Manila Standard - 2018 October 29 - Monday

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2 ex-BOC chiefs hoodwinked by syndicate—Rody

By Nat Mariano VOL. XXXII • NO. 256 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 • MONDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2018 • www.manilastandard.net • editorial@manilastandard.net

TRISKELION. A tourist doing a yoga headstand poses like the shape of a triskelion under the scorching heat of the sun in Apo Reef National Park, Apo Island, Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro. Dubbed as the diving capital of the Philippines, this 34-kilometer reef has a narrow channel dividing the reef into two lagoon systems. Beneath the clear water of these lagoons, divers can explore the fine white sand bottom with its colorful array of approximately 400 to 500 coral species. Almost 500 marine species, including a variety of sharks, stingrays, and manta rays, can also be spotted around the area. Teddy Pelaez

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte said Saturday former Bureau of Customs commissioners Isidro Lapeña and Nicanor Faeldon were only hoodwinked by corrupt Customs people, saying they were both “eaten by the system.”

“They are not corrupt. I wouldn’t have appointed them if they are, I’m sure of that. The shipments only happened to slip past them,” the President said in a speech during the MassKara Festival in Bacolod City Saturday.

Duterte said both the former commissioners were just tricked by the people working under them.

“They were not able to handle it because there was an insider. They were eaten by the system,” he said.

Duterte defended Lapeña and Faeldon, who were both reassigned amid shabu smuggling scandals at the bureau.

He said he has complete trust on the two officials, citing Faeldon’s role in tipping off the government about a cigarette company involved in illegal activity.

“If Faeldon was really corrupt, why did he tell me about the fake [documentary] stamps? He could have profited from it,” Duterte said.

The President was referring to Mighty Corp., a cigarette company accused of not paying excise taxes worth P37.9 billion and using fake tax stamps on its cigarettes.

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Shabu raps vs Lapeña, 3 others Duterte keeps Senate invokes command responsibility: It happened under his watch N. Araja very good trust By Rio HE Senate Blue Ribbon committee will recommend criminal charges rating—SWS against police and Customs officials

By Nat Mariano

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte’s trust rating rose five points in the third quarter, the latest Social Weather Stations survey revealed Saturday.

The SWS said Duterte received a +62 net trust rating in September, still classified by the pollster as “very good.”

This was five points above the previous +57 trust rating last June 2018. Next page

‘‘

President Rodrigo Duterte

If you see something contrary to what I am saying now, I’ll give you the right to spit on my face.

But if you are a beautiful woman and you spit on my face, I will take your saliva...

Now the women in Manila will call me a misogynist again.

You just don’t know [the truth] because you are crazy, ugly and have big teeth. I will not kiss you.

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implicated in the multi-billion-peso shabu smuggling scandal at the Bureau of Customs.

Senator Richard Gordon, chairman of the committee, said the officials could be liable under the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and the Dangerous Drugs Act. These include former senior superintendent Eduardo Acierto, former Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency director general Ismael Fajardo Jr., and Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service officer

Jimmy Guna, Gordon said.

At the same time, Gordon said, outgoing Customs chief Isidro Lapeña may also be held liable because he was in charge when the smuggling took place.

“Under the doctrine of command responsibility, he was in charge,” Gordon said in Filipino.

“He should answer for it because it happened under his watch.”

President Rodrigo Duterte last week reassigned Lapeña to the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, even before the congressional hearings were done.

Meanwhile, Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers on Sunday urged former Customs intelligence officer Jimmy Guban to Next page

‘Don’t let people turn graveyards into dumps’ ENVIRONMENT Secretary Roy Cimatu on Sunday reminded local government units of their duty to enforce the solid waste management law in memorial parks and public cemeteries nationwide as the Filipinos prepare for All Saints’ Day. Local governments must step up their implementation of Republic Act 9003, or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, Cimatu said.

He said people were continuing to generate huge amounts of garbage during the observance of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day, “practically turning graveyards into dumps.”

The LGUs should apply the full force of the law against litterbugs if only to send a strong message that littering would not be tolerated.

“LGUs should not hesitate to penalize litterbugs by imposing fines or making them render community service,” Cimatu said.

The Environment department says about 30,000 tons of garbage was being generated in the country daily, and that in Metro Manila alone 8,000 tons were being produced every day.

Cimatu said the volume of garbage shoots up during public events like All Saints’ Day. Last year, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority said more than 5,000 WASTE-FREE. Young members of Caritas and the EcoWaste Coalition campaign tons of trash was hauled from just six ma- for a waste-free observance of All Saints’ and All Souls’ Days at the La Loma Catholic jor public cemeteries and memorial parks Cemetery stressing that cemeteries must be respected and not treated as dumping sites.

Manny Palmero Next page in Metro Manila.

Carpio ‘most logical choice’ as new chief justice

By Rey E. Requejo

Antonio Carpio

ACTING Chief Justice Antonio Carpio is the “most logical choice” as successor to retired Chief Justice Teresita Leonardo-de Castro, a colleague in the Supreme Court said.

Associate Justice Marvic Leonen said Carpio, who was

twice bypassed for the top judicial post in 2010 and 2012, is highly qualified to become the next top magistrate.

“He is an old hand. He has a lot of gravitas. He is respected in terms of intellectual capability and he has experienced a lot in terms of the Court and in terms of politics... He would be

the most logical choice,” Leonen said in a recent interview.

Leonen, who is now sixth most senior member of the SC, also cited Carpio’s performance as acting chief justice in several instances, after the ouster by impeachment of the late chief justice Renato Next page

WEATHER

‘Rosita’ barrels toward N Luzon

TYPHOON “Rosita” continued to head toward Northern Luzon while maintaining its strength on Sunday afternoon, weathermen said.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said Rosita― international name “Yutu”―was forecast to make landfall by Tuesday over the Isabela-Aurora area.

Its center was located 760 kilometers east of Aparri, Cagayan.

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its d afte

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Solomonic deal on wage hike pushed

By Nat Mariano

M

ALACAÑANG said Sunday it was hoping for a “Solomonic compromise” on the proposed minimum wage increase that would be acceptable to workers and employers.

Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said the regional tripartite wage board had already tackled the proposal to increase the salaries of private- sector workers.

“The National Wage and Productivity Commission is now conducting public

hearings between employer groups and workers and we hope a decision, which is acceptable to both parties, would be made soon,” Panelo said in a statement.

This was after the labor group Associated Labor Unions-Trade Union Congress of the Philippines insisted on a 334-

peso increase in the daily minimum wage of private workers in Metro Manila.

The labor group claims the proposed wage increase is not “extravagant,” saying it is only demanding a “survival wage hike” to cope with the rising inflation rate.

But employers are opposing the proposal because it might have a negative impact on business and scaring investors.

Malacañang, however, remains optimistic that government measures will help to tame inflation.

“For the time being, the government has decisively acted to tame inflation,” Panelo said.

“Our people are beginning to feel the effects with the price of rice starting to go down, and just yesterday the Suggested Retail Price program and prescribed labeling for milled rice have been launched by the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Trade and Industry to protect consumers from profiteers.”

Panelo said President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration would continue to monitor the inflation rate.

“The Office of the President, together with the relevant agencies of the government, will closely monitor inflation to ensure that our economy will continue to be advantageous to the Filipino people,”

Panelo said.

ALU-TUCP Spokesman Alan Tanjusay said they would not back down from their proposal.

“We are not backing down with our 334-peso wage- increase petition because we are not asking for a lavish and extravagant wage increase,” Tanjusay said.

“We are just demanding a survival wage hike to recover the lost real value of our wages so that we can be able to cope with rising inflation and avoid hunger.”

The Philippines’ inflation rate rose to 6.2 percent in the third quarter from 4.8 percent previously, driven mainly by rising food and oil prices.

Rice import lib draws support from solon

By Rio N. Araja CAMARINES Sur Rep. Luis Ray Villafuerte is urging the Senate to quickly approve the rice tariffication bill to stabilize the retail prices of rice and ease the galloping inflation.

He said President Rodrigo Duterte’s declaration of the import liberalization bill as an urgent measure should prod the Senate to act on it with dispatch as soon as Congress resumed session on Nov. 12.

“The prompt approval of the rice tariffication bill is the fastest way for both chambers of Congress to help President Duterte tame inflation and ease its impact on consumers, most especially this coming holiday season given that food expenses account for 9.7 percent of the consumer price index,” Villafuerte said.

He said the measure’s swift passage would go a long way toward boosting rice production, a long-term approach to stabilizing the supply and price of the staple.

Under the bill, import tariffs are to go to the rice competitiveness enhancement fund, which the Agriculture department would use to provide for easy-to-access loans to farmers for production, inputs for fertilizers, post-harvest facilities and research and development.

Villafuerte is the co-author of the House of Representatives’ version of the rice tariffication bill that was approved in August.

In certifying the rice tariffication bill as urgent, Duterte cited the “urgent need to improve the availability of rice, prevent artificial rice shortages, reduce the prices of rice, and curtail the prevalence of corruption and cartel domination in the rice industry.

The rice tariffication bill would be a “win-win” situation for consumers and farmers amid the high inflation, Villafuerte said.

Consumers would benefit from the bill as the lifting of the quantitative restriction on rice imports would reduce the inflation rate by .07 percentage point, the central bank says.

“Lower prices would benefit farmers too as they are also rice consumers,” Villafuerte said.

‘Don’t let...

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Cimatu said he hoped that would not be repeated this year, and that the public would “avoid generating waste, especially plastic that end up in landfills where it may take up to 1,000 years to decompose.”

He said the general public must do its share in keeping graveyards clean and free of trash.

“Let us respect the sanctity of both the occasion and the final resting place of our departed loved ones by making the surroundings free from unwanted garbage,” Cimatu said. Rio N. Araja

‘Rosita’...

From A1

Packing maximum sustained winds of 200 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 245 kilometers per hour, Rosita was moving westward at 20 kilometers per hour.

Weathermen said the trough of the typhoon will affect Southern Luzon and Eastern Visayas, while the northeast monsoon is affecting Northern Luzon and Central Luzon.

Because of the trough, Eastern Visayas will experience cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms.

Partly cloudy to cloudy skies will prevail over the rest of the Visayas, Palawan and Occidental Mindoro.

WATER RESCUE. Dayang S. Hussayna Kiram-ldjirani (standing right), Assistant Disaster Risk Reduction Management Manager, oversees the water rescue training for personnel of the Department of Health and Philippine Coast Guard together with lifeguard trainees at the La Sueña Brisa Beach Resort in Lemery, Batangas on Saturday, Oct. 27, 2018 . PNA

Carpio...

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Corona in 2012, ouster by quo warranto of chief justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno earlier this year and the retirement of Chief Justice De Castro last Oct. 10.

“At times he acted as chief justice, decisions were efficient, decisions of other justices are respected and there’s good facilitation of discussion in the [collegial session]... There’s a lot of confidence in how the Court is managed even though he is acting chief justice,” the magistrate said.

He also pointed out that seniority should be an important consideration in selecting the next SC chief.

“Seniority, to me, is a marker of ex-

Shabu raps...

From A1

cooperate with the government and provide more information on the shipment of shabu, with a value estimated at P11 billion.

Barbers, committee on dangerous drugs chairperson, called on Guban to identify two other officials who could have conspired to release the illegal drugs at the Manila International Container Port in July.

“Guban is a very vital witness.

The information he had given us is not yet enough to be able to identify others behind the P11 billion worth of shabu,” he said.

During the Oct. 23 hearing, Guban admitted being involved in the entry of four magnetic lifters that contained shabu, which slipped past the Bureau of Customs.

Barbers said Guban should come up with a full account of his participation, along with Acierto and Fajardo.

perience and a marker of a period under which you have gained the respect of your colleagues. You have to have experience as chair of the committee. Seniority is important, only because it is a marker of experience and potentially leadership,” he said.

Because of this, he believed that the three other senior magistrates vying for the chief justice post - Associate Justices Diosdado Peralta, Lucas Bersamin and Estela Perlas-Bernabe—are also qualified.

He said Peralta is “very passionate about processes of the court” and has “worked on continuous trial and speedy trial” while Bersamin is “very diligent and conscientious in terms of his decisions.”

Leonen said Bernabe, on the other

hand, is “very collegial in terms of her work” and “most of her decisions are unanimous simply because she is able to accommodate a lot of points of view which is a mark of a good leader.”

Of the five senior justices who were automatically nominated for chief justice, only Associate Justice Mariano del Castillo declined nomination. Leonen said he was disheartened by this decision because he said Del Castillo “is the most compassionate and kindest among all of us.”

As for the fifth nominee, Associate Justice Andres Reyes Jr., Leonen said he would rather have a senior magistrate named chief justice so “we should not repeat what has happened in the past.”

Leonen was apparently alluding to the controversial appointment of Sereno as chief justice in 2012 where she bypassed

2 ex-BOC...

Duterte...

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The tobacco company settled its tax obligations by paying the government P40 billion.

“Faeldon was the one who gave me the tip that there is a cigarette manufacturer who was producing fake stamps. So I told him, ‘Focus and raid them.’ Do you know how much we earned in that raid as a consequence? Mighty... had to pay government P40 billion,” Duterte said.

The President also vouched for Lapeña’s honesty.

“He was my police chief for the longest time,” Duterte said.

In 2017, Faeldon resigned after P6.4 billion worth of shabu slipped past the Customs under his watch.

On Thursday, Duterte said he reassigned Lapeña to head the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority and called it a promotion.

Faeldon is set to become the next Bureau of Corrections director general after Ronald Dela Rosa filed his certificate of candidacy for senator.

Maritime Industry Authority Administrator Rey Leonardo Guerrero will then head the “corrupt-infested” BOC as its new commissioner.

“The five-point increase in Rody Duterte’s overall net trust rating from June 2018 to September 2018 was due to increases in Metro Manila and Balance Luzon, combined with steady scores in the Visayas and Mindanao,” SWS said.

Duterte’s net trust rose from “good” to “very good” in Metro Manila, up by nine points from +42 in June 2018 to +51 this Sept.

It stayed “very good” in Balance Luzon, up by 10 points from +50 in June to +60 in Sept., remained “good” +49 in the Visayas from June to Sept., and also stayed “excellent” in Mindanao, hardly moving from +88 in June to +86 in Sept.

Meanwhile, the SWS also found that 74 percent of adult Filipinos have much trust in the President. Out of those polled, 14 percent were undecided, while the remaining 12 percent said they have little trust on Duterte.

“Compared to June 2018, net satisfaction with President Duterte rose among those with much trust in him, and among those who are undecided about their trust in him, while it became less negative among those with little trust in him,” said the SWS.

all five senior magistrates in SC. The Judicial and Bar Council closed the nominations for the chief justice post last Friday and has decided not to hold public interviews of the SC justices aspiring for the top judicial post anymore.

The Constitution requires the chief justice, just like the associate justices, to be a natural-born citizen, at least 40 years old, with experience as judge or in private law practice for at least 15 years and a person with proven competence, integrity, probity and independence.

Duterte is expected to appoint over 12 members of the Supreme Court during his six-year term. He already appointed six justices so far—now Ombudsman Samuel Martires, Noel Tijam, Andres Reyes Jr., Alexander Gesmundo, Jose Reyes Jr. and Ramon Paul Hernando.

His net satisfaction rating stayed “excellent” among those with much trust in him, up by two points from +71 in June to +73 in Sept.

It also stayed “moderate” among those who were undecided about their trust, up by 10 points from +11 in June to +21 in September.

It became less negative, from “bad” to “poor,” among those with little trust in him, up by 17 points from -45 in June to -28 in September.

Elated by the results of the survey, Malacañang assured the public that “there is no room for complacency” in the Duterte administration “We assure everyone that, regardless of the ratings, there is no room for complacency in this branch of the government. We will persevere to undertake bolder reforms to make the bureaucracy more efficient and responsive to the needs of our people,” Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said in a statement Sunday.

The survey, which was conducted from Sept. 15 to 23, used face-to-face interviews of 1,500 adults nationwide.

It has sampling error margins of ±3 percent for national percentages, ±4 percent for Balance Luzon, and ±6 percent each for Metro Manila, Visayas, and Mindanao.

News

MoNday, october 29, 2018

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DILG begins audit of local drug councils

By Francisco Tuyay

MUCH-NEEDED PAUSE. Firemen take a breather after putting out a fire at a warehouse along New Panaderos in Sta. Ana, Manila on Sunday. Damage estimate was not made available

at press time. Norman Cruz

Test case for new anti-hazing law T

By Macon Ramos Araneta

he recent scandal that rocked the Philippine National Police Academy would be a test case for new Anti-hazing Act of 2018, according to Senator Panfilo Lacson, a former chief of the national police.

The scandal, which allegedly involved cadets forcing freshmen to perform oral sex as a form of punishment, is considered hazing under the new law, he said.

“In this case, the cadets involved may have the distinction of being the first to be convicted under the new law,” Lacson said. hazing is now considered a no-bail capital offense, with those found guilty

facing life imprisonment.

Lacson sponsored the new law in the Senate after his committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs probed the fatal hazing of law student horacio Castillo III. President Rodrigo Duterte signed the measure into law last June 29.

Lacson said those involved in hazing risk losing the prime of their lives under the strengthened anti-hazing law.

Under the new law, the definition of hazing has been expanded to include “physical or psychological suffering, harm or injury inflicted on a recruit, member, neophyte, or applicant” as a prerequisite for admission or for continued membership in an organization.

Banned under the law are “all forms of hazing” not only in fraternities, sororities or organizations in schools, but also those in communities and even businesses and uniformed service learning institutions.

Liabilities include: • penalty of reclusion temporal and P1 million on the participating officer and members of the fraternity who were involved in the hazing • reclusion perpetua and P2 million

on members who actually participated in hazing when under the influence of alcohol or drugs; and on non-resident or alumni who participate in hazing • reclusion perpetua and P3 million on those who participated in hazing that resulted in death, rape, sodomy, or mutilation • P1 million on the school if it approved an initiation of a fraternity, sorority or organization where hazing occurred • prision correccional (six months to six years) on anyone who intimidates or threatens another for recruitment.

This includes “persistent and repeated” proposals or invitations to those who refused to join at least twice.

• P1 million for former officers or alumni who try to hide or obstruct investigation.

Senate works on reforms in sports body FILIPINO amateur athletes may be able to avail themselves of greater assistance from the government under the package of reforms in the Philippine Sports Commission now being tackled by the Senate, according to Senator Manny Pacquiao.

Senate is working on the “longneeded” reforms under Senate Bill No. 1515, or the expanded Philippine Sports Commission Act of 2017, now in advanced stages of legislation, Pacquiao, chairman of the Senate Committee on Sports.

“It is high time we amended our existing law to better address the needs of our brave athletes. We need to strengthen the role of the PSC as an institution governing our national sports program,” he said.

Pacquiao said the bill, which amends the Philippine Sports Commission Act (RA 6847), will require the PSC to take a more defined and pro-active function in the field of “grassroots development, sports science, sports medicine, sports services and research.”

“One of the salient points we wish to institutionalize is giving priority to our amateur athletes—our homegrown talents—the way we do for elite athletes. This ensures that every athlete with potential shall be given equal opportunity to showcase their talent and represent our country,” he added.

The bill likewise “makes sure that every need of athletes are well maintained, from coaches to billeting to medical needs.”

The updated policies, Pacquiao said, will not be limited to sports events handled by the National Sports Associations, but would also cover other physical fitness and recreational programs. Macon Ramos-Araneta

DEEP SlUMBER. A child at the Manila South Cemetery enjoys a quiet and peaceful slumber in a hammock on Sunday. Diana B. Noche

Sulu solon asks CA to enforce order vs RTC judge hOUSe Deputy Speaker and Rep. Munir Arbison of Sulu is asking the Court of Appeals to cite a judge from a lower court, along with three police officers, in contempt for ordering his arrest.

The congressman filed a petition with the CA, and Branch 4 Judge Grace Alasco; Philippine National Police’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Group director Roel Obusan in Region 9; Supt. Richard Vercelez, and Sulu director Supt. Pablo Labra II

for disregard, disobedience and made mockery of the writs and processes of the appellate court over repeated issuance of an arrest warrant.

Alasco could not ignore the CA’s order for her to “cease and desist” from implementing her Sept. 4 order, Arbison said. he said he was prompted to file a contempt of court petition following attempts by the CIDG to execute warrants issued against him by Alasco even if the CA had issued a temporary

restraining order.

The cases against him were filed two decades ago, he said, adding many of the complainants were already dead or had migrated to Malaysia.

On Oct. 3, the CA’s Special 23rd Division issued the TRO “ordering the Regional Trial Court, 9th Judicial Region, Branch 4, Parang, Sulu, the agents and persons acting in its behalf, to cease and desist from implementing the order dated 04 September 2018.” Rio N. Araja

The Department of the Interior and Local Government is doing a massive performance audit on local antidrug councils across the country to determine if the campaign against illegal drugs is being enforced.

Interior Acting Secretary eduardo Año said the comprehensive audit will be nationwide, covering all anti-drug abuse councils in the 81 provinces, 145 cities and 1,489 municipalities.

The war against illegal drugs must not be waged alone by President Rodrigo Duterte or the DILG, PNP, DDB and PDeA. It must be waged by everyone because illegal drugs pose a social menace. Therefore, let us all make sure the local government units join this fight, Año said.

In a Memorandum Circular 2018159, Año said that all ADACs will be audited based on the following criteria : organized local ADAC; conduct of quarterly meetings; allocation of funds for the implementation of antidrug activities indicated in the Peace and Order and Public Safety Plan; implementation of ADAC plans and programs; support to ADACs in component local government units and; innovation.

Although the drug war has intensified, it could not just be stopped. We need a unified action, the ADACs included, so this problem can be solved, Ano said.

The ADAC performance audit team is organized and chaired by the DILG with representatives from the Philippine National Police, Philippine Drug enforcement Agency, and civil society organizations from the regional, provincial and national offices.

