Manila Standard - 2018 November 6 - Tuesday

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HUGPONG, TINGOG PARTY LIST JOIN FORCES

By Ronald O. Reyes

TACLOBAN CITY—The regional party of Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, the Hugpong ng Pagbabago, has endorsed the Tingog Sinirangan party-list group, which seeks to bring change, hope and

Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio

progress to Eastern Visayas.

The two groups are scheduled to formalize their alliance at a ceremony at the Tacloban City Convention Center, attended by Mayor Duterte, Tingog Sinirangan nominees, and the chairman emeritus of the group, former Leyte Rep. Ferdinand

Martin Romualdez.

“We will stand shoulder-to-shoulder with partners such as Hugpong ng Pagbabago who share our cause. We will stand confident knowing we have President Rodrigo Duterte who… is a champion Next page

Rep. Yedda Romualdez

TRAFFIC DISENTANGLER.

President Rodrigo Duterte, once wrapped in a vehicular traffic in Metro Manila when he was still a local exceutive of Davao, lauds Monday the inauguration of the P5.6 billion ‘state-of-the-art’ —a landmark landport project—Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange with the bus bay (below left) at the Macapagal Blvd. (below middle) and the transit area (below right). Norman Cruz

VOL. XXXII • NO. 264 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 • TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2018 • www.manilastandard.net • editorial@manilastandard.net

P25-wage hike in MM makes workers restive Extra P90-tax on cigarets can save lives—DoH

By Macon Ramos-Araneta ABOUT one million in tobacco-attributable deaths could be prevented if an extra P90 in tobacco tax is added per pack of cigarettes, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said Monday.

He said the prevalence of smoking could also be reduced from 21.6 percent of the population to a target of 15.7 percent.

“This is in line with our non-communicable diseases targets for 2025,” Duque said.

He said a Pulse Asia survey in September revealed a 67-percent public approval for increased tobacco taxes among its respondents. That means two out of every three of the Filipinos surveyed agreed that cigarette taxes should be increased.

The survey also said that 64 percent of those polled would vote for candidates who will endorse higher taxes for tobacco products.

The Health department has been pushing for higher tobacco taxes to bring better health to more Filipinos through the Universal Health Care bill.

Next page

By Macon Ramos-Araneta and Maricel V. Cruz

T

HREE regional wage boards, including the one for Metro Manila, issued orders raising the minimum daily wage by P10 to P25, but labor groups warned of mounting industrial unrest over what they saw as an inadequate adjustment in the face of rising inflation.

In a press briefing, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said minimum wage earners in Metro Manila will receive an additional P25, raising the minimum wage from P512 to P537 for non-agricultural workers.

The salary adjustment also covers retail and service establishments employing 15 workers or less and manufacturing establishments regularly employing fewer than 10 workers, raising the minimum wage in this sector from P475 a day to P500 a day.

Regional wage boards in Cagayan Valley (Region 2) and Mimaropa (Region 4-B) also issued orders raising the daily minimum wage from P10 to P20.

In Region 2, the board approved a P10 increase and a P10 cost-of-living allowance. New minimum wage rates will range from P320 to P360, across different sectors.

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Duterte upbeat PITX will ease traffic in south

By Nat Mariano and Darwin G. Amojelar PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Monday lauded the inauguration of the Pañaraque Integrated Terminal Exchange, expressing optimism that it will help alleviate traffic in the country’s capital.

“I am impressed, I am proud that they did this beautiful structure. And it will serve the Filipino and that is what is very important,” he said, congratulating the Department of Tourism and the Megawide and Walter Mart Terminal Inc., for building the modern land transport terminal free from any whiff of corruption.

As the first integrated and multi-modal terminal in the southwestern part of Metro Manila, PITX is a “landmark” land port project, with its airport-like facilities, Next page Duterte said.

Five years after: ‘Yolanda’ survivors back in harm’s way With P195.9-b TACLOBAN CITY―Diofel Llamado fled for his life when Super Typhoon “Haiyan” devastated the Philippines in 2013, yet today he is back living in the same coastal area―even if it puts him in the cross-hairs of a future killer storm.

On the fifth anniversary of the Philippines’ deadliest typhoon on record, his return is emblematic of the struggle in developing nations to move people out of homes in the most disaster-menaced zones.

It is an especially urgent danger as

monster storms strike ever more frequently, packing destructive rainfall that experts say is supercharged by climate change.

“You cannot think that you are safe,” Llamado, 55, told AFP. “Even when you are sleeping, you have to think like a soldier: one foot is in the graveyard.”

Haiyan―local name “Yolanda”― struck in the pre-dawn darkness of Nov. 8, 2013 as the then strongest typhoon to ever hit land, leaving more than 7,360

people dead or missing across the central Philippines.

The wall of seawater the typhoon sent crashing into densely populated areas― known as storm surge―is one of the key reasons it was so deadly.

Many people simply did not understand the term and did not evacuate despite official warnings.

Even some who fled were not spared― Llamado’s two daughters were killed when the rushing water collapsed an evacuation center.

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P2-b diesel import won’t work for PUJ drivers, says senator

Next page

By Rio N. Araja MAKATI has overtaken Quezon City as the Philippines’ richest city with total assets of P196.57 billion, according to the Commission on Audit.

Based on the Agency’s 2017 audit report, Quezon City―known as the City of Stars―ranked second with assets of P68.33 billion, followed by the City of Manila (P38.67 billion), Cebu City (P33.86 billion), Pasig City (P33.70 billion), Taguig City (P19.64 billion), Caloocan City (P17 billion), Pasay City (P16.66 billion), Davao City (P13.18 billion) and Calamba City (P12.41 billion).

Quezon City topped the list in 2016 with total assets of P59.56 billion, followed by Next page Makati’s P54.85 billion.

More female cops not feasible—PNP

By Macon Ramos-Araneta SENATOR Sherwin Gatchalian on Monday expressed skepticism that a government plan to import some P2 billion worth of diesel from Singapore will help drivers of public utility jeepneys better cope with rising costs because there is no guarantee they will get the cheaper fuel.

Instead of engaging in the direct importation of cheap diesel, Gatchalian said the government should step up its efforts to fully implement the Pantawid Pasada Program, which provides cash subsidies for PUJ drivers.

“I understand that we have a common goal and that is to help ease the burden of our jeepney drivers, who are actually one of the most vulnerable sectors to fluctuations in pump prices,” said

assets, Makati richest city in PH

HELPLESS MEMORY. This combination photo created on Nov. 5 shows a file photo on Nov. 21, 2013 of people walking past piles debris (inset) left by powerful Typhoon ‘Yolanda,’ and motorists (above) passing by a Chinese temple in the capital city of Tacloban on Oct. 31, 2018. Yolanda struck Eastern Visayas in the predawn darkness of Nov. 8, 2013 as the strongest typhoon to ever hit land in the Philippines, leaving at least 7,360 people dead or missing across the region. AFP

THE Philippine National Police has declined a proposal to increase the number of female recruits to 20 percent of the total, saying the 10-percent limit is enough because women have limitations because they bear children.

PNP Chief Oscar Albayalde made the comment following the call of Rep. Johnny Pimentel of Surigao del Sur to raise to 20 percent the annual recruitment and training quota for female officers.

Pimentel said this would help effect immediate administrative reforms and allow the PNP to have direct and immediate custody of children brought to police staNext page tions for various reasons.

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News

tuesday, November 6, 2018

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

EO to enforce ‘Bora’ casino ban

By Nat Mariano

M

ALACAÑANG on Monday admitted an executive order was needed to strictly enforce the ban on casino operations in Boracay a week after it reopened to the public.

“I think so, yes,” Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo, replying to reporters’ questions, told a Palace press briefing.

“The policy of the President is there should be no gambling casino inside Boracay because he feels that this is a family thing. Families go there, and he doesn’t want that there will be gambling inside Boracay,” he added, stressing that Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea should draft the EO. Panelo echoed the Department of Justice’s recommendation that an EO was important to effectively prohibit all forms of gambling in the island

Hugpong,...

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of regional governance,” said Leyte First District Rep. Yedda Marie Romualdez, the first nominee of Tingog Sinirangan.

Tingog Sinirangan second nominee Philip Jude Acidre said the vision of empowering the countryside is what binds together Tingog Sinirangan and Hugpong ng Pagbabago.

“For every man, woman or child— the opportunities that will make real their dreams for a better life will finally be well within their reach—quality education, affordable health care, and sustainable livelihoods. Standing side by side, Tingog and Hugpong are committed to see that happen—in a collective mandate of ‘thinking national, but acting regional,’” he said.

Acidre said the people of Eastern Visayas can no longer remain voiceless spectators as national policies are crafted and implemented.

Romualez added: “Our region’s population of four million comprises 4 percent of our country’s population.

But we receive a little more than 1 percent of the national budget. We must wait no longer, and ask others to speak for us. We need to find our voice.”

Tingog Sinirangan, through a resolution promulgated on Aug. 19, 2015, was officially accredited by the Commission on Elections as a party-list organization qualified to run under the partylist elections beginning with the May 9, 2016 national and local elections.

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Gatchalian, chairman of the Senate committees on economic affairs and energy.

To illustrate his point, Gatchalian said 179,852 legitimate PUJ franchise holders nationwide need at least 161.1 million liters of diesel per month for their operations. However, the Philippine National Oil Company-Exploration Corp. said it plans to import 50,000 MT per month, which is only equivalent to 50 million liters of diesel or just over 31 percent of the monthly demand for diesel.

He also contended that there is no assurance that PUJ drivers will be able to get hold of the cheap diesel because not all gasoline stations will participate in the program.

PNOC-EC said the distribution of the imported fuel will only be done “through smaller oil companies and other bulk buyers.” Data from the DOE show that these independent oil players operate only 3,051 of the total 8,630 gas stations nationwide.

He said there was also a problem of monitoring the use of the cheap diesel by non-qualified vehicle owners.

“The DOE and PNOC-EC should abandon the plan to engage in the direct importation of diesel and instead focus their energy and resources on a targeted system such as the Pantawid Pasada, which will truly benefit our PUJ drivers,” Gatchalian said.

He vowed to fight for the ₱20,000 cash aid for jeepney drivers under the Pantawid Pasada Program for 2019, after the country’s economic managers said they might reduce it to ₱10,000, given the suspension of the excise tax on fuel in January 2019.

extra P90-tax...

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Certified as urgent for discussion, the UHC bill passed third reading in both houses of Congress on Oct. 10 this year.

But Duque said there was still a need for increasing the taxes on sin products such as tobacco.

The available funding for UHC’s

even as the Palace already warned gambling operators not to test President Rodrigo Duterte’s decision to prevent casinos from establishing a business in Boracay.

Meanwhile, tax relief for businesses, residents, and workers in Boracay and surrounding areas has become even more necessary now that it has become clear that tourist arrivals will be limited to Boracay’s so-called “carrying capacity” and with new inspections processes government agencies put in place, said Rep. Carlos Roman Uybarreta, author of a bill granting a Boracay tax reprieve.

Uybarreta filed House Bill 8537 which seeks to provide a one-time allowable extraordinary operating loss deduction equivalent to fifty percent of audited operating losses incurred in taxable year 2018.

“Noting the continuing disregard to anti-littering and other environmental laws and regulations, there is an urgent need to impose stiffer fines and other administrative penalties against violators,” the congressman said.

According to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Boracay has a “carrying capacity of 19,000 tourists per day or about 55,000 people including residents, workers and tourists.”

At the same time, the Department of Tourism said on Oct. 25 it accredited only 157 establishments in Boracay with total combined 7,300 rooms.

“With all these limitations, the fi-

nancial health of Boracay businesses, employees, and residents will certainly be troubled this year and in 2019. Giving them urgent tax relief will ease the pain they are suffering,” Rep. Uybarreta said in a press statement.

Justice chief Menardo Guevarra, who called for the EO in a legal opinion, said its issuance would “guide” not only the current administration but also for a longer term, the matter of implementing no-casino policy in Boracay.

In a legal opinion, the DoJ maintained that an EO was “proper” to direct the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation to hold and revoke the grant of licenses to casino operators in Boracay.

The directive to ban casinos on the island was made after President Duterte ordered the six-month closure of the world-famous tourist destination for rehabilitation purposes.

Nograles vows to help push Rody’s dev’t agenda NEWLY-APPOINTED Cabinet Secretary Secretary Karlo Alexei Nograles on Monday thanked President Rodrigo Duterte for the opportunity to serve in the Cabinet, saying he hopes to help push the administration’s development agenda.

Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said the lawmaker for Davao City’s first district took his oath of office Monday afternoon, taking the post vacated by Leoncio “Jun” Evasco, who is running for governor of Bohol in next year’s elections.

“I thank President Duterte for welcoming me to his Cabinet. As a fellow Mindanaoan and ‘probinsyano,’ I hope to contribute to government efforts to bring development to the regions through different programs that place an emphasis on providing more economic opportunities outside Metro Ma-

nila,” said Nograles.

“He enjoys the trust and confidence of the appointing power of the President,” Panelo added of Nograles, who was chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations.

Other lawmakers, led by House Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, welcomed Nograles’ appointment.

“I am sure he will do very well in his new position, and that he will be a valuable member of the President’s team. I wish him all the best!” Arroyo said.

Former Speaker and Quezon City Rep. Feliciano Belmonte Jr. said Nograles was an asset to the Duterte administration.

“Karlo is very capable. He will do justice to the position,” Belmonte said.

Reps. Alfredo Benitez of Negros Occidental, Ben Evardone of Eastern Samar, Gus Tambunting of Parañaque City, Ro-

dolfo Albano III of Isabela, and Jericho Nograles of PBA party-list were all happy for Nograles, son of former Speaker and bar topnotcher Prospero Nograles Jr. “It’s a challenging position. But Rep. Karlo Nograles is young and talented and can easily overcome those obstacles,” Benitez, chairman of the House Committee on Housing and Urban Development, said.

“We welcome his appointment. He will be an asset to the Duterte administration,” Evardone, chairman of the House Committee on Public Information, said.

The 42 year-old Nograles said that though this was his first position in the executive branch, he hoped his experience as chairperson of the House appropriations committee would provide him with the kind of “holistic perspective” needed in his new post. Maricel Cruz and Nat Mariano

PNP chief leads gun show opening DIRECTOR General Oscar Albayalde, chief of the Philippine National Police, will lead the opening ceremonies of the 26th Defense & Sporting Arms Show Part 2—the country’s biggest and most prestigious gun show— at the SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City on Nov. 15.

World shooting champ Jethro T. Dionisio, president of the Association of Firearms and Ammunition Dealers Inc., said Albayalde will be joined by other top PNP officials in the opening ceremonies in joining forces with AFAD in the promotion of responsible gun ownership.

Apart from the wide array of latest firearms, ammunition and shooting apparel made available at the events venue, DSAS offers free lectures that included ‘Crime Prevention & Skill Enhancement Orientation’ initiated by the National Capital Region Police Office; and ‘Basic Rescue Training, Disaster Preparedness, and Crisis Management’ by the Philippine National Police Academy.

Martial arts experts will also give free seminars on basic self-defense techniques from MMA Jiu Jitsu and Krav Maga.

Ernie Claudio, a veteran sport shooting coach, leads the Gun Safety and Responsible Gun Ownership Seminar during the five-day DSAS event. Claudio’s lecture is from 1 pm to 1:50 pm and is free-of-charge to gun show visitors.

Dionisio also invites owners of firearms with delinquent license to avail of the ‘Firearms Caravan,’ a joint undertaking by the AFAD and PNP to help in the swift processing of gun documents.

With P195.9-b...

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board to grant a P334 daily wage hike on top of the existing amount to enable Metro Manila workers to cope with rising cost of living following an erosion their purchasing power as a result on new taxes imposed by the government and the rising cost of food and other commodities.

“Twenty-five pesos is short by 30 percent to make up for the P35.84 erosion in wages due to the 7 percent inflation in the NCR recorded in August this year. Partido Manggagawa’s own cost of living estimate for a family of five in Metro Manila is around P1,300 a day, more than double the new minimum wage of P537,” the chairman of PM, Rene Magtubo, said in a statement.

“The whole controversy about the NCR wage hike just proves that no matter how hard workers make a devotion to Santo Rodrigo, they will not be blessed with a sufficient wage order. The problem lies in the system of wage regionalization in which wage boards base their wage hikes on the capacity to pay of employers and not on the cost of living of workers,” he added.

Senator Joel Villanueva agreed that the P25 increase in Metro Manila was inadequate.

“Even if we suspend the tax on fuel this January, prices will continue to increase because of other factors contributing to inflation,” Villanueva said.

He said the more sensible solution was to lower the value added tax rate from 12 percent to 10 percent.

Senator Paolo Benigno Aquino IV

said a wage hike must be coupled with efforts to lower the price of goods, including a suspension of the excise tax on fuel under the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion law.

In the House, two leftist lawmakers assailed what they described as a measly wage hike granted by the Metro Manila wage board.

At the same time, party-list Representatives Antonio Tinio and France Castro of ACT Teachers reiterated the call of workers nationwide for national minimum wage and the repeal of the regressive provisions of the TRAIN Law. “The P25 measly wage hike for one region will not be enough to compensate price hikes from TRAIN as workers all over the nation endure the price hikes of basic goods due to TRAIN 1. They are demanding for a P750 national minimum wage not loose change of P25,” Tinio said.

Tinio said the P512 minimum wage in the National Capital Region can barely cope with the increasing prices of basic goods.

“We can only imagine how workers from the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao fit their daily wages receiving only P262 with the nationwide effect of TRAIN 1 making the call for a national minimum wage just and timely,” he said.

Castro pushed for the passage of House Bill 7877, which establishes a national minimum wage and imposing stiffer penalties for violations.

With PNA

cent, but sometimes we even reach 12 percent. We don’t discriminate against the female members of the police force,” Albayalde said.

“We stick with the 10 percent because there are restrictions for women. When they get married and get pregnant, their maternity leave takes so long.”

Albayalde said a bill awaiting President Rodrigo Duterte’s signature would extend the maternity leave of policewomen.

“It will be extended to 100 days from 60 days. You can just imagine: You

won’t be able to get them to work for that span of time,” Albayalde said.

But he said Valencia’s case was an isolated one and that the police should not be stereotyped as abusive.

“To say that such cases is rampant would be harsh. That’s unfair. This is an isolated case, and we will never tolerate these things,” Albayalde said.

“Rest assured that we will show no mercy to this abusive behavior. It does not reflect the general behavior that we have in the PNP.”

“It is one of the three intermodal terminals to be developed by the government in cooperation with the private sector,” he said.

Duterte also underscored PITX’s function in curbing traffic congestion

in Metro Manila.

“This will offer passengers a safer, state-of-the-art, and convenient terminal experience that will hopefully contribute in addressing traffic congestion in Metro Manila,” he said.

“This will help ease traffic by limiting provincial buses plying Metro Manila roads, specifically along Roxas

Boulevard and the EDSA-Taft area. It will also serve as a transfer point between the provincial buses from Cavite, western Batangas, and other in-city modes of transportation,” he added.

The newly-inaugurated PITX can accommodate up to 100,000 passengers daily.

The land port also features departure and arrival bays for buses, jeepneys, and taxis.

implementation is being discussed by stakeholders who are identifying several fund sources for pooling and consolidation.

The estimates also show that in the first year of its implementation, around P257 billion will be needed to introduce the reforms.

Taking into account the existing budget, the funding gap is estimated to be around P164.04 billion. Additional

revenues from the proposed increase in tobacco taxes are seen as an important means to lessen the funding gaps.

The positive effects of the sin tax go beyond revenue generation. With higher prices of tobacco products, people will be less inclined to smoke, less people will get sick from smoking-related illnesses, and less expenses will be incurred on health care.

In the same Pulse Asia survey, the

Health department’s approval rating increased to 79 percent from 78 percent in June 2018, which is the second highest approval rating among national government agencies.

“This is a marked improvement from where we were in March 2018 at 73 percent,” Duque said.

“It gives us great satisfaction that our relentless effort to achieve UHC is appreciated and felt.”

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In Region 4-B, increases ranged from P12 to P20 a day, bringing the daily minimum wage to P283 to PHP320 across different sectors.

The Labor Department said as of end of October, 16 of the 17 regional boards have issued new wage orders, granting increases in the current minimum wage rates ranging from P9 to P56.

Only the Regional Board of Caraga (Region 13) has yet to issue a wage order.

Various labor groups warned of industrial discord following the official announcement of the daily wage hikes.

The Association of Labor UnionsTrade Union Congress of the Philippines and Partido Manggagawa said the measly increase would only lead to more to pickets and lockouts and other forms of expression of protest and deep dissatisfaction, ultimately breaking the industrial peace conducive for sustaining the country’s economic growth.

Bello said the P25 increase was decided based on the capacity of enterprises to pay the additional labor costs without impairing business, especially its capacity to continuously generate jobs.

But ALU-TUCP vice president Louie Corral said that hunger and poverty will only escalate and this will cause more instability on the labor front.

The ALU-TUCP earlier petitioned the

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He made the appeal following the arrest of PO1 Edgardo Valencia of the Manila Police District, who is accused of raping the 15-year-old daughter of a couple arrested in an anti-drug operation.

Valencia is accused of having sex with the victim in exchange for her parents’ release from detention.

“Under the law, it should be 10 per-

duterte...

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Makati increased its assets four times in 2017.

The 10 provinces with the biggest assets were Cebu at P34.13 billion, followed by Compostela Valley’s P18.95 billion, Batangas’ P15.56 billion, Rizal’s P14 billion, Negros Occidental’s P12.88 billion, Zambales’ P10.45 billion, Bulacan’s P10.45 billion, Palawan’s P10.15 billion, Iloilo’s P10 billion and Pampanga’s P9.53 billion.

