Manila Standard - 2018 September 10 - Monday

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VOL. XXXII • NO. 207 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 • MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2018 • www.manilastandard.net • editorial@manilastandard.net

CHANGE FOR THE WORSE.

The price tags on several rice variants may have changed, even increased since last month, but people queuing up for several kilos of the staple have become a common sight in some parts of Metro Manila.

Rice subsidy for cops, soldiers in ‘19 budget

By Macon Ramos-Araneta SOLDIERS, police officers and other uniformed personnel will get a P2.9 billion rice subsidy from the government, Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel said Sunday.

“The subsidy is already factored into the proposed P3.757-trillion General Appropriations Act 2019,” PiNext page mentel said.

Biazon fears ‘domino effect’ 3 new iPhone models out soon SAN FRANCISCO—Apple is set to unveil new iPhones, aiming to gain fresh momentum in the premium segment of a global smartphone market showing signs of fatigue.

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Trillanes’ amnesty revocation may Robredo, Trillanes disown also apply to others in 2010 coup plot to topple Du30 regime

By Macon Ramos-Araneta and Rey E. Requejo

F

ORMER Armed Forces chief Rodolfo Biazon said Sunday that if President Rodrigo Duterte’s decision to revoke the amnesty of Senator Antonio Trillanes IV is upheld, then the amnesties granted to his comrades who joined him in his coup attempts might be thrown out as well.

“If there was a mistake in granting amnesty to Trillanes, wouldn’t the same thing be said about the grant of amnesty to General [Danilo] Lim, [Nicanor] Faeldon, [Gerardo] Gambala, [Gary] Alejano,

and [Milo] Maestrecampo,” Biazon said in Filipino.

He said many of these coup plotters were later appointed by Duterte to key positions in his government. Next page

By Nat Mariano, Macon Ramos-Araneta and Francisco Tuyay SENATOR Antonio Trillanes said Sunday that President Rodrigo Duterte was being paranoid when he spoke of a plot by the Liberal Party and communist rebels to oust him over the weekend.

“He’s imagining things because he’s already paranoid,” Trillanes said in Filipino.

Vice President Leni Robredo, leader of the LP, dismissed the President’s

HIV cases on the rise, solon warns

NO TO BULLYING.

‘Roma’ tops Venice filmfest

Children check-out the entries in the Anti-Bullying Poster and Slogan Exhibit at the lobby of the Infant Jesus Academy in Antipolo City, Rizal on Saturday (Sept. 8, 2018). The school observed Anti-Bullying Week on Sept. 3 to 7, 2018. PNA

VENICE—Mexican director Alfonso Cuaron won the Golden Lion top prize at the Venice film festival Saturday for “Roma,” which critics called not merely a movie but “a vision.”

With its highly emotional story centered on an indigenous maid working for a middle-class family in Mexico City in 1971, it has been hailed as Cuaron’s most personal film—and also his best. Next page

that,” Duterte said.

But he expressed appreciation for the two countries, calling them “beautiful, safe and unproblematic” with strong military branches.

During his week-long trip, Duterte

RETURNING migrant workers who engaged in high-risk sexual behavior in the past have been urged to get themselves voluntarily tested, an official said Sunday A total of 451 migrant workers were newly diagnosed with the human immunodeficiency virus from January to June this year, up 14.4 percent from the 394 listed in the same six-month period in 2017, Rep. Aniceto Bertiz III said Sunday.

“All told, [migrant Filipino workers] with HIV now account for 10 percent of all the cases in the National HIV and AIDS Registry,” Bertiz said.

Of the 56,275 cases listed in the registry from January 1984 to June 2018, 5,889 were migrant workers, Bertiz said.

“We urge the migrant workers who engaged in high-risk sexual behavior in the past to get themselves voluntarily tested for HIV,” he said.

Early detection and anti-retroviral treatment or ART have been known to slow down the advance of HIV, which causes AIDS, according to the Health department.

AIDS destroys the human body’s natural ability to fight off all kinds of infections, and the condition still does not have any known cure.

“The [Health department] has 60 HIV treatment hubs across the country plus 33 primary care facilities that provide outpatient care services to returning

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Defense, DILG tasked to sew up armaments deals with Israel, Jordan

By Nat Mariano MALACAÑANG said Sunday it was studying the possibility of procuring armaments and military equipment from Israel and Jordan to strengthen the Philippines’ defenses.

Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said the Defense and Interior departments “might” start the initiative.

But he said “there is no commitment yet” even as President Rodrigo Duterte instructed the military to only weapons only from Israel, particularly in intelli-

claim as well.

In her radio program on Sunday morning, Robredo said the opposition has been made “a whipping boy” as the government looks for an excuse for its shortcomings.

Senator Francis Pangilinan, LP president, also denied Duterte’s allegation, and said the administration was “destabilizing itself.”

“The opposition does not have to do anything. On its own, either by its incompetence or corruption, the government is doing a good job of destabilizing itself, Pangilinan said. Next page

gence gathering.

In his speech upon his arrival Saturday afternoon, Duterte was reticent about whether the country would procure armaments from the two countries.

“Well, in other areas except the military and police equipment, I can only answer

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Trial courts stepping up under new rules THE Supreme Court said Sunday the criminal cases in the trial courts were being resolved much faster compared to the previous years, and following the implementation of its Revised Guidelines of Continuous Trial in Criminal Cases since September last year.

Chief Justice Teresita Leonardo-de Castro said the trials in many drug cases were being resolved within two to twoand-a-half months from the time they were filed as required by the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act, while the trials in other criminal cases were being finished within six months pursuant to the Speedy Trial Act. The pertinent provisions of both laws were incorporated in the guidelines released by the high court.

The Court said 47.82 of cases had complied with the 180-day period for trial provided by law and the Rules of Court compared to the 2.36-percent before the revised guidelines took effect.

The Court said cases were also being decided faster, with 68.5 percent of the judgments having been promulgated within the 90-day period required under the Constitution compared with only 37.75 percent in previous cases.

“We are still at the early stages of implementation and I expect the results to be better in the months ahead,” said Associate Justice Diosdado Peralta who drafted the Revised Guidelines.

Peralta said the innovations and simplification introduced in the Guidelines were intended to remove the redundancies in criminal procedure.

“The guidelines try to address the bottlenecks we saw in criminal cases,” he said.

Among others things, the revised guidelines provide a list of prohibited pleadings that cause delays in criminal cases and require judges to pre-schedule all hearing dates.

“The trial dates for both the prosecution and defense are set during arraignment.

This is binding on the parties and cannot be rescheduled,” said Peralta, adding that the postponements of hearings had been considered a major cause of delay.

He said the 15-day period required under the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 to decide drugs cases reached an all-time high of 57.37 percent compared to the pre-Guidelines rate of 12.58 percent.

The high court 2017 saw a rise in the number of drug cases, with 289,295 filed with the trial courts but only 34,673 or 12 percent disposed.

“Although we are failing in drug cases insofar as the 60-day period to finish trial from the filing of the Information is concerned, these cases were nevertheless decided within the 10-month period since the implementation of the Guidelines,” Peralta said.

Out of the 94,209 drug cases filed from September 2017 to June this year, 7.89 percent complied with the 60-day trial period compared to the 0.02 percent before implementation. PNA

HIV...

From A1

Filipino workers and other citizens living with the virus,” Bertiz said.

A total of 28,045 Filipinos living with HIV were on record as undergoing ART as of June, the Health department said.

Of the 5,889 migrant workers in the National HIV and AIDS Registry, Bertiz said, 5,063 or 86 percent were male with the median age of 32 years.

The majority of the male cases, or 71 percent, were infected through sexual contact among MSM, or men who had sex with men (2,062 from male-to-male sex and 1,529 from sex with both males and females).

The median age of the female workers in the registry was 34 years.

Bertiz urged the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration to devote more resources toward HIV/AIDS prevention and education among migrant Filipinos and their families.

Defense,...

From A1

visited an Israeli facility to view its defense equipment. He also witnessed Israel’s demonstration of a response to a possible terrorist attack.

In Jordan, Duterte toured a military facility at the King Abdullah II Special Operations Training Center in Amman as he and several Jordan officials witnessed an urban guerrilla demonstration during the visit.

According to Israeli ministry data, the Holy City is one of the world’s top arms dealers, with nearly 60 percent of its defense exports going to the Asia-Pacific region.

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Senate bill seen to solve rice woes A

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

S THE inflation rate in August hit a nine-year high of 6.4 percent, Senator Aquilino Pimentel III, head of the Senate’s trade and commerce committee, said the rice tarrification bill pending in the Senate was a “long-term solution” to the rice supply problems that had contributed much to the rising inflation rates.

But Senator Francis Pangilinan said rice tarification was not simple and not enough to address the rice crisis.

He said the government must ensure that the tariffs would really be paid to the government for rice to enter the country, and the proceeds should be used to strengthen local farmers.

Pangilinan told dzBB radio that the first thing to do to empower the farmers was to organize them.

“We have the program Sagip Saka, a partnership of the government and the private sector. I think its really just a mat-

Biazon...

From A1

Biazon, a former senator, said he believed there was no legal basis for the President’s revocation of Trillanes’ amnesty.

He added that revoking amnesties would erode the people’s trust in the institutions of government.

Trillanes on Sunday accused Duterte of being insecure to the point of comparing their respective contributions to the military.

“Well, first of all, there shouldn’t be any competition about this. Both of us are expected to look out for the welfare of our soldiers. There should be no competition,” Trillanes said.

“But for him to say that I contributed nothing is one big lie,” he said, while releasing a list of laws and projects for the enlisted men.

Trillanes also distributed a list of infrastructure projects for the military which were financed through his as-

‘Roma’...

From A1

Cuaron told reporters that in an incredible coincidence “today is the birthday of Libo, the woman the movie is based on. What a present!”

The film industry bible Variety said “Roma” is likely to go down as a “masterpiece.” “It is no mere movie—it’s a vision... where every image and every emotion is perfectly set in place,” said critic Owen Gleiberman.

Cuaron “dunks us, moment by moment, image by luminously composed image, into a panorama of the hurly-burly of Mexico City.”

The Italian press declared it “sublime” while for The Guardian’s Peter Bradshaw it was a “complete triumph.”

Venice has become the launchpad for the Oscars race with Hollywood heavyweights jostling for attention in a line-up director Alberto Barbera called “the best in 30 years.”

Vintage year Cuaron, 56, reconstructed his childhood home for the Netflix-backed film, borrowing furniture back from relatives to recreate how it was when he was 10.

But the heart of the film is the “luminous” performance of first-time

3 new...

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In its usual secretive style, Apple has remained mum about revelations planned for Wednesday’s event at its spaceship campus in Silicon Valley, but the timing fits its pattern of annually introducing new iPhone models.

Speculation includes talk that Apple will introduce three new iPhone models, infusing some with features from a premium iPhone X that debuted last year with a $1,000 price tag.

While the iPhone has made Apple the world’s most valuable company worth more than $1 trillion, it has slipped to third place among smartphone makers as Chinese-based Huawei has grabbed the number two spot.

Still, analysts say Apple has a formula that works with a loyal customer base and steady sales.

“There is nothing in their product lineup that isn’t working for them in the premium segment of the market, so there is no imperative for them to break that mold,” NPD analyst Stephen Baker said of Apple likely sticking with modest improvements in new iPhones this year.

“They gobble up most of the profits. I don’t think they are under any

ter of focusing,” Pangilinan said.

Earlier, central bank Governor Nestor Espenilla Jr. said rice was one of the culprits behind the rising inflation.

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

“Much of it has to do with food supply shocks. Rice in particular. These warrant more decisive non-monetary measures to fully address.”

Pimentel said replacing the quantitative restrictions on rice importation with

tariffs and allowing the private sector to import rice would prevent the rice supply fluctuations the Philippines was suffering.

He attributed the rice shortage to the missteps by the government-run National Food Authority and the manipulation by rice traders and smugglers who take advantage of supply issues to influence rice prices.

“Right now, we depend on the judgment of several government officials who are tasked to determine how much rice we should import, and when we should import it, Pimentel said.

He was referring to the NFA Council, which is composed of the NFA Administrator and representatives from government agencies and institutions like the National Economic Development Authority, the central bank and the Office of the President.

“The mandate appears simple enough, but so many factors prevent them from fulfilling their mandate properly, Pimentel said.

“When they have disagreements and cannot get along, crucial policy decisions

sistance.

These include the construction of barracks, mess halls and quarters for enlisted personnel, club rooms and quarters for officers, and multi-purpose buildings in different camps around the country.

“If Duterte thinks that he can buy the loyalty of the military and use them as instruments of oppression, he’s dead wrong. They will always remain faithful to their constitutional mandate,” Trillanes added.

“Instead of persecuting his critics, Mr. Duterte should just focus his remaining energy on solving the major problems confronting our countrymen, foremost of which is the rising cost of living.”

Magdalo Rep. Gary Alejano, meanwhile, branded the revocation of Trillanes’ amnesty as political persecution, saying the outspoken opposition senator was the only one being targeted.

“The President is sowing political vendetta with the military as his instru-

ment. That is very wrong,” he said.

“Eventually, it could be applied to us. You are putting the military again in a tense situation,” he added.

The Supreme Court is set to deliberate on Trillanes petition to nullify the revocation of his amnesty and to prevent his arrest on Tuesday.

The government has asked two Makati courts to issue an arrest warrant against Trillanes, but neither of them has done so.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines said Sunday a court-martial can take custody of a soldier’s case if the grant of amnesty is lifted.

AFP Public Affairs Office chief Colonel Noel Detoyato made the remark on Sunday following the revocation of the amnesty granted to Trillanes.

In an interview with radio dzBB, Detoyato said all persons under sentence adjudged by court-martial will remain under the jurisdiction of the latter until the case is either dismissed, acquitted, convicted, sentenced, or halted by a supervening event.

actor Yalitza Aparicio, who plays Cleo, a young live-in maid of Mixteco heritage who looked after the director as a boy.

“Cleo is based on my babysitter when I was young. We were a family together,” Cuaron told AFP. “But when you grow up with someone you love you don’t discuss their identity. So for this film I was forced to see myself as this woman, a member of the lower classes, from the indigenous population. This is a point of view I had never had before.”

The second prize Silver Lion went to France’s Jacques Audiard for his hugely enjoyable Western “The Sisters Brothers” starring Joaquin Phoenix and John C Reilly.

Another Wild West tale, “The Ballad of Buster Scruggs” by the Coen brothers, won best script.

Having missed out on an Oscar last year, Willem Dafoe took best actor for his acclaimed portrait of the painter Vincent Van Gogh in “At Eternity’s Gate.”

Powerful women Britain’s Olivia Colman took best actress for playing the needy and weak-minded Queen Anne in “The Favorite,” a viciously funny and apparently accurate historical drama about two powerful women competing for

her favor.

Colman, 44, who is playing Britain’s present monarch in the television series “The Crown,” said she “loved every second” of playing her 18thcentury predecessor, “even if none of us knows what it is like to be a queen.”

The film’s Greek director Yorgos Lanthimos of “The Lobster” fame won the Grand Jury Prize.

It was one of several movies with strong female stories vying for the Golden Lion—with all three of its leading actresses tipped as Oscar contenders.

Even so the organizers were lambasted for choosing only one female director among the 21 competing for the top prize for the second year in a row.

Australian director Jennifer Kent did however win the special jury prize for “The Nightingale”, her stirring story of revenge and friendship involving an Irish convict woman and an Aboriginal tracker in colonial Tasmania.

Aboriginal victory Baykali Ganambarr, making his movie debut playing the tracker, won the best newcomer award. He praised Kent for the unflinching ways she portrayed the genocide of his people, and said he saw his prize as a victory for them. AFP

pressure at all.”

Technalysis Research chief analyst Bob O’Donnell agreed that Apple is fine with holding its niche in the market.

“Apple doesn’t have to prove anything, other than that they are willing to segment the market more,” he said, while pointing out that the company will likely be “offering a wider array of choices.”

Premium competition Samsung, the world’s biggest smartphone maker, last month unveiled its latest flagship handset, the Galaxy Note 9, and next month Apple rival Google will hold an event at which it is likely to showcase new Android-powered top-end Pixel phones.

Google took to making its own smartphones to showcase the capabilities of the Android operating system that it makes available free of charge to handset makers. Android smartphones have come to dominate the market.

Apple’s event comes with the global smartphone market largely saturated, without a major catalyst for sales ahead of a likely rollout of 5G, or fifth generation wireless networks, expected in 2019.

Research firm IDC expects worldwide smartphone shipments to decline 0.7 percent in 2018 to 1.455 billion units, with growth likely to re-

sume as 5G devices become available.

“We still believe the smartphone market has some healthy growth in the years to come, although finding and competing in those markets and segments is increasingly more challenging,” said IDC analyst Ryan Reith.

Watching the watch Apple has sold more than a billion iPhones since the first model was unveiled by late co-founder Steve Jobs in 2007.

The company is in the unique situation of controlling the hardware and software in its mobile devices, with content for users required to go through its App Store that takes a percentage of revenue.

Leaks and rumors have it that Apple plans to unveil three new iPhone models, including an improved version of the flagship X model released a year ago with a $1,000 price tag.

Apple is also expected to introduce a lower priced iPhone with some X features but a less expensive LCD screen.

The event may also include Apple Watch internet-connected wrist wear getting its first significant redesign since it debuted three years ago.

“I think that in the long run the watch will be a much larger business than people give it credit for; where Apple can iterate and grow,” Baker said. AFP

are delayed, and when this happens, it is the consumers who pay the price––who literally pay higher prices for an important food staple like rice.”

Pimentel said the belated action of the NFA Council to import rice to supply rice to the areas with shortages in Mindanao and its failure to increase the buying price of unmilled rice were examples of “policy paralysis that had rendered the body ineffective.

“With the private sector involved in rice importation, businessmen will bring in rice when the market requires it, and will not when there is an abundant supply in the market. They will try to find the best prices so they can sell their product at competitive rates while ensuring profits for themselves,” Pimentel said.

In his State of the Nation Address in July, President Rodrigo Duterte said rice tarrification was among the long-term solutions that the government was working on to lower inflation, to provide farmers with additional resources and to reduce rice prices by up to P7 a kilo.

Robredo,...

From A1

In a speech upon arriving from Jordan, the President said three groups were out to remove him from office.

“Those three, watch them closely. The yellow Liberals, Trillanes, and the politburo…

Watch them closely, those three. They are all connected,” Duterte said. “They are the ones who will oust me, and it will go into [high gear in] October,” he added.

The Armed Forces hierarchy on Sunday declared that the 130,000 military force remained strong and united amidst attempts by some sectors to sow intrigue and polarize the rank and file over Duterte’s decision to revoke Trillanes’ amnesty.

“Let me belie claims by some quarters of divisiveness or rumblings in the AFP. I assure our people that, as in many times in the past, the AFP will be united and strong as an organization,” said AFP chief Gen. Carlito Galvez.

“Let me then, as the AFP chief of staff, take this occasion to warn persons who or groups that attempt to divide the AFP by sowing intrigues and discord among its officers and enlisted personnel,” Galvez said. “You will not succeed.”

He reminded members of the military to refrain from taking part in partisan politics.

“Our loyalty is to the Constitution,” he said.

Galvez has already ordered the creation of a General Court Martial that would resume hearings that were deferred after Trillanes was granted Amnesty in 2011.

He said, however, that no attempt would be made to arrest Trillanes until the Supreme Court has ruled on the matter.

Rice...

From A1

The subsidy covers financial assistance equivalent to 20 kilos of rice per month, charged to Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses, Pimentel, a member of the House appropriations committee, said.

Rice prices have steadily increased over the last eight months, according to the latest update of the Philippine Statistics Authority.

The PSA said the average retail price of wellmilled rice stood at P45.71 per kilo in August, up by 9 percent compared to a year ago, while that of regular-milled rice was P42.26 per kilo, up by 11 percent.

Senator Juan Edgardo Angara, meanwhile, pushed for the passage of a bill that would double the amount of social pension from the current P500 to P1,000 to help poor senior citizens.

“This is the sad truth that many of our lolo and lolas have not yet received their social pension from the government,” Angara said.

“We must ensure that every Filipino senior citizen receives this well-deserved benefit that will help them meet their daily needs,” he added.

Based on the data from the Coalition of Services of the Elderly, only 33 percent or 2.9 million of the estimated 8.7-million elderly population are covered by contributory pension such as the Social Security System, the Government Social Insurance System, and other pension systems.

Of the 5.8-million senior citizens with no contributory pension, only 3.4 million are currently covered by the Social Pension Program for Indigent Senior Citizens of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

Meanwhile, Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto said much of the rising inflation was “self-inflicted and internal.”

He said that while world events and external factors could have contributed to rising prices, the government should have anticipated this.

In agriculture, he said, the country can no longer afford greater government participation.

“We must incentivize private sector investment and credit to agriculture to increase productivity. Give farmers their land titles. Allow for land consolidation, private sector investment in technology and mechanization,” he said.

He also said the government should also reduce tariffs on agriculture products.

Recto also said it was “bad timing” to push forward with phase two of the administration’s tax reform program, particularly because of a looming trade war and conflicts that could affect the global economy.

News

MoNday, septeMber 10, 2018

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Okada fights back, files suit vs Tiger

By Rey E. Requejo

I

Aussie nun allowed to stay in PH sans visa

N A bid to regain control of the companies that were taken away from him, Japanese tycoon Kazuo Okada has sought the court’s intervention with the filing of an intracorporate suit against Tiger Resorts Leisure and Entertainment Inc., the operator of Okada Manila.

Okada filed a complaint before a regional trial court in Parañaque City against TRLEI, Tiger Resorts Asia Ltd., and their respective directors and officers.

In his complaint, Okada sought the nullification of his illegal removal as a shareholder and director of TRLEI. He also asked for his immediate reinstatement, saying that his illegal ouster as shareholder, director, chairman and chief executive officer of TRLEI was null and void ab initio as it was done without authority and in violation of existing laws.

According to the suit, Okada was removed as a director of Okada Holdings Ltd. in May 2017 because of the fraudulent scheme of some people who betrayed his trust and confidence.

Okada Holdings Ltd. is a company which Okada himself founded in 2010. It serves as the holding company for all shares in Universal Entertainment Corp. owned by members of Okada’s family.

Okada Holdings Ltd. controls 68 percent of UEC, which owns TRLEI through TRAL. Okada’s removal as director of Okada Holdings Ltd. resulted in his unceremonious and allegedly illegal removal from TRLEI in June 2017.

