Manila Standard - 2018 October 19 - Friday

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PARTY-LIST GROUPS WARN POLL EXEC: ABIDE BY SC RULING

By Rio N. Araja A PARTY-LIST lawmaker on Thursday admonished Elections Commissioner Rowena Guanzon that in 2013, the Supreme Court issued a decision allowing political parties and groups not representing marginalized and unrepresented sectors to participate in the party-list election.

AKO-Bicol Rep. Alfredo Garbin Jr. challenged Guanzon for seeking the passage of a law banning political dynasties and the amendments of Republic Act 7941

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or the Party-List Law to prevent a “family affair” in various elective positions.

Garbin underscored the need for Guanzon to always be guided by the Supreme Court ruling when making comments.

The high court has ruled that political parties, including party-list groups, do not need to represent the marginalized or underrepresented sector.

“Commissioner Guanzon, being a lawyer, must abide by it (ruling) because all SC decisions forms part of the law of the Next page

Fish getting smaller, but costlier—SWS

By Nat Mariano MAJORITY of Filipinos believed fish and seafood products available in markets have become smaller, and more expensive, and that there is less variety compared to a decade ago, an independent pollster said Thursday.

A Social Weather Stations survey, commissioned by Oceana Philippines, found that five out of 10 Filipinos believed that catch from the seas has shrunken.

The SWS also found that some 87 percent of those polled said that fish and seafood products are now more expensive compared to a decade ago.

Most Filipinos, at 70 percent, eat fish or seafood at least five days a month.

The said survey also cited data from the Philippine Statistics Authority that the catch of Filipino Next page

VOL. XXXII • NO. 246 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 • FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2018 • www.manilastandard.net • editorial@manilastandard.net

Bus fare hike set at P13 minimum

By Rio N. Araja

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HE Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board on Thursday granted a provisional P1 increase in bus fares in Metro Manila.

The fare adjustment, which comes amid recent increases in the cost of fuel, will bring the minimum fare to P11 from P10 for ordinary Metro Manila buses and to P13 from P12 for air-conditioned buses.

The rate for the succeeding kilometers will remain at P1.85 for ordinary buses and P 2.20 for air-conditioned buses.

For provincial buses, the fare for ordi-

nary buses remains at P9 for the first five kilometers while the rate for the succeeding kilometer will increase by 15 centavos from P1.40 to P1.55.

The fare hike will take effect 15 days after the publication of the decision in newspapers of general circulation.

Earlier, the LTFRB also granted a minimum jeepney fare of P10 to take effect in November in the National Capital

Region, Central Luzon and Southern Luzon, raising the minimum fare from P8.

“The board is not insensitive to the current economic situation of the country brought about by an escalating inflation rate, devaluation of the Philippine currency and continued increase of oil prices in the world market,” the LTFRB said in its decision, signed by Chairman Martin Delgra III and board members Ronaldo Corpus and Aileen Lizada.

The board noted that the average price of diesel in the country has increased to around P47 this year from P35 when it last issued an order for a fare increase Next page in 2011.

Labor union pushes P320 wage increase

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By Vito Barcelo

ANOTHER INCREASE. The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board has granted a provisional P1 increase in bus fares in Metro Manila—to take effect 15 days after the publication of the decision in newspapers of general circulation. Earlier, the LTFRB also granted a minimum jeepney fare of P10 to take effect in November in the NCR, Central Luzon and Southern Luzon—despite the absence of increase in workers’ wages. File Photo

PDEA suggests surprise drug tests on candidates

By Nat Mariano THE Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency on Thursday proposed the conduct of a surprise drug test for aspirants in next year’s mid-term elections.

“Wala naman plano. Bigla lang pumasok sa utak ko. [The drug test] should

be a surprise, otherwise, we are not doing (it) properly. It doesn’t serve the purpose. Mas maganda surprise drug test sa lahat ng kandidato [There is no definite plan. It just entered my mind. The drug test should be surprise, otherwise, we are not doing it properly. It doesn’t serve the purpose. It would be better if there would

be a surprise drug test for all candidates],” PDEA Director General Aaron Aquino said in radio interview.

“Hindi ko pa alam kung legal or not.

Kung ako tatanungin, mas gusto ko yung ganun (I am not sure yet if this is legal or not. If you ask me, I would rather it happens),” he added.

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THE Alliance of Labor Unions-Trade Union Congress of the Philippines on Thursday urged the National Capital Region-Regional Wages and Productivity Board to grant its P320 wage increase petition amid rising prices of goods and the approval of a P1 fare hike for public utility vehicles.

“With the fare increase, there is now a very urgent need for the Metro Manila wage board to grant a substantial wage increase for workers in the NCR for them to survive in the light of the extraordinary increases in prices of basic goods and costs of services in the past Next page

755K FB users’ data breached ACCORDING to a September report by social media giant Facebook, 755,973 of the millions of users in its “View As” feature who had been affected by a recent data breach are Philippine-based users. Next page

Duterte seals oil exploration deal with Israel

PPP

By Nat Mariano PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has signed a seven-year oil exploration contract with Israel hoping the deal would boost the country’s energy resources, Malacañang said Thursday.

Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said Duterte signed the Petroleum Service Contrac on behalf of the Philippine government with Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi as witness.

He said Cusi attended the ceremonial signing of the contract for Area 4 of the East Palawan Basin of the Fifth Philippine Energy Contracting Round.

He said President Raphael Tabibzada signed and represented the Israeli firm Ratio Petroleum.

He said Cusi said the event “bodes well” for the Philippine-Israel economic relations and the country’s upstream petroleum industry.

“If you remember, the President made statements that our country needs to Next page

Khashoggi’s final column revealed ROSARY FOR PEACE. Students of San Jose Academy in Navotas City in Metro Manila join Thursday the World Event of one million children praying the Rosary for Peace and Unity, with over 1,200 parishes and 700 Catholic schools in a movement organized by the International Catholic Charity Aid to the Church in Need. Norman Cruz

Customs, PDEA still at odds over shabu

By Vito Barcelo CUSTOMS Commissioner Isidro Lapeña is said to be in “hot water” following the discovery of billions of pesos worth of shabu that slipped past the Manila International Container Port and were hidden in four magnetic lifters that were

cleared and released by the agency, an official said Thursday.

The official made his statement even as Customs spokesman Dino Austria on Thursday denied that Lapeña did not act on the supposed evidence that the magnetic lifters found in Cavite contained something, and possibly shabu. Next page

WASHINGTON—Two weeks after he disappeared, The Washington Post on Wednesday published what it said appears to be Jamal Khashoggi’s final column, in which the missing Saudi journalist writes of the importance of a free press in the Arab world.

Next page

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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2018 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

'Unli' hotel rooms for Boracay mulled

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HE Tourism department says the number of hotel rooms in Boracay will not be limited once the tourist resort reopens next week, belying the earlier pronouncements of the Environment department.

The Environment department on Thursday vowed to go after the litterbugs in Boracay after Undersecretary Benny Antiporda expressed disappointment over the trash found on Boracay’s beach front during the first day of its reopening dry run.

He said the adoption of a “zero-tolerance policy” against litterbugs was the

best way to prevent littering problems on the island.

Meanwhile, Cebu Pacific Air is rolling out the second module of its Juan Effect program as the airline donated trash bins to be used in time for the reopening of Boracay before the end of the month.

“Cebu Pacific continues to push for sustainable tourism as it rolls out the sec-

ond module for Juan Effect in Boracay, in time for the impending reopening of one of the most beautiful islands in the Philippines,” the airline said in a statement.

Environment Undersecretary Sherwin Rigor earlier told ANC’s Headstart that the Tourism department will assign a certain number of rooms to accommodate the 19,000 tourist limit for the island.

“DOT does not limit the number of hotel rooms in the island. We only accredit those who are compliant with the standards,” the department said in a statement.

As of Oct. 12, only 68 hotels and resorts have complied with the government’s requirement to either have their

Party-List groups...

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Bus fare...

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The year-on-year inflation rate in the country has increased from 2.9 percent in 2017 to 6.7 percent in September this year, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority.

The LTFRB reminded bus operators that students, senior citizens and persons with disabilities are entitled to a 20-percent fare discount.

The petition for the fare increases was filed by the Southern Luzon Bus Operators Association, Nagkakaisang Samahan ng Nangangasiwa ng Panlalawigang Bus sa Pilipinas, and Samahang Transport Operators ng Pilipinas, citing fuel price hikes and high costs of acquiring new buses in compliance with the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program.

Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia warned that the fare hikes would have an impact on inflation.

“Anything that increases the cost of service increases inflation,” Pernia said on the sidelines of the EU-Philippines Business Summit. “We have to find out what the quantitative effect will be.”

Senator Paolo Benigno Aquino IV said the suspension of new excise taxes on fuel next year was not enough.

“Suspension should not be enough.

Let us absolutely remove the excise tax on petroleum under TRAIN Law,” he said, referring to the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion law. “Filipinos are drowning due to high prices, especially drivers of jeep, tricycle and other PUV.” With Macon Ramos-Araneta and PNA

Labor union...

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10 months, including this P1 jeepeny fare increase,” ALU-TUCP spokesman Alan Tanjusay told the Manila Standard.

He said that “a regional across-theboard wage increase of P320 is now needed in NCR because the existing P512 daily minimum wage is not enough for a household with at least five members to survive and live “a decent life.”

By law, the wage can only be raised after a year from the last increase, unless there is a supervening event that will merit an adjustment, the labor group said.

The increase in jeepney and bus fares and the continuing rise in the price of commodities would substantiate the supervening event to merit a wage hike.

Tanjusay said that the last minimum wage increase in Metro Manila took effect on Oct. 5, 2017. The current minimum wage is ₱512.

He said the TUCP would not oppose the P1 fare increase for PUJ granted by the LTFRB, because the increase will improve the take home pay of the jeepney drivers and help their families cope with the current rate of inflation.

The NCR wage board will meet on Oct. 22 to determine how much of a wage hike to grant Metro Manila workers.

Duterte...

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attain energy security and sustainability at the soonest possible time. The problem with us is we don’t have oil resources, that’s why it’s hard for us if we are compared to other countries that have oil,” Panelo told reporters.

“We have been dependent on oilproducing countries for our oil, s we need to boost the exploration and development of our own energy resources.”

Panelo said Petroleum will be able to explore 416 hectares across the East Palawan Basin for potential oil and gas resources.

He said the minimum expenditure would be $34,350,000.

“This will, of course, be derived from studies, data gathering and drilling activities over the initial sevenyear contract duration. Hopefully we will see and acquire oil. It will definitely help our country,” Panelo said.

He said the contract with Ratio Petroleum was the first petroleum service contract signed by the Duterte administration.

Established in 1992, Ratio Petroleum has a number of large-scale operations at the Levant Basin in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Israel, as well as offshore operations in Malta and Guyana.

own sewage treatment facility or be connected to accredited sewage pipes and have their facilities moved at least 30 meters away from the shore.

“There is no deadline for submitting requirements; once compliant, we accredit and they can open,” the department said.

Stricter building and operating guidelines were imposed on businesses in Boracay in a bid to rehabilitate the overcrowded and polluted beach destination.

Boracay was closed to tourists on April 26 after President Rodrigo Duterte said it had turned into a cesspool.” Rio N. Araja and Joel E. Zurbano

NEW DSWD CHIEF. President Rodrigo Roa Duterte congratulates newly appointed Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rolando Bautista afte his oathtaking before the President during a ceremony at the Malacañan Palace on Oct. 17, 2018. PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

Fish...

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fishermen has continuously declined over the past four years, from 2008 to 2017.

However, only four out of 10 Filipinos believed destructive fishing is the “most important problem of our oceans,” while only two out of 10 saw overfishing as a serious danger.

The survey also noted that fish is an essential source of animal protein diet among Filipinos and majority of Filipinos believe they can do something to save the country’s fisheries and oceans.

SWS also said the regions MIMAROPA, Regions 11, and Region 13 strongly experienced high intrusions of commercial fishing vessels at “severely occurring” level, resulting in overfishing.

PDEA...

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In a related development, the Dangerous Drugs Board encouraged aspiring candidates to submit to a mandatory drug testing once they are elected.

DDB Regulation No. 13, series of 2018, provides for the establishment and institutionalization of drug-free workplace policies in all government offices, including the conduct of authorized drug testing for local officials and appointive public officers.

This covers all appointive public officers in all offices, including all constitutional bodies, departments, bureaus, and agencies of the national government, governmentowned- and -controlled corporations, state and local universities and colleges, and elective officials of local government units.

Any personnel found positive for use of dangerous drugs will, at first offense, will be charged with grave misconduct and may be dismissed from public service.

Heads of agencies or local chief executives who fail to formulate or implement a Drug-Free Workplace Policy within two months after the effectivity of the Board Regulation will also be penalized under Section 32, Article II of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 or Republic Act No. 9165.

A prison term of six months to four years and a fine ranging from P10,000 to P50,000 would be imposed on any person found violating any regulation issued by the Board.

“As civil servants, we must lead by example of living a healthy and drug-free lifestyle. We cannot expect the Filipino people to be drug-free if we, ourselves, are involved in these substances,” DDB Chairman Catalino Cuy said in a statement on Wednesday.

Board Regulation No. 13, series of 2018, supplements an existing regulation on a onestrike policy among government officials and employees through establishing clear protocols to ensure that the government remains drug-free.

The regulation was signed on Aug. 30 and took effect on Oct. 6 after publication in three newspapers of general circulation.

Meanwhile, Malacañang on Thursday reiterated President Rodrigo Duterte’s commitment to ensure clean, honest and fair elections in 2019.

“The President conveys to the nation his steadfast and unwavering commitment to strictly enforce the election laws to ensure a clean, honest and fair elections reflective of the genuine will of the electorate,” Presidential Spokesperson and Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo said in a statement.

Panelo said Duterte has also assured the public that his government will not tolerate offending practices that “give undue advantage to a candidate or group of candidates.”

“The Chief Executive guarantees that all laws will be implemented and applied to everyone regardless of political color or position,” he said.

He said Duterte is really committed not to allow government resources to be used during the election campaign.

“Not a single centavo from the taxpayers’ money nor any government property will be spent or used for or against a candidate,” he said.

The survey, titled “Feasting or Fasting on Fish?” was conducted from Sept. 23 to 27, 2017 and had a total of 1,500 adult respondents nationwide, who were interviewed faceto-face.

The survey has a +/-3 percent margin of error for the national percentage with +/-4 for Balance Luzon, and +/-6 for Metro Manila, Visayas, and Mindanao.

Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said such result of the SWS survey should not be a cause for concern.

“That’s not substantial. The result is already outdated. Before, maybe [the fish were expensive],” Panelo told the Manila Standard in an interview Thursday.

He noted that the survey was conducted almost a year ago and added that the prices of food are already coming down due to government countermeasures.

Panelo warned officials not to hamper campaign rallies, saying the mid-term elections will serve as a vital part of the country’s democratic way of life.

“Any official that restricts the issuance of permits to peaceably assemble and to hold campaign rallies, marches and motorcades shall be held accountable before the law,” he warned.

“The President respects the right of suffrage as the hallmark of our democracy. The government will thus act accordingly to protect the sanctity of the ballot and ensure that those who will win will be proclaimed winners without delay unless restrained by the courts,” he added.

The period for the filing of COCs ended on Wednesday, with 152 individuals, composed of first timers, former and incumbent senators, vying for 12 senatorial seats at stake.

Former members of Duterte’s Cabinet were among the senatorial bets.

These are former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, Presidential Political Adviser Francis Tolentino, Bureau of Corrections chief Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, and Special Assistant to the President Christopher “Bong” Go. Old-timers led by 94-year-old Juan Ponce Enrile and Sergio Osmeña III, also joined the senatorial race.

Other positions at stake in next year’s elections include seats for party-lists, the House of Representatives as well as provincial, city and municipal positions.

In the same press briefing, Panelo said he expects that Duterte’s candidates for senators will prevail in the 2019 midterm elections.

Panelo said that with the “rockstar” attitude of the president, the administration’s candidates would have a “very good” chance on winning the upcoming elections.

“Well, given the popularity of the President, the chances of these senatorial candidates of the administration certainly are very good,” Panelo said.

The Palace official said they will not discount the fact that some opposition candidates will also win in the elections.

On Monday, the Liberal Party of the Philippines released its line-up of eight senatorial candidates to go head-to-head with the seven Senate aspirants from the ruling party PDP-Laban.

The opposition’s list include former senator and Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas, Incumbent Senator Bam Aquino, former Solicitor General Florin Hilbay, Magdalo Party-list Rep. Gary Alejano, De La Salle University Law Dean Chel Diokno, Former Bangsamoro Transition commission member Samira Gutoc, former deputy speaker Erin Tañada, and election lawyer Romy Macalintal.

Panelo said that those who will be elected, may they be a member of opposition or not, have to “cooperate” with the administration.

“Our feeling is that whoever is elected, the message of the electorate would be— we trust this administration. And, therefore, those who have been elected will have to cooperate with the administration in terms of services that will be beneficial to the electorate and the rest of the nation,” said Panelo. With PNA

Land. She should focus more on the strict implementation of RA No. 7941 or the Party-List law,” he said.

Rodolfo Javellana, who is running under the United Filipino Consumers and Commuters party-list group, said Guanzon should have been more careful in making such sweeping pronouncements.

“All these questions on the party-list system has already been addressed by the SC ruling. Commissioner Guanzon, and the Comelec in general, should be more circumspect since they will supervise the elections next year. We should all uphold the rule of law, which means the SC ruling must be respected,” Javellana said.

For his part, Ako Bicol Rep. Rodel Batocabe, president of the Party List Coalition, said the issue of a family dominating public positions should be “submitted to the sound discretion of the people who would choose their leaders.”

Meanwhile, Rep. Salvador Belaro Jr. of the 1-Ang Edukasyon party-list group said there was a need to upgrade the qualifications for all elective posts.

“While we strive to serve well, contrast that to all of these people who are not fit to hold public office. Completion of a college education, actual experience running a working business, successful practice of a chosen profession, and prior government work experience must be among the minimum qualifications,” he said.

Nuisance candidates, other ill-prepared aspirants for elective public office, and the pervasive menace of drug addiction are more than enough reasons for the country to upgrade its constitutional qualifications for all elective posts, he said in a statement.

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian urged his colleagues in the Senate to pass a bill that institutionalizes the definition of nuisance candidates and hold them liable for election offenses.

In filing Senate Bill 911, Gatchalian said candidates who do not intend to launch a viable campaign are wasting the time and resources of the Comelec.

The lawmaker argued that although the 1987 Constitution guarantees equal access to opportunities for public service, the Supreme Court has ruled that running for public office is a privilege, not a right.

“We are happy we have a lot of people who want to be involved in nation-building by offering themselves to be public servants,” he said.

“But this seeking an election is subject to the limitations imposed by law and must take into account practical considerations.

This bill will penalize people who do not take this privilege seriously and merely use the COC filing period as a platform to disrespect our electoral process,” he said.

Under Gatchalian’s bill, the Comelec may cancel a COC if, after affording due process to the filing party, it finds that the certificate was filed to obtain money, profit, or any other consideration.

With Macon Ramos-Araneta

Customs,PDEA...

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Interviewed on Dobol B sa News TV, Austria said Lapeña ordered an investigation on the alleged shabu smuggling, contrary to the claim of Deputy Collector for Operations and Assistant Project Manager of CMTA PMO Maria Lourdes Mangaoang.

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency discovered the four emptied magnetic lifters in Cavite that were said to have contained P6.8 billion worth of shabu and were found to have traces of the illegal drug.

Mangaoang said the magnetic lifters recovered in a warehouse in Cavite contained shabu as shown by x-ray images, but Lapeña did not take action on the matter.

Mangaoang said the X-ray images of the magnetic lifters revealed cloudy parts, indicating that something was inside the containers.

The lifters had reportedly been emptied by the time PDEA operatives got to the warehouse.

The 1,000 kilograms of shabu entered the country through four magnetic scrap lifters, making them undetectable through X-ray.

PDEA Director General Aaron Aquino said government agents found the magnetic lifters empty in a warehouse inside the CRS Subdivision, Barangay F. Reyes, in General Mariano Alvarez, Cavite.

The PDEA and PNP have listed “at least 19” people of interest, which includes 11 Chinese.

Meanwhile, Lapeña denied the rumors he would soon be axed from his post.

“I would like to inform the public, the men and women of the Bureau of Customs and the BOC stakeholders that there is no truth to the rumors circulating that I will soon be replaced as Customs commissioner,” Lapeña said in a statement.

Marawi still to break ground; Rody fumes over rehab delay

By Nat Mariano PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte was exasperated with the delays in the groundbreaking for the rehabilitation of Marawi, the Palace said Thursday after the planned reconstruction was postponed at least five times.

“He was exasperated, but things are about to start. It’s natural to have complications in negotiations,” Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo told reporters Thursday.

The original date scheduled for the rehabilitation of Marawi City’s ground zero was set on Oct. 17. But it was moved to the end of the month as the President would not be able to attend.

Panelo defended Duterte’s absence saying there was only a conflict of time with certain schedules.

He also said the President’s non-attendance did not mean he was not interested.

“In fact, he has been doing a lot of things for the rehabilitation of that place,” Panelo said.

Asked whether the Duterte administration would experience the criticism the former Aquino administration received on the rehabilitation case of Tacloban after Super Typhoon “Yolanda,” Panelo expressed optimism that the Duterte administration would not be put in hot water.

“The President hates bureaucratic red tape. That is precisely why he said he was appointing military men because they didn’t ask questions; they just followed orders,” Panelo said.

“He has ordered the full movement that will immediately rehabilitate the place and as I said earlier, the groundbreaking will start at the end of the month. So hopefully we’re going straight now.”

Khashoggi‘s...

From A1 Such a forum is currently lacking, says Khashoggi, a Post contributor and US resident who disappeared entering Saudi Arabia’s consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 2.

“The Arab world is facing its own version of an Iron Curtain, imposed not by external actors but through domestic forces vying for power,” he writes.

“The Arab world needs a modern version of the old transnational media so citizens can be informed about global events. More important, we need to provide a platform for Arab voices,” Khashoggi writes.

“Through the creation of an independent international forum, isolated from the influence of nationalist governments spreading hate through propaganda, ordinary people in the Arab world would be able to address the structural problems their societies face.”

The ultimate fate of Khashoggi—whose writings have been critical of powerful Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman—is still nknown, but leaks by anonymous Turkish officials have painted a picture of him allegedly meeting a grisly demise in the consulate at the hands of Saudi agents.

Saudi Arabia has denied to the United States having knowledge of what happened at the consulate.

In the introduction to Khashoggi’s column—which was accompanied by a photo of the smiling writer—the Post’s Global Opinions editor Karen Attiah said the newspaper held off on publishing it in the hopes that he would return.