The provinces above were followed

by Cainta’s P3.98 billion, Sual’s P2.52 billion, Limay’s P2.42 billion, Santo Domingo’s P2.14 billion, Binangonan’s P2.10 billion, Mariveles’ P2.09 billion, Tanay’s P1.79 billion, Carmona’s P1.65 billion, Narvacan’s P1.62 billion and Silang’s P1.59 billion.

Based on the data on the highest reported total expenses, Negros Occidental, Makati City and Rizal’s Cainta topped the list of the first 10 local government units with total expenses of P4.45 billion, P13.07 billion and P1.11 billion, respectively, followed by Bulacan’s P3.26 billion, Quezon City’s P12.30 billion and Taytay’s P0.79 billion.

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Yet he has returned to live in the same storm surge-threatened area where his family lived before Haiyan.

Llamado says his small business making savory pastries would not survive a move, adding that the governmentproposed housing in a safer area doesn’t even have running water and electricity.

“If someone will offer us a means of livelihood, we can live there. But until that happens, how will we survive?” he asked.

“No one is going to give you food.”

His decision echoes the calculus poor people make in other calamityprone nations in Asia and Africa, said Moustafa Osman, a Britain-based disaster management expert.

“Everywhere the single most difficult thing to do is to move people from their own village or territory and put them in a strange place,” he said.

“Unless you have a proper plan and a better alternative they won’t go,” he added.

Substandard housing, difficulties in earning a livelihood, no transportation and even conflict with the existing residents of a resettlement area are habitual barriers.

India has faced criticism for building thousands of apartments in a regularly flooded part of Chennai city to house people displaced by calamities.

China, one of the world’s most disaster-susceptible nations, has been criticized for forcibly moving the survivors of its frequent landslides.

In the Philippines, roughly 15,000 of the poorest families were ordered relocated from the worst-hit city of Tacloban, yet many have not moved and those who have are struggling. AFP

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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2018 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

No new permits for firecracker manufacturers —PNP chief PHILIPPINE National Police chief, Director General Oscar Albayalde on Monday said there will be no issuance of new permits to manufacturers and sellers of firecrackers and pyrotechnics.

Albayalde said the Memorandum Order 31, signed on Oct. 29 by President Rodrigo Duterte, mandates the PNP, in coordination with other concerned agencies and the local governments, to inspect and ensure that manufacturers, distributors, retailers and users of firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices comply with the government’s safety guidelines.

Licenses and permits of those found in violation of existing laws, rules and regulations will be “canceled or revoked,” the PNP head said.

“Per that memorandum we will also suspend the processing of new licenses and permits for the manufacture, sale, and distribution of firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices pending review of existing licensees’ and permittees’ compliance with laws, rules and regulations,” Albayalde said in a press briefing after Monday’s flag ceremony.

Asked if there is a possibility of total ban of firecrackers, Albayalde said: “Personally, the way I see it most probably papunta tayo doon [it might go that way.] That’s just my personal outlook probably, mali-limit yung ating manufacturers [it will limit the production of manufacturers.]”

He added that they want to prevent destruction of properties, injury to persons or even death by curbing the practice of manufacturers producing products at their own backyard without the necessary safety precautions and proper facilities.

“The suspension herein ordered shall remain in effect until declared lifted by the Office of the President upon recommendation of the PNP chief and his submission of a report on the review undertaken on existing licenses and permits,” the memorandum read.

Duterte also directed the PNP to revoke licenses and permits of those found violating existing laws.

Republic Act 7183 authorizes the PNP to process applications for the issuance of licenses or permits.

Under his memorandum, Duterte ordered the PNP to conduct inspections, confiscate and destroy prohibited firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices, and strictly prohibit the import of such devices.

The PNP has also been directed to strictly prohibit the sale of firecrackers to “anyone under 18 years of age.”

In June 2017, Duterte issued Executive Order 28, regulating the use of firecrackers and fireworks due to “firecracker-related injuries and deaths.” PNA

Vote Freddie Aguilar into Senate, Du30 asks public

By Nat Mariano PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Monday pleaded to the public to let senatorial aspirant Freddie Aguilar “translate his songs in Congress” as he endorsed the bid of the folk singer in the 2019 midterm elections.

“Now, Freddie is running for senator. I have not asked anything from you but just consider [him]. He is a brilliant man,” Duterte said during the inauguration of the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange.

This was the first time the President publicly voiced his endorsement of candidates vying for spots in the upcoming elections.

Duterte, a fan of the Filipino music icon, vouched for Aguilar’s competence, noting the “social value” of his popular songs.

“That’s why I’m pleading. After all, there are 12 [seats]. Give it to a nationalist, someone who loves the nation. And the protest of his songs is there,” said Duterte, citing Aguilar’s hit songs like “Magdalena” and “Pipi at Bingi.”

“Let us help Freddie because he is one exemplary nationalist guy. And do not ever think that he can only speak Tagalog.

He is my friend. He is a brilliant guy. He can talk, and he can help the country,” added Duterte, joking he would monitor the audience individually just to vote for Aguilar.

The President’s decision to endorse Aguilar is at odds with the moves of officials of the ruling political party, PDP-Laban, which had disowned the folk singer and denied ever issuing him a certificate of nomination and acceptance (CONA).

WAGE INCREASE.

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III, (center), is flanked

by Labor Undersecretary Claro Arellano (right) and National Wages and Productivity Commission Executive Director, Criselda Sy as he announced the P25 wage increase for all National Capital Region workers in a brief news conference held at the DOLE head office in Intramuros, Manila.

Ey Acasio

Aliens don’t enjoy same rights as Pinoys—Palace

By Nat Mariano

S

ISTER Patricia Fox’s departure is a “timely reminder” that foreigners do not enjoy the same rights as Filipino citizens in terms of criticizing the government, Malacañang said on Monday.

Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said foreigners cannot speak against the government as they do not have the same political rights.

“All foreigners who stay in as journalists in this country do not have political rights, and that includes freedom of expression. They cannot be joining rallies and join the mass action and speak against the government—they cannot do that,” Panelo said in a press briefing.

“They should be first become citizens of the land to enjoy such rights. They do not enjoy the same political rights as the citizens of the land,” Panelo added.

The Palace official made the remark following the departure of Fox who caught the attention of President Rodrigo Duterte after her supposed “meddling with internal politics” by joining human rights protests.

Panelo also belied Fox’s claim that a “reign of terror and tyranny” currently

prevails in the country.

“There is no reign of terror and tyranny in the Philippines. There is only a reign of fear in the minds and hearts of those who violated the law. They are terrified that the law is finally running after them. What we have is a reign of strict enforcement of the laws,” said Panelo.

He also called the Australian’s statement as misplaced towards the country when different surveys showed positive results of the Duterte administration’s fight against the illegal drugs.

“Close to eight of 10 Filipinos believe that the country is on the right direction, according to the latest Social Weather Stations survey. Another survey pointed out that a sizeable majority of Filipinos, 69 percent, acknowledge the efforts of the current administration to eradicate the problem of illegal drugs in the country as its most important

achievement,” he cited.

“This is a classic case of an unappreciative tourist who saw nothing good and complained about the country which graciously extended its hospitality,” he added, calling Fox a “violator” of the country’s laws.

Panelo, however, said the Australian nun still has the right to express or issue statements abroad, may it be against the government or not, as she is “entitled to her own opinion.”

“The administration continues to adhere to the rule of law. The President follows the command of the Constitution for him to enforce the laws of the land regardless of who is involved. Let no person, therefore, take lightly the President’s duty to serve and protect the people,” he concluded.

In the Senate, Senator Panfilo Lacson said he couldn’t believe that Australian nun Sister Patricia Fox uttered words strongly criticizing the Duterte government.

“She just can’t contain her bitterness and hatred which doesn’t represent the teachings of the Catholic church,” said Lacson.

“She should have offered prayers for the enlightenment of concerned government officials instead of tirades and harsh criticisms against an elected leader of a country that hospitably hosted her for so many years,” addex Lacson.

RTC asked to junk petition vs terms for 3rd telco bidder

By Rey E. Requejo THE Office of the Solicitor General has asked a Manila City court to dismiss a petition of businessman Mel Velarde’s NOW Telecom Co. Inc. to stop the government’s selection for the country’s third telco player.

In its 32-page memorandum filed for the National Telecommunications Commission, Solicitor General Jose Calida asked Manila City RTC Branch 42 to deny the prayer of NOW Telecom for issuance of injunction order enjoining the bidding process that will officially start on Wednesday, Nov. 7.

Calida said that the court cannot restrain or enjoin the selection process for a new major player due to the prohibition on lower courts from issuing a temporary restraining order or injunction order under

Republic Act 8975.

“R.A. 8975 prohibits the issuance of any injunctive writ to prohibit or refrain, among other, the bidding or awarding of an infrastructure project of the government... Plaintiff NOW Telecom’s writ of preliminary injunction rot restrain the bidding process for the selection of the NMP (new major player) is legally proscribed,” the Solicitor General said.

On technical grounds, the chief state lawyer sought for the outright dismissal the petition due to violation of forum shopping and failure to exhaust administrative remedies by the petitioner.

Calida insisted that the plea for injunction of NOW Telecom should be considered moot already after the firm submitted to the NTC its position that it wants the selection process to proceed as

scheduled.

“In an evident change of heart brought about perhaps by its desire not to incur the ire of President Rodrigo Duterte, who spearheaded this important infrastructure project of the government, plaintiff NOW Telecom, during the hearing on its application for a writ of preliminary injunction, manifested that it wants the selection process for the NMP to proceed as planned,” the Solicitor General said.

Calida also argued that the petition was a mere dilatory tactic by a bidder.

“Evidently, the Complaint was filed by plaintiff NOW telecom upon realizing that it is not, after all, qualified to participate in the bidding process. Hence, the imperative need, from its end, to prevent—if not delay—the selection process if, for no other reason, but to buy time,” he said.

Red Cross opens own dialysis center —Gordon

By Macon Ramos-Araneta WITH kidney failure among the top 10 leading causes of death in the country according to the World Health Organization and with only more than 500 dialysis centers nationwide, Senator Richard J. Gordon said the Philippine Red Cross will open today (Tuesday) its first dialysis center at the PRC’s former national headquarters in Port Area, Manila.

Gordon said the PRC Dialysis Center will initially has 10 state-ofthe-art dialysis machines which could cater to 60 to 90 patients, depending on whether they are on a twice or thrice a week hemodialysis program. The facility can accommodate 15 dialysis machines.

He cited the PRC’s partners for their contributions in making the opening of the dialysis center possible.

He specifically thanked Dr. Takao Suzuki, chairperson of Tokushukai General Inc. Association, for donating ten brand new hemodialysis machines, two automated dialyzer reprocessing machines, and the dialysis water treatment system.

He also thanked Jason Nien, president of EG Healthcare, for donating an Endotoxin Retentive Filter System.

“I thank our partner the Tokushukai group in Japan, led by Suzuki, for donating an initial ten machines, the latest in dialysis, among others. It is expected that the partnership will widen to more machines and to cover other cities and provinces if the initial project proves to be sustainable. We want to open other dialysis centers in other regions with the most number of dialysis patients, particularly indigents,” he said.

As of 2015, there are only 562 dialysis centers in the country, 139 of which are located in the National Capital Region, while the number of dialysis patients was recorded at 32,077, with 5,139 of whom are in Metro Manila.

The senator, who also heads the PRC, noted that kidney failure has emerged as one of the major health problems in the country.

Task force created on federalism

By Nat Mariano

PRICE INSPECTION. Department of Trade and Industry Consumer Protection

Group Undersecretary Ruth Castelo inspects the prices of Noche Buena products at a supermarket in Blumentritt in Manila to prevent the overpricing of consumer goods especially this coming holiday season. Norman Cruz

IN A bid to push government efforts towards charter change, President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday has ordered the creation of an inter-agency task force that would focus on federalism.

Under Memorandum Circular No. 53, Duterte tasked the Inter-Agency Task Force on Federalism to integrate, harmonize, and coordinate ongoing efforts towards federalism and reform of the 1987 Constitution.

Emphasizing the need to conduct a public information drive and advocacy campaign for public awareness, the IATF is expected to develop strategies and implement activities needed for information dissemination.

They are expected to prepare a communication plan to ensure an efficient, effective, and uniform undertaking of advocacy activities.

They are also tasked to undertake consultation with former members of the

Consultative Committee, government agencies, and other sectors regarding the federalism and constitutional reform.

Lastly, they are ordered to “liaise with Congress to initiate the process of and address the roadblocks to constitutional reform.”

The IATF will be chaired by the Interior and Local Government officer-in-charge Eduardo Año while Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra will serve as its vice chairman.

Last month, House Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, with other lawmakers, drafted her own version of the federal charter, putting the Senate President, not Vice President Leni Robredo, in the line of succession should Duterte failed to preside over the country’s transition to the new system of government.

Senators, however, said the Resolution of Both Houses No. 15, authored by Arroyo and 21 other lawmakers, would not prosper as there is no ample amount of time to discuss the charter change.

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Opinion

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2018

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Cancel all poll surveys

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

and senators, anything he or she does is aimed at getting reelected.

Haven’t you noticed that when a congressman or a senator is no longer up for reelection, he or she is silent or doesn’t give a damn about his office.

OF ALL the senior and even junior All he or she does is just waiting for Supreme Court justices, the general the day when he retires. consensus is that Senior Justice AntoOr, my gulay, if a senator or a repnio Carpio, now acting Chief Justice, resentative wants to run again for anis the most qualified not only by sen- other office, he or she again starts getiority, but also when it comes to his ting active. long experience as justice, his knowlThat’s how it is in our kind of elecedge of what is best when it comes to tions. The best example, for instance, the problems of the entire judiciary, is former presidential special assisand the need to keep its stability the tant Christian Lawrence “Bong” Go people’s faith in the judicial system. when, before he was accompanied by Thus, it is but logical and the best the President to file his COC or Cerway to go for President Rodrigo Du- tificate of Candidacy for the Senate, terte to name Carpio as the next Chief was seen all over in the newspapers Justice after Teresita de Castro retired. already campaigning—something that The appointment of Carpio is the he consistently denied. After he filed best proof that his COC, Bong the President reGo is again seen spects the longsoliciting the supcherished tradiport of governors Let’s forget tion of upholding in the name of seniority as he criminalizing premature President Duterte did in the case of and making noisDe Castro, a tra- campaigning. It’s as es about helping dition broken by useless as trying to stop this or that sector former President political dynasties. once he gets into BS Aquino by the Senate. appointing Maria Enact a law criminalizing Lourdes Sereno, premature camthe youngest justice then of the High Court. paigning? Not only will this proposed With the appointment of Carpio as law not get to first base, but its impleChief Justice, the President will show mentation would be very difficult. the people that he respects construcSoon enough, if not already, spots tive criticism which Carpio has been over radio will be heard and film clips doing on issues in connection with over television will be seen about this territorial disputes on the West Philip- or that candidate trying to help the pine Sea. It’s President Duterte’s best needy and other sectors of society argument that he respects dissent, the needing help. absence of which can only lead to tyrThe point I am driving at is that let’s anny. forget criminalizing premature cam*** paigning. It’s as useless as trying to There’s no way, not even by law, can stop political dynasties. we stop premature campaigning by *** national and local candidates for elecWhat Congress should look at tions. seriously are the many survey firms Santa Banana, I still have to see an- getting very active this coming ybody sent to jail for premature cam- elections. Surveys, which are made paigning. regularly about who the people prefer The moment a candidate gets elect- to be senators, members of the House, ed into office, especially congressmen Turn to A5

TO THE POINT EMIL P. JURADO

E

Embracing the law

XAMINATIONS for aspiring lawyers kicked off Sunday, and will continue for the next three Sundays this month at the University of Santo Tomas.

As had been customary, well-wishers showed their support to friends and family taking the Bar. This year there are 8,701 such examinees, a marked increase from the 6,748 who took it in 2017.

Out of this number, 1,724— 25.5 percent—passed.

For many Filipinos, the law

is more than another profession, certainly more than another job. Lawyers are highly regarded for their title, and the knowledge and hard work that is assumed to go along with the title. Lawyers are a family’s pride, and many a parent would sacrifice many things just to be able to send his or her child to law school.

For some, a law credential connotes power—you cannot mistreat a lawyer.

But the high regard also carries responsibilities. This is why we view with disdain those who conduct themselves in a less-than-worthy manner,

or those who speak like they do not know any better.

That many continue to revere those who practice the law tells us that the rule of law remains supreme. Many students still take it up, likely not with the objective of raking in money but of actually making a difference.

It’s a good time for lawyers, wherever they may be situated, to ask themselves if they are living up to the ideals they once held—or if the reality of worldly interests has altered their vision altogether, and practicing law is just another way of making a living.

An open letter to Judge Andres Soriano none has become as prominent as you because of the Trillanes controversy.

I make my students read your Trillanes order. It will be the basis of one final exam question in my constitutional law classes. I will ask my stuI WRITE this open letter to Judge dents to compare your order to that of Andres Soriano, my contemporary Judge Alameda and to argue which is as a philosophy student in Ateneo de legally, morally, and politically corManila University (I was two years rect. While respecting their opinion, below him) and an alumnus of the At- this is one question where there is eneo Law School which is one of nine only one correct answer. law schools I am affiliated with.

Judge Soriano, you remind me of Let me go straight to the point: your fellow alumnus, Justice PompeJudge Soriano, thank you very much yo Diaz. Now, there is also a Judge to for your wise and courageous deci- be emulated! sion in the Trillanes amnesty case.

Justice Diaz, a son of a Supreme People have described it as Solo- Court Justice, was Court of First monic, I think it Instance (now is brilliant, based Regional Trial on a fair appreciCourt) Judge, Soation of the facts, licitor General, grounded on clear and a Court of Judge Soriano, legal principles, Appeals Presidand consistent thank you very much ing Justice. He with the highest for your wise and was nominated moral principles. to the Supreme courageous decision in Judge Soriano, Court by Presiyou did the right the Trillanes amnesty dent Elpidio thing the right case.

Quirino but was way. Some peounfor t unately ple do the right not confirmed thing but are not on time by the able to execute it Commission of the right way. They get reversed when Appointment (there was no Judicial they cannot defend their decision. I and Bar Council at that time). The cannot see any possibility of your de- election of Ramon Magsaysay overcision being reversed by the Court of took that appointment. Justice Diaz Appeals or the Supreme Court. was Dean of the Ateneo School of Judge Soriano, thank you for giving Law from 1967-1974 where he taught, me an example of what a good law- among others, the late Chief Justice yer and Judge is. I face 400 law stu- Renato Corona. dents every week—mostly JD or LLB In 1981, Justice Diaz delivered the first year students but also around commencement address to the gradu100 graduate law students (deans, ating class of Ateneo Law School. judges, law professors, prosecutors, That address is posted prominently in public attorneys, and law practition- the hallways of the Rockwell campus ers)—and it has been difficult to find of the Ateneo Professional Schools. someone to point to as a model for the At the end of the semester, I require wise and learned judge. I do know my Philosophy of Students to read some Justices and Judges personally, that speech as the final assignment. and I know they are good people, but Turn to A5

MAIL MATTERS

Working together for a safer world

WITH transnational crime on the rise, it is imperative that law enforcement agencies worldwide establish mutual links and efficient cooperation. To achieve Interpol’s key aims, such as ensuring and promoting the widest possible mutual assistance between all criminal police authorities, Taiwan must be included. Indeed, Taiwan seeks to work with law enforcement agencies around the world to jointly combat crime, fill gaps in the global security network, and create a safer world through joint cooperation.

Taiwan has earned widespread acclaim for its public security. The international community should not exclude Taiwan in the fight against transnational crime.

The Republic of China (Taiwan) is the world’s 22nd-largest economy and 17th-largest exporter, occupying a strategic location connecting Northeast and Southeast Asia. It was named the

best place in the world for expats to live in a 2016 online report by Forbes, and was ranked 34th among 163 countries surveyed for the 2018 Global Peace Index by the Australia-based Institute for Economics and Peace. In order to preserve its public security in a world increasingly challenged by cybercrime and terrorism, Taiwan must cooperate with worldwide law enforcement agencies.

Taiwan’s exclusion from Interpol creates a gap in intelligence sharing and a loophole for criminal activity.

Due to political factors, Taiwan has been excluded from Interpol for 34 years. It lacks timely access to key intelligence shared via the I-24/7 global police communications system and the affiliated database concerning stolen and lost travel documents (SLTD).

This has seriously hampered Taiwan’s ability to implement security checks at its borders and fight against terrorism,

human trafficking, and other transnational crimes. Its long-term exclusion from Interpol has led to delays and disparity in the exchange of critical information, and prevented it from participating in related meetings, activities and training courses, creating a major gap in the global security and counterterrorism network.

Politics should not override global security needs.

Taiwan applied to attend the 85th Interpol General Assembly as an Observer in 2016 and to host an Interpol major event support team (IMEST) in 2017 for security at the Summer Universiade in Taipei. Interpol rejected both applications, citing the 1984 resolution it adopted when China attained membership and suggesting that Taiwan contact the National Central Bureau in China. No resolutions or arrangements

by Interpol should override the aim of Turn to A5

Rolando G. Estabillo Publisher ManilaStandard

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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DTI has no short-term solution for trade problem Hidden history: Radar probes mass BUSINESS CLASS RUDY ROMERO ON SEPT. 20, 2018 I wrote a column on the state and direction of the Philippines’ merchandise trade, more specifically the yawning imbalance in this country’s trade with the world. The point of that column was indicated by its title: “DTI Has No Solution for Worsening Trade.”

Last week the head of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) responded to the column through a letter to the Editor of this paper. Most of Secretary Ramon Lopez’s lengthy letter consisted of general, motherhood-type statements; only in some passages did he attempt to address the issue that I raised. Those passages are quoted hereunder in the sequence in which they appear in his letter.

