Manila Standard - 2018 September 17 - Monday

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WASTED CROPS.

Aerial shot of flooded rice and corn fields following heavy rains brought about by Typhoon ‘Mangkhut’ ‘Ompong’ near Alcala, Cagayan province, on Sept. 16, 2018. The typhoon slammed into the northern Philippines with violent winds and torrential rains. AFP

Army general to head NFA—Rody By Nat Mariano and Macon Ramos-Araneta PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Sunday chose Philippine Army Commanding General Lt. Gen. Rolando Joselito Bautista to head the National Food Authority, after his appointee Jason Aquino asked to be relieved.

The President, who presided over a briefing with several Cabinet secretaries and government officials in the Cagayan Provincial Capitol over the effects of Typhoon “Ompong,” said he wanted to appoint Bautista when he retires on Oct. 15. “There’s the problem because there’s a dearth of a substantial knowledge of Next page

VOL. XXXII • NO. 214 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 • MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2018 • www.manilastandard.net • editorial@manilastandard.net

‘Ompong’ leaves 59 dead

Large expanses in Northern Luzon still under water

GenSan blast hurts 7 people, BIFF blamed

By Francisco Tuyay, Nat Mariano, Othel V. Campos and Macon Ramos-Araneta

By Francisco Tuyay and Nat Mariano

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TERRORISTS set off a bomb in a commercial alley in General Santos City Sunday, wounding seven people, including a sixyear-old girl. Initial reports said the improvised explosive device went off along the national highway in Brgy. Apopong near two pharmacies at 11:40 am. Next page

HE death toll from Typhoon “Ompong” rose to 59 Sunday, after the storm ripped a swathe of destruction through Northern Luzon before exiting toward Hong Kong and China.

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There is an evolving story in Itogon, Brgy. Ucab...43 persons (trapped) when the church collapsed. You see, in all honesty, if you replaced the priest there, that church would not have collapsed. These priests are dumb (bobo), son of a whore. —President Rodrigo Duterte (According to Itogon Mayor Victorio Palangdan, the 40 people were trapped in a bunkhouse that was buried in a landslide)

OMPONG’S WRATH. (Clockwise) Aerial shot of houses destroyed at the height of the super typhoon in Gattaran, Cagayan province while in Solana town, a distraught farmer in barangay Lingu shows her corn plantation damaged by strong winds; in Baguio City, rescuers retrieve one of the bodies trapped in a mudslide. AFP and GREENPEACE

Rescue workers stepped up their efforts as dozens of people remained missing, two days after Ompong made landfall in Cagayan province. The world’s biggest storm this year left large expanses in Northern Luzon underwater as fierce windstore trees from the ground and rain unleashed dozens of landslides. Authorities were just beginning to count the cost of the typhoon, but police confirmed at least 59 were killed when it smashed into northern Luzon on Saturday. In the town of Baggao, it demolished houses, tore off roofs and downed power lines. Some roads were cut off by landslides and many remained submerged. Farms across Northern Luzon, which produces much of the nation’s rice and corn, were sitting under muddy floodwater, their crops ruined just a month before harvest. “We’re already poor and then this happened to us. We have lost hope,” 40-yearold Mary Anne Baril, whose corn and rice Next page crops were spoiled, said.

Fox loses missionary visa extension bid ‘Mangkhut’ shuts all Macau casinos

THE Bureau of Immigration has rejected the petition of Australian missionary Sister Patricia Fox to extend her missionary visa, an official said Sunday. Spokeswoman Dana Krizia Sandoval said Immigration denied Fox’s request in an order signed on Thursday, and that it cited the deportation order it had previously issued against the Catholic nun. “The BI already saw that Sister Fox violated the conditions of her stay and is considered undesirable, hence a deportation order was previously issued against her,” Sandoval said in a statement. “Our legal team saw that approving the extension of her missionary visa will be inconsistent with the findings cited in her

deportation order.” Sandoval made her statement even as the Justice department on Sunday defended Immigration’s decision denying Fox’s request to extend her visa, which expired on Sept. 5. “The denial of Sister Fox’s request for [the] extension of her missionary visa is consistent with the BI’s order of deportation, which is on appeal at the DoJ,” Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said in a text message to reporters. “I understand, though, that Sister Fox is given an opportunity to apply instead for a temporary visitor’s visa.” The petition to Immigration in behalf Next page

HONG KONG—Macau shut down all its casinos in a historic first as Typhoon ‘‘Mangkhut’’ approached Sunday, with authorities warning the gambling enclave would be hit by severe flooding. The Macau government was heavily criticized by residents last year for failing to prepare the city ahead of Typhoon ‘‘Hato,’’ which left widespread damage and 12 people dead. A statement from authorities late SaturTYPHOON READY. Pedestrians walk past Casino Lisboa which has closed as suday said the decision to shut Macau’s 42 per Typhoon ‘Mangkhut’ edges closer to Macau on Sept. 16, 2018. Super Typhoon Mangcasinos was approved by the city leader khut has smashed through the Philippines, as the biggest storm to hit the region this year, and agreed by gaming bosses. Next page claimed the lives of 59 people and forced tens of thousands to flee their homes. AFP

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House resumes debate on P3.7-t budget proposal By Rio N. Araja THE House of Representatives will begin today, Monday, the deliberations on the proposed P3.757-trillion national budget for 2019 to ensure its approval on third and final reading before Congress adjourns next month. The plenary session begins at 10 am, but House Bill 8169 or the 2019 budget appropriation will be taken up at 2 pm. Deputy Speaker and Surigao del Sur Rep. Prospero Pichay Jr. called on his fellow lawmakers to take part in the deliberations and to cooperate to ensure the timely approval of next year’s National Expenditures Program or the General Appropriations Bill. “I enjoin everyone to be productive and cooperative during our plenary deliberations on the 2019 budget bill, which suits the proposal of this administration,” Pichay said. He said a smooth discussion of the issues on the budgetary allocations to the various government agencies and departments would ensure the timely passage of the 2019 budget. Congress wants to approve HB 8169 on third and final reading by Oct. 12 before its adjournment. Earlier, House committee on appropriations chairman and Davao City Rep. Karlo Alexei Nograles said his panel was prepared to pass the national budget on time. “The House is always conscious of its mandate to approve next year’s budget in order not to hamper the delivery of basic services to the Filipino people,” he said. The committee on appropriations had spent a month scrutinizing the budget proposals of the government agencies and departments. Nograles will open the deliberations with his sponsorship speech today. The budget proposals for the Defense, Education, Finance, Tourism and Agrarian Reform departments, the National Economic and Development Authority, the Commission on Audit and the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council have been lined up today.

GenSan... From A1

Lt. Col. Ezra Balatgey, spokesman of the Eastern Mindanao Command, said the seven wounded civilians were brought to St. Elizabeth Hospital where they were treated for minor injuries. The bomb damaged one of the pharmacies and a sports utility vehicle parked nearby. The attack comes weeks after the twin explosions in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat, that left four people, including two minors, dead and wounded 35 others. Authorities blamed the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters for the Sultan Kudarat attacks, although they did not say who was behind the latest blast in General Santos city. Military and police explosives experts were investigating the site of the blast. Police and military personnel have reinforced General Santos City to protect the public against similar attacks. Malacañang on Sunday condemned the latest bombing. “We condemn in the strongest possible terms today’s explosion that hit General Santos City which left scores of people injured,” said Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque. “This comes at an unfortunate time when the nation is reeling from the effects of [Typhoon] Ompong.” “Authorities are now conducting an investigation. We vow to bring the perpetrators of this brazen attack to justice,” Roque added. Philippine National Police chief Director General Oscar Albayalde said an improvised explosive device injured the victims including a six-year-old girl. “I have directed the mobilization of all available police security forces in pursuit operations against persons responsible for the latest act of terrorism in General Santos City,” he said.

Fox... From A1

of Fox was filed by the Superior of the Religieuse de Notre Dame de Sion Inc. Immigration said Fox had already spent 27 years in the country as a missionary, which meant she had already exceeded the prescribed length of stay of missionaries stipulated in the memorandum of agreement between Immigration and the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines. Based on the memo, foreign missionaries may stay in the country for only 10 years. Sandoval said Fox had to apply for the downgrading of her visa. “Downgrading will revert her status to a temporary visitor’s visa, with a 59day validity starting from the date of the expiry of her missionary visa,” she said. PNA with Rey E. Requejo

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5 face charges for defrauding SMC T By Rey E. Requejo

HE Justice department has approved the prosecution of three Indonesian businessmen led by Shadik Wahono and two Filipinos for syndicated estafa for allegedly defrauding San Miguel Holdings Corp. by misappropriating its shares worth millions of pesos. In a resolution approved by Acting Prosecutor General Richard Fadullon, the department found probable cause to indict Wahono, Dodik Marseno Catur Utomo, Sahra Mayor and Filipinos Alvin Bugtas and Joel Rayos before the Mandaluyong Regional Trial Court. The resolution was dated June 18,

2018 but was released only recently and recommended no bail for the five accused. The case arose from the complaint lodged by SMHC, the infrastructure arm of San Miguel Corp., against the five respondents. San Miguel says Wahono had claimed

that his company, PT Citra Lamtoro Gung Persada or CLGP, was the legal owner of the Citra Central Expressway Corp. or CCEC shares acquired by SMHC. SMHC said CLGP could not be the legal and beneficial owner of such shares since the subscription price was actually paid for by Citra Metro Manila Tollways Corp. or CMMTC funds, where SMHC was also a beneficial owner at the time. San Miguel said the respondents allegedly remained silent and deliberately concealed their interest in DESTRA Inc. during the CCEC’s annual shareholders’ meeting. San Miguel also accused the respondents of unauthorized disbursement of CMMTC funds worth millions of pesos.

Both SMHC and Wahono were major shareholders of CMMTC at the time. San Miguel said the Wahono group allegedly used the funds to incorporate another company called Citra Central Expressway Corporation or CCEC, noting that the transfer of money was listed as a “loan” from CMMTC to Wahono’s CLGP for the incorporation of CCEC. San Miguel also accused Wahono of entering into a separate partnership with SMHC for CCEC to undertake the Skyway Stage 3 project. In its resolution, the Justice department gave weight to San Miguel’s allegations that the respondents defrauded CCEC, which resulted in the misappropriation of money contributed by SMHC to CCEC.

‘Mangkhut’... From A1

WATERWORLD. Children use basins to navigate a flooded street in the aftermath of Super Typhoon ‘Mangkhut’ (‘Ompong’) at Salonga Compound in Calumpit, Bulacan on Sept. 16, 2018. AFP

‘Ompong’... From A1

“We have no other means to survive,” she said tearfully. An average of 20 typhoons and storms lash the Philippines each year, killing hundreds of people. The latest victims were mostly people who died in landslides, including a family of four. In addition to the 59 killed in the Philippines, a woman was swept out to sea in Taiwan. The Philippines’ deadliest storm on record is Super Typhoon ‘‘Yolanda’’ (international name ‘‘Haiyan’’), which left more than 7,350 people dead or missing across the central part of the country in November 2013. Police statistics showed most of the deaths occurred in the Cordillera Autonomous Region, which accounted for 49 casualties. Seven people were killed in Cagayan Valley, while the Ilocos Region, Central Luzon and Metro Manila accounted for one death each, a spokesman for the Philippine National Police, Sr. Supt Benigno Durana, said. In Benguet alone, there were 33 deaths mostly caused by landslides in Itogon mining site in barangays Ucab, Dampingan, and Loacan. CAR Police Regional Director Chief Supt Rolando Nana said the victims were mostly miners who were pinned underneath large chunks of mud after their bunker was swept away by cascading water brought about by Ompong’s torrential rains. The PNP said there were 16 people missing—eight of them in Benguet who were buried in a mudslide. Rescue efforts were hampered by continued rain. “Rescuers are having a hard time accessing the site,” Nana said. A total of 25,953 families or 182,9977 individuals remained in 9,264 evacuation centers spread along Ompong’s path of destruction while 1,828 communities were without power due to fallen power poles. Ompong’s whipping winds has destroyed 1,964 houses, including 789 in Cagayan Valley, 587 in Central Luzon, 538 in the Cordilleras, and 26 in Metro Manila. The PNP also reported that 122 major,

Army... From A1

where the rice is. That’s why I need somebody who I can trust and who will fix the problem,” Duterte said, referring to a shortage of rice that has driven prices up. Asked about Duterte’s choice, Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said it was clear that the President wanted someone obedient. “What he said was clear. He wants to appoint someone from the military because he wants them to follow his orders,” Roque said. “The President believes he needs an absolutely honest person who will follow his orders in NFA because it’s important to provide ample supply of rice ,” Roque said. Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon Lopez said Sunday the government will require all grain retailers to sell cheaper

“The suspension of gaming operations is for the safety of casino employees, visitors to the city and residents,” the government statement said. Casino staff told AFP that venues would be shut until further notice as the city raised its second highest storm warning. Macau’s weather bureau said the storm warning would be raised to the highest T10 level later Sunday with the worst rain and winds expected around midday local time (0400 GMT). Shops and businesses were boarded up and protected by sandbags across the city and its streets, usually crowded with tourists, were deserted. Macau, a semi-autonomous southern Chinese city, had to turn to troops from mainland China’s People’s Liberation Army stationed in the enclave to help with the massive clearup after Hato. The city’s weather chief resigned after the storm, which was the worst to hit Macau in over 50 years, and the government was forced to apologize for failing to prepare sufficiently in advance. AFP

secondary and tertiary roads remained impassable due to landslides, eroded flanks, fallen trees and electric poles. Two days after, there were still no reports of damage to agriculture, especially to rice and corn crops. Farmers was forced to harvest their crops ahead of the typhoon. President Rodrigo Duterte on Sunday thanked God that the impact of Ompong was “not so severe as expected” as he arrived in Cagayan to inspect the government’s operations in the Ompong-hit provinces. “This is not really to minimize or maybe downgrade the damage but compared with what I have seen in the past, we thank God that this is what we have only suffered,” said Duterte in a briefing with Cabinet secretaries and several officials in the aftermath of Ompong. “It was not as severe as we expected it to be. Because earlier it was touted that the storm was strong, so it got everybody worried,” said the President, adding he made the right decision to send some of the members of his Cabinet to monitor the situation in typhoon-affected provinces in Northern Luzon. Duterte, who flew to Cagayan by helicopter, said he intends to continue inspecting the areas above the ground on onday. “I may not be able to make the key rounds of all the areas we visited. I intend to do it or continue to do it tomorrow. I still have about a day I can spare to go around,” said Duterte, emphasizing that he would want to assure the people that the government is with them after the onslaught. He expressed grief at the casualties. “I share the grief of those who have lost their loved ones,” he said. “In insurance, it is termed ‘an act of God.’ I don’t know how it can be an act of God, but that is the term used in insurance,” he said. He said casualties were kept down by adequate preparation. “Just like any other calamity or crisis that have visited the country, we are here to make the assessment and make the appropriate response, which is still a question of money. I hope that we can dig deep in our pockets to come up with something to mitigate or alleviate the situation,” Duterte said. The Trade department said Sunday it has set up a command center in Manila to fa-

cilitate and ensure the continuous flow of basic necessities and prime commodities, especially to areas and provinces affected by Typhoon Ompong. Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said the command center is linked with regional directors and with local distributors and stocks ready from Manila and possible transfers from other distributors in Region 3 and 4 to provide immediate support for Regions 1 and 2. The Trade department is also assisting the Agriculture department to increase consumer access to affordable rice. “We asked the Supermarket Amalgamated Supermarket Association, Inc. to be outlets of NFA rice so we have additional access to affordable rice. They will pick up from NFA warehouses. NFA deputy administrator Judy Dansal agreed to this,” Lopez said. The Trade department also asked NFA to require rice retailers to always sell regular rice at P38 per kilogram and well milled at P40/kg. Those who will not conform will face higher penalties or a cancellation of their license. The Department of Labor and Employment, meanwhile, said it is ready to provide emergency employment to workers affected by Typhoon Ompong. Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said Saturday assessments are ongoing in areas affected by the typhoon that hit Northern Luzon, particularly the provinces of Cagayan and Isabela. He also urged the families of overseas workers affected by the typhoon to proceed to the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) in their respective regions and apply for financial assistance. OWWA Administrator Hans Cacdac said they will provide calamity assistance to the families of overseas workers from areas hit by the typhoon. “We are just coordinating with NDRRMC [National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council] for the worst-hit areas. But definitely, we will have a complete list of the worst-hit areas. We will provide calamity assistanceto OFW families,” Cacdac said. Senator Grace Poe on Sunday called on the government to rush calamity funds to Cagayan Valley, which ranks first in corn production and second in palay, and which is considered the cereal bowl that feeds he

nation. Poe said ensuring that the region will be able to replant, rebuild and restore its farm output and facilities must be treated as a “national food security priority.” “One-fourth of the corn we produce, and one-seventh of the national palay we harvest come from the Cagayan Valley,” Poe said. Poe said portion of P19.6-billion calamity fund, officially called the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund in the 2018 national budget, should also be released immediately to the other two regions pummeled by Ompong–Cordillera and Ilocos. “If you combine the agricultural area of the three regions which is about 835,012 hectares, then you are talking about a substantial area critical to our food supply, and which gives livelihood to millions of farmers,” Poe said. “If Cagayan, Ilocos and Cordillera do not plant, the nation goes hungry,” Poe added. She said a rehabilitation of the farms, including farm infrastructure like roads and irrigation, in the three Northern Luzon regions is needed as it comes at a time when prices of food are rising. In addition to the P19.6 billion NDRRMC fund, government should also tap some P7.6 billion disaster Quick Response Fund which is distributed to 10 agencies. “These funds are already parked with the agencies, and some should have been pre-deployed to regions,” Poe said. Also on Sunday, Save the Children Philippines, a non-government organization, said it is sending two more humanitarian teams to typhoon-ravaged towns in Northern Luzon to assess the situation and deliver emergency kits to thousand of families. “We expect the devastation is extensive and prolonged, knowing that many of the affected families are poor farmers who will no longer be able to harvest crops due to massive flooding,” said Save the Children chief executive Albert Muyot. Save the Children humanitarian teams will closely coordinate with local and national government agencies to distribute emergency kits such as household kits, hygiene kits as well as plastic sheets for temporary shelter, he said. With AFP and PNA

regular and well-milled commercial rice or face cancellation of their licenses. Lopez said the DTI, together with the NFA, will make it a requirement for retailers to sell not only premium rice brands, but also basic, regular, and well-milled rice. Lopez also said 4.6-million sacks of NFA rice, usually priced at P27 to P32 per kilo, will be made available nationwide and will be sold in supermarkets. Senator Loren Legarda said that she was assured by the administration’s economic team that prices of goods and services will soon stabilize following measures being undertaken by the government. Legarda, chairman of the Senate committee on finance, was briefed by Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia, and Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Deputy Governor Francisco Dakila, Jr. on the causes of the spike in inflation rate and the measures the government is taking to

stabilize inflation expectations. Figures from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed that inflation rose to a nine-year high of 6.4 percent in August. “We tried to analyze the causes of food and transport inflation and even the depreciation of peso. We also factored in the effects of monsoon rains and drought, as well as issues in the world market and prices of oil,” Legarda said. She said there are interventions being made in terms of policy and executive action. These include the immediate release of 4.6-million sacks of rice available in NFA warehouses to markets across the country. The economic managers also urged the Senate to immediately pass the Rice Tariffication Bill within the month. The DTI, NFA, Philippine National Police, National Bureau of Investigation, and farmer groups will form a monitoring team for surveillance of rice from ports to NFA warehouses and retail outlets.

To reduce the gap between the farm gate and retail prices of chicken, the Department of Agriculture and DTI will convene poultry producers and setup public markets where producers can sell directly to the end customer. To address the shortage, the NFA Council has approved the importation of twomillion sacks of rice for delivery by the end of September, and authorized the importation of five-million sacks more that are expected to arrive in one-and-a-half months, and another five-million sacks for early next year. But the Senator stressed that the government must address rice wastage to lessen the need to import rice, noting that 800,000 metric tons of milled rice is wasted due to improper handling, transport and storage. “There should be a designated authority or task force to address this wastage. If we can reduce even half of rice wastage, it would mean less importation as well,” Legarda said.

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MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2018

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MWSS expands Asian network THE Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System is reaching out to its Asian counterparts to improve its overall water security and wastewater management system following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with select officers and members of the Asia Water Council at the 7th AWC BOC in Daejoon City, South Korea last week (Sept. 11). The Asia Water Council consists of more than 100 members, organizations, representing more than 26 countries worldwide. MWSS administrator Reynaldo V. Velasco, who also serves as AWC director, said the AWC-initiated MOU will afford the MWSS and the Philippines to share the importance of development in the water industry and for the solution of water problems in the Asian region as there is a recognized need for mutual understanding among the AWC members. Aside from the MWSS administrator, other signatories of the MOU include AWC and K Water president Hak Soo Lee, K Water vice president Dr. Doo-Soo Park, China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research Director Zhang Cheng, Global Institute for Water, Environment and Health Director General Dr. Nidal Salim and International Water Resources Research Institute Director and Chungnam National University Professor Dr. Kwan-Sue Jung. The said agencies shall strive to cooperate and to promote the water industry and resolve problems in the Asia region through the following: a) conduct of joint research; b) sharsing Test-beds owned by the respective agencies and supporting their operation; c) supporting the promotion and AWC and their products; and, d) providing other cooperative support and needed assistance. “In an era of climate change, international cooperation and in adherence to the United Nations Sustainable Goal No. 6 on Water and Sanitation, this MOU initiated by the Asia Water Council will afford MWSS and the Philippine water supply industry access to modern research and technologies under the aegis of Build, Build, Build policy of President Duterte,” said the MWSS chief.

Cotabato gov cleared of graft; fuel deal upheld

ASIAN WATER COUNCIL LEADERS. MWSS Administrator Reynaldo V. Velasco, who also serves as AWC director, (fourth from left), signed the AWC-initiated Memorandum of Understanding with other international water agencies that will afford the MWSS and the Philippines to share the importance of development in the water industry and for the solution of water problems in the Asian region. (L-R) China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research director Zhang Cheng, K Water vice president Dr. Doo-Soo Park, AWC and K Water president Hak Soo Lee, Velasco, Global Institute for Water, Environment and Health director general Dr. Nidal Salim, and International Water Resources Research Institute director and Chungnam National University professor Dr. Kwan-Sue Jung.

3 Indonesians freed from Sayyaf in Sulu By Francisco Tuyay

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HE military said the government’s anti-terror campaign has led to the rescue of three Indonesian nationals held captive by the Abu Sayyaf Group for 20 months since Jan. 18 last year.

Col. Gerry Besana, spokesman of the Western Mindanao Command identified the rescued Indonesian hostages as Hamdam Salim, 34; Subandi Sattuh, 27 and Sudarlan Samansung, 41. Besana said the hostages were rescued from the ASG at 4 pm Saturday in Brgy. Buanza, Indanan, Sulu. Besana said that the three Indonesians were turned over to Brig. Gen. Divino Rey Pabayo Jr., former Sulu governor Abdusakur Tan and Sulu provincial police officer Sr. Supt Labra. The three Indonesians will be eventually turned over to the Indonesia Ambassador at the Western Mindanao Command.