He also presented several documents which allegedly prove that his removal from TRLEI was illegal.

Okada has vowed to take back control of the companies that he claimed were fraudulently taken away from him.

“These past months have been very harrowing and painful as I witnessed our family being attacked by lies and torn to pieces. My son and daughter were used against me by people whose motives were purely dictated by their desire to rob me of the fruits of my labor. These people, without any pang of guilt, ostentatiously enjoy what does not belong to them,” Okada sad in a statement.

Earlier, the criminal complaints for estafa and perjury filed against Okada before the Parañaque and Makati Prosecutors’ Office were dismissed for lack of probable cause.

HElpiNg HANd. Business tycoon Hans Sy distributes gifts to cancer patients who are residents of the Center for Health Improvement and Life Development in Paco, Manila during the center’s 5th anniversary. Norman Cruz

Expanded PhilHealth coverage bill hailed

By Rio N. Araja

LEYTE Rep. Yedda Romualdez on Sunday lauded the approval of a measure expanding the mandatory coverage of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. to include PWD citizens on second reading in Congress.

“We thank our colleagues for approving the measure seeking mandatory PhilHealth coverage for all

registered PWDs,” said Romualdez, the bill’s coauthor, said the proposed measure.

“This is another assistance that would directly help alleviate their conditions,” she said.

She said she is hoping the measure would be approved soon for all registered senior citizens.

Under the measure, PWDs are exempted from 12-percent value added tax.

AUSTRALIAN nun Patricia Fox is still allowed to stay in the country even without an existing visa and despite the deportation order of the Bureau of Immigration against her.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Sunday said Fox can stay until the BI decides on her application for extension of her missionary visa that expired last week.

He said the Department of Justice will also have to rule on her appeal.

“She applied for a renewal of her missionary visa. Until the BI acts on this application, she may stay [in the country],” Guevarra said in an interview.

The Justice chief explained that the deportation order of the BI against Fox also “will have to await the DoJ’s resolution on her appeal.”

Guevarra said the decision of the BI on whether to extend the nun’s missionary visa will be “without prejudice to the resolution of her deportation appeal.”

This means Fox may be given another missionary visa but could possibly still be ordered to leave the country should the DoJ turn down her appeal.

Fox, however, can get a reprieve from the courts.

“Any adverse ruling of the DoJ [on the deportation order] may be submitted for judicial review,” Guevarra said.

Last week, Fox filed for the issuance of another missionary visa after her visa expired on Sept.5.

Last month, the BI Board of Commissioners ordered the deportation of the missionary nun and also her inclusion in the bureau’s blacklist to prevent her from returning to the country.

Rey E. Requejo

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Opinion

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2018

Inflation is toxic to your economic health omy. The inflation rate during the same period averaged 8.8 percent, including the 6.4 percent inflation rate recorded last month.

Countries that increase their money supply at a slow annual rate (5 percent THERE is no mystery about the cause or less) experience low rates of inflaof inflation. Like other commodities, tion. This is true for large high-income the value of money is determined by countries like the United States and supply and demand. When the supply Canada, as well as for smaller ones like of money is constant or increases at a Singapore and Sweden, and poor ones slow, steady rate, the purchasing power like the Central African Republic. of money will be relatively stable. In When the growth rate of the money contrast, when the supply of money supply of a country expands more rapexpands rapidly compared to the sup- idly, however, the inflation rate accelply of goods and services, the value of erates. The money supply in Nigeria, money declines and prices rise. This is Uruguay, Mainflation. It occurs lawi, Ghana, the when the governRussian Federament prints money tion, Romania, or borrows from and Turkey grew the central bank Without monetary at an annual in order to pay its rate between 20 stability, potential bills. percent and 50 gains from capital Politicians ofpercent. These ten blame inflation investment and other countries expeon such scaperienced annual exchanges involving goats as greedy inflation rates time commitments will businesses, the tax similar to their reform law, infrabe eroded. rates of monetary structure spendgrowth. ing, oil prices, or Extremely foreigners.

But high rates of this is a divermonetary growth sionary tactic. Persistent inflation has a (100 percent and above) led to hypersingle source: rapid growth in the sup- inflation in Ukraine, Zimbabwe, and ply of money. The nation’s money sup- Venezuela. As the growth of the money ply is its currency, checking accounts, supply in these countries soared, so too and savings accounts held by individu- did their rate of inflation. als and businesses. When that supply There is a close relationship between increases faster than the growth of the rapid monetary expansion and high economy, the prices of goods and ser- rates of inflation when measured over vices will rise. lengthy time periods. Historically, this The Philippines’ money supply grew linkage has been one of the most con25,600 percent from P14.6 billion in sistent relationships in all of economics.

1978 to P3.8 trillion in 2018—a comCountries with high rates of inflation pound annual growth rate of 15 percent nearly always have wide fluctuations in and faster than the growth of the econTurn to A5

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

You’re still alive, aren’t you?

O

NE of the most infuriating aspects of the Aquino administration was its pathological inability to behave sensitively in the face of public hardship, made worse by displays of haughty arrogance.

We still remember clearly how President Benigno Aquino III sarcastically said, “You’re still alive, aren’t you?” to a Tacloban businessman, who expressed fears for his safety following incidents of looting in the wake of the destructive Typhoon ‘‘Yolanda’’ in 2013.

Mr. Aquino’s Transport secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya—now a respondent in several graft cases—famously said that the traffic that had all but paralyzed Metro Manila was “not fatal.”

Weighing in on the same problem, Mr. Aquino said, “When you come home and you’re caught in traffic, just remember that people are running errands, not just loitering around. That is a sign of economic growth,” Aquino said.

In 2016, we welcomed the promise of change by President Rodrigo Duterte, who seemed to grasp the everyday problems of ordinary Filipi-

nos and vowed to do something about them. Mr. Duterte did not mock us by belittling our problems—in fact, he seemed sensitive to them.

But two years later, some of his people have forgotten that they are public servants and, in good Orwellian fashion, are starting to go down the same road that Mr. Aquino and his cohorts took.

Reacting to public anger over rising fuel prices in May, which were aggravated by a government-imposed excise taxes on fuel, Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno said we shouldn’t be such crybabies, since we had weathered worse.

In the face of a severe shortage of rice in Zamboanga, Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol suggested that this was caused by a successful crackdown on smuggling, and that we should perhaps consider legalizing the illicit trade in the grain in

those areas. As prices for the grain continued to climb, on National Food Authority official cleverly declared there was “no rice crisis, but maybe a price crisis.”

Then, as the rate of inflation hit a nine-year high at 6.4 percent in August, the President’s spokesman, Harry Roque, said it was “historically high, but not ridiculously high.”

As Filipino families struggled under the yoke of rising food and fuel prices, Roque attributed the August inflation rates to the “limited supply of essential goods that could not keep up with the strong demand due to a robust economy.”

And there it was. That perverted Aquino twist that suggested our problems were mere side effects of economic growth, and that we should actually be grateful for bad traffic or high prices.

Before it is too late, Duterte’s lieutenants need to learn the lesson that the Aquino administration never did: To fix a problem, you must first admit—with some humility—that it exists.

Spooked substitute.

Yet there is no substitute for rice among the poor and the middle class.

Only the rich can afford quinoa or adlai, or whole wheat bread, and then again, they eat basmati or Calrose or Japonica, even if it costs them three times more than THE “ghost” month in the Oriental lunar what the poor have to make do with.

As the gates of hell were wide open, calendar ends, but what a month it has been, not only in the Philippines, but else- the cost of basic necessities was what bedeviled Filipinos most. And just as the where.

According to the geomancers though, “gates” began to close after the middle the “ghost” lingers for a week before de- of the ghost month, the Bangko Sentral parting, even if the seventh lunar month came up with its measurement of inflation that the Department of Finance and most is over.

Typhoon ‘‘Mongkhut,’’ taken from the economists did not predict to be as much: Thai name for mangosteen, is barreling in 6.4 percent, the highest in nine years.

It sent shockwaves across the econthe Pacific Ocean through Guam, and if it’s current direction holds, into Taiwan. Or it omy, from a stock market spooked could yet hit Batanes and the Babuyan Is- downhill, to legislators foaming in their lands, with heavy rainfall affecting North- mouths, asking for heads to be chopped.

And the peso went into deeper south, ern Luzon and the rest of our main island.

During the latter half of the ghost ending last Friday at close to 54 to the dollar. month, Typhoon The tragedy of ‘‘Jebi’’ struck Japan, it all was that, as destroying the long Albay Rep. Joey bridge that links the The record-high Salceda noted, Kansai International the cost-push inAirport to Osaka, inflation rate was not flation was “selfand beyond that, to a case of bad luck; inflicted.” It was Kyoto and the rest not a case of bad of Japan’s tourist it was a case of bad luck; it was a case destinations. The timing, an absence of bad timing, an devastation was absence of planof planning, or even almost similar to ning, or even ‘‘Haiyan,’’ or our common sense. common sense. ‘‘Yolanda’’ of horThe Left rible memories. and the yellows And a week after, blamed TRAIN 1, an earthquake struck Sapporo and Hakodate and other parts of putting the chances of TRAIN 2, thereinHokkaido. Terribly spooked Japan has after re-named TRABAHO, the comprehensive reform legislation our economic been by the ghosts of the seventh month.

A Xiamen Airlines plane skidded from managers were pushing on the back of the Naia runway into a grassy patch soft- a popular presidency, at peril of passage ened by incessant rain. It took a day and months before mid-term elections.

The “train” may have been contribua half to extricate the plane, but the toll it took on airport and airline operations was tory to inflation, but it was not the primary devastating. It happened during the sec- culprit, as any financially-literate person without jaundiced or reddened eyes could ond week of the ghost month.

The incident not only resulted in see. Externalities such as Trump’s harstranding thousands of irate passengers; rumphing Iran that caused oil to continue it also exposed how unprepared we are its rise, and the depreciation of the peso for such accidents. It also highlighted the vis-à-vis Trump’s strengthening dolneed for another international gateway lar were the greater contributors to the that has been discussed for the last two spooked economic situation.

True, all of the Asean countries were decades, without decision nor action.

But what really spooked the average getting spooked by inflation, but the PhilFilipino most were the long queues for ippine cost-push at 6.4 percent trumped vanishing NFA rice, along with commer- Vietnam’s 3.9 percent, Indonesia’s 3.2 cial rice prices hitting the roof. Along with percent and Thailand’s 1.62 percent. The the absence of rice, the price of fish and ghosts of August-September hit our price vegetables, pork and poultry rose as well. economy hardest.

And in the case of our staple grain, Never mind the sugared drinks which we are so fond of. Water is a far healthier Turn to A5

Clean waters as food source RISING food prices and dwindling supply are much talked about these days.

Rice, meat and fish are the staple and subject of those who are struggling to bring them to the family table. But let’s talk about fish. Like vegetables, fish, as any nutritionist will tell you, is healthier to eat than that fatty pork belly and expensive beef.

The Philippines is a country endowed with rich natural resources. It is an archipelago of 7,107 islands surrounded by bodies of water like the Pacific Ocean on the East and the South China Sea on the

Protecting the environment is not a priority of this administration.

West . Both bodies of water are bountiful in marine life, particularly fish. Yet we are importing fish like galunggong from nearby countries like China, Vietnam and Taiwan whose poachers ply our waters.

It is under such a dire situation wherein Buhay Party-List Rep. Lito Atienza sounded off on one of his most ardent ad-

vocacies—saving the environment.

“Our seas, river and streams, aside from providing us with safe drinking water, are an abundant source of food.

Fish and other edible marine food harvested from our seas can help solve the food scarcity,” said Atienza.

Yet, Atienza said, protecting the environment is not a priority not only under President Duterte but in all previous administrations.

“Instead of protecting and saving the environment as a mission of government, it has been more an omission,” remarked the former Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources. His stint as DENR secretary was short because his appointment was made near the end of former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s nine-year reign.

Turn to A5

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Opinion A stress test for the Philippines?

(Part 1) BEFORE we start running helter skelter all over the place making all kinds of doomsday pronouncements about the state of our affairs as if the end were near, we should probably pause and take stock of our situation. True, there has been a spike in the price of basic commodities causing a higher rate of inflation than expected over the past two months. The pressure on the peso has also been harder than ever before after the increase in oil prices and the raising of US interest rates. Then there is some uncertainty in global markets brought about by the seemingly unabated trade standoff between the world’s two biggest economies, the US and China.

In the midst of all these disruptions what are we to do? Are we going to sit down as a mature nation and map out the best measures which should be put in place to ensure that our situation does not get any worse?

Or, are we going to act like partisans of any shade or persuasion and start bombarding each other with all kinds of blame for the state we are in? Even worse, are we going to encourage any kind of destabilization to get rid of the “Hitler” in the Palace—as some of the extremists are suggesting or even initiating?

Before we even think of the worst scenarios, perhaps it is best we compare our situation with two of the countries considered most vulnerable to an economic meltdown. First, Venezuela. By almost all accounts, this oil-rich country is already a basket case with an almost useless currency and inflation running in the millions.

In addition to a shattered economy which has shrunk considerably, the political divide has spiraled out of control, bringing more people into mass exodus across the borders. This cannot stand for long. Sooner rather than later, something’s got to give.

We just hope that if that happens, it will not bring about worldwide contagion.

On the other hand, a month ago when US President Trump ordered the doubling of tariffs on imported Turkish steel and aluminum imports, causing the Turkish lira to tumble by almost 10 percent and prompting Turkish President Erdogan to lash back at the US and its allies as engaging in economic warfare. This came a few days after the US Congress condemned Turkey for the detention of an American pastor on supposed false and malicious charges and immediately after Erdogan won election to an expanded presidency. The embattled

Spooked....

From A4

even with imports suddenly being rushed

by NFA, and the harvest season just around the corner, the betting is that the price spikes will not abate significantly for the rest of 2018. Consumers will need more garlic to ward off the spook, so to speak.

On the political front, Senator Antonio Trillanes was spooked by, it turns out, Solicitor General Jose Calida whom he wanted to roast over hot coals in a Senate hearing over security guard contracts.

And while the President was on a trip to the Holy Land and neighboring Jordan, Asec. Mocha Uson of the PCOO sang a Lebanese song in front of a souvenir shop in the fringes of Petra, obviously delighted at having seen such a magnificent wonder of the ancient world. Oh well, maybe she was trying to ward off the “ghosts” of the

Clean...

From A4

“A case in point is the continued deterioration of Manila Bay and Laguna de Bay,” Atienza pointed out. He is saddened that the once-beautiful Manila Bay has become one big receptacle for garbage which washes ashore on Roxas Boulevard whenever there is a storm surge.

Atienza’s other observations: While fish like tilapia, bangus and other species are harvested from Laguna de Bay, these are mainly exported to Japan and even the United States as frozen food for the dollar-rich overseas Filipinos. But very few fish from our oceans reach the Filipino table, Even the lowly galunggong’s price has gone up. Sadly, these are fish caught from our own waters by poachers from nearby countries and then reexported to the Philippines.

Inflation....

From A4

the inflation rate. High and variable rates of inflation undermine prosperity. When prices increase 20 percent one year, 50 percent the next year, 15 percent the year after that, and so on, individuals and businesses are unable to develop sensible long term plans. The uncertainty makes the planning and implementation of capital investment projects risky and less attractive. Unexpected changes in the inflation rate can quickly turn an otherwise profitable project into a personal economic disaster. Rather than dealing

CROSSROADS JONATHAN DE LA CRUZ Turkish leader’s charge resonated with a majority of the Turkish public. For a while.

But even as some analysts said, Trump’s move was feather light, a slap on the wrist, the lira’s plummeting was somehow credited with the “...pushing down of the currencies of Argentina, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Russia, South Africa and Zambia and raising Italy’s borrowing costs versus Germany to the highest levels since May...,” as reported by a number of business dailies.

That prompted analysts and investors, in and out of Turkey, to take a second look at the real state of that country’s economy.

A kind of stress test similar to that of the banking system’s financial tests and, yes, even in the case of critical medical proce-

Let us take stock of our situation. dures. They were not satisfied, somehow even alarmed, at what they saw. It did not help that the measures taken by the government to somehow temper the lira’s fall was exacerbated by the appointment of his son-in-law, Berat Albayrak, as treasury and finance minister. For some reasons, instead of letting the dust settle, Erdogan pushed even harder. He tweeted about the unconscionable practices of the central bank as he immediately tasked the central bank to raise interest rates—a no-no under any and all circumstances. That was just the start.

Albayrak and his crew then moved to initiate other measures to stench the red but to no avail. From hereon, Turkey will be the marker for a possible global growth slowdown which can, in turn, result in inflation and other unintended consequences.

The question is: will Turkey’s spiral result in a worldwide economic contagion similar to the ‘Thai crisis’ in 1998 or even the 2008 Wall Street financial meltdown?

Both of which ensnared the Philippines in their webs causing serious economic disruptions with all the attendant problems such a contagion brings. That is what we

should seriously look into and prepare for, as citizens of a country facing all the turbulence swirling all over the place.

Most analysts insist that the case of both countries, Venezuela and Turkey, cannot yet, with emphasis on yet, produce a global economic contagion. It will take more than the decline in both countries to produce a 1998 or even a 2008 meltdown scenario. As Peter Coy in the Aug. 20 issue of Bloomberg Businessweek noted, it will take more crisis points to bring the world to a real pandemic. Just the same, Coy contended, the crisis will still be ugly for nations that, like Turkey, are under pressure both internally and externally. In the case of Turkey, the inflation rate is hovering at 16 percent while the lira has already been down by 40 percent as of August.

We are, as of yet, far from being in a similar hole like Turkey. But just the same we should already subject ourselves to an honest-to-goodness stress test especially since the turbulence brought about by the latest round of price increases and decline in the exchange rate has brought a lot of doomsayers and extremists out of the woodworks. But that stress test will only do us any good, moving forward if the administration takes all the necessary measures, many of which we have said in this column, to let the situation settle down and leave our people undistracted by the noises.

The protocol for such stress tests is well known so I invite one and all to check out what their research or even their gut feel suggests as we go over these. In the US, a group engaged in gauging the situation of working families called The Campaign for America’s Future has designed an economic stress test assessing the condition of jobs, housing, health care, and household costs on a state-by-state basis over time. It will be instructive for all of us if we can use the CAF stress test to check on the problems affecting our own families and communities. Better still, the same test shows the way to solutions which maybe useful for our economic managers and their counterparts outside of government to take a look at for possible guidance as we move forward from the turbulence we are currently in.

In Part 2 of this proposed Stress Test for the Philippines (circa 2018) I will excerpt the indicators stipulated therein which “...illustrate the troubles families in America, state-by-state, are facing and the suggested solutions for them to move forward...”

To be continued

seventh month.

*** On a personal note, and just as the ghost month was about to end, the 20-year old daughter of former employee in Butuan City died after massive bleeding, likely by an undetected leukemia.

What made her story more tragic was that she was a bright student in a graduating class at Fr. Saturnino Urios Catholic University, who had hoped that after finishing, she could help her mother and sibling gain a more comfortable life.

Patricia Yzel Lao Payot’s mother used to work as a counter girl in one of our family-owned fastfood restaurants, while her father was a dishwasher who eventually became a cook. I helped the father get a job as a cook in a cruise ship, and through honing his culinary talents, now a chef and steward in a cargo vessel.

Such a sad denouement.

But as if to give the young girl some cheer on the way to heaven, movie actress

Karla Estrada read a Facebook account

by Patricia’s classmates of how much she idolized her son’s Kath-Niel star tandem.

In fact, she lined up in a queue along with some classmates to watch the tandem’s latest movie, enduring abdominal pains just to watch her cinematic idols. She collapsed after the movie screening, and had to be brought to the hospital.

The bereaved family wishes to express their gratitude for the kind gesture of Daniel Padilla’s mother Karla, sending a huge wreath to give condolences. It would make Patrizia smile in child-like glee, the mother said. *** This writer also sends profound condolences to the family of Rene Garcia of the immortal Hotdogs band, who passed away last week. Hotdogs’ OPM hits of the ’70s still delight to this day.

His brothers Greg and Dennis are good friends, with whom I have worked on several advertising campaigns.

But resourceful and creative Filipinos know how to bring down the galunggong’s retail selling price at the local market. Why do you think that rumor about formalin-tainted galunggong spread like wildfire?

A subject that makes the usually mildmannered Atienza furious is the continued rape of Laguna de Bay. He’s angry that only the rich and powerful are the ones benefitting from the fish bounty in the lake as they shipped the fish harvest abroad for dollar revenues. The small and non-export quality catch are the ones that make it to the local market.

What are the other disastrous consequences of those illegal fish pens in Laguna de Bay? Chemical food are fed the fish to make them fatter and heavier to command higher prices. This means more profit. Not all the powdery foodstuff are eaten by the fish and they stay at the bottom of the lake. The result is that the lake

has become shallower to inundate the seaside towns of Laguna. Flood waters in these areas often stay for a month even after it has stopped raining. I know this for a fact as I am from the province of Laguna.

“Laguna de Bay is the largest lake in Asia but it has also become one big fishpen for the rich and powerful,” said Atienza, a former Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources under thenpresident and now House Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

He also recalled how he used to catch with his bare hands fish like dalag and hito and even the palaka (frogs) from rice paddies. Pampanga folks cook frogs into delicious palakang adobo. Frogs, grenouilles in French, are an expensive delicacy in the menu of expensive restaurants in Paris.

Even our lowly kuhol or snails cultured in rice fields are exported to France for the locals and foreign tourists to feast on as escargots.

with these uncertainties, many decision makers will simply forgo capital investments and other transactions involving long term commitments. Some will even move their business and investment activities to countries with a more stable environment. As a result, potential gains from trade, business activities, and capital formation will be lost.

Moreover, when the government pursues inflationary policies, people will spend less time producing and more time trying to protect their wealth.

Because failure to accurately anticipate the rate of inflation can devastate one’s wealth, individuals will shift scarce resources away from the production of goods and services and toward ac-

tions designed to hedge against inflation. The ability of business decision makers to forecast changes in prices becomes more valuable than their ability to manage and organize production.

When the inflation rate is uncertain, businesses will shy away from entering into long term contracts, place many investment projects on hold, and divert resources and time into less productive activities. Funds will flow into the purchase of gold, silver, and art, in the hope that their prices will rise with inflation, rather than into more productive investments such as buildings, machines, and technological research. As resources move from more productive to less productive activities, economic

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2018

A5

Are we approaching a tipping point? ment should get its act together. Salceda said the blame falls squarely on government. For sure there are other forces at play, such as the rising oil prices, supply difficulties, and market opportunists, but for the administration to do “little or nothing” is inexcusable.