“Now I have to accept: That is not going to happen. This is the last piece of his I will edit for The Post,” Attiah wrote.

“This column perfectly captures his commitment and passion for freedom in the Arab world. A freedom he apparently gave his life for.” AFP

755K FB users...

From A1

This has prompted the National Privacy Commission to order Facebook to submit a Data Breach Notification Report and to provide “identity” insurance to affected Philippine-based data subjects.

In particular, the NPC ordered Facebook to submit a more comprehensive report, provide identity insurance and credit monitoring, and inform data subjects in compliance with NPC Circular No. 16-03.

It also ordered Facebook to establish a dedicated helpdesk for Filipinos on privacy-related matters for up to six months upon receipt of the notice.

Facebook officials, through a conference call, had agreed to follow the NPC order, and likewise expressed their commitment to abide by Philippine data privacy laws.

The NPC had said that it did not agree with Facebook’s Oct. 13 letter which said that “there is no material risk of more extensive harm occurring” from the breach.

“The risk of serious harm to Filipino data subjects is more than palpable. The conditions for individual notification are present,” the NPC said.

Quoting Facebook data, the NPC said the affected users were grouped in 3 categories based on the degree of data obtained.

Of the total number of those affected by the data breach, around 387,322 Philippine-based users’ basic profile information may have been exposed while for 361,227 more, their history, birthday, location history, search queries, and linked devices and hardware, among others, could have also been obtained.

For the remaining 7,424, their timeline, friends’ list, groups and recent Messenger conversations might have been obtained.

News Nancy files leave of absence as president of UNA party

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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2018 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

TRUE RECYLER. A man

walking along Kalayaan Avenue in Makati City is on his way to an ecology center to exchange his collection of cigarette butts for money or rice. A true, ultimate recycler, he makes use of whatever is left of a usable butt for himself. Diana B. Noche

By Macon Ramos-Araneta DUE to recent developments, Senator Nancy Binay on Thursday announced that she was taking a leave of absence effective Oct. 18, Thursday, as President of the United Nationalist Alliance.

“With my absence, I will be focusing more on my job as a Senator and put all my efforts in advancing pending legislation in the 17th Congress,” she said in a letter to the party’s secretarygeneral, lawyer JV Bautista.

However, as an official senatorial candidate of UNA in next year’s elections, Binay vowed to continue to advance the party’s core agenda of competence and the Binay brand of service.

Binay said she expects the party to handle her leave appropriately in accordance with their rules and charter.

“It is my wish that the secretary -general grants my request in good faith,” said the reelectionist senator.

Bautista said the party’s Executive Committee, chaired by former vice president Jejomar Binay, who is seeking a congressional seat in Makati, will meet to decide on the senator’s successor.

Senator Binay could not be reached for comment to expound on the recent developments that prompted her to take a leave of absence, but some observers surmised that this could be due to the existing feud between her two siblings who are both running for mayor of Makati City.

Incumbent Mayor Abby BinayCampos and her younger brother, former Mayor Junjun Binay, had filed their respective certificate of candidacy as both of them stood their ground to run for mayor of Makati.

Abby had appealed to Junjun to drop his mayoralty bid amid a publicized rift that has left the political family divided.

Garin’s plea to enter expert testimony as evidence nixed

By Rey E. Requejo

T

HE Department of Justice on Thursday denied the plea of former Health secretary Janette Garin to admit as evidence the affidavit of a pathologist that she insisted would shed light on the controversial antidengue vaccine Dengvaxia.

In its resolution, the DOJ’s panel of prosecutors headed by Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Ma. Emilia Victorio junked the motion of Garin to admit as evidence the affidavit of Dr. Raymundo Lo, an expert pathologist specializing in anatomic and clinical pathology, because of the “very late submission” of his affidavit.

The investigating fiscals said that the panel was conducting a full-blown trial and not a preliminary investigation and

is the proper venue to discuss and thresh out the evidence of both parties in the criminal case filed against Garin and other former and current DOH officials for the deaths of nine children vaccinated with Dengvaxia.

Aside from Garin, also included in the criminal complaints are executives of Sanofi Pasteur, the manufacturer of the anti-dengue vaccine, and Zuellig Pharma, the local distributor of the vaccine.

The deaths of nine children was part of

the first criminal case against Garin and her co respondents while a second case involving the deaths of eight children have also been filed with the DOJ. The panel said Garin received the complaint last May 24 and was given 30 days to submit her counter-affidavit.

Garin submitted her counter-affidavit last June 25, while the complainantsparents and guardians of the children who died after being inoculated with the controversial anti-dengue vaccine filed their reply last August 1. The DOJ panel noted that Garin had submitted her rejoinder last Aug. 28.

The DOJ panel ruled that Garin failed to justify the late submission of Lo’s affidavit as part of her defense.

The rejoinder is the last required pleadings in the conduct of preliminary investigation before the panel of prosecutors would deem the complaint submitted for resolution.

Du30 can withdraw PH from ICC on his own—Jimeno PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte can unilaterally withdraw the country’s membership from the International Criminal Court even without a concurrence from the Senate, according to a lawyer aspiring for the post of associate justice in the Supreme Court.

During a public interview conducted by the Judicial and Bar Council on Thursday, lawyer and mediator Rita Linda Jimeno said Duterte can unilaterally withdraw from the Rome Statute, agreeing that the chief executive can apply the principle of “rebus sic stantibus.”

“Yes, Your Honor,” Jimeno replied.

“Because under that principle, if there are substantial changes in the circumstances which would then completely change what was agreed upon, then the president may withdraw from a treaty that was earlier signed by him and even affirmed or ratified by the Senate.”

The legal doctrine of “rebus sic stantibus” allows for a treaty to become inapplicable if there has been a substantial change in the circumstances upon which it was founded.

In withdrawing the Philippines from the ICC, Duterte cited as reason the “baseless, unprecedented and outrageous attacks” against him by United Nations officials, as well as the attempt by the international court to place him within its jurisdiction, in an alleged violation of his right to due process and presumption of innocence.

Consolidated petitions have been filed with the Supreme Court seeking to declare as unconstitutional the Presidents’ decision to withdraw from ICC for lack of Senate’s approval.

The Constitution requires the concurrence of two-thirds of the Senate for a treaty to be “valid and effective,” but it is silent on whether or not a withdrawal is bound by the same rule.

Particularly referring to the case of the intended withdrawal from the ICC, Jimeno said the executive can do so under the rebus sic stantibus doctrine even without Senate concurrence. Rey E. Requejo

A4

Opinion

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2018

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Life and taxes

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

will increase and become more predictable. As hoped for. Which is why CROSSROADS Mr. Trump is suddenly riding a minicrest of approval which may translate JONATHAN into the Republicans holding on to DE LA CRUZ Congress unless he stumbles into another faux pas as in his ‘cha cha’ like IT HAS often been said that taxes and steps on the Khasoggi disappearance death are the only two things certain while at the Saudi Arabian consulate in life. Quite true. Most countries, de- in Istanbul. veloped, emerging or otherwise, and In any event, tax reform has beeven individuals have ignored this tru- come the centerpiece of government ism to their utter dismay and ruin. action across the board in a bid to atIn the United States, for example, tract investments, create more jobs President Donald Trump is vigorously and have more revenues to support a campaigning for his candidates in the menu of social services. As what’s gomid-term elections armed with statis- ing on in Japan right now. For years, tics showing how his much vaunted through a string of administrations in tax reform program has energized the world’s third-largest economy, rethe economy resulting in more jobs, sistance to reformation has become de more money in the pockets of ordi- rigueur. Successful blocking efforts nary Americans specially by such and increased inpolitically powervestments for the ful sectors as senfuture. ior citizens (the Buoyed by golden generaWe should not let a more realistion) and farmers these people cut our tic tax regime, a groups, among good number of life line to a better others,have stythe biggest US and more prosperous mied any such companies which future. initiatives. parked their profBut mounting its and excess b u d g e t a r y cash hoards overdeficits, driven seas since the mainly by the Obama administration have now been growing needs of an aging population lured back home. And what reforma- for more social services, have forced tion was done? Well, the corporate and the Abe government to cave in. A personal income taxes were lowered to week or so ago they finally decided to more reasonable levels. The leakages raise the sales (consumption) tax from (yes, leakages as in the incentives and 8 percent to 10 percent by 2019. How perks being given by multiple agen- this proposed increase will play out cies to various industries and sectors) remains to be seen. But Prime Minister within the tax system were plugged Abe had no other choice. As pundits and the sales tax on a number of items observed, raising the tax is “crucial to was increased. Even the incentives finance snow balling social security under the ObamaCare plan was scruti- expenditures—specially medical fees nized and leveled off. Government fat —in the rapidly aging society.” was cut off even more and in its place Indeed, while raising taxes will a number of simplified and self-reg- always be contentious, there is no ulating processes. It is expected that better way for growth and development in time, with more jobs and economic as well as providing social services activities across the board but more in- to the workforce, whether retired or terestingly among small and medium in place. Which is why tax reform scale enterprises, revenue generation Turn to A5

New economic environment

T

HE government now expects the economy to grow at a slower pace this year than what it originally estimated, in the wake of overseas developments and the surge in the local inflation rate.

The capital flight from emerging markets to the US strengthened the US dollar and weakened the peso and other emerging currencies. A weaker currency is inflationary—it makes importations costlier in peso terms and, thus, increases the cost of production of factories.

Compounding the weaker peso is the rising crude prices in the world market and the unanticipated shortage in rice supply that sent the Philippine inflation rate to a nine-year high in September.

The interagency Development Budget Coordinating Committee early this week lowered the 2018 gross domestic product growth target to a range of 6.5 percent to 6.9 percent from the previous estimate of 7 percent to 8 percent

The era of lower international oil prices is over, while US President Donald Trump is creating a new global economic order with his America-first policy through tariff protections aimed at slashing the trade surpluses enjoyed by major US trading partners like China and the European Union.

The so-called quantitative easing of the US to restore the health of the American economy has also ended. The US central bank started raising interest rates to cool down the economy and ensure its expansion. This policy action from the US Federal Reserve Board made US Treasuries and bonds more attractive to investors, prompting many global fund managers to exit emerging markets like the Philippines.

amid the global economic challenges and faster inflation rate.

Economic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia all but conceded the Philippines will not achieve its GDP growth target this year. “We remain optimistic but with temper optimism and prudence. Maybe we can still achieve 6.9-percent growth this year with lots of prayers,” Pernia says.

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III, meanwhile, said the Philippines was “living in a different world now,” citing the heating trade war between the US and China and the policy normalization in the US (through higher interest rates).

The Philippines cannot be complacent amid the changing dynamics in the global economy. Keeping the economic fundamentals intact, and not taking the populist approach, will give the country a chance to weather the current financial storm.

Seeing red the presidency. The “masa” voting bloc is our own worst enemy. This massbased voting bloc elect candidates for their popularity instead of their comALEJANDRO petence, as they did former actor and DEL ROSARIO college dropout Joseph “Erap” Estrada.

Political dynasties are able to perpetFIRST, there was the Red October plot to oust President Rodrigo Duterte. uate themselves because voters themThe military with Armed Forces selves allow them to thrive in practice of Chief General Carlito Galvez himself political patronage. Look at the Binays dismissed the plot as spawned by in Makati, the Cayetanos in Taguig, the Palace spin doctors. Now comes Estradas in Manila and San Juan, etc. another alleged conspiracy to topple If all three win in the 2010 elections we Duterte in a so-called Red December. are going to have two Estradas in the It is beginning to look like the ones Senate ( JV and Jinggoy), a Cayeteno purveying the Red scare are the Palace in the Senate and in the House, plus people themselves. Is it to distract the former vice president Jejomar Binay people from inflation and the high as Makati Representative in the House, a Nancy Binay in the Senate and eicost of living?

There are no weapons of mass de- ther Abigail or Junjun Erwin Binay as Makati mayor. struction in the The proliferation latest concoction of political dynasabout a Red Deties has become cember plot. The The proliferation big family busionly weapon beness. Only in the ing used here is of political dynasties Philippines! one of mass dis- has become big family Filipinos suftraction to draw business. Only in the fered and survived away the attention Philippines!

300 years of Spanof the populace ish rule and a half from the real gut century under the issues of hunger Americans The and high prices of basic commodities. These are what last foreign forces here were the Japanese who occupied the country during make people see red.

My God, what will they think of the Pacific war. The question being next? If reports of the President’s fail- asked by students of history is this: ing health (not cancer) are true, then What took us so long to rid ourselves those who want to see him go do not of the invaders?

Vietnam fought two major wars need to oust him by force. Those who don’t support the President should and won against the powerful armies just bide their time for nature to take of France and the United States. its course or wait for 2022 at the end Modern-day Vietnam is now ahead of his six-year term. Then, voters can of the Philippines economically and commit the same mistake—as they politically. Never mind what the did when they elected an incompetent pollsters tell you that we have the Noynoy Aquino and a Davao mayor to Turn to A5

BACK CHANNEL

Mass tourism sparks battle for Montmartre’s soul

By Loïc Vennin INSIDE a dark, low-ceilinged room once frequented by Picasso and Modigliani when they were still struggling artists, a group of tourists from Russia, Canada and Australia are listening to traditional French songs.

This is the Lapin Agile, a small house surrounded by acacia trees which is home to the last cabaret in Montmartre, an iconic neighborhood perched on a hilltop in the middle of Paris.

But in recent decades, this villagelike district of steep, hills and sweeping views has been transformed by the arrival of mass tourism.

“It’s the last of the traditional cabarets,” says owner Yves Mathieu, grumbling about the proliferation of souvenir shops selling Paris mugs and Eiffel tower key rings clogging the nearby cobblestoned streets.

“I’m 90 years old but I’m not giving up,” he says pointing to the cabaret’s sparse furnishings of plain wooden ta-

bles and benches.

Its walls are decorated with copies of works by Pablo Picasso and Henri Toulouse-Lautrec, artists whose original paintings once helped pay for their meals there.

Many folk singers also made their debut here—among them Leo Ferre, Georges Brassens and Charles Aznavour who passed away earlier this month aged 94.

But these days, the top of the Turn to A5

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Opinion

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2018

A5

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Political dynasties

Experts can’t predict

the case of Smart and Globe, but not in the case of ABS-CBN and GMA Network. Why do you think the Philippines has the world’s second slowest internet?

Why do people complain about bad service, not to mention bad signals?

In politics, however, monopolies are a source of family or clan pride (“public service is a tradition”) a badge of honor (“the people love us, you know,” as if the people had any choice), and, most revolting of all, legal and constitutional.

The dynastic monopolies have morphed into political monarchies ruling large cities, large provinces, major regions, and indeed, the entire archipelago. This is democratic inclusion in reverse—a rule by no more than 100 families over the world’s second largest archipelago, 12th largest consumer market, and one of the most dynamic economies in Asia.

What has been the impact of dynastic rule by these 100 political families?

how well they thought they understood the underlying process and forces at work. Despite the incontrovertible evidence that they were wrong, the ERIC JURADO experts showed no sign of cutting their faith in their own understanding of the AS THE sixth-century BC poet and situation. philosopher Lao Tzu observed, “Those Instead of any self-insight, Tetlock who have knowledge don’t predict. uncovered five frequently used exThose who predict don’t have knowl- cuses as to why the experts’ forecasts edge.” Yet, most economic, political, were wrong (which reminds me of an and investment experts seem to be ob- old description of an economist being sessed with trying to guess the future. an expert who will know tomorrow The evidence of the folly of fore- why the things he predicted yesterday casting is overwhelming. So, let’s just didn’t happen today). go through a few facts and figures to The common excuses were: give you a gist of the problem.

1. The “If only” defense—If only the We’ll start with economists. These BSP raised interest rates fast enough, guys don’t have a clue. Frankly, the then the prediction would have been three blind mice have more credibility true. Effectively, the experts claim at what is coming than any macro- that they would have been correct if forecaster. For instance, the consensus only their advice had been followed. of economists, including the Bangko 2. The “ceteris paribus” (other Sentral ng Pilipinas, completely failed things being equal) defense—Someto predict last August’s 6.4 percent thing outside of the model of analysis inflation rate spike (even when we occurred, which invalidated the forewere in it). cast; therefore it isn’t my fault. Blame Investment analysts are no better. TRAIN, oil prices, and Donald Trump.

Their forecasting record is simply ter3. The “I was almost right” derible on both short- and long- term fense—Although the predicted Sepinvestment issues. When an analyst tember 6.8 percent inflation rate outfirst makes a forecast for a company’s come didn’t occur, it almost did. earnings two years before an actual 4. The “It just hasn’t happened yet” event, they are, on average, wrong defense—I wasn’t wrong, it just hasn’t by a staggering 94 percent. Even for occurred yet. I’ll never admit I’m a 12-month time wrong.

5. The “Single horizon, they are prediction” dewrong by about fense—You can’t 45 percent! To The evidence of the put it mildly, injudge me by the vestment analysts folly of forecasting is performance of a also don’t have a single forecast. I overwhelming. clue about future have a PhD, damearnings. mit. I’m smarter than you.

If forecasts are The excuses alreally so bad, the natural question becomes: Why do lowed the failed forecasters to continpeople keep doing them? In part, it ue making outrageously poor forecasts is a case of demand creating supply. without any acknowledgment that they If businesses, investors, and citizens really got it wrong. want such meaningless information, The list of excuses above are found then someone will provide it to them. frequently in the world of economics, I’ve had countless discussions with politics, and investing. Two psychologists economic, political, and investment explored the excuses produced by experts over the years as to the total financial and political experts, and by pointlessness of issuing forecasts; weathermen, when they got it wrong. their last line of defense is always The weathermen were disarmingly “People want them.” honest in explaining their errors. The Yet, one might wonder if forecast- most frequently cited reason for their ers eventually get bored with being failure was “personal inexperience,” utterly wrong and would like to give followed by an acknowledgment up guessing the future. However, ex- that they were trying to forecast the perts seem to use a variety of excuses inherently unforecastable. for forecast failure that allow them to Strangely enough, a very different avoid admitting they can’t predict. set of excuses was encountered when Wharton professor and New York it came to financial and political exTimes best-selling author Philip Tet- perts. Their common defense was that lock has done one of the most com- they shouldn’t be judged on the basis prehensive studies of forecasters, their of just one forecast, which is known accuracy, and their excuses. When as the single prediction defense, folstudying experts’ views on a wide lowed by the excuse that something range of political events over a decade, else happened outside the scope of he found that, across the vast array of their model, which is the ceteris paripredictions, experts who reported they bus defense. had 80 percent or more confidence in So, the next time you hear an extheir predictions were actually correct pert coming out with an excuse to exaround 45 percent of the time. Across plain why he didn’t predict what actuall predictions, the experts were a lit- ally happened, you can listen and see tle better than chimpanzees. which of these paltry defenses he uses, After each of the events passed, but I suggest that you just run—not the forecasts were shown to be either walk—away. right or wrong. Tetlock returned to the experts and asked them to reassess eric.jurado@gmail.com

VIRTUAL REALITY TONY LOPEZ FAMILIAR names in politics dominated the candidacies filed by aspirants for the May 2019 senatorial and local elections. Imee Marcos, Imelda Marcos, Bam Aquino, Sonny Angara, Mar Roxas, Serge Osmenã, the Binays, the Estradas, the Romualdezes, the Dutertes, the Villars, the Cayetanos, to name a few. It is as if the Philippines had been in a time warp for the last 30 years, perhaps longer, 50 years.

In the last half century, the seven presidents came from only five families. To think that the Philippines has 25-million families, in a population exceeding 106 million—the 12th largest on earth.

I blame the Cory Aquino Constitution of 1987 which broke up the two-party system that dated back to the mid-1930s.

The Nacionalista Party and the Liberal Party alternately provided the political leaders of this country in the half century before 1986. During the reign of the NP and LP, the Philippines was a prosperous country, the second richest in Asia, after Japan. The Philippines was exporting ten times more than either Taiwan, Hong Kong, and South Korea. The peso could buy 50 US cents.

The Cory Constitution ushered in the so-called multi-party system to accommodate parties that could not break the two-party system, specifically the Communist Party of the Philippines and its allied parties and movements.

The same Constitution banned dynasties but left to Congress to enact a law to effect the ban. Being dominated by dynasties, Congress failed to enact an anti-dynasty law.

The Cory Constitution had a backup anti-dynasty provision—the so-called term limits. Hence, presidents can serve only one term, of six years. Senators can serve two consecutive terms of six years each, for a total of 12 years. Local government officials—congressmen, governors, and mayors are limited to three terms of three years each, a total of nine years.

Instead of curbing dynasties, the term limits encouraged dynasties, thus creating an even bigger monster—monopoly dynasties.

So you have the spectacle of two brothers running for senator at the same time; a family running for senator, governor, and congressman at the same time; a candidate running for mayor and a sibling running for vice mayor, with still another sibling running for congressman—and all three are unopposed.

In business, monopolies are an abomination and largely illegal. People hate business monopolies or duopolies like

Mass...

From A4

hill—“la Butte”—which was once a 19th-century mecca for artists, risks being swamped by industrial-scale international tourism.

Some 12 million tourists tramp up its slopes every year, usually to admire the white-stone Sacre Coeur basilica, the panoramic views of Paris, or to visit the most famous of the French capital’s vineyards.

But the Place du Tertre, a village-like square at the top, is threatening to become some sort of “Disneyland”, says Alain Coquard, president of the selfproclaimed “Republic of Montmartre”, an association set up in 1921 to oppose urban development.

For now, Montmartre hasn’t yet turned into Venice, he says of the historic Italian city which is visited by around 24-million tourists annually every year.

“There is still stuff worth saving,” says Coquard.

But for long-time residents, it’s another story.

“Here, at the top of the Butte, it’s game over,” sighs this 76-year-old, sitting at his usual table in a restaurant once painted by Vincent Van Gogh.

Seeing...

From A4

fastest-growing economy in Asia. Why then are we still importing rice from Vietnam and Thailand? These two countries, together with our ASEAN neighbors Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei and Indonesia, have a more stable political system.

There are dark chapters in history that take long to unravel. A revolution is not always the answer. A case

What do people get in the process?

Is it a coincidence that the Philippines has one of the worst income equality ratios in the world, that it is the only major country that failed to solve its poverty after the entire world solved its poverty in 2015, that in ASEAN, it has the highest poverty incidence, the highest unemployment rate, the highest inflation rate, the highest interest rates, and the lowest level of foreign investments?

Thirty years ago when the Cory Constitution took effect, there were 20-million poor Filipinos. Today, three decades later there are still 20-million poor Filipinos. Probably more, because a survey says 52 percent of families (or 53-million Filipinos) claim they are poor.

The destruction of the two-party system produced two effects—one, a series of corrupt and incompetent governments, and two, corrupt and incompetent elections.