The 3 hostages were taken Jan. 18, 2017 while on board a speedboat off the waters of Taganak Island, Tawi-Tawi. Meanwhile, Marine Col. Edgard Arevalo, spokesman of the Armed Forces of the Philippines said on Sunday that operating units from the Joint Task Force Sulu under Brig. Gen. Divino Rey Pabayo conducted focused operations against the terrorist in Brgy Bakong, Patikul killing seven terrorists in an ensued firefight. Arevalo said the fighting erupted hours as Typhoon “Ompong” threatened to hit land in Cagayan and Isabela provinces at 1:30 am Friday. Arevalo disclosed that six other ter-

rorists were injured, including ASG sub-leader Hatib Hajan Sawadjaaan who was hit in the stomach and lower extremities. The renewed fighting with the ASG injured 17 soldiers who sustained shrapnel wounds. “We praise the combat skills of our soldiers in seizing the element of surprise and firepower. They were unfazed by volleys of retaliatory fire from more or less 100 Abu Sayyaf terrorists under senior leader Radullan Sahiron and sub leaders Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan and Idang Susukan,” Arevalo said. He said that the site of the intense skirmishes is a notorious ASG territory on the basis of military and human intelligence. “The folks of Patikul knows it very well such that no civilians dared to go or pass by the place,” Arevalo added. “We stand firm in our report that this was a legitimate encounter contrary to enemy propaganda that it was a “massacre,” Arevalo pointed out.

By Rio N. Araja

THE Sandiganbayan has absolved Cotabato Gov. Emmylou Taliño Mendoza of graft charges that arose from the 2012 fuel purchases by the provincial government to a gas station allegedly owned by her mother. In a 35-page decision penned by Associate Justice Geraldine Faith Econg with Associate Justices Efren de La Cruz and Edgardo Caldona concurring, the antigraft court blamed the prosecution’s failure to show evidence that Taliño Mendoza used her position and abused her power to give undue advantage to the gas station of her mother to supply fuel for the heavy equipment machineries deployed for province’s infrastructure projects. The provincial government’s bids and awards committee, not the governor, was the one that chose the supplier, court records showed. The camp of Taliño Mendoza said that the cost was only one of the factors in choosing the supplier since the bids and awards committee must also determine the volume capacity, distance from the project site and conformity to deliver on credit. “It should be emphasized that the accused did not chose which mode of procurement should be used in the purchase of fuel. It was the bids and awards committee through its Resolution No. 0855… that recommended for the purchase of fuel through direct contracting,” the court decision read. The prosecution said there was manifest partiality and evident bad faith on the part of the governor when she approved the bids and awards committee’s resolution to the purchase of fuel by an alternative mode of procurement that waived public bidding. The anti-graft court said an alternative mode of procurement was allowed by the law so that “the lack of public bidding does not necessarily mean that the procurement is flawed.”

Leading personalities at the ‘Tara Na Sa Norte’ 2018 (from left): Roberto Bontia, NLEX Corp. senior vice president for Tollways Operations and Technology Management; Charmaine Bauzon, Head for Ayala Malls-Luzon ; Grace Ayento, NLEX AVP for Marketing; Marie Venus Tan, former DOT-CAR Regional Director and newly-appointed COO of TPB; and Michael Dumlao, general manager of Glorietta Malls.

NLEX tourism-travel fair showcases regions’ products A TRAVEL and tourism fair of the most modern expressway in the country has drawn large crowds at the Glorietta 4 Activity Center in Makati, attracting various stakeholders of the travel and tourism sectors recently. Billed “Tara Na Sa Norte” Tourism and Travel Fair, organized and showcased by the NLEX Corp., just concluded its 10th year of showcasing array of products stemming from rich culture and heritage of provinces in North and Central Luzon. The fair also featured in living color tourist destinations in the provinces. Newly appointed chief operating officer of Tourism Promotions Board

Marie Venus Tan cited that “key to a successful travel and tourism program is modern and efficient transport infrastructure.” She added that the North Luzon Expressway and Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway “have strengthened the potential of North Luzon regions in tourism where provision of goods and services are made faster and more convenient.” “Travelling has become a way to connect communities and individuals, and tollways have contributed much to greater mobility which, in turn, drives sustainable and community-driven tourism development and promotions,” remarked Roberto Bontia, NLEX Corp.

senior vice president for toll operations and technology management. Bontia also affirmed that through the 10 years of “Tara Na Sa Norte,” the NLEX Corp. has integrated tourism in the tollway firm’s advocacy playing its role well as “government’s major partner of the government for sustainable socioeconomic development.” NLEX Corp. AVP for Marketing Ms. Grace Ayento, Ayala Malls operations head for Luzon mall Charmaine Bauzon, and Glorietta Malls general manager Mitch Dumlao also graced the event. Apart from exclusive deals and promotional rates to tourist spots in North Philippines, recreational activities from

8 aspirants for SC post face wringer By Rey E. Requejo THE Judicial and Bar Council has scheduled for public interview the eight of 13 nominees for the position of Supreme Court associate justice on Sept. 26, 2018. The SC seat was left vacant by the appointment of Associate Justice Samuel Martires as successor of Ombudsman Conchita CarpioMorales whose term ended on July 26, 2018. In its advisory, the sevenmember council announced that the public interview will be conducted at the SC Main Building’s Division Hearing Room. “The public may submit a sworn complaint, report or opposition against any of the . . . candidates (a) by personal delivery or by mail to the JBC Second Floor, Centennial Building, SC, Padre Faura Street, Manila City; (b) by facsimile at telephone no. 02-552-96-07; or (c) by electronic mail to jbc@sc.judiciary. gov.ph and jbc87supremecourt@ gmail.com not later than 4:30 pm of 24 September 2018 [Monday],” the JBC advisory said. During its scheduled morning session on Sept. 26, the JBC members will grill four nominees, namely: Court Administrator Jose Midas Marquez, and Court of Appeals Associate Justices Apolinario Bruselas Jr., Rosemari Carandang, and Stephen Cruz. In the afternoon, subject of interview are CA Associate Justices Edgardo delos Santos, Japar Dimaampao, Ramon Paul Hernando, and Mario Lopez. The five other candidates— CA Associate Justices Oscar Badelles, Manuel Barrios, Ramon Garcia, Amy Lazaro-Javier and Davao Regional Trial Court Judge Virginia Tejano-Ang—would no longer undergo public interviews since they were already subjected to the same process. Meanwhile, the JBC also said it is accepting applications and documentary requirements until Oct. 1 for those who want to become Associate Justice for the post vacated by Chief Justice Teresita Leonardo-de Castro. Martires and De Castro’s replacement would be President Rodrigo Duterte’s sixth and seventh appointee to the high court, the others being Martires, Noel Tijam, Andres Reyes Jr., Alexander Gesmundo and Jose Reyes Jr.

corporate exhibitors, raffle draws, arts and cultural shows were made available to the public. Organized by the NLEX Corp., the builder and concessionaire of the 90km NLEX and the 94-km SCTEX, this year’s travel and tourism fair highlighted North and Central Luzon as the major Philippine tourism hub that has drawn an increasing number of local and foreign tourists over the past several years. With NLEX and the SCTEX as gateways to North and Central Luzon, vast farmlands and various agri-tourism sites in the region have been made more accessible to businessmen and tourists.

A4

Opinion

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2018

Duterte bonds

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

the federal deficit, and made peace with Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan. Clinton discovered a new meaning to the old concept of checks and balances. He did not have to deal just with Congress, his critics, or the press; he also had to contend with the bond market. WhenA BOND is a promise by a company ever his political aids proposed spending or government to repay principal (the a large sum of money on a new policy, the amount borrowed) plus interest to an in- economists and bankers would respond vestor at a specified time in the future. that the bond market would go ballistic. In the 1990s, bankers had a slang term Clinton’s top campaign aid, James Carfor bonds that were ville, was stunned losing or had no at the power the value. They were bond market had called “Clinton over the governbonds.” The joke ment. This proIf Duterte doesn’t was that Clinton voked him to quip: listen to the bond bonds were com“I used to think posed of an Al Gore if there was reinmarket, Philippine bond that had no carnation, I wanted government bonds interest, a Monica to come back as may soon be jokingly Lewinsky bond that the president, or had no maturity, the pope, or a .400 referred to as ‘Duterte and a Bill Clinton baseball hitter. bonds,’ composed of bond that had no But now I want to principle. come back as the a Leni Robredo bond The term was a bond market. You that has no interest, buzzword for the can intimidate evdeteriorating value erybody.” a Mocha Uson bond of US government Governments in that has no maturity, bonds, which was democratic counand a Rodrigo Duterte caused by former tries typically have President Bill Clinto face their elecbond that has no ton’s inflationary torates every four principle. policies early in his or six years. But presidency. Negaa more up-to-thetive perceptions of minute judgment Clinton’s ability to on how well they manage the economy also formed the ba- are doing, at least in the financial sphere, sis for the term. is provided by the bond market. The price At first, investors feared that inflation of a government’s bonds is a running comand credit risks were rising. Because the mentary on how well it is managing the price and yield of a bond move in opposite country’s money, just as a share price is a directions, the fears caused bond investors snap judgment on how well a company is to sell, which resulted in falling prices, and being run. investors demanded higher yields to comAs of Sept. 7, the price of 10-year pensate for the added risk. Bondholders Philippine government bonds, for inand traders lost billions of dollars. stance, has fallen over the past year due Eventually, Clinton listened to the bond to Duterte’s inflationary policies, and the market, reined in his inflationary policies, yield has risen from 4.6 percent to 6.67 balanced the budget instead of increasing Turn to A5

No place for politics

I

N A shameful display of utter insensitivity, US President Donald Trump has questioned the death toll from Hurricane ‘‘Maria’’ that devastated the US territory of Puerto Rico in September 2017, saying Democrats bloated the numbers to make him look bad.

Trump, in a pair of tweets Friday evening, said the number of people estimated to have died as a result of the 2017 storm in Puerto Rico went up “like magic” to 3,000 and that there was “no way” the death count was actually so high. In his tweet, Trump said he visited Puerto Rico in October after the storm and was told by officials on the island that 16 people had died. “Over many months, it went to 64 people,” Trump tweeted. “Then, like magic, 3,000 people killed.” Public health experts have estimated that nearly 3,000 died from the effects of Hurricane Maria. But Trump, who was roundly criticized for not doing enough to help Puerto Rico last year, insisted the latest estimates of deaths were inflated on purpose. “This was done by the Democrats in

order to make me look as bad as possible when I was successfully raising Billions of Dollars to help rebuild Puerto Rico,” Trump tweeted. “If a person died for any reason, like old age, just add them onto the list. Bad politics. I love Puerto Rico!” Trump also questioned the findings of a detailed study by George Washington University commissioned by the Puerto Rico’s government and claimed that its conclusion that 2,975 people died as a result of the hurricane from September 2017 to February 2018 was politically motivated. Trump’s claims were so outrageous that even his own party disowned them. “Casualties don’t make a person look bad,” said Republican Speaker of the House Paul Ryan. “I have no reason to dispute these numbers. I was in Puerto Rico after the hurricane. It was

devastated.” Here at home, too, we have seen attempts to politicize disaster management. We still recall how in 2013, at the height of Super Typhoon “Yolanda,” then Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II had gone to Tacloban, the hardest hit city, and reminded the mayor there that he belonged to a political clan that was at odds with President Benigno Aquino III. “You are a Romualdez, and the President is an Aquino,” Roxas famously told Tacloban Mayor Alfred Romualdez—in an ugly display of politics at a time of dire need. While the party in power at the time, the Liberal Party, was playing politics, more than 6,000 people perished as a result of Yolanda. Thankfully, we have not seen this kind of politics rear its ugly head in the Duterte administration—but we are wary of politicians who use disaster management efforts to stay in the limelight ahead of an election year. They, too, deserve our disdain.

Pag-asa considerably less than feared, but damage to property and crops have yet to be evaluated. Gov. Manny Mamba of Cagayan was heard on radio and TV saying that some 69,000 hectares of ricefields were devastated. A number of these had been IN THE wake of this year’s most destruc- prematurely harvested a few days betive typhoon, ‘‘Mangkhut’’ or ‘‘Ompong’’ fore Ompong, but one could only do so (why do we insist on having a Filipino much, he rued. Assuming that 50,000 name for typhoons that already have in- hectares were flattened by wind and rain, ternational names, once they enter the the storm-damaged palay could no lonPhilippine area of responsibility?), one ger be fit for human consumption. If the agency that deserves a pat on the back is expected yield would be a low 4 tons of the DoST-Pagasa, our weather forecast- palay, or 80 cavans per hectare, that is 200,000 tons or four-million sacks of paing apparatus. Our Pagasa men and women gave us lay. Had this been milled into rice, that adequate and correct information, days would be equivalent to 120,000 metric before Mangkhut became Ompong. They tons or 2.4-million sacks of rice with 50 kilos each. gave government Those palay agencies and the farmers would go p u b l i c - a t - l a rg e hungry, bereft of inenough time to precomes after months pare for the worst The people should of back-breaking as the typhoon apnot stop praying. work. And that is proached Northern 2.4 million more Luzon, sacks out of the naA week ago tional rice reserves. in Taiwan, the And that is Cagayforecast was that Mangkhut would slam into northern Tai- an province alone, per Governor Mamba. Indeed, if the path of Ompong went a wan, after it had hit Guam, but our local weathermen warned that it could hit few degrees lower, more of Isabela other Batanes and the Babuyan Islands instead, than the northern section would be flatlater lowering their sights into the exact tened of rice and corn due for harvest in spot in northern Cagayan province, with October. A few more degrees southward, landfall in Baggao and exit through Ilocos if Ompong had slammed through Nueva Ecija and the central plains of Luzon, woe Norte. I had a plane reservation for Saturday unto us rice-eaters in the urban areas. If our agriculture officials were insistthe 15th from Taipei to Manila, and decided, on the basis of Pagasa forecasts, to ing that there is “no rice shortage” the leave much earlier, Thursday afternoon, week before Ompong, even as prices to avoid the typhoon which would defi- were soaring to unbelievable heights nitely affect our flight path. Remember- and poor consumers were lining up for ing what happened to me when the Xia- cheaper substitutes from commercial rice, men Airlines plane got stuck in NAIA, courtesy of the NFA and it’s Vietnamese I decided not to take any chances, and and Thai suppliers, now they have to reindeed, I had a smooth flight back home calculate. *** last week. In the wake of the rice crisis in 1995, By warning the public days in advance, the number of deaths and the magnitude President Fidel V. Ramos convened the of destruction left by Ompong was avert- Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council, which then proceeded to ed, thanks to DoST-Pagasa. mandate a “safe” rice reserve level which *** Learningfromthe‘‘Haiyan’’/‘‘Yolanda’’ the National Food Authority must comply experience, it would seem that a lot more with. That level is 15 days of the averpeople heeded the Pagasa warnings. age national consumption (less than half a What was unexpected though was the million tons of rice) at any single time of amount of rainfall that poured into the the year, increased to 30 days (900,000 to Montanosa, causing uncontrolled vol- a million tons) in preparation for the “lean umes of water to cascade into Kalinga, months” which is June to September, or in-between our two traditional harvest Benguet and Baguio City. As we write this article, the whole pic- months of the staple crop. This “lean” ture of the devastation is yet to be seen period is also when we are normally beset Turn to A5 and assessed. Deaths and injuries were

EVERYMAN

Correcting a grave injustice

By Juanito Velasco “GOYO,” the nickname of General Gregorio del Pilar of the felled Philippine revolution, was the young and handsome Katipunan officer, and a heartthrob of many women in those heroic but fleeting times of our beleaguered country. No, there was no Filipino nation then, and Goyo could not be likened to our National Hero, Jose Rizal, not for heroism, but maybe a little for their Bohemian ways. A rabid follower of General Emilio Aguinaldo, the treacherous leader who engineered the death of Andres Bonifacio and Antonio Luna, Goyo could not be compared with a world intellectual (Mahatma Gandhi was his admirer). There was something in the two heroes, however, that caught the fancy of this Pangasinense writer: Their fondness for Pangasinan beauty. You, dear readers, are familiar with the pretty Leonor Rivera, a resident of Dagupan and Camiling, then a barrio of Bayambang town, where General Aguinaldo camped for one day and had it declared Fifth Capital of

the Philippine Republic. The tragedy of that love story between Pepe Rizal and Leonor Rivera was climaxed by her “forced” marriage to engineer Charles Kipping at the “engineering” of her mother, at the Dagupan Catholic Church in 1892. They say that great love stories usually end up in tragedy. In the case of Goyo, the love of his life was a young girl, a certain Remedios, sister of Dolores, who lived in what is now Barangay Pantal, in sitio Nable, Dagupan City. In the movie, ‘‘Goyo, Ang Batang Heneral,” which we saw with former Tour of Luzon champ Jesus Garcia Jr.,—at the Robinson Theater (we purposely saw it to spice up this article), one would be moved by the lovers—Goyo, 24, and the 19-year-old beauty exchanging their avowals of love. The dark side—incidentally, or the very soul of the Goyo story, was how he was slain in the hands of American soldiers and local hirelings, and later subjected to indignities, as claimed in the mass media here and abroad. This article is a treatise to rectify that ugly,

unfair and blasphemous publicity. Allow us to say that we could feel God’s hand in the confluence of events that brought us to these episodes in the lives of Americans—the soldiers—and the locals as well as the families who would later get involved in the story. By dint of sheer luck, we met the son of the American sharp shooter named corporal Philip Lindmark, he who felled Goyo on Tirad Pass. Lindmark, a member of the American militia, tasked to finish off Del Pilar, became member of a family with whom this writer is related. After Tirad Pass, he met his future bride, a beauty from San Juan, La Union, named Felisa Villalon. The Villalons are related to the Gaerlans of La Union and Pangasinan. The mother of our wife, Catherine, was a Gaerlan, former school principal Rosario Gaerlan Bernardo, and close kin of the Villalons of San Juan, La Union. Philip Lindmark, the sharp shooter, had a son, Frank who married Purificacion Perez, who is still alive; sister of former Mayor Turn to A5

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Opinion

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2018

Contagion? Meltdown? WE ALL know that the Philippine economy is under pressure as are a number of other economies—developed, mid-developed or developing aka emerging markets. The telltale signs of such pressure are all over the place: Current account imbalances, falling currencies, spikes in exchange rates versus the almighty dollar and, of course, scarcities and increased prices of goods and even services. Not to mention all kinds of predictions about the future and, yes, solutions from all kinds of pundits and born-again economists. But what is the score, really? Are we in for a contagion? a meltdown? Not really if we go by the economic fundamentals. The economy is stronger than it was during the crises enveloping the world in 1998, 2008 and even the most recent 2013 “taper tantrum” as most economists call it, when reports of a slowdown in the US Federal Reserve’s purchases of long-term bonds threw a number of countries—notably India, Indonesia, Mexico and Poland—into a tizzy. That kind of fear may no longer apply to the Philippines. We have had a good run for the past three years recording growth rates second only to China in the Asia-Pacific region. Foreign direct investments have been pouring and we expect that investment pledges in a number of key projects will ensue despite the noise swirling around. And, perhaps equally important, our foreign reserves bolstered by increased remittances from overseas Filipinos remain solid and steady. As Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Assistant Governor Francisco Dakila noted the country has enough foreign exchange reserves to cover our ballooning trade and current account deficit. Said Dakila in a recent interview: “The country’s balance of payments is financeable and the current account ‘s shortfall is manageable as the country’s gross international reserves remains well above international standards..Our GIR level stood at US$77.5 billion, enough to cover 7.1 months worth of imports of goods and services..which is a comfortable level considering that the international norm is just between three to four months cover.” So it seems that all that noise about a meltdown, that a Turkey contagion is in our near future, is simply that: Noise signifying nothing. But it has injected some fear into the public consciousness, a fear which can transmogrify into real panic if we do not watch out and do the right things as we confront the real life problems of rising prices and the devastation caused by the recent typhoons which visited the country are not addressed specially by the political class with a calm and steadying hand. As some analysts know only too well politics can trump economics in a flick of a coin if a sobering presence, a reassuring hand does not hold the swirling forces, internal and external, impacting on the economy. As has now been shown in the case of Turkey, the defiant response of newly elected President Recep Tayip Erdogan to the sanctions and subsequent tariffs imposed by US President Trump only exacerbated his country’s problems. It took a spin: Within hours, the Turkish lira plummeted, inflation rate spiked to 16 percent and suddenly, Turkish officials were on their way to Washington DC with cups on hand to discuss a possible emergency rescue package from the World Bank and International Monetary Fund. It did not help that Erdogan tried to muscle his own central bank into “reshaping its monetary policy” (as in do not raise interest rates) and appointed his son-in-law as his treasury and finance chief. That only served as a clarion call for the banks, local

Duterte.... From A4

percent. The bond market expects prices to continue to fall and yields to continue to rise. The bond market is saying that President Duterte is not managing the country’s money well. Investors are demanding a higher return because they are judging Duterte and Philippine government bonds to be either riskier than they originally thought or there are better investment opportunities elsewhere. And if investors decide there are better opportunities elsewhere, it’s only natural that bond prices fall. As a consequence, the yield goes up. Moreover, bond markets do not just comment on the public finances. They have a way of disciplining profligate governments. This does not mean that governments can never spend more than they raise in taxes. A bit of borrowing does nobody any harm provided it is being used for a good purpose and it is clear where the money to repay the debt is coming from. But investors get worried when a government resorts to deficit financing with no obvious end in sight. They mark down the bonds of governments that live beyond their means, pushing up the cost of borrowing new money. Even a small rise in the cost of borrowing

Correcting... From A4

Laureano Perez, now deceased, of San Manuel, Pangasinan. Frank died some five years back. The Perezes are still an influential family in Pangasinan politics led by Vice Mayor (formerly mayor) Salvador Perez, Sr.; his son Jerrico, now mayor of San Manuel; Salvador Jr., a member of the provincial board, and daughter Shiela, also a member of the provincial board by virtue of her being presi-

A5

Reverse the Train

the economy is growing. Instead, the origins of this Italian crisis are purely political—and how it plays out will be driven entirely by Italian politics. The situation is fast-moving, creating immense uncertainty that has unnerved the markets. On Wednesday morning, it appeared as if Italy was heading for new elections in which the country’s membership of the eurozone would be on the agenda; by the evening, it appeared that the 5 Star Movement and the League were trying to rekindle their attempt to form a coalition, which they had abandoned when President Sergio Mattarella vetoed their choice of economy minister: Paolo Savona, an 81-year-old economist who had previously advocated Rome adopting a secret Plan B to leave the euro. So there. By now, the continuing turmoil in the markets enhanced to a large part by fears of an out-and-out trade war involving the developed and most dynamic economies should be lesson enough for us as we face the pressures on the economy to avert any further slide to the doldrums. The Turkish and Italian experiences are more than instructive. Our political class must come to terms with themselves. Take note. It is not just President Duterte’s ways which affect our situation. As a matter of fact, despite his outbursts at times, the President’s steady hand has help us move forward despite the internal and external pressures. He has tried to boost our productivity with ‘Build, Build, Build” while pushing for more and better use of the people’s money through more funds for education, health services and agriculture. He has not intervened in the BSP’s measures to combat inflation. Unlike Erdogan, neither has he talked the central bank into doing things other than what they are supposed to work on to keep the economy on an even keel. But there have been a number of kinks along the way of redemption and President Duterte and our people know it. So, the sooner he and his people do something about it, the better for all. Compare that to what his critics have been doing in support of getting the economy survive these challenges. Raising fear and the specter of a meltdown for one. Despite facts and figures to the contrary, they have been trying their level best to discredit the facts and the figures using every emotional guise in their bags to side track responsible discussions. In a word, they are coaxing our people to live a lie. This is not to suggest that we should not even care about the rice lines, the traffic, the rising prices and the like. We should as we must try to resolve these and a hundred more priority concerns at the soonest possible opportunity. But to insist and let our people believe that the administration is not concerned, that it is doing things for show and is only interested in muzzling its critics is to be petty and unworthy of a real, responsible opposition. Why not come out with credible, fact-based solutions to the problems for once instead of raising people’s fears? If our foundations are faulty, why not suggest how to strengthen these—if you have any idea at all and care for this country? This administration still has three years to make things right and moving and if you are the authors of a better plan which will carry us through beyond three years people will accept and realize that. Then, you will have your chance in pursuing things to greater heights. The problem is you had your chance to make things better many times over. What did you do? You know it. Our people know it. That’s that.

