demand transparency and integrity in the fiscal activities of the government.

of 13.8 percent, from P155.2 billion in 2018 down to P141.4 billion for 2019.

As the House Minority Leader, I am concerned with the actual results and effectiveness of the new budget scheme and the slight decrease in the budget.

Despite DBM Secretary Benjamin Diokno’s assurance about their expected positive results of the new budgeting scheme, I am quite worried about how

the budget will be fully utilized for the effective implementation of government projects and programs.

With the enactment of the first package of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Law, the Bureau of Treasury reported a surplus in revenue collection in the first half of 2018. The total revenue collection reached P1.41 trillion, which is reportedly 9 percent higher than the target for the inclusive period. Cabinet members even boast of the improved fiscal capacity of our country.

I have repeatedly expressed my “revenue neutral” stand on the implementation of the TRAIN Law, wherein the government should only spend what it earns. Because of the TRAIN Law, we are even earning more, and the consumers are unfortunately suffering its consequences. But now that it is here, we have more money to spend. Therefore, it seems odd that we raised taxes and projected higher income, but we are cutting the budget for our people.

The House Minority will not take this matter lightly. We will be proactive in scrutinizing the proposed budget during the committee and plenary deliberations. We will demand transparency and integrity in the fiscal activities of the government and ensure that government agencies will effectively utilize the budget and implement projects and programs.

In Venezuela’s hospitals, eat at your own risk

By Margioni Bermudez HARDLY anybody likes hospital food but in Venezuela, it’s so awful—monotonous, starchy diets cooked in filthy conditions, and newborns fed intravenous solution for lack of baby formula— that experts call it an actual health risk.

Take Carla Lopez, 40, who has been hospitalized for three months to treat open wounds on her foot as a result of diabetes.

Lopez should go easy on pasta and rice—but that’s all she gets.

“I eat whatever they give me,” Lopez said as she waves away flies buzzing over a plate of rice and lentils at University Hospital in Caracas. It is pretty flavorless stuff as the hospital is out of salt.

An excess of starch causes her blood sugar levels to shoot up.

Even if she were out of the hospital, she could not afford, say, a kilo (2.2 pounds) of chicken, which costs 1.5 times her monthly salary in this oil-rich but economically ravaged country saddled with runaway inflation.

Lopez says that for breakfast, she gets a kind of cornmeal patty known here as an arepa, and for lunch, it’s either pasta or lentils with rice.

“In the evening, they serve you another arepa—a small, skimpy one,” said Lopez.

Back in better times, this hospital used to have different cooks for different medical problems, said nutritionist Gladys Abreu.

Now, everybody gets the same fare, and not much of it: 40 grams of rice and 25 grams of legumes.

“That is hardly enough for a small child,” said one staffer in the hospital kitchen.

Another hospital employee who asked not to be named complained that garbage piles up at the facility, an imposing 11-story building that is 60 years old.

Indeed, a nearby trash bin overflows

with detritus.

The National Hospital Survey, published in March by the opposition-controlled National Assembly and by an NGO called Doctors for Health, said 96 percent of Venezuela’s hospitals fail to feed their patients adequately, or do not feed them at all.

The poll covered 104 state-run hospitals and 33 private ones.

Intravenous solution as milk At the Concepcion Palacios maternity clinic, also in Caracas, doctors stopped providing formula for newborns because there was no money for it.

Parents can provide their own, but one mother, Yereercis Olivar, who just gave birth to her second child, cannot afford formula.

She could not nurse the baby, either, because they were separated to protect the child from the chicken pox that Olivar came down with while pregnant. It has left her skin covered in blisters.

Olivar was desperate, so she started trying to extract milk from her breasts with a syringe.

It took three days for that excruciating method to kick in and provide milk.

During that time, the baby lived “only on serum”—the kind used in intravenous solutions to keep adults hydrated. It was fed to the child from a baby bottle.

Baby formula, like so many basic goods in Venezuela, is available only on the black market and a can of it costs around 50 million bolivars, or $15. That is nine times the average monthly salary.

The hospital survey said 66 percent of Venezuela’s maternity wards have no formula to give to babies.

The decline into hellish health care conditions has been swift in recent years, said Olivar, whose first child was born at the same hospital in 2016. It was better

back then: She could not nurse her child, but there was baby formula.

Now, “there are cockroaches in the area where they prepare the baby bottles,” said Silvia Bolivar, a nurse with 25 years on the job.

From holes in the walls and ceiling, water leaks and rodents scamper, she added.

The health ministry ignored a request from AFP for comment on this story.

Patients going hungry On the sixth floor where she is being treated, Olivar says she has heard nurses protesting for the past six weeks to demand better pay and working conditions.

Posters on the wall say nurses also want better food for sick people.

President Nicolas Maduro said the crisis in Venezuela’s hospitals has been aggravated by US sanctions against his government.

He says this punishment prevents the country from buying medical equipment and medicines, 80 percent of which are in short supply, according to labor unions.

“It is hard when patients come to us, trembling and on the verge of fainting, to say they are hungry,” said nurse Bolivar.

At the maternity clinic, the baby bottles smell bad. There is no soap to wash them and the sterilization machine is broken.

Dark mold covers containers of rice and pasta that is fed to mothers.

Both there and at the University Hospital, the floors and bathrooms are dirty.

There is no disinfectant. Cleaning is done with water and rags.

Lopez, the lady with complications from diabetes, does not know how much longer she must remain in her decrepit hospital room, which is furnished with broken chairs. Her foot is not getting any better.

But it’s not all gloom: Her hospital roommate gave her a bouquet of sunflowers to brighten things up. AFP

Frontline pizza: Ukrainian veterans feed soldiers in hot spots

By Yulia Silina THERE’S no knock on the door, just the tantalizing smell of melted cheese, ham and tomato sauce reaching the noses of Ukrainian soldiers.

The pizza delivery man has arrived.

As the war goes on in Ukraine’s separatist east, some veterans of the conflict are risking their lives by going back to the frontline to bring pizza to those still in the trenches.

“Eat it up quickly, while it’s hot and they’re not shooting,” says the bulletproof-vested Oleksiy Kachko, opening a box of pizza in front of a group of surprised soldiers.

“This is for us?” the soldiers ask in amazement, smiling.

“The enemies are less than 80 meters from here. I reckon they can smell our pizza and their mouths are watering,” Kachko says.

Kachko, 23, previously fought in the Azov volunteer battalion and his partner in the deliveries, Bogdan Chaban, is also a 23-year-old former volunteer fighter.

Now they manage a pizzeria called Pizza Veterano in Mariupol, the only major city still under Kiev rule in the eastern regions controlled by the pro-Russia separatists.

Opened in May, the pizza joint employs mostly veterans and people who have fled the war. One of the first things they did was to start delivering pizza to soldiers on the frontline, which is about 20 kilometers from Mariupol.

Kachko got the idea from watching the American television series “Generation

Kill” about US troops in Iraq dreaming of hot pizza.

“We thought how cool that would be and it really did turn out to be very cool,” said Kachko, a tall man with striking blue eyes.

Hiring veterans Wounded in the war, Kachko lost a lung and decided to use his veteran’s pension to open a cafe.

He and Chaban opened a franchise of the successful Pizza Veterano network launched in Kiev by another former soldier several years ago.

“It’s not just about earning money, it is employing veterans who find it very hard to get jobs,” Kachko says, while the pizzeria helps them with “adaptation to peaceful life.”

According to President Petro Poroshenko, more than 300,000 Ukrainians —many of them volunteers—have participated in Kiev’s military operations in the east since the outbreak of the conflict four years ago which has claimed more than 10,000 lives.

Kiev and its Western allies accuse Russia of funnelling troops and arms across the border to fan the flames of the conflict.

Moscow has denied the allegations despite overwhelming evidence that it has been involved in the fighting and its explicit political support for the separatists.

20 large pizzas Every week Kachko and Chaban return to the frontline with pizzas paid for with donations made online and in the pizzeria.

For security reasons they have to agree the schedule and route of their visits with the military command.

“Once a week we bring 20 large pizzas to the soldiers. It’s different units each time, we alternate them,” says Chaban, a slender bearded man wearing a cap with the logo of the US Special Forces.

He says he “gets a huge kick out of” bringing the takeaway treat.

This time it’s the turn of the village of Vodyane, whose residents have almost all fled the war.

“We try to make sure the delivery is done safely,” says Chaban, pressing hard on the accelerator of his dusty SUV as the road passes through an area of open steppe less than 300 metres from the rebel positions.

Feeling less alone The delivery guys duck into a low dark trench hidden among tall grass and weeds.

Their appearance in the Ukrainian positions closest to rebel territory is greeted with pleasure.

The battalion is so close to enemy lines that soldiers are not allowed to use electricity and mobile phones, smoke cigarettes or even speak loudly.

The marines shake hands with their guests and thank them for bringing a hot dish, a welcome change from their cold soup and tinned food.

But it’s not the food that really matters, says Vadym Sukharevskiy, the battalion commander.

“When a soldier is stuck under constant fire and short of sleep and he sees a guy coming over with pizza, he realizes he’s not alone, that there are many people behind him, praying for him and worrying about him, cheering him on to win and stay healthy.” AFP

A5

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Cha-Cha, federalism shift are distractions thirds to almost 90 percent—do not favor a move to change the Constitution at this time or a shift to federalism from the present form of government.

RUDY ROMERO Stated differently, the majority of this country’s adult population believes BECAUSE of its abundant natural re- that the Philippines will survive with sources, its large and constantly grow- the present Constitution and with the ing pool of high-grade human resourc- present unitary form of government. es and its cultural adaptability, the In the meantime, one of the pollPhilippine economy should by now, the ing institutions has reported that 26 second decade of the 21st century, be percent of the families of this country one of the world’s leading economies. consider themselves poor and that 21 But it is not, and it is mired in the mid- percent of all the polled families redle ranks of the Third World. ported having to go without at least The explanation is not hard to find. one meal in the preceding three-month It is to be found in one word: Distrac- period. Is it realistic to believe that tion. The political leaders of this coun- those families are more interested in try are repeatedly distracted away from Cha-Cha and federalism than in havthe steadfast pursuit of development- ing more income with which to buy promoting goals by activities that have sufficient food? I don’t think so. little or nothing Besides, the to do with the atmajority of the tainment of those polled adults goals. are asking why Any person there is a need to The political leaders observing the nachange the Contional political of this country are stitution and the scene and read- repeatedly distracted present form of ing about the acts away from the steadfast government when and utterances the Philippine of Philippine po- pursuit of developmenteconomy, under litical leaders is promoting goals by the very same inevitably led to and activities that have little Constitution the conclusion gover n mental that this coun- or nothing to do with form is currently try’s most press- the attainment of those growing annuing problems are ally at rates that Cha-Cha (consti- goals. are said to be the tutional change) second highest in and a shift to the East Asia. In effect, they are sayfederal form of ing that the wheel government. The front pages of the newspapers and tel- is unbroken and therefore needs no evision and news programs are full of fixing. stories featuring officials of the DuThe diminution of poverty—transterte administration and pro-Duterte lated most vividly into adequate food members of Congress, who state, in a on Juan de la Cruz’s table—is what this chorus-like manner, that this country country needs most. Everything else is is headed for disaster if Cha-Cha does a distraction. Our political leaders’ givnot take place and no shift to federal- ing their advocacies fancy names like ism is enacted. Cha-Cha or perish is Constitutional change and governmentheir battlecry. tal-system shift does not change the This, of course, is not the case. In- fact that they are engaged in distractive deed, it is far from the case. The Phil- activities. ippines’ No. 1 problem is widespread It is precisely the kinds of distracpoverty; it is not Cha-Cha or a shift tions our current political leaders are to federalism. Recent surveys by the engaged in that have kept—and continreputable opinion polling institution ue to keep—this country from achievhave revealed that the majority of Fili- ing its full economic potential and its pinos—with ratios ranging from two- rightful place in the world.

BUSINESS CLASS

Internal...

From A4

training center almost every day. What I noticed is that the trainees stay inside the classroom from eight to four every day with the occasional breaks listening to the lectures of an instructor day in and day out.

In this day and age, it is not advisable to have classroom instructions for eight hours every day. Academic instructions are limited at the most to two hours in the morning and two in the afternoon. I hardly see these trainees doing practical exercises like drill and ceremonies. These probably explains the disappointing way police personnel march during parade and reviews where they are not coordinated. In the old days, recruits were given only three years when they enlist. Today, once someone is accepted for recruit training, this person is good for at least thirty years of service.

The old practice should be brought back because it has many benefits.

It provides an automatic cleansing process. Notoriously undesirable police elements can simply be refused reenlistment. The practice of yearly physical examination should also be brought back so that fitness for continued police duty could be assessed and evaluated both physically and emotionally.

There are indeed many ways to skin a cat. One problem on reform is the short stint of the PNP Chief. Often, this is limited at the most to two years.

Hardly enough time to accomplish

Time...

From A4

Lorenzo Tan, former president and CEO of RCBC as vice chairman; Eric Recto; Senator Juan Edgardo Angara who took the place of his late father Ed Angara; lawyer Florentino Herrera III; lawyer Franciso Ed. Lim; Gilberto Teodoro, Jr., former Defense secretary and a legal luminary; Dennis Uy, chairman of Udenna Corp.; Fr. Jose Ramon Villarin, Ateneo president; and Gregorio Yu, former president of Belle Corp. and currently chairman of CATS Automobile and vice chairman

much. But reform should be a continuing process not dependent on the Chief alone. The reform process should involve the whole police leadership from the Secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government who is concurrent Chairman of the National Police Commission, the PNP chief down to the Regional and Provincial Directors level.

The whole Police leadership structure must be encouraged to believe that they have a stake in the reform agenda. In the early years of the PNP in the 1990s, a lot of time was spent in developing a vision for what the PNP should look like and what kind of police culture should emerge from the ashes of the defunct Philippine Constabulary. It is now almost 30 years since the PNP came into being but judging from the way the PNP has developed over these years, what has evolved is not very encouraging. This must be a challenge to our police leaders to develop a professional police force which can be judged as one of the best in Asia.

Many may not realize it but the police leadership is now in the process of being passed from the graduates of the Philippine Military Academy to the graduates of the Philippine National Police Academy which means a great deal to the discipline and culture of the police. By about 2023 no PMA graduates will be left in the PNP. How this transition will affect the PNP as a whole is hard to say but it should be incumbent upon the current PNP leadership not to ignore this issue.

of Sterling Bank.

These are all outstanding individuals that Bobby, my former student, has gathered. Congratulations, Bobby, for your sterling group of directors. *** The frequent seizure of intercepted shabu shipments from abroad simply means that illegal drug cartels believe there is still a big market here despite President Duterte’s brutal war on drugs.

The police may kill the last pusher, but so long as the demand is there, drugs will not be eradicated. www.emiljurado.weebly.com

A6

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK THURSDAY, AUGUST 9, 2018

News

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Clark traffic in Q3 hits 1.5m

T

HE Clark International Airport tallied more than 1.5-million passengers from Jan. 1 to Aug. 8, marking the highest number in passenger traffic in just the third quarter of the year, according to an executive of the Clark International Airport Corp.

“We have a total of 1,538,958 travelers at Clark as of Aug. 8 and at this rate, we will be able to reach the 2.5-million mark by the end of the year,” Alexander Cauguiran, CIAC president, said in a statement.

The 1.53 million mark broke the previous record of 1,514,531 passengers in 2017 with still five months to go in 2018.

“So far, this is the highest record in the history of CIAC since 1995, and our aim is to reach or surpass the 2.5-million passengers this year which will mean more revenues for the government and more flights to come,” Cauguiran added.

The record number of travelers served in just one day was last May 26 at 8,662 passengers.

The average daily passenger volume at the Clark airport is 7,000 and served by a total of 462 weekly flights, 166 of which are international flights while the remaining 296 are domestic flights.

The airport chief said these record-breaking figures were attributed to the Duterte administration’s full support to the further development of Clark airport along with the leadership of Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade, whose agency oversees the airport’s operation, and CIAC’s parent company, the Bases Conversion and Development Authority headed by its president Vince Dizon.

Only two years after being appointed as CIAC head, Cauguiran has steered Clark airport to expand its domestic and international flights, a huge improvement from three to five years ago with more airlines signifying to mount flights under his management.

International destinations from Clark include Doha and Dubai in the Middle East, Incheon and Busan in South Korea, Hong Kong, Macau, Taipei and Singapore while negotiations are ongoing for airlines to mount Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur flights, among others.