Under the two-party system, the NP and the Liberal Party LP contested the presidency. To capture Malacañang, the presidential palace, the NP and LP must first capture the Senate from where most of our presidents came before 1965. To capture the Senate, the NP and the LP must field the best and the brightest minds of each region.

Thus, you had the likes of Marcos from Northern Luzon, Ninoy Aquino and Jose Roy for Central Luzon, Jose W. Diokno and Lorenzo Tañada for Southern Luzon, Jovito Salonga and Arturo Tolentino for Metro Manila, the

Osmeñas from Cebu, and one or two firebrands from Mindanao.

Movie actors must play the rules of the party convention. The parties financed unknown but talented candidates — like the bar topnotchers. Seven of Philippine presidents were bar topnotchers. During their time the Philippines was the most dynamic economy in Asia. So competence does count.

In the first Senate elections after 1986, without a two-party system, you had the funny situation of a subdivision in Quezon City (La Vista) having four senators, and the entire Mindanao island (which makes up 40 percent of our land area) without a single senator. No wonder the Filipino Muslims now want their own sub-state.

With the Cory Charter, corrupt and incompetent elections came about because with the destruction of the twoparty system, the system of poll watchers was abolished.

Under the old system, the NP and LP were each represented in the three-man precinct-level poll body. No precinct election return could be cleared without the signatures of three people—the NP, LP and the teacher representative.

The poll watchers were funded by the government.

Today, a presidential candidate must finance the salaries of poll watchers. If there you are 80,000 precincts, you hire 80,000 watchers. Multiply that by two —because the count takes two days and the watchers must be relieved to rest.

So you have 160,000 watchers. Pay P500 per day for each of the 160,000 watchers.

A viable presidential candidacy will require a budget of P3 billion. If you are a well-known actor like Joseph Estrada, you can even save money, as he did in 1998.

Where will the candidate get huge sums of money? From two sources: One, donations, and two, from years of corruption (kickbacks, overpriced projects, shady deals with gambling, drugs, kidnapping and other syndicates) while in public service.

When you get huge sums from donors, you become beholden to them.

You are their minion.

When you raise money from rackets, you become greedy, heartless and conscience-less. Because a president elected through corrupt means has to accommodate so many vested interests, he or she deliberately becomes incompetent. Because in the presidency, incompetence (often mistaken as honesty) is a valid excuse.

What do people get in the process?

Corrupt and deliberately incompetent governments. A nagging poverty and the two longest-running insurgencies in the world—by the communists and the Muslim separatists. biznewsasia@gmail.com

Property prices gone wild Spiralling rents have driven out ordinary shopkeepers, says Frederic Loup who owns a pharmacy which has been serving local residents since 1927. Today, it is the only local shop left in the area.

“The baker left. The butcher also left.

The problem is the rents, which only the souvenir shops can afford,” he says.

Once favored by penniless artists at the end of the 19th century for its cheap lodgings, Montmartre has seen property prices sky-rocket over the past three decades, with its homes snapped up by the rich and famous.

Already a hit with the tourists, Montmartre won further acclaim when its picturesque streets hit the big screen in 1991 with the release of “Amelie,” a light-hearted romantic comedy which painted a rosy, idealised version of the neighbourhood.

But while the area’s unique charm has caught the attention of stars like Hollywood actor Johnny Depp, locals are moving out.

Thirty years ago, the cost of an apartment was around 1,500 euros per square metre ($1,700 for 10 square feet).

Today, buyers are looking at 10,000 or even 20,000 euros per square meter, says Brice Moyse who heads Immopolis, an estate agency which specialises in properties in Montmartre.

With such prices, there no chance that any struggling writer or artist could even think of following in the footsteps of Pissarro or Renoir by moving into the district.

Painters squeezed out Those artists who do work there tend to make a living by rushing off pencil sketches of tourists or more elaborate paintings of city landscapes which they sell to visitors.

But even they fear being chased away.

Much of the artwork in local tourist shops is made in China and sold at bargain prices.

“They are forgers, parasites!” fumes street artist Midani M’Barki, referring to the Chinese competition.

M’Barki, who heads the Paris-Montmartre artists’ association, also rails against the way local cafes and restaurants have increasingly taken over the pavements, squeezing out painters.

A recent bylaw gives street artists the right to ply their trade on the pavements, but the space taken by restaurant tables and chairs has expanded.

“We’re now in the gutter and the terraces are thriving,” says M’Barki who has worked in the area since 1970.

“We should be given half the space,” he says angrily.

“If we don’t get it, we’ll leave.

And without us, there won’t be any Montmartre.” AFP

in point is the decades of racial apartheid policy of South Africa. Black political prisoner Nelson Mandela and white President F.W. de Klerk worked together and ended apartheid.

For their non-violent way of waging a political sea change, Mandela and KlerK were declared joint winners of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993.

In nearby Myanmar, the military junta prevailed but later eased its grip over the country. The people of Myanmar have come to accept the rule of the generals with some semblance of

free voting and press freedom. There are now a few newspapers in Myanmar allowed to operate with little restriction. Several years back when I visited Myanmar, the only existing newspaper was the government publication called the New Light of Myanmar. Light has indeed come to Myanmar albeit only through shafts in the window. For this small gesture of liberalization, the United States lifted economic sanctions against Myanmar and opened diplomatic relations with the country once known as Burma.

FROM WHERE I STAND

Life...

From A4

has become a must under this administration. We have overcome objections over the TRAIN 2 package and a number of other concerns. There has, in fact, been a mini-bonanza of sorts as more and more people of age get extra money in their pockets. Life, in a very real sense, has somewhat become more bearable if not hopeful.

But that is not enough. More has to be done if we hope to level up as a nation —from being a spectator and analyst of things.

The problem is while we are all struggling to make both ends meet and benefiting from the TRAIN 1 package, there has lately been an effort on the part of some sectors and their allies in the Senate to stymie the passage of TRAIN 2—the twin of the earlier legislation. Sadly, these critics and their fellow travelers have politicized the reform effort seemingly without regard for the drawbacks of such an undertaking. It appears these guys are so tied up with those benefiting from the multi-billion tax

leakages drawn from the bogus locators at PEZA. These guys have taken advantage of the loopholes in the present PEZA Law to the point they would rather let the country suffer than give up their undeserved privileges. Leave out benefits for senior citizens and other vulnerable sectors, for example. No less than Budget Secretary Ben Diokno has said that for now, we would be losing P41 billion annually if we just hold the increase in the fuel excise tax. We should not let our seniors and other vulnerable groups wobble as we grapple with the new situation of higher crude costs and the like. We should not let that happen.

Nor should we let these people stomp all over us and leave the ambitious Build Build Build infrastructure program unfunded as will be the case if we do not pass TRAIN 2. That will draw us back years as we struggle to keep out only our competitiveness as an investment destination. That will make those milking the treasury no end happy as the rest of us suffer and cry. We should not let these people cut our life line to a better and more prosperous future. Never.

News

A6

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2018 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Police alert public against criminals these holidays

By Joel E. Zurbano THE Southern Police District on Thursday alerted the public against various modus operandi this coming holiday season.

SPD spokesperson Jenny Tecson also warned the people against members of “Ipit Gang” who operate by “casually ganging up on an innocent person, with one accomplice stealing the victim’s valuables while the others create distractions for the victim and bystanders.”

Tecson said these groups operate in Light Railway Transit (LRT 1 and 2), Metro Railway Transit (MRT3) and also target bus commuters on both the north and south bound of Epifanio de los Santos Avenue, and along the stretch of Senator Gil Puyat Avenue (formerly Buendia Avenue) in Makati.

She added some of the gang members had been apprehended by the Makati City Police Station and charged in court for theft.

“Since the crime committed is bailable, they were released from detention and continued with their illegal activities,” said Tecson.

The SPD also revealed that the gang was being protected by a certain Police Officer 1 Tamondog, formerly assigned at the Makati City Police Station.

The leader of the group identified as Ruel Bautista was arrested recently by Makati police operatives.

Makati City police commander Rogelio Simon said they had intensified their security measures and enhanced anti-criminality campaign in light of the high number of theft and other modus as the holiday season draws near.

“Part of anti-criminality campaign is setting up of aggresive patrol operations and detective beat patrols on Edsa-Makati area and Ayala MRT (Metro Railways Transit),” said Simon.

Just recently, Simon’s men arrested four notorious members of “Tira-Tira Oslow Gang” along Edsa corner Ayala Avenue.

Simon identified the suspects as Dennis Naveles, 34; Kevin Coltivo, 21; Rolando Bernardo, 26, and Rowel Concepcion, 26, all jobless and residents of Pasay City.

The authorities chanced upon the group members after they alighted from a passenger bus around 5:30 am.

Du30 grants university status to SSC

By Rio N. Araja DEPUTY Speaker and Sorsogon Rep. Evelina Escudero on Thursday lauded President Rodrigo Duterte for “finally” granting the Sorsogon State College a full university status under Republic Act 11088 or the Sorsogon State University starting Oct. 26.

“On behalf of all Sorsoganons, we thank President Duterte for signing this bill into law. It is a well-deserved recognition for an institution that continuously produces top-notch graduates and has been a constant source of pride for the province,” she said.

The Sorsogon State College is the “very first” university in the province.

It is now called the Sorsogon State University.

As the province’s lawmaker, Escudero said it was her responsibility to bat for a quality education for their constituents.

The Sorsogon Trade School was founded in 1907 and was converted into Sorsogon College of Arts by virtue or Republic Act 704 in 1952 and into Sorsogon State College in 1993.

The inception can be traced back from the consolidation of the three biggest national vocational schools in the province—the Bulan Vocational High School, Magallanes Vocational and Fishery School, and Sorsogon National Agricultural School in Castilla.

“I persistently pushed for the conversion because SSC’s credentials earned it. As a representative, it is my mandate to bring my constituents the quality education they deserve and support the initiatives that will help them prosper as an institution,” Escudero said.

“I’d like to express my appreciation to the Commission on Higher Education, my co-authors, House committees on higher and technical education and appropriations, and my colleagues for helping us achieve the status. Thank you for backing the conversion despite having to attend to a long list of other priority legislation,” she added.

Work-from-home bill near done deal

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

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HE Telecommuting Act of 2017, commonly known as “workfrom-home” bill authored and sponsored by Senator Joel Villanueva, is only one step closer to becoming a law as it awaits the President’s signature following its bicam report ratification this month.

The bill encourages employers to allow telecommuting or the partial or total substitution of computers or telecommunication technologies for the commute to work by employees.

In the bicam report, telecommuting— a work arrangement that allows an employee in the private sector to work from an alternative workplace with the use of telecommunication and/or computer technologies—will remain as employers’ prerogative based on a mutual agreement.

Villanueva, chairman of the Senate committee on labor, employment, and human resources development, noted that

while a telecommuting program was voluntary or optional, it should not be less than the minimum labor standards set by law including that for health and safety of workers, schedule and workloads, work hours and social security.

“We are confident that we have placed enough safeguards in this bill that will not only promote our workers’ right to work-life balance and flexible work arrangement but also ensure that the rights of home-based workers are protected by giving them equal pay, leave benefits and promotion as their counterparts in the office,” Villanueva said.

Aside from promoting work-life balance, the senator noted that the bill also sought to address traffic congestion and its tremendous effect on the country’s economy.

Once the bill is enacted into law, the Department of Labor and Employment is expected to come up with guidelines that will ensure the “fair treatment” provision of the measure such as the: Rate of pay, including overtime and night shift differential, and other similar monetary benefits not lower than those provided in applicable laws, and collective bargaining agreements; • Right to rest periods, regular holidays, and special non-working days; • Equivalent workload and performance standards as those of comparable workers at the employer’s premises; • Access to training and career development opportunities as those of comparable workers at the employer’s premises,

and be subject to the same appraisal policies covering these workers; • Appropriate training on the technical equipment at their disposal, and the characteristics and conditions of telecommuting; and • Collective rights as the workers at the employer’s premises, and shall not be barred from communicating with workers’ representatives.

The proposed law also provides for the establishment of a telecommuting pilot program in select industries for not more than three years to enable DOLE to determine the advantages and disadvantages of a telecommuting program in the Philippines.

“We are now one step closer to our goal—to produce a cohesive and strong policy that affords our workers meaningful work-life balance and an option to work under a flexible work arrangement,” Villanueva said.

3 cops dead, 3 others hurt as gunmen fire at Puno convoy

SUPPORT TO OFWS. Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III (right) talks with overseas Filipino workers from Saudi Arabia, who were displaced by the lock-out of Azmeel Contracting Corp., shortly upon their arrival at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 in Pasay City on Thursday. PNA

JV wants malls and hotel parking fees regulated LISTENING to public outcry, Senator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito is pushing for the regulation in the imposition of parking fees by shopping malls, hotels, and other commercial establishments.

“The cry from the public against the prevalent practice of charging parking fees by shopping malls and commercial establishments is resounding,” Ejercito said in his explanatory note.

In his Senate Bill 2044, Ejercito said that while parking facilities, either inside or outside the commercial establishments, were mandated under Republic Act 6541, or the “National Building Code of the Philippines,” there was no law or administrative issuance regulating parking fees in the country.

Some malls impose P30 to P50 park-

ing fee for the first three hours and additional P10 or higher per succeeding hour of parking while others collect P100 for the first three hours.

This only show that there is no standard being followed for the collection of parking fees, Ejercito noted.

The senator noted that despite being loyal consumers and patrons, the public had to pay for every hour that they spend inside the establishments.

Ejercito said Article II of RA 7394, or the Consumer Act of the Philippines, stressed “the policy of the State to protect the interest of the consumers, promote the general welfare and establish standards of conduct for business andindustry.”

“Owners of malls and commercial es-

tablishments should then give consideration to the buying public,” he said.

“As such, this bill seeks to provide regulating mechanism and rational basis for the determination of reasonable parking fees that may be imposed to the public,” Ejercito said.

Under the measure, establishments will impose P40 per vehicle for the maximum of eight hours and an additional P10 per succeeding hour of parking.

There will be one-time P100 fee for overnight parking.

There will also be a provision of 30 minutes grace period, wherein the customer shall not be charged the standard parking fee if his/her vehicle has entered and exited the parking area within the grace period. Macon Ramos-Araneta

PALM READING.

Humanity and Inclusion logo printed on palms (from left): Roche Vanderberghe, head of Marketing of Community Care Country Lead; lawyer Teroy Roman, general counsel for FWD Life; Bryan Marsalis, Regional Operations coordinator of Humanity and Inclusion; Raphael Torralba, assistant for Programs for Persons with Disability of the DFA. Diana B. Noche

PhilHealth says it’s committed to resolve 2017 net loss THE Philippine Health Insurance Corp. has remained steadfast to correct its net operating loss of P4.7 billion, it said in a statement.

The 2017 financial statement has been validated and we are confident that certain conditions were not taken into account such as 1) unrecorded premium receivables from the formal sector that was at P49.1 billion but reported to be only at P48.7 billion; 2) The over recording of the benefit claims expenses in 2017 from P105 billion to P102 billion;

3) The reduction in 2017 Primary Care Benefit Accrual of P2.1 billion to P1.1 billion; 4) The recording of 2017 benefit payout under the Point of Service program is yet to be refunded by the Department of Budget and Management which was initially recorded as benefit claim expenses that amounted to P926 million; 5) the unrecorded share of PhilHealth in the 2017 Bases Conversion and Development Authority amounting to P25 million.

Despite what it called the erroneous reports, PhilHealth assured its 97 million beneficiaries of its undaunted commit-

ment to work harder towards achieving stronger financial condition by improving collection efficiency, tighten anti-fraud activities, heighten member consciousness to pay their dues and implementing prudent spending proved to be very promising.

True to its commitment, acting president and chief executive officer Dr. Roy B. Ferrer announced an enormous increase in income at end July 2018, posting a net income of P10.66 billion, surpassing its performance last June by more than P3 billion.

THREE police escorts were slain and three more were hurt when gunmen ambushed the convoy of Food and Drug Administration Director General Nela Charade-Puno in Lupi, Camarines Sur, on Thursday morning, according to GMA News in a report beamed nationwide.

Citing information from Bicol Police Regional Office, GMA News stringer Michael Biando said the incident happened at 9:10 am in Lupi’s Barangay Napolidan.

Puno was on her way to a gathering when her convoy was attacked by more or less 20 armed men.

Killed in the ambush were SPO1 Percival Rafael, PO3 Carlito Navarozza, and PO1 Ralph Jason Vida, while those hurt were identified as PO1 Jonathan Perillo, PO1 Rodolfo Gonzaga and PO1 Ruby Buena.

Those injured were brought to Bicol Medical Center in Naga City.

Puno, who was unhurt, canceled the event as a result of the incident.

Other policemen who were part of the security convoy retaliated and were able to drive the suspects away, according to GMA. The suspects have not been identified.

Insurgency gains cited THE Duterte administration’s implementation of the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program is the primary reason why the insurgency in the country is now on a decline, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said.

“Our government is here, led by President Rodrigo Duterte. He will give everyone a chance to return to the fold of the law, live a new life in peace and make everyone able to contribute to development,” Lorenzana said in a statement sent to reporters Wednesday.

Through this program, more rebels are sending surrender feelers to the government, he said.

The DND chief made this comment during the final leg of the two-day Peace Summit for the Former Rebels at the Northern Luzon Command headquarters in Tarlac.

The event also included the surrender of firearms and the ceremonial acceptance of 125 FRs from Regions 1, 2, 3 and Cordillera.

E-CLIP is the flagship program of the Duterte administration that seeks to effect social healing and national unity through a whole-of-nation approach towards the higher objective of having just and lasting peace.

It also provides social equity to former members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s ArmyNational Democratic Front and the Militia ng Bayan by devising a different modality of providing benefits and services to the FRs, in order to reintegrate them into mainstream society.

Lorenzana also commended the efforts of all agencies under the Task Force Balik-Loob, headed by Defense Undersecretary Reynaldo Mapagu, which implements the E-CLIP by consolidating all the programs of TFBL lead and partner agencies, as well as local government units which implement the reintegration program in their localities through the E-CLIP Committees headed by provincial governors. PNA

Sports National U turns back Adamson in high school volleyball NATIONAL University, the reigning four-time girls’ champions, improved to 2-0 following a tough 25-16, 22-25, 25-27, 25-12, 15-7 win over Adamson University in the UAAP Season 81 high school volleyball tournament Wednesday at the Blue Eagle Gym. Alyssa Solomon had 19 points and nine digs while Faith Nisperos and Sheena Toring each scored 16 markers as the Bullpups rallied from a 1-2 set deficit and overcame 47 errors to beat the Baby Falcons.

May Ann Nuique had six blocks to finish with 13 points for Adamson University, which dropped at 2-1 in third place.

Imee Hernandez had 13 points while Regina Jurado added 12 hits as University of Santo Tomas topped Far Easter n University-Diliman, 25-20, 25-23, 25-20, to join NU on top with its second straight victory.

University of the East swept UP Integrated School, 25-19, 25-17, 25-22, in the other girls match to enter the win column.

NU became the remaining undefeated team in the boys division as it bested FEUDiliman, 25-20, 21-25, 25-16, 25-18.

Pol Santiago and Lorence Cruz teamed up for 19 points to help the Bullpups extend their perfect run to three matches.

Jose Javelona had 14 points for the Baby Tamaraws, whose two-game winning streak was snapped.

FEU fell in a tie with Adamson Universitu, a 25-18, 25-7, 25-14 winner over Ateneo, and UST, which defeated UE, 2518, 25-17, 25-18, at 2-1.

De La Salle-Zobel downed UPIS, 25-15, 25-13, 25-10, for its first win.

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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2018 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Macedonian wrests golf lead

T

ARLAC—Peter Stojanovski moved in the threshold of a breakthrough on the Philippine Golf Tour, shooting a solid four-under 68 in scorching condition then pouncing on Jay Bayron and Clyde Mondilla’s miscues on the treacherous No. 17 to seize a one-stroke lead in the third round of the ICTSI Luisita Invitational here yesterday.

Relegated to the background in a three-player battle majority of the way, the Macedonian struck with long birdies on Nos. 15 and 16 of Luisita Golf and Country Club then watched Bayron and Mondilla crumble at the water-laced par-3, 214-yard 17th to rally from three down after 36 holes to one-up at 14-under 202 heading to the final 18 holes of the P4 million event put up by ICTSI. “I had a solid game and played pretty well even it’s very hot,” said Stojanovski, whose best finish in his three-year local stint was joint third in the PGT Asia Aboitiz Invitational at The Orchard last month.

“A win is very important since I am playing here for quite sometime now.

I think it’s long overdue,” said Stojanovski, who hopes to shoot a 68 or 69 in today’s final round to nail that elusive win.

But expect Bayron and Mondilla to bounce back strong, extend Stojanovski’s winless campaign while snapping their respective slumps on the circuit.

Bayron, who took charge by two with a 66 halfway through, blew a twostroke edge as Mondilla regained the lead with early birdies but surged ahead again with birdies on Nos. 10 and 15, only to tumble with a double-bogey on No. 17 when he dumped his 4-iron teeshot into the water. He ended up with a 72 and slipped to joint second with Mondilla at 203.

“My game is okay and I was playing

relatively good until No. 17,” said Bayron. “I think I need to shoot five-under tomorrow (today) to win.”

Mondilla, who fired a lead-grabbing, record setting 64 Tuesday, charged back to the lead with a 33 start but bogeyed No. 10, tied Bayron again with a birdie on No. 15 but fell behind after missing the 17th green for bogey that typified the Filipino aces’ shaky finish in sweltering heat. He finished with a 70, missing joining Stojanovski at the helm with a flubbed birdie putt from six feet on the final hole.

“I misread my line of putt. I could’ve tied for the lead,” rued Mondilla, winless in the season after scoring four victories last year to clinch the OOM title.

Aussie Tim Stewart also holed out with a bogey for a 69 and fell five shots off Stojanovski at 207 while Tony Lascuña pressed his bid with three straight birdies from No. 2 but made three bogeys against the same number of birdies in the last 14 holes. He wound up with a 69 for a 208.

FOREST COVER WINS. Philippine

Racing Commissioner Bienvenido Niles Jr. (5th from right) joins officials of Klub Don Juan and the winning connections of filly Forest Cover, which ruled the 2nd leg of the Juvenile Fillies and Colts Stakes Race at the Saddle and Leisure Park in Naic, Cavite on Sunday.

They are jockey O’neal P. Cortez (left), trainer CM Vicente (2nd from right) and a representative of owner Aristeo G. Puyat (4th from right).

PH Superliga unravels 2 tournaments

By Peter Atencio FOURTEEN teams will take part in the the Philippine Super Liga when it unravels two sets of tournaments at the end of the month.