He added: “The PEZA law is one of the most potent investment incentive tools that has buoyed our economy in the past decades. Why tamper with it now?” Another sector that is projected to suffer is the mining industry, with experts predicting massive losses of quality jobs in the hundreds THE Lower House last week approved on of thousands, many in rural areas where dethird and final reading the since-renamed velopment is so needed and yet so scarce. Worse, the proposed repeal of key secTax Reform for Attracting Better and Highquality Opportunities or House Bill 8083, the tions in the Mining Act further undermines second package in the polarizing Tax Reform an already inconsistent policy environment, sending more red flags to potential investors. for Acceleration and Inclusion law. With only the Makabayan bloc and the so- If this happens, it will jeopardize many projcalled Magnificent 7 opposing, the proposed ects already in the pipeline, also wiping out law is still part and parcel of the government’s potential quality jobs across the supply chain. For instance, the Trabaho bill aims to reambitious development agenda anchored on boosting infrastructure, this time geared to peal Section 90 of the Mining Act, which supposedly encourage investments by lower- states that “mining activities shall always be ing the corporate income tax rate from 30 to included in the investment priorities plan.” 20 percent by 2029 and “rationalize” fiscal As it is, this mandate has not been observed. Some $20 billion worth of approved mining incentives given to businesses. According to then House committee on projects remain stalled, with no new mining ways and means chairman Rep. Dakila Cua projects approved. The other sections up for (Quirino Province), “The objective of the repeal all constitute key incentives designed Trabaho bill is to create more jobs and op- to attract investments in the sector. A planned Strategic Investments Priority portunities through encouragement of the private sector to invest and grow their busi- Plan aims to consolidate fiscal incentives to industries that fall under it. If mining is not in nesses here.” This direction, however, seems to be belied the list, it will make the country even more by the opinion of industry as well as observ- unattractive and uncompetitive, practically ers and pundits. The Fitch Group’s research killing the sector and, by extension, billions of dollars in lost arm BMI Research predicts that the law, revenue for the govif enacted, will in fact ernment and quality dampen investments jobs for hundreds of thousands of Filipibecause it will make The Trabaho bill nos. the country even less could pose even more More broadly competitive. speaking, it will “While the probarriers to foreign further imperil the posed tax reforms investments, in addition already difficult task may be fiscally prudent, it will likely to subpar infrastructure, of harnessing one of the country’s largest make the Philippines problematic business natural resource— less competitive verownership laws, and minerals—which, as sus its regional peers. we have seen in the Investments could prohibitive cost of industrial developslow over the nearutilities. ment of other counterm as the proposed tries, is essential if conditional corporate we are to sustain tax reduction and repealing of fiscal inthe kind of inclusive centives create uncertainties for businesses,” growth that has eluded Filipinos for decades. Mineral-rich countries like Australia, the group said in its latest economic brief. Even with the proposed reduction in cor- Canada, Chile, Peru, and South Africa porate income tax, the tax rates in the Phil- managed to industrialize on the back of a ippines will remain to be one of the highest robust mining industry. In the context of and least competitive in the region, the group the government’s much-publicized Build Build Build program, this turn of events added. The Philippine Ecozones Association is even more frustrating. If the infrastructure agenda were to be warned that the Trabaho law could in fact result in job losses, not to mention lower pro- sustainable in the short and medium term, duction output and exports and even capital mining has to play an indispensable cog flight, overall disturbing the already investor- in the envisioned supply chain. Regressive friendly conditions in the country’s economic policies will not provide the much-need raw materials for cement, steel, and the like. The zones. “The tax reform measures being put forth best move for government is to immediately will reverse the progress that the private sec- resolve the decades old policy limbo, shifttor, hand in hand with the government, have ing aggressively towards fostering an effecattained thus far in contributing to nation- tively regulated and competitive environbuilding through strengthening the industrial ment, the industry can release an economic sectors of manufacturing, information tech- potential that can increase GDP by a huge 1 nology, business process outsourcing, and percent! Isn’t that what we need? As the Trabaho bill reaches the Senate, many others,” said Philea president Franwe hope that our Senators will not succisco Zaldarriaga. Indeed, what can be hardest hit are two of cumb to another railroading of Train2 aka the country’s biggest export revenue draw- Trabaho bill, now so aggressively driven ers: The electronics and semiconductors sec- by the Department of Finance. We are all tor and BPOs, many of whom are located suffering from what has been admitted as inside economic zones and thus enjoy fiscal “unanticipated” effects of this grand policy blunder. Instead of insisting on Train2, the incentives. Zaldarriaga pointed out that the bill could damaging taxes of Train should be reversed erect even more barriers to foreign invest- immediately, and this time please listen to ments, in addition to subpar infrastructure, all the industries who at the end of the day problematic business ownership laws, and are creating the jobs and do all the work for the economy. prohibitive cost of utilities.

can be enough to persuade governments to adopt more responsible policies. They tighten their belts by cutting public spending or raising taxes. But such actions are unpopular with voters. So politicians are reluctant to do them. The snag is that the longer they delay taking remedial action, the more worried bondholders become. The cost of borrowing continually mounts. In the extreme, it can be so expensive to raise money that the government defaults on its debts, as Greece did in 2012. Governments have an escape route that is not available to companies when they run out of money: they can print money. That might seem to negate the capacity of bond markets to discipline profligate behavior. But, in fact, the ability to turn on the printing presses is at best a temporary palliative. Such “monetization” is a sure way of debasing the currency. It feeds inflation, possibly even hyper-inflation. It may avoid technical default. But bondholders will still have to be robbed. The money they are paid back will be worth a fraction of the money they lent. Not surprisingly, bondholders watch out for inflation with an eagle eye. And they punish any government that seems to be embarking on inflationary policies by marking down their bonds. But it is not just bondholders who suffer from inflation. Ordinary savers who have

cash deposits suffer too. The way in which inflation erodes the value of cash is sometimes called the “inflation tax.” And, like all taxes, it is unpopular. As such, printing money does not really offer politicians an escape route. Even if the discipline of the bond market is too weak, they have to face the consequences of debasing their currency at the ballot box. The bond market teaches governments the virtues of fiscal and monetary conservatism. Inflationary policies are detrimental to an economy’s long-term health and public finances should be managed responsibly. Old-style tax-and-spend politicians may not love the bond market. But ordinary citizens can be grateful that it holds politicians in check. And even politicians can develop a healthy relationship with the bond market. If they manage the country’s money sensibly, they will be rewarded with lower borrowing costs and promote economic prosperity. If Duterte doesn’t listen to the bond market, Philippine government bonds may soon be jokingly referred to as “Duterte bonds,” composed of a Leni Robredo bond that has no interest, a Mocha Uson bond that has no maturity, and a Rodrigo Duterte bond that has no principle.

Pag-asa

dent of the provincial councilors league. One day in the 80s, Frank Lindmark went to the Manila Bulletin office in Manila armed with only one purpose: “to correct a grave injustice” done to the American troops and the natives who were portrayed as blood-thirsty criminals, stripping the hero naked, robbed and subjected to indignities. “Those were not only false and a slap on the people of the United States and the Filipinos,” Philip Lindmark told his son Frank. After he was fatally shot, the general was accorded utmost respect and honor, the old Lindmark told his son.

“Son, do something about this grave injustice,” the father said. On meeting Manila Bulletin editor Ben Rodriguez, this writer was “summoned” to the Bulletin office from our “hideout” in Dagupan to meet and interview Frank Lindmark. No less than then Agrarian Reform Minister Conrado Estrella was sought by Mr. Rodriguez to locate us. Frank told Mr. Rodriguez and us that it was the last wish of his father when he was still alive to have what he described as a “blasphemous story” corrected. Our meeting with Frank Lindmark turned

CROSSROADS JONATHAN DE LA CRUZ and overseas, to call their loans and suspend any more borrowings at the same time that investors in Turkey’s bonds and equities called their chips. The Turkish conundrum then rippled into other so-called vulnerable economies. As Bloomberg’s Peter Coy described it, the fall of the Turkish lira “pushed down the currencies of Argentina, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Russia, South Africa and Zambia and raised Italy’s borrowing costs to their highest since May.” The Philippines was nowhere in the path of that contagion. In the Bloomberg Economics score card of which emerging markets are most vulnerable involving four key criteria, namely, current account balance, external debt, government effectiveness and inflation, we were in number eight—way below the earlier

You had your chance to make things better many times over. What did you do?

named countries plus Colombia and Brazil and a notch above Russia which, by the way, is emerging out of its own recession. To Coy, the crisis was actually overdue. The country was ripe for a currency crisis—a situation which apparently Erdogan dismissed as overblown and, possibly, existing only in the opposition’s mind. He embarked on huge infrastructure projects and muscled the opposition while neglecting the basics. In a real sense, he tried to wish the problems away. That is a no-no under any and all circumstances. Which is why in the government effectiveness category, Turkey got the lowest score at 0.05 which is much lower than our +0.01 Which brings us to our point. Our economic fundamentals may be stronger than before. We may have the international reserves to “wait out” any currency pressures from around the world. We may have a backlog of investments waiting in the pipeline. But these may not be enough to cushion our situation if we do not play our cards well. That’s where political decisions and government effectiveness come in. The case of Italy, a member of the developed countries’ G-7 conclave and a manufacturing and creative works hub but with a serious immigrant crisis, is instructive. As Simon Nixon in an article “Italy Still Has Time to Avert Disaster” published in the Wall Street Journal issue of May 30, 2018 noted the ruling coalition, 5 Star Movement and The League, which run on an anti-immigrant and even a partly anti-EU, anti-Eurozone platform, now realizes it has to come to terms with the real world as they try to move their essentially isolationist agenda. Reported Nixon: “And while Italy’s debt burden is high at 132 percent of gross domestic product, the market has shown little sign until now of being worried about its sustainability. After all, Rome is running a 2-percent primary surplus before interest costs, private sector borrowing is low and

eric.jurado@gmail.com

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by heavy rainfall and typhoons. That LEDAC mandate was violated by the NFA last year, when mercifully, no strong weather disturbance happened during the lean months. That was pushed to extreme lows when we reached oneday inventory in March to May and even beyond, the lowest in the agency’s history. It is only now that imports have been arriving, after prices of commercial rice had gone haywire, and the long queues or “pila” have been the economy’s “optic” of the year. Acting too late took its toll in terms of public suffering, discontent, even anger perhaps. And now there was Ompong. *** By and large, the NDRRMC and other agencies of government were also better prepared for Mangkhut. The President’s deputizing his cabinet members to take charge, from Secretary Art Tugade in his home province of Cagayan, Secretary Bebot Bello in his native Isabela, and Secretary Del Lorenzana, the NDRRMC out to be a grand reunion of sorts which reunited several families, the Lindmarks, the Villalons, the Gaerlans and the Perezes of Ilocos and Pangasinan. This episode would take a twist when we had an encounter with National Artist Frank Sionil Jose at his Solidaridad Book Store in Malate. Mr. Sionil is a fellow Pangasinense from Rosales town. We had coffee together with then executive secretary Oscar Orbos and Dolphy, the actor, at Hizon’s café in Malate. We told Mr. Sionil about Frank Lindmark’s story on the Del Pilar saga. His reaction was sheer unbelief, as he, too, has

chair monitoring the situation gave the public assurances and the LGU’s better direction. Political Adviser Francis Tolentino was an excellent choice to coordinate preventive as well as relief operations, having had experience both as city mayor of Tagaytay and as former MMDA chief during the Aquino administration. *** The people should not stop praying though. There are still more weeks and days in the dreadful “ber” months when weather disturbances are at their worst. They should also brace for higher prices of basic commodities, from rice to vegetables, to fish, and later, pork and poultry, when the destroyed corn crops of Northern Luzon impacts on the cost of feeds. Still and all, “pag-asa” which is the acronym of choice of our weather forecast agency, should be the guiding spirit that, as always, makes the Filipino people very resilient. It’s 99 days before Christmas, our traditional highlight of the season of grace, and joy, and hope. written several articles about the Tirad Pass encounter. We also related it to the late Adrian Cristobal at a breakfast meeting with then Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. at his Makati residence. It was obvious that the old version portraying the bestiality of the conquerors was hard to erase and expunge, not only from the books, but from the minds and consciousness of many. The author is a veteran journalist and lecturer and writes for several publications.

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Comelec: No law vs premature campaigning THE Commission on Elections said they cannot stop “aspiring candidates” from promoting themselves ahead of the May 2019 midterm polls as no law prohibits premature campaigning. “The Comelec does not make the law, but we’ve been helping legislation get passed to address this,” Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said. “The Comelec has never been silent about this loophole in the law, since at least 2013,” Jimenez added. Netizens have questioned the poll body’s perceived lack of action against possible candidates in the forthcoming polls. “We are actively supporting the bills that will help solve this problem,” Jimenez said. Under Republic Act No. 9369, “any person who files his certificate of candidacy within [the period for filing] shall only be considered as a candidate at the start of the campaign period for which he filed his certificate of candidacy.” It also states that “unlawful acts or omissions applicable to a candidate shall take effect only upon the start of the aforesaid campaign period.” Pending bills filed by Senators Leila de Lima and Richard Gordon seek to prohibit any form of premature campaigning for any prospective candidate ahead of an electoral exercise. PNA

Customs employees seek lifestyle check vs officials By Macon Ramos-Araneta

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MPLOYEES of the Bureau of Customs have sought a lifestyle check on ranking officials of the Bureau for their alleged lavish lifestyle.

In a letter addressed to Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapeña, the BoC employees, calling themselves “The Real Concerned Employees of BoC,” said a lifestyle check was in order, especially for officials who have been linked to several irregularities. “We are asking you, Hon. Commis-

sioner Lapeña, to look into the Statements of Assets and Liabilities and Net Worth of these officials and their actual lifestyle because you would see the big difference,” the BoC employees said in their letter. They claimed that in the Facebook accounts of these officials, they own luxury

cars, live in impressive houses and are often traveling in style with their family and friends. The employees asked Lapeña to subject two employees assigned at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport to an “extensive and exhaustive lifestyle check.” “We are one with you in your organization task to rebuild the much-maligned image of the Bureau and bring back the respect that it long deserve as an institution and collectively as civil servants,” the employees said. Meanwhile, Blue Ribbon committee chairman Senator Richard Gordon has

proposed changes in the bureau’s policy to address the unabated entry of smuggled goods, including illegal drugs. Gordon said the government lost P900 billion in uncollected duties and taxes. “There has been a marked improvement in the BoC’s collections. But there were still illegal shipments which past slipped our authorities. It’s alarming that tons of shabu are entering the country right through the guardian of our ports. This is especially so when there is a furor because people are killed for mere sachets of shabu,” Gordon said.

Lawmaker pushes for alternative tourist spots SAYING that country can do better than seven million tourists, Senator Juan Edgardo Angara has urged the government to develop and promote alternative tourist destinations and to put in place the necessary infrastructure to support the industry. “There should be more emphasis on new destinations. Infrastructure is really what’s holding us back. We can do so much better than 7.4-million tourists. Everyone knows that,” the senator said. “Tourism is a very low-hanging fruit. But no matter how beautiful our promotions are, we cannot increase tourist arrivals until we resolve our airport problems,” Angara added. He cited Sorsogon, Leyte, Negros Oriental, Zamboanga, Catanduanes and Siquijor, which are among the poorest provinces in the country, as potential tourist magnets. By boosting the tourism industry, Angara said this would generate more jobs that could lead to poverty alleviation in these provinces. Earlier, Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said the New Bohol International Airport in Panglao is almost complete, while the upgrading of the San Vicente airport in Palawan and Siargao airport in Surigao del Norte are now in the works. Data from the Department of Tourism showed at least 6.6-million foreign tourists visited the country in 2017. Boracay and Cebu remained the top destinations last year.

IT’S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE XMAS. Store owner Baby Cortero hangs Christmas lanterns for sale at her stall at Mega Q-Mart in Quezon City. Manny Palmero

Eriguel lauds new drug rehab facility in Agoo By Rio N. Araja LA UNION Rep. Sandra Eriguel on Sunday lauded the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency for the establishment of a drug rehabilitation facility in Agoo to look after the welfare of the drug offenders. “The new drug rehabilitation center is a testimony of the serious efforts of the

local government to support the centerpiece program of our President [Rodrigo Duterte]. This is in cooperation among office of the provincial governor, Agoo Mayor Stefanie Agoo, Department of Health, PDEA and Congress,” she said. The PDEA-Satellite office and reformation center would cater to the needs of drug offenders from La Union and the nearby province of Pangasinan.

“Drug offenders here are given livelihood skills training and various reformatory programs to prepare them to become renewed and productive citizens in their reintegration to the society,” Eriguel said. The drug rehabilitation center is being run by the local government unit. PDEA also opened a “Balay Silangan” satellite office in Agoo.

BRIGHT SUNSHINY DAY. People enjoy a stroll in Intramuros, Manila as Typhoon ‘Ompong’ left the Philippine area of responsibility. Ey Acasio

PCSO ready to release calamity fund PHILIPPINE Charity Sweepstakes Office general manager Alexander Balutan announced on Sunday that the agency is on standby to release its calamity fund once assessment has been made by local government units. “PCSO is here to help our countrymen who were affected by the super typhoon. Every year, PCSO appropriates calamity fund to assist families affected by natural and man-made calamities, just like other assistance we have released before,” Balutan said in a radio interview. During calamities, PCSO assesses first the exact situation in the area in coordination with local government officials, the Department of Social Welfare and Development, and regional rescue teams to avoid duplication. “Every year, PCSO allots P100 million for calamity fund. Earlier, we released funds for the victims of the Mayon Volcano eruption, Typhoon “Vinta” and fire victims. We cannot determine for now the exact amount to be released as it would depend on the assessment in the area,” Balutan said. For the first semester of 2018, PCSO released P48.4 million in financial assistance to individuals and families affected by natural and man-made calamities. “We have been coordinating with the Office of the Civil Defense, headed by my classmate, Usec Ricardo Jalad, and yesterday with the Philippine Red Cross through Sec. Richard Gordon on what assistance we can give. PCSO has funds to release after we assess what level, damage, or needs of our calamity victims,” Balutan said.

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PH rowers claim 2 more golds G AINESVILLE, Georgia—The Philippines claimed two more gold medals in the 2018 ICF World Dragon Boat Championships here by winning the 10-seater and 20-seater senior mixed 200-meter races held at the Lake Lanier Olympic Park.

Led by veteran paddlers Hermie Macaranas and Mark Jhon Frias, the Filipinos sprinted to the finish with a sudden burst of speed in the final 50 meters for a 50.46-second clocking in the small boat that drew admiration from their world-class rivals. France settled for the silver medal in 53.056 seconds and towed third-placer Hungary (53.158), host United States (53.463), Italy (53.9) and Germany (54.437).

“On a shorter course such as the 200m, you need to produce faster and powerful strokes to become successful,” said coach Diomedes Manalo after the Philippine Canoe Kayak Dragonboat Federation paddlers surpassed their medal tally in 2016 Moscow, Russia. The Pinoy paddlers followed exactly the game plan in capturing their fourth gold in the big boat, clocking 43.481 seconds to

subdue Czech Republic (46.082) and United States (46.146). Hungary placed fourth (46.791) followed by Germany (48.040) and Canada (50.242). Besides the four gold medals, the national team supported by the Philippine Sports Commission and Go For Gold has also pocketed two silvers in the small boat senior men’s 500m and big boat senior mixed 2000m race, respectively. “Congratulations to our dragon boat athletes for improving on their medal tally from their last world championship,” said Go For Gold top honcho Jeremy Go. “Despite all the struggle and adversity, our team has come out on top and continues to impress.” They defended the 20-seater senior mixed 500m title with aplomb after kicking off their world championship campaign

with a convincing win in the 10-seater senior mixed 500m event. The Pinoy paddlers remain on track to secure another gold medal in the 10-seater senior men 200m on Sunday (Monday in Manila). Jordan De Guia, John Paul Selencio, Lee Robin Santos, Jonathan Ruz, Daniel Ortega, Reymart Nevado, John Lester Delos Santos will join hands with Christine Mae Talledo, Sharmaine Mangilit, Apple Jane Abitona, Raquel Almencion and Lealyn Baligasa in the big boat senior mixed 200m. Maribeth Caranto has been designated steersman and Patricia Ann Bustamante as drummer. During their world championship campaign two years ago, the Filipinos brought home three gold medals, one silver and a pair of bronzes.

Filipino rowers paddle hard en route to a gold medal victory during the 2018 ICF World Dragon Boat Championships held in Gainesville, Georgia. Photo courtesy of International Canoe Federation

Tankoua named NCAA Press Corps Player of the Week IN what could be his last San BedaLetran rivalry game, Donald Tankoua made sure that he and the Red Lions would come out on top. Last Tuesday, San Beda held an imposing 22-point lead, 67-45, on archrival Letran with 6:19 left in the game. The Red Lions forgot one thing, however, and let their guards down and saw the Knights storm back with a 19-0 blast. “If we lost this game, I should probably blame myself for that because I gave everybody a chance to play and the other guys who came in just simply didn’t want to really step up,” said head coach Boyet Fernandez. “They thought it was already a won game for us.” With Robert Bolick fouling out with less than a minute left, San Beda needed someone it could lean on to stop the bleeding. It was Tankoua who heeded the call, knocking down a clutch basket that eventually gave the Red Lions a 74-68 win. Because of his herculean effort that saw him finish with 19 points and nine rebounds, the 6-foot-6 Cameroonian was hailed as the Chooks-toGo/NCAA Press Corps Player of the Week. Though getting the victory, last season’s Finals MVP hopes that this serves as a wake up call for his teammates that they could never sleep on anyone the rest of the way. “What happened, happened and I think that we should realize that we really have to work hard in every game,” the 23-year-old big man said. Tankoua bested Lyceum’s Jaycee Marcelino, Mapua’s Laurenz Victoria, and San Sebastian’s Michael Calisaan for the weekly citation handed out by print and online sportswriters covering the beat.