Edsa lanes, save yellow, for HOVs, says MMDA

By Joel E. Zurbano THE Metro Manila Development Authority on Wednesday announced that all lanes of Epifanio de los Santos Avenue, except the yellow lanes designated for public utility vehicles, would be used for its High Occupancy Vehicle lanes traffic scheme to be enforced soon.

“Yes, all lanes except yellow lanes. [But this is] during rush hours only,” said MMDA general manager Jose Arturo Garcia Jr. in a text message to Manila Standard.

This means private vehicles occupied by a single rider or a

driver without companions will be totally banned from using Edsa from 7 am to 10 am and from 6 pm to 9 pm, from Monday to Friday.

Meanwhile, the government’s crackdown on illegal parking, vendors and other road obstructions continue in efforts to solve the worsening traffic problem in Metro Manila.

The MMDA is also seeking the assistance of the Department of the Interior and Local Government to go against irresponsible barangay officials who either protect or just ignore the presence of all obstructions in their respective area of jurisdiction.

House calls for stricter compliance

By Maricel V. Cruz A BILL has been filed at the House of Representatives fixing the time within which the Commission on Audit may review the financial records and transactions of government agencies.

House Bill 6761, authored by Sagip Party-list Rep. Rodante Marcoleta, proposes the adoption of a mechanism which provides a prescriptive period within which the CoA may conduct audits and issue decisions on cases.

“An agency’s success and operational efficiencies are always on the time limits of the goals as well as their completion. There cannot be any better assessment for a job if the set time for which it has to be completed is not met,” said Marcoleta during the bll’s deliberation conducted by the House of Representatives’ committee on revision of laws chaired by Pangasinan Rep. Marlyn Primicias-Agabas.

Marcoleta during the hearing

observed CoA seemed to follow no timeframe and that it acted on its own discretion.

He added CoA should no longer conduct post-audits five to 10 years following the issuance of the notice of disallowance.

The premises to be considered are: (a) agencies or officials involved no longer possess the necessary documents, (b) offices have space constraints, (c) computers that can hold digital documents are finite, and (d) concerned government officials are no longer in service.

For its part, CoA, through Assistant Commissioner Elizabeth Zosa, cited timelines stipulated in the 2009 Revised Rules of Procedure as well as Presidential Decree 1445 or the Government Auditing Code of the Philippines.

“We have to admit that these [specified timeframes] are not complied with, not because we don’t want to but because there are constraints on what we can do,” Zosa told the panel.

ANNOUNCEMENT PCSO hereby announces the resumption of the processing of Small Town Lottery (STL) application in the following areas: 1. Masbate 2. Antique Submission of application with complete documents is until August 23, 2018, 5:00PM to the STL Advisory Committee located at the 4th Floor of Sun Plaza Bldg., 605 Shaw Blvd., Mandaluyong City.

For more information you may email at pcsosac@gmail.com Republic of the Philippines Mountain Province MUNICIPALITY OF NATONIN INVITATION TO BID 1.

The Local Government Unit of Natonin thru its Municipal Bids and Awards Committee intends to apply the sum of Twenty five million two hundred fifty thousand Pesos (P25,250,000.00) being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) to payments under the contract for Construction of Natonin Public Market. Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening.

2.

The Municipal Bids and Awards Committee (MBAC) now invite bids for the Construction of Natonin Public Market located in Poblacion, Natonin,Mountain Province. Completion of the Works is required within 300 calendar days. Bidders should have completed a contract similar to the Project. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Instruction to Bidders and Bid Data Sheet Clause 5.

3.

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

DETECTION EQUIPMENT. Airport police use Wednesday the newly acquired Hybrid Detection Kit Explosives and Narcotics Trace Detection

equipment at the motorists’ entrance of Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 in Pasay City. The laser guided device can detect explosives, narcotics and hazardous materials. Norman Cruz

Defense chief backs Department of Disaster Resilience creation DEFENSE Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, who also chairs the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, has pledged full support for the creation of the Department of Disaster Resilience.

In a statement, Lorenzana also expressed his appreciation and gratitude to the House of Representatives for promptly acting on President Rodrigo Duterte’s call during his July 23 State of the Nation Address for the creation of the agency.

Immediately after assuming

the House leadership, Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo ordered the chamber’s committees on Government Reorganization, and Defense and Security to work on the pending measure.

The two committees unanimously approved the draft DDR proposal which the Appropriations committee subsequently took over for its budgetary requirement. The bill now awaits House plenary deliberations.

In the DND statement, Lorenzana also thanked the DDR

bill principal author, Albay Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda and his coauthors, and the chairmen of the House committees on Government Reorganization, Defense and Security, and Appropriations—Reps. Xavier Jesus D. Romualdo, Amado Espino and Carlo Cua, respectively—for prioritizing the measure.

Taking cognizance of the Philippines’ regular experiences with both natural and human-induced disaster, and the initiatives the country has taken to protect and preserve life and property, Lor-

PCSO to lose P2.7b a month without lotto online system

Bidding is restricted to Filipino Citizens/sole proprietorships, cooperatives, and partnerships or organizations with at least seventy five percent (75%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines.

4.

Interested bidders may obtain further information from the Office of the Bids and awards Committee, LGU-Natonin, Natonin, Mt. Province and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below from July 28-August 3, 2018.

5.

A complete set of Bidding Documents may be acquired by interested bidders from the address below and upon payment of a nonrefundable fee for the Bidding Documents in the amount of Twenty Five Thousand Pesos (P 25,000.00).

6.

Pre - bid conference shall be held on August 7, 2018 at 2:00 PM. Venue shall be at the Bids and Awards Committee Office.

7.

Bids must be duly received by the BAC Secretariat at LGU- Natonin, Natonin, Mt. Province on or before August 22, 2018; 2:00 pm. All bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in ITB Clause 18.

Bid opening shall be on August 22,2018; 2:00 PM at the Office of the Bids and Awards Committee in the presence of the bidders’ representatives who chose to attend at the address below. Late bids shall not be accepted.

8.

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

Date of Posting: July 28-August 3, 2018 For further information, please refer to: Hazel B. Gawayen, BAC Secretariat Head LGU-Natonin Natonin, Mt. Province CP number 09998774080 Email: hazelqawaven@qmail.com (SGD) AMBROCIO T. CHINAYOG BAC Chairperson

(MS-AUG. 7,8 & 9, 2018)

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

enzana said he believed the DDR creation would be another monumental step in the government’s efforts to build safer and more adaptive and resilient Filipino communities .

Salceda said President Rodrigo Duterte’s urgent and repeated calls in his 2017 and 2018 Sonas for an effective disaster management agency to address the impacts of calamities had helped push the DDR bill in Congress.

He authored the original DDR bill (HB 6075), to which 34 other proposals were integrated.

SCIENCE CONCEPTS. Navotas City Mayor John Rey Tiangco tries out Wednesday the Philippine Science Centrum’s Mobile Interactive Hands-on Exhibit, which seeks to promote learning of science concepts in a fun manner. Andrew Rambulan

PHILIPPINE Charity Sweepstakes Office General Manager Alexander Balutan said on Wednesday the agency might lose P2.7 billion a month if it would stop the operation of a provider for the lotto online system for VisayasMindanao and some parts of Luzon.

Balutan was reacting to what he called unfounded accusations regarding the agency’s extension of the Equipment Lease Agreement with Pacific Online Systems Corp. for one year starting Aug. 1, 2018, PCSO said in a statement.

“I would like to correct the notions that this is a ‘sweetheart deal.’ There is no such thing as ‘sweetheart deal’.

The truth is, we cannot afford the interruption in our online lottery operation should the ELA expire without a corresponding substitute. We will risk losing P89 million daily or P2.7 billion monthly based on 2017 revenues,” Balutan said.

He said the decision to extend POSC’s contract that expired last July 31, 2018 was covered by a Board Resolution No. 0229 Series 2018.

Sports Garsin stuns Zoleta, makes PPS net semis

UNRANKED Yasmin Garsin fought back from a set down then outplayed No. 5 Gaby Zoleta in the decider to hack out a 3-6, 6-3, 10-4 decision and clinch a berth in the semifinal round of the PPS-PEPP Manila Polo Club National age-group tennis tournament at the MPC outdoor courts in Forbes Park in Makati City Tuesday.

Garsin banked on her baseline game and came through with big shots in the second set to draw level then sustained her form in the third to complete the reversal in the Group 2 tournament dominated by the seeded bets.

But the Tagbilaran City bet will have to come up with another big game when she slugs it out with No. 7 Renee Acena in the semis of the girls’ 16-and-under division of the event presented by Dunlop and sponsored by Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Pera Padala.

Acena stopped top seed Bliss Bayking tormentor Dominique Malazarte’s run with a 6-3, 6-3 romp, while second seed Anna De Myer held off Julia Ignacio, 6-2, 7-5, to arrange a Final Four clash with No. 3 Hannah Maneja, who routed Kryshana Brazal, 6-1, 6-2.

It was practically the fancied bets’ show in other classes with top seed Bea Acena, No. 2 De Myer, third ranked Bayking and No. 4 Denise Bernardo all moving to the semis of the premier 18-U play of the tournament backed by Asiatraders Corp. and sanctioned by the Unified Tennis Philippines, made up of PPS-PEPP, Cebuana Lhuillier, Wilson, Toby’s, Dunlop, Slazenger and B-Meg. “Time and again, there emerges a surprise or two in the circuit and with her determination and guts, Garsin could go all the way to a dream championship,” said Palawan Pawnshop president/CEO Bobby Castro.

Bea Acena thwarted Mikaela Vicencio, 4-6, 6-4, 10-8; De Myer whipped Tiffany Roque, 6-0, 6-3; Bayking smothered Margaud Rosales, 6-2, 6-0; and Bernardo outlasted Renee Acena, 7-5, 6-4.

In boys’ division, John David Velez stayed on course of his three-title bid as he reached the semis of the 14-, 16- and 18-U classes in straight-set fashions. The 14-year-old Davao City star eased out Miguel Vicencio, 4-2, 4-0, in his agegroup, beat Keno Enriquez, 6-2, 6-4, in the 16-U semis, and trampled Edgardo Angara, 6-2, 6-4, in the 18-U side.

A7

THURSDAY, AUGUST 9, 2018 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Layoff stokes Koepka’s love of golf

S

T. LOUIS—A four-month injury layoff revived Brooks Kopeka’s love of golf and not even back-to-back US Open titles can satisfy his desire to win more, starting with this week’s PGA Championship.

Left wrist surgery in late 2017 caused the 28-year-old American to miss the first four months of the year, including the Masters.

“When you take four months off, you really appreciate it, and you’re eager to get back out here,” Koepka said Tuesday. “Any time you can tee it up, especially only doing three majors, it makes every one a little bit more important. I kind of fell back in love with the game a little bit.”

Even though he won his first major

title last year at Erin Hills, Koepka said he felt alone and forgotten.

“It can get a little bit lonely when you’re just sitting on the couch,” Koepka said.

“I couldn’t do anything, couldn’t exercise.

Only three guys texted me and I think it was Bubba (Watson), Phil

(Mickelson) and I saw D.J. (top-ranked Dustin Johnson) quite a bit, but it just feels like you’re forgotten about quite a bit.

“You miss being in competition, you miss being in the hunt, trying to win. You feel like part of your life has just been put on hold for awhile.

It’s not fun. I went through a little bit of a phase where I really didn’t want to do anything for a while.

“A n d then to f inally

European Football is back on ABS-CBN S+A

PTT MEETS THE PRESS. PTT Philippines executives met with media folks during the regular “PTT Meets the Press” at the Café Amazon, PTT EDSA Munoz, Quezon City, where they discussed a variety of topics, from their firm’s sponsorship of the Moto GP in Bangkok, Thailand to their 2nd PTT Run for Clean Energy event on Sept. 16 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines Grounds. Shown here are (from left) Sukanya Seriyothin, President and CEO; Danny Alabado, General Manager of PTT Philippine Trading Corporation and Vittaya Viboonterawud, Director for Commercial Fuel & Lubricants, with (inset) Supinya Thunyaphol, Chief Finance Officer and Paul Patricio Senador, PTT Phils. Foundation President. Angelica Villanueva

Obscure Salahog upstages big guns in ICTSI golf with 65 BACOLOD – Nilo Salahog, who could not seem to get past the cutoff line the last two months, now got past the top guns and took the coveted spot on top, wresting a onestroke lead over Justin Quiban with a fiveunder 65 in the opener of the ICTSI Bacolod Golf Challenge at the Bacolod Golf and Country Club here yesterday.

Three birdies at his closing nine at the front capped an impressive start for a journeyman who had missed the cut in the first three tournaments of this year’s Philippine Golf Tour Asia and failed to advance at PGT’s Del Monte and Pueblo de Oro stops last month.

But the 32-year-old shotmaker from nearby Victorias found the Binitin course to his

liking, his week-long training at the par-70 layout paying off – at least in the opener that saw him hit back-to-back birdies from No. 12 and negate a missed-green bogey on No. 16 with another birdie from close range on the next.

He actually found no need to use his driver on a hot, windy day at the tight, treelined layout, missing just two fairways and going out of regulation three times, saving all but one.

Despite his 33 start, Salahog, who limped at joint 43rd in the recent PGTA Forest Hills leg and finished tied for 10th at PGT Apo leg, stood in the middle of the stellar field but stormed ahead with his solid frontside windup as Quiban fell off the leaderboard

Asia One Million in full swing

Marshalls turn back Green Archers in Martin Cup

with a last-hole bogey and settled for a 66.

“I just stayed focused on every hole. I didn’t go for aggressive play and kept my pre-game plan (fairway-green) while making the most of my birdie chances,” said Salahog, whose career best finish was fourth at PGT Forest Hills last year.

Jay Bayron, the PGTA winner at Southwoods, birdied the par-3 No. 18 to fire a 67 and lead the three-under scorers who included two other lesser lights – Johvanie Abaño and Paul Echavez – and the comebacking Clyde Mondilla.

The reigning PGT Order of Merit champion, whose game went on a downswing after emerging the top player in last year’s circuit put up by ICTSI and organized by Pilipinas

By Ram Christian Agustin THE Rugby World Cup has finally come to the Asian continent for the very first time and Asia Rugby has embarked on a quest to dramatically increase its rugby population by an additional 1 million new participants (A1M project).

Working together with World Rugby and the RWC 2019 Impact Beyond legacy programme, Asia Rugby is currently unleashing a barrage of rugby-related events that include a tour of the Webb Ellis Cup, various sports clinics and many more.

Last Aug. 6, an exhibition game between the New Zealand Mangatainoka Barbarians and the Manila Barbarians aiming to promote the rugby sport was held at the International School Manila.

It coincided with the Philippine Rugby Football Union’s project called “RugbyA Sport For All” that offers equal opportunities to the country’s youths and increase participation in the sport.

Alongside the exhibition match, New Zealand ambassador David Strachan handed over a cheque for P800,000 to the PRFU for this project.

“Whenever someone thinks of New Zealand, rugby and the All Blacks come to mind. We are delighted to share this passion with young Filipinos with the help of the Philippine Rugby Football Union. It is an honour for New Zealand to support the development of rugby in the Philippines,” said Ambassador Strachan.

come back, that excitement level, to be hitting balls again, there was nobody more excited, still nobody more excited, to be playing than me.”

World number four Koepka, the first US Open back-to-back winner since Curtis Strange in 1988-89, isn’t satisfied with his major total just yet.

“You want to keep adding to the list and keep progressing. I think that’s the big key,” he said. “As long as every tournament, every year, you’re getting better and better, that’s all that matters. I’ve done a good job of that so far and just need to continue that. And the goal now is just to get to number one and just keep winning majors, keep winning golf tournaments, be more consistent.” AFP

PLMUN Marshalls cagers John Bayani goes for a layup past two La Salle Green Archer defenders.

Bulacan Kuyas on a roll in MPBL BULACAN continued its wining run in the MPBL Datu Cup and added Basilan to its growing list of victims late Tuesday night at the MARIST School Gymnasium.

The Mighty Sports-backed Kuyas came up with two big defensive stops and turned to Jason Melano in the endgame to score a tense 57-55 win over the Steel.

It was the fourth straight win by Bulacan, which improved its record to 5-1, vaulting into solo second place.