HISTORY is replete with tipping points, For instance, while some officials a term coined by journalist and author blame rising global oil prices for the Malcolm Gladwell to refer to “the mo- record-high inflation, the fact that the ment of critical mass, the threshold, the Philippines is one of the biggest net boiling point,” or phenomena that, often importers of oil in Asean—as much as at times out of the blue, precipitate seis- 94 percent according to some study— mic change. should have given Duterte’s economic On the morning of Sept. 6, all the managers pause in terms of implemajor dailies in the Philippines carried menting TRAIN, the timing of which the same banner story: The 6.4-percent is “patently ill-timed,” said economist surge year-on-year in inflation for Au- JC Punongbayan. For any consumer or gust, the highest in almost a decade, in entrepreneur, higher fuel costs simply the wake of a seemingly uncontrollable means higher costs on everything! surge in the prices of basic commodities Most of the working class are not and utilities. aware that TRAIN also provides two The Philippine Statistics Author- more rounds of automatic petroleum ity confirmed that the rate is the fastest tax hikes in 2019 and 2020. Even more since the 6.6 percent recorded in March expensive fuel prices for everyone.

2009 toward the end of the term of thenHe said the proposed bill to stop the President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, implementation of TRAIN’s petroleum who is now House Speaker. The rate is tax hikes is “more and more justified by also the fastest in Southeast Asia and the day.” exceeds the government’s upper foreRice, the staple for a big majority cast of 6.2 perof the population, cent and target of also saw record 4 percent for the movement in pricyear. es. This should Inflation had now be a crisis For the been in the escamode situation, lating issue for not just politicaladministration, the the entire year, ly, but as an eslesson is clear. which started calating, gut level, with muchnational security vaunted Tax priority. A few Reform for Acregions witnessed celeration and double-digit rice Inclusion law. The government’s eco- inflation rates in August, with Zambonomic managers had then sought to anga City and Basilan notably declardownplay the many apprehensions on ing a state of calamity after rice prices the law’s injurious impact on commod- reached P70 a kilo. ity prices, stressing, for instance that In many ways it was just the tip of of the basic commodities only sugar- the iceberg that revealed, among others, sweetened beverages could expect faulty decision-making and mismanmovement in prices. agement at the National Food Authority Such effects would only be tempo- and unabated smuggling. There were rary, they said, and measures would be already reports of a near-depleted rice put in place to mitigate any other im- buffer stocks as early as the beginning pact. By these assurances, both Houses of the Duterte administration, from 1 of Congress acceded to the adamant million MT in June 2016 to just 2,000 pressure of no less than Secretary of the MT In June 2018 just two years later.

Department of Foreign affairs who perFor economic experts, measures that sonally made sure that TRAIN 1 taxes should be put in place include (1) putwere passed. ting a stop to TRAIN’s petroleum tax Eight months later, the same eco- hikes next year and (2) hastening the nomic managers are now struggling to importation and distribution of rice naexplain how they failed to predict the tionwide, especially to rice-deficit areas sheer scale and endurance of TRAIN’s and food-deficit populations. Budget impact on inflation, on top of trying to Secretary Ben Diokno singled out the appease a restless public. “It’s noth- rice tariffication bill, which will enable ing to worry about,” said Presidential the country to shift from the quota sysSpokesman Harry Roque. “Historically tem in importing rice to a more open it’s high but not ridiculously high.” tariff system.

The numbers tell a different story, Politically speaking, all these crises however, with inflation rate well above are taking place toward the halfway government estimates: food and non- point of the Duterte presidency. In the alcoholic beverages (8.5 percent), al- most recent SWS survey, “The 11-point coholic beverages and tobacco (21.6 decline in President Duterte’s net satispercent), furnishing and household faction rating from March 2018 to June equipment (3.5 percent), health (4 2018 was due to declines of 20 points in percent), and restaurants and miscella- Metro Manila, 18 points in the Visayas, neous goods and services (4 percent), 6 points in Balance Luzon, and 6 points among others. in Mindanao.” Their charts show that More than innocuous numbers, for more and more Filipinos are growing many Filipinos, these figures mean less dissatisfied. The lame excuses, blame food on a quickly emptying table or one games, and shows of bombast, like the less meal a day. The hardest hit, as al- agriculture chief eating bukbok-infestways by bad policy, are always the poor ed rice or the justice department obviwho are barely eking out a living given ously going after a vociferous critic the continuing strain on their meager in Trillanes. Smoke screens and spins incomes. or troll armies will not work when the Economist Rep. Joey Salceda (Al- people are hurting. bay) explained: “What is more worriFor this administration, the lesson some is that it would reverse gains in here is clear: listen to the experts, for a poverty reduction and hunger mitiga- change, and focus on the real solutions tion since the main culprit is food infla- instead of being allergic to criticism. tion, which surged by 8.5 percent. Thus, Stop blaming external factors causing the inflation of the poor (lowest 30 per- inflation and do something about what cent) is estimated at 7.4 percent.” government can control. If stopping the Worse, inflation is higher in regions revenue leaks from bureaucratic inefwith already high incidence of poverty: ficiencies, smuggling and corruption Bicol (9 percent), ARMM (8.1 percent), can’t be done, then doing something and SOCCSKSARGEN (7.9 percent). about taxes seems to be the only opVegetable prices in Cagayan Valley sky- tion. What this administration will do in rocketed at a rate of 35.6 percent. Fish these weeks will spell the difference on prices surged in Bicol at 20.2 percent. whether the record August 2018 inflation Thus, instead of trying to euphemize would be just another interesting hiccup the problem or redirect blame, govern- or the tipping point to a major disruption. progress slows.

Economic progress will also be undermined when monetary policy makers are shifting between monetary expansion and contraction. When the monetary authorities expand the money supply rapidly, the more expansionary monetary policy will initially and generally push interest rates downward, stimulating current investment and creating an artificial boom. However, the boom will not be sustainable. If the expansionary monetary policy continues, it will generate inflation, which will cause policy makers to shift toward a more restrictive policy. As they do so, interest rates will rise, which will impede private investment and throw the economy into

a recession. Thus, monetary shifts from expansion to restriction will generate economic instability, jerking the economy back and forth between booms and busts. This pattern of monetary policy will also create uncertainty, slow private investment, and reduce the rate of economic growth.

Monetary stability is an essential ingredient of the environment for economic progress. Without monetary stability, potential gains from capital investment and other exchanges involving time commitments will be eroded and the country’s people will fail to realize their full potential. eric.jurado@gmail.com

A6

News

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2018

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Experts take up water security

M

ETROPOLITAN Waterworks and Sewerage System Administrator Reynaldo V. Velasco reiterated the need for teamwork among all stakeholders to ensure water security and address challenges posed by inadequate safe water, access to improved sanitation and even climate change.

Speaking before participants of the 25th PWWA International Conference and Exhibition in Tacloban City the other day, Velasco assured the public of a continuing and fruitful partnership with its concessionaires Maynilad, Manila Water and Bulacan Bulk with one collective mission to ensure water security and sustainability as well as to improve water services and sewerage coverage in Metro Manila and nearby provinces.

The MWSS administrator who discussed “Water Security and Sustainability” shared the stage at the Philwater plenary session with its two concessionaires - Manila Water president and CEO Ferdinand M. de la Cruz who talked about “Wastewater Management” and Maynilad president Ramoncito S. Fernandez who discussed “Enhancing Resiliency of Water Operations in the Face of Climate Change.”

Velasco told conference delegates of the various infrastructure projects being undertaken by MWSS and its three concessionaires to ensure water security and sustainability under the President Duterte’s “Build, Build, Build” program of government as well as its future plans and programs even as he assured there is no looming water crisis in the near future in Metro Manila.

Velasco made the statement even as the country has fallen below the international “water stress” threshold of 1,700 m3 per year and fast approaching the “water scarcity” threshold of 1,000 m3 per year. Using the 2018 population of 107 million against the fresh water supply of 146 BCM, per capita availability stands at 1,553 m3 per year. The wateravailability-per-capita situation in the country represents the country’s water security issue.

Among the projects he discussed were the Angat security projects, Bulacan Bulk Water Supply project, and the newly-approved Kaliwa Dam project.

ALL FOR ONE. Philippine Water Works Association officers led by Directors Antonio Magtibay, Gerardo Ilagan and Joel Baldelovar present tokens of appreciation to MWSS Administrator Reynaldo V. Velasco, Manila Water president and CEO Ferdinand M. de la Cruz and Maynilad president and CEO Ramoncito S. Fernandez after the three water officials delivered their respective speeches on water security and sustainability, resiliency against climate change and wastewater management at the Philwater 2018 held at Oriental Hotel in Tacloban City. The event was attended by more than 1,000 delegates from water districts and entities all over the Philippines.

Tax amnesty bill ready for House approval, says panel head

By Rio Araja THE House committee on ways and means has approved a bill granting tax amnesty and it is ready for plenary approval.

Rep. Dax Quirino, panel chairman, said the measure seeks to improve revenue administration and tax collection by granting an amnesty on all unpaid internal revenue taxes.

Under the proposal, a taxpayer seeking amnesty must pay a rate of 8 percent of his or her net worth

covering taxable year 2017, or P10,000 to P10 million—depending on their taxpayer classification.

Deputy Speaker and Batangas Rep. Raneo Abu said the real-estate tax amnesty under the general amnesty bill “would be a big help in declogging and updating of real property records/titles.”

“This will promote the interest of heirs in developing inherited real properties. This will also boost the financial position of the local government units,” he said.

House Minority Leader and Quezon Rep. Danilo

Mining sector accounts for 2.78% of Bicol GDP THE MINING industry in the Bicol Region contributed a substantial 2.78 percent to the 2016 regional gross domestic product, according to the Philippine Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative.

The Masbate Gold Project is a key member of the extractive industry in Bicol.

The EITI promotes transparency and good governance in the Philippines’ extractive sector. This is EITI’s

third nationwide roadshow, aimed to reach 600 participating companies in 13 regions—namely Bicol, Davao, Cebu, among others.

PH-EITI conducted an inspection tour of Masbate as part of its Roadshow 2018 with the theme “Moving Beyond Transparency: Integrating Extractives Disclosure and Dialogue in Local Development” . Specifically, the inspection team toured the MGP mine site in Aroroy, Masbate. MGP is

made up two companies – Filminera Resources Corp. and Phiippine Gold Processing and Refining Corp.

The EITI is a global standard that promotes transparency and accountability in the extractive sector. The Philippines committed to participate in the EITI through EO Nos 79 and 147, and Filminera is the only mining company in the Bicol Region that participates in the initiative since its implementation in the country.

Ralph de Dios, mining superintendent of Filminera Resource Corp., shows a rock sample to PH-IETI delegates during their inspection tour of the minesite. Not in photo is the waste rock dump where cacao and coffee seedlings have been planted, one of the major environmental rehabilitation program sites also toured by the EITI delegates. On this same rock dump of 1,897 hectares, MGP has planted 2.2million trees since it started operations in 2009.

National choral competition slated in December MANILA Broadcasting Co. will mount the 2018 MBC National Choral Competitions on Dec. 4 to 8, 2018 at the Aliw Theater.

Schools, churches, residential communities, offices, and special interest groups are invited to take part in the competition, which will be conducted in two divisions: children’s choirs (for participants up to the age of 16), and the

open category. P100,000 will go to the grand champion in the children’s division, and P150,000 are at stake for this year’s open category champion.

Interested choirs should send an audition packet consisting of a high quality video of the group (taken not more than 6 months before) and the application form to the 2018 MBC National Choral Competitions, Manila

Broadcasting Co., Sotto Street, CCP Complex, Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City (tel 555.3477). Audition packets must be received at the MBC head office, Sotto Street, CCP Complex, Pasay City on or before October 15, 2018.

The video may also be posted on YouTube, with the link and application form emailed to siouxstar@gmail.com on or before the date mentioned.

Suarez, one of the principal authors of the measure, said the government could bolster its financial position if the measure is passed.

With the tax amnesty measure, he said the government should not prioritize the passage of the Tax Reform for Attracting Better and High Quality Opportunities amid public backlash, the modified name of the controversial Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion 2.

He said lawmakers must look for ways to stop corruption at the Bureau of Internal Revenue.

Donate human organs, save lives—DoH ONE deceased human being can save and improve the quality of life of eight or more individuals, Health Secretary Francisco Duque said as he pressed for organ donation and not the sale of human organs.

“The DoH recognizes the noble and altruistic act of saving a life through committing one’s organs or tissues upon one’s death,” stressed Duque.

This can be done by signing up as organ donor cardholders and providing consent to organ donation. Indeed, organ donors are heroes of our times, Duque said.

With the passage of Republic Act No. 7170, otherwise known as the Organ Donation Act of 1991, as amended

by Republic Act No. 7885, Duque said organ and tissue donations from donors who have been declared brain dead has been allowed.

Human transplantable organs include the kidneys, liver, lungs, heart, intestines, and pancreas, in addition

to human tissues such as eye tissues (corneas, sclera, etc.), bones, skin, and blood vessels.

Duque said the Department of Health is encouraging families to consider organ donation of deceased relatives, including those who have been declared legally and medically brain dead, to help others in need of transplantation.

But they are also discouraging the incentivized organ donations, where living organ donors not related to the recipient are motivated by financial rewards.

He warned that this system would create a risk for both the donor and the recipient, exposing them to further injury.

World Health Organization data from 2017 show that deaths caused by various end-stage organ diseases involved up to 230,000 Filipinos. This may have been prevented by organ transplantation. Unfortunately, organ donation from brain dead patients remains dismally low in the Philippines. Macon Araneta

Doctors group seeks anti-TB measures

By Macon Araneta MEDICAL doctors have called for measures to prevent cases of latent tubercolosis from worsening into active TB cases which could be fatal.

Dr. Regina Berba, national chairman of PhilCAT and head of Philippine General Hospital Infection Control Unit said there should be a program for those harboring latent TB or the inactive form of the infection.

She stressed that the program would ensure that those infected won’t develop the active disease and infect others.

Certain individuals, she said, should be tested for TB infection because they are at higher risk of being infected with TB bacteria.

Among these individuals include those who have spent time with someone who has active TB disease; those who live or work in highrisk settings; healthcare workers who look after patients with increased risk for TB infection; as well as infants, children and adolescents who are exposed to adults who may be harboring the active disease form of TB. Without treatment, she warned developing the active disease can be fatal.

In 2016, 10.4 million people around the world fell ill with TB, and 1.7 million died from the disease.

“TB disease is contagious. Whenever a person with active pulmonary TB coughs, sneezes, speaks or even sings, droplets containing M. tuberculosis are expelled into the air. People nearby may breathe in these bacteria and become infected,” said Berba.

Dr. Camilo Roa, founding chair of Philippine Coalition Against Tuberculosis or PhilCAT said while screening tests such as interferon gamma release assays (IGRAs) or even the less accurate yet more affordable tuberculin skin test may be done to these individuals, preventive therapy may already be given without these screening tests considering their exposure risk as recommended by the WHO for those <5 years old with exposure to active TB disease and people living with HIV. He also said identifying this group of patients and providing them with preventive therapy may hold the key to curbing TB cases in the Philippines where prevalence rate remained high at 1,159 per 100,000 Filipinos, citing the 2016 National Tuberculosis Prevalence Survey.

Sports

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MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2018 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Tamaraws’ defense keys win over Green Archers

By Peter Atencio

Games Wednesday (Araneta Coliseum) 2 p.m. UST vs FEU 4 p.m. UP vs Ateneo THE Far Eastern University Tamaraws’ team defense proved sturdier in the end.

Forcing ballhandler Andrei Caracut to two big turnovers in the last 81 seconds, the Tamaraws went on to post a 68-61 stopping of the La Salle Green Archers yesterday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Arvin Tolentino banged in 13 points for the Tamaraws, who went on to keep up with early leaders University of the Philippines and National University in the 81st University Athletic Association of the Philippines men’s basketball tournament.

Ken Tuffin had 11 points, while Alejandro Inigo shot 10. The pair of Wendell Comboy and Alec Stockton added nine piece.

Hubert Cani only had seven, with his jump shot off Kib Montalbo in the last two minutes making a big difference as

FEU took a six-point cushion, 62-56.

As La Salle made efforts to stay in the thick of the fight, Caracut turned the ball over twice in his efforts to find an opening inside a tight shaded lane in the last 48 seconds.

But the absence from the team’s rotation of La Salle big man, Fil-New Zealand cager Taane Samue for most of the game after the second quarter because of a foot injury, finally took its toll on the Green Archers’ finishing efforts. Taane got hurt two weeks before the opening.

From there, FEU kept possession and maintained its six-point lead, 64-58, in the final 22.1 seconds off Inigo’s two freebies.

“I liked how my players stuck to the game plan and kept their discipline. Because, I know eventually, our offense will come,” said Tams’ coach Olsen Racela, who recalled how they lost badly to La Salle, 90-95, with big man Ben Mbala around.

The contest was tied six times, before Caracut shattered a 52-all tie and put the La Salle in front with two charities in the last 5:25.

TAMING MACHINE WAVES.

US’ Kelly Slater surfs off the lip during the qualifying round of the WSL Surf Ranch Pro, at the Kelly Slater Surf Ranch in Lemoore, California. The four-day event brings the worlds top surfers to compete on perfect machine-created waves in a half-mile long (.8kms) wave pool situated 100 miles (160.9kms) inland from the Pacific Ocean.

Draw denies Nietes historic bid L

OS ANGELES—Donnie Nietes still hasn’t lost a fight in 14 years, but a controversial draw Saturday with Filipino compatriot Aston Palicte denied his dream of a world title in a fourth different weight class.

Judges scored the 12-round showdown for the vacant World Boxing Organization super flyweight title 118-110 for Nietes, 116-112 for Palicte and a 114-114 draw at The Forum in Inglewood, California.

Nietes, 36, saw his record move to 41-1 with five drawn as his unbeaten streak since 2014 went to 34 fights -- 30 wins with a fourth draw.

Palicte, 27, now has a record of 24-2 with one drawn.

Punch count statistics saw Nietes, 36, land 194 punches, 70 more than Palicte, his 40 percent of punches landed was nearly twice the accuracy rate of his rival.

While not beaten, Nietes was denied a victory that would have put him alongside Manny Pacquiao and Nonito Donaire as the only Filipino fighters with world titles in four weight classes.

Nietes became the WBO minimumweight world champion in 2007, the WBO world light-flyweight champion in 2011 and the International Boxing Federation world flyweight champion in April 2017.

He moved up in weight to try for the title feat and gave Palicte, coming off a career-long nine-month layoff, his first world title opportunity.

Nietes suffered his only loss in a split-

decision defeat to Indonesia’s Angky Angkotta in Jakarta in September 2004.

Palicte and Nietes exchanged their first sustained flurries of hard blows in the fifth and sixth rounds.

Nietes generally landed more punches by picking apart his younger and larger rival, moving well and coming inside at times to answer powerful Palicte right hands with punishing left hooks and rights of his own.

Meanwhile, former champion Shawn Porter defeated Danny Garcia by a unanimous decision late Saturday to win the vacant World Boxing Council welterweight title.

The 30-year-old American won on all three judges scorecards as he threw more punches overall, but Garcia made it razor close by landing a higher percentage of punches at the Barclays Center arena in New York.

It turned out to be a terrific 12-round, 147-pound slugfest as two judges had it 115-113 while the other scored it 116-112.

The judges agreed on only four rounds.

Porter solidified his position as being one of the best welterweights in boxing’s deepest division.

“This title means a lot to me,” said Porter. “It means a lot to the history and I wanted to be part of that.”

He is hoping this victory lands him a chance to avenge a loss to unbeaten Keith Thurman, or a unification fight with Errol Spence.

Porter bulled his way through the fight, coming straight ahead and smothering Garcia with jabs and body shots to improve his record to 35-1 with 20 KOs in front of the crowd of 13,000.

“He tried to out hustle me mostly at the end of the rounds. His hustle game was up tonight. I did my best to fight from the outside and the inside,” said Porter. AFP

Nuestra Senora de Guia bags overall Milo Olympics’ title NUESTRA Senora de Guia Academy of Valenzuela City grabbed the overall championship in the elementary division of the 2018 Milo Little Olympics National Capital Region/South Luzon leg recently in Marikina City.

A regular participant in the premier grassroots multi-sports event in the country backed by Nestle Philippines, maker of Milo Energy Drink and organized by Prof. Robert Milton Calo of McRobertz Sports Academy, Nuestra Senora finished runner-up last in year’s edition, which motivated them to shoot for the overall title this year.

NSDGA top brass Jocelyn Anselmo instructed her sports head to broaden their program in the team and individual sports events in order to achieve their goal.

Their championship was highlighted in boys’ basketball, where promising young cager Mackenzie Joseph Bernabe bagged the Most Outstanding Athlete award and girls’ volleyball, led by MOA girls’ awardee Janessa Blair DC Buhay.

“My advocacy is to have healthy and active students, particularly in sports and I’m committed in supporting my athletes through sports and academics. I’m starting them young for their future,” school owner Anselmo said after receiving the trophy and recognition from the Milo Little Olympics’ hierarchy.

Dethroned champion Concepcion Elementary School was relegated to first runner-up, followed by Diosdado Macapagal High School. \Rounding up the Top 10 are Ateneo de Manila University, Muntinlupa Elementary School, Marist School, Burgos Elementary School, Tunasan Elementary School, Escuela de Sophia of Caloocan and Tomas Morato Elementary School.

In the secondary division, Cinderella team Sta. Elena High School reigned supreme, derailing San Beda University-Rizal’s bid of back-to back overall championship.

Muntinlupa National High School finished second followed by SBU-R. Placing fourth to 10th were Adamson University, Miriam College, University of the Philippines Integrated School, Rizal High School, King’s Montessori School Marist School and Pasay City South High School.

Rose grabs BMW Championship lead, eyes no. 1 major champion Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland.

“A one-shot lead doesn’t really mean much and it doesn’t change my approach tomorrow as I just have to play better than the guys around me,” Rose said.

Fourth-ranked Rose would move to world number one for the first time in his career with a victory unless either top-ranked Dustin Johnson or second-ranked Brooks Koepka, who share 33rd after three rounds, have a two-way share of second.