WADA to lift drug suspension of Russia MONTREAL, Canada—Olympic champion Beckie Scott resigned from the World Anti-Doping Agency committee which recommended ending Russia’s drug suspension on Saturday as the global watchdog defended its handling of the case. Scott, one of six members of WADA’s compliance review committee, stepped down a day after it emerged the panel had given a green light for the sanction against the Russian AntiDoping Agency (RUSADA) to be lifted

at a board meeting in the Seychelles on September 20. WADA’s disclosure of the committee’s decision on Friday drew criticism from athletes and other testing bodies who claim Russian authorities have not met set benchmarks necessary for readmission. The WADA decision also came after a leaked document earlier this week which showed that the committee had initially recommended leaving the ban in place at next week’s meeting.

Scott’s resignation, which was reported by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and the BBC, appears to highlight tensions within WADA over the decision. Scott will retain her role as the head of WADA’s athlete’s committee, reports said. The RUSADA has been suspended by WADA since 2015, when the global agency revealed a vast, Russian statesupported doping scandal to cheat at the 2014 Winter Olympics, and for years beforehand.

Cool Smashers target another PVL crown CREAMLINE goes two-for-two in the season while Pocari-Air Force sets out to regain the crown as action in the Premier Volleyball League Season 2 Open Conference blasts off Saturday, September 22 at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan. Adamson-Akari, BanKo-Perlas, Iriga-Navy, Ateneo-Motolite, PetroGazz and Tacloban complete the eight-team cast slugging it out for top honors in the seasonending conference of the league organized by Sports Vision. Winner of the Reinforced Conference early in the season, the Cool Smashers shoot for another championship but face a tougher, fierce set of rivals out to foil their title drive in the two-and-a-half month long tournament backed by Mikasa and Asics. Creamline swept PayMaya in the Reinforced finals to claim a breakthrough victory in the league with Asian Games veterans Alyssa Valdez and Jia Morado spearheading the star-studded crew in the all-Filipino conference featuring some of the country’s best and rising volley stars. BaliPure, which dethroned 2016 champion Pocari in last year’s finals here, is skipping this year’s competition. But the field remains as talentladen as ever with Pocari likewise fielding in a solid roster led by MVP Myla Pablo, and the likes of Adamson, BanKo-Perlas, IrigaNavy, PetroGazz and Tacloban all shoring up their respective rosters with key acquisitions during the off-season. Focus will also be on AteneoMotolite, which skipped the recent Collegiate Conference won by University of the Philippines, to toughen for the tournament. Tacloban and PetroGazz kick off hostilities at 4 p.m. on Saturday with BanKo-Perlas and IrigaNavy tangling in the 6 p.m. main encounter. The league, which held outof-town games in Tuguegarao, Batangas and other provinces in the Reinforced Conference, will hold games in Malolos, Bulacan, Imus, Cavite, Baliwag, Bulacan, Batangas and Cagayan de Oro in its continuing commitment to bring the sport closer to the people. The Lady Eagles begin their title quest on Sunday against the Lady Warriors in an early marquee matchup with the PetroGazz Angeles and the BanKo-Perlas Spikers colliding in the other match.

More male tennis players punished LOS ANGELES—Male tennis players are almost three times more likely to be fined for losing their temper and smashing racquets than their female counterparts, The New York Times reported Saturday. Male players were slapped with 1,517 fines compared to 535 fines for females according to data compiled by officials at Grand Slam tournaments for the period covering 1998 to 2018. The figures obtained by the Times show that men received 649 fines for breaking racquets to 99 for women in tens of thousands of matches in the four Grand Slams over the last two decades.

MediCard holds Sprint Triathlon at Fontana REGISTRATION is ongoing for the MediCard Sprint Triathlon at Fontana Leisure Park in Clark, Pampanga on November 25, 2018. The #MediCardSprintTri is a beginnerfriendly triathlon consisting of a 600-meter swim, 20-km bike and 5-km run. Organized by Bike King in partnership with leading HMO, MediCard, the triathlon takes participants through several laps in the Olympic-size pool of the Fontana water park to a 1-loop bike course around the Clark grounds, and to a 1-loop run on the rolling paths of the resort. At stake in the event supported by official timekeeper TAG Heuer, Standard Insurance, Vittoria, Gardenia and partner hotels The Villages at Global Clark, Fontana and Royce Hotel & Casino, are specially designed trophies and gift items for the age-group winners, Team Competition, and relay category winners.

Men were fined 344 times compared to 140 for “audible obscenity” and 287 to 67 for unsportsmanlike conduct. Last week, Serena Williams accused the chair umpire Carlos Ramos of being a “liar” and a “thief” after she was cited for verbal abuse during the US Open women’s final against Japan’s Naomi Osaka. “Because I’m a woman you are going to take this away from me?” she said to the tournament referee Brian Earley. “That is not right.” In the post-match news conference, Williams doubled down on her claim there is a double standard when it comes to punishment.

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES REGIONAL TRIAL COURT NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGION QUEZON CITY -oOoIN RE: PETITION / APPLICATION FOR RENEWAL OF NOTARIAL COMMISSION (2018-2019) FOR AND IN QUEZON CITY ATTY. ANTHONY G. FERRER ATTY. RICARDO B. LAPESURA, JR. ATTY. PINKY Q. PERALTA-BORLAS ATTY. JOSEPH REUBEN F. BALAMIENTO ATTY. GEOFFREY D. ANDAWI ATTY. MARY ANTONETTE P. YALAO ATTY. WRYL CONCEPCION SANCHEZ ATTY. PAUL ANTHONY A. TACORDA ATTY. BALTAZAR A. MORALES ATTY. MARC ANTHONY C. PATRIARCA ATTY. JHOEL P. RAQUEDAN

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ADM. MATTER NO. NP-323 ADM. MATTER NO. NP-333 ADM. MATTER NO. NP-334 ADM. MATTER NO. NP-335 ADM. MATTER NO. NP-336 ADM. MATTER NO. NP-337 ADM. MATTER NO. NP-338 ADM. MATTER NO. NP-339 ADM. MATTER NO. NP-340 ADM. MATTER NO. NP-341 ADM. MATTER NO. NP-342

Petitioners. x------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------x

NOTICE OF HEARING Notice is hereby given that a summary hearing on the petition for notarial commission of the above-named petitioners shall be held on SEPTEMBER 20, 2018 at 3:00 o’clock in the afternoon at the OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE JUDGE of the REGIONAL TRIAL COURT of QUEZON CITY. Any person who has any cause or reason to object to the grant of the petition may file with the Executive Judge a verified written opposition thereto before the date of the summary hearing. Pursuant to Sec. 5 of A.M. No. 02-8-13-SC, let this notice of hearing be published in a newspaper of general circulation to be chosen by raffle and at the expense of the petitioners, as well as posted in a conspicuous place in the offices of the Executive Judge and of the Clerk of Court. SO ORDERED. Quezon City, September 11, 2018.

(Sgd.) CECILYN E. BURGOS-VILLAVERT Executive Judge (MStandard-Sep.17, 2018)

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Alvarez calls for third fight after beating Golovkin

Canelo Alvarez (right) lunges forward as he tries to connect with a right hand against Gennady Golovkin during their WBC/WBA middleweight title fight at T-Mobile Arena on September 15 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Alvarez won by majority decision. AFP

Aguilar, Wright rejoin PH team after suspension JAPETH AGUILAR and Matthew Wright are returning from a onegame suspension. And they will be around when Gilas Pilipinas meets the Qatar Al Annabi team in a closed door encounter 7 p.m. tonight at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Their presence will give Team Pilipinas the needed experience when they seek their first win in two games in the second round of FIBA Asia World Cup 2019 Qualifiers. “It is a welcome development that Japeth Aguilar and Matthew Wright are back in the Final 12 after serving their one game suspension imposed by FIBA,” said Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Al Panlilio. Aguilar and Wright were given one-game suspensions while many of the Philippines’ players were suspended for their involvement during a brawl that took place in their game against Australia last July. The 6’9” Aguilar is expected to provide quickness, and his perimeter game will be important against Qatar. Wright, known as a knockdown shooter from the three-point area, will add to the team’s firepower. The team struggled against Iran and the two will be welcome additions. National coach Yeng Guiao said the Philippines won’t be taking the Qatari lightly. “Medyo underrated itong team na ito But they have size and they have enough talent to beat you if you are overconfident,” said Guiao. Qatar is currently in sixth and last place in Group F with a 2-5 win-loss slate, and they are two games behind the Philippines, which sits in third place with a 4-3 slate. Peter Atencio

Manny dares Mayweather to come out of retirement R By Peter Atencio

EIGNING World Boxing Association Welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao called on former world welterweight champion Floyd Mayweather to come out of retirement and face him in a return bout.

“I have the belt, so it’s up to him. If he wants to come back in boxing let’s do a second one,” said Pacquiao after they met at the Tokyo Odaiba Park the other day. Mayweather asked Pacquiao if they could do it in December, and said it’s going to be an easy fight. Pacquiao posted on his instagram account, 50-1. #NoExcuses. Mayweather likewise said he will face Pacquiao later this year in a rematch of their 2015 superfight. In a posting on Instagram, Mayweather said he will come out of retirement to fight Pacquiao, three years after scoring

a comfortable points victory over the veteran Filipino. “I’m coming back to fight Manny Pacquiao this year another 9 figure pay day on the way,” Mayweather wrote on Instagram. No further details were given. A video accompanying the post showed Mayweather and Pacquiao talking to each other at an event but their exact exchange of words could not be heard clearly. Mayweather earned an estimated $220 million from his first fight with Pacquiao, which finally took place after years of on-off negotiations. Pacquiao earned around $100 million

from the contest. Mayweather retired later in 2015 after his 49th victory but returned to the ring last year for a lucrative victory over mixed martial arts star Conor McGregor. The 41-year-old’s announcement on Saturday comes as Las Vegas prepared to stage the biggest fight of the year, the middleweight showdown between Gennady Golovkin and Saul “Canelo” Alvarez. While Mayweather’s remarks on Saturday are the latest in a long line of mischievous social media postings hinting at a comeback. Speculation about a rematch with Pacquiao has rumbled for years. Pacquiao, who claimed to have been hampered by an injured shoulder in his first fight with Mayweather, has long talked enthusiastically about a rematch. “Mayweather? If he decides to go back to boxing then that is the time we are going to call the shots,” he said in July. With AFP

LAS VEGAS—Saul “Canelo” Alvarez is eyeing a trilogy with Gennady Golovkin after ending the middleweight champion’s unbeaten reign here Saturday. Mexican star Alvarez produced a performance of guts and resilience to inflict the first defeat of Golovkin’s career with a majority decision at the T-Mobile Arena. The win wiped away months of simmering acrimony which stemmed from Alvarez’s failed drugs test in February, forcing the cancellation of a rematch scheduled in May. Alvarez, who fought a controversial draw with Golovkin a year ago, said he would be ready for a third instalment, possibly later this year. “If the people want another round, I’ll do it again,” said Alvarez, who improves to 50-1-2. Victory was sweet for Alvarez, who had been accused of “running” during last year’s first encounter by Golovkin’s camp. On Saturday’s the 28-year-old from Guadalajara, roared on by a large contingent of Mexican fans, took the fight to Golovkin throughout. He took control with a dominant spell in the middle rounds before holding off Golovkin down the stretch to claim a 114114, 115-113, 115-113 win. “We knew the best way to beat him was to make him go backwards,” Alvarez said. “It was my plan from the beginning. At first I aimed for the knockout, I didn’t. I’m satisfied with the way we did it today.” While Golovkin’s camp felt he had done enough to clinch victory, there was little sense of injustice following the fight. The 36-year-old, who needed eight stitches in a cut above his right eye, insisted he had not felt under pressure during 12 punishing rounds. “I felt very comfortable,” Golovkin said. “I think we controlled the fight. Even though he was not running this time, it doesn’t mean he was controlling the fight. “We were controlling the fight. I feel fine.” Golovkin’s trainer Abel Sanchez meanwhile admitted he hoped to see a third meeting between the two. “Canelo is a champion today, he deserves it, he fought a great fight,” Sanchez said. AFP

Parks leads MPBL Datu Cup scoring

Mandaluyong El Tigre-Dataland player Ray Parks (left) dribbles between the legs while trying to drive past a defender.

THE sons also rise and that was proven by Ray Parks and Paolo Hubalde who led the way in the statistical categories in the MPBL Datu Cup. Parks, son of the late seven-time PBA Best Import Bobby Parks, paced the scoring department as he averaged 21.3 points per game. The star player of the Mandaluyong El Tigre-Dataland took over the scoring leadership from Michael Juico of the Pampanga Lanterns, who dropped to second with an average of 21.1 ppg. But Parks, who expressed his intention to join the coming PBA Rookie Draft, proved to everybody that he’s more than just a scorer as he wound up fourth best in assist with seven assists per game and is eighth in steals with 1.9 per game. Parks’ overall performance

had a huge impact on Mandaluyong, which won six in a row to end up in second spot of the Northern Division of this event put up by Senator Manny Pacquiao with PBA legend and former MVP Kenneth Duremdes serving as commissioner. Also cracking the top five in the scoring leaders list were Reed Juntilla of the Zamboanga ValientesFamily’s Brand Sardines, Patrick Cabahug of the Cebu Sharks-Casino Ethyl Alcohol and Gab Banal of the Bacoor Strikers. Juntilla averages 19.5 ppg to end up at third spot while Cabahug made it to no. 4 with an 18.9 ppg average. Banal, son of multi-titled player and coach Joel Banal, made the top five by averaging 18.5 ppg. Hubalde was the best playmaker in the tournament and he proved that when he led in assists.

Torres tries to preserve unbeaten pro record UNBEATEN Filipina MMA fighter Jomary Torres will try to keep her spotless record intact when she faces Indonesia’s own Priscilla Hertati Lumban Gaol at ONE: Conquest of Heroes on September 22 at the Jakarta Convention Center. “I’m always thinking about winning,” the 22-year-old Zamboanga del Norte, Philippines native said. “Sometimes, I can’t sleep late at night because I get nervous thinking about the next match. Every time a match draws near, this is my constant feeling.” Ever since making her mixed martial arts debut in August 2016, Torres has experienced a meteoric rise. A year following a decision victory over future ONE athlete Krisna Limbaga at a regional show in the Philip-

pines, she joined the world’s largest martial arts organization and immediately made a statement. “The Zamboanginian Fighter” burst into global consciousness by submitting previously-unbeaten Thai star Rika “Tinydoll” Ishige in her first promotional appearance. Then, she closed out 2017 with a clear-cut unanimous decision win against Nita Dea. However, Torres’ best performance happened this past January, when she knocked out fellow compatriot April Osenio with a massive slam. At 40 seconds, she set the record for the fastest stoppage victory in ONE’s women’s history at the time. “I really didn’t expect to do that against April. It wasn’t in the game plan. It just happened,” she admits. “I knew there were a lot of people

who prayed for me to get that win. Even my grandmother had sleepless nights as fight night drew near.” That empathic win was the culmination of a wild six-month stretch. Since then, Torres has been diligently training under her head coach — and ONE Strawweight World Title contender — Rene Catalan at Catalan Fighting System in Makati, Philippines. “The Zamboanginian Fighter” is always in competition shape, just in case the promotion needs her to fillin as a short notice replacement. She understands the nature of the sport, as the Filipina learned from prior experiences that opportunities could come at any time. “If there is a match suddenly available, I need to be ready,” she explains.

Filipina MMA fighter Jomary Torres (right) connects with a shot to the face of opponent Rika Ishige. Torres won by submission in the second round of their fight. ONE Championship

IN BRIEF

Business

Ports seen to handle more cargoes in Q4 PORT operators are optimistic that congestion will not be a problem in the fourth quarter, despite the traditional surge in the volume of cargoes during the holidays. International Container Terminal Services Inc. senior vice president and Manila International Container Terminal head Christian Gonzalez said the ongoing expansion of port terminals was expected to avoid another congestion episode. “There is expansion everywhere. We have ongoing expansion in Cavite, Cagayan de Oro, Subic and in the MICT,” he said. Gonzales said while there was “a bunging of vessels from China”, this was a natural effect of typhoons which were forcing ports to shut down. ICTSI is expecting a double-digit growth for the Subic operations on higher cargo traffic in the northern part of Luzon. Gonzales said expansion in Manila was also steadily progressing with the construction of Berth 7 and a plan to start building Berth 8. “We look to work more on the interface of the toads between the North Harbor and the MICT,” he said. Othel V. Campos

Bangko Sentral revives currency risk protection T By Julito G. Rada

he Monetary Board, the policy-making body of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, reactivated the Currency Rate Risk Protection Program to ease the pressures on the peso which hit a 13-year low of 54.14 against the US dollar last week.

BSP closes bank in Lanao del Norte THE Monetary Board, the policy-making body of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, closed a financially-ailing rural bank in Lanao del Norte. Rural Bank of Maigo (Lanao del Norte) Inc. became the 11th bank which was shut down because of insolvency since the start of the year. The BSP issued a resolution on Sept. 13, prohibiting the Rural Bank of Maigo from doing business pursuant to Section 30 of Republic Act 7653 or the New Central Bank Act. The board also ordered the state-run Philippine Deposit Insurance Corp. to take over and liquidate the bank. PDIC took over the bank on Sept. 14, 2018. Rural Bank of Maigo is a single-unit rural bank located in Poblacion, Maigo, Lanao del Norte. Latest available records showed that as of June 30, Rural Bank of Maigo had 2,150 deposit accounts with total deposit liabilities of P73.25 million. Total insured deposits amounted to P64.06 million, equivalent to 87.4 percent of total deposits. Julito G. Rada

The Bangko Sentral said the board approved the enhanced guidelines on CRRP, a non-deliverable forward hedging facility first introduced in December 1997 at the height of the Asian financial crisis.

It aims to ease the strain on the spot market amid demand pressure from unhedged borrowers wanting to cover their future foreign exchange requirements on fears of further peso depreciation. The peso depreciated 8 percent since the start of the year, hitting the 54-adollar mark last week, before closing slightly higher at 53.97 against the greenback on Sept. 14. Under CRRP, eligible bank borrowers such as oil companies, exporters and other corporations agree that on maturity of the forward contract, only the net difference between the contracted forward rate and the spot rate would be settled in pesos. “Obligations eligible under the CRPP facility are the unhedged foreign currency obligations in amounts of not less than $50,000 that are current and outstanding as of the date of application,” the Bangko Sentral said in a statement over the weekend.

These include the BSP-reported/registered short-term trade-related loans from eligible banks; medium/long-term trade-related FCDU/RBU loans with payments maturing within 90 days as of date of application; short-term trade-related borrowings of oil companies from offshore banking units; and US dollar trust receipts. The maximum tenor of the CRPP contract is 90 days with option to reavail. To facilitate the transactions under the CRPP facility, the Bangko Sentral provides various regulatory relief. Exposures under the CRPP facility are not be subject to NDF position limits. The Bangko Sentral said reduced market risk capital charges would be applied for net open positions for NDFs under the facility. Universal banks/commercial banks also do not need additional derivatives authority as transactions under the CRPP are considered generally authorized derivatives activities.

Globe seeks consent to raise borrowings GLOBE Telecom said it is soliciting consent from holders of its fixed-rate bonds due 2019, 2020 and 2023 to make certain amendments to the terms and conditions of the bonds. The consent solicitation exercise includes the company’s seven-year 6-percent fixedrate bods due 2019; seven-year 4.8875-percent fixed-rate bonds due 2020; and 10-year 5.2792-percent fixed=rate bonds due 2023. The transaction will commence on Sept. 24 and will expire on Oct. 19. Globe appointed BPI Capital Corp. as its advisor, while BDO Capital & Investment Corp., China Bank Capital Corp., First Metro Investment Corp., The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corp. Limited, ING Bank N.V. Manila Branch, Land Bank of the Philippines, RCBC Capital Corp. and SB Capital Investment Corp. as associates for the consent solicitation. “The proposed amendments are intended to provide Globe increased operational flexibility in a competitive environment. With the anticipated growth in data traffic and the need for sustained data-related investments, amending the consolidated debt-to-equity ratio from 2.5:1 to 3.0:1 is intended to provide the company with further flexibility to increase capital expenditures, sustain its revenue momentum and strengthen its market leadership,” Globe said. Darwin G. Amojelar

BDO-EASYTRIP PARTNERSHIP. BDO Unibank signs a cash management service memorandum of agreement with Easytrip Services Corp. wherein the bank will provide Easytrip’s payment requirements both to suppliers and employees. Shown during the signing ceremony are (from left) Roberto Bontia, chief tollways operations and technology officer of Metro Pacific Tollways Corp.; Christopher Lizo, chief financial officer of MPTC; Eugene Antonio, president and general manager of Easytrip; Edwin Romualdo Reyes, executive vice president and transaction banking head of BDO; and Edgardo Marcelo Jr., first vice president and transaction banking segment head of BDO.

Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2018

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ABS-CBN opens 1,400-sqm theme park in Trinoma By Darwin G. Amojelar BROADCAST company ABS-CBN Corp. opened an indoor amusement park in Quezon City to generate more revenues and grow its booming consumer business. Studio XP is a unique themed attraction cum experience store which has three studios―fantasy, reality and retail―and a total of 15 attractions situated in a sprawling 1,400-squaremeter site at Trinoma Mall. “We hope it to become one of the key drivers for the business,” ABSCBN Themed Experiences head Cookie Bartolome told reporters, referring to Studio XP. Bartolome said ABS-CBN was considering to build an outdoor Studio XP in the future. She said right now, it was safer to do an indoor attraction, given the unpredictable weather in the country. “Given the weather condition, having a more controlled environment, like an indoor attraction, is still safer for us,” she said, adding that the company was leveraging on the strong foot traffic of Trinoma Mall, which is owned by Ayala Land Inc. Bartolome said ABS-CBN was open to partnership with any real estate developer for the future Studio XP. “We’re bringing the content and hopefully, we’re also able to bring foot traffic to their places. They have a natural foot traffic but I think we also have the power to be able to pull more people because of the attractions and the stars that we bring in the events,” she said. The country’s leading media and entertainment company was shifting its focus into consumer business to monetize its content beyond advertising. ABS-CBN’s consumer business is generated from three types of businesses, including subscription, ticketed experiences and durable goods. The subscription business, which includes cable and broadband provider Sky and The Filipino Channel, is the largest contributor to the company’s consumer sales. The ticketed experiences category, which includes movies, concerts, mall events, studio tours and mini-theme park Kidzania, is the second largest consumer business sales contributor.