The DILG chief explained that his department has partnered with the Dangerous Drugs Board in accelerating the campaign against illegal drugs in the communities by providing training and orientation for the ADACs. Two of the main functions of ADACs are the establishment of communitybased rehabilitation services and conduct of drug clearing operations.

‘Premature campaigning criminal’ The Senate committee on electoral reforms and people’s participation has recommended the “criminalization” of premature campaigning by election candidates.

In its Committee Report No. 492 filed last Oct. 18, the panel sought to restore the provision found in the Omnibus election Code of the Philippines, which prohibits premature campaigning long before the election period had set in.

The report on Senate Bill No. 2064 also redefines the term “candidate.”

The bill was authored by Senators Richard Gordon, Leila de Lima and Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III. “A person shall be considered a candidate the moment he files his certificate of candidacy [COC] within the period provided by the Commission on elections,” the report said.

This means that any form of partisan political activity by a candidate prior to his filing of COC or way before the start of the official campaign period will be considered “premature campaigning” and therefore unlawful.

Under the law, RA 9369, a person seeking elective position is considered a candidate only during the entire campaign period. The law in effect, decriminalized “premature campaigning.”

“The unfair repercussions of this rule are far and wide. It propagates political inequality as it unduly favors rich or popular candidates over poor or less popular candidates. It also negates transparency and accountability as it shamelessly excludes such premature campaigning from the regulation of campaign finance and the limitations on election campaign and expenditures,” Gordon said.

Premature campaigning is an election offense punishable by imprisonment of not less than one year but not more than six years, as well as disqualification to hold public office and deprivation of the right of suffrage under Section 80 and Section 264 of the Omnibus election Code of the Philippines.

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Opinion

MONDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2018

Politics is the new religion Facebook all day long.

“A lot of people who said they were done with the concept of God and religion ended up just worshiping politics instead,” said one analyst. “It’s almost like there’s this void in every human that just needs to be filled with someTHE newest and fastest-growing re- thing, and so people who don’t believe ligion in the country is—drumroll, in God decide to worship political leadplease—politics. ers or the state instead.”

Unlike many religions that only “Weird,” he added. meet once or twice a week, adherents Followers of this rapidly growing to the religion of politics worship ev- religion are reportedly preparing to celery day, doing their devotionals in front ebrate its high holy day: the 2019 midof this and other newspapers, ABS- term elections. The festival includes CBN and GMA the selection of news networks, new high priests or their carefully to enact the sacultivated Facecred will of the book and Twitter I dreamily look back people, which feeds. There is is usually to get at the time before all a major sectarmore stuff from these brutish tactics ian dispute among the government politics’ followers, invaded our politics, at the expense of as to whether the everyone else. and politicians just shot one true god is a *** or hacked one another Dutertard or a YelUpon looking lowtard, but otherin broad daylight like at the bleak, unwise, their methcivilized nature civilized human beings. ods of practicing of our political their faith are rediscourse, I’m markably similar. feeling nostalPolitical worgic for a more shipers come in all forms, from casual refined time when illustrious leaders believers who faithfully vote each elec- like Jose Rizal and General Antonio tion but don’t regularly attend rallies Luna, and enlightened politicians, just or argue about politics online to crazed shot each other with pistols or skewered people who shower profanities on peo- each other with swords to resolve their ple they disagree with. But most politi- differences. cal believers reject these violent zealots I dreamily look back at the time beas radicalized extremists, insisting that fore all these brutish tactics invaded politics is a “religion of peace.” our politics, and politicians just shot or According to researchers, worship- hacked one another in broad daylight ers of politics are even more zeal- like civilized human beings. ous and passionate than members Frankly, it’d beat all the protestof more traditional religions, being ing and swarming of people on EDSA more likely to annoy friends and fam- and Luneta. No Senate inquiries. No ily, and blast each other on Facebook privilege speeches. Just one simple, over which political god is better. Re- civilized duel, a couple of bullets flyligious people sometimes go door to ing through the air, a couple of lunges door to spread their beliefs, while the here and there, and you’re done. political faithful will bother you on Turn to A5

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

The President’s 3Rs

R

Viña was named undersecretary of the Department of Agriculture, even though he had been sacked for “his abuse of public funds.”

Manuel Serra Jr. was named a member of the board of the Philippine Coconut Authority, after he and four other commissioners of the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor were fired for making too many foreign trips.

The President also fired Lapeña’s predecessor at the Bureau of Customs, Nicanor Faeldon—also over smuggled drugs—only to reappoint him to another government post.

In defending his moves, the President insisted that Lapeña and Faeldon were honest men, who were merely bamboozled by the crooked officials who worked under them.

At this point, we have no reason to contest the President’s assertion.

What we do question, however, is the wisdom of rewarding people who, by the President’s own admission, had been duped to the detriment of the public. In our search for honest men and women to work in the government, are we to content ourselves with those who have already shown their incompetence?

The three Rs may be good for the environment, but they can wreak havoc on the notion of good government.

crooked Customs personnel were in cahoots with the drug syndicates.

The President at this point sided with his Customs chief, by reducing the gravity of the incident. The PDEA allegations, he said, we based on mere speculation.

Subsequently, Lapeña sacked a Customs official who dared to support the PDEA position by saying that X-ray images suggested that the empty magnetic lifters had indeed contained shabu. Although the bureau’s spokesman insisted this was not an attempt to silence the dissenting voice, the move had all the hallmarks of a coverup.

Under growing pressure to do something about the situation, the President’s spokesman reused the threadbare line that Lapeña continued to enjoy Mr. Duterte’s full trust and confidence.

Finally, when the overwhelming weight of evidence compelled Lapeña to admit during a congressional hearing that he was wrong, and that the lifters may have contained shabu after all, the President abruptly announced his “promotion” to a Cabinet position as the head of TESDA, thus completing the 3Rs by recycling favored officials who had dropped the ball.

This is hardly the first time.

Earlier this year, Jose Gabriel La

EDUCE, reuse, recycle.

President Rodrigo Duterte has given new meaning to the 3Rs favored by environmentalists by applying them to favored government officials who have failed at their given tasks.

The latest example of this is the newly appointed head of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, Isidro Lapeña, who was abruptly “promoted” last week from his previous post as Customs chief.

In August, Lapeña set the stage for his abrupt transfer by disputing the findings of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency that billions of pesos of illegal drugs had been smuggled through Customs by way of magnetic lifters, four of which were found empty in a warehouse in Cavite. Although drug-sniffing dogs detected traces of shabu, then Customs chief Lapeña would have none of that—presumably because agreeing with the PDEA would have been an admission that his agency had failed to block the entry of the worst possible form of contraband in the Duterte administration, illegal drugs. Worse, doing so would be to acknowledge that under his watch,

Politics as elixir assemblymen were to be elected by the vote of their entire province, Speaker Laurel’s younger brother, Salvador “Doy” Laurel, as the leader of the political opposition, hastily cobbled up a slate in every province. I was then Doy’s young assistant.

When it came to Batangas, leaders JUAN Ponce Enrile is 94 years old, and implored the former Speaker to lead will be 95 by February next year when the slate, which would include lawyers the campaign begins. Yet he is running Hernando B. Perez and Rafael Recto, for senator which requires reaching out son of the legendary nationalist Don to the entire electorate.

Claro Mayo Recto, and Benjamin Fred Lim is running for mayor of Martinez of Balayan, Batangas. Pepito Manila for the umpteenth time. He Laurel was already in his seventies at says he is 88 years of age, but a Manila the time, and initially begged off. The congressman who claims he has a copy much younger Doy could not run, as he of the birth certificate of Lim swears the had to campaign throughout the nation guy is a nonagenarian in the league of to make the UNIDO-led coalition Enrile. candidates win.

Erap Estrada, born Joseph Marcelo But the Batanguenos pressed on, and Ejercito at Mary Speaker Laurel Johnston Hospital gave in.

As in Tondo on April the campaign 19, 1937, will be progressed, I 82 years when saw Tiyo Pepito What makes supraManilenos troop gain physical senior citizens, who have strength, and in to the polls to elect him for a political rallies, tasted the perks and third term as their the fire in his privileges of political mayor, or choose belly came out power so many times someone else. in explosions And, not to of colorful over, across three forget, there is verbiage, generations of voters, Imelda Romualdez expletives and still want to ‘serve?’

Marcos, whose humorous quips age is in the same intertwined. generational After a league as the first rally in Lipa, three politicians. where we After several terms as congresswoman took a late repast in the house of the of Leyte, then of Ilocos Norte, she Recto’s, I marveled at the old man’s is now running for, Mamma Mia!, amazing rejuvenation, and told him my governor of her husband’s home observation. province, an executive position.

He chuckled as he responded, What makes supra-senior citizens “lahat ng politiko, nabubuhayan ng like these men and woman who have dugo basta’t may halalan. Kapag tasted the perks and privileges of tumindig na sa tribuna sa harap ng political power so many times over, madla, nakakalimutan mo ang lahat ng across three generations of voters, still dinaraing na sakit ng katawan, at wari want to “serve?” mo’y batang-bata ka pa!”

I remember the late revered Speaker Politics as elixir. of the House, Jose Bayani Laurel Jr., Remove it from the likes of Imelda, born to a political family that began or JPE, Lim or Erap, and they will with the revolutionary Sotero during the wither faster.

Spanish period, to father Jose Paciano *** Laurel Sr., the wartime president of the Speaking of aging, we should Second Republic. all worry about our young men and In 1984, when elections for the women disdaining the farming ways Batasang Pambansa, the unicameral of their parents, leaving their farming legislature created by the Marcos communities in search of better jobs Constitution of 1972 was called, and Turn to A5

Customs cleanup THE scoundrels at the graftridden Bureau of Customs put President Rodrigo Duterte in a position where he had to act with draconian measure. They made a mockery of the President’s relentless and ruthless war on illegal drugs by allowing a P6.8billion shabu shipment to slip through the BoC X-ray scanners.

For their criminal negligence if not outright connivance in the smuggling of shabu, President

Is there hope for the bureau?

Rodrigo Duterte did the right thing. He sacked all Bureau of Customs officials, including Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapeña whom the President himself appointed. All other BOC personnel were placed on floating status. Duterte

named Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) chief Rey Leonardo Guerrero to replace Lapena.

But why only transfer Lapeña to the head of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority? This is a key government agency whose head has a Cabinet rank.

No wonder Lapeña said his new position is a promotion. Dealing with erring government personnel this way is taken for granted by grafters and encourage them to commit more malfeasances..

Lourdes Mangaoang who exposed the smuggled shabu shipment despite Turn to A5

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

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Chairman Emeritus, Editorial Board

Opinion Dependent on the US no more WHILE the Unites States has played a major role in shaping Philippine economy since time immemorial, having been one of the country’s biggest trade partners (next only to Japan) and of course, playing demigods to almost all who held power in the Philippines, it seems it will only be a matter of time before it can be officially recognized we are no longer dependent on its dominance.

While 2017 statistics bare Japan, the US and Hong Kong as the top three trading partners of the Philippines in terms of export, latest data shows China emerging as atop export market destination for the Philippines, valued at nearly $940 million or 15.3 percent of the latter’s total exports in August, Philippine Statistics Authority said.

According to the trade data released on 10 October by PSA, China ranked first for the Philippines with exports valued at $939.98 million of the total exports for August 2018, increasing by 34.4 percent from $699.5 million value posted in August 2017.

And with the country’s blooming trade partnership with China, the Department of Trade and Industry announced it will participate in the first China International Import Expo in November in Shanghai, China.

As the Philippines’ main export and investment promotion agency, the DTI said it has organized the Philippines’ participation in the expo to further penetrate the huge Chinese market through country participation in trade expositions and facilitation of its business-tobusiness linkages.

Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon Lopez will lead the country’s CIIE participation this year, along with DTI Trade and Investments Promotions Group Undersecretary Nora Terrado.

“China is a priority market for the

Politics as....

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and livelihood in the urban centers or even abroad.

We are fast losing an entire generation of future farmers, and this bodes ill for our food security.

We have just experienced how wrong decisions of our food security agency caused a shortage of rice for consumer tables. We have seen how this fueled an increase in the price of other kinds of food items, from fish to vegetables to even chili.

But looking at the medium and long term, we need to worry about the painful reality that our young people are abandoning the farms for the cities and abroad.

In Japan on the other hand, young consumers are fast replacing rice on their diets, and aging farmers struggle to survive as their market shrinks.

Fewer Japanese are eating rice, and annual per capita consumption has

Politics is the....

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Bam, bam, chop, chop, and you call it a day. Honor restored.

A towering Thunderdome (think Mad Max) with a mixed martial arts octagon should be built at the Senate or Batasang Pambansa complex, to return some semblance of civility to our national discourse. *** I had a dream that, in an emergency, overnight referendum, the Filipino people voted to replace the Philippine Senate with a room full of monkeys throwing feces. The measure passed with 57 percent of the vote. Twenty-

Customs...

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threats to her life and harassment from higher-ups, stood her ground that the four imported magnetic lifters contained illegal drugs when they went through the BOC’s X-ray machines. The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency which supported Mangaoang’s claim estimates the smuggled shipment to be higher at P11-billion worth.

The smuggled shabu shipment was missing when the magnetic filters were found abandoned in Cavite, The price of shabu has gone down considerably according to PDEA apparently

Philippines and we want to push for exports of our products and services.

We are also keen on attracting Chinese investments,” Lopez said.

And this corner believes it was but a right move as producers all over the world are also aspiring for greater opportunities from CIIE as participants in the event including officials and company leaders are actively edging the competitiveness

We deserve better.

of their exhibits or products.

From the big beneficiaries of China’s opening-up policy like European auto-industry giants to fresh comers such as African food and beverage suppliers, there is a common aspiration to make best of the expo to promote their brands and products, and take bigger shares in the lucrative market of China.

German food giant Metro said that it wants to take the opportunity of the CIIE to showcase its strength in imports and global sourcing.

Companies which are believers of China’s development and beneficiaries of the opening-up policy make a big part of CIIE participants. Regional delegations also attach great importance to the platform, viewing it as a gateway and window to know better China’s market and development path.

So far, over 150,000 buyers from home and abroad are estimated to attend the expo. Apart from business exhibitions, 80 countries and three international organizations have confirmed their participation in the country-pavilion exhibition, which covers a total area of 30,000 square meters.

And no amount of bullying from the US in the world of trade can stop China, with all its agressiveness, in pursuing a mutually-beneficial partnership with the Philippines.

No less than Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has been overseeing this endeavor, making a two-day visit to the country from yesterday, Sunday until today, directly flying to Davao to personally meet President Rodrigo Duterte.

Aside from meeting with his counterparts in preparation for President Xi Jin Ping’s visit to the country this November, Wang also reportedly met with local officials to discuss the future of a joint exploration between the two countries in the South China Sea. This, is actually, is some sort of follow up to the third meeting of the China-Philippines Bilateral Consultation Mechanism on the South China Sea which took place last Oct. 18 in Beijing.

Representatives of the two countries acknowledged the importance of the BCM as a venue for enhanced and regular dialogue that can play a significant role in the stable development of bilateral relations, through which both sides could address differences, prevent and properly manage incidents at sea and enhance maritime dialogue and cooperation.

It’s really about time we veered away from US dependence. Toeing the US line since we were supposedly granted independence has done nothing good for the country. We deserve better.

dropped to 55 kilos in 2015, less than its 1963 peak of close to 120 kilos.

In similar vein, fewer and fewer young Japanese continue to work the farms of their parents, and the average age of a rice farmer in Japan is now 67 years.

In the Philippines, where per capita rice consumption has been slowly decreasing (from 130 kilos per capita per annum in 2011 to around 120 kilos this year), the average age of our farmers is in the mid-fifties, even as the median age of the very young Filipino nation is 23.4 years.

The tragedy of food security in the Philippines is more pronounced because we have to feed 107-million people from aggregate paddy fields of only 4.5 million hectares, 15 percent of the total land mass of the country. Yet only 1.7-million of the hectarage devoted to palay is irrigated.

Those who keep chiding government for failure to achieve rice self-sufficiency do not bother to compare our population

numbers to our land mass.

We keep producing more and more babies and expect our farmers to be able to plant and harvest enough out of shrinking land areas.

With typhoons always visiting us and irrigation difficult to come by, it is time we took a second look at the nearimpossible dream of self-sufficiency in rice. But we must have a plan, a comprehensive food security plan that will answer the needs not only of the present, beset by ‘‘Ompong’’ and now the visiting, ravaging ‘‘Rosita,’’ but of the future.

Unfortunately, the kind of saliva that our politicians, young and old, churn every election campaign is not enough to irrigate our farms, much as cheap talk coupled with optics and empty promises from government agency heads cannot even assure our consumers of enough affordable food on their tables. Talk is never an elixir except in the kind of politics we practice in this benighted land.

Sad, but frightening.

two percent of voters thought the Senate should be replaced by hungry alligators, while 17 percent voted that the replacement should be the pit of venomous snakes from the Indiana Jones movie. 3.97 percent voted that Senate members be replaced by screaming goats. “About 100 people” voted for the current Senators to keep their jobs, with this tiny voting bloc centered in the Senate building.

Highland Ape Rescue out of West Virginia in the US will be teaming up with Philippine-based primate farms to supply hundreds of monkeys and apes to the Senate. The animals will be fed a nutritious mixture of food that produce easily throwable feces. Protective glass will be put up around the Senate for do-

mestic and international camera crews to safely film, but anyone being interviewed by the new senators will have to sit in the middle of the poop-flinging octagon, coming under a heavy barrage of projectile excrement.

“It will be a huge improvement from how things were before,” said ape trainer, Gina de la Cruz. “No more 10-12 hour hearings in aid of legislation. No more Senate inquiries. With these monkeys, all the fecal projectiles will have been flung in under 30 minutes. One and done.”

The recently replaced senators will be placed on display at the new Manila National Zoo for families and park attendees to observe, and zoologists to study.

because the smuggled shipment has been released and has now flooded the market.

Mangaoang was vindicated by the President’s action on Lapena et al but she did not even get a letter or a statement of commendation from Malacanang.

Yet, the personal attacks on Mangaoang continue at Customs.

Those whose big money racket at BOC blame her for their loss of ill-gotten wealth. Some of them even sent anonymous letters to media about her lifestyle including a fabulous house and at least three high-end cars.

Ms. Mangaoang, however, is taking all this in stride. She knows this is the

price she has to pay for exposing the crooks at the bureau.

With a new commissioner, is there hope for a real clean-up at Customs, notoriously known as the flagship of corruption in government?

Kuwait What kind of people are these Kuwaitis? Just because their country is endowed with oil, Kuwaitis think they can do anything to people who need work.

Manila lifted the ban on the deployment of Overseas Filipino Workers after Kuwait signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the Philippine government guaranteeing the welfare and protection of our OFWs. Manila ordered the suspension

eric.jurado@gmail.com

MONDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2018

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A ‘special relationship’ below the ASEAN level” might be more functional and nimble in some cases, Cronin said.

“The Philippines’ trilateral air and maritime patrols with Indonesia and Malaysia in the Sulu and Celebes DESPITE the Duterte administration’s Seas offer a case in point. Moving professed pivot to Beijing, there remains forward, the United States should not a “special relationship” between only support ASEAN cohesion but Manila and Washington, one built on also smaller, effective coalitions of decades of cooperation following the the willing to showcase American and granting of Philippine independence regional commitment to a rules-based in 1946. Think tank Stratbase Albert order.”

In terms of security, Washington’s del Rosario Institute (ADRi) recently held a roundtable discussion on what’s Indo-Pacific policy is similarly next for this relationship, in particular built on principled and peaceful the role of Washington in strengthening resolution of disputes, especially in diplomatic, economic, and security the context of pushing back against cooperation in the context of Southeast the “assertiveness” of major powers.

By far the most glaring example of Asia and the Philippines.

This includes, for starters, clarifying such is the unabated militarization of the uncertainty that surrounds US- artificial island features in the Spratly Philippine relations a year after US Islands, despite widespread protests President Donald Trump sketched his and condemnation.

“Building naval, air, and coast guard Free and Open Indo-Pacific policy at the 2017 APEC CEO Summit and at a and law enforcement capabilities of time when Chinese capital is flooding littoral nations around the Indian Ocean, the region, not least its multi-billion South China Sea, and Southwest Pacific dollar investments into the Duterte lies at the heart of the United States’ administration’s vaunted Build Build security commitment to the region,” Build infrastructure agenda, said Dr. Cronin said.

This strategy is part and parcel of Patrick Cronin, Senior Advisor and Senior Director of the Asia-Pacific the Obama administration’s approach Security Program Center for a New to the region in the form of building a principled and inclusive network, American Security.

“Indeed, the common refrain in which Trump, for his part, is keen on Manila is that while the United States intensifying.

“This entails pursuing more group remains a good sails and friend, China closer joint will always be training and the Philippines’ exercises, as watchful, at times exemplified menacing, northern It can only grow as by the increase neighbor,” Cronin the future looms in the number said. of joint events At the center ahead. that General of Washington’s Galvez and Indo-Pacific policy, A d m i r a l Cronin said, is Davidson the need for the have proposed US to “more conscientiously strike a balance for 2019,” Cronin said.

It’s important for the United States between providing assurances of the durability of US commitment to the to “cast its objectives, not in the region and encouraging Philippine divisive terms of geopolitical division, autonomy, particularly amidst Chinese but rather, as a bulwark against the more elemental challenges that stem incursions.”

Just a few weeks ago, the US Navy terrorism, political violence, illegal said the Luyang, a Chinese warship, trafficking, natural disasters, and other forced the American destroyer USS humanitarian crises,” he added.

As for the economy, Cronin Decatur to change course while sailing past a couple of reefs in the heavily suggests that the same strategy should disputed Spratly Islands. It is only one be emphasized and can be sustainable of many encounters in the sea lane that rather than predatory, in which US had, over the years, become the site of private sector investment and stronger confrontation between China and a host institutional frameworks will remain of other nations with competing claims key. Trump last year pulled the US out on it, including the Philippines and the of the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a deal US, which routinely conducts so-called which had excluded the Philippines freedom of navigation tours in the area, due reportedly to the country’s high tariffs and other perennial trade to Beijing’s frustration.