In the nightcap, celebrity baller Gerald Anderson thrilled Marikina folks as he played for the Shoemasters for the first

time this season. Marikina nipped Pasig, 71-67, for its first back-to-back victories of the season. Anderson officially scored his first point in the league in the first half off his split charities, but he was able to complete three steals and came up with big stops to earn praise from his coach.

“May laro talaga siya. You’ve got to see him play. If not for the loose balls and steals na ginawa niya baka hindi pa kami nanalo,” said Marikina coach Elvis Tolentino. “I just told him to be more aggressive attacking the basket. It will come.”

Golf Tournaments, Inc., finally turned in a kind of round expected from a player of his caliber – a bogey-free 34-33 card.

Echavez actually matched Salahog’s five-under card with a birdie on No. 5 coming home but bogeyed two of the last four while Abaño shot four birdies against a bogey to put himself in early contention in the P2.5 million event backed by BDO, KZG, Custom Clubmakers, Meralco, Sharp, Champion, Summit Mineral Water and PLDT. Tony Lascuña, winner here in 2016, recovered from a bogey start with three birdies in the last 10 holes, joining Rolando Marabe Jr., Gerald Rosales and Reymon Jaraula at seven, just three strokes off the pace.

THE Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Muntinlupa Marshalls, behind Buboy Barnedo’s heroics, stunned the De La Salle University Green Archers, 85-83, over the weekend in the 16th Fr. Martin Cup Division 2 basketball tournament.

The 5’7” Barnedo scored the winning basket in the last 4.6 seconds, sending the Marshalls to their third straight victory when action ended at the St. Placid gymnasium inside San Beda-Manila campus in Mendiola.

Christian Alijecera went on topscore with 23 points for the Marshalls, who moved into the solo lead of Group A in the senior division.

Cebuano recruit Christian Manaytay fired a game-high 20 points for the Green Archers, who took their first loss in two games.

Adamson transferee Kurt Lojera drove past Barnedo in the remaining 12.8 seconds, allowing La Salle to force an 83-all deadlock.

In other games, Marc Diputado unloaded 18 points for National University-A when the Bulldogs demolished St. Joseph College-Bulacan, 99-77, and improved their record in Group A to 2-1.

In the junior division, JC Luciano made 15 for Chiang Kai Shek College in their 100-61 swamping of San BedaMendiola A. La Consolacion College-Manila won over the Mapua Red Robins, 68-63, for its second consecutive triumph in another senior encounter.

LCCM prevailed over the Malayan Red Robins, 90-46, while University of Santo Tomas outplayed San Beda-Manila B, 87-78, in the junior side.

The San Sebastian Staglets posted their first win after disposing of Philippine Christian College

THE best European club football action is back to amaze and inspire Filipinos once more as ABS-CBN Sports and Triple CH partner again to bring selected matches from the English Premier League, Spanish La Liga, and the Italian Serie A to free television via ABS-CBN S+A starting Sunday.

Kicking things off are EPL matches as Everton visits Wolverhampton on Sunday, which airs at 12:55 a.m., while a retooled Arsenal hosts 2018 EPL champions Manchester City for a nightcap on the same day at 10:55 p.m.

Arsenal, which lost longtime boss Arsene Wenger and brought in new manager Unai Emery, look to bounce back in the 2018-2019 season aftertweaking the squad with the signings of Patrick Lacazette, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, and Henrikh Mkhitaryan, who will be joining the attack line withGerman star Mesut Ozil.

Meanwhile,EPL champion Manchester City still boasts of Argentinian national squad mainstay Sergio Aguero, English national team forward Raheem Sterling, and Belgian Kevin De Bruyne, who turned headswith his World Cup performance alongside Manchester United’s Romelu Lukkaku.

This year, Pinoy football fans will start seeing matches from Serie A,the most-prominent Italian league that is also teeming with football stars that fans across the world recognize, led by 5-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo, who just transferred to Juventus from Real Madrid, Gonzalo Higuain (AC Milan), Dries Mertens (Napoli), Mauro Icardi (Inter), and Andrea Belotti (Torino). The Italian league also ranks 10th in the world in domestic football league attendance, while also being a hotbed of young European football talent. S+A will also soon air five matches of the star-studded Paris Saint German squad in France’s Ligue 1, featuring football superstars Neymar Jr., Edinson Cavani, the recent FIFA World Cup’s breakout star Kylian Mbappe, and his Fillipino-French teammate in Les Bleus, Alphonse Areola.

ABS-CBN Sports and Triple CH, a holdings company based in Hong Kong, partnered to bring European club football action in 2017 to promote the love for the beautiful game in the Philippines and hopefully inspire more Filipinos to watch and play the most popular sport in the world. ABS-CBN Sports’ channels S+A and LIGA also recently aired the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

Other matches to look forward to this month include La Liga action for Barcelona-Alaves on Aug. 19 at 4:10 a.m. Meanwhile, AC Milan takes on Genoa on August 20 at 2:30 a.m. before coverage goes back to La Liga on Aug. 21 with Athletic vs Leganes at 4 a.m. It’s back to the EPL on Aug. 26 as Liverpool hosts Brighton at 12:25 a.m. Aug. 27 sees a La Liga doubleheader with Espanyol-Valencia at 12:10 a.m. followed by Sevilla-Villareal at 2:10 a.m. The EPL match between Manchester City and Tottenham will cap August football action on Aug. 28 at 2:55 a.m. All matches will be airing LIVE on S+A.

LOTTO RESULTS

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

Sports

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

A8

THURSDAY, AUGUST 9, 2018

Rookie transferee Edgar Charcos (3) of Host School Perpetual Altas soars for a layup and defies the defense of Lyceum’s Ralph Tansingco (42) during their teams’ match won by the Pirates, 91-77. The host school Perpetual Help Altas of coach Frankie Lim will face the San Sebastian College-Recoletos Stags today. Dennis Abrina

UP tossers back in hunt in Premier tilt Games Saturday 9 a.m. – Adamson vs UST (men’s) 11 a.m. – UP vs Perpetual (men’s) 2 p.m. – San Sebastian vs San Beda (women’s) 4 p.m. – St. Benilde vs UST (women’s) 6 p.m. – Arellano vs St. Benilde (men’s)

UNIVERSITY of the Philippines waylaid a hapless San Sebastian side, pouncing on its sloppy reception and token defense to fashion out a 25-15, 25-13, 25-16 romp in the lone women’s match in the Premier Volleyball League Season 2 Collegiate Conference at the Filoil Flying V Center yesterday.

Isa Molde struggled while playing under the weather but Marian Buitre, rookie Lorielyn Bernardo and outside hitter-turned-libero Mary Bautista stepped up and dominated the Lady Stags all throughout to complete the rout that hiked their record to 2-1.

Buitre blasted in seven attacks, scored two aces and made one block while Bernardo also produced a 10-hit game, including nine attacks, as the Lady Maroons bounced back strong from a fourset setback to the unbeaten UST Tigresses the last time out to stay at fourth.

“We worked on the passing so we had to introduce a different libero to help Rem (Altomea),” said UP coach Godfrey Okamu.

Bautista suited up as a libero and came up with 10 excellent receptions while Molde finished with seven markers.

“I think she (Bautista) held up pretty nicely and she is loud on court so that is what is needed for a libero,” said Okumu.

Playmaker Ayel Estrañero also outplayed the entire SSC side with 23 excellent sets, more than the Lady Stags’ nine. She also made five aces and came through with drop shots to finish with eight markers.

Perpetual fights SSC, tries to stay in Magic 4 U

NIVERSITY of Perpetual Help System Dalta seeks to keep its place inside the magic four, while San Sebastian aims to snatch it as the two collide today in the 94th NCAA basketball tournament at the UPHSD Gym in Las Pinas.

The Altas fell to solo leader Lyceum of the Philippines University Pirates, 77-91, Friday that dropped them to fourth place with a 2-2 (win-loss) record, while the Stags routed the Mapua Cardinals, 94-70, Tuesday to zoom to fifth with a 3-4 card.

The winner of their 4 p.m. showdown, which will be the last stop of this year’s “NCAA on Tour,” will get the No. 4 position behind LPU (7-0), reigning back-toback titlist San Beda (4-0) and resurgent

Eze averaged 13.8 points and leaguehighs 16.5 rebounds and 5.3 blocks while Charcos normed 19.8 points an outing, which is second only to LPU’s CJ Perez’s 20.7, on top of 2.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 2.3 steals.

The Stags, for their part, are expected to ride the momentum of their recent win as they play minus RK Ilagan for the secLetran (4-1).

Perpetual Help coach Frankie Lim said ond straight game due team suspension.

“We just have to make do with what we they need to play consistent to get back on have,” said San Sebastian College mentor the winning groove.

“We had mental lapses. We can’t play Egay Macaraya. like that and expect to win,” said Lim referring to a second quarter meltdown in Games today the last game.

(UPHSD Gym, Las Pinas) The Las Pinas-based school is expected 2 p.m.- SSC vs UPHSD (jrs) to pin its hopes on the duo of Nigerian 4 p.m.- SSC vs UPHSD (srs) Prince Eze and Edgar Charcos.

PSC to shoulder expenses of PH team to Asiad

CELEBRITY BALLER. Actor Gerald Anderson was able to display his potential in Marikina’s latest win in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Datu Cup. (Story on A7)

THE Philippine Sports Commission Board of Commissioners agreed on Wednesday that expenses of all national athletes and teams participating in the 18th Asian Games in Jakarta, Indonesia will be shouldered by the sports agency.

A PSC insider confirmed that “yes, bridge, basketball and volleyball will be covered.”

It will be remembered that in previous discussions between PSC and the Philippine Olympic Committee, the aforementioned sports were to pay their own way.

The PSC will shoulder airfare, parade and competition uniforms, track suits, luggage, accommodation and other related expenses of the athletes.

The training and exposure expenses of participating national athletes were also taken cared of by the PSC. A total of 272 athletes plus coaches and officials comprise the country’s delegation to the quadrennial event to be held this this year in Jakarta and Palembang Indonesia.

Milo 3K winner’s philosophy: Train. Compete. Repeat.

By Charles Dantes CEDRIC Alcoriza sat under the cool shade of a tree at the sidelines of the 42nd Milo Marathon in Pasay.

It was a welcome development for him as the hot sun beat down on the 28,000-strong participants of the country’s largest footrace event—a stark contrast only a few hours ago when monsoon rains poured at gun start of the 3k event he took part in.

Not bad for his first Milo Marathon experience, right?

But while he sat unassumingly in his spot situated quite a distance from the rumpus and festive awarding stage, he faintly hears the names of the 2018 Milo Marathon-Manila leg King and Queen announced.

“Balang araw sir, sana ako naman ‘yang nasa stage,” he said laughing, while his teammates teased him while being interviewed by Manila Standard.

Why couldn’t he? The 12-year-old kid already has what it takes to reach the top of a sport he only discovered a year ago.

In his first running competition outside of school meets, the Grade 7 student from Benjamin B. Esguerra Memorial National High School did not disappoint and led all 3k runners in just 11 minutes and 33 seconds.

Again, not bad for his maiden exposure in the “big league.”

There’s no magic involved here, though.

The young runner from Taytay trains every day after class with the Team Taytay Builders, a ragtag stable supported by their local government composed mainly of worker’s children in the municipality.

“Wala nga po kami masyado practice bago po dito kase naulan at nagkasakit din po ako.

Pero this week po kahit umuulan, tuloy pa rin kahit maputik doon sa pinag-papapractice-an namin,” said Alcoriza, who was still good enough to outpace second placer Reyniel Abel by 3 seconds.

And if the challenging weather, tough competition and inexperience in these kinds of races weren’t enough, Alcoriza also had to run tired as he and his team didn’t get enough shut eye before the event.

Participants try to get the upper hand at gun start of the 5k event of the 42nd Milo Marathon at the SM Mall of Asia grounds. Peter Paul Duran What little sleep they had was squeezed in between their two-hour trip from Taytay.

“Sobrang special po para sa akin itong Milo Marathon na ito, kasi first time ko po sumali, first time ko rin manalo, champion pa,” he said while his three other teammates also gained places in the 3k and 5k event.

“Pero maliban po sa medal, ang pinakamahalaga po ay may nakukuha ka pong life

lessons pagkatapos ng Milo (marathon).

Napatunayan ko po na napakahalaga ng disiplina at kumpiyansa sa sarili,” he said while preparing to leave though a little bit drowsy.

They’ll make most of the rest before they compete at an athletic meet later that day.

Like many champions before them, they just know that the secret to the zenith is to never get tired of training and competing.

Magic play Bulls, Jazz in NBA Mexico tiffs NEW YORK—The Orlando Magic will play the Chicago Bulls and Utah Jazz in NBA regular-season games next December in Mexico City, the league announced Tuesday.

The NBA also announced a new deal with Zignia Live that will secure two regular-season games a season at Mexico City Arena for each of the next three campaigns.

Orlando will face the Bulls on December 13 and meet the Jazz two nights later in the third consecutive season to see two NBA contests in Mexico City.

In all, the NBA will have staged 28 games in Mexico since 1992, the most played in any nation outside the United States and Canada.

“Returning to Mexico City for two regular-season games this season reinforces our commitment to growing basketball in Mexico and Latin America,” NBA commissioner Adam Silver said.

“NBA teams have been playing in Mexico for more than 25 years, and the Bulls, Jazz and Magic organizations are excited to continue the tradition of bringing the live game experience to our passionate Mexican fans.”

Orlando’s lineup includes Aaron Gordon and Mohamed Bamba, a 7-footer (2.16m) whose parents emigrated to the United States from Ivory Coast.

“Having played in England twice, Japan, China, Mexico and Brazil, the Orlando Magic are always honored to participate in the NBA’s Global Games,” said Magic chief executive Alex Martins. AFP

Handball included in Milo Little Olympics MILO Little Olympics’ National Capital Region/South Luzon leg organizer Robert Milton Calo of MC Robertz Sports Academy recently confirmed the addition of handball in this year’s edition of the said grassroots multi-sports event for young student athletes.

Coaches and trainers of handball met with Calo on Tuesday at the Marikina Sports Center and discussed the technical requirements, playdates, regulations and staging of the said Olympic sport to be played in the elementary and secondary girls’ categories only.

“It’s about time that handball is included in the 2018 Milo Little Olympics. There are lots of young talented student athletes, who can easily learn this Olympic sport, where Filipinos can excel,” said Calo, who is also a top official of the national sports association Handball Association of the Philippines.

Handball [also known as Olympic handball] is a team sport in which two teams of seven players each [six outfield players and a goalkeeper] pass a ball using their hands with the aim of throwing it in to the goal of the other team. A standard match consists of two periods of 30 minutes and the team that scores more goals wins.

Aside from handball, other sports to showcased in the Little Olympics are arnis, badminton, basketball, chess, football, futsal, gymnastics [rhytmic], karatedo, scrabble, sepak takraw, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, tennis and volleyball.

Concepcion Elementary School in Marikina [elementary] and San Beda [secondary] were last year’s champions.

Milo Sports Executive Lester Castillo welcomed the new development in the Little Olympics slated August 24 to 26 at the Marikina Sports Center and other satellite venues in the shoe capital of the Philippines.

“Milo Little Olympics is getting bigger this year. This annual youth competition aims to emphasize Milo’s unwavering commitment to the country in developing not only athleticism, but also mental discipline among student athletes who will be the next generation of sports heroes,” Castillo said.

Event registration is ongoing until Aug. 13 at Marikina Sports Center, the main hub of the colorful opening ceremonies on Aug. 24 to be graced by DepEd officials, Marikina LGUs and executives of Nestle Philippines.

For further details, contact Prof.

Calo (09989580898), Alma Jocson (09175224288), Chato Valenzuela (09951989642), Mario Garovillo (09474079568) and Menchie Salazar (09997976637).

SINGAPORE

THURSDAY, AUGUST 9, 2018 advertise@manilastandard.net

B1

53rd NATIONAL DAY !

Singapore as a

Choice Destination Terminal 4

New attractions at Changi Airport

Jewel Changi Airport

T

HE newest terminal at Changi Airport, Terminal 4, opened in end 2017. Besides adding new terminal capacity of 16 million passengers per annum (mppa) to Changi Airport, Terminal 4 also introduced a full suite of selfservice options at key passenger touch points from check-in to bag drop to immigration clearance to boarding. Terminal 4 is also a test-bed for new innovations such as high-tech security screening equipment like advanced body scanners and X-ray machines which do not require passengers to divest of electronics including laptops.

