Manila Standard - 2018 October 3 - Wednesday

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VOL. XXXII • NO. 230 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 • WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2018 • www.manilastandard.net • editorial@manilastandard.net

NO INCONSISTENCY. Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque (inset) maintains Tuesday there is no inconsistency in the statements of President Rodrigo Duterte and military chief Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr. (right) on the alleged ‘Red October’ plot, while clashing on the grant of amnesty to opposition Senator Antonio Trillanes IV—with the latter’s alleged failure to apply and alleged non-admission of guilt.

Rice teams fan out to check on private silos THE Department of Agriculture and National Food Authority are set to form and deploy a technical team to inspect warehouses in countries from where the government and private rice traders import rice.

Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol said the NFA Council approved the measure tightening the monitoring of imported rice to ensure that imported rice is of good quality and free from infestation.

Piñol said the inspection would determine if the warehouses are sanitary and phytosanitary import clearance (SPS-IC)-compliant and the rice is safe for human consumption.

“It will be a way of determining quality of rice we buy,” Piñol said Monday at the ASEAN Agricultural Summit 2018 in Metro Manila.

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Palace, military clash

Over ‘Red October’ plot

By Macon Ramos-Araneta and Nat Mariano

RMED Forces chief Gen. Carlito Galvez on Tuesday said the Liberal Party and the Magdalo Group were not in cahoots with communist rebels in the alleged “Red October” plot to oust President Rodrigo Duterte even as Malacañang insisted that individual members of the opposition were involved.

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“Basically this is a sinister plot of the CCP-NPA [Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army],” Galvez said. “[T]hey would like to have a coalition with the opposition.”

Galvez’s statement before the Senate finance committee contradicted Duterte’s assertion that Senator Antonio Trillanes IV and Liberal Party president Senator Francis Pangilinan had formed an alliance with communist rebels to remove him from Next page office.

... and Trillanes’ amnesty, casing of senator’s house

By Macon Ramos-Araneta PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte’s spokesman and the top brass of the Armed Forces of the Philippines on Tuesday clashed over Senator Antonio Trillanes IV’s application for a general amnesty.

Testifying before the Senate finance committee, Armed Forces chief Gen. Carlito Galvez admitted that Trillanes applied for amnesty contrary to the Palace claim and that there were lapses in the transfer of documents that resulted in the supposedly missing application form of the former mutineerturned-senator.

“Our suspicion, sir, [is that] the repository of all these documents did not bring the documents to us in GHQ (General Head Quarters),” Galvez said.

“Did I apply for amnesty?” Trillanes asked Galvez.

“According to Berbigal, sir, yes,” Galvez said, referring to Next page

11th mayor shot dead in La Union

Fuel price rise sets off bus fare hike bid

By Nat Mariano

By Rio N. Araja and Macon Ramos-Araneta

THE mayor of Sudipen town in La Union, along with his two companions, were gunned down by still unidentified assailants in the municipality of Bangar on Monday night.

Alexander “Alan” Buquing, the latest official in the long list of local executives killed since 2016, was on his way home with his wife, Vice Mayor Wendy Joy Buquing, his driver Boni Depdepen, and his police guard Police Officer II Rolando Juanbe when the assailants riding a white pick-up truck fired shots at them at close range.

Buquing was the 11th local chief executive to be killed under the administration Next page

WEATHER Typhoon won’t hit land---Pagasa

By Rio N. Araja TYPHOON “Queenie” furthered intensified on Tuesday, but the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said the typhoon will not make landfall.

Weather forecaster Gener Quitlong, said “Queenie” was sighted at 1,080 Next page

ROSE-COLORED. Among thousands of people across the archipelago holding their hopes high as they line up, in this photo snapped at Harrison Plaza in Metro Manila, to buy Mega lotto tickets with the top prize now reaching P830 million. Norman Cruz

AS CITY and provincial bus operators sought a fare increase to cope with the unabated rise in fuel prices, Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno said if the rate of inflation rose to 6.8 percent in September, this would not make much of a difference to the poor.

Petitioning the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, operators in Metro Manila sought a P1 increase for the first five kilometers for an ordinary bus, and a P1.20 hike for airconditioned buses.

Operators of provincial buses plying the routes of Metro Manila appealed for a P0.14 fare adjustment for ordinary units and P0.16 to P0.22 for air-conditioned ones.

The Alliance for Concerned Transport Organizations had asked the LTFRB to increase the minimum jeepney Next page fare from P9 to P12.

China, US destroyers in close ‘unsafe’ encounters WASHINGTON―A Chinese warship sailed within yards of an American destroyer―forcing it to change course―in an “unsafe and unprofessional” encounter as the US vessel was in contested waters in the South China Sea, an official said Monday.

The USS Decatur guided-missile destroyer was conducting what the military

calls a “freedom of navigation operation” Sunday, when it passed within 12 nautical miles of Gaven and Johnson reefs in the remote Spratly Islands.

The 12-mile distance is commonly accepted as constituting the territorial waters of a landmass.

China claims nearly all of the South China Sea, though Taiwan, the Philip-

pines, Brunei, Malaysia and Vietnam all claim parts of it.

Beijing claims all of the Spratlys and has built a number of military installations on the islands.

During the operation, a Chinese Luyang destroyer approached the USS Decatur in “an unsafe and unprofessional maneuver Next page

‘‘

Certainly, you don’t expect me to take the side of [Armed Forces chief of staff Carlito] Galvez, who is not a lawyer, over the words of a learned judge. He [Galvez] is not a lawyer.

—Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque

Hummingbird’s new species found A TEAM of ornithologists in Ecuador has identified a new species of hummingbird: a lovely blue-green creature that lives in a cold, barren highland area and is danger of extinction.

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Indonesia clamps down on looting WORLD B3

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wedNesday, october 3, 2018 wed

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DFA asked to sort out shabu mess

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

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ENATOR Richard Gordon on Tuesday asked the Department of Foreign Affairs to help in the Blue Ribbon Committee’s investigation of the importation of electronic magnetic lifters stuffed with shabu. He made the request even as Rep. Robert Ace Barbers praised the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency for identifying four members of the National Police involved in the alleged smuggling of P6.8 billion worth of shabu.

“I commend PDEA for uncovering and bringing into light these scalawags.

Honestly, it did not come as a shock as I am certain that there are more of them out there,” said Barbers, chairman of the House committee on drugs.

“From the previous hearings of both the Senate and the House, we were able to expose the skeletons in the closet.”

In a letter dated Sept. 24, Gordon asked Foreign Affairs Secretary Allan Peter Cayetano for assistance from the Philippine Embassy and Consulate in

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in the vicinity of Gaven Reef in the South China Sea,” US Pacific Fleet spokesman Commander Nate Christensen said.

The Chinese ship then conducted a series of “increasingly aggressive maneuvers, and warned the Decatur to depart the area,” he added.

The Chinese “destroyer approached within 45 yards of Decatur’s bow, after which Decatur maneuvered to prevent a collision.”

In a statement, the Chinese Ministry of Defense said that its ship had “given a warning to leave” to the vessel after it entered the area “without permission.”

“The US has repeatedly sent warships into the territorial waters near Chinese reefs and islands in the South China Sea,” it said.

The behavior “gravely threatens China’s sovereignty and security, gravely damages relations between China and the US and their militaries, and gravely injures regional peace and stability.”

US-Chinese relations have been strained on multiple levels since Donald Trump became president in 2017.

A trade war launched by Trump has infuriated Beijing, as did his authorization of a $1.3-billion arms sale to Taiwan, which China considers a rebel province. AFP

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Col. Josefa Berbigal, the former head of the amnesty committee secretariat.

Malacañang immediately disputed Galvez’s claim, with Roque belittling the position of the AFP chief of staff on the amnesty issue.

“Certainly, you don’t expect me to take the side of [AFP] Chief Galvez who is not a lawyer over the words of a learned judge,” Roque said, adding that one of the two Makati City courts handling Trillanes’ criminal cases had already ruled against the senator’s claim that he had complied with the amnesty requirements.

“It doesn’t matter. He [Galvez] is not a lawyer and under the rules of evidence, it [original copy] is the best evidence. Before you can offer secondary evidence, you need to establish why you can’t produce original document,” he added.

At the same hearing, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said he was “not knowledgeable” on what happened because the processing of his amnesty application was done during the administration of President Benigno Aquino III. But he admitted that on Aug. 16, he received a call from Solicitor General Jose Calida asking him if they could produce the amnesty records. He related that his staff was able to produce Proclamation No. 75 issued by Aquino as well as an amnesty document signed by then-Defense secretary Voltaire Gazmin.

“That’s all that came from us. Those are the only two documents that were given to him [Calida],” Lorenzana said.

Hummingbird’s...

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Team leader Francisco Sornoza saw one of the birds through binoculars a year ago and had a hunch that it was a previously unknown species.

The bird is about 11 cm (four inches) long and has a stunning, deep blue neck, a white breast with a black stripe and greenish-blue head and body feathers.

It has been given the name Oreotro-

China and Hong Kong in coordinating with pertinent Chinese authorities.

He said they would gather information about KC Chan, a.k.a Chan Fhonie or Chan Yee Wah Albert, and Fung Ping Cheung, a.k.a. James Fong. Chan is reportedly a resident of Shenzhen City, China, while Fung is a holder of a British passport issued in Hong Kong.

“In this regard, we would appreciate the assistance of the Philippine Embassy and Consulate in China and Hong Kong, in coordinating with the appropriate authorities

in their respective jurisdictions, to gather any pertinent information on any official action, investigation or cooperation with local authorities that may have undertaken regarding the above-mentioned individuals including criminal records, if any,” Gordon said in his letter.

“The PDEA seems to have arrived at the same conclusion that we have― that international drug syndicates, mostly run by Chinese, are operating in our country.”

Gordon said it was also possible that Andy Cheng, the Hong Kong man they were looking for, who had been tagged as the local mastermind behind the shipment in Cavite, was also the man they were after.

“The PDEA can use any information that may come out in our investigation to strengthen cases they file to ensure that the perpetrators will be nailed,” Gordon said in the wake of reports that the alleged Chinese local mastermind was now the focus of the PDEA’s investigation.

The Blue Ribbon Committee, which Gordon heads, is investigating the importation to the Philippines, through the Bureau of Customs, of magnetic lifters containing drugs.

A joint operative of Customs and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency seized an abandoned container at the Manila International Container Terminal. Inside were two electronic magnetic lifters found to have 355 kilos of shabu concealed inside them.

Similar magnetic lifters were also discovered in a warehouse in Cavite with indications that they were also used to store drugs.

To further shed light on the operation of the syndicate smuggling illegal drugs in the country, Gordon also asked Cayetano to direct the Philippine Embassies in Hanoi and Kuala Lumpur to contact the shipper companies used to transport the magnetic lifters to the Philippines to get information about the said shipments.

With Maricel V. Cruz

Bertiz vows to submit self to House ethics probe the Makabayan Bloc, said.

The ACTS Teachers party-list on Tuesday also slammed Bertiz for his arrogance in breaching airport protocols.

Benjamin Valbuena, the party-list’s second nominee for the 2019 congressional elections, said Bertiz violated the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees when he displayed arrogance and showed an airport security personnel his security pass when the latter asked him to remove his shoes at the NAIA Terminal 2 on Saturday morning.

Meanwhile, Airport and transportation authorities on Tuesday reminded air travelers to comply with strict security protocols at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, saying the measure was being enforced to prevent untoward incidents at the facility and ensure the safety of passengers.

The Manila International Airport Authority and the Office for Transportation Security made the reminder following an incident involving Bertiz who was caught on a video, showing him not following the screening procedure at the NAIA Terminal 2.

Bertiz said he will initiate the filing of a resolution calling for an investigation by the House ethics committee over the NAIA incident.

“I acted voluntarily to file [a resolution] with the help of the Committee on Ethics to have a motu proprio investigation on the incident for my behavior,” said Bertiz who earlier admitted that what he did was inappropriate and uncalled for.

The House ethics committee, led by Agri Party-list Rep. Delphine Gan Lee, scheduled Wednesday its probe on the airport incident involving Bertiz. With Rio N. Araja and Joel E. Zurbano

itary and the police to shift from crime prevention to “neutralization” tactics against the NPA. “We are not into crime prevention.

Even the police are now involved. It’s now neutralization. Then, we can solve the problem,” the President said in his speech Tuesday before members of the Philippine Army’s 803rd Infantry Brigade in Catarman, Northern Samar.

“We are now on netralization mode.

There is no need to produce a warrant [of arrest],” the President added. “If you get them, it’s neutralization. I will be criticized but I’m telling you, I am guiding you what is practical and what is true and legal.”

Pangilinan, for his part, said his party had no desire to forcibly remove the President.

“We will not support any unconstitutional approach or unconstitutional move…We swore an oath to uphold and defend this Constitution, and any unconstitutional act, we will not be party to, and we will oppose,” he said.

Pangilinan likewise expressed concern that the military was being used in partisan politics, particularly when it was giving out information to the media about ouster plots.

But Galvez insisted that the military was steering clear of politics.

In the same hearing, Galvez said the communists have reportedly organized students in 10 Manila universities to support an information drive that likened the administration to the martial law regime of the late President Ferdi-

nand Marcos.

Galvez said the communists have also penetrated labor groups who will mobilize against Duterte.

He said they would begin by heightening agitation against the government, as they did during the First Quarter Storm.

He added that the communists wanted to create chaos and force the President’s hand to declare martial law and form a revolutionary government.

In a statement, the CPP said Duterte and his minions in the AFP have gone “completely cuckoo” in claiming that they were “pushing” the President to declare martial law.

“Again, there is no Red October plot orchestrated by the CPP. The more Duterte and the AFP are trying to prove this so-called plot, the more they sound incredulous,” the communists said.

“To now claim that the CPP will create chaos, supposedly like in Plaza Miranda to force Duterte to fulfill his most ardent wish, is at best, lazy and clumsy.

Why should the CPP push for martial law nationwide when it has repeatedly condemned and called for the lifting of martial law in Mindanao? Why should it push for something which has relentlessly inflicted atrocious crimes on the people?” it asked.

Also on Tuesday, the Associated Labor Unions-Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (ALU-TUCP) denied allegations that it is being recruited by the communists to help in their alleged “Red October” plot. With Vito Barcelo

of President Rodrigo Duterte, Philippine National Police spokesman Benigno Durana Jr. said.

Buquing was not included in the Duterte administration’s narco-list.

The Philippine National Police said it had formed a task force to probe Buquing’s killing.

“We would like to assure the families of the victims that the PNP is committed to getting to the bottom of this case,” PNP

Chief Oscar Albayalde said in a statement.

Senator Bam Aquino said Tuesday he wanted to look into the recent killings and attacks on local government officials in different parts of the country following the assassination of several mayors and vice mayors in the past months.

“We should take a stand against a culture of violence in our country. Filipino families are being left and hurt in the conflicts and killings,” Aquino said.

Malacañang quickly denounced the latest Buquing’s killing.

“Like all killings, we condemn it.

And we commit to conducting a fast

investigation to uncover the individuals behind this latest attack,” Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque told reporters According to previous reports, 12 town mayors and six vice mayors have been killed under the Duterte administration.

The Palace, however, did not set aside the notion that the forthcoming midterm elections next year might be one of the motives for the killing.

“Though I am not saying the killing is justified, right now is the season of politics,” Roque said. With Dexter A. See, Francisco Tuyay, Macon RamosAraneta and PNA

chilus cyanolaemus, or blue-throated star. The discovery was announced Thursday in a journal called The Auk: Ornithological Advances.

The bird lives at an altitude of 3,000 to 3,700 meters (10,000 to 12,000 feet) in an area near the Pacific coast that straddles the provinces of Loja and El Oro. Researchers estimate there are only 300 of these birds and say its habitat is shrinking dramatically. Mining in the area also threatens it.

“It is a species that is in severe dan-

ger,” Sornoza, who works at the National Biodiversity Institute, told AFP. Ecuador is small but very rich in biodiversity. For instance, it is home to 132 species of hummingbird.

These birds are very well documented so the discovery of a new one is extremely rare. This is the first such find in 30 years, said Sornoza.

Also on the team with Sornoza were researchers Juan Freile of the Ecuadoran Committee of Ornithological Registries, Swede Jonas Nilsson of the bird

observatory Wild Sumaco, Denmark’s Niels Krabbe from the University of Copenhagen and Elisa Bonaccorso, a Venezuelan who teaches at San Francisco University in Quito.

Hummingbirds are distinguished by their colors and the shape of their beak.

“Each one represents the colors of the jewels you can see in the world: Diamond, ruby, amethyst,” said Sornoza, who has studied birds for 30 years and is so crazy about them he imitates bird song. AFP

By Maricel V. Cruz ACTS OFW Party-list Rep. John Bertiz III said Tusday he will have himself investigated by the House of Representatives’ committee on ethics in light of his alleged bullying of an airport personnel at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2 on Saturday.

He made the statement even as the Gabriela Women’s Party on Tuesday slammed him for his remarks against women’s regular menstrual cycle.

The group’s Emmi de Jesus said Gabriela and other women’s advocates do not have any problems with the regular menstrual cycle but her group was alarmed by Bertiz’s display of arrogance, which De Jesus said was unacceptable.

“Women should not be stereotyped as arrogant and entitled during their menstrual period,” De Jesus, a member of

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When Trillanes asked if the alleged coup plotters had indeed coalesced, Galvez said no.

Pangilinan also categorically asked Galvez about the coalition being claimed by Malacañang.

“So there is no coalition between the Liberal Party, [Magdalo], and the Communist Party to oust Duterte?” Pangilinan said.

“Sir, none sir,” Galvez said.

But Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque insisted that “individual members” of the Liberal Party were involved in efforts to oust Duterte.

“I am sure individual members of the Liberal Party, as the President said, maybe in collusion with the CPP-NPA,” Roque said.

He insisted that Trillanes has repeatedly called for the President’s ouster.

“He [Trillanes] has actually verbalized time and again, that he [Duterte] should step down, that he should be removed from office and sent to jail.

There’s absolutely no inconsistency,” said Roque.

“It could be true that there is no formal memorandum of agreement between the party itself and the CPPNPA, [but] it does not prevent leading personalities within the Liberal Party from [colluding with the communists],” Roque added.

Duterte, for his part, ordered the mil-

11th mayor...

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rice teams...

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He said the team will reject rice that would not meet government requirements or is infested with insects like weevil. He added the inspection will cover all rice shipments in the country, whether imported by the private sector or the government, The measures will begin with the country’s next rice importation, he said.

Last month, the NFA Council approved the importation of rice totaling 750,000 metric tons for sale nationwide at lower price to increase market availability of affordable rice.

The discovery of weevil or “bukbok” raised concern over some rice NFA imported this year.

The Trade department, meanwhile, has tapped top retailers SM Supermarket and Robinsons Supermarket to sell 350,000 metric tons of imported rice to provide immediate relief to the tight supply of the staple in the local market.

The proposed importation is a pilot undertaking in price setting that should fix the price of the imported staple at P38 per kilogram, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said.

Also on Tuesday, the government said it would allow traders to import an additional 150,000 tons of raw or refined sugar before the year ends to bring down prices.

In June, the government said it would import up to 200,000 tons of sugar to plug a shortage in domestic supply. Othel Campos with PNA

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Operators of utility vehicle express wanted a P2 increase per kilometer.

On July 6, the LTFRB granted a P1 increase in the minimum jeepney fare from P8 to P9 in Metro Manila, Central Luzon and Calabarzon area.

The Department of Finance forecast that inflation could have reached 6.4 percent in September, while the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said it could have reached 6.8 percent.

On the ANC program Headstart, Diokno said both outcomes were possible, but he would rather wait for the official numbers to be released Friday.

But he played down an inflation rate of 6.8 percent, saying “it won’t really make a big difference.”

Also on Tuesday, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian said the country’s economic managers should run inflation scenarios should the price of Brent crude stay at $80 a barrel.

“We should also be ready to suspend the second round of the TRAIN law in 2018 should the Brent price remain at $80,” Gatchalian said, referring to excise taxes on fuel imposed under the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Law. Most importantly, he said, the government should move to shield those who bear the brunt of rising oil prices and fully implement the Pantawid Pasada subsidy program for public utility drivers as soon as possible.

Senator Grace Poe, meanwhile, expressed alarm over the unabated rise in oil prices, which have gone up for eight consecutive weeks.

She urged the government to undertake measures to protect consumers from possible abuses by the oil companies.

“We are calling anew the Department of Transportation and Department of Social Welfare and Development to hasten the distribution of help and benefits based on the TRAIN Law,” she said.

Poe also called on the Department of Energy to properly monitor pump prices in gasoline stations nationwide and ensure that oil firms are not engaged in profiteering and abusive practices.

Oil prices are expected to further rise in the coming months due to tightening global oil supply. World oil traders are also predicting a $100/barrel scenario before the end of the year, which will have a direct impact on local pump prices.

The research group IBON said the administration’s anti-inflation measures were “reckless stop-gap measures” that would hurt domestic agriculture, displace farmers and fishers, and worsen food insecurity.

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kilometers east of Tuguegarao packing maximum sustained winds of 200 kms per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 245 km/hr.

It was moving northwest at 15 km/h.

“The typhoon is forecast not to make landfall if it does not change its track,” Quitlong told the Manila Standard.

“Queenie” is expected to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Friday, he said.

Metro Manila and the rest of National Capital Region will only experience isolated rains.

News Collection for first sem ‘satisfactory’ —BIR execs THE Bureau of Internal Revenue has reported to congressmen that its collection in the first semester of the year has been satisfactory as it exceeded its collection target by P33.9 billion, or 3.72 percent.

At a hearing of the House Committee on Ways and Means, chaired

by Rep. Estrellita Suansing of Nueva Ecija, BIR Commissioner Caesar Dulay expressed satisfaction over the agency’s collection record, saying that it collected P947 billion. The agency’s collection target for the first six months of the year was P913 billion.

Suansing’s panel conducted the hearing in response to House Resolutions 359 and 2014, which call for an investigation, in aid of legislation, on the proper implementation of Republic Act 9335 or the Attrition Act of 2005.

However, upon questioning by Suansing, BIR Assistant Commissioner for Collection Services Alfredo Misajon admitted that the agency has been missing its target since 2016, with a deficit of 2.73 percent in 2016 and 2.65 percent in 2017.