“The United States will also need to barriers.

“Now that talks are underway grapple with how best to promote its positive agenda for a rules-based order for the US-Philippine Trade and in a way that not only safeguards its Investment Framework Agreement, the own interests but also directly appeals United States must work expeditiously to the aspiring middle classes of the at forging a bilateral Free Trade Agreement as soon as possible,” he Philippines and beyond,” said Cronin.

This is the context, he added, of said.

To shield the new FTA from “future the Indo-Pacific framework, which at its core highlights the shift in the political debates,” Cronin believes that global economic center of gravity the new deal must be sustainable and and other dramatic changes that are add substantial economic and strategic taking place both in the Philippines value, stimulating business and creating and across Southeast Asia. Even so, jobs that can contribute to helping the such changes would not overturn 25 percent of Filipinos who live in “elements of continuity in policy” poverty and the 10 percent who teeter as far as Washington and Manila are close to it.

“And a bilateral FTA should concerned.

“Across the diplomatic, economic, also raise labor and environmental and security domains, the American standards,” he added.

All in all, all these constitute commitment to the rule of law, freedom of navigation, sustainable economic the newest chapter in a century of development, and good governance “shared experience” for the US and both in the Philippines and the region the Philippines. Cronin said regardless write large remains stronger than ever.” of the political changes in Washington This includes taking advantage and the occasionally thorny history, of already existing institutions and “common values and shared interests” mechanisms, such as the ten-nation between the two countries will continue regional bloc Association of Southeast to forge a closer link between the two Asian Nations. Even so, while ASEAN countries, a “special relationship” that is most powerful when it speaks with can only grow as the future looms a unified voice, “ad hoc cooperation ahead.

on OFW deployment when a Filipina domestic was found dead in a freezer in the basement of her employers’ rented apartment.

To be fair, the assailants were not Kuwaiti citizens but a Lebanese and his Syrian wife who were apprehended after they fled to their respective countries.

But in this latest act of cruelty, Kuwaiti employers locked up a Filipino housemaid in her room without giving her food for two days.

Friends of the Filipino domestic informed the Philippine Embassy in Kuwait forcing her employers to release her. She also received one month pay out of a three-month salary arrear owed her. She also

had to pay her own plane fare for the return trip home contrary to the stipulation of her contract.

For this act of inhumanity, the Philippine government should rescind the MOU and ban again the sending of OFWs to Kuwait. Let the Kuwaitis do their own domestic work of scrubbing floors, cleaning their filthy toilets and taking care of their own children.

Filipino men working as engineers and technicians in Kuwait’s oil fields should also be withdrawn. Some will say this is a measure too harsh since it will affect the economic life of their dependents back home. But would they rather have their loved ones who work in Kuwait come home in a coffin or body bag?

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MONDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2018 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Missionary’s fate known next month

By Rey E. Requejo

THE Department of Justice may take another month to resolve the deportation case of Australian nun Patricia Fox. Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Sunday said he has directed both Fox and the Bureau of Immigration to file their respective memoranda to the missionary’s appeal against the deportation order issued against her by the BI in July.

“After that period lapses, the DOJ will resolve Sister Fox’s appeal, with or without the memoranda,” Guevarra said in a text message.

The BI has already denied Fox’s petition for the extension of her missionary visa and instead downgraded it to a 59-day temporary visitor’s visa from the expiration of her original visa last Sept. 5. This means she can only stay in the country until Saturday, Nov. 3.

The immigration bureau, which is under the administrative supervision of the DOJ, may extend or renew the visa until the department decides on her deportation case.

Guevarra said Fox may be allowed to stay until the DOJ rules on her appeal on the deportation order.

He said the issue could even reach the courts should Fox opt to file a petition after all administrative remedies before the executive branch are exhausted.

“Any adverse ruling of the DOJ [on the deportation order] may be submitted for judicial review,” he added.

The Immigration Board of Commissioners ordered the deportation of the missionary nun and also her inclusion in the bureau’s blacklist to prevent her from returning to the country.

The bureau cited as basis for its order several photographs showing that Fox engaged in several partisan political activities sometime in 2013, 2016, 2017 and 2018—including those where she reportedly demanded for the release of political prisoners, joined rallies for land distribution in Hacienda Luisita, and a labor rally in Davao City.

The BI also considered President Rodrigo Duterte’s earlier statement branding Fox as an undesirable alien.

NPA leader, 4 recruits arrested

By Francisco Tuyay

A

RANKING official of the communist movement in Negros Occidental was arrested by government troops in Kabankalan City over the weekend.

Lt. Col. Egberto Dacoscos, commander of the 62nd Infantry Battalion, identified the rebel leader as Mary Grace Delicano, alias “Tingting/ Cleo/Karyle,” an executive committee member of the Negros Island Regional Committee of the Communist Party of the Philippines.

Delicano was on board a Toyota Innova along with four individuals believed to be new recruits of

the New Peoples’ Army when she was apprehended by authorities at a checkpoint Friday evening.

Dacoscos identified Delicano’s companions as Richard Baylosis Serapin, Arnold Collastes Villegas, Wildie Pacle Adal and Eric James Salcedo.

Delicano was the third ranking communist leader to be captured in Negros Occidental after the

arrests of Aurora Cayon, deputy secretary of the Southern Mindanao Regional Committee and Louie Antonio Martinez, a logistics officer of the CPP-NPA. Dacoscos said Delicano headed the CPP’s Regional Education Department that is responsible for the production of propaganda manuals, publications, and leaflets and the conduct of research work.

The communist rebel was arrested on the basis of a warrant for murder issued by Kabankalan City acting presiding Judge Fernando Elumba Government troops recovered a

INC holds anti-poverty programs in Manila, QC

N. Palawan, Davao airports welcome two new routes

By Eric Apolonio STARTING today, two airports— the San Vicente Airport in Palawan and the Francisco Bangoy International Airport in Davao City—will welcome new flights to and from Clark and Hong Kong, respectively.

Cathay Dragon will launch its Hong Kong-Davao-Hong Kong route that will fly four times weekly every Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays utilizing an Airbus A-320 aircraft.

The historic inaugural flight from Hong Kong is expected to arrive at 3:50 in the afternoon at the Davao Airport and will be welcomed by Davao City Mayor Sara DuterteCarpio.

The aircraft of Cathay Dragon, the premium, full-service regional airline of the Cathay Pacific Group, will be feted with a traditional water cannon salute.

Meanwhile, Northern Palawan’s San Vicente Airport will open regular flights from Clark via Philippine Airlines.

The new 86-seater Q400s—fitted with six Economy Plus seats and 80 Economy Class seats in a roomy cabin layout—will be utilized on these routes.

PAL’s increased operations at Clark aim to significantly enhance travel convenience and connectivity for domestic travelers, while decongesting Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

Macbook laptop; one Acer tablet; two USB flash drives; one external hard drive; medical supplies; three notebooks and subversive documents with high intelligence value.

“The capture of Delicano is a proof that the NPA ideology is an ideology of criminals,” the military official said.

“Having someone with a criminal record for murder as the lead educator of the communist ideology puts their teachings under scrutiny—What is her credibility to become a teacher? What are they really teaching the masses?’

Dacoscos said.

WALKING AFTER YOU, HUMAN. An elderly woman walks around with her pet along Manila's United Nations Avenue on

AFTER conducting successful outreach and livelihood campaigns in North America and Africa in the past months, the Iglesia Ni Cristo’s Lingap sa Mamamayan program went local again last Sunday with anti-poverty initiatives in Tondo and Binondo in the heart of Manila and Culiat in Quezon City.

“Home is where the heart is, as they say, so Lingap returned to Metro Manila. For Tondo and Binondo, we distributed a total of 100,000 goodie bags for both locations and simultaneously conducted medical and dental missions,” INC general auditor Glicerio Santos Jr. said on Sunday.

The Oct. 31 Culiat leg, which Santos explained is focused on the Muslim community in the area, will have similar medical and dental assistance programs and an allocation of 5,000 goodie bags.

“As we did in previous instances, these Lingap projects are made possible by the INC’s Felix Y. Manalo Foundation, which works to realize an ever-growing effort to uplift the lives of people, both in the Philippines and abroad.”

Santos added the Lingap sa Mamamayan activities this month are also being held in honor of the birthday of INC Executive Minister Eduardo Manalo, who turns 63 on Oct. 31.

In the last two months, the Foundation conducted various Aid to Humanity programs in New York and Connecticut in the United States, and Toronto and Winnipeg in Canada.

Around 2,000 and 4,000 “goodwill bags” containing essential food and household items were distributed in the US and Canada, respectively.

The INC likewise hosted outreach activities in Kiberia and Kawangware in Nairobi, Kenya last June after holding similar activities in Blantyre and Samama Vil. Mangochi in Malawi. Over 33,000 Lingap attendees were provided assistance in the African locations.

Sunday. Ey Acasio

Maynilad, Waze ink partnership to ease traffic woes

By Rio N. Araja WEST zone concessionaire Maynilad Water Services Inc. on Sunday announced its partnership with Waze, an online platform that brings together communities on and off the road, to mitigate the impact of the water company’s activities on traffic flow in Metro Manila.

Through Waze’s “connected citizens program,” Maynilad will upload real-time data regarding its road-digging activities, including projects that may require road closures, to the Waze map.

The initiative would promote better road safety and traffic flow as drivers using the Waze app can avoid possible traffic buildup near Maynilad worksites.

“We strive to alleviate the effect of our roadworks activities on the motoring public. Through this partnership with Waze, we can empower drivers by providing real-time information about Maynilad roadworks that will allow them to better plan their daily routes,” Maynilad chief executive officer and president Ramoncito Fernandez said.

FUN TIMES. A young mom bonds with her daughter at a mini theme park in Quezon City over the weekend. Ey Acasio

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MONDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2018

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sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

PH Azkals expect big things from Eriksson

DeRozan lifts Spurs past Lakers

WITH a new football manager on board, the Philippine Azkals national men’s football team is expected to step up their preparations for the Asean Football Federation (AFF) Suzuki Cup football tournament.

The Azkals are expected to become better with multi-titled international football manager Sven-Goran Eriksson calling the shots.

This is what is expected of Eriksson, who guided England to a pair of World Cup appearances, when he comes aboard as the Azkals mentor this November.

“I think that we were able to agree that the Philippines is a good bet for his time and effort,” said team manager Dan Palami.

Palami announced last Saturday that Eriksson will handle the Azkals during the launch of the AFF-Suzuki Cup Trophy Tour at the World Trade Center in Pasay City.

With Palami during the announcement were Suzuki Philippines Inc. General Manager for Automobile Shuzo Hoshikura and some of the players led

by Stephan Schrock.

As a football manager, Eriksson won eighteen trophies with a variety of league clubs in Sweden, Portugal and Italy, between 1979 and 2000, and became the first manager to win leagueand-cup doubles in three countries.

He later managed the national teams of England, Mexico and the Ivory Coast, as well as two clubs in England.

So far, Eriksson has worked in ten countries, including Sweden, Portugal, Italy, England, Mexico, Ivory Coast, Thailand, United Arab Emirates and China.

He will handle the Philippine national team on a six-month contract and will work with Scott Cooper in molding the squad.

Cooper had been interim coach following the resignation of Terry Butcher last August. Cooper himself suggested Eriksson as a candidate for the position.

Eriksson and Cooper worked together at Leicester between 2010 and 2011.

Eriksson guided Benfica to three Portuguese Primeira Liga titles in Portugal and Lazio to the Italian Serie A championship.

DeRozan nailed a clutch fadeaway jumper with 16 seconds remaining to help secure the Spurs’ second victory over the Lakers in a week.

DeRozan also had eight assists while Rudy Gay scored 16 points and LaMarcus Aldridge had 15 for the Spurs, who improved to 3-2 on the season.

Kyle Kuzma finished with 15 points and Lance Stephenson added 14 points in the loss.

The Lakers shot 53 percent in the first half and led by as many as 14 points.

“The team is going to grow and get

By Peter Atencio

L

OS ANGELES—DeMar DeRozan finished with 30 points and 12 rebounds as the San Antonio Spurs overcame a 35-point performance from LeBron James to defeat the Los Angeles Lakers 110-106 on Saturday. better,” said James, who also had 11 rebounds. “We are going to use these experiences for the better.

“I think we played very, very well besides that four or five minutes in third quarter where we offensively stalled.”

James extended his career points total to 31,202 to pass Dirk Nowitzki for sixth place on the NBA all-time scoring list.

The Spurs seized their first lead of the contest at 93-91 early in the fourth quarter, then extended it to eight points before James answered with a couple of baskets and an assist to cut it to just one, 106-105.

Elsewhere, Rudy Gobert and Ricky Rubio paced the attack as the Utah Jazz handed the short-handed New Orleans Pelicans their first loss of the season with a 132-111 win.

Pelicans star Anthony Davis was missing from the offense because of a strained right elbow.

Gobert, of France, finished with 25 points and 14 rebounds and Spain’s Rubio had 28 points and 12 assists for the Jazz, who beat the Pelicans three out of four times last season.

“When Ricky plays like that, it’s hard to lose,” said Gobert. “We’ve got a lot of guys that can score and when Ricky starts to make the right play and puts even more pressure on the defense, it’s hard to guard for sure.”

American Donovan Mitchell scored 22 for Utah, which led by as many as 28 points in the third quarter and were ahead

Manila, Cebu defeat separate rivals in Zambo ZAMBOANGA—Manila survived a gutsy Zamboanga side even as Cebu stayed tough in the endgame to outlast Marikina in a pair of exciting games in the MPBL Datu Cup late Saturday night at the Mayor Vitaliano Agan Coliseum here.

With a throng of Tsabakanos all excited to support the Family’s Brand Sardines-backed Valientes, the host team was able to mount a rally, but fell short against the Manila Stars-Robust Energy Drink, who salvaged a 60-59 win in the main game.

Reil Cervantes led the Stars with 21 points, including a clutch three-point basket down the stretch that helped stave off the Valientes’ rally on their way to picking up their 10th win in 12 games.

Manila’s victory put itself in solid position in the tough northern division of this tournament put up by Senator Manny Pacquiao with PBA legend and former MVP Kenneth Duremdes serving as commissioner. The Stars joined the San Juan Knights-Go-For-Gold in a share of second to third places.

The Stars squandered a 15-point lead in the early goings and watched the Valientes getting back into the game behind the solid plays of old reliables Reed Juntilla and Jonathan Parreno, who carried the fight for the host team.

San Antonio Spurs forward DeMar DeRozan (10) stretches to the hoop to attempt a layup against the Los Angeles Lakers at AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. AFP

Participants want more PSC Children’s Games DAVAO ORIENTAL—The three-day Children’s Games in Municipality of Lupon and Mati City in this province wrapped up Saturday afternoon at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Academy (Ihma) in Mati City, yet, participants and he public still want more.

In a rapid assessment by a total of 60 Ate and Kuya volunteers and 601 children participants from the Lupon and Mati City legs, Philippine Sports Commssion (PSC) consultant on national grassroots sports development Doctor Serge Opena said, “Most participants recommended to hold regular Children’s Games as they appreciated the experience of playing with each other and meeting new friends from different parishes and churches.”

He also noted that Ate and Kuya volunteers’ rating on the program is between three to four, which is between very good and excellent. The same average rating given by the children.

A volunteer, wrote on the assessment form, “Ungta mas daghan pang mga bata ang maka-experience sa mga padula us masinati nila ang mga dula nga halos malimtan na sa mga bata karon (I hope more children get to experience playing the games that are almost forgotten by the younger generation).”

Games played were sack race, patintero, tug of peace, Maria went to town, halo-halo relay, ball to cheek relay, ball over-under relay, patintero and hula hoop relay, among others.

Warner TV helps teach basketball to indigent kids

Children from Davao Oriental enjoy participating in the sack race during the three-day Children’s Games.

Duke, Iijima, Szeto lead favorites in Subic

Dimity Lee Duke

102-82 at the start of the fourth in front of a crowd of 16,300 at the Smoothie King Center arena.

Davis played through the elbow injury on Friday against Brooklyn but couldn’t go against the Jazz and his status for Monday’s contest in Denver will be determined after he visits the team doctor.

“There’s not any long-term concern,” Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry said. “He came in today and tried to shoot at shoot-around, and there was a still a little bit of pain. I’m not going to risk anything over one game.”

The Pelicans cut the Jazz lead to 110102 on Wesley Johnson’s three pointer with 6:34 left. But Rubio responded with six free throws during a 10-2 Jazz run.

Nikola Mirotic scored 15 of his 25 points in the first quarter and Jrue Holiday had 18 for the Pelicans, who had not trailed by more than 13 points in the previous four games. AFP

AUSTRALIAN Dimity Lee Duke, Manami Iijima of Guam and Hong Kong’s Leanne Szeto set out for a gruelling test of endurance as they dispute the women’s elite pro crown in the Black Arrow Express 5150 next Sunday, Nov. 4 in Subic Bay. Duke ended two years of frustration in 5150 races in the country’s triathlon capital with a come-from-behind victory over Laura Wood last year with the

regular PH campaigner all geared up for another crack at the crown in the premier 1.5k swim-40k bike-10k run event.

But Duke, who also won a 5150 event in Bohol and turned in podium finishes in other Ironman 70.3 races, expects a fierce challenge from her rivals, including Iijima, who actually finished ahead of Duke in Ironman 70.3 in Cebu last August.

With her focus, commitment and drive

to excel, the 25-year-old Iijima, who also placed third in the Lixil Ironman in Japan last June, hopes to nail her first 5150 diadem in the upcoming event sponsored by one of the country’s top eCommerce Logistics companies.

Focus will also be on Szeto, an Asian Games veteran and a former mainstay of Hong Kong’s national team whose experience in endurance races have equipped her with the know-how to compete with the best.

AFTER the success of Dunk King Warner TV partnered with the Youth Sports Advocacy (YSA) and engaged more than a hundred kids in a five-week training program for basketball and volleyball called Beyond the Hoop at the Fortune Elementary and High School in Barangay Fortune, Marikina City.

Young athletes from less fortunate families participated in exhibition games as they played together and showcased all the skills they learned during the culminating activity held in the school’s covered court.

“We were inspired by our top rating show Dunk King which is all about taking people out of obscurity and making them popular in sports and dunking in particular,” said Turner Asia Pacific Country Manager Jia Salindong-Du. Dunk King, the slam dunk contest that captured the hearts of basketball enthusiasts, is a reality competition series that offers ballers the opportunity of a lifetime and win $100,000. The TNT Original Series aired on Warner TV February this year.

The event was also part of YSA’s Athlete’s Social Responsibility (ASR) attended by athletes, former athletes, coaches, and youth sports advocates to “play it forward” as a way to give back to their communities. They helped teach the YSA kids basic skills, unleash their athletic potential and instill good values through sports.

“This is the first but we are definitely open to partnering. We just really found a good match with their sports advocacy because they are really trying to help underprivileged kids and we felt that it was in line with the inspiration that we have. We’ll definitely keep it going,” said Salindong-Du. “We’d like to thank the Youth Sports Advocacy for helping us impart the values of discipline, teamwork, respect, and hard work to the kids of Fortune Elementary School. Together with our partners, we look forward to touching more lives and driving awareness behind our upcoming program Beyond the Hoop Dunk King challenge starting this November.” she said. Ram Christian Agustin, Denniel Nicole Dioneo

Sports

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

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MONDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2018

Adamson U Falcons earn UAAP Final Four spot Games Saturday (at the Ynares Center-Antipolo) 2 p.m. La Salle vs UST 4 p.m. NU vs UP

By Peter Atencio

Alaska Aces guard Chris Banchero (4) eludes NorthPort Batang Pier defender Nico Elorde as he drives strong to the hoop.

Rules group add more disciplines to SEAG TWO more sports disciplines which have been recommended for inclusion have gained support from members of the Southeast Asian Games Federation Council.

Netball and handball are expected to be in the calendar of events, according to officials after the council held extraordinary meetings Saturday and Sunday at the Conrad Hotel.

A total of 56 sports events are now listed after Philippine Olympic Committee chairman and Congressman Abraham “Bambol”Tolentino chaired the crucial meeting of the Sports and Rules group.

The meeting of the Sports and Rules group is one of two gatherings held over the weekend to assure smooth sailing when the official Council meetings come around in the last week of November.

By then, the formal countdown to the Games will start with ceremonies on Nov. 30 at the New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac.

Another meeting, which is that of the Broadcast Committee, tied some loose ends and streamlined recommendations to the council.

POC President Ricky Vargas, who also acts as the Federation President for the Philippine staging of the games in 2019, presided over the Broadcast meeting Saturday. Delegates from the 10 other countries in the Southeast Asian region had animated but cordial discussions regarding the myriad issues involved in the two departments.

Peter Atencio

Jacobs wins IBF crown NEW YORK—Daniel Jacobs claimed the vacant IBF middleweight title as he traded in his sparring gloves for the real thing on Saturday to take a split-decision victory over Sergiy Derevyanchenko.

The two former training partners have sparred over 300 rounds together early in their careers but Saturday’s clash at Madison Square Garden was the real thing.

Jacobs earned a hard fought split decision victory with two judges scoring it 115112 and the other having Derevyanchenko the winner at 114-113.

“I felt like I dug deep,” said Jacobs. “I felt like I used my range and tried to use my boxing ability on the outside as much as I can because those are my best attributes.”

Jacobs is hoping this win lands him a shot at middleweight kingpin Canelo Alvarez.

Jacobs said he has been having trouble getting good fights but now that he has the IBF belt he has more clout.

“We absolutely want Canelo,” he said.

“Now I have this strap there will be more in the pudding for everybody.”

Jacobs knocked down Derevyanchenko in the first round with a stinging overhand right. He landed 181 punches compared to 160 for his opponent.

Alaska Aces trounce Batang Pier, 95-85

By Jeric Lopez

A

LASKA flexed its muscles in the clutch to notch a vital 95-85 victory over the exiting NorthPort Batang Pier to assure itself a top four finish in the 2018 Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum last night.