Aseagas in talks with two groups Meat processors ask govt to retain MFN tariffs for the sale of 8.8-MW biomass plant By Alena Mae S. Flores ASEAGAS Corp., a subsidiary of Aboitiz Power Corp., is in talks with two interested parties for the sale of an 8.8-megawatt biomass project in Lian, Batangas. “We’re talking to two interested parties at the moment. One local, one foreign entity that would probably looking to a partnership with a local firm,” Aboitiz Power chief operating officer Emmanuel Rubio told reporters. Rubio said Aboitiz Power was not closing its doors to a possible joint venture with an interested party. “But if you can sell and if you can close within the year, we’ll do that. But if not, then we’ll go on... We’ll look at operating it again. We’ll see. We’re not closing that option,” he said. Rubio said the company decided to shut down the plant last year because

“the feedstock was something erratic”. He said Aseagas recently secured a steady supply of feedstock. Aboitiz Power decided early this year to sell off Aseagas’ biomass project in Lian, calling it a failed venture. The biomass project ceased operations in January after encountering technical problems. Aboitiz Power said technical issues related to the consistency of the feedstock supply affected the viability of the business as a whole. Aseagas suspended plant commissioning in November last year following the unavailability of the supply of organic effluent wastewater from supplier Absolut Distillers Inc. The plant is worth P3.7 billion. Aseagas is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Aboitiz Power through Aboitiz Renewables Inc.

THE Philippine Association of Meat Processors Inc. asked the Tariff Commission to retain the most favored nation tariff rates on imported raw materials for the meat processing industry to keep food prices manageable and help ease the inflation rate. Tariff Commission chairperson Marilou Mendoza called for a public hearing on Sept. 19 to discuss the petition of Pampi to retain the MFN tariff rates on mechanically deboned or separated meat of chicken at 5 percent; meat and edible offal of turkeys not cut in pieces, frozen at 20 percent; mechanically deboned or separated meat of turkey at 5 percent; and meat cuts and edible offal of turkeys, frozen, other than livers or mechanically deboned or separated meat at 20 percent. “We would like to clarify our position on this petition that we are limiting our request for the retention of the prevailing tariff rates of 5 percent and

20 percent for poultry and fowl and we are not including other non-rice products in our petition,” Pampi executive director Francisco Buencamino said in the petition. Pampi also sent copies of the petition to Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez and National Economic and Development Authority director-general Ernesto Pernia. MDM is a term loosely interchanged with mechanically separated meat or mechanically separate meat of poultry. It is a paste-like meat product produced by forcing pureed or ground beef, pork, turkey or chicken, under high pressure through a sieve or similar device to separate the bone from the edible meat tissue. The Philippines imported 189.1 million kilograms of MDM poultry in 2017, up from 168.7 million kg in 2016.

“The use of MDM in processed products has allowed us to maintain affordable, protein-filled, wholesome processed meats which benefit the consumers and its use continues to be regulated by the National Meat Inspection Service,” Buencamino said. The group said MDM was not commercially produced locally or produced in very insufficient quantities. “No local entity will be prejudiced by its importation. We can support this by official import data from the DA,” said Buencamino, citing the absence of any local commercial plant producing MDM. Poultry growers however want the government to impose higher tariff rates on imported MDM. Pampi said an increase in tariff rates from 5 percent to 40 percent would escalate prices of hotdogs and canned meat products that contain MDM by 12 percent to 17 percent.

Energy endorses large coal, wind projects THE Energy Department declared a 1,200-megawatt coal plant and a 151.2-MW wind facility as projects of national significance. The two projects brought to four the number of energy projects granted an EPNS status by the department. The declaration aims to fast-track and streamline the permitting process of the projects under Executive Order No. 30. It declared Atimonan One Energy’s 1,200-MW coal-fired power plant in Atimonan, Quezon as project of national significance on Sept. 11. Atimonan One Energy is one of the projects of Meralco Pow-

erGen Corp., the generation arm of Meralco. The over P100-billion project is now “shovel-ready” and is just awaiting the approval of its power supply agreement with Meralco by the Energy Regulatory Commission. The department also issued the declaration to Island Wind Energy Corp.’s 151.2-MW Talim wind power project on Aug, 30, 2018. Island Wind Energy is putting up the project in Talim Island, Binangonan and Cardona, Rizal, with an alternative site in Sembrano, Laguna. The company offered to supply power to Manila Electric Co.

once it starts commercial operations on June 30, 2020 for the first phase and a year later for the second phase. The Energy Department also granted an EPNS to Aragorn Power and Energy Corp., a majority-owned subsidiary of APC Group Inc. APC, together with partner Guidance Management Corp., owns the geothermal service contract in Kalinga province covering an area of around 26,000 hectares. The area is estimated to have a power generation potential of between 120 MW and 200 MW. Alena Mae S. Flores

THE OUTLETS SOLAR FACILITY. South Luzon’s newest shopping destination, The Outlets in Lipa, will soon be energized by solar power, thanks to the partnership between AboitizLand and AboitzPower Corp. AboitizLand, through zone development arm Lima Land Inc., signs a memorandum of agreement with Aboitiz Power Distributed Energy Inc. for the installation of a 1.5-megawatt peak rooftop solar project at Luzon’s largest outlet shopping destination. Shown are (from left) AboitizLand commercial business unit head Eduardo Aboitiz, AboitizLand president and chief operating officer Rafael de Mesa, AboitizPower distribution utilities executive vice president and COO Jaime Jose Aboitiz and APX general manager Ping Mendoza.

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Business

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2018 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Market expected to trade sideways By Jenniffer B. Austria

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TOCKS are expected to move sideways with a downward bias this week, after Typhoon Ompong hit Luzon and destructed farms that could push food inflation in September higher. “We’ll need to keep safe, watch out for and assess the typhoon damage. September’s inflation figure could be adversely affected if the damage to rice harvests are significant enough,” said Gabriel Jose Perez, sales associate at Papa Securities Corp. Inflation rate hit a nine-year high of 6.4 percent in August, on the back of surging prices of rice and fish. The government’s economic managers proposed

the lifting of administrative and non-tariff barriers on the importation of key food items such as rice, fish, sugar, meat and vegetables to boost supply and reduce prices. Inflation rate is one of the factors being monitored by the market because of its impact on domestic spending and consumption. The Philippine Stock Exchange index, the 30-company benchmark, was down 13.4 percent since the start of the year. BDO Unibank Inc. chief investment strategist Jonathan Ravelas said the market was oversold and could be due for a technical rebound. “Despite the sharp drop these past weeks, the market is quite oversold and maybe ripe for a technical rebound. [It] may emerge to retry the 7,500/7,800 levels,” Ravelas said. The PSEi declined 2.4 percent last week to close at 7,413.15 on Sept. 14, while the broader all-share index went down 2.2 percent to settle at 4,555.30, amid the continued sell-off in emerging market

assets. Except for mining and oil subindex which rose 1.3 percent, all other subindices ended in the red led by holding firms (-3.5 percent), financials (-2.9 percent), industrial (-2.6 percent), property (1.5 percent) and services (-0.5 percent). Foreign investors were net sellers by P3.53 billion last week, while average daily turnover reached P6.09 billion. Melco Resorts and Entertainment (Philippines) Corp. was the top gainer last week, as it climbed 12.1 percent to P6.96, after the company said it would delist its shares and conduct a tender offer at P7.25 apiece. Globe Telecom Inc. advanced 4.2 percent to P2,192. Heavy losers included MacroAsia Corp. which declined 10.3 percent to P17.04; East West Banking Corp. which went down 10.2 percent to P12.66; and JG Summit Holdings Corp. which dropped 9.8 percent to P52.

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS WEEKLY STOCKS REVIEW STOCKS

SEPTEMBER 10-14, 2018 Close Volume Value

AG Finance 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

59.8 60 117.00 86.00 2.56 1.53 30.35 7.8 16.1 12.66 4.19 8.59 0.61 1.6 800.00 0.560 68.6 1.02 11.6 21.00 44.80 83.25 109.9 190 27.65 182 1811.00 70.05 1.18

5,240 25,450 12,621,260 20,708,250 65,000 421,000 1,789,600 500 142,200 4,508,700 1,783,000 9,400 109,000 1,504,000 640 6,179,000 16,599,370 5,683,000 64,000 400 721,400 210 1,050 9,360 415,900 2,766,750 295 129,390 497,000

FINANCIAL 313,029.50 1,514,529.00 1,474,249,615.00 1,787,820,023.00 162,970.00 666,820.00 54,620,315.00 3,900.00 2,314,500.00 59,463,086.00 7,372,990.00 81,054.00 67,910.00 2,562,260.00 516,455.00 3,368,320.00 1,150,642,565.50 5,723,300.00 742,898.00 8,400.00 32,825,625.00 17,557.00 110,460.00 1,786,820.00 11,297,105.00 523,610,342.00 534,000.00 9,441,762.50 586,770.00

Aboitiz Power Corp. Agrinurture Inc. Alliance Tuna Intl Inc. Alsons Cons. Asiabest Group Basic Energy Corp. C. Azuc De Tarlac Cemex Holdings Century Food 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) Euro-Med Lab First Gen Corp. First Holdings ‘A’ Ginebra San Miguel Inc. Holcim Philippines Inc. Integ. Micro-Electronics Ionics Inc Jollibee Foods Corp. Liberty Flour LMG Chemicals Mabuhay Vinyl 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 Sime Darby SMC Food and Beverage SPC Power Corp. Swift Foods, Inc. TKC Steel Corp. Universal Robina Victorias Milling Vitarich Corp. Vivant Corp. Vulcan Ind’l.

36.75 17.3 1.12 1.18 41.1 0.223 17.70 3.04 13.26 33 68.2 88.3 42 1.75 5.01 7.36 10.140 15.7 9.00 7.25 7.07 1.6 16.66 65 28.70 7.11 12.24 2.010 269.00 49.95 4.85 3.25 13.38 23.75 11.8 16.4 0.189 368.00 6.50 1.9 4.00 8.92 5.2 8.30 1.00 11.38 53.2 5.95 4.83 2.4 3.1 1.62 12.4 94 95.95 5.66 0.125 1.05 141.3 2.45 2.03 20.00 2.17

6,989,300 4,277,700 125,530,000 6,162,000 1,356,900 2,390,000 63,400 10,055,000 2,995,500 7,405,900 700 700 1,560,800 707,000 224,900 25,700 12,211,600 1,367,900 1,025,600 14,832,300 22,856,800 105,000 7,958,300 1,490,340 1,731,800 728,900 7,824,700 4,860,000 2,842,810 207,690 98,000 75,000 8,700 4,057,600 1,261,600 6,522,200 1,480,000 1,098,650 54,800 1,518,000 203,000 3,700,000 1,154,500 138,000 7,092,600 25,210,700 4,365,850 70,000 4,808,000 522,000 36,000 1,830,000 2,490,600 938,310 1,539,180 622,500 7,270,000 1,286,000 10,262,680 66,000 60,882,000 400 207,767,000

INDUSTRIAL 254,835,895.00 72,474,894.00 141,115,890.00 7,290,120.00 57,436,230.00 527,300.00 1,138,662.00 30,781,640.00 40,706,696.00 248,701,235.00 47,842.00 62,017.00 67,000,220.00 1,246,620.00 1,127,729.00 190,385.00 124,584,480.00 21,382,076.00 9,336,499.00 107,665,190.00 161,331,765.00 168,000.00 130,574,536.00 96,722,207.00 51,603,610.00 5,210,904.00 96,139,334.00 9,963,900.00 780,191,066.00 10,383,695.50 475,740.00 234,100.00 105,258.00 97,366,405.00 15,094,918.00 110,729,544.00 260,690.00 416,287,448.00 362,116.00 3,007,090.00 797,560.00 33,232,593.00 6,485,453.00 1,125,399.00 10,425,200.00 282,321,098.00 233,495,324.50 415,235.00 23,075,890.00 1,262,220.00 110,450.00 3,035,360.00 30,962,570.00 88,426,142.00 146,312,039.50 3,523,762.00 906,860.00 1,321,630.00 1,498,040,572.00 161,770.00 132,336,320.00 8,000.00 446,560,070.00

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. 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

0.410 48.30 12.70 0.93 6.00 1.330 1.340 898 1400.00 5.7 12.38 5.74 7.15 0.204 815 5.80 52.00 5.06 0.6 4.94 15.94 0.640 5.28 0.0370 1.170 2.620 2.60 169.80 2.58 935.00 1.40 0.80 294.000 368.00 0.3200 0.201

88,840,000 15,228,910 34,012,600 193,000 178,000 52,180,000 11,807,000 2,035,050 5 15,270,300 11,936,400 2,400 116,800 20,000 632,820 39,000 7,430,090 11,400 13,063,000 5,235,800 14,092,100 23,366,000 83,986,200 39,000,000 2,860,000 3,351,000 40,000 1,955,850 99,000 963,330 1,634,000 164,000 15,610 5,790 109,680,000 1,620,000 2,613,100 7,793,000 21,600 124,000 6,166,000 40,495,900 5,741,000 4,153,000 171,200 102,000,000 800,000 4,782,000 17,050,000 910,000 859,200 1,930,900 1,092,000 650,000 438,937,000 4,517,000 341,704,000 103,154,000 449,139,000 19,130,000

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 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.

7.470 0.95 12.58 2.100 0.700 41.000 2.91 4.5 5.4 0.445 0.93 0.910 0.218 0.410 8.700 22.75 0.580 0.118 1.47 1.17 2.44 4.38 0.680 0.4400

SEPTEMBER 3-7, 2018 Close Volume Value 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

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

37 17.1 1.06 1.24 43.35 0.224 19.40 3.13 14 33.8 72.7 80.25 45.95 1.8 5.15 7.54 10.120 15.92 9.50 7.30 7.03

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 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

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 36,138,352.00 279,923,875.00 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

16.38 65.5 29.95 7.15 13.18 2.110 281.00

7,056,300 283,410 2,026,900 2,264,500 1,859,800 2,983,000 2,692,860

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

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

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

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

97.75 5.75 0.126 1.07 144.9 2.45 2.13 19.50 1.87

5,548,120 811,200 510,000 4,569,000 3,985,880 105,000 28,185,000 3,100 71,888,000

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

HOLDING FIRMS 37,287,600.00 752,182,570.00 439,646,248.00 174,520.00 1,079,135.00 69,962,390.00 15,837,280.00 1,841,213,085.00 7,000.00 89,574,584.00 146,278,520.00 12,943.00 831,064.00 4,080.00 537,795,170.00 226,840.00 401,622,514.00 57,700.00 8,396,610.00 25,955,031.00 229,271,234.00 15,239,160.00 436,337,253.00 1,454,700.00 3,419,870.00 8,820,290.00 104,000.00 338,289,088.00 255,990.00 907,416,385.00 2,309,160.00 130,040.00 4,447,698.00 2,186,618.00 16,355,950.00 327,670.00

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 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 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

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 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

PROPERTY 19,663,957.00 7,353,400.00 272,268.00 258,400.00 4,379,220.00 1,692,940,710.00 17,338,620.00 18,435,150.00 924,705.00 45,846,450.00 736,560.00 4,403,810.00 3,737,970.00 377,350.00 7,554,207.00 45,358,745.00 625,150.00 73,710.00 645,216,640.00 5,330,610.00 825,508,910.00 445,238,490.00 308,880,990.00 8,694,600.00

7.600 0.96 12.76 2.050 0.730 42.200 2.94 4.49 5.55 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

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 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

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 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

STOCKS

SEPTEMBER 10-14, 2018 Close Volume Value

SEPTEMBER 3-7, 2018 Close Volume 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 4.12 20.90 1.98 3.2 36.40 1.17 7.08 0.780 6.300

4,380,000 22,033,000 7,215,400 664,000 1,726,000 33,128,300 5,113,000 3,090,600 161,000 8,219,100

2,031,150.00 91,063,440.00 148,929,877.00 1,305,290.00 5,524,950.00 1,213,356,100.00 5,778,470.00 21,962,133.00 123,670.00 51,576,541.00

2GO Group’ ABS-CBN Acesite Hotel APC Group, Inc. Apollo Global Asian Terminals Inc. Berjaya Phils. Inc. Bloomberry Boulevard Holdings Cebu Air Inc. (5J) Centro Esc. Univ. Chelsea DFNN Inc. Discovery World Easy Call “Common” FEUI Globe Telecom GMA Network Inc. Golden Haven Harbor Star I.C.T.S.I. Imperial Res. `A’ IPeople Inc. `A’ IPM Holdings Island Info ISM Communications Jackstones LBC Express Leisure & Resorts Lorenzo Shipping Macroasia Corp. Manila Broadcasting Manila Bulletin Manila Jockey Melco Crown Metro Retail MetroAlliance A MetroAlliance B NOW Corp. Pacific Online Sys. Corp. PAL Holdings Inc. Paxys Inc. Phil. Seven Corp. Philweb.Com Inc. PLDT Common PremiereHorizon Premium Leisure Puregold Robinsons RTL SBS Phil. Corp. SSI Group STI Holdings Transpacific Broadcast Travellers Waterfront Phils. Wilcon Depot

12.48 21 1.44 0.490 0.044 13.5 2.02 8.92 0.0610 71.05 6.78 5.86 8.50 2.25 20.30 910 2192 5.42 314.80 2.65 94.2 2.07 12 7.81 0.117 2.9000 3.64 14.98 3.77 0.93 17.04 17.00 0.435 5.98 6.96 2.61 1.71 1.90 7.530 10.96 8.79 3.49 102.00 4.78 1415.00 0.410 0.880 45.00 78.80 8.00 2.27 0.690 0.58 5.2 0.740 10.660

152,000 852,300 22,000 20,960,000 116,700,000 1,176,800 55,106,000 35,605,100 146,950,000 963,840 400 4,410,000 378,600 38,000 560,700 250 475,990 377,500 23,030 29,611,000 4,807,050 84,000 4,600 62,100 17,570,000 26,502,000 434,000 39,900 5,714,000 2,805,000 4,879,500 500 1,240,000 3,030,000 51,312,400 995,000 2,613,000 232,000 26,642,200 45,800 51,100 516,000 55,030 2,750,100 410,625 27,710,000 58,074,000 2,870,800 8,042,660 607,700 47,664,000 48,880,000 143,320,000 8,511,600 10,473,000 18,957,800

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

0.0026 1.58 3.17 20.60 1.2000 1.2800 1.94 0.300 7.35 1.920 0.221 0.121 0.128 0.008 0.0079 1.37 4.66 1.15 0.6500 1.3200 0.0130 0.0140 4.00 16.32 0.0110 4.0500 29.00 0.0074

MINING & OIL 473,600,000 1,189,500.00 11,864,000 18,431,260.00 311,000 1,004,830.00 122,700 2,463,633.00 88,000 105,620.00 29,000 37,120.00 3,092,000 5,987,720.00 1,100,000 332,300.00 11,800 86,911.00 9,027,000 17,489,110.00 17,590,000 4,207,430.00 18,020,000 2,167,980.00 1,080,000 137,660.00 66,000,000 517,400.00 3,000,000 24,000.00 475,000 633,610.00 6,219,000 28,563,360.00 344,000 382,270.00 24,655,000 16,890,190.00 18,684,000 24,515,230.00 343,900,000 4,636,700.00 19,100,000 253,300.00 3,694,000 14,800,970.00 23,718,000 371,581,866.00 139,100,000 1,631,700.00 3,170,000 13,970,230.00 8,805,800 256,350,415.00 551,000,000 1,101,200.00

ABS-CBN Holdings Corp. Alco Preferred B 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 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

20.2 99 501 501 100.7 101.1 490 5.22 974.5 970 99 1.01 100 1010 1010 103.5 1000 77.4 79.5 75 75.7 76.5 75.9 75.5 76 1.91

1,803,600 13,310 9,380 20,670 50,940 69,500 17,730 284,000 4,630 1,320 12,650 896,000 1,640 2,120 520 81,850 490 1,614,680 157,950 24,900 38,310 258,820 3,250 118,570 31,490 4,000

LR Warrant

2.470

WARRANTS & BONDS 1,639,000 3,989,540.00

SERVICES 1,909,410.00 18,869,400.00 31,540.00 10,118,950.00 5,232,900.00 15,891,300.00 124,761,370.00 321,787,673.00 9,201,600.00 69,437,439.00 2,520.00 26,411,920.00 3,281,559.00 85,780.00 11,790,306.00 226,500.00 1,028,613,100.00 2,044,672.00 7,144,590.00 84,921,890.00 442,041,704.00 179,100.00 55,200.00 485,433.00 2,091,120.00 75,892,370.00 1,557,340.00 588,606.00 21,856,790.00 2,706,370.00 86,909,472.00 8,434.00 534,650.00 17,449,059.00 356,216,852.00 2,666,980.00 4,482,310.00 405,490.00 202,057,120.00 495,650.00 448,145.00 1,733,560.00 5,652,996.00 13,443,817.00 580,347,250.00 11,182,050.00 52,250,520.00 127,991,015.00 646,635,090.50 4,183,512.00 108,870,610.00 36,787,360.00 83,206,700.00 43,951,967.00 7,959,430.00 203,030,748.00

PREFERRED 38,319,380.00 1,338,183.00 4,618,200.00 10,367,650.00 5,129,695.00 7,028,017.00 8,783,238.00 1,488,174.00 4,399,065.00 1,280,400.00 1,253,685.00 912,260.00 164,000.00 2,143,260.00 525,200.00 8,176,731.00 486,500.00 123,297,866.00 12,488,759.00 1,867,500.00 2,880,711.00 19,596,718.50 245,526.00 9,050,105.00 2,391,045.00 7,640.00

SME 28,640.00 206,589,765.00 26,687,810.00

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

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

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 3.41 92.85 2.11 12 7.80 0.123 2.9200 3.54 14.68 3.97 1.03 19.00

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 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

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 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

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

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

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

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

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

22.2

263,100

6,117,225.00

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

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 7,490 1,412,200 101,530 13,020 14,270 2,493,450 20,750 45,900 1,770 5,000

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 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

2.490

4,284,000

11,442,900.00

6.67 2.68

62,585,800 5,465,000

396,491,541.00 15,026,350.00

Makati Fin. Corp. Italpinas Xurpas

2.85 7.14 2.41

10,000 30,051,900 11,175,000

First Metro ETF

111.3

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 64,150 7,193,034.00

113.2

52,340

6,001,369.00

10.1 10.26 1.01

DOLLAR DENONIMATED SEC. 33,650 369,956.00 3,020 30,985.20 49,700 50,197.00

10.1 1.01 1

40,290 112,210 10,000

407,958.20 242,530.60 10,000.00

USD DMPL A1 USD DMPL A2 USD TECH B2

WEEKLY MOST TRADED STOCKS United Paragon Abra Mining MRC Allied Ind. Filinvest Land,Inc. Oriental Pet. `A’ Interport `A’ Vulcan Ind’l. Boulevard Holdings Transpacific Broadcast Philodrill Corp. `A’