There will be eight contenders for the crown, including the Petron Blaze Spikers when the the sixth season of the Philippine Super Liga All Filipino Volleyball Conference gets going on Oct. 30 at the FilOil-Flying V Sports center in San Juan.

Six squads, led by three UAAP teams, will fight it off for the top honors in the

first-ever staging of the Collegiate Grand Slam 2018 at the Ynares Sports Center on Nov. 3.

“It will be full of action among the best teams of the PSL,” said PSL president Ian Laurel during a presentation yesterday at the Club Filipino in San Juan.

League officials said they are proud to be a finalist of the prestigious Sports Industry Awards Asia 2018. The PSL is the only entry in the women sports category, with the winner known in Bangkok, Thailand on Nov. 30.

“It is a distinction for us. We are proud

of it because it validates and strengthens the work, the hard work that we have done in the past years. It inspires us to face the challenges that we make, and the challenges in front of us,” said PSL Chairman Philip Ella Juico.

The Blaze Spikers get their campaign for another crown going when they meet Coco Life Asset Managers at 4:15 p.m., while the Smart Giga Hitters clash with Sta. Lucia Lady Realtors at 2 p.m.

Later, the F2 Logistics Cargo Movers are set to do battle with the Cignal HD Spikers at 7 p.m.

Senate takes on PNP, tries to extend UNTV streak to 4 Games Sunday (Pasig City Sports Center) 2 p.m. – GSIS vs PITC 3:30 p.m. – Agriculture vs Judiciary 5 p.m. – PNP vs Senate

Olan Omiping (left) hopes to lead PNP to victory against defending champion Senate when they clash on Sunday in the UNTV Cup.

St. Clare, Enderun prevail DEFENDING champion St. Clare College and Enderun Colleges pulled off contrasting victories over their respective rivals to move to within a win of advancing to the finals of the National Athletic Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities Season 18 basketball tournament at the Rizal Technological University gym in Mandaluyong.

St. Clare leaned on the deadly trio of Mohamed Pare, Irven Palencia and Junjie Hallare to bring down New Era University, 87-80, and keep its bid for an unprecedented third straight title alive.

Enderun rode on the hot hands of Brandon Chauca to surprise last year’s runnerup De Ocampo Memorial Colleges, 105-86, and boost its chances for its first-ever finals appearance.

Victories by both the Saints and the Titans in Game 2 of the scheduled best-ofthree semifinal matches starting at 8 a.m. tomorrow (Saturday) will put them on collision course for the coveted title in this 18-year-old league..

The Hunters, who are making their first

Games tomorrow (RTU gym)

8 a.m.- New Era vs. St. Clare 9:30 a.m. – De OCampo vs. Enderun

semifinal appearance since 2006, and the Cobras, losing finalist to the Saints last year, need a victory to send the series into a deciding third game next week.

Pare, the Saint’s’ own “Tower of Power”, asserted his might with 17 points and 16 rebounds despite the Hunters’ strong defense.

Palencia added 16 points, six assists and three rebounds and Hallare contributed 11 points and 10 rebounds for the Caloocan City-based Saints of NAASCU founding president dr. Ernesto Jay Adalem and multititled coach Jino Manansala.

Jefferson Comia, the hero in New Era’s 67-62 overtime win over 2016 runner-up Out Lady of Fatima University in the quarterfinals, carried the fight with game-high 22 points, eight rebounds and four assists.

Brandon Chauca was the top man for Enderun against De Ocampo.

DEFENDING champion Senate looks to extend its winning streak to four games in Group A elims when it battles struggling Philippine National Police on Sunday in the 7th UNTV Cup at the Pasig City Sports Center.

Coming off a convincing 87-72 win over the Department of Justice Boosters last Sunday, the Senate Defenders should come out fully motivated in their 5 p.m. encounter with the PNP Responders.

Senate coach Mike Fermin, however, sees a tight and exciting showdown with the Re-

sponders who are out to improve their 1-2 record in the event offering P4 million to the chosen charity of the champion team.

Expected to lead the Defenders are former PBA player Jeff Sanders and Garry Sevilla and Senators Joel Villanueva and Sonny Angara.

Former University of the East player Olan Omiping and ABL veteran Harold Sta. Maria will spearhead PNP which is out to reclaim its title it won two years ago in the event organized by UNTV president and CEO Dr. Daniel Razon.

Two-time champion Judiciary hopes to barge into the win column of Group B elims as it tackles Department of Agriculture while PITC collided with GSIS in the other Group A match.

Stojanovski

Milliam, Velez eye PPS Argao net romps JOHN David Velez and Alexa Milliam set out for another dominant campaign but against a new set of rivals in the PPS-PEPP El Kapitan-Argao national age-group tennis tournament beginning today (Friday) at the El KapitanLGU Outdoor Tennis Courts in Argao, Cebu.

Velez and Milliam, both 14, matched three-title romps in the circuit’s last stop in Dumaguete with the PPS-PEPP Mac Crankit aces seeking to duplicate their romps in this week’s Group 2 tournament presented by Dunlop and sponsored by El Kapitan Resort and Wilfredo Albarracin.

But Velez, one of the rising stars from Davao, expects a tougher challenge from a slew of talented rivals, including Hans Cabellon, Gerald Gemida, Ian Lim and Gio Manito in the 32-player draw in 14U, and Cedric Bravo and Venz Alforque in 16- and 18-U categories.

Milliam, from Pontevedra, Negros, will be as much tested as she gears up for a showdown with the likes of Mia Gemida and Riza Coderos the girls’ 14U, and Bless Coderos and Faye Lim in 16- and 18-U divisions of the event put up by Palawan Pawnshop headed by president/CEO Bobby Castro.

Over 160 entries are clashing for top honors in nine divisions in the five-day event sanctioned by Unified Tennis Philippines, made up of PPS-PEPP, Cebuana Lhuillier, Wilson, Toby’s, Dunlop, Slazenger and B-Meg. Aaron Tabura, Louise Paliwag, Renante Bravo and David Sepulveda are tipped to dispute the 10-unisex diadem with Paliwag also set to compete in the girls’ 12-U side along with Riza Coderos, Sheynna Yu and Amygray Olao.

Gerald Gemida, Gio Manito, Mitch Largo and Clarence Tabura, on the other hand, banner the boys’ 12-U cast in the event serving as the second leg of the October festival. La Carlota City in Negros Occidental will host the next stop on Oct. 24-28 while San Carlos City stage the Pintaflores Festival on Oct. 29-Nov. 5. Listup is ongoing. For details, call PPS-PEPP Program Development director Bobby Mangunay at 0915-4046464.

Top Tekken 7 players clash in ‘Road to Nationals’ THE country’s best Tekken 7 players are in for the biggest fight of their lives as they battle it out at the ‘Road to the Nationals’ finals in the upcoming Esports and Gaming Summit 2018--the biggest gaming convention in the Philippines set on Oct. 26 to 28 at the SMX Convention Center, Pasay City.

Presented by PLDT Home Fibr and Smart Communications, Inc., ESGS promises an epic gaming experience for esports fans and enthusiasts as it features exciting exhibits, cosplay competition, fan games, and treats from PLDT Home Fibr and Smart’s activity booths.

ESGS hosts the ‘Road to the Nationals’ finals for Tekken 7, a one-on-one fighting game that gained massive popularity for its engaging characters, gameplay and visuals.

Among the Tekken 7 finalists competing at the ESGS ‘Road to the Nationals’ finals are: Raymund Jay “Limitbreak” Sarte representing Cagayan de Oro; Francis Steven Valencia “UFTC Gogoy” Cabahug (Cebu); Jade “ArkAngel.Janine” Yasay (Davao); Alexandre “AK” Lavarez (Manila) and Andreij “Doujin” Albar (Manila).

They will be joined by the top play-

ers at this weekend’s qualifiers at Secret Base-Marikina on Oct.13, Saturday, and Playbook Video Game Lounge-Makati on Oct.14, Sunday.

Over P300,000 in prizes are up for grabs at the Tekken 7 ‘Road to the Nationals’ finals.

The Tekken 7 champion, along with the finalists, will also get a chance to be picked by the founding teams of The Nationals, the country’s first ever esports franchise model league that serves as a hotbed for Philippine representatives to major international esports events. These founding teams include PLDT-Smart, Cignal, HappyFeet, Bren Esports, TNC Pro Team, and STI Holdings.

Aside from Tekken 7, ESGS will also host the DOTA 2 ‘Road to the Nationals’ finals featuring some of the country top teams, with over Ph1.2 million in prizes for the champion.

Among the DOTA 2 teams that have secured final spots to battle it out at ESGS 2018 include: Voyager representing Bacolod; Davao’s Pride (Davao), TaskUs Titans (Iloilo); Quid Pro Quo (Manila); Sterling Global Dragons (Manila). The top team at the up-

coming qualifier at UGZ137 in Imus, Cavite will also grab a spot in the finals.

As part of the ‘Road to the Nationals,’ PLDT Home Fibr and Smart are also set to host the country’s biggest Mobile Legends tournament soon.

Full support for Filipino esports athletes “We are astonished by the excellent level of gameplay that Filipino esports athletes have shown all throughout the ‘Road to The Nationals qualifiers,’” said Andrew Santos, FVP and Consumer Marketing Head for PLDT and Smart. “We believe that our country can be at par with the rest of the world when it comes to esports, that’s why we are fully committed to supporting our esports athletes by providing them with opportunities from the grassroots level, all the way up to creating the first franchisebased professional league in the Philippines. Moreover, PLDT and Smart are not only building esports teams for The Nationals – we are also ensuring that gamers are equipped with the best gaming experience through our PLDT Home Fibr and Smart LTE networks.”

Sports

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

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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2018

Magnolia pursues top four finish

By Jeric Lopez RED hot league-leader Magnolia Pambansang Manok aims to move closer to sealing a top four finish as it goes for a sixth straight win when it plunges back to action in the 2018 Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup Winner of five straight, the Hotshots (7 wins, 1 loss) look to keep their streak going as they take on the rejuvenated Meralco Bolts (2-6) 7 p.m. at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City while the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters (2-4) look to build on its momentum against hapless Columbian Dyip (0-9) in the opening 4:30 p.m. game.

With do-it-all import Romeo Travis fitting like a glove, Magnolia is enjoying tremendous success so far in the conference.

The Hotshots are already assured of a spot in the quarterfinals and they are now eyeing a twice-to-beat incentive in the next round.

The top four teams at the end of the elimination round will get a win-once advantage against the lower seeded teams.

The Hotshots’ last victim was a fellow top four team in Alaska as they handed the Aces an 83-73 beating last Sunday.

While Magnolia looks comfortable at the top, Meralco is trying to continue a bit of a resurgence after snapping its six-game losing skid.

The Bolts fought their way back in their last game against NLEX and eventually hacked out a 108-105 squeaker, ending their dry spell in the process.

With two wins, Meralco is still in the thick of the fight for a spot in the top eight.

The same goes with the Elasto Painters, who have won their last two games.

Rain or Shine will be heavily favored against cellar-dweller Dyip, which is trying to avoid a winless conference.

Magnolia Pambansang Manok import Romeo Travis (24) grabs the rebound against Alaska Aces counterpart Mike Harris (52). Magnolia tries to extend its five-game winning streak when it battles Meralco. PBA Media.

Red Lions beat Pirates to grab NCAA top seed

By Peter Atencio

D

EFENDING champion San Beda Red Lions refused to fold down the stretch and pounced on a pair of turnovers to put away the Lyceum Pirates, 75-68, yesterday at the Arena in San Juan.

The Red Lions, with Robert Bolick and James Canlas each firing 18 points, took the no. 1 seed after posting their 16th win in the 17 games, with still a game left in the second round of the 94th National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball tournament.

Coming back from 13 points down in the last period, the Pirates got a chance to trim San Beda’s lead when Mike Nzeusseu blocked Donald Tankoua and stole the ball.

But Tankoua, who had 15 points and 14

rebounds, got the ball back after Nzeusseu gave a quick pass to Reymar Caduyac. And the 6’6” Tankoua knocked down two charities with 43.2 seconds left off Caduyac’s foul, 75-66.

“We’re happy. At least we took the monkey off our back. Everybody’s been saying that we cannot beat Lyceum. And it’s really a good challenge. So, naging barometer namin iyung sinabi na iyun,” said Red Lions coach Boyet Fernandez.

Javee Mocon contributed his share with 13 points and

10 rebounds. Lyceum coach Topex Robinson said he was disappointed but promised that his team will bounce back.

“It’s going to be hard. But, I’m sure it’s going to be sweet. Every adversity we go through just builds us up. Every time we play San Beda, we just improve as team,” said Pirates coach Topex Robinson.

The 6’1” Bolick pushed the Red Lions in front by hitting eight points, including a triple in the last 23 ticks of the first period. The Mendiola dribblers moved ahead, 18-13.

Canlas pushed the Red Lions ahead by 11 points with his drive, 35-24 San Beda went on to take a, 39-31 halftime edge.

Lyceum faced a 20-point deficit in the closing minute of the third when Bolick canned in two charities to peg the count at 59-39.

PH joins 1st Pattaya Carlos battles youth chess best in region tournament MACIE CARLOS and Bliss Bayking hope to display top form as they slug it out with 46 of the best and rising junior players in Asia-Pacific in the WTA Future Stars at the Kallang Tennis Center this week in Singapore.

Carlos and Bayking gained spots in the top-level event featuring the girls’ Under-14 and U-16 categories by topping the gruelling Cebuana Lhuillier Girls’ Tennis Challenge at the Makati Sports Club recently.

“I’m confident Carlos and Bayking will perform well in the tournament. I have seen how they play in the Cebuana Tennis Challenge and I am convinced that they have what it takes to go headto-head with some of the region’s elite players,” said Unified Tennis Philippines’ president Jean Henri Lhuillier, who also stressed the importance of grassroots programs and tournaments made available nationwide as a means to further hone the skills of Filipino junior players.

In representing the Philippines in the elite junior event, which serves as a prelude to the WTA Finals featuring the world’s top eight women pros, Carlos and Bayking also received comprehensive travel insurance from Malayan Insurance.

On their way to the WTA Future Stars tilt, Carlos beat Mica Emana, 6-1, 6-2, to capture the 14-and-under crown while Bayking held off Justine Maneja, 6-4, 6-1, in the 16-U finals of the UTPsanctioned event that drew the country’s top junior players.

The WTA Future Stars junior tournaments feature competition for young girls across Asia-Pacific with a vision to promote high-level athlete development, health, fitness and empowerment of women through the sport of tennis.

Each regional WTA Future Stars event includes competition at two levels—14 and under and 16 and under—with tournaments set to take place in Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Singapore and other regions across Asia-Pacific.

THE Philippines is set to compete in the 1st Pattaya Open Youth Chess Championship at the Bay Beach Resort Pattaya, Banglamung, Chin Buried, Thailand.

The Philippine team will see action from October 20 to 24 in Pattaya.

Members of the team are set to leave for Pattaya today.

The team is led by Kaiza Libo-On (U8), Clark Jemuel Cabatian (U8), Bonjoure Fille Suyamin (U8), Jirah Floravie Cutiyog (U10), Carlyhne Mae Maneja (U10), Adrian Klein Cantomayor (U10), Dan Japhet Libo-on (U12), Josh Edmar Castro (U12 ), Earl Siegfrid Sta. Maria (U12), Relghie Columna (U12), Heart Florence Claros (U12), Geraldine Mae Camarines (U12), Jeanelle Cabatian (U14), Janmyl Dilan Tisado (U16), Jireh Dan Jaime Cutiyog (U16) and Paolo Estavillo (16).

The Filipinos will go against squads from Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos and Brunei.

“We expect these young and talented players to perform well as usual

BOLT’S NEW CAREER. Olympic sprinter Usain Bolt (left), playing for A-League football club Central Coast Mariners, attempts to score against Macarthur South West United in his first competitive start for the club in Sydney. AFP and bring honor to the country,” said coach Ederwin Estavillo, who is also the president of the General Trias City Chess Club.

“Most of these players did very well during the Philippine age-group chess championships held in the country as well the ASEAN age group chess championships abroad. It will not be a

surprise if they perform just as well in the ASEAN level,” said coach Estavillo, trainer of the Mapua University chess team under the leadership of national arbiter Boyet Tardecilla and Israel “Ice” Landicho.

The Head of Delegation is Baby Lyn Kempiz of City Mayor’s Office of General Trias, Cavite.

Shorthanded Eagles face Tamaraws DEFENDING champion Ateneo Blue Eagles will have a manpower shortage when they face the Far Eastern University Tamaraws on Saturday.

The Blue Eagles will play without three mainstays at the start of the second round of the 94th University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) men’s basketball tournament at the Smart Araneta Colseum.

They will miss a suspended Thirdy Ravena and injured Nieto brothers Mike and Matt when they go for their seventh win in nine games.

Ravena was handed a one-game suspension by commissioner Junel Baculi after throwing a closed fist at Paul Desiderio last October 14 during the Blue Eagles’ 83-66 win over the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons.

He will be one of three players who will serve a one-game suspension this weekend. Arvin Tolentino of FEU and University of the Philippines’ Javi Gomez de Liano were also sanctioned.

“I don’t think we will be appealing this. We will respect the decision,” said Blue Eagles team manager Epok Quimpo.

It was Ravena’s second infraction since last season. This has also disqualified him for the Season 94 MVP race, and from any individual awards.

The incident took place with 1:26 left in the first quarter following a collision with Desiderio. The two fell down on the floor and there was no foul called.

Against the Tams, the Blue Eagles will be without the Nieto brothers.

Mike is resting an injured finger.

Matt is recovering from a sprained left ankle.

Ravena averages 11.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.0 steals and 1.0 blocks per game.

On the other hand, the Tams will be without Tolentino, who has been slapped with a two-game ban following his second disqualifying foul this season.

Tolentino was called for a disqualifying foul against Zachy Huang with 15 seconds left in their game against the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers.

This took place last Sunday. FEU lost that game to the Growling Tigers, 70-78.

On the other hand, de Liano has a one-game ban for two technical fouls against Ateneo. He will be missing when the UP Fighting Maroons face the University of the East Red Warriors on Sunday. Peter Atencio

Pelicans shoot down Houston Rockets

Anthony Davis (23) of the New Orleans Pelicans shoots the ball against the Houston Rockets during a game on October 17, 2018 at Toyota Center, in Houston, Texas. AFP

LOS ANGELES—Anthony Davis scored 32 points and Elfrid Payton finished with a triple double as the New Orleans Pelicans got their NBA season off to a roaring start by clobbering the Houston Rockets 131112 on Wednesday.

Davis also had 16 rebounds and Payton finished with 10 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists for the Pelicans who led wire-to-wire.

“I am just taking what defense gives me,” said Davis.

“It is only game one. We still got a lot of work to do.”

The Pelicans’ dominating win in front of a crowd of 18,000 at Toyota Center arena in Texas was one of 11 games in the first full night of the 2018-19 NBA season.

League Most Valuable Player James Harden flirted with a triple double, finishing with 18 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds, but it wasn’t enough as the Rockets failed to match New Orleans’ seasonopening intensity, especially on defense.

Nikola Mirotic delivered 30 points and 10 rebounds

in the blowout as the Pelicans led by as many as 29 points at one stage. They led 35-29 at the end of the first quarter and 71-64 at halftime.

Payton and Julius Randle were the two biggest offseason additions for the Pelicans, who appear to have adjusted nicely to the new blood in the lineup.

DeMarcus Cousins and Rajon Rondo are no longer with the Pelicans, who will have to develop a new personality this season.

“We are not going to shoot the ball this well every night but tonight we did a great job imposing our will on defence which led to a lot of face break opportunities,” said Davis. “When we play like this we will be a tough team to beat.”

Everybody thought the Pelicans’ 2017-18 season was done when Cousins went down in midseason with an Achilles injury. New Orleans rallied together and swept Portland in the first round of the playoffs. AFP

IN BRIEF

Cemex taps China firm for $235-m plant CEMEX Holdings Corp. tapped CBMI Construction Co. Ltd. of China to construct a $235-million cement manufacturing plant in Antipolo City, Rizal.

Cemex said in a disclosure to the stock exchange subsidiary Solid Cement Corp. signed principal project agreements with CBMI Construction Co. for the procurement, construction and installation of the 1.5-million-metricton-per-year integrated cement production line at Solid’s cement plant in Rizal.

Upon completion, the plant will increase Cemex Holdings’ production capacity in the Philippines by 26 percent. Cemex Holdings expects the new line to start operations by the fourth quarter of 2020.

Cemex said funding for this project would be sourced from free cash flow, debt from any subsidiary of parent company, debt from one or more financial institutions and/or proceeds from one or more capital market transactions.

The cement firm reported a net loss of P635 million in the second quarter, a sharp reversal of the P136-million profit it declared in the same period last year on higher income tax expense.

Net sales in the second quarter climbed 6 percent to P5.98 billion from P5.62 billon in the same period last year, as cement volumes continued to grow behind strong demand and improvements in production and dispatch.

Jenniffer B. Austria

Business

Meralco shortlisted for Clark distribution MANILA Electric Co. was shortlisted as one of the two bidders aiming to become the joint venture partner of state-run Bases Conversion and Development Authority for the development of electric power distribution in New Clark City.

Meralco president Oscar Reyes confirmed that the company was shortlisted for the project in Central Luzon. Meralco is the country’s biggest power distributor with over 6.2 million customers in its franchise area.

“I think there are two [companies shortlisted],” Reyes said at the sidelines of the 44th Philippine Business Conference and Expo organized by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Manila.

BCDA is looking for joint venture partners to design, build, finance, operate and maintain power and water distribution in New Clark City which is envisioned to be Asia’s premier economic hub.

Reyes said the company was still studying potential of the New Clark City, but said the BCDA requirements were “very stringent.”

Meralco together with Angeles Electric Corp. owns Clark Electric Distribution Corp., the sole electric distribution firm in Clark Special Economic Zone in Pampanga The 9,450-hectare New Clark City in nearby Tarlac province is envisioned to be the country’s first smart, disaster-resilient and sustainable city. Alena Mae S. Flores

EMPLOYER OF THE YEAR. Globe Telecom Inc. bags the Gold Stevie Award for Employer of the Year in the field of telecommunications at the third annual Stevie Awards for Great Employers. Shown are Globe senior leaders, headed by president and chief executive Ernest Cu (eighth from left) and chief human resource officer Renato Jiao (center) as they celebrate the victory as a testament to the company’s strong commitment to employee empowerment and enrichment.

San Miguel, DOTr resolve issues on Bulacan airport

By Darwin G. Amojelar

T

HE Department of Transportation and San Miguel Holdings Corp. have resolved the issues on right of way and local government permits for the P735-billion New Manila International Airport project in Bulacan province.

Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said San Miguel Corp., the original proponent, agreed to bear the cost of right-of-way acquisition and local government permits to ensure that the Swiss Challenge would be completed this year.

