Manila Standard - 2018 November 9 - Friday

twitter.com/ MlaStandard

facebook.com/ ManilaStandardPH

S

manilastandard.net

Missed your copy of Manila Standard? Call or text our Circulation Hotline at 0917-8848655 or email: circ@manilastandardtoday.com

VOL. XXXII • NO. 267 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 • FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2018 • www.manilastandard.net • editorial@manilastandard.net

FORCEFUL FIREARMS. At Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City on Thursday, PNP chief Oscar Albayalde (middle) and NCRPO chief Director Guillermo Eleazar (left) inspect the high-powered firearms allegedly seized from National Democratic Front of the Philippines peace consultant Vicente Ladlad, Alberto and Virginia Villamor during a raid in Lot 16-A Block 3 Saint Mark corner Saint Joseph Sts., Dona Tomasa, Barangay. San Bartolome, Novaliches, Quezon City Wednesday night. Quezon City Police District Director P/C Supt. Joselito Esquivel (unseen) escorts the arrested CPP-NDF leader (left above) identified as Vicente Ladlad in clenched fist at Camp Karingal. (left below) Esquivel escorts another CPP-NDF identified as Virginia Villamor, aka ate Anna. Norman Cruz, Manny Palmero

Top Red leader arrested

Police charge NDF adviser Ladlad with illegal possession of firearms

Govt vows full resettlement of ‘Yolanda’ victims

By Nat Mariano

By Nat Mariano and Ronald O. Reyes RESETTLEMENT projects in Tacloban will be fully completed in a year or two, Malacañang promised on Wednesday as it marked the fifth anniversary of the onslaught of Super Typhoon “Yolanda,” even as a survivors’ group slammed President Rodrigo Duterte for “zero percent progress” in the government’s “bogus rehabilitation project.”

Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said the government is doing its best to resolve the delays in the completion of housing projects.

“There are certain constraints like we have to look for titles of land to build houses for them. We have to look for the very place where the people may need cer- REMEMBERING THE FORGOTTEN. Tingog Party-list 1st nominee and tain services that are not there,” he said.

Leyte (1st District) Rep. Yedda Marie Romualdez leads the candle lighting on the wooden “It will take a little time. But certainly, crosses at the Yolanda Victims Memorial Circle in Tacloban City to commemorate the 5th Next page

T

HE Palace said Thursday that the sudden arrest of National Democratic Front of the Philippines peace consultant Vicente Ladlad was not a violation of the provisions of the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees.

Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said the JASIG, an agreement which essentially guarantees the immunity and safety of individuals involved in the peace talks, is not currently in force as the peace talks between the Duterte administration and the NDFP have already been terminated.

“The JASIG is operative only if there are peace talks ongoing, but that has been terminated by the proclamation of the President on Nov. 23, 2017.

Secondly, the crime of rebellion is a continuing crime and therefore no warrant of arrest is needed for that,” Panelo said.

Next page

anniversary of Super Typhoon ‘Yolanda.’ Ver Noveno

Beauty queens decry sexual abuse More favor drug ALLEGATIONS of sexual harassment against a sponsor of the Manila-based Miss Earth 2018 beauty pageant have emerged from their respective Instagram posts—with the organizer refuting on ABS-CBN News some of the allegations.

In their respective Instagram pages, Emma Mae Sheedy of Guam and Ab-

Miss Canada

Miss Guam

bey-Anne Gyles-Brown of England spoke out against an unnamed sponsor who they said had inappropriate behavior during the Miss Earth pre-pageant activities.

While Gyles-Brown did not reveal the name of the sponsor she is accusing of sexual harassment, Sheedy identified Next page him in her Instagram post.

BAGUIO City’s ordinance prohibiting the use of profane language may be unconstitutional because it might curtail freedom of speech and expression, Malacañang said Thursday.

Presidential Spokesman Salvador Pan-

By Nat Mariano and Macon Ramos-Araneta FIVE in 10 Filipinos said they are in favor of the mandatory drug tests in schools as proposed by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, an independent pollster said Thursday.

The latest Social Weather Stations’ survey found that 51 percent of Filipinos approved of PDEA’s proposal for mandatory drug testing for students Next page Grade 4 and up.

Gunman kills 12 in California bar

Miss England

Palace rebuffs Baguio’s bans vs cursing

By Nat Mariano

test for students

elo said the ordinance banning profanities in places frequented by the youth, such as schools, business establishments and computer shops might violate the provision on freedom of speech guaranteed by the 1987 Constitution.

“Profane words are uttered in a momen Next page

THOUSAND OAKS, California—A gunman killed 12 people, including a police officer, when he opened fire in a country music bar packed with college students in California, officials and witnesses said Thursday.

Police said the gunman was found dead inside the bar on the outskirts of Los Angeles although it was not immediately clear if he was killed by officers or shot himself.

Next page

FOREST OF LIGHTS. “Christmas is HUE” kicks off at Eastwood City, with the unveiling of the Enchanted Forest of Lights (from left) National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab, vice president and head of Marketing and Business Development-Megaworld Lifestyle Malls Tefel Pesigan Valentino, and senior vice president for Business Development and Leasing of Megaworld Corp. Jericho Go.

a2

News

friday, November 9, 2018

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

DoJ to dig deeper into Sagay slays

By Rey E. Requejo and Macon Ramos-Araneta

J

USTICE Secretary Menardo Guvearra has ordered the National Bureau of Investigation to dig deeper into the Oct. 20 massacre of nine sugarcane farmers in Sagay City, Negros Occidental last month, after its initial progress report contained nothing about who the killers were.

“I directed them to investigate more deeply,” he added.

Police initially blamed communist rebels for the death of the farmers, which included four women and two minors, some of whom were reportedly burned.

Survivors denied the suggestion and said the NFSW denied official statements accusing them of being a front for the New People’s Army.

Senate Minority Leader Franklin M. Drilon on Thursday condemned the killing of Ramos, an activist lawyer and a founding member of the National Union of People’s Lawyers.

“I condemn in the strongest terms the

killing of attorney Ramos. He is a great loss to the legal profession and the Filipino people, especially the oppressed whose rights he had bravely fought for all his life,” Drilon said in a statement.

“It is very alarming and deplorable.

Attorney Ramos’ gruesome death and the previous attacks against other lawyers are inevitably sending a frightening signal to the legal profession,” Drilon said.

Ramos, according to the NUPL, is the 34th lawyer killed in just two years of the Duterte administration.

Ramos took up the case of nine sugar workers who were killed in Sagay and was working with the NFSW.

The farmers, members of the National Federation of Sugar Workers, reportedly tried to occupy a part of Hacienda Nene on Oct. 20, and were resting in their makeshift homes when gunmen opened fire and killed them.

A human rights lawyer working on their case, Benjamin Ramos, was shot dead by

unidentified assailants in the city of Kabankalan, Negros Occidental on Nov. 6.

The NBI, which was directed to look into the crime on Oct. 23, had submitted a progress report, but Gevarra said it was “basically a narration of what happened before, during, and after the attack, based on the accounts of witnesses.”

beauty queens...

Opposition solons hit lone qualifying telco bidder

From A1

“I joined the pageant to make a difference and be a role model to those around me. I enjoyed a majority of the pageant, but what I did not know is that a specific sponsor from the Manila Yacht Club would change the way I see pageantry and sponsors,” Sheedy said.

Detailing her experience of sexual harassment, she continued: “I was pulled aside multiple times to be invited to Boracay, private islands, and into his house, and insisted that I and ‘the Latino women dance for him.”

Gyles-Brown said she had an experience similar to Sheedy’s, detailing on Instagram how the sponsor “asked for sexual favors in exchange for the crown.”

Sheedy said the sponsor “grabbed my bare backside at the National Costume Competition where I was able to push him away, but he consistently told me not to tell anyone of any of the instances.”

According to Sheedy, Gyles-Brown and Canadian beauty queen Jaime VandenBerg spoke with Lorraine Schuck of Carousel Productions—the organization that owns and runs Miss Earth—about the harassment.

She said Schuck assured them the sponsor will not be part of any other event, but he was still present until the coronation night.

“I was approached by a sponsor on so many occasions… This happened at Manila Yacht Club on a sponsored evening meal away from the team managers behind closed doors. The sponsor also tried to find out what hotel and room I was staying in. Myself and Ms. Canada approached [the] team managers to express our disgust only to be laughed at,” she recalled.

“Another official attendee of the night told me not to cry as I would ruin my makeup!” she added. “There was no respect or compassion shown to myself or Jaime. I felt traumatized by this experience and had many sleepless nights.”

Hours before Sheedy and GylesBrown released their statements, VandenBerg said on Instagram that she “left Miss Earth because I did not feel safe under their care.”

Gunman...

From A1

Speaking at press conference in the wee hours of Thursday, a sheriff said that around a dozen other people had been injured. He said the motive of the shooting and the identity of the shooter were not known.

It was the second mass shooting in America in less than two weeks.

Witnesses said that the gunman, who was wearing a black trench coat, throw several smoke grenades inside the Borderline Bar and Grill before he started he shooting at around 11:20pm on Wednesday night.

“It’s a horrific scene in there. There is blood everywhere,” Ventura County Sheriff Geoff Dean told reporters.