Rose would become the third English man to reach the ranking summit after

Nick Faldo, Lee Westwood and Luke Donald.

Bahamas-based Briton Rose is no stranger to winning in Philadelphia, having capturing the 2010 PGA National, and the second of his nine PGA titles, on this week’s host layout.

In 2013, Rose captured his first major title at the US Open at nearby Merion.

Rose ran off four consecutive birdies, a spurt ending at the par-3 fifth and topped by an 18-foot birdie putt at the third. He also birided the par-3 eighth from 12 feet and the par-5 ninth from three feet. AFP

PH paddlers try to defend 2 titles in world tourney

By Peter Atencio FILIPINO paddlers will be among the strong contenders when they defend their crown in two categories in the 2018 International Canoe Kayak Federation Dragon Boat World Championships at Lake Lanier in Gainesville from Sept. 13 to 16.

National coach Len Escollante said this as the Philippines will

AROUND 7,000 athletes, coaches, officials and spectators will converge at the Baguio Athletic Bowl near Burnham Park in Baguio on September 15 as flags of the 17 regions participating in the national finals are hoisted to mark the opening of the 7-day championship.

Philippine Sports Commission Chairman William Ramirez will lead preparations for the said youth-oriented multi-sports event.

“As in all events, there are still some details that need to be fine-tuned, but all in all, we are ready. Baguio is a gracious and cooperative host,” said Ramirez.

Head of Secretariat Gloria Quinto aid that members of the working committee have started to come in to the City of Pines as preparations reach its peak this coming week.

Baguio City Mayor Atty. Mauricio Domogan and Ramirez are expected to declare the games open.

Ramirez divulged that the agency is trying to upgrade the delivery of the event.

“We have been doing this for some years now. We want to be able to present a much improved event,” the sports agency chief said.

A huge electronic LED wall will be put up at the area of Burnham Park to keep the pubic updated on the goingson of the event. Schedules, results and some highlights will be flashed on the giant screen to keep the community involved and informed.

Makati, QC fives whip MPBL foes

Justin Rose of England plays his shot from the fourth tee during the third round of the BMW Championship at Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania. AFP

PHILADELPHIA—Britain’s Justin Rose could claim the world number one ranking after firing a six-under par 64 Saturday to seize a one-stroke lead entering the final round of the PGA BMW Championship.

The 38-year-old Englishman nabbed six birdies over the opening nine holes and parred through the inward nine to stand on 17-under par 193 after 54 holes at rainy Aronimink Golf Club.

American Xander Schauffele, who led after a second-round 64, was level with Rose until a closing bogey to finish a round of 67 to stand on 194 with four-time

Baguio hosts Batang Pinoy

make a huge effort in their campaign in 20-seater mixed 200-meter and 500-meter categories.

“Standard iyung boats na gagamitin dito, kaya familiar sila sa mga ito at defending champion pa,” said Escollante during the team’s sendoff at the Aristocrat Restaurant in Malate, Manila.

A total of 23 Filipino paddlers flew to Atlanta, Georgia Sunday morning for the competition.

Host United States is among the team to beat with Russia, Hungary, Germany and France in the two events where Filipino paddlers are seeking podium finishes.

“We believe that our dragonboat team has the tools to go ahead with the world’s best,” said Go For Gold’s Jeremy Go, who is the vice president of Powerball Marketing and Logistics Corporation. AFP

MAKATI and Quezon City found themselves back on the winning track in the MPBL Datu Cup following separate wins over their respective rivals late Saturday night at the Ynares Sports Center in Pasig.

The Skyscrapers used a solid third quarter run to turn back the Marikina Shoemasters, 90-71.

It was the fifth win in eight games for Makati, but more importantly, it allowed the team to snap a two-game skid.

Cedric Ablaza came away with yet another double-double performance for the Skyscrapers with 22 points and 10 rebounds and got plenty of support from his teammates.

“We improved more on our defensive schemes. We know that we lost (Philip) Paniamogan, but we worked on improving our defense because that is where everything will start,” added Ablaza.

Head coach Cholo Villanueva was happy to see another solid effort from Ablaza, who praised his decision making more.

“He’s not forcing his shots. He’s looking at a better way getting his teammates more involved and finding ways on when to attack,” added Villanueva.

Earlier, Quezon City got back on the winning track the hard way, nipping Valenzuela, 76-72, in the other game.

The Capitals drew a solid effort from ex-pro Jojo Duncil, who knocked in 25 points to lead the charge for the Black Mamba-supported team, which now improved its win-loss record to 2-4.

Makati played its first home game on an unusual venue.

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

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MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2018A

Serena: I’m not a cheat NEW YORK—Serena Williams insisted she was not cheating in the US Open final on Saturday before accusing the sport which has made her a global icon and multi-millionaire of sexism.

Naomi Osaka won the final 6-2, 6-4 to become Japan’s first ever Grand Slam singles champion and delay Williams’s bid for a record-equalling 24th major title.

However, the final was overshadowed by the American’s angry and tear-filled tirade in the second set.

It has already been dubbed ‘The Mother of all Meltdowns’ by the New York Daily Post.

The 36-year-old was handed a code violation for coaching, a penalty point for racquet abuse and a game penalty for calling umpire Carlos Ramos a “liar and a thief” and insisting “you owe me an apology”.

“He alleged that I was cheating, and I wasn’t cheating,” Williams told reporters later.

“I don’t use on-court coaching (where it’s allowed at WTA tour events).

“One thing I love about tennis is being out there. It’s the one time I don’t want to hear anyone tell me anything. You have to figure out. You have to problem-solve.”

Williams said that her coach Patrick Mouratoglou had not been coaching her even though the Frenchman told ESPN that he had and that all coaches do it.

“I just texted Patrick, like, What is he talking about? Because we don’t have signals. We have never discussed signals,” said Williams.

Williams said the incident strengthened her belief that women players are treated differently to their male counterparts in the sport.

“I’ve seen other men call other umpires several things. I’m here fighting for women’s rights and for women’s equality,” she claimed.

“For me to say ‘thief’ and for him to take a game, it made me feel like it was a sexist remark.

“He’s never taken a game from a man because they said ‘thief’. For me it blows my mind. But I’m going to continue to fight for women.”

Williams made reference to the incident last week when French player Alize Cornet was warned for removing her shirt on court during a heatwave.

Cornet was accused of “unsportsmanlike behavior” before tournament chiefs apologised, admitting the umpire made the wrong decision.

“Cornet should be able to take off her shirt without getting a fine. This is outrageous,” said Williams warming to her theme.

“I just feel like the fact that I have to go through this is just an example for the next person that has emotions, and that want to express themselves, and want to be a strong woman.

Sports

Osaka

is breakout star of US Open I

N an age of robotic press conferences where players are staying focussed and taking it one match at a time, Naomi Osaka breezes in, confesses to being fond of sweating, eating 500 bagels a day and having only one friend.

It’s all peppered with liberal doses of ‘likes’, ‘you knows’ and ‘stuff’.

And it made her the breakout star of the 2018 US Open where on Saturday she became first Japanese to win a Grand Slam title with a 6-2, 6-4 win over childhood idol Serena Williams in a controversial final.

“It was always my dream to play Serena in the US Open finals,” she said before turning to the American on the trophy podium.

“I’m really grateful I was able to play with you, thank you.”

Osaka wasn’t even two years old when Williams won the first of her six US Opens in 1999.

Born on October 16, 1997 in -- appropriately -- Osaka, Japan, she was still a year away from moving to the United States on a permanent basis.

Her Haitian father Leonard met and married her mother Tamaki having decamped to Japan from New York where he had studied.

Now based in Boca Raton, Florida, Osaka has dual Japanese-American citizenship.

It’s a status that could help explain what her coach Sascha Bajin describes as her innocence.

When Osaka performs media duties

with her own national press, she takes questions in Japanese but replies in English, apologising for not knowing the appropriate word when she does resort to her mother tongue.

Despite that she is careful not to be seen as disrespectful.

-- ‘Super-awesome’ Japan -“When you go to Japan, everything is totally awesome and you’re having the time of your life,” she says.

“Every day you go out and you eat good food and stuff.

“When I go to Japan, I don’t feel like I’m at home. I feel like it’s a super-awesome extended vacation that I don’t want to leave.”

Despite being a relative rookie on tour, Osaka has developed into a big-stage player.

Standing an impressive 1.80m (5ft 11in), she made her Grand Slam debut at the 2016 Australian Open, coming through qualifying to make the third round where it took former champion Victoria Azarenka to stop her.

Current number one Simona Halep halted her progress at the French Open in the third round that year while at the US Open, she gave up a 5-1 lead in the final set to lose to Madison Keys, the player she beat to make Saturday’s final.

Before this year’s trip to New York, she

registered her best Slam run at the Australian Open in January where she made the last 16 and where Halep again proved her downfall.

So, it wasn’t a surprise when her first WTA title came at one of the non-Slam’s grandest stages, the prestigious Indian Wells event.

Out in the southern Californian desert, she knocked out Maria Sharapova in the first round, Halep in the semi-finals before lifting the title with victory over Daria Kasatkina.

In seven matches, she dropped only one set.

The following week, she defeated Williams in her opening match in Miami.

Like Williams, Osaka has enjoyed a sibling rivalry although nowhere near as intense and barrier-breaking as Serena and her sister Venus.

Big sister Mari Osaka is also a professional who this week was playing on the second-tier circuit in Switzerland, losing in the quarter-finals of a $60,000 event.

Victory on Saturday earned Naomi $3,800,000 but she remembers the days when her older sister was the best player in the Osaka household.

“When I was practicing with my dad, if my sister wasn’t there, I don’t think I would have made it,” she said.

“She beat me 6-0 until I was 15, and then I don’t know what happened but one day I beat her 6-2. I’m not sure if you call that a rivalry if someone beats you every day 6-0 for 15 years.”

After Saturday, there will be no more arguments in the Osaka household as a new star was born on the WTA circuit.

Pinoy campers impress Barca trainers San Beda University

tankers make splash

By Peter Paul Duran CEBU CITY—Now the deliberations start.

After receiving a glimpse of what world-class football training is, 160 boys and girls from all over the country graduated from Year 2 of the MILO-FCB Road To Barcelona program and now await if they’re part of the seven standout campers, who will train with others from around the world at historic Camp Nou. The participants, divided into two groups (morning and afternoon sessions) tested their skills in the training camp at Cebu City’s Sport Center under the guidance of two coaches from La Liga giant FC Barcelona’s Youth Academy.

But all those technical knowhows that may have impressed the coaches from Catalonia is only 30% from the bigger 70% criteria based on the campers’ attitude and values during the camp, which local coaches who helped in the camp and the expert panel composed of PFF representatives, will deliberate on to choose the seven players to be added to the 12-man pool bound for Barcelona next month.

Though if you ask the visiting coaches, the kids, aged 10-12 and composed mainly of Cebuano youth, were excellent in both attitude and aptitude.

“I was surprised by the level of attitude they have for the game as well as the technical level of all these players,” said Albert Batalla Fernandez, one of the FCB Youth Academy coach-

Naomi Osaka of Japan reacts during her Women’s Singles finals match against Serena Williams of the United States on Day Thirteen of the 2018 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 8, 2018 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. AFP

SAN Beda University continued to rake in the golds in both men’s and women’s senior divisions even as Perpetual Help’s Russell La Torre stole the some of the spotlight with a recordbreaking effort in the juniors’ class of the 94th NCAA swimming competition at the Rizal Memorial Aquatics Center in Manila.

La Torre, who raked in five gold medals in the Philippine National Games in Cebu last May, took the 400m freestyle gold in four minutes and 18.33 seconds, but he made his presence felt in the morning prelims when he set a new record with a clocking of 4:18.15.

The Red Tankers kept making a big splash thanks to golden efforts of Celine Anne Delotavo in the women’s 400m free, John Henry Gurango in the men’s 400m free, Chloe Medina in the women’s in the women’s 100m backstroke, Chris Alcher Calderon in the men’s 200m breaststroke, the men’s and women’s 200m freestyle relay teams.

The Day Three effort was enough to clinch San Beda the senior men and women titles as it has amassed 927.5 and 936.5 points going into the fourth and final day.

St. Benilde, which got golds from Aziz Jan Pukunum (100m back), Justine Anne Abastillas (50m fly) and Christopher Wong (50m fly), was a distant second in both divisions with 465 and 411.25 points.

Guiao to reveal Final 12 in Iran

By Peter Atencio TEAM Pilipinas is almost ready, and they showed it in a tuneup game, and how they won over IECO Green Warriors, 99-82, on Sunday.

After the national team’s first and only tune-up game for the FIBA Basketball World Cup Asian qualifiers against Iran, coach Yeng Guiao said he is nearing a decision on who will make up his Final 12.

“Wala pa akong naiisip na final.

Pero pagdating sa Iran, doon na malalaman,” said Guiao.

Guiao took note of their need to take of their rebounds during the game.

“We had some lapses with the offensive rebounding. Pero ‘yun lang,” added Guiao.

The Green Warriors, owned Blackwater owner Dioceldo Sy, will join the 2018 Asia Super League Terrific 12.

Guiao is getting the PH team ready, with Greg Slaughter already officially listed.

He will get to play for the Gilas Pilipinas national men’s basketball team as a local.

That’s after Slaughter finally got clearance that basketball officials have been seeking before world basketball body FIBA The clearance was given, some five days before their first game in the second round of the World Cup Asian qualifiers against Iran on Sept. 13.

“I just found out Fiba has approved my eligibility as a local!

Couldn’t be happier about this,” said Slaughter in a twitter message.

FIBA secretary-general Patrick Baumann confirmed the decision in a letter sent to Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas executive director Sonny Barrios.

“After a thorough review of the documentation by (the SBP), FIBA exceptionally authorizes Gregory William Slaughter to play for the Philippine national team without restriction,” said Baumann in his letter.

Balanza named NCAA Player of Week A trainer from FC Barcelona’s Youth Academy having fun with young Filipino campers. Peter Paul Duran

es handling the training camp.

His fellow coach Jordi Aguilar Roca appreciated the effort put forth by the kids.

“The kids from the Philippines are good, so nice and they have good discipline. It’s so easy to work with them,” said Roca, who along with Batalla, is a UEFA A Licensed Coach.

“The important difference from kids here compared to the other camps in other countries is really the attitude and discipline. Because here, if the kids

finish their drills, in 5-10 seconds, they fall in line immediately, picking up after them in every drill,” added Batalla.

FCB, along with MILO, believes in the shared values in the word HEART, Humility, Effort, Ambition, Respect, and Teamwork, which they hope every kid in the camp will imbibe.

“The most important thing in all our camps is values and attitude. More than the skill, more than the methodologies

JERRICK Balanza did not need to be on the Last Friday, Balanza underwent a successcourt to make his presence felt for Letran. ful operation for the removal of the tumor in his Facing his own battle after getting brain. The tumor is now set for biopsy diagnosed with a brain tumor, Balanto see if it’s benign or malignant. za served as the Knights’ inspiration The operation lasted for four and a in their 99-82 win over the Arellano half hours and the lanky swingman is Chiefs last Thursday to stay hot in now recovering.

NCAA Season 94.

“We wish and pray for nothing but For showing tremendous strength the best for Balanza,” said head coach in his own battle and serving as an Boyet Fernandez of archrival San inspiration for his team, the NCAA Beda. “It’s unfortunate and we wish Press Corps has decided to give the for his fast recovery.”

Chooks-to-Go Player of the Week While his operation was successful, award to Balanza.

Balanza is still in need of assistance to “Si Jerrick, hindi naman nawala BALANZA ease off his financial obligations due sa team namin ‘yan. He’s still part to his treatment. of the team,” said Letran head coach Jeff Napa.

For those who wish to donate, here are the de“Kailangan intindihin namin ang health niya, tails: Bank: BDO Intramuros pero ‘yung presence niya sa dugout, sa ensayo, Account Name: Colegio de San Juan de Lenandun pa rin ‘yun.” tran, Inc. Account Number: 4‎ 500003129

IN BRIEF

Business

Companies hiring more in Q4—BSP THE employment outlook in the next quarter turned more bullish as companies signified their intention to hire new employees, results of the Business Expectation Survey conducted by Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas show.

The employment index for the next quarter improved to 26.3 percent from 24.9 percent in the last quarter’s survey.

“The positive reading indicates that more firms will continue to hire new employees than those that said otherwise,” Bangko Sentral said.

The outlook of firms on their hiring intentions was more optimistic in the services and wholesale and retail trade sectors, steady in industry, but less upbeat in construction.

The percentage of businesses with expansion plans in the industry sector for the fourth quarter also rose to 36.1 percent from 34.2 percent a quarter ago.

Among sub-sectors, agriculture, fishery and forestry, electricity, gas and water, and manufacturing expressed stronger expansion plans, while those of mining and quarrying were lower from a quarter ago. Julito G. Rada

SMC taps 2 foreign banks for P735-b Bulacan airport

By Darwin G. Amojelar

S

AN Miguel Corp. said it tapped Standard Chartered Bank and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp. as co-financial advisors for the planned P735-billion New Manila International Airport project in Bulacan province.

Property firms back national land use bill THE country’s largest organization of key real estate industry players reiterated its support to the passage of the proposed national land use act in Congress to align with economic and physical developments.

The bill, announced as a priority measure in President Rodrigo Duterte’s last State of the Nation address, is the third in the five-point agenda of the Chamber of Real Estate and Builders’ Associations Inc. for housing.

Creba chairman Charlie Gorayeb said the proposed legislation would serve as the centerpiece agenda on the upcoming 27th national convention set on October 17 to 20 2018 at Thunderbird Resort, La Union where at least 500 participants are set to converge and discuss solutions to the country’s housing concerns.

The proposed NLUA bill set four major categories of land uses for planning purposes—protection, production, settlements and infrastructure.

“A national land use plan has long been needed by this country. If done correctly, it shall be a key policy reference for all local comprehensive land use and development plans in all sectors, including commercial, industrial, housing, and real estate,” Gorayeb said. Othel V. Campos

“SMC has appointed SCB and SMBC as co-financial advisors as we continue to progress through the next stages of approvals and process,” San Miguel said in a statement over the weekend.

“They are both leading advisors in the infrastructure and airports sector and will be able to bring their expertise and experience to assist SMC throughout the process, with the ultimate goal of the successful delivery and closing of this landmark project for the Philippines,”

the conglomerate said.

It said the partnership with major financial institutions would be a key step forward to making the New Manila International Airport a reality.

The project, which was approved by the National Economic and Development Authority chaired by President Rodrigo Duterte in April, involves the construction of a world-class, major international gateway with four to six parallel runways, modern terminals, a sea port and an industrial zone.

“It’s a great privilege and honor to partner with San Miguel Corp. on such a historic and game-changing project for the Philippines. We believe our experience in projects of this scale will be of great value to San Miguel, and, together with SMBC, we are ready and able to provide all the support they will need,” said Standard Chartered Bank.

“This project is of great importance to the Philippines and the Filipino people, and we are honored by the trust given to us by San Miguel Cor-

poration,” said SMBC. “SMBC’s task, together with SCB is to make sure that San Miguel has all the support required to get a project of this magnitude and scale, done. We look forward to providing our expertise to deliver on this goal,” it said.

San Miguel proposed to build the massive airport complex on a 2,500-hectare property in Bulakan, Bulacan―just 27 kilometers away from Ninoy Aquino International Airport, or 45 minutes from any point in Metro Manila via multiple expressways.

It said the new airport was expected to create one million jobs during the construction phase. The company said in a statement it would hire the best Filipino talents from here and abroad―especially from among the ranks of overseas Filipino workers.

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

BDO’S AWARDS.

BDO Unibank Inc., the country’s largest bank, wins six awards including the Philippine Domestic Trade Finance Bank of the Year during the Asian Banking and Finance Awards. It also took home the Philippine Domestic Cash Management Bank of the Year, CSR of the Year-Gold Award, Equity Deal of the Year (Philippines), Corporate & Investment Bank of the Year (Philippines), the Syndicated Loan of the Year (Philippines) and Corporate and Investment Bank of the Year. Representing BDO during the award ceremonies at ShangriLa Singapore are BDO Capital president Eduardo Francisco (left) and BDO executive vice president and head of Institutional Banking Group Walter Wassmer (right).

Rural banks’s assets climb 8.3% to P216b THE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas sees a positive outlook for rural banks as the industry shows sustained expansion in terms of assets, loans, deposits and capital.

Latest BSP data showed the industry’s assets expanded 8.3 percent to P216.7 billion as of end-March 2018, funded by the 6.7-percent growth in deposits to P154.8 billion.

Capital adequacy ratio—a measure of financial strength—stood high at 19.1 percent. Meanwhile, return on equity was solid at 7.1 percent while annualized net profit was reported at P2.9 billion at end-March 2018.

“The rural banking industry demonstrates its strength as shown by the positive growth in assets, loans, deposits and capital based on the latest data as of end-March 2018. The industry also continues to be profitable and operates with a wide physical network,” Bangko Sentral said over the weekend. Julito G. Rada

Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2018

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DOTr to pursue P3.6-b contract on vehicle plates THE Department of Transportation said it plans to pursue the P3.6-billion contract with car plate suppliers that awarded during the Aquino administration.

“It’s being evaluated definitely.

That’s being carefully studied,” Transportation Undersecretary for road Thomas Orbos said, referring to the deal with Power Plates Development Concepts Inc. and J. Knieriem BVPower Plates under the Motor Vehicle License Plate Standardization Program.

Under the original contract, PPIJKG was required to supply 15 million new plates within a five-year period.

Of the 15 million plates, only four million were distributed, resulting in a backlog of 11 million.

The Commission on Audit on July 13, 2015 issued a notice of disallowance against the P477.9-million advance payment made by the Land Transportation Office to PPI-JKG for alleged irregularities in the allocation of the agency’s budget.

The Supreme Court also stopped the DOTr and LTO from distributing 700,000 pairs of license plates turned over the by Bureau of Customs to LTO after former Abakada Party-list Rep. Jonathan dela Cruz and incumbent Parañaque City 2nd District Rep. Gustavo Tambunting questioned the implementation of the deal in light of the CoA order.

The shipment of plates was stalled for a year at the Manila Port after PPIJKG failed to pay P40 million worth of taxes and customs duties.

The Supreme Court on Jan. 23, 2018 declared as constitutional the funding for the MVPSP, paving the way for the release to motorists of 700,000 license plates turned over by the BoC to the LTO. The court ruled that the 2014 GAA included an appropriation for the program and the use of the appropriation was constitutional.