“I will issue a certificate of successful negotiation by next week. Then on that basis it will go to Neda [National

Economic and Development Authority],” Tugade told reporters at the sidelines of the 44th Philippine Business Conference in Manila.

“We have agreed the Swiss Challenge will be done before the end of the year,” Tugade said.

San Miguel president and chief operating officer Ramon Ang confirmed that his company would shoulder all costs related to ROW and LGU permits.

“We will pay for right of way and local government permits. In short, we will shoulder everything so that there is no dispute,” Ang said.

Ang said the project would be “a game changer” and would bring more foreign tourists to the Philippines.

The New Manila Airport Project will be undertaken over a period of five to seven years to full completion.

The project, which was approved by the National Economic and Development Authority chaired by President Rodrigo Duterte in April, involves the

construction of a world-class, major international gateway with four to six parallel runways, modern terminals, a sea port and an industrial zone.

It is located 27 kilometers from Ninoy Aquino International Airport, or 45 minutes from any point in Metro Manila via multiple expressways.

The new airport is expected to create one million jobs during the construction phase, according to Ang. San Miguel proposed to build the massive airport complex on a 2,500-hectare property in Bulakan, Bulacan.

San Miguel said earlier it tapped Standard Chartered Bank and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp. as co-financial advisors for the planned project.

Ang said SMC, the parent company, was fully backing SMHC for the airport project. Ang said he agreed with the Department of Finance’s position that both companies―SMC and SMHC―should sign a joint liability agreement.

Petron offers to supply diesel to PNOC-EC

By Alena Mae S. Flores

CHILDREN’S HOUR MEETING. The board of trustees of the Children’s Hour Philippines Foundation Inc. flash the “one” sign to signify the organization’s One Hour campaign. Shown are (front row, from left) retired general Efren Abu, Dr. Carmencita Reodica, Corazon Alma De Leon, chairperson Emily Abrera, Ma. Elena Aquino-Cruz, Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, Evangeline Mayuga and executive director Geenette Garcia. Standing are (from left) Bernido Liu, Armando Salvador, Renan Osero, Marianne Quebral, Lucy Lazo, Susana Madrigal, Dr. Conchita Manabat, Victoria Garchitorena, vice-chairman Michael Toledo, Roberto De Ocampo, Gary Teves and Guillermo Luz.

Facebook asked to help 750,000 compromised users in PH

By Othel V. Campos THE National Privacy Commission asked social media platform Facebook to provide identity theft and phishing insurance and establish a dedicated helpdesk for 750,000 Filipino users who were affected by data breach last month.

The agency said in an e-mail to Facebook the incident might have compromised the privacy of more than 700,000 Facebook users in the Philippines. It gave the social media company six months to address the situation.

NPC commissioner Raymund Liboro said the agency also asked Facebook to submit a more comprehensive data breach notification report, notify all affected Fili-

business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2018

B1

Group asks BIR to investigate Uy’s alleged tax deficiency

Businesses lose P4t a year due to traffic THE biggest group of businessmen on Thursday submitted a list of resolutions to President Rodrigo Duterte during the 44th Philippine Business Conference in Manila.

“Traffic is costing us losses of up to P3.5 billion a day or P1.2 trillion a year, and wasting millions of man-hours. We propose more elevated roads that will allow passage through Bonifacio Ave., Shaw Boulevard, straight to Santolan in Quezon City. This will decongest traffic further,” the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry said in a letter addressed to the president.

The group also aired concerns about airport congestion that is costing stakeholders more than P3 billion daily in added operational costs and productivity losses.

“We must build a new international airport with four parallel runways within an hour’s drive of major cities within Metro Manila, and connected by mass transit and major toll roads spanning north to south and east to west,” the PCCI said.

The group said seaport congestion was also costing businesses billions of pesos a day that effectively pushed up the cost of doing business.

“On the average, we are losing P3 trillion to 4 trillion per year to traffic, airport and seaport congestion. If we can solve this, our cost of doing business will improve tremendously. This is what foreign investors are looking for,” the group said. Othel V. Campos

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

pino users and implement a program in the Philippines to increase awareness on identity theft and phishing.

Facebook discovered the breach on Sept. 25 when an unexpected traffic was noticed on the site allegedly due to a feature called “View As”.

Facebook said it was able to fix the glitch three days later.

Affected were personal data of users like username; first, last and nickname used on the profile; email address; phone numbers; address; hometown and location; birthday and relationships; websites browsed through Facebook and search data; work history and educational background, among others.

Facebook informed the National Pri-

vacy Commission on Oct. 13 that of the 30 million people with stolen access tokens, a total of 755,973 Philippine-based Facebook user accounts might have been compromised that forced Facebook to log out users from their accounts on Sept. 28.

“From the tenor of the document, we now understand that the breach exposed the personal information of persons with accounts that fall under any of the three buckets, to different degrees. Be that as it may, Facebook contends in its letter dated 13 October 2018 that there is no material risk of more extensive harm occurring. This commission does not agree; the risk of serious harm to Filipino data subjects is more than palpable,” Liboro said.

OIL refiner Petron Corp. on Thursday offered to supply diesel products to state-run PNOC Exploration Corp. at a cheaper cost.

Petron president Ramon Ang made the offer, after the board of PNOC-EC approved the plan to import 50,000 metric tons of diesel that would be P5per-liter cheaper than the current pump prices.

Ang said instead of buying diesel from other countries, PNOC-EC should secure it from Petron which has a refinery in Bataan to save on logistics cost.

“Definitely, our price is very competitive to be exported to Singapore.

Freight alone, they will have huge savings. Why will they import there?

That’s dollar outflow,” Ang said, referring to PNOC-EC’s plan.

“If they import, there is a huge risk of peso devaluation. There is a huge fluctuation if the price of oil and freight cost is already P5 if you import,” he said.

PNOC-EC president Pedro Aquino said Ang’s offer was worth considering.

Ang said PNOC EC would not need to pay for excise tax and value added tax if they would buy from Petron.

“They can buy from us and sell it and get BIR certification, so there will be no VAT and excise tax,” he said.

“Excise tax and VAT, that is already P11 to P12 [in savings], plus freight [of] about P5,” Ang said.

THE Alliance for Consumer and Protection of Environment Inc. asked the Bureau of Internal Revenue to investigate the alleged tax deficiency of companies owned by Davao City-based businessman Dennis Uy. Acape, in a letter to BIR dated Oct. 16, asked the revenue body “to probe the alleged tax deficiency of businessman Dennis Uy from his oil and other businesses.”

“As BIR’s mandate to collect taxes, Acape believes that the bureau has the responsibility to look into uncollected tax deficiencies of every taxpayer, particularly high-profile businessmen,” it said.

Acape said Uy’s oil business, Phoenix Petroleum Philippines Inc., allegedly incurred a tax liability amounting to P3 billion.

Sought for comment, Phoenix vice president for external affairs Raymond Zorrilla said the company was following all the legal processes and that Uy’s transactions were above board.

“Since we have not received a copy of the alleged letter, we are not in a position to comment as we have no information was to what allegations are contained in said letter,” Zorilla said.

“Besides, it may also be premature as we do not know whether the BIR will act on the letter or not. What we can assure everyone is all our transactions as well as that of Mr. Dennis Uy are all above board and legal,” he said.

Zorilla said Phoenix was following all the legal processes and mandates of all government agencies.

“Nevertheless we are surely wanting in any idea why such issues suddenly arise simply because of the emergence of the business dealings of Mr. Dennis Uy and his companies,” he said.

Acape wanted the BIR to look into Phoenix’s tax payments. “In line with these, Acape would like to request from your good office to conduct an investigation on this matter, particularly on the tax liability of the company and businessman himself Dennis Uy,” the group said. Darwin G. Amojelar

Investments rose 19.3% in 9 months—BoI

By Othel V. Campos NEW projects registered with the Board of Investments climbed 19.3 percent in the first nine months to P454.8 billion from P381.2 billion a year ago.

“After the record-breaking investment approval figure of P617 billion in 2017, the agency is still pretty confident of hitting its investment target of P680 billion for this year,” said Trade Undersecretary and Board of Investments managing head Ceferino Rodolfo.

“As of September, we are already surpassing expectations with already two-thirds of our year-end target and the rest of the year should be pretty exciting and challenging due to the deluge of big projects in the pipeline. We are just exercising due diligence to ensure that these projects comply with the necessary requirements,” he said.

Data showed that approved foreign direct investments jumped 196 percent in the nine-month period to P37 billion from P12.5 billion in the same period last year, with the British Virgin Island as top source with P15.2 billion, followed by Indonesia with P6.4 billion, Malaysia with P2.9 billion, Japan with P2.6 billion and China with P1 billion.

“Our FDIs are clearly feeding off on the momentum of actual FDIs as monitored by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas,” Rodolfo said as BSP figures showed record FDI inflows of $6.7 billion as of July 2018, a 52-percent improvement from $4.4 billion a year earlier.

The energy sector continued its strong momentum to top all sectors with P168 billion in investment approvals as of September, up 49 percent from last year’s P112.8 billion.

The manufacturing sector sustained its robust outlook with P103.8 billion in new investments, or 185 percent higher than P36.5 billion in 2017.

B2

Business

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2018 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Stocks climb; Sy companies rise T HE stock market climbed for the third straight day on continued bargain-hunting ahead of the release of third-quarter earnings.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index rose 41.57 points, or 0.6 percent, to 7,141.25 on a value turnover of P4 billion. Gainers edged losers, 92 to 85, with 47 issues unchanged.

Companies owned by retail tycoon Henry Sy Sr. led the mild rally. SM Investments Corp. gained 2.1 percent to P868, while unit SM Prime Holdings Inc. added 1.3 percent to P34.45.

BDO Unibank Inc., the biggest lender in terms of assets, advanced 2 percent to P118.40.

International Container Terminal Services Inc., the largest port operator, rose 1.1 percent to P95.

The rest of Asian markets resumed their downtrend on Thursday as investors contemplated more interest rate hikes by the Federal Reserve, while Washington added to China-US frictions and Brexit negotiators struggle to find common ground.

The broad rally across world markets in the middle of the week that was fueled by upbeat earnings gave way to ongoing uncertainty about the global outlook.

Minutes from the Fed’s latest policy meeting showed board members expect to hike borrowing costs as the world’s top economy goes from strength to strength and inflation picks up.

However, some members highlighted the chances of further instability among emerging markets, which have been

battered in recent months by a flight of capital to the US and fueling concerns of contagion that could throw the global economy off track.

The minutes sent the US dollar higher on Wednesday and it held its gains in Asian trade against its peers, while high-yielding and emerging market currencies were deep in the red.

All three main Wall Street indexes ended negative—a day after chalking up their best day in more than six months— with below-par earnings denting sentiment.

And in Asia Tokyo ended 0.8 percent lower, while Seoul fell 0.9 percent and Singapore shed 0.5 percent.

Hong Kong, which returned after a one-day break to play catch-up with Wednesday’s rally, was 0.6 percent lower in the afternoon.

Taipei Jakarta and Bangkok were also sharply down but Sydney rose 0.1 per-

cent after data showed unemployment in Australia at its lowest in more than six years.

Shanghai dived almost three percent to a four-year low as already-strained relations between China and the US took another hit after the White House said it plans to withdraw from an international treaty on postal rates in a move aimed at pressuring Beijing.

The move was pushed by top advisor Peter Navarro, according to The New York Times. Navarro has encouraged Donald Trump to crack down on China on a variety of trade and political questions that he has argued are disadvantaging the US. The “president has gone postal, escalating US-China tensions and a stronger dollar will pose considerable headwinds to local equity markets”, warned Stephen Innes, head of Asia-Pacific trading at OANDA. With AFP

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW THURSDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2018 NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

VOLUME

VALUE

FINANCIALS ASIA UNITED BANK PH ISLANDS BDO UNIBANK BRIGHT KINDLE CHINABANK COL FINANCIAL EAST WEST BANK FERRONOUX HLDG FIRST ABACUS MANULIFE MEDCO HLDG METROBANK NTL REINSURANCE PB BANK PHIL NATL BANK PHIL STOCK EXCH PSBANK RCBC SECURITY BANK SUN LIFE UNION BANK VANTAGE

59.35 82.95 116.8 1.31 28.9 15.9 11.72 4.09 0.66 797 0.45 67.25 0.88 10.86 40.8 189.9 73 28.2 153.7 1,826 66.3 1.18

59.35 82.95 118.4 1.44 28.9 15.9 11.72 4.09 0.66 797 0.45 67.25 0.9 11 41.5 189.9 73.65 28.3 153.8 1,826 66.3 1.18

58.05 81.2 115.1 1.31 28.6 15.8 11.52 3.88 0.6 796 0.44 66.75 0.88 10.8 40.75 189.9 72.05 28.2 149.2 1,820 65.85 1.18

59.35 82 118.4 1.44 28.7 15.82 11.54 4 0.6 796 0.44 67 0.9 11 41.1 189.9 73.65 28.3 152 1,820 66 1.18

29,820 1,319,100 723,220 21,000 50,900 1,400 625,200 37,000 100,000 90 430,000 1,005,600 117,000 1,300 11,900 20 2,460 1,400 1,378,690 295 25,540 20,000

1,755,324 108,133,465.50 84,959,661 27,640 1,462,910 22,142 7,253,738 147,570 60,060 71,680 192,200 67,379,673 103,300 14,116 488,875 3,798 177,501 39,580 208,712,185 538,025 1,684,920.50 23,600

1,666,307 -44,131,344.50 59,059,109 26,200 -277,520 -4,073,250 -32,213,726 2,640 -468,460 11,010,984 -915,197.50 -

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

34.75 18.16 0.97 1.3 0.218 2.2 13.1 37 17.5 1.62 7.04 10.74 15 7.95 7.02 7.13 15.66 63.15 6.15 11.8 1.8 258.6 59.95 4.8 26.5 10.9 16.96 350 0.173 5.8 1.7 4.16 8.48 4.6 9 0.97 10.52 53.75 4.8 2.23 2.83 1.57 11.5 85.75 5.2 0.91 147.4 2.41 1.75 2.52

34.9 18.16 0.99 1.3 0.218 2.32 13.5 38 17.5 1.64 7.04 10.78 15 7.95 7.02 7.24 15.98 64.95 6.15 12.48 1.8 260 59.95 4.8 26.5 11 17.18 354.4 0.18 5.8 1.7 4.16 8.5 4.99 9 0.97 10.8 53.8 4.8 2.29 2.83 1.57 11.5 85.75 5.23 0.91 147.4 2.41 1.75 2.68

34 17.96 0.94 1.26 0.211 2.19 13.1 36.5 16.14 1.61 6.9 10.7 14.76 7.75 6.99 7.12 15.62 63.15 6.15 11.8 1.73 256 59 4.8 26 10.86 16.6 350 0.173 5.8 1.63 4.05 8.35 4.3 9 0.96 10.5 53.35 4.8 2.21 2.83 1.54 11.3 83.1 5.2 0.84 144.5 2.41 1.65 2.42

34.8 18 0.96 1.3 0.218 2.25 13.5 36.5 16.5 1.61 7 10.78 14.76 7.95 7.01 7.2 15.98 64.95 6.15 12.2 1.73 260 59 4.8 26.45 10.9 17.08 352.6 0.18 5.8 1.63 4.15 8.5 4.99 9 0.96 10.8 53.5 4.8 2.29 2.83 1.56 11.4 85.5 5.2 0.9 146.5 2.41 1.67 2.68

1,882,700 469,400 5,464,000 142,000 560,000 16,523,000 75,700 1,112,000 15,100 322,000 900 1,170,400 600 10,000 44,100 315,300 411,600 33,560 2,000 330,600 282,000 328,170 120 23,000 677,300 201,100 8,131,800 182,710 160,000 1,000 147,000 50,000 348,100 251,000 8,300 11,000 50,800 256,280 20,000 212,000 2,000 110,000 493,500 977,140 188,700 175,000 3,968,580 100,000 1,730,000 49,087,000

65,337,130 8,466,542 5,274,760 180,300 121,800 37,699,870 1,017,214 40,817,410 245,300 519,010 6,294 12,558,322 8,910 78,353 308,793 2,274,227 6,497,548 2,152,108.50 12,300 4,015,140 492,960 84,946,504 7,124.50 110,400 17,771,200 2,192,128 137,797,618 64,425,676 28,380 5,800 243,700 204,600 2,936,720 1,226,570 74,700 10,570 541,464 13,728,102.50 96,000 471,720 5,660 169,690 5,604,648 82,863,849.50 982,245 150,280 579,168,286 241,000 2,905,800 124,636,480

39,253,065.00 -353,482 3,740 -6,330 -20,110,770 252,358 -140,115 750,822 795 -220,606 1,115,581 1,334,274 566,391.50 249,422 -236,250 30,621,552 -2,742,925 -666,094 -1,409,370 -268,296 18,000 -211,030 1,171,636 -304,915 96,000 -220,836 -40,747,798 13,532 6,489,272 241,000 26,620 75,110

HOLDING FIRMS ABACORE CAPITAL ABOITIZ EQUITY ALLIANCE GLOBAL ANGLO PHIL HLDG ANSCOR ASIABEST GROUP ATN HLDG A ATN HLDG B AYALA CORP COSCO CAPITAL DMCI HLDG FILINVEST DEV FJ PRINCE A FJ PRINCE B 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 SOLID GROUP TOP FRONTIER WELLEX INDUS

0.435 45.45 11.68 0.88 6.14 25.8 1.23 1.23 903 6.25 12.08 7.19 4.55 4.75 735 5.95 49 0.56 4.36 13.2 0.52 4.98 0.037 1.2 2.31 165.9 850.5 1.35 270 0.235

0.465 47 11.94 0.88 6.15 26.6 1.23 1.23 908 6.5 12.5 7.19 5.63 5 740 5.95 49 0.56 4.44 13.42 0.53 5.02 0.038 1.2 2.35 165.9 868 1.4 279 0.235

0.435 45.45 11.68 0.88 6.14 25.35 1.21 1.2 900.5 6.25 12 7.05 4.55 4.75 728 5.95 47.6 0.52 4.36 13.16 0.52 4.92 0.037 1.2 2.3 164.4 842.5 1.35 270 0.23

0.45 47 11.94 0.88 6.15 26.4 1.21 1.21 906 6.49 12.5 7.18 5.63 5 740 5.95 48.1 0.55 4.42 13.16 0.52 5.02 0.037 1.2 2.35 165 868 1.4 277 0.232

80,030,000 1,010,200 3,437,100 2,000 28,400 129,300 2,191,000 1,160,000 87,960 3,070,700 1,647,300 25,300 300 8,000 70,830 2,800 861,400 786,000 427,000 1,921,100 175,000 5,676,000 3,300,000 1,000 526,000 205,050 185,470 3,000 400 2,150,000

36,070,650 47,253,825 40,759,420 1,760 174,560 3,397,420 2,661,990 1,407,470 79,688,970 19,650,249 20,297,726 178,444 1,538 39,450 52,173,335 16,660 41,461,660 410,320 1,887,730 25,483,332 91,010 28,357,530 122,800 1,200 1,227,810 33,848,702 158,855,350 4,100 109,410 496,590

20,600 3,290,845 -1,427,704 174,560 -20,600 682,100 -18,159,360 2,961,644 11,507,062 -173,430 -29,450 2,655,645 -8,009,955 1,653,040 -667,886 -6,416,060 -7,653,283 -23,107,600 1,300 -68,750 -

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

6.93 0.78 0.65 40.95 2.35 4.36 0.425 0.92 0.92 0.21 0.395 7.95 19.46 0.53 1.44 1.08 2.24 4.47 0.62 0.425 0.41 3.52 20.5 34

7.06 0.78 0.66 40.95 2.41 4.36 0.425 0.92 0.92 0.222 0.395 8.04 19.9 0.53 1.46 1.08 2.27 4.48 0.62 0.425 0.43 3.79 20.85 34.45

6.93 0.75 0.63 40.2 2.35 4.28 0.415 0.92 0.9 0.21 0.37 7.95 18.48 0.53 1.43 1.06 2.15 4.34 0.59 0.42 0.41 2.99 20.05 33.8

7.03 0.76 0.65 40.6 2.35 4.29 0.42 0.92 0.92 0.22 0.39 7.99 19.86 0.53 1.45 1.06 2.19 4.37 0.6 0.42 0.43 3.01 20.85 34.45

139,000 1,260,000 223,000 4,918,100 138,000 65,000 760,000 162,000 12,000 1,050,000 90,000 781,300 1,024,100 19,000 2,719,000 137,000 26,623,000 8,077,000 31,011,000 200,000 320,000 8,484,000 562,100 5,165,200

975,420 953,880 144,700 199,441,085 325,810 280,130 318,050 149,040 10,840 229,350 34,750 6,249,989 19,951,232 10,070 3,932,260 146,800 58,599,050 35,308,300 18,768,220 84,250 134,550 28,188,070 11,678,405 176,476,685

-20,767 21,492,095 -58,990 11,700 1,383,511 5,490,368 2,281,200 -5,330 199,970 -17,374,600 2,075,000 8,200 -138,760 3,754,750 -23,040,775

NAME

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

VOLUME

VALUE

STA LUCIA LAND STARMALLS VISTA LAND

1.12 6.16 5.5

1.12 6.18 5.55

1.11 5.9 5.32

1.12 6.09 5.38

514,000 75,500 9,171,500

570,620 456,386 49,638,087

-26,894,500

SERVICES 2GO GROUP ABS CBN ACESITE HOTEL APC GROUP APOLLO GLOBAL ASIAN TERMINALS BERJAYA BLOOMBERRY CEBU AIR CHELSEA DFNN INC DISCOVERY WORLD EASYCALL GLOBE TELECOM GMA NETWORK GOLDEN BRIA HARBOR STAR INTL CONTAINER ISLAND INFO ISM COMM JACKSTONES LBC EXPRESS LEISURE AND RES MACROASIA MANILA JOCKEY MELCO RESORTS METRO RETAIL METROALLIANCE A MLA BRDCASTING NOW CORP PACIFIC ONLINE PAL HLDG 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 21.1 1.43 0.465 0.04 13 1.77 8.79 66.65 4.71 7.21 2.19 15.1 2,084 5.14 297 2.54 92.7 0.11 3.14 3.1 14.8 3.45 17.54 5.06 6.99 2.34 1.36 15.1 5.42 10.98 7.65 110 3.65 1,369 0.84 0.355 40.95 76.2 7.1 2.6 0.81 0.52 5.2 0.61 10.92

11 21.2 1.43 0.465 0.041 13.48 1.78 8.79 68 5.53 7.71 2.19 15.1 2,086 5.2 309.8 2.65 96 0.11 3.27 3.1 14.8 3.58 18.18 5.29 7.01 2.39 1.39 15.1 5.6 11 7.65 112 3.65 1,420 0.85 0.355 40.95 76.5 7.1 2.65 0.83 0.53 5.2 0.61 10.92