“We are now strictly monitoring the filing and payments of taxpayers.

In short, it is the very close monitoring that makes the improvement in the collection effort, as far as the BIR is concerned,” Deputy Commissioner for Operations Arnel Guballa said.

Guballa also revealed that the agency has implemented some innovations that could have also assisted in enhancing its performance—the campaign against tax evasion and “Oplan Kandado,” which aims to strengthen the BIR’s imposition of prescribed administrative sanctions for non-compliant taxpayers.

However, Suansing questioned the effectiveness of these alleged innovations, saying that there was P30.06 billion or 8.83-percent deficit in collection of BIR regional offices.

Guballa explained that the implementation of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Law “significantly affected the regions because of the lowering of income tax.”

Suansing noted that the TRAIN Law could have even been the reason why the agency exceeded its target in the first semester of this year. “I can attribute your achieving your goal to the Tax Reform. It is not because of your own effort, I am just worried that you have posted negative in regional revenues as against the large number of taxpayers,” she said.

‘Six Cabinet members set to file CoCs’

By Nat Mariano MALACAÑANG said on Tuesday that six Cabinet members might file their certificate of candidacies in the following weeks.

Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said the Cabinet members might quit their posts to prepare early for 2019 elections.

“From my last count, there will be around six who might file their certificate of candidacy for national and local posts,” Roque said during a Palace press briefing.

The Palace official, however, refused to name the six Cabinet members but noted that three of them wish to join the national elections and the other three are eyeing local positions.

Asked when he will file his own cetificate of candidacy, Roque, a former Kabayan party-list representative, said he would still have to talk with the President.

“I do not know, honestly. I need to talk to him [Duterte], he’s my appointing authority. However I decide, I need to talk to the President,” he said.

The President has repeatedly floated the idea of his Cabinet secretaries seeking senatorial positions next year.

Aside from Roque, Duterte’s top referrals for senatorial candidates are his trusted aide Christopher “Bong” Go, and Presidential Political Adviser Francis Tolentino.

Duterte previously urged Filipinos to “choose the best” leaders running in the Senate, stressing that some incumbent senators are better off replaced for being noisy and arrogant.

He then promised to give the public a clean and peaceful 2019 midterm elections.

The Commission on Elections has set the filing of certificates of candidacy for the 2019 elections to Oct. 11 to 17.

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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2018 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

HIGHER OIL PRICE.

A gas station attendant fills up a vehicle with fuel at a station along Taft Avenue in Manila on Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2018. Oil firms earlier in the day hiked prices of diesel

by P1.35 per liter, gasoline

by P1 per liter, and kerosene by P1.10 per liter.

Norman Cruz

MM teachers hit DepEd for ‘inhumane’ conditions

By Rio N. Araja

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AYING they are overworked but underpaid, teachers in Metro Manila on Tuesday slammed the Department of Education for failure to address their concerns.

At a news conference in Quezon City, Raymond Basilio, Alliance of Concerned Teachers Philippines secretary-general, called on the DepEd to “liberate teachers from non-teaching duties and create items for education support personnel.”

“Honor our teachers,” they added.

“We are not machines, just like the robots,” group member Ruby Anna Bernardo, said.

The metro teachers threatened to stage a mass mobilization on the World Teachers Day on Oct. 5 in the afternoon to demand a wage increase and “more humane working conditions.”

Basilio said 5,000 teachers in the National Capital Region would gather in Mendiola in Manila on that day.

He said teachers are made to deliver other tasks beyond their job description, particularly under the results-based performance management system

(RPMS) and Philippine Professional Standards for Teachers (PPST), and the K-12 program.

“We have a meager salary but have a heavy workload. We do not have enough teachers, leaving us with no option but to accommodate 60 to 70 students in a class. We lack instructional materials and other teaching modules.

We do not even have enough copies of the teachers’ [curriculum] guide [for the K-12 program],” said Bernardo, a teacher in Quezon City’s Sta. Lucia High School.

“Schools do not have enough nonteaching personnel. We, teachers, sometimes are asked to perform the jobs of a [school] registrar, a clerk to do the teachers’ payroll, a nurse, a canteen manager and so many other things,” she told reporters.

“We are even tasked to check the beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang

Pilipino Program and the health status of the schoolchildren, and to do other paperworks,” she said.

ACT Philippines also opposed the RPMS-PPST policy, tools to assess the quality of teaching.

“DepEd told us they have lessened our paper works but that’s not true. We need to submit documented reports as evidence that we have worked well so we could be able to get our bonuses and other incentives,” Bernardo said.

Joselyn Martinez, ACT Philippines chairperson, along with Basilio, called on the Government Service Insurance System to withdraw its “due and demandable” letter asking teachers to avail of its financial assistance designed to buy back their loans from private lending institutions accredited by DepEd. “DepEd should have prioritized the salary deduction of our GSIS loans, and not of our loans from private lending institutions, leaving our government loans behind,” she said.

“DepEd is blaming the GSIS for noncollection of our government loans. On the other hand, the GSIS is also passing on the blame to DepEd. At the end of the day, teachers are at the losing end,” she added.

Passage of Expanded Maternity Leave bill lauded

By Vito Barcelo LABOR groups lauded the approval of the proposed Expanded Maternity Leave law by Congress’ bicameral conference committee.

The Partido ng Manggagawa and Trade Union Congress of the Philippines said the Expanded Maternity Law would give working mothers more time to take care of their newly born child and rest before going back to work.

“It’s really the fruit of collective efforts. It became possible when women workers, trade unions and allies in Congress work hand in hand and doing campaigns in many forms just to make things done for the sake of women, their children and their families,” PM secretary-general Judy Miranda said.

The PM is part of Workers for EML,

a coalition of women groups in the trade union movement which pushed for the passage of EML in both houses of Congress.

The Associated Labor Union-Trade Union Congress of the Philippines, on the other hand, likewise welcomed the development and considered it as “a sweet victory for Filipino women workers.”

“The Expanded Maternity Leave measure is the country’s non-cash investment in producing a healthy, intelligent and well-developed future breed of Filipino workers without losing the wages and benefits of nursing moms during maternity period and without sacrificing their health and wellbeing,” ALU-TUCP vice president and Women’s Committee head Eva B. Arcos said.

Once signed into law by the President, the current 60-day maternity leave benefits will be increased to 105 days.

This is one week higher than the ILO standard of 98 but it falls short of the 120 days approved by the Senate.

The leave benefit is transferrable. It also increases the paternity leave by 100 percent and gives additional 15 days for solo parent. It likewise provides for benefit is 60-day leave benefits for cases of miscarriage or termination of pregnancy.

Over at the Senate, Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan noted that longer maternity leaves will be better for moms, babies and families.

“We laud Congress for standing up for the cause of women and families with the passage of the Expanded Maternity Leave measure,” he said.

Senate, House urged to probe 2016 polls ‘anomaly’

By Rey E. Requejo THE Senate and the House of Representatives have been urged to conduct separate legislative inquiries into the allegation of election irregularities in the 2016 elections, particularly the illegal transmission of votes before the actual conduct of elections on May 10 that they claimed subverted the sovereign will of the people to elect their leaders.

The Philippine Constitution Association and Tangulang Demokrasya Inc. and other civic organizations also called on the Philippine National Police and National Bureau of Investigation to probe the alleged illegal transmission of votes and recommend the prosecution of the perpetrators behind the fraudulent scheme to sabotage the results of the May 10, 2016 polls.

Lawyer Manuel Lazaro, chairman of the Philconsa, underscored the need for both Houses of Congress to conduct separate legislative investigations into the privilege speech of Senate President Vicente Sotto III on the alleged illegal transmission of votes and other election irregularities as early as May 8, 2016 or before the May 10, 2016 elections because it raises serious doubts on the mandate of the proclaimed elected officials.

“We are urging the Senate and House of Representatives to conduct separate inquiry into the illegal transmission of votes and electoral activities before the May 10, 2016 elections and open and audit the Automated Election Process of 2016 elections that subverted, plundered and altered the results of the elections. This ejaculated the lingering doubts whether the proclaimed elected officials are de jure or de facto officers,” Lazaro said, in a statement.

“Philconsa is dumbfounded of the horrifying expose of the Senate President Vicente Sotto III on his patriotic speeches on March 6, 2018 and March 14, 2018 unmasking the documented illegal transmissions of votes and other election activities as early as May 8, 2016 before the election on May 10, 2016 were not adequately noticed and publicized,” Lazaro said.

Ex-Gen. Palparan sent to Bilibid

By Rey E. Requejo

COMBAT HELMET. 3M president and managing director Ariel Lacsamana gets ready to present the state of the art protective head gear (3M Combat II Ballistic Helmet L110) to PNP Chief Oscar Albayalde and other police officers. Manny Palmero

A BULACAN regional trial court has ordered the immediate transfer of convicted retired Army Major Gen. Jovito Palparan Jr. from custody of the Armed Forces of the Philippines to the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said the Malolos, Bulacan Regional Trial Court, Branch 15, junked the motion of Palparan seeking to defer his commitment in the national penitentiary pending resolution of his motion for reconsideration on his conviction in the abduction of two University of the Philippines Los Baños students who have remained missing for 12 years.

With the court ruling, Guevarra said that there is no more reason for Palparan to stay with AFP’s custody.

“I have personally discussed the matter with AFP chief of staff Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr., who assured me

that the AFP custodial center will immediately comply without prejudice to the resolution of any further judicial review,” the Justice secretary said, in a text message.

Galvez said the convicted retired general dubbed by human rights groups as “The Butcher” is expected to be transferred to NBP tomorrow (Thursday) morning.

Palparan and his two co-accusedLt. Col. Felipe Anotado and S/Sgt. Edgardo Osorio - were found guilty for kidnapping and serious illegal detention of missing UPLB students Sherlyn Cadapan and Karen Empeño, who were snatched in Barangay San Miguel, Hagonoy, Bulacan in June 2006.

They were also ordered to indemnify the family of the missing with P100,000 in civil damages and P200,000 as moral damages in the verdict handed down by Judge Alexander Tamayo.

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Opinion

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2018

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Why dynasties thrive TO THE POINT EMIL P. JURADO

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

In the Senate, I have been told, candidates have to fork out over P500 million to run a viable campaign.

Still, there are other dynasties who prey on the poor. There are also dynasties that get involved in drugs or gambling, like the Parojinog family of Ozamis City.

The argument against dynasties is that they deprive people who are more qualified from holding office.

This is a cycle. The poor support the dynasties because they need to. They cannot expect help from candidates who have no funds.

This is where the problem begins.

There are those who spread money around during the campaign – and try to recover it through corrupt practices while I office.

This is Philippine politics, like it or not.

I CAN’T believe Special Assistant to the President Christopher Go is not running for the Senate at the rate his photo and name are appearing on the papers every day.

He must think people are stupid. He keeps denying what is obvious.

As a voter, what I’d like to know is where Go is coming from—his academic background, his experience in governance and legislation. All I know about him is that he is always at the background when the President is around. He also likes taking selfies.

That is, of course, aside from the fact that he belongs to a family of Davao City contractors. The Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism has re*** ported that the family firm had corAt this point, I want to ask what Presnered some P4.2 billion worth of public ident Duterte achieved in zeroing in on works contracts. his staunch critic, Is loyalty to the Senator Antonio President now a Trillanes. ticket to the SenI say nothing ate? except make TrilPeople seek their lanes the face of help for all kinds of *** the opposition, In two weeks or needs. something the senso, candidates for ator does not even the mid-term elecdeserve. tions in 2019 will The President apparently acted be filing their cerupon the advice of Solicitor General tificates of candidacy.

If there is anything that is certain, Jose Calida, whom Trillanes was init is that political dynasties will once vestigating for his family’s security again dominate the polls. We can start agency that had snagged contracts with with the Duterte family in Davao. Pres- various government offices. idential daughter Sara Duterte Carpio Note that during the 25 days that will run for reelection as city mayor. Trillanes was living in the Senate to Former vice mayor Paolo Duterte will avoid arrest, only a sparse crowd was run for Congress. seen rallying for him. This shows he I have nothing against political dy- does not enjoy much credibility. nasties per se because I know that some I don’t even know why Trillanes beof them are good for their communities. came a senator. He is abrasive and arThe people can always go to them when rogant. As a presidential critic, he is a they are in need. They have money to small voice in the wilderness. This is, I spread around. believe, a mistake of the President.

Some political dynasties in fact serve Trillanes is now being accused of the common good. That is the reason not filing his application for amnesty members of a political dynasty are wel- and not admitting his guilt in the coup comed by voters. agains then-President Gloria MacapaLest I am misunderstood, I see noth- gal Arroyo. The issue still has to be deing wrong with Sara Duterte running cided by the Supreme Court. for re-election. She has done a lot of good for her city. Likewise, Paolo *** should run for Congress if that is what This month is dedicated to teachers. the people want.

I wish to commend teachers who comBecause of poverty, people rely a lot mit to this noble profession. I know on political dynasties to help them. their travails and sacrifices.

This is why elections cost a lot.

I belong to a family of teachers – my How many voters are needed for a mother, father, brother and I were all candidate to win? See how our elec- teachers. tions are getting more prohibitive as the years go by? www.emiljurado.weebly.com

W

Time to get real

HEN the rate of inflation hit 5.2 percent in June, the government said this was higher than usual but no cause for alarm. A Palace spokesman said inflation was higher because there was more money going around as a result of economic activity tied to the administration’s Build, Build, Build program.

The tune changed when inflation continued to rise to 5.7 percent in July.

President Duterte’s economic managers issued a joint statement saying inflation would peak in the third quarter, then taper off by the end of the year.

This time, however, they acknowledged that the rising price of rice was a major factor.

“Part of the supply problem is the country’s declining rice stock inventory -- caused by weather disturbances in the country and in other rice-producing countries like Thailand and Vietnam -- which is taking a toll on the prices of rice,” said the joint economic team, composed of Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia and Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno.

The Palace said it would crack down on rice hoarders and would push to liberalize the importation of rice in the belief that prices would come down once supply goes up.

Then August came and inflation rose to 6.4 percent, a nine-year high, aggra-

vated by rising world oil prices and the weakening of the peso vis-a-vis the US dollar.

Still, the Budget chief Diokno said the rate was “manageable,” and added that some manufacturers were being opportunistic in the way they raised prices then used the administration’s tax reform law as an excuse.

“We are using the power of the state to ask for cooperation from manufacturers. If there’s no reason for them to increase prices, then they shouldn’t,” he said at the time.

By way of assuring the public, he added: “I’ve seen worse inflations. I’ve been in government for 50 years.”

By September, however, it was clear that the government’s projection that inflation would peak in the third quarter was more of a prayer than a promise.

While the economic managers were predicting inflation would stay at 6.4 percent—the same as August— the central bank’s Department of Economic Research was predicting a rate as high as 7 percent, driven by higher prices of

rice, fuel and some agricultural products as well as the weakening peso.

By early October, even Diokno acknowledged that the September rate could rise to 6.7 percent. Still, Diokno sought to play this down, saying “it won’t make a big difference now.”

Pernia, on the other hand, said the government is still bullish on the country’s economic growth, banking on “solid macroeconomic fundamentals,” even as the Asian Development Bank cut its growth forecast for the Philippine economy from 6.8 percent to 6.4 percent.

None of this is terribly reassuring, particularly for the working men and women who see their earnings eroded every day by high food and fuel prices.

While the economic managers insist that the excise tax slapped on fuel products as a result of its tax reform program contribute very little to inflation, common sense and real world experience tell us otherwise. When the price of gasoline rises, so does the cost of transporting goods—including food. Surely, this is not too difficult to understand.

Mssrs. Diokno, Dominguez and Pernia also need to understand that in the real world, nobody lives on “sound macroeconomic fundamentals” or promises that all this will blow over.

It’s time to get real.

Selective security screening in Manila, then Bertiz has a point in being outraged. If our own airport personnel discriminate against a Filipino who’s a lawmaker at that, then that is why China does not respect our sovALEJANDRO ereignty over the West Philippine Sea. DEL ROSARIO The Chinese continue to push their boundaries nearer our door by militaWE DO not condone the behavior of rizing the South China Sea when they ACT-OFW Party-List Rep. John Bertiz built airports and naval bases on manwho berated an airport security screen- made islands.

The video that went viral showing er, for being too strict on him as a deBertiz scolding the screener was taken parting passenger.

Bertiz alleged, however, that the by another departing passenger. Bertiz same security personnel at the Ninoy demanded that the NAIA office proAquino International Airport Terminal duce a copy of the CCTV tape but was 2 was more lax in checking a depart- denied. He said this request like other ing group of “Chinese-looking” pas- requests for CCTV tapes showing security personnel sengers.

Now, let me planting bullets make clear at the on departing pasoutset there is no sengers or their Perhaps this is why baggage being racial undertone in pilfered were not my statement that the Chinese are treating granted to memthe same strict se- us this way. bers of Congress curity check should who want to inhave been done on the Chinese, if vestigate these indeed they were criminal acts.

Chinese.

Bertiz claimed the security officer was “The Chinese-looking passengers rude in ordering to him to take off his breezed through escorted by an air- shoes even after he showed him his airport staff,” claimed Bertiz, adding they port security pass issued by the MIAA. were not made to take off their shoes Fearing public rebuke, Bertiz has since while he was told to. This is standard apologized for his outburst. Next time security protocol but can be dispensed he should bring his his own cellphone with at the discretion of security staff. camera to take pictures of erring airSince there was no official state- port personnel.

Passenger complaints on bullet plantment from the NAIA management office that the passengers referred to by ing and pilfered baggage have been Bertiz were visiting Asian diplomats or rampant. To be fair, the MIAA has were members of the Chinese Embassy Turn to A5

BACK CHANNEL

Filipino billionaires pines’ richest by ranking the country’s dollar billionaires. Here is the Forbes Ten Richest in the Philippines list: VIRTUAL Henry Sy Sr. $18 billion; 2. Manuel REALITY V. Villar $5 billion; 3, John Gokongwei TONY Jr. $4.4 billion; 4. Jaime Zobel de AyaLOPEZ la $4 billion; 5. Enrique Razon $3.9 billion; 6. Tony Tan Caktiong $3.85 FORBES Magazine has listed the Philip- billion; 7. Lucio Tan $3.8 billion; 8.

Ramon Ang $2.85 billion; 9. George Ty $2.75 billion; and 10. Andrew Tan $2.6 billion.

On the other hand, here is the list of Filipino billionaires compiled by my weekly business magazine, BizNewsAsia. How they were ranked and how their wealth was computed are self-explanatory: Turn to A5

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Chairman Emeritus, Editorial Board

Opinion October 1 CROSSROADS

JONATHAN A. DE LA CRUZ LAST Monday, Oct. 1, the People’s Republic of China celebrated its 69th founding anniversary in grand fashion. Despite its increasingly testy relationship with the United States, the Chinese people put up a grand show of unity and achievement befitting the world’s most populous nation and second-biggest economy.

There’s a lot of things the PROC can be proud of 69 years after the birth of a New China. After its founding under the revered Chairman Mao Zhe Dong, political consolidation and, later, economic emancipation took off with the emergence of a more pragmatic leadership class under then Chairman Deng Xiao Ping.

In a strategic tweaking of its development strategy in 1978, this Dengled generation of leaders, many of whom were with Mao in the struggle for a New China, combined revolutionary convictions with economic liberalization in what was dubbed the “reform and opening up” state policy.

Within that four-decade window from 1978 to the present, China proceeded to break out and establish itself as a country to reckon with, a model for the rest of the developing world. Consider the following benchmarks: • a 21-time growth of its gross domestic product from US$ 364 billion to US$ 52.7 trillion; • an annual average growth rate of 6.5 percent; • GDP per capita spiked from a low of 365 renminbi(RMB) to 60000RMB; • drastically decreased poverty index from 87 percent to 3 percent; and

• the lifting of 700 million of its 1.3billion population out of poverty These figures are truly outstanding by any measure and decidedly a source of pride for the Chinese people.

But more than any of these economic indicators ,what is remarkable is the fact that China has remained one, big and united country despite all the pressures and struggles it had to endure through the years.

There were the internal purges and upheavals from its founding in 1949 to its active support of “revolutionary struggles worldwide” during

China will emerge from the arrows of 2018 even more empowered.

the Cold War. It is believed that the Chinese Communist Party was heavily involved in the reestablishment of the Communist Party of the Philippines in 1969 which continued quite significantly up to the uprising in EDSA in 1986. In the ‘60s up to the ‘80s, almost in tandem with the Soviet Union, China exported revolution world wide—within ASEAN all the way to Africa—under a number of guises. In the Korean War in the 1950s, China sent troops and equipment to fight alongside the Koreans in the south.

The same was done in Vietnam where the Chinese decided to assist the North and the guerrillas in the South in the run up to unification.

With political stability came economic undertakings which the Chinese, with just a little prodding, decided to take a lot. Within the four

decades after opening up, China has one of the world’s longest and bestmaintained railway system part of which goes all the way to the tallest mountain ranges in the Himalayas.

It has also outdistanced the United States in the development of Artificial Intelligence and is slowly but surely getting organized for a technology driven economy in the 21st century.

Lately, with the introduction of the Belt and Road Initiative (BR Initiative) in 2013, China is now busy building bridges to all countries and continents in the entire world. Together with its twin, Maritime Silk Road, it is expanding its reach to parts unknown, areas not usually visited by the US and its European allies. As of July this year, China has signed BR I cooperation agreements with 100 countries and international organizations.

Thousands of projects have been proposed for funding and related support by various countries including the Philippines. To ensure that these connectivity and development projects take off from the planning stage to actual completion and utilization, China set up the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank which triggered a rush of participation of countries and NGOs including the Philippines.

Given these developments over the years and the know resiliency and work ethic of the Chinese there is doubt in my mind that in this century China will be able to hurdle the pressures and the tests being thrown its way by the critics, here and abroad. It will emerge from the arrows of 2018 even more empowered and, hopefully, more sensitive to the issues and concerns not only of its “neighbors”in Asia and the Pacific but all others who have started warming up to its initiatives for global security and development.

Selective...

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acted on these complaints which are lic official and certainly not a laughing now less with the suspension of a few matter. Yet, Communications Secretary security personnel.

Martin Andanar defended Uson’s continued stay at his office by saying “the *** President appointed her and let’s reOn another mystery at Malacañang, spect his decision to keep her.” Andanar questions are being asked why Mocha should get an A for loyalty.