Mike Harris was a workhorse all game, turning in another monster performance with 27 points, 25 rebounds and five assists for a double-double to lead the way for the Aces.

The victory enabled Alaska to finish with an 8-3 mark and earn a twice-to-beat incentive in the quaterfinals against a lower-seeded team.

As for the Batang Pier, its conference ends with a dismal 2-9 slate for 11th place.

The Aces turned a nip-and-tuck contest into a rousing finish in the last five minutes with a decisive surge.

Down 75-78 halfway the fourth, Alaska stepped on the gas pedal to uncork a key 14-0 run to put the game away.

A completed three-point play by Harris finished the run to give the Aces a sizeable 89-78 spread with 2:04 left which virtually decided the outcome of the match.

Chris Banchero added 15 points and

five assists for Alaska while Jeron Teng had 13.

NorthPort was led by Rashad Woods’ game-high 33 points.

The Batang Pier had a good shot of ending its campaign on a positive note.

However, it was not meant to be as it once again fell short in the endgame.

The scores: Alaska Aces 95 – Mike Harris 27, Chris Banchero 15, Jeron Teng 13, Vic Manuel 12, Jvee Casio 11, Kevin Racal 9, Noy Baclao 6, Simon Enciso 2, Sonny Thoss 0, Ping Exciminiano 0, Abel Galliguez 0.

NorthPort Batang Pier 85 – Rashad Woods 33, Stanley Pringle 15, Moala Tautuaa 13, Sean Anthony 10, Nico Elorde 4, Jonathan Grey 4, Ryan Arana 2, Guinto 2, Joseph Gabayni 2, Gabby Espinas 0, Jeric Fortuna 0, Nico Javelona 0.

Quarter scores: 24-15, 41-47, 64-62, 95-85.

JERRICK AHANMISI scored 24 points for the Adamson Soaring Falcons as they held off a late run to beat University of the Philippines, 80-72, yesterday at The Arena in San Juan in the 81st University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) men’s basketball tournament.

UP cut Adamson’s lead to just four with 1:33 left when Sean Manganti knocked down a coldblooded triple.

This is the Falcons’ eighth win in 10 games and earned them the second Final Four slot. The Soaring Falcons also pushed UP down to fifth with their 5-6 slate.

UP went on a huge run in the final frame, cutting the lead to just four with 1:33 left.

Meanwhile, a veteran and rookie cager came up with headturning performances as the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers trounced the University of the East Warriors, 79-68.

Mainstay Marvin Lee tallied a game-high 30 points for the Growling Tigers, who bounced back from their 61-69 loss to the National University Bulldogs.

Lee ‘s output was the most by a Growling Tiger since Ed Daquioag produced 34 back in 2015. And Lee’s eight triples matched the output of Jeric Fortuna in 2010.

Rookie CJ Cansino, on the other hand, became the first rookie in the league in 15 years to come up with a triple double with 20 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists.

Their heroics put life in UST’s bid to reach the Final Four, as the Growling Tiger are now in fourth with their 5-5 win-loss record.

Lee took over from Renzo Subido who could not play because of a left foot injury.

And his backcourt leadership saw Lee banging in 22 of his 30 points in the first half to put the Growling Tigers ahead, 39-33.

UE was ahead in the first period, 7-3, off Jason Strait’s triple when UST answered every basket scored by the Warriors with treys from Cansino, Lee and Mario Bonleon.

In-form Lam eyes top finish at Summit RELIEVED of the pressure after nailing his first win, James Ryan Lam goes for a second straight victory this week, armed with a swing and putting touch that stood out the last time out at Luisita.

But he would need more of them as he sets out for the Summit Point World 18 Challenge starting Wednesday, Oct. 31 at the Summit Point Golf Club in Lipa, Batangas where a tougher test awaits the stellar international cast beefed up by at least three foreign aces making their return to Philippine Golf Tour Asia.

Young Korean Kim Joo Hyung, Thai Pasavee Lertvilai and American Brett Munson have signed up for the 72-hole championship, all ready to slug it out with the best and the brightest in the $100,000 event serving as the seventh leg of the second season of the region’s newest circuit put up by ICTSI. Kim bested PGT Order of Merit winner Jobim Carlos to rule the PGT Del Monte leg last July, Lertvilai is a former PGT Asia Q-School topnotcher, while Munson is a former winner in the other regional tour.

They join Lam and 81 others plus 12 sponsor invitees in the Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.-organized event at the Robert Trent Jones Jr.designed layout which features replicas of the 18 famous golf holes across the world, including Pine Valley’s No. 14 (No. 2), Augusta National’s No. 12

(No. 13), Winged Foot’s No. 10 (No. 17) and St. Andrews’ No. 14 (No. 16), among others.

Lam ended up tied at 34th when Summit Point hosted the PGT’s Players Championship last year, which Clyde Mondilla won to cap a sterling season.

But after three missed cut stints in this year’s PGT Asia, Lam worked on his game and placed fifth at Forest Hills last July, finished sixth at Aboitiz last month before nailing the big win at the CAT Open last Friday.

One thing going for the 30-year-old shotmaker, son of a Malaysian-Chinese and a Filipina from Lipa, is he would be playing practically at home.

That makes him the marked man in the upcoming event with the likes of American Josh Salah, Jhonnel Ababa and Ira Alido out to sustain their late charge that netted them top five spots in the CAT Open and Jobim Carlos itching to rebound from his final round meltdown along with Elmer Salvador, Aussie Jack Sullivan and Mondilla.

Meanwhile, a select group of pros test the challenging par-72 layout one last time in the pro-am tournament tomorrow (Tuesday) where they will be paired with amateur guests of the event’s chief backers, including ICTSI, Custom Clubmakers, Meralco, Champion, Summit Mineral Water, K&G Golf Apparel, BDO, Sharp, KZG, PLDT and M.Y. Shokai Technology, Inc. James Ryan Lam hopes to make it two-in-row at Summit Point

Red Sox on brink of ninth World Series championship

Batter Andrew Benitendi (center) of the Boston Red Sox hits the ball against pitcher Rich Hill of the Los Angeles Dodgers during Game Four of the 2018 World Series at Dodger Stadium on October 27, 2018 in Los Angeles. AFP

LOS ANGELES—The Boston Red Sox produced a stunning late rally to defeat the Los Angeles Dodgers 9-6 and move to the brink of their ninth World Series crown on Saturday.

First baseman Steve Pearce smashed a game-tying home run in the eighth inning and then belted a three-run double in the top of the ninth to cap a superb fightback from Boston, who now lead the best-ofseven series 3-1.

The Red Sox, who can clinch the Major League Baseball crown with victory in game five at Dodger Stadium on Sunday, had earlier trailed 4-0 after Yasiel Puig’s three-run homer put the Dodgers

ahead in the sixth inning.

The Red Sox ignited their fightback in the bottom of the seventh inning when pinch hitter Mitch Moreland bludgeoned a three-run homer to move Boston to within one run.

Pearce’s homer off Kenley Jansen tied it up at 4-4 in the eighth inning and the relentless Red Sox then went 5-4 ahead through Rafael Devers’ single in the top of the ninth that allowed Brock Holt to scamper home.

Pearce’s three-run double made certain of the outcome before Xander Bogaerts’ drove in a further run to score Pearce and give Boston a 9-4 advantage as Dodgers fans headed for the exits. AFP

IN BRIEF

Business

First Gen says its LNG terminal more feasible FIRST Gen Corp. of the Lopez Group is confident of building its own liquefied natural gas terminal, saying the project is “the most feasible” to date.

“The uniqueness of our project is we have our own power plants so the general approach is to create our own option for our LNG and if there are other options out there that is seem to be more competitive than our project, well and good,” First Gen president Francis Giles Puno said.

“At this stage, we believe that our project is the more feasible available today.

Unless proven otherwise, our project is the most feasible at this stage,” he said.

First Gen plans to put up an LNG terminal to ensure natural gas supply for its power plants in Batangas with a combined capacity of 2,011 megawatts.

“If the Malampaya contract ends by 2024, so it takes about four years construction so at the latest we should do something 9is) 2020 onwards,” Puno said.

Service contract 38 for the Malampaya gas project in northwest Palawan is due to expire by 2024. Alena Mae S. Flores

Century Pacific wins Agora marketing award CENTURY Pacific Food was recognized for its “Outstanding Achievement in Export Marketing” at the 39th Agora Awards during the recently-concluded Agora Awards Night on October 19.

“This award energizes us, as we continue to look beyond the Philippines and pursue growth there through global branding,” said Century Pacific chief operating officer Gregory Banzon.

Deemed as the Oscars of the Philippines’ marketing industry, the Agora Awards honor companies for their excellence, innovation and contributions in the field of marketing.

Banzon said the recognition from the country’s top marketers affirms CNPF’s successful foray into markets abroad, an initiative that intensified five years ago and has now made the company’s brands familiar in some 60 countries around the world.

CNPF is the company behind household names Century Tuna, Argentina Corned Beef, 555 Sardines, Angel Milk and Birch Tree.

TACURONG CREDIT SURETY FUND. The City of Tacurong Credit Surety Fund becomes the 54th Credit Surety Fund in the

country, after the signing of the memorandum of agreement creating the fund. At the signing ceremony at the Palm Pavilion, Terminal Exit Road, Barangay Calean, Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat are Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas managing director Mary Jane Chiong (front row, fourth from left) and Tacurong Mayor Lina Montilla, along with other local officials. The CTCSF will soon be known as City of Tacurong Credit Surety Fund Cooperative after its registration as a special type of cooperative with the Cooperative Development Authority.

MRT 3 deploys first train from China’s CRRC Dalian T

By Darwin G. Amojelar

HE Transportation Department said it began deploying the first train made by China’s CRRC Dalian on Metro Rail Transit Line 3 after ensuring it is safe for public use.

It said the first train with three light rail vehicles on MRT 3 was part of the gradual deployment of 48 LRVs from CRRC Dalian that arrived as early as three years ago.

The agency said the deployment of the first train came after an extensive, rigorous and multilevel audit, assessment, adjustment and validation of the 48 Dalian LRVs that were delivered between September 2015 and January 2017.

The independent safety audit and assessment was conducted by TUV Rheinland, an ISO 17020 and 17025-certified German company.

It said among the concerns that needed to be addressed were issues on weight, signaling and maintenance equipment compatibility.

Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade asked CRRC Dalian to address these issues and perform all other identified adjustments at no cost to government.

CRRC Dalian started working on the necessary adjustments in July 2018, while Japanese company Toshiba Infrastructure Systems supervised and assessed the process to ensure that they addressed the open observations of TUV Rheinland.

An MRT-3 advisory panel, consisting of railway specialists from the Asian Development Bank, Australia Aid and local experts from the Philippine National Railways also participated in the evaluation and validation.

The agency said of the 48 LRVs, only three units or equivalent to one train were deployed so far for passenger service after assessment and validation.

The other LRVs are undergoing the assessment and validation procedures and will be gradually deployed once cleared, the department said.

The government earlier tapped Sumitomo and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries as the rehabilitation and maintenance service provider of the 18-year old MRT-3.

A contingent of Sumitomo and MHI engineers began working at the MRT-3 depot daily on Oct. 15 for advance transition works.

The exchange of notes and loan agreement between the Philippines and Japan will be signed in early November, ahead of the upcoming meeting of the Philippines-Japan High Level Joint Committee on Infrastructure and Economic Development in Manila in midNovember.

Hong Kong firm joins Cagayan fintech hub

By Othel V. Campos HONG Kong-based Asia Premier International Ltd. established a facility in Cagayan Special Economic Zone and Freeport in Sta. Ana, Cagayan which is emerging as a hub for financial technology companies.

Asia Premier is the seventh fintech company to register with Cagayan Economic Zone Authority, according to chief operating officer Amando Jimenez.

“It certainly was not easy getting a license to operate an offshore virtual currency exchange. We had to go through very rigorous pre-screening requirements and probity

business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com MONDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2018

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SCTEx spending P2b to expand Subic-Tipo road

Alsons lists initial CP worth P100m ALSONS Consolidated Resources Inc. on Friday listed an initial P100 million of the company’s P2.5-billion commercial paper at Philippine Dealing and Exchange Corp. to provide interim funding for its foray into renewable energy development.

Alsons executive vice president Tirso Santillan, Jr. said the ceremonial listing “is a high point in our efforts to tap the short-term capital market for our working capital needs.”

“We’re looking to add up to 145 megawatts of renewable energy from the eight run-of-river hydro power facilities that we will be developing in various locations in Mindanao and Negros Occidental. This facility will give us the ability to bridge the financial requirements of our projects under development,“ he added.

Proceeds from the commercial papers issuance will be used to partially fund the development of the company’s P4.25 billion run-of-river hydroelectric power project at the Siguil River basin in Maasim, Sarangani province. Alena Mae S. Flores

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

check. The voluminous pages we needed to submit reached from floor to ceiling,” said Jimenez, referring to Ceza’s stringent “probity and integrity check” to prevent scams from happening within the economic zone.

“We are now more than ready to connect with the Ceza platform thru the Ceza fintech hub at Bonifacio Global City in Taguig City,” Jimenez said.

Jimenez said Asia Premier was honored to be a registered locator at the booming CSEZFP. The license from Ceza enables Asia Premier to run its blockchain operations in the Philippines to serve overseas markets.

By Alena Mae S. Flores SPANISH conglomerate Acciona S.A. is looking at investment opportunities in the Philippine infrastructure and renewable energy sectors, officials said over the weekend.

Ruben Camba, country director at Acciona Construcción for Singapore and Southeast Asia, said the company planned to participate in the ‘Build, Build, Build’ infrastructure program.

“It is something the Philippines needs.

We are going to participate in projects part of the ‘Build, Build, Build’ program.

There’s a need of transportation. There’s a need of basically metro airport, bridges, communication and to ease the traffic in Manila and Cebu,” Camba said.

Camba said Acciona was already constructing two projects in the Philippines, in-

BDO GREEN FINANCING.

BDO Unibank Inc. senior vice president Joseph RB Lledo offers his inputs on green finance during the 13th Philippine Forum organized by The Asset, a Hong Kong-based financial publication.

BDO commits to provide long-term financing for well-structured projects involved in environmentallysustainable undertakings.

BDO raised $150 million from the issuance of green bonds late last year, the first of its kind issued by a Philippine commercial bank.

International Finance Corp., the private sector arm of the World Bank, is the sole investor in the bond.

Jimenez said the company’s offshore virtual currency exchange license would “allow our partners in the global blockchain industry and NiuEx Exchange, our platform, to undertake crypto to crypto transactions. We look forward to a bullish market and a successful partnership with all our participants.”

Ceza administrator and chief executive Raul Lambino handed on Oct. 26 to Asia Premier the offshore virtual currency exchange provisional principal license.

Some 70 fintech companies have applied with Ceza to become pioneers in the country’s fintech industry as of July 2018.

Acciona of Spain planning to invest in energy and infrastructure projects cluding the Putatan water treatment plant in Metro Manila and the Cebu-Cordova bridge in the Visayas.

Acciona is one of the largest civil contractors in Europe and has presence in more than 55 countries.

“We want to invest in the Philippines to help the development of infra,” he said.

“We opened the office for Southeast Asia two and a half years ago. We found there is a close bond with Spanish for Philippines.

In this time, we would have been able to develop our business here, thanks to this great relationship,” he said.

Camba said he was expecting to announce new infrastructure deals next year.

Jorge Gayoso Mediera, Acciona Energy head of business development in Southeast Asia and Iran, said the company was also studying renewable energy opportunities in the country.

THE company that operates SubicClark-Tarlac Expressway in Central Luzon said it is spending P2 billion to widen the Subic-Tipo section which connects the provinces of Bataan and Zambales.

NLEX Corp. president and chief executive Rodrigo Franco said SubicTipo Expressway or STEx would be expanded from 1x1 lane to 2x2 lanes in each direction.

Franco said the project was expected to start before the end of the year and be completed by the third quarter of 2019.

“The widening of the lanes would double the capacity of the expressway,” he said.

SFEx, which was constructed in time for the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting in Subic in 1996, is now a part of SCTEx. NLEX holds the concession to manage, operate and maintain SCTEx, a 93.77-km four-lane highway, traversing the provinces of Bataan, Pampanga and Tarlac.

SCTEx also connects to the North Luzon Expressway which spans approximately 95 kilometers, or 527lane kilometers, and serves an average of 237,046 a day. It is the main infrastructure backbone that connects Metro Manila to Central and Northern Luzon.

NLEX earlier reported a net income of P2.9 billion in the first half, up 22 percent from P2.3 billion in the same period last year.

NLEX attributed the growth in revenues in the six-month period to higher toll collection at NLEx and SCTEx and more efficient utilization of resources covering toll operations and maintenance costs.

Toll revenues reached P6.7 billion, up 15 percent year-on-year on the steady increase in traffic and toll revenue contribution from both NLEx and SCTEx operations and increase in non-toll revenues.

Non-toll revenues climbed to P100 million from P83 million with the increase in royalty fees, utility facility fees and other non-toll initiatives.

Darwin G. Amojelar

BoI wants tax incentives extended to five years THE Board of Investments proposed several revisions to the Tax Reform for Attracting Better and High Quality Opportunities or Trabaho bill, including the grant of tax incentives for up to five years, instead of just two to three years.

A document submitted by the BoI to the Finance Department on Oct. 18 showed that the former wanted an income tax holiday of five years and other income tax-based incentives covering five years for select investors.

“This is to make our income tax incentive competitive with other Asean countries, specifically Vietnam, Malaysia and Singapore,” the BoI said in the letter.

The BoI is one of the two major investment promotion agencies, the other being the Philippine Economic Zone Authority. Companies registered with the two agencies enjoy

income tax holidays of four to eight years and 5 percent special tax on gross income after the lapse of the ITH period.

The BoI said domestic input expense incentives should be adjusted to five years, after the ITH period expired to encourage exporters to source their raw materials locally and sustain the local supply chain.

It said many local industries were currently doing low-value back-end processes in the value chain. The incentive will upgrade and address market failure as the industries build up competitiveness.

“Without addressing this market failure, the Philippines might not be able to grow and develop new and high value added exports,” the BoI said.

The country’s trade deficit hit $35 billion in 2017, as most companies sourced their materials from other

countries.

The BoI also proposed the reduction of export threshold from 90 percent to 70 percent to support the growth of raw materials, parts and components sourcing.

It also wanted to exempt economic zones from import duties, a practice similar to freeports, as opposed to five years of exemption under the Trabaho bill version.

“Providing for only five years of exemption to ecozone will adversely affect the price competitiveness of our exports,” the letter read.

The BoI pointed out the importance of the continuation of direct remittance of the share in taxes of local government units’ hosting economic zones.

It said the practice would help promote the ease of doing business within ecozones and freeports.

Othel V. Campos

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Business

MONDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2018 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Market monitors inflation, earnings

By Jenniffer B. Austria

S

HARE prices are expected to move sideways on a shortened trading week as investors look overseas for guidance.

The financial markets will be closed on Nov. 1 and 2 in observance of the ‘All Souls’ Day and ‘All Saints Day.’ P2P Trade Online trader Gabriel Jose Perez said investors would continue to monitor the performance of the US markets which would likely sway this week’s sentiment.

The initial support for the Philippine Stock Exchange Index remains at its most recent low of 6,790 points.

Other analysts, however, said investor sentiments might improve if indications showed inflation was starting to ease

and corporate earnings exceeded expectations.

The Philippine Statistics Authority is scheduled to report on the October inflation rate on Nov. 6.

Government economic managers are expected to release their estimates this week.

The Philippines registered a nine-year high inflation rate of 6.7 percent in September, up from the government’s expectation of 4.5 percent.

The bellwether PSEi last week ended lower by 1.2 percent to 7,064.33, while the broader All Shares Index declined by 0.6 percent to 4,332.59.

Except for the holding firms, which rose by 1.3 percent, all major counters were in red led by financial (-3. percent), industrial (-2.6 percent), property (-2.3 percent), mining and oil (-2.2 percent) and services (-1.8 percent).

Foreign investors were net sellers by P2.4 billion, while average daily value

traded stood at P4.9 billion.

Weekly top price gainers were LT Group Inc., which rose 10.2 percent to P14.64; GT Capital Holdings Inc., which climbed 7.7 percent to P785; and San Miguel Corp., which gained 4.1 percent to P164.50.

Weekly top price losers were Universal Robina Corp., which declined 11 percent to P130 after the company reported a decline in its nine-month net income; Semirara Mining and Power Corp., dropped 9.8 percent to P26.60; and Security Bank Corp., which fell 8.5 percent to P139.50.

The rest of global equity markets suffered another downturn Friday with tech stocks pummeled after US titans Amazon and Google-parent Alphabet missed key earnings targets.

Geopolitics, Italian debt concerns and Brexit worries also played a role in a selloff that swept through Asia and Europe before hitting Wall Street, analysts said.

Fresh hefty losses came at the end of

a hugely volatile trading week that has wiped out all of the 2018 gains for some markets.

“Risk aversion is alive and kicking on Friday, as weaker than expected tech earnings trigger the latest stampede and those still buying the dips once again get burned,” said Craig Erlam at Oanda.

The tech selloff left the Nasdaq down 2.1 percent and the Dow and S&P 500 in negative territory for the year.

“Tech companies have raised the bar so high in recent years that the numbers reported by Amazon and Alphabet just weren’t quite spectacular enough, not at a time when investors are a nervous wreck and fleeing for safety at the first sign of danger,” Erlam said.

The earnings reports added to already “skittish global sentiment,” analysts at Charles Schwab said, and overshadowed earlier news of stronger-than-expected US growth in the third quarter.

With AFP

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS WEEKLY STOCKS REVIEW STOCKS Asia United Bank Banco de Oro Unibank Inc. Bank of PI BDO Leasing & Fin. INc. Bright Kindle Resources China Bank COL Financial Eastwest Bank Ferronoux Holding Filipino Fund Inc. I-Remit Inc. Manulife Fin. Corp.