The CoA also lifted the notice of disallowance against the LTO license plate standardization program.

Romeo Vera Cruz, executive director of LTO, said with the lifting of CoA’s notice and the TRO from Supreme Court, the agency could resume the execution of the contract of PPI-JKG. Darwin G. Amojelar

Govt set to take over electric Govt grants fuel surcharge on local, foreign flights cooperative in Lanao de Sur

By Alena Mae S. Flores THE government is set to take over Lanao del Sur Electric Cooperative to ensure the speedy restoration of power in Marawi City, the National Electrification Administration said over the weekend.

“There’s a plan... a proposed EO [executive order] now submitted to the Office of the President for the government takeover,” NEA administrator Edgardo Masongsong said.

He said the takeover was a decision reached by a committee composed of Finance and Energy Departments and other relevant government agencies.

Masongsong said the recommendation was already submitted to the Office of the President.

“That’s beyond our control. In fairness to Lasureco, they did everything. In fact,

six coastal towns of Lanao del Sur are now enjoying electricity,” he said.

Masongsong said Lasureco allocated some P84 million to reconstruct the distribution system to benefit the six coastal towns.

“Lasureco is doing its best. In fact, Lasureco is at the forefront in electrifying the Sagonsongan Temporary Shelter…

And during the Marawi siege, there was electricity because of Lasureco,” he said.

NEA directed Lasureco to ensure adequate power supply in temporary shelters for residents affected by the Marawi City siege last year.

Masongsong earlier expressed dismay over the outbreak of hostilities in Marawi as it occurred at a time when the Task Force Duterte-Lanao Sur Power “hit the ground running” to revive the ailing electric cooperative.

AIRLINE tickets are set to become more expensive after the government approved the reimposition of fuel surcharge on local and international flights to help airlines recover losses from costlier jet fuel.

“There is a matrix already. It’s with the DOTr [Department of Transportation]. It went through Secretary [Arthur Tugade] and we followed his guidance and we followed the model of Japan.

Because we want to have a matrix that everytime there is an increase in fuel or decrease, they don’t need to go back to us,” Transportation Undersecretary for aviation and airports Manuel Antonio Tamayo told reporters.

“The one we approved as far as DOTr is concerned is the matrix that was prepared by CAB [Civil Aeronautics Board] which is between a higher ma-

trix proposal and a lower one. It’s in the middle. Everything will depend on the cost of fuel. So that was approved. It went through the board,” Tamayo said.

Tamayo said the reimposition of fuel surcharge would be implemented within the month.

“We have to let the airlines survive instead of canceling flights, sacrificing quality of service,’ he said.

The CAB suspended the imposition of fuel surcharge in all domestic and international flights in 2015 because of lower jet fuel prices.

A fuel surcharge is a temporary relief granted to airlines to help them recover losses incurred from higher jet fuel prices.

Fuel accounts for about 50 percent of an airline’s operating cost and is the second-highest expense next to labor.

Cebu Air Inc., the company behind

Cebu Pacific, earlier asked the CAB to approve a fuel surcharge amounting to P70 to P280 for domestic flights and $6 to $26 for international flights.

Cebu Pacific is also seeking a fuel surcharge of P1 to P2 for cargo on domestic flights and $0.20 to $0.30 on international flights.

PAL asked the CAB to approve P282 worth of fuel surcharge each way for Luzon to Luzon and Visayas routes; P405 for Luzon to Mindanao routes; and P158 for Visayas to Visayas routes.

PAL seeks to impose a fuel surcharge of P222 for Mindanao to Visayas/Mindanao routes.

Philippines Air Asia also filed with the CAB a petition for authority to impose cargo fuel surcharge from P1 to P7 per kilo on actual rate. Darwin G. Amojelar

Asian Vapers unite to share voice with authorities ASSOCIATIONS of electronic cigarette users, also known as “vapers” from the Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia, joined together to launch a united voice to be heard by policy makers.

Peter Paul Dator from The Vapers Philippines, Dimas Jeremia from Indonesian Vapers Associations, Asa Saligupta from Ends Cigarette Smoke Thailand and Azrul Hafriz Bin Zainudin from Malaysian Organization of Vape Entity made the announcement during a panel discussion on “Alternative Tobacco Products Regulations:The Role of the Consumers” which was hosted by the Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs on the same day.

They launched #VapersBeHeard to provide Asian vapers with an opportunity to be heard

by global, regional and national policy-makers as well as the general public regarding their views on better alternative smoke-free products.

“Vapers are generally active in the digital world through social media, blogs and other platforms.

We want to take advantage of this by launching a digital campaign through which all vapers can participate, and this will hopefully allow us to be part of the discussions with policy-makers. For years, regulations on e-cigarettes and other alternative products were issued but failed to take into consideration the interest of vapers, smokers and the concerned public.This needs to change now,” said Dator.

He said the campaign #VapersBeHeard aimed to express to pol-

icy-makers that it is the basic human right of vapers and smokers to receive accurate information as well as have access to better alternative products, rather than for them to continue smoking cigarettes, which is the most harmful way of consuming tobacco.

“Vapers are also people―mothers, fathers, sons, daughters–and we deserve a chance to lead a better life through these alternative products,” they said.

Asian vapers also demanded to be part of the process in regulating better alternative products.

“Our first goal for this campaign is to be a part of the discussion in the upcoming World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control Conference of Parties 8th meeting in Geneva,” said Asa Saligupta from ECST.

TAX AMNESTY BILL. Members of the House committee on ways and means hold a regular meeting to discuss the proposed Tax Amnesty Bill. Mata Partylist Rep. Tricia Velasco-Catera (inset), a member of the committee, said the law makers discussed ways to enhance revenue administration and collection by granting amnesty to all delinquent and unpaid tax assessments for taxable year 2017 and the prior years.

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Business

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2018 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Volatile trading expected this week

By Jenniffer B. Austria

T

RADING at the Philippine Stock Exchange is expected to remain volatile this week, with sell-offs in emerging market assets likely to dominate amid renewed global trade concerns.

Gabriel Jose Perez, sales associate at Papa Securities Corp., said foreign selling and concerns of a possible rate hike due to the higher-than-expected August inflation rate, along global trade concerns would continue to weigh in on the market this week.

“We should remain vigilant if foreign selling continues next week, more so that the PSEi is already in the area of its support level at 7,500. External issues to watch out for over the weekend and next week would be the US—China trade war, and potential developments in emerging markets like Turkey and Argentina which might weigh again on global uncertainty,” Perez said.

BDO Unibank Inc chief investment strategist Jonathan Ravelas said the bellwether Philippine Stock Exchange Index could experience a technical rebound this week after the market’s sharp drop last week.

“Continue to see the market to range between the 7,500/7,800 levels in the near-term. However, a break below the 7,500 levels could call for further losses towards the 7,000 levels. But given the sharp drop this week, expect a technical rebound in the week ahead to retry the 7,800 levels,” Ravelas said.

The PSEi last week fell 3.3 percent to 7,598.64 as investors turned wary on rising inflation rate, which could trigger another round of interest rate hike increase.

All counters ended in the red, led by financials (-5.18 percent), property (-4.9 percent), holding firms (-3.21 percent), mining and oil (-3.13 percent), services (-0.74 percent), and industrial (-0.26 percent).

Overseas investors were net sellers by P4.4 billion while the average daily value traded stood at P6.08 billion from the previous week’s average of P7.05 billion.

Weekly top price gainers were Philippine H2O Ventures Inc., which rose 8.8 percent to P5.54; San Miguel Corp., which advanced 4.7 percent to P177; and Uni-

versal Robina Corp., which climbed 3.8 percent to P144.90.

Weekly top price losers, meanwhile, were Nickel Asia Corp., which declined 10.6 percent to P4.85; Ayala Corp., which dropped 8.3 percent to P917; and BDO Unibank Inc., which slumped 7.6 percent to P120.20.

World equities, meanwhile, stumbled Friday on worries over the US-China trade war that were amplified by a threat of fresh tariffs by President Donald Trump.

Trump jolted markets at midday by renewing threats to impose levies on all US imports of Chinese goods.

Washington has already slapped duties on $50 billion in Chinese goods and plans are underway for tariffs on another $200 billion.

But Trump told reporters on Air Force One that “there’s another $267 billion ready to go on short notice if I want.”

That would cover about 100 percent of the goods the United States imports from the world’s second largest economy.

Some US stocks were in positive territory part of the morning but indices fell to session lows following Trump’s remarks. The major indices later cut their losses, but still finished in the red. With AFP

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS WEEKLY STOCKS REVIEW STOCKS

SEPTEMBER 3-7, 2018 Close Volume

Value

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

MEDCO Holdings Metrobank Natl. Reinsurance Corp.

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

59.2 120.20 89.20 2.50 1.68 30.75 7.7 16.42 14.1 4.07 8.63 0.67 1.61 815.00 0.580 69.5 1.01 11.58 22.00 47.00 87.65 109.9 194 27.65 191.5 1815.00 73.00 1.2

86,480 18,913,550 11,463,980 257,000 843,000 620,000 100 91,200 3,701,800 1,187,000 6,800 63,000 70,000 110 13,772,000 19,453,260 6,522,000 95,000 200 540,100 520 10 7,530 929,200 3,242,790 325 172,710 17,000

FINANCIAL 5,130,322.50 1,771,793,152.00 1,030,539,263.00 657,080.00 1,402,770.00 19,352,225.00 770.00 1,493,248.00 72,600,814.00 4,829,100.00 58,876.00 41,890.00 108,160.00 89,700.00 8,255,740.00 1,386,492,055.50 6,655,280.00 1,118,306.00 4,400.00 25,903,910.00 44,486.00 1,099.00 1,460,942.00 26,374,755.00 630,858,966.00 594,325.00 13,102,600.00 20,440.00

Aboitiz Power Corp.

Agrinurture Inc. Alliance Tuna Intl Inc. Alsons Cons.

Asiabest Group Basic Energy Corp.

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

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

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

Pepsi-Cola Products Phil.

Petroenergy Res. Corp.

Petron Corporation Phil H2O Phinma Corporation Phinma Energy Phoenix Petroleum Phils.

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

Swift Foods, Inc. TKC Steel Corp.

Universal Robina Victorias Milling Vitarich Corp.

Vivant Corp.

Vulcan Ind’l.

37 17.1 1.06 1.24 43.35 0.224 19.40 3.13 14 200 33.8 72.7 80.25 45.95 1.8 5.15 7.54 10.120 15.92 9.50 7.30 7.03 16.38 65.5 29.95 7.15 13.18 2.110 281.00 4.88 3.1 13.40 24.1 12.1 17.5 0.194 380.00 6.71 2.08 4.02 9.05 5.54 8.00 1.05 11.46 54 6 4.80 2.5 3.15 1.68 12.5 97.75 5.75 0.126 1.07 144.9 2.45 2.13 19.50 1.87

6,189,700 5,350,400 45,978,000 1,869,000 1,952,100 31,730,000 41,600 29,596,000 2,540,600 70 8,351,800 730 190 1,518,400 1,178,000 2,300 44,000 19,158,400 4,032,600 2,710,100 5,105,200 35,635,200 7,056,300 283,410 2,026,900 2,264,500 1,859,800 2,983,000 2,692,860 183,000 11,000 8,600 4,150,600 2,900,100 9,338,300 790,000 1,085,780 12,700 8,398,000 317,000 3,663,700 12,675,300 311,400 18,077,000 104,300 4,098,490 287,300 7,107,000 622,000 96,000 1,199,000 5,531,272 5,548,120 811,200 510,000 4,569,000 3,985,880 105,000 28,185,000 3,100 71,888,000

INDUSTRIAL 226,155,645.00 91,636,568.00 47,147,430.00 2,249,840.00 76,969,200.00 7,072,730.00 811,927.00 93,810,210.00 36,138,352.00 13,864.00 279,923,875.00 49,854.50 15,247.50 68,354,830.00 2,101,290.00 11,683.00 328,556.00 195,234,976.00 64,436,690.00 26,497,485.00 37,124,022.00 250,793,332.00 116,272,474.00 18,372,760.50 60,321,075.00 16,458,291.00 25,088,758.00 6,387,820.00 758,523,250.00 901,660.00 34,630.00 113,660.00 100,534,545.00 36,433,198.00 141,749,702.00 146,170.00 405,154,754.00 86,177.00 17,383,840.00 1,292,050.00 32,888,531.00 76,886,631.00 2,456,520.00 19,291,810.00 1,207,850.00 224,834,655.50 1,698,999.00 34,113,600.00 1,531,000.00 298,340.00 2,016,810.00 40,549,586.00 553,157,313.00 4,676,430.00 64,320.00 5,139,710.00 568,118,701.00 261,480.00 58,506,630.00 60,414.00 136,865,800.00

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

Forum Pacific GT Capital House of Inv. JG Summit Holdings Jolliville Holdings Lodestar Invt. Holdg.Corp.

Lopez Holdings Corp.

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

MJCI Investments Inc. Pacifica `A’ Prime Media Hldg Prime Orion Republic Glass ‘A’ San Miguel Corp `A’ Seafront `A’ SM Investments Inc. Solid Group Inc. South China Res. Inc. Top Frontier Transgrid Wellex Industries Zeus Holdings

0.415 53.30 13.36 0.90 6.02 1.380 1.380 917 1400.00 5.98 12.60 5.25 7.26 0.204 870.5 5.80 57.65 5.09 0.61 5.02 16.98 0.620 5.27 3.35 0.0380 1.200 2.680 2.60 177.00 2.59 938.00 1.45 0.79 299.000 390.00 0.3350 0.206

120,590,000 8,954,730 118,830,500 514,000 320,500 110,205,000 18,288,000 1,873,230 5 15,597,500 12,179,400 3,300 516,100 440,000 1,043,980 41,400 7,501,840 21,600 1,225,000 9,876,200 10,529,400 12,447,000 133,128,200 8,000 48,800,000 2,692,000 7,640,000 44,000 3,466,740 10,000 1,180,790 366,000 44,000 266,000 160 30,560,000 160,000

HOLDING FIRMS 50,934,300.00 473,160,959.50 1,673,694,902.00 470,120.00 1,950,256.00 156,185,200.00 26,071,930.00 1,768,794,015.00 7,000.00 93,622,684.00 153,396,210.00 15,979.00 3,716,571.00 90,020.00 928,699,165.00 242,160.00 431,572,714.50 112,369.00 728,480.00 49,155,106.00 175,817,136.00 7,903,930.00 706,256,879.00 26,830.00 1,882,900.00 3,273,220.00 21,100,470.00 114,620.00 615,182,749.00 25,970.00 1,124,646,430.00 539,640.00 34,260.00 80,432,112.00 62,980.00 10,184,450.00 33,020.00

6,067,100 12,900,000 137,000 1,316,000 14,569,000 45,482,200 2,819,000 2,615,000 121,000 400 41,960,000 149,000 656,000 28,180,000 1,500,000 3,570,600 1,680,900 4,255,000 5,580,000 21,132,000 2,767,000 117,013,000 109,603,000 404,935,000 12,640,000

PROPERTY 44,219,352.00 12,372,420.00 1,762,450.00 2,756,960.00 10,852,700.00 1,961,585,010.00 8,531,720.00 11,931,250.00 671,013.00 2,600.00 18,087,650.00 134,350.00 641,010.00 6,562,650.00 618,400.00 32,218,588.00 42,032,410.00 2,448,590.00 648,580.00 31,060,300.00 3,291,460.00 217,428,130.00 492,959,950.00 267,717,680.00 5,893,350.00

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

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

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

7.600 0.96 12.76 2.050 0.730 42.200 2.94 4.49 5.55 6.5 0.425 0.89 0.970 0.227 0.430 8.670 24.5 0.580 0.119 1.47 1.19 1.91 4.4 0.660 0.4600

AUGUST 28-31, 2018 Close Volume Value 59 130.10 93.75 2.60 1.68 31.9 7.7 16.4 14.48 4.18 8.66

56,370 11,178,950 4,700,690 258,000 351,000 416,400 1,800 170,100 1,242,700 847,000 3,700

3,355,900.00 1,455,787,393.00 440,047,051.50 660,660.00 596,790.00 13,128,280.00 12,950.00 2,795,498.00 17,965,094.00 3,458,430.00 32,076.00

1.61 820.00 0.590 73.25 1.01 11.8 22.40 48.00 83.3 109.9 195 28.5 194.5 1850.00 76.10 1.24

5,000 30 3,782,000 17,543,670 2,910,000 60,300 1,100 933,700 2,300 4,520 5,310 620,600 2,492,010 250 690,700 4,000

7,930.00 24,500.00 2,214,070.00 1,290,620,497.50 2,917,790.00 711,740.00 24,140.00 44,931,185.00 193,419.50 484,596.00 1,042,972.00 18,003,785.00 495,588,398.00 462,500.00 57,011,701.00 4,940.00

37 17.18 1 1.25 36.55 0.234 19.40 3.21 14.28 210 32 68.25 80.05 46 1.8 5.01 7.68 10.540 16.24 10.22 7.30 7.04 17 64.9 28.20 7.40 13.82 2.200 288.00 4.97 3.04

9,473,200 3,642,500 52,482,000 3,115,000 1,228,100 4,980,000 26,800 15,229,000 1,310,100 110 8,706,000 2,580 30 1,647,500 97,000 100 94,900 4,446,800 7,928,800 947,000 3,863,800 26,963,200 11,307,500 1,471,430 947,900 182,600 1,657,800 3,087,000 3,094,990 428,000 60,000

346,420,185.00 62,374,338.00 54,338,220.00 3,779,590.00 45,918,985.00 1,173,490.00 528,221.00 49,756,010.00 19,004,754.00 23,100.00 273,165,705.00 178,106.00 2,401.50 75,661,445.00 175,020.00 501.00 712,392.00 46,386,384.00 127,552,402.00 9,769,822.00 28,148,292.00 189,875,249.00 190,629,190.00 94,468,559.50 26,245,820.00 1,351,319.00 22,543,822.00 6,782,240.00 886,724,626.00 2,126,478.00 187,880.00

24.4 13.2 18.1 0.197 373.40 6.85 2.06 4.02 9.06 5.2 7.95 0.98 11.80 57.5 6 4.80 2.49 3.15 1.69 13.1 99 5.6 0.127 1.08 139.5

5,580,600 2,201,100 12,179,000 2,580,000 1,504,170 5,000 1,886,000 331,000 3,621,400 765,100 222,200 16,722,000 250,700 4,661,280 113,800 3,462,000 788,000 181,000 954,000 2,095,200 7,724,650 776,000 10,000 1,273,000 4,429,330

137,494,530.00 29,774,198.00 222,708,248.00 510,320.00 559,003,122.00 34,304.00 3,977,000.00 1,352,160.00 32,604,445.00 3,882,755.00 1,726,959.00 16,745,540.00 2,909,712.00 267,757,044.50 686,441.00 16,618,840.00 1,964,020.00 565,140.00 1,621,420.00 27,663,990.00 742,274,463.50 4,345,794.00 1,270.00 1,350,130.00 624,324,541.00

2.1 20.50 1.81

9,687,000 1,000 85,742,000

20,457,310.00 20,500.00 163,785,060.00

0.390 53.45 13.80 0.92 6.10 1.470 1.480 1000

155,370,000 10,558,820 27,292,500 407,000 122,700 78,705,000 14,108,000 931,520

60,396,450.00 565,764,746.50 368,754,478.00 379,630.00 747,226.00 118,675,090.00 21,515,880.00 923,721,545.00

5.99 12.80

39,044,800 25,886,700

233,675,021.00 314,394,734.00

7.05 0.205 876 5.98 60.00 5.73 0.59 4.7 17.2 0.630 5.45 3.73 0.0400 1.270 2.840 2.79 169.00 2.6 966.00 1.53 0.76 299.000 417.00 0.3300 0.207

214,000 750,000 1,013,080 12,300 6,360,320 9,200 143,000 11,686,000 8,060,700 11,711,000 222,498,400 64,000 70,900,000 2,058,000 3,755,000 756,000 2,620,540 3,000 1,154,540 1,168,000 140,000 440,620 460 101,950,000 110,000

1,503,398.00 155,660.00 886,992,490.00 73,653.00 373,532,237.50 48,679.00 84,130.00 54,979,290.00 139,354,274.00 7,507,350.00 1,181,237,139.00 225,540.00 2,841,400.00 2,595,910.00 10,613,900.00 2,101,730.00 444,481,976.00 7,800.00 1,117,947,885.00 1,782,630.00 107,220.00 130,436,258.00 191,370.00 35,836,550.00 22,760.00

7.100 0.98 13.10 1.970 0.730 44.500 3.08 4.59 5.71 6.5 0.440 0.95 0.970 0.240 0.410 9.200 25.5 0.570 0.113 1.51 1.18 1.70 4.59 0.670 0.4750

1,789,000 7,089,000 84,500 179,000 1,399,000 58,023,100 3,338,000 999,000 32,300 2,100 26,070,000 2,244,000 1,668,000 37,390,000 1,080,000 2,549,300 2,062,100 581,000 2,450,000 9,038,000 5,327,000 39,553,000 106,346,000 193,258,000 130,875,000

13,027,085.00 6,846,630.00 1,108,612.00 351,040.00 1,015,900.00 2,568,497,120.00 10,318,820.00 4,533,310.00 181,378.00 12,290.00 11,621,850.00 2,000,590.00 1,619,300.00 9,185,730.00 462,350.00 23,726,690.00 53,121,265.00 336,420.00 280,110.00 13,642,190.00 6,339,250.00 68,146,790.00 495,396,790.00 126,189,560.00 67,965,800.00

STOCKS

SEPTEMBER 3-7, 2018 Close Volume

AUGUST 28-31, 2018 Close Volume Value

Value

Phil. Realty `A’ Primex Corp.

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

0.470 3.99 20.75 1.98 3.22 36.65 1.16 7.21 0.810 6.350

9,490,000 19,329,000 14,871,000 667,000 1,015,000 40,860,800 29,700,000 13,831,200 246,000 13,898,000

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

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

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

Pacific Online Sys. Corp.

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

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

SSI Group STI Holdings Transpacific Broadcast Travellers Waterfront Phils.