“We have no idea if there is a terrorism link to this or not. As you know, these are ongoing investigations and that information will come out as soon as we are able to determine exactly who the suspect was and what motive he might have had for this horrific event.”

“Nothing has led me to believe or the FBI there is a terrorism link here.

We certainly will look at that option.”

Dean said that the dead police officer, who was named as Ron Helus and had been on the force for 29 years, was among the first on the scene.

“They found 11 victims that had been killed,” said Dean of the first response unit before detailing that the death of Helus brought the toll to 12, not including the gunman.

The venue in the quiet, upscale Thousand Oaks suburb had been hosting an event for college students, with possibly several hundred young people in attendance, Captain Garo Kuredjian of the Ventura County Sheriff’s office said earlier. AFP

By Macon Ramos-Araneta OPPOSITION senators on Thursday questioned why there was only one qualified bidder for the entry of a third telecoms operator in the Philippines.

They also questioned the expertise of Dennis Uy, the man behind China Telecom, the provisional winning bidder.

“Why only one qualified bidder? What is Dennis Uy’s expertise and what does he know about Telcos?” the senators belonging to the Minority said in a statement.

“What qualified it in the first place? Why were the other bidders booted out? What is the track record of the winning bidder in the telecommunications business? Was the

government’s opening up the bidding to other players just a formality?”

The senators made their statement even as an opposition lawmaker on Thursday welcomed the government’s selection of a third telecommunications player to boost the country’s mobile Internet services.

“We are counting on the newcomer to compete brutally with the nation’s two dominant players in delivering faster mobile Internet connection speeds at a lower price,” said Makati City Rep. Luis Campos Jr., a deputy minority leader.

The senators said the government must be extremely careful because of the legal questions that might be asked,

recalling the controversial the Chinafunded government contracts such as the ZTE NBN deal and the Northrail project that were eventually scrapped due to irregularities.

“We don’t want the China Telecom joint venture to be NBN-ZTE part 2,” said Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon and Senators Risa Hontiveros, Leila de Lima, Francis Pangilinan and Antonio Trillanes IV. They insisted that the Philippines’ telecommunications sector needed more industry players for the sake of the tens of millions of Filipino consumers who deserved quality Internet and mobile services. With Maricel V. Cruz

PAO’s Acosta dares Health chief to quit

By Rio N. Araja PUBLIC Attorney’s Office chief Persida Acosta on Thursday called for the resignation of Health Secretary Francisco Duque III over the Dengvaxia controversy. “[That is] enough, Secretary Duque. Please resign,” Acosta said during the weekly Usapang Balita in Quezon City.

“Multiple counts of homicide are not enough [for him].”

Acosta, who was fuming mad during the news conference, said Duque, ex-Health secretary Janette Garin and the other health officials must face multiple counts of murder charges for their liability in the procurement of Dengvaxia vaccines worth P3.5 billion and the mass immunization of 830,000 people.

“What is more important? There was a violation of human rights,” Acosta said.

She said PAO’s special panel of lawyers would study who should be charged with multiple murder.

Erwin Erfe of PAO said a child from Bulacan was the latest and 100th Dengvaxia victim.

“We will disclose the details provided the parents will allow us to do so,” Acosta said.

more favor...

Top red...

From A1

Panelo said other consultants covered by the JASIG can be arrested by the government any time since peace talks were already terminated.

Ladlad, a long-time activist and peace advocate, was arrested early Thursday by police.

Fides Lim, Ladlad’s wife took to Facebook and announced the disappearance of her husband, claiming that members of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group “abducted” Ladlad.

“Arresting unit can only be the CIDG which tailed me last week. Please help me look for Vic,” she said, expressing worries about his health, as he suffers from chronic asthma, which has already deteriorated into emphysema.

Communist Party of the Philippines founding chairman Jose Ma. Sison was quick to speculate that Ladlad could have been framed by the Duterte administration as he claimed there is no warrant of arrest issued against the NDFP consultant.

“There is no valid warrant of arrest against him. But in the Duterte scheme, he is likely to be framed as a combatant with firearms and explosives planted despite his serious health condition,” he said.

Earlier reports said Ladlad was arrested for charges of illegal possession of firearms and explosGovtives in No-

Govt...

From A1

the government is doing its best,” he said.

In an earlier statement, the Palace official also said they are getting a grip on the five-year delay to speed up the rehabilitation efforts in Tacloban.

“We are addressing issues that cause the delay, which include limited availability of titled lands for resettlement, slow processing, and issuance of permits and licenses for construction projects and absence of sustainable livelihood opportunities, among others,” he said.

He said the Special Assistant for Special Concerns, which oversees the rehabilitation of Yolanda-ravaged areas, has already used nearly P2 billion.

“A total of P146.156 billion was released to implementing national government agencies, government-ownedand-controlled corporations, and local government units. Half of the funds released were allotted for housing programs and ancillary basic utilities,” said Panelo, citing the latest reports as of Oct. 30.

He then echoed the National Hous-

Palace...

From A1

of anger, so all of us do it,” Panelo said.

“I have not heard of anyone not cursing when one is angry. I think even cursing is part of freedom of speech for as long as you don’t injure the person

From A1

valiches, Quezon City.

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief-of-staff Gen. Carlito Galvez, Jr., lauded law enforcement agents and the concerned citizen who helped in the arrest of Ladlad.

“I would like to commend the swift response of the authorities and the concerned citizen for the arrest of these notorious personalities. The people’s vigilance has been an important aspect of our security operations and has been valuable in the fight against terrorism,” Galvez said in a statement.

The AFP chief also stressed the importance of cooperation in the security sector to curb terror groups and their leaders.

“The AFP and PNP (Philippine National Police) in [their] unrelenting pursuit of peace and prosperity will be hitting them in all fronts. The apprehension of Ladlad will create a leadership vacuum in their organization which will speed up the process of defeating insurgency in the country,” Galvez added.

He added that since the assumption of President Rodrigo Duterte, 54 prominent communist personalities have been neutralized. This has resulted in the disruption of internal coordination of the rebel group from the national level down to the New People’s Army (NPA) platoons.

“The leadership vacuum led the insurgents to fall complacent, causing the stagnation and decline in their major fields of work in launching the armed

struggle,” the AFP chief added.

Ladlad is a member of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Central Committee, head of its National United Front Commission, and consultant to its now defunct peace negotiations.

Ladlad and his aides, Alberto and Virginia Villamor, were arrested in his alleged safehouse in Doña Tomasa Subdivision, Barangay San Bartolome, Novaliches, Quezon City early Thursday.

Police said they found an AK-47, one M-16A1, one Colt Mk IV, four hand grenades, and assorted ammunition during the raid.

Ladlad is accused of involvement in the multiple murder cases for the purging of communist members tagged by the CPP leadership as government spies in their organization.

At least 67 bodies were unearthed in September 2006 involving the Southern Leyte Front of the NPA. Ladlad was among those in the CPP who were charged with multiple counts of murder over the massacre.

Also charged were Adelberto Silva, head of the National Organization Department and Secretary General of the CPP. He was arrested in Laguna in October.

But PNP chief Director General Oscar Albayalde said Ladlad and two others were arrested for illegal possession of firearms, not their affiliation with the communists.

He added that Ladlad could not hide behind the JASIC because they broke the law. With PNA

ing Authority’s report that out of the 205,128 permanent housing targets for Yolanda, 100,709 have been completed. “[From that] a total of 46,412 houses have already been occupied, while 54, 297 are now ready for occupancy,” Panelo said.

“Yolanda has taught us a hard lesson in public service, particularly on the need to respond to our people’s plight with more compassion and urgency.

This is why the Duterte administration has worked harder to fast-track the recovery efforts for Yolanda survivors,” he said.

“We commend the exemplary resilience of our own people, which in the face of adversity, have remained steadfast,” he added.

In August 2017, President Duterte created an inter-agency task force solely committed to monitor rehabilitation and recovery projects in Yolanda-affected areas.

In November 2013, Yolanda (Haiyan) battered areas of the Visayas, killing thousands and causing extensive damage.

Leyte Rep. Yedda Marie KittilstvedtRomualdez on Thursday expressed her gratitude to the first responders, including President Rodrigo Duterte, who was still the mayor of Davao, for show-

ing compassion for Tacloban residents immediately after Yolanda.

“We thank the...volunteers especially President Duterte who was then the Davao City mayor for coming in Yolanda-hit areas and help us,” said Romualdez, the chairperson of the House committee on accounts.

“Thank you for the selflessness of all volunteers and organizations that took part and contributed in the recovery and rehabilitation efforts of the communities affected by the typhoon.”

But in Tacloban City, 3,000 members of People Surge, a broad coalition of Yolanda survivors, took to the streets, calling President Duterte “inutile” in finding solutions to the same problems faced by his predecessor, President Benigno Aquino III. Efleda Bautista, the president of People Surge, said that the past five years since Yolanda hit Eastern Visayas “was supposed to be enough for the recovery and rehabilitation phase of the region.”

Bautista said they marked the Yolanda rehabilitation under President Duterte as “slow-paced, segmented and anti-people.”