TO further elevate the Changi Experience, Jewel Changi Airport, scheduled to open in early 2019, will offer a refreshing lineup of unique lifestyle offerings.

Located at Jewel’s topmost level, the Canopy Park will feature three iconic attractions that blend into lush greenery – Sky Nets, Canopy Mazes and Discovery Slide. In addition, open areas will allow children to wander amidst the greenery in the park. One such area, Foggy Bowls, will incorporate mist to simulate the experience of playing amongst clouds.

Heightening Singapore’s reputation as

All photos are courtesy of Ministry of Transport, Republic of Singapore

a City in a Garden, Jewel will house one of the country’s largest indoor plant collections, with Canopy Park boasting over 1,400 trees and palms. Nestled amongst winding walkways, the Topiary Walk will surprise visitors with its animal-shaped topiaries at every turn, while the Petal Garden will showcase seasonal floral displays.

The highlight of Canopy Park is the 50-metre long Canopy Bridge, which provides visitors with an excellent vantage point to enjoy the breathtaking 40-metre high Rain Vortex, which is slated to be the world’s tallest indoor waterfall. Suspend-

SURBANA JURONG PARTNERS BCDA AND JOIN IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF NEW CLARK CITY

Photo Courtesy of Surbana Jurong

Investment Corporation for Transport and Urban Development (JOIN) on the development of New Clark City.

In the agreement, Surbana Jurong will work with BCDA and JOIN to draft the development management framework, de-

Changi East and Terminal 5 Located to the east of existing Changi Airport on 1,080ha of land, Changi East – comprising a new three-runway system, a network of 18 km-long inter- and intraterminal tunnels, and a new Terminal 5 – is a significant part of Changi Airport’s long-term master plan.

Changi Airport was the world’s sixthbusiest airport (in terms of international traffic) in 2017. Changi East represents our bold vision and plans to secure the future and competitiveness of Changi Airport.

In the first phase, Terminal 5 will provide an additional capacity of up to 50 million passengers per annum (mppa) and more than 100 aircraft parking stands by around 2030. Passengers can also look forward to enjoying a higher standard of the unique Changi Experience, as well as more flight choices and destinations when Terminal 5 is completed.

Passengers passing through Terminal 4 will be able to experience the cultural offerings in the Peranakan Gallery in the departure transit zone of Terminal 4’s Heritage zone. The Peranakans are known for their vibrant and interesting culture that is showcased through its customs, cuisine, language and prolific use of colours, as a result of generations of immigrants living side-by-side with indigenous communities in port cities across Southeast Asia. Visitors to the gallery will have the opportunity to discover and learn about the rich Peranakan culture in Singapore.

IN February 2018, Surbana Jurong, one of the largest Asia-based urban, industrial and infrastructure consulting firms, signed a Memorandum of Cooperation with Philippines’ Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) and Japan Overseas Infrastructure

ed 23 metres above ground, the Canopy Bridge will incorporate glass panel flooring in its centre portion for visitors to look right through to the ground floor of Jewel.

With these unique offerings, Jewel promises to be a signature destination where “Singapore meets the World, and the World meets Singapore,” and will strengthen Changi Airport’s appeal as one of the world’s leading air hubs.

sign standard guidelines and environmental guidelines to complement the masterplan of New Clark City.

Surbana Jurong will also help in utilising Public-Private Partnerships to entice investors to New Clark City. It will also advise in

the implementation plan of pioneer developers in New Clark City such as Filinvest Land, Inc.’s mixed-use industrial real estate developments, and MTD Capital Berhad’s National Government Administrative Center. It will also establish the framework of a smart city concept that will have fullyintegrated infrastructure and utilities for power, water, sewerage, information and communication technology (ICT), security, and traffic management.

The 9,450-hectare New Clark City is envisioned to be a new metropolis that will rise in the Clark Special Economic Zone, in Capas and Bamban, Tarlac. It is designed to be the country’s first smart, green, disasterresilient city, where nature, lifestyle, business, education, and industries converge, and will be on par with other modern cities in the world. New Clark City will feature mixed-use real estate developments for housing, a business continuity center that would also house national government agencies, an agro-industrial park and an international food market. The city will have wide pedestrian lanes, exclusive bicycle lanes, and an integrated mass transit lane.

“Surbana Jurong is proud to support BCDA and JOIN in developing New Clark City into the next big metropolis and become a showcase to the world of a smart and green city. We will leverage our over 50 years of urban and infrastructure development expertise and our global capabilities to manage the development of the city, and help the Philippine Government bring this vision to reality,” Surbana Jurong’s Group Chief Executive Officer Wong Heang Fine said.

Mr Wong Heang Fine added, “New Clark City has tremendous potential, and we are

committed to be long-term partners in the city’s growth. The transformation of this area will bring about sustainable growth and create jobs locally, and ultimately bring about long-lasting economic and social benefits for the country. We look forward to working together with BCDA and JOIN, as well as international investors and local communities, in making this project a success.”

About Surbana Jurong Surbana Jurong is one of the largest Asiabased urban, industrial and infrastructure consulting firms. Leveraging technology and creativity, Surbana Jurong provides one-stop consultancy solutions across the entire value chain of the urbanisation, industrialisation and infrastructure domains.

Headquartered in Singapore, Surbana Jurong has a global workforce of 14,000 employees in more than 120 offices across over 40 countries in Asia, Australia, UK, the Middle East, Africa and the Americas, and an annual turnover of around S$1.5 billion.

Surbana Jurong has a track record of over 50 years, and has built more than a million homes in Singapore, crafted master plans for more than 30 countries and developed over 50 industrial parks globally.

Through our member company SMEC, Surbana Jurong has been operating in the Philippines since 1974 and our office is based in Manila. We provide solutions to projects in a wide range of sectors, including water and environment, power and energy, highways and transportation, agriculture, and more. Some of our projects in the Philippines include the North South Commuter Rail (NSCR) project, the North Luzon Expressway and the Bubunawan Mini-Hydropower Project.

IN BRIEF

Trade deficit grew to $3.35b in June

THE country’s trade-in-goods deficit in June increased to $3.35 billion from a $1.59-billion gap a year ago, as imports continued to significantly outpace exports, the Philippine Statistics Authority said Wednesday.

PSA data showed the country’s total external trade in goods in June 2018 reached $14.75 billion, up 13.5 percent from $12.99 billion year-on-year.

Exports fell 0.1 percent, from $5.704 billion a year ago to $5.7 billion, while imports jumped 24 percent to $9.05 billion from $7.29 billion on year.

The June trade deficit, however, was lower compared with the gap of $3.7 billion in May to bring the total gap in the first half to $19.10 billion, higher than $11.75 billion a year ago and $15.755 billion a month ago. Julito G. Rada

Forex reserves decline to 6-year low of $76.9b THE country’s gross international reserves as of end-July 2018 declined to a six-year low of $76.89 billion due mainly to the government’s payment of maturing foreign exchange obligations, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Nestor Espenilla Jr. said Wednesday.

Data showed the reserves also fell from $77.53 billion at the end of June. The July reserves were lowest in six years, or since $76.129 billion in June 2012.

Espenilla said aside from the settlement of foreign exchange obligations, other reasons for the decline in reserves were the foreign exchange operations of the Bangko Sentral and revaluation adjustments in gold holdings resulting from the decrease in the price of gold in the international market. Julito G. Rada

LuLu Group unveils $100-m expansion plan

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

B2

THURSDAY, AUGUST 9, 2018

Business

PH raises $1.39b in Samurai bonds

By Julito G. Rada

T

HE government on Wednesday returned to the Samurai bond market for the first time in eight years with the issuance of a multi-tranche 154.2-billion-yen ($1.39 billion) Samurai bonds.

“We have just closed our multitranche Samurai bond issuing JPY154.2 billion in three years [JPY107.2 billion], five years [JPY6.2 billion], and 10 years [JPY40.8 billion] tenors,” Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said in a statement.

“With overwhelming demand from both onshore and offshore investors, the Republic was able to secure the largest issuance size of a senior Samurai bond for the year,” Dominguez said.

He said the three-year tranche was priced 25 basis points above the benchmark, tighter than that of the recent Panda bonds issuance, which was 35 bps. The five-year tranche was priced at 35 bps, while the 10-year tranche was priced at 60 bps above the benchmark.

He said coupon was set at 0.38 percent, 0.54 percent, and 0.99 percent for the three-, five-, and 10-year tranches, respectively.

“Overall, the transaction yielded a weighted average spread of 34.7 basis points above benchmark. Compared to our peers, the Republic priced

tighter and issued more than Indonesia [JPY100 billion] and higher-rated Mexico [JPY135 billion],” Dominguez said.

The Bureau of the Treasury said the offering marked “the return of the Republic to the Samurai market after an eight-year break, and the first time in almost 20 years that it has issued Samurai bonds on a stand-alone basis.”

The government earlier made a presentation on the domestic economy at the Philippine Economic Briefing in June in Tokyo, which was attended by around 500 investors.

The Philippine delegation of presenters included Dominguez, Economic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia, Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade, Public Works Secretary Mark Villar,

Megaworld’s income rose 13% to P7.25b in six months

CALAMBA, Laguna—Dubai-based LuLu Group International on Wednesday disclosed plans to start a $100-million expansion of retail centers and increase imports from the Philippines to $100 million in the immediate two years.

LuLu Group chairman Yusuff Ali M.A. said his company, while initially managing logistics from the Philippines, had great confidence to invest in the country.

“We’re bringing in a chain hypermarkets to the Philippines starting this 2018. We will spend an initial $100 million for this expansion,” he said at the inauguration of May Exports Philippines Inc., the company’s logistics entrerprise in the Philippines.

Lulu has over 150 hypermarket network across Gulf countries and Egypt with plans to expand markets in Asia other than the Philippines and Indonesia. Othel V. Campos

By Jenniffer B. Austria

Robinsons Land raised first-half profit to P3.3b Robinsons Land Corp. said net income rose 14 percent in the first half of the year to P3.32 billion from P2.91 billion year-on-year, driven by the strong performance of its leasing business.

Robinsons Land said in a disclosure to the stock exchange consolidated revenues climbed 18 percent to P13 billion in the first two quarters of the year from P11 billion a year ago.

The property company’s mall business, which accounted for 44 percent of the total revenues, posted first-half sales of P5.81 billion, up 11 percent on year, due to to same mall rental revenue growth.

Rental revenue from newly-opened malls, namely Robinsons Place Iligan, Robinsons Place Naga, Robinsons North Tacloban, Robinsons Place Ormoc and Robinsons Place Pavia also contributed to the group’s positive first-half performance. Jenniffer B. Austria

Agriculture sector barely expanded in second quarter THE agriculture sector barely grew 0.07 percent in the second quarter, as the strong poultry and livestock production offset the lower rice and corn harvests, data from the Philippine Statistics Authority show.

“Improvements in production were noted in the livestock and poultry subsectors. However, the crops and fisheries subsectors recorded declines in output,” the PSA said in a statement Wednesday.

The second-quarter growth was slower than the 1.47-percent expansion in the first quarter and 6.22-percent increase a year ago. This brought the sector’s first-half growth to 0.58 percent, slower than the 5.73-percent expansion in the same period last year.

The sector accounts for less than a fifth of the gross domestic product.

The PSA on Wednesday revised the first-quarter GDP growth from 6.8 percent to 6.6 percent, ahead of the release of second-quarter data.

“Major contributors to the downward revision were other services, manufacturing and agriculture and forestry,” the PSA said.

The PSA said the total gross earnings of combined crops, livestock, poultry and fisheries subsectors in the second quarter reached P447.2 billion at current prices. This was 5.55 percent higher than the previous year’s record.

The crops subsector, which accounted for 49.65 percent of the total agricultural production, registered a 2.08-percent reduction in output in the second quarter and 0.44-percent decline in the first half.

“Palay and corn production decreased by 1.44 percent and 3.42 percent [in the second quarter], respectively,” the PSA said.

Increases were noted in other major crops such as coconut, banana, pineapple, mongo, tomato, garlic, eggplant and rubber.

The livestock subsector grew 1.88 percent on higher hog production. The subsector’s gross output also increased 1.95 percent in the first half. Julito G. Rada

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Nestor Espenilla Jr., Bases Conversion and Development Authority President Vivencio Dizon and Philippine private sector leaders.

The event highlighted the Philippines’ strong economic growth profile as one of the fastest-growing economies in the Asia Pacific region, and its robust fiscal position.

Investors were also informed about the P8.4-trillion ‘Build, Build, Build’ program of the Duterte administration to modernize domestic infrastructure, sharpen the country’s global competitiveness and attract more investments.

Philippine officials led by National Treasurer Rosalia de Leon also conducted a series of one-on-one meetings with major fixed income investors.

BPI’S AWARD. Bank of the Philippine Islands is commended for being the Best Private Bank for Family Office Services in the 2018 Euromoney Private Banking and Wealth Management Survey. Shown is BPI private banking group head Tomas Chuidian (center0 receiving the award from Private Banking editor Helen Avery (left) and actor and writer Miles Jupp.

Converge ICT, partners investing $2b in broadband F OREIGN E XCHANGE R ATE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Wednesday, August 8, 2018

Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

52.9220

Japan

Yen

0.008979

0.4752

UK

Pound

1.294200

68.4917

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.127400

6.7423

Switzerland

Franc

1.004722

53.1719

Canada

Dollar

0.766284

40.5533

Singapore

Dollar

0.733030

38.7934

Australia

Dollar

0.742000

39.2681

Bahrain

Dinar

2.652872

140.3953

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266660

14.1122

Brunei

Dollar

0.730353

38.6517

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000069

0.0037

Thailand

Baht

0.030093

1.5926

UAE

Dirham

0.272272

14.4092

Euro

Euro

1.160100

61.3948

Korea

Won

0.000895

0.0474

China

Yuan

0.146460

7.7510

India

Rupee

0.014573

0.7712

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.245459

12.9902

New Zealand

Dollar

0.673300

35.6324

Taiwan

Dollar

0.032741

1.7327

Source: PDS Bridge

By Darwin G. Amojelar CONVERGE ICT Solutions Inc. said Wednesday it signed strategic partnerships with foreign and local telecommunications companies to roll out high-speed broadband network nationwide over five years for $2 billion.

Under the partnership, Korea Telecoms, LSI-Fibernet Konstruk Corp. and TE Connectivity Subcom will help Converge ICT build and deploy the infrastructure necessary to provide pure end-to-end fiber internet connectivity at a nationwide scale.

“We have set our sights to bring the best internet connectivity by starting in Metro Manila and some key provinces in Luzon. By going nationwide, we can do more rollouts and more installations in other islands in the Philippines, helping more people connect with one another through our infrastructure” Converge ICT president and chief executive Dennis Anthony Uy said.

Miles Tonn Chua, chief operating officer of MetroWorks ICT Construction Inc. (a subsidiary of Converge ICT),

said investments were estimated to reach $2 billion over the next five years.

Converge ICT will fund the project through borrowings and equity.

The rollout has the potential to reach more than 13 million of the 22 million households nationwide, particularly the major islands in the Visayas and Mindanao.

Chua said under the five-year plan, the network backbones were expected to be completed by 2021 and would be operational in different phases to enable the project to be completed before 2021.

The partnerships are slated to implement both full turn key and semi-turn key approaches, according to Chua.

“With more projects to be completed, it will certainly contribute to the growth of Converge ICT, which is expected to be exponential,” Chua said.

Chua said Converge ICT was expected to sign more partnerships to further improve its service offerings.

“What the public is experiencing now as the best internet service, they can also expect that same kind in the next year or two,” he said.

PROPERTY developer Megaworld Corp. said net income grew 13 percent in the first semester to P7.25 billion from P6.44 billion in the same period last year on the strong performance of residential and leasing businesses.

Megaworld said in a disclosure to the stock exchange consolidated revenues, including those of subsidiary brands Global-Estate Resorts Inc., Empire East Land Holdings Inc. and Suntrust Properties Inc., reached P26.77 billion in the first six months, up 10.3 percent from P24.27 billion a year ago.

It said the bulk of revenues came from the sale of condominium units and residential and commercial lots, comprising 54.78 percent of total revenues.

“Megaworld’s consistent growth across all business segments is a clear indicator of where the company is going, and we are continuously focusing on putting better value to our customers through our programs on innovation and design, digital technology, smart mobility and connectivity as well as environmental sustainability,” Megaworld senior vice president and treasurer Francis Canuto said.