“We have already seen the beginning of structural change in the form of stronger growth for the manufacturing sector over the last two years, at nearly 8 percent as opposed to 5 percent average growth over the 20002015 period.” “(DTI’s) new industrial policy known as Inclusive Innovation Industrial Strategy (i3S) … has five major pillars covering the creation of new industry clusters—human resource development and capacity building, MSME development, innovation, entrepreneurship and ease of doing

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governors, mayors or what-haveyou, tend to create not only a sense of bandwagon mentality among the people but give undue preference to the rich, who in some way or another get the attention of poll surveyors.

I know, for instance, despite the claims of poll surveys like the Social Weather Stations or the Pulse Asia that they conduct their surveys by scientific methods, poll surveys can be influenced by the way questions are asked.

My gulay, during the days of Martial Law when I was public affairs manager of KBS, operating and managing Channels 2, GTV-4, 9 and 13, we conducted surveys showing how this or that radio and television program fared before their listeners and audiences.

And I knew for a fact that we manipulated the kind of questions asked to favor a program we liked or preferred.

Poll surveys become very critical as Election Day approaches. They kill chances of new comers when affluent and rich candidates come out with commissioned poll surveys which poor candidates can ill-afford.

Santa Banana, poll surveys can even kill the chances of those in the last four slots of the Senate.

Poll surveys as I know them cannot always be perfect. In the 1992 presidential polls, the surveys predicted the victory of the late Miriam Defensor Santiago, but the election was finally won by Fidel V. Ramos. That’s the reason why Miriam always claimed she was cheated. Even in the United States, poll surveys are not a sure thing.

Defenders of poll surveys claim they indicate at the given period the preferences of people. But, in the final analysis, it’s the people who ultimately decide on their preference and choices.

So, just let it be. And just stop all poll surveys for election. *** I have been asked why old politicians want to run again in the coming election. My answer to this is, that power and its attendant parks are some kind of addiction or an explixir that keeps them going.

Old politicians in their eighties and nineties have tasted power and everything that goes with it. But to some, it’s no longer the perks, the privileges or the money that goes with getting elected, but the fun of running again and getting into power.

To others, the motivation is something else. It’s the knowledge that they

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strengthening police cooperation and the prohibition of political interference so clearly expressed in its Constitution.

Through participation in Interpol, Taiwan seeks to share experiences in fighting transnational crime.

Taiwan has spared no effort to combat cross-border crime over the years and has solved many criminal cases in collaboration with law enforcement agen-

business. The priority industries are auto parts, electronic and electrical (components), aerospace and MRO, agribusiness, chemicals, shipbuilding and ship repair, tool and die manufacturing, iron and steel, IT-BPM, furniture, garments/textiles/creative materials, construction, transport and logistics.”

“Our industry development strategy aims to address the roadblocks to our industry value chain that will strengthen our export manufacturing

I feel that I have been confirmed in my position that the DTI has no solution for this country’s worsening trade.

base over time. It is important to build on the manufacturing capacities; thus the need to pursue relentlessly investments in manufacturing.”

“We hope to see certain export growth tracks sustained as large export groups like electronics (register) upticks in the second half of 2018, albeit on a modest single-digit trajectory. In recent years we have also seen the growth of non-electronic exports

in the total increasing to 47 percent in 2017 from 38 percent in 2007.” “(The) DTI, through the Export Development Council (EDC), has finalized the Philippine Export Development Plan (PEDP), 2018-2022, which consolidated the strategies in 2015-2017 into more effective groups of strategies, namely, (1) Improve the overall climate for export development, (2) Exploit existing and prospective opportunities (presented by) trading arrangements and (3) Design comprehensive packages of support for selected product and service sectors.”

In my Sept. 20 column I stated that with this year’s merchandise trade deficit growing at an alarmingly rapid rate—it was $36 billion for the first eight months—trade authorities must have a plan for bringing forth exports sufficient to close, or at least substantially narrow, the merchandise trade gap. Not an export development plan, not an inclusive innovation industrial strategy, but industries ready, with DTI encouragement and support, to start selling, or increase their sales, to foreign markets.

Perhaps the above-quoted statements of the Secretary of Trade and Industry will lead this column’s readers to think that, contrary to the title of my Sept. 20 column, DTI has a solution for this country’s worsening trade.

But they have not had that effect on me. On the contrary, I feel that I have been confirmed in my position that the DTI has no solution for this country’s worsening trade.

want to impart and the experience that they know would be good for the people. In other words, their motivation is beyond addiction to power, but to continue doing good for the people.

I asked former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile once when we had that Saturday session at the 365 Club at Holiday Inn Suites what made him run again when he was already 94 years old he’ll be 95 years old when Election Day comes.

He said that there are certain issues he’d still like to discuss, like Federalism, which he believes will become an issue in the Senate race.

And I believe JPE since Federalism as an issue should be further discussed and debated since it’s new concept for the people and the country.

I also believe that Federalism is not suited for an archipelago like the Philippines with its so many dialects and cultures. Federalism can only succeed in landlocked countries like the United States, India, Germany, Malaysia and other nations.

My gulay, how can you get united in a country where some federated states are rich and others poor, with dialects entirely different from each other. It will be a financial nightmare for the Central Government to support poor federated states.

Perhaps, the best description I have heard about Federalism was from former Finance Secretary Gary Teves, who said that Federalism is like a father supporting 18 federated states, each of them unlike the others.

While the Duterte administration would like the issue of Federalism to be discussed on debated during the election period, to me, it’s an issue already dead in the water which the people will never accept in the wake of so many other challenging problems and issues.

It all boils down to this―first things first. *** There were two trips I made as a journalist during the 80s and the 90s which I cannot forget because they both very exciting and a learning experience.

There was at one time when I was then vice president of the Loyola Group of Companies when its affiliated company, Urban Developers, a property development company, was invited by the New Papua University to look into the possibility of building housing projects for its faculty and workers at Port Moresby, the capital.

Together with an executive of Urban Developers, we went to Fort Moresby.

When we landed at the airport, I saw on its mural a painting of Australian explorers touching the breasts of halfnaked New Papuan women, while new Papuan Warriors had shields only to protect their penis.

When I asked somebody at the airport, what did that painting indicate, I was told that it was the greeting of New Papuans to strangers. I thought he was kidding.

Anyway we then paid our respects to New Papuan public officials and told them why we were there. Santa Banana, I never saw Papuan officials fully dressed, except in their shorts, and slippers, with their shirts. That’s how they dressed, I was told.

After a series of meetings with New Papuan University officials on their plans, my partner and I both agreed it was not profitable since we would be subsidizing at least a dozen Filipino construction workers and spending for their accommodation and airfares.

After a week or so, I told my partner, it‘s about time to leave since the women serving us and fixing our beds were getting prettier. But, one last thing the day before we left, our guide told us to visit a tribe some 20 kilometers away from the city.

When we got the place, we were met by the chieftain and his half-naked women and tribesmen with their penis all in a shields.

After we shook hands with the chieftain, we were told to just touch the breast of the bare-breasted women, some of them wives of the chieftain.

We did as instructed with the women giggling all the time, after which the guide told us that it was how to greet New Papuan tribes people. My gulay, I was so scared because we were told that at Iran Jaya, the other half of Papua New Guinea, there were cannibals.

The other trip I had was with the late lawyer Leonardo Siguion Reyna, when we were invited by Siemens to West Germany after the Wall of Germany separating the West from the East was demolished. Were we booked at Aldon Kimpinski, the most luxurious hotel in Germany where we were told the Kaiser and the Adolf Hitler once stayed.

We also saw the so-called “Bridge of Spies” shown in a Tom Hanks movie.

It was October when we were taken to the place they celebrate Oktoberfest— where men, all the time sitting down, drank beer even as they urinated while wearing leather pants. Boy, that was a sight I could not forget, and also a learning experience.

cies of other countries. Earlier this year, Taiwanese and Thai police conducted a widespread crackdown on economic crime, recovering 120 million baht (US$3.69 million) in illicit funds. Also this year, Taiwanese and Philippine police worked together to capture a Philippine City Councilor wanted for drug trafficking who had fled to Taiwan. And following a cyberattack on a local bank in October 2017, Taiwan relied on intelligence provided by the National Central Bureaus of Interpol Member States to intercept stolen funds worth over

US$60 million. These achievements have received international acclamation and recognition. In line with common values and ideals, Taiwan wishes to further contribute to global initiatives that help create a safer world. Indeed, a seamless global security network can be ensured only if Taiwan participates in Interpol.

Taiwan is a good neighbor and will help make the world safer.

Fighting crime is the common mission and responsibility of police forces worldwide. Nations cannot singlehand-

www.emiljurado.weekly.com

graves from Khmer Rouge era

PREY VENG, Cambodia—A man walks gingerly over a small field in rural Cambodia, pushing a lawnmowerlike contraption that deploys groundpenetrating radar to unearth clues of mass graves.

The pilot project is twinning technology and fieldwork to locate remains of victims of the Khmer Rouge, the ultraMaoist regime whose quest to build an agrarian utopia from 1975-1979 left an estimated two million Cambodians dead.

Hacked to death, starved, overworked or ravaged by illness, their bodies were dumped in hastily dug pits all over the country. They were thrown in rice paddies, down caves and on the grounds of Buddhist monasteries.

Many of the “Killing Fields” have been logged, providing experts with an estimate of 20,000 mass graves – which is defined as a pit containing four or more bodies—throughout the country.

But researchers are now turning to radar to uncover more details on the existing sites—such as how many bodies they might contain—and find new ones.

“This is the first time ever that we have used high-end technology in Cambodia to locate mass graves created by the Khmer Rouge,” said Pheng Pong-Rasy from the Documentation Center of Cambodia (DC-Cam), which is overseeing the effort.

He added that DC-Cam decided to start the new search in the eastern province of Prey Veng, where the Khmer Rouge’s revolutionary movement had some of its early gains.

“The children must know their own history, what happened in their location,” he said.

How many victims They began in late October next to

buildings at Mesang High School— specifically plots close to some concrete toilets and an outdoor cafeteria.

The area was once a worship site but the Khmer Rouge converted it into a place for executions. After the regime fell a school was built nearby.

Students and residents helped clear the overgrown area and operators from SparrowHawk Far East, a new Phnom Penh-based company tapped to test out the idea, walked over it sending radar signals below that can later be developed into three-dimensional images.

“When there is an object underground or the ground has been disturbed before, if there was a hole dug, it will give off a different signature,” managing director Michael Henshaw told A FP. “It’s good for finding underground utilities like water pipes and electric pipes, it’s good for archeology to find old structures underground,” he said.

“But it’s also been used to find mass graves.”

Khmer Rouge researchers have since the 1990s relied mainly on meticulous interviews with the regime’s victims and perpetrators to pinpoint the locations of mass graves.

DC-Cam maintains a database of mass graves previously discovered and it has provided information on sites to a war crimes tribunal that has convicted two top Khmer Rouge officials and a chief jailer.

But Youk Chhang, DC-Cam’s director, said the picture is still incomplete.

“Crimes do not end at a tribunal,” he told AFP, adding that a better future for Cambodia required “understanding the horrors” of its past.

“We should not stop searching for the answers.” AFP

An open letter...

knowledge, the very tools with which he can poison and disrupt society and bring it to an ignoble end. Against such a man, you must be fearless and indomitable, since to grant him victory is to deny yourselves the sanctity your oath and the grandeur of your vision.

Such men I have met in my lifetime, both in the courtroom and outside it.

Society’s declared protection against such predators is the court of law before which all men are presumed to stand equal, whether mighty or weak.

The integrity of the court is the foundation upon which a just society to established. Without this integrity, the vicissitudes of history will blow society towards the treacherous reefs of destruction and suck it into the whirlpool of oblivion.

A man of the law with a conscience on the other hand, is the means by which a nation fashions for itself a just, orderly and civilized society, where the least of its citizens can stand in his human dignity and where justice is the yardstick by which the citizen measures himself in his relationship with others and with his God. Yet, a man of the law should have more than just a conscience. Conscience, too, can be dulled by exigencies in one’s life. He may just seek a livelihood from the law. Then no matter how financially successful he becomes, and no matter how much expertise he acquires in the law and its practice, he remains no more than a craftsman. He rises no higher than the humble or mechanic from whom we expect nothing beyond an honest day’s work and an honest charge for work performed, and to whom we would not dream of looking for leadership, guidance, and inspiration. He reduces law to a trade and himself to a mere huckster of legal skills.

What a man of the law should possess is a passion for the truth, a passion for justice. This passion should be of such a magnitude as to give him the power to stand firm when those around him seem to be going mad. It should be of such solidity as to grant him the strength to stand alone when all else is turning into dust. It should be of such perseverance as to infuse him with a loneliness that only those who have a vision can endure. It is a passion to keep alive that eternal challenge that justice must be done whatever be the cost.”

From A4

To honor you, Judge Soriano, I share below excerpts from that speech as you have been faithful to what Justice Diaz expected all lawyers, and especially Judges who are graduates of the Ateneo Law School, should be.

“Some forty years ago, I took my oath of office as judge of the Court of First Instance for the Province of Rizal in the chambers of a Justice of the Supreme Court. This was my first appointment to the bench. You know I had several.

It was an occasion for deep pride in my family especially when the appointee was hardly thirty-five years of age and the Justice administering the oath to him happened to be his own father.

After the oath-taking, my father took me in his own car and drove me to the courthouse in Pasig. He led me into the building, up the stairs, to the second floor, and walked with me to the door of the sala which would now be mine.

He stood by the door and let me enter alone. I did, and I went straight to my desk. There I saw a piece of paper upon which were written in Latin, in my father’s own handwriting, those awesome words which must have shaken the walls of the Senate of ancient Rome: Let Justice be done, though the heavens fall!

In a lifetime devoted to the study of the law, these words still do not fail to stir up in me emotions which should have long since been spent, memories which should have long since been put to sleep, questions which should have long since been laid aside. What is the law? What is the truth? What is justice?

What is justice? It is to render to each man what is his due. What is the truth?

It is that which you seek, and keep on seeking, so that you may render to each man what is his due. What is the law?

It is the instrument by which you discover that which you have been seeking so that you may render to each man what is his due.

The answers seem such simple directives for everyone to follow. The reality, however, is different. For the law may be twisted to hide the truth in the same way that the truth may be distorted to ridicule justice. There are men in any society who are so self-serving that they try to make the law serve their selfish ends. In this group of men, the most dangerous is the man of the law who has no Facebook: tonylavs Twitter: tonyconscience. He has, in the arsenal of his lavs edly address the three priorities under the Interpol Strategic Framework 2017-2020, namely counterterrorism, cybercrime, as well as organized and emerging crime. As a member of the international police community, Taiwan’s police force should not be left on the sidelines. It has the obligation, responsibility, willingness and ability to stand on the frontlines with its worldwide counterparts in the fight against crossborder crime.

Global security and social justice should transcend regional, ethnic and

political differences. We urge you to support Taiwan’s participation in the Interpol General Assembly this year as an Observer, as well as in Interpol meetings, mechanisms and training activities.

By speaking up for Taiwan at international events, you can make a real contribution to promoting Taiwan’s pragmatic and meaningful participation in Interpol.

TSAI TSAN-PO Commissioner Criminal Investigation Bureau Republic of China (Taiwan)

A6

News

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2018

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

57 tons of trash collected from graveyards—MMDA

By Joel E. Zurbano

T

HE Metro Manila Development Authority collected more than 57 tons of trash left by visitors in various cemeteries in the National Capital Region during the observance of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day. MMDA chief environmental management specialist Francisco Martinez said 202.61 cubic meters of garbage were collected in 27 cemeteries in 16 cities and one town in Metro Manila from Oct. 29 to Nov. 3.

The biggest haul made by Martinez’ team was on Oct. 29 with 47.8 cubic

meter or 13.7 tons of garbage collection while the lowest was on Nov. 3 with 18.3 or 5.23 tons.

Environmentalist group Ecowaste Coalition expressed its dismay over the unabated violation of the national ban on littering during the traditional Undas.

“Our cemeteries again teemed with gar-

bage. We lament the brazen disregard of Republic Act 9003, which explicitly bans and penalizes littering—the most common and visible environmental offense committed during the observance of “Undas” and our other popular festivities,” said Daniel Alejandre, zero waste campaigner of the group.

R.A. 9003, or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act, forbids the “littering, throwing, dumping of waste matters in public places, such as roads, sidewalks, canals, esteros or parks, and establishment, or causing or permitting the same.”

“Littering, which is also forbidden under local government ordinances, has regrettably become an ugly feature of our beautiful tradition of remembering family members

who have gone before us,” Alejandre said.

“Littering is totally disrespectful for the dead and for Mother Nature, too, and goes against the very purpose of going to the cemetery to pay respects to lost loved ones. There is no reason for visitors to leave their trash behind and expect others to clean up after them,” he said.

Based on field reports received from the group’s Basura Patrollers in 22 public and private cemeteries in 10 cities and one municipality in Metro Manila, litterbugs had again marred the serenity of the graveyards as people discarded their trash anywhere.

Littering was most widespread at the Bagbag Public Cemetery, Sangandaan Cemetery, Manila North Cemetery and, most notably, Manila South Cemetery, found to be dotted with garbage heaps.

Among the discards found abandoned in cemetery streets and alleys and even in between tombs were food paper and plastic packaging, food leftovers, plastic bags, bottles and cups, flower plastic wrappings, soiled diapers, and improvised resting materials such as newspapers and corrugated boxes.

Chiyawan: I should not be blamed for landslide THE local chief executive of Natonin in the Cordilleras Mayor Mateo Chiyawan said Monday he should not be blamed for the landslide that buried a Department of Public Works and Highways building in his town following Typhoon “Rosita’s” fury.

According to Chiyawan, the barangay where the building stood was not one of two villages identified as at risk from landslides by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau.

“If MGB would present me a map, saying whats’s safe and what’s not...If we have that map, maybe I would say that I was negligent in my function,” he said in an interview with ANC beamed nationwide.

The MGB in the Cordillera Autonomous Region had said it had issued a warning on possible landslides but Chiyawan denied receiving such notice.

He said he did not sign anything to approve the DPWH building’s construction, adding the department was supposed to be the expert in erecting structures.

Ruben Carandang, the director of the Office of Civil Defense in Cordilleras, had said the local government in Natonin “missed something” in its disaster preparedness duties.

Chiyawan had appealed to authorities to let local officials finish search and retrieval operations in the landslide site before throwing the blame.

At least 17 bodies have been recovered from the rubble, while at least 13 more are believed to be trapped.

IMMIGRATION authorities have arrested a Japanese and a Korean who are both fugitives from justice in their country, authorities said Monday.

Arrested were Japanese Masaya Nonoyama and Korean national Lee

By Rey E. Requejo

THE widow of slain vice mayor Alexander Lubigan of Trece Martires in Cavite asked the Department of Justice to prosecute the murder charges filed against City Mayor Melandres de Sagun and four others.

During the continuation of preliminary investigation hearing on Monday, Gemma Lubigan submitted her reply-affidavit and reiterated her allegation that the mayor was behind the killing of her husband last July 8 in conspiracy with Councilor Lawrence Arca of Maragondon, Cavite, a certain Rhonel Bersamina, Luis Abad Jr. and alleged gunman Fletchetro Paiton.

Lubigan pleaded the panel chaired

by Senior Deputy State Prosecutor Rassendell Rex Gingoyon to reject the defense submitted by the respondents in their respective counter-affidavits and instead indict them before the court for murder.

“The respondents’ counter-affidavits do not deserve even a scant consideration from this Honorable office for bearing nothing more but self-serving claims, bare denials and outrageous lies,” the widow said in her 13-page pleading.

Garin denies Dengvaxia charges

By Rey E. Requejo

ABNORMAL ONCE MORE. Heavy vehicular traffic returns to Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City on Monday, with motorists

causing once more traffic logjams—and, with the upcoming Christmas holidays, the gridlock is expected to become worse, making what should be a normal and smooth flow in the capital’s major avenues rather abnormal. Manny Palmero

Immigration authorities nab Japanese, Korean fugitives

By Vito Barcelo

VM widow insists on murder raps vs mayor

Jong Hyun, who were nabbed separately in Taguig City and Dasmariñas, Cavite, respectively, by operatives from the Bureau’s Fugitive Search Unit.

Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente said both aliens would be deported so they could face justice and

be sentenced for crimes they committed in their homelands.

Nonoyama is wanted in Japan for embezzlement while Lee is an alleged fraudster and swindler in Korea. Both are detained at the Bicutan Detention Center pending deportation proceedings.

“The Bureau is weeding out these fugitives attempting to use the Philippines to hide and escape liability from their crimes in their homelands. Commissioner Morente has given strict orders to capture these fugitives and deport them immediately,” BI spokesperson Dana Krizia Sandoval said.

TRAFFIC FLOW. The

Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines is hosting the three-day Seventh Meeting of the South China Sea Traffic Flow Review Group ending tomorrow at the Savoy Hotel in Pasay City, with 37 delegates from the International Civil Aviation Organization Asia and Pacific member States and international organizations in attendance.

FORMER Health Secretary Janette Garin has denied liability in the second batch of criminal complaints filed against her before the Department of Justice arising from the deaths of schoolchildren inoculated with the controversial Dengvaxia vaccine.

Garin appeared before the DOJ ahead of the 2 pm preliminary investigation hearing presided over by Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Susan Dacanay and submitted her counter-affidavit on the second batch of Dengvaxia cases filed by parents and guardians of eight victims.

The former health secretary sought the dismissal for lack of evidence the charges of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide under the Revised Penal Code and violations of Anti-Torture Act and Consumer Act over the deaths of Clarissa Alcantara, Christine Mae De Guzman, Erico Leabres, Roshaine Cariño, Naomi Nimura, John Paul Rafael, Michael Tablate and Christine Joy Asuncion.