10.1 21 1.43 0.455 0.04 13 1.64 8.6 66 4.71 7.11 2.19 14.2 2,000 5.12 297 2.53 92.7 0.108 3.08 2.9 14.8 3.43 17.54 5.06 6.99 2.2 1.36 15.1 5.4 10.62 7.65 105 3.53 1,369 0.82 0.34 39.6 75.75 6.67 2.55 0.79 0.5 5.18 0.58 10.86

10.7 21.2 1.43 0.455 0.04 13.48 1.7 8.7 66 5.53 7.71 2.19 14.6 2,000 5.2 309.6 2.6 95 0.108 3.21 3.04 14.8 3.56 18.16 5.16 7 2.25 1.39 15.1 5.42 10.98 7.65 112 3.65 1,420 0.83 0.34 40.2 76 6.67 2.61 0.82 0.51 5.2 0.58 10.88

86,900 19,200 10,000 90,000 4,100,000 1,236,300 3,523,000 1,460,800 105,510 6,854,000 15,400 11,000 109,600 72,620 42,100 770 2,215,000 803,260 860,000 12,255,000 21,000 200 400,000 863,100 39,300 581,700 664,000 19,000 100 2,542,600 99,000 100 2,670 259,000 34,230 2,199,000 920,000 1,393,700 780,230 12,400 8,797,000 4,474,000 14,486,000 385,900 2,141,000 1,395,500

934,222 405,460 14,300 41,150 166,000 16,072,236 5,960,480 12,691,184 7,018,542.50 35,717,640 110,176 24,090 1,590,558 147,158,770 217,560 235,804 5,755,410 75,971,359 93,560 39,098,920 61,490 2,960 1,404,590 15,543,276 201,511 4,072,766 1,497,640 25,870 1,510 13,899,930 1,087,890 765 294,540 926,260 48,204,855 1,831,190 318,400 56,082,630 59,324,009 83,722 22,859,370 3,620,920 7,422,910 2,004,532 1,258,700 15,226,550

29,164 -13,000 -3,752,910 -1,129,726.50 -196,490 -35,760 -20,992,270 43,344 145,000 -12,742,185 -1,837,220 29,000 -45,760 3,879,906 -79,766 -671,490 80,220.00 140,460 -328,600 13,651,800 -46,540 -21,074,610 -12,256,328.50 -14,730 9,182,560 -825,300 264,000 -51,483 -1,513,668

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

0.0024 1.55 2.6 16.36 1.2 1.49 1.91 7.6 1.83 0.207 0.11 0.113 2.51 1.05 0.61 1.07 0.014 0.013 0.013 4.22 3.2 16.5 27.6 0.0062

0.0024 1.57 2.65 16.7 1.25 1.49 1.93 7.85 1.83 0.211 0.111 0.113 3 1.08 0.61 1.07 0.014 0.013 0.013 4.4 3.27 16.66 27.95 0.0064

0.0023 1.5 2.6 16.3 1.2 1.49 1.91 7.37 1.8 0.207 0.11 0.11 2.51 1.05 0.61 1.01 0.013 0.013 0.012 4.07 3.2 16.12 27.3 0.0062

0.0024 1.55 2.61 16.5 1.25 1.49 1.93 7.47 1.83 0.209 0.111 0.11 2.8 1.08 0.61 1.01 0.013 0.013 0.012 4.22 3.22 16.5 27.9 0.0063

4,000,000 2,667,000 24,000 14,500 17,000 7,000 15,000 38,000 270,000 1,010,000 320,000 120,000 7,924,000 18,000 56,000 804,000 4,000,000 100,000 25,700,000 189,000 478,000 2,038,700 708,500 6,000,000

9,500 4,135,000 62,750 238,636 21,150 10,430 28,670 294,177 490,670 212,760 35,250 13,280 22,324,890 19,090 34,160 828,030 52,100 1,300 324,500 807,570 1,543,170 33,621,574 19,460,355 38,000

-135,600 -7,850 -5,420 105,500 -240,650.00 -1,080 1,300 -39,510 -249,630 9,601,696 13,728,110 -

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

21 460 497 98.7 102 483 5 886 910.5 99 1.03 101 982 77 74.65 75 74.25 74.95 73.6

21.6 460 497 98.7 102 483 5 886 910.5 99 1.03 103 1,000 77 74.65 75 75 74.95 74.7

21 460 495 98 101 482 4.95 886 900 96 1.01 101 982 77 74.65 75 74.25 74.95 73.6

21 460 495 98 101 482 4.95 886 900 96 1.03 103 1,000 77 74.65 75 75 74.95 74.7

43,400 1,010 40 25,460 35,000 3,550 41,700 10 880 4,500 33,000 18,990 205 1,160 3,800 300 700 300 33,600

911,990 464,600 19,820 2,495,087 3,565,000 1,711,120 206,675 8,860 793,500 436,500 33,390 1,918,050 204,910 89,320 283,670 22,500 52,200 22,485 2,487,138

543,990 -206,675 -89,320 -

WARRANTS LR WARRANT

2.45

2.51

2.41

2.51

341,000

847,550

-

SME ITALPINAS MAKATI FINANCE XURPAS

4.92 2.85 1.99

5.08 2.92 2

4.9 2.85 1.9

4.96 2.92 1.92

616,000 15,000 961,000

3,051,480 43,430 1,866,070

-75,290 -310,760

MS EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS FIRST METRO ETF

107

107

106.6

107

3,100

331,288

-

DDS USD DMPL A2

10

10

10

10

5,370

53,700

-

TRADING SUMMARY

SHARES

FINANCIAL

9,352,014

INDUSTRIAL

97,126,816

HOLDING FIRMS

109,193,917

PROPERTY

105,896,926

SERVICES

77,854,944

MINING & OIL

56,627,966

GRAND TOTAL

457,651,238

VALUE 1,605.77 (up) 4.56 602,345,983.80 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 10,837.66 (up) 5.93 1,320,239,569.67 HOLDING FIRMS 6,883.73 (up) 83.16 600,434,648.13 PROPERTY 3,556.40 (up) 8.54 SERVICES 1,489.19 (up) 4.63 690,105,228.40 MINING & OIL 9,409.86 (up) 278.25 715,303,214.75 PSEI 7,141.25 (up) 41.57 84,625,060.78 All Shares Index 4,362.40 (up) 20.12 4,018,362,007.96 Gainers: 92; Losers: 85; Unchanged: 47; Total: 224

SMC food unit cuts share sale to P49.7b due to weak market

By Jenniffer B. Austria SAN Miguel Food and Beverage Inc. reduced the size of its planned share sale to around P49.68 billion from the original estimate of P142 billion after lowering the offering price and number of shares to be sold amid weak market conditions.

San Miguel president and chief executive Ramon Ang said the company was pushing through with the planned share sale in order to comply with the 10-percent minimum public ownership requirement of the Philippine Stock Exchange.

“It is definitely a go,” Ang said.

SMFB set a new price range of P85 to P95 per share from the original offer price of up to P140 apiece based on the original filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, .

The company now plans to sell up to 522.96 million shares from the initial target of up to 1.0MFB will raise between P49.68 billion and P44.45 billion in proceeds from the share sale.

Ang said the company would be able to comply with the 10-percent minimum public float requirement on listed companies based on the investors who signified their interest to buy SMFB shares.

“We are sure to comply with the minimum public ownership requirement. So we are definitely going out,” Ang said.

“Prices are lower because of strong US economy which is bringing out all money, he said.

SMFB will set the final offer price on Oct 25.

Despite the reduced size, the SMFB deal would still be the largest equity transaction in the local bourse, surpassing the P38-billion share offer of taipan Lucio Tan’s LT Group Inc. in 2013.

SMBF said parent San Miguel Corp. would use the entire proceeds from the offer to fund investments in the San Miguel Group.

SMFB hired JP Morgan Securities Plc, Morgan Stanley Asia (Singapore) Pte., UBS AG Singapore, Goldman Sachs (Sinagpore) and Duetsche Bank as the international book runners.

Uy makes ISM his holding firm via share swap DAVAO-BASED businessman Dennis Uy is transforming ISM Communications Corp. as his listed holding company to be called Udenna Holdings Corp. through a share swap deal.

ISM said in a disclosure to the stock exchange its board approved the change in the company’s corporate name to Udenna Holdings Corp. and and an increase in the capital stock to P75 billion from P2.8 billion.

ISM plans to issue 24.05 billion shares to shareholders of Udenna Corp. at a price of P3 apiece. In exchange, ISM will obtain 2 billion Udenna shares, representing 100 percent of the outstanding capital stock of Udenna.

ISM has set a special stockholders’ meeting on Dec. 18 to seek shareholders approval of the corporate actions.

Udenna is at the helm of the Udenna Group of Companies. It is in the business of distribution and retail of petroleum products and lubricants under the Phoenix brand and is engaged in shipping and logistics.

The expansion of the group in the recent years has allowed Udenna to expand exponentially and diversify its business portfolio to include real estate and property development, education, leisure, gaming and tourism and infrastructure.

Uy prior to the transaction acquired 45.13 percent of ISM, making him the single biggest shareholder of the company. The acquisition was made through Dennison Holdings Corp., a company beneficially owned and controlled by Uy. ISM will be the second listed backdoor listing deal involving Uy. Uy last year also acquired Philippine H20 Ventures Inc. from a a group led

by Jolliville Holding Corp. Philippine H2O is now being planned to be the backdoor listing vehicle for Uy’s casino venture under PH Resorts Group Holdings Inc.. Jenniffer B. Austria

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

World

Manila

Standard

TODAY

B3

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2018 CESAR BARRIOQUINTO, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

IN BRIEF Last polar bear dies of old age

EU LEADERS’ SUMMIT. British Prime Minister Theresa May is greeted by Netherlands’ Prime Minister Mark Rutte (R) and Spanish Primer Minister Pedro Sanchez as they attend the second day of a European Union leaders’ summit at the European Council in Brussels on October 18, 2018. - European Union leaders meet for a summit focused on migration and internal security after reviewing the state of the Brexit negotiations with Britain. AFP

Defiant migrants to continue march G UATEMALA CITY― Thousands of Honduran migrants marched north Wednesday in a bold attempt to reach the United States, defying the threats from US President Donald Trump to stop aid to the countries that let them pass.

Trump―who took aim at Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador on Tuesday―kept up his attacks on the march the following day, saying it should be an important issue for Republican candidates in the coming midterm elections.

“Hard to believe that with thousands of people from South of the Border walking unimpeded towards our country in the form of large caravans, that the Democrats won’t allow legislation that will allow laws for the protection of our country.”

“Republicans must make the horrendous, weak and outdated immigration laws, and the border, a part of the midterms,” the US president said on Twitter.

Exhausted by tramping for hours in the sun and rain, a vanguard group of around a thousand

Hondurans took refuge Wednesday in a churchsponsored shelter in the center of the Guatemalan capital.

“This is the beginning of an avalanche that is coming, because we can no longer endure so much violence,” said Denis Contreras, who fled Honduras with his sister and two nieces.

Contreras, wearing the red shirt of the Honduran national soccer team, said there’s no going back to his Central American country he says is strangled by poverty and violence. Leaving the country “is already frowned upon” by Honduras’ gangs and returning would be a death sentence, he said.

Their objective now is to regain strength and press on towards the border with Mexico.

A second group moved across the border into Guatemala on Monday afternoon and have reached the city of Esquipulas.

A third of more than 400 Hondurans crossed El Salvador to join up as well, according to Salvadoran migration officials.

The original throng of more than 2,000 migrants left last Saturday from the northern Honduran city of San Pedro Sula after organizing themselves on social media.

On Monday, a large contingent of police on the Guatemalan border tried to turn them back, but after an hours-long standoff, the marchers prevailed and managed to reach Esquipulas. They moved on in smaller groups to Guatemala City. AFP

SEOUL―The last polar bear kept in South Korea has died of old age only weeks before his planned departure to better living conditions in Britain, zoo officials said Thursday.

Tongki―a 23-year-old male named after a Japanese cartoon character of the 1980s―lived in a 330-square-meter concrete enclosure at the Everland theme park outside Seoul.

The zoo had planned to move him to the Yorkshire Wildlife Park next month to allow him to enjoy his final days in more appropriate surroundings―the facility in northern England has a 40,000 square meter polar reserve―and had thrown him a farewell party in June.

But Tongki was found dead on Wednesday night and autopsy results suggested that he appeared to have died of old age, the zoo said in a statement, adding it plans to conduct more tests to determine the exact reason for his death.

The average life span of polar bears is around 25 years and Tongki was the equivalent of around 80 in human terms. AFP

Thousands protest corruption in Haiti PORT-AU-PRINCE―Tens of thousands of people demonstrated against corruption Wednesday in Haiti, with some even shoving the unpopular president at a public ceremony.

Police fired in the air to get President Jovenel Moise away from a ceremony at which he laid flowers at the tomb of one of the destitute Caribbean country’s founding fathers.

People in the crowd threw themselves to the ground as the shots rang out.

Elsewhere, near the presidential palace, police fired tear gas to disperse demonstrators.

Tempers have been running high for weeks in Haiti, where some accuse the government of doing nothing to fight corruption.

On Wednesday, people demonstrated all over Haiti. In the capital, Port au Prince, burning barricades were set up in the streets.

One particular gripe is the alleged theft of funds from a foundation called Petrocaribe.

It was created by the late Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez to help poor countries of the Americas, among other things by providing them with cut rate oil. Haiti has benefited from it for the past 12 years. AFP

COMMISSION ORDER NO. 2018 - 01 SUBJECT

:

RULES OF PROCEDURE ON DISPUTESDISPUTE INVOLVING TARIFF CLASSIFICATION

SETTLEMENT

This Commission Order (Order) establishes the procedure for a Dispute Ruling system on tariff classification involving imported and exported goods pursuant to Chapter 1 of Title XI of Republic Act No. 10863 or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA), consistent with Philippine commitments under the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) Agreement on Trade Facilitation, the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA), the World Customs Organization’s (WCO) Harmonized System Convention, the Revised Kyoto Convention, and other relevant international trade agreements.

Section 1. Scope.

This covers the administrative remedies and procedures in the final determination by the Tariff Commission (Commission) of disputes involving tariff classificationunder Chapter 1, Title XI of the CMTA. Section 2. Objectives.

2.1 To provide rulings on goods with disputed tariff classification endorsed by the Bureau of Customs (BOC) or filed by the importer or exporter.

2.2 To establish a Tariff Classification Dispute Ruling system that is in line with the standards set out in the Revised Kyoto Convention, the WTO Agreement on Trade Facilitation, the ATIGA, the WCO Harmonized System Convention, other relevant international tradeagreements, relevant Philippine laws, and international best customs practices.

2.3 To increase the level of stakeholders’ compliance through an informed customs compliance regime.

Section 3. Definition of Terms.

3.1

Advance Ruling on Tariff Classification– an official written decision issued by the Commission which provides the importer or exporter with the appropriate tariff classification of goods under the ASEAN Harmonized Tariff Nomenclature (AHTN) prior to importation or exportation.

3.2

ASEAN Harmonized Tariff Nomenclature(AHTN) – an eight-digit commodity nomenclature adopted by the ASEAN Member States to harmonize their tariff nomenclatures at the eightdigit level. It adheres to the six-digit commodity classification code of the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System of the WCO but adds two digits, with corresponding commodity descriptions, that represent ASEAN subheadings.

3.3

Authorized Representative – a natural or juridical person duly authorized by an importer/ exporter in writing to process its request for a Tariff Classification Dispute Ruling.

3.4

BOC Single Administrative Document (SAD) – form used for customs declaration or goods declaration.

3.5

Exportation – refers to the act, documentation and process of bringing goods out of Philippine territory.

3.6

Exporter – natural or juridical person who brings goods out of the Philippines.

3.7

Filing Fee – a non-refundable amount assessed by the Commission to be paid by the importer or exporter or his/her Authorized Representative to cover the reasonable cost of service rendered for the issuance of a Tariff Classification Dispute Ruling.

3.8

Goods – refer to articles, wares, merchandise and any other items which are subject to importation or exportation.

3.9

Importation – refers to the act of bringing in goods from a foreign territory including free zones into Philippinecustoms territory, whether for consumption, warehousing, or admission.

3.10

Importer– a natural or juridical person who brings in goods to the Philippine customs territory, whether for consumption, warehousing or admission.

Legal Research Fund Fee – refers to the additional amount of one percent (1%) of the filing fee imposed but not lower than Ten Pesos (Php 10.00) to be collected from applicants/ petitioners as required under Presidential Decree No. 1856, s. 1982.

Parties – refer to the importer or exporter or BOC who are in dispute over the classification of goods.

Tariff Classification – refers to the act or process of determining the subheading in the AHTN to which goods appropriately belong in accordance with Sections 1610 and 1611 of the CMTA.

3.11 3.12 3.13

3.14

Tariff Classification Dispute – refers to a situation or case when a declared tariff classification of goods, not subject of a pending application for advance ruling, is in dispute because the BOC has a different classification or the tariff classification for the subject goods is considered difficult or highly technical by the BOC.

3.15

Tariff Classification Dispute Ruling–an official written decision issued by the Commission on the disputed tariff classification which provides the importer, exporter or the BOC with the appropriate classification of goods under the AHTN during importation or exportation.

Section 4. Initiation of Tariff Classification Dispute Settlement/Ruling.

A dispute on tariff classification, not subject of a pending application for advance ruling, can be initiated through the following: a. b.

Eendorsement from BOC in the case of difficult or difficult or highly technical questions on tariff classification, as determined by BOC; or Ffiling of case by the importer or exporter when BOC has a differenttariff classification.

In either case, the importer or exporter or the BOC shall submit the following documentary requirements: a.

Lletter-endorsement, or ruling or assessment reflecting the tariff classification made by the BOC; b. filled-out form prescribed by the Commission (for importer or exporter only); c. product description, brochures, technical specifications; d. pictures of products and/or samples, as may be appropriate; e.

BOC SAD; and f. affidavit or certification under oath that the goods are not subject of a pending application for advance ruling (for importer or exporter only).

Section 5. Fees.

Pursuant to the Commission’s relevant Administrative Orders, the importer or exporter, upon filing of the case, shall pay the following: a. b. c.

Ffilig Ffee; Legal Research Fud Ffee; an Oother fees, as may be prescribed by the Commission

Failure to pay the fees shall cause the non-acceptance of the case Section 6. Evaluation of Cases Endorsed by BOC. 6.1

Within seven (7) working seven (7) worki10)days from receipt of the case, the Commission shall notify the importer or exporter and, if it deems appropriate, require him/her to submit additional information and/or allow on-site verification to determine the proper tariff classification of the subject goods.

6.2

Within ten (10) working days from receipt of notice, the importer or exporter shall submit additional information and/or allow on-site verification

Section 7. Evaluation of Cases Filed by an Imporer/ or Exporter.

7.1 Within seven (7) working days from receipt of the case, the Commission shall, if it deems appropriate, require the importer or exporter to submit additional information and/or allow onsite verification to determine the proper tariff classification of the subject goods.

Critics slam secrecy over mega bridge HONG KONG―China has finally announced the opening ceremony for the world’s longest sea bridge, which will connect Hong Kong, Macau and the mainland, but critics hit back Thursday over the secrecy surrounding the project.

Construction started in 2009 on the 55-kilometer crossing, which includes a snaking road bridge and underwater tunnel, linking Hong Kong’s Lantau island to the southern mainland Chinese city of Zhuhai and the gambling enclave of Macau, across the waters of the Pearl River Estuary.

It has been dogged by delays, budget overruns, corruption prosecutions and the deaths of construction workers.

While supporters promote it as an engineering marvel, others see the multi-billion dollar project as a costly white elephant designed to further integrate Hong Kong into the mainland at a time when Beijing is tightening its grip on the semi-autonomous city.

Local media received invites from Beijing’s liaison office in Hong Kong Wednesday to an “opening ceremony” in Zhuhai on Tuesday, with no further details given.

China’s President Xi Jinping is reported to be attending the event, but there has been no official confirmation whether the bridge will go into operation that day.

Hong Kong’s transport department had no immediate answer Thursday when AFP asked whether it would be fully commissioned Tuesday. AFP-

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES TARIFF COMMISSION

7.2 Within ten (10) working days from receipt of notice, the importer or exporter shall submit additional information and/or allow on-site verification.

7.3 Within seven (7) five (5) working days from receipt of the case, or receipt of additional information, or conduct of on-site verification, the Commission shall notify the BOC that a tariff classification dispute is filed before it and request comments.

7.4 Within ten (10) worki5) days from receipt of the notice and the records of the case, the BOC may file a comment or submit any additional explanation or documents to justify its findings.

Section 8. Conduct of Hearing.

The Commission, if it deems necessary, shall conduct a hearing to clarify facts necessary to resolve the pending dispute on tariff classification. The Commission shall accordingly notify the Parties of the time and date of the scheduled hearing.

The hearing shall be summary and fact-finding in nature and shall be presided by a hearing officer designated by the Commission.

Section 9. Issuance of Tariff Classification Dispute Ruling.

Within twenty (20) working days from receipt of all required information or documents or the termination of the hearing, the Commission shall issue the appropriate ruling on the dispute furnishing the importer or exporter, BOC, and the Secretary of Finance their respective copy thereof.

Depending on the complexity of the case,said period may be extended for another twenty (20) working days upon prior notice to the importer/exporter and BC. Pursuant to Paragraph 2, Section 1100 of the CMTA, tariff classification rulings of the Commission shall be binding upon the BOC, unless the Secretary shall rule otherwise Section 10. Grounds for Dismissal for Cases Filed by an Importer or Exporter.

The Commission may dismiss cases in any of the following circumstances: a. b. c. d.

USEFUL ROBOT. A visitor takes pictures of Kawasaki’s life-size humanoid robot at the World Robot Summit in Tokyo on October 18, 2018. Forget the flashy humanoids with their gymnastics skills: at the World Robot Summit in Tokyo, the focus was on down-to-earth robots that can deliver post, do the shopping and build a house. AFP

Bhutan seeks happiness in new government THIMPHU, Bhutan―Bhutan, the Himalayan kingdom jammed between India and China, voted in a national election Thursday guaranteed to usher in a new ruling party which must boost the economy without compromising the country’s fierce independent streak.

The country of 800,000 people, famed for its Gross National Happiness index, is holding only its third national election since the monarchy initiated a transition to democracy in 2008.

Streets in the capital were mainly empty for the occasion as authorities declared a holiday for the election. Many voters looked forward to seeing a new government tackling problems including the country’s large foreign debt, mainly owed to India.