Real estate sales climbed 7.6 percent in the six-month period to P14.67 from P13.62 billion a year earlier.

Megaworld said it recorded as of end-May P73 billion in reservation sales from residential developments in its numerous townships and integrated lifestyle communities.

The group’s rental business, which includes offices, malls and commercial centers, remained the fastest growing business in the first half, increasing 16.55 percent year-on-year to P6.79 billion.

Hotel operations contributed P715.16 million in the first half of 2018 with an increase of 10.37 percent from the same period last year.

Megaworld recently opened Savoy Hotel Manila in Newport City, adding 684 hotel rooms in its total inventory of 1,744 rooms as of end-2017.

Singapore’s voluntary national review of the UN sustainable development goals MINISTER for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr Masagos Zulkifli, presented Singapore’s first Voluntary National Review (VNR) of the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the 2018 High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) at the United Nations Headquarters in New York from 16 to 18 July 2018. The SDGs aim to end poverty, fight inequality and protect the planet.

The VNR comprised the submission of a report to the UN and a presentation at the HLPF. The VNR process, led by the Inter-Ministry Committee on SDGs (IMC-SDGs), was a Whole-of-Nation effort involving more than 30 government ministries and agencies, the private sector, civil society, and youth. To mobilise further youth action on SDGs, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs organised a Singapore Youth Video Competition: What YOUth Can Do to crowd-source ideas on the SDGs. The team of National University of Singapore students who produced the first place video, FEEDBack Farmers, which showcased community efforts on urban farming, were included

Singapore’s Voluntary National Review presentation at the HLPF in July 2018.

Photo credit Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Singapore

in the Singapore delegation to the 2018 HLPF. The top three winning videos can be found at http://bit.ly/2JOiG0J. Our VNR explained how sustainable development has underpinned Singapore’s policy-making since independence – before the term “sustainable development” became widely-used. Given our limited resources and land, we have constantly pursued a delicate balance between economic, social, and environmental priorities. Singapore’s first

Prime Minister, Mr Lee Kuan Yew, initiated the annual Tree Planting Campaign in 1963 as he believed that “a blighted urban landscape, a concrete jungle, destroys the human spirit”. Today, we are building on this legacy to transform Singapore into a “City in a Garden”. Besides robust policymaking, we have leveraged on technology and innovation to achieve sustainable development. For example, we are successfully closing the water loop and achieving SDG 6

on “Water and Sanitation”. NEWater, our brand of ultra-clean, high-grade reclaimed water purified from wastewater, has been praised by former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon as the “elixir of life”.

Singapore is also committed to building collaborative, multi-stakeholder partnerships to achieve the SDGs, in line with SDG 17 on “Global Partnerships”. A key vehicle is the Singapore Cooperation Programme (SCP), which is our flagship technical assistance programme that has trained over 120,000 officials since its inception in 1992.

The SCP offers courses structured in line with the SDGs and the 2030 Agenda. Under Singapore’s ASEAN Chairmanship this year, ASEAN Leaders has reaffirmed their commitment to the 2030 Agenda and endorsed the call for ASEAN to become a sustainable community to promote economic and social development alongside environmental protection while leaving no one behind.

Our full VNR report is published at http://tinyurl.com/SGVNR2018 and more information can be found on various social media platforms with the hashtag #SGVNR2018.

Business Globe hiked profit by 21% to P9.78b in 1st 6 months

By Darwin G. Amojelar

GLOBE Telecom Inc. said net income rose 21 percent in the first half of the year mostly because of higher revenues from the mobile and broadband businesses.

The company, owned by conglomerate Ayala Corp., said net profit amounted to P9.78 billion in the January-to-June period from P8.08 billion year-on-year.

Globe’s core net profit grew 25 percent to P9.98 billion from P7.97 billion a year ago.

The company’s consolidated service revenues reached P73.6 billion in the first half of 2018, up 11 percent from P66.54 billion on year.

Globe attributed the sustained top line performance to the continued expansion of the 4G and LTE network, and the growing preference of customers toward content-rich offerings and multimedia applications that enrich the Filipino digital lifestyle.

“We are encouraged by the positive business momentum in the first half of 2018. These results validate our strategy in driving the digital lifestyle of our customers, and reaffirm our status as the country’s leader in mobile,” Globe president and chief executive Ernest Cu said.

“Our efforts to modernize further our network play a critical role in our company’s performance. We believe we are well positioned to compete in this highly challenging market going forward,” he said.

Globe’s mobile revenues reached P51.3 billion for the first six months with mobile data still growing at a steady pace.

EDC board okays delisting of shares after tender offer

By Alena Mae S. Flores THE board of Energy Development Corp. approved the company’s plan to voluntarily delist its common shares from the Philippine Stock Exchange as public ownership is expected to fall below five percent after its scheduled tender offer.

The voluntary delisting, which will provide greater corporate flexibility, follows regulations covering the conduct of a tender offer to all common shares held by the public at a price of P7.25 apiece.

“The intention to eventually delist EDC was shared with the market last year and the tender offer that our board has approved today presents a meaningful opportunity for our minority shareholders to realize their investment prior to the delisting of the company, at a significant premium to the current share price,” EDC president and chief operating officer Richard Tantoco said.

Philippines Renewable Energy Holdings Corp. in September last year completed a voluntary tender offer to acquire 8.9 billion common shares of EDC. The geothermal company said PREHC and parent First Gen Corp. at that time communicated to the market their intentions to eventually delist EDC “to pursue a corporate strategy that would require greater flexibility over factors like its dividend policy and leverage, and to support long-term growth.”

SMC Global Power pegs rate of bonds

By Jenniffer B. Austria SMC Global Power Hodlings Group., the power generation arm of conglomerate San Miguel Corp., has set the interest rate for its P15-billion, five-year fixed rate retail bonds at 6.75 perch per annum.

SMC Global said in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission it scheduled the offering period for the Series G bonds due 2023 from Aug. 6 to 10, with the issue date set on Aug. 17. It will list the bonds with Philippine Dealing & Exchange Corp.

The P15-billion bond offering represents the second and last tranche from the company’s P35-billion bond shelf registration program approved by the SEC in December.

SMC Global will use the entire proceeds from the bond sale to refinance the outstanding shareholder advances and existing loan obligations and re-denominate US dollar denominated obligations of the company.

The power generation firm hired four investment banks, namely BDO Capital & Investment Corp., BPI Capital Corp. China Bank Capital Corp. and PNB Capital and Investment Corp as joint underwriters of the offering.

SMC Global Power is one of the largest power companies in the Philippines, with a combined capacity of 4,153 megawatt as of end March 2018.

B3

THURSDAY, AUGUST 9, 2018 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Stock market surges; ICTSI gains T HE stock market surged Wednesday on bargain-hunting, lifted by prospects of a stronger economy ahead of the release of the second-quarter gross domestic figures today.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index jumped 125.61 points, or 1.6 percent, to 7,851.46 on a value turnover of P8.6 billion. Gainers beat losers, 116 to 75, with 52 issues unchanged.

Investors also welcomed the resolve of economic managers and monetary authorities to tame rising inflation after the rate accelerated to a more than fiveyear high of 5.7 percent in July from 5.2 percent in June.

Bangko Sentral Governor Nestor Es-

penilla Jr. said Tuesday monetary authorities would consider all the latest data updates in determining the strength of their follow-through response in the upcoming policy meeting of the Monetary Board today.

The government’s economic team composed of the Department of Finance, Department of Budget and Management, and National Economic and Development Authority said stronger government measures, most especially in improving agriculture productivity and, in the short term, a strategic trade policy, were needed to address supply constraints that have further pushed consumer prices up.

Globe Telecom Inc., the biggest telecommunications firm, advanced 8.6 percent to P2,024, while International Container Terminal Services Inc. climbed 7.2 percent to P92.15.

San Miguel Food and Beverage Inc., a

unit of conglomerate San Miguel Corp., rose 6.4 percent to P74.50, while Universal Robina Corp., the largest snack food maker, gained 3.1 percent to P138.

A rally in the rest of Asian markets, meanwhile, stuttered on Wednesday, with early gains pared as the US-China trade row erodes investor confidence.

Wall Street had provided another strong lead with the Nasdaq approaching a record high, while energy firms in Asia pressed on with their rally following more gains in oil prices.

But after two days of gains across the region, Asia could not maintain its morning momentum and key markets were mixed in the afternoon, despite forecast-beating Chinese trade figures.

Tokyo ended 0.1 percent lower, Shanghai shed 1.3 percent and Singapore was down 0.8 percent, while Wellington was also off.

Hong Kong ended up 0.4 percent, Sydney closed up 0.2 percent and Seoul put on 0.1 percent, with Taipei and Jakarta also higher.

After months of tensions, traders remain on edge for any new developments in the trade saga involving the world’s top two economies.

On Tuesday the US said Donald Trump’s 25 percent tariffs on a further $16 billion of Chinese goods would kick in on August 23. That is on top of the measures imposed on $34 billion of imports last month.

The move had been widely expected.

But with China putting retaliatory measures in place, it reinforced fears the two sides are heading for an all-out trade war that could hammer the global economy.

The White House has also lined up another $200 billion in Chinese imports to target in future. With AFP

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2018

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

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

59 98.1 129.7 2.03 33.2 16.42 14.56 3.74 8.65 807 0.59 77 1 11.9 46.8 201 110 88.2 29.6 201 83.85 1.21

59.95 98.1 131.7 2.03 33.25 16.48 14.56 3.82 8.65 807 0.59 77.95 1.01 11.9 47.5 201 114 88.2 30.4 204 84 1.22

59 97 129 1.88 33 16.42 14.3 3.67 8.65 807 0.56 76.7 0.99 11.8 46.55 201 110 85.35 29.6 200.8 83.75 1.21

FINANCIALS 59.95 12,130 97.2 695,640 130.4 2,499,240 1.92 1,360,000 33.1 147,300 16.48 1,500 14.3 393,900 3.67 220,000 8.65 300 807 10 0.57 787,000 77.25 1,598,130 1 557,000 11.8 2,800 46.65 288,400 201 280 110 240 85.4 550 30.3 54,500 202.4 154,350 84 23,750 1.22 50,000

726,010 67,714,710 324,911,845 2,609,340 4,876,435 24,642 5,693,900 817,850 2,595 8,070 441,330 123,668,247 556,130 33,210 13,476,095 56,280 26,960 47,245 1,646,995 31,247,646 1,994,430.50 60,620

717,676.50 9,407,909.50 -238,869,572 79,760 -616,150.00 -349,878 11,962,025.50 0 -7,320,830 3,025 6,417,852 -82,240.50 -

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

37.1 15.36 0.72 1.28 0.239 102.2 3.3 15.5 233.8 43.5 21.05 50 75.3 90 1.8 5.1 7.79 10.4 15.96 10.62 7.28 62.3 24.3 7.45 14.38 2.4 271 5 3.2 14.48 26.05 13.16 19 370 0.181 6.87 2.22 4.15 8.94 5.2 7.95 1.19 11.8 56 6.2 4.75 2.68 3.24 1.79 13.08 69.95 5.25 0.132 1.08 133.8 2.48 1.53

37.8 15.36 0.78 1.28 0.249 112.3 3.53 15.5 233.8 43.5 21.3 50 75.95 90 1.82 5.1 7.79 10.66 15.96 10.8 7.3 64.5 25 7.58 14.4 2.46 276.8 5 3.2 14.48 26.85 13.36 19.22 378 0.181 7.1 2.3 4.16 9.17 5.3 7.96 1.2 12.1 56.25 6.2 4.75 2.69 3.35 1.8 13.12 75.2 5.27 0.132 1.14 138 2.5 1.61

36.35 15 0.72 1.21 0.238 102.2 3.3 15.48 225 41.25 20.15 50 75.3 89 1.8 5.1 7.69 10.4 15.76 10.5 7.27 62.3 23.85 7.43 14.12 2.4 270.2 5 3.2 14.48 26.05 13.1 18.82 367.2 0.181 6.87 2.21 4.1 8.85 4.95 7.95 1.18 11.8 56 6.12 4.72 2.6 3.24 1.68 13.08 68.5 5.2 0.132 1.08 133.6 2.44 1.47

INDUSTRIAL 37 1,030,700 15.14 606,700 0.76 6,383,000 1.25 285,000 0.245 2,650,000 112.3 140 3.53 16,478,000 15.48 8,300 225 120 41.95 874,100 21.3 67,600 50 5,100 75.95 1,020 90 1,120 1.82 251,000 5.1 10,000 7.79 8,100 10.56 738,800 15.88 489,000 10.56 56,700 7.27 123,600 63.9 170,180 24.85 102,800 7.44 462,000 14.14 181,500 2.45 809,000 276.8 316,510 5 23,800 3.2 5,000 14.48 100 26.2 266,700 13.18 557,300 19 9,178,300 375 146,130 0.181 40,000 7.1 4,000 2.25 35,000 4.16 85,000 9.15 1,632,300 5 556,600 7.96 12,800 1.19 170,000 12.1 183,100 56 371,420 6.2 37,400 4.75 1,526,000 2.61 451,000 3.25 58,000 1.75 1,682,000 13.12 81,200 74.5 1,740,270 5.2 324,900 0.132 30,000 1.12 850,000 138 607,290 2.44 3,377,000 1.55 20,963,000

38,154,880 9,198,974 4,823,000 357,450 645,840 15,318 57,172,320 128,632 27,776 36,875,100 1,415,740 255,000 76,812.50 100,540 452,390 51,000 62,910 7,795,406 7,745,888 599,556 900,058 10,839,353.50 2,511,590 3,442,254 2,579,098 1,977,000 86,668,644 119,000 16,000 1,448 6,986,115 7,378,782 173,586,232 54,470,792 7,240 27,685 78,140 351,710 14,849,306 2,817,369 101,793 202,320 2,201,550 20,810,328 231,575 7,248,350 1,191,580 188,330 2,899,470 1,062,514 127,629,885.50 1,695,830 3,960 934,630 82,936,192 8,327,650 32,754,850

-11,381,675 119,414 -934,800 23,073,580 -37,182 63,000 -250,000 -5,530 605,900 2,980,668 4,200 -36,395 16,966.50 -2,722,522 -318,920 -7,350 -14,706,184 -3,076,510 -1,586,566 -12,912,060 3,878,738 -11,140 -104,000 7,590,883 5,050 -10 2,134,768 -55,720 1,614,850 -162,060 -2,214,110 254,156 -44,084,712.50 -2,100 43,234,604 1,634,220 -877,280

ABACORE CAPITAL ABOITIZ EQUITY ALLIANCE GLOBAL ANGLO PHIL HLDG ANSCOR ASIABEST GROUP ATN HLDG A ATN HLDG B AYALA CORP COSCO CAPITAL DMCI HLDG FILINVEST DEV FORUM PACIFIC GT CAPITAL HOUSE OF INV JG SUMMIT LODESTAR LOPEZ HLDG LT GROUP MABUHAY HLDG METRO PAC INV PACIFICA PRIME MEDIA PRIME ORION SAN MIGUEL CORP SEAFRONT RES SM INVESTMENTS SOLID GROUP SYNERGY GRID TOP FRONTIER WELLEX INDUS ZEUS HLDG

0.243 58.95 11.98 0.93 6.02 30.05 1.43 1.43 1,008 6.1 11.82 7.09 0.21 985 6.09 56.3 0.62 4.33 17.6 0.67 5.01 0.037 1.37 2.8 136 2.58 959 1.62 423 258.2 0.345 0.206

0.244 61.3 12.26 0.94 6.1 31.5 1.59 1.6 1,020 6.1 12.18 7.09 0.21 985 6.09 58 0.62 4.39 17.6 0.7 5.1 0.038 1.39 2.84 139 2.59 969.5 1.62 424 259 0.35 0.222

0.242 58.9 11.96 0.92 6 30 1.37 1.39 1,007 6 11.8 7.09 0.21 965 6.09 56.3 0.58 4.28 17.2 0.66 5.01 0.037 1.31 2.74 136 2.58 950 1.6 423 257 0.325 0.205

HOLDING FIRMS 0.244 490,000 60.3 490,550 12.26 11,655,900 0.94 30,000 6.1 59,800 30.75 55,300 1.59 150,011,000 1.58 24,121,000 1,020 315,175 6.1 328,400 12.18 979,600 7.09 200 0.21 10,000 975 69,890 6.09 3,600 58 793,890 0.6 1,965,000 4.32 360,000 17.3 681,300 0.69 18,181,000 5.08 17,406,900 0.038 1,100,000 1.35 1,904,000 2.8 950,000 139 164,390 2.59 9,000 964 255,010 1.6 306,000 424 120 259 560 0.33 20,450,000 0.21 1,380,000