Just like in the first batch of cases involving nine victims, Garin asked the DOJ to dismiss the complaints filed by the parents through the assistance of the Public Attorney’s Office for lack of probable cause and for insufficiency of evidence.

“The elements of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide do not exist in the present case,” the respondent said in her 29-page answer.

“Acts and /or omissions being imputed against me have absolutely no relevant connection to the deaths of the children whom the complainants and the PAO Report and Recommendation claimed to have been inoculated with Dengvaxia,” she stressed.

Navy flagship to undergo upgrades PHILIPPINE Navy flagship BRP Gregorio Del Pilar (FF-15) will undergo various communications, weapons, and fire-control upgrades while undergoing repair for the damage sustained during her grounding at Hasa-Hasa (Half-Moon) Shoal last Aug. 29.

This was confirmed by Navy spokesperson Commander Jonathan Zata when sought for an update on the ship on Monday.

“Del Pilar is still undergoing bottom hull repairs and will be undocked as soon as repairs have been completed. Propellers and related underwater appendages will be shipped to the US for repairs. While awaiting the completion of those repairs, she will undergo communications and weapon and fire control upgrades in order to optimize her down-time period,” he added.

Zata said the frigate would be back in operation once these parts, coming from outside the country, had arrived.

The ship was pulled clear from Hasa-Hasa Shoal last Sept. 3 and towed to Subic Bay, Zambales, arriving there on Sept. 7.

Sports Guiao to name training pool today CEBUANO behemoths June Mar Fajardo, G r e g Slaughter and Gabe Norwood are expected to YENG GUIAO lead the new national training pool coach Yeng Guiao will divulge in a meeting with the PBA board of governors Tuesday in the PBA office in Libis, Quezon City.

Naturalized player Andray Blatche and possible subs Christian Standhardinger and Stanley Pringle are also tipped to make the list of players, who will be considered for the national squad that is to play Kazakhstan and Iran in the fifth and penultimate window of the FIBA World Cup qualifiers.

Guiao said he’ll consider the players that played in the recent FIBA window and the Gilas players, who were suspended

by FIBA in the aftermath of the Gilas-Australia brawl.

Paul Lee, Alex Cabagnot, Scottie Thompson, Poy Erram, Ian Sangalang, Marcio Lassiter, Allein Malicsi, Beau Belga and Asi Taulava, meanwhile, were the players who rendered service to the country in the September FIBA window.

Guiao may also name new candidates to the pool along with 16-year-old national youth player Kai Sotto as a developmental player.

PBA commissioner Willie Marcial said the board wants to hear from Guiao the necessary arrangements and adjustments that league would have to make in support of the country’s World Cup drive.

He also said the league is taking another break to give way to the Nationals’ game against Kazakhstan on Nov. 30 and versus Iran four days later.

It’s back-to-back home games for the Filipinos before playing two successive “away” games to close out their campaign in the qualifiers.

Team PH plays Qatar in Doha and Kazakhstan in Almaty in February.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2018

A7

sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Hitting Spree keeps race crown H

ITTING Spree put on the jets in the final 400 meters and left fierce rival and tormentor Tin Drum scrambling in its dust to deliver an emphatic five-length victory in keeping her Ambassador Eduardo M. Cojuangco Jr. Cup crown at the Saddle & Clubs Leisure Park Racetrack in Naic, Cavite.

The defending Cojuangco Jr. Cup champion Hitting Spree lost to Tin Drum in the Henry Cojuangco Cup early in the year and that setback proved to be an extra motivation for the SC Stockfarm-owned five-yearold filly and her jockey Kelvin Abobo.

Hitting Spree stayed on the outside in the early goings and allowed the

elite eight-horse cast to fight it over the lead of the long 2000-meter race.

Halfway through, Hitting Spree and Tin Drum found themselves in a heated race until the last 400 meters, where the reigning champion unleashed her final burst all the way to the finish of the stakes race put up by Philippine Racing Commission in honor of the

San Miguel Corp. Chairman, a stalwart in the horseracing industry.

Abobo proved to be in sync with Hitting Spree as they both managed to stick to their game plan of conserving their strength before going all out in the stretch to seal the win in their much-awaited rematch against Cool Summer Farm’s Tin Drum.

“Na-preserve ko lang ‘yung energy nu’ng kabayo (Hitting Spree) ko hanggang sa last 400 (meters), kahit medyo mabigat ‘yung kabayo ko, kondisyon na kondisyon naman,” said Abobo, who was mindful of Tin Drum and rider RG Fernandez as their biggest threat in the field.

“Si Tin Drum kasi ang pinakaunang tumalo kay Hitting Spree. Extra motivation sa amin ‘yun, kailangan namin sila bawian,” he added.

Hitting Spree took home P1.2 million, while Tin Drum settled for the runner-up purse of P450,000, with Pangalusian Island (jockey JP Guce, owner Wilbert Tan) taking third spot and the P250,000 cash prize and Und Kantar (RO Niu Jr., Melanie Habla) landing fourth and the P100,000 prize.

Earlier, the Emmanuel Santos-owned Pride of Laguna and jockey JD Juco controlled the race from the middle to score the victory at the 2018 Philracom 3YO Open Challenge.

Chairman’s Cup draws record cast

Hitting Spree pulls off a five-length win in the Ambassador Eduardo M. Cojuangco Jr. Cup that was worth P1.2 million for owner SC Stockfarm.

Petron tries to sustain sizzling PSL start Games Today (Filoil Flying V Centre) 2:00 p.m. -- Foton vs Cignal HD 4:15 p.m. -- F2 Logistics vs Sta. Lucia 6:00 p.m. -- Petron vs Generika-Ayala

REIGNING champion Petron seeks to sustain its sizzling start when it battles dangerous Generika-Ayala when the Philippine Superliga All-Filipino Conference rolls back to the Filoil Flying V Centre today.

Action fires off at 6 p.m. following the collisions between Foton and Cignal at 2 p.m. and F2 Logistics and Sta. Lucia in the 4:15 p.m. second match of this club tourney bankrolled by Isuzu, Sogo, Senoh, Asics, Mikasa, Mueller, UCPB Gen and Bizooku.

After a solid buildup in the off-season, the Blaze Spikers were off to a roaring

start as they crushed the young Cocolife squad, 25-18, 25-15, 25-18, in the opener of this league that also has ESPN5, Hyper HD and Aksyon TV as broadcast partners.

Veteran Aiza Maizo-Pontillas made her presence felt while Frances Molina displayed her deadly form to underscore her full recovery from the injury that that sidelined her in the Asian Games and AVC Asian Women’s Cup couple of months ago.

Pontillas tallied 14 points while Molina had 10 hits for the Blaze Spikers, who took full control of the match from start to finish.

Molina said they may be the reigning titlists, but they are marching into the games without any pressure.

“Although we’re the defending champions, we’re playing without any pressure and we’re just here to enjoy the game,” said Molina, the skippers this powerhouse Petron side.

“We have always prepared for every opponent and we are ready to give our best shot every game.”

The Lifesavers, however, will not be easy foes.

Despite absorbing a 25-20, 21-25, 1425, 25-19, 5-15 loss to Foton, GenerikaAyala displayed traces of improvement, thanks to their vaunted floor defense engineered by liberos Kathleen Arado and Bia General as well as quality defenders like Patty Orendain, Bang Pineda and Fiola Ceballos.

The only setback they had against the Tornadoes were their turnovers, especially in the crucial stretch of the match.

“Petron is a powerhouse squad. We have to work on our turnovers if we want to prevail over them,” said Generika-Ayala coach Sherwin Meneses, whose wards gave away 42 points to the Tornadoes off their errors.

Go for Gold riders rule Linggarjati tour SPRINT specialist Jonel Carcueva and junior cycling ace Rex Luis Krog delivered a pair of rousing victories for Go For Gold Philippines in the challenging Tour de Linggarjati.

Carcueva got the needed shot in the arm from his Go For Gold teammates and ruled the men’s elite category of the three-day race held in West Java, Indonesia.

The 24-year-old Cebuano banked on a second-place performance in the road race and made sure his closest rivals won’t be a nuisance in the criterium event after finishing third in the 9.8-kilometer individual time trial to bring home the general classification title.

Matej Drivonec of Slovenia, which topped the 119.60-kilometer road race, placed second in the GC after a mediocre output in the ITT, while Nex CNN teammate Robert Muller of Germany wound up third overall. ``I’m very proud of our team. Even though we are still a young squad and have plenty of things to improve on, they have proven that Filipino cyclists can win in big races overseas,’’ said Go For Gold Philippines godfather Jeremy Go. Providing the much-needed lift for Carcue-

va, who captured his first international race, were Go For Gold’s Ronnilan Quita (fourth overall), Ismael Grospe (seventh), Ronnel Hualda (13th), Jericho Jay Lucero (16th) and Elmer Navarro (18th). ``This is Jonel’s first GC (win). We have seen the potential in him as early as 2015 and joined the Go For Gold program more than two years ago,’’ said Go For Gold project director Ednalyn Hualda.

While Carcueva pulled off a breakthrough with his first GC, the 18-year-old Krog ended up victorious in the junior division of the threeday international bikathon just three weeks after he ruled the elite race of the four-stage Tour of Matabungkay.

The only Filipino entry out of 35 riders, Krog frustrated Indonesians Ahmad Yoga Ilham Firdaus and Angga Dwi Wahyu Prahesta on their turf to seize the GC after topping the road race and placing second in the ITT behind Firdaus.

Krog impressively nosed out Firdaus in a dead heat after both clocked one hour and 51 minutes in the 65.30km road race before the Filipino rider crossed the line ahead of his stubborn Indonesian foe in the criterium finale.

THE Cherrylume Chairman’s Cup braces for its grand 16th staging this weekend with a record 415-player field clashing for top honors in various divisions at the Forest Hills Golf and Country Club’s Nicklaus and Palmer courses in Antipolo City.

Up from last year’s 300-player cast, the big increase in participation has forced the organizing committee, headed by club chairman Atty. Ferdinand Santos to hold the annual event to two days on Nov. 10-11.

“It’s a big number but by making it longer and utilizing both the Nicklaus and Palmer layouts, our players will be assured of a smooth staging and less traffic on the courses. We are just very happy to host this big field,” said Santos.

According to Forest Hills GCC general manager Raymond Bunquin, big prizes will be up for grabs on all par-3s in the two-day event presented by Escala Tagaytay, Golforce, Megaforce Security, Mizuno MasterSports and Diamond Motors.

They include a Mitsubishi Xpander and Tata Manza, a Mazda 3 (ANC Group), a Texas Eagle cart (Turf Co.), a Cobra golf set F7 (J-Ten Sports), 100k cash (Taishan Insurance), Meister watch (YSA skin care), and GPS Tracker (Silicon Computer).

Fujitsu Philippines, Klio International, MRT Dev. Co., Starforce and The Turf Company/Toro and South Forbes Golf Club are the event’s Silver sponsors while Group M, AIO Global, Aqua Haus, Arcadia Realty, Asia Cargo, Ayala Land Premiere, Bali Lending, Pacific Electric Wires, Danielsen Transport, East West Bank, Eastland Heights, Eurotel, Flying A International, GPMC Group, Interconnect Systems and Hydrotech Irrigation are the other supporters.

Laguna nails playoff spot LAGUNA clinched a spot in the playoffs after defeating Rizal, 99-82, last Saturday in the National Basketball League Philippines at the Alonte Sports Arena in Biñan.

Jeffrey Disquitado had 15 points and eight rebounds as the Laguna Pistons climbed to solo first in the team standings with a 6-2 record to gain a berth in the playoffs.

The Pistons will seek to finish the eliminations in the top two to gain an outright berth in the semifinals, as the third to sixth-placed teams will be battling in a knockout quarterfinal match.

Meanwhile, Bulacan beat Marikina, 99-91, to improve to 5-2 and gain a share of second place with CamSur in the standings.

Dominick Fajardo contributed 18 points, six rebounds, and six steals for the Bulacan Makabayan, who broke an 84-84 tie with a 15-7 run to finish the game.

Go for Gold sprint specialist Jonel Carcueva raises his hands in triumph after winning the elite category of Tour de Linggarjati.

Ginebra...

From A8

QC Basketball League to use SBP referees in inaugural conference THE Quezon City Basketball League will employ the services of the referees’ pool and table officials from Samahang Basketball Technical Commission to ensure an orderly conduct of the games for its inaugural Corporate conference set from November to January.

QCBL Operations head Oliver Bunyi said officiating always plays a ma-

jor factor in establishing the integrity of a basketball league.

“We don’t want to take any chances in terms of officiating, so we have partnered with the SBP officiating team for our first conference.”

The SBP will make available 10 FIBA referees and 40 SBP national referees for the QCBL, headed by Executive Director BJ Manalo, a former

De La Salle University archer and team official in the Philippine Basketball Association.

“We believe in the fairness, honesty and high-quality of officiating of the SBP and FIBA referees. I’m sure the team owners in our league will be very happy with this development,” said Manalo.

QCBL officials will have a general

meeting today with the team owners from the three different divisions--the Starters, Cadets and Open.

All the eight teams in the Starters have already confirmed to send their representatives. The teams are Regalado Vet, Bendovah Bully Camp, Insignia Builders, Dr. Ds Dental, HE Photography, Gold’s Gym, Nemesis, EAs Taste of Asia.

“We have everyone back now and we’re playing well at this point. We hope to carry all of that in the playoffs and see where it takes us,” said Cone.

The Gin Kings are understandably the favorites going in, but the Road Warriors’ unpredictability is expected to present some intrigue.

Over at the other side of the fence, the Hotshots are feared up to face the Elite’s challenge.

“We’ve achieved our goal in the eliminations and that is to get in the top four.

It’s time for us to achieve our goal for the playoffs and go as deep as we can,” said Magnolia coach Chito Victolero.

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

A8

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2018

Sports

Ginebra, Magnolia eye wins

By Jeric Lopez

US boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr., shown here posing during a weigh-in a day before his fight with MMA fighter Connor McGregor at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, said he will come out of retirement to fight a Japanese kickboxer half his age, Tenshin Nasukawa (inset), on New Year’s Eve in Saitama. AFP

Red Lions start NCAA title duel with Perez-less Pirates

By Peter Atencio

Games Today (Mall of Asia Arena) 2 p.m. LSGH vs Mapua (jrs) 4 p.m. San Beda vs Lyceum (srs)

THE defending champion San Beda Red Lions will play against an undermanned Lyceum Pirates when they start seeking their 21st seniors’ crown in the 94th National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball tournament today.

The Pirates will miss reigning Most Valuable Player CJ Perez in Game 1 of their best-of-three finals series at 4 p.m. at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Perez was suspended for his failure to inform the NCAA management committee of his intention to join 2018 Philippine Basketball Association rookie draft. It was learned that his agent reportedly made a mistake on the submission of his docu-

ments.

“It’s not over yet. We still have a title to defend against Lyceum.

Hopefully, we can prepare well against them,” said Red Lions’ coach Boyet Fernndez after they ousted the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA Altas, 83-72, Friday evening at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.

The Pirates are expected to make major adjustments in their rotation without Perez, the 6’3” utility swingman, who averages 18.7 points, 8.2 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 3.3 steals per game.

The NCAA’s Policy Board is set to meet to review Lyceum’s appeal and formalize its sanctions on Perez.

Without Perez, the team will remain focused on the task ahead, said Lyceum coach Topex Robinson.

Team captain MJ Ayaay is expected to take care of things on the floor without Perez.

TOP seed Barangay Ginebra and fourth ranked Magnolia both look to avoid complications and enter the semifinals outright when they place their separate foes in the quarterfinals of the 2018 Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup. Both armed with twice-to-beat advantages, the Gin Kings and the Hotshots can clinch the first two semis berths should they win against their respective oppositions.

Ginebra clashes with No. 8 NLEX at 7 p.m. in the marquee attraction at the Smart Araneta Coliseum tonight even as Magnolia goes up against No. 5 Blackwater at 4:30 p.m. to open the playoffs.

Showing why they are the tournament favorites and two-time defending champions, the Gin Kings have been spot on so far in their title defense, having topped the elimination round with only two losses to date.

Still, Ginebra coach Tim Cone knows that the harder work lies ahead, but he is looking forward to yet another challenge for his team.

Turn to A8

Floyd unretires, battles Japan kickboxer Dec. 31 T

OKYO—Boxing superstar Floyd Mayweather Jr said Monday he will come out of retirement to fight a Japanese kickboxer half his age, Tenshin Nasukawa, on New Year’s Eve in Saitama.

The 41-year-old unbeaten American, who captured world titles in five different weight divisions and was considered the best pound-for-pound boxer in the sport, out-boxed Irish mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor in his last fight in August 2017.

That victory improved his boxing record to a perfect 50-0 but the format or rules for his meeting with the baby-faced Nasukawa were not specified by the Japanese mixed martial arts promoters RIZIN. Mayweather posted a teaser photo on his Instagram feed at the weekend, showing him wearing kickboxing gloves.

“I want to give the people what they want

-- blood, sweat and tears,” Mayweather told a news conference in Tokyo after reportedly flying into Japan on his private jet.

“I want to continue to build my relationship with Money Team Tokyo,” he added, promoting the cross-code bout as an expansion of his businesses into Japan.

“I want to continue coming over here and bringing other fighters so my company can continue to grow and RIZIN can continue to grow.

“We’ve been making some huge fights happen in the US, but we look forward to taking the Mayweather Promotions banner and the TMT banner worldwide.”

Nasukawa, who is described in the

press release as “perhaps the best combat sports prospect (Japan) has ever seen”, boasts a 27-0 record but has never competed as a professional boxer.

The 20-year-old with a bleachedblond quiff called it an “easy decision” to accept the offer to face Mayweather in Saitama, north of Tokyo.

“Honestly it was surprise offer but I accepted without hesitation,” said Nasukawa.

“It’s the biggest moment in my life and I want to be the man who changes history. I’ll do that with these fists, with one punch -- just watch.”

Mayweather, who stopped McGregor in the 10th round last year after coming out of retirement for a $275 million pay day, had been flirting with the idea of a rematch with the Irishman or facing fearsome Russian Khabib Nurmagomedov.

Now without Jocel Ninobla and Rodolfo Reyes Jr., UST hopes to emerge victorious in UAAP Season

UST Tigers seek back-to-back taekwondo poomsae crowns UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas hopes to fend off a tough competition despite the graduation of its two standouts from its previous championship runs in the UAAP Season 81 poomsae tourmament on Tuesday at the Blue Eagle Gym. Jocel Ninobla and Rodolfo Reyes Jr. capped their collegiate careers by helping the Growling Tigers bag a league-best third title last year.

Reyes later became an 2018 Asian Games bronze medalist in the men’s team event, along with Jeordan Dominguez and Dustin Mella.

The one-day event is set at 2 p.m.

De La Salle, the Season 79 titlist who is hoping to give former world champion Rinna Babanto a grand send off in her final year, and University of the Philippines, which is led by Janna Oliva, are

UST’s main contenders in the throne.

Babanto and Oliva, together with Juvenile Faye Crisostomo, who also ended her collegiate stint by leading Far Eastern University to its first-ever podium finish last year, won the 2018 Asiad women’s team bronze.

Meanwhile, UST vies for a second consecutive juniors’ taekwondo championship in the day-long event scheduled at 9 a.m.

Tuesday.

The three-day taekwondo tournament in the men’s and women’s division will start at 9 a.m. Wednesday at the same Katipunan venue.

National University is gunning for a championship double for the second straight season. The Lady Bulldogs won a second consecutive women’s title, while their men’s team finally reached the top last year.

Manila

Business

IN BRIEF

Standard

TODAY

Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2018

B1

Murata defers P40-b expansion P

By Othel V. Campos

hilippine Manufacturing Co. of Murata Inc., one of the largest Japanese electronics companies in the country, put its P40-billion expansion program on hold amid the uncertainty in the grant of tax incentives.

Murata has two manufacturing sites in Laguna and Batangas. Its facility at First Philippine Industrial Park in Tanauan City is considered the largest in Asia.

Philippine Economic Zone Authority director-general Charito Plaza said Murata’s expansion program was supposed to employ an additional 6,000 workers,

on top of its current labor pool of 2,984 personnel.

Plaza, who has been opposing the second package of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion, disclosed this information after a brief visit to the company’s manufacturing site in Tanauan. Train 2, or the Tax Reform for Attracting Better and High Quality Opportunities bill, aims to modernize the tax incentives granted to investors and reduce the corporate income tax rate from 30 percent to 20 percent.

Foreign investors expressed concern that once passed into law, the Trabaho bill would remove the incentives, such as six-year income tax holiday and 5-percent tax on gross income earned, which they currently enjoy.

“Murata’s P40-billion expansion of new plants and new products was held off, until they have a clearer picture of the effects of Train 2 to foreign investors,” Plaza said.

“Murata management said they’re here in the Philippines because of Peza’s incentives and brand of ser-

vice, and because of young English speaking Filipino work force,” Plaza said.

Murata established its presence in the Philippines in 2012 with a P7.7-billion capital infusion for a chip monolithic ceramic capacitor inside the First Philippine Industrial Park. PMM, the local unit, produces multilayer ceramic capacitors.

The company, which occupies 24 hectares in the industrial park, plans to add two new buildings to expand its product line.

Murata has annual sales of about P5.65 billion. It has 96 subsidiaries, including 31 in Japan and 66 in other countries.

Murata manufactures 10 types of finished products and exports up to 95 percent of these products to captive markets. Its innovations can be found in a wide range of applications from mobile phones to home appliances, automotive applications to energy management systems, and healthcare devices.