VOLUME 551,000,000 473,600,000 449,139,000 438,937,000 343,900,000 341,704,000 207,767,000 146,950,000 143,320,000 139,100,000

STOCKS Ayala Corp `A’ Bank of PI Ayala Land `B’ Universal Robina Banco de Oro Unibank Inc. SM Prime Holdings Metrobank Globe Telecom SM Investments Inc. Interport `A’

VALUE 1,841,213,085.00 1,787,820,023.00 1,692,940,710.00 1,498,040,572.00 1,474,249,615.00 1,213,356,100.00 1,150,642,565.50 1,028,613,100.00 907,416,385.00 825,508,910.00

Cal-Comp Tech defers P6.77-b public offering ELECTRONICS manufacturer CalComp Technology (Philippines) Inc. deferred its planned P6.77-billion initial public offering to 2019 because of current volatile market conditions, the underwriter handling the deal said over the weekend. BDO Capital and Investments Corp. president Eduardo Francisco confirmed in a text message that CalComp was delaying the IPO to next year. “Yes, due to poor market conditions,” he said. BDO Capital is the issue manager and sole underwriter for Cal-Comp’s IPO. The company, which recently obtained the Securities and Exchange Commission’s approval for the planned share sale, was initially looking at October 2018 for the listing. The bellwether Philippine Stock Exchange index fell to 7,413.15 on Friday, on concerns over the rising inflation rate which could cause another round of interest rate hikes. Under the original plan, Cal-Comp will sell up to 378.071 million primary common shares with an over-allotment option for another 19.898 million common shares at an offer price of P17 each. The offer shares represent 26.77 percent of the company’s total issued shares to the public. It said the IPO proceeds would be used to build new factories in the Philippines to ramp up production and introduce new products in the domestic market. Cal-Comp said unit Kinpo Electronics (Philippines) Inc. planned to add 48,000 square meters of manufacturing space in a facility at First Philippine Industrial Park. KPPH is also looking to lease additional 300,000 sqm of land within FPIP for capacity expansion. Cal-Comp Tech is a member of global technology conglomerate New Kinpo Group, the largest Taiwanese investor in the Philippines. Jenniffer B. Austria

Chelsea selling P5b worth of preferred shares CHELSEA Logistics Holdings Corp. is raising up to P5 billion from the sale of preferred shares to fund expansion and acquisition plans. Chelsea Logistic said in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission it would sell up to 3 million preferred shares and another 2 million preferred shares to cover oversubscription at P1,000 apiece. The preferred shares are nonvoting, non convertible and nonparticipating. The company tapped China Bank Capital as the sold issue manager and book runner for the fund raising activity. Chelsea Logistics said it would allot P2 billion in proceeds to fund acquisitions of shipping and logistics companies, land and development of logistics facilities and vessels and vessel equipment. The company said it was interested in acquiring a company that provides shipbuilding and repair services. It is also looking to acquire companies engaged in passenger and cargo operations. Portion of the proceeds will be used to complete the acquisition of Southwest Gallant Ferries Inc. and Southwest Premier Ferries Inc. The company’s wholly-owned subsidiary Starlite Ferries Inc. obtained the Philippine Competition Commission’s approval to acquire SGFI and SPFI. The company will also spend P1.8 billion to purchase and develop a 25,335-square-meter property in Taguig City for a multi-level logistics facility, while another P1.6 billion would be allocated to acquire additional vessels and equipment. The company, through unit Fortis Tugs Corp., also plans to acquire additional tugboats for deployment in Cebu, Davao, Villanueva and Cagayan de Oro ports. The fund raising activity through the equities market will be Chelsea Logistics’s first after it raised P5.9 billion from an initial public offering in 2017. Jenniffer B. Austria

Business/World

Manila

Manila Standard TODAY

TODAY

extrastory2000@gmail.com

Going nuts for almonds SANTA CRUZ, Spain―Surging worldwide demand for almonds is pushing Spanish farmers to replace traditional wheat and sunflower fields with almond orchards, transforming the landscape in the south of the country. Almonds, thanks to their well-advertised health benefits, are enjoying global demand as snacks or in derivative forms like almond milk and almond flour, used as dairy or wheat alternatives. In the Guadalquivir valley in the parched southern region of Andalusia “the landscape has changed so much in recent years that wild boar now come down from the hills to eat almonds”, said agronomist Curro Lopez, 50, an expert on almond farming with Spanish agriculture machinery firm Agrosan. During the harvest, which in Santa Cruz near Cordoba began at the end of August, large nets are laid on the ground to collect almonds which are then shaken off the wispy branches of the trees by a machine in just a few seconds. Spain is on track to harvest over 61,000 tons of almonds during the 2018-19 season, a record amount and a 15-percent rise over the previous season, according to estimates from a national producers’ association. Spain is the world’s third biggest almond producer behind Australia and the United States, which is the world’s top producer by a huge margin. California alone accounts for 80 percent of the world’s supply of almonds, according to its powerful almond board, which tirelessly promotes the benefits of the nut as a source of protein and healthy fats. Spain, which uses almonds in many traditional desserts such as nougats, continues to import huge quantities of almonds from California despite being a major producer of the nut itself. AFP

CYAN CYAN MAGENTA MAGENTA YELLOW YELLOW BLACK BLACK

B3

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2018 CESAR BARRIOQUINTO, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

End to nuke deadlock sought S EOUL―South Korean President Moon Jae-in travels to Pyongyang this week for his third summit with Kim Jong Un, looking to break the deadlock in nuclear talks between North Korea and the United States.

Moon―whose own parents fled the North during the 1950-53 Korean War―flies north on Tuesday for a three-day trip, following in the footsteps of his predecessors Kim Dae-jung in 2000 and mentor Roh Moo-hyun in 2007. No details of the program have been announced but Pyongyang is likely to pull out all the stops to create a good impression, with tens of thousands of people lining the streets to welcome him.

The visit comes after the North staged its “Mass Games” propaganda display for the first time in five years. The new show featured imagery of Kim and Moon at their first summit in April in the Demilitarized Zone that divides the peninsula―prompting the unusual sight of tens of thousands of North Koreans in the May Day Stadium applauding pictures of Seoul’s leader. One diplomatic source predicted the visit would see “Kim and Moon together receiving the same sort of applause”. But while the summit at the Panmunjom border truce village was high on headline-grabbing symbolism, with Moon stepping briefly into the North and the two sharing an extended one-to-one woodland chat, pressure is mounting for substantive progress. Moon, who met Kim again in May, was instrumental in brokering the historic summit the following month between US President Donald Trump and Kim

in Singapore, when Kim backed denuclearization of the “Korean peninsula”. But no details were agreed and Washington and Pyongyang have sparred since over what that means and how it will be achieved. At the same time the US and South have sometimes moved at radically different speeds in their approach to the North. Moon will try again to “play the role of facilitator or mediator”, said his special adviser on foreign affairs Moon Chung-in. “He believes that improved inter-Korean relations have some role in facilitating US-DPRK talks as well as solving the North Korean nuclear problem,” he told reporters, using the North’s official acronym. Last month Trump abruptly canceled a planned visit by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to Pyongyang, after the North condemned “gangster-like” demands for what it called its unilateral disarmament. AFP

People pick up the pieces in hurricane hit US town

BEFORE THE ARRIVAL. People battle strong winds as they cross a street ahead of the arrival of Super Typhoon Mangkhut in Yangjiang in China's Guangdong province on September 16. AFP

Promoting consumer protection awareness in Asean RAYMUND B. HABARADAS

GREEN LIGHT THE Association of South East Asian Nations is acknowledged as a “growing and dynamic” regional market and production base that faces various challenges in the socio-economic, technological and politico-legal spheres. To consolidate its advantage as a common market, it must address issues on consumer protection and safety. This is what led Asean to develop the AEC Blueprint 2025, which contains strategic measures “to ensure comprehensive and wellfunctioning national and regional consumer protection systems by 2025, enforced through effective legislation, redress mechanisms, and public awareness.” These measures were later elaborated under the Asean Strategic Action Plan for Consumer Protection 2025. A recent initiative by the Asean Secretariat is the conduct of a training workshop that sought to promote consumer protection awareness in Asean member states. Funded by the AseanAustralia Development Cooperation Program Phase II, the workshop was conducted at Pan Pacific Manila on Sept. 3 to 7 by a team of consultants from the De La Salle University Center for Business Research and Development. Attended by government officials and employees from various consumer protection agencies in the different Asean member states, the workshop focused on consumer protection in six priority sectors: (1) consumer credit and banking, (2) product safety and labeling, (3) environment, (4) phones, internet services and e-commerce, (5) healthcare services and (6) professional services. Titled “Validation Workshop for Developing

Teaching Tools in Six Consumer Protection Priority Sectors” or simply “Training of Trainers”, the workshop utilized training manuals and other materials developed by the DLSU-CBRD team based on technical manuals provided by the Asean Secretariat. The DLSU-CBRD training team who designed and delivered the training program is composed of Dr. Divina Edralin (team leader), Dr. Jaime Cempron, Dr. Emiliano Hudtohan, Dr. Ronald Pastrana, Dr. Ana Liza Asis-Castro and Ms. Jennelyn Gannaban. Providing technical expertise are Dr. Anthony Chiu, Dr. Nelson Celis, Mr. Benel Lagua and Ms. Alice Pham. The main goal of the validation workshop was to assess whether the training manuals and the proposed training methods will be useful to the different Asean government officials and employees, who are expected to echo the training they received other personnel involved in consumer safety and protection efforts in their respective countries. The workshop covered substantive consumer protection issues, pre-market interventions, post-market interventions and redress mechanisms. A variety of topics were tackled including consumer confidence in online transactions, irresponsible lending practices, access to safe water, medical malpractice and the sale of substandard products, among others. This was done through a variety of training methods such as interactive lectures, group discussions, case analysis, video presentations, infosearch, role plays and various structured learning activities. The feedback given by the participants will be used to improve the design of the training manuals before these are made available to concerned government agencies Asean-wide. Given the generally positive response of the Republic Republic of of the the Philippines Philippines Department Department of of Finance Finance Securities and Exchange Securities and Exchange Commission Commission IN IN THE THE MATTER MATTER OF OF CITY & CITY & LAND LAND DEVELOPERS, DEVELOPERS, INCORPORATED INCORPORATED x----------------------------------------x x----------------------------------------x

:: :: REGISTRATION REGISTRATION OF OF COMMERCIAL COMMERCIAL PAPERS PAPERS :: ::

NOTICE NOTICE

Notice Notice is is hereby hereby given given that that on on 5 5 September September 2018 2018 a a sworn sworn Registration Statement Statement was was filed filed with with the the Securities Securities and and Exchange Exchange Registration Commission on behalf of CITY & LAND DEVELOPERS, Commission on behalf of CITY & LAND DEVELOPERS, INCORPORATED for the registration of Three Hundred Fifty Million INCORPORATED for the registration of Three Hundred Fifty Million Pesos Pesos (Php350,000,000.00) (Php350,000,000.00) worth worth of of Commercial Commercial Papers. Papers. According According to to the the papers papers presented, presented, the the following following persons persons are are the the officers/directors of the corporation: officers/directors of the corporation: Name Name Atty. Sabino Sabino R. R. Padilla, Padilla, Jr. Jr. Atty. Stephen C. Roxas Stephen C. Roxas Andrew I. Liuson Andrew I. Liuson Grace C. Liuson Grace C. Liuson Josef Josef C. C. Gohoc Gohoc Peter S. S. Dee Dee Peter Cesar E.A. Virata Cesar E.A. Virata Alice Alice C. C. Gohoc Gohoc Helen C. C. Roxas Roxas Helen Emma Emma A. A. Choa Choa Rudy Rudy Go Go Melita Melita M. M. Revuelta Revuelta Romeo Romeo E. E. Ng Ng Melita L. Tan Melita L. Tan Rosario D. Rosario D. Perez Perez Winefreda R. R. Go Go Winefreda Atty. Emma G. Jularbal Atty. Emma G. Jularbal Dorothy Dorothy U. U. So So Jocelyn Jocelyn C. C. De De Asis Asis

Position Position Director/Chairman of of the the Board Board Director/Chairman Director/Chairman of the Executive Committee Director/Chairman of the Executive Committee Director/Vice Director/Vice Chairman Chairman of of the the Board Board Director/Deputy Vice-Chairman Vice-Chairman of of the the Board Board Director/Deputy Director/President Director/President Independent Director Director Independent Independent Director Independent Director Director Director Director Director Executive Executive Vice Vice President/Treasurer President/Treasurer Senior Senior Vice Vice President/Chief President/Chief Financial Financial Officer/ Officer/ Compliance & Compliance & Corporate Corporate Information Information Officer/Data Officer/Data Protection Officer/Investors Relations Officer Protection Officer/Investors Relations Officer Vice President/Alternate Compliance Officer Vice President/Alternate Compliance Officer and Corporate Information Officer and Corporate Information Officer Vice Vice President President Vice President Vice President Vice President-Executive Vice President-Executive Affairs Affairs Vice Vice President President Vice President-Legal Affairs/Corporate Secretary Vice President-Legal Affairs/Corporate Secretary Assistant Assistant Vice Vice President-Head President-Head of of Internal Internal Audit Audit Department Department Assistant Assistant Corporate Corporate Secretary Secretary

Said Said registration registration statement statement and and other other papers/documents papers/documents attached attached thereto (collectively thereto (collectively known known as as “RS”) “RS”) are are open open to to inspection inspection by by interested interested parties during business hours, and copies parties during business hours, and copies thereof, thereof, photostatic photostatic or or otherwise, otherwise, shall shall be be furnished furnished to to any any party, party, upon upon request, request, at at such such fees fees as as the the Commission Commission may may prescribe. prescribe. The The RS RS and and the the Prospectus Prospectus dated dated 05 05 September September 2018 2018 and and the the corresponding corresponding updated updated version version may may be be downloaded downloaded from from www.cityland.net. www.cityland.net.

(MS-SEPT. (MS-SEPT. 14 14 & & 17, 17, 2018) 2018) (MS-SEPT. 14 & 17, 2018)

VICENTE GRACIANO VICENTE GRACIANO P. P. FELIZMENIO, FELIZMENIO, JR. JR. Director Director Markets Markets and and Securities Securities Regulation Regulation Department Department

participants and their active engagement during the workshop, we are optimistic that DLSUCBRD has made its small contribution to promoting consumer protection in the region. Raymund B. Habaradas is an Associate Professor at the Management and Organization Department of the Ramon V. Del Rosario College of Business of De La Salle University. He does research on corporate social initiatives, social enterpreneurship and SME development. He is also the Director of the DLSU Center for Business Research and Development and is a Fellow of the center’s Social Enterprise Research Network. He welcomes comments at rbhabaradas@yahoo.com. The views expressed above are the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official position of DLSU, its faculty and its administrators. REPUBLIC OF OF THE THE PHILIPPINES PHILIPPINES REPUBLIC REGIONAL REGIONAL TRIAL TRIAL COURT COURT NATIONAL NATIONAL CAPITAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL JUDICIAL REGION REGION BRANCH BRANCH 98, 98, QUEZON QUEZON CITY CITY IN IN RE: RE: PETITION PETITION FOR FOR RECOGNITION RECOGNITION OF OF FOREIGN FOREIGN DIVORCE, DIVORCE, MARY MARY SUE SUE ANNE ANNE ROLANE ROLANE OOTANI, OOTANI, Petitioner, Petitioner, -versusR-QZN-18-06638 -versusR-QZN-18-06638 YUUYA OOTANI OOTANI and and the the PHILIPPINE PHILIPPINE YUUYA STATISTICS STATISTICS AUTHORITY. AUTHORITY. Respondents. Respondents. x-------------------------------------------------x x-------------------------------------------------x ORDER ORDER (Notice (Notice of of Hearing) Hearing)

Before is a a verified verified Petition Petition (Judicial (Judicial Before this this Court Court is Recognition of of Foreign Foreign Divorce) Divorce) filed filed by by petitioner petitioner Recognition MARY SUE ANNE ROLANE OOTANI, praying that after after MARY SUE ANNE ROLANE OOTANI, praying that due due process process and and hearing, hearing, judgment judgment be be rendered rendered as as follows: follows: 1.The 1.The foreign foreign divorce divorce between between herein herein petitioner petitioner and and respondent respondent Yuuya Yuuya Ootani Ootani be be judicially judicially recognized, recognized, and and that that itit be be annotated annotated in in the the Report Report of of Marriage Marriage No. No. 201520153920507 3920507 registered registered in in the the Philippine Philippine Statistics Statistics Authority. Authority. WHEREFORE, notice notice is is hereby hereby given given that that the the aboveaboveWHEREFORE, entitled petition be heard before this Court located at entitled petition be heard before this Court located at the the nd nd Floor, Rooms 207-208, Hall of Justice Building, 2 2nd Floor, Rooms 207-208, Hall of Justice Building, Quezon City Hall Complex, Diliman, Quezon City Quezon City Hall Complex, Diliman, Quezon City on on December December 7, 7, 2018 2018 at at 8:30 8:30 o’clock o’clock in in the the morning. morning. The The Branch Branch Clerk Clerk of of Court Court is is ordered ordered to to cause cause the the service service of of copies copies of of this this order order on on the the Local Local Civil Civil Registrar Registrar of of Quezon Quezon City, City, Philippine Philippine Statistics Statistics Authority, Office of the City Prosecutor of Quezon Authority, Office of the City Prosecutor of Quezon City City and and Office Office of of the the Solicitor Solicitor General General for for their their comment/report. comment/report. Further, Further, the the petitioner petitioner is is hereby hereby directed directed to to coordinate coordinate with with the the Sheriff Sheriff of of this this court court for for the the service service of of a a copy copy of of the the petition petition to to the the Department Department of of Foreign Foreign Affairs Affairs and and the the petitioner petitioner is is likewise likewise directed directed to to have have this this Order Order published published in in a a newspaper newspaper of of general general circulation circulation to to be be chosen chosen by by raffle, once once a a week week for for three three (3) (3) consecutive consecutive weeks weeks at at raffle, least two (2) weeks before the date of the hearing. least two (2) weeks before the date of the hearing. In In the the event event that that hearing hearing should should not not take take place place on on the the said said date date due due to to fortuitous fortuitous event event or or ifif the the aforesaid aforesaid scheduled date is declared a non-working holiday, the scheduled date is declared a non-working holiday, the hearing hearing shall shall be be held held on on December December 14, 14, 2018 2018 at at the the same same time time and and place place without without further further notice. notice. SO ORDERED. ORDERED. SO Quezon Quezon City, City, Metro Metro Manila, Manila, June June 27, 27, 2018. 2018. (Sgd.) (Sgd.) MARILOU MARILOU D. D. RUNES-TAMANG, RUNES-TAMANG, MNSA MNSA Presiding Judge Judge Presiding Copy Copy furnished: furnished:

Atty. Floyd P. Lalwet Atty. Floyd Lalwet Counsel forP.the the Petitioner Counsel for Petitioner Rm. 305 The Rm. 305 The Episcopal Episcopal Church Church Center Center 275 E. Rodriguez 275 E. Rodriguez Sr. Sr. Ave., Ave., 1102 1102 Quezon Quezon City City Yuuya Ootani Yuuya Ootani Kita-ku, Naka, Jujo 1-4-6, Japan Kita-ku, Naka, Jujo 1-4-6, Japan Mary Sue Sue Anne Anne Rolani Rolani Ootani Ootani Mary 26KJ 26KJ St. St. cor. cor. K7 K7 St., St., East East Kamias, Kamias, Quezon Quezon City City Local Local Civil Civil Registry, Registry, Quezon Quezon City City Philippine Statistics Authority Philippine Statistics Authority PSA PSA Compound, Compound, East East Avenue, Avenue, Quezon Quezon City City Office Office of of the the City City Prosecutor Prosecutor Hall of Justice Building, Quezon Hall of Justice Building, Quezon City City Office of General Office of the the Solicitor Solicitor General 134 Amorsolo Amorsolo Street, Legaspi Legaspi Village, Makati Makati City City 134 Street, Village, Department of Foreign Department of Foreign Affairs, Affairs, Legal Legal Affairs Affairs Office, Office, No. No. 2330 2330 Roxas Roxas Blvd., Blvd., Pasay Pasay City City(MStandard-Sep. 17, 24 & Oct. 1, 2018) (MStandard-Sep. (MStandard-Sep. 17, 17, 24 24 & & Oct. Oct. 1, 1, 2018) 2018)

NEW BERN―With rain still falling and no electricity, residents of New Bern, North Carolina, are starting to pick up the pieces after the devastating flooding caused by Hurricane Florence. At the confluence of the Neuse and Trent rivers, where several hundred people were rescued from flood waters, uniformed national guardsmen tour an area to provide assistance. “Do you need anything?” one asks. “Power!” a weary young woman replies. Clint Hawkins and Jenny Baras accept food and water. They did not imagine living such a “nightmare” when they moved from New York to North Carolina. “It’s our first hurricane. The wind was quite strong, some branches went down. But we were mainly affected by the flooding. The water started to rise even before the hurricane was here,” Baras said.

She shows photos taken the day before on her phone: “Do you see the red car over there? It was completely covered with water.” Debris litters the ground around their modest red brick home and neighbors have left wet mattresses and sofas on the sidewalk, but the young couple had time to climb upstairs before the water came. “We’re now waiting for the power to come back to give it a deep clean,” said Hawkins. “We can’t really stay in at the moment, the smell is just too bad.” Sheltered from the rain by the porch of the imposing family home, Laurie Eudy, the fourth generation to occupy the premises, takes time to update her journal. “There’s a lot to write about,” she says. An entry in her neat handwriting reads: “That was an adventure!” AFP

Republic of Republic of the the Philippines Philippines Province Province of of Bataan Bataan City City of of Balanga Balanga BIDS AND AND AWARDS AWARDS COMMITTEE COMMITTEE OFFICE OFFICE BIDS IInvItatIon nvItatIon to to B Id BId no n o.. G Goods oods-048-2018 -048-2018

048

048 048 The The Provincial Provincial Government Government of of Bataan, Bataan, through through the the General General Fund Fund intends intends to to apply apply the the below listed procurement w/ corresponding Approved Budget of below listed procurement w/ corresponding Approved Budget of the the Contract Contract (ABC). (ABC). Bids Bids received received in in excess excess of of the the ABC ABC shall shall be be automatically automatically rejected rejected a a bid bid opening. opening.