119,080 29,548,436.50 140,427,962 27,850 364,138 1,695,470 227,982,310 36,788,480 320,002,455 1,992,063 11,820,992 1,418 2,100 67,872,105 21,924 45,896,411.50 1,148,840 1,556,840 11,829,944 12,391,040 87,993,421 40,800 2,575,020 2,623,750 22,697,903 23,270 244,742,000 490,010 50,850 144,440 6,844,400 285,420

5,049,769 -69,558,182 343,112 307,500 8,394,760 -136,074,170 240,147 1,503,038 -5,666,140 15,276,718.50 117,000 662,690 -7,738,382 100,580.00 13,349,545.00 138,100 -11,481,994 -102,522,605 -5,180 98,880

17,781,065 9,806,900 42,114,600 48,000 233,240 723,989,695 5,905,010 4,848,900 304,929 1,371,950 999,880 8,510,040 1,204,290 44,250 4,300,430 11,642,595 1,684,940 21,483,180 1,517,180 17,875,170 139,566,680 37,061,130 2,407,600 874,135 10,276,530 47,395,451

-57,449 39,092,766 -8,250 145,812,320 4,145,480 -2,176,520 -17,695 -220,000 63,360 50,900 4,207,435 3,237,440 1,310 -69,282,630 -581,550 -1,091,420 -22,843,716

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

7.9 0.98 13.02 2 0.74 42.2 3.15 4.67 5.53 0.435 0.96 0.99 0.212 0.4 10.4 27.1 0.59 1.47 1.23 1.6 4.65 0.67 0.48 0.495 3.7 20

7.96 1.02 14.06 2 0.75 42.8 3.15 4.7 5.6 0.44 0.98 0.99 0.212 0.405 10.4 28 0.61 1.49 1.23 1.6 4.85 0.69 0.48 0.51 3.8 20.5

7.8 0.97 13.02 2 0.73 42 3.14 4.62 5.25 0.435 0.96 0.99 0.207 0.4 10.12 27 0.57 1.46 1.21 1.52 4.65 0.65 0.455 0.495 3.7 19.92

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

NAME

NAME

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

VOLUME

VALUE

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

1.99 3.24 37.9 1.15 7.25 6

2 3.25 39.5 1.15 7.67 6.06

1.97 3.24 37.85 1.14 7.2 6

2 3.25 39 1.14 7.43 6.05

90,000 349,000 32,176,200 611,000 2,349,700 6,086,900

178,590 1,132,220 1,252,681,995 697,610 17,649,554 36,817,129

-973,000 280,232,200 -324,660 -9,268,346

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

14.1 24.6 1.41 0.475 0.045 13.3 10 0.055 69.95 8.5 7.12 6.83 24.05 901 1,883 5.41 300 12.6 4.09 86.85 12.7 7.65 0.126 3.37 3.63 14.68 4.01 1.04 26.4 0.49 4.76 7.31 2.84 2.18 2.22 8.6 10.98 8.88 3.48 111 5.3 1,320 0.91 0.41 46.5 86.1 8.41 2.23 1.1 0.7 5.16 0.82 11.8

14.48 24.75 1.43 0.475 0.046 13.4 10.3 0.055 70.4 8.5 7.12 6.99 24.5 901 2,030 5.42 344 12.6 4.15 92.8 12.72 7.86 0.132 3.45 3.71 14.8 4.07 1.05 27.1 0.5 4.96 7.67 2.84 2.19 2.27 8.6 10.98 8.88 3.75 112 5.36 1,360 0.92 0.41 46.95 87.6 8.5 2.26 1.1 0.76 5.16 0.82 11.84

14.1 24.25 1.41 0.465 0.045 13.3 9.91 0.054 69.85 8.43 6.97 6.81 23.05 900.5 1,883 5.39 300 12.6 3.8 86 12.7 7.6 0.125 3.25 3.55 14.68 4 1.03 26.4 0.455 4.56 7.31 2.78 2.1 2.1 8.38 10.98 8.88 3.48 110 5.25 1,320 0.9 0.38 46.2 86.1 8.28 2.19 1.07 0.68 5.05 0.75 11.44

SERVICES 14.3 24.7 1.43 0.465 0.046 13.4 10.1 0.054 70 8.43 7.03 6.99 23.15 900.5 2,024 5.41 320 12.6 3.9 92.15 12.7 7.86 0.13 3.3 3.65 14.8 4 1.03 26.95 0.465 4.81 7.6 2.82 2.15 2.27 8.42 10.98 8.88 3.75 112 5.31 1,350 0.92 0.38 46.55 87 8.5 2.23 1.07 0.76 5.08 0.77 11.7

11,000 33,400 173,000 3,170,000 2,500,000 6,000 11,027,700 81,720,000 372,190 1,700 844,700 46,800 160,900 30 306,500 190,600 39,400 17,800 3,232,000 4,761,920 39,900 20,100 14,200,000 8,572,000 85,000 4,700 484,000 257,000 1,913,200 610,000 78,000 3,810,300 394,000 231,000 20,000 4,667,800 10,000 200 215,000 6,580 307,500 53,840 3,088,000 4,970,000 557,900 513,150 341,700 9,596,000 448,000 232,921,000 903,800 8,737,000 3,442,900

156,482 819,930 244,190 1,486,550 113,600 80,100 110,694,304 4,429,580 26,044,421.50 14,426 5,951,064 319,452 3,765,900 27,020 607,861,870 1,031,163 12,755,058 224,280 12,781,850 432,184,315 506,780 156,711 1,819,180 28,421,770 307,170 69,080 1,937,780 264,980 51,585,930 286,650 373,090 28,730,244 1,109,350 490,880 44,060 39,402,811 109,800 1,776 800,840 730,385 1,624,319 72,099,895 2,820,790 1,932,600 25,985,930 44,767,790.50 2,900,790 21,428,150 483,780 170,155,250 4,587,484 6,742,380 39,947,538

-50,017,649 -2,857,230 -4,651,058 200,000 457,214,645 -601,616 -22,280 209,420,421.50 -536,000 -92,120 13,540,715 11,391,388 667,330 410,620 -11,100 121,501 -25,188,780 145,440 -16,347,020 -33,382,827 2,728,500 -3,363,010 -120,960 745,680 -1,809,510.00 -231,070 -31,411,154.00

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

0.0026 1.64 3.69 24.4 1.5 2.02 0.31 7.02 2.04 0.223 0.127 0.009 4.74 1.17 0.55 1.03 0.012 0.012 0.012 2.95 4.38 15.7 32.2

0.0026 1.71 3.7 25.8 1.5 2.07 0.31 7.46 2.04 0.223 0.128 0.009 4.8 1.17 0.55 1.05 0.013 0.012 0.012 3.14 4.48 16.2 32.3

0.0025 1.6 3.69 23.15 1.5 1.98 0.31 7.02 1.98 0.208 0.127 0.009 4.7 1.13 0.55 1 0.012 0.012 0.011 2.95 4.35 15.2 32.1

MINING & OIL 0.0026 15,000,000 1.61 18,011,000 3.7 225,000 23.15 117,100 1.5 50,000 2.05 1,303,000 0.31 80,000 7.35 22,600 2.01 7,409,000 0.215 250,000 0.127 1,270,000 0.009 5,000,000 4.75 4,335,000 1.16 632,000 0.55 97,000 1.04 1,945,000 0.013 16,200,000 0.012 500,000 0.012 80,300,000 3.12 491,000 4.36 744,000 15.2 17,756,500 32.2 1,961,900

37,900 29,685,440 832,360 2,886,485 75,000 2,626,870 24,800 166,508 14,842,660 52,910 161,420 45,000 20,580,600 724,830 53,350 1,986,010 207,400 6,000 920,400 1,517,980 3,260,850 280,385,456 63,167,820

-959,580 -780,700 31,200 -20,600 -3,040,960 -1,256,830 229,450 -25,200 -245,410 -514,440 -1,010,302 -19,818,310

ABS HLDG PDR AC PREF B1 AC PREF B2 DD PREF GMA HLDG PDR GTCAP PREF A GTCAP PREF B HOUSE PREF A LR PREF MWIDE PREF PCOR PREF 2A PCOR PREF 2B PNX PREF 3A SMC PREF 2B SMC PREF 2C SMC PREF 2D SMC PREF 2F SMC PREF 2G SMC PREF 2I

24.6 500 505 102 5.28 955 987.5 100.1 1.03 102.5 1,045 1,040 103.7 77.35 80.1 76 76 75.3 76

25 500 505 102 5.28 955 987.5 100.1 1.05 102.5 1,045 1,040 103.9 77.4 80.9 76 76.9 75.3 76

24.55 500 503.5 100.5 5.23 955 987.5 100 1.03 102.4 1,045 1,040 103.7 76.05 79.95 76 76 75.3 76

PREFERRED 25 73,600 500 3,690 503.5 1,020 100.5 17,750 5.23 74,500 955 400 987.5 30 100 2,500 1.03 356,000 102.4 8,780 1,045 50 1,040 395 103.9 3,540 76.05 7,360 80.9 11,620 76 20 76.9 137,550 75.3 6,700 76 175,420

1,827,805 1,845,000 513,600 1,788,683 390,135 382,000 29,625 250,010 369,010 899,300 52,250 410,800 367,547 564,650 930,281 1,520 10,465,545 504,510 13,331,920

936,705 -390,135 20,500 -

LR WARRANT

2.4

2.4

2.34

WARRANTS 2.36 227,000

537,340

-

ITALPINAS XURPAS

5.14 3.12

5.2 3.14

5.1 3.08

5.2 3.1

3,270,910 6,197,440

179,150 -617,420

FIRST METRO ETF

115

116.5

115

743,254

34,800

USD DMPL A1

10.1

10.1

10.1

101,000

-

MS

PROPERTY 7.95 0.98 13.88 2 0.75 42.65 3.14 4.67 5.6 0.435 0.98 0.99 0.209 0.405 10.16 27.2 0.61 1.46 1.22 1.56 4.81 0.68 0.46 0.51 3.7 20.1

2,249,800 9,842,000 3,224,900 24,000 314,000 17,054,200 1,875,000 1,036,000 55,300 3,140,000 1,035,000 8,596,000 5,790,000 110,000 422,600 422,300 2,872,000 14,575,000 1,247,000 11,529,000 29,268,000 55,072,000 5,210,000 1,762,000 2,733,000 2,346,100

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

OPEN

TRADING SUMMARY

SHARES

FINANCIAL

9,576,455

INDUSTRIAL

96,809,732

HOLDING FIRMS

261,024,302

PROPERTY

293,509,539

SERVICES

410,891,322

MINING & OIL

173,919,518

GRAND TOTAL

1,248,374,359

SME

638,500 1,998,000

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 116.5 6,410 10.1

DDS

10,000

VALUE 1,862.68 (UP) 9.35 665,493,814.24 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 11,125.09 (UP) 225.53 1,322,891,340.10 HOLDING FIRMS 7,776.12 (UP) 99.66 1,339,601,525.13 PROPERTY 3,888.59 (UP) 72.30 1,540.51 (UP) 47.55 3,096,964,491.655 SERVICES MINING & OIL 10,290.33 (UP) 71.91 1,776,813,692.68 PSEI 7,851.46 (UP) 125.61 424,274,991.271 All Shares Index 4,708.61 (UP) 73.02 8,636,253,888.33 Gainers: 116; Losers: 75; Unchanged: 52; Total: 243

LGUs LocaL government units

Jimbo Owen Gulle, Editor lgu@manilastandard.net editor.lgustandard@gmail.com thursday, august 9, 2018

c1

QC dads review banned junk food list as principals frown on tack

By Rio N. Araja CRAME’S DAY.

A worker applies finishing touches to the monument of the late police general Rafael Crame in preparation of his 116th birth anniversary on Aug. 9 at the police headquarters that now bears his name in Quezon City.

Manny Palmero

P73.4-m shabu haul in NegOcc Don’t deceive Ecijanos, Umali chides critics

FORMER Nueva Ecija governor Aurelio “Oyie” Umali on Wednesday called on his detractors to “not fool the minds and mislead the opinion” of their constituents for their self-serving agenda.

Umali reacted to the attacks on his persona and his family through the media over his supposed involvement in the Priority Development Assistance Fund or pork barrel scam.

He said he has not yet received any order from the Office of the Ombudsman denying his motion for reconsideration.

“I just don’t know where they (critics) got such interpretation that I can no longer run for any elective position.

Clearly this is just another one of those dirty politicking by my detractors designed to condition the minds of my beloved Novo Ecijanos,” Umali said.

“This is nothing but a reflection of their desperation. They are hurrying up to discredit my name by making premature and sensational conclusions but their irrationality is glaringly seen,” he said.

The three-term governor, the husband of incumbent Nueva Ecija Gov. Cherry Umali, stressed that their family and their supporters “invested blood, sweat and tears” to bring change in Nueva Ecija thru sincere and honest public service to Novo Ecijanos.

“Politicking is yet too early. We should focus on how we could deliver true and faithful public service, instead of criticizing people left and right,” he said.

“What they are doing, using the media to spread lies and attack people, is just a waste of precious time and money that should had been better spent addressing the needs of our constituencies,” the former governor added.

The people themselves are aware of their “cheap black propaganda,” the latest of which is what Umali called a “bogus story” over the Ombudsman’s alleged denial of his plea.

“Don’t treat our constituents as ignorant of the law,” the ex-governor said.

B

ACOLOD CITY—Two separate anti-drug operations in the cities of Bacolod and San Carlos in Negros Occidental yielded a total of P73.44 million worth of suspected “shabu” (methamphetamine hydrochloride), police said Wednesday.

The operations come on the heels of another huge shipment of shabu worth more than P4 billion intercepted by the Bureau of Customs at the Manila International Container Port on Tuesday.

In the northern city of San Carlos, an estimated P72 million worth of suspected shabu was seized in an entrapment operation conducted by joint operatives of Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Regions 6 (Western Visayas) and 7 (Central Visayas), and the San Carlos City police in Barangay Palampas around 12:30 a.m. on Wednesday, a report of the Negros Occidental police showed.

All three suspects, identified as Armando Paraquelles, Josephine Paraquelles, and an alias “Putot,” all residents of the same village, evaded arrest though. They escaped via a sugarcane plantation after sensing the presence of a PDEA poseurbuyer, the police report said.

The seized illegal drugs, weighed about six kilograms, packed in six transparent re-sealable plastic pouches. These were wrapped in paper and sealed with packing tape.

The operatives also confiscated a black mobile phone and a black motorcycle, the police report added.

Personnel of the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit and the Provincial Intelligence Unit, as well as troops from the Philippine Army’s 12th and 79th Infantry Battalions, joined the operation.

In Bacolod, police authorities seized P1.44 million worth of shabu in a drug buy-bust at Purok Ube, Barangay 4 around 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday.

The two arrested suspects were identified as Marawi City residents Faisalin Ibra, 21, of Barangay Raya, and Norhan Caunda, 42, of Barangay Lilod.

They are currently residing at the Islamic Center on Lopez Jaena St. in Barangay 30.

The Bacolod police report said the operatives seized one big and five medium plastic sachets of suspected shabu, weighing about 120 grams and two P1,000 bills used as marked money.

BIRTHDAY BASH.

NV to host nat’l mountaineering congress in Oct. BAYOMBONG—This province will host this year’s 33rd National Mountaineering Congress, which is expected to draw more than 300 participants from across the country.

Leo Garlitos, Nueva Vizcaya Mountaineering Society, Inc. adviser, said the

New Marriott in Clark to aid PH MICE effort

By Romeo Dizon

Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada (left) sits beside Special Assistant to the President Christopher ‘Bomg’ Go, who attended the 55th birthday party of Public Works Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo (standing, second from right) at the Manila Diamond Hotel Tuesday night. To the left of Go is former Presidential Adviser on Political Affairs Ronald Llmas, and besides Bernardo is action star Philip Salvador.

By Ben Moses Ebreo

AFTER a July 31 consultation with school principals and vendors, the 37-member Quezon City council is batting for the review of the list of banned junk food and drinks in public schools.