“We expect a new broom to sweep well,” said engineer Gopal Chettri after voting in the

capital Thimphu. “It is a country with a limited budget so what can you say. Whatever party wins has to cope with it.”

The results of the runoff vote―to be announced Friday― could see a government formed by a party only registered in 2013.

Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa (DNT) narrowly led the first round of voting on September 15 with 92,722 votes, just ahead of the Druk Phuensum Tshogpa (DPT), which won Bhutan’s first election in 2008, on 90,020.

Harvard-educated prime minister Tshering Tobgay conceded defeat after his ruling party slumped to third place.

The rivals have vowed to bolster the economy and health system and improve government transparency. Corruption, rural poverty, youth unemployment and criminal gangs are all prob-

lems for the “Land of the Thunder Dragon.”

The key will be exploitation of the country’s hydro-electric power, which is mainly exported to India. The DPT wants to accelerate the construction of hydro-electric plants while the DNT is more wary of increasing Bhutan’s foreign debt.

Hydropower financing― which comes to more than $1.5 billion―accounts for more than 80 percent of Bhutan’s foreign debt. Most is owed to India, which has stumped up loans for four out of five of the kingdom’s new hydro-electric projects.

Bhutan has tried to shield itself from the downsides of globalization, striving for “Gross National Happiness” over GDP growth, maintaining a carbon-negative economy and keeping tourist numbers down with a daily fee of $250 per visitor. AFP

when the importer or exporter fails to provide any additional information requested within the reasonable period required by the Commission; the importer or exporter did not allow the Commission to conduct on-site verification; misrepresentation; or noncompliance with these Rules or any Order of the Commission

Section 11. Motion for Reconsideration.

The importer or exporter aggrieved by the ruling of the Commission may file a motion for reconsideration within fifteen (15) days from receipt of the rulingon the ground of mistake of fact and excusable negligence or newly discovered evidence or information not discovered during the proceedings that if presented may alter the result of the Dispute Ruling.

Only one (1) motion for reconsideration is allowed.

Section 12. Appeal.

Within fifteen (15) days from receipt of the Order denying the motion for reconsideration, an appeal may be filed by the importer/exporter before the Secretary of Finance.

Section 13. Finality of the Ruling.

Unless a motion for reconsideration or an appeal is made in the manner and period prescribed herein, the ruling of the Commission shall be final and executory.

In accordance with Section 1100 of the CMTA, rulings of the Commission on commodity classification shall be binding upon the Bureau, unless the Secretary of Finance shall rule otherwise Section 14. Publication.

The Commission shall publish its rulings on its website and deposit a copy of the same in its Records Unit Section 15.Confidentiality.

The confidentiality of any and all documents and information shall be duly respected in the conduct of the proceedings. No confidential information shall be disclosed unless otherwise ordered by competent courts or upon waiver or consent of the rights holder thereof.

Section 16. Separability Clause.

If any part of this Order is declared unconstitutional or contrary to existing laws and government policies, the other parts not so declared shall remain in full force and effect Section 17. Repealing Clause.

All previously issued Commission Orders and other rules and regulations which are inconsistent with this Order are hereby repealed and/or modified accordingly Section 18. Effectivity.

This Order shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

The Office of National Administrative Register of the UPLaw Center shall be provided three (3) certified copies of this Order.

MARILOU P. MENDOZA Chairperson

ALLAN B. GEPTY Commissioner

ERNESTO L. ALBANO Commissioner

Date Approved: OCTOBER 17, 2018 1 section 1100, Chapter 1, Title XI, CMTA. (MS-OCT. 19, 2018)

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LGUs

Manila

Standard

TODAY

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

B4

‘Discipline hours’ tack succeeds in Cotabato City

LocaL government units

friday, october 19, 2018

Project signed for Marawi’s school children SaVe the Children Philippines, together with Insular Life assurance Co., Ltd and Insular Foundation Inc., has launched the “balik-Marawi, balik eskwela” project for displaced school age children in support of the government’s rehabilitation of the conflict-stricken province, one year after the end of hostilities.

Lawyer albert Muyot, chief executive officer of Save the Children Philippines, said hundreds of families still live in tents and children miss out on school, even after the lifting of hostilities in Marawi. the agreement was signed by Muyot and Insular Life’s Nina D. aguas and Mona Lisa b. de La Cruz on oct. 17, one year after the end of the Marawi siege. the four-month project worth P1.9 million runs from october 2018 to February 2019. It facilitates purchase of school materials such as teacher’s tables, children’s armchairs and teacher kits for early Childhood Care and Development and implementation of interventions.

Muyot said humanitarian assistance is still very much needed particularly by children who need to return to school.

“Save the Children Philippines stands ready to help in rebuilding the war-stricken city,” he said. the project targets 1,000 displaced school age children in Marawi and those attending schools in Lanao del Sur to have access to safe and equipped learning spaces. “the project aims to provide the most basic supplies and furniture for children to be able to continue their education in environments that are conducive for learning,” said Muyot.

Save the Children Philippines has continued humanitarian and development assistance to displaced families in Marawi through its program office in Iligan City which opened last year.

PET PARADE. SM Pet Ambassador 2019 finalists with their ‘pawrents’ walk the runway to showcase their colorful costumes and gowns during the judging. Princess Sophie, a chihuahua, was the crowned winner at SM Pet Park last Oct. 14 in SM City Taytay. Norman Cruz

Herbert gives up bid, wants time with kids

By Rio N. Araja

Q

UeZoN City Mayor Herbert bautista has given up seeking an elective position in the 2019 midterm polls in favor of spending time with his three children, a key aide said.

ares Gutierrez, Public affairs and Information Services office chief, said that hours before the last day of filing on Wednesday, bautista told him he would no longer file his certificate of candidacy.

Members of the media had waited for the mayor to arrive at the ComFOR THE PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION AND OFFSHORE mission

on elections office on North avenue, believing he would run for vice mayor or congressman. at around 6:15 pm, or over an hour past the deadline of filing CoCs, Gutierrez confirmed that bautista was no longer interested in running.

He said the mayor, in the past few months, was “consistent” in telling him and his closest friends that he has not given much time to his children because of his political career. “[the mayor] was telling me he has not seen his children grow,” Gutierrez said. bautista, who is on his third and last

INVITATION TO BID

INSTALLATION OF AIDS TO MARINE NAVIGATION AT PORTS OF OZAMIZ, JIMENEZ AND PLARIDEL, MISAMIS OCCIDENTAL

term as mayor, was being touted to run for Congress against District 3 Councilor allan benedict Reyes, an independent candidate.

He earlier told the Manila Standard that he was toying with the idea of sliding down to vice mayor or seeking a seat in the House of Representatives, as the law limits elective officials to three successive terms only.

City Secretary to the Mayor tadeo Palma and bautista’s personal secretary Sahlee Francisco told the Manila Standard they had no direct knowledge if bautista would file and what time he would submit his CoC. “I have reminded the mayor that today [Wednesday] is the last day for filing. all he said to me was, ‘yes, I know,’” Gutierrez told the Standard at the launch of the Smart Sustainable City Summit at Vertis North.

The Philippine Ports Authority, through the Corporate Budget of the Authority for CY 2018, intends to apply the sum of P 281,763,045.67 being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) to payments under the contract for the Proposed Construction and Offshore Installation of Aids to Marine Navigation at Ports of Ozamiz, Jimenez and Plaridel, Misamis Occidental (LFP MOZ No. 038-2018).

Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening.

New Navotas river wall, alleys inaugurated

The Philippine Ports Authority now invites bids for A. Construction, Delivery and Offshore Installation of Aids to Marine Navigation System B. Supply, Construct and Delivery at Staging Area of Solar-Powered Lighted Buoy Assembly C. Offshore Commissioning, Testing and Observation of Aids to Marine Navigation. Completion of the Works is required in 130 calendar days.

Bidders should have completed a contract similar to the Project. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instructions to Bidders.

Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using nondiscretionary “pass/fail” criterion as specified in the 2016 Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 9184 (RA 9184), otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act.” Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, cooperatives, and partnerships or organizations with at least seventy five percent (75%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines.

Interested bidders may obtain further information from the Philippine Ports Authority’s Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) for Engineering Projects and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday to Friday.

A complete set of Bidding Documents may be acquired by interested Bidders on 19 October 2018 from the address below and upon payment of the applicable fee for the Bidding Documents, pursuant to the latest Guidelines issued by the GPPB, in the amount of FIFTY THOUSAND PESOS (P 50,000.00).

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

The Philippine Ports Authority’s Bids and Awards Committee for Engineering Projects will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on 30 October 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at the PPA Function Room, 7th Floor, PPA Bldg., Bonifacio Drive, South Harbor, Port Area, Manila, which shall be open to all prospective bidders.

Bids must be duly received by the BAC Secretariat at the address below on or before 9:00 a.m. of 15 November 2018. All bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in the bidding documents.

By Jun David SIGN OF HUMILITY. Municipal candidates for posts in the town of Rizal in Laguna, led by mayoralty bet Jeffery Palce (center), show up barefoot at the local Commission on Elections office as a sign of humility and respect for their townmates. Raising their certificates of candidacy under the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas are Palce’s running mate for vice mayor Marlon Solquia (fourth from left) and the councilor aspirants with Comelec officer Jameele M. Lopez (fifth from right). Roy Tomandao NOTICE Notice is hereby given that the intestate of the Late Ma. Jennifer Cecilia J. Macatangay, who died without living any will on April 19, 2017 has been settled by way of Selfadjudication by her sole heir and mother, Ma. Teresa J. Macatangay as per Doc. No. 18, Page No. 18, Book No. I, series of 2018 of notarial register of Atty. Henson M. Montalvo Notary Public for and in the City of Makati.

(OCT. 19,26 & NOV. 2, 2018)

For fast ad results, please call Advertising Department 832-5547

Bid opening shall be on 15 November 2018 at 10:00 a.m. at the 7th Floor, PPA Building, A. Bonifacio Drive, South Harbor, Port Area, Manila. Bids will be opened in the presence of the bidder’s representatives who choose to attend. Late bids shall not be accepted.

•

N OTICE

Required PCAB Registration: Medium B – Port, Harbor and Offshore Engineering

The Philippine Ports Authority 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.

For further information, please refer to: BAC Secretariat, Philippine Ports Authority 5th Floor, PPA Bldg., A. Bonifacio Drive, South Harbor, Port Area, Manila Telephone/Fax No. 527-47-35 527-47-35 loc. 539

Notice is hereby given that METRO VERSATILE BUILD-TECH CORP., with office and plant address at Barangay San Antonio, Bacolor, Pampanga, is applying for registration with the Board of Investments (BOI) as a New Producer of Housing Component under the Preferred List - All Qualified Manufacturing Activities including Agro-Processing - Modular Housing Components [Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (AAC) Blocks] with a capacity of 60,000 cubic meter per year on a Non-Pioneer status.

Any person with valid objections on the above-mentioned project may file his/her objection in writing, under oath, with the BOI within three (3) days from the date of this publication.

PPA Website: www.ppa.com.ph MARK JON S. PALOMAR Chairperson, PPA Head Office Bids and Awards Committee for Engineering Projects (HO-BAC-EP) M. Standard – Oct. 19, 2018

Cotabato City’s peace and order situation continues to improve, as criminal activities have significantly decreased in the past months.

Police records show that in September, Cotabato experienced almost zero crime, with an average of only two incidents every week. this trend has continued over the first two weeks of the month of october, police officials added. this decrease in the crime rate is attributed to the strict implementation of ordinance 4529 or the Discipline ordinance of Cotabato City, said its author, Councilor Japal G. Guiani III. this order imposes curfew hours from 10 pm to 4 am, Guiani noted.

During these hours, no one is allowed on the streets without any valid reason. It also covers a number of prohibited acts, such as the selling and/or serving of liquor and other intoxicating beverages to minors. this ordinance is in support of President Rodrigo Duterte’s declaration of martial law in Mindanao to ensure that every citizen of this city is complying with the law.

Guiani, a first-time councilor, is the only son of Cotabato City’s late mayor Japal J. Guiani Jr., and nephew of current Mayor lawyer Frances Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi.

Japal is a law school graduate and is married to a doctor who is also a member of a big political clan in Sarangani Province.

Councilor Guiani said the ordinance is meant to protect the minors of the city and prevent them from getting involved in any criminal activity. Like his late father, he sees the youth of Cotabato as an important part of society, playing vital roles in shaping its future.

“My father has passed on to me principles that I will hold on to and ones that I will continue to pass to my children. being a first time legislator, I wanted to instill the same discipline among all my fellow Cotabatenios that I have learned from my father,” Guiani said. though being a member of the Sangguniang Panlungsod is something new to him, Councilor Guiani said politics is something he has learned to live with, with his father serving Cotabato City for half of his life.

He had accompanied his father in some of his engagements before and was already exposed to the different challenges this city was going through.

“I wanted to be part of the change in Cotabato City, that is why the first legislation that I authored was something that strikes the attitude of our fellow Cotabateños. Instilling discipline is never easy, but we did it and we will continue to implement this law even until the martial law will be lifted,” he added. the implementation of the discipline hours is also being supported by RoNDa, a group headed by Guiani, which roams the city during night time to augment the security measures being enforced by local police and military. Ayunan G. Gunting

(SGD.) MARY ANNE E. RAGANIT Officer-In-Charge Infrastructure and Services Industries Service (MS-OCT. 19, 2018)

Tigas leads NUP slate in Samal

By Butch Gunio

SaMaL, bataan—outgoing first district board Member Rolly tigas is seeking the mayoralty here anew as he led the local slate of the National Unity Party for the midterm elections next year. an ally of the province’s ruling Garcia clan, tigas is running with Felix espino, a returning candidate for vice mayor as well. their councilor slate includes Glen Velasco, Lito Villanueva, Marjun bantay, Vangie buensuceso, amy Dela Rosa, James Manguiat, tito Mate, and Rhina Saldana, who filed their respective certificates of candidacy at the Commission on elections office here on Monday.

Gov. abet Garcia, the NUP national president who is bidding for another term, accompanied them. tigas was mayor of Samal for two terms. He said he will push for the genuine progress of Samal that was already starting to boom industrially when he left nine years ago.

He did not run for a third term as mayor in at least two occasions in the past “for the sake of local party unity,” he added.

tHe Navotas City Government on Wednesday inaugurated three completed infrastructure projects.

Mayor John Rey tiangco and Rep. toby tiangco led the series of blessings and ribbon cuttings of newlyconstructed open space and river wall at barangay Sipac-almacen and upgraded alleys and drainage canals at Champaca and Goldrock Streets at barangay San Roque. also present in the ceremonies were Vice Mayor Clint Geronimo, Councilors ethel Joy arriola-Mejia, alvin Nazal, arnel Lupisan, and Neil Cruz, association of barangay CaptainsNavotas president Ricky Gino-Gino, barangay captains tito Sanchez, ernan Perez and Margarita Limbaro, Junior Chamber International Navotas Chapter president Migi Naval, and city department heads.

In his speech, Mayor tiangco, reminded Navoteños to be mindful of their surroundings and practice proper waste disposal.

“We want every Navoteño family to have a clean, safe and orderly place to live in, but we all need to work together to make this a realization,” he said.

“Practice discipline and instill the same on your children. Make proper waste disposal a habit. Refrain from throwing waste on the streets or waterways to avoid clogging of canals or flooding,” he added.

Coastal dikes and river walls, improved drainage canals and pumping stations form part of Navotas’ flood control and mitigation system.

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

culture and media

@MStandardLife friday, october 19, 2018

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ColorFUl CanVaSeS. The grand champions in all categories of Global Art National Competition in the Philippines with Global Art Malaysia chief marketing officer Terry Lim, Global Art Philippines country manager Yenny Saw, Global Art Philippines chief executive officer Dexter Saw, and Globbie the Global Art mascot.

Celebration on young artists’

canvases

Y

The winning artwork of Tomoki Isohata.

The winning entry of Albyn Santino Lucernas.

ounG artists showed what celebration meant for them at a recent national competition held at SMX Aura in Taguig.

The Global Art national Competition is an annual contest among students of Global Art, an art school.

“This year’s competition is special for us because it is Global Art Philippines’ 10th anniversary,” said Yenny Saw, manager of Global Art & Creative Philippines.

She added, “Through this event, we celebrated with and showed our appreciation to our students, franchisees, and art teachers who have been part of Global Art’s growth during the past decade.”

The artworks featured creative interpretations of the meaning of “celebration,” this year’s theme, expressed through drawing, painting, coloring, and composing visual elements.

Students from ortigas, San Juan Del Monte, Makati, Serendra, Alabang, Binondo, Katipunan Ave., new Manila, Ycaza St. Manila, Fun RanchPasig, Pampanga, Cebu, General Santos City, and Davao competed in two main categories: Creative Drawing and Acrylic Painting.

Albyn Lucernas who hails from Cebu expressed his interpretation of the theme the way a true-blue Cebuano would: the Sinulog way.

“It is, for me, a celebration unique to us Cebuanos; so I included mardi gras faces and blended the cheerful colors the way Global Art has taught me,” said Lucernas who was named grand winner in Category B for Creative Drawing.

But aside from showcasing their talents, the competition also helped in honing their skills and motivating the young artists to do better.

“The most challenging thing for me was thinking of an idea that suited the theme and actually drawing it on paper. But once I finished the artwork, I could not believe that I did it, because it was beautiful!”

shared Julianne Chuah, who won the grand prize in Category D for Creative Drawing.

Global Art students, Saw said, are also trained to think of novel ways of doing things artfully while interacting with their teachers and classmates.

Six-year-old winner Tomoki Isohata’s mom agrees: “My son has only been studying at Global Art for eight months, but I really love how they improved his drawing techniques and how they taught him to keep focused.”

James Amantillo, 12, who came all the way from General Santos City said, “Art makes me think, takes me to places, makes me laugh. For me, art will last longer than most things.”

Winners in Creative Drawing Category A (4-6 years old) are Tomoki Isohata from Global Art Serendra (champion); Samantha Cristobal from Global Art ortigas (1st runner-up); Leoni natividad from Global Art Manila (2nd runner-up).

Category B (7-9 years old): Albyn Santino Lucernas from Cebu (champion); Zachary Isberto from Global Art Makati (1st runner-up); Janna Louise Ventanilla from Global Art Makati (2nd runner-up).

Category C (10-12 years old): James Clark Amantillo from Global Art General Santos (champion); Alcina Tan from Global Art Davao (1st runner-up); JayC Ang from Global Art ortigas (2nd runner-up).

Category D (13 years old and above): Julianne Chuah from Global Art Manila (champion); Angeli Domini Lim from Global Art Davao (1st runnerup); Marco Luis Gonzalez from Global Art Makati (2nd runner-up).

Meanwhile, the following were adjudged winners in Acrylic Painting Category 1 (7-9 years old): Maria Francesca Sunga from Global Art Pam-

The winning entry of Category C grand champion James Clark Amantillo.

panga (champion); Julia Gabrielle San Juan from Global Art Makati (1st runner-up); Aubrey Janel Lua from Global Art Del Monte (2nd runner-up).

Category 2 (10-12 years old): Maria Lisette Sunga from Global Art Pampanga (champion); Raissa Ysabelle Chua from Global Art Manila (1st runnerup); Gwyneth Garcia from Global Art Pampanga (2nd runner-up).

Category 3 (13 years old and above): Dominique Kiersten Lim from Global Art Makati (champion); Angelica Faith Chu from Global Art Davao (1st

runner-up); Jaymie Alexandria Wong from Global Art Del Monte (2nd runner-up).

All winners will represent Global Art Philippines at the Global Art International Level Competition in Yangon, Myanmar on Dec. 2.

They received trophies and backpacks from Robbie Rabbit, one of the sponsors. The grand champions each received 2,000 Globbie Points which they can redeem at their Global Art Centers.

To know more about Global Art, call (02) 7260435 or go to philippines.globalart.world.

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Entertainment

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2018

nickie.standard@gmail.com

Nickie Wang, Issue Editor

The dream team in emergency and disaster-preparedness Alden named most popular TV personality AT THE recent 2018 COMGUILD Media Awards, Alden Richards was named Most Popular TV Personality. The Victor Magtanggol star couldn’t contain his happiness that members of the academe have given him the recognition Several Kapuso programs and personalities were also recently honored by various award-giving bodies.

GMA News’ Jessica Soho, widely regarded as the most awarded broadcast journalist in the country, added another feather to her cap when she was given the Outstanding Media Practitioner award at the third Gawad Midya by the De La Salle University’s Student Media Office on Aug. 30.

GMA Resident meteorologist Nathaniel “Mang Tani” Cruz, on the other hand, was given the Dangal ng Lipi Award by the Provincial Government of Bulacan on Sept. 15.

The Dangal ng Lipi Award is the highest recognition given by the Bulacan government to a Bulakenyo that has excelled in his profession. Mang Tani was the recipient in the field of Arts and Culture – Journalism.

At the first Bantog: The Science for the People Media Awards by the Science and Technology Information Institute (DOST-STII) on Sept. 28, News and Public Affairs personality Connie Sison was awarded the Professional Award for Media Practitioner in Television for her program Pinoy MD. At the same time, GMA Public Affairs’ Social Media Section was chosen to receive the Institutional Award for Cyber Press.

The Bantog: The Science for the People Media Awards recognizes the important role of media practitioners on TV, Radio, TV, and Online, as well as in government and private practice who made significant contributions in promoting science and technology information in the country through outstanding science reporting and coverage.

Various Kapuso personalities and programs were also honored at the 2018 COMGUILD Media Awards, taking home several honors both for television and radio categories.

GMA News’ Vicky Morales won as the Most Outstanding Female News Presenter of the Year for the Network’s flagship newscast 24 Oras.

Marisol Abdurahman was the Best Female Field Reporter of the Year.

As mentioned earlier, the Kapuso actor and Victor Magtanggol star was recognized as the Most Popular Television Personality of the Year.

The country’s leading and longestrunning morning TV show, Unang Hirit, once again won Best Morning Show.

Weekly infotainment show IBilib was recognized anew as the Best Educational Program while its host, Kapuso personality Chris Tiu, received the Best Educational Program Host award.

Meanwhile, GMA News TV’s lifestyle show Taste Buddies is this year’s Best Lifestyle Program.

Its hosts, Solenn Heussaff and Rhian Ramos, took home the Best Lifestyle Program Host award.

In the radio category, GMA News’ Mike Enriquez was once again recognized as the Best AM Radio Anchor while DZBB’s SuperBalita sa Umaga was named Best AM Radio Program.

Barangay LS 97.1’s Barangay Love Stories, on the other hand, won Best FM Radio Program.

This year’s winners at the COMGUILD Media Awards were chosen by a board of judges composed of college deans, chairpersons, and some members of the academe from different universities.