Wilcon Depot

13.3 23 1.4 0.480 0.045 13.68 2.81 9.33 0.0630 73.7 8.05 6.15 8.99 2.26 24.30 900 2104 5.50 317.00 11.24 3.41 92.85 2.11 12 7.80 0.123 2.9200 3.54 14.68 3.97 1.03 19.00 0.440 5.2 6.21 2.71 2.00 1.98 8.030 10.98 9.30 3.63 108.00 5.06 1424.00 0.415 0.850 44.45 80.80 8.15 2.14 0.820 0.63 5.13 0.750 10.900

203,600 781,400 7,000 45,303,000 108,600,000 45,600 37,579,000 22,411,000 62,520,000 902,440 13,500 6,130,400 99,900 1,000 269,300 100 441,400 833,200 4,310 400 13,037,000 5,412,290 32,000 101,100 116,000 20,450,000 42,508,000 105,000 21,900 5,553,000 958,000 2,530,800 230,000 297,500 9,115,600 3,086,000 943,000 115,000 9,271,300 49,300 63,400 21,000 325,320 1,914,900 321,815 39,380,000 13,762,000 2,467,800 3,739,940 341,642 20,003,000 41,751,000 137,905,000 9,060,600 36,479,000 12,986,000

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

United Paragon

0.0025 1.51 3.26 20.00 1.2500 1.4300 1.95 0.300 7.59 1.960 0.241 0.121 0.128 0.008 0.0082 1.38 4.85 1.16 0.6200 1.2600 0.0140 0.0130 4.04 14.40 0.0120 4.4500 29.00 0.0079

881,000,000 7,723,000 1,019,000 122,900 222,000 123,000 1,915,000 890,000 28,900 14,065,000 10,650,000 13,340,000 550,000 12,000,000 26,000,000 490,000 16,343,900 486,000 3,081,000 33,616,000 685,500,000 30,500,000 2,813,000 15,458,100 66,700,000 3,840,000 7,046,200 272,000,000

ABS-CBN Holdings Corp.

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

22.2 490 500 101.7 100 500 5.35 950 987.5 99.6 1.02 100 1011 1050 100 109.9 1000 77.25 79.6 75 75.2 75.6 75.35 75.5 76 1.91

263,100 7,620 10,190 81,810 10,010 6,660 501,300 1,270 20 470 1,672,000 27,640 1,000 240 198,020 80 7,490 1,412,200 101,530 13,020 14,270 2,493,450 20,750 45,900 1,770 5,000

LR Warrant

2.490

WARRANTS & BONDS 4,284,000 11,442,900.00

Italpinas Xurpas

6.67 2.68

62,585,800 5,465,000

First Metro ETF

113.2 10.1 1.01 1

USD DMPL A1 USD DMPL A2 USD TECH B2

4,556,300.00 72,259,830.00 315,404,905.00 1,339,910.00 3,254,490.00 1,530,648,780.00 34,856,910.00 106,352,535.00 194,550.00 88,462,246.00

0.495 3.49 21.30 2.03 3.22 39.00 1.14 7.16 0.770 6.400

2,460,000 3,224,000 14,300,000 696,000 355,000 40,183,600 3,206,000 1,376,900 151,000 9,936,000

1,207,550.00 11,134,090.00 301,222,610.00 1,402,500.00 1,136,830.00 1,559,813,445.00 3,643,720.00 9,856,279.00 120,090.00 63,517,098.00

SERVICES 2,749,704.00 18,685,695.00 9,860.00 22,388,530.00 4,904,100.00 624,486.00 108,759,340.00 207,284,644.00 3,875,940.00 67,213,031.00 108,125.00 38,870,005.00 855,213.00 2,260.00 6,477,375.00 90,000.00 921,040,950.00 4,602,693.00 1,360,464.00 4,496.00 48,191,460.00 509,290,346.50 66,990.00 1,215,892.00 906,875.00 2,561,060.00 128,072,930.00 363,710.00 325,100.00 22,546,670.00 974,410.00 48,862,102.00 101,050.00 1,529,741.00 58,196,639.00 8,544,730.00 1,868,900.00 219,460.00 75,626,669.00 535,668.00 565,672.00 76,190.00 35,605,472.00 9,831,455.00 457,556,905.00 15,797,500.00 11,719,210.00 110,550,535.00 301,079,096.00 1,342,282.00 43,394,530.00 43,776,430.00 88,110,320.00 46,073,277.00 28,936,950.00 144,476,660.00

13.6 24.8 1.43 0.495 0.046 13.6 3.04 9.55 0.0620 72 7.95 6.32 8.25 2.25 24.00 900 2116 5.55 317.00 11.26 3.90 93.65 2.09 12.06 7.83 0.122 3.0700 3.57 15 3.94 1.03 19.64 0.450 5.46 6.82 2.88 2.05 1.95 8.160 11 8.80 3.68 109.80 5.13 1393.00 0.405 0.870 46.00 81.60 8.00 2.19 0.840 0.67 5.11 0.790 11.520

57,800 147,500 124,000 87,381,000 25,400,000 308,800 19,488,000 64,255,700 76,230,000 808,640 3,800 8,228,300 249,800 37,000 258,200 1,530 319,280 1,112,600 7,910 300 5,199,000 10,394,680 9,000 20,100 88,500 8,650,000 27,425,000 77,000 14,300 3,791,000 1,359,000 2,441,000 60,000 348,600 9,917,200 1,155,000 822,000 131,000 5,069,600 253,400 20,200 315,000 249,900 1,357,600 335,725 99,050,000 9,032,000 2,944,200 4,852,000 209,300 15,873,000 54,096,000 150,120,000 6,348,100 24,855,000 5,719,100

793,174.00 3,663,905.00 178,880.00 46,329,185.00 1,136,500.00 4,172,750.00 60,161,950.00 594,865,691.00 4,768,010.00 59,543,357.00 30,366.00 51,971,735.00 2,087,995.00 83,420.00 6,446,025.00 1,377,020.00 664,628,275.00 6,125,723.00 2,484,268.00 3,378.00 20,735,250.00 985,759,804.50 18,650.00 242,806.00 692,320.00 1,048,950.00 86,353,060.00 274,130.00 212,500.00 15,048,820.00 1,385,090.00 48,184,742.00 26,600.00 1,896,276.00 66,982,981.00 3,343,760.00 1,675,180.00 262,220.00 41,564,958.00 2,696,452.00 175,518.00 1,102,760.00 27,498,700.00 6,887,782.00 472,591,695.00 43,060,250.00 7,815,240.00 135,879,585.00 384,794,189.00 1,696,313.00 34,624,730.00 48,006,690.00 102,787,250.00 32,520,574.00 20,326,050.00 66,162,448.00

MINING & OIL 2,248,500.00 11,929,380.00 3,451,760.00 2,501,205.00 283,110.00 162,650.00 3,728,930.00 267,650.00 216,483.00 27,664,330.00 2,542,770.00 1,626,890.00 70,930.00 98,100.00 213,300.00 675,750.00 85,615,922.00 554,890.00 1,883,180.00 43,693,310.00 8,624,000.00 375,400.00 11,465,130.00 230,219,122.00 812,400.00 15,614,230.00 283,447,805.00 2,261,900.00

0.0027 1.59 3.46 20.10 1.4500 1.4500 1.98 0.315 7.38 2.000 0.214 0.123 0.129 0.008 0.0085 1.4 5.43 1.16 0.5800 1.2100 0.0130 0.0130 4.10 15.70 0.0130 3.5600 29.00 0.0089

1,263,000,000 11,012,000 1,235,000 100,600 41,000 11,000 3,006,000 820,000 24,900 42,299,000 1,980,000 13,840,000 2,490,000 280,000,000 79,000,000 1,672,000 32,194,800 937,000 1,214,000 13,025,000 70,200,000 5,500,000 4,525,000 19,152,800 266,300,000 646,000 14,110,200 2,109,800,000

3,435,300.00 17,795,820.00 4,351,930.00 2,078,425.00 58,890.00 15,960.00 5,919,110.00 253,050.00 183,867.00 83,898,460.00 418,650.00 1,723,350.00 316,450.00 2,436,200.00 690,100.00 2,375,710.00 172,836,493.00 1,089,210.00 699,200.00 15,625,760.00 878,500.00 72,300.00 18,825,280.00 313,357,714.00 3,202,700.00 2,306,380.00 410,646,940.00 20,436,940.00

24.35 503 501 101 104.9 500 5.3 970 987.5 99.6 1.03 98.1 1011 1050 99.5

83,900 8,100 5,000 71,360 10,660 7,110 907,200 1,010 560 60 25,000 33,500 3,480 3,040 30,150

2,055,440.00 4,020,120.00 2,509,325.00 7,167,461.00 1,074,338.00 3,555,000.00 4,777,807.00 982,200.00 544,075.00 5,976.00 25,820.00 3,194,599.00 3,518,280.00 3,093,340.00 3,007,285.00

1000 77.4 80.2 75.5 75.3 76.5 75.9 75.6 77 1.94

5,255 1,334,550 54,180 501,470 59,390 50,600 9,340 109,190 248,010 3,000

5,248,350.00 101,508,002.00 4,321,776.00 37,611,187.50 4,475,085.00 3,883,325.00 706,856.00 8,231,602.00 18,872,730.00 5,780.00

2.450

1,263,000

3,076,590.00

5.33 2.83

6,304,700 1,777,000

33,702,714.00 5,080,650.00

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 52,340 6,001,369.00

117

34,770

4,053,056.00

DOLLAR DENONIMATED SEC. 40,290 407,958.20 112,210 242,530.60 10,000 10,000.00

10.3 10.26 1.04

17,900 8,280 147,920

184,370.00 83,002.80 149,836.80

PREFERRED 6,117,225.00 3,801,250.00 5,095,920.00 44,232,540.00 1,003,214.00 3,330,120.00 2,652,877.00 1,213,550.00 19,750.00 46,852.00 1,715,870.00 2,781,680.00 1,011,000.00 251,990.00 19,719,492.00 8,792.00 7,421,505.00 107,692,283.00 8,063,069.50 980,950.00 1,076,085.00 188,584,317.50 1,566,197.00 3,484,360.50 135,720.00 9,590.00

SME 396,491,541.00 15,026,350.00

WEEKLY MOST TRADED STOCKS Abra Mining Oriental Pet. `A’ MRC Allied Ind. United Paragon Transpacific Broadcast Metro Pacific Inv. Corp.

Abacus Cons. `A’ Alliance Global Inc. Interport `A’ ATN Holdings A

VOLUME 881,000,000 685,500,000 404,935,000 272,000,000 137,905,000 133,128,200 120,590,000 118,830,500 117,013,000 110,205,000

STOCKS Ayala Land `B’ Banco de Oro Unibank Inc. Ayala Corp `A’ Alliance Global Inc. SM Prime Holdings Metrobank SM Investments Inc. Bank of PI GT Capital Globe Telecom

VALUE 1,961,585,010.00 1,771,793,152.00 1,768,794,015.00 1,673,694,902.00 1,530,648,780.00 1,386,492,055.50 1,124,646,430.00 1,030,539,263.00 928,699,165.00 921,040,950.00

Ayala unit allots P700m for logistics operations CONGLOMERATE Ayala Corp., through recently formed logistics unit Entrego Logistics Solutions, has committed to spend P700 million to further expand the operations.

Ayala Infrastructure Holdings Corp. president and chief executive Rene Almendras said in a chance interview over the weekend his group was always looking at logistics to address the growing need to move goods.

“It is about the new economy and new realities and consumer preference. So we are putting up a soft infrastructure to move goods. It is a start-up company. We have budgeted P700 million but that is scalable,” Almendras said.

He said Entrego, which offers technology based end-to-end logistics fulfillment solutions, was doing well with 10,000 deliveries daily and a 99.6-percent on-time delivery in Metro Manila and 98.4 percent in areas outside the capital region.

Almendras said the company was keen on more acquisitions and investments in the logistics sector.

“We have been studying the ecosystem and we noted the ecosystems that are merging and the evolution of some... it is creating an evolution which is not new because it is happening in United States, Europe and in Asia,” he said.

“We believe the Philippine version is beginning to happen and we are making sure that it works well and it will happens that way it should be,” he added.

Ayala in August said it firmed up plans to create an investment holding company for the logistics business in partnership with Brillant 1257 GmbH & Co. Vierte Verwaltungs Kg of Germany, an affiliate of e-commerce platform Zalora.

Under the joint venture, AC Infra will hold up to 60 percent of the outstanding common shares of the new company, with Brillant owning the balance of 40 percent. Jenniffer B. Austria

Three Negros biomass plants ready in 2019

By Alena Mae S. Flores THREE biomass power plants of Negros Island Biomass Holdings Inc. with a combined capacity of 70 megawatts and costing around $160 million are expected to be completed next year.

Negros Island Biomass treasurer Don Dia said the group aimed to beat and avail of the extended deadline for feed-in tariff for biomass in 2019.

Dia said the 20-MW biomass project of San Carlos Power Biopower Inc. in San Carlos City in Negros Occidental city was set for completion and commissioning within the year. The 25MW station of North Negros Biopower Inc. in Manapla town and 25-MW facility of South Negros Biopower Inc. in La Carlota City, meanwhile, are to be completed in 2019.

“We’re now hopefully commissioning (San Carlos) before the year ends,” Dia said.

He said the San Carlos and South Negros power projects were initially covered by an engineering, procurement and construction contract with Wuxi of China before it was terminated in favor of Poyry.

Poyry was also hired as EPC contract for the North Negros project in June.

“We will beat the (feed-in tariff) deadline,” Dia said, adding the approved feed-in tariff rate is placed at P6.60 per kilowatt-hour, subject to the consumer price index adjustment.

He said sugarcane trash would be used as feedstock of the power plants.

Dia said Negros Island Biomass was also eyeing more biomass plants. “The expansion of biomass that we will do is more than just the feedstock of sugarcane... we have hectares of nurseries on different types of biomass,” he said.

Dia said International Finance Corp. would invest in the three power plants.

“They just want to be there. And then they’ll just watch us. We will run the show. They just want that in their portfolio but ThomasLloyd will still be there. I think Ayala (Corp.) by that time will come in again,” he said.

World IN BRIEF PM Abe visits quake-hit Hokkaido TOKYO-Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe visited the quake-hit northern region of Hokkaido Sunday as officials confirmed two more deaths, bringing the toll to 37.

Abe toured the city and commercial hub of Sapporo, where Thursday’s 6.6-magnitude jolt has left houses tilted and roads cracked.

He was scheduled to take a helicopter ride to view the devastation in Atsuma, a small rural town which has seen most of the deaths caused by the quake.

A cluster of dwellings in the town were wrecked when a hillside collapsed from the force of the quake, creating deep brown scars in the landscape.

Abe will later visit residents at evacuation shelters in Atsuma before meeting Hokkaido governor Harumi Takahashi.

His visit comes as search-and-rescue operations continue around the clock to find two missing individuals.

The Hokkaido government said the death toll now stood at 37, with one body yet to be officially pronounced dead by a medical professional. AFP

Parade held without missiles

P

YONGYANG―Thousands of North Korean troops followed by artillery and tanks paraded through Pyongyang Sunday as the nuclear-armed country celebrated its 70th birthday, but it refrained from displaying the intercontinental ballistic missiles that have seen it hit with sanctions.

Instead, leader Kim Jong Un showed off his friendship with China, raising the hand of President Xi Jinping’s envoy as they saluted the crowd together afterwards.

The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, as the North is officially known, was proclaimed on September 9, 1948, three years after Moscow and Washington divided the peninsula between them in the closing days

of the Second World War. Such set-piece dates are a mainstay of the North’s political calendar, and have for years been opportunities to demonstrate progress in its quest for a missile capable of delivering a nuclear warhead to the United States.

But too militaristic a display this time might have risked upsetting the recent diplomatic dalliance on the peninsula, after Kim’s Singapore meeting with US President Donald Trump in June and his third summit with the South’s President Moon Jae-in due in Pyongyang later this month.

After a 21-gun salute, dozens of infantry units marched through Kim Il Sung Square, some in nightvision goggles or wielding rocket-propelled grenade launchers, as the current leader―the founder’s grandson―looked on from a rostrum.

Li Zhanshu, one of the seven members of the Chinese Communist party’s Politburo Standing Committee, the country’s most powerful body, sat next to him, the two of them occasionally exchanging comments.

Woman held for attempted murder BARNSLEY, United Kingdom―British police arrested a woman for attempted murder Saturday after reports that she chased a man through a shopping district with a large knife before stabbing him.

“A 28-year-old woman arrested this morning on suspicion of attempted murder remains in police custody,” police said after the incident in the northern English city of Barnsley.

“The woman is currently being assessed from a mental health perspective.”

One man suffered minor injuries in the attack.

Britain is on high alert after a string of deadly terror attacks, many involving knives, and the incident raised fears of terrorism.

Assistant Chief Constable Tim Forber of South Yorkshire Police earlier said officers were “keeping an open mind as to the motivation”.

He said his force was “receiving support” from a local counter-terrorism unit.AFP

MASS RALLY. Participants march during a mass rally on Kim Il Sung square in Pyongyang. AFP

Far-right forecast to win big in Sweden STOCKHOLM―The polls opened for Swedish legislative elections Sunday with the far-right expected to notch a record score as voters unhappy about immigration punish one of the few remaining left-wing governments in Europe.

Opinion polls suggest the anti-immigration Sweden Democrats (SD) could garner between 16 and 25 percent of the vote, making it one of the biggest parties and almost impossible to predict the makeup of the next government.

The party with roots in the neo-Nazi movement has called the arrival of almost 400,000

asylum seekers since 2012 a threat to Swedish culture and claims they are straining Sweden’s generous welfare state.

The traditionally two largest parties, the Social Democrats and the conservative Moderates, are expected to win around 40 percent of the votes combined, down 10 percentage points from the last elections in 2014.

Candidates from the eight parties campaigned down to the wire on Saturday, targeting in particular the 20 percent of the 7.5 million eligible voters still undecided, according to pollsters.

“I’m still hesitating be-

tween the Moderates and SD. SD is quite close to the Moderates but they’re a little more clear in what they want.

They’re more direct,” Elias, an 18-year-old voting in his first election, told AFP. Social Democrat Prime Minister Stefan Lofven has repeatedly called the elections a “referendum on the future of the welfare state”.

But the far-right SD has presented it as a straight vote on immigration and integration, after Sweden took in more than 160,000 asylum seekers in 2015 alone, the most in Europe on a per capita basis.

AFP

Pro-, anti-whaling nations brace for battle in Brazil FLORIANOPOLIS, Brazil-Proand anti-whaling nations are set for a showdown when the International Whaling Commission (IWC) meets in Brazil from Monday as Japan leads an assault on a three-decade old moratorium on commercial whale hunting.

Tokyo heads into the biennial meeting as chair of the 88-nation body determined to shakeup what it says is a dysfunctional organization mired in dispute and unable to make key decisions.

But Japan’s package of pro-

Armored personnel carriers, multiple rocket launchers and tanks followed, with biplanes flying overhead in a ‘70’ formation.

At one point jets trailing red, white and blue smoke -- the colours of the North Korean flag -- roared above the Juche Tower, the stone monument to Kim Il Sung’s political philosophy.

Finally came the missiles, the traditional climax of the parades. But the only ones on show were short-range battlefield devices, the Kumsong-3 anti-ship cruise missile, and the Pongae-5 surface-to-air weapon.

There was no sign of the Hwasong-14 and -15 rockets that can reach the mainland United States and changed the strategic balance when they were first tested last year.

“It looks like the North Koreans really tried to tone down the military nature of this,” said Chad O’Carroll, managing director of Korea Risk Group.

Any display of longer-range missiles would have cast doubt on North Korea’s commitment to denuclearization, he added. AFP

Film festival in Toronto looks at politics and sex

Hurricane heads for US East Coast MIAMI―Florence is likely to surge back to hurricane strength and take aim for the US East Coast states of North or South Carolina, forecasters warned Saturday.

The Miami-based National Hurricane Center said its hurricane hunter aircraftwhich flies near and sometimes into storms to assess them―found Florence “a little stronger and expected to become a hurricane again” later Saturday or early Sunday.

The storm is forecast to strike as a major hurricane on Thursday―such a large strike has not hit that area in decades.

North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper issued an emergency on Friday to get emergency operations rolling. South Carolina followed suit on Saturday.

“Interests along the US East Coast, particularly Florida through North Carolina, should closely monitor the progress of Florence, ensure they have their hurricane plan in place and follow any advice given by local officials,” the NHC said. AFP

B3

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2018 CESAR BARRIOQUINTO, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

posals, entitled “The Way Forward,” has left conservationists seething even before delegates have taken their seats at the 67th IWC meeting in the Brazilian surfing resort of Florianapolis.

They say it’s a blatant attempt to overturn the 1986 moratorium and restore commercial whaling.

“This meeting is critical,” said Patrick Ramage of the International Fund for Animal Welfare.

“Member countries must stand together and push progress towards whale protection, not let

this commission be pulled back into the bygone era of commercial whaling.”

Brazil as host country is instead trying to rally anti-whaling nations behind a “Florianopolis Declaration,” which insists that commercial whaling is no longer a necessary economic activity and would allow the recovery of all whale populations to preindustrial whaling levels.

Other key issues being discussed in the week-long meeting are risks to whales of humanmade underwater noise pollu-

tion, ship strikes, climate change and “ghost-gear” entanglement -- where whales are increasingly snared by abandoned fishing gear.

Nations opposed to whaling plan to renew a long-standing proposal for the creation of a South Atlantic Whale Sanctuary, after previous proposals were knocked by the pro-whaling lobby.

Japan formally observes the moratorium but exploits a “scientific research” loophole to kill hundreds of the animals every year, despite international criticism. AFP

TORONTO-Do voters need to know about a political candidate’s sex life? This came up during Donald Trump’s 2016 campaign but also three decades earlier when adultery ended another presidential run now the focus of a new film.

Director Jason Reitman’s “The Front Runner,” about US Senator Gary Hart’s 1988 presidential campaign and the scandalous affair that derailed it, premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival.

It stars Hugh Jackman, Vera Farmiga and J.K. Simmons.

“The film is always asking what should we know, what do we need to know, what do we want to know,” Reitman told a press conference on Saturday.

“You ask one person and they’ll say I don’t need to know what’s going on in the president’s bedroom.

“And the next person might say he’s the president and everything should be available, he should have no secrets.”

After two terms of Ronald Reagan in the White House, the

Democrats were eager to wrestle back power in 1988.

Hart was their star candidate, with intelligence, charisma and a strong political pedigree.

But it all fell apart when it came out that he was a womanizer who had an affair with a young woman, Donna Rice. Hart dropped out of the race.