FIRST OUTLET MALL. Cathay Land Inc.

and Freeport Retail UK open Acienda Designer Outlet, considered the first true international Outlet mall in the Philippines. Cutting the ribbon during the opening ceremony of Acienda Designer Outlet in Silang, Cavite on Oct. 26 are (from left) Gil Linaja, executive assistant to Cavite governor Jesus Crispin Remulla; Cathay Land executive vice president Jose Balonan; Cathay Land chairman Olivia Ng; Cathay Land president Jeffrey Ng; Silang mayor Emilia Poblete; Cavite 5th District Rep. Roy Loyola; and Freeport Retail UK founder Chris Milliken.

Romero, son settle North Harbour row

By Jenniffer B. Austria

BUSINESSMAN Reghis Romero II and his son Michael have amicably settled their ownership dispute over Manila North Harbour Port Inc. The two through their lawyers informed the Securities and Exchange Commission they had settled their claims and counterclaims against each other over the ownership of MNHPI. Romero and his son Michael, as part of the compromise agreement, also divested all their rights and interests over their respective shareholdings in MNHPI. The SEC took note of the development but still upheld its Oct. 12, 2016 decision dismissing the case filed by Reghis Romero-led Harbour Centre Port Terminal Inc. against Michael Romero-led Harbour Port Centre Holdings Inc. and Petron Corp.

“While the commission lauds the Reghis M. Romero group, the Michael Romero group, and the other parties in this case in agreeing to put an amicable end to their dispute, we have to bear in mind that the matter before us is a regulatory matter that is better resolved on the merits for guidance of the public,” the SEC said in a decision signed

Oct 4.

“Wherefore premises considered, the instant appeal is hereby denied for lack of merit,” the SEC said.

The group of Reghis Romero in August 2015 filed a complaint with the SEC seeking to recall an increase in the capital stock of MNHPI from P1 billion to P3 billion, citing an ongoing ownership dispute with his son Michael.

The increase in authorized capital stock of MNHPI enabled San Miguel Corp. to subscribe to the additional shares in the port operator, boosting the conglomerate’s ownership in the port operator to 78.33 percent.

San Miguel unit Petron Corp. prior to the deal owned a 35-percent stake in MNHPI. Petron in 2017, Petron sold its 35 percent interest in MNHPI to International Container Terminal Services Inc. ICTSI in September said it would increase its stake in MNHPI to 50 percent after signing a share purchase agreement to acquire 4.55 million shares in MNHPI, or another 15.17 percent of the total stocks for P910 million.

MNHPI has a 25-year contract to manage, develop and operate the 53-hectare Manila North Harbor terminal.

China firm to build $100-m resort in Cagayan CHINESE conglomerate Shanghai Jucheng Supply Management Group is investing an initial $100 million to develop an integrated resort with casino in Cagayan Special Economic Zone and Freeport.

Cagayan Economic Zone Authority administrator and chief executive Raul Lambino said the Chinese group planned to recreate a Jeju Island-inspired tourism project that would capitalize on the pristine allure of northeastern Luzon.

“This is one of the few unspoiled spots in the country that will cater to the sun worshipper, the nature lover and the adventurer,” said Lambino.

Lambino signed a memorandum of understanding last week with Jucheng Group founding chairman Xue Chenbiao in Shanghai.

Ceza is headquartered in Santa Ana, Luzon’s northernmost town in Cagayan province, which boasts of stunning white sand beaches, diving spots, game-fishing haven, tropical forest getaways and beautiful sunsets.

Lambino said the project was expected to take off as soon as the agency and the Juncheng Group finalized the details of the proposed investment.

The Chinese group also expressed interest in managing Ceza’s seaports and airport, building townships and theme parks and engaging in Fintech solutions using

the blockchain technology.

Ceza said the jewel of its operation would focus on the Jeju-inspired seaside integrated resort with casino component and theme and water parks that would approximate tourism-driven complexes in China and major attractions in other countries.

The proposed integrated resort and property development would include a duty free mall for branded products at discounted prices, a chain of the Island Pacific supermarket for imported and local merchandise and a five-star suite and service.

Juncheng Group recently expanded its operations in the American market with its recent acquisition of the Filipino-owned Island Pacific chain of supermarkets.

Lambino said Jucheng Group was also interested in the production of steel and lithium batteries that would use of local natural resources found in Cagayan province and provide local employment and business opportunities.

Jucheng Group counts among its varied operations the production of high-performance lithium batteries for electric vehicles as well as real estate development, global entertainment, sustainable energy, electronics manufacturing and logistics.

“They want to add more value to our natural resources in a more sustainable way while also protecting our environment,” said Lambino. Othel V. Campos

(MS - NOV. 6, 2018)

(MS-OCT. 31, 2018)

PLDT, Clark set to build 5G city

PLDT Group signed a memorandum of understanding with state-run Clark Development Corp. to launch Clark Freeport Zone as the country’s first Smart 5G City.

Under the agreement, PLDT Inc. and Smart Communications Inc., along with technology partner Ericsson, will deploy the first 5G cell site in Clark in November.

“We are happy to be working with CDC in building the city of the future, equipped with smart services and powered by 5G infrastructure, right here in Pampanga,” PLDT and Smart chairman and chief executive Manuel Pangilinan said.

“This will benefit not only Clark but the country as well by demonstrating that we are in step with the rest of the world in adopting advanced intelligent technologies,” he said.

“We are glad that Clark was chosen to serve as the location for the very first 5G wireless platform in the Philippines. This, we believe, will not only be of benefit to Clark locators but also the many industries, various businesses and communities in the country as well,” CDP president and chief executive Noel Manankil said. Darwin G. Amojelar

PNOC-EC’s plan to import diesel hit SEN. Sherwin Gatchalian on Monday questioned the decision of the board of state-run PNOC–Exploration Corp. to import P2 billion worth of diesel from Singapore.

Gatchalian raised doubts whether the diesel importation plan was the best solution to alleviate the plight of public utility drivers struggling to cope with rising fuel prices.

“I understand that we have a common goal and that is to help ease the burden of our jeepney drivers, who are actually one of the most vulnerable sectors to fluctuations in pump prices. However, I do not believe that the PNOC-EC plan is the best solution to the problem since there is no guarantee that the cheap fuel will reach the PUJ drivers,” said Gatchalian, who chairs the Senate committees on economic affairs and energy, respectively.

PNOC EC president Aquino earlier said the imported diesel would be around P5 cheaper per liter than the prevailing pump prices.

“It depends on the price we will get, but if we are able to get a price lower than the MOPS of Singapore, initially that is P5 less than the pump price,” Aquino said. Alena Mae S. Flores

ICTSI unit welcomes Guayaquil dredging CONTECON Guayaquil SA, the Ecuadorian subsidiary of International Container Terminal Services Inc., said it welcomes the recent decision by the Guayaquil government to dredge and maintain the channel leading to the Port of Guayaquil.

Through an international tender, the Technical Commission of the Municipality of Guayaquil on Oct. 5 awarded a 25-year concession to the Luxembourg-based Jan De Nul Group, which will undertake the dredging and maintenance of the 95-km main access channel leading to the port.

With dredging works expected to be completed within the first year of the concession, mega vessels will soon be able to enter the port even with a 12.5-meter draft at high tide, from the existing access channel depth of 9.6 meters.

Jose Antonio Contreras, CGSA chief executive, said: “This landmark undertaking of the Guayaquil municipality to dredge and maintain the main access channel, the first in 60 years, is truly laudable. It will help ensure the progress not only of Guayaquil, whose ports will be directly benefitted, but of the entire Ecuador.”

B2

Business

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2018 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Market extends rally; ICTSI gains

T

HE stock market extended its rally Monday as it played catch-up with the rest of the region after a shortened trading week last week in observance of the All Saints Day and All Souls Day.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index rose 73.15 points, or 1 percent, to 7,213.44 on a value turnover of P22.6 billion following the block sale of Energy Development Corp. shares worth P14.56 billion in line with the company’s delisting plan.

Gainers beat losers, 100 to 93, with 44 issues unchanged.

Alliance Global Group Inc. of tycoon Andrew Tan advanced 3.9 percent to P11.80, while International Container Terminal Services Inc., the biggest port operator, climbed 3.6 percent to P93.80.

Universal Robina Corp. of industrialist John Gokongwei, the largest snack food maker, rallied 3 percent to P133.90, while PLDT Inc., the biggest telecommunications company, rose 2.1 percent to P1,419.

The rest of Asian markets fell Monday after Donald Trump’s top economics adviser downplayed the chances of a quick deal to end the China-US trade war, taking the wind out of the sails of last week’s rally.

The US leader fueled a surge in the region’s equities Friday by tweeting that he had held positive talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping, before a report said he had even asked officials to draw up a draft bill with an eye on a potential agreement.

But White House adviser Larry Kudlow later tempered expectations, telling CNBC “there’s no massive movement to deal with trade.”

The news sent US markets into the red, snapping a three-day rally on Wall

Street, and sending Asian investors rushing for the door.

“Investors are far too wary of an empty promise,” said Stephen Innes, head of Asia-Pacific trade at OANDA. “But ultimately, they will need to decide how much of President Trump’s olive branch to China was a ploy to boost equity markets ahead of the US mid-term elections on Tuesday and how much of it is a bona fide attempt to reach an agreement.”

Hong Kong―which climbed more than four percent Friday in its best day for almost seven years―sank more than two percent, while Shanghai ended down 0.4 percent.

Dealers are keeping tabs on a massive import expo in Shanghai that Xi opened Monday by telling delegates China would increase efforts to open up its economy.

He said authorities would “step up” moves to stimulate domestic consumption of imports, lower tariffs, ease customs clearance procedures, and imple-

ment harsh punishments for intellectual property infringements, a key cause of Washington’s anger with Beijing.

Tokyo finished 1.6 percent lower, Singapore dropped 1.7 percent and Seoul was 0.9 percent off. Wellington and Taipei were also deep in negative territory, while Sydney dropped 0.5 percent.

Traders are now keeping an eye on the US mid-term elections Tuesday, which are seen as a vote on Trump’s performance since taking the White House, with the Democrats looking to take control of the House of Representatives.

A win for them could also raise the chances of Trump being impeached, fueling uncertainty.

“The mid-term elections carry a considerable amount of political and market risk not to mention legal risk for the current administration so that the markets could swivel higher or lower on the outcome of this election,” Innes added.

With AFP

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW MONDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2018

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

FINANCIALS 59.7 16,980 82 2,210,280 2.31 14,000 122.2 8,937,570 1.4 86,000 28 48,700 15.5 600 11.3 837,700 4 20,000 0.6 1,000 1.53 10,000 820 110 0.47 380,000 66.6 4,086,810 39.55 51,200 190 80 117 110 72.25 180 28.05 14,900 146.1 634,910 1,830 55 66 4,910 1.15 1,290,000

1,004,276.50 182,244,354 32,280 1,102,663,830 117,110 1,370,580 9,300 9,495,946 78,300 600 15,310 89,750 164,550 270,697,995 2,032,390 15,100 12,929 12,985 420,110 92,936,023 100,650 328,759.50 1,491,720

831,272.50 -5,271,738 11,500 53,240,686 97,160 2,820 -6,129,290 -66,338,728 -1,499,175.00 -25,210 25,699,552 -73,728.50 -

INDUSTRIAL 34.3 2,397,100 17.94 662,600 1 8,923,000 1.29 312,000 0.219 920,000 2.12 8,290,000 13.2 472,700 38 367,600 16.12 7,200 37.55 709,200 1.54 158,000 4.71 2,300 7 15,600 11.2 701,100 14.78 23,800 9 3,037,300 6.96 1,085,400 15.74 737,100 64.1 66,890 25 7,500 1.55 167,150,000 6.29 38,500 10.5 3,264,300 1.72 458,000 280 1,688,940 54 90 4.8 50,000 25.4 157,400 10.78 291,300 18.3 1,295,500 367.6 291,410 0.172 100,000 6.29 800 1.65 289,000 4.05 10,000 8.12 1,999,800 4.57 45,000 9.06 15,400 0.98 916,000 11 34,900 48.85 450,500 5.87 1,600 4.79 8,000 2.15 473,000 3.21 51,000 1.6 104,000 10.4 127,600 84.95 329,500 5.2 247,400 0.122 1,010,000 0.97 83,000 133.9 1,555,400 1.58 5,180,000

82,187,870 11,887,722 8,839,620 393,850 194,890 17,660,040 6,227,550 13,971,205 116,072 26,949,465 245,000 10,918 106,408 7,869,172 357,502 27,335,505 7,564,784 11,642,204 4,281,064.50 186,250 256,302,100 235,872 34,476,178 766,210 472,185,856 4,890 240,000 3,957,425 3,133,682 23,672,186 107,292,942 17,200 4,874 476,640 40,500 16,235,002 194,920 139,449 896,360 383,756 22,197,045 8,888 38,320 1,033,310 157,360 159,980 1,292,130 27,949,366.50 1,287,474 123,020 78,760 208,493,923 8,343,600

36,469,095 4,015,162.00 -78,110 -5,952,580 -265,974 391,875 -30,400 2,345,584 -60,602 -414,028 -2,359,070 2,879,531.50 -248,900 -43,881 5,986,526 94,543,114 2,451,580 -2,616,866 10,008,452 39,699,054 17,200 -442,200 -7,430,652.00 676,580 61,680 -5,631,150 -2,348 -1,182,358 -14,384,500.50 20,796 53,676,019 15,050

8,690,100 29,313,080 98,657,170 3,460 1,729,279 1,274,655 31,517,190 4,212,860 455,107,805 20,000 5,667,563 57,563,082 114,250 400 33,730 154,643,180 96,485 109,621,560 4,670 482,120 110,173,692 451,740 199,345,700 11,200 24,520 643,260 10,885,926 451,269,590 2,700 2,968,630 533,730

108,100 22,994,430 -41,053,616 1,662,840 -178,940 25,830 204,670,815 5,345,192 35,031,108 2,900 -79,709,620 32,694,455 -105,870 -46,875,064 -38,579,290 -57,250 4,684,799 17,114,515 -1,313,732 -

2,594,591 408,350 67,680 183,650 573,900 562,517,570 6,195,260 220,610 2,509,104 680 700 635,250 838,430 93,750 756,070 2,498,954 42,330 66,560 6,184,510 1,397,180 74,898,090 63,578,720 21,894,680 633,150 100,250 5,378,920

243,086 -8,518,040.00 2,303,480 1,766,435 -8,300 1,608,416 5,024,960 -9,990,390.00 16,788,180 16,040.00 -691,650

NAME

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

59.5 82 2.3 124 1.33 28.2 15.5 11.48 4.05 0.6 1.52 815 0.43 65.55 39.8 185 122.9 72.05 29 144.4 1,830 66.9 1.17

59.7 83.3 2.35 124.9 1.4 28.25 15.5 11.48 4.05 0.6 1.54 820 0.47 66.95 39.8 190 122.9 72.25 29 149 1,830 67.45 1.17

57.6 81.75 2.26 122.2 1.33 28 15.5 11.28 3.84 0.6 1.52 815 0.43 65.5 39.55 185 117 72.05 28.05 144.3 1,830 66 1.15

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

33.75 17.9 0.96 1.26 0.21 2.12 13.42 38.8 16.12 38 1.55 4.72 6.8 11.38 15.2 9.07 6.97 15.64 64.05 24.5 2.4 6.43 11 1.63 275 55 4.8 25 10.78 17.94 371 0.172 5.89 1.65 4.05 8.12 4.32 9.06 0.97 11 50 5.45 4.79 2.19 3.04 1.58 10 85 5.19 0.122 0.93 133 1.63

34.55 17.98 1.01 1.29 0.221 2.18 13.6 39 16.2 38 1.57 4.75 7.08 11.38 15.2 9.07 6.98 15.98 64.1 25 2.4 6.43 11 1.76 284.6 55 4.8 25.55 10.9 18.42 371 0.172 6.3 1.65 4.05 8.25 4.57 9.06 0.99 11 50 5.87 4.79 2.26 3.23 1.6 10.96 85 5.23 0.122 0.98 135.9 1.66

33.75 17.74 0.96 1.26 0.21 2.11 13.08 37.4 16.12 37.55 1.54 4.71 6.8 11.14 14.74 8.8 6.94 15.54 63.6 24.5 1.23 6 10.48 1.62 269.2 54 4.8 25 10.68 17.94 363.6 0.172 5.89 1.64 4.05 8.06 4.32 9.03 0.97 10.62 48.8 5.45 4.79 2.15 3.04 1.5 10 84.25 5.19 0.121 0.91 131.6 1.58

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

0.46 47 11.58 0.88 6.2 25.2 1.25 1.3 938 1,000 6.77 12.88 7.23 4 0.224 771 5.95 48.4 0.53 4.33 14.5 0.52 4.88 0.037 1.16 2.29 171 912 1.35 280 0.23

0.465 48 11.88 0.88 6.21 25.45 1.37 1.36 945 1,000 6.98 12.9 7.25 4 0.225 780 5.95 49.85 0.53 4.33 14.86 0.54 4.98 0.038 1.2 2.29 171.5 922 1.35 280 0.238

0.445 45.2 11.5 0.85 6.19 25 1.25 1.3 922.5 1,000 6.75 12.6 7.23 4 0.224 756 5.82 47.8 0.51 4.2 14.3 0.52 4.86 0.037 1.16 2.28 167 905 1.35 279 0.23

8990 HLDG A BROWN ANCHOR LAND ARANETA PROP ARTHALAND CORP AYALA LAND BELLE CORP CEB LANDMASTERS CEBU HLDG CEBU PROP A CEBU PROP B CENTURY PROP CROWN EQUITIES CYBER BAY DM WENCESLAO DOUBLEDRAGON EMPIRE EAST EVER GOTESCO FILINVEST LAND GLOBAL ESTATE IRC PROP MEGAWORLD MRC ALLIED PHIL ESTATES PHIL REALTY PRIMEX CORP

7.09 0.75 11.28 1.96 0.59 39.8 2.4 4.3 5.37 6.8 7 0.415 0.22 0.375 7.89 19.2 0.51 0.104 1.43 1.05 2.51 4.47 0.57 0.395 0.4 3.45

7.2 0.77 11.28 1.96 0.6 40 2.43 4.4 5.98 6.8 7 0.415 0.223 0.375 8 19.4 0.51 0.104 1.46 1.05 2.6 4.47 0.58 0.425 0.425 3.59

7 0.75 11.28 1.95 0.59 39 2.39 4.3 5.35 6.8 7 0.405 0.21 0.375 7.88 19.1 0.51 0.104 1.43 1.03 2.36 4.36 0.55 0.395 0.4 3.45

VOLUME

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VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

ROBINSONS LAND ROCKWELL SHANG PROP SM PRIME HLDG STA LUCIA LAND STARMALLS SUNTRUST HOME VISTA LAND

21.05 1.91 3.15 34.25 1.14 5.9 0.7 5.2

21.3 1.95 3.16 34.75 1.16 5.92 0.7 5.28

20.7 1.91 3.12 33.55 1.08 4.5 0.68 5.08

21.3 1.94 3.16 33.65 1.16 5.16 0.68 5.28

3,273,200 47,000 107,000 18,361,300 1,588,000 3,458,900 501,000 4,099,100

69,103,935 90,480 336,790 619,310,200 1,753,910 17,988,933 345,720 21,379,581

-30,664,520 29,100 305,550 -174,923,890 114,816 -10,032,746

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

10.94 21.5 1.3 0.435 0.04 13.48 1.69 8.44 65 7.82 6.29 2 9.42 900 2,100 5.1 310 2.84 1.81 90 11.22 0.104 3.2 3.05 3.39 0.8 17.2 0.4 5.4 7.1 2.21 1.25 1.51 4.32 10.9 8.29 3.25 8.3 108.5 3.46 1,410 0.74 0.34 40.55 74.1 6.78 2.7 0.7 0.5 5.16 0.58 11.4

11.7 21.6 1.3 0.435 0.041 13.48 1.72 8.44 68.3 7.82 6.56 2 9.42 900 2,120 5.23 318 2.99 1.85 93.8 11.22 0.104 3.36 3.23 3.48 0.8 17.22 0.4 5.43 7.14 2.25 1.4 1.51 4.32 10.9 8.29 3.42 8.3 108.5 3.5 1,419 0.77 0.355 41.9 76.1 7 2.82 0.7 0.52 5.2 0.58 11.5

10.94 21.45 1.29 0.425 0.038 13.46 1.66 8.28 65 7.82 6.29 2 8.4 900 2,030 5.1 302 2.81 1.8 90 11.22 0.103 3.15 3.04 3.35 0.8 17.06 0.4 5.35 7.09 2.2 1.23 1.51 3.85 10.62 8.29 3.2 8.3 104 3.4 1,390 0.73 0.34 40.55 74.1 6.75 2.68 0.67 0.5 5.15 0.56 11.2

SERVICES 11.3 21.55 1.29 0.435 0.041 13.46 1.67 8.3 68 7.82 6.35 2 8.52 900 2,100 5.23 315.2 2.81 1.85 93.8 11.22 0.104 3.27 3.23 3.39 0.8 17.06 0.4 5.43 7.11 2.21 1.4 1.51 3.96 10.62 8.29 3.42 8.3 104 3.49 1,419 0.76 0.34 41.9 76 7 2.76 0.67 0.51 5.16 0.58 11.4

8,200 36,800 25,000 1,260,000 5,100,000 1,400 1,134,000 8,110,100 105,260 100 2,937,200 2,000 138,600 230 68,010 33,100 9,560 4,112,000 42,000 1,105,370 100 890,000 9,686,000 13,000 171,000 24,000 204,100 200,000 12,700 7,652,300 645,000 59,000 6,000 7,621,000 2,100 600 12,000 2,000 12,580 166,000 121,335 2,749,000 600,000 1,621,600 641,840 14,300 14,270,000 5,918,000 10,308,000 1,255,500 1,023,000 638,700