“Everybody agrees that the ordinance is fine. Everybody is supporting it. It is the implementing rules and regulations where the list of banned food items is stated that is the problem,” said Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte, the council’s presiding officer, on Wednesday.

Belmonte said she received position papers from the school principals, who said they “were not happy” with the manner of implementation of the ordinance.

“We consulted a third-party nutritionist who pointed out that some of the food items banned—like yogurt —are healthy and can be allowed,” she said.

In 2017, Mayor Herbert Bautista approved the Anti-Junk Food and Sugary Drinks Ordinance prohibiting the selling and promotion of junk food, sugary drinks and processed foods to preparatory, elementary and high school students inside and within 100 meters from school premises of public and private schools.

“All 109 principals or school representatives who attended agreed to our suggestion that, since the list is not really thoroughly reviewed by the authorized representative [of the school] during a consultation, we will review the list and the manner of the inspection,” District 4 Councilor Irene Belmonte said.

Congress is scheduled on Oct. 25 to 28 at the Lower Magat Eco-Tourism Park in barangay San Luis in Diadi town.

“This will be a gathering for outdoor lovers and enthusiasts to come and experience the eco-agri-tourism attractions in our province. This will also serve as an opportunity to promote our unique destinations while helping to spread responsible and

socially relevant mountaineering,” he said.

The four-day event, Garlitos added, will open scheduled climbs for the province’s mountain attractions such as Mt. Palali,which straddles within the towns of Bayombong, Solano, Quezon, Kasibu and Bambang; Mt. Ugo in Kayapa town; and part in Benguet province and Mt. Pullol in Ambaguio town.

CLARK FREEPORT, Pampanga— This former American Air Force base, the largest outside the mainland United States, could be the next top Asian center for meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibits or MICE events.

Officials of the first five-star Marriott and Resort Hotel, which will open on Sept. 14, expressed this Wednesday as they unveiled the $100-million property along Manuel A. Roxas Highway in the Clark Freeport Zone in Mabalacat City, Pampanga.

The new Marriott hotel is a part of the $1-billion expansion program of Widus International Leisure Inc. inside the Freeport, said Daesik Han, its president and CEO. Charley Magabo, Marriott Clark director for sales and marketing, said the hotel can support the increasing demand for the holding of national and international conferences here.

“With the completion of the hotel, we are expecting huge convention and trade exhibits here,” Magbago said.

During a media forum, Magabo said the five-star hotel will also promote Clark not only as a tourism destination but also for entertainment like concerts and sport events.

Magabo said the first five-star hotel in Pampanga consists of a 16-storey building with 260 rooms, complete with airport shuttle, full service spa, fitness center, ballroom, meeting rooms, an interactive restaurant, swimming pool, and other features of a modern hotel.

SM Foundation fetes KSK grads in Aparri, Lal-lo APARRI, Cagayan—Farmer-participants to SM Foundation’s Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan Farmers’ Training Program finished their season-long training with culminating activities held here.

In Aparri, 83 trainees received certificates in ceremonies attended by Wilson Quillopo, Barangay Captain of Caagaman West, Aparri; Ford Cortez, Teacher in Charge of Don Formoso Elementary School; Dennis Recheta, store manager of Savemore Aparri; Shiela Cudal, DSWD SLP; Cora Cabauatan, MSWD head; Marites Robinion, municipal agriculturist; and Councilor Ria Capiña of Aparri.

In nearby Lal-lo, 90 participants finished the rural farmers’ training program, comprising Batch 170. When the program was launched in Barangay Jurisdiction, however, 178 individuals composed of 4Ps/SLP beneficiaries, farmers and other individuals interested in farming attended the activity.

A reorganization of the DSWD and the participants’ difficulty to sustain their transportation and food expense resulted in the decrease in the number of the participants.

Project partners were Savemore Aparri, SM Center Tuguegarao, DSWD Region 2, Department of Agriculture, City Agriculture Office and the local government of Lal-lo.

Prior to the graduation ceremony, a Harvest Festival was held at the Demo Farm where participants proudly presented their produce to representatives of partner agencies.

Present were SM Foundation Inc. Outreach Programs AVP Cristie Angeles; BM Olive Pascual; Mayor Florante Pascual; DSWD Staff; Municipal Agriculturist Jimmy Bacuyog; SM Center Tuguegarao PR Gerina Rose Malubay; SM Center Tuguegarao Hypermarket Jasmine Roldan; and Savemore Farmer-participants to Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan Farmers’ Training Program join SM Foundation executives and Aparri Store Manager Dennis Recheta. government officials as they finish their season-long training in Cagayan province.

C2

World

THURSDAY, AUGUST 9, 2018 CESAR BARRIOQUINTO, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Wildfires scorching California

M

ENDOCINO― Thousands of firefighters battled relentless flames ripping across California on Wednesday, as the death toll from a series of infernos that erupted last month hit 11.

The raging Mendocino Complex fire comprising twin blazes in the state’s north has now ravaged almost 120,000 hectares―approximately the size of sprawling Los Angeles―in less than two weeks, becoming California’s largest wildfire since record-keeping began

a century ago.

Some 14,000 firefighters, including reinforcements from as far away as Australia and New Zealand, are combating the firestorm which remains just 34 percent contained.

The River Fire of the Mendocino Complex is 78 percent contained, having burned 48,920 acres. But its partner blaze the Ranch Fire has grown to 243,772 acres and is just 20 percent contained.

“Still a lot of work to do,” said Charlie Blankenheim, a chief of fire fighting operations. “But we have got a plan for all of it, we think that in a day or two we are going to have some success and start to wrap this up.”

Limited access, heavy fuel loads, low fuel moisture and high temperatures

were all impeding firefighters’ efforts to rein in the conflagration, the state’s CalFire authority said.

Overall, the Mendocino Complex fire has destroyed at least 143 structures, 75 of them residences. More than 11,000 other structures are threatened, according to CalFire.

The Ranch fire, which poses the biggest challenge, has swept across natural barriers like rivers, and a ditch dug with earth-moving machinery.

Helicopters and airplanes, including two massive DC-10s and a 747 jumbo jet, were supporting firefighters by dousing the flames with water.

Two people have died in that inferno alone, taking to 11 the number of people killed by major fires that are becoming

something of a constant in the state.

The Carr Fire to the north has meanwhile engulfed 167,113 acres since igniting July 23, killing seven people so far.

Firefighters have managed to get it 47 percent contained, challenged by varying wind patterns and rough terrain that includes steep drainages. At one point, it even whipped up a tornado of orange flame.

Another major fire, Ferguson, has left two people dead and forced the closure of part of the Yosemite National Park. It is currently only 38 percent contained.

Several thousand people have been evacuated, although some have been given permission in recent days to return home. AFP

Drought hammers Australian farmers

PREMIERE. Raline Shah attends the premiere of Warner Bros. Pictures’ ‘Crazy Rich Asians’ at TCL Chinese Theater IMAX on Aug. 7 in Hollywood.

AFP

Ex-PM Najib charged with money-laundering KUALA LUMPUR―Malaysia’s former prime minister Najib Razak was hit with new charges Wednesday linked to a multi-billion-dollar financial scandal that contributed to his shock election defeat in May. Appearing at a court in Kuala Lumpur, Najib was charged with three counts of money-laundering over claims he pocketed 42 million ringgit ($10.3 million) from a former unit of scandal-hit sovereign wealth fund 1MDB. These are in addition to the charges he faced last month after he was first arrested―three for criminal breach of trust and a separate count that he abused his position to take the money.

The 65-year-old, who is free on bail, has denied all the charges.

Malaysia’s new government is probing allegations that billions of dollars were looted from 1MDB, which was set

up and overseen by Najib, in an audacious fraud that spanned the globe.

Allegations of massive corruption were a major factor behind the electoral earthquake in May that toppled Najib’s long-ruling coalition and ushered in a reformist alliance headed by his 93-year-old former mentor Mahathir Mohamad.

In a packed courtroom, the three new charges were read out to Najib. Asked if he understood them, Najib―dressed in a dark blue suit and looking tired―said he did.

His case was transferred to another court, where he entered not guilty pleas, meaning he will stand trial. Trial dates will be fixed on Friday, the judge said.

As he left court, a handful of supporters shouted “long live Najib” while his lawyer Muhammad Shafee Abdullah said the toppled leader believed the case was driven by politics.

Food is unhealthy, monotonous in Venezuela’s rundown hospitals CARACAS―Hardly anybody likes hospital food but in Venezuela, it’s so awful―monotonous, starchy diets cooked in filthy conditions, and newborns fed intravenous solution for lack of baby formula―that experts call it an actual health risk.

Take Carla Lopez, 40, who has been hospitalized for three months to treat open wounds on her foot as a result of diabetes.

Lopez should go easy on pasta and rice―but that’s all she gets.

“I eat whatever they give me,” Lopez said as she waves away flies buzzing over a plate of rice and lentils at University Hospital in Caracas. It is pretty flavorless stuff as the hospital is out of salt.

An excess of starch causes her blood sugar levels to shoot up.

Even if she were out of the hospital, she could not afford, say, a kilo of chicken, which costs 1.5 times her monthly salary in this oil-rich but economically ravaged country saddled with runaway inflation.

Lopez says that for breakfast, she gets a kind of cornmeal patty known here as an arepa, and for lunch, it’s either pasta or lentils with rice.

“In the evening, they serve you another arepa―a small, skimpy one,” said Lopez.

Back in better times, this hospital used to have different cooks for different medical problems, said nutritionist Gladys Abreu. AFP

“I am confident of a fair trial for my client, but my client thinks this is a political prosecution,” he told reporters.

Najib is facing a long time behind bars if found guilty―the money-laundering charges carry maximum jail terms of 15 years each, while the other four charges carry sentences of 20 years each.

The money-laundering charges allege 42 million ringgit stemming from illegal activities was transferred to Najib’s bank accounts between December 2014 and February 2015.

All the charges relate to fund transfers from SRC International, an energy company that was originally a subsidiary of 1MDB. The sums involved are just a fraction of the $681 million that was mysteriously transferred to Najib’s personal bank accounts several years ago, sparking uproar in Malaysia. AFP

MURRURUNDI, Australia―A crippling drought is ravaging vast tracts of Australia’s pastoral heartlands, decimating herds and putting desperate farmers under intense financial and emotional strain, with little relief in sight.

While the country is no stranger to “big drys” and its people have long had a reputation as resilient, the extreme conditions across swathes of Australia’s east are the worst in more than 50 years.

A smattering of rain earlier this week did little to ease one of the driest starts to the year on record, turning pastures to dust and destroying huge areas of grazing and crop lands.

With no feed, farmers have been forced to ship in grain or hay from other parts of the country to keep sheep and cattle alive, spending thousands of extra dollars a week just to stay afloat.

Some exhausted graziers spend hours each day hand-feeding their stock because the ground is too dry for grass to grow. Others have been forced to shoot starving cattle.

“They are shooting their stock because they don’t want them to suffer. They are shooting them because they just can’t afford to feed them anymore,” Tash Johnston, co-founder of charity Drought Angels, told AFP. Farmers have also had to ration water for their families and their herds because the dams on their properties are dry or nearly empty.

Many face the prospect of abandoning their homes altogether―some after being on the land for generations.

It is a scenario repeated across New South Wales state, where agriculture contributes more than A$15 billion (US$11 billion) to the state’s economy annually, employing more than 77,000 people.

Authorities on Wednesday officially declared the entire state in drought.

Conditions are similarly dire in Queensland to the north, where the state government says nearly 60 percent of land is suffering drought conditions.

“This would be the first time in two generations, back to the 1930s, that we haven’t got a crop up in the autumn or winter time,” Greg Stones, who runs a small farm of cattle, sheep, grain and crops near drought-hit Gunnedah, a five-hour drive north of Sydney, told AFP. “The land is too dry... We’ve put cattle on the highway (near the farm) for the first time in my life [so]they get a bit of rough grass.”

With farmers facing ruin, the national government stepped in last weekend, pledging a A$190 million package of immediate relief measures. AFP

IN BRIEF Strong typhoon churns toward Japan TOKYO―A powerful typhoon was churning towards Japan on Wednesday, prompting the weather agency to warn of heavy rain and strong winds and forcing airlines to cancel scores of flights.

Typhoon Shanshan was expected to be less than 150 kilometers from Tokyo around midnight on Wednesday (1500 GMT), sparking fears the busy morning commute in the capital could be disrupted the following day.

The typhoon is coming “very close to the Pacific coast” of eastern Japan, centering on Tokyo, and is expected to move towards northern provinces from late Wednesday and early Thursday, the meteorological agency said.

“There are also risks that it may make landfall,” it said, warning it could dump 13.7 inches of rain over the greater Tokyo region over the 24 hours by Thursday noon.

“Please be fully on alert against mudslides, flooding in low-lying areas, flooding of rivers, violent winds, high waves and high tides,” the agency said in a statement, urging residents to obey any evacuation instructions.

In the Chiba region east of Tokyo, local officials issued their lowest-level evacuation warning for some residents and urged others to be on stand-by for evacuation orders.AFP

Europe battles deadly heat LISBON―Europe’s scorching heatwave has killed nine people in a week in Spain, health authorities said Tuesday, as the stifling temperatures kindled wildfires in the country and neighboring Portugal where a ferocious blaze encircled a resort town.

Weeks of nonstop sunshine and near-record temperatures have caused droughts and seen tinder-dry forests consumed by wildfires from the Mediterranean to the Arctic Circle, in what many fear could be the region’s new normal in an era of climate change.

The devastating effects of the heatwave were visible from space, according to images of swathes of arid landscape taken by the German astronaut Alexander Gerst from the International Space Station.

“After several weeks of night flying, I was able to take the first day pictures of central Europe and Germany. The sight is shocking. Everything that should be green is parched and brown,” Gerst said on Twitter.

Spain and Portugal approached record temperatures at the weekend, with the mercury hitting 46.6 degrees Celsius at El Granado in Spain and 46.4 C in Alvega, Portugal, according to the World Meteorological Organization.

AFP

Taiwan targets former gang leader TAIPEI―Investigators in Taiwan have searched the home and party offices of a pro-China former gang leader known as “White Wolf” in a probe over donations ahead of key elections.

It comes as concerns grow about the involvement of organized crime in politics and the escalating tensions between Taipei and Beijing.

China has long tried to influence politics on the self-governing island, which it claims as part of its territory.

Last month, the website of the ruling party was breached allegedly by Chinese hackers and there were also security breaches leading up to the 2016 presidential elections.

“White Wolf”, whose real name is Chang An-lo, previously headed one of Taiwan’s biggest gangs before re-branding himself as a pro-China political activist.

Chang is known for his pro-unification stance and his Chinese Unity Promotion Party (CUPP) regularly organizes rallies in support of Beijing.

“We indeed conducted a search of the CUPP headquarters and residence of the main suspects for possible violation of the political donations act,” Chou Shih-yu, a spokesman for the Taipei District Prosecutors’ Office, told AFP on Wednesday.

Chou declined to provide further details as the investigation is ongoing. AFP

RETURN JOURNEY.

Devotees of the Hindu God Shiva, the Kanwarias, carry pots of Holy Ganga water on their return journey from Haridwar in New Delhi on August 8, 2018. Kanwarias, dressed in orange clothes, carry holy water (kanwar) of the river Ganga from Neelkanth, Gomukh or Haridwar to be poured on the Shivlinga in their hometown temples on the occasion of Shivratri.

This journey on foot, when completed, is supposed to fulfil their wishes and endear them to Lord Shiva. on August 2, 2018. AFP

Entertainment Asia’s biggest modeling search now on 6th season HIT reality TV series Asia’s Next Top Model is back for another season of fashion, feuds and rigorous competition on FOX Life, one of Asia’s leading general entertainment channels.

A few days ago, FOX Networks Group Asia and FOX Life officially announced the 14 young women who will compete in Season 6, selected from scores of auditioning hopefuls across the region who fought for their chance to take center stage in what promises to be the program’s most riveting season yet.

Asia’s Next Top Model is the longestrunning regional adapted TV series in Asia TV history. Season 6 introduces one of the most diverse and captivating cast from Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Myanmar, Taiwan, Thailand, Philippines, Vietnam, and Singapore.

Each contestant will bring her own distinct look and extraordinary background to bag the coveted title of Asia’s Next Top Model.

The modeling search will be hosted by Asian supermodel Cindy Bishop for the third season in a row. Renowned celebrity fashion photographer Yu Tsai will once again act as Creative Director to help mentor and guide the models through the competition.