“We are the Yolanda survivors and we are ready to surge,” she said. With Maricel V. Cruz and Macon Ramos-Araneta

Some 36 percent disagreed with the proposal, while the remaining 13 percent were undecided.

The newest figure yields a net agreement of 15 percent, which SWS classified as “moderately strong.”

“Net agreement with the proposal was highest in the Visayas at a very strong +47 (69 percent agree, 21 percent disagree, correctly rounded), followed by Mindanao at a moderately strong +25 (51 percent agree, 26 percent disagree),” the SWS said.

“Metro Manila at a moderately strong +17 percent, and Balance Luzon at a neutral -6,” the pollster added. the same report, the SWS also found that 76 percent of those polled were satisfied with the administration’s continuous crackdown on illegal drugs, while 12 percent were dissatisfied.

“This is 1 point below the very good +65 in June 2018 and is similar to the very good +64 in March 2018,” SWS said.

SWS attributed the one-point drop in net satisfaction with the anti-illegal drug campaign in September to the decrease in support in Mindanao and Metro Manila.

It added that the net satisfaction in Mindanao remained “excellent” with +70 percent despite the 14-point plunge from +84 percent in June.

In Metro Manila, it dropped from +67 percent in June to +55 percent in September.

In Balance Luzon, net satisfaction went up from +58 percent in June to +66 percent in September while the rating in the Visayas remained “very good” with +58.

The pollster also underscored that the net satisfaction with the performance of President Rodrigo Duterte was higher among those satisfied with the campaign against illegal drugs, with a rating of +67 percent, compared to +31 percent, among those undecided about the anti-illegal drug campaign and the neutral -4 among those dissatisfied with the campaign.

The Palace said the survey showed what it expected, that a majority of Filipinos support the President’s war on drugs.

“That is expected because at the inception the President believes that the majority of the Filipinos are, if not the overwhelming majority, support his drive against drugs and criminality as well as corruption,” said Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo in a Palace press briefing Thursday.

The survey, conducted from Sept.

15 to 23, used face-to-face interviews among 1,500 adults nationwide.

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

that is the subject of your curse.”

Asked if local government units should not issue an ordinance that would curtail freedom of expression, Panelo said yes.

“Yeah, definitely. It may not pass the constitutional test when it is raised before the courts,” he said.

“It’s just an expression. I don’t think

it is or it should be prohibited.”

Baguio City’s Anti-Profanity Ordinance prohibits the use of profane words in places frequented by children, high school students and college students in Baguio City.

Baguio City Mayor Mauricio Domogan told DZMM that teachers and school guidance counselors were also tasked to point to students caught

cursing and summon their parents immediately.

As mandated under the ordinance, public spaces occupied by children are also required to put signs stating the ban.

Baguio, dubbed as the Summer Capital of the Philippines, is home to over 300,000 people and of whom some are below 30 years old.

News

A3

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2018 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Du30 assures Tim Orbos of full backing in Congress bid “KAYA mo iyan. Huwag kang titigil.

Huwag kang kabahan. Ako ang bahala.

Basta ituloy mo ang laban.”

(You can do it. Don’t stop. Don’t be nervous. I’ll take care of everything. Just continue the fight).

Thus said President Rodrigo Roa Duterte to former MMDA OIC chairman and General Manager Tim Orbos whom he assured of his full support in the latter’s bid for a seat in the House of Representatives.

With these words, Orbos said he is more inspired and determined to face the challenges in his political career.

Orbos recently filed his candidacy in the first district of Pangasinan accompanied by four Pangasinan governors - incumbent Gov. Amado “Pogi” Espino III, former Governors Rafael M. Colet, Oscar Orbos and Amado T. Espino Jr. The commitment for public service runs in the family. Orbos, 53, is the younger brother of former executive secretary and Transportation Secretary Oscar Orbos who also served as governor and first district representative of Pangasinan.

Tim Orbos was a member of the Duterte Cabinet then serving as Officer in Charge of the MMDA then later as undersecretary in the Department of Transportation.

His first assignment in the Duterte administration was as OIC chairman and General Manager of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority. He also served under two Philippine presidents: First as undersecretary in the Office of the President under President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and as assistant secretary in the Office of the President and MMDA assistant general manager under President Benigno Aquino III.

EJKs committed by drug dealers; not sponsored byS tate—Sotto

By Macon Ramos-Araneta CONCEDING that extrajudicial killings, which might have been committed by drug traffickers exist in the country, Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III nevertheless strongly denied that the killings were state-sponsored.

Sotto issued the statement when sought to comment on Senator Manny Pacquiao’s remark before Oxford University students in the United Kingdom that there are no EJKs in the government’s war against drugs.

“We have to admit there were EJKs, but the government did not order them,” said Sotto.

He said those involved in the illicit drug trade who were behind the killings are scared that their identities will be revealed to authorities following the arrest of their underlings.

“But was it sanctioned by the government? No. Perhaps, that’s what Manny Pacquiao means,” he said.

He lamented that the image of the country’s war against drugs has been slanted before the international community to show that EJKs were being done by government authorities.

He also said the term EJK itself is “non-existent,” as there are no judicial killings or even a death penalty in the country. “So, it’s a misnomer,” he said.

The Liberal Party, on the other hand, asked when the killings would stop.

“Let’s always choose to defend life and justice in this country,” said LP Secretary General Erin Tañada.

Sandiganbayan set to decide on Revilla case

WARM GREETING. President Rodrigo Roa Duterte gives a warm greeting to actor Steven Seagal upon his arrival at the Metro Tent

THE Sandiganbayan’s First Division is set to promulgate next month its decision on the plunder case against detained former Senator Ramon Revilla Jr. “The Court hereby sets the promulgation of the decision of this case on December 7, 2018, at 8:30 in the morning,” the anti-graft court’s division said in its supplemental order dated Nov. 5.

The Sandiganbayan is also set to hand down its decision on the case of Revilla’s co-accused, former aide and lawyer Richard Cambe and alleged pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles.

Last September, the First Division ended the trial of the plunder case against detained Revilla after the prosecution and the defense submitted the case for resolutio—about four years after the case was filed against the former movie star.

Revilla was accused of pocketing P224.5 million worth of commissions from pork barrel funds under his control while in the Senate. Maricel V. Cruz

Convention Center in Metrowalk Complex, Pasig City for the Guangzhou Automobile Group Co., Ltd. Motor Philippines Brand launch on Nov. 7, 2018. Presidential Photo

Flexi-visa program to benefit 3k OFWs in Bahrain

Economic managers to woo Senators to pass TRAIN 2

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

F

INANCE officials on Thursday said they will woo senators to pass the second tax reform package or TRAIN 2, which was considered “dead on arrival” by some members of the Upper Chamber.

In a media briefing with Senate reporters, Department of Finance undersecretary Karl Kendrick Chua and Asst. Sec. Tony Lambino rejected what they described as the “wrong notion” that Package 2-Tax Reform for Atrracting Better and High-Quality Opportunities or TRAIN 2 will only cause spikes in prices and inflation.

Instead, he said it would lower corporate income tax for corporations, especially for MSMEs. He added that for corporations enjoying incentives, the sunset tax exemptions and discounts would be started. Corporations that qualify for incentives, meanwhile, will be supported through performance-based, targeted, time-bound and transparent incentives.

Chua and Lambino insisted that TRAIN 2 is independent of the

current and future inflation which they attributed to the surges in the price of oil in the global market as these are factors that are beyond their control.

They also dismissed the role of TRAIN 1 in the current inflation rate, saying that it was due to the high cost of crude oil in the world market. As a short term measure, they cited the need to remove the non-tariff barriers on the importation of agricultural products.

Chua said Administrative Order No. 13 (AO13), which removes the limits and administrative constraints on the importation of agricultural goods, should be implemented.

He said it would have a bigger effect on inflation by lowering the prices of rice, fish, and meat. He also underscored the importance of the passage of the Rice Tarrification bill.

According to Chua, this is the first time that the government would go for major (tax) reforms but it has to repeatedly explain the benefits of the reform. He said no reform is perfect that will make everybody happy.

“This is the reason why it is a reform because we are addressing very deep issues while we see short term challenges that would be beneficial. We just need to explain again and again to know the benefits,” Chua said.

He said it was just unfortunate that the inflation happened simultaneously with the implementation of TRAIN 1 as he spelled out its benefits.

These include the following: first P250,000 exempt for everyone; lower tax rate for 99 percent of income tax payers; estate and donor’s tax reduced to only six percent, sustain funding for free tuition in SUCs; excise tax on sweetened beverages and tobacco to promote public health; roads, bridges, classrooms, ports are built and social services improved.

Dismissing reports that TRAIN supposedly caused inflation and did not deliver revenues, prompting various sectors, including lawyers, to call for its suspension, Chua guaranteed the country’s economic managers are doing everything to address inflation.

PCSO backs bill eradicating illegal numbers games PHILIPPINE Charity Sweepstakes Office General Manager Alexander Balutan has expressed its support in House Bill 5026, which aims to eradicate illegal numbers games in the country.

Introduced by Quezon Rep. Danilo Suarez, House Bill No. 5026 declares PCSO’s “Philippine lotto” and Small Town Lottery the solely recognized legal numbers game and is currently undergoing deliberations at the House Committee on Games and Amusements.