91,726 791,585 32,330 542,900 201,800 18,868 1,896,730 67,762,844 7,138,881.50 782 18,832,852 4,000 1,211,658 207,000 142,313,480 172,108 2,986,068 11,922,300 76,350 102,341,168 1,122 92,530 31,617,310 39,740 576,430 19,200 3,485,766 80,000 68,877 54,344,774 1,421,860 75,840 9,060 30,702,530 22,330 4,974 38,670 16,600 1,343,273 572,340 171,171,580 2,068,230 206,050 66,598,355 48,698,896 98,518 39,489,140 4,014,020 5,247,300 6,469,556 591,060 7,289,128

7,800 2,692 87,020 3,546,017 3,447,559 -48,865 -9,000 79,815,800 22,120 -140,000 2,107,269 -10,418,950 -23,670 -238,992 -45,277,137 -19,900 -14,550 354,576 -12,183,220 111,270 -24,495,205 -23,640,969.00 9,093,730 -2,700,810 550,640 -5,152,369 3,601,968

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

0.0022 1.8 2.9 14.86 1.3 1.35 1.93 7.19 1.8 0.211 0.107 1.17 2.61 1.03 0.96 0.013 4.19 3.41 17.8 28.2 0.0061

0.0023 1.84 2.9 14.86 1.3 1.35 1.93 7.19 1.83 0.211 0.107 1.2 2.61 1.03 0.96 0.013 4.19 3.45 18.1 28.95 0.0061

0.0022 1.77 2.67 14.78 1.3 1.35 1.9 7.11 1.79 0.204 0.105 1.15 2.53 1 0.93 0.012 4.14 3.29 17.64 28 0.006

MINING & OIL 0.0023 140,000,000 1.8 5,306,000 2.9 8,000 14.78 600 1.3 1,000 1.35 2,000 1.93 386,000 7.19 500 1.79 1,386,000 0.204 160,000 0.106 1,920,000 1.17 153,000 2.56 916,000 1.03 3,000 0.93 408,000 0.013 2,400,000 4.14 29,000 3.31 3,724,000 17.8 1,697,600 28.95 1,770,500 0.0061 9,000,000

319,000 9,550,430 22,530 8,908 1,300 2,700 733,460 3,571 2,491,230 32,790 203,150 178,840 2,352,910 3,060 380,590 30,000 120,590 12,538,460 30,377,558 50,731,795 54,600

662,850 47,500 -266,890 -6,130 511,560 -2,060 -1,131,960 97,998 27,022,815 -

ABS HLDG PDR AC PREF B1 ALCO PREF B DD PREF GMA HLDG PDR GTCAP PREF A GTCAP PREF B HOUSE PREF A LR PREF MWIDE PREF PCOR PREF 2B PNX PREF 3A PNX PREF 3B SMC PREF 2B SMC PREF 2C SMC PREF 2E SMC PREF 2F SMC PREF 2H

21.4 465 100.1 95 5.19 886 898 98 1.03 101.9 1,020 102.6 103 75.05 76.05 72.75 75 73.8

21.4 465 101 95 5.22 948.5 944.5 98 1.03 101.9 1,020 102.6 103 75.05 76.05 74.9 75 74.85

21.2 465 100 94.5 5.19 835 893 97 1.03 101.9 1,020 102.6 103 75 75.75 72.65 75 73.8

PREFERRED 21.4 478,300 465 350 101 25,000 94.6 25,100 5.22 16,400 948.5 3,090 944 8,480 97 1,100 1.03 8,000 101.9 100 1,020 25 102.6 10 103 30 75 31,090 76.05 111,420 74.9 4,280 75 540 74.85 1,200

10,234,610 162,750 2,505,000 2,372,465 85,545 2,595,295 7,574,390 107,000 8,240 10,190 25,500 1,026 3,090 2,331,750.50 8,472,592 314,467 40,500 89,085

-391,570 85,545 -2,250,000.50 75,800 -

LR WARRANT

2.3

2.3

2.26

WARRANTS 2.27 92,000

208,560

-

ITALPINAS XURPAS

4.42 1.52

4.52 1.61

4.3 1.52

4.5 1.56

2,271,440 14,070,930

84,480 -4,832,950

FIRST METRO ETF

107.5

108.8

107.5

MS

HOLDING FIRMS 0.45 19,240,000 46.8 625,600 11.8 8,368,300 0.85 4,000 6.2 278,900 25 50,900 1.35 23,684,000 1.36 3,177,000 935 486,290 1,000 20 6.89 822,000 12.8 4,480,500 7.23 15,800 4 100 0.225 150,000 759 203,200 5.82 16,500 48.6 2,248,300 0.53 9,000 4.24 114,000 14.8 7,513,200 0.54 841,000 4.9 40,584,000 0.038 300,000 1.2 21,000 2.29 281,000 168 64,570 910 492,910 1.35 2,000 279 10,620 0.238 2,290,000 PROPERTY 7.2 0.77 11.28 1.96 0.6 40 2.4 4.35 5.98 6.8 7 0.41 0.217 0.375 8 19.34 0.51 0.104 1.45 1.03 2.6 4.44 0.56 0.425 0.425 3.59

366,900 540,000 6,000 94,000 970,000 14,154,500 2,582,000 51,000 441,200 100 100 1,550,000 3,930,000 250,000 94,600 129,900 83,000 640,000 4,272,000 1,347,000 30,566,000 14,343,000 38,916,000 1,500,000 240,000 1,534,000

USD TECH B2

1

1

TRADING SUMMARY FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL

SHARES

21,167,756 2,253,269,284

HOLDING FIRMS

123,263,917

PROPERTY

150,124,909

SERVICES

92,774,710

MINING & OIL

9,549,905

GRAND TOTAL

2,820,030,274

1

SME

517,000 9,030,000

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 108.7 19,770 1

DDS

10,600

2,141,694 10,600

1,092,723 -

VALUE 1,611.24 (up) 3.34 1,867,506,223.66 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 10,769.29 (up) 120.50 16,145,891,894.54 HOLDING FIRMS 7,084.40 (up) 80.87 2,035,469,493.26 PROPERTY 3,510.80 (up) 15.31 1,486.46 (up) 23.91 1,489,644,727.62 SERVICES MINING & OIL 9,689.50 (up) 117.45 897,976,365.95 PSEI 7,213.44 (up) 73.15 16,353,536.15 All Shares Index 4,391.45 (up) 20.99 22,565,129,862.72 Gainers: 100; Losers: 93; Unchanged: 44; Total: 237

Security Bank hiked profit to P2.25b in Q3

By Julito G. Rada SECURITY Bank Corp., the sixthlargest lender in terms of assets, said Monday net income in the third quarter rose 5 percent to P2.25 billion from a year ago, on the back of the continued expansion of consumer loans and lowcost deposits.

Security Bank said in a statement net profit in July to September was also 15-percent higher than what it earned in the second quarter this year.

Consumer loans in the third quarter grew 48 percent year-on-year, while low-cost deposits increased 18 percent.

“Total loan growth moderated to 8 percent as wholesale loans slowed to +2 percent. Excluding a large shortterm corporate bridge loan in Q3-2017, wholesale loans would have grown 9 percent and total loans, 15 percent,” it said. Total loans s reached P401 billion.

Consumer loans now account for 19 percent of total loans, up from 14 percent a year ago. Total deposits improved 9 percent to P468 billion, with high-cost deposits inching up 3 percent.

Net interest income from customer loans and deposits increased 23 percent year-on-year in the third quarter. Net interest spread on loans and deposits climbed to 4.43 percent in the third quarter, up by 16 basis points quarter-on-quarter and up by 11 basis points year-on-year.

Service charges, fees and commissions grew 38 percent, driven by bancassurance, credit card, deposit charges and loan fees.

Operating expense growth (excluding provisions for credit and impairment losses) was 13 percent. Provision for income tax for the quarter was higher by 118 percent or P345 million due to growth in income from regular banking unit.

Net income declined 11 percent in the first nine months to P6.5 billion, primarily due to the 57-percent decrease in trading gains or P627 million and the increase in provision for income tax by 73 percent or P769 million.

Net interest income from customer loans and deposits increased by 30 percent or P2.6 billion to P11.3 billion.

Interest income from financial investments was lower by 13 percent or P1.1 billion due to a lower level of securities portfolio which decreased by 18 percent year-on-year.

Total net interest income grew 7 percent to P15.3 billion. Overall, net interest margin increased to 3.3 percent in Q3-2018, up by 11 basis points quarter-on-quarter and up by 7 basis points year-on-year.

Vista Land readies sale of P10b worth of fixed-rate bonds

By Jenniffer B. Austria HOUSE and lot developer Vista Land & Lifescapes Inc. plans to issue up to P10 billion worth of fixed-rate retail bonds.

Vista Land said in a disclosure to the stock exchange it would issue up to P5 billion worth of retail bonds with an oversubscription option of as much as P5 billion from its remaining ₱15-billion bond shelf program earlier approved by the SEC. “The management of the company has been authorized to determine the other terms and conditions of the issuance of the offer bonds as may be advantageous to the company and in accordance with the scope of authority given by the board including, but not limited to, the determination of the interest rate of the offer bonds,” Vista Land said.

The property company of the Villar Group tapped China Bank Capital Corp. to act as the issue manager of the offering.

Vista Land did not say how it would use the proceeds from the planned bond offering. The company has P4.3 billion worth of retail bonds maturing in April next year.

The board of Vista Land also approved the extension of its P3-billion share buyback program until November 2020.

“The board and the management of the company believe that its shares are trading at a price level that is lower than the fair value thereof,” Vista Land said.

Since implementing the buyback program, Vista Land has repurchased 287.2 million shares that were placed under treasury shares. It still has a budget of P1.4 billion for the buyback program.

Share price of Vista Land on Monday closed unchanged at P5.28.

Vista Land is one of the leading integrated property developers in the Philippines and the largest homebuilder in the country overall.

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Countries gather in Geneva to review Saudi rights record

RESUMPTION. South Korean assault vehicles fire smoke shells on the seashore during a landing operation in the southern

city of Pohang on November 5, 2018. South Korea and the United States resumed small-scale military training that was indefinitely suspended following a historic summit between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in June. AFP

GENEVA―Countries will gather at the UN in Geneva Monday to review the rights record of Saudi Arabia, as it faces a torrent of international condemnation over the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

The half-day public debate before the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva comes just over a month after the royal insider-turned-critic was murdered in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.

Turkey’s chief prosecutor confirmed for the first time last Wednesday that Khashoggi was strangled as soon as he entered the consulate on October 2 as part of a planned hit, and his body was then dismembered and destroyed.

The murder has placed strain on Saudi Arabia’s relationship with the United States and other western countries and has tarnished the image of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the kingdom’s de facto ruler.

Monday’s so-called Universal Periodic Review―which all 193 UN countries must undergo approximately every four years―is likely to also focus on Saudi Arabia’s role in Yemen’s brutal civil war.

Saudi Arabia and its allies intervened in the war in 2015 to bolster Yemeni President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi after the Iran-backed rebels took over the capital Sanaa.

According to the World Health Organization, nearly 10,000 people have been killed in the conflict, and a UN panel of experts has accused both the Huthis and the Saudi-led coalition of acts that could amount to war crimes.

The conflict has also created the world’s biggest humanitarian crisis and left millions of people on the brink of famine, according to the UN. Washington, which has long backed the Saudi-led coalition, called last week for an end to the coalition’s air strikes in the country.

The Saudi delegation in Geneva Monday will be headed by Bandar Al Aiban, who serves as the head of the country’s Human Rights Commission.

The delegation will present a report over the country’s efforts to live up to its international human rights obligations, and will respond to questions and comments from countries around the world on its record. AFP

Trump, Democrats in frenzied final push C HATTANOOGA―Donald Trump, his Republicans and their Democratic rivals steeled themselves for a final frenzied day of campaigning Monday on the eve of contentious US midterm elections, when voters render their verdict on the president’s first two years in office.

Trump has seized on the nativist us-versus-them message that resonated with his base during the fiery 2016 campaign as he races across the country to secure votes, using inflammatory language as he paints a country under threat from hordes of illegal immigrants, rampant crime and far-left Democrats.

“They want to impose socialism on our country.

And they want to erase America’s borders,” Trump told a raucous rally in Chattanooga, Tennessee late Sunday.

IN BRIEF S. Korea, US resume joint marine drills SEOUL―South Korea and the United States on Monday resumed small-scale military training that was indefinitely suspended following an historic summit between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. The combined marine drills were among “select” joint exercises that were indefinitely delayed in June, after Trump met with Kim in Singapore and pledged to halt “very provocative” and expensive joint military drills with Seoul.

But the Korean Marine Exchange Program (KMEP), involving some 500 marines from the US and South Korea, will resume for two weeks from Monday in the South’s southern city of Pohang, Seoul’s defense ministry said.

“We have previously said we will conduct US-South Korea battalion-level or smallscale drills as planned,” ministry spokeswoman Choi Hyun-soo told reporters.

Washington is Seoul’s security ally and stations 28,500 troops in the South to protect it from its nuclear-armed neighbor. AFP

North Korean leader meets Cuban president SEOUL―North Korean leader Kim Jong Un met with the visiting Cuban president in Pyongyang and discussed “crucial issues of common concern” on the current international situation, the North’s state media reported Monday.

The visit by Miguel Diaz-Canel comes amid the stalled talks between North Korea and the United States and only days after Washington imposed fresh economic restrictions on Cuba.

Washington’s ties with Havana were fully restored in 2015 after more than half a century of enmity, but have deteriorated since President Donald Trump took office.

Communist Cuba is one of North Korea’s few remaining allies.

“There was an in-depth exchange of views on the crucial issues of common concern ... on the international situation and a consensus of views on all issues was reached,” said the official KCNA news agency.

Diaz-Canel was greeted by Kim and his wife Ri Sol Ju at the Pyongyang International Airport on Sunday, KCNA reported, where he was given a 21-gun salute and later attended a banquet and enjoyed a special welcoming concert with them.

Giving a toast at the banquet, Kim said his meeting with the Cuban leader “marked a watershed in demonstrating the will to carry forward forever the friendship between the two countries”. AFP

As Republicans aim to protect their majorities in the US House and Senate, Democrats hope their strong grassroots enthusiasm can help them win back at least partial control of Congress and thus thwart Trump’s agenda.

Fierce political battles were raging in races across the nation.

In traditionally red Texas, popular Democrat Beto O’Rourke is trying to dethrone Senator Ted Cruz, while Republican Pete Stauber might flip a House Democratic stronghold in Minnesota.

In Florida and Georgia, Democrats are aiming to become the states’ first African American governors.

Monday will be a barnstormer for Trump, who will make stops in Ohio and Indiana before a final campaign pitch in Missouri, where he is trying to knock Democratic Senator Claire McCaskill out of office.

Trump was on a hectic schedule of campaign appearances for Republican candidates Sunday, while former president Barack Obama made a last-ditch

appeal for an endangered Senate Democrat in Indiana.

“You gotta get to the polls on Tuesday, and you gotta vote,” Trump implored a crowd in Macon, Georgia, where he campaigned for the Republican gubernatorial candidate in one of the country’s tightest major races.

“The contrast in this election could not be more clear.”

Obama also laid into the president for the investigations into Russian interference in the US election

that are weighing on his administration.

“They’ve racked up enough indictments to fill a football team,” Obama scoffed. “Nobody in my administration got indicted.”

Political passions have risen to a rare peak, with early voting in some states already running far ahead of normal levels.

“It’s all about turnout,” Senator Chris Van Hollen told “Fox News Sunday,” as Democrats wage what polls say is an uphill battle to win control of the US Senate. AFP

Crisis in Sri Lanka scares tourists, rings alarm bells COLOMBO―A political crisis in Sri Lanka, where two prime ministers are fighting for power, is scaring away tourists and raising questions over foreign aid, ringing alarm bells for the economy as the currency slumps to record lows.

The turmoil in the Indian Ocean nation that has seen one premier refuse to be sacked, and another battle to prove a majority in a parliament that is banned from meeting, has caused major upheaval that Sri Lanka cannot afford.

Amid warnings from politicians of a “bloodbath” if the dispute escalates, tourists are canceling hotel bookings just as Sri Lankan beaches and major sites like the Temple of the Tooth prepare for the peak season.

While no official figures have been given, deluxe hotels have reported cancellations and a critical decline in new bookings in the past 10 days.

“This comes at the worst possible time when people in Europe are making their holiday plans abroad,” a Colombo city hotel executive told AFP. “We have had a lot of cancellations from the United States.”

“With the political crisis our winter season is gone,” the director of a luxury beach resort in the south of the island said.

Western nations have warned their citizens to be on their guard in Sri Lanka.

“You should exercise vigilance and avoid all demonstrations or large political gatherings,” a British government advisory said.

Tourism is a cornerstone of the economy.

More than 2.4 million foreign holidaymakers visited last year, spending $3.2 billion. Authorities had been counting on a rise of more than 10 percent this year.

And whether Ranil Wickremesinghe stays in office or former president Mahinda Rajapakse takes his place, foreign earnings will be badly needed.

The Asian Development Bank had predicted the economy would grow by 3.8 percent this year and 4.5 percent in 2019, but all bets are now off.

The power vacuum has raised doubts over a $1.5 billion Japanese-funded light rail project and another $480 million of US finance for transport and health, a Wickremesinghe minister, Patali Ranawaka, said last week.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) was about to announce an agreement on releasing a new tranche of a $1.5 billion loan when President Maithripala Sirisena sacked Wickremesinghe on October 26. AFP

(MS - NOV. 6, 2018)

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Large-scale mining helps town income zoom 6,000%

LocaL government units

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No predatory pricing, Estrada warns profiteers as Xmas nears MaNILa Mayor Joseph estrada has formed a price monitoring team to protect the public from predatory pricing as he warned profiteers of severe sanctions if caught selling “noche buena” products and other basic needs at prices higher than imposed by the government.

The Manila chief executive instructed Market administration office chief annie Balboa to conduct regulars inspections in the public markets to monitor the prices of goods and report unscrupulous vendors and stallholders.

The order was made after estrada observed that prices of products traditionally served on christmas eve usually start to go up, in most instances much higher than the suggested retail price at the onset of the “ber” months.

Balboa assured the public that city hall inspectors will remain extra vigilant against erring vendors and stallholders taking advantage of the strong demand for noche buena commodities.

These items include pasta, cheese balls, canned fruit cocktails, hams, macaroni, spaghetti and tomato sauces, as well as fresh fruits. estrada said the city Hall Monitoring team will constantly monitor the price movements not just of noche buena products, but also the prices of rice to make sure that the prices will not go far beyond the suggested prices.

The former President warned traders of possible charges if caught selling these goods at very high prices.

“Don’t take advantage of earning too much at the expense of our kababayan. The prices of petroleum products went down and even the prices of rice is back to its old price,” estrada said.

The intensified monitoring is meant to ensure stable prices and supplies of basic goods this christmas season, and protect consumers from unscrupulous traders taking advantage of the spike in shopping activities.

The mayor also appealed to all traders, vendors and business establishments “to be good christians as christmas is meant for giving and sharing.”

FLORENTINO S. JUMAQUIO peacefully joined his Creator on 14, September 2018 at the age of 66. His loving wife Elizabeth; children Marvin, Irene, Jamie & Joy; grandchild Ilyza, request your prayers for the eternal repose of his soul. His remains lie at St. Therese Columbarium in Pasay City.

(MS-NOV. 6,7, & 8, 2018)

AMBULANCE DONATION. Muntinlupa Mayor Jaime Fresnedi (second from left) graces the 20th Anniversary celebration of Victory Christian Fellowship-Alabang and receives a symbolic key for the church’s ambulance donation to the city last Saturday at the Filinvest Tent, Alabang. Also in photo are (from left) Brgy. Poblacion Capt. Allen Ampaya, VCF Alabang Senior Pastor Ariel Marquez, VCF Bishop Ferdie Cabiling, and Every Nation Churches & Ministries president Steve Murrell.

PWDs, non-residents welcome in job fair

By Joel E. Zurbano

M

aKaTI Mayor abigail Binay on Monday urged residents and non-residents of the city to participate in its 2nd Mega Job Fair set on Nov. 9, which will offer employment opportunities to everyone, including persons with disability.

The event will be held from 10 am onward at the activity center, 2nd level of ayala Malls in circuit Makati.

“The job fair is open to Makatizens and all jobseekers. There is no age limit, and persons with disability are also welcome to apply, as we have some partnercompanies who have expressed their desire to hire PWD applicants, including the deaf-mute,” said Binay.

Binay thanked the participating firms and establishments for supporting the efforts of the city government to create more employment opportunities for all, especially Makati residents.

“We gratefully appreciate the staunch

ERRORS & OMISSIONS In Classified Ads section must be brought to our attention the very day the advertisement is published. We will not be responsible for any incorrect ads not reported to us immediately.

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES Department of Transportation LAND TRANSPORTATION FRANCHISING AND REGULATORY BOARD East Avenue, Quezon City Application for a Certificate of a Public Convenience to Operate a Tourist TRANSPORT Service.

support of our partners in the private sector for one of our major thrusts toward promoting inclusive progress in Makati,” she said.

Based on Mayor Binay’s directive, the Makati Public employment service Office has also made arrangements to provide free printing and photocopying services to applicants at the job fair. “applicants may bring their flash drive and have their resume or biodata printed out and photocopied for free at the activity venue,” PesO chief Vissia Marie aldon said. aldon said companies that have confirmed their participation in the mega

job fair include george Optical, samjin amook, Mi Department store, The Burgery, Inc., Torch circuit Lane, Fox Box, china Bank, regalong Pambahay, rustans supercenter, Inc, Uniqlo, Bench, Dunkin Donuts, andok’s Letchon, Naila-Holics, and Mirof resources Inc. also on the list are More Than Jobs, group Perspective, Inc, cNT, guill Berns, rackshack circuit Makati, BFL Bookstore, Market Place christian church Transport & Multi-Purpose cooperative, Philippine survey research center, receivers and Liquidators, serenitea, and Mesa restaurant, among others.