The film is based on journalist Matt Bai’s book “All the Truth is Out: The Week Politics Went Tabloid.”

In order to adapt the story for the silver screen, he teamed up with Jay Carson, who was press secretary for former secretary of state Hillary Clinton during her failed 2008 presidential bid.

Although the script was written before the 2016 election, when Trump was accused of paying hush money to two women with whom he allegedly had affairs― porn actress Stormy Daniels and former Playboy model Karen McDougal―Carson insists, “It’s a way to speak to what we’re going through today.” AFP

Manila

Standard

Republic of the Philippines TODAY CIVIL AVIATION AUTHORITY OF THE PHILIPPINES

MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO.: 26-18 TO

: ALL CONCERNED

FROM

: THE DIRECTOR GENERAL

SUBJECT : AMENDMENT TO THE PHILIPPINE CIVIL AVIATION REGULATIONS PART 9 (AIR OPERATOR CERTIFICATION AND ADMINISTRATION) RE: REQUIRED MINIMUM NUMBER OF AIRCRAFT FOR THE ISSUANCE OF AIR OPERATOR CERTIFICATE REFERENCES: 1. Philippine Civil Aviation Regulations Parts 9 2. Regulations Amendment/Revision Procedure 3. Board Resolution No. 2012-054 dated 28 September 2012 Pursuant to the powers vested on the Director General of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines under Republic Act No. 9497, otherwise known as the Civil Aviation Authority Act of 2008 and in accordance with the Regulations Amendment/Revision Procedure with Board Resolution No. 2012-054 dated 28 September 2012, I hereby approve the following amendments to the Philippine Civil Aviation Regulations Part 9.

AMENDED REGULATIONS: PHILIPPINE CIVIL AVIATION REGULATIONS PART 9 - AIR OPERATOR CERTIFICATE AND ADMINISTRATION 9.1.1.6 ISSUANCE OR DENIAL OF AIR OPERATOR CERTIFICATE (a) The Authority may issue an AOC if, after investigation, the Authority finds that the applicant: (1) Is a citizen of the Republic of the Philippines; (2) Has its principal place of business and its registered office, if any, located in Republic of the Philippines; (3) Meets the applicable regulations and standards for the holder of an AOC; (4) Has at least three (3) aircraft, one (1) of which must be owned by the applicant; (5) Is properly and adequately equipped for safe operations in commercial air transport and maintenance of the aircraft; and (6) Holds the economic authority issued by the Republic of the Philippines under the provisions of the Civil Aviation Law. (b) The Authority may deny application for an AOC if the Authority finds that: (1) The applicant is not properly or adequately equipped or is not able to conduct safe operations in commercial air transport.

(2) The applicant is not properly held an AOC which was revoked; or (3) The applicant fails to comply with the required number of aircraft; or (4) An individual that contributed to the circumstances causing the revocation process of an AOC obtains a substantial ownership or is employed in a position required by this registration. xxx Editorial Note. -Adjust numbering.

“End of Amendments” Separability Clause - If, for any reason, any provision of this Memorandum Circular is declared invalid or unconstitutional, the other part or parts thereof which are not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.

Repealing Clause - All orders, rules, regulations and issuances, or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this Memorandum Circular are hereby repealed, superseded or modified accordingly.

Determination of Changes - To highlight the amendments and/or revisions in the Memorandum Circular, the deleted text shall be shown with strikethrough and the new inserted text shall be highlighted with grey shading, as illustrated below: 1.

2.

3.

Text deleted: Text to be deleted is shown with a line through it.

New text inserted: New text is highlighted with grey shading.

New text replacing existing text: Text to be deleted is shown with a line through it followed by the replacement text which is highlighted with grey shading.

Effectivity - Fifteen (15) days after compliance with the requisite publication in a single newspaper of general circulation and a copy filed with the UP. Law Center - Office of the National Administrative Register, these amendments shall be incorporated to the Philippine CAR, series of 2018.

Signed this 7th day of September 2018, CAAP, Pasay City

AFTER THE ATTACK. Smoke billows following Syrian government forces’ bombardment around the town of Khan Sheikhun on the southern

edges of the rebel-held Idlib province on September 8, 2018. AFP

CAPTAIN JIM C. SYDIONGCO Director General (MS-SEPT. 10, 2018)

LGUs

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

B4

monday, september 10, 2018

LocaL government units

Education-peace tack gains gov 2 more citations

By Nash B. Maulana COTABATO CITY—For promoting the concept of education-for-peace in local governance, Maguindanao Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu recently received two honorary doctorate degrees in humanities and public administration at an international convention in Davao City.

The Jose Memorial College (JMC) and the Royal Institution (RI) of Singapore conferred on Mangudadatu twin honorary degrees in Doctor of Humanities and Public Administration during ceremonies Friday in Davao City.

They recognized the success of his local administration’s programs on college scholarship for the youth, and his governance policy of a continuing dialogue with young people as “exponent of peace.”

Event organizers said JMC is a school founded in Davao City by Evangelist Apollo Carreón Quiboloy of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ church. Its website says RI is a global professional multidisciplinary membership and accrediting organization with over 300 professional institutes as members.

The 19th RI International Conference and Conferment Ceremony was held in Hotel Jen, Pasay City, Philippines last July 28. The venue of its 21st International Conference and Conferment Ceremony slated for September 14 to 17 had yet to be announced, its website said.

Last December, the London Graduate School of Continuing Education Programs at Commonwealth University in Dubai also conferred on Mangudadatu an Honoris Causa with a Doctorate Degree in Humanities and Public Administration.

He is the first Filipino in the school’s shortlist of honorees, for championing education for children of families displaced by armed conflict.

This year, the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process cited the Maguindanao governor as “champion of gender and development (GAD)” in his province, which the OPAPP has set as GAD programs model for the four other Muslim provinces in the south.

The provincial government has trained orphans of war and families of dissidents in various livelihood programs, “hitting a rising threshold poverty index right at its core.”

It also provides shelter for victims of violence against women and children, said Nur-Eeman Aljani, the chief of staff of the provincial governor’s office.

Mangudadatu said education is the only long-term solution to increasing concerns on the massive recruitment of young individuals into terror groups―some purportedly offering big amounts in cash.

The governor has held a series of dialogues with students, orphans, and young professionals in the province.

Recipients of the Seal of Good Education Governance and the Jesse Robredo Award in Education Governance display their plaques in the awarding ceremony in Makati City. The latter award was named after the late interior secretary and longtime mayor of Naga City, whose widow—Vice President Leni Robredo (inset)—delivered the keynote message.

34 LGUs cited for work in expanding education

T

HIRTY-FOUR cities and municipalities from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao have been recognized for their outstanding efforts in improving the quality of basic education in their communities.

Seventeen local government units were conferred the Seal of Good Education Governance. They are Bacnotan in La Union; Diadi, Sta. Fe, Solano, and Villaverde in Nueva Vizcaya; Diffun, Quirino; Navotas City and Valenzuela City in Metro Manila; Maribojoc, Bohol; Mambusao, Capiz; Concepcion, Lambunao, Leon, and Mina in Iloilo; Cagayan de Oro City; Datu Paglas, Maguindanao; and Bongao, Tawi Tawi.

The 17 others received the Jesse Robredo Award in Education Governance, named after the late interior secretary and longtime mayor of Naga City. They are Vigan, Ilocos Sur; Agoo, San Fernando, San Gabriel, and Santol in La Union; Dao and Ivisan in Capiz; Argao, Cebu; Ajuy, Alimodian, Cabatuan, Lemery, Maasin, and Miag-ao in Iloilo; General Santos City; Parang and Upi in Maguindanao.

All 34 LGUs met the Synergeia Foundation’s criteria for good education governance.

To qualify, they must have reinvented their local school boards and organized functional school governing councils. The cities and municipalities must have also reduced the num-

ber of non-readers and frustrated readers in their locality by at least 20 percent.

Moreover, their cohort survival rate (the percentage of first graders who went on to sixth grade) must be higher than the national average of 80 percent or must have increased by at least two percentage points. The LGUs must have devoted an increasing amount of their budget to education.

Synergeia, a coalition of individuals and organizations working closely with LGUs, started giving the Seal of Good Education Governance last year to promote transparency, accountability, and excellence in the delivery of basic education by local governments.

It received 350 LGU nominations this year, higher than last year’s 250 submissions.

This year’s results were deliberated upon

by Synergeia trustees and representatives from PLDT, Smart Communications, and SGV Foundation.

As an incentive to the Seal holders, PLDT and Smart will provide technology packages suited to the LGUs’ respective circumstances and needs. Among the possible incentives are:

Installation and maintenance of Smart Wifi in the LGU’s nominated university Provision of InfoCast, a web-based solution that will allow the LGU to broadcast announcements and receive feedback via text message Smart School-in-a-Bag, which contains a solar panel to serve schools without electricity, mobile devices, curriculum-based educational content, teacher training, monitoring, and evaluation All recipients of the Seal of Good Education Governance received smartphones and a cash prize from PLDT and Smart.

On top of these, thousands of individuals from each of the 17 Seal recipients who will sign up for KasamaKA will get a free three-month micro-insurance coverage from FINTQ, the financial technology arm of PLDT-Smart digital unit Voyager Innovations. KasamaKA is a communitybased, self-help, income-generating, and inclusive ecosystem-building movement.

“We at PLDT and Smart hope that these technology tools would help the country’s outstanding LGUs deliver quality education to their constituents. We recognize that tech solutions to challenges in education work only when major stakeholders pursue innovative learning programs,” said PLDT and Smart Public Affairs Head Ramon R. Isberto.

Maguindanao Gov. Esmael ‘Toto’ G. Mangudadatu (sixth from left) is joined onstage by Evangelist Apollo Carreón Quiboloy of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (second from left), among others, in the International Conference and Conferment Ceremony on Friday for his honorary degrees in Doctor of Humanities and Public Administration. Nash Maulana

CHR regional office hit for hasty resolution on solon’s case

By Benjamin B. Chavez

A WOMAN from Santa Rosa City in Laguna has uncovered a “premeditated try to rig the judgment with fraudulent intent” to dismiss court cases filed against Laguna 1st District Rep. Arlene Arcillas in relation to a missing P1.8-million fund for the Gender and Development (GAD) program of the city before the regional Commis-

sion on Human Rights office, court documents showed.

Complainant Antonia Vallejo of Brgy. Sinalhan, Santa Rosa City, in a three-page sworn affidavit, revealed the incident to her lawyer Mylen B. Gonzales, GAD practitioner.

Gonzales in turn notified CHR Chairperson Jose Luis Martin C. Gascon through a letter dated August 30, about an alleged “ready-made” resolu-

tion and “deplorable misdeeds” of two officers of CHR’s Region lV-A office in Kian Seng Building along A. Flores Street in San Pablo City, Laguna.

Vallejo claimed that on August 28, she called up CHR lV-A office to follow up about the clarificatory hearing sought by Arcillas’ lawyer, Atty. Leonardo Ragasa, Jr. in relation to the case on August 31 at 1:30 pm.

However, she was told by CHR staff

on the other end of the phone line that the process would no longer be held because their office had already sent a resolution through mail based on the motion for reconsideration filed by Arcillas.

Vallejo then called her lawyer Gonzales, who in the affidavit was said to be confused with the supposed release of the CHR resolution because the clarificatory hearing set by Ragaza had not happened yet.

SM Foundation fetes 500 scholars anew

Harley Sy, executive director of SMIC and Co-vice chairman and treasurer of SM Retail, Inc., joins some of the 500 scholars of SM Foundation in their annual assembly. One of the scholars, Jefferd Facundo (inset), thanked SM and the Sy family for their generosity.

THE annual SM Scholars Assembly at the SM Mall of Asia recently gathered 500 scholars from the National Capital Region, Bulacan, Pampanga, Tarlac, Olongapo, Cabanatuan, Pangasinan, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas and Quezon for a day of fun and life lessons from their fellow scholars, mentors and benefactors.

The gathering began with an early morning session of Zumba. Linda Atayde, SM Foundation’s Executive Director for Education, welcomed the scholars and gave them a brief background on how the college scholarship program started with 100 students, up to supporting 1,000 scholars at present.

Among those who delivered inspirational messages was Harley Sy, Executive Di-

rector of SMIC and Co-Vice Chairman and Treasurer of SM Retail, Inc. He discussed the value of having a fiveyear and 10-year plan. He emphasized the importance of patience and hard work in building a good foundation for their careers. He added: “Adjust. Don’t take anything personally. Look for solutions. Find a mentor. Be maabilidad (resourceful).”

Sy shared his experiences as a college student and urged the scholars to pace one’s self.

“Be responsible but do not allow other people to pressure you beyond what you can handle. Do what you can within your capacity and don’t feel bad about what you cannot do,” he said.

200 CCTVs help keep QC safe, says city admin

By Rio N. Araja WITH the installation of 200 highdefinition closed-circuit television cameras on major road and even secondary streets, the Quezon City government was able to deter crime, help secure the safety of the public, and improve its quick response to emergency situations in the past two years.

City Administrator Aldrin Cuña on Sunday said the installation of the CCTV cameras has provided wider monitoring coverage, and even further advance the city government’s quick dispatch at real time, and faster and better coordination with different agencies, particularly during critical situations.

“For instance, we were able to identify the vehicle used by the suspects that installed the controversial ‘Welcome to the Philippines, province of China’ tarpaulins,” Cuna told Manila Standard.

Last July 12, Quezon City residents woke up to see such red banners hanging from footbridges.

Cuña said safety in Quezon City could create more jobs and other economic opportunities, adding it has also improved its delivery of public service.

The city government earlier ordered the purchase of MiGuard CCTV cameras and their installation in strategic locations in the locality’s 142 barangays.

According to the city’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, CCTVs are a very useful instrument for monitoring efficiency.

The city administrator reminded business establishments in the city to comply with Ordinance No. SP-2139 enforcing the “no-CCTV, no-business permit” policy.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court’s Office of the Court Administrator issued Circular 131-2018 affirming Resolution No. 6 from the Court’s Second Division ordering the suspension of the city’s legal officer, Christian Valencia, from the practice of law for six months.

Mayor Herbert Bautista issued Office Order 124-2018, designating Farley Sabillo to replace Valencia effective immediately.

The order, however, did not state the reason for Valencia’s suspension.

Disaster teams clear Davao’s roads of debris

DAVAO CITY—The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and disaster teams of Davao Oriental on Sunday pooled their resources to clear roads of rocks and stones caused by a landslide in Tarragona town and other minor damages on structures, after a 6.4 quake jolted Davao on Saturday afternoon.

Provincial Information Officer Karen Lou Deloso said there was no reported casualty.

Based on the initial damage assessment report of the Davao Oriental Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council released Sunday, a landslide took place in Purok Cambitan, Barangay Hovellar, Tarragona, causing rocks and stones to cover part of the road in the village.

Deloso said while the road going to the area remains passable to vehicles, one lane of the road in Barangay Tomoang was damaged by fallen boulders.

In Purok Buhangin and Barangay Maganda, roads were partially damaged due to tension cracks and moderate landslide.

Meanwhile, a landslide was also reported in Tagubon, Barangay Lucatan, also in Tarragona town.

She said the DPWH and municipal disaster teams are already clearing the road to avoid delayed activities in the area.

On structures, Deloso said 10 houses were damaged in the Kamuning area of Tarragona, while one house was damaged in NASA 2.

In Manay town where the earthquake’s epicenter was reported, she said there were reports of minor damage at the Manay District Hospital, the Regional Evacuation Center, and the parish church.

Mati City also reported that the earthquake caused minor cracks on the walls of the Davao Provincial Hospital. The facility, however, was declared safe.

One house was totally damaged, and four others were partially damaged in the Islamic area of Magsaysay, Mati.

Deloso said the Provincial Disaster Office has initially assessed that Tarragona was badly hit because there were more damages caused by the tremor. PNA

Life

bernadette Lunas, Issue Editor manilastandardlife@gmail.com @manilastandardlife

food

@mstandardLIFe monday, september 10, 2018

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A FestiVe tAbLe. The Cravings Group serves Roast Turkey with Chestnut Raisin Stuffing, Chicken Cordon Bleu, Strawberry Shortcake, Choco Caramel Cake and a plate of Spicy Shrimp Gamberetti.

Brighter Christmas Cravings Y

Ou know the Christmas season has begun in the Philippines the moment you hear Jose Mari Chan’s “Christmas In Our Hearts” playing on the radio. There is simply no escaping the crooner’s iconic holiday song.

And while the holidays are still more than three months away, The Cravings Group has beaten the competition in launching what could very well be the earliest Christmas party of the year.

“This is very special for us because we are also marking our 30th anniversary,” said The Cravings Group operations head Bea Trinidad.

“At the center of our catering spread this year is ‘refresh.’ While we have perfected the taste of our food over the last 30 years, now we want to

master the party experience with new themes that can’t be found anywhere else. We are pressing the refresh button to make it a merrier and brighter Christmas under the same Cravings family,” she added.

For this year’s holiday season, Cravings rolled out two exciting additions: the modern and chic catering setups and the delicious tapas-style cocktail food.

“We not only deliver proven Christmas party recipes, but most importantly our team works closely with organizers and companies to create

Assorted gourmet hampers from Epicurious

memorable events,” said Pia Trinidad, the group’s business development and strategy officer.

“We’re extremely happy that all three generations of our family are working the extra mile to provide exceptional Christmas experience to our customers this year. Bea and Pia are at the forefront of infusing new ideas into The Cravings Group and enabling our much-loved brands to remain the top choice of our customers in the next generations to come,” added The Cravings Group chief executive officer Badjie Guerrero-Trinidad.

Choose any of The Cravings Group’s premium and unique themes – Cider, Tangerine, Rust, and Ochre – to transform your party into an event worth remembering. Food and drinks will be concocted no less than by chefs from top culinary school CCA Manila to ensure the exceptional product quality for which The Cravings Group is known.

For smaller and more intimate events, The Cravings Group’s Christmas classics and latest spread are still available through take-home party trays, such as roast turkey with chestnut raisin stuffing, salt-crusted fresh salmon, crackling pork bagnet with Arroz Valenciana or truffle rice, four-cheese lasagna, and chicken cordon bleu.

And from cakes to gourmet boxes, a wide range of gift options are curated

by The Cravings Group’s brands. On top of the list are its Christmas-only special edition cakes such as Strawberry Shortcake, Avocado Mousse Cake and Naked Devil’s Food Cake.

Satisfy any sweet tooth with Cravings’ bakeshop items such as ensaymada and holiday bars or Wicked’s desserts such as cookie shards, S’mores, and chocolate barks.

For the discerning food lovers, Epicurious offers prime products of wine, truffles, cheese, artisanal chocolates, cold cuts, and salad dressings in beautiful and festive gift boxes.

For Badjie, it is a merry and bright holiday ahead, indeed. “Christmas is not just about great food, but it is a holistic experience that should be enjoyed by and shared with family, friends, and loved ones.”

bites

Citi Exclusive Bundle for three includes one Barkada Hawaiian Overload Crispy Thins, three Lasagna Supreme Snack Size, and two Dippers.

exclusive pizza bundles Credit card holders of a global bank are in for a pizza and pasta treat at the country’s largest pizza chain.

Citi cardholders get up to 15 percent off with the Citi Exclusive Greenwich Bundles available until Oct. 31.

The Citi Exclusive Bundle for three includes one Barkada Hawaiian Overload Crispy Thins, three Lasagna Supreme Snack Size, and two Dippers for only P609, with savings of as much as P85.

Meanwhile the bundle for five includes one Double Hawaiian Overload Crispy Thins, one Double Pepperoni Crispy Thins, one Lasagna Supreme Regular Pan, and three Dippers for P859, with savings of as much as P134.

Finally, the Citi Exclusive Bundle for six, which consists of one Double Hawaiian Overload Crispy Thins, one Double Pepperoni Crispy Thins, six Lasagna Supreme Snack Size, six pieces Jumbo Crunchy Chicken, and four dippers, is priced at P1,349, with savings of as much as P155.

This promo is applicable for dine-in, take-out, and delivery. Cardholders must use their valid Citi credit card to pay for their single receipt bill at Greenwich.

I’m at joyce.panares@gmail.com.

Villa Del Conte Bonta Dark Chocolate

irresistibly delicious dark chocolate

Cravings Crackling Pork Bagnet

Cravings assorted junior cakes

Enjoy the dark things in life with Villa Del Conte’s artisanal Bonta Dark Chocolate.

This dark chocolate variant is available in two flavors: extra dark chocolate pralines with caramel coffee cream and wafers, and extra dark chocolate pralines with pear-flavored cream filling and cereals.

Villa Del Conte Bonta dark chocolates are individually wrapped in bitesized packages.

This irresistibly delicious dark chocolate is available at Villa Del Conte stores in Greenbelt 5, Century City Mall, SM Megamall, and Robinsons Magnolia.

Life

C2

monday, september 10, 2018 manilastandardlife@gmail.com

Convenience on board

Café Casablanca

opens until Sept. 15 Café Casablanca, a pop-up restaurant which is part of Le Coeur du Maroc festival’s attractions, serves Moroccan dishes prepared by celebrity chef Moha Fedal.

F

OLLOWInG positive reception from foodies and gourmands, Café Casablanca, a pop-up restaurant at Rustan’s Makati that offers delectable Moroccan cuisine, is extended until Saturday, Sept. 15.

The pop-up restaurant serves dishes made by Moroccan celebrity chef Moha Fedal. It is one of the main attractions in the recently concluded month-long festival “Le Coeur du Maroc” (The Heart of Morocco), held in partnership with The embassy of The Kingdom of Morocco, the Moroccan

national Tourism Office in China, HSBC, and Fairmont Makati.

Rustan’s Café Casablanca offers lunch buffet priced at P1,300 and three-set dinner priced at P895 each.

It is located on the 5th floor of Rustan’s Makati.

Starlite Ferries provides passengers with more food choices through its partnership with FamilyMart.

JAPAneSe convenience store FamilyMart sets sail with Starlite Ferries to serve passengers aboard with a wide selection of food items and other products.

FamilyMart has opened its first stores at sea on three Starlite Ferries—MV Starlite Pioneer, MV Starlite Pacific, and MV Starlite Jupiter. Starlite is one of the top choices of passengers across the country because of its excellent customer-centered, safe, comfortable, and ecofriendly marine transport service.

The new Starlite Ferries FamilyMart stores service passengers traversing Luzon and Visayas by the sea.