“If the bill turns into law, it will be a big boost against our fight against all illegal numbers games such as jueteng, masiao, last two-digits, and the likes,” according to Balutan.

“Jueteng and other illegal numbers games are sources of funds that politicians use to buy votes and money for their campaign sorties and they are using dummies to operate this kind of illegal number games,” revealed Balutan.

PCSO has a list of names of local chief executives abetting various sorts of illegal number games ranging from jueteng, masiao or the “last two-digits” numbers games.

“Let us support STL and stop illegal numbers games that are affecting PCSO’s legal and charitable games,” Balutan said.

Balutan, however, admits that it is difficult to eradicate the illegal numbers game because it has become widespread

in Central Luzon to Southern Luzon provinces, including Bicol; while masiao and the last two-digit games are rampant in the Visayas and Mindanao regions.

Meanwhile, Suarez said that, “nationalizing the STL alone will generate around 800,000 jobs nationwide. This will benefit people who may be under-qualified in other jobs due to educational attainment, health conditions, or previous record of drug use.”

Additionally, this will also prevent unemployed people to resort to criminal acts just to feed their families.

At present, there are 82 STL operating agents nationwide with the termination of five Authorized Agents Corporations recently.

AT LEAST 3,000 undocumented Filipino migrants in Bahrain are set to benefit from the recently launched flexi-visa program of the Bahraini government, the Department of Foreign Affairs said Thursday.

The program, which was launched on Monday, will now cover domestic workers who ran away from their employers before Nov. 1, 2018.

In a statement Thursday, the agency, through Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Sarah Lou Arriola, also welcomed the inclusion of irregular Filipino workers in Manama’s initiative.

“After a series of quiet negotiations and discussions, Bahrain’s Labor Marketing Regulatory Authority announced for the first time that those runaway domestic workers in the country will now be covered by the Flexi Visa program,” Arriola said.

“This is in line with the DFA’s efforts to seek pathways for regularization of our OFWs in implementation of the mandate of President Rodrigo Duterte to spare no effort to protect our nationals overseas,” she added. PNA

Palace accepts ERC commish’s resignation MALACAÑANG has accepted the resignation of Energy Regulatory Commission commissioner Geronimo Sta. Ana, leaving another vacancy in the five-man commission.

ERC spokesman Floresinda Digal confirmed that the commission received the report from Malacañang only last week.

“We received the notice of approval of his resignation only last week,” Digal said, adding the Sta. Ana filed his resignation letter as early as Sept.

15.

Sta. Ana did not comment as he is currently out of town but he and commissioner Josefina Patricia Magpale-Asirit returned to work last Oct. 10 after complying with the three-month suspension order without pay from the Office of the Ombudsman.

The Ombudsman ordered the suspension of retired commissioners Alfredo Non and Gloria Victoria YapTaruc and Asirit and Sta. Ana for three months without pay starting May 18 for allegedly tolerating the misuse of bill deposits by allowing its commingling with the capital or operation cost of Manila Electric Co. contrary to the purpose for which the bill deposits was established, as guarantee for the payment of bills. Alena Mae S. Flores

‘Yolanda’ survivors recall loss, terror

STILL GRIEVING. A survivor of Super Typhoon ’Haiyan‘ (’Yolanda’) places

flowers and candles at the grave of a relative at the mass grave for victims of the typhoon on the fifth anniversary of the typhoon in Tacloban City, Leyte province, central Philippines on Nov. 8, 2018. The super typhoon struck in the predawn 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.

SURVIVORS of Super Typhoon ‘‘Haiyan’’ (‘‘Yolanda’’) recalled their terror and loss while gathered Thursday at a mass grave for thousands killed five years ago in the country’s worst storm on record.

Then the strongest storm to ever hit land, Yolanda left more than 7,360 people dead or missing across the central Philippines with its tsunami-like storm surges wiping out communities and triggering a global humanitarian response.

In Tacloban, the worst-hit city, residents painted gravestones, laid flowers and lit candles at a cemetery in memory of the typhoon dead, shedding tears as they recounted how they themselves had survived.

“I felt like it was the end of the world.

It was like I was in a washing machine, a whirlpool. I was so afraid,” Amelita Gerado, 49, as she described the giant wall of seawater that swamped her

home.

“There is still pain, a scar, but we are recovering,” said the woman, whose brother-in-law was among those killed in Tacloban.

The city government has declared Nov. 8 a “day of remembrance and gratitude” to mark the devastation wreaked by the 2013 typhoon, which highlighted how little-prepared the disaster-prone Southeast Asian nation was for disasters of that magnitude.

An average of 20 typhoons and storms lash the Philippines each year, killing hundreds of people and leaving millions in near-perpetual poverty.

But Yolanda remains the most powerful, with gusts exceeding 305 kilometers (190 miles) per hour at first landfall.

Storm surges higher than trees crashed into densely populated areas, leaving corpses strewn across streets and washing ships to shore. AFP

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES

COMMISSION ON APPOINTMENTS

ANNOUNCEMENT President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has submitted to the Commission on Appointments (C.A.) for confirmation the ad interim appointments of the following officers in the Armed Forces of the Philippines: To the rank of Lieutenant General Macairog S. Alberto To the rank of Major General Felipe B. Bejar (AFP) and Erwin Bernard L. Neri (AFP) To the rank of Brigadier General Cresenciano A. Marquez III The public may submit any information, written report, or sworn/notarized complaints or oppositions in thirty two (32) copies on the above appointments to the CA Secretariat, 6th Floor, PNB Financial Center, D. Macapagal Blvd., Pasay City, Metro Manila.

For the schedule of the public hearings, the CA Secretariat can be reached through telephone numbers 834-2713, 831-1824, 831-0527, 832-9830, 834-2706 and 551-1989.

08 November 2018.

HECTOR A. VILLACORTA Secretary (MS-NOV. 9, 2018)

A4

Opinion

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2018

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Discriminatory

EDITORIAL

Gabriela Party-List Rep. Emmi de Jesus on the other hand, said the exclusion ban of Baguio’s PCC is against the Magna Carta on Women’s Rights prohibiting discrimination. She said women are made of sterner stuff and have proven that they are able to survive stress more than men can.

For example, men do not undergo giving birth like women. There are women who have given birth several times and some even to twins, triplets and quadruplets. As someone said, it is man’s pleasure, the woman’s pain in the baby-making department.

BACK CHANNEL ALEJANDRO DEL ROSARIO

Adelle Chua, Editor

TWO proposals raised controversy and opposition from certain quarters affected by the implementation of these rules. Students opposed the government’ s mandatory drug testing in private and public schools . They complained it is against their civil rights of privacy and make them targets of the government’s alleged extrajudicial No expletives, please killing of suspects. Its proponents, In another Baguio initiative, the city however, defended the policy claiming the move is actually an old law unim- passed an ordinance making it unplemented by the Department of Edu- lawful for anyone to utter expletives in a public place cation.

Mandatory This poses a legal drug testing, the problem the Baguio city council authorities said, Women, according might not have is to weed out foreseen. The ordrug users in to Gabriela, are made dinance says ANschools and pre- of sterner stuff and YONE. vent the spread of have proven that they What if Presithis social mendent Rodrigo ace. Personally, I are able to survive Duterte goes don’t oppose this stress more than men to Baguio on because of the can. a speaking enadage “an ounce gagement and of prevention is worth more than unleashes a tora pound cure.” rent of his sigThe mandatory drug testing in nature expletives . This I gotta see schools is certainly a better remedy —Baguio Mayor Mauricio Domogan —personally arresting the President than the killing of mere suspects.

The other controversial measure for violating the city ordinance of is the exclusion of pregnant women “Bawal Magmura Dito.”

It’s the midterm elections on May from taking certain subjects in medical schools. The Pines City College in 13 next year. Will Domogan dare go Baguio reasoned out that such subjects against the President? My bet is that as gynecology and obstetrics could the Palace and the mayor will find a be stressful to pregnant women that middle ground for a win-win solution. might have a harmful effect on the If not, we can expect a new mayor for the Pines City. baby she is carrying in her womb.

T

Laggard agriculture

HE economy is still expanding, albeit slower and no thanks to the agriculture sector. The gross domestic product in the third quarter of the year grew 6.1 percent, slower than the adjusted 6.2-percent expansion in the second quarter and 7.2 percent year-on-year.

Economic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia blamed the sluggish output in the agricultural sector and a decline in household consumption because of higher inflation for the tepid growth in the third quarter of 2018.

The trade, construction, and manufacturing sectors, according to the official data, were the main drivers of growth for the period. Among the major economic sectors, services registered the fastest growth of 6.9 percent, followed by industry which expanded 6.2 percent.

Agriculture production, in contrast, declined 0.4 percent.

Agriculture has emerged as

the weakest link in the GDP, with the highly regulated trading regime and weather disturbances dampening the sector’s output. Pernia has urged Congress to pass without delay the Rice Tariffication Bill to reduce the price of the commodity by P2 to P7 per kilo and help enhance the productivity of farmers through revenues (from duties) to be given to them to improve their performance.

The short supply of rice and lack of importations have contributed greatly to a sharp increase in the inflation rate starting in the second quarter of the year. Higher prices, in

turn, dampened the consumption of other products.