Uson appears untouchable. Uson has Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque done enough damage to the image of the is doing a better job of parrying off Duterte administration yet she remains as brickbats against Digong than Andathe Assistant Secretary of the Presidential nar does. On the President’s statement Communications Operations Office. that he’s only sin is the killing of illegal Aside from not knowing her basic drug traffickers, Roque said the alleged Philippine geography as shown by her admission should not be taken seriously misinformation that Mayon Volcano is as he explained that the President was in Camarines Sur, Uson has also been merely taunting his critics. Roque said publicly denounced for making fun of the statement delivered before the milithe government’s proposed federalism tary establishment was made to highform of government. More recently, she light the fact that President Duterte has was shown laughing with her sidekick not stolen any money from the public blogger Drew Olivar who was imitating coffers and that his only sin was “killthe sign language used by persons with ing drug suspects.” disabilities.

Whether said in jest or taken out of These are serious breaches by a pub- context, the President should be careful

in what he says. His critics will readily pounce on it and as they said they would use the President’s admission as evidence in a case of human rights violations to be filed before the International Criminal Court.

The President’s supporters are quick to claim that the ICC, from which Duterte wants to withdraw Philippine membership, has no jurisdiction over the Philippine president. May we remind his supporters that it was what Serbian president Slobodan Milosevic thought so too before he was turned over to the ICC tribunal by his successor and the new Serbian government.

Milosovic died from cardiac arrest in his prison cell before the ICC could hand down a guilty verdict. We don’t wish the same fate for President Duterte. There is still time to change his ways to being a circumspect President rather than often shooting from the— not the hip, but the—lips.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2018

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mst.daydesk@gmail.com

The political pot boils SO I SEE LITO BANAYO THE mayor of Sudipen in La Union was killed in an ambush the other day. His wife the vice mayor, as of this writing is in the hospital for injuries sustained during the ambush.

There will be more such incidents as the run-up towards the hotly contested mid-term elections nears. Dynasties will want to perpetuate their hold on power, and rivals sometimes think the only way to stop such entrenched power is to eliminate the holders with extreme prejudice.

Here in Taiwan, legislators engage in shouting matches and at times, fisticuffs, right in the halls of the Legislative Yuan. But it ends there. Politically motivated violence is not the mode of conduct between rivals.

It is as if our politicians have not transcended the feudal nature of their hold on leadership. And until we correct the system that breeds this culture of patronage and money politics, the sporadic acts of violence will prevail, as much as vote-buying has become rule rather than exception.

tor for only three years, opting to run for mayor in 2007, when Mayor Lito Atienza’s three terms expired.

Lim won, with the support of the then-detained Erap.

But relations between Lim and Erap soured, and in a surprising turn of events, the former president shifted his political base from San Juan to Manila, and challenged Lim. Erap won, not once but twice, over Lim, and now, on his last of three possible terms, the nonagenarian Lim is spoiling for another attempt at dethroning the reigning Erap.

Spoiler in the grudge fight is former vice mayor Isko Moreno, who ran unsuccessfully as senator in 2016 under the Grace Poe-Chiz Escudero ticket.

Moreno was Mayor Atienza’s protégé as councilor for three terms, later becoming first, Lim and then Erap’s vice mayor.

This is going to be an interesting fight: an incumbent octogenarian, a comebacking nonagenarian, and a much younger challenger.

Moreno, now DSWD undersecretary, will turn 44 this month, young enough to be Lim’s grandson, young enough to be Erap’s son.

The 64-dollar question could be, who will the Iglesia ni Cristo bless?

*** *** T h e r e In Isabwill be two ela with added contwo new g ressional congresDynasties will districts in sional the prov- want to perpetuate districts, ince of Is- their hold on threeabela, from power, and rivals term confour to six. gressman There will sometimes think Rodito be two more the only way to stop Albano in Laguna, such entrenched will run and so too power is to eliminate for goverin Cavite. nor, and Aklan will the holders with the inhave an extreme prejudice. cu mbent a dd it ional governor, congresBodjie sional disDy will trict as well. be his In fine, we will have more running mate. than 300 members of the But it seems the once monHouse of Representatives, olithic Dy dynasty is torn party-list congressmen in- asunder, with Rep. Napoleon cluded.

Dy and older brother Jun Dy, Will the quality of legis- former congressman and govlation improve with more ernor, at odds with the other members of the House? branch of their family, now led How many of them will have by Governor Bodjie. “periods” similar to ACTSAnd in another unexpected OFW party-list representative turn of events, they have partAniceto Bertiz, who went bal- nered with former Gov. Grace listic when asked by security Padaca, once their politipersonnel at the NAIA to re- cal nemesis, to challenge the move his shoes?

Rodito-Bodjie tandem.

Oh well! As often observed *** —in politics, there are no In the City of Manila, permanent friends, no perthe mayoralty fight will be manent enemies, only peramong three contenders as manent interests. of the last count. There’s the incumbent two-term may*** or, former President Joseph And then of course, there is Ejercito Estrada, who will the battle royale between Erap’s turn 83 years on April 19, two sons, Jinggoy and JV, both 2019, weeks before the date running for senator. JV is inof elections. cumbent gunning for his first There’s 92- or 93-year-old reelection. Jinggoy wants to Fred Lim, maybe more if you stage a comeback, after finishlisten to his detractors, who ing two terms as senator. held the position from 1992 When I asked my former to 1998, when he ran for the boss, now Manila Mayor Erap presidency in a six-way con- when we met at a wedding certest where Joseph Estrada emony last Sunday, he merely won overwhelmingly. shrugged and joked, in charIn 2004, Lim ran for sena- acteristic Erap-ism, “parang tor on the opposition ticket, Ateneo-La Salle kasi.” handpicked by the then deJinggoy graduated from tained Erap, who also made the Ateneo; JV is a La Salle Lim his DILG secretary dur- product. ing his short-lived presidency.

Lim won, but served as senaOnli in da Pilipins!

News

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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2018 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

New PAL path boosts tourism

By Joel E. Zurbano LEGACY carrier Philippine Airlines has announced it is gearing up for the ClarkSan Vicente-Clark commercial flight operation beginning Oct. 28.

The new PAL route came five months after the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines completed the construction of San Vicente Airport which was built to boost the tourism industry in Palawan islands.

San Vicente is a first class municipality on the northwestern side of the main island of the province of Palawan and home to the longest white sand beach in the country with a coastline measuring 14.7 kilometers.

The forthcoming PAL flight operation will provide travelers a direct link to the popular ‘Long Beach’ which spans the coastline of four barangays: Poblacion, New Agutaya, San Isidro and Alimanguan. Although ‘Long Beach’ has a few commercial developments, nearby Port Barton has hotel accommodations and dining establishments.

“The upcoming service will also serve as a gateway to the popular El Nido Island.

Travelers to El Nido will simply have to take the Clark-San Vicente flight and take a two-hour land trip to reach the island.

This brand new route is the answer to the strong clamor for easier connectivity to Palawan’s popular tourist havens,” said PAL Express president Bonifacio Sam. El Nido, a municipality on Palawan island, is known for white-sand beaches, coral reefs and as the gateway to the Bacuit archipelago, a group of islands with steep karst cliffs.

The five times PAL weekly flight service operation (Sunday/Monday/ Wednesday/Friday/Saturday) between Clark and San Vicente will operate, as follows: PR 2662 leaving Clark at 7 am and arrive at 8:40 am in San Vicente, and PR 2663 will leave San Vicente at 9 am and will arrive at 10:40 am in Clark.

The PAL management recently came up with the adjusted flight frequency in support of the government’s decision to temporarily close or limit access to the world famous Boracay for urgent major environmental rehabilitation of the island.

Senate OKs Leyte Day Nov. 8

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

W

ITH 17 affirmative votes, no negative vote and zero abstention, the Senate has passed on third and final reading a bill declaring Nov. 8 as a special non-working holiday in the province of Leyte, in honor of the “extraordinary courage of the unsung heroes of Typhoon Yolanda.”

House Bill 6591 was sponsored by Senator Juan Edgardo Angara, chairman of the Senate Committee on Local Government, with amendments introduced by Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon.

“We carry a duty to remember this part of our history that killed, injured and displaced thousands of Filipinos,” said Angara.

“This is so that we will never forget how far we have come from the chaos and hardship of that fateful day due to Filipino resilience and the spirit of bayanihan,” Angara added.

The holiday, Angara said, is meant to “to salute the resiliency and selflessness of volunteers and organizations who took part and contributed to the recovery and reha-

bilitation of all affected communities.”

“We recognize the need not just to grieve for the victims of national disasters but also to celebrate Filipino’s resiliency and indomitable spirit,” he said.

“Those who perished are not statistics, and those who worked in the recovery and rehabilitation efforts are true heroes who should never be forgotten,” Angara added.

Angara said the holiday would allow Filipinos “to continually reflect on improving our infrastructure and disaster response capability.”

“Tragedies almost always accompany the typhoons and other natural disasters which strike the country almost every month. However, it is important for our communities to band together and help

each other address these disasters so that we, as a nation, can rise above these tragedies,” he said.

On Nov. 8, 2013, Super Typhoon Yolanda, known internationally as “Haiyan,” with sustained winds of 315 kilometers per hour gustiness of up to 380 kph, and storm surges of over four meters, swept through the Philippines, severely affecting the Eastern Visayas area.

Considered as one of the strongest tropical cyclones to make landfall in world history, the typhoon affected almost 12.2 million people, caused more than 6,000 deaths, 27,022 injuries, and left 1,779 persons missing.

The total damage from the calamity was estimated at around P571.1 billion.

‘China rise may lead to new reg’l order’

By Rey E. Requejo

THE rise of China both as economic and military power may lead to a new regional order in Asia, but it is not enough to dethrone the United States as a dominant power in the region in the near future, according to a Japanese expert.

Speaking during a symposium commemorating the 41st founding anniversary of Fukuda “Heart-To-Heart” Doctrine in Manila, professor Dr. Mie Oba of the Tokyo University of Science sounded the alarm bells on the challenges to peace and prosperity in the Southeast Asia, particularly the shift in the balance of power in the region.

Oba said one of the challenges facing the Association of Southeast Asian NaNEW MEMBER. Philippine Constitution Association president and Lakas-CMD Party president Martin Romualdez (2nd left) tions and Japan was the “seismic shift congratulates Tuesday new member Jordan Reyes (2nd right), running for congressman in the 1st District of South Cotabato in in the balance of power” with the rise of the 2019 elections, after an oathtaking at the Social Hall of the Speaker’s office at the House of Representatives. Witnessing the China as dominant power in the region. ceremony are Lakas-CMD Secretary General and Surigao del Sur Rep. Prospero Pichay Jr. (left) and Lakas-CMD VP for Mindanao former “The rise of China has had big impact representative Hussein Pangandaman (right). Ver Noveno on regional circumstances,” Oba said, noting that “this country first achieved large-scale economic development and now, it is mobilizing that expanding power to promote the further build up and modernization of its military.”

More importantly, she added, China would be imprisoned for a few days. guilty to a lesser offense. was pursuing a two-pronged, pro-active

By Maricel V. Cruz Then president of the Philippine Councilors LeagueThe Ombudsman did not oppose the plea bargain and foreign policy by asserting its soverTO AVOID a tedious court trial, former Sarangani board Sarangani Provincial Federation, Ibrahim was said to the charging of the former provincial official with violaeignty in regions such as the South member Hanafi Ibrahim chose to plead guilty at the Sandigan- have received the cash advance to cover the expenses of tion of PD 1445.

China Sea and the East China Sea, then bayan, which promptly ordered him to pay a fine of P1,000. the PCL-SPF provincial assembly on Jan. 24 to 26, 2007.

The Sandiganbayan said: “When queried, accused by demonstrating a regional vision as Ibrahim was charged because of his failure to liquiBut Ibrahim failed to account for the fund within the Ibrahim confirmed that he fully understood the nature found in its Belt and Road Initiative. date a P200,000-cash advance that he received in 2007. prescribed period; this despite demands from the provin- and gravity of his guilty plea. Having pleaded guilty to “This kind of idea and the leaderIn a decision, the anti-graft court’s Sixth Division cial auditor and the Commission on Audit. the offense, accused Ibrahim is deemed to have admitted ship it promotes could lead to the confound Ibrahim “guilty beyond reasonable doubt” for vioIn October 2017, Ibrahim pleaded guilty for the charge all the material facts alleged therein.” struction of a new regional order in lation of Section 89 of Presidential Decree 1445, or the of failure of accountable officer to render account.

The Sixth Division chairman, Associate Justice Sarah Asia,” she said.

Government Auditing Code.

However, his camp would want a plea bargaining Jane Fernandez, wrote the decision. Associate Justices While the leverage of the US is declinIn case Ibrahim failed to pay the fine, the court said he agreement in February 2018 under which he will plead Karl Miranda and Kevin Narce Vivero concurred. ing, Oba said she did not believe “there CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK will be an easy transition of power from Manila the United to China in the near future.

Republic of the Philippines Standard She cited the US continuing efforts Department of Health TODAY CENTRAL OFFICE BIDS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE to keep its commitment to Asia affairs alive by launching its Indo-Pacific SUPPLY, INSTALLATION, CONFIGURATION AND COMMISSIONING OF DOH ICT DISASTER RECOVERY SITE AT CENTER FOR HEALTH DEVELOPMENT III Strategy to support infrastructure deIB No. 2018-301 velopment and financial assistance for 1. The Department of Health (DOH), through the General Appropriations Act of security cooperation.

Ex-Sarangani board member avoids lengthy trial, pleads guilty

2018intends to apply the sum of Twenty Three Million Five Hundred Thousand Philippine Pesos (PhP23,500,000.00) being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) to payments under the contract for the Supply, Installation, Configuration and Commissioning of DOH ICT Disaster Recovery Site at Center for Health Development III under IB No. 2018-301. Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening.

2.

The DOH now invites bids for the procurement of the above-captioned project.

Delivery of the Goods is required within period specified under Section VI. Schedule of Requirements. Bidders should have completed, within the past three (3) years from the date of submission and receipt of bids, a contract similar to the Project, equivalent to at least fifty percent (50%) of the ABC. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instructions to Bidders.

3.

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

House probes leak of P6.8-b shabu intel

Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, partnerships, or organizations with at least sixty percent (60%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines, and to citizens or organizations of a country the laws or regulations of which grant similar rights or privileges to Filipino citizens, pursuant to RA 5183.

4.

Interested bidders may obtain further information from the COBAC Secretariat, G/F, Bldg. 6, Department of Health, San Lazaro Compound and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given above during 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Monday to Friday.

5.

A complete set of Bidding Documents may be acquired by interested Bidders on 03 October – 24 October 2018 from the address above and upon payment of the applicable fee for the Bidding Documents, pursuant to the latest Guidelines issued by the GPPB, in the amount of Twenty Five Thousand Philippine Pesos (PhP25,000.00).

It may also be downloaded free of charge from the website of the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) and the website of the Procuring Entity, provided that Bidders shall pay the applicable fee for the Bidding Documents not later than the submission of their bids.

6.

The DOH will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on 10 October 2018, 10:00 A.M. at the COBAC Conference Room, Ground Floor, Bldg. 6, Department of Health, Sta. Cruz, Manila, which shall beopen to prospective bidders.

7.

Bids must be duly received by the COBAC-B Secretariat at the address below on or before 24 October 2018, 9:00 A.M. All Bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in ITB Clause 18.

Bid opening shall be on 24 October 2018, 9:00 A.M. at the COBAC Conference Room, Ground Floor, Bldg. 6, Department of Health, Sta. Cruz, Manila. Bids will be opened in the presence of the bidders’ representatives who choose to attend at the address above. Late bids shall not be accepted.

8.

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

9.

For further information, please refer to: COBAC-B Secretariat Department of Health San Lazaro Compound Sta. Cruz, Manila Tel. Nos. 651-7800 local 1625 to 1627; 1650 to 52 Facsimile No.: 741-9775; 740-6830 (SGD) MARIA ROSARIO S. VERGEIRE, MD, MPH, CESO IV Assistant Secretary of Health COBAC-B Chairperson

(MS-OCT. 3, 2018)

VENDING IN THE CITY. The unidentified owner of this two-wheel horse-drawn cart, laden with assorted bamboo handicraft, takes a leisurely roll Tuesday along Marcos Highway in Santolan, Pasig after nearly 200 kilometers travel from up north, stopping only at nighttime on the side streets of the well-paved expressway for much-needed rest for both man and horse. Sonny Espiritu

STL’s Oro Swerte donates ambulance unit A SMALL Town Lottery operator, in partnership with the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, has donated one ambulance unit worth P1.45 million to the Provincial Capitol of Compostela Valley Province on Monday, said PCSO general manager Alexander Balutan.

Balutan graced the blessing and turnover of the ambulance unit to support the activities of STL operators, especially its medical and ambulance donation programs.

The ambulance unit was donated by Oro Swerte Gaming and Leisure Corp., headed by its president lawyer Maceste Uy, PCSO’s authorized STL agent for the Province of Compostela Valley.

Oro Swerte, which started operating on Sept.

20, 2017, has about 500 employees, including sales agents and administrative staff.

“Oro Swerte has consistently exceeded its Guaranteed Monthly Retail Receipt [GMRR],”

said lawyer Ravena Joy Rama, branch manager, PCSO Davao del Norte branch, who was also present during the event.

Compostela Valley is located in the Davao Region in Mindanao.

While it is classified as a first class province, agriculture is the major economy of the province that is why ComVal is far from urban centers and hospitals.

The brand new Nissan NV 350 Urvan ambulance unit is equipped with doctor’s seat, foldable stretcher, auxiliary spine board stretcher, blinker, portable flashlight, head immobilizer, medical oxygen tank, steel medicine cabinet, oxygen tank gauge regulator and dehumidifier with nasal cannula, minor first aid kit, ambu bag with resuscitator (adult), minor surgical set, LV bottle holder, ceiling mounted, blood pressure apparatus (aneroid) with stethoscope, and body markings.

THE House committee on dangerous drugs and the committee on good government have established that the P6.8-billion shabu shipment was released as a result of a collusion among unscrupulous officials and employees from at least three government agencies, with the help of the private sector.

The House panels said those who had a hand in the shipment were operatives from the Philippine National Police, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and the Bureau of Customs. They managed to manipulate and allow the entry of supposed P6.8-billion shabu shipment into the country, the House panels said.

The public hearing showed how the intelligence information on the shipment was leaked to certain individuals.

This prompted a BoC official to declare: “You can see how unscrupulous individuals had no qualms about humiliating any BoC officials to show how powerful they are. They want to show the world that they can easily destroy the reputation and cause the removal of any commissioner or top official who wanted to stop them.”

The two houses of Congress are currently investigating the drug shipment allegedly containing four magnetic lifters packed with shabu that slipped past the BoC’s Manila International Container Port.

The BoC official said that drug shipment could enter the country through different ports, not just the MICP, as long as there was connivance among individuals handling the ports.

Sports Fan hit by tee shot loses sight, to sue Ryder Cup LYON—A spectator struck by a golf ball at last weekend’s Ryder Cup said she has lost the sight in her right eye and is planning to sue organizers.

Corine Remande, 49, had travelled to France from Egypt with her husband Raphael to watch the biennial showdown between Europe and the United States, held at Le Golf National club in Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines just outside Paris.

But the avid golf fan’s holiday ended abruptly when a tee shot from American Brooks Koepka veered left, landed among a crowd of spectators on the sixth hole and hit her in the right eye.

US Open champion Koepka swiftly apologised to Remande following the incident.

Remande however told AFP on Monday she planned to seek legal action, claiming there was no warning from officials before the ball hurtled into the gallery.

“Quite clearly, there is responsibility on the part of the organisers,” Remande told AFP as she left the Croix-Rousse hospital in Lyon.

“Officials did not shout any warning as the player’s ball went into the crowd.”

Remande admitted she “appreciated the gesture from the golfer”.

“I tried to stay positive with him so that he didn’t lose his concentration,” she said. “But once I was taken away, I didn’t hear anything from the organizers.”

Remande is set to consult a lawyer on Tuesday with a view to seeking damages.

“More than anything I want them to take care of all the medical bills to make sure there is no risk of infection,” she said.

Remande received first aid on the spot before being transferred to a specialist eye hospital in Paris.

She was then driven to her parents’ home in Lyon after doctors advised her not to fly immediately back to Egypt.

Scans on her eye revealed a “fracture of the right socket and the explosion of the eyeball”, which, she said, surgeons managed to sew back together.

She explained: “However they told me I’d lost the sight in my right eye, and this was what was confirmed to me today [Monday].”

Her husband said: “In the best case scenario, she may be able to see shapes after the bruising eases in a month or so.”

Contacted by AFP via email, the EPGA—the body which governs European golf—said it will “investigate” the incident, which could “take some time”. AFP

PLDT belles return to Superliga P

LDT will be making a return when the Philippine Superliga AllFilipino Conference unwraps on Oct. 30.

PSL chairman Philip Ella Juico said PLDT already confirmed its participation, hiking the total number of clubs to eight in the most prestigious women’s volleyball league in the country.

PLDT will merge with Smart and will be handled by veteran mentor Roger Gorayeb.

National team members Jasmine

Nabor and Gretchel Soltones are set to banner the squad as well as Aiko Urdas, Alyssa Eroa, Angel Cayuna, Czarina Carandang, Jerili Malabanan, Jorelle Singh and Celine Domingo.

Veteran Lizlee Anne Pantone and Lou Ann Latigay are also tipped to make a return after a long absence in the PSL. “After a almost five years, PLDT is finally coming home,” said Juico, a former chairman of the Philippine Sports Commission and president of the Philippine Amateur Track and Field Association.

“We’re very glad to have them back

into our family. We look forward to see them compete against the best club teams in the country and offer intense action and high level of competition.”

PLDT is one of the league’s pioneer teams.

It finished fifth in the league’s inaugural conference and advanced to the semifinals of the Grand Prix with Kaylee Manns and Savannah Noyes of the United States serving as reinforcements.

It competed in the All-Filipino Conference the following year with Sue Roces, Maruja Banaticla, Jem Ferrer, Latigay and Pantone serving as key players.

Then, it transferred to the Shakey’s V-League, the predecessor of the Premier Volleyball League, and stayed there until early this year under the banner of PayMaya.