Like previous job fairs held by the city, national government agencies involved in providing employmentrelated services will also participate and extend their services to jobseekers. These include the Department of Labor and employment, government Insurance service system, Pag-IBIg, and Philippine Health Insurance.

Republic of the Philippines Department of Health CENTRAL OFFICE BIDS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE INVITATION TO BID PROCUREMENT OF VARIOUS GOODS 1.

The Department of Health (DOH), through the National Expenditure Program (NEP) for the Year 2019 intends to apply the amount of One Hundred Thirty Four Million Five Hundred Ninety Five Thousand Philippine Pesos (PhP134,595,000.00) being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) through NEP under the contract for the projects listed below. Bids received in excess of the following ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening: IB No.

Name of Contract

ABC (PHP)

Cost of Bidding Documents (Php)

2019-001

Procurement of Nucleic Acid Amplification Testing Reagents Compatible to Existing NAT Machine (Procleix Panther System)

2019-002 2019-003 2019-004

46,000,000.00

25,000.00

Procurement of Blood Bags Procurement of ABO, RH Grouping and Antibody Screening with Tie-up Machine Procurement of Transfusion Transmissible Infection (TTIs) Reagents with Tie-up Machine

46,525,000.00

25,000.00

17,500,000.00

25,000.00

24,570,000.00

25,000.00

Total

134,595,000.00

Single Largest Completed Contract

At least Twenty-Five Percent (25%) of the ABC within the specified period in the Section III. Bid Data Sheet

2.

The DOH now invites Bids from eligible Bidders for the procurement of the above-caption projects. Delivery of the Goods as specified in Section VI. Schedule of Requirements. Bidders should have completed, within the specified years from the date of submission and receipt of bids a contracts similar to each of the above-cited procurement projects stated in the Bidding Documents. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instructions to Bidders.

3.

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

Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, partnerships, or organizations with at least sixty percent (60%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines, and to citizens or organizations of a country the laws or regulations of which grant similar rights or privileges to Filipino citizens, pursuant to RA 5183 and subject to Commonwealth Act 138.

ATILUZ TRANSPORT SERVICE SERVICE COOPERATIVE, CASE NO. 2018-34168 Applicant/s x-----------------------------------x

4.

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

5.

A complete set of Bidding Documents for each procurement package listed above may be acquired by interested bidders on 06 to 27 November 2018 from the address above and upon payment of a nonrefundable fee for the Bidding Documents, pursuant to the latest Guidelines issued by the GPPB Resolution No. 04-2012, dated 24 February 2012, in the amount specified above.

NOTICE OF HEARING Applicant request authority to operate a TOURIST TRANSPORT Service within SAN ILDEFONSO, BULACAN and from said place to any point in the Philippines accessible to motor vehicle traffic and vice versa with the use of FIVE (5) unit/s.

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

Bidding Documents Fee may be refunded in accordance with the aforementioned Guidelines based on the grounds provided for under Section 41 of 2016 Revised IRR of RA 9184.

6.

NOTICE is hereby given that this application will be heard by this Board on NOVEMBER 09, 2018, at 1:00 P.M. at its Office at the above address.

At least five (5) days prior to the above date, applicant/s shall publish this Notice once in one (1) daily newspaper of general circulation in Luzon.

Parties opposed to the granting of the application must file their written oppositions supported by documentary evidence on or before the above date furnishing a copy of the same to the applicant/s and may if they so, desire appear on said date and time.

This application will be acted upon by this Board on the basis of its records and documentary evidence submitted by the parties, unless the Board deems it necessary to receive additional documentary and/or oral evidence Witness the Honorable ATTY. MARTIN B. DELGRA III, Chairman this 16th day of OCTOBER 2018.

Atty. FREDERICK L. VALERO Attorney IV Hearing Officer

mgc/ COPY FURNISHED: Applicant: No. 31 Maharlika Highway, Brgy. Sapang Putol, San Ildefonso, Bulacan

Large-scaLe mining operations in carrascal, surigao del sur have helped the municipality grow its annual income by over 6,000 percent in 11 years, or from P1.77 million in 2006 to P108 million in 2017.

This is according to local government data presented at the recent Mining Philippines conference last september.

“The mining industry has been our partner in our thrust towards excellence in local governance. since welcoming our doors to the mining industry, we’ve been able to advance our services, build better infrastructure, and provide jobs to our residents,” said carrascal Vice Mayor alfred arreza.

In 2006, farming and agriculture were the primary sources of income in carrascal, arreza said. a population of about 14,000 had to make do with intermittent electricity, undeveloped roads, and antiquated infrastructure and health care facilities.

In 2007, seeing the benefits that mining had brought to its neighboring towns, carrascal welcomed the mining industry into the area.

Presently, there are three large-scale mining firms in carrascal: cTP construction and Mining corp., carrascal Nickel corp. , and Marcventures Mining and Development corp. according to LgU data, the current population of carrascal is 22,000. Of this number, about 31 percent or more than 7,000 locals are directly employed by mining companies.

“Mining has gone a long way toward boosting the people’s morale.

Without it, we would not have come this far. It is because of the ‘shared value’ principle that these companies abide by,” Vice Mayor arreza added. as of 2017, more than P300 million has been raised to construct new buildings and infrastructure surrounding the municipal town hall, he noted. some notable projects include the carrascal Primary Health care annex and carrascal community Hospital, where residents are given huge discounts, free treatments, and medicine for indigent patients.

Its modern facilities—including an ultrasound facility, hematology unit, and birthing facilities—serve not only carrascal residents, but even those from nearby towns. aside from schools and day care centers, taxes from the mining firms led to the construction and improvement of a tennis and badminton court, a municipal building, a senior citizen’s center, and a library.

Numerous farm-to-market roads and bridges now allow for smooth passage of new fire trucks, ambulances, and tourist coaches emblazoned with “Katas ng Mina” across town, arreza said. carrascal resident Nancita arguil-

7.

The DOH will hold a Pre-Bid Conference and the Submission and Opening of Bids at the COBAC Conference Room, G/F, Building 6, Department of Health, San Lazaro Compound, Rizal Avenue, Sta. Cruz, Manila, which shall be opened to all interested parties on the schedule given below: IB No.

Name of Contract

2019001 2019002 2019003 2019004

Procurement of Nucleic Acid Amplification Testing Reagents Compatible to Existing NAT Machine (Procleix Panther System) Procurement of Blood Bags Procurement of ABO, RH Grouping and Antibody Screening with Tie-up Machine Procurement of Transfusion Transmissible Infection (TTIs) Reagents with Tie-up Machine

Pre-bidding Conference

Activity (Date & Time) Submission and Opening of Bids

14 November 2018; 10:00 AM

27 November 2018; 09:00 AM

Bids must Bids must be delivered to the address stated below. All Bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated below: Form of Bid Security

(a) Cash, Cashier’s/manager’s check issued by a Universal or Commercial Bank. (b) Bank draft/guarantee or irrevocable letter of credit issued by a Universal or Commercial Bank: Provided, however, that it shall be confirmed or authenticated by a Universal or Commercial Bank, if issued by a foreign bank. (c) Surety bond callable upon demand issued by a surety or insurance company duly certified by the Insurance Commission as authorized to issue such security. (d) Bid Securing Declaration

Amount of Bid Security (Not less than the required percentage of the ABC) Two percent (2%) Five percent (5%) No percentage required

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

8.

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

9.

For further information, please refer to: COBAC-C Secretariat Department of Health San Lazaro Compound Sta. Cruz, Manila Tel. Nos. 651-7800 local 1625 to 1627; 1650 to 52 Facsimile No.: 741-9775; 740-6830 (SGD) LYNDON L. LEE SUY, MD, MPH Assistant Secretary of Health COBAC - C Chairperson

(MS-NOV. 6, 2018)

EYEGLASSES FOR STUDENTS. First Metro Investment Corp. vice

president and head of human resources division Leah Mabel Faustino (left) puts on on a pair of eyeglasses to one of the beneficiary students at Margarita Roxas de Ayala Elementary School in Sta. Mesa, Manila. The investment banking arm of the Metrobank Group conducted another round of its ‘Bigay Liwanag’ vision care project, a program under its CSR platform dubbed ‘First Metro Inspires Care.’ The bank donated prescription glasses to 109 students found to have vision problems at the school. Earlier, First Metro donated 96 eyeglasses to students of Bacood Elementary School also in Sta. Mesa, Manila, as ‘Bigay Liwanag’ has benefitted nearly 3,000 children since its inception 10 years ago.

QC trike, pedicab drivers to undergo drug testing

By Rio N. Araja WITH 24 percent of all drivers in Quezon city already going through drug tests, Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte on Monday vowed to help rid the city of the use of illegal drugs.

“We passed an ordinance mandating all tricycle and pedicab drivers and operators to undergo drug testing and, so far, since we just passed this in 2017, 23.54 percent have already undergone the mandatory testing,” she said.

Out of those tested, Belmonte said four percent had tested positive for drugs and were subject to driving prohibitions, franchise suspension, and rehabilitation and treatment.

“We’ve heard unjust hearsay before that majority of tricycle and pedicab drivers use illegal drugs, but with our present results, that is far from the truth,” she said.

(MS - NOV. 6, 2018)

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Life

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

health and environment

@mstandardLIFe tuesday, november 6, 2018

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Wellness resort bags three international awards HOLISTIC HEALING.

Three international awardgiving bodies recognize the luxurious holistic wellness experience, through science-based programs and activities, The Farm at San Benito provides its guests.

F

OR the past 15 years, five-star holistic wellness resort The Farm at San Benito has provided its guests a meaningful and luxurious healing experience by delivering quality and sciencebased programs and activities inside a tranquil 48-hectare lush jungle.

The Farm at San Benito is a healing paradise, a 90-minute drive away from the metro. Beyond spas, massages, and staycations, it offers holistic medical wellness programs to achieve optimal health.

It is home to the carefully-crafted Health Optimization Programs that aim to address prevalent lifestyle illnesses in today’s society such as diabetes, obesity, hypertension, and hormo-

Kneipp Therapy is suitable as a prevention treatment to avoid arterial disorders and degenerative diseases such as rheumatism.

iPhoto

nal imbalance as well as anxiety, stress, depression, and more.

As an acclaimed wellness destination in the Asia Pacific, The Farm at San Benito offers guests an unparalleled and award-winning life-changing holiday experience by providing the purest form of food, nurturing touch, evidencebased integrative medical services, mindful movement, functional fitness, and a restorative environment.

Programs are carefully planned and conducted by internationally trained medical doctors and experts.

This year, the premium service and experience The Farm offers has been recognized by three international award-giving bodies: LUXPERIENCE 2018, Asian Lifestyle Tourism Award 2018, and World Luxury Hotel Awards.

LUXPERIENCE Awards recognizes outstanding high-end and experiential travel. On Sept. 16, The Farm received the prestigious Connections Award, an award presented to companies that showed exemplary marketing strategy to attract their key target market. It distinguishes brands who were able to effectively utilize and maximize their existing platforms like social media, website, and the likes.

In the same month, the Batangas resort was recognized by Asian Lifestyle Tourism Award as the Best Wellness

Acqua Sanctuary offers a multi-step hydrotherapy water wellness program.

Resort in Southeast Asia. ALTA values selected hospitality leaders and identifies the best performing destination for each Lifestyle Tourism journey category. This award-giving body acknowledges lifestyle destinations in Asia Pacific region for outstanding efforts in the industry.

In addition, The Farm received another international recognition at this year’s World Luxury Hotel Awards,

where the award category will be announced at the ceremony which will be held in Indonesia this November.

In 2017, the holistic wellness medical resort won Southern Asia’s Best Luxury Spa Hotel and Southern Asia’s Best Luxury Wellness Villa from the same organization.

Visit www.thefarmatsanbenito.com for more information.

Bringing Hollywood smile to Filipinos

By Robbie Pangilinan

Conglomerate gives back to Batangas community Demonstrating the Aboitiz core values of teamwork and responsibility, members of Aboitiz Equity Ventures, Inc.’s Reputation Management team (Branding, Communication, Events, Media Relations, and Sustainability) shared an afternoon with residents of Barangay Pinagbayanan in San Juan, Batangas to instill the value of sustainability by planting trees along the barangay’s coastal mangrove area and by sharing with children school supply kits.

San Juan is the home to Seafront Residences by AboitizLand, the first residential project of the company.

HALF-PERSIAN, half-Filipino dental doctor Farahnaz Shamsi wants to give every Filipino a beautiful smile like that of Hollywood stars.

“Hollywood smile is that made-to-perfection white smile that most actors and actresses wear. It helps boost confidence. With it our patients smile more often, thus they become happier,” says Dr. Farah, chief operating officer of Fashion Smile Dental Health and Wellness, a premium one-stop dental, aesthetics, facial, and skin care center with Persian spa wellness.

Dr. Farah explains that the procedure is basically veneers. She usually recommends EMAX veneers as they are the best in the market right now.

“Hollywood smile can be done directly by a dentist or indirectly by being sent to a laboratory for fabrication. The direct procedure is done in one to two sessions and the indirect usually requires three to four sessions,” adds Dr. Farah, who continuously advances her knowledge of dentistry especially in the field of cosmetic dentistry and endodontics.

Dr. Farah explains that cosmetic dentistry focuses on the appearance of the teeth, mouth, and smile while still functioning properly.

“It’s an aesthetic rehabilitation to give a beautiful smile to patients.

We recommend this to patients who are looking to improve their teeth and smile, like patients who have yellowish teeth, a missing tooth, or those who simply are not happy with the shape of their teeth,” shares the lovely doctor, adding that the procedure requires patience.

Dr. Farah came to the Philippines in 2010 to study dentistry. She decided to stay when she saw an opportunity to enhance and elevate the country’s dental industry. She also noticed a big need in promoting dental health.

“I love the Philippines and I love working here. I am also happy that Filipinos are being more aware of the importance of oral health and Dr. Farahnaz Shamsi aims to give Filipinos great teeth they can smile about. therefore visiting their dentist more often,” says Dr. Farah.

Life

C2

tuesday, november 6, 2018 manilastandardlife@gmail.com

Environment watch group grieves over the garbage at Manila cemeteries

Understanding

breast cancer Early detection is vital in treating breast cancer; while post-depression among those diagnosed with the disease is an important factor to consider in post-treatment.

W

ITH almost 25,000 new cases this year, breast cancer ranks first in cancer incidence among all other cancers here in the Philippines, said the World Health Organization. In fact, the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development said one in every 13 Filipinas is expected to develop the disease in her lifetime.

Here at home, breast cancer screening is often seen as a burden. It also doesn’t help that there is a false belief that breast cancer is a sure killer, even if caught in the early stages.

The ICanServe Foundation, a breast cancer advocacy group in the Philippines, promotes early breast cancer detection, which encompasses education about breast cancer, breast self-exam (BSE), clinical exam, and mammography.

Citing the American Cancer Society, ICanServe suggests women should perform a monthly BSE by the age of 20, schedule an annual clinical exam upon turning 30, and have their annual mammography by the time they hit 40.

Alya Honasan, ICanServe member and veteran writer and editor, was diagnosed at 49. She shared, “I was lucky because it was detected early.”

Honasan has always had regular checks, but she stopped in 2011. When she found time again in 2013, her doctor discovered a lump that didn’t look benign.

Due to her early detection, and after having multiple rounds of chemotherapy and radiation therapy, Honasan successfully completed treatment in 2014.

In a recent interview, she said both post-treatment depression and support

Having a support group around a breast cancer patient is essential during and after treatment.

groups were important topics of treatment that are not often discussed.

“Of course, it’s normal to be depressed while you have it, but in my case, I was depressed after,” revealed Honasan.

A study published in 2005 found that up to 50 percent of women diagnosed with early breast cancer had depression and/or anxiety in the year after diagnosis; 25 percent in the second, third, and fourth years; and 15 percent in the fifth year. This may be attributed to factors such as adjusting to life after treatment and having worries about breast cancer recurrence, said Breast Cancer Care, a charity in the United Kingdom.

A number of treatments for depression are available, and Honasan found comfort in seeking professional help and therapy.

“It also helps that my psychiatrist is a cancer survivor, so we speak the same language,” she shared.

Aside from seeking professional

Alya Honasan with her breast cancer buddies retired Marine Sergeant Ernesto Lozada or Kuya Kulot, and her eldest dog, Kikay.

help, having a support group around is essential during and after treatment—moms, daughters, and spouses are great point persons.

Honasan had fellow Bicol native and ex-Marine Ernesto Lozada, aka Kuya Kulot, who was assigned to her by her older brother and who drove her to and from chemo and work just like a true kuya or big brother.

“If I’m not done with work by 9:00 p.m., bubusina na nang bubusina yan sa labas (he would honk the horn repeatedly until I came out of the building). He was quite the disciplinarian but was also malambing (affectionate), always there to reassure me that I am loved,” related Honasan.

Aside from friends such as Kuya Kulot, work colleagues, and family, Honasan also had a spiritual group and ICanServe Foundation to lean on.

ICanServe’s flagship project, Ating Dibdibin (Take Your Breast Care to Heart), the Philippines’ first community-based breast cancer screening program, was launched in 2009 under the auspices of the American Cancer Society and with a grant from Pfizer.

Pfizer’s legacy in breast cancer spans nearly two decades, being a leader in awareness campaigns, advocacy partnerships, and pioneering treatments.

Among its latest breakthroughs in research and development is a therapy targeted for specific mutations in breast cancer, which is a significant advancement in first-line treatment of breast cancer in 10 years.

“We believe that more than the breakthrough therapies that Pfizer develops, our success is also measured by how we are helping redefine life with cancer,” said Dr. Veronica Prasad, medical manager for Pfizer Oncology in the Philippines.

“We want the breast cancer community to know that they are not alone in their journey,” added Dr. Prasad.

A zERO waste advocacy group expressed its dismay over the unabated violation of the national ban on littering as several cemeteries in Metro Manila were desecrated with trash left by those who visited their deceased loved ones.

Despite the reminders made by various leaders, including Department of Environment and Natural Resources secretary Roy Cimatu and Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines vice president Bishop Pablo Virgilio David, some cemeteries turned into virtual dumpsites as visitors abandoned their discards without guilt or remorse, said the EcoWaste Coalition.

“We lament the brazen disregard of Republic Act 9003, which explicitly bans and penalizes littering—the most common and visible environmental offense committed during the observance of Undas and other popular festivities,” said EcoWaste Coalition zero waste campaigner Daniel Alejandre.

R.A. 9003, or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act, forbids the “littering, throwing, dumping of waste matters in public places, such as roads, sidewalks, canals, esteros, and parks, and establishment, or causing or permitting the same.”

“Littering, which is also forbidden under local government ordinances, has regrettably become an ugly feature of our beautiful tradition of remembering family members who have gone before us,” said Alejandre.

Based on field reports received from the group’s Basura Patrollers in 22 public and private cemeteries in 10 cities and one municipality in Metro Manila, litterbugs had again marred the serenity of the graveyards as people discarded their trash anywhere.

Littering was most widespread at the Bagbag Public Cemetery, Sangandaan Cemetery, Manila North Cemetery and, most notably, Manila South Cemetery, which was found to be dotted with garbage heaps.

Among the discards found abandoned in cemetery streets and alleys, and even in between tombs, were food paper and plastic packaging, food leftovers, plastic bags, bottles and cups, flower plastic wrappers, soiled diapers, and improvised resting materials such as newspapers and corrugated boxes.

The EcoWaste Coalition also found the distribution of anti-littering leaflets by personnel from the Metro Manila Development Authority at the Bagbag Public Cemetery as ill-timed and useless.

“Instead of handing out leaflets, they should have been deputized to apprehend litterers found violating MMDA’s anti-littering Regulation No. 96-009,” said Alejandre.

The watch group noted the waste bins at the Manila Memorial Park in Par-

Street sweepers cleaning trash left at Bagbag Public Cemetery.

añaque City were found overflowing with trash as early as 6:00 a.m. of Nov. 1, which obviously came from early visitors who came to the park on Oct. 31.

Sangandaan Cemetery, Caloocan City

Piles of garbage-filled black plastic bags were found at Serenity Park in Taguig City.

The group also criticized the political tarpaulins that have sprouted in many places, particularly in cemeteries in Caloocan, Malabon, and Mandaluyong.

Aside from littering and mixed waste disposal, the group also noted other violations of R.A. 9003, such as the open burning of garbage seen from the ash residues found in Manila South Cemetery and San Felipe Neri Catholic Cemetery. Open burning at Manila North Cemetery was likewise reported.

Photos courtesy of EcoWaste Coalition

Manila Memorial Park’s garbage bins overflowing with trash

Medical center spearheads clinical studies THE field of medicine is constantly changing and evolving with new technologies, practices, and innovations to provide better patient diagnosis, treatment, and care. For medical professionals, every day is a new learning experience—an opportunity to advance their skills and gain new knowledge on their respective specialties.

True to its mission to provide patients a premium healthcare service, Makati Medical Center continuously works to discover new ways to deliver medical innovations in the industry.

Recently, MakatiMed’s Clinical Research Center started accepting patients and individuals willing to undergo clinical trials, as well as doctors and practitioners interested to join the studies.

Clinical trials are studies or experi-

ments on humans aimed to evaluate health-related interventions. People who participate in these studies are not paid and the decision to take part in the studies should be based on their informed personal choice. Clinical trial volunteers play an integral role in the process as the human trial is considered the most critical and important step in the discovery of new medicines and treatments.