Pernia has expressed concern on the marked slowdown in household spending on food and other basic products.

The 5.2-percent expansion in household consumption in the third quarter was the slowest since the 5 percent recorded in the third quarter of 2014.

A slower household spending could foreshadow further slower economic growth. Less demand, among others, will prompt companies to defer their expansion plans and reduce employment opportunities.

Authorities, thus, must quickly address rising inflation to preserve the earlier gains in the economy. Pernia has conceded that the GDP growth would have been between 6.5 percent and 7 percent if not for the faster inflation rate that hit 6.7 percent in September.

Buddha and bronzer:

The Japanese monk who loves make-up TOKYO—As make-up artist Kodo Nishimura sashays into a room in Tokyo balanced on pin-thin heels, he could hardly look less like a practicing Buddhist monk.

Immaculately made-up, sporting smoky eyeshadow, false lashes and winged eyeliner, he changes outfits three times during a presentation to starry-eyed fans.

But at the Tokyo temple where his father is head monk and he assists in rituals, he appears transformed. His face is bare, and he wears the plain robes of a Buddhist cleric.

It might seem like an unusual double act, but that doesn't bother 29-year-old Nishimura.

"This is who I am," he said. "I am not going to try to be something else."

Nishimura is primarily a make-

up artist, beautifying clients ranging from popstars to pageant contestants.

He spends most of the year in the United States, where he first openly indulged a passion for make-up that he kept secret as a child in Japan, hiding in the bathroom to experiment.

"I would open my mum's Chanel eyeshadow palette and I would try to put it on my face. But I looked crazy, I looked like a clown," he laughs.

Studying in the US, he found things were different. He discovered drag queens working at make-up stores who were happy to answer his questions. At 18, he made his first purchase: Mascara and eyeliner.

An internship with a make-up artist led to a job. Back home, his parents surprised him by being supportive of his career choice.

Turn to A5

Hong Kong arts center cancels Chinese dissident author event tioned how literature could ever be apolitical and pointed out that other authors hosted by Tai Kwun as part of the festival were discussing political ideas, including the emergence of a #MeToo movement in China.

Ma, who now lives in London, writes dark and satirical works depicting life in China and his books are banned on the mainland.

He was due to promote his latest novel “China Dream” later this week, a title that plays on Chinese President Xi Jinping’s rhetoric of national rejuvenation and is described by publisher Penguin as “a biting satire of totalitarianism.”

The author announced on Twitter that his Critics posting on social media ques-

A HONG KONG arts center hosting the city’s high-profile literary festival has cancelled appearances by exiled Chinese writer Ma Jian as Beijing tightens its grip on the city.

The Tai Kwun arts center, a major new cultural hub in Hong Kong, pulled the talks because it did not want to become “a platform to promote the political interests of any individual,” director Timothy Calnin said in a statement.

Rights group Amnesty International said it was more evidence that freedom of expression in Hong Kong was “under attack.”

two speaking events had been cancelled by Tai Kwun, not by festival organizers.

Hong Kong International Literary Festival said it would not speculate on the reasons for the cancellation and was focusing on finding a new venue.

Amnesty’s China researcher Patrick Poon said there was “a clear pattern” that political debate was increasingly under pressure.

Author Jason Ng, president of PEN Hong Kong, a writers’ NGO which campaigns for freedom of speech, said the cancellation was “at the very least an act of self-censorship” and an example of the suppression of free expression in Hong Kong.

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

ONLINE

can be accessed at: manilastandard.net

MEMBER

PPI

Philippine Press Institute The National Association of Philippine Newspapers

Former Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno Anita F. Grefal Baldwin R. Felipe Edgar M. Valmorida

Board Member & Chief Legal Adviser Treasury Manager Head—Ad Solutions Circulation Manager

Ramonchito L. Tomeldan Chin Wong/Ray S. Eñano Joyce Pangco Pañares Adelle Chua

Managing Editor Associate Editors News Editor Opinion Editor

Emil P. Jurado

Honor Blanco Cabie Night Editor Jimbo Gulle City Editor Romel J. Mendez Art Director Roberto Cabrera Chief Photographer

Chairman Emeritus, Editorial Board

Opinion Doing business in PH VIRTUAL REALITY TONY LOPEZ FINANCE Secretary Sonny Dominguez and Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon Lopez have jointly protested the World Bank’s downgrading of the Philippines’ ranking in Ease of Doing Business, the international lender’s annual survey that covers 190 countries.

In this year’s study for the 2019 rankings, the Philippines ranks a disappointing 124th, down a crucial 11 rungs from its already disappointing 113thfor 2018.

When President Duterte became president, the Philippines was ranked 99th.

In two years, the country went down 25 places. Or 25 other countries improved their business rules, procedures, and costs, and the Philippines did not.

Yet, 99th was already a bad ranking. A total of 190 countries are studied. One half of that is 95. At 99th, the Philippines was below the global average as an easy place for doing business. Since 2016, our ranking has kept getting worse, which means as the years go on, it keeps getting more difficult to do business in the Philippines.

For the Philippine ranking, among ten factors, the World Bank surveyed how business is started in Quezon City and how many percent of adult Filipinos have access to credit or loans. The Philippines fared badly in both.

For starting a business, Quezon City ranked 166thamong 190 cities of the world. As a place to get credit, the Philippines ranked 184th, out of 190. This means we are one of the worst places on earth to start a business (in the lowest 15 percent) and to obtain a loan (in the lowest 5 percent).

You want to get a loan? You won’t get it. Only 2.7 percent of potential borrowers are covered by the credit bureau, which means only three of every 100 could borrow from their bank. In depth of credit information, the Philippines has a grade of 0 (the worst) out of 8 (the best). The best in depth of credit information -- UK and Ecuador: 8.

According to the World Bank, a potential software entrepreneur in Canada would take just two procedures, one and a half days and less than one percent of income per capita to start her business in Toronto.

First, she would need to file for federal incorporation and provincial registration online via Industry Canada’s Electronic Filing Centre; this costs 200 Canadian dollars ($159) and is completed within a day. Second, she would need to register online for value added tax; this costs nothing and is completed within half a day.

If the same entrepreneur applied in

Quezon City, the business incorporation process would require 13 procedures, take 31 days and cost around 20.3 percent of income per capita. She would need to make 14 different tax and contribution payments and visit multiple agencies in person.

Further, the Filipino enterprise would be expected to pay 42.9 percent of its commercial profits in taxes and contributions annually. “Cumbersome business regulatory structures such as these constrain the ability of entrepreneurs to transform their ideas into viable businesses,” laments the 2018 World Bank study of 190 countries in ease of doing business.

Among 190 countries, the best in starting a business is New Zealand. Only one step and you get your permit in half a day.

In Quezon City, a permit takes at least 13 steps and 31 days (since there is no work on weekends, 31 days is actually 40 days).

The world best in construction permits is 5 steps and 26 days. In the Philippines, a construction permit takes 23 steps and 122 days or at least four months.

To get electricity, a Filipino takes four

The World Bank surveyed how business is started in Quezon City and how many percent of adult Filipinos have access to credit or loans.

The Philippines fared badly in both. steps, 37 days, and 21.7 percent of his income per capita. It takes 18 days to get electricity in Korea and UAE (the global best). It costs zero in China, Japan, and UAE. To register property, the Filipino must endure nine steps and 35 days and pay 4.3 percent of the value of the property.

The global best for registering property: one step (Norway, Portugal, Sweden), one day (New Zealand); and zero cost (Saudi Arabia).

EODB matters. When the rules for doing business are easy, red tape-free, graft free and less costly, people with some money want to do business. They create companies, put up projects, employ people. In this country, 99 percent of enterprises are small or medium, with capital of P20 million or less. Investments are about jobs. This country has at least 7 million unemployed or underemployed. To create one job, it takes P2 million. If the government makes it

difficult for you to do business, you are better off parking your P2 million in some other place.

Explains the World Bank: “An economy cannot thrive without a healthy private sector. When local businesses flourish, they create jobs and generate income that can be spent and invested domestically. Any rational government that cares about the economic well-being and advancement of its constituency pays special attention to laws and regulations affecting local small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs). Effective business regulation affords micro and small firms the opportunity to grow, innovate and, when applicable, move from the informal to the formal sector of an economy.”

One of Rodrigo Duterte’s charming qualities as president is that he hates red tape. Indeed, one distinctive quality in his nearly 23 years as mayor of Davao City is the ease with which businessmen could do business in Davao City. Walang red tape. Walang lagay.

In June this year, Republic Act (RA) 11032, the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018, was enacted. “It would make doing business easier in the country,” enthused Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon Lopez in a speech then.

In his State of the Nation Address July 23, 2018, Duterte likened red tape to stealing money from government. He said: “Ease of Doing Business [Act], [applause] which is a significant fight against corruption and improving service delivery. We need to sustain our momentum. And I hereby direct all [local] government units—making sana kayo—and government agencies to faithfully implement this law and simply simplify the process. Hinihingi ko ho ‘yan sa lahat ng nasa gobyerno under my control and supervision. Huwag ho kayong magkamali.”