MEDCO Holdings Metrobank Natl. Reinsurance Corp.

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

OCTOBER 22-26, 2018 Close Volume 59 116.00 81.00 2.33 1.33 28 15.78 11.32 3.9 7.81 1.57 825.00 0.445 64.5 0.92 11.1 20.00 40.70 71.3 104.1 188 28.5 139.6 1830.00 65.80 1.18

Value

104,460 7,350,420 6,310,880 77,000 27,000 511,300 625,700 2,454,300 197,000 1,500 65,000 270 2,230,000 12,528,700 424,000 20,000 5,600 90,600 3,600 1,520 9,860 60,000 4,263,370 95 68,180 25,000

FINANCIAL 6,171,128.50 875,769,109.00 520,207,248.00 178,100.00 36,890.00 14,349,535.00 9,520,804.00 28,315,782.00 774,840.00 11,715.00 100,470.00 221,150.00 1,039,850.00 838,588,904.50 381,150.00 222,000.00 111,336.00 3,720,020.00 273,924.00 157,069.00 1,858,333.00 1,697,515.00 620,132,508.00 173,400.00 4,498,039.50 29,500.00

Aboitiz Power Corp.

Agrinurture Inc. Alliance Tuna Intl Inc. Alsons Cons.

Asiabest Group Basic Energy Corp.

C. Azuc De Tarlac Cemex Holdings Century Food Cirtek Holdings (Chips) Concepcion Crown Asia Da Vinci Capital Del Monte DNL Industries Inc. Eagle Cement EEI Emperador Energy Devt. Corp. (EDC) Euro-Med Lab First Gen Corp.

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

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

Pepsi-Cola Products Phil.

Petroenergy Res. Corp.

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

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

Swift Foods, Inc. TKC Steel Corp.

Universal Robina Victorias Milling Vitarich Corp.

Vivant Corp.

Vulcan Ind’l.

32.5 18 0.94 1.26 25.3 0.210 16.22 2.1 13.2 36 37 1.57 4.69 7 10.840 14.7 9.02 7.00 7.50 1.5 16.12 64 24.50 6.45 10.9 1.670 270.00 50.00 4.81 13.00 25 11.6 17.58 0.173 360.40 6.10 1.67 4.07 8.20 4.69 9.00 0.95 10.70 48.35 5.35 4.79 2.18 2.84 1.55 10.64 85.5 5.2 0.125 0.93 130 2.39 1.5 18.98 2.57

10,735,600 3,850,800 26,029,000 1,166,000 182,900 2,010,000 30,000 41,079,000 3,256,300 2,063,000 305,100 1,290,000 110,000 27,400 10,868,400 466,100 24,046,900 1,044,800 268,700 31,000 7,629,200 666,610 49,300 130,500 5,563,900 2,204,000 3,017,770 1,320 305,000 100 1,403,100 444,400 27,428,800 710,320 770,940 5,500 3,524,400 318,000 4,711,700 493,000 443,500 2,104,000 506,500 2,251,880 514,300 3,843,000 1,833,000 23,000 738,000 774,100 10,168,160 489,700 140,000 892,000 6,481,370 80,000 26,755,000 800 220,900,000

INDUSTRIAL 368,535,835.00 69,397,294.00 25,088,450.00 1,470,740.00 4,710,960.00 423,210.00 522,446.00 92,059,400.00 43,300,282.00 74,670,565.00 11,592,720.00 2,056,770.00 493,340.00 189,229.00 117,094,734.00 7,033,780.00 208,040,490.00 7,294,395.00 2,018,460.00 49,700.00 122,899,550.00 42,672,042.50 1,209,740.00 828,979.00 62,366,456.00 3,646,350.00 802,385,138.00 63,910.00 1,467,500.00 1,300.00 35,294,455.00 5,003,268.00 477,621,316.00 181,310.00 272,018,382.00 33,758.00 6,027,090.00 1,330,610.00 38,713,555.00 2,268,020.00 3,992,198.00 2,042,060.00 5,369,236.00 111,643,491.00 2,815,248.00 18,423,640.00 4,209,000.00 65,780.00 1,152,670.00 8,582,590.00 851,435,003.50 2,546,552.00 17,440.00 828,900.00 874,718,888.00 191,200.00 41,763,290.00 15,184.00 600,547,300.00

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

GT Capital House of Inv. JG Summit Holdings Keppel Holdings `A’ Keppel Holdings `B’ Lodestar Invt. Holdg.Corp.

Lopez Holdings Corp.

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

MJCI Investments Inc. Pacifica `A’ Prime Media Hldg Prime Orion San Miguel Corp `A’ SM Investments Inc. Solid Group Inc. Top Frontier Transgrid Wellex Industries Zeus Holdings

0.460 45.15 11.50 0.79 6.20 1.210 1.230 920 7.1 11.98 5 7.23 785 5.95 47.50 5.72 4.41 0.52 4.44 14.64 0.570 0.58 4.77 3 0.0370 1.150 2.270 164.50 859.00 1.40 277.000 301.00 0.2210 0.216

257,519,000 3,758,900 20,160,600 152,000 414,800 57,359,000 13,764,000 859,380 22,121,800 8,399,900 21,900 109,000 577,470 4,500 6,628,700 10,900 1,065,000 1,490,000 1,431,000 30,054,700 23,427,000 2,976,000 88,981,000 20,000 23,900,000 729,000 2,070,000 2,039,140 899,800 262,000 11,320 360 7,320,000 2,220,000

HOLDING FIRMS 121,835,155.00 177,535,820.00 237,518,674.00 113,440.00 2,570,950.00 70,762,740.00 17,015,550.00 782,984,120.00 152,942,458.00 101,609,764.00 109,500.00 788,222.00 452,354,640.00 26,931.00 318,499,700.00 62,328.00 567,850.00 784,520.00 6,266,770.00 424,284,798.00 13,711,330.00 1,729,540.00 430,711,461.00 60,000.00 894,300.00 842,300.00 4,784,960.00 322,767,681.00 790,433,260.00 365,950.00 3,151,194.00 113,868.00 1,713,020.00 466,380.00

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

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

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

Phil. Realty `A’ Phil. Tob. Flue Cur & Redry Primex Corp.

Robinson’s Land `B’ Rockwell

7.000 0.76 11.28 1.940 0.650 38.750 2.39 4.39 5.34 0.415 0.91 0.890 0.215 0.375 7.800 19.3 0.520 0.105 1.43 1.05 2.85 4.41 0.560 0.4150 0.410 29.05 3.32 20.95 1.92

531,500 3,408,000 43,900 195,000 2,531,300 49,835,900 5,916,000 1,095,000 84,400 9,918,000 36,000 241,000 7,710,000 860,000 4,213,200 6,154,000 766,000 10,000 13,954,000 2,819,000 157,343,000 56,723,000 206,314,000 1,840,000 2,730,000 1,300 3,717,000 5,478,800 444,000

PROPERTY 3,714,754.00 2,631,080.00 503,544.00 381,450.00 1,816,970.00 1,963,204,465.00 14,342,870.00 4,798,010.00 441,623.00 4,699,000.00 32,650.00 214,070.00 1,671,190.00 336,850.00 33,270,873.00 122,270,707.00 398,810.00 1,050.00 19,999,960.00 2,997,930.00 424,580,290.00 247,587,420.00 119,292,580.00 761,550.00 1,105,400.00 38,160.00 11,859,730.00 112,571,250.00 856,920.00

OCTOBER 15-19, 2018 Close Volume Value 59.45 119.80 82.95 2.27 1.44 28.5 15.7 11.4 4.1 7.81 1.69 786.00 0.485 66.05 0.93 11.1 19.55 41.40 78.4 102.4 189.9 28.3 152.5 1820.00 66.40 1.18

213,340 8,521,100 6,610,420 280,000 26,000 1,887,500 30,100 6,748,700 235,000 18,900 50,000 1,520 490,000 8,668,870 1,000,000 18,500 66,300 275,400 8,800 70 600 148,200 6,073,050 460 98,970 36,000

12,581,476.50 979,093,799.00 543,911,579.00 636,640.00 34,800.00 53,920,440.00 469,866.00 78,257,432.00 949,420.00 139,835.00 79,280.00 1,209,505.00 220,450.00 578,808,584.00 855,990.00 209,246.00 1,278,940.00 11,257,080.00 650,456.50 7,168.00 111,979.00 4,133,810.00 900,974,033.00 839,130.00 6,528,829.50 42,370.00

35.15 18.1 0.96 1.3 26.4 0.218 16.80 2.22 13.48 36.95 39.45 1.6

12,133,600 3,778,100 23,109,000 578,000 191,800 1,520,000 43,500 65,210,000 6,464,800 3,773,800 42,200 1,166,000

419,223,625.00 68,501,398.00 21,857,860.00 743,380.00 5,010,850.00 329,310.00 710,118.00 144,615,840.00 86,821,600.00 137,246,005.00 1,538,135.00 1,893,520.00

7 10.800 14.76 8.00 7.00 7.27 1.5 15.9 65 25.90 6.40 11.9 1.700 265.00 59.00 4.79

38,400 26,130,100 33,400 997,800 1,907,500 9,845,200 25,000 4,086,700 256,640 9,900 190,100 2,259,700 2,724,000 2,381,380 830 110,000

267,950.00 276,309,892.00 497,318.00 7,903,774.00 13,353,777.00 70,553,809.00 38,030.00 64,079,766.00 16,489,874.00 252,180.00 1,119,736.00 26,745,310.00 4,686,090.00 610,685,834.00 40,019.00 527,690.00

25.8 10.9 16.98 0.175 346.80 6.39 1.65 4.15 8.25 4.97 9.00 0.97 10.80 50.65 5.85 4.80 2.32 2.86 1.57 11.4 84.15 5.19 0.122 0.90 145.9 2.41 1.65 19.98 2.60

5,881,600 755,500 34,047,000 2,070,000 1,367,990 8,900 1,935,000 104,000 7,819,400 474,000 186,600 2,160,000 243,200 1,707,490 168,200 144,000 1,962,000 39,000 482,000 622,700 5,116,180 812,200 70,000 393,000 8,602,620 200,000 6,895,000 400 254,371,000

151,852,240.00 8,230,166.00 565,029,348.00 365,950.00 478,780,828.00 52,857.00 3,232,100.00 423,140.00 64,747,274.00 2,237,620.00 1,674,265.00 2,058,700.00 2,591,680.00 89,403,388.00 958,810.00 692,030.00 4,007,807.00 110,480.00 737,680.00 7,062,148.00 437,800,169.50 4,226,390.00 8,540.00 349,270.00 1,243,860,102.00 482,000.00 11,754,020.00 8,133.00 644,706,320.00

0.480 47.80 11.90 0.88 6.15 1.170 1.190 910 6.7 12.34 5 7.10 728.5 5.95 48.00

189,280,000 7,691,400 20,181,500 13,000 96,500 24,347,000 11,145,000 575,300 19,961,600 20,306,200 12,000 5,297,500 538,160 6,600 7,643,800

86,332,000.00 354,398,955.00 237,432,786.00 10,560.00 592,471.00 29,034,120.00 13,310,300.00 519,847,030.00 127,583,258.00 247,529,792.00 58,250.00 37,985,493.00 388,928,575.00 39,182.00 1,005,417,050.00

0.53 4.44 13.28 0.530

1,692,000 883,000 27,875,500 2,065,000

901,670.00 3,889,600.00 372,334,526.00 1,084,170.00

4.95

64,719,800

318,845,062.00

0.0370 1.200 2.410 158.00 865.00 1.40 277.000

35,500,000 82,000 1,834,000 1,023,050 1,258,520 171,000 9,700

1,297,700.00 96,090.00 4,293,780.00 165,690,389.00 1,076,715,880.00 234,790.00 2,669,524.00

0.2310 0.210

20,780,000 650,000

4,954,460.00 130,570.00

7.100 0.78 11.00 1.940 0.640 40.900 2.38 4.39 5.35 0.420 0.92 0.920 0.210 0.390 7.990 20.15 0.530 0.105 1.43 1.08 2.30 4.4 0.610 0.4150 0.430 38.95 3.19 21.45 1.94

2,590,900 4,744,000 1,100 490,000 4,749,000 33,855,100 3,649,000 1,094,000 232,400 9,190,000 370,000 117,000 4,780,000 90,000 1,898,200 2,687,400 1,314,000 30,000 51,168,000 2,581,000 74,650,000 72,926,000 115,836,000 1,340,000 900,000 800 13,372,000 6,916,300 142,000

18,156,354.00 3,603,800.00 12,200.00 958,910.00 2,964,250.00 978,417,220.00 8,475,580.00 4,753,920.00 1,239,874.00 3,847,650.00 337,340.00 104,530.00 1,022,980.00 34,750.00 15,044,104.00 51,513,806.00 697,840.00 3,150.00 69,675,760.00 2,741,860.00 169,520,390.00 316,854,770.00 70,106,150.00 556,050.00 372,450.00 31,360.00 43,961,730.00 141,317,233.00 272,880.00

STOCKS

OCTOBER 22-26, 2018 Close Volume

OCTOBER 15-19, 2018 Close Volume Value

Value

Shang Properties Inc. SM Prime Holdings Sta. Lucia Land Inc. Starmalls Suntrust Home Dev. Inc. Vista Land & Lifescapes

3.18 34.50 1.14 6.5 0.720 5.290

66,000 41,662,000 2,142,000 20,481,000 60,000 48,580,300

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

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

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

Pacific Online Sys. Corp.

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

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

SSI Group STI Holdings Transpacific Broadcast Travellers Waterfront Phils.

Wilcon Depot

10.7 21.5 1.31 0.430 0.039 13.4 1.63 8.11 66.4 8 6.06 7.65 2.12 10.76 900 2050 5.10 317.00 11.32 2.79 90 1.95 12.38 7.70 0.106 3.4500 3.16 13.7 3.46 0.81 17.22 15.00 0.410 5.4 7.06 2.23 1.31 1.51 4.690 10.62 8.49 3.09 106.00 3.42 1381.00 0.345 0.750 42.00 78.00 7.20 2.52 0.750 0.51 5.19 0.570 11.380

153,800 112,800 19,000 4,700,000 7,500,000 200 9,707,000 49,473,000 351,920 15,300 17,762,800 613,100 59,000 1,254,700 110 240,330 650,000 71,300 19,400 15,924,000 8,630,990 32,000 1,800 16,700 5,180,000 77,026,000 65,000 4,200 2,698,000 1,079,000 2,942,100 3,400 332,000 89,700 31,171,600 3,700,000 276,000 93,000 115,691,400 22,400 34,700 202,000 1,911,560 2,864,000 224,210 4,000,000 24,202,000 1,701,000 3,213,010 58,800 47,307,000 18,254,000 125,282,000 3,097,800 8,427,000 7,317,000

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

United Paragon

0.0022 1.78 2.67 15.00 1.3000 1.2500 1.9 0.300 7.28 1.830 0.210 0.111 0.112 0.007 0.0068 1.3 2.64 1 0.6100 0.9300 0.0130 0.0120 3.53 18.10 0.0120 4.1700 26.60 0.0064

MINING & OIL 922,800,000 2,197,400.00 71,301,000 123,261,320.00 920,700 2,753,370.00 263,100 3,426,350.00 92,000 111,490.00 22,000 25,010.00 3,597,000 6,844,180.00 530,000 159,550.00 16,300 119,063.00 14,500,000 26,645,170.00 5,820,000 1,296,500.00 2,430,000 267,500.00 1,080,000 118,030.00 99,200,000 782,600.00 214,000,000 1,467,200.00 995,000 2,357,140.00 3,116,000 8,329,820.00 173,000 175,680.00 668,000 392,860.00 5,904,000 5,775,280.00 67,200,000 853,200.00 200,000 2,500.00 26,517,000 92,619,170.00 24,431,000 424,195,482.00 116,800,000 1,379,100.00 813,000 3,281,410.00 3,667,700 102,705,685.00 50,500,000 402,000.00

ABS-CBN Holdings Corp.

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

21.45 99 465 489 95 102.5 480 470 5.19 920 895.5 96.8 1.01 99.8 1000 1020 105 1000 75.05 76.95 74.4 74.9 75 74.5 74 74.45

35,300 34,000 11,300 5,750 657,680 78,260 20 840 344,000 200 1,390 5,650 868,000 10,560 215 570 320 13,370 42,350 79,940 37,800 300 30,100 75,820 53,830 138,260

LR Warrant

2.370

WARRANTS & BONDS 1,176,000 2,761,260.00

Makati Fin. Corp.

Italpinas Xurpas

3 4.51 1.4

3,000 2,513,000 45,647,000

First Metro ETF

105.8 10 10

USD DMPL A1 USD DMPL A2

207,420.00 1,431,220,615.00 2,394,640.00 157,957,074.00 44,550.00 271,822,080.00 SERVICES 1,714,700.00 2,422,365.00 26,790.00 2,032,800.00 302,000.00 2,680.00 16,395,180.00 413,291,990.00 23,057,127.50 122,380.00 104,813,317.00 4,727,664.00 127,490.00 14,928,220.00 99,000.00 485,446,695.00 3,333,230.00 22,996,676.00 219,608.00 45,007,010.00 782,766,702.00 61,260.00 20,286.00 129,090.00 557,090.00 277,401,320.00 201,260.00 60,024.00 9,333,060.00 887,850.00 52,222,786.00 51,028.00 143,500.00 481,599.00 220,490,236.00 8,284,870.00 363,610.00 116,730.00 136,826,613.00 245,410.00 288,856.00 604,790.00 210,702,350.00 9,750,440.00 311,846,450.00 1,400,200.00 19,097,710.00 70,414,235.00 251,532,196.50 403,920.00 122,122,330.00 13,885,720.00 67,085,440.00 16,057,343.00 5,017,580.00 83,023,534.00

PREFERRED 756,305.00 3,379,000.00 5,299,434.00 2,813,580.00 63,734,749.50 7,879,817.00 9,600.00 402,944.00 1,702,820.00 184,000.00 1,266,380.00 547,786.00 881,510.00 1,055,025.00 215,950.00 581,290.00 33,264.00 13,288,460.00 3,181,185.00 6,104,533.00 2,786,865.00 22,470.00 2,245,370.00 5,627,421.00 3,967,107.00 10,285,258.00

3.12 34.50 1.12 6 0.750 5.410

423,000 37,592,800 2,405,000 668,000 15,000 37,196,600

1,299,610.00 1,276,558,785.00 2,662,130.00 4,022,120.00 11,270.00 203,323,595.00

11.28 21.3 1.37 0.435 0.041 13.48 1.69 8.74 66

450,800 119,200 62,000 6,780,000 24,600,000 1,240,900 17,439,000 17,620,200 725,425

4,908,373.00 2,512,295.00 87,240.00 2,992,550.00 948,400.00 16,132,688.00 29,904,680.00 152,455,836.00 49,513,857.00

5.67 8.00 2.19 14.12 900 1915 5.18 310.00

17,360,100 24,600 11,000 626,900 80 336,410 655,200 15,250

92,377,664.00 183,090.00 24,090.00 9,571,406.00 71,490.00 675,866,430.00 3,358,001.00 4,681,530.00

2.63 95 2.00 12.38 7.80 0.110 3.2100 3.04 14.8 3.60 0.85 18.22 15.10 0.410 5.1 7.11 2.22 1.39

8,130,000 8,198,330 4,000 6,300 23,000 5,860,000 37,457,000 67,000 1,000 2,019,000 726,000 4,151,700 300 50,000 282,900 17,559,900 8,350,000 262,000

20,882,620.00 767,990,177.00 8,000.00 73,520.00 178,800.00 635,090.00 115,270,300.00 197,390.00 14,412.00 7,125,910.00 620,030.00 72,629,592.00 4,514.00 20,500.00 1,459,759.00 123,830,370.00 19,037,800.00 364,540.00

5.290 10.56 8.38 3.14 1119.00 3.58 1430.00 0.355 0.840 40.40 76.50 6.72 2.63 0.790 0.54 5.21 0.590 11.200

45,625,800 142,100 16,800 2,000 3,351,570 1,597,000 187,500 2,430,000 13,380,000 4,965,500 3,922,730 228,600 88,415,000 29,111,000 110,060,000 6,807,400 7,408,000 15,434,700

265,161,086.00 1,558,692.00 137,876.00 6,190.00 352,513,145.00 5,755,990.00 306,436,050.00 845,100.00 11,223,130.00 203,564,720.00 300,275,702.00 1,634,883.00 232,681,470.00 23,065,580.00 57,118,005.00 35,598,651.00 4,369,380.00 169,109,004.00

0.0023 1.59 2.61 15.06 1.2200 1.4900 1.9 0.305 7.28 1.810 0.212 0.110 0.112 0.008

1,725,000,000 24,047,000 946,000 44,400 335,000 249,000 1,788,000 260,000 159,700 1,926,000 1,920,000 3,660,000 510,000 32,000,000

3,917,000.00 37,534,320.00 2,493,130.00 717,940.00 448,170.00 334,630.00 3,430,270.00 78,700.00 1,176,097.00 3,496,780.00 403,500.00 404,760.00 56,030.00 238,500.00

1.31 2.74 1.07 0.6100 1.0500 0.0130 0.0130 3.22 16.06 0.0120 4.2000 29.50 0.0070

230,000 12,950,000 158,000 764,000 3,449,000 89,400,000 9,700,000 7,073,000 13,347,400 89,200,000 1,708,000 15,178,900 14,000,000

297,910.00 42,429,470.00 160,970.00 469,000.00 3,524,100.00 1,170,400.00 126,100.00 22,784,630.00 216,495,972.00 1,094,300.00 7,067,290.00 426,540,210.00 89,800.00

21 100.3 460 495 97.7 100.8

214,500 12,000 16,550 100,240 107,320 81,180

4,449,520.00 1,203,828.00 7,692,300.00 49,619,420.00 10,513,976.00 8,259,202.00

482.2 4.95 886.5 881.5 96.05 1.02 100

103,650 404,500 13,430 980 5,350 187,000 49,930

49,979,320.00 2,019,235.00 11,905,450.00 885,610.00 518,142.50 190,640.00 5,041,568.00

1019

20

20,240.00

1000 76 77 74.7 75 75.2 75 74.9 74.7

8,655 2,020 24,990 89,340 55,060 60,050 4,050 21,650 57,200

4,154,475.00 152,417.00 1,930,429.50 6,681,439.50 4,129,500.00 4,497,774.00 303,200.00 1,622,600.00 4,238,363.00

2.450

1,131,000

2,757,840.00

2.92 4.95 1.91

23,000 4,085,000 4,853,000

62,740.00 20,266,180.00 9,495,150.00

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 69,860 7,417,741.00

107.4

52,970

5,601,810.00

DOLLAR DENONIMATED SEC. 1,000 10,000.00 18,690 186,900.00

10 10

1,010 27,870

10,100.00 278,096.00

SME 9,000.00 11,840,770.00 73,043,500.00

WEEKLY MOST TRADED STOCKS Abra Mining Abacus Cons. `A’ Vulcan Ind’l.