Name Name of of Project Project

Approved Approved Budget Budget of of the the Contract Contract (ABC) (ABC)

1. Supply 1. Supply & & Delivery Delivery of of Various Various Food Packages Packages for for TulongMula TulongMula Food sa Pamahalaanng Bataan sa Pamahalaanng Bataan 2018 2018 to to be be distributed distributed Province Province wide wide 2. 2. Purchase Purchase of of Two Two (2) (2) Units Units 10 Wheeler Wheeler Dumptruck Dumptruck c/o c/o Provincial Provincial 10 Engineer’s Office, Province of Bataan Engineer’s Office, Province of Bataan

=P= 68,500,000.00 68,500,000.00 =P= =P=12,000,000.00 =P=12,000,000.00

The Provincial The Provincial Government Government of of Bataannow Bataannow invites invites bids bids for for the the above above listed listed Procurement. Procurement. Delivery of of goods goods is is requiredfor requiredfor Project Project No. No. 1 1 is is within within 30 30 Calendar Calendar Days Days and and for for Project Project Delivery No. 2 is within 90 Calendar Days. Bidders should have completed, at No. 2 is within 90 Calendar Days. Bidders should have completed, at least least one one (1) (1) contract contract that that is is similar similar to to the the contract contract to to be be bid. bid. The The description description of of an an eligible eligible bidder bidder is is contained contained in in the the Bidding Bidding Documents, Documents, particularly, particularly, in in Section Section II. II. Instructions Instructions to to Bidders. Bidders. Bidding Bidding will will be be conducted conducted through through open open competitive competitive bidding bidding procedures procedures using using nonnondiscretionary pass/fail criterion as specified in the 2016 Revised Implementing Rules discretionary pass/fail criterion as specified in the 2016 Revised Implementing Rules and and Regulations Regulations (IRR) (IRR) of of Republic Republic Act Act 9184 9184 (RA (RA 9184), 9184), otherwise otherwise known known as as the the “Government Procurement Procurement Reform Reform Act”. Act”. “Government Bidding Bidding is is open open to to all all interested interested bidders, bidders, whether whether local local or or foreign, foreign, subject subject to to the the conditions conditions for for eligibility eligibility provided provided in in the the Implementing Implementing Rules Rules and and Regulations Regulations (IRR) (IRR) of of Republic Act (RA) 9184, otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Republic Act (RA) 9184, otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”. Act”. Interested bidders may obtain further information from Office of Bataan Bids & Awards Interested bidders may obtain further information from Office of Bataan Bids & Awards Committeeand inspect inspect the the Bidding Bidding Documents Documents from from 8:00 8:00 a.m. a.m. – – 5:00 5:00 p.m. p.m. at at the the same same Committeeand office. office. Bid documents Bid documents will will be be available available only only to to eligible eligible bidders bidders upon upon payment payment of of aa non-refundable non-refundable amount amount of of using standard standard rates rates approved approved by by GPPB GPPB as as stated stated on on their their Resolution Resolution No. No. 04-2012 04-2012 listed listed below. below. using Maximum Maximum Cost Cost of of Bidding Bidding Documents Documents Approved Approved Budget Budget for for the the Contract Contract (in (in Philippine Philippine Peso) Peso) 500,000 and below 500.00 500,000 and below 500.00 More 1,000.00 More than than 500,000 500,000 up up to to 1 1 Million Million 1,000.00 More than 1 Million up to 5 Million 5,000.00 More than 1 Million up to 5 Million 5,000.00 More than than 5 5 Million Million up up to to 10 10 Million Million 10,000.00 More 10,000.00 More 25,000.00 More than than 10 10 Million Million up up to to 50 50 Million Million 25,000.00 More than than 50 50 Million Million up up to to 500 500 Million Million 50,000.00 More 50,000.00 More than than 500 500 Million Million 75,000.00 More 75,000.00

The Provincial The Provincial Government Government of of Bataan Bataan will will hold hold a a Pre-Bid Pre-Bid Conference Conference on on September September 24, 2018 2018 at at 10:00 10:00 A.M at Provincial BAC Office, PEO Capitol Compound, Balanga City, A.M at Provincial BAC Office, PEO Capitol Compound, Balanga City, 24, Bataan. Bataan. Bids must Bids must be be delivered delivered on on or or before before October October 8, 8, 2018 2018 at at 2:00 2:00 p.m. p.m. at at Provincial Provincial BAC BAC Office, PEO PEO Capitol Capitol Compound, Compound, Balanga Balanga City, City, Bataan. Bataan. All All bids bids must must be be accompanied accompanied Office, by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated on IRR of by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated on IRR of RA RA 9184 9184 or or Bid Bid Securing Securing Declaration Declaration in in standard standard form. form. Bids will will be be opened opened in in the the presence presence of of the the bidders’ bidders’ representatives representatives who who choose choose to to Bids attend opening of Bids at Bataan BAC Office. Late bids shall not be accepted. attend opening of Bids at Bataan BAC Office. Late bids shall not be accepted. In case In case of of the the above above dates dates is is declared declared a a special special Non-Working Non-Working Holidays, Holidays, itit will will automatically reset reset on on the the next next working working days. days. automatically Other Other necessary necessary information information deemed deemed relevant relevant by by the the Provincial Provincial Government Government of of Bataan Bataan Activities Activities 1. 1. Advertisement/Posting Advertisement/Posting of of Invitation Invitation to to Bid Bid 2. 2. Eligibility Eligibility Check Check 3. 3. Issuance Issuance and and availability availability of of Bidding Documents Documents Bidding 4. Request for Clarification 4. Request for Clarification 5. 5. Opening Opening of of Bids Bids

Schedule Schedule September September 17 17 -- 23, 23, 2018 2018 Refer Refer to to date date of of Opening Opening of of Bids Bids September 17 17 – – October October 8, 8, 2018 2018 September September 28, 2018 September 28, 2018 October October 8, 8, 2018 2018

The Provincial Provincial Government Government of of Bataanreserves Bataanreserves the the right right to to accept accept or or reject reject any any bid, bid, to to The annul annul the the bidding bidding process, process, and and to to reject reject all all bids bids at at any any time time prior prior to to contract contract award, award, without without thereby thereby incurring incurring any any liability liability to to the the affected affected bidder bidder or or bidders. bidders. For further further information, information, please please refer refer to: to: For Ms. Ms. Aileen Aileen C. C. Sagun Sagun Provincial Provincial BAC BAC // PEO PEO Bataan Bataan Provincial BAC PEO Office, Office, Capitol Capitol Compound, Compound, Provincial BAC // PEO BalangaCity, Bataan BalangaCity, Bataan 047-237-9316 047-237-9316 bac@bataan.gov.ph bac@bataan.gov.ph (SGD) (SGD) ENRICO ENRICO T. T. YUZON YUZON BAC BAC CHAIRMAN CHAIRMAN (MS-SEPT. (MS-SEPT. 17, 17, 2018) 2018) (MS-SEPT. 17, 2018)

CYAN CYAN MAGENTA MAGENTA YELLOW YELLOW BLACK BLACK

LGUs

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

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monday, september 17, 2018

Barely year later, another NCCC mall catches fire DAVAO CITY—Barely a year after its mall along McArthur Highway here was razed by fire, the fourth floor of the newly-opened New City Commercial Center (NCCC) caught fire on Sunday. The fire, which is still being investigated by the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), occurred at the mall’s fourth floor, which is not yet open to the public and will house the cinemas. The fire alarm went off at past midnight, prompting the building’s construction workers to call for assistance. The supermarket and the department store on the first and second floor, respectively, opened last July. The four-story mall is located in an 8,000-sq. meter property. The Buhangin mall is the second for NCCC. The NCCC Mall in Ma-a, which was built in 2003, was razed by fire in December last year, leaving 38 people dead. PNA

LocaL government units

HORTICULTURE SHOW. Saying there is room for more players in the horticulture market with the increasing demand for more domestic cut flowers, Senator Cynthia A. Villar (fourth from right) graces the 72nd Midyear Orchid and Garden Show in Quezon City. As chair of the Senate Agriculture committee, Villar cited the need for more ‘flori-entrepreneurs’ and ‘hortientrepreneurs’ who can put up their own enterprises.

QC disaster workers lauded CVAARRD holds ‘Citrus Fiesta’ at NVSU campus By Butch Gunio BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya— The Cagayan Valley Agriculture and Aquatic Resources Research and Development Consortium (CVAARRD) hosted a two-day Farmers Encounters through the Science and Technology Agenda (FIESTA) featuring citrus production. Science Secretary Fortunato dela Pena and Nueva Vizcaya Gov. Carlos Padilla led the event that included a science and technology exhibit, agri-entrepreneurship forum, a tour of citrus farms in Malabing Valley, an investment forum, and citrus dessert making, among others. The program was supposed to last for three days but reduced to two due to typhoon “Ompong.” “It is important that the result of the research and development technologies are transferred to end users, in our case here, to you citrus growers,” Dela Pena told farmers participating in the Citrus Fiesta at a training center in Malabing Valley, Kasibu, this province on Friday. “Through PCAARRD, we have undertaken many science and technology researches to help boost citrus production,” added the science chief. He was accompanied by PCAARRD Deputy Executive Director for Administration Resource Management and Support Services Dr. Melvin Carlos and DOST Region 2 Director Engr. Sancho Mabborang. “We want you not to be mere farmers but agri-preneurs. Farmers must think like businessmen,” Dela Pena pointed out. In the opening program of the event held at Nueva Vizcaya State University on Thursday, Carlos as the guest speaker said: “PCAARRD is committed to boost citrus production through science and technology in Region 2 particularly here in Nueva Vizcaya.”

By Rio N. Araja

Q

UEZON City Mayor Herbert Bautista on Sunday commended the city’s disaster risk reduction and management council for its proactive approach in preparing for typhoon “Ompong.”

“I congratulate you for all your efforts in helping make our city resilient. Our early warning, preemptive evacuation and pre-positioning of assets did us well. We did our best, but we still can do better in the future,” Bautista told the council. He thanked the personnel of the emergency services and disaster response and relief clusters for being on full alert since Friday until early Sunday evening. Over 500 personnel from different departments of the city government and reinforced by volunteers from the mili-

tary’s joint task force in the National Capital Region, Quezon City Police District, Bureau of Fire Protection and 150 2nd Army Ready Reserve Brigade were on standby and mission-ready during the full alert period. According to Bautista, there were no reported typhoon-related casualties, except for a 10-year-old reported missing in Barangay Silangan. At least 1,413 families or 6,266 individuals from nine flood-prone barangays sought shelter in evacuation centers and were provided hot meals by the QC Social Services Development De-

partment, he said. All of the city’s health centers were open 24 hours during the alert period, he added. Meanwhile, to celebrate 100 years of Philippine cinema, the QCinema is touring Quezon City to show local independent films in public schools and barangays in an effort to inspire young people to become the next generation of filmmakers and artists. “We are doing this roadshow to promote good cinema from local independent film makers, and to expose young people to quality film-making that delivers a good message about life,” Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte said. Speaking to high school students at Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo High School she said, “we’re doing this all over the city for young people like you because, in the future, you may submit your creative works of art through film, so we could help you.”

SCG adds more HS scholars to ’Dream’ program BElIEVING that education is the foundation of sustainable development, SCG recently launched the Sharing the Dream program, an educational assistance initiative for students across the Asean region. Over the past 11 years of running the program in the Philippines, SCG has helped more than 1,000 Filipino students achieve their dreams. SCG, one of the leading business conglomerates in Southeast Asia, has been committed to helping achieve a sustainable future in the countries where it operates for more than 100 years since its establishment in 1913. On the first year of the scholarship program, SCG granted scholarships to 100 students from Manila, Taguig, Batangas and Bulacan, where the company’s Philippine subsidiaries operate, in cooperation with the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP). Rising education costs have been prompting more students, in particular high schoolers, to move to public from private schools, with enrolment in private schools dropping to 21 percent in 2005 from 62 percent in previous years based on data from the Philippine Business for Education. SCG hoped the Sharing the Dream initiative can give students the opportunity to continue their studies.

Restaurants unite to fight child malnutrition with 3-month campaign

A young girl is taught how to wash her hands as part of Restaurants Against Hunger’s hygiene education program.

THROUGH the initiative of the global humanitarian organization Action Against Hunger, restaurants have come together to fight child malnutrition. Called “Restaurants Against Hunger,” the campaign runs from October 1 to December 1, 2018. During this period participating restaurants will be donating a portion of the sale of specially marked dishes on their menu to projects combating child malnutrition in the Philippines. Diners can be a part of the movement to help provide food to the most disadvantaged children and their families in the country by patronizing the participating restaurants and ordering the featured dish/es labelled as “dishes that feed more.” In the Philippines, “Restaurants Against Hunger” on its third year has helped make it possible for Action Against Hunger to implement several programs. The most recent was their response to the Marawi conflict where a total of 206,613 individuals benefitted from the nutrition screening and distribution of emergency food aid and hygiene kits. The organization also provided access to safe water and sanitation facilities in the provinces of lanao del Sur and lanao del Norte. So far, participants this year are Alba Restaurante Español, Aracama, Azuthai, Café Mediterranean, Calderon, Chef laudico OK Café, Chelsea Kitchen, Chotto Matte / Izakaya Sensu, Corner Tree Café, Cyma, Friends & Family / Coconut Club, Green Pastures, Grilla, Ikomai, Ilustrado, Kabila, Museum Café, Providore, Saboten, Sangkap, Simple lang, Sobremesa, Terraz Bistro & Meetings, Terry’s Bistro, The Old Spaghetti House, The Shrimp Shack,

Wild Ginger, and The Bistro Group. “We hope to sign up more before the program kicks off on October 1,” said Action Against Hunger Fundraising and Resource Development Manager Dale Nelson Divinagracia. Restaurants that wish to join can simply register at www.restaurantsagainsthungerphilippines.org. This program is very easy to implement, inexpensive, and unites the restaurant staff and customers for a life-saving cause. This was attested during the launch by Chiqui Mabanta, owner and general manager of Corner Tree Café, which has been supporting “Restaurants Against Hunger” since year one. The campaign started on World Food Day in France in 1998 and has been implemented in Bolivia, Canada, Colombia, Germany, Guatemala, India, Italy, Peru, Spain, United Kingdom, and the USA. Through their Water, Sanitation and Hygiene projects in the areas of Masbate, North Cotabato and Maguindanao they have provided rural barangays access to clean water, created tap stands and toilets, and conducted hygiene promotion sessions to fight the spread of diseases that will lead to malnutrition. A total of 180 Barangays were declared as Zero Open Defecation Communities, positively affecting 738,566 individuals. To maintain the culture of cleanliness, 730 Barangay Health Workers were trained to continue the work started. “Restaurants Against Hunger” has also funded nutrition and food security, and livelihood projects in Zamboanga City for the internally displaced people that were forced to evacuate their homes during the 2013 siege.

‘Luis’ victims get aid from BDO volunteers

BDO volunteers in Ilocos Sur recently handed out relief goods to families affected by the southwest monsoon enhanced by Typhoon “luis.” As tropical storms continued to hit the country, these volunteers also continued to provide much needed aid in calamity-stricken communities. In the province of Ilocos Sur, BDO employees conducted relief operations for thousands of people affected by monsoon rains enhanced by recent tropical depression luis. BDO officers and staff, led by BDO Ilocos SurNarvacan branch head Malou Pineda, BDO Ilocos Sur-Candon branch head Cris Andrion and BDO Ilocos Sur-Cabugao branch head Mich Acena, distributed more than 7,000 relief packs containing food, rice and water to residents affected by inclement weather. Beneficiaries in Cabugao, Candon, Narvacan and Sta. Maria included senior citizens, children

and persons with disabilities. This corporate citizenship initiative is in line with the disaster response advocacy of BDO Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of BDO Unibank. The foundation mobilizes volunteers from BDO branches and satellite offices across the country for relief operations and humanitarian work in communities hit by natural or man-made disasters. “luis” recently enhanced the southwest monsoon and brought heavy rainfall in the Ilocos Region, prompting government officials to raise storm signals. The relief operations in Ilocos Sur were some of the latest mounted by BDO volunteers. In the previous weeks, employees of BDO branches in Bataan, Cavite, Cotabato, Marikina, Pangasinan, Rizal and Tarlac conducted relief operations in their respective provinces for victims of tropical storms.

BDO volunteers in Ilocos Sur hand out relief goods to families affected by the southwest monsoon enhanced by Typhoon ‘Luis.’

Life

bernadette Lunas, Issue Editor manilastandardlife@gmail.com @manilastandardlife

food

@mstandardLIFe monday, september 17, 2018

C1

Alive and all-natural V

FULL OF LIFE. Vegan restaurant Alive! serves dishes made of all-natural ingredients hand-picked from The Farm at San Benito’s organic gardens.

egan food is often characterized as bland and boring. Rarely the word “mouth-watering” is used to describe any dish under this diet.

But alive! Restaurant aims to change that. Located a 90-minute drive from the metro, The Farm at San Benito’s vegan restaurant is one of asia’s first and best restaurants offering vegan cuisine that proudly serves delectable raw food. alive! serves dishes made of nutritious and all-natural ingredients hand-picked from The Farm’s own organic gardens. The preparation and cooking methods used retain the optimum amount of enzymes and nutrients needed by the body. For instance, fresh fruits and vegetables are prepared raw or blanched. Dehydration and fermentation are two manners by which alive! preserves the plant’s life force. The former prevents the growth of microorganisms that will spoil the food. This gives the vegetables a longer shelf life without the addition of toxic chemicals and preservatives. The latter, on the other hand, serves as a good source of beneficial bacteria, to make the gut healthy, and it provides the enzymes to convert nutrients to vitamin B complexes. alive!’s menu choices feature vegetables, fruit, whole grains, beans, legumes, nuts, and seeds. It serves world-class, nut r ient- dense, and organic vegan cuisine that’s high in fiber, eses sential

nutrients, antioxidants, phytonutrients, probiotics, and key enzymes that the body needs to improve digestion, purge toxins, and optimize nutrition. The restaurant’s executive chef, Francis Tugnao reinterprets familiar local and international dishes to cater to diners’ cravings. early this month, it has launched new items in the menu, including salad in jars, fermented vegetables, local vegetable salad, a variety of soups, a Mediterranean section, and new conceptualized raw and cooked mains. alive! of The Farm at San Benito shares its three-pronged approach to healing and wellness—the soundness of mind, body, and spirit. according to it, good food fuels the mind, body, and spirit to combat the daily aggressors. The Farm at San Benito currently offers Day at The Farm package for P5,000 nett per person inclusive of a three-course vegan gourmet lunch at alive! Restaurant, a choice of Live Alive! Restaurant believes that good food fuels the mind, body, and spirit to combat daily aggressors. Blood analysis and Health Consult, 60-minute Relaxation Massage, or a 60-minute acqua Lymphatic Therapy. Offer is until Sept. 30 only. The restaurant is open from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. For more information, contact (02) 884-8074 or 0918-8848080, or email info@thefarm.com.ph/ or reservations@thefarm.com.ph, or visit www.thefarmatsan www.thefarmatsanbenito.com.

Fresh Salad Roll with Almond Butter Sauce

Mason Jar Salad

Crispy Potato Napoleon

Adlai takes the spotlight

Mama Sita’s presents adlai and its other specially packed products at food fairs.

aMID the continued tight supply of rice, many Filipinos are considering other alternatives. We have potatoes, sweet potatoes, corn, and adlai. adlai or pearl barley is a gluten-free alternative to rice. It is a filling grain that has a chewy and firm bite, similar to grains of white corn when cooked. Local condiments manufacturer Mama Sita’s promotes adlai as a viable and healthy alternative to rice with its new product, the adlai Paella Kit. The company highlights this grain during latest agricultural events held recently. ug. 24-26, Mama Sita’s was at Central Square, On aug. lobal City for the Philippine Harvest, a Bonifacio global three-day food and travel fair organized by the Department of Tourism. along long with more than 40 exhibitors taktak ing part in the event which promoted the country’s rich farm and food tourism, Mama Sita’s treated visitors to a taste of adlai paella, along with a presentation of other specially packed products like the Heirloom Rice Champorado Kits and the Vinegar Sampler Kits. The Department of agriculture griculture also invited Mama Sita’s to the 14th agriculture griculture and Fisher Fisheries Technology Forum and Product exhibition held at SM Megamall Mega Trade Hall 2 on aug. 30 to Sept. 2. ass the event was a venue to feature agricultural

technologies and food innovation, Mama Sita’s served adlai paella, which enticed stakeholders such as people from different government agencies, research institutions, local government units, students, and the private sector. Mama Sita’s adlai Paella Kit is part of the brand’s line of small-batch, artisanal products that are meant to bring something more special to the table. Adlai paella

Life

C2

monday, september 17, 2018 manilastandardlife@gmail.com

Hilton Manila

appoints new executive chef P

ASAY-BASed hilton Manila recently announced the appointment of dennis Leslie as the hotel’s executive Chef.

“We are glad to welcome Chef dennis Leslie to hilton Manila,” said general manager Simon Mcgrath. An experienced chef and hospitality professional, Leslie has over 21 years of global experience in the hospitality industry. he had worked in some of the elite and high-profile establishments in the world with the finest chefs and the most savvy business professionals. he mastered the precision of Michelin Star quality cooking and discipline in ireland under the guidance of Chef Christophe gravois. he had also worked for French-born British chef, Raymond Blanc, in england and in edinburgh at a restaurant frequented by royalties and celebrities. Prior to joining hilton Manila, Leslie was part of the pre-opening team in the position of executive chef and manager at the Adelaide oval, one of the largest food and beverage providers in South Australia. he also worked at luxury hotels and restaurants in Australia and europe. “his culinary background is backed with a fine dining experience, having worked in five-star and luxury branded hotels and restaurants around europe and Australia. Leslie is an Australian with Filipino roots. This is his ‘homecoming’ to the Philippines to introduce new and exciting flavors and cuisines,” shared Mcgrath. The style and dishes on Leslie’s menu incorporate a number of influences— from his strong Filipino heritage to international culinary exposure to various French cooking techniques. As the executive chef in hilton Manila, Leslie will create an F&B experience that focuses on healthy and nutritious food, utilizing ingredients that are locally sourced, sustainable, and organic where possible—cooking with a local flavor. Leslie will be at the helm of hilton Manila’s various food and beverage outlets: Kusina, an all-day dining restaurant with interactive kitchens; hua Ting, a restaurant that specializes in authentic Shanghainese cuisine; and Madison, modern café lounge that captures the urban view of new York City. “i’m thrilled to be part of the hilton Manila team. it’s my first time work-

Food delivery service foodpanda offers discounts on some of Chili’s comfort food items.

Sumptuous September food deals on-deMAnd food delivery platform foodpanda kicks off Christmas celebrations with the launch of the third edition of its food sale event, hot ‘n hungry. “Pinoys love to celebrate Christmas as early as now (September). We, at foodpanda, wanted to be part of these celebrations not only by delivering food Filipinos love but also by offering great deals perfect for family gatherings,” says foodpanda Philippines chief

executive officer iacopo Rovere. ongoing until Sept. 30, the third hot ‘n hungry offers food deals in foodpanda’s three key areas: Metro Manila, Metro Cebu, and Metro davao. Customers can enjoy 180 deals from different restaurant partners such as Tim ho Wan, Mesa, italianni’s, Chili’s, and Sbarro, with up to 15 percent off. Go to www.foodpanda.ph for more information.

Indulge in Mesa’s Filipino food fare.