Japanese convenience store FamilyMart Go to www.familymart.com.ph for opens its first stores at sea on three Starlite Ferries. more information.

sip

Coffee chain launches limited edition matcha drinks

10 Filipino students intern at Italy culinary institute Filipino and other foreign culinary students with Chef Paolo Meneguz, of Ristorante ‘FRE’ di Monforte d’Alba.

Ten culinary students recently came back to the Philippines after a successful three-month hands-on training at the Italian Culinary Institute for Foreigners in d’Asti Italy.

Accompanied by faculty chef Jester Arellano, selected culinary students from the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde School of Hotel, Restaurant and Institution Management, had a chance to demonstrate commitment, curiosity, adaptability, flexibility, and the ability to work with a team of experts in a professional kitchen.

The ICIF is an Italian cuisine school founded in 1991 to enhance the image of the country’s cuisine and products among professionals who work in restaurants abroad.

The Filipino students opted for the Short Course in Italian Cuisine and Oenology composed of lectures, laboratory discussions, and theoretical and practical lessons on the excellence of fresh ingredients, filled, dried pasta and its sauces, plus the different types of pizzas.

It included training on the traditional and modern menu preparation of freshwater and saltwater fish. They also had demonstration lessons including preparation of basic breads, pastry, and confectionary art, as well as Italian style creams, cake design, and manual chocolate tempering methods.

To supplement the trip, the students visited the Grana Padano Cheese Factory in the commune of Piacenza in the emilia-Romagna Region, where they saw the whole process of cheese-making.

The apprentices likewise spent some time at the Banfi Winery in the province of Strevi, within the Piedmont region, where they studied the different types of wine.

During the following months, they served as interns at the Da O Vittorio, a hotel with a restaurant that offers Ligurian cuisine, popular for the flavors of fresh produce, pasta, and their signature selection of dishes.

Jenssen Ferrer, a culinary student from SHRIM, shared what he learned during the internship: “It was a sharp

This Monday will get “matcha” better as The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, in line with its 15th anniversary celebration in the Philippines, launches three new limited edition beverages.

The well-loved coffee and tea brand blends the rich taste of premium matcha with bold espresso and refreshing raspberries in the Matcha Macchiato, Matcha Affogato, and Matcha Raspberry Hot and Iced Lattes and Ice Blended, available starting today, Sept. 10.

Macchiato fans better try Matcha Macchiato for a smack of new flavor on the palate. Available hot or over ice, this fusion of matcha green tea, steamed milk, and espresso offers a new way to enjoy the classic macchiato.

For a coffee, matcha, and dessert fix in one, there’s Matcha Affogato Ice Blended. This satisfyingly good dessert-beverage hybrid is the crowd-favorite Matcha Green Tea Ice Blended with cream and a shot of espresso.

Finally, for those who like their drinks decaf, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf offers Matcha Raspberry, a caffeine-free creation resulting from the infusion of subtle hints of raspberry and the distinctive taste of matcha.

The Matcha Macchiato and Matcha Raspberry lattes start at P155, while the Matcha Affogato and Matcha Raspberry Ice Blended start at P185. They are available at The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf stores nationwide.

Denmark Ching serves his appetizer dish.

learning curve and you should be mentally prepared for plenty of hard work and challenging tasks. Long hours and the toughest jobs tested not just my skills but my resilience, too.”

Meanwhile, fellow SHRIM undergrad Ruzha Go said, “I’ve noticed during my practicum that the chefs I’ve worked with did not taste their food. When I was doing my in-house practicum at Vatel Restaurant, Chef Pierre Cornelis reminded us to always taste the dishes so we can adjust accordingly. Maybe it’s because they’ve worked there long enough and they’re relying on their visual and muscle memory to season the dishes. It’s quite amazing, to be honest.”

Loella Ralleta slides the pizza inside the oven.

Debbie Sanchez handles with care her freshlymade pasta.

SHRIM student Jenssen Ferrer cooks agnolotti (left) and showcases her Bonet, Piedmont pudding (right).

Entertainment

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2018

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50 beauties...

From C4

Celebrating 100 years of cinema at SM Aura T Film aficionados, workers and actors gather at SM Aura Samsung Hall for the second edition of Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino.

Simply...

From C4

Like their show, DZMM continues to rule the airwaves based on the radio survey conducted by Kantar Media in Mega Manila in the second quarter of the year. DZMM garnered an audience share of 25 percent to remain ahead of DZBB and DZRH, which got 22 and 21 percent, respectively.

DZMM also leads in public service with projects like the DZMM HaPinay Day Buntis Congress and DZMM Kapamilya Day project, bringing a DZMM program to a barangay together with fun activities, livelihood seminars, and other social services for the residents of the community.

Filipinos can expect more lively discussions on the hottest issues in the country in DZMM Radyo Patrol 630, which topped all AM radio stations in Mega Manila with an audience share of 25 percent in the Kantar Media radio survey for the second quarter of 2018.

The hosts of its leading program every Saturday night, Teka Muna Daza, look forward to more laughter and in-depth interviews in their five-year old program.

New original documentary on HBO Following the success of HBO Asia’s award-winning Mandarin original drama series that premiered in 2017, The Teenage Psychic, the network announced that production has begun for a new original documentary, The World Behind The Teenage Psychic.

The documentary is scheduled to premiere later this year on HBO Asia’s on-air, online and on-demand platforms.

The World Behind The Teenage Psychic is an HBO Asia original documentary that seeks to delve deeper into the traditions and culture that the coming-of-age series, The Teenage Psychic, is based on.

Filmed entirely in Taiwan, the hour-long Mandarin documentary explores some of the unique shamanistic practices that call Taiwan home—taking the audience on a journey through the rituals and beliefs surrounding the Ghost Month. The Ghost Month is the pinnacle of the annual spiritual calendar in Taiwan—when the gates of hell are said to open, and spirits enter the world of the living. Weaving through the festivities, The World Behind The Teenage Psychic follows different characters to explore how a distinct blend of Taoist, Buddhist, Chinese Folklore and indigenous belief systems continue to flourish in modern Taiwan.

One of the characters in the documentary is award-winning Taiwanese actress and singer, Nana Lee (Youth Power, One Million Star)—who also starred in The Teenage Psychic. Lee grew up surrounded by temple culture and beliefs during her childhood. With her family having suffered the loss of a loved one, Lee visits her hometown of Nantou and reconnects with her past. Spanning worlds old and new, and having a direct link to the original The Teenage Psychic series, Lee’s unique perspective offers a personal account of how traditions of life and death survive in Taiwan today.

Throughout the documentary, followers and devotees share thoughts on why these practices are still relevant and a part of everyday life, while leading academics explain how and why spiritual belief remains so deeply rooted into the modern fabric of the island.

HE opening night of the Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino 2018 that was recently held at the Samsung Hall at SM Aura Premier opened up more avenues and opportunities for Filipino filmmakers to show their works and encourage them to come up with new and effective ways of telling their stories.

The event also celebrated Sandaan: 100 Years of Philippine Cinema.

Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino is a week-long celebration where all movie theaters nationwide exclusively screen Filipino films in line with the celebration of Buwan ng Wika.

On its second year, PPP’s goal was to continue not just to showcase quality films, but also to serve as a platform for different sectors to work together to celebrate Filipino artistry and create an industry event to support our filmmakers.

This year, PPP had chosen eight official entries which offered a diverse set of genre titles. These included the following films: Jun Robles Lana’s Ang Babaeng Allergic sa Wifi; Jason Paul Laxamana’s Bakwit Boys and The Day After Valentine’s; Adolfo Alix Jr.’s Madilim ang Gabi; Jay Abello’s Pinay Beauty; Chito Roño’s Signal Rock; Miko Livelo’s Unli Life; and Richard Somes’ We Will Not Die Tonight.

PPP’s Sine Kabataan Short Film Competition, on

Celeb VJ Alex, headliner Sharon set MYX abuzz NO DULL moments on MYX this month as Megastar Sharon Cuneta brings thrill as MYX Headliner and the dynamic, multi-talented Alex Gonzaga electrifies the music channel as Celebrity VJ this September.

Sharon was the first recipient of the prestigious MYX Magna Award back in 2006 and now she is back in the music channel as MYX Headliner featuring her biggest hits while she prepares for her upcoming concert at the Big Dome to celebrate her 40 years in the business.

Alex Gonzaga, meanwhile, keeps hitting highs just after celebrating her vlog’s first anniversary and receiving her gold YouTube button when she earned 1 million subscribers in her channel.

The Star Hunt host also recently released her third book Sissums: the 18 Rules of Sisterhood with her sister Toni Gonzaga as co-author.

Now, she is all set to entertain viewers with her funny antics as guest celeb VJ in various MYX shows.

Singer, songwriter, and producer Fernando Miguel Tan, more popularly known as Fern, is the “MYX Spotlight” artist this month. Get to know more about the talented 17-year-old as he

CROSSWORD PUZZLE Monday, September 10, 2018

ACROSS 1 Cartoon chipmunk 5 Ladybug food 10 Switch positions 14 Lotion additive 15 Temporary peace 16 Sphagnum moss 17 Windshield threats 19 Impatient chucks 20 Box top 21 Big galoot 22 Think up 24 Tampa Bay gridders, briefly 25 Crater edge 26 Loud 29 Cameo (2 wds.)

33 Booster rocket 34 Get along 35 Cougar’s pad 37 1960s style 38 Magda from Hungary 39 Pony up 40 Vacillate (hyph.)

42 Foretelling 43 Watered silk 45 Ousts from office 47 Black-andwhite animals

48 Cry of disdain 49 Viking letter 50 Stock holder 53 El Dorado loot 54 “Diamond Lil” 57 Make a mad dash 58 Marco Polo had it 61 Tsp. and oz.

62 Camel driver’s command 63 Muse of history 64 Lows 65 Stompin’ grounds 66 Campus figure DOWN 1 Wonka’s creator 2 Jai — 3 Burglar’s “key” 4 Sushi morsel 5 Append 6 MIT staff 7 Barbarian 8 Put in the cooler 9 Renegade 10 Most favorable 11 — up (be honest) 12 Like crocodile tears 13 Ave. crossers 18 March man 23 Honcho 24 Hopper

the other hand gave all aspiring young filmmakers a platform to develop their sense of creativity and originality in story-telling, while touching on important issues of today. PPP also gave way to six films in the Special Features Section which were chosen from the local independent film festivals that also proved their worth to be shown in the cinemas.

Another highlight of the event was when the screening of the digitally restored and remastered 1985 Lino Brocka masterpiece, White Slavery, which was presented to the audience by Central Digital Lab CEO and President Manet Dayrit. The writer, Ricky Lee along with the film’s cast Jaclyn Jose, Ricky Davao and Sarsi Emmanuelle were also present to support the film.

The Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino 2018 launch was organized by the Film Development Council of the Philippines in partnership with SM and theaters nationwide.

26 Strong, as venison 27 Put in — — word for 28 Tint again 29 Neonates 30 Heavy metal 31 Fleet 32 Sparkling ornament 34 Renown 36 Whiskey grains 38 Falconry birds 41 Walk all over 43 Lord’s house

44 Undivided 46 Dinghy’s need 47 Wholly 49 Cheyenne meet 50 Hunter’s garb 51 Eight, to Livy 52 Superboy’s girl 54 Backless slipper 55 Land east of the Urals 56 Harrow rival 57 Collide with 59 Ore. neighbor 60 Type of PC screen

brings his original tracks such as “Into You,” “Are You Mine,” and “Wanna Dance with You” into the fold.

Watch out and follow VJ Ai from panel to panel as “MYX Adventures” goes to the 2018 San Diego Comic Con in the US. Listen to behind-the-scenes insights of the hottest Hollywood stars such as Chris Pine and Gal Gadot of Wonder Woman 1984, Jason Momoa, Nicole Kidman, Patrick Wilson, and Amber Heard of Aquaman, Ryan Reynolds of Deadpool 2, and Jude Law, Eddie Redmayne, and Ezra Miller of Fantastic Beasts: Crimes of Grindelwald. Johnny Depp even makes a surprise appearance, all dressed as Grindelwald. Catch it tomorrow at 12:00 noon.

Watch Celebrity VJ Alex on “Pop MYX” until tomorrow, “Pinoy MYX” on Sunday until Sept. 15, “Mellow MYX” on Sept. 16 to 22, and “My MYX” on Sept. 23 to 29. Catch Sharon’s “MYX Presents” feature on Sept. 29 at 9:00 p.m..

MYX is available on ABS-CBN TVplus channel 12, SKYcable channel 23, and SKYdirect channel 37.

This month's Myx headliner Sharon Cuneta

“We want a pageant that promotes the Filipino women, provides a platform for them to be empowered, identified and given credence, because we believe that through the Mutya ng Pilipinas pageant, Filipino women can shine bright on the world stage by showcasing our beauty, heritage, history and our future,” MPI Chairman Fred Yuson and MPI president Hemilyn Escudero-Tamayo both declared.

The 50 official candidates are: Jade Skye Roberts – Australia, Souarthizae Aynouzscia Violon- Cagayan de Oro, Ebony Victoria Bangit- Melbourne, Rein Hillary Carrascal- Legazpi City, Richelle Valerie Pailden- General Santos, Gezza Avila - Candelaria, Quezon, Harmony Matson—Florida, USA, Arianne Deseree Viardo—Bahrain, Mae Kimberly De Luna - Caloocan City, Marina Mercedes Mendoza- San Fernando, Pampanga, Odessa Dela Cuesta - Davao City, Joana Marie MartinezValenzuela City, Anie Uson- Pangasinan, Princess Mariel Palo- Agoncillo, Batangas, Mina Kim- Makati City, Shanon Jumaylh Tampon- Quezon City, Lady Russel Panaguiton- Denmark, Marseilaise Perkins- East Coast Canada, Sharifa Areef Mohammad Omar Akeel- Sultan Kudarat, Jessica DuhayArizona, USA, Nina Ancheta- LA, Southern California, USA, Jeserey Sanchez- Northern California, USA, Agatha Lei Romero- Manila, Pauline Amelinckx- Bohol, Bettina Reloj Dingemans- Netherlands, Katrina Mae Sese- Tarlac City, Allison Lorenzo- Southern California, USA, Allhia Charmaine EstoresCavite , Anna Clarice Patrimonio - Cainta, Rizal, Kheshapornam Ramachandran- Iloilo City, Alexandra Abdon - Pasig City, Hannah Bithiah Meriño—Laguna, Lishairra James Portugal- Binangonan, Rizal, Geri Franchesca Camargo- Meycauayan, Bulacan, Teemee Miguel- San Ildefonso, Bulacan, Hulda Margaret Sigurdardottir- Iceland, Alexandra Michaela Bobadilla - Paranaque City, Eunice Abegail Banagudos - Negros Oriental, Honey Grace Cartasano - Antipolo City, Patricia Kimberly Robles - Sto. Tomas, Batangas, Julie Ann Gil - Lucena City, Kristine Micah Malicsi - Navotas City, Anne Nathalie Ruth Longakit - West Coast Canada, Nikka Marie Cristina Castro - Marilao, Bulacan, Erginia Vera Bautista - Cabanatuan City, Julieane Fernandez - Taguig City, Maria Fe Loayon —Cebu City, Mary Justine Teng - Muntinlupa City, Mayuko Hanawa—Japan, Sabrina Binder - Germany The Grand Coronation Night of Mutya Gold will be held at the Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena on Sept. 16 at 7:00 p.m. with delayed telecast on ABS-CBN’s Sunday’s Best.

September Myx celebrity VJ Alex Gonzaga

Nickie Wang, Issue Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com

C4

Entertainment

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2018

ISAH V. RED

‘Teka Muna’ What makes a radio show tick?

Young stars Jake Vargas, Inah de Belen, Jeric Gonzales, Klea Pineda and Migo Adecer play pivotal roles in 'Ika-5 Utos,' a series under the helm of notable director and seasoned actress Laurice Guillen.

An intriguing series tackling

'Teka Muna' is a top radio program hosted by Pat-P Daza and Peter Musngi (left).

IT HAS been on the air in the last five years, ruling the 7:00 p.m. time slot on the AM band Saturdays. And hosts Pat-P Daza and Peter Musngi can’t be less amazed at how they did it.

At a lunch get together with some members of the entertainment media at Novotel Hotel in Araneta Center recently, the hosts revealed the secrets of their show’s success.

“The secret of our show is that it is not scripted.

Before we go on-air, we talk about what we can discuss in the program, especially in the first part where we recap the hottest news. So when we come in we’re both ready,” Pat-P shared.

Beyond that, Peter said it is “anything goes.”

“We don’t over prepare because you don’t want to lose the spontaneity on the air,” he said.

Peter and Pat-P’s dynamic banter on trending and relevant topics and no holds-barred interviews with newsmakers have been a hit with viewers of DZMM TeleRadyo and listeners of DZMM Radyo Patrol 630, making Teka Muna the top radio program in its time block.

Both seasoned media veterans, the anchors have shown incredible chemistry in the program.

Peter serves as the program’s pilot, directing the flow and injecting wisdom and facts in the show.

Pat-P provides the wisecracks and sharp questions that echo the views and sentiments of Filipinos.

Together, they make discussions of even serious issues more engaging, relatable, and informative for the people.

Originally conceptualized as a light and fun weekend program, the show has evolved to become a platform where men and women of the hour are able to openly talk about the pressing issues in society.

It is for this reason that Pat-P puts in more effort to stay updated with current events.

“I read and I watch the news every day because there can be live interviews on the spot in our program. So it is important to have a good stock knowledge,” she said.

Her partner, meanwhile, said he goes by the same principles he had before he retired and left his post as the head of DZMM, and that is to show commitment and concern for your show.

“As an anchor, you row your own boat. If you don’t care about your program, then nobody else will care. It is your program, so you take care of your own program,” he said.

And for Teka Muna, Peter said he hopes he and Pat-P can do live interviews outside the DZMM radio booth in the future, and take advantage of today’s technology. “We want to be able to get the hottest interviews whenever, wherever. Kami pupunta,” he said. Continued on C3

T

THE 5TH COMMANDMENT

ODAY, GMA Network unveils another drama that explores a very familiar theme on human conflict—killing.

Inspired by another Kapuso series, Ika-6 Na Utos, this another Laurice Guillen directed soap aims to give a familiar conflict an extraordinary approach by explaining basic human behavior and giving it an interesting turn.

Titled Ika-5 Utos, the afternoon drama delves on a harrowing hazing incident that led to the death of a dear son, uncovering old wounds between three mothers and their respective families. Its story is one of deep passion, lust, and heartbreak—all of which could poison a soul, evidently killing someone.

“The message of the series is very clear— though shalt not kill. It’s always better to face the music than kill because when you kill there are repercussions which lead to public and private hell,” reminded Guillen.

Discussing the massive success that Ika-6 Na Utos enjoyed during its two-year run on television, the seasoned actress and director admitted that she and the production team have considered a few takeaways that they could employ in the new series.

“Partly, we learned from the lessons of Ika6 Na Utos. When we ended (taping) we were still told to continue. But the creative team said the story was already finished and the conflict revolving around the three characters was already exhausted. This time around, we have three families with their own stories to tell. Their lives are intertwined, and in case it becomes successful, we would be able to stretch the plot,” she explained.

Guillen further said that Ika-5 Utos’s intriguing plot can continue a little longer because of the possible conflicts that may arise from the main plot. Although it’s not necessarily the goal, if in case there’s a clamor to extend the story, they would consider, without sacrificing artistic

VERY WANG NICKIE WANG

integrity, adding a few episodes for the series.

Talking about the premise of the new afternoon soap, Guillen said, “The main issue here is how killing leads to another and to another.

The first killing happens out of neglect, the second happens by accident and the third one happens because there’s an intention.”

Headlining the afternoon drama are Jean Garcia, Neil Ryan Sese, Jeric Gonzales, Tonton Gutierrez, Valerie Concepcion, Migo Adecer, Klea Pineda, Gelli de Belen, Jake Vargas, Inah de Belen, and Antonio Aquitania.

Behind this engrossing drama is the creative team composed of creative director Roy Iglesias, concept creator Suzette Doctolero, headwriter RJ Nuevas, writers Christine Novicio and Emerson Jake Somera, and brainstormers Gilda Olvidado-Marcelino, El Ortizluis, and Jeofferson Ting.

The program is another original creation of the GMA Drama group under the supervision of Senior Vice President for Entertainment Group Lilybeth G. Rasonable; Vice President for Drama Redgie AcuñaMagno; Assistant Vice President for Drama Cheryl Ching-Sy; and Senior Program Manager Ali Nokom Dedicatoria.

Ika-5 Utos begins today after Eat Bulaga on GMA Afternoon Prime. For updates visit the official Facebook page of GMA Drama www. facebook.com/GMADrama, Twitter account @GMADrama and the GMA Network website www.GMANetwork. com and www.gmapinoytv.com.

Also joining the series are Gelli de Belen, Jean Garcia and Valerie Concepcion.

The Golden Mutya's darlings of the press President Hemilyn Escudero and Makati City Chief of Police PSSupt Rogelio Simon during press presentation at Ascott Hotel in Makati City. Photo by Joy Arguil

50 beauties vie for Mutya ng Pilipinas golden edition crown

By Eton Concepcion THE 50th Golden Mutya ng Pilipinas 2018 pageant kicked off with the grand press presentation of the 50 official candidates held at Ascott Hotel Makati on Monday afternoon. The Mutya ng Pilipinas, Inc. has promised to present “the best ever edition of Asia’s longest-running beauty pageant,” and the second oldest national beauty pageant in the country.

The 50 title contenders were selected from extensive nationwide searches, including Filipino international communities worldwide.

Mary Justine Teng of Muntinlupa City was voted as Darling of the Press while Agatha Romero of Manila City and Nina Ancheta of Los Angeles, Southern California, were 2nd and 3rd, respectively. Expect these three gorgeous girls to grab any of the four major titles at stake during the finals night.

The Talent Competition will be staged in Pansol, Calamba, Laguna—Sol Y Viento Mountain Hot Springs and Resort to promote “Beauty Tourism.” Swimsuit and Long Gown Competition is set on Sept. 10 while the Terno Competition is on Sept. 11 in Ascott Bonifacio Global City Manila.

The winners of the 50th Mutya ng Pilipinas will be the country’s representative in Miss Asia Pacific International 2018 to be held in Manila on Oct. 4; Miss Tourism International 2018 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Dec. 23; Miss Tourism Queen of the Year International 2018 in China later this year; and Miss Global Beauty Queen 2018 in Seoul, Korea in May 2019. Continued on C3