Manila Mining `B’ MRC Allied Ind. Interport `A’ Transpacific Broadcast Philodrill Corp. `A’ NOW Corp.

Manila Mining `A’

VOLUME 922,800,000 257,519,000 220,900,000 214,000,000 206,314,000 157,343,000 125,282,000 116,800,000 115,691,400 99,200,000

STOCKS Ayala Land `B’ SM Prime Holdings Banco de Oro Unibank Inc. Universal Robina SMC Food and Beverage Metrobank Jollibee Foods Corp.

SM Investments Inc. Ayala Corp `A’ I.C.T.S.I.

VALUE 1,963,204,465.00 1,431,220,615.00 875,769,109.00 874,718,888.00 851,435,003.50 838,588,904.50 802,385,138.00 790,433,260.00 782,984,120.00 782,766,702.00

Maynilad gets go-signal to bid for P10-b Clark water contract MAYNILAD Water Services Inc., the water utility unit of Metro Pacific Investments Corp., has been pre-qualified to bid for the P10-billion water and wastewater infrastructure project in New Clark City, in Clark, Pampanga province.

Maynilad president Ramoncito Fernandez said the company was one of the three companies pre-qualified for the project by state-owned Bases Conversion Development Authority.

The two other companies that also pre-qualified were Manila Water Co Inc. and Prime Water Infrastructure Corp. of the Villar Group.

The project involves financing, design and engineering, establishment, construction, development, operation and maintenance of the water and wastewater infrastructure of New Clark City.

The project will have a 30-year concession period, which may be extended for another 20 years.

The winning bidder, which may be determined before the end of the year, will form a joint venture partnership with BCDA to implement the project.

The water demand, based on projections for the development of New Clark City, is estimated at 200,000 cubic meters/day by the end of the concession period.

Water supply for the project will be secured from deep wells within the vicinity and surface water, which may include the Cutcut, O’Donnell and Bangut Rivers.

The wastewater infrastructure component of the project, meanwhile, will comprise of sewers, pumping stations and sewage treatment plants.

The sewage treatment plant capacity is estimated at around 150,000 cubic meters/day by the end of the concession period.

The 9,450-hectare New Clark City an urban development project of BCDA. It is envisioned to be the country’s first smart, disaster-resilient and environmentally sustainable city.

The first phase of the development covering 60 hectares will feature the National Government Administrative Center that will house back-up offices and several government agencies, and a world-class sports complex that will host the 2019 Southeast Asian Games Jenniffer B. Austria

PSE prepares mobile application for IPO investors THE Philippine Stock Exchange is preparing to launch a mobile application that will enable retail investors to avail of their allocations during initial public offerings.

PSE chief operating officer Roel Refran said in a recent interview the launch of the mobile application was one of the options to facilitate the faster take-up of IPO allocations earmarked for local small investors.

Refran said the PSE would start offering the mobile application in the next IPO. Companies planning to conduct an IPO are required to allot 10 percent of their offer shares to small investors.

Prior to the planned launch of a mobile application, retail investors planning to buy shares from a company conducting an IPO would have to line up to get application forms, fill them up and submit them to the receiving centers.

“Do you know how long it takes for them to line up and sign up for allocation? Now we are coming up with the mobile application so that for the next IPO we are ready,” Refran said.

“With the mobile application, investors would just have to download the application the take advantage of 10 percent allocation. This will ease up the burden in terms of gaps in the efficiency the we have,” he added.

Refran said retail investors would still have to go to their respective banks for the payment for the IPO shares pending the automation of the process.

The planned launch of a mobile application is also aimed at enhancing the retail investor participation in the stock market.

But since IPOs currently in the pipeline have been deferred due to weak market conditions, the PSE may launch the new mobile application by next year yet. Jenniffer B. Austria

Manila Manila

Standard TODAY

extrastory2000@gmail.com

TODAY

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK MONDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2018 CESAR BARRIOQUINTO, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Business/World

B3

Gunman kills 11 in worst anti-Semitic attack in US

P

ITTSBURGH―A gunman faces 29 charges of violent crimes after opening fire during a baby-naming ceremony at a Pittsburgh synagogue on Saturday, killing 11 people and injuring six in the deadliest anti-Semitic attack in recent US history.

PARTY. Renee Olstead attends Just Jared’s 7th Annual Halloween Party at Goya Studios on October 27, 2018, in Los Angeles, California. AFP

N. Korean official denies Warmbier was tortured SEOUL―The director of the North Korean hospital that treated Otto Warmbier, the US student who died after being held in the country, rejected fresh allegations that he was tortured in custody.

The 22-year-old was jailed in the North for more than a year and was released in a comatose state in 2017 but died shortly after returning home.

The exact cause of his death remains unknown but a recent US media report claimed there was new evidence that he was beaten by the regime.

The director of the Pyongyang Friendship Hospital―which treated Warmbier―slammed the claims as a “total distortion of the truth” in a statement carried

by the North’s official KCNA news agency late Saturday.

“The American doctors who came to the DPRK to help Warmbier’s repatriation acknowledged that his health indicators were all normal and submitted a letter of assurance to our hospital,” it said, using North Korea’s official acronym.

“Now the question is: what is the ulterior motive of those American doctors trying to make a different story at this point in time with regard to the cause of Warmbier’s death,” the statement added.

The KCNA statement came hours after the Voice of America carried a report on a lawsuit filed

by Warmbier’s parents accusing the North Korean regime of torturing and murdering their son. AFP

The shooter―identified as a 46-year-old Robert Bowers―reportedly yelled “All Jews must die” as he burst into the Tree of Life synagogue, where congregants gathered for Sabbath services.

Taken into custody after a shootout with police, the suspect was transferred to a hospital.

US prosecutors subsequently charged him with 29 counts of federal crimes, including 11 counts of using a firearm to commit murder and 11 counts of obstructing the exercise of religion resulting in death.

“The crimes of violence are based upon the federal civil rights laws prohibiting hate

crimes,” a statement said. Authorities have said Bowers’ charges could carry the death penalty.

President Donald Trump denounced “a wicked act of mass murder,” while his daughter Ivanka, a convert to Judaism, declared: “America is stronger than the acts of a depraved bigot and anti-Semite.”

“This evil anti-Semitic attack is an assault on all of us,” Trump told supporters at an election rally in Illinois where he drew loud cheers as he vowed to fully enforce the death penalty for such crimes.

“We must stand with our Jewish brothers and sisters to defeat anti-Semitism and vanquish the forces of hate.”

Trump said he would soon travel to Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania, where hundreds held a candlelit vigil late Saturday.

The president ordered all flags at the White House and at public grounds, military posts and naval stations to be flown at half-staff through October 31 as a mark of “solemn respect” for the victims.

Stephen Weiss, a 60-year-old member of the congregation, described hearing dozens

of shots coming from the synagogue’s front lobby.

“We had services going on in the chapel when we heard a loud noise,” he told the Tribune-Review newspaper. “I recognized it as gunshots.”

Authorities said Bowers was armed with an assault rifle and at least three handguns when he opened fire shortly before 10:00 am (1400 GMT)―leaving a scene described as “horrific” by Wendell Hissrich, Pittsburgh’s public safety director.

“One of the worst that I’ve seen. I’ve been on plane crashes,” said Hissrich, who confirmed that 11 people were killed, and six injured. No children were among the casualties.

“It’s sickening. Outside of just the evil factor of it, who wakes up on a Saturday morning to do that?” said Pittsburgh chef Nathan, 42, who came to pay his respects but refused to give his second name.

“Hate Has No Home Here,” read a placard in a simple memorial, next to a heart-shaped US flag―the same slogan repeated in Hebrew and Arabic, with candles and bouquets of pink roses and carnations. AFP

Germany tries ‘serial killer’ nurse over post-war murders BERLIN―German nurse Niels Hoegel, already serving a lengthy term for previous killings, will go on trial before anguished relatives Tuesday over the murders of around 100 more people―a spree prosecutors say is unprecedented in the post-war period.

The 41-year-old is accused of intentionally administering medical overdoses to patients in his care in order to be able to bring them back to life at the last moment.

He rarely succeeded.

Prosecutors say at least 35 patients were killed at a hospital in the northern city of Oldenburg where he worked, and about 64 more in nearby Delmenhorst, between 2000 and 2005.

“I hope that he will be found guilty on each count so that the loved ones can finally find some

closure,” said Petra Klein, who runs the local chapter of the victims’ aid group Weisser Ring.

Some 126 relatives will serve as co-plaintiffs in the new trial and are expected to fill the specially designated courtroom in Oldenburg, along with around 80 journalists.

For the accused-who fellow inmates say calls himself the most notorious criminal in Germany since the war―little will change.

“This investigation is really out of the ordinary,” said Arne Schmidt, director of the probe codenamed “Kardio” and created in 2014.

“We had to conduct 134 exhumations” of patients who died on Hoegel’s watch, Schmidt told AFP, calling the case “unprecedented in Germany to our knowledge”.

As the scope of the trail of corpses emerged, the victims’ loved ones

have experienced an “incredible shock”, said Klein, whose organization has offered psychological care to the affected families.

Many “came to us because the police one day knocked on their door to inform them that their relatives may have been victims of Niels Hoegel, and that they wanted

to exhume them,” she said.

It took time to build the latest, breathtakingly vast case.

Caught by surprise while injecting an unprescribed medication in a patient in 2005 in Delmenhorst, Hoegel was sentenced in 2008 to seven years in prison for attempted murder. AFP

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC Notice is hereby given that Stock Certificate No. 1515 of UNIVERSAL MOTORS CORPORATION issued in the name of Mr. Wilson T. Lee for Eight Hundred Seven (807) common shares of stock has been reported lost and the holder of the said shares have applied to the Company to issue duplicate share certificates.

Any person who has a claim in respect of said shares should lodge the claims or inform the Company at its registered address within one (1) year from the last publication of this notice. If no claims/ objections are received during this period, the Company shall be free to issue duplicate share certificate.

(MS-OCT. (MS-OCT. 29, 29, 2018) 2018)

REAL CARPIO SO

GREEN LIGHT OVER the last decade, companies reporting sustainability activities have significantly increased. Reasons for reporting are varied. Officially, the reports are intended to be “vessels of transparency and accountability.”

However, only a simpleton would believe that this is true. It is more sensible to believe that companies engage in sustainability reporting because not reporting could have “a negative effect on its performance, reputation, and the ability to raise capital.”

Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) is now the most widely used framework and standard for sustainability reporting. In 2017, “63 percent of the largest 100 companies, and 75 percent of the Global Fortune 250 reported applying the GRI reporting framework.”

GRI Standards have a modular structure, making them easier to update and adapt.

The standard suggests reporting on nearly 80 sustainability activities, called ‘‘indicators.” These are classified into six different categories or ‘‘dimensions,” namely labor and decent work, economic, environment, human rights, society and product responsibility. Companies selectively choose among and comply with the wide variety of activities. Moreover, they can be “creative” on how they want the selected activities to be presented.

Understandably, to sustain the popularity of the standard, the focus is to get more organizations around the world to produce sustainability reports, “preferably using the GRI guidelines.” More understandably, this has resulted in “many reports that are a little more than public relations efforts.” If the focus is more reporting, then are the reports getting better?

As one stakeholder group, customers are the “most critical to the majority of executives investing in relationship building through sustainability.” Research shows that “customers influence a firm’s sustainability strategy more than any other stakeholder group” and “has direct influence on the choice of environmental key performance indicators.” According to one study, a number of sustainable environmental practices have been primarily influenced by customers.

This makes a lot of sense: “if a customer approves of a company’s sustainability practices, then they can reward the company with loyalty, purchase intent, etc.” Customers can refuse to buy a company’s products, or they can vent their sentiments on social media.

Customers’ understanding of the sustainability activities is important and relevant.

Their concerns and expectations should be aligned with what the company intends to project.

Disconnect One study sought to determine a “disconnect” between sustainability reporting and customer concerns. The study found that “customers see different dimensions than those put forth by the GRI framework.” It suggested a “disconnect between corporate sustainability reporting and stakeholder views and interests.”

The study gathered 15 GRI Reports, intentionally including “companies from industries known as ‘embracers’ of sustainability practices.” These include reports of The Coca-Cola Co., Abbott Laboratories, Intel Corp. and Volkswagen. After identifying sustainability activities that pertained to various GRI dimensions, the activities were classified according to these dimensions.

Six factors emerged that reflect customers’ understanding of sustainability. These are environmental stewardship, risk and compliance, community building, social justice, employment opportunities and employee education. The study sought to address two (2) questions: One, “do the GRI dimensions align with how consumer stakeholder group think about sustainability goals?” In other words, is the customer’s understanding of sustainability the same with what GRI means?

Expectedly, customers do not see economic objectives being compatible with sustainability. Customers see sustainability as independent and an end in itself. For them, sustainability should not be an instrument for achieving economic viability. Although not one of the listed GRI dimensions, risk and compliance emerged as an important dimension for customers. These include activities such as “complying with laws and regulations and identification of risks that impact the business.”

Two, “what are the most important sustainability activities to the consumer stakeholder group?” Results show that customers perceive social justice activities as most important in achieving sustainability. Specifically, customers value that companies “prohibit the use of child, forced or involuntary labor,” and “ensure all consumers are treated fairly and consistently.”

In order of importance, environment stewardship came second. Customers appreciate activities that explicitly address minimizing waste, such as “develop effective processes to prohibit the uncontrolled release of pollutants (e.g., wastewater, sulfur dioxide, nitrous oxide),” “save tons of paper and plastic through packaging and shipment redesigns, thus reducing landfill waste,” and “increase company recycling rate.”

Under risk and compliance, customers ex-

pect companies to be involved in “educating employees on how to reduce risk.” Community building and employment opportunities are also seen as importance factors of sustainability. For them, most important are activities that “help individuals grow and better themselves.”

Despite official statements to the contrary, it is most prudent to accept that sustainability reports feign to serve the interest of stakeholders. By aligning sustainability activities with customer concerns, companies can reconnect with customers. And the pretense is now better concealed.

Real Carpio So lectures at the Ramon V. del Rosario College of Business of De La Salle University. He is an entrepreneur and a management consultant. Comments are welcomed at realwalksonwater@gmail.com. Archives can be accessed at realwalksonwater. wordpress.com. The views expressed above are the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official position of DLSU, its faculty, and its administrators.

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC Notice is hereby given that Stock Certificate No. 1516 of UNIVERSAL MOTORS CORPORATION issued in the name of Ms. Jane T. Lee for Eight Hundred Six (806) common shares of stock has been reported lost and the holder of the said shares have applied to the Company to issue duplicate share certificates.

Any person who has a claim in respect of said shares should lodge the claims or inform the Company at its registered address within one (1) year from the last publication of this notice. If no claims/ objections are received during this period, the Company shall be free to issue duplicate share certificate.

(MS-OCT. (MS-OCT. 29, 29, 2018) 2018)

Republic Republic of of the the Philippines Philippines Office Office of of the the Municipal Municipal Mayor Mayor BIDS BIDS AND AND AWARDS AWARDS COMMITTEE COMMITTEE Binmaley, Binmaley, Pangasinan Pangasinan Invitation Invitation to to Bid Bid for for Completion Completion of of Public Public Market/Construction Market/Construction of of Roads Roads and and Drainage Drainage System System at at Binmaley, Binmaley, Pangasinan Pangasinan 1.

1.

The The Municipal Municipal Government Government of of Binmaley, Binmaley, Pangasinan, Pangasinan, through through the the Loan Loan with with the the Development Development Bank Bank of of the the Philippines Philippines intends intends to to apply apply the the sum sum of of Php Php 85,000,000.00 85,000,000.00 being being the the Approved Approved Budget Budget for for the the Contract Contract (ABC) (ABC) to to payments payments under under the the contract contract for for Completion Completion of of Public Public Market/Construction Market/Construction of of Roads Roads and and Drainage Drainage System System at at Binmaley, Binmaley, Pangasinan.

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

2.

2.

The The Municipal Municipal Government Government of of Binmaley, Binmaley, Pangasinan Pangasinan now now invites invites bids bids for for Completion Completion of of Public Public Market/Construction Market/Construction of of Roads Roads and and Drainage Drainage System System at at Binmaley, Binmaley, Pangasinan.

Pangasinan. Completion Completion of of the the Works Works is is required required 300 300 calendar calendar days. days. Bidders Bidders should should have have completed completed aa contract contract similar similar to to the the Project.

Project.

The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, particularly, in in Section Section II. II. Instructions Instructions to to Bidders.

Bidders.

3.

3.

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

Republic of the Philippines Department of Finance Securities and Exchange Commission :: :: REGISTRATION REGISTRATION OF OF COMMERCIAL COMMERCIAL PAPERS PAPERS CITYLAND, INC. : CITYLAND, INC. : :: x--------------------------------------------x x--------------------------------------------x IN IN THE THE MATTER MATTER OF OF

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

4.

4.

Interested Interested bidders bidders may may obtain obtain further further information information from from Municipal Municipal Government Government of of Binmaley, Binmaley, Pangasinan Pangasinan and and inspect inspect the the Bidding Bidding Documents Documents at at the the address address given given below below from from 8:00 8:00 A.M. A.M. to to 5:00 5:00 P.M. P.M. ..

5.

5.

A A complete complete set set of of Bidding Bidding Documents Documents may may be be acquired acquired by by interested interested bidders bidders on on October October 29, 29, 2018 2018 to to November November 26, 26, 2018 2018 from from the the address address below below and and upon upon payment payment of of the the applicable applicable fee fee for for the the Bidding Bidding Documents, Documents, pursuant pursuant to to the the latest latest Guidelines Guidelines issued issued by by the the GPPB, GPPB, in in the the amount amount of of Php Php 50,000.00 50,000.00

NOTICE Notice Notice is is hereby hereby given given that that on on 17 17 October October 2018 2018 aa sworn sworn Registration Registration Statement Statement was was filed filed with with the the Securities Securities and and Exchange Exchange Commission Commission on on behalf behalf of of CITYLAND, CITYLAND, INC., INC., for for the the registration registration of of Eight Eight Hundred Hundred Five Five Million Million Pesos Pesos (Php (Php 805,000,000.00) 805,000,000.00) worth worth of of Commercial Commercial Papers.

Papers.

According According to to the the papers papers presented, presented, the the following following persons persons are are the the officers/directors officers/directors of of the the corporation: corporation: Name Name Stephen Stephen C. C. Roxas Roxas Andrew Andrew I.I. Liuson Liuson Grace Grace C. C. Liuson Liuson Josef Josef C. C. Gohoc Gohoc Peter Peter S. S. Dee Dee Alice Alice C. C. Gohoc Gohoc Helen Helen C. C. Roxas Roxas Emma Emma A. A. Choa Choa Rudy Rudy Go Go Melita Melita M. M. Revuelta Revuelta Melita Melita L. L. Tan Tan Romeo Romeo E. E. Ng Ng Rosario D. Rosario D. Perez Perez Winefreda Winefreda R. R. Go Go Emma Emma G. G. Jularbal Jularbal Dorothy Dorothy U. U. So So

Position Position Director/Chairman Director/Chairman of of the the Board Board Director/Vice Director/Vice Chairman Chairman of of the the Board Board Director/Deputy Director/Deputy Vice-Chairman Vice-Chairman of of the the Board Board Director/President Director/President Independent Director Independent Director Director Director (until (until October October 13, 13, 2018) 2018) Director Director Executive Executive Vice Vice President/Treasurer President/Treasurer Senior Senior Vice Vice President/Chief President/Chief Financial Financial Officer/ Officer/ Compliance Compliance & & Corporate Corporate Information Information Officer Officer & & Data Data Protection Protection Officer Officer Vice Vice President/Assistant President/Assistant Corporate Corporate Secretary/ Secretary/ Alternate Alternate Compliance Compliance Officer Officer & & Alternate Alternate Corporate Corporate Information Information Officer Officer Vice Vice President President Vice Vice President President Vice Vice President-Executive President-Executive Affairs Affairs Vice Vice President President Vice Vice President-Legal President-Legal Affairs/Corporate Affairs/Corporate Secretary Secretary Asst.

Asst. Vice-President-Head Vice-President-Head of of Internal Internal Audit Audit Department Department

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

6.

6.

The The Municipal Municipal Government Government of of Binmaley, Binmaley, Pangasinan Pangasinan will will hold hold aa Pre-Bid Pre-Bid Conference Conference on on 10:00 10:00 A.M., A.M., November November 12, 12, 2018 2018 at at 2nd 2nd Floor Floor Conference Conference Room, Room, Municipal Municipal Building, Building, Binmaley, Binmaley, Pangasinan, Pangasinan, which which shall shall be be open open to to prospective prospective bidders. bidders.

7.

7.

Bids Bids must must be be duly duly received received by by the the BAC BAC Secretariat Secretariat at at the the address address below below on on or or before before 10:00 10:00 A.M., A.M., November November 26, 26, 2018.

2018. All All bids bids must must be be accompanied accompanied by by aa bid bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in ITB Clause 18. security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in ITB Clause 18.