The relief promised by the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018 (Republic Act 1102) to people who do business with government offices may suffer additional delay, said Raul Palabrica in his Inquirer column Oct. 30, 2018.

To-date, President Duterte has not appointed any of the ARTA officials, notes Palabrica. Deadline was Oct. 22, 2018.

By the way, have you done business with the Securities and Exchange Commission? People there have not heard of Duterte’s dictum of no red tape.

It takes eight months to incorporate, which means your capital lies idle in a bank while the SEC takes its time registering your articles of incorporation. You cannot collect because strictly, you are not a legal personality. biznewsasia@gmail.com

Buddha...

From A4

'A liberation' But he felt that something was missing. He had grown up in a Buddhist temple, playing behind its elaborate golden altar and knew one day he would have to decide whether to follow in his father's footsteps.

"I wanted to know the occupation, what we do, enough to make the decision."

So at 24, he enrolled in a training program in his Buddhist Pure Land sect. It involved five sessions, each several weeks long, spread over a period of around two years.

Homesick for Japan, he was excited at first, but his enthusiasm quickly faded.

"The moment the doors shut, the trainers started screaming," he said. "I was like 'oh my God, what did I sign up for?’"

But he persevered, returning to the United States between courses, only to have a crisis of confidence near the end.

In New York, he wore make-up and jewelry, worked as a make-up artist and was open about his attraction to men.

Would all that "offend the commu-

nity of Buddhist monks?" he wondered.

"Is it going to degrade the value of other monks?"

But a senior monk brushed aside his concerns, pointing out that Japanese monks often wear non-religious clothing outside the temple and have second jobs.

And he was uninterested in his sexuality.

"That was like a liberation for me," Nishimura said. "That's when I felt: 'now I can be myself and be a monk as well.'"

'There's no one like Kodo' He acknowledges that his work as a make-up artist, with its focus on outward appearance, might seem at odds with a religion that prioritizes the inner self.

"I think in Buddhism the core message is to feel happiness, feel balanced within our hearts and to share the happiness," he said.

Feeling beautiful, he believes, makes people "more generous, more attentive to helping others."

Nishimura returns to Japan twice a

year, helping his father at religious events like funerals.

For now he can balance his two lives, but eventually he will have to decide whether to inherit his father's temple – a prospect he admits doesn't appeal at the moment.

"I don't think that being in this temple is the best way necessarily to help more people. Make-up and heels (are)... like a bridge for me to spread my thoughts to others."

He has also become an advocate for LGBT rights, and has a sideline teaching transgender women make-up tricks to amplify their feminine features.

"He helps you look your best with the facial features you already have... [and] encourages transgender people to accept the way we are," said Mio Aoki, a 27-year-old transgender woman who lined up early for a front-row seat at Nishimura's make-up demonstration.

"There are many make-up artists who teach people make-up, but I think there's no one like Kodo." AFP

Hong Kong...

From A4

Tai Kwun is the result of a multi-milliondollar renovation of a colonial-era prison and police station, led by the government and the Hong Kong Jockey Club.

Art critic John Batten, who advises on visual arts programming at Tai Kwun, said he was concerned it had “implications for any event” at the center.

“I strongly believe in freedom of expression at Tai Kwun and will be asking about the details of this cancellation,” Batten told AFP. Hong Kong has rights unseen on the mainland, protected by an agreement made before the city was handed back to China by Britain in 1997, but there are fears they are being steadily eroded.

A highly anticipated art show by Chinese political cartoonist Badiucao was cancelled last week with Hong Kong organizers citing safety concerns due to “threats made by

Chinese authorities relating to the artist.”

Hong Kong authorities also faced a major backlash when they denied a visa without explanation last month to a Financial Times journalist who had chaired a press club talk by a Hong Kong independence activist.

The city’s publishing sector has taken a hit since five booksellers known for printing gossipy titles about China’s leaders disappeared in 2015 and resurfaced in custody on the mainland.

Since then some of Hong Kong’s bookshops selling works banned in China have closed and chain stores have removed them from their shelves.

Beijing’s liaison office in Hong Kong has indirect ownership of a local publishing conglomerate that runs more than half the bookshops in the city, according to local media. AFP

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2018

A5

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

How nations become wealthy with a reliance on empirical observation and on the mathematical tools that support technological advance. The scientific method that we take for granted ERIC in the modern West is a relatively new JURADO phenomenon. Only in the last four ONCE upon a time, in 1800, noth- hundred years have Western peoples ing moved faster than the speed of freed themselves from the dead hand a horse. No human being, no manu- of the totalitarian, Aristotelian mindfactured item, no bag of rice, no side set. Even today, particularly in parts of of beef, no letter, no information, no Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, honidea, order, or instruction of any kind est intellectual inquiry places life and moved faster. As far as our great, property at grave risk from the forces of great grandparents knew, nothing state and religious tyranny.

The third leg is a widely available ever would.

Then, all of a sudden, beginning and open source of funding for the around 1820, the pace of economic development and production of new advance picked up noticeably, mak- inventions—the modern capital maring the world a better place to live in. ketplace.

The large-scale production of new The Industrial Revolution caused an explosion in technological innovation goods and services requires vast amounts of money from others— that had never been seen before.

There was a story of an anonymous “capital.” Even if property and the schoolboy who was asked to define ability to innovate are secure, capital the revolution. He was supposed is still required to develop schemes to have replied, “In 1760, a wave of and ideas. Since almost no entrepreneur has enough money to mass-progadgets swept over England.”

That boy was on to something. duce his inventions, economic growth New technology is the powerhouse of is impossible without substantial capper capita economic growth; without ital from outside sources. Before the it, increases in productivity and con- 19th century, society’s best, brightest, and most ambitious individuals had sumption do not occur.

What is needed then to develop scant access to the massive amounts of money necessary to transform gadgets?

Prosperity is not achieved merely their dreams into reality.

The fourth leg is the ability to rapby possessing idly commuhydroelectric nicate vital indams, roads, formation and telephone transport peowires, factoNot until all four of ple and goods. ries, fertile these legs—property The final step farmlands, in the creation or even great rights, science and of gadgets is quantities of reason, effective their advertisemoney.

Nor capital markets, and ment and districan prosperbution to buyity be trans- efficient transport and ers hundreds planted from communication—are of kilometers one nation to in place can a nation away. Even if another by prosper. entrepreneurs simply transpossess secure ferring the key property rights, components of the proper inan economic tellectual tools, infrastructure. In all but the most exceptional cases, national prosperity is and adequate capital, their innovanot about physical objects or natural tions will languish unless they can resources. Rather, it is about “institu- quickly and cheaply put their prodtions”—the framework within which ucts into the hands of consumers. Sea human beings think, interact, and transport did not become safe, efficient, and cheap until two centuries carry on business.

Economic history tells us that there ago with the development of steam are four institutions that are the prereq- power, and land transport did not foluisites for economic growth. I consider low suit until about fifty years later.

Not until all four of these legs— them as the four legs of the table of ecoproperty rights, science and reason, nomic wealth: The first leg is secure effective capital markets, and effiproperty rights, not only for physical cient transport and communication— property, but also for intellectual property and one’s own person—civil liber- are in place can a nation prosper.

These four legs were not securely in ties.

Innovators and entrepreneurs must place in the English-speaking world rest secure that the fruits of their labors until about 1820. Not until much later will not be arbitrarily confiscated, by did the four legs begin to spread all over the state, by criminals, or by monopo- the globe.

The absence of even one of these lists. The assurance that a person can legs endangers economic progress keep most of his just reward is the right that guarantees all other rights. A gov- and human welfare; kicking out just ernment that fails to control inflation or one of these legs will topple the table maintain proper banking controls, such upon which the wealth of a nation as present-day Venezuela’s, steals from rests. This occurred in the world’s its citizens as surely as any thief would. communist states with the loss of In 15th to 18th century Europe, govern- property rights, and in much of the ment-granted monopolies, while highly Middle East with the absence of capiprofitable to those who exercised them, tal markets and Western scientific rasapped the incentive of the rest of the tionalism. Most tragic of all, in much of Africa, all four legs are still essennation.

The second leg is a systematic proce- tially absent.

If our political and economic leaddure for examining and interpreting the ers fail to strengthen the nation’s inworld—science and reason.

Economic progress depends on the stitutional legs and learn from ecodevelopment and commercialization of nomic history, we will surely be left “ideas.” The inventive process requires in its wake. a supportive intellectual framework— eric.jurado@gmail.com an infrastructure of rational thought, FROM WHERE I STAND

News

A6

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2018 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

IN BRIEF Approval of waste mgt plans expedited THE National Solid Waste Management Commission is doing its best to expedite the approval process for the 10-year solid waste management plans submitted by over 1,600 cities and municipalities, a ranking official of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources on Thursday said.

Undersecretary for Solid Waste Management and Local Government Unit Concerns Benny Antiporda said out of the more than 1,600 applications, only 400 SWMPs have been approved as early as 2014.

“We have a backlog of around 1,200 SWMPs. That’s why we really need to fast track the approval process so the LGUs may implement their respective plans for addressing garbage problems in their localities,” he said.

He revealed the DENR-led body Manila had approved the SWMPs of 67 Standard LGUs TODAY during its three en banc meetings in October.