This time, the team decided to make a return and test its mettle against the likes of reigning champion Petron, F2 Logistics, Foton, Generika-Ayala, Sta. Lucia Realty, Cocolife and sister team Cignal HD. “The players of PLDT have been together for quite some time. We expect them to hit the ground running and give the big guns of the PSL a serious run for their money.”

Yee powers Cocolife Tigers past Supremos DAVAO Cocolife slotman Mark Yee posted a career-high in scoring to power theTigers to an 82-62 demolition of the Caloocan Supremos in the elimination round of 2018 Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League [MPBL] Datu Cup at the Caloocan City Gym recently.

The ex-pro Yee, a prized catch of team owner Claudine Bautista of the Davao LGU, backed by Cocolife president Elmo Nobleza, FVP Joseph Ronquillo and AVP Rowena Asnan, ignited his scoring spree in the second quarter and finished the game with a career-high 29 points for the Tigers’ one-sided victory.

Yee was named Best Player of the Game.

PBA veterans Leo Najorda, who drilled four three point shots, and Bonbon Custodio, who displayed his court generalship, to go with Eman Calo and Billy Ray Robles’ potent offensive thrusts, blew away the home team to establish their second spot in team standings in the south division of the league organized by Sen. Manny Pacquiao.

The Muntinlupa Cagers lead the standings, 8-0.

Supremos Rene Pacquiao, Jess Villahermosa and Joseph Nalus led their team’s cause as they dropped to a 2-8 win-loss record.

“Mark [Yee] sparked the blowout, but it was a team effort as a whole.

They took care the lead for our inspiring seventh win,” said Tigers’ coach Don Dulay.

CAPTION HEAD. f dsjkfdjsf ksd.jfdsf sdkjf ksdfjsdf dsjfdsklf dskjfdsflds dskjf dsfjdsf sdfkjds fkjdsf dksjfds jLino Santos Donald “Don” Gimperoso displays his symbolic winners’s boarding pass to the French tournament. Ram Christian Agustin

Cebuano gamer wins PH’s 1st Red Bull Kumite

By Ram Christian Agustin CEBUANO Donald “Don” Gimperoso will represent the Philippines in the international invitational tournament “Street Fighter V: Arcade Edition” in France after winning the first ever Red Bull Kumite in the country last Saturday at the City of Dreams, Pasay City.

Gimperoso, 31, will be battling it out against a pool of 256 players from around the world in an effort to clinch one of the last two spots from the Last Chance Qualifier that leads to the World Finals.

“Before the competition, it was already a challenge for me because I

needed to find time to practice. Usually, my (free) time is limited, but I did some effort to prepare. I haven’t rested well prior to this, but I definitely did my best to prepare mentally and focus, and also to prepare strategies,” said Gimperoso, who braved through the qualifiers against 48 other players using his main character Akuma, who met an intense head-to-head, nerve-wracking finals’ match against James Prado’s Kolin.

“I will be using Akuma all the way depending on the character whom I will be facing with, and so will my strategy.

I expect to win. My mindset, really, ever since was to win it,” he said. “There are a lot of areas I need to improve on be-

cause for me, practice is really a challenge. Since I’m the one representing the Philippines, I really need to prepare hard and dedicate myself because it’s (tournament) in a matter of weeks.”

Red Bull Kumite’s World Finals on Nov. 11 will feature the best 16 players out of the qualifiers, which consist of the two players from the Last Qualifier and 14 of the best Street Fighter V players invited by Red Bull.

“It’s really obvious that Esports fighting games are growing and I’m really happy for that. I’m proud and happy that I got the win and represent the Philippines. It’s really an honor to represent our country. It’s totally worth the ef-

Sports club donates to BGC foundation

Blue Dragons, Knights post huge triumphs THE Diliman College Blue Dragons and the Letran Knights carved out double-digit wins over the weekend in the 16th Fr. Martin Cup Division 2 basketball tournament.

Joseph Brutas and MJ Enriquez showed the way for the Diliman College Blue Dragons in their 95-77 stopping of the La Consolacion CollegeManila Blue Royals at the St. Placid gymnasium inside San Beda-Manila campus in Mendiola.

The multi-titled Blue Dragons, with Brutas providing 30 points and Enriquez eking out 23 points, marched to their fourth straight win with the Letran Knights in Group B. Allen Mina and Jun Sullera made 12 and 11 points for the Knights in their 92-80 beating of the National University-A Bulldogs.

Enriquez struck hard in the first period, allowing the the Blue Eagles to take charge, 23-16, after 10 minutes.

The other week, Brutas unloaded 17 points in spearheading the Blue Eagles to 90-65, crushing of Arellano University.

Earlier, the University of Perpetual Help-Molino Altas prevailed over the San Sebastian Stags, 84-75, In the junior division, the Diliman Preparatory School Baby Blue Dragons won by default over Rich Golden School Montessori, to remain in contention for the quarterfinals with their 3-1 record.

A7

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2018 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

The Burgos Circle Car Club turns over its donation to the Fort Bonifacio Development Foundation Inc. to promote education.

THE Burgos Circle Car Club, an organization of sports car owners who regularly converge in Bonifacio Global City, partnered with the Fort Bonifacio Development Foundation, Inc. to promote education by inspiring kids to stay in school.

The Club recently made a substantial donation to the FBDFI, BGC’s corporate social responsibility arm.

It will fund the needs of its adopted school─the Gat Andres Bonifacio High School, which occupies a four-level building in Brgy. Fort Bonifacio in Taguig. Specifically, the donation will be used for the construction of several offices for the convenience of the teaching staff and other personnel.

To raise the funds, the Burgos Circle Car Club encouraged the members of its affiliated organization, the Manila Sports Car Club, to pledge assistance to the cause.

“For this endeavor, we came up with a battle cry ‘Sports Cars for a Cause’ to help the Filipino youth have a better education,” said Burgos Circle Car Club co-founder Ismael Cruz.

This is the second time that the Burgos Circle Car Club, an organized BGCitizen community, made a donation to the FBDFI. Its first round of donation in 2016 went to the Gat Andres Bonifacio Elementary School, wherein it contributed to the fit out of two classrooms.

The Foundation is grateful for the invaluable support of the Burgos Circle Car Club, a BGC community, in helping carry out its socio-development thrusts.

“FBDFI provides an avenue for BGCitizens to reach out to the rest of the community and help uplift the lives of those who are in need,” said Mark Salas, FBDFI’s corporate social responsibility officer.

Quezon City Basketball League begins Nov. 10 A NEW basketball league in Quezon City, the largest city in Metro Manila in terms of population and land area, will rise soon.

To be known as the Quezon City Basketball League, the cage league aims to develop a complete basketball program for the growing youth population and unveil a new generation of competitive basketball players in the city named after former Philippine President Manuel L. Quezon.

BJ Manalo, Former La Salle Green Archer and team manager of the Globalport team in the Philippine Basketball Association, will head the direction of the QCBL as executive director.

Manalo, who also held sports management positions in several colleges and universities, said that established teams and corporate firms with business headquarters in the city have already been invited to participate in the league that will open on Nov. 10 at its homecourt, JCR Gym of the FEUNRMF in Fairview.

The QCBL will be ushered in by Corporate Cup Conference with three

divisions on tap, namely the Open, Cadet and Starter.

“What makes this team league special is that our participating teams and our management team will jointly conduct free basketball clinics for kids in different barangays. We are getting them ready for the city-wide QCBL 3x3 and 5x5 tournaments. This also serves as our Corporate Social Responsibility,” said Manalo, who has earned the backing of several basketball patrons and corporate teams.

The Open Division is open to corporate teams that will be allowed to have maximum number of 20 players, with one import or foreign player in the line-up. Players must be 18-years-old and above but they should not be currently playing in the PBA or the Asean Basketball League.

The Cadet Division is a notch lower with the teams having a maximum of 20 players each but must have no experience playing in the pro leagues like the PBA, ABL, D-League, Maharlika league and the National Basketball League.

The QCBL Management Team is shown here. They are (front row, from left) Oliver Bunyim, Head of Operations; BJ Manalo, Executive Director; Pong Rollan, Marketing Director; Peeya delos Reyes, Assistant for Operations; sStanding from left) Sonia Mamadez, Admin Officer; Deng Gongora, Finance head; Froi Reyes, Admin Officer and Adrian Baladad, Asst. for External Affairs.

Former colleague players from ivy league likes the National Collegiate Athletics Association and the Universities Athletic Association of the Philippines should have had their last playing year in 2010.

The Starter Division will have 20 maximum players in a team. Should have no foreign player and former pro leaguers and only two players with a maximum height of 6 foot, 2 inches are allowed.

Sports

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

A8 WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2018

PH golfers confident as 1st PH Tour in Taiwan starts TAIWAN—Cyna Rodriguez, Princess Superal and Mia Piccio set out against Taiwan LPGA Tour’s best players in what promises to be a slam-bang start to the Party Golfers Ladies Open at the National Golf Country Club in Miaoli County here today (Wednesday, Oct. 3).

The $100,000 event marks the first time that the Ladies Philippine Golf Tour is co-sanctioning an event with the TLPGA as part of the Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.’s continuing effort to boost Phl ladies pro golf.

“I’m very excited to be out of the country and playing against elite golfers in Asia. Looking forward to a fun-filled week here and hopefully come home with a win,” said one-time LPGA Tour campaigner Cyna Rodriguez.

The former three-time LPGT Order of Merit winner slugs it out with Thai ace Supamas Sangchan, who placed second but took the crown in last week’s Kenda Tire TLPGA Open won by amateur Hsin-Yu Lu, and Japanese Rino Kotake at 7:50 a.m., also on the first hole of the up-and-down course with winding but wide fairways and unpredictable surface.

“It’s actually short with reachable par-5s but could be play tough with the wind,” said Daniella Uy, the former Junior World champion seeking a big finish in her fourth pro tournament against the big guns of the TLPGA Tour, including the circuit’s top six players.

The stellar field also includes TLPGA No. 2, Hsin Lee, third ranked SzuHan Chen, No. 4 Min-Jou Chen, fifth ranked Yi-Chen Lio and No. 6 China Huang with LPGT leg winners Thais Renuka Suksukont, Wannasiri Sirisampant, Onkanok Soisuwan and Yupaporn Kawinpakorn toughening up the field in what promises to be an explosive start in LPGT’s first international sortie held as part of Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc.’s effort to advance the growth of the Phl ladies pro golf.

Generals whip Chiefs for 2nd straight victory

Colo Ventosa (third from left), general manager of Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc., which organizes the Ladies PGT, poses with officials of Taiwan LPGA Tour during yesterday’s launch of the $100,000 Party Golfers Ladies Open, the first LPGT-TLPGA Tour-sanctioned tournament in Taiwan.

Magnolia Hotshots eye share of lead

By Jeric Lopez

M

AGNOLIA eyes a piece of the tournament lead as it goes for a second straight win when it resumes its bid in the 2018 Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup.

Currently running second, the Hotshots (4-1) look to improve their stand as they are heavily favored against cellar-dweller Columbian Dyip (0-6) in the 4:30 p.m. clash at the Smart Araneta Coliseum today.

Not far behind in the leader board, Alaska (3-1) goes back to action after more than a month of layoff when it gets challenged by winless Rain or Shine (0-2) in the main event at 7 p.m.

Magnolia is tied with Blackwater for second place behind league-leader Barangay Ginebra.

Another win can give them a tie at the top with the Gin Kings.

The Hotshots are still fresh from a morale-boosting 109-108 squeaker over San Miguel Beer in a thrilling encounter Sunday night.

With star guard Paul Lee at his best and import Romeo Travis blending well with the team, Magnolia is right where it wanted to be at this point.

“It’s a good start for us. Everyone is doing their parts well and stepping up for the team,” said Magnolia coach Chito Victolero.

“Romeo’s leadership is a big key for us. He fits the team very well.”

While Magnolia ‘s campaign is going well, Columbian Dyip is not having the best of starts.

The Dyip have yet to win a game in six outings as their chances of making the top eight is getting more bleak as each game passes.

Alaska, who last played on Sept. 2, hopes that being away from action for more than a month will not have an effect

against Rain or Shine.

The Aces are aiming to bounce back after falling to Ginebra, 101-109, in their last outing.

Still, they are in good shape as they are only halfgame behind Magnolia and Blackwater for second place.

Contrary to Alaska’s early success, Rain or Shine still can’t find any luck.

The Elasto Painters are still without a win following back-to-back defeats to open their bid.

To help their cause, Rain or Shine will parade a new import in Terrence Watson, who will be replacing J’Nathan Bullock.

ESPN5, NCC TEAM UP. Leading sports

Games Thursday

(Filoil Flying V Centre, San Juan) 10 a.m.- SSC-R vs UPHSD (jrs) 12 nn.- SBU vs CSB (jrs) 2 p.m.- SSC-R vs UPHSD (srs) 4 p.m.- SBU vs CSB (srs)

EMILIO Aguinaldo College survived a furious second-half fightback by Arellano University and carved out a 78-70 victory yesterday to post its first winning streak of the season in the 94th NCAA basketball tournament at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.

Jerome Garcia led the way with a game-high 25 points, including three triples and spiked it with six rebounds and five assists, while JP Magullano had a double-double of 15 points and 10 boards to power the Generals to their second straight win and fourth overall against 12 defeats.

While EAC is already out of Final Four contention, coach Ariel Sison said he wants his wards to finish the season strong.

“The good thing now is that we’re showing teamwork and I can see the desire in the players,” said Sison, who has three games left in their schedule.

Garcia and Magullano set the tone early as the two combined for 30 points to match AU’s total after the first half when EAC led comfortably, 48-40.

Paced by Levi dela Cruz, the Chiefs tried to mount a serious rally, but EAC’s Hamadou Laminou hit some baskets that quashed the uprising.

AU slipped to 4-10 and is now out of the hunt.

The Scores: EAC 78 -- Garcia 25, Magullano 15, Laminou 14, Bautista 6, Neri 6, Bugarin 4, Mendoza 3, Gonzales 2, Tampoc 2, Corilla 1, Cadua 0, Diego 0.

Arellano U 70 -- Dela Cruz 15, Alban 14, Dela Torre 12, Concepcion 10, Alcoriza 6, Bayla 4, Canete 4, Sacramento 2, Ongolo Ongolo 1, Viloria 1, Segura 1, Sera Josef 0.

Quarterscores: 21-11; 48-30; 63-50; 78-70.

Romeo Travis

network ESPN5 gives Filipino sports fans something to cheer for as Season 14 of the National Cheerleading Championship kicks off with the South Luzon Qualifiers on Oct. 6 at Robinson’s Mall, Las Piñas.

This event will activate a series of qualifying tournaments, where over 300 teams will vie for the chance to compete at the 2019 Nationals, the annual Cheer, Dance, and Drumline Competition of the NCC, which will be held on March 2019 at the Mall of Asia Arena. Shown during the launching of the NCC at TGI Friday’s in Greenbelt 3 are NCC Founder Carlos Valdes and TV5 President Vincent ‘Chot’ Reyes.

Tamaraws try to bounce back that they lacked preparaTHE Far Eastern Games Today (MOA Arena) tion going in their game University Tamaraws 2 p.m. La Salle vs UST with the Warriors and will try to pick up the 4 p.m. NU vs FEU this led to their second pieces following a loss in the four games. shocking 65-90 loss The Tams ended with a 33.87 percent to the University of the East Warriors from the field, while UE was at its best last Sunday.

Getting a big win in their game with with a 45.95 percent clip.

This time, preparing better next the National University Bulldogs at 4 p.m. today at the Mall of Asia Arena game against the Bulldogs is expected will be one of the things that the Tama- to get the team in better shape.

Getting past the Bulldogs will alraws need to do in the 81st University Athletic Association of the Philippines low the Olsen Racela-coached Tams to improve their record in third spot, men’s basketball tournament.

Considered as perennial Final Four which they share with the La Salle favorites, members of the team admitted Green Archers. Peter Atencio

Rivero banners PH 3x3 team to FIBA tilt in China

By Peter Atencio COLLEGIATE standout Ricci Rivero will lead a the team that will make up Philippine delegation to the FIBA 3x3 Under-23 World Cup in Xi’An, China.

Rivero, who recently left De La Salle University to undergo residency for the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons, will join 6’6” center Jeepy Faundo, Far Eastern University juniors’ point guard RJ Abarrientos, and San Beda juniors forward Rhayyan Amsali.

This marks Rivero’s return to international 3x3 competition since representing the country in the FIBA 3x3 Under-18 World Cup in 2015.

At that time, Rivero teamed up with Kobe Paras, Mike Nieto, and Richard Escoto.

The Philippines is grouped in Pool C along with Serbia, Slovenia, China, and Turkmenistan.

The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas has appointed Ronnie Magsanoc as the 3X3 head coach.

Magsanoc said that the task is very challenging.

“We’ll be facing very strong teams in pool C, including # 1 ranked Serbia, # 5 Slovenia, # 8 China and # 15 Turkmenistan,” Magsanoc said in a viber message.

He added that the Philippines is considered as the lowest-ranked team in the tournament.

“But we want to compete with the best in the world,” Magsanoc said.

The competition will be held from October 3 to 7, with only the top two teams in each group advancing to the quarterfinals.

SBP President Al Panlilio supports the Philippine delegation to FIBA 3x3 Under-23 World Cup in Xi’An, China.

“SBP is determined to increase the popularity of 3X3 in our country. Aside from establishing and strongly pushing for local 3X3 tournaments, we are also just starting to actively participate in international competitions with the goal of getting the necessary experience and at the same time improve on our world ranking which is currently pegged at # 47, ” said Panlilio.

STRIDER CUP. Ceana

Aleonar, 5, of Attack Bike Shop, and daughter of former National Team mainstay and veteran internationalist March Aleonar, receives her certificate from the organizer after placing first runner-up in the Strider Cup event of the 3rd Bike Tour Expo recently at the Subic Bay Freeport Zone in Zambales.

IN BRIEF

PH electronics firm opens Siberia factory INTEGRATED Micro-Electronics Inc. said it opened a factory in Nis, Serbia, bringing to 21 the company’s total number of manufacturing facilities.

IMI said in a disclosure to the stock exchange the newest manufacturing plant would help boost the manufacturing of electronic car components in the region and further develop the Serbian economy, contributing to the country’s competitiveness as an investment location.

“As a partner-of-choice in building technologies like sensing cameras, advanced driver assistance systems, lighting, body control modules, battery management and displays, IMI will be a significant contributor to the digital car of tomorrow,” IMI chief executive Arthur Tan said.

“This investment also forms part of the continuing effort of IMI and AC Industrials to assemble a global manufacturing platform capable of capitalizing on key megatrends such as increasing electronics in vehicles, autonomous driving, the shift to electric power, and shared mobility,” he said.

IMI Serbia will be the company’s 21st factory, and will complement production facilities in the Philippines, China, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Germany, Japan, Mexico, the United Kingdom and the United States in addition to the production facilities of other AC Industrials companies in Germany, Thailand, the United States and the Philippines. Jenniffer B. Austria

Business

CNOOC, Phoenix bid for LNG hub TANGLAWAN Philippines LNG Inc., the joint venture of China National Offshore Oil Corp. and Phoenix Petroleum Philippines, submitted a technical and financial proposal to develop the country’s first liquefied natural gas hub, a government official said Tuesday.

Tanglawan Philippines is the first company to submit a proposal to the Department of Energy, according to Energy assistant secretary Leonido Pulido III. “They submitted tech and financial but we wrote a letter last week informing them about certain observation about their application on SEC [Securities and Exchange Commission],” Pulido said.

He said Tanglawan had not yet been issued a certificate of registration by SEC. “They are supposed to file this week before we start evaluation. The evaluation takes 30 days upon complete submission of documents,” Pulido said.

Phoenix, a company led by businessman Dennis Uy, signed a memorandum of understanding with CNOOC Gas and Power Group Co. Ltd., a subsidiary of CNOOC in June to study, plan and develop a LNG receiving terminal project in the Philippines. Alena Mae S. Flores

Govt loses P43b in tax leakages THE government is losing P43 billion a year in tax leakages to companies that possibly exploit the country’s convoluted corporate income tax system and abuse transfer pricing schemes, a Finance official said.

Finance Undersecretary Karl Kendrick Chua said such tax losses were on top of the estimated P301 billion in foregone revenues in 2015 alone, as a result of the surfeit of fiscal incentives given out by the government to big companies, many of them in the list of Top 1,000 corporations.

Chua told Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III during the latest DoF executive committee meeting that aside from taking advantage of the incentives given to them by 14 investment promotion agencies, certain companies were abusing the practice of transfer pricing to avoid paying the correct amount of taxes.

Transfer pricing abuse refers to the corporate practice of shifting profits from high-tax jurisdictions in particular countries to tax havens in other places where they get to pay lower taxes or from certain corporations to their related businesses in the same country that are located in special economic zones that grant tax perks. Julito G. Rada

PHILIPPINE Telegraph and Telephone Corp. said it filed a petition before the Court of Appeals to reverse the National Telecommunications Commission’s decision ordering the company to pay nearly P500 million worth of supervision and regulation fees.

“While PT&T is required to pay an annual SRF, the amount PT&T is being required to pay under the Sept. 28, 2018 decision of the NTC is erroneous for the same was computed by the NTC based on the wrong paid-up capital of PT&T,” PT&T said.

The NTC, in a resolution dated Sept. 28, ordered the company to settle with the agency the SRF amounting to P329.67 million for the years 2002 to

FASTCAT SECURES $25.98M. Archipelago Philippine Ferries Corp., the shipping company that operates FastCat, receives $12.7 million in funding from Asian United Bank to finance the construction of two new ferries and $13.28-million from United Coconut Planters Bank for the construction of another two. Shown during the ceremonial signing are (from left) APFC treasurer Mary Ann Pastrana, chairman Dennise Trajano, president and chief executive Christopher Pastrana, UCPB president and chief executive Higinio Macadaeg, corporate banking group head Carina Uy and corporate banking team president Ramon Fernandez Jr.

Govt taps Robinsons, SM to sell imported rice T

By Othel V. Campos

HE Trade Department tapped top retailers SM Supermarket and Robinsons Supermarket to sell 350,000 metric tons of imported rice at P38 per kilogram to ease the tight supply of the staple in the local market.

Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said the shipment would be on top of the 750,000 MT approved by the National Food Authority.

“We want to be able to provide consumers options while solving the problem of price and availability,” Lopez said Tuesday at the sidelines of the Inclusive Innovation Conference 2018 in Manila.

The proposed importation is a pilot undertaking in price setting that should

fix the price of the imported staple at P38 per kilogram, Lopez said.

Lopez said the shipments were expected to arrive within three weeks or before end-October 2018, if the top retailers would agree to the importation.

The Trade Department said it would do away with the traditional permitting process and documentation for rice imports because of the exigency of the situation.

President Rodrigo Duterte earlier issued Administrative Order No. 13, removing non-tariff barriers and streamlining administrative procedures on the importation of agricultural products.

The president asked the National Food Authority, Sugar Regulatory Administration, in coordination with the Department of Trade and Industry to “undertake immediate measures to remove administrative constraints and other non-tariff barriers on the importation of agricultural products”.

Lopez said in case of succeeding importation, the Trade Department would tap other retailers who are also members

2015 and P114.11 million for the years 2016 to 2017.

Telecom and broadcast companies pay an SRF of P0.50 for every P100 of paid capital.

PT&T president and chief executive James Velasquez said the company already paid P20.57 million spectrum users fee to NTC from 2003 to 2018 and the uncontested P10.27 million SRF for 2018.

“We already filed a petition before the Court of Appeals contesting only the amount used as basis to compute the fees.

Any amounts or fees owed, once cleared up, is an amount the company wishes to settle going forward,” Velasquez said.

This clears an impediment for PT&T to bid for the right to become the third major player in the country’s telecom-

munication industry, he said.

Based on the terms of reference issued by NTC, interested participants should have no uncontested outstanding liabilities such as SRF and SUF, other penalties, surcharges and interests to the agency.

PT&T, a potential third player, holds a 25-year franchise, which allows the company to establish, maintain and operate both wired and wireless telecommunications systems for domestic and international communication in the Philippines.

Its existing, scalable network and infrastructure, spanning over 10,000 kilometers of pure fiber optic cables, allow it to easily meet the network demands of customers in the Greater Manila Area, northern and southern Luzon and Cebu.

of the Philippine Amalgamated Groceries and Supermarket Association Inc. He said that as locally-produced commercial rice was priced higher by P6 to P8 a kilo, importing commercial rice at a fixed retail price would bring relief to the low-income income groups.

Lopez also proposed that the NFA focus on ensuring that the market had a stable supply of lower-priced rice, while the Trade Department would make sure to have ample supply of affordable commercial rice.

Lopez said despite the infusion of 2.3 million MT rice by the NFA into the market, the local supply remained tight.

The NFA increased its market participation to 20 percent of rice trade, from 14 percent to avoid rice queues.

Lopez said the Trade Department needed to act immediately and stop relying on the importation by the NFA. “If we wait for the approved rice importation, when will that 750,000 importation arrive” If only NFA is within my jurisdiction, we won’t have problems in price and inventory,” he said.

POWER Sector Assets and Liabilities

Management Corp. declared Soosan ENS Co. Ltd. of South Korea as the lone bidder for the one-year operation and maintenance service contract of the 650-megawatt Malaya thermal power plant in Pililla, Rizal.

PSALM said in a statement Soosan offered P208.74 million for the contract of Malaya TPP which was within the approved budget for the contract of P213 million.

PSALM president Irene Joy BesidoGarcia said that under the implementing rules and regulations of Republic Act No. 9184, or the Government Procurement Reform Act, Soosan ENS needed to undergo post-qualification evaluation before the contract could be awarded.

PSALM is managing the Malaya facility through an OMSC. The plant is a must-run unit that provides backup

B1

power in instances when supply is deficient or unavailable in the Luzon grid.

Garcia earlier said the first round of bidding for the Malaya O&M was a failure in May. “The first round of bidding for OMSC Malaya TPP generated two bidders.

One bidder was disqualified during bid evaluation, while the lowest ranking bidder was post-disqualified. We have declared failure of bidding and we have commenced the second round with the publication of invitation to bid on Aug. 8, 2018 and conduct of pre-bid conference [Wednesday],” Garcia said.

PSALM invited bidders to participate in the procurement of the OMSC for the Malaya plant with an approved budget of P213 million. Bid submission was set on Aug. 30.

Part of the responsibilities under the service contract include the day-to-day upkeep, management and maintenance or repair of the power plant and its equipment.

THE World Bank said Tuesday said it released $496.25 million to support the Philippine government’s efforts to hasten recovery, rehabilitation and reconstruction of areas heavily damaged by typhoon ‘Ompong’ last month.

Typhoon Ompong, internationally known as Mangkhut, damaged infrastructure and agricultural areas mostly in northern Luzon provinces and claimed the lives of dozens of individuals.

Data from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council showed that more than 700,000 families, or close to 3 million people, were affected by the storm, with 138 injured and 68 dead in the regions of Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, and the Cordillera Administrative Region, Calabarzon, Mimaropa and the National Capital Region.

The NDRRMC estimated the direct damage to infrastructure and agriculture at P33.6 billion or around $623 million.

The storm particularly caused widespread destruction in the regions of Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, and the Cordillera Administrative Region. With a combined population of more than 21 million, these regions are among the country’s important producers of rice, corn, vegetables, livestock and poultry.

Mara Warwick, World Bank country director for Brunei Darussalam, Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand, said the multilateral lender expressed its sympathies to the Filipino people affected by the typhoon.

“Natural disasters can exacerbate poverty through loss of lives, livelihood, property and infrastructure, and can roll back years of development gains. They disproportionately disrupt the lives of poor and vulnerable people, particularly women, the elderly and children. We want them to know the Bank supports the country’s efforts to address their needs,” Warwick said.

The funds accessed from the contingent line of credit – called the Second Disaster Risk Management Development Policy Loan with a CatastropheDeferred Drawdown Option – will give the government flexibility to help families and communities recover, reconstruct vital infrastructure (such as roads, bridges, schools and hospitals) and restore basic social services.

PCC approves joint venture of Rockwell Land, Camelray THE Philippine Competition Commission approved the joint venture of Rockwell Land Corp. and Carmelray Property Holdings Inc. of the Yulo family to develop a 63-hectare project in Canlubang, Laguna.

The joint venture, which also includes San Ramon Holdings Inc., CVY Property Holdings Inc., and other individual proprietors, will build a mixeduse projects with residential, commercial and retail components.

Other investors in the project include Juan Miguel Yulo, Maria Rosario Ng, Maria Cristina So, Maria Luisa Teehankee and Carmen Yulo.

“The transaction does not result in the substantial lessening of competition in the relevant market of luxury

residential developments in Region IV,” PCC said in a decision dated Sept.

27, 2018.

The antitrust body said no horizontal overlaps were found between the parties and there were sufficient number of other competitors in the said market.

Rockwell said it would invest in the project by “initially purchasing and subscribing to P450 million worth of CPHI common and preferred shares equivalent to 14.7-percent ownership.”

PCC said the Rockwell Land-Carmelray Holdings joint venture was the 148th transaction approved by the commission. It said it received 158 merger filings by local and international companies, with a combined worth of P2.54 trillion. Othel V. Campos

F OREIGN E XCHANGE R ATE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas

Korean firm lone bidder for Malaya plant

By Alena Mae S. Flores

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2018

By Julito G. Rada

PT&T goes to court to contest P500-m unsettled obligations

By Darwin G. Amojelar

business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com

World Bank lends $496m for victims of ‘Ompong’

AirAsia to waive fuel surcharge THE Philippine unit of Southeast Asia’s largest budget airline said it will not impose fuel surcharge on its domestic and international flights.

“To help reduce travel cost and stimulate more demand for travel and tourism, we will not be adding fuel surcharge on our fares for all domestic and international flights. We want to keep our fares low to encourage more people to travel,” AirAsia Philippines chief executive Dexter Comendador said.

The Civil Aeronautics Board approved the guidelines on the imposition of the passenger fuel surcharge for domestic and international flights in September. The CAB also adopted a matrix for fuel surcharge that would be determined based on the two-month average of jet fuel MOPS (Mean of Platts Singapore) prices in its peso per liter equivalent and would be fixed for two months.

Domestic air fares, according to CAB estimate, could be slapped with an additional cost of up to P769 and those for international flights by as much as P9,860 with the reimposition by local carriers of the fuel surcharge.

Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific earlier announced the imposition of fuel surcharge on their local and international flights. Darwin G. Amojelar

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

Tuesday, October 2, 2018

COASTAL CLEANUP. West zone concessionaire Maynilad Water Services Inc.

sends 135 employee-volunteers to lend their assistance during the 32nd International Coastal Cleanup held simultaneously at different sites along Manila Bay—from Navotas to Bacoor, Cavite. The Maynilad contingent was led by president and chief executive Ramoncito Fernandez (standing, 4th from left), who is shown here with Senate environment and natural resources committee chairperson Senator Cynthia Villar (fifth from left) before the conduct of the cleanup along the Las Piñas-Parañaque Critical Habitat and Ecotourism Area in Las Piñas City.

Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

54.0950

Japan

Yen

0.008779

0.4749

UK

Pound

1.304500

70.5669

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.127763

6.9113

Switzerland

Franc

1.016570

54.9914

Canada

Dollar

0.780640

42.2287

Singapore

Dollar

0.729129

39.4422

Australia

Dollar

0.722300

39.0728

Bahrain

Dinar

2.653224

143.5262

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266674

14.4257

Brunei

Dollar

0.726480

39.2989

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000067

0.0036

Thailand

Baht

0.031027

1.6784

UAE

Dirham

0.272294

14.7297

Euro

Euro

1.158000

62.6420

Korea

Won

0.000899

0.0486

China

Yuan

0.145159

7.8524

India

Rupee

0.013714

0.7419

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.241663

13.0728

New Zealand

Dollar

0.661200

35.7676

Taiwan

Dollar

0.032744

1.7713

Source: PDS Bridge

B2

Business

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2018 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Market declines; Meralco climbs S TOCKS fell for a third day, pulling down the benchmark index below the 7,200-point mark, following reports that Chinese manufacturing activity, a barometer of regional trade growth, slowed last month.

The Philippine Stock Exchange index, the 30-company bellwether, dropped 89 points, or 1.2 percent, to close at 7,132.36 Tuesday, as all six sub-sectors ended in the red.

The broader all-share index shed 43 points, or 1 percent, to settle at 4,398.80, on a value turnover of P5.7 billion. Losers outnumbered gainers, 112 to 72, while 56 issues were unchanged.

Five of the 20 most active stocks

ended in the green, led by power retailer Manila Electric Co. which climbed 3.1 percent to P342 and oil explorer PXP Energy Corp. which advanced 2 percent to P16.12 Conglomerate Ayala Corp. rose 1.6 percent to P925, while Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co. added 0.7 percent to finish at P67.90. GT Capital Holdings Inc. gained 0.2 percent to P800.

Meanwhile, oil prices built on gains Tuesday after another blistering rally but most markets were in retreat as traders brushed off a positive lead from Wall Street and the US-Mexico-Canada trade deal.

Crude has motored in recent weeks on concerns about supplies after sanctions are imposed on Iran next month, while Opec’s decision not to ramp up output, upheaval in Venezuela, a strong dollar and a drop in oil rigs have also pushed prices higher.

New York traders sent the Dow and S&P 500 higher after the United States-

Mexico-Canada Agreement was announced Sunday to replace the North American Free Trade Agreement.

The deal drew an end to months of uncertainty after Donald Trump had threatened to tear up the decades-old NAFTA. However, Asia was unable to follow suit. Hong Kong reopened after a long weekend to fall 2.5 percent, with data indicating a drop in Chinese manufacturing activity denting sentiment.

The “HSI is trading with a negative bias, playing catch up from yesterday’s holiday, in reaction to the weaker China [manufacturing] data”, said Stephen Innes, head of Asia-Pacific trade at Oanda.

“It’s more than apparent Hong Kong investors are in no mood to join the revamped NAFTA festivities.”

Sydney shed 0.8 percent, Singapore fell 0.5 percent and Seoul was off 1.3 percent. Wellington, Taipei and Jakarta were also well down.

But Tokyo edged up 0.1 percent af-

ter the Nikkei on Monday saw its highest close in 27 years with the yen at its weakest since November. Markets in China were closed for a holiday.

London fell 0.5 percent in the first few minutes of trade, while Paris lost 0.7 percent and Frankfurt shed 0.8 percent.

In forex trade the euro faced selling pressure on concerns about Italy’s finances after its populist government agreed a massive spending boost that blew out its budget, while eurozone finance ministers warned Rome to abide by fiscal rules.

High-yielding and emerging market currencies were mostly down as dealers looked for safer bets. The dollar broke 15,000 Indonesian rupiah for the first time since 1998 during the Asian financial crisis, while Mexico’s peso and the South African rand were more than one percent off against the greenback.

South Korea’s won, the Australian dollar and the Russian ruble were also sharply lower. With AFP

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW TUESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2018

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

FINANCIALS 58.6 23,500 82.35 879,510 2.56 33,000 119.5 2,486,790 28.45 704,800 16.08 80,700 12.56 371,100 4.3 179,000 8.59 5,400 1.78 298,000 830 870 0.53 12,000 67.9 2,704,880 11.76 3,000 43 2,300 185 2,590 79.05 930 25.7 44,800 146.2 1,009,500 1,900 920 66.5 24,200 1.19 15,000

1,376,550 72,356,916 84,400 297,706,987 20,173,890 1,299,846 4,647,912 749,450 46,386 510,940 712,375 6,360 183,344,816 35,260 100,580 481,056 76,807 1,148,840 148,915,393 1,746,550 1,600,420.50 18,010

1,361,904 -20,819,117.50 40,841,808 -7,372,670 -1,562,746 5,040 19,484,450.50 9,080 -577,710 -57,481,870 -151,968 -

33.4 18.12 0.98 1.26 0.216 2.47 13.2 33.75 17.6 38.1 67 80.25 1.71 4.5 7.4 9.55 15.14 8.33 7.02 7.06 16 63.45 27.5 6.77 12.38 1.85 248.8 4.82 12.5 24 11.52 15.2 330 0.177 6.34 1.8 4.15 8.5 4.73 9 1 10.78 53.15 5.7 4.85 2.42 3.1 1.55 12 97.2 5.5 0.124 1 135.5 2.45 1.98 2.13

INDUSTRIAL 33.95 1,840,400 18.26 1,310,400 1.01 11,370,000 1.26 1,775,000 0.217 1,650,000 2.48 10,153,000 13.5 1,816,700 33.9 485,600 17.6 3,500 38.5 1,356,700 67 130 80.25 10 1.73 15,000 4.5 6,000 7.4 19,800 9.68 15,624,200 15.16 67,500 8.33 60,300 7.04 1,266,700 7.07 2,585,900 16.5 1,028,100 64 43,180 27.75 56,900 6.78 255,200 12.56 913,400 1.9 684,000 250 913,210 4.82 25,000 12.5 10,000 24 249,000 11.6 105,900 15.22 1,257,000 342 247,850 0.185 30,000 6.34 1,500 1.8 89,000 4.15 40,000 8.67 2,781,400 4.85 95,000 9 85,400 1 599,000 10.8 21,700 53.4 238,830 5.7 105,300 4.92 84,200 2.42 1,024,000 3.1 4,000 1.55 7,000 12 216,100 98 400,480 5.5 99,000 0.124 510,000 1 257,000 136 460,780 2.45 10,000 1.98 9,165,000 2.14 12,342,000

61,688,410 23,845,578 11,448,490 2,251,530 359,020 26,067,290 24,264,452 16,453,045 61,674 52,215,950 8,710 802.5 25,790 27,000 148,060 151,142,469 1,022,432 505,294 8,931,832 18,305,907 16,718,036 2,745,164.50 1,578,100 1,733,079 11,497,890 1,288,130 228,700,450 120,500 125,000 6,043,880 1,227,536 19,483,584 83,911,522 5,390 9,520 161,760 168,460 23,931,851 455,760 770,040 599,000 234,476 12,765,785 602,710 412,492 2,498,810 12,400 11,030 2,594,412 39,263,566.50 545,853 63,280 257,000 63,727,098 24,500 18,493,210 27,120,700

9,395,870 5,093,832 -100,430 -459,520 -9,223,240 22,155,528 -979,385 -2,138,650 10,320 -9,436,365 -147,060 -304,596 -733,662 -1,363,756 -206,312 -1,242,361.00 5,492,618 -231,360 -13,406,142 885,785 -736,460 -12,598,534 44,911,888 -45,570 17,128,331 3,307,743 -57,000 103,365.00 -922,506 7,271,326.50 1,683 974,802 -7,345,560 63,700

0.42 46.15 12.06 6.1 26.7 1.3 1.29 901 5.8 11.22 7 797.5 6.04 51.5 0.55 4.33 14.4 0.56 4.56 0.038 1.21 2.41 169.8 870 0.76 1.38 279 0.26 0.214

HOLDING FIRMS 0.42 9,870,000 47.9 1,307,800 12.14 3,228,000 6.11 13,000 27 57,000 1.31 6,057,000 1.32 2,266,000 925 235,780 5.84 1,786,700 11.8 8,208,800 7 4,900 800 124,370 6.04 51,300 51.5 1,006,660 0.57 4,000 4.39 416,000 14.62 5,233,600 0.57 1,573,000 4.69 19,715,000 0.038 2,100,000 1.24 289,000 2.44 581,000 170 251,290 875 455,700 0.82 50,000 1.38 102,000 281 2,030 0.26 2,960,000 0.215 200,000

4,200,600 61,445,755 39,198,776 79,400 1,556,780 7,952,420 2,972,490 215,208,700 10,441,858 96,464,872 34,300 99,422,625 329,869 52,306,806 2,240 1,812,860 77,034,048 887,950 91,802,230 80,100 359,050 1,416,390 42,921,229 398,613,990 40,780 141,220 567,650 774,750 42,900

-6,373,380 -9,102,264 79,400 5,355 434,350 -9,629,065 1,103,095 26,031,240 9,800 -40,865,340 -18,560,788 -538,930 4,645,442 24,640 -4,126,960 -123,420 -2,815,957 533,290 -2,650 -

3,980,067 816,300 20,368 41,200 445,040 451,009,615 3,637,430 160,640 842,920 997,600 94,000 72,860 341,300 537,122 5,050,392 32,450 7,264,310 1,338,530 64,666,460 55,141,220 17,896,710 330,600 3,134,390 17,213,151 304,450 121,290 663,366,435

-264,284 -37,080 54,600 -51,901,360 141,930 -86,800 -4,400 -1,486,950 4,183,220 -2,775,210.00 -18,001,430 -100,800 -39,610 -5,691,987 54,200 -98,890 -292,732,405

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

ASIA UNITED BANK PH ISLANDS BDO LEASING BDO UNIBANK CHINABANK COL FINANCIAL EAST WEST BANK FERRONOUX HLDG FILIPINO FUND IREMIT MANULIFE MEDCO HLDG METROBANK PB BANK PHIL NATL BANK PHIL STOCK EXCH PSBANK RCBC SECURITY BANK SUN LIFE UNION BANK VANTAGE

59 83.5 2.54 120.8 29.2 16.18 12.58 4.07 8.59 1.62 806.5 0.53 67.5 11.74 43.4 190 86.5 25.5 150 1,870 66.6 1.21

59 83.55 2.56 121 29.2 16.18 12.62 4.3 8.59 1.79 830 0.53 67.9 11.76 44.2 190 86.5 25.9 152.5 1,940 66.6 1.21

58.5 82 2.5 118.2 28.45 16.08 12.5 4.07 8.59 1.62 806 0.53 66.95 11.74 43 185 78 25.45 145 1,870 66 1.19

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

34 18.16 1.03 1.29 0.224 2.59 13.2 33.8 18.34 38.5 67 80.25 1.71 4.5 7.48 9.9 15.2 8.5 7.09 7.08 16.02 64 29 6.81 12.4 1.85 252.2 4.82 12.5 25 11.64 15.98 331.8 0.177 6.37 1.81 4.19 8.6 4.9 9 1 10.96 53.85 5.75 5 2.46 3.1 1.58 12 99.45 5.6 0.128 1 144 2.45 2.06 2.17

34 18.3 1.04 1.32 0.224 2.67 13.52 34 18.34 39 67 80.25 1.73 4.5 7.49 9.9 15.3 8.5 7.09 7.09 16.5 64 29 6.81 13 1.92 255 4.82 12.5 25 11.64 16 345 0.185 6.37 1.85 4.25 8.69 4.9 9.16 1 10.96 53.85 5.75 5 2.51 3.1 1.58 12.1 99.5 5.68 0.128 1 144 2.45 2.08 2.25

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

0.43 48.25 12.48 6.1 26.95 1.3 1.31 910 5.9 11.7 7 815.5 6.5 53.8 0.57 4.49 15 0.57 4.74 0.04 1.21 2.46 173 881 0.76 1.43 280 0.27 0.214

0.435 48.25 12.48 6.11 28 1.33 1.33 925 5.98 11.8 7 815.5 7.8 53.8 0.57 4.49 15.2 0.59 4.74 0.04 1.26 2.48 173 882 0.82 1.43 281 0.275 0.215

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

7.29 0.88 11.98 2.06 0.65 40.6 2.41 4.34 5.25 0.44 0.94 0.92 0.235 8.3 19.2 0.55 1.44 1.11 2.43 4.38 0.62 0.455 3.98 20.25 1.95 3.2 35.4

7.36 0.88 12 2.06 0.66 40.6 2.49 4.4 5.29 0.44 0.94 0.93 0.235 8.35 19.5 0.55 1.46 1.12 2.54 4.38 0.64 0.455 4 20.25 1.99 3.2 35.4

7.1 0.84 11.98 2.06 0.64 39 2.39 4.34 5.25 0.435 0.94 0.91 0.221 8.28 19.2 0.55 1.42 1.09 2.36 4.16 0.62 0.44 3.85 19.6 1.9 3.19 33.5