Some ongoing clinical trials in oncology include studies on new therapies for various types of cancer such as lung, breast, thyroid, and liver cancer.

The center hopes to encourage more fellows as well as attract doctors and researchers to conduct new studies and discover treatments for various diseases in the coming years.

Clinical trials being carried out by MakatiMed are all subject to critical review and the approval of the MakatiMed Institutional Review Board, an independent ethics committee under the Office of the Medical Director which conducts technical and ethical reviews of research studies involving human subjects.

The MakatiMed IRB ensures the protection of the rights, safety, and well-being of human participants.

IRB chairman Saturnino P. Javier, MD says clinical trials are the heart of all advances and breakthroughs in the healthcare industry. Many people get a second chance in life because of the treatments or medications which have been proven safe and effective in clinical trials.

Visit www.makatimed.net.ph for MakatiMed’s Clinical Research Center accepts patients and individuals willing to undergo clinical trials. more information.

Entertainment

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2018

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nickie.standard@gmail.com

BARANGAY LS DJs

on doing what you love, loving what you do

I

N THIS fast-paced world where multitasking is now a lifestyle for most millennials and even millennials at heart, Barangay LS 97.1 disc jocks Papa Carlo, Papa Ding, and Papa JT share how they maximize their skills and at the same time enjoy what they do on and off-air.

Papa Carlo, dubbed as “Ang Bida ng Barangay”, produces and organizes events during his free time.

“Nae-enjoy ko siya kasi nakapagpapasaya rin ako ng tao sa iba namang paraan kaya lalo akong ginaganahan,” he stated.

He makes sure, however, that his events do not get in the way of his duties as the host of Bida sa Barangay, which airs from Monday to Saturday.

The youngest in the Barangay, Papa Ding maximizes his time off-air by surfing the net and looking for videos of the latest dance challenges. Tagged as “Ang Bibo ng Dance Floor,” this Hoy

Pinoy and Wow Sayaw host learns the steps on his own and teaches them to his co-DJs, adding his personal twist every now and then.

“Pabibo rin kasi talaga ako especially kapag alam kong game ang mga kasama ko,” he said.

“The Bro Next Door” Papa JT, on the other hand, puts his talent to good use in the drama segments of Barangay Love Stories.

“Being a voice actor gives me the confidence that I can do my job with certainty,” he asserted.

However, he admitted that juggling responsibilities is not easy. “The stress

levels are significantly different, but it’s the good kind of stress. It does not feel like work for me,” assured Papa JT who can be heard daily on Talk Back and Sakto Mismo every Sunday.

Papa Carlo urged millennials to know their priorities first to make best use of their skills even in their spare time. “Before you decide on doing something else aside from your profession, you have to establish first kung ano ba talaga ang gusto mo at ano ang kaya mong gawin. At kapag na-set mo na ‘yun, planuhin mo ng maayos at mag-focus ka lang muna sa kung anong ginagawa mo at the moment.”

“But more importantly, don’t forget to rest. Kailangan mo ‘yun para maging effective ka sa lahat ng ginagawa mo,” Papa Ding added.

Just like Papa Carlo, Papa Ding, and Papa JT, maximize your time online by listening to Barangay LS 97.1’s radio programs via live audio streaming.

Visit www.gmanetwork.com/radio/ streaming/dwls.

Jessica Sanchez in concert at Solaire AMERICAN Idol season 11 runner-up Jessica Sanchez is back on Philippine shores to stage a concert at The Theatre at Solaire on Nov. 10.

Titled Jessica Sanchez with Special Guest Martin Nievera, the show promises to showcase the 23-year-old’s edgier look and a sound that is her own.

“My repertoire is going to be a mixture of ballad, R&B and danceable songs. I also included some Tagalog songs in the line-up. The audience will surely enjoy the concert,” she said during an interview via livestream.

With Martin Nievera as guest, Jessica is excited to work with the Concert King.

“I’m simply thrilled to collaborate with him on stage. I love Martin. He’s funny, kind-hearted and like a brother to me.”

During the interview, Jessica said that she has so much respect for the Filipino talent.

“I love performing with Filipino artists. Filipinos can really sing,” she exclaimed.

Many are curious if she plans to stay in the Philippines for good to establish a full singing career.

“At this point, there’s no certainty yet. I try to visit the country at least once a year. I’m half Filipino so I’m always wanting to learn and experience more of the culture.”

Up to this day, the charming lass is grateful for the great experience she got from American Idol.

“I feel blessed. I am able to live my life doing what I love.

I was given a platform on ‘Idol’ when I was 16 and have accomplished things I’ve dreamed of,” Jessica stated. *** When Angelica Panganiban and Carlo Aquino made a guest appearance in Gandang Gabi Vice, the former revealed that one reason for her break-up with Carlo before was Maja Salvador. Despite her explanation that Maja shouldn’t be blamed for it and that they’re presently okay with each other, the latter still drew flaks from bashers.

Asked if she got affected by said bashing, Maja says: “Honestly, I don’t let myself get affected by it.

For me, bashers don’t exist in this world. Yes, of course, we are living in a free country and everyone can openly say a piece of his or her mind. What’s important is you know yourself.”

The Kapamilya actress supports Angelica’s statement that everything’s fine between them.

“There’s no bad blood between the two of us.

We didn’t have a problem because of the said issue. In fact, before the airing of their GGV guesting, she already informed me about it. She texted me, explained everything and I understood.”

Meanwhile, in her currently showing potboiler titled To Love Some Buddy, she is paired for the first time with Zanjoe Marudo.

“And I hope it’s not the last. I only have good words for Z. For one, we’re alike when it comes to work attitude. Our passion for the acting craft is the same. Z’s PR (public relations) is also great! Even if he’s already tired, you will never hear him complain. This makes the workload lighter.”

Interestingly, she discovered something in Zanjoe while they were shooting the movie.

“He has a pair of nice feet! We have lots of scenes wherein he doesn’t wear shoes. Actually, Z always strikes me as someone who smells good. When we did the movie, I realized that he doesn’t only smell good but is very clean physically. For me, that’s one thing I appreciate foremost in a guy.

If he is clean on the physical aspect, it only reflects that he is capable of taking care of other people as well,” Maja avers.

According to feedback, her chemistry with Zanjoe sparkles in To Love Some Buddy.

“Well, thank you. I myself was surprised after seeing the movie in full. It’s nice that we got paired. It’s also a plus point that our material is relatable. I really hope that we’ll have a good run at the tills.”

Considering that both of them are single at the moment, some quarters are curious if there’s a chance for them to get developed with each other.

“I treat Z as a friend because we’re both from the same industry. Over the years, we get to work in some projects. But after doing this particular film, I can say that he is now my true friend. I got to know him better.”

“As to getting developed, let’s see.

Not because he is Zanjoe Marudo and we were together in one project, I should be in love with him. What’s important is we both enjoy whatever friendship we have at the moment.

It’s something which is not forcing through,” ends Maja.

CROSSWORD PUZZLE Tuesday, November 6, 2018

ACROSS 1 Figure-skating jump 5 All uncles 10 Small lumps 14 Gigi’s friend 15 Ms. Oyl 16 Gumbo ingredient 17 Chervil, e.g.

18 Hiked the price 19 Tide type 20 Goes furtively 22 Disdains 24 Apollo acronym 26 Zodiac symbol 29 Cream-colored dogs 33 Decrees 35 Quick-witted 36 Jades 38 Blueprint 39 Diamond stat 40 Vim and vigor 41 Org. for doctors 42 Dinner beverage 44 City in New York 46 Gangplank locale 47 Trawler nets 49 Dreamy piano piece 51 Closed tightly 53 Comet feature 54 La Scala site

56 Leave 60 Omigosh!

63 Avoid capture 65 Mr. Stravinsky 66 Good’s opposite 67 Hawthorne town 68 Helicon 69 Sprinkles 70 Weak-minded 71 Filter in DOWN 1 Relieved sighs 2 Mutant heroes of comics (hyph.)

3 James Joyce’s homeland 4 Beirut locale 5 Chocolate desserts 6 Jungfrau, for one 7 Facial features 8 Levels off 9 Emulates Delilah or Don Juan 10 Giving good traction 11 Small guitar 12 Lingerie buy 13 Syrup base 21 Round Table knight 23 Terrible

25 Conform 27 Rich pastry 28 Flower part 29 Misrepresents 30 Condor nests 31 Bully 32 Tankard 34 Nab 37 Orlando attraction 43 Nail polishes 44 Of no value 45 Military school 46 Church parts 48 Auto pioneer Ransom — Olds

50 Make a fly 52 — Lama 55 Zero 57 Flu symptom 58 Pajama coverer 59 Stratagem 60 Longbow wood 61 “— Got a Secret” 62 Orchestra’s place 64 Math operator

Fil-Am singer Jessica Sanchez

ABS-CBN TVplus’ CineMo launches first game show on digital TV ABS-CBN TVplus users can look forward to exciting and fun mornings as its all-day movie channel CineMo airs Sorpresaya, the first game show on digital TV that travels around provinces in Luzon to reward audiences with loads of cash prizes through its entertaining segments.

“We have a lot of segments that are funny and enjoyable,” said Jobert Austria, the host of Sorpresaya.

Joining Jobert in spreading happiness is fellow comedian Nonong who speaks fondly about their friendship.

“Our strong bond was established because of the shows we have done together,” Nonong shared.

Jobert and Nonong both headline another CineMo program, Sagot Ka Ni Kuya Jobert. Both “komikeros” also have shows in the Kapamilya network.

Completing Jobert and Nonong’s tandem is It’s Showtime “Miss Q & A” finalist Elsa Droga who adds humor in the new game show as a co-host.

Airing on weekdays at 10:30 a.m. with a same-day replay at 10:30 p.m., Sorpresaya features seven games that audiences can join. One of their major segments is “Wanted,” a thrilling game that picks a winning player from a pool of 20 randomly selected audience members who meet four qualifications. If none of them meets the qualifications, the jackpot prize will continue to grow bigger until a winner emerges.

Meanwhile, vocal power is put to the test in “Macho Singers,” which pits two hunks from the audience to belt out songs popularized by female singers. Female audience members, on the other hand, have a chance to join “Debate Girls,” wherein players have to square off based on the proposition side assigned to them.

Sorpresaya also features an imitation game called “Chick Boys” that is only open to lesbians. In the segment, the player that shows the best impression of a famous Pinoy movie character from a film that has aired on CineMo will be hailed as

the winner.

Even kids and senior citizens have chances to shine in Sorpresaya. A kiddie player from the audience who gets the most correct answers in the “Isip Bata” segment will take home the jackpot, as senior citizens compete in a game of charades in “Hula Mo ‘To.” The CineMo show Sagot Ka Ni Kuya Jobert is also now a segment in Sorpresaya. Three audience members who want to ask Jobert Austria, one of the hosts of the new game show, will take home P500.

A lot of TVplus users can now watch “Sorpresaya” as ABS-CBN TVplus reported that it has already sold 6.1 million boxes as of October 10. Back in April, it was also announced that CineMo is now the third most watched channel in Metro Manila with an average audience share of 7%, according to a Kantar Media study that covers urban and rural homes.

Since 2015, ABS-CBN TVplus has transformed the way Filipinos watch television as it delivers exclusive channels, clear picture, and crisp sound without any monthly and installation fee. ABS-CBN TVplus continuously expands its signal coverage areas that include Metro Manila, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan, Rizal, Laguna, Pampanga, Tarlac, Benguet, Cavite, Metro Cebu, Cagayan De Oro, Iloilo, Bacolod, and Davao.

Kapamilya ‘komikeros’ Jobert Austria (left) at Nonong turn into hosts for 'Sorpresaya,' CineMo's first game show.

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

C4

Entertainment

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2018

Multi-awarded choral group releases debut album

Coro San Benildo at the ASEAN Summit 2017

CORO San Benildo, the multi-awarded resident chorale group of De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) encapsulates the extraordinary vocal prowess of its members in its debut album.

The self-titled record features 10 tracks recorded live from the choir’s outstanding performance in the recent 46th Florilège Vocal de Tours in France, where they bagged three citations: Third Prize for the Renaissance category, Third Place for the Mixed Vocal Ensembles, and the popular Audience Choice - Prix Du Public Award.

The songs are covers of “Caligaverunt Oculi Mei” by Tomas Luis De Victoria; “Jagdlied” by Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy; “O Magnum Mysterium” by Javier Busto; “Mignonne, Allons voir si la rose” by Pierre de Ronsard and Guillaume Costeley; “Il Bianco e dolce cigno” by Jacques Arcadelt; “Tanzen und Springen” by Hans Leo Hassler; “Dumbele” by Rodolfo Delarmente; “C’est Fini La Comedie” by J. Palmer, K. Ricanek, A. La Bionda, P. Delanoe, and Robert Delgado; “L’horizon Chimérique” by Gabriel Faure and Francois Branciard; and “Battle of Jericho” by Moses Hogan.

Coro San Benildo has participated in choral competitions in and out of the country, to include trips to Asia, North America, and Europe, where they garnered eight international distinctions including Champion titles in the Youth Choir Competition in the 70th Llangollen Musical Eisteddfod in Wales, United Kingdom; Folklore Category in the 1st Hoi An International Choral Competition in Vietnam; and 1st Sing ’n’ Joy Louisville International Choral Festival and Competition in Kentucky, U.S.A. The group also bagged a number of top prizes in global stints such as the 54th Seghizzi International Choral Competition in Gorizia, Italy.

The launch is set on Nov. 16 and 17 at the Vatel Restaurant, Hotel Benilde Maison De La Salle, with each CD priced at P500. Spectators may likewise enjoy a live performance from the award-winning chorale while indulging on a three-course meal for only P1,500.

Proceeds from both the launch and sales will fund Coro San Benildo’s future endeavors such as continuous trainings, and worldwide competitions.

To avail, contact the College’s Office of Culture and Arts through email culture.arts@benilde.edu.ph, or call +(632) 230-5100 local 1528 or 1603.

Alden and Kyline give back to worthy causes AWARD-WINNING Kapuso actor, TV host and singer Alden Richards never fails to pay it forward to the community.

The Pambansang Bae, together with GMA Records General Manager Rene Salta, personally turned over a portion of his Adrenaline Rush concert proceeds to GMA Kapuso Foundation through GMAKF Founder and Ambassador Mel C. Tiangco and GMAKF EVP and COO Rikki Escudero-Catibog.

Alden’s donation will help fund the rehabilitation of Camp Bagong Amai Pakpak Elementary School in Marawi City which is under GMAKF’s Rebuild Marawi Project.

Thankful for the blessings he’s been receiving, Alden stays committed to help the less fortunate.

“All of the things that I’m doing, nagkakaroon siya ng purpose kapag nakakatulong ako sa iba through the work that I do for the Network, for myself, and for the audiences of GMA. Natutuwa ako ngayon dahil nakita ko yung

PRIMETIME’S MOST DARING DRAMA

now streaming on HOOQ

VERY WANG NICKIE WANG

Dubbed as the most daring television drama on TV this year, 'Halik' is now streaming 24/7 on the popular Video on Demand service platform.

more Filipinos to enjoy the service and enjoy a mobilefirst experience where they can watch the first episode of all TV series for free. At the same time, customers can take advantage of the download function, which enables subscribers to download up to 10 titles onto their mobile devices to watch offline without an internet connection.

Customers can simply download the HOOQ app from Apple Store or Google Play, sign up or log in, to access HOOQ’s extensive library of Hollywood and Asian hits.

Watch shows on HOOQ via Chromecast, Roku and Android TV. Smart, TNT and Sun users can enjoy a 30-day free trial.

Globe mobile users can enjoy a 45-day free trial. Find out more and sign up today for a complimentary trial at www. hooq.tv. hooq.tv ***

Abby meets the showbiz press

From left: Raphael Agoncillo – Content Manager, HOOQ Philippines; Macie Imperial – VP for Integrated Program Acquisitions and International Distribution, ABS-CBN; Jeffrey Remigio – Content and Programming Head, HOOQ Philippines; Pia B. Laurel – Sales Head, ABS-CBN.

S Teen star Kyline Alcantara

mga plano ng schools na tutulungan natin sa Marawi and I’m assured that the funds we are donating are going to the ones in need.”

“Isa rin sa mga sinisigurado namin na hindi lang kami nagco-concert para mag-perform and to entertain people, but we also do this para makapag-raise ng funds to help charity, especially GMA Kapuso Foundation,” he added.

Tiangco, on the other hand, commended Alden’s kind-heartedness.

“Kaya patuloy din siyang bini-bless ng Panginoon kasi hindi niya nakakalimutang mag-share at hindi niya nakakalimutan yung mga nangangailangan.

Nakikita rin niyang the Foundation is working very hard to help our countrymen in Marawi.”

Meanwhile, young actress Kyline Alcantara also shared a part of her Kyline Take Flight concert proceeds to one of the beneficiaries of GMAKF. She has chosen to contribute to the rehabilitation of classrooms in different parts of Bicol, her home province. Kyline hails originally from Camarines Sur in Bicolandia.

Kyline also encouraged the youth to extend their help to those in need.

“Sana maging inspirasyon po ito para sa mga kabataan na tumulong pa,” she said.

Pambansang Bae Alden Richards

TORIES that revolve around deception and infidelity never grow old. And although our relatively conservative society doesn’t condone betrayal and unfaithfulness, we are still bombarded by so many stories on TV where someone cheats on his or her significant other. And for some reason, we find some sort of satisfaction watching them.

Case in point, primetime series Halik and its astronomical success in the ratings game and its top-trending episodes just prove viewers’ infatuation with dramas that tackle extramarital affairs.

Halik’s performance also shows that more people keep getting hooked on the drama and its intriguing stories on infidelity, not to mention the intertwined relationships of Lino (Jericho Rosales), Jacky (Yen Santos), Ace (Sam Milby), and Jade (Yam Concepcion). We even often hear some people wanting to get home early just to see the show on TV or watch the episodic highlights on YouTube. They feel bad if they missed an episode.

Recognizing this demand, the largest Video on Demand service in Southeast Asia, renewed its partnership agreement with ABS-CBN. The new agreement gives HOOQ subscribers access to more Kapamilya movies and shows, including the latest hit drama Halik within 24 hours of its airing.

The show, which premiered on Aug. 24, is the first ABSCBN series with catch up episodes available on HOOQ and has become one of the most watched shows on the platform.

With the release of Dolce Amore earlier last month, Kapamilyas are in for a treat as HOOQ will soon be offering all-time favorites FPJ: Ang Probinsyano, La Luna Sangre, Wildflower, and so many others for the first time.

Sheila Paul, HOOQ Philippines Country Manager said, “We are so happy to bring more of ABS-CBN’s blockbuster movies and TV shows to HOOQ. We remain committed to delivering the best Pinoy content to our subscribers, continuing to enrich our content catalog with the widest collection of local hits of any video-on-demand service.”

Jeffrey Remigio, Content and Programming Head at HOOQ Philippines, said, “Aside from TV shows, HOOQ subscribers can also catch blockbuster films such as Vince, Kath & James, My Ex and Whys, and A Second Chance. This is in addition to the remastered classics that will be shown on HOOQ—titles like Himala, Sana Maulit Muli,and Oro Plata Mata.”

Macie Imperial, ABS-CBN’s VP for Integrated Program Acquisitions and International Distribution shared, “We are very excited to renew our partnership with HOOQ for another three years. This partnership is a strong global collaboration to continue to share ABS-CBN’s leading TV shows and blockbuster movies not only to Filipino viewers but to the rest of Southeast Asia as well.”

HOOQ customers can now access their favorite ABS-CBN titles on HOOQ from P59. This weekly pricing allows for

Sometimes it’s quite challenging to break the ice when you are talking to a politician, but with Makati City Mayor Abigail Binay, her being so candid makes her so relatable you don’t have to struggle to start a conversation with her.

And if you had a no-holds-barred discussion with Abby, it’s impossible for you not to notice her strong yet charming personality.

In a casual brunch with the showbiz press in a restaurant in Quezon City, the Makati leader arrived on time and started to great everyone in the room.

“I rarely come here in Quezon City because I’m allergic to traffic,” the incumbent Makati City mayor started, “But I can hardly say no to Manay Lolit(Solis) when she invites me for lunch. She’s my favorite. I can’t thank her enough for the support she’s been giving me since 2007.”

“And Ricky Lo also my favorite. May kami nyan,” said in jest, “And all the members of the showbiz press because of the support they’ve been giving me since I ran for Congress.”

Even before the host of the lunch could formally introduce the people invited to the intimate event, members of the entertainment press had already started bombarding the mayor with questions regarding her rivalry with her brother Junjun, who is running against her for Makati’s mayoral post in the 2019 elections.

“The situation is really difficult, whether you’re running against your brother, your cousin or any relatives, because it involves emotions. At alam mong pagkatapos ngelections hindi yun dun natatapos. This is not an ordinary rivalry and you cannot cut ties with someone you are related to,” she stated.

She further said that she’s civil with her brother, “civil in the sense that we don’t communicate because there’s this tendency that we end up saying things that we’ll regret.”

But more than the “Battle of the Binays,” Abby wanted to talk about her journey before becoming a public servant. At first, she was even reluctant to discuss the issue between her and Monsour del Rosario who is apparently now choosing the side of her brother.

“We had a falling-out this year. He wasn’t working at all.

He was focused more on Taekwondo and his position in the sports commission. The Makati residents don’t feel his presence. For two years, wala siyang ginagawa. We talked last January. That was the time when we broke up,” she said while laughing.

Abby was frank with her answers to the questions thrown to her by the showbiz press and while some people are still wondering how she and her brother end up battling over the mayoral post in Makati, she only had this to say, “He only had two options: first was to run and the second was not to run.”

Mayor Abby Binay with her constituents in Makati