Much-loved Asia’s Next Top Model alumni are also coming back in Season 6. Look out for fan favorites including Monika Sta. Maria from Season 3, and Shikin Gomez and Nguyen Minh Tu from Season 5.

Executive Producer and Showrunner from Refinery Media, Karen Seah said, “Following the enormous reception from fans of last cycle, we are extremely excited to continue the momentum this cycle with pushing the boundaries of creativity and story-telling against the raw and edgy backdrop of Bangkok.”

Dean Dezius, Vice President of Entertainment Channels, FOX Life & FOX, at FOX Networks Group Asia, added, “We’ve scoured the region to build a cast of truly impressive women, each with her own unique personal background and exceptional raw talent. Now entering our sixth cycle, we are once again thrilled to provide a platform for Asia’s brightest up-and-coming models to learn and grow as they test their abilities in fiercely competitive photo shoots. Bringing in fans new and old and creating an exciting platform for our brand partners, there’s no question that Asia’s Next Top Model Season 6 will be the can’t-miss TV show of the summer!”

“Last season, we saw such a strong response from the AsNTM fanbase, especially in support of our Filipina models. Maureen really won the hearts of the people here and we’re sure the two girls representing the Philippines this season will do the same,” said Charo Espedido, FOX Networks Group Philippines Head of Marketing.

Tune in to Asia’s Next Top Model to get to know the 14 contestants and see who will triumph in weekly challenges, all testing the young women’s poise, intelligence and aptitude for high fashion runway and print modeling. Content will also be released online and across social media, giving fans even more ways to witness the nail-biting excitement of Asia’s favorite modeling competition.

Presenting Season 6 of Asia’s Next Top Model are regional sponsor and Official Automobile Partner Subaru; Huawei, Official Smartphone Partner in the Philippines; and ést.lab by ESTETICA, Official Skincare Partner in Singapore.

Go beyond limits when Asia’s Next Top Model Season 6 premieres on FOX Life with a simulc a s t livestream o n F O X + on Wednesday, Aug. 22 at 9.00 p.m.

For exclusive news and updates about the p r o gram, please visit www. asntm.com and follow AsNTM on Facebook, Tw i t t e r and Instagram.

Pinay model and Pia Wurtzbach look-alike Jach Manere is one of Philippines' representatives for the 6th season of ‘Asia's Next Top Model.‘

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER THURSDAY, AUGUST26, 9, 2016 2018

C3

nickie.standard@gmail.com

HOLLYWOOD

WINGS OF VISION. The

14 Cinemalaya invigorates the Philippine film industry by giving new breed of Filipino filmmakers a platform to showcase their stories.

‘MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE’ in Cruise control at box office

Artistic freedom soars high in

CINEMALAYA

Anne Curtis flanked by the cast and crew of 'Buybust,' the festival's opening film.

By Darwin Pesco

K

ICKED off with the lively beats of drums, the 2018 Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival commenced vivaciously, which introduced the great minds behind every full-length and short film as this year’s festival commits for the recognition of the directors’ artistic freedom and integrity.

“Cinemalaya tries to foster an environment of artistic freedom to help the filmmaker along the process, he is free to make his choices, from the subject matter, style, and treatment,” said Director Laurice Guillen, the head of the festival’s organizing committee, during the festival’s opening night at the Nicanor Abelardo Hall in the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

Eric Matti’s Buybust opened the festival, which earned standing ovation and cheers from the audience.

“If there’s anything Buybust represents this year’s festival, if there’s a theme why the committee chose our film, I hope this is about finally graduating the festival into not just giving opportunity to filmmakers for their unique voices to be heard, but also celebrate the craft that goes into creating their own personal world on films underlining the form is as important as

TOM Cruise’s Mission: Impossible— Fallout did not fall off with movie fans, notching a second straight week atop the box office in North American theaters and besting new Disney film Christopher Robin, industry data showed Monday.

Fallout, the sixth stunt-filled edition in the popular M:I franchise, took in $35.3 million in its second weekend of release, putting its total so far at $124.8 million, according to Exhibitor Relations.

Critics and audiences have warmed to the film, in which Cruise again does his own vertigo-inducing, cliff-hanging, exploding-car stunts.

Disney’s live-animated hybrid Christopher Robin, which tells the story of Winnie the Pooh’s now grown-up and stressed-out friend and how he reunites with his old stuffed friend, debuted in second place at $24.6 million.

In third was another new release, action comedy flick The Spy Who Dumped Me, at $12.1 million, it’s followed by Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again and The Equalizer 2 that raked in $9 million and $8.8 million at the box office, respectively. AFP

Performers at Cinemalaya opening night.

substance,” Matti stated in his letter read by a representative.

Anne Curtis, the lead star of the actionpacked film, attended the screening with fellow cast and crew, and thanked the crowd for their overwhelming reactions and support for the film.

Since its inception in 2005, Cinemalaya has continued to discover, encourage, and support the artistic works of upcoming and seasoned filmmakers. Also, another goal of the festival is for the directors to articulate their ideas and views freely and without any hurdle, and also to show the Philippine’s cyclorama to the film enthusiasts in a pristine way.

This year’s film festival—with the theme of “Wings of Vision”—promises to deliver the best visual storytelling to every film aficionado. Audience imagination is the one that will surely get caught after the judges’ meticulous evaluation of the festival’s line-up of shorts and full-lengths.

Ten full-length films are competing to claim the top prizes. Contending films are: Distance by Perci Intalan; Kung Paano Hinihintay ang Dapithapon (Waiting for Sunset) by Carlo Enciso Catu; Kuya Wes

by James Robin Mayo; Liway by Kip Oebanda; Mamang by Denise O’Hara; ML by Benedicto Mique Jr.; Musmos na Sumibol sa Gubat ng Digma (Unless the Water is Safer than the Land) by Iar Lionel Arondaing; Pan de Salawal (The Sweet Taste of Salter Bread and Undies)

by Che Espiritu; School Service by Luisito Lagdameo Ignacio; and, The Lookout by Afi Africa.

In the 14th year of celebrating filmmakers’ wings of imagination, 10 short films are also included and these are: Babylon

by Keith Deligero; Jodilerks Dela Cruz, Employee of the Month by Carlo Fran-

cisco Manatad; Kiko by Jojo Driz; Logro

by Kani Villaflor; Nangungupahan (Who Rents There Now) by Glenn Barit; Sa Saiyang Isla (In His Island) by Christian Candelaria; Si Astri maka Si Talmbulah (Astri and Tambulah) by Xeph Suarez; Siyudad sa Bulawan (City of Gold) by Jarell Serencio; Yakap by Mika Fabella and Rafael Froilan, Jr.; and You, Me and Mr. Wiggles by Jav Velasco.

Apart from the competing films, the festival presents other highlights such as Dokyu, the documentary section; Best of Festivals, showcasing the best films from local festivals; Indie Nation, a special section featuring independent films; Vision of Asia, which features award-winning Asian and Netpac films; and the showcase of the final projects of the Directing and Production Management workshops under the 4th Cinemalaya Institute.

Another mainstay is the tribute to the directors Maryo J. Delos Reyes and Bernardo Bernardo through a special screening of their chef-d’oeuvre. Also, the retrospective section is featuring the 2017 Cinemalaya Best Film Respeto by Treb Montreras and Baconaua by Joseph Israel Laban who grabbed the Best Director award.

CCP opens also various competitions with Gawad CCP Para sa Alternatibong Pelikula at Video, the longest-running independent film contest in the ASEAN Region and lastly, the Cinemalaya Campus, which is slated on Aug. 7 and 8 at the Silangan Hall.

The festival runs from Aug. 3 to 12 at various venues of the CCP and select Ayala Cinemas, while the Cinemalaya Awards Night will be held on Aug. 12 at the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo to name this year’s bests.

Wisdom of Elvis from Japan A BACKGROUND check of Elvis Presley impersonator Douglas Masuda should make you think that to really enjoy life, “it’s now or never.” He experienced the high life of a litigation lawyer, found true love at 45, and then entered showbiz when he was 64.

“This is just for fun. I’m having a good time as everybody I knew says I’m getting younger, not older,” he happily expressed.

For the last 11 years, the ‘hound’ Doug has embraced a monthly average of two gigs honoring his idol we all know as King of Rock ‘N Roll.

Here’s a man who has found some new meaning by revisiting the soundtrack of his youth and dressing up, singing a la Elvis.

He entertains people as he cheers himself up within.

While still a working man involved in ensuring the efficiency of jet engines (talking about a life less ordinary!), Douglas has found the right balance dealing with paper works and having a party. He implied, “I recall the doctor telling me that if I don’t retire from a life of stress, I’d die. Doing this Elvis thing must have kept me alive.”

The son of a Japanese couple who migrated to the US, the Los Angeles-bred first went to Manila in 1985 and later met Vicky, a Filipina he “can’t help falling in love” with and who masterfully sews his Elvis jumpsuits.

Staying here for good, he now resides in a Makati condo unit beautifully loaded with life-sized Elvis mannequins, records, memorabilia,

and of course, those fancy jumpsuits—nearly 50 of them including the latest called “Spanish Flower.” He earned the moniker “Elvis of Japan” after he won a competition that kicked off YUGEL his career and landed him a TV guesting in a LOSORATA Korina Sanchez show. He is not joking when he tells he lost many of his relatives from the 1945 atomic bombing in Hiroshima.

“Elvis died 41 years ago and yet last year he scored a number one hit after the Philharmonic Orchestra backed his vocals from old records,” he pointed out with a grin.

Exactly a week from now, he will perform at the “Elvis Night” live at RJ Bistro in the lower level of Dusit Thani Hotel Makati. Elvis died from cardiac arrhythmia on August 16, 1977.

Interestingly, the tribute night will feature five Pinoy Elvises in their 20s, namely, Bam Angping, Daniel Raymundo, Jun Mac Grecia, and ladies Agnes De Leon and Anjeanette Japor. “Elvis of Greece” George Sarakinis and “Elvis of Asia” Jun Espinosa will also perform, along with “main man” RJ Jacinto.

“There are 200 thousand Elvis impersonators all over the world and Aug. 16 is the biggest day in Elvis land,” Doug commented, “It’s nice we have young Elvises on board and I hope we get more millennials to like Elvis music.

It is still relevant to this day.”

(For inquiries about Elvis Night, call 0906-2211524.)

Douglas Masuda, Japan's Elvis Presley, will perform at Elvis Night on Aug. 16 at Dusit Thani Hotel, Makati City.

Ethan Hunt as portrayed by Tom Cruise in the latest installment of 'Mission: Impossible.'

Walk The Moon returns to Manila MEMBERS of the Cincinnati-based band, Walk The Moon, the group behind the hit songs, “Shut Up and Dance”, “One Foot”, “Different Colors”, “Tight Rope” will have its comeback tour in Manila on Aug.14 at Ayala Malls’ Market! Market! Activity Center, as announced recently by concert promoter, MMI Live.

The alternative rock band has been actively captivating audiences with its energetic live shows for a decade.

The band first made a name for itself by touring relentlessly in support of its self-titled debut album, which featured the indie classic “Anna Sun.” The band then catapulted into the spotlight when 2014’s “Shut Up and Dance” became a multi-platinum global smash, crossing sonic barriers to top three different Billboard charts. After two years of performing countless sold out shows in twenty five countries across five continents, members of the band returned to the studio to craft their third major label release, 2017’s What If Nothing.

The upcoming album shows the band simultaneously at its most epic and its most vulnerable, a daring step forward both musically and lyrically.

For ticket information, call the Ayala Malls One Concierge at 795-9595. For concert details, follow MMI Live (on Facebook), and @mmilive (on Instagram, and Twitter), or visit mmilive. com for details.

Cincinnati-based rock band Walk the Moon is performing at Market! Market! on Aug. 14.

Life

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

C4

Living in nature The perfect solution to escape the demands of busy city life is a getaway place that offers tranquility and peace of mind. While others take regular vacation out of town, some seek for a home that offers opportunities to relax and refresh the mind. exclusive residential community Tagaytay highlands is located in an idyllic setting that exudes luxury and elegance. It offers first-rate amenities, breathtaking views, year-round cool weather, and residential enclaves master-planned to harmonize with the serenity of mountain resort living.

household

thurSday, auguSt 9, 2018

sycamore Heights’ residents can spend a peaceful afternoon at the central park.

A serene harmony of nature

SmaLL Space style tips

SMALL SPACE, BIG STATEMENTS. Crate Design studio shares tips on furnishing a condominium using

M

stylish and multi-functional furniture.

ORe Filipinos are now opting for condo living in urban areas. According to a residential quarterly report released in February, Philippine property developers sold a total of 52,600 residential condominium units last year.

“Take-up of pre-selling condominium units throughout Metro Manila, including fringe locations, reached 52,600 units in 2017, 24 percent higher than the prior year and the highest historically for the country’s capital,” said Colliers International Philippines.

It’s easy to see why condo living is becoming more and more popular. In a practical sense, it offers a number of benefits: proximity of many establishments in urban areas and access to facilities and amenities not

Sycamore heights, situated in a prime location within the Tagaytay Midlands communities and bounded by breathtaking views of the Taal Lake and Volcano, features homes that use both contemporary and traditional Asian design elements that suggest simplicity in serenity.

Residents easily achieve wellness of mind, body, and spirit when they are transported from the stresses of city life to the quietude of homes. Lot sizes range from 250 to 959 square meters, providing comfortable abodes with ample space to revel in the community’s lush surrounding.

Sycamore heights’ residents also enjoy features exclusively designed for them. Active pursuits can be spent at the infinity pool while the pavilion, bird watch park, and central park, among others, are meant for tranquil afternoons.

readily available in other housing developments, are just some. however, with accessibility comes limited space.

But several residential condo unit owners prove that it is possible to live in a small space that doesn’t compromise on style. experts at Crate Design Studio shares the following tips on how to furnish a condominium and make it a cozy, not cramped, place to live in:

yume sprawls on a gently rolling terrain, 209 to 227 meters above sea level.

Axis sleeper sofa

• No guest room? No problem. Sleeper sofas that easily shift from lounging to sleeping are an ideal solution for hosting overnight guests. But don’t pick a hideous looking sofa bed, remember, it’s the focal point of the living room, so choose a lovely piece.

scholar Round Dining table

• Opt for space-saving round dining table instead of huge rectangular table. An extension dining table also works great as a versatile base for a room.

• On the other hand, smaller sofas and loveseats (because only two people can comfortably seat on them) are compact and perfect for small apartments or large bedrooms with extra space for seating.

An elegant and peaceful dream

Another master-planned community within Tagaytay Midlands is Katsura, whose best-kept secret is Yume, which means “dream” in Japanese. Yume is a residential enclave that offers exclusivity, artistry, tranquility, and wellbeing—elements that are the marks of a comfortable abode.

Yume sprawls on three hectares of gently rolling terrain, with an elevation of 209 to 227 meters above sea level. From this vantage point, it likewise has panoramic views of the community, the Taal Lake, and the Midlands golf course.

The Japanese-themed residential enclave offers koen or Japanese pocket garden and open pavilion, which inspires laidback leisure activities like reading, reminiscing, and quiet conversations. Families looking for such a tranquil lifestyle may choose from lots that range from 500 to 571 square meters.

Cavett leather Wood Frame Chair (top) and pennie Cornflower sofa (bottom)

libation Bar Cart (left) and entu side table (right)

tagaytay Highlands’ the Country Club

Exclusive living

Hayden Natural Queen storage Bed

• Maximize bedroom storage with a stylish storage bed. The extra space is perfect for organizing off-season clothing and bedding essentials.

• Bar cart, aside from holding liquor also makes a great nightstand.

But if space does not permit, get a compact side table that also doubles as a storage space.

Crate Design Studio says incredible homes can come in small packages, all it takes is smart room planning and furniture items that work for the space and the person who lives in it.

These pieces are available at Crate & Barrel stores.

Residents of Sycamore heights and Yume are given membership rights at The Country Club and access to recreational facilities that include swimming, tennis, bowling, and badminton. Outdoor activities like the Aerial Walk, Trail Buggy, and Sporting Arrow are also offered.

For dining and private celebrations, homeowners may dine at Tagaytay highlands’ specialty restaurants and casual dining outlets such as the highlander Steakhouse, highlands China Palace, and Gourmet Avenue.

Call (02) 505-2422 or visit www.tagaytayhighlands.com for more information on these communities.