VOLUME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

STA LUCIA LAND STARMALLS SUNTRUST HOME VISTA LAND

1.17 6.6 0.75 6.05

1.17 6.6 0.75 6.09

1.1 6.35 0.75 5.98

1.11 6.45 0.75 6

4,580,000 223,400 48,000 1,722,900

5,091,980 1,437,792 36,000 10,360,365

-329,060 -8,704,619

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

11.2 21.8 1.43 0.475 0.041 1.96 8.4 0.063 66.1 8.15 5.52 8.4 22.95 2,200 5.36 310 2.75 1.95 92 13.2 7.75 0.116 2.47 3.35 14.2 3.66 0.95 16.2 5.84 7.01 2.4 1.54 1.55 7.24 11 8.67 3.05 99 4.3 1,409 0.85 0.375 44.5 79.8 7.8 2.22 0.9 0.57 5.18 0.68 11.08

11.2 22.1 1.43 0.48 0.044 1.97 8.4 0.064 67.85 8.15 5.53 8.4 22.95 2,208 5.37 313 2.82 2.08 94.65 14.8 7.75 0.116 2.47 3.38 14.2 3.66 0.95 16.66 5.91 7.14 2.4 1.54 1.65 7.47 11 8.67 3.3 100 4.3 1,409 0.86 0.375 45 81.8 7.8 2.27 0.95 0.58 5.2 0.69 11.08

10.9 21.5 1.43 0.465 0.04 1.89 8.1 0.061 66.1 8.15 5.46 8.4 22.5 2,160 5.32 303 2.7 1.95 90.6 12.12 7.75 0.116 2.3 3.19 14.2 3.61 0.95 15.98 5.6 7 2.39 1.44 1.55 7.23 11 8.67 3.04 99 4.16 1,380 0.84 0.37 42.55 79.3 7.5 2.22 0.89 0.56 5.16 0.65 10.54

SERVICES 11 21.75 1.43 0.475 0.044 1.89 8.2 0.063 67.15 8.15 5.5 8.4 22.5 2,200 5.37 312.8 2.7 2.08 94.15 12.24 7.75 0.116 2.45 3.36 14.2 3.64 0.95 16.2 5.6 7.02 2.4 1.5 1.65 7.4 11 8.67 3.3 99.5 4.27 1,399 0.85 0.37 43.15 81.8 7.5 2.23 0.91 0.58 5.19 0.67 10.6

10,900 19,800 5,000 970,000 15,400,000 4,798,000 9,677,900 21,360,000 306,630 100 626,800 12,100 35,400 34,745 112,400 7,450 1,458,000 15,000 562,700 167,300 5,000 290,000 6,814,000 52,000 200 426,000 1,000 1,239,100 375,900 8,461,900 145,000 31,000 19,000 1,557,600 2,000 2,000 35,000 145,920 362,000 45,080 4,188,000 500,000 1,666,800 702,120 294,100 5,526,000 24,450,000 25,384,000 1,859,500 2,054,000 5,866,600

120,010 431,655 7,150 456,250 616,500 9,144,530 79,200,403 1,340,640 20,395,341.50 815 3,442,221 101,640 799,520 76,365,890 600,572 2,302,676 4,033,580 29,380 52,025,247.50 2,251,668 38,750 33,640 16,230,930 169,890 2,840 1,547,980 950 20,049,382 2,177,723 59,444,119 347,790 45,670 29,550 11,423,005 22,000 17,340 106,680 14,446,858 1,527,500 62,782,900 3,550,570 186,750 71,986,925 56,256,028 2,225,182 12,376,320 22,599,690 14,528,170 9,645,122 1,363,500 63,642,236

16,500 90,310 -12,654,493 -66,150 10,636,488.50 5,500 0 37,177,730 -1,693,436 -299,620 5,200,900.50 211,590 -237,920 665,238.00 -1,249,523 -48,733,941 14,420 -14,820 -51,980 175,270.00 -2,551,735 -797,520 6,562,880 8,954,320.50 -413,628 2,853,720 -4,333,170 -95,760 -15,570 -290,660 13,145,802

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

0.0023 1.47 3.01 18.4 1.93 0.295 7.16 1.85 0.206 0.109 0.111 0.007 1.23 4.3 1.15 0.68 1.12 0.013 0.012 3.45 3.31 15.82 26

0.0025 1.5 3.01 18.4 1.93 0.295 7.2 1.85 0.208 0.109 0.115 0.0071 1.25 4.39 1.18 0.68 1.15 0.014 0.012 3.59 3.34 16.32 26.15

0.0023 1.45 2.95 18.4 1.92 0.295 7.15 1.8 0.205 0.109 0.111 0.007 1.23 4.3 1.1 0.66 1.12 0.013 0.012 3.45 3.28 15.58 24.45

MINING & OIL 0.0024 319,000,000 1.48 2,302,000 3 208,000 18.4 100 1.93 194,000 0.295 100,000 7.16 3,500 1.85 924,000 0.206 100,000 0.109 570,000 0.115 600,000 0.007 37,000,000 1.25 13,000 4.35 449,000 1.14 35,000 0.68 173,000 1.12 438,000 0.014 34,000,000 0.012 61,800,000 3.55 44,000 3.28 917,000 16.12 4,760,600 24.5 2,611,800

772,300 3,370,130 624,240 1,840 373,700 29,500 25,178 1,691,460 20,610 62,130 66,640 260,000 16,150 1,937,770 40,520 117,350 494,040 442,600 741,600 153,140 3,028,500 76,582,168 65,015,940

146,000 -35,960 -25,090 -247,690 -65,490 -540,350 -1,100 -522,330 13,325,298 -37,884,495

ABS HLDG PDR AC PREF B1 AC PREF B2 DD PREF FGEN PREF G FPH PREF C GLO PREF P GMA HLDG PDR GTCAP PREF A HOUSE PREF A LR PREF MWIDE PREF PCOR PREF 2B PNX PREF 3B SMC FB PREF 2 SMC PREF 2B SMC PREF 2C SMC PREF 2D SMC PREF 2E SMC PREF 2F SMC PREF 2H SMC PREF 2I

19 485 495 99.9 101.1 480 490 5.13 906 95.5 1.04 103.5 1,040 103.1 995 75.5 78.1 75 75.45 75 75 75

19 485 495 100 101.1 480 490 5.13 906 95.5 1.04 103.5 1,040 103.1 1,000 75.5 78.1 75.25 75.45 75 75 75

18.8 485 495 99.9 101 480 490 5.13 905 95.4 1.04 103.5 1,040 103 995 75.05 76.1 74.5 75 74.95 73.7 73.45

PREFERRED 18.8 50,600 485 1,690 495 340 100 25,900 101 2,000 480 1,000 490 10,000 5.13 81,600 905 4,110 95.5 890 1.04 16,000 103.5 30 1,040 105 103 180 1,000 2,620 75.05 2,370 76.1 66,480 75 108,410 75 47,200 75 3,690 75 119,600 75 95,840

956,972 819,650 168,300 2,588,708 202,010 480,000 4,900,000 418,608 3,719,660 84,976.50 16,640 3,105 109,200 18,548 2,614,110 178,125 5,095,727 8,123,750 3,542,925 276,675 8,935,100 7,169,200

-956,972 -418,608 -1,258,248.50 -

LR WARRANT

2.37

2.39

2.3

WARRANTS 2.37 94,000

220,210

-116,710

4,945,301 6,376,200

3,847 -356,550

3,630,874

-

28,886

-

NAME

MS

PROPERTY 7.22 0.84 12 2.06 0.64 39.3 2.44 4.34 5.27 0.44 0.94 0.93 0.232 8.35 19.26 0.55 1.43 1.1 2.48 4.16 0.62 0.445 3.99 20 1.93 3.19 33.85

549,800 963,000 1,700 20,000 688,000 11,436,200 1,492,000 37,000 160,000 2,270,000 100,000 80,000 1,530,000 64,400 262,100 59,000 5,035,000 1,213,000 26,198,000 13,088,000 28,444,000 750,000 798,000 864,600 156,000 38,000 19,400,400

ITALPINAS XURPAS

5.28 2.25

5.45 2.39

5.28 2.25

FIRST METRO ETF

108.2

108.2

107

USD DMPL A1

10.1

10.1

10.1

TRADING SUMMARY FINANCIAL

SHARES 9,867,333

INDUSTRIAL

87,732,026

HOLDING FIRMS

68,801,401

PROPERTY

133,456,905

SERVICES

148,478,154

MINING & OIL

469,364,303

GRAND TOTAL

921,395,901

5.33 2.31

SME

921,600 2,740,000

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 107 33,710 10.1

DDS

2,860

VALUE 1,609.11 (DOWN) 11.57 835,616,488.62 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 10,431.8 (DOWN) 43.5 1,033,113,400.48 HOLDING FIRMS 7,015.43 (DOWN) 45.14 1,416,482,580.32 PROPERTY 3,484.28 (DOWN) 132.28 SERVICES 1,500.48 (DOWN) 1.74 1,535,492,606.06 MINING & OIL 8,632.92 (DOWN) 221.2 709,027,828.89 PSEI 7,132.36 (DOWN) 89.72 155,902,279.64 All Shares Index 4,398.8 (DOWN) 43.29 5,700,588,756.01 Gainers: 72; Losers: 112; Unchanged: 56; Total: 240

Megaworld building hotel in Bacolod worth P500m

By Jenniffer B. Austria PROPERTY developer Megaworld Corp. said Tuesday it is building a P500million luxury boutique hotel within the 34-hectare The Upper East township in Bacolod City.

Megaworld said in a disclosure to the stock exchange the planned hotel was expected to be completed in 2022 and become another landmark in The Upper East.

The hotel will offer 48 spacious suites, an all-day dining restaurant, café, courtyard, swimming pool and pool deck, fitness center, lanai and a hotel ballroom that can fit around 1,000 guests in a banquet setting.

“This luxury boutique hotel will be another landmark in The Upper East.

The hotel will be a perfect venue for conventions, weddings and memorable celebrations as it integrates an outdoor garden setting into its ballroom facility.

Megaworld is keen on helping boost the MICE tourism industry of Bacolod,” said Rachelle Peñaflorida, vice president for sales and marketing of Megaworld Bacolod.

The hotel’s main lobby will be a retrofitted heritage house that used to be the old ‘guest house’ inside the BacolodMurcia Milling Company compound.

Designed by renowned heritage architect and conservationist Dominic Galicia, the hotel will have the old structures undergo ‘adaptive reuse’ to form part of its complex.

Meanwhile, Megaworld said it would upgrade its first residential condominium development in Bacold, One Regis, by adding more amenities, residential floors and parking facilities.

One Regis will now feature two penthouse floors – the lower and upper penthouses, a bi-level amenity deck with residential units, executive residential floors and additional basement parking facility. From a nine-story residential tower, One Regis will become a 12-story residential condominium.

“As we saw an overwhelming reception to our first condominium development in The Upper East, we believe that this project deserves an upgrade with more amenities, more facilities and more unit options that perfectly fit the Bacolod lifestyle,” Peñaflorida said.

One Regis is scheduled for completion in 2022 with total projected sales of P1.2-billion.

Megaworld earlier said it would spend P28 billion to develop The Upper East in the next 10 years.

Melco defers tender offer plan on valuation issue MELCO Resorts and Entertainment (Philippines) Corp. said it deferred its planned tender offer on valuation issues raised by some minority shareholders.

Melco Resorts said in a disclosure to the stock exchange it was informed by majority shareholder MCO (Philippines) Investments Corp. that it would defer its tender offer initially scheduled to commence on Oct 3.

The gaming firm said the deferment will be for a period of two weeks or until such time that it otherwise determined.

“MCO will file an amended tender offer report with the update tender offer period at the appropriate time,” Melco Resorts said.

MCO said last week it planned to conduct an involuntary delisting of Melco Resorts that could involve the buyback of up to 1.543 billion shares, representing 27.23 percent of the company’s outstanding capital stock at a tender offer price of P7.25 apiece.

Melco Resorts will need P11.18 billion to acquire all the minority shares, at P7.25 per share.

MCO said the tender offer price “falls within the fair value range” calculated by a firm called FTI Consulting Philippines Inc. A report prepared by FTI Consulting said Melco Resorts Philippines’ shares had an assessed market value of between P6.11 and P7.49.

MCO decided to delist Melco Resorts because the latter’s listed status in recent years had not contributed to its ability to raise funds despite considerable efforts and expenses being incurred to maintain its listed status.

Several minority shareholders questioned the valuation, considering that Melco conducted an equity placement in 2013 at an offer price of P14 apiece.

Jenniffer B. Austria

CYAN MAGENTA MAGENTA YELLOW YELLOW BLACK BLACK CYAN WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2018 CESAR BARRIOQUINTO, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

World

Manila

Manila Standard TODAY

TODAY

B3

Indonesia clamps down on looting by survivors P ALU, Indonesia―More than 1,200 people are now known to have died in the quake-tsunami that smashed into Sulawesi, Indonesia said Tuesday, as police pledged to clamp down on looting by survivors taking advantage of the chaos.

BOOK LAUNCHING. Amanda Salas attends the Crustacean Beverly Hills Hosts

AJ Gibson’s ‘Flipping The Script’ Book Launch And Fundraiser For The Trevor Project at Crustacean on October 1, 2018, in Beverly Hills, California. AFP

IN BRIEF Catalan leader rapped after Barcelona unrest MADRID―Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Tuesday rapped Catalonia’s separatist leader Quim Torra for “encouraging radicals” a day after clashes erupted in Barcelona on the anniversary of a banned independence referendum.

Hundreds of pro-independence protesters knocked down barriers at the entrance of the regional parliament late Monday evening, provoking clashes with police and forcing the leader in Catalonia of anti-secession party Ciudadanos to leave the building under escort.

The clashes topped a restive day in the northeastern region, where radical activists, many of them hooded, cut roads and railway lines on the one-year anniversary of the referendum, encouraged by Torra, who earlier in the day had applauded their form of street pressure.

“President Torra must abide by his responsibilities and not endanger political normalization by encouraging radicals to lay siege to institutions which represent all Catalans,” Sanchez said in a tweet in his first reaction to the sensitive anniversary. AFP

‘Peace treaty no bargaining chip’ SEOUL―North Korea on Tuesday ruled out dismantling its nuclear arsenal in exchange for the US declaring an end to the Korean War, saying a peace treaty should “never be a bargaining chip.”

The North has for decades demanded that the US formally declare the end of the 1950-53 conflict that was halted only with an armistice, saying an official end to the war would ease tensions on the flash point peninsula.

At a summit with the South’s President Moon Jae-in last month, the North’s leader Kim Jong Un offered to shut down its main Yongbyon nuclear complex if Washington takes “corresponding measures”.

Kim did not elaborate on what those measure might be, but state news agency KCNA said in a commentary that some US experts have suggested trading the end of the war for denuclearization.

It flatly described that as only the “most basic... process” to restore ties, not a point for negotiation. AFP

Study: Half of women at risk of dementia PARIS―Nearly half of women and one in three men are at risk of developing stroke or degenerative neurological diseases such as dementia and Parkinson’s during their lifetime, according to a study published Monday.

Dutch researchers considered all three conditions “in order to grasp how big the problem of incurable brain diseases in late life really is,” said the study’s senior author Arfan Ikram.

“We grouped these diseases together not only because they are common but also because there are indications that these often co-occur and might share some overlapping causes,” Ikram, of the Erasmus MC University Medical Center Rotterdam in the Netherlands, told AFP. This could mean there are also overlapping ways to delay or avoid getting the diseases, and the research found that some preventive strategies may cut the risk by between 20 and 50 percent.

For the study, published in the Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery and Psychiatry, researchers tracked more than 12,000 healthy people over the age of 45 from 1990 to 2016. AFP

There were reports of officers firing warning shots and tear gas to ward off people ransacking shops in Palu, a coastal city ravaged by a 7.5-magnitude quake and the tsunami it spawned.

Almost 200,000 people are in need of urgent help, the United Nations says, among them thousands of children.

Survivors are battling thirst and hunger, with food and clean water in short supply, and local hospitals are overwhelmed by the number of injured.

Police said Tuesday that they had previously tolerated desperate survivors taking food and water from closed shops, but had now arrested 35 people for stealing computers and cash.

“On the first and second day clearly no shops were open.

People were hungry. There were people in dire need. That’s not a problem,” said deputy national police chief Ari Dono Sukmanto.

“But after day two, the food supply started to come in, it only needed to be distributed. We are now re-enforcing the law.”

“There are ATMs. They are open,” he added. “If people steal, we catch and investigate.”

Despite official assurances, desperation was evident on the streets of Palu, where survivors clambered

Classmate says Kavanaugh lied about his drinking WASHINGTON―A one-time classmate of President Donald Trump’s Supreme Court nominee said Monday that Brett Kavanaugh was a habitual heavy drinker, challenging the judge’s Senate testimony to the contrary.

The comments came days after the FBI opened a Senate-requested probe into the allegations by three women that a drunken Kavanaugh sexually abused them or engaged in sexual misconduct while they were students in the 1980s.

“I can unequivocally say that in denying the possibility that he ever blacked out from drinking and in downplaying the degree and frequency of his drinking, Brett has not told the truth,” Chad Ludington told reporters.

The North Carolina State University professor, who said he had contacted the FBI with his information, indicated in a statement Sunday that Kavanaugh was “belligerent and aggressive” when he drank.

Earlier, Trump had defended his pick but admitted that the appeals court judge has had a “bit of difficulty” with alcohol.

In a White House press conference, the US president sought to excuse excessive drinking by teenagers, while going beyond Kavanaugh’s own testimony on his past use of alcohol to the Senate Judiciary Committee last week.

“I was surprised at how vocal he was about the fact that he likes beer,” the president said.

“He’s had a little bit of difficulty. He talked about things that happened when he drank. This is not a man that said... he was perfect with respect to alcohol.” AFP

Legendary singer Aznavour dies, 94 PARIS―The legendary French singer Charles Aznavour―who said last week he wanted to breathe his last on stage―has died aged 94, his spokeswoman told AFP Monday.

The songwriter, who had just returned from a concert tour of Japan, passed away at his home in Alpilles in southeastern France.

The veteran French actor Alain Delon said his old friend had “died in his sleep”.

“I loved that man. I am in bits,” he told AFP. Aznavour had to cancel several shows after breaking his arm in a fall earlier this year.

But as late as Friday the diminutive singer told French television that though his Swedish-born wife wanted him to stop, he would happily die on stage.

“I always go forward. I have no reverse gear,” he said.

“All I can do is live, and I live on stage. I am happy up there.”

The singer had planned to go back on tour later this month, starting with a concert in Brussels on October 26 and his hometown Paris a fortnight later.

His doctor Jean Abitbol said his voice had “practically never aged. He knew how to look after it and lived a rigorously healthy life, which was rare for his time.

“He wanted to die on stage like [the playwright] Moliere, and that is kind of what he did,” he told French TV. French President Emmanuel Macron led the tributes, praising his “unique brilliance”.

“Proudly French, viscerally attached to his Armenian roots... Charles Aznavour accompanied three generations through their joys and pains,” he said. AFP

through wreckage hunting for anything salvageable.

Others crowded around daisy-chained power strips at the few buildings that still have electricity, or queued for water, cash or petrol being brought in via armed police convoy.

“The government, the president have come here, but what we really need is food and water,” Burhanuddin Aid Masse, 48, told AFP. Rescue efforts have been hampered by a lack of heavy machinery, severed transport links, the scale of the damage, and the Indonesian government’s reluctance to accept foreign help.

As if to remind the world of the tectonic fragility of Indonesia, a series of quakes hit the island of Sumba on Tuesday, albeit hundreds of kilometers from Palu.

The official death toll from the tragedy in central Sulawesi stood at 1,234, according to the government.

The Indonesian military is leading the rescue effort, but following a reluctant acceptance of help by President Joko Widodo, international NGOs also have teams on the ground in Palu.

Among the dead are dozens of students whose lifeless bodies were pulled from their landslide-swamped church in Sulawesi.

“A total of 34 bodies were found by the team,” Indonesia Red Cross spokeswoman Aulia Arriani told AFP after the grim discovery, adding that 86 students had initially been reported missing from a Bible camp at the Jonooge Church Training Center. AFP

REPUBLIC OF OF THE THE PHILIPPINES PHILIPPINES REPUBLIC NATIONAL CAPITAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL JUDICIAL REGION REGION NATIONAL REGIONAL TRIAL TRIAL COURT COURT REGIONAL BRANCH 208 208 BRANCH MANDALUYONG CITY CITY MANDALUYONG NESTOR J. J. LUMANAS, LUMANAS, NESTOR Plaintiff, Plaintiff, -versus-versus-

CIVIL CASE CASE NO. NO. MC15-9579 MC15-9579 CIVIL For: SUM SUM OF OF MONEY MONEY WITH WITH DAMAGES DAMAGES For:

MARIA TERESA TERESA S. S. GO, GO, etc., etc., MARIA Defendant.

Defendant. x--------------------------------------------------x x--------------------------------------------------x

ORDER ORDER

For resolution resolution is is the the plaintiff’s plaintiff’s Motion Motion to to Revive Revive Case Case with with Urgent Urgent ExExFor Parte Motion Motion to to Allow Allow Service Service of of Summons Summons by

by Publication.

Publication.

Parte In its its motion, motion, the the plaintiff plaintiff alleges alleges that that as as per per Sheriff’s Sheriff’s return, return, the the alias alias In summons were were not not served served at at the the given given address address of of the the defendant defendant which which summons prompted the the Court Court to to archive archive this this case case pending pending determination determination of of the the prompted defendant’s whereabouts; whereabouts; that that in in obedience obedience to to the the Court’s Court’s directive, directive, defendant’s plaintiff endeavoured endeavoured to to locate locate whereabouts whereabouts of of the the defendant defendant and and his his plaintiff inquiries all all part part to to the the fact fact that that the the defendant defendant is is still still in in the the Philippines Philippines inquiries although her her exact exact whereabouts whereabouts delayed delayed effort; effort; the the plaintiff plaintiff prays prays although that the the case case be be revived, revived, aa second second alias alias be be issued issued and and an an order order be be that issued allowing allowing service service of of summons summons upon upon the the defendant defendant by by publication publication issued pursuant to Sec 14 of Rule 14 of the Rules of Court. pursuant to Sec 14 of Rule 14 of the Rules of Court.

Section 14 14 of of Rule Rule 14 14 of of the the Rule Rule of of Court Court provides: provides: Section “Section 14.