The SWMPs cover 2014-2023, 2015-2024, 2017-2026, and 2018-2027.

Among those approved last month were the SWMPs of the cities of Legazpi, Calapan and Mandaue, and several municipalities in Abra, Pampanga, Oriental Mindoro, Cebu, Bohol, Iloilo, Zamboanga del Norte, Saranggani and Maguindanao.

“Starting November, the NSWMC will try to approve 100 SWMPs a month until the backlog is cleared,” Antiporda said.

“Before, the NSWMC used to approve only 10 or 20 plans a month,” he added. Rio Araja

QC officials question CoA report Q

By Rio N. Araja

UEZON City Mayor Herbert Bautista as well as exmayor and House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. want the Commission on Audit to explain the basis of its report that Makati City has dislodged Quezon City as the country’s richest locality in 2017.

In an interview, city administrator Aldrin Cuña said he would write CoA chairperson Michael Aguinaldo “within the week” to ask what the basis of the commission’s audit finding was.

“I think it [CoA] has an insufficient basis that Makati City is no. 1. Come to think of it, Quezon City has a P19billion budget, while Makati has a P15-

billion budget only,” he told the Manila Standard.

“It is just okay if Makati has overtaken in terms of infrastructure and removable assets. Our city is so much bigger in land area than Makati,” he said.

“We expect CoA’s report to change after I have written the commission,” he added.

He said the city had other infra“Did Quezon City include that [in its structure projects that had not yet assets]?” he questioned. been completed.

“So in other words, that is an unfair “We will explain that to CoA. As of comparison. Let me try... I have figured now, the financial assets of both cities it out that it could be the reason. I’ll try have not yet been taken up,” he said. to look into it if there is a [uniform] for“It is understandable why such report mula. I will talk to CoA. I will ask the showed Makati is the richest when we chairman if they are using the same critalk about infrastructure projects,” he teria. If that is the case, then everyone cited. must use the same criteria,” he told the The Makati City gover nment Manila Standard. credited its total assets of P196.57 bilCOA’s 2017 audit report posted on its lion or an increase of over P141 billion official website said Makati had a total in 2017 against its 2016 assets of P54.85 asset of P196,573.76 billion with Qubillion to the inclusion of public infra- ezon City on the second spot with total structure projects in the computation of assets of P68,332.47 billion. its 2017 assets.

In 2016, Quezon City topped the list Belmonte, a District 4 representative with total assets of P59.56 billion with on his last term, asked “how can that Makati City on second spot with P54.85 CYAN billion MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK happen?” total assets.

PAL suspends 120 flights Nov. 15-20

By Joel E. Zurbano

MBDA creation welcomed by solon A LEGISLATOR on Thursday welcomed the move of the House of Representatives to approve on second reading a bill which seeks to create the Metro Bataan Development Authority.

Rep. Jose Enrique Garcia III of Bataan, principal author of the bill, said the bill’s enactment shall fulfill the State policy to encourage local government units to group themselves to coordinate their efforts, services, and resources for purposes commonly beneficial to their respective constituencies as provided under the Constitution, the Local Government Code of 1991, and other pertinent national laws.

“It has been the policy of the State that the territorial and political subdivisions of the State shall enjoy genuine and meaningful local autonomy to enable the local governments to attain their fullest development as self-reliant communities and make them more effective partners in the attainment of national goals,” said Garcia, vice chairman of the House Committee on Energy.

Garcia’s proposal calls for the creation of the Metro Bataan Development Authority which shall be under the Office of the President of the Philippines.

It mandates the creation of the Metro Bataan Development Council or Council which shall be the governing board and policymaking body of the MBDA. Under the bill, the Council shall be composed of the Governor of Bataan who shall sit as ex-officio Chairperson of the Council and the Mayors of the City of Balanga, and the Municipalitis of Abucay, Bagac, Dinalupihan, Hermosa, Limay, Mariveles, Morong, Orani, Orion, Pilar, and Samal, as exofficio members. Maricel Cruz

HOMELESS IN NOVEMBER. More than 150 families were affected by a fire in Olivares St. in Barangay Tangos in Navotas City on Thursday morning. Firemen are looking into the cause of the blaze. Andrew Rabulan

263 LGUs win 2018 Seal of Good Governance

By Macon Ramos-Araneta TWO hundred sixty three local government units (LGUs) won the highly coveted Seal of Good Local Governance of the Department of the Interior and Local Government this year., said Senator Sonny Angara.

Out of the total 1,682 LGUs assessed nationwide, Angara said 17 provinces, 39 cities, and 207 municipalities were given the seal during the two-day awarding ceremonies on November 6-7 held at the Manila Hotel where Angara served as guest of honor.

“The seal is the symbol of the intitiatives of the LGUs to improve gheir services tomthe public,”said Angara, chairman of the Senate local government committee.

“By shining a light on what the

SGLG awardees have accomplished, we hopefully show others a path to good governance that they can emulate,” he added.

The DILG has scaled up its overall criteria this year where an LGU has to meet all the requirements provided under seven governance areas: financial administration, disaster preparedness, social protection, peace and order; businessfriendliness and competitiveness, environmental management, and tourism, culture and the arts.

SGLG recipients are entitled to a cash grant of P3 million for each municipality, P5 million for each city, and P7 million for each province.

This year, the top five regions with the most SGLG awardees are the Ilocos Region with 51, followed by Central Luzon (43), and Calabarzon (24), Autonomous

Region of Muslim Mindanao (23), and Cagayan Valley (22).

Angara has sponsored Senate Bill 1843 institutionalizing the SGLG, an incentive program of the DILG that drives LGUs to reach high standards of governance.

The bill already passed third and final reading at the Senate, and Angara is hoping the House of Representatives will also soon approve its own version of the SGLG Act. The Senate bill seeks to add three more governance areas namely education, health, and youth, and to include barangays in the incentive program.

According to Angara, the proposed SGLG Act seeks to promote good public administration among LGUs and further improve their delivery of basic services to their constituencies.

Lucila Espartero Born: Oct. 31, 1948 Died: Nov. 5, 2018 Survived by her children: Flor, Precy & Rey, Rose & Angel, Zyrel and Cyndee.

Siblings: Mila and Imelda. Grandchildren: Dave, James, Precious and Zyrleen.

Her Remains will be brought to Cotabato today. Interment will be on Tuesday, November 13, 2018 at Libungan Public Cemetery.

DONATED MEDICINES. The Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc. and FFCCCII Foundation, Inc. recently turned over assorted medicines and vitamins to San Juan Vice Mayor Janella Ejercito Estrada for her “Botika ni Janella” project to extend assistance to poor patients. Present during the turnover ceremony were FFCCCII Vice President William Yap Castro, Board Member and Social Responsibility Committee Chairman Antonio Cosing, Vice Chairmen Alberto Aquilino and Ng Leung Shun, Directors Lucio Ang and Pedro Tan, and Office Manager Bernie Lim.

PHILIPPINE Airlines is suspending more than 120 flights from Nov. 15 to 20 following the government’s appeal to carriers to reduce the number of flights at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in line with the transition phase leading to an enhanced air navigational system.

“Philippine Airlines is heeding the call by cancelling several flights within the month of November,” said PAL corporate communications head and spokesperson Ma. Cielo Villaluna.

At least 60 domestic flights and 68 international flights will be affected by the said cancellation.

Among the domestic flights affected are to and from Bacolod, Iloilo, Dumaguete, Cagayan de Oro, Dipolog, Tacloban, Puerto Princesa, Laoag, Kalibo, Tagbilaran, Davao, Cotabato and General Santos.

The international flights affected are to and from Hong Kong, Dubai, Pudong, Narita, Singapore, Dammam, Bangkok, Jakarta, Riyadh, Melbourne, Fukuoka, Denpasar, Doha and Xiamen.

Villaluna said affected passengers who have provided their email addresses when they booked their original flights will receive notifications of the cancellation.

“We are advising affected passengers to rebook their flights within thirty days from original travel date; rebooking fees will be waived. Other options available are rerouting and refunding,” she added.

On Thursday, Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines officials said a number of domestic and international flights at the NAIA were canceled by airlines in response to the government’s call to reduce the number of flights.

CAAP chief information officer and spokesperson Eric Apolonio said the request was addressed to all airlines and will be affecting arriving flights from Nov.15 to 20.

P2P buses now being fielded THE Manila International Airport Authority is now fielding its Point-to-Point (P2P) premium buses to two new routes going to Sta. Rosa City in the Province of Laguna and Alabang in Muntinlupa City.

The MIAA’s UBE Express Premium P2P buses will ferry passengers from Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminals 1, 2, 3, and 4 to the following stops at Alabang Town Center and Ayala South Park, Muntinlupa for a fee of P110; and at Robinsons Mall Tagapo and Solenad in Nuvali, both in Sta. Rosa for a fee of P190.

“Starting today, UBE Express, the premium airport bus service opens two new routes, this time in the southern part of Metro Manila. The first route is in the Alabang, Muntinlupa area. Passengers going to NAIA terminals 1, 2, 3, and 4 can ride the bus from Alabang Town Center or Ayala Malls South Park.