Wagyu rice bowls

Hilton Manila’s Executive Chef Dennis Leslie

ing in the Philippines, and i’m not only here to share my culinary expertise but also to go back to my roots,” enthused Leslie. he continued, “My team and i are introducing an exciting lineup of signature dishes and drinks to our food and beverage outlets. We’re going back to

the basics by using traditional methods of cooking, no shortcuts. We’ll be making use of the freshest locally sourced ingredients to help local farmers and promote sustainability, as well as advocating healthier dining.” Hilton Manila is located at 1 Newport Boulevard, Newport City, Pasay.

Johnnie Walker Black Label-Sherry Edition

FoLLoWing the success of its Wagyu Cubes Bento, Japanese fast food chain Tokyo Tokyo launches donburi rice bowls featuring this beef. The Wagyu Rice Series features Japanese fried rice flavored with premium Wagyu beef. it comes in three variants, namely Beef Yakiniku, Chicken Teriyaki, and Classic Prawn Tempura. enjoy succulent goodness with Tokyo Tokyo’s Beef Yakiniku Wagyu Rice, served with shredded carrots and a tender sunny-side up egg. The Chicken Teriyaki Wagyu Rice, on

the other hand, is drizzled with unagi sauce and served with a bed of fresh lettuce with Japanese mayo which makes for the richest and most delectable dish for savory food lovers. For seafood lovers, Tokyo Tokyo serves Tempura Wagyu Rice which comes with Classic Prawn Tempura, tempura onion rings, and potato tempura—trickling with savory unagi sauce and crisp onion leeks. These Wagyu rice bowls are available at Tokyo Tokyo outlets nationwide. Each premium Wagyu Rice bowl is priced at P180.

Classic Prawn Tempura

Beef Yakiniku Wagyu Rice

SIP

The Black Label gets a fruity twist

This column will resume next week.

Johnnie Walker introduces its latest limited edition blend—the Johnnie Walker Black Label-Sherry edition. The Sherry edition has the same quality of the iconic Black Label blend, but with a rich, fruity twist, as a portion of the blend has been matured in former Sherry casks, which gives it a rich, fruity, and more approachable flavor. The expression also uses malts Blair Athol, Cardhu, and Strathmill, resulting in a taste of complex fresh fruit with orchard character, sweet vanilla, and gentle smoke. The Johnnie Walker Black Label Sherry Cask edition produces a

smooth-sipping dark whisky with notes of sweet vanilla, smoke, raisins, and a warming finish of dark chocolate. it is best served in a cocktail: mixed with ginger ale and garnished with a fresh orange segment. But is it is also good when served in a highball glass topped with ice, soda, and orange slices; or served over ice with a dash of bitters and an orange citrus twist. The Black Label-Sherry Edition is priced at P1,599 per bottle, and is available at S&R and major SM stores nationwide as well as on drinkka.com.

Chicken Teriyaki Wagyu Rice

Entertainment Simply... From C4

Jane Fonda in 5 acts

Girl next door, sex kitten, activist, fitness tycoon: Oscar®winner Jane Fonda has lived a life marked by controversy, tragedy and transformation, and she’s done it all in the public eye. Directed and produced by award-winning documentarian Susan Lacy, Jane Fonda In Five Acts, an intimate look at her singular journey, debuts same time as the U.S. on Sept. 25 at 8:00 a.m. exclusively on HBO GO. Jane Fonda has been vilified as Hanoi Jane, lusted after as Barbarella and heralded as a beacon of the women’s movement. This film goes to the heart of what she really is, a blend of deep vulnerability, magnetism, naiveté and bravery, revealing a life transformed over time. The documentary draws on 21 hours of interviews with Fonda, who speaks candidly about her life and her missteps. She explores the pain of her mother’s suicide, her father’s emotional unavailability, 30 years of an eating disorder and three marriages to highly visible, yet diametrically opposed, men. Jane Fonda In Five Acts also includes interviews with family and friends, as well as rare home movies and verité footage of the 80-year-old Fonda’s busy life today at, as she puts it, “the beginning of my last act.” Where “girls” of her generation were raised to be passive and compliant, Fonda has always seemed like very much “her own woman.” But her memories reveal the extent to which she was defined and controlled by the desires, ambitions, and fortunes of the powerful men in her life, and how much her own secret insecurities, unresolved anxieties and impulsive actions often prevented her from being the person she aspired to be. Featuring interviews with Robert Redford, Lily Tomlin, producer Paula Weinstein and former spouses Tom Hayden and Ted Turner, among others, the first four acts of Fonda’s life are named after the four men who shared – and hugely influenced – her personal and professional ambitions. The fifth act is named after Fonda herself, as she finally confronts her demons, reconnects with her family and resumes a successful career as both an actress and an activist, entirely on her own terms. Fonda recalls growing up “in the shadow of a national monument” in the form of her father, Henry. One of the most beloved actors of his time, the elder Fonda was a distant father in private, neglecting his family and having an affair while her mother descended into mental anguish that led to tragedy. Fonda’s name and good looks brought her modeling gigs and a chance to study acting with Lee Strasberg, but “it never felt real,” she recalls. She impulsively went to France to experience the cinematic revolution of the French New Wave, and married director Roger Vadim, agreeing to live a “heady and hedonistic” life and reluctantly allowing herself to become a sex object with films like Barbarella. Today, still challenging herself creatively and still active politically, Jane Fonda continues to demonstrate that there is no limit to the possibilities in a life full of self-determination, honesty and hard work.

K

APUSONG Bicolanos are in for a wonderful surprise today as GMA Network—through its regional arm GMA Regional TV—celebrates this year’s Peñafrancia Festival with the stars of afternoon series The Stepdaughters and My Special Tatay. Miss World 2013 Megan Young and actress Katrina Halili, together with prime leading man Mikael Daez, will have a Kapuso Mall Show in SM City Naga at 4:00 p.m. Adding more kilig to the afternoon treat are the lead stars of the new afternoon program My Special Tatay, Ken Chan and Arra San Augustin. My Special Tatay, which debuted on Sept. 3, features Ken as he tackles one of his toughest roles to date as Boyet, a man with Mild Intellectual Disability with Mild Autism Spectrum Disorder. In the series, Arra portrayes the character of Carol Flores, the best friend of Boyet. Meanwhile, viewers continue to stay glued to their TV screens with the recent plot twists in The

CHANGE Short Film Festival 2017 grand prize winner Raphael Robes produced, wrote and acted in his entry 'Karamay.'

Monday, September 17, 2018

49 Shoe features (2 wds.) 54 Dry riverbed 55 Heavy hydrogen discoverer 57 Golfer — Els 58 Grease gun target 59 “— Lisa” 60 Synthetic fabric 61 Farewells 62 Lagoon 63 Bear DOWN 1 Boundless 2 Cato’s year 3 Without much fat 4 Make a salary 5 Foot lever 6 Asian country 7 We, in Le Havre 8 Electrical unit 9 Salt meas. 10 Spat 11 Whodunit ploy (2 wds.) 12 A Guthrie 13 Some scouts 21 PFCs 22 What Hamlet smelled (2 wds.) 24 Femme fatale 25 Despot 26 Furniture buy

Stepdaughters. Mayumi (Megan) gets blamed for the death of Froilan (Edgar Allan Guzman). Francis (Mikael) is torn between his love for Mayumi and his grandmother who mourns Froilan’s death. Isabelle (Katrina), on the other hand, was shocked to find out that Luisa (Glydel Mercado) is still alive. Mayumi gets the upper hand as they are invited by Hernan (Gary Estrada) to live with him. Isabelle will device a scheme to get back at Mayumi again. “We are happy that we continue to be part of Naga’s Peñafrancia Festival. And this year, we are proud to bring the lead stars of high-rating afternoon drama series The Stepdaughters and My Special Tatay,” says Oliver Amoroso, Vice President and Head of GMA’s Regional TV Department. “We know that our Kapusong Bicolanos are excited to see Megan, Katrina, Mikael, Ken, and Arra in our Kapuso Mall Show, the same way that our Kapuso stars are looking forward to meet their fans,” he adds. For updates about GMA Regional TV are now available on www. gmaregionaltv.com. Follow GMA on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/gmanetwork and GMA Regional TV at www.facebook.com/GMARegionalTV and on Twitter and Instagram via @GMARegionalTV. Megan Young, lead star of ‘The Stepdaughters’

Change Short Film Fest focuses on Filipino values THE 2nd CHANGE Short Film Festival organized by the non-profit CHANGE Foundation Inc. continues to champion good Filipino values with this year’s theme “Heroes for Change: Ordinary People with Extraordinary Hearts.” The competition encourages young aspiring filmmakers, whether they are students, amateurs or professionals, to “inspire Filipinos through stories that show the many endeavors where we all can help each other and ultimately build a better country for the next generation.” Entries may be submitted until Sept. 30 via WeTransfer addressed to changefoundationinc@gmail.com. Twenty finalists will be chosen and screened at the awarding ceremonies at Fisher Mall Cinemas on Oct. 20. CHANGE Foundation, which serves as a “catalyst in changing the hearts of people by promoting positive values such as honesty, kindness, compassion, perseverance, and integrity through inspiring videos and media campaigns,” mounts the annual festival whose winners are selected by esteemed jurors led by highly acclaimed director Joel C. Lamangan, DGPI.

27 Drive out 28 Not for a tailor (2 wds.) 29 Append 30 — Rouge 31 Hair-raising 33 Granted 35 Goose-down garment 37 Brubeck of jazz 38 Box-office flop 40 Swell, as a river 41 Dulcimer cousins 43 Word on a door

44 Just a handful 46 Devoted 47 Ear cleaner 48 Shiny 49 Late-night Jay 50 The E in QED 51 Gaelic singer 52 Androcles’ pal 53 Cellphone button 55 Baseball official 56 Milne marsupial

C3

nickie.standard@gmail.com

‘The Stepdaughters,’ ‘My Special Tatay’ stars add zest to this year’s Peñafrancia Fest

CROSSWORD PUZZLE ACROSS 1 Jeeves type 6 Lumber flaw 10 Latch on to 14 Had — — miss 15 Aah companions 16 Space Age prefix 17 Pitfall, maybe 18 Haunches 19 Unthinkingly 20 Freighter capacities 22 One of the Three Musketeers 23 Width of a cir. 24 Fallen-rock debris 26 Flower parts 30 Unheard of 32 Water or patina 33 Gem measure 34 Floor the pedal 36 Good buy 37 Advise against 38 Rock’s — Straits 39 Stout 40 Toxic gas 41 Pueblo Indians 42 Vivify 44 Squirm 45 Slackened off 46 Tolerated 47 Ekberg or Garbo

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2018

Lamangan, chairman emeritus of the Directors’ Guild of the Philippines, Inc. (DGPI), and the jury will decide from seven finalists the three prize-winning films (grand, second, and third) and four excellence awardees. All three-minute films will be judged based on creativity and execution of stories that highlight the values of “honesty, kindness, excellence, nationalism, and concern for the environment.” CHANGE Foundation explains the competition theme: “For changes to make a difference in the world, we need heroes with extraordinary hearts or those who follow what is right or seek the truth despite the difficult challenges and being unnoticed or unrewarded for one’s efforts.” Winners will receive cash, including P40,000 for the grand prize, and trophies, while excellence awardees will also receive cash and plaques of appreciation. On the festival’s maiden year, Raphael Robes’ Karamay, which tackles recovering and moving on from drug abuse with the help of a friend, won the grand prize. John Carlo Reyes’ film about depression, Kwarenta, and Mariannelle Crisostomo and Jonnie Lyn Dasalla’s Balik on paying it forward, bagged the second and third prizes, respectively. Last year’s jurors included CHANGE Foundation director Reginald Joshua K. Pendoza, the late Aliw Awards Hall of Famer director Roxanne A. Lapus, award-winning filmmaker Real S. Florido, and advertising art director Leo Carlo Santos. Formed in 2016, volunteers of Change Hearts thru Awareness, Nurturing, Giving and Encouraging Foundation, Inc. promote, teach and instill positive values in media to influence Filipinos to have good character (“maayos na pagkatao”). CHANGE Foundation is the fifth most followed foundation on Facebook in the country after leader UNICEF, followed by World Vision Philippines, Rock Ed Philippines, and Haribon Foundation. Visit www.changefoundationinc. com or www.facebook.com/ changefoundationinc for competition mechanics or call 09176890417 for more information.

‘Bida Kapamilya’ leads family seminar, medical mission FOR single mom of three Deborah Rico and peanuts vendor Estancia Miranda, the “Bida Kapamilya: One Love, One Family” in Bulacan on Sept. 8 was a welcome day of bonding with family, a chance to ease the burden of paying for their family’s medical needs, and an opportunity to learn how to augment their incomes. Deborah and Estancia were two of more than eight hundred patients, who, with their families, were treated to free medical checkups, free medicines for their prescriptions, eye checkups, haircuts, beauty services, and various seminars during the “Bida Kapamilya: One Love, One Family” event which featured a full day of public service and entertainment for residents of Malolos, Bulacan. Deborah, a newly single mom to three children ages 1 to 4, relies on free medical missions to ease the burden of spending for these needs, especially since she can’t work yet and relies on help from her parents. If she’s lucky, the medical checkups and medicines she and her children availed of can be enough to last them a year. “My husband left us while I was pregnant with my youngest, and has never done his share of supporting them,” said Deborah. “I have not been able to work since then and free medical services like the ones available today are a huge help for me and my children.” Meanwhile, Estancia, an enterprising peanuts vendor whose husband works as a tricycle driver, was grateful for the free services because it means she can save a little more money for her son’s education. As an entrepreneur, she also enjoyed attending the livelihood seminars held during the event in partnership with TESDA. “I’m a personal witness that being creative about how you earn can go a long way,” said Estancia. “These seminars are so useful for us because learning how to do things like hairstyling and massage, even just the basics, mean we can use it to earn a living even at home, while taking care of our children.” Aside from the free medical services and medicines, attendees also participated in various seminars. Barangay officials and members of the Bulacan Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council joined disaster preparedness seminars by Jeff Canoy and the Red Alert team, while local police and barangay members participated in crime prevention talks led by Gus Abelgas and the SOCO team. Parents learned more about child protection and child-rearing from Bantay Bata 163, while enterprising moms participated in livelihood seminars on hairstyling, hilot, and soap making by TESDA. The TNT Singers serenaded the attendees, while DZMM’s Classroom on Wheels brought activities for children led by the kids of Team YeY. Meanwhile, Star Cinema held a free film screening for inmates at the Malolos City Jail as part of its 25th anniversary celebrations.

Kapamilyas line up for free medical services, medicines, seminars, and food at the 'Bida Kapamilya' event in Bulacan.

Entertainment

Nickie Wang, Issue Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com

C4

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2018

Actor-politician Monsour del Rosario

A TV series about

SECOND CHANCES

ISAH V. RED

After more than a decade...

Monsour del Rosario returns to showbiz TAE-KWON-DO champion and film star (he starred in more than three-dozen movies until he decided to become a politician) Monsour del Rosario is harnessing the relationship he built in the last decade or so with show business as he takes up the movies again. In 2010, he was elected councilor in Makati and re-elected on 2013. In 2015, he upped his ante in politics. He ran and won a seat in Congress representing the first district of Makati. In those years, show business has been luring him back, but Del Rosario had been very discriminating, always thinking the image he has as a public servant, “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano called me twice, first to offer me a part as Congressman, but I didn’t accept it after learning the role was that of a protector of a drug lord. No, I can’t play that because I know that the audience (or most of them) can’t discern the role the actor plays onscreen from his off-screen persona. The second time, the show was offering me a role of chief of police. I got a bit excited having in mind PNP Chief Director General Ronald ‘Bato’ de la Rosa, but again the role was the chief was the protector of the Congressman who protects the drug lord in the series. So, I said ‘no.’” Yet, when he was offered the role of a martial arts master who trains a green horn to fight in The Trigonal, he couldn’t say, “no.” “When it was offered to me I’d be the lead star. But my work in Congress was the problem. I work Monday to Thursday and I can only shoot on weekends. So I asked the producers to just give me a supporting role. So that’s how Ian Ignacio became the lead star of the film. Well, I’m glad because Ian, son of Levi Ignacio who is also in the movie, had been my student in martial arts,” he said over lunch at Romulo Café in Quezon City recently. Ian is an actor in theater and has a black belt in Tae-Kwon-Do, though he has yet to equal the feat of his instructor, an Olympic medalist and a Sports Hall of Fame awardee. Recently, Del Rosario was the first non-Korean named Tae-Kwon-Do Man of the Year. In The Trigonal, Del Rosario plays Sensei Mike Vasquez, a martial arts master. “Ian Ignacio trained under me at the Olympians Taekwondo Training Center with my partner Stephen Fernandez. I recommended him to the director for the role in the film,” Del Rosario said. Only nine-years old when he started training in Martial Arts (“because I was bullied in school”), Del Rosario was also fascinated by Chinese Kung Fu movies, especially those that starred Bruce Lee. “I still have the videos, hahaha,” he said. His first martial arts instructor was Joe Lopez-Vito, a Tang Soo Dok/Moo Duk Kwan practitioner. He shifted to TaeKwon-Do in 1977 under Sung Chon Hong when he moved to Manila for his high school years, and later joined the Phiilippine National Team in 1982. He was introduced to the movie audience in 1986 in a small role in Gabi na Kumander with Phillip Salvador and Dindo Fernando. In 2006 he appeared in Tatlong Baraha with Lito Lapid and then he found himself involved in politics. Although his real film comeback is called Blood Hunters: Rise of the Hybrid also directed by Vincent Soberano, The Trigonal, which opens on Sept. 26, marks his official movie homecoming. “We’re aiming for The Blood Hunters to be part of this year’s Metro Manila Film Festival,” Del Rosario said. Meanwhile, Congressman Monsour del Rosario has been named Chef de Mision of the Southeast Asian Games in Manila in November 2019. Continued on C3

In 'Playhouse'Angelica Panganiban and Zanjoe Marudo are a married couple who are about to split up. They are forced to put their annulment plans on hold to take care of an orphaned kid.

Sofia shares time with abused girls ROLE MODEL.

Teen singer Sofia Romualdez spending an afternoon with the girls at the Tacloban City Women Shelter.

The complete cast of 'Playhouse,' a television drama premiering today.

M

ORNINGS will get even brighter as the newest television series PlayHouse brings a daily dose of romance and happiness and proves that love deserves a second chance starting today on ABS-CBN. PlayHouse revolves around the theme that love is a choice—it is a person’s will to choose someone repeatedly, but it may also change in an instant. This is the story of Angelica Panganiban and Zanjoe Marudo’s characters Patty and Marlon—two college lovers who eventually get married. However, their dream of having a long lasting love is tested by struggles that eventually lead to their split. After of a long time living separately, the two meet again as Patty files for an annulment to formally separate with Marlon. But just when they think everything is over between them, an unfortunate tragedy changes their lives forever. Their friends Emily and Brad get into an accident, leaving their child Robin (Justin James

Quilantang) behind. As the kid’s legal guardians, Patty and Marlon are forced to stay together under one roof to take care of Robin and make sure he gets the love he needs. This gives Marlon the opportunity to patch things up with Patty, despite her constant disapproval. Will Robin be the key to giving Patty and Marlon a second chance? Aside from Angelica and Zanjoe, the rising love team of teen stars Kisses Delavin and Donny Pangilinan will also bring kilig to viewers. They will play Shiela and Zeke, two enemies who eventually fall for each other. Meanwhile, also part of PlayHouse are Kean Cipriano, AC Bonifacio, Ariella Arida, Dexter Doria, Nadia Montenegro, Ingrid Dela Paz, Jomari Angeles, Malou De Guzman, Smokey Manaloto, and Maxene Magalona. PlayHouse airs on ABSCBN and ABS-CBN HD (SkyCable ch 167).

Donny Pangilinan and Kisses Delavin are an official love team in the newest Kapamilya series.

SINCE its airing last on Sept. 10, Love O2O has already won the hearts of the viewers. The hit Chinese romanticdrama series tells the story of two students who dreams and falls in love through an online role playing game “A Chinese Ghost Story”. Bei Weiwei (Zheng Shuang) is a 2nd year computer science student and the only female player in the Top 10 PK ranking. After she gets dumped by her online husband, she gets approached by Xiao Nai (Yang Yang), the top player in the game, who suggested they get married so they both can participate in a couple competition within the virtual world. The newly-formed couple

instantly hit it off and undergoes many adventures together in the game until Wei Wei discovers the real identity of Xiao Nai. The series also features Meng Yiran (Ma Chunrui), a daughter of a wealthy family who has a crush on Xiao Nai; Cao Guang (Johnny Bai), a foreign language scholar; Zhao Erxi (Mao Xiaotong), Wei Wei’s best friend and dorm mate; and Zhen Shaoxiang (Zhang He), Wei Wei’s ex-virtual husband. Will Wei wei and Xiao Nai overcome the obstacles standing in the way of their budding relationship? Love O2O airs from Monday to Friday, 8:50 to 9:20 a.m. on GMA7.

By Robbie Pangilinan TACLOBAN City—Sofia Romualdez may come from a high-profile family, but just like her mom and dad who have a big heart for public service and helping the needy, the teenager also loves sharing her time and blessings with the girls at the Tacloban City Women Shelter. Sofia’s parents, former Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Romualdez and current Mayor Cristina G. Romualdez, established the shelter in 2010 to provide a home and relevant services for women and children in the city who are victims of abuse, maltreatment and violence. Wearing a simple shirt, jeans, and cap, Sofia together with her friends, spent their whole day at the shelter. They brought packed meals and Sofia entertained them with their requested songs. Sofia also shared stories with the girls and inspired her with her favorite Bible verse, Isaiah 41:10, which says, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Sofia would have come with her mom, who the girls at the shelter consider their mother. But the Mayor has scheduled her visit before the Yolanda anniversary in November. “Last Sangyaw Festival po, gusto po

namin mapanood si Ate Sofia sa concert niya sa plaza, pinag-pray po namin na pasyalan po niya kami tapos ngayon nandito na po siya sa amin. Malaking bagay po sa amin na nakita namin siya for the first time,” said 19-year-old Jessa, who has physical disability and autism, and was raped when she was 9. She got pregnant at the age of 13; her baby died at birth. She could have died, too, if not for the Women Shelter that took her in and cared for her. The 19-year-old Viva Records recording artist stunned 3,000 people with her original songs and dashing dancing moves at the annual Sangyaw Festival. Sofia promised she will invite the girls on her next event in Tacloban. “They will all be my VIP guests,” said Sofia, who will provide the shelter residents with dental assistance, medical supplies and toiletries when she returns. In its eight years of being a second home for abused women and children, the shelter has seen 1,012 admissions and 1,374 walk-ins. The women and children in the facility are given extra care and protection by the employees of the City Social Welfare and Development Office. Mayor Romualdez makes sure that the city government is taking steps in addressing the plight of abused women and children which is a prevalent problem not only in the Philippines but also in other parts of the world.

‘Love O2O’ unfolds romantic adventures 'Love O2O' is a 2016 Chinese television series based on the novel of the same name.