14. Service Service upon upon defendant defendant whose whose identity identity or or whereabouts whereabouts “Section are unknown.unknown.- In In any any action action where where the the defendant defendant is is designated designated as as an an are unknown owner, or the like, or whenever his whereabouts are unknown unknown owner, or the like, or whenever his whereabouts are unknown and cannot cannot be be ascertained ascertained by by diligent diligent inquiry, inquiry, service service may, may, by by leave leave of of and court, be be effected effected upon upon him him by by publication publication in in aa newspaper newspaper of of general general court, circulation and and in in such such places places and and for for such such time time as as the the court court may may order.” order.” circulation Finding merit merit on on the the motion, motion, the the same same is is GRANTED. GRANTED. Finding WHEREFORE the the Court Court rules rules as as follows: follows: WHEREFORE (1) this this case case is is ordered ordered REVIVED; REVIVED; (1) (2) that that aa second second alias alias summons summons be be issued; issued; (2) (3) that that the the plaintiff plaintiff is is hereby hereby allowed allowed to to serve serve summons summons upon upon the the (3) defendant through publication pursuant to Section Section 14, 14, Rule Rule 14 14 defendant through publication pursuant to of the the Rules Rules of of Court.

Court. of Notify and and furnish furnish the the parties parties and and counsels counsels copy copy of of this this Order.

Order.

Notify SO ORDERED. ORDERED. SO Given in in chambers chambers this this September September 7, 7, 2018 2018 at at Mandaluyong Mandaluyong City.

City.

Given

(Sgd.) Esteban Esteban A. A.Tacla, Tacla, jr. jr.

(Sgd.) Presiding Judge Judge Presiding

Republic of of the the Philippines Philippines Republic REGIONAL TRIAL TRIAL COURT COURT REGIONAL Mandaluyong City, City, Br. Br. 208 208 Mandaluyong NESTOR J. J. LUMANAS LUMANAS NESTOR Doing business business under under the the Doing name and style “SANNOVEX name and style “SANNOVEX Pharmaceutical Distributor”, Pharmaceutical Distributor”, Represented by by his his attorney-in-fact, attorney-in-fact, Represented CASIANO N. N. BOADO, BOADO, JR., JR., CASIANO Plaintiff, Plaintiff, -versus-versus-

Civil Case Case No. No. MC15-9579 MC15-9579 Civil FOR: Sum Sum of of Money Money With With Damages Damages FOR:

MARIA TERESA TERESA S. S. GO GO MARIA Doing business business under under the the name name and and Doing style “XY “XY MEDICAL MEDICAL ENTERPRISE”, ENTERPRISE”, style Defendant.

Defendant. x-----------------------------------------x x-----------------------------------------x

COMPLAINT COMPLAINT

PLAINTIFF, by by counsel, counsel, respectfully respectfully alleges: alleges: PLAINTIFF, 1. Plaintiff Plaintiff is is of of legal legal age, age, married married and and resides resides at at 294 294 Private Private E. E. Reyes Reyes 1.

St., New New Zaniga, Zaniga, Mandaluyong Mandaluyong City City and and herein herein represented represented by

by Casiano Casiano St., N. Boado, Boado, Jr., Jr., as as shown shown in in the the Special Special Power Power of of Attorney, Attorney, Annex Annex A A N. hereof. hereof.

Defendant is likewise of legal age, engaged in her own business Defendant is likewise of legal age, engaged in her own business under the the name name and and style style XY XY MEDICAL MEDICAL ENTERPRISE ENTERPRISE with with address address under at Suite Suite 253/212 253/212 Cityland Cityland 88 Condominium, Condominium, 98 98 Gil Gil Puyat Puyat Avenue, Avenue, Makati Makati at City, where she may be served with summons and other court processes.

City, where she may be served with summons and other court processes.

2. Plaintiff Plaintiff imports imports and and distributes distributes pharmaceutical pharmaceutical products products and and 2. does business business under under the the business business name name “SANNOVEX “SANNOVEX Pharmaceutical Pharmaceutical does Distributor”.

Distributor”.

3. Sometime Sometime in in February February 2014, 2014, in in line line with with his his business, business, the the plaintiff plaintiff 3. sold and and delivered delivered to to the the defendant defendant various various pharmaceutical pharmaceutical products products sold with a total value of P384,500.00 evidenced by Sales Invoice Nos. 17169 with a total value of P384,500.00 evidenced by Sales Invoice Nos. 17169 and 16449 16449 attached attached hereto hereto as as Annexes Annexes B B and and C. C. and 4. Defendants Defendants aforesaid aforesaid obligation obligation has has long long been been due due and and payable payable 4. but she she failed failed and and refused refused and and still still fails fails and and refuses refuses to to pay pay despite despite but repeated demands exemplified by the demand letters Annexes D and E E repeated demands exemplified by the demand letters Annexes D and hereof. hereof.

5.

For failure and refusal of the defendant to pay a just, valid and 5. For failure and refusal of the defendant to pay a just, valid and overdue obligation obligation despite despite demands, demands, plaintiff plaintiff was was compelled compelled to to institute institute overdue this case case thereby thereby engaging engaging the the service service of of undersigned undersigned counsel counsel for for this P50,000.00 P50,000.00 6. The The filing filing of of this this suit suit exposes exposes plaintiff plaintiff to to litigation litigation expense expense expected expected 6. to be be not not less less than than P50,000.00.

P50,000.00. to WHEREFORE, plaintiff plaintiff respectfully respectfully prays prays that that after after notice notice and and WHEREFORE, hearing this this Hon. Hon. Court Court render render judgment judgment ordering ordering defendant defendant to to pay pay hearing plaintiff the the following: following: plaintiff (a) P384,500.00 P384,500.00 from from due due date date until until fully fully paid; paid; (a) (b) P50,000.00 P50,000.00 as as attorney’s attorney’s fee; fee; and and (b) (c) P50,000.00 as costs of suit. (c) P50,000.00 as costs of suit.

Other legal legal and and equitable equitable reliefs reliefs are are also also prayed prayed for. for.

Other Mandaluyong City, City, July July 10, 10, 2015.

2015.

Mandaluyong

(Sgd.) ROBERTO ROBERTO C. C. BERMEJO BERMEJO (Sgd.)

Counsel for for the the Plaintiff Plaintiff Counsel 344 Maysilo Maysilo Circle, Circle, Mandaluyong Mandaluyong City City 344 IBP No. 0983671/1-06-2015/PPLM IBP No. 0983671/1-06-2015/PPLM PTR NO. NO. 2334382/1-07-2015/Mand.

2334382/1-07-2015/Mand. City City PTR MCLE IV-0019899/4-06-13 IV-0019899/4-06-13 MCLE Roll No.-27214 Roll No.-27214 Contact No.: No.: 02-534-1530 02-534-1530 Contact

VERIFICATION AND AND CERTIFICATION CERTIFICATION VERIFICATION CASIANO N. N. BOADO, BOADO, JR., JR., of of legal legal age, age, after after being being duly duly sworn, sworn, I,I, CASIANO hereby depose depose and and state: state: hereby 1. II am am the the plaintiff’s plaintiff’s attorney-in-fact attorney-in-fact in in the the above-entitled above-entitled case; case; 1.

2. II have have caused caused the the preparation preparation of of the the above-complaint above-complaint upon upon 2. authority of the plaintiff; authority of the plaintiff; 3. II read read the the complaint complaint and and allegations allegations therein therein are are true true and and correct correct 3. out of of my my personal personal knowledge knowledge and and based based on on authentic authentic documents; documents; out 4.

I hereby certify that I have not commenced any other action or or 4. I hereby certify that I have not commenced any other action proceedings involving involving the the issues issues raised raised herein herein before before any any court, court, tribunal tribunal proceedings or agency agency and and should should II thereafter thereafter learn learn of of the the pendency pendency thereof, thereof, II shall shall or immediately notify notify this this Hon. Hon. Court Court within within five five (5) (5) days days therefrom. therefrom. immediately

(Sgd.) CASIANO CASIANO N. N. BOADO, BOADO, JR. JR. (Sgd.) Affiant Affiant th

SUBSCRIBED AND AND SWORN SWORN to to before before me me this this 13 13th day day of of July July 2015 2015 at at SUBSCRIBED Mandaluyong City, City, affiant affiant presented presented acceptable acceptable ID ID bearing bearing his his picture picture Mandaluyong and signature, signature, attesting attesting to to his his true true identity identity as as the the same same person person who who and executed the the foregoing. foregoing. II certify certify that that II have have personally personally examined examined affiant affiant executed and convinced convinced that that he he understood understood and and voluntarily voluntarily executed executed the the same. same. and

(Sgd.) ROBERTO ROBERTO C. C. BERMEJO BERMEJO (Sgd.)

Doc. No. No. 201 201 Doc. Page No. No. 41 41 Page Book No. Book No. II Series of of 2015.

2015.

Series

COMMISSION NO. NO. 0111-15 0111-15 COMMISSION NOTARY PUBLIC PUBLIC FOR FOR MANDALUYONG MANDALUYONG CITY CITY NOTARY UNTIL DEC. DEC. 31, 31, 2016 2016 UNTIL RM. 2-B JOJEMAR BLDG. 344 RM. 2-B JOJEMAR BLDG. 344 MAYSILO CIRCLE CIRCLE MAND.CITY MAND.CITY MAYSILO ROLL NO. NO. 27214 27214 ROLL PTR NO. NO. 2334382-1-07-2015-MAND.CITY 2334382-1-07-2015-MAND.CITY PTR IBP NO. NO. 0983671-1-06-2015-PPLM 0983671-1-06-2015-PPLM IBP (MStandard-Oct. 3, 3, 2018) 2018) (MStandard-Oct.

CYAN MAGENTA MAGENTA YELLOW YELLOW BLACK BLACK CYAN

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

B4

wednesday, october 3, 2018

‘Itogon, Naga disasters could’ve been mitigated’ IF THE Department of Disaster Resilience had been in place, the massive devastation caused by Typhoon “Ompong” in the northern Philippines would have been mitigated, the principal author of the bill in Congress that would create the agency said.

While noting that the House of Representatives has now passed House Bill 8165 that seeks to create the DDR, Albay Rep. Joey Salceda said if the agency was in place, tragedies caused

by Ompong and other natural and man-made disasters and calamities that frequently hit the country would have been avoided.

HB 8165 was approved Sept. 18, three days after Ompong triggered lethal landslides that claimed at least 78 lives in the mining town of Itogon, Benguet, with close to 30 missing.

Five days after the Itogon tragedy, about 70 people were buried in a similar landslide triggered by heavy rains in another mining community—Naga City in Cebu, where 30 persons were reported missing.

Salceda noted that the Naga tragedy and the succeeding investigation, which resulted in the suspension of at least three Mines and Geosciences Bureau officials, is an example of a disaster which should have been mitigated, had the disaster risk reduction aspect been given more weight and priority.

The DDR, he said, would directly address these disasters and help ensure the country’s inclusive economic growth.

Ex-Parañaque village councilor nabbed for libel A FORMER Parañaque City barangay councilor was arrested by police at his home over the weekend over libel charges filed by a real estate company located at the Entertainment City.

Paranaque Regional Trial Court Judge Aida Estrella Macapagal-Fojas of Branch 195 issued a warrant of arrest Friday against Jonathan Z. Bernardo, a former Kagawad of Barangay San Isidro.

On June 2017, Bernardo lodged a graft complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman against Parañaque Mayor Edwin Olivarez and 12 other city officials over an alleged disadvantageous tax settlement with a group of companies in 2013.

Bernardo implicated in the complaint the firms D.M. Wenceslao & Associates, Inc., Wendel Holdings Co., Inc., Fabricom Manufacturing Corp. and Aseana Holdings, Inc., collectively the “Wenceslao Group” in the complaint.

The barangay councilor said Olivarez gave undue benefits to the Wenceslao Group in late 2013 in relation to several construction projects in the mixed-use reclaimed area of the city, which was “disadvantageous to Paranaque.”

The complainant pointed out that tax settlements allegedly defrayed the liabilities of the respective companies in the Wenceslao Group by “a whopping 62.68%” which translated into a payment of P269.89 million instead of P723.27 million.

Olivarez pointed out that the Supreme Court itself approved the compromised agreement by the parties. However, the Wenceslao Group claimed the allegation that the city government lost more than P450 million due to tax credits was “baseless” and that they overpaid Paranaque by more than P390 million.

SERVING THE ELDERLY.

Laguna 3rd District Rep. Sol Aragones (left) shakes the hands of senior citizens who attended the free medical mission her office staged at the covered court in Nagcarlan, Laguna on Sept. 27.

Roy Tomandao

LGUs LocaL government units

WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS. Senator Cynthia Villar (second from right) was awarded the Sen. Geronima T. Pecson Statuette (named after the First Filipina senator) during the 60th

Anniversary and 23rd Convention of the Federation of Asia Pacific Women’s Association held at Hotel Jen Manila. Speaking on ‘Women as Entrepreneurs,’ Villar said empowering women, overseas Filipino workers, and farmers by providing them with business opportunities is the key in beating poverty in the country. Lino Santos

Bello ally wants to be Ilagan’s first lawmaker

By Abe Almirol

I

LAGAN, Isabela—A former Labor Department director thinks it’s about time this city had a homegrown lawmaker.

“I think it is about time for Ilagan to elect a congressman that it can call its own,” said Dr. Jun Cruz in confirming rumors that he will run for Congress in the May 2019 elections.

A close associate of Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III, Cruz recently resigned as a Director at the International Labor Affairs Bureau (ILAB) of the Department of Labor and Employment.

Bello and Cruz are both natives of Ilagan, the capital city of Isabela. The province is the second largest in the country in terms of land area and re-

corded 1,593,566 people as of the 2015 census of the Philippine Statistics Authority.

The Albano family has held the congressional seat of Isabela’s first district, which includes this city, from the 8th Congress (in 1987) to the current 17th Congress.

But with the recent redistricting of Isabela province by virtue of Republic Act 11080, signed into law on Sept. 27, the first district retained all of the towns in the northern border and the eastern coast that it used to cover, except the

town of Palanan, which was absorbed by the second district.

The Albanos are natives of Cabagan town, a relatively smaller town compared to Ilagan.

Rodolfo “Rudy” B. Albano Jr. and son Rodolfo “Rodito” T. Albano III took turns occupying the district’s seat in the House of Representatives for about 32 years.

The Albanos both served five terms, replacing each other once their constitutional consecutive three-term limit was through.

“I think former Ilagan Mayor Jay Diaz and realtor Noel Binag will agree with me. I am willing to just support them if one of them would be willing to run, for the sake of the Ilagueño dream,” Cruz told Manila Standard.

CEZA FINTECH VENTURE.

Secretary Raul L. Lambino (second from left), administrator and CEO of the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority, hands over CEZA’s 8th Principal License for Fintech Solutions and Offshore Virtual Currency Exchange to Bob Carter Sy Yu (third from left), director of Tiger Wheel Limited, an international company registered in the Republic of Seychelles, during simple ceremonies at the CEZA’s main office in Mandaluyong City. With them are CEZA Acting Senior Deputy Administrator Raymundo T. Roquero (left) and lawyer Bayani Chua, legal officer of Tiger Wheel.

Joseph Muego

Vargas to follow brod’s footsteps as District 5 dad

By Rio N. Araja THE younger brother of Quezon City Rep. Alfred Vargas will run for councilor in District 5.

Patrick Michael Vargas, the lawmaker’s chief of staff, said he is filing his certificate of candidacy next week before the Commission on Elections office within city hall to succeed outgoing councilors who have served the 37-member city council in the past nine years.

During a concert organized by the older Vargas on Friday night, the Sponge Cola band wowed the young audience in District 5’s Novaliches area.

“The concert is for the youth asking them to stay away from [illegal] drugs. Be hooked on music [instead],” Patrick Vargas told Manila Standard.

“People ask me why I’d want to be a councilor, following the footsteps of my brother. It is not about the title or the salary.

It is about serving the people,” he added.

The Vargas brothers are running under the slate of Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte, who is gunning for the mayoral post in 2019.

Meanwhile, the city government, under the administration of Mayor Herbert Bautista, continues its thrust of developing culture and arts with the reorganization of the city’s Culture and Arts Council.

Bautista recently signed Quezon City Council Ordinance 2741-2018, amending Ordinance 1662-2006 entitled “An ordinance creating the Quezon City Culture and Arts Council,” specifically its provisions on its duties and responsibilities, offices, and funds.

The Quezon City Culture and Arts Council is composed of the City Mayor, the Committee on Cultural Affairs and Tourism, the Cultural Tourism Affairs Office, the City Planning Development officer, the Public Affairs and Information Services Office, and the City Budget Office.

CDC buys speed guns to catch erring drivers at Clark Freeport Zone CLARK FREEPORT, Pampanga— Drivers inside this Freeport were warned Tuesday to start following the traffic rules and regulations. otherwise they will be ticketed on the spot by traffic officers if they fail to do so.

The drivers will be targeted with the new set speed guns on the spot by traffic officers to determine their viola-

tions, especially speeding, with a fine of at least P1,000.

The speed guns were purchased by the Clark Development Corp. to stop rampant violations of traffic rules specially over speeding along prohibited roads inside the area.

The speed limit inside Clark is only 60 kph specially along the M.A. Mitch-

ell highways and other major roads inside the Freeport but most of the erring drivers go beyond the limit.

Jesus Marquez, chief of the Public Safety Division of the CDC said that the gun will measure the speed of the approaching erring drivers by recording their violations and penalties through an extended video tracking device that will also record

such violation on the spot.

Marquez said that the model traffic equipment were purchased to boost and improve law enforcement and public safety. This a program of government controlled corporations to eradicate over speeding that sometimes result in accidents and the unnecessary loss of human lives. Romeo Dizon

Professor eyes presidency of alma mater BALANGA CITY, Bataan—Dr. Hermogenes Paguia, Bataan Peninsula State University Acting Vice President for Research, Extension, and Training Services, is seeking the presidency of his alma mater Bulacan Agricultural State College.

“My goals for BASC include student welfare and development, transparency and governance, and advancement in research and development and innovations, among others,” he told Manila Standard on Tuesday.

Paguia graduated with a BS Agricultural Education degree from the school in San Ildefonso, Bulacan in 1992. He finished his Master of Science in Agriculture from Pampanga Agricultural State University. He took his Doctor

of Philosophy (PhD) in Agricultural Sciences also from the same university in 2006. Currently, he has a faculty rank of Professor VI at BPSU. “I will push for excellent delivery of instruction through highly qualified, competent and globally competitive faculty and appropriate learning facilities and services. I will promote global competitiveness by offering international training programs, industry immersion, scholarships and research grants,” he pointed out.

“There will be good governance through transparency in administrative records management, financial budgeting, and utilization monitoring system,” Paguia said. Butch Gunio

Life

Bernadette Lunas, Issue Editor manilastandardlife@gmail.com @manilastandardlife @MStandardLIFE

fashion and beauty

wEdnESday, octoBEr 3, 2018

C1

Manila Standard’s best dressed celebrities at the ABS-CBN Ball 2018

t

he red carpet of Makati Shangri-La was teeming with show-stopping looks of Kapamilya celebrities who graced the inaugural ABS-CBn Ball, previously the Star Magic Ball, on Sept.

29. Check our list of men and women who stood out from the star-studded crowd.

Crocs Platform Clogs features a two-inch platform.

Erich Gonzales

Vania Romoff sure knows how to flatter a woman’s body, which erich proved in a classic white satin gown with elegant draping and dramatic train that perfectly wrapped her body. the off-the-shoulder number accentuated the 28-year-old actress’ shoulders and collarbone. her clean makeup, classic updo, and minimal accessories definitely achieved that fresh, sophisticated look, which could very well be worn in a wedding.

Jericho Rosales

Jericho made a bold move and a great statement in this year’s ball with his velvet suit in lovely carnation pink created by Ziggy Savella. echo paid homage to the ‘50s with his ensemble, complete with vintage tie and wide lapel. But what really made this look stand out for us is the rather feminine color, which fits the actor’s feminist views (earlier this year, he defended his wife Kim Jones on social media from a netizen who judged her for not having kids).

Stand tall in clogs Sixteen years and millions of shoes sold later, casual footwear label Crocs has finally given its classic clogs an update.

Crocs brings comfort to new heights with its latest Platform Clogs. the new clogs sports two inches height but with the same lightweight, comfortable,

and easy to clean material—ideal to be worn everyday, especially when running multiple errands.

Over the years, Crocs has offered designs meant to be worn everyday. it features the Croslite material, a proprietary and revolutionary technology providing each pair of shoes the soft, comfortable, lightweight, non-marking, and odor-resistant qualities the brand has been known for. its LiteRide technology, on the other hand, is a recent innovation of closedcell material which delivers consumers a delightful mix of support and sink-in softness.

Crocs Philippines now operates under its new distributor, Walk eZ Retail Corporation in partnership with the SM Retail, inc.

Crocs stores are located at selected The SM Stores, SM Supermalls, and other malls nationwide.

Janella Salvador

Janella was pretty in hot pink ballgown by Michael Leyva. the voluminous number flattered her petite frame.

Meanwhile her diamond drop necklace complemented the deep-V of her dress, exuding a sexy yet elegant appeal. her high ponytail and side-swept bangs gave her look a youthful vibe. the 20-yearold star definitely looked like a Barbie doll on the red carpet.

Piolo Pascual

Who needs outrageous brocades, shiny metallics, and other avantgarde accents when you can slay the red carpet in a classic tuxedo?

Piolo looked effortlessly dapper in custom Randy Ortiz suit. the timeless, black tux hugged his body perfectly. his slicked back hair gave his look a classic, clean, and very hollywood-ish feel.

Sue Ramirez

Sue brought the fabulous ‘20s back on the red carpet in her burgundy, heavily embroidered Mak tumang gown. the jaw-dropping fringed frock with its halter top bodice was truly high fashion, definitely worth a second, or third, look. She finished off her flapper girl style with a short, sleek hairstyle with side part and bold red lipstick

Crocs brings comfort to new heights with the new Platform Clogs.

Anne Curtis

it was a successful Star Magic Ball comeback for Anne, who was regal in custom Monique Lhuillier. the understated ebony gown featured a softly sculpted fabric bustier and ruched skirt; it is actually the black version of Lhuillier’s Spring 2019 bridal gown (Anne also wore a Monique Lhuillier to her wedding). She completed her look with a halfponytail accented with a Jennifer Behr celestial coronet and a pair of diamond stud earrings.