Bid Bid opening opening shall shall be be on on 10:01 10:01 A.M., A.M., November November 26, 26, 2018 2018 at at 2nd 2nd Floor Floor Conference Conference Room, Room, Municipal Municipal Building, Building, Binmaley, Binmaley, Pangasinan.

Pangasinan. Bids Bids will will be be opened in the presence of the bidders’ representatives who choose to attend opened in the presence of the bidders’ representatives who choose to attend at at the the address address below. below. Late Late bids bids shall shall not not be be accepted. accepted.

8.

8.

The The Award Award shall shall be be made made after after the the perfection perfection of of the the Loan Loan Agreement Agreement with with the the Development Development Bank Bank of of the the Philippines Philippines

9.

9.

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

As As of of the the date date of of the the prospectus, prospectus, the the Company Company is is still still in in the the process process of of selecting selecting the the replacement replacement of of Mr. Mr. Paul Paul Y. Y. Ung, Ung, as as Independent Independent Director.

Director.

10.

10. For For further further information, information, please please refer refer to: to:

Said Said registration registration statement statement and and other other papers/documents papers/documents attached attached thereto thereto (collectively (collectively known known as as *RS*) *RS*) are are open open to to inspection inspection by by interested interested parties parties during during business business hours, hours, and and copies copies thereof, thereof, photostatic photostatic or or otherwise, otherwise, shall shall be be furnished furnished to to any any party, party, upon upon request, request, at at such such fees fees as as the the Commission Commission may may prescribe. prescribe. The The RS RS and and the the Prospectus Prospectus dated dated 17 17 October October 2018 2018 and and the the corresponding corresponding updated updated version version may may be be downloaded downloaded from from www.cityland.net. www.cityland.net.

CATALINA CATALINA R. R. FLORES FLORES Head Head BAC BAC Secretrait Secretrait Address :: Binmaley, Address Binmaley, Pangasinan Pangasinan Tel. (075) Tel. No. No. (075) 632 632 38 38 81 81 e-Mail :: e-Mail Address Address

VICENTE VICENTE GRACIANO GRACIANO P. P. FELIZMENIO, FELIZMENIO, JR. JR. Director Director Markets and Securities Regulation Markets and Securities Regulation Department Department (MS-OCT. (MS-OCT. 26 26 && 29, 29, 2018) 2018)

DIOMEDES DIOMEDES V. V. BONALOS BONALOS BAC BAC Chairperon Chairperon (MS-OCT. (MS-OCT. 29, 29, 2018) 2018)

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

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

B4

monday, october 29, 2018

Thousands cross to Camiguin for Lanzones Fest

By Lance Baconguis MAMBAJAO, Camiguin Island— Thousands lined up at the ferry terminal to cross this pearl-shaped island northeast of Cagayan de Oro to witness the 39th Lanzones Festival here.

At the Balingoan ferry terminal, people lined-up overnight to get their tickets while hundreds of vehicles parked outside the pier.

The Lanzones Festival is one of Mindanao’s longest-running festivals celebrating the island’s main export, their sweet lanzones fruit.

Mambajao Mayor Jesus Jurdin Romualdo said this year will mark the “branding” of their lanzones.

“Each lanzones that goes out of the island will be in a box that bears the Camiguin Island brand, this is to make our lanzones stand out from the rest,” Romualdo said.

Leading to the festival, truckloads of lanzones were exported to the rest of the country inside yellow 10kg and 21kg boxes showing the silhouette of the island with the word “Camiguin Lanzones.”

At the street dancing event, the contingent showcased the lanzones as blessed by four “diwata” (fairies) which in Camiguin folklore protected the fruit.

Thousands tourists and locals watched on the street as the students danced to the beat, while the “fairies” watched over the lanzones.

Romualdo said they have been marketing their lanzones “to maximize its market potential and to separate our lanzones from the rest.”

This followed the provincial government’s decision to increase its lanzones production through macrosomatic cloning done by the Provincial Agricultural Office.

The provincial government was also successful in crossbreeding its own CamLong (Camiguin and Longkong) variety, which the island is now promoting.

Camiguin is able to produce 810 metric tons of lanzones each year but is expecting a bigger yield as more trees are being planted.

Over 2,000 hectares of land are being cultivated for lanzones, and the government is expecting more expansion from its farms.

“We will be expecting more batches of this seasonal fruit, as the macrosomatic technology is being employed, which cut the production and propagation of lanzones to just four months instead of one year,” Romualdo said.

LGUs

At the street dancing event of the 39th Lanzones Festival, students of Camiguin public schools showcase the lanzones as blessed by four ‘diwata’ (fairies), which in Camiguin folklore protected the prized fruit. Lance Baconguis

LocaL government units

Ivy League school aids PH plans for disasters

By Romeo Dizon

C

LARK FREEPORT, Pampanga — Eight proposals to improve a community’s resilience after disasters in the country were submitted to an international body for possible funding support at the end of a weeklong seminar here Saturday.

The seminar was sponsored by the Philippines Disaster Resilience Foundation and its new international partner, Brown International Advanced Research Institute, with a theme “Community Resilience for Natural Disasters” at the Holy Angel University in Angeles City.

BIARI is an international body addressing pressing global issues through collaboration across academic, professional and geographic boundaries.

The local proposals, aimed at prepar-

ing and rebuilding communities after disasters, were received by Adam C. Levine, director of the Brown University Medicine Fellowship and Humanitarian Innovation Initiative.

During a press conference here, Levine said the proposals were submitted by sectorial representatives from the academe, business, local government units, and non-government organizations for the Philippines, which experiences an average of 20 typhoons a year apart from other natural and man-made disasters.

Levine said the proposals will undergo further study and evaluation before any research funding will be released to their proponents, who will receive monetary support if they pass the criteria of the university.

This is the first time Brown University will be engaged in a disaster resilience project in the Philippines, Levine said.

The university had conducted similar projects with other Asean countries, he added.

National and foreign policy experts and scholars on disaster reduction risk and resilience management, mostly from ASEAN countries, attended the seven-day seminar at Holy Angel.

Levine told reporters he was amazed by how the country prepares for any disaster after Supertyphoon “Yolanda” killed an estimated 10,000 across the country last Nov. 10, 2013.

Celebrity Chef Boy Logro (left) offers some visitors to the SeedWorks booth meals prepared using the popular US88 hybrid rice variety, which was featured at the National Rice Technology Forum in Bohol.

Vice Governor Cris Garcia sure of Bataan reelection, same as cousin

By Butch Gunio BALANGA CITY, Bataan—Vice Governor Cris Garcia of the National Unity Party is unopposed in seeking reelection here, as is her cousin, reelectionist Balanga City Mayor Francis Garcia.

Both belong to the politically dominant Garcia clan in the province, and have it easy compared to their relatives, Gov. Abet Garcia and Dinalupihan Mayor Gila Garcia.

The latter are being challenged by unknown bets in their respective reelection bids.

The vice governor immediately

thanked her supporters upon knowing she is a virtual winner.

Before becoming the province’s second-highest official, Cris Garcia was the original coordinator of the “monumental” Iskolar ng Bataan program, which she now serves as adviser.

She was proclaimed vice governor by the Commission on Elections on June 2, 2017 as the NUP’s substitute official candidate for her late uncle Enrique “Tet” Garcia Jr., who filed his candidacy for the post and was unopposed the in May 2016 elections.

Bohol rice forum shows SeedWorks hybrid varieties TALIBON, Bohol—To address the issue of rice production productivity and other issues concerning rice, the Department of Agriculture and the Rice Productivity Advocacy Inc. (Rice Board) recently conducted the annual National Rice Technology Forum here.

The forum tackled agriculture and food security and highlighted the different rice varieties of the various seed companies.

SeedWorks Philippines was one of the private companies that joined the event. The company featured its famous brown rice to the participants led by their celebrity Chef “Boy” Logro.

SeedWorks encouraged the farmers to plant hybrid rice because of several benefits like a higher yield, more stress resilient, and higher disease resistance, among others. Moreover, the firm plans to impart sustainable farming to Filipino farmers to ensure they acquire a healthy and productive lifestyle.

With these factors and the use of hybrid rice varieties in farming like the popular US-88 from SeedWorks Philippines, it would rationally be easier for the country to finally attain rice self-sufficiency and be healthier in no time, forum participants said.

The US-88 rice variety brings greater yields with premium long and soft grain ideal to be used for brown rice, the company said.

Local farmers in Talibon, Bohol expressed their eagerness to continue using the US-88 variety. Farmer cooperators Aristol Daitol and wife, Cristina, said: “A lot of our cofarmers are excited to see the fruit of their labor, which definitely exceeded their expectations.”

Rice production has been and always been a major challenge for the government. Several administrations have been looking for solutions to help Filipino farmers achieve higher productivity in planting rice.

No less than Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol pointed out that the Philippine agricultural sector is confronted with many challenges such as population growth, conversion of agricultural lands to commercial applications, climate change, and global competition.

Creating ripples in tourism through TBEX 2018 in Clark ANGEL Ramos Bognot, an expert on MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions), is one who exudes authority the minute she enters a room.

But instead of feeling intimidated by her presence, those in the tourism industry flock to her due to the nuggets of wisdom—business advice based on her many years of experience—she cheerfully offers.

“I actually wanted to become lawyer in the beginning,” reveals the Network of Independent Travel Agencies vice president, who in college took up Political Science and Foreign Service.

She backed out from that dream when Senator Benigno Aquino was assassinated in 1983. “The socio-political climate was so turbulent when I graduated, so I was scared of becoming lawyer. Because I wasn’t sure about where to go, my uncle, who was a travel executive back then, suggested that I try working with him in Afro Asian World Events.”

At first, Bognot hesitated, as she didn’t have the ideal background for the job. But once she finished her training at the Department of Tourism, she fell in love with the concept of MICE and saw what tourism could do for the Philippines. There was no turning back. “After my training, the rest is history!” she said.

Angel Ramos Bognot (inset) has become a pillar of the local MICE industry, thanks to staging events like the Travel Business Exchange Pilipinas where she (standing, second from left) gathers stakeholders from the local tourism and travel industries.

Bognot is a confessed big dreamer, and she partners this with the courage to take on ambitious yet rewarding projects. For instance, she pursued the Middle East market in the mid-2000s, with the mission of reviving medical tourism in the Philippines.

In line with that, in 2009 she became the ground handler for the World Health Tourism Congress, which the country hosted.

In the same year, she revived the Philippines’ participation at the Arabian Travel Mart after almost a decade of absence. Af-

ter all her years of pursuing that market, she’s now attending to an escalated variety of tourists from the Middle East.

“Now, more and more young professionals from the Middle East are coming here.

Families too, and my favorite of all, the royal family,” Bognot shared. “I just didn’t like the idea there are so many Filipino OFWs in the Middle East, and here we are not getting any visitors from them. I really wanted to do something about that. Now, I want to attract MICE Arabia!”

Asked how the Philippines is faring in MICE, she said progress is slow because the government “seems to be apathetic.

MICE for them is more of a side trip or a side program. In other countries, it’s under the Office of the President.”

Bognot, who’s also president and managing director of Afro Asian World Events, refuses to be discouraged by the lack of government support though.

She has come up with her own ways to showcase MICE Philippines, such as the two-day Travel Business Exchange Pilipinas, where sellers and buyers from the tourism and travel industries gather to increase movement in their businesses and to learn more about the pressing issues of their field.

Now on its 10th year, TBEX 2018, which will be held on Nov. 8 and 9 in Clark, has

“Creating a Responsible Travel Business Line” as its theme. The event will discuss sustainable tourism, which is more complex than what people perceive it to be.

“It is not only about Mother Nature,” points out Bognot. “It’s not only about the naturality of the destination. It’s about our culture, our food, our heritage, our ancestors. There’s much to be considered really, and they’ll learn it there.”

What makes TBEX 2018 different from other gatherings designed for the travel and tourism industry practitioners? “Participants can’t just leave when they want; we have assigned marshals,” Bognot said. “We want everyone’s mindset to be about work, but in a way that they’re also entertained [by the special activities organizers have prepared for them] and enjoy what they’re doing.”

With all the uncontrollable factors in the travel and tourism industry, Bognot said it’s crucial practitioners take their job seriously by being knowledgeable and updated and helping each another grow. The talks and networking activities in TBEX Pilipinas 2018 would be a good place to begin.

“It’s been very effective,” says Bognot of previous TBEXeditions. “It’s been fulfilling to see our [NITAS] members improve and see them more productive.”

Life

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

food

monday, october 29, 2018

C1

Devilish Red Velvet Cake

Mouthwatering

Halloween treats

O

NE of the fun things about Halloween is transforming simple, everyday food into their spookier versions. Think regular hotdogs transformed into creepy fingers, delectable red velvet cake made into a bloody background of a scary scene, or a rather harmless beverage topped with a freaky wicked eye.

Manila Standard LIFE presents a list of scrumptious treats for those throwing a Halloween party or those who simply like to enjoy spine-tingling and mouthwatering goodies fit for the occasion.

TO COOK

Benilde Taft Campus, Malate, Manila.

Thirsty from all the freakishly looking food? Drink you way to the spooktacular season with Costa Coffee’s hairraising ice blended concoction.

The Wicked Eye Frostino is a grayish black, luxuriously tempting signature ice blended beverage. It is infused with activated charcoal that lends a murky yet sweet and creamy taste, and with some ghostly hints of strawberry.

This spine-chilling drink is available at all Costa Coffee branches until Nov. 2.

TO GO TO

Cast a spell on simple snack goodies with a help of a few tricks, courtesy of The Maya Kitchen. Here are two easy recipes from the culinary school: (see sidebar)

Celebrate All Hallows’ Eve with friends at Richmonde Ortigas’ bar lounge which is hosting “Fright Night,” an ‘80s themed Halloween happy hour party on Oct. 31.

Relish a drink-all-you-can spree of San Miguel beer products, Smirnoff Mule, featured cocktail drinks, white wine, iced tea, and sodas; and binge on delectable bar chow. The Halloween Happy Hour is priced at P798 nett and is from 6:00 p.m. ‘til 10:00 p.m. Meanwhile, bar chow buffet is open until 9:00 p.m. only. Live musical entertainment starts at 7:30 p.m.

Richmonde Hotel Ortigas is located at 21 San Miguel Avenue, Ortigas Center, Pasig City. Call (02) 638-7777 for inquiries and reservations.

TO BUY

Andrew Café is all about treats with its delectable Devilish Red Velvet Cake.

This Halloween-inspired confection is made of scrumptious layers of cocoa-flavored red velvet. The lavish spread of cream cheese frosting in between fills the mouth with delightful sweetness in every bite. Its web chocolate drips topped with spider-shaped fondant makes this cake a perfect centerpiece in a feast of monsterinspired snacks and party favors.

Get this cake at Andrew Café, located at De La Salle-College of Saint

Wicked Eye Frostino

Richmonde Hotel Ortigas’ Fright Night Happy Hour booze and bar chow

Mummified Franks Ingredients: 12 pcs.

1 pack 1 pc.

1-2 tbsp

German franks puff pastry (store bought) egg yolk milk

Mummified Franks

Procedure: 1. Preheat oven to 400°F/204°C. Line a jelly roll pan with greaseproof baking paper. Pat dry German franks with paper towel. Set aside.

2. In a dust clean flat surface with flour and lay down the puff pastry dough and cut it into 13 to 15 strips.

3. Wrap around dough strips into each German frank, until it resembles mummy bandages. Place mummy dogs into the prepared jelly roll pan and bake for 10 minutes.

4. While baking, mix egg yolk and milk. Mix well. After 10 minutes of baking remove mummy dogs from the oven and brush it with the prepared egg wash and bake again for another 5 minutes or until puff pastry is golden brown.

5. Place 2 whole black pepper on one end of the mummy dog, for its eyes and presentation.

6. Serve with tomato catsup and mustard.

Stuffed Jack-o-Lantern Peppers Ingredients: 2-3 tbsps.

500g 1 pc.

2 pcs.

2 pcs.

1/3 cup 1 pc.

3-4 tbsps.

1/4 cup 3-4 pieces

oil ground lean pork medium-sized onion medium-sized potatoes, diced medium-sized carrots, diced raisins laurel leaf soy sauce medium-sized green bell pep per, chopped large bell peppers, hollowed and carved

Jack-oLantern Peppers

Procedure: 1. Heat oil, add ground pork and cook until opaque, add in onion and garlic and pan sauté until aromatic and translucent.

2. Add potatoes and carrots and continue cooking until potatoes and carrots are tender.

3. Add raisins, laurel leaf and soy sauce. Give a quick stir and continue cooking for another 3-5 minutes, toss in green bell pepper and season to taste.

4. Transfer cooked meal mixture into carved hollowed Halloween orange bell peppers.

Café by day, winery by night WHEN I was still in college in Diliman some 15 years ago, Ever Gotesco Mall along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City was not a top of mind option for a relaxing hangout with family or friends. That would be SM North (there was no Trinoma or Vertis North back then), which was also fondly called UP Annex, or, closer to our old house, Sta. Lucia East Grand Mall in Cainta.

Ever Commonwealth was, however, the only choice back then for most journalism students who were tasked to cover the annual State of the Nation Address of the President and submit a report on the same day—it was very near Congress and it housed at least two computer shops.

I was pleasantly surprised at Ever’s transformation when I visited the area, and there was a strip of brightly-lit restaurants at the mall’s al fresco portion, aptly called Calle Bistro.

One of the restaurants in the lifestyle strip is Elm’s Kapihan & Winery which is owned by 48-year-old Elmer Ngo, along with several partners that include broadcasters Ely Saludar, Orly Trini-

dad, and Joel Reyes Zobel.

“This was really meant to be just a coffee shop, but I also like to drink. So what happened was, in the morning, people would come here to have coffee and eat, and in the evening, we offer bar chow and a wide selection of alcoholic drinks and wine,” said the self-effacing Ngo, president of Mileage Asia Corp. that provides high-quality roofs to Filipino families.

Ngo’s life story deserves a separate column—it tells of a college dropout who is now funding the education of several poor students at private schools

From left: Kapampangan dish fried hito with buro, Chicharong bulaklak--a perfect pair to ice cold beer, and Kare-kare with bagoong

such as San Beda College, University of Sto. Tomas, and De La Salle College of Saint Benilde. But for now, let’s stick to his roasted native itik.

Not many restaurants in Metro Manila serve roasted itik but this local delicacy offers a distinct taste and texture—the skin crispy on the outside and the meat with a hint of gameyness. I can happily report finishing one order without any difficulty (the equivalent of one as I took some from one plate and some more from Turn to C2

Elm’s specialty dish, fried itik

Life

C2

monday, october 29, 2018 manilastandardlife@gmail.com

C

hILDrEN adore halloween, often for its tricks but mostly for its sweet treats. But all that sugar isn’t very good for them, and it’s a challenge for parents to come up with tasty treats that are as creepy or creepier than massproduced chocolate eyeballs and gummy monsters.

Foodie, writer, and mother or two young boys, Stephanie Zubiri-Crespi knows how to make treats that are wholesome, tasty, and still thrillingly halloween-y.

To strike a balance between treats, Zubiri-Crespi cranks up her trusty La Germania oven and unleashes her creative side. “It’s nice to go trick or treating and have a few candies,” she says, “but it’s also good to have more filling, healthier treats waiting back at home when the kids come in from trick or treating around the neighborhood.” “having wholesome halloweenthemed snacks on hand keeps them from attacking their candy stash right away, and when they’re not feeling hungry, it’s easier to negotiate a more reasonable schedule with them for eating the rest of their candy loot,” explains Zubiri-Crespi.

Spider pizza and spooky pretzels are great examples of quick, easy-to-make, and hearty snacks for kids fresh from the candy trail. Zubiri-Crespi makes hers with one simple secret: she uses frozen pizza dough.

“It’s faster and easier than making pizza dough from scratch, it’s practically fool-proof, and kids usually appreciate the taste of it,” she shares.

To make spider pizzas, Zubiri-Crespi loads a small disk of frozen pizza dough with toppings of choice: tomato sauce, cheese, and ham bits. She then takes an olive and cuts it into half for spider bodies, and then slices another olive for the spider’s legs. Another smaller slice forms the head, and voila, a large black spider sits on top of a tasty pizza.

“You can use any topping your kids like,” she recommends. “As long as you decorate it with a halloween theme, you don’t have to convince your kids to try it out. They’ll be excited to eat ‘scary’ food.”

The hands-on mother, however, doesn’t recommend that mommies and daddies push themselves too hard to create a “perfect” halloween snack. “If you’re stressed and you have less time to spend with your kids, nobody’s having any fun, and the holiday is all about having a good time shared with your children.”

According to her, if kids like vegetables, slice up carrots, kamote slices, butternut squash, zucchini, and potatoes into fun shapes like grinning faces, cats, and witch hats. Season with salt, pepper, and their favorite spices, drizzle with olive oil, and roast the veggies in the oven.

Another thing parents can do is bake whole wheat muffins ahead of time, and just put a store-bought decoration on top of it. “You can do the same with almost any baked goods: cookies, cupcakes, tiny pies, and even toast slices,” enthuses Zubiri-Crespi.

“The simplest treat of all is almost entirely store-bought,” she adds.

“Gently melt some chocolate on your stove top, dip some store-bought pretzels in it, and sprinkle halloweenthemed candy sprinkles on it.”

How Stephanie Zubiri-Crespi upgrades Halloween goodies

Stephanie Zubiri-Crespi with son Sebastian

sip

Vitasoy is a nutritious beverage packed with protein to power up busy individuals.

From left: Mondelez internal communications manager Cait Punzalan, Cheez Whiz brand manager Rachelle Virata, Rica Peralejo-Bonifacio, Cheez Whiz mascot, Dimples Romana, and Cheez Whiz assistant brand manager Neil Abanador

Mild and milky cheese spread LEADING cheese spread brand in the country, Cheez Whiz has launched a new variant ideal for children who love a hearty fill of sandwich spread.