Shop around the Philippines The Congressional Spouses Foundation Inc. (CSFI) will hold their biggest fund raising event for the year, the Kabuhayan National Livelihood Trade Fair 2018, Nov. 8 to 11, 2 at the Megatrade Hall 1, 5th level, SM

Megamall, Mandaluyong City.

There are one hundred booths this year showcasing only the best Philippine products from around the country, which include modern Filipiniana fashion, fabric and accessories, natural woven bags made from abaca, seagrass, pandan and water lily, traditional wares and handicrafts, beautiful art, recycled wood home accessories and a delectable spread of ready to eat delicacies as well as dried, fresh produce and lots of special food items from every region. The trade fair aims to provide small and medium Filipino entrepreneurs with an opportunity display their creativity, ingenuity and widen their market reach.

Some of the merchants will include Kaayo Modern Mindanao that is a curated collection of clothes that tell various Mindanao stories. It is rooted in honoring the extraordinary skills of the T’boli Tribes of Lake Sebu and the Bagobo-Tagabawa Tribe of Davao and transforming their traditional creations into modern, bespoke Mindanao fashion. One of a kind art pieces from the Art Capitol of the Philippines, Angono, will also be available for sale including art pieces from Totong Francisco, the Blanco family, Sarah Geneblazo, Kevin Sabino and Aaron Bautista. Specialized delicacies from Bulacan will be available such as Liza’s bakeshop premium biscocho and pastillas de leche daintily cut with beautil designs. Quezon Province also boasts of the famous Lucban Longganiza, Infanta Suman, Special Coconut Vodka and the famous Dried Tapa. From Vigan, a new microbrewery will also be available with different types of crafted beer. Villar Sipag Foundation will showcase handicrafts made from water lilies. These include baskets, bags and parols made from bamboo. The sweetest pineapples in the world from Ormoc will also be available only at the Kabuhayan.

The major sponsors for the trade fair are PLDT, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), Metrobank Foundation, San Miguel Corporation, Petron, GMA 7 and the Pilipinong May Puso Foundation. The proceeds from this fundraising event will be donated to the WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature Philippines).

Funds will go directly to providing assistance to the Tuna Fishermen in the Mindoro Strait and Lagonoy Gulf whose boats are in dire need of repair or acquiring new fishing vessels damaged during the recent Monsoon storms. The WWF also provides education and assistance to implement sustainable and efficient fishing practices to ensure ecological and long-term livelihood.

“I am grateful to the members of the Foundation for their active participation in the Kabuhayan Fair, and for ensuring that we can offer the best products from each province in November,” said CSFI Chairperson and President, Luli Arroyo.

CSFI is a non-stock, non-profit organization composed of 270 spouses, siblings and children of members of the House of Representatives that conducts socio-civic activities to help reduce poverty, foster education, rehabilitate abused women, promote tourism, sharing of best practices across regions and addressing disaster response and espousing environmental sustainability.

Kapuso Prime Actor Alden Richards is the Most Popular Television Personality of the Year at the 2018 COMGUILD Media Awards.

DZMM Red Alert anchors Jeff Canoy (left) and Prof. Mahar Lagmay

“D

ANGER can happen anytime but those who prepare well can be spared from harm.”

On a mission to impart knowledge and skills on emergency and disasterpreparedness to Filipinos is DZMM Red Alert’s formidable trio—-multi-awarded journalist Jeff Canoy, survival and disaster expert Doc Ted Esguerra, and Project NOAH director and geologist Mahar Lagmay.

The three anchors have been using their respective expertise and experience to help their listeners and viewers protect their families through the show, which airs on DZMM Radyo Patrol 630 and DZMM TeleRadyo every Sunday at 10:00 a.m..

“The role of our program is really to provide hard and fast information because it’s people’s safety we’re talking about. Sir Mahar brings in the science, Doc Ted tells us what we can do, and I bring in the stories from covering calamities and conflict in the past ten years,” said Canoy, who’s fresh from receiving awards from Cannes Corporate TV Awards in France and the prestigious Palanca awards for his works on the Marawi siege.

The seasoned reporter joined DZMM Red Alert last year when he also took over the anchor duties of Red Alert on ABSCBN. Jeff revealed he freaked out when he learned he would also be part of “Red Alert” on radio, as he grew up a TV guy.

“It took me a while before I got the hang of it. Until now I still feel like I have lots to learn. Plus the thing with radio is it’s more a free-flowing discussion,” Canoy added.

Good thing was that waiting for him in the program are two media savvy men of science committed to the advocacy of the show, and have proven capable of making complex topics easier to understand by ordinary Filipinos.

Esguerra, a humanitarian worker and physician who has led many rescue operations, credits his artistic side, having done theatre and songwriting before gaining fame as a member of the first Philippine Mt. Everest Expedition and as a survival

and disaster medicine expert.

“I use what I know about culture and the arts because not everybody can understand hard science. Other people in disaster management just focus on the hazard and the location, I look at the culture so I can explain the situation better to the people,” he said.

Meanwhile, UP professor and academician of the National Academy of Science and Technology Lagmay never imagined himself in the field of broadcasting. However, his desire to help spread awareness on disasters and emergency preparedness pushed him out of his comfort zone.

“Given climate change and increased frequency of calamitous events, emergency and disaster preparedness have even become more important. The goal is to educate more Filipinos and get them engaged in preventing unnecessary loss of lives. Radio is a good platform to do this,” he shared.

“TV and radio are still very powerful in this country, especially in the province where part of their routine is listening to the radio.We offer a lot of insights and tips. A lot of people call and ask us for that in the show,” added Canoy.

Apart from the program, they also conduct emergency and disaster preparedness seminars in schools and barangays through the “TV Patrol Caravan,” “DZMM Kapamilya Day,” and “Red Alert Emergency Expo.”

Meanwhile, DZMM Radyo Patrol 630 still comes first to listeners in Mega Manila based on the latest Kantar Media Radio Survey. In the second quarter of the year. DZMM garnered an audience share of 25 percent to remain ahead of DZBB and DZRH, which got 22 percent and 21 percent, respectively.

The bastards legitimately ruled afternoon block LOS Bastardos steamed up afternoon television with a fast-paced pilot episode that explored the roots of the Cardinal family and filled with action, love, and romance, which brought it to the top of the nationwide TV ratings for its time slot with 15.2 percent vs. competition (11.5 percent).

Geoff Eigenmann, in a special role in the series, portrays a young Don Roman Cardinal as the told the story the family patriarch who has five sons from different women. Christine Reyes, also in a special role, played Don Roman’s first love, Soledad, whose tragic demise will spark the Don Roman’s quest for true love.

Keep tuning in to Los Bastardos to find out the history of the five Cardinal bastards, namely Isagani (Jake Cuenca), Joaquin (Diego Loyzaga), Matteo (Marco Gumabao), Lucas (Albie Casiño), and Connor (Joshua Colet), and how they will compete against each other for the right to be called the heir of the Cardinal family.

The series airs every afternoon on ABS-CBN’s Kapamilya Gold, right after Kadenang Ginto.

A night of enchantment in ‘Trip Ni Bentot’ MORE than 100 plus Filipino artists come together in Pinoy Playlist Music Festival 2018 to entertain audiences at the Maybank Performing Arts Center at the Bonifacio Global City.

Among the performers is Reuben Laurente whose show entitled Trip Ni Bentot is slated today.

“I have prepared a show that would basically have a little of something for everyone. This is only a 45 minute show which will offer a good mix of old and new, some our tribute to my musical icons, some are songs that are definitive of my journey as an artist. Trip Ni Bentot is very literal, as these are the things and the songs na ‘trip’ ko , that I know a lot of my audience can identify with, either because it’s their decade, or it’s a song down each one’s memory lane,” Laurente shares.

“It’s special show because after six years, my last lounge show in Manila was in 2012, I am staging a show again here in my own country, performing to my countrymen,” Laurente carries on.

Unbeknownst to most people, Laurente has been a seafarer for 10 years now, performing in the high seas, to an international crowd “The difference is since we are celebrating Filipino music across all genres and decades, I am doing an all Filipino

repertoire, an eclectic mix of genres and vocal styles but truly Filipino; literally from A to V...Nicanor ABELARDO to V...hmmmm will be revealed during the show.”

Of the many songs, Laurente’s close to his heart picks are, “Pakisabi Na Lang, Cayabyab Medley, and Basil/ Nonoy Medley,” says the singer.

“I don’t have any reservations when I pour my heart out singing songs. This is the most vulnerable state that I can be, it’s really when I sing stories that you can see through me,” Laurente says adding that people should Pinoy Playlist Music Festival 2018.

According to him, the fest was the brilliant idea of PPMF’s triumvirate namely Moy Ortiz (Musical and Artistic Director of The CompanY), manager and OPM advocate Noel Ferrer, and Maestro Ryan Cayabyab. It is a venue for Filipino artists to show the public and the nation that we are one in supporting the Original Pilipino Music and the Filipino Artist.

Helping Laurente realize his show are Musical Director Erle

Refuerzo (Keyboard), John Apura (acoustic guitar), Joshua Royeca (bass), with special guest dancer Erick Somoza Arenas, lights by Joey Nombres. Roy Rolloda is the poster designer and photos are by Oscar Hinolan.

For more details check out www.reubenlaurente.com. Tickets are available at Ticketworld. com.ph.

Motoring

T

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2018

How safe are modified cars?

HE LAND Transportation Office has made it clear that it is not in the business of arbitrarily and subjectively apprehending owners of modified vehicles.

Land Transportation Office Asst. Secretary Edgar Galvante: Safety is priority

C3

The LTO, however, said it must enforce the law on modified vehicles.

Modification of a motor vehicle was defined by Department Order No. 201032 dated September 8, 2010 with subject: Harmonization of Motor Vehicle (MV) Classifications of LTO and LTFRB. The order is aligned with the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UN-ECE), the standard followed by other ASEAN countries, it said.

Section 5, Number 5.2 of the Order states: “The modifications involving safety and environment shall not be allowed, such as the following: Axle modification; Chassis modification; Extended chassis/ body; Additional siding of dump trucks; Extended overhang; Change of rim size; Modification of handle bar and muffler;

and Reconfiguration of body dimension and design.”

Modification, or physical change in the existing motor vehicle design, is allowed provided a Certificate of Road Safety from the manufacturer can be presented by the owner, to prove that the modification will not compromise, in any way, safety. The same is also subject to inspection by the LTO for possible reclassification.

Tampering with the engine performance, drivetrain, suspension, wheels, and brakes of a vehicle, which are outside the approved parameters or its basic components, may affect its performance, and may compromise safety.

On the other hand, enhancements to features and performance such as interior

and exterior trimmings are allowed, for as long as the existing design of the vehicle is not compromised.

The Department of Trade and Industry likewise came up with Philippine National Standards to cover locally rebuilt vehicles such as jeepneys.

The assumption that the LTO is focusing its resources on apprehending owners of modified vehicles is not fair, LTO said in a statement, The Law Enforcement Unit of the LTO is out there on the road every day, apprehending all types of violators.

As a matter of fact, only one modified vehicle has been impounded in the most recent operation held in NLEX, and the reason for it is because the vehicle is not currently registered.

The DOTr-LTO appreciates the ongoing discussion on this matter, most prominently on social media. In the spirit of transparency and good governance, our doors are open for a dialogue where recommendations and suggestions may be presented and discussed, putting on topmost priority the safety and welfare of the public.

FASTLANE

Discounts galore at Honda HONDA’S automobile business unit in the Philippines is holding a 4-Day Sale from October 18-21, 2018 offering special deals and discounts on select Honda City and Civic variants of up to P35,000.

Being Honda’s number one bestselling model here in the Philippines, the City has become one of the top of mind vehicles in the sub compact sedan category. Because of its strong attributes, namely: a powerful and efficient powertrain, advanced safety and technology features and spacious and flexible interior, the City has been the ideal solution for customers looking for a stylish and advanced yet practical vehicle. With this, Honda is giving a special P35,000 discount on the

2019 City E CVT and VX Navi CVT variants during this 4-day sale.

The Civic will also be available with special promos for this event.

With its distinct sporty characteristics and advanced features, the Civic has indeed become a household name with its strong following throughout the years. It is also one of the most aspired vehicles in the Philippine Market.

To make Honda’s sporty compact sedan more affordable for customers who are looking forward to owning one of the advanced and exciting compact sedan, a P35,000 discount will be offered for both the 2018 Civic 1.8 E CVT and 1.5 RS Navi CVT variants during the 4-day sale.

Hypercar teaser: McLaren Speedtail LUXURY sportscar and supercar manufacturer McLaren Automotive will be unveiling its first ever HyperGT next Friday in London. Unless you’re one of the 106 people who already bought the Speedtail for over $2 million, you’ll have to stream the event from your own computer instead of attending.

This hypercar will be the “first of 18 new cars or derivatives to be announced under the Track25 business plan,” a promise made by McLaren to invest nearly $1.6 billion in the research and development of 18 new vehicles by the end of 2025, and they’re certainly off to a running start.

The top speed of the petrol-electric hybrid is over 243 mph, faster than any McLaren model in existence and a worthy vehicle to stand beside supercars Senna and P1 in the Ultimate

Series, a collection that McLaren states on their site is its “technological and power tour de force, pioneering and audacious in every way.”

The McLaren Speedtail’s highly streamlined body was designed to be futuristic, and certainly in 2016 when the project was announced, it was ahead of its time -- all models were sold before the development even began and the production is not expected to begin until the end of 2019.

We don’t know anything more about the sporty three-seater’s interior besides that the driver’s seat will be mounted in the center with two adjacent sets on either side, not unlike the McLaren F1 road car.

More tech and performance details as well as a tour of the interior are expected next week. You can watch the online reveal at cars.mclaren.com at 1 pm BST/8am EDT/5am PDT. AFP

Nissan opens Zambo dealership

NISSAN opened its Zamboanga City dealership last September 14, highlighted by a ribbon-cutting ceremony led by (from left) Nissan Zamboanga City Dealer Principal Jessica Lacson-Hizon, City Councilor Rommel Agan, Dealer Principal Juan Terrence Lacson, City Administrator Apple Go, Nissan Philippines Inc. General Manager for Dealer Network Management Abner Berdos, Dealer Principals Ret. Gen. Regino Lacson, Mark Lim, Jefferson Rolida, John Michael Ng, Karen Rolida, and Nissan Philippines Inc. Manager for Facilities Building Francis Robert Ang.

Landmark year for Hyundai HYUNDAI once again finds itself at the forefront of the global automotive industry as several of its vehicles have received awards and recognition from prestigious organizations.

First, the 2018 Kona and the 2019 Santa Fe bagged Silver at the 2018 International Design Excellence Awards (IDEA) by the Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA) for their forward-thinking design and distinct styling. IDEA recognizes brilliant international designs annually across several fields aside from the Automotive Industry, including Consumer Tech and the Environment.

The Kona and Santa Fe were also judged by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) to be as safe as they are stylish. The IIHS is an independent, non-profit research organization that aims to reduce losses from motor vehicle accidents. Both vehicles earned the highest rating, Top Safety Pick+, after a battery of crash tests from several angles, among other criteria.

These two vehicles were joined by the

2018 Elantra and the 2018 Sonata with top marks. The 2018 Tucson and the 2019 Accent garnered the next best rating, Top Safety Pick.

Of late, Hyundai Motor was also ranked among the Top 40 Best Global Brands by Interbrand for the fourth consecutive year.

Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc. President and CEO Ma. Fe Perez-Agudo had this to say about the auto company’s recent triumphs: “2018 has been a landmark year for Hyundai, both globally and in the Philippines. In the first quarter of 2018, HARI won three awards for excellence in Commercial Vehicles, Passenger Car sales, and Customer Satisfaction in After Sales. Earlier this year, Hyundai was ranked among the top 3 brands in the Initial Quality Study by J.D. Power. Hyundai was also named the Most Satisfying Popular Brand in AutoPacific’s 2018 Vehicle Satisfaction Awards.”

The IDEA nods follow the international recognition received by the AllNew Kona and the i30 Fastback from

the iF Design Awards. The awards, conferred by the iF International Forum Design, recognized the elegant and expressive appearance of the industry’s first five-door coupe in the compact segment and Hyundai Motor’s first subcompact SUV. In April, Hyundai won two Red Dot Design Awards for the Kona and NEXO. This makes for the fifth consecutive year and a total of 10 Red Dot design awards bagged by Hyundai Motor Company.

In May 2018, Hyundai Kona was honored with the prestigious Good Design Award® at the 60th Annual Good Design Awards Ceremony held at the Sydney Opera House. Once again, Hyundai’s style-driven small SUV was cited for outstanding design and innovation in the Product Design category.

Agudo noted, “HARI has always been committed to being the lifetime mobility partner of the Filipino. The awards and recognition received in 2018 show that we are achieving this by offering vehicles of unparalleled safety and quality, with world-class service to match.”

Women-only racing aims to find F1 stars A NEW women-only motorsport competition, W Series, will launch next year with the aim of finding female Formula 1 stars.

The series has been backed by major names in F1, including 13-time grand prix winner David Coulthard and Red Bull design engineer Adrian Newey.

It will offer a prize fund of $1.5 million and free entry for 18-20 competitors, who will be selected on merit following tests and appraisals. The overall winner will collect $500,000.

Organisers aim to stage six 30-minute races at top circuits in Europe and future plans could see the series expand to America, Asia and Australia.

“At the heart of W Series’ DNA is the firm belief that women can compete equally with men in motorsport. However, an all-female series is essential in order to force greater female participation,” organisers said in a statement.

The last woman to start an F1 grand prix was Italy’s Lella Lombardi in 1976, but Coulthard says female drivers can compete with their male counterparts.

“In order to be a successful racing driver, you have to be skilled, deter-

mined and physically fit, but you don’t have to be a man,” Coulthard told the Daily Mail newspaper.

“We believe that female and male racing drivers can and should compete on

equal terms if they have the same opportunity and training -- and we’re going to try to make that happen. There’s no reason the next Lewis Hamilton should not be a woman.” AFP

RAMON L. TOMELDAN Editor

C4 FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2018

Motoring Over 400 drivers train with Ford safety program

IDOOH Philippines Managing Director Jules Salonga and Voyager Innovations Managing Director and VP Dindo Marzan share a light moment as they cruise through the metro in a cab. The cab, powered by Voyager Innovation’s freenet network, gives commuters an interactive platform and marketers a new avenue for engaging with consumers.

Out-of-home

technology I

for in-car use

DOOH Philippines and Voyager Innovations Inc. are venturing into a strategic partnership to utilize each other’s market-leading technology services.

From October 2018, the three-month pilot will commence with an initial roll-out of 100 in-vehicle screens through IDOOH’s Transport Network Vehicle Service partners in the Philippines to provide passengers with access to in-vehicle shopping, entertainment, news, games, sports and lifestyle content.

The content will be deployed to IDOOH’s in-vehicle display network. Using freenet, Voyager Innovations’ sponsored data and rewards platform, IDOOH and its driver-partners no longer have to worry about data

plans and data charges when delivering and downloading content for the out-ofhome displays in their cars.

Jules Salonga, Managing Director for IDOOH Philippines and Indonesia, said: “We are excited to bring e-commerce and digital content to cars and improve the in-ride experience. With a pilot of 100 screens deployed with the help of freenet, we hope to scale this programme nationwide and grow our network as the Philippine’s largest in-ride digital media platform.”

Dindo Marzan, VP and Managing Director for Marketing Technologies

at Voyager, added: “We’re proud to empower IDOOH’s innovative out-ofhome advertising displays through our freenet platform. This will make it easier and more efficient for IDOOH and their driver-partners to deliver engaging and interactive content to riders in the country.”

The IDOOH screens will allow passengers to interact in real-time with the display by scanning of QR codes and logging in using their social media profiles to participate in promotions and reward campaigns.

IDOOH is Philippines’ largest network of in-vehicle screens through TNVS partners in Manila, Cebu and Davao. In Asia Pacific, IDOOH is the region’s largest network of invehicle digital out-of-home (OOH) screens with an inventory of more than 14,000 screens in taxis and ridesharing cars.

ILOILO CITY—At least 400 private and public utility drivers in Iloilo were trained to be smarter and safer drivers under Ford’s Driving Skills for Life program.

Ford Philippines brought its globallyrecognized safe driving program at the City Time Square in Iloilo City for the first time as part of its commitment to educate drivers on the benefits of smart, safe, and fuel-efficient driving.

Ford has started to train drivers outside Metro Manila last year and has expanded the rollout of the DSFL program to reach more drivers in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

Reinforcing Ford’s road safety advocacy, the DSFL is United Nations-recognized training program that concentrates on teaching drivers the necessary driving skills to minimize road accidents and driving techniques to save fuel.

Now on its 11th year in the country, the DSFL program is a combination of a classroom training that includes new modules on vehicle handling, driving in special conditions, anti-distracted driving, and fuel-efficient driving.

One of the highlights of the DSFL is a hands-on driving simulation exercise that

allows participating drivers to apply their learnings from the classroom sessions.

The DSFL program is offered to participating drivers for free.

“The DSFL has definitely come a long way in helping promote road safety and safe driving in the Philippines, so we’re definitely inspired year after year to think of ways to improve the training program and extend the reach to more Filipino drivers. We’re happy to be bringing the program to Iloilo to help maintain safe roads and create a community of safe drivers and passengers there,” said EJ Francisco, AVP for Communications, Ford Philippines.

In an effort to increase DSFL’s relevance to today’s driving environment, the program tightened its focus last year in training more PUV drivers such as bus, jeepney, school bus, taxi, and TNVS drivers to be more safe and responsible.

It was also last year when DSFL was conducted in key provinces such as Pampanga, Batangas, Cebu, Davao, covering close to 3,000 driver participants nationwide. Ford also increased the number of hands-on driving sessions to ensure that participants are able to apply their learnings from the classroom sessions.

Ford’s Driving Skills for Life program instructor takes on safe practices such as vehicle handling and anti-distracted driving.

Toyota, Grab join forces WHAT started as an initiative by Grab to aid its drivers and micro-entrepreneurs into having an easier and faster way of securing their own vehicles has become a venture of a fruitful partnership between the online mobile platform and Toyota and its affiliate - Toyota Financial Services Philippines.

With a common vision of providing mobility for all, industry leader Toyota and Grab, are opening up excellent opportunities for Grab driver-partners to serve the Filipino community better.

Now, the everyday journey of Grab drivers and consumers couldn’t get any

better. Today’s announcement is part of the earlier-announced strategic collaboration between Toyota Motor Corporation and Grab, Inc., which aims for offering mobility solutions to customers in Southeast Asia.

Toyota will offer an irresistible car replacement and easy ownership package for existing Grab drivers. They can get great value with trade-in offers, exclusive flexible and very affordable TFSPH financing deals, inclusive of an Easy Maintenance Package up to at least 80,000 kms., and special discounts on batteries, aircon cleaning, and car detailing.