Maymay Entrata

the fan-favorite 21-year-old actress continues to slay the red carpet. this year, Maymay did not disappoint in her light pink Furne One body-hugging dress, with feathery accents reminiscent of an angel, which, she said in interviews, was dedicated to her fans (MayWard Angels). her bold winged eyeliner complemented her theme, while the rest of her face was kept nude and fresh. Maymay’s sleek updo with star accessories tied her look together.

Photos courtesy of @starmagicphils, @abscbnball, and @annecurtissmith on Instagram.

Life

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wednesday, october 3, 2018 manilastandardlife@gmail.com

From world to universe:

E

Catriona Gray finds her beauty vEn beauty queens have insecurities, too. And these insecurities, in this age of social media, are further aggravated by online critics and bashers.

Miss Universe Philippines 2018 Catriona Gray knows that people can get very critical and vocal about their opinions of her.

In a recent interview, Ever Bilena’s newest endorser candidly discussed the issues she has to face and admitted, “Even though I am a beauty queen, I also have insecurities.

I have been and continue to be a victim of body-shaming online.”

But the harsh comments and criticisms do not faze her.

“I’m human first, beauty queen second. no one has perfect statistics. It really is just about empowering yourself and finding your own worth within yourself,” said the 24-year-old FilipinoAustralian stunner.

On social media, Gray wittily responds to her bashers, proving to them that women should not be defined by anyone’s definition of beauty

or by “numbers on a tape.”

Instead of letting herself be bothered by online critics, she finds worth in raising awareness about her two main causes: Young Focus, an education-based government organization that gives free education to kids aged 3-6 years old and school spons o r-

ships to older kids; and Love Yourself Philippines, an HIv-AIDS volunteer-run organization.

It was actually her active involvement in charity work that led to her participation in beauty contests.

“I was doing volunteer work at a charity and one of my good friends entered the pageant. when I saw her go through it, I thought about how much more I could do for my cause if I had the platform of a beauty pageant,” related Gray.

Her journey as a beauty queen began when she joined Miss world Philippines in 2016 and was crowned the winner.

This year, she gets a bigger platform as she represents the country in the highly anticipated Miss Universe in December in Thailand.

As part of her preparation, Gray said she had to master the skill of doing her own hair and makeup.

“I’m bringing the EB Superlash Mascara, EB Matte lipsticks in nude and red shades, and EB Face Powder to keep my face oil-free throughout the competition,” she shared.

Miss Universe Philippines 2018 Catriona Gray believes in finding your own worth within yourself.

The new boutique carries Coach’s signature pieces.

Coach opens new store at Power Plant Mall

nEw York-based luxury fashion label Coach opens its sixth Philippine store on the first level of Power Plant Mall in Rockwell, Makati.

The nearly 120-square meter space was designed by Coach creative director Stuart vevers in partnership with william Sofield, designer and president Studio Sofield.

Featuring the brand’s distinctive modern luxury concept, the store environment is warm and inviting, with leather and natural wood finishes that reflect the sophisticated yet playful refinement of new York.

The Rockwell boutique carries Coach’s signature pieces and its fall 2018 collection, which features soft hues and block colors—seen on soft leather Dreamer bags—and stronger appearance of American heritage sportswear as shown on cross body bags, rucksacks, signature print bomber, and varsity jackets for men and women.

The second creative collaboration with Selena Gomez—actress, singer, and face of Coach—is also showcased in the store.

In 2015, Coach began a partnership with SSI Group. The opening is part of Coach’s commitment to build its retail presence and brand visibility in the Philippines.

A ceremonial toast led by Coach vice president and general manager for Tapestry Southeast Asia and Oceania Emmanuel Ruelland and SSI Group, Inc. president Anton Huang was held to formally open the boutique.

Guests who graced the opening party dressed in Coach included Gabbi Garcia, Lovi Poe, Rhian Ramos, Richard Juan, Tim Yap, and wil Dasovich.

Coach opens its 6th PH store at Power Plant Mall in Rockwell, Makati.

On time in black EDGY,, f lexible, authoritative, yet subtle, TechnoMarine incorporates these exceptional qualities of black in its new Sea Manta Diver Multifunctional Gunmetal Dial men’s watch from the Manta Sea Collection.

All black from the dial to the strap, the new Sea Manta timepiece is perfect for any occasion and for men who are always on the go. Date, month, and day are displayed on the dial. There’s also a moon phase indicator. The clock is analog with luminous hands for easier reading.

The Sea Manta Gunmetal Dial Black watch comes in a 48 mm stainless steel case with durable mineral crystals and screw down stainless steel case that exudes gentlemanly elegance.

The strap is made of 35 mm black integrated silicone and rubber, and is 8.5 inches long for better fit.

It is suitable for various underwater escapades, including recreational scuba diving, as it is water resistant for up to 200 meters.

This edgy timepiece is available at TechnoMarine in Greenbelt 3, Robinson’s Galleria, Robinson’s Magnolia, Shangri-La Plaza, SM City Cebu, SM Lanang Premier Davao, SM Mall of Asia, SM Megamall, SM North Edsa, TriNoma, and Uptown Mall.

TechnoMarine’s Sea Manta Diver Multifunctional Gunmetal Dial men’s watch

Entertainment Solving crime the ‘Ang Probinsyano’ way EXPERIENCE the thrill and action of ABS-CBN’s leading primetime action series FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano in an escape room opening on Oct. 6 (Saturday) at the third level of Ayala Malls Vertis North.

ABS-CBN has partnered with Left Behind PH, a local escape room game company, to bring the fun and suspense of the country’s most watched program to life in an exciting and stimulating challenge in continuing celebration of the show’s third anniversary.

Inside the FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano room, Cardo Dalisay (Coco Martin) and the rest of Vendetta have infiltrated the lair of a syndicate and they need help to seize evidence of the latter’s illicit activities.

Players are locked inside and are left to find clues that Cardo and Vendetta members have laid out. However, the clock is ticking and participants need to solve the challenge within 30 minutes.

Expect a gripping game involving wit and teamwork in the theme of FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano. Players who make the cut will receive a special place in the leaderboard and also get a chance to earn the Heroes title.

Open to at least two up to six players each, interested players may try the game at only P250 each on weekdays and P350 on weekends. Players ages 12 to 17 years old have to be accompanied by at least one participating adult.

Book your slot now via www.

FPJAPescaperoom.com and experience the excitement of solving a crime the FPJ Ang Probinsyano way.

FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano escape room game opens at Left Behind in Ayala Malls Vertis North on Oct. 6.

Simply...

From C4

“We are trying to give the candidates and the viewers the best experience ever. This is the most expensive but the most worthy segment of Eat Bulaga and this is our way of returning the favor to the communities that supported us through years.”

The 40 Miss Millennial Philippines 2018 candidates are Sharmaine Dela Cruz (Zamboanga), Mae Angela Miguel (Zambales), Maria Isabel Alves (Paranaque), Marela Glospeah Caro Juaman (South Cotabato), Ina Louise Abello (Palawan), Jaila Ragindin (Bataan), Kate Maureen Sunga (Guimaras), Denice Fritz Daligcon (Apayao), Danna Rose Socaoco (Misamis Oriental), EllenMay Otalla (Rizal), Verna RIcaella Franco (Tarlac), Kiezel Mellado (Sarangani), Trisha Aceret (Ilocos Norte), Shaira Marie Rona (Mandaluyong City) and Ma. Gienel Caling from Nueva Ecija, Marissa Ruado (Masbate), Daphne Kyara Marie Algrame (Negros Oriental), Jennifer Lemaitre (Laguna), Jewel Palacat (Ilocos Sur), Shaila Rebortera (Cebu), Merrielle Sarmiento (Oriental Mindoro), Femush Lyssa Maynes (Nueva Vizcaya), Elaiza Monica Mascarinas (Compostela Valley), Eloiza Canlas (Pampanga), Lesly Joy Sim (Quezon Province), Alyssa Angelica Dacuno (Samar), Trissia Aldave (Camarines Sur),

Brillante’s ‘Alpha‘ wins Special Jury Prize in Spain

Director Brillante Mendoza (right) and ‘Alpha’ lead actor Allen Dizon at the 66th San Sebastian International Film Festival in Spain.

WARD winning director Brillante Mendoza’s film Alpha, The Right To Kill won Special Jury Prize— the second most important award at the 66th San Sebastian International Film Festival.

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The San Sebastián International Film Festival is an annual international film festival held in the Spanish city of Donostia-San Sebastián in the Basque Country. Since its creation in 1953, it has been established itself as one of the most important cinema festivals in the world, being one of only 14 “A” category competitive festivals accredited by the FIAPF (International Federation of Film Producers Associations). This is the first time that a Filipino film is selected as a Main Competition film in this prestigious festival. It is also a first time for Mendoza to participate in San Sebastian.

“We would like to extend our

Ivory Felix Calampinay (Malabon), Elisha Libres (Davao del Sur), Joanna Kalkschmidt (Capiz), Zane Anne Deza Parel (Isabela), and Lady Justerinnie Santos (Bulacan).

Meanwhile, provinces sending their first Miss Millennial representatives are Batanes (Ma. Ellena Velasco), Aurora (Verny Abby Zabat), Bukidnon (Sunshine Gumbao), Abra (Chanel Mistyca Corpuz), Siquijor (Neriz Lantaca), Agusan del Sur (Judie Anne Castro), Iloilo (Demi Patria Jainga) and Jolo, Sulu (Nur Shaira).

This year’s grand prize winner, which will be determined by text and online votes, will take home a house and lot from Camella Homes, a brand new Montero Sport and P500,000.

Eat Bulaga will also choose a Miss Bayanihan Queen, the contestant with the best tourism campaign, and will award P1 million to fund her chosen local tourism project.

Ferre is hopeful that apart from showing the different side of the tech savvy millennials, viewers who watch the show will have a better appreciation of the country.

“This is another way of discovering and touring the different regions of our country. The vision of Eat Bulaga is that after following this pageant, everyone is moved to experience the beauty of the Philippines,” she said.

“Miss Millennial Philippines 2018” in Eat Bulaga is seen Monday to Saturday only on GMA-7.

CROSSWORD PUZZLE Wednesday, October 3, 2018

ACROSS 1 Birds of prey 6 Situated 11 Bear’s foot 14 Small stream 15 Excessive interest 16 Mont. neighbor 17 “— vincit amor” 18 Fingerprint part 19 Taro dish 20 Racetracks 22 Inactive 24 Postal workers 28 Nabs 29 Beliefs 30 Electrical connectors 32 Political campaign 33 From square one 35 Vats 39 Solar disk 40 Royal pronoun 41 Put one’s foot —— 42 Ink partners 43 More skillful 45 She, in Seville 46 Rajah’s land 48 Post 50 Used a blender 53 Gave off 54 Like a good sentry 55 Light sources 57 I-70

58 Topic 60 Put aside 65 Hosp. areas 66 German pistol 67 Pour out lava 68 Funny Charlotte — 69 Furniture wood 70 Wash cycle DOWN 1 Cable network 2 Body part 3 Didn’t lose 4 Garden-pond fish 5 Enjoyed the rink 6 Scottish accents 7 Get real! (2 wds.)

8 Lather 9 Joule fraction 10 Recoloring 11 Hamelin visitor 12 Delight in 13 Hangs around 21 — Minor 23 Most spiteful 24 Piece of fabric 25 Talk pompously 26 Spy mission 27 Smaller than tiny 28 Nearest star 30 Abdul or Prentiss 31 Old Italian

money 34 Asian desert 36 Not burning 37 Worthless talk 38 Tolerate 43 Append 44 Stair alternative 47 Provoke 49 Close kin 50 Apple peeler 51 Very 52 Ebbets Field great 53 Common abrasive 55 Block brand

56 So be it!

59 Center 61 Meyers of “Kate & Allie” 62 Cinnamon goody 63 Music collectibles 64 Summer in France

‘Alpha’ is set against the backdrop of the Philippine government’s war on drugs.

congratulations to team Alpha, specially to Director Brillante Mendoza who has always been bringing honor to our country through his films. We won in San Sebastian Film Festival and I am excited for our Filipino films as they compete in international film festivals. FDCP is here to support Filipino films and filmmakers. Let’s continue to be bold and share our stories

to the world,” said FDCP Chairperson and CEO Liza Diño.

Last year, the Philippine entry in the New Directors Section, Pailalim directed by Daniel Palacio won Special Mention Fedeora Award in San Sebastian International Film Festival.

Alpha, The Right To Kill is included in the special screening at the 23rd Busan International Film Festival this October in Busan, South Korea.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2018

C3

nickie.standard@gmail.com

Art in the Twenty-First Century is a biennial program that allows viewers to observe the artists at work.

Peabody award-winning TV series screens at MCAD THE De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) Museum of Contemporary Art and Design (MCAD) partners with Art21’s Screening Society to celebrate the launch of the ninth season of Art in the Twenty-First Century television series today at 12:00 noon.

This special first screening happening at the MCAD Multimedia Room, focuses on the Creative Growth, Art Center in San Francisco, a pioneering incubator of artistic activity; photographer and filmmaker Katy Grannan, pioneering interdisciplinary artist Lynn Hershman Leeson, and artist and educator Stephanie Syjuco.

Art in the Twenty-First Century is a Peabody Award-winning biennial program that allows viewers to observe the artists at work, watch as they transform inspiration into art and hear how they struggle with both the physical and visual challenges of achieving their visions.

Art21 is a nonprofit organization that aims to inspire a more creative world through the words and works of contemporary artists. It provides unparalleled access to diverse audiences around the world, using the power of digital media to introduce millions of people to contemporary arts and artists.

MCAD is located at the School of Design and Arts (SDA) Campus of DLS-CSB, Dominga Streer, Malate, Manila.

Spanish entry to the Oscars to open Instituto Cervantes’‘Pelicula’ BEGINNING tomorrow, Oct. 4 until the 20th, the 17th edition of Pelicula, the Spanish Film Festival, will be featuring the best of contemporary Spanish cinema at Greenbelt 3, UP Diliman and Instituto Cervantes Intramuros.

Presented by Instituto Cervantes, the Embassy of Spain, Turespaña, and the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), the 2018 edition of the Spanish Film Festival will screen more than 20 films.

Since its inception in 2002 by Instituto Cervantes, the Spanish Film Festival has been an annual attraction at Greenbelt, and following that tradition, the first leg of the Festival will be held at Greenbelt 3 Cinemas from Oct. 4 to 14, bringing the best of Spanish and Latin American cinema to the local audiences of Makati and the rest of Metro Manila.

Likewise, the Festival has traditionally been graced by the presence of Spanish and Latin American filmmakers. In this edition, Spanish film director Javier Fesser will fly to Manila to open the Festival with his movie Campeones today at 8:00 p.m. at Greenbelt 3 Cinemas. The film, chosen as the Spanish entry for the upcoming Oscars, is about a coach in Spain’s top basketball league who gets

Spanish film director Javier Fesser

involved in a car accident and is sentenced to the worst possible punishment for his ego: coaching a group of intellectuallydisabled players that have never touched a basketball. Through their innocence, they will teach Marco about the things that really matter.

The line-up of films shows a list of genres ranging from romance (Los amores cobardes) and comedy (Campeones, Hacerse mayor y otros problemas, Mi querida cofradía) to

documentary (Dancing Beethoven), adventure (Oro), children animation (Atrapa la bandera), adult animation (Memorias de un hombre en pijama), and drama (La novia).

Aside from its line-up of movies in different genres, Pelicula also shows Latin American cinema with feature films from Argentina (The Summit, The Last Suit), and Cuba (Últimos días en La Habana).

The Spanish word “película,” which means film, resulted in the Filipino “pelikula”, echoing the cultural ties shared by the Philippines and Spain.

In line with this spirit, since its first editions the Festival has aimed to put up joint Filipino-Spanish programs.

On Oct. 12, Pelicula 2018 will offer in collaboration with Cut Print Productions the program Encuentros en el cine: Shorts from the Philippines and Spain. The program will feature ten recent Spanish shorts and will also premiere two Filipino short films—The Gathering, by Arvin Belarmino, and actor Xian Lim’s A Love Story, his first attempt behind the camera.

For the schedule, line-up of films and further information on the Festival, please visit the Facebook page of Instituto Cervantes: www.facebook. com/InstitutoCervantesManila.

Entertainment

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

C4

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2018

The girl with the

GOLDEN VOICE

Written and directed by Victor Levin, ‘Destination Wedding’ features Winona Ryder and Keanu Reeves as ex-lovers Lindsay and Frank who have been invited to attend the same wedding.

Cebu’s pride Golden Cañedo was named the grand champion of the inaugural edition of GMA Network’s original reality singing tilt, ‘The Clash.’

By Nickie Wang

MA Network’s original singing reality show, The Clash, wrapped its inaugural season on Sunday with an extravaganza called The Final Clash, a showdown between North Cotabato’s bet Jong Madaliday and Cebu’s pride Golden Cañedo.

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‘The Clash’ grand finalists Mirriam Manalo, Garrett Bolden, Jong Madaliday, Josh Adornado, and Golden Cañedo huddled on the stage during the nervewracking announcement of the final two contenders.

First to perform was Jong with his lively rendition of The Chainsmokers’ “Roses” and immediately followed by Golden who belted out a rather conventional yet emotional version of Martin Nievera’s “Ikaw ang Pangarap.”

Following the high-energy performance of the two was the nerve-wracking announcement that changed the life of these two up-and-coming singers.

Host Regine Velasquez took centerstage and proclaimed Golden Cañedo as The Clash first grand champion.

Amid the flying confetti and loud cheers, Golden was hugged by Regine and then by her parents who came to celebrate her victory.

As the victor of the tilt, Golden took home more than four million worth of prizes including an exclusive management contract with GMA Network, 1 million pesos cash, a brand new car and a Bria house and lot.

Looking back, the Golden could only say good things about her journey in The Clash, from being included in the Top 62 until she became part of the Top 6.

“I was really nervous, I thought after the show I’d go back to Cebu. But I just kept on praying,” the 16-year-old said in vernacular during an interview with the press right after the live program.

MISS MILLENNIAL

back on ‘Eat Bulaga’

IF YOU’VE been watching the noontime show Eat Bulaga you would have noticed a segment that features a pretty young Filipina representing a province showing off its tourist attractions and some culinary delights.

The segment is allocated to one candidate a day for the audience to get acquainted with 40 young Filipinas.

Like last year, the noontime shows tapped local beauty pageant titleholders and challenged them to represent their hometown in a competition that is first of its kind in local television.

Unlike the typical pageants, “Miss Millennial Philippines” official candidates need to forgo of their high heels, tiaras and fancy dresses and instead focus on promoting the tourism aspect of their province.

“Last year’s journey was really an eye opening for all of us. Personally, I love to travel and when the competition started, I felt guilty for missing out on the wonderful places we feature. After watching each episode, you’d want to visit those places and try the food, immerse on their culture and meet the locals. We want to spark that same curiosity this year,” said Eat Bulaga’s SVP for Creatives and Operations, Jeny Ferre.

Apart from representing their different provinces, Ferre said the millennials also created eye-catching television and online campaigns that best promote their

Some of the official candidates who will compete in this year’s unconventional beauty pageant called ‘Miss Millennial Philippines.’

hometowns. These materials are featured daily on the longest-running noontime variety show and in different social media platforms.

ISAH V. RED “Essentially this is about tourism, but the heart of this pageant is the energy of the young people. We want to merge the traditional media and online to highlight the must-see places in the country. We want to use social media as a positive platform to educate the people on how beautiful and majestic the Philippines is. We think these millennials are the best ambassadors of their provinces because of their first-hand experience with the culture and tradition of their hometown,” she said.

Ferre also admitted that among all the well-loved segments of the program, “Miss Millennial Philippines” is the most difficult and expensive to produce. She said that aside from the logistics and production constraints, it’s not easy to gather 40 candidates with different background and from different places.

The Eat Bulaga boss said it’s fulfilling though as the show continuously tries to cultivate a sense of nationalism among its viewers. Continued on C3

She further said that winning the contest will allow her to learn more as a singer and improve as a performer. She felt ecstatic, too,because along with the Top 6 clashers, Golden will join the variety program Studio 7, which will replace The Clash in its Sunday timeslot.

“Hopefully I’ll be able to do the things that I haven’t done before and probably be able to try other things like acting. I just want to prove that I really deserve to win,” she added.

Before she auditioned for the show, she said that she had already prepared herself for the challenges that come with being in showbiz.

“I’ve been discouraged before but I really wanted to do this so I just prayed and enjoyed the whole experience,” she said.

Growing up, Golden considers Regine Velasquez, Sarah Geronimo and Morisette Amon as her musical influences. Thus, sounding like them was kind of expected by she is positive that she could give people a different experience when she performs because of her positive disposition and fresh style.

Asked on what she’s going to do with the prize money, she revealed that she’s going to help a relative who badly needs an operation.

Keanu Reeves, Winona Ryder reunite in new romcom WINONA Ryder and Keanu Reeves are the unwanted guests of a California wine-country wedding in Victor Levin’s latest rom-com, Destination Wedding, a premise the writerdirector commits to with near perversity.

Frank (Keanu Reeves), the groom’s half-brother and Lindsay (Winona Ryder), the groom’s former fiancée meet on the way to a romantic vineyard wedding in Central California and instantly hated one another. Forced to tolerate each other for three days, Lindsay and Frank discover that they share the same room and cynical sense of humor; and formed an alliance to trash the rest of the wedding party, critique the bride and groom, and heckle old movies on television. A brush with danger brings them unexpectedly close, but it remains to be seen if they can—or even want to—continue their cockeyed romance in the real world.

After acting in three films together, including Francis Ford Coppola’s 1992 costume spectacle Bram Stoker’s Dracula and Richard Linklater’s animated adaptation of Philip K. Dick’s A Scanner Darkly, Reeves and Ryder have an easy on-screen rapport that reflects their off-screen friendship.

According to film director Victor Levin (Mad About You, Mad Men), Reeves and Ryder’s relationship was a massive asset.

“You can’t direct people to have chemistry. The chemistry has to be there, and the director’s job is to make the very best use of it,” he shared.

Witness Frank and Lindsay’s crazy love trip when Destination Wedding opens in cinemas nationwide today distributed in the Philippines

by VIVA International Pictures and MVP Entertainment.