The new Cheez Whiz Mild is a milder and milkier version of the brand’s original cheese spread. It is made of real cheese that perfectly balances the rich flavors of milk and cheese.

According to Cheez Whiz brand manager rachelle Virata, the new product is Mondelez Philippines’ answer to the request of many parents for a mild-tasting cheese spread perfect for children.

“Mondelez Philippines, the maker of Cheez Whiz Mild, aims to be the best snacking company in the country. We are always listening to consumers and we have found that moms and their kids also want to experience a different cheese taste, something milder and tastes milkier. Thus, Cheez Whiz Mild was born,” said Virata.

Cheez Whiz Mild is now available in groceries and supermarkets in 220g jar for P83 and in 62g sachet for P25.75.

Nutritious refreshment A hECTIC day f illed with tasks and er rands can easily take a toll on anyone’s stamina. In a bid to offer a nutritious beverage perfect to drink in the middle of the day, Vitasoy-Universal robina Cor poration brings to the countr y hong Kong’s well-loved soy milk drink.

Vitasoy Classic is a great-tasting beverage made from high-quality soybeans that are free from cholesterol and genetically-modified organisms. It is packed with the right nutrients and protein to power up

café...

From C1

Cheez Whiz Mild is the milder and milkier version of Cheez Whiz’ original spread.

another plate in quick fashion while my best friends weren’t looking or pretended not to look). I would have ordered more had there been no other dishes to try—it was that good.

Other Filipino dishes on the menu include chicharong bulaklak, crispy pata, grilled hito with a serving of buro, kare-kare, and sisig.

For those wanting a lighter fare, they have sandwiches and pasta, too. One should not miss their garlic longganisa pasta, a simple yet flavorful dish.

And if you’ve had one drink too many, what better way to nurse your hangover than with piping hot papaitan.

busy individuals through their hectic daily schedule.

It is low in saturated fat, making it an ideal refreshment of choice for fitness and wellness enthusiasts who want a healthy drink to accompany their diets. It is also lactosefree and packed with protein.

Vitasoy Classic comes in an easy-to-carry 330ml bottle. It is available in three delicious flavors: Original, Chocolate, and Coffee; and is available at convenient stores and all leading groceries and supermarkets nationwide.

Elm’s sells wine by the bottle—they have Wolf Blass Chardonnay, Casa Silva Cabernet Sauvignon, and Wolf Blass White Label Merlot, among others. The restaurant also has a wine-allyou-can promo for only P399, allowing guests to enjoy Domaine Clos du Palay Merlot to their heart’s content.

Ngo’s Commonwealth branch is already his third, yet the philanthropic businessman is showing no signs of slowing down. Another branch of Elm’s is set to be opened by the end of November, he said.

“The demand is there. There are already inquiries for franchise. Our plan is to set up five company-owned branches first before doing franchising,” said Ngo. I’m at joyce.panares@gmail.com.

Entertainment

MONDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2018

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nickie.standard@gmail.com

Miguel Tanfelix now a World Vision Philippines Ambassador

Entertainment, citations galore at Tagline’s 15th anniversary

KAPUSO actor Miguel Tanfelix continues to expand his horizons as World Vision Philippines’ newest ambassador for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR).

Present during the contract signing were GMA Senior Assistant Vice President for Alternative Productions Gigi Santiago-Lara Santiago-Lara, GMA Artist Center Senior Talent Manager Vic Del Rosario, World Vision Resource Development Director Jun Godornes, and National Director of World Vision in the Philippines Rommel Fuerte Fuerte.

Miguel feels grateful to be part of a campaign on disaster risk reduction, “Thankful ako na mas mapapalaki ‘yung pag pag-reach out ko sa mga nangangailangan.” nangangailangan An adventurous lad, he is looking forward to fulfill his responsibilities as an ambassador and hopes to inspire the youth to play an active role in mitigating disasters and promoting a stronger community.

For this purpose, Miguel will undergo the necessary training and briefing for disaster risk reduction at the head office of World Vision Philippines so he can impart the knowledge to his fellow youth. Miguel is also willing to visit areas around the country and share the learnings on how to avoid or at the very least minimize the effect of disasters caused by natural calamities.

“First, alam natin na sobrang lakas ng social media ngayon. ‘Yung mga social media posts, malaking tulong iyon.

Siyempre hindi lang ‘yon, kailangan makita nila na ginagawa mo talaga. So I will be very hands-on sa mga gagawin naming operations.”

Miguel will also support children in need through the World Vision Philippines Sponsor a Child Program.

Recently, GMA’s Prince of Primetime was recognized as Best Actor in a Leading Role category for his remarkable portrayal in Kambal, Karibal by the Asian Academy Creative Awards.

Entertainment and citations filled up the night to celebrate the 15th anniversary of Tagline marketing group which started as an events company.

I

T WAS a night loaded with entertainment and recognition as Tagline group of companies celebrated its 15th year in the advertising industry recently at the Fairmont Hotel, Makati.

Tagline has grown from a lone events management and activations agency into an Integrated Marketing Communications company, eventually branching out into digital marketing, fabrication, interior design, and lifestyle industries focusing on travel management and luxury retail business.

CEO Jovy Rabelas described the vision that has driven the company forward from its inception.

“From day one, it has been my sincere wish to see each and every member of the Tagline family realize the full potential of

their talents and skills. To wield it to full effect at each and every project they take on.”

The event highlighted the global re cognitions Tagline achieved this year which included a Gold Award at the 5th Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards held in Hong Kong, three wins at the 4th Stevie Awards for Great Employers held in New York, and another three awards at the PEER Awards for Excellence in London.

Before October ends, two more accolades will be presented to Tagline, a Silver and a Bronze Stevie® at the 15th International Business Awards to be presented in London.

TGC also cited plans for future company development, geared towards global growth. “Moving forward, I am personally committing myself to ensure that your talents and skills garner the merit they deserve on an international level,” says Rabelas.

The event also recognized employees who have shown excellence in their

work performance over the past year in an initiative known as Project Aurum derived from the Latin term ‘Aurum’, meaning “gold.” This effort has been recognized as an overall category winner for People & Performance at the 2018 Peer Awards for Excellence.

“I would also like to impart that ‘Aurum’ is likewise defined as ‘glow’. So tonight, let us bask in the glow of the full fruition of your efforts,” Rabelas concluded.

The night ended with a party, a raffle and a personalized commemorative watch for the loyal employees.

Founded in 2003, the Tagline Group of Companies is a marketing communications group based in Manila comprising of various advertising agencies including Oncue Media, 5Seconds Advertising, Binary Digital Advertising, FabCreate, Hey! Communications, Push Events and Activations, Backbone Outsourced Solutions, Moodboard Manila, World Juanderer and Shopper’s Alley.

ABS-CBN News journos lead winners at COMGUILD Awards

Jeff Canoy wins Best Male Field Reporter of the Year

MEMBERS of the academe honored ABS-CBN programs and personalities led by broadcast journalists Korina SanchezRoxas, Jeff Canoy, and Alvin Elchico at the recent 2018 COMGUILD Awards.

Korina won Best Magazine Show Host, while her program Rated K won Best Magazine Show. Jeff and Alvin, meanwhile, were awarded Best Male Field Reporter of the Year and Most Outstanding Male News Presenter of the year, respectively.

In a report on news.abs-cbn.com, the three pledged to continue searching for the truth and reporting the stories that matter to Filipinos even as traditional forms

Korina Sanchez wins Best Magazine Show Host

of media and journalism are constantly attacked.

“In these times that truth is being twisted and lies are being used to cover up mistakes, this recognition gives meaning to everything reporters do every day,” Jeff said.

“The people will demand more from us. We should do more and strive harder so we are not left behind because this is what the Filipino asks from us. They are not satisfied with what we used to do so this is why we have to do more,” added Alvin.

Korina also said the awards inspire her team to keep searching for good stories.

CROSSWORD PUZZLE Monday, October 29, 2018

ACROSS 1 Veered 6 In the distance 10 Quickie exam 14 Come together 15 Coal product 16 Sky bear 17 Pertaining to ideas 19 Wednesday’s god 20 Tot’s perch 21 Sushi fish 22 Thick-skulled 24 Amphibian 26 Roy Rogers’ wife 27 Run of luck 30 Leaves (2 wds.)

34 Washstand items 35 Revitalize 36 Gehrig or Costello 37 Font size 38 Did a slow burn 39 Paddy plant 40 Retiree’s kitty 41 Starting point 42 Of ships 43 Kind of soup 45 Alpine refrains 46 Unwelcome obligation 47 Moore of “G.I. Jane” 48 Firearm part 51 Except

52 D.A. backup 56 Nobelist — Alvarez 57 In a submissive manner 60 On strike 61 Yen 62 Dipper 63 Popular desserts 64 Back talk 65 Indian dwelling DOWN 1 Oh, gross!

2 In a short time 3 Port or sherry 4 And like that (2 wds.)

5 Joey or Kiki 6 Went on stage 7 Cager’s offense 8 Police-blotter info 9 Added more bullets 10 Repeats verbatim 11 Pakistan’s language 12 Nile goddess 13 Grey of Western novels 18 Crest 23 Squandered 25 1948 treaty gp.

26 Eats out 27 Cuttlefish pig-

ment 28 Pirouette 29 Postgame discussion 30 Send payment 31 Popeye’s girl 32 Kind of point 33 Stokes a furnace 35 Tricks 38 Incredible 39 Brightness 41 Curse 42 — de guerre 44 Mustangs 45 Sasquatch

cousin 47 Flashy dressers 48 Dot on a radar screen 49 German import 50 Exasperate 51 Pleads 53 Traffic sign 54 Blackthorn 55 Variety 58 Bikini half 59 C’— la vie!

“The most important stories are those of ordinary people,” she said.

TV Patrol also won Best News Program of the Year, Tonight with Boy Abunda won Best Entertainment News Show, while host Boy Abunda won Best Entertainment News Show Host. In the radio category, MOR 101.9 host DJ Chacha won Best FM Radio DJ. The COMGUILD Awards is given by collegiate educators from over 70 schools and awarded annually during the “COMGUILD Media and Technology Students Conference” attended by student delegates from all over the country.

From left: GMA Senior Talent Manager Vic del Rosario, Senior Assistant Vice President for Alternative Productions Gigi Santiago-Lara, Miguel Tanfelix, National Director of World Vision in the Philippines Rommel Fuerte, World Vision Resource Development Director Jun Godornes

Simply...

From C4

MTRCB conducts media literacy for PWD’s The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) for the first-time in history conducted a media literacy seminar and film showing for persons with disabilities (PWD) at the E.T. Ona Auditorium of the National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI) Diagnostic Center. The event was attended by members of the Kidney Transplant Association of the Philippines, led by President Tess Prima with dialysis and transplant patients and their families supported by NKTI officials and staff.

The event was held to educate and empower the audience, particularly the families about the plight of persons with disabilities and other disability-related concerns through the use of media and film appreciation.

The seminar was led by Chairperson Arenas. Dr. Joselito Chavez, Maria Rachel Arenas NKTI Deputy Executive Director for Medical Services, delivered the welcome remarks. MTRCB Board Members (BMs) discussed the powers and functions of the agency and the movie and television review and classification ratings and processes led

by Bibeth Orteza, Keats Musngi, Dennis Padilla, and Bogie Reyes.

Padilla Other members of the board were there too – Mars Laguardia, Gloria Sevilla, Macasaet, Atty. Gaby Concepcion, Pam Macasaet Atty. Ogie Jaro, Atty. Paolo Lim and Billy Andal.

Andal The Human Organ Preservation Effort (HOPE) of NKTI or HOPE-NKTI also took part in the event by discussing organ coordinator, Ivy donation. Transplant coordinator Lukban, RN stressed the organization’s Lukban tagline “Sharing is Caring” and saving other people’s lives by donating one’s organ. An organ donor card was also given to MTRCB Officials in support of their advocacies.

The concluding part of the Seminar was

a film showing featuring a family-oriented comedy drama film, Seven Sundays by Cathy Garcia-Molina. *** Italian film festival opens on Nov. 14 Following the success of the first edition, the Italian Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines and the Philippine Italian Association, together with the Film Development Council of the Philippines under the auspices of the Embassy of Italy in Manila, are proud to present the second edition of Italian Cinema from Venice Tto Manila, a selection of movies from the Venice International Film Festival.”

Thanks to our partnership with Central Square, Ayala Malls Cinemas and FBDC, the Italian movies will be screened in Taguig, BGC, at Central Square, in High Street where the festival will open on Nov. 14 and, by the following day, in Makati, at Greenbelt 3 and in Quezon City, at U.P. Town Center.

The nine movies that will be screened participated in the 74th Venice International Film Festival: Ammore e malavita (2017), Una famiglia (2017), Hannah (2017), The Leisure Seeker (2017), Il colore nascosto delle cose (2017), Brutti e cattivi (2017), Gatta Cenerentola (2017), Il deserto rosso (1964), Novecento (1976).

All these films will be scheduled in the three cities and will be accessible at the discounted price of P150.

Another feature of this signature festival is the launching of an educational component: three Italian film experts will hold a series of master classes at the UP Film Institute, School of Design and Arts of Saint Benilde (Digital Filmmaking program) and Cinematheque of the Film Development Council of the Philippines.

Lastly, within the framework of this event, a Production Tour is being organized with the objective of strengthening the PhilippineItalian film industry ties. With the support of the European-Philippine Business Network, an Italian independent producer will visit six local production houses with the intent of exploring possible co-operations.

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

C4

Entertainment

MONDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2018

MARIAN RIVERA’s

Sharlene San Pedro and Nash Aguas on the set of 'Class of 2018' movie.

scented life

Nash Aguas, Sharlene San Pedro

Marian Rivera with Beautederm President and CEO Rhea Anicoche-Tan during the launch of Reverie by Beautederm Home.

By Nickie Wang

M

ARIAN Rivera has an unblemished track record when it comes to her career choices and personal life. Her grand wedding with Dingdong Dantes can rival that of Crazy Rich Asian’s opulent wedding festivities, and her life as a mother to their beautiful daughter, and another one on the way, is nothing but enviable.

In millennial speak, “How to be you po?”

As one of the industry’s finest actresses, she has starred in numerous films and a consistent string top-rating primetime series on GMA-7 with the drama-actionfantasy top-rater Super Ma’am being the most recent one. She is also one of the main hosts of GMA7’s Sunday afternoon variety show Sunday Pinasaya.

However, for GMA’s primetime queen, her top priority these days is her ultimate role as a wife, mother, and homemaker as she seeks only the best for her family.

“I don’t really care about being called a queen, it is just a title. What’s important is my performance as an artist, and most of all, the only thing I really care about is that I’m the only queen in Dingdong’s house,” she said in jest when she was introduced as the official celebrity endorser of Beautederm Home early this week.

For Marian, to have a happy home is to have a warm, safe, and pleasant environment where love, care, and comfort are overflowing and abundant.

“Finally, I can reveal one of my best kept secrets—Reverie by Beautederm Home,” said Marian.

“This is really my personal choice for me and my family. I am very grateful to Beautederm and to Rhea for trusting me to represent this amazing line of products.”

Beautederm Corporation welcomed Marian to its growing family as she officially collaborates with the company as the first ever celeb-

rity endorser of its newest line of products, Reverie by Beautederm Home.

Beautederm was founded and established in 2009 by its President and CEO Rhea Anicoche-Tan. Beautederm embodies Rhea’s principle that beauty begins by taking care of one’s self, and by doing so a person will become more healthy and shall exude beauty not only in the outside but in the inside as well.

As one of today’s top leaders in the beauty and wellness industry, Beautederm prioritizes safety and effectiveness above all with its FDA Notified products, which only uses natural ingredients that are perfectly synergized to deliver the fastest and most effective long-term and sustainable results. A consistent Superbrands awardee, some of the flagship brands of Beautederm are Beautederm Skin Set which includes its patented soap, day cream and toner; Beautederm Facial Wash; and Beautederm Origin Senses perfumes for men among many others—all top-selling products in the market today. Currently, Beautederm has 41 physical stores throughout the country and has over a hundred resellers both locally and internationally.

Reverie by

Beautederm Home is an exquisite line of home scents—from soy candles to room and linen sprays—created by Beautederm in collaboration with Marian to exhilarate and rejuvenate everyone at the comfort of their homes.

Reverie is actually a play of words between Marian’s maiden name and the concept of the brand’s desired effect to its users – to drift away, dream, and relax while basking in the extraordinary, sweet, and “beautiful” scents of love of Beautederm Home.

The Reverie line of Beautederm Home includes Into The Woods (Bamboo Scent), Smells Like Candy (Cherry Scent), Time To Bloom (Fresh Rose Scent), Something Minty (Eucalyptus Scent), and Rest & Relaxation (Lavender Scent) – all created from formulation to individual packaging in very close collaboration with Marian.

An icon of beauty with a timeless charm and a keen sense of style coupled with the soothing aura of motherly warmth – these are just some of the many outstanding qualities that make Marian one of the most respected, enduring, and credible band endorsers in the Philippines today.

For more information on Reverie

by Beautederm Home and exciting updates on Marian, follow @ beautedermcorporation on Instagram and like Beautederm on Facebook.

Richard Juan and Paul Smith come together at Harbour City AS THE largest mall in Hong Kong, Harbour City is a favourite retail, dining and entertainment destination for locals and tourists alike. Not surprisingly, it is also home to the most sought-after international fashion brands, including the one and only Paul Smith.

In town for the Asia Pacific launch of his new Spring/Summer ‘19 Collection, Sir Paul Smith had precious little personal time to

Sir Paul Smith (right) and Richard Juan in Hong Kong

explore Hong Kong, but still wanted to experience the unique sights and sounds of the city first hand.

Harbour City introduced Sir Paul to Richard Juan, the Philippine-born Hong Kong Chinese TV and online personality. As guest celebrity host, Richard represented Harbour City and attended a private dinner organized

by Sir Paul. Richard also shared his thoughts on the presentation of the Paul Smith New Season collection and his views on the latest fashion trends.

An actor, host, model and celebrity in the Philippines with a strong presence and influence on social media, Richard is the perfect collaboration partner for Harbour City as it drives its marketing and promotional campaigns by leveraging social media and online channels.

Sir Paul’s saying, that “you can find inspiration in everything”, means that his collections are eclectic, coming from fine art and everyday life.

Sir Paul visited various destinations including a traditional “dai pai dong” outdoor café and one of Hong Kong’s oldest temples, to the restored Tai Kwun heritage centre.

Meanwhile, Richard joined Sir Paul on the world renowned Star Ferry and accompanied him to see Harbour City’s stunning Ocean Terminal Deck. Sir Paul found inspiration in the endless photo-taking opportunities. In fact, he and his father Harold both loved photography, and many of the Spring/Summer ’19 graphics have been created using images from Sir Paul’s archive.

For Harbour City, this was a oneof-a-kind opportunity to showcase the New Season collection by bringing together two unique individuals— Britain’s foremost fashion designer and a millennial social media star— in a fresh and innovative format. As Sir Paul and Richard would agree, it’s ‘classic with a twist.’

lead cast of ‘Class of 2018’ ISAH V. RED

IF THESE two kids made you cry in their stints in Kapamilya drama series, watch them now as they are no longer kids, nor teens, but full grown adults.

Nash Aguas, the acting prodigy that broke many hearts in a number of tearjerkers and made many laugh as well in Goin Bulilit and put everyone at the edge of their seats in The Good Son stars in a different kind of movie meant not only for young men and women his age but the whole family as well.

Class of 2018 it is called and it reunites her with fellow Goin Bulilit alum Sharlene San Pedro.

Goin’ Bulilit is a groundbreaking children’s comedy show, making a generation of Filipinos laugh for more than a decade.

Class of 2018, a teen horrorthriller reunites Goin’ Bulilit alumni San Pedro, Aguas, with CJ Navato, Kristel Fulgar, and Kiray Celis, The film opens in cinemas on Nov. 7. Written by Jericho Aguado and cowritten and directed by Charliebebs Gohetia, it is the newest offering of T-Rex Entertainment, producer of critically acclaimed films Patay na si Hesus, Deadma Walking, and Bakwit Boys.

The story begins when Section Zamora contracts a mysterious virus during a field trip. The class made up of 24 students is quarantined by the military in an abandoned facility.

Students Ada (Sharlene San Pedro), RJ (Nash Aguas), Princess (Kristel Fulgar), Migs (CJ Navato), and Venus (Kiray Celis) fight for their survival as they deal with the dangers of the infectious virus and politics among untrustworthy classmates.

The cast also features Yayo Aguila, Adrian Alandy, Dido dela Paz, Alex Medina, Sherry Lara, Michelle Vito, Ethan Salvador, Jomari Angeles, Kelvin Miranda, Nikki Gonzales, Lara Fortuna, Aga Arceo, Shiara Dizon, Hanna Francisco, Justin de Guzman, Dylan Ray Talon, Micah Jackson, Jude Matthew Servilla, John Vic De Guzman, Yvette Sanchez, Jerom Canlas, and Noubikko Ray. Class of 2018 is the biggest starring roles for the tandems of Nash and Sharlene, and CJ and Kristel. When the official movie poster was first unveiled online, Sharlene felt a sense of awe, like she couldn’t believe she was headlining a film with her longtime love team mate. She posted on her Instagram, “Never ko na-imagine sa life ko na magkakamovie poster kaming dalawa (ni Nash).”

This project is also a big break for talented filmmaker Charliebebs “Bebs” Gohetia Class of 2018 is his eighth full-length feature to date.

As an award-winning film editor, he has edited over 38 films, including the works of celebrated directors Mel Chionglo, Brillante Mendoza, Adolfo Alix, Jr., Joel Lamangan, and Joey Reyes.

Gohetia’s 2015 film shot in Thailand, I Love You, Thank You with Joross Gamboa, received seven nominations at the Star Awards for Movies.

He believes that he and the Goin’ Bulilit kids have come of age. “It’s our time to shine,” he remarks.

For updates about “Class of 2018,” check out the accounts of T-Rex Entertainment @prodsthatmatter on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Continued on C3