The second route is in Sta Rosa, with 2 stations that passengers can choose from – Solenad Ayala or Robinsons Tagapo,” said MIAA in a statement.

Metro Manila Development Authority chairman Danilo Lim praised the airport authority and its private partner for the project.

“I am glad we have this kind of project.

The buses will give more convenience and safety for our passengers. These P2P has a big role and now we have an option and it can help passengers to stay away from abuses among taxis, undisciplined and irresponsible drivers,” said Lim who attended the launching ceremony.

Manuel Gonzales, of the Interagency Council for Traffic (I-ACT), also attended the event.

Sports Ramos eyes No. 3 as Riviera Am unwraps SEAN Ramos seeks to cap a strong season-ending campaign with another victory while Nicole Abelar and Sofia Legaspi brace for a showdown in the women’s side of the Riviera MVPSF Amateur Championship which starts today (Friday, Nov. 9) at Riviera’s Langer course in Silang, Cavite.

Ramos ruled the Cangolf Am Open in wire-to-wire fashion then edged Josh Jorge by one to capture the Northern Luzon Regional at Beverly Place Golf Club last month, making the Orchard bet the marked man in the 54-hole championship presented by the MVP Sports Foundation.

“There are a lot of good players that I’m competing against with this week so I have to hope for the best and with a bit of luck together with my game, everything will work for me,” said Ramos, adding that emphasis will be on long and short game given the wind condition. “Langer is one of the most toughest courses especially when the wind is up.”

But he will be as much tested as the rest of the 24-played field in the Championship Division with Aidric Chan also coming into the event carrying the momentum of two low amateur feats in the country’s pro circuit recently.

“My experience gained in the Philippine Golf Tour made me more mature as a player which will surely help me with my chances,” said Chan. “But I don’t want to put too much expectations on myself so I could just try to enjoy each moment when I am playing.”

Jorge is also in the fold, along with reigning Phl Amateur Open Match Play winner Carl Corpus, Luigi Wong, David Guangko, Miguel Olivarez-Ilas, Rald Sarmiento, Lanz Uy, Leandro Bagtas, Masaichi Otake and Aldo Barro, all geared up for three days of battle of wits at the demanding par-71 layout.

Joining the title hunt in the premier division of the event organized and conducted by the National Golf Association of the Philippines and held as part of the PLDT Group National Amateur Tour are Paolo Barro, Dan Cruz, Joaquin Gomez, Jet Hernandez, Francis Lanuza, Santino Laurel, Ciaran O’Driscoll, Jacob Rolida, Paolo Uy and Joachim Yu and Korean Lee Sang Min. Abelar and Legaspi, meanwhile, banner the equally tough field in their side of the competition with the former shooting for a follow-up to her Cangolf Am triumph last month and the latter out to defend the crown she won over Kayla Nocum via playoff last year.

Garma stuns Torre, seizes chess lead TAGAYTAY City—Veteran IM Chito Garma achieved what many other local players failed to do: Beat Asia’s first GM Eugene Torre.

Garma, one of the country’s strongest players who never became a GM, pulled the rug from under Torre to share the lead with Haifa Olympiad veteran NM Cesar Caturla in the fifth round of the 9th Asian Seniors’ Chess Championship at the Tagaytay International Convention Center here Wednesday.

Garma, a two-time Olympian in Novi Sad (1990) and Manila (1992), defeated Torre in 56 moves of the London opening in a stirring upset that brought to mind similar interesting battles in the past.

The 54-year-old former University of Manila standout, who is seeded fourth with an ELO of 2317, forced Torre to resign under a threat of a mate or a loss of material in the rook and pawn endgame.

The win by Garma snapped Torre’s 12-game winning streak, which included a nine-game sweep of last year’s edition held in Auckland, New Zealand.

It was also the first loss by Torre to a local player since WGM Janelle Mae Frayna defeated him during the 2015 Battle of GMs at the Rizal Memirial Sports Complex.in Manila.

Caturla, who served as coach of the national women’s team in several Olympiads, trounced FM Syarif Mahmud of Indonesia to boost his bid for the US$500 top prize in the 34-player, nine-nation tournament.

Garma and Caturla are only half a point ahead of IM Petronio Roca and a full point clear of Torre, NM Carlo Lorena, IM Angelo Young, Roulzon Roullo and FM Rinas Oleg of Kazakhstan.

Roca demolished Than Khin of Myanmar to raise his score to four points.

Lorena trounced Kuanishbek Jumadullayev of Kazakhstan, Young subdued FM Adrian Pacis, Roullo bested NM Stewart Manaog and Rinas outplayed Tony Davis of Australia in other key matches in the event hosted by the Tagaytay City government, through Cavite 7th District Cong.

Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino Jr. and Tagaytay City Mayor Agnes Tolentino.

A7

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2018 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

PH’s Sy runs 9 in BWC int’l finals th

P

HILIPPINE champion Marie Alexis Sy maintained her steady performance yesterday to collect 3248 pinfalls and boost her bid to make the three-day, 24-game qualifying series in the women’s division of the 54th Bowling World Cup international finals at Sam’s Town Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Sy, who earned a shot at the international title by winning the national championship, scored a high game of 245 and averaged 203 to rank ninth and join two other Southeast Asian bowlers—frontunning Li

Jane Sin of Malaysia with 3441 and fifth-placer Nadia Pramanik Nuramalina of Indonesia (3364)—in the top 10 list.

But the Philippines’ men’s campaigner —Merwin Tan—has to do better in the

third and final eight-game qualifier tomorrow to remain in the running for the prestigious world plum. After 16 games, Tan checked in 24th spot with 3280 pinfalls.

American Kyle Troup led the men’s bidders with 3760 pinfalls, followed

by Finland’s Osku Palermaa with 3656, Canada’s Ryan Reid (3626), Colombia’s Andres Gomez (3598), England’s Sam Rose (3571), Thailand’s Yannaphorn Larpapharat (3548), Australia’s Sam Cooley (3542), Indonesia’s Leonard Lalisang (3499), India’s

Dhruv Sarda (3493) and Norway’s Jonas Dammen (3489).

Venezuela’s Karen Marcano checked in second in the ladies’ group with 3398, followed by Latvia’s Diana Zavalova (3394), Germany’s Nadine Geissler (3377), Norway’s Heidi Thorstensen (3277), USA’s Shannon O’Keefe (3272), Finland’s Sanna Pasanen (3272) and Dominican Republic’s Aumi Guerra (3239).

The top 24 in both divisions after tomorrow’s eight games will advance to the quarterfinals.

PSC boosts ties with CdO for Paragames

LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers gets fouled by Josh Okogie of the Minnesota Timberwolves in front of Tyus Jones during a 114-110 Lakers’ win at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. AFP

Lakers hang on to edge Wolves, 114-110 LOS ANGELES—LeBron James scored 24 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds as the Los Angeles Lakers held on to beat the struggling Minnesota Timberwolves 114-110 at Staples Center.

The Minnesota loss spoiled a superb performance from Derrick Rose who finished with 31 points. Rose also missed a threepointer at the end fourth which would have given the Timberwolves the lead.

Jimmy Butler added 24 for the Timberwolves, who lost their fourth straight and remain winless on the road Meanwhile, Kawhi Leonard returned to the lineup to score 25 points as the Toronto Raptors improved their league-best record to 11-1 with a 114-105 win over the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday.

Leonard, who missed the last two games with a sore ankle, also added 11 rebounds for the Raptors, who have won five straight since losing to Milwaukee

on October 29.Pascal Siakam scored 21 points, Serge Ibaka had 14 points and 14 rebounds, and Kyle Lowry added 16 points and eight assists for the Raptors.

Leonard started slowly but then found his form. The two-time all-star scored 10 points in the second quarter and 10 in the third. He made a clutch three-pointer in the fourth after Sacramento had taken a seven point lead, 106-99.Willie CauleyStein and Buddy Hield scored 24 points apiece for Sacramento. De’Aaron Fox added 20 points, and second overall draft pick Marvin Bagley had 13.

The Kings have lost two straight since winning five in a row.

Elsewhere, Joel Embiid scored 20 points and had 10 rebounds as the Philadelphia 76ers won their first road game of the season with a 100-94 victory over the Indiana Pacers.

Ben Simmons flirted with a triple dou-

ble, finishing with 16 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists for the 76ers, who were 6-0 at home and 0-5 on the road coming into Wednesday’s contest.

“We finally put it together,” said Australia’s Simmons.

In Miami, Hassan Whiteside scored 29 points, pulled down 20 rebounds and blocked nine shots to propel the Miami Heat to their first NBA victory over the San Antonio Spurs since 2014.

Carried the load Whiteside carried the load in a 95-88 Heat win, as Miami made do without veteran star Dwyane Wade who was absent for what the team called personal reasons.

Wayne Ellington scored a seasonhigh 20 points and Justise Winslow added 16 for Miami, who had lost nine straight regular season games to the Spurs and 11 straight when counting the 2014 NBA finals. AFP

THE Philippine Sports Commission and the City of Cagayan De Oro on Thursday agreed to stage yearly the government sports agency’s grassroots sports development program for young kids with disabilities in a well-attended press conference of the “DifferentlyAbled Sports 4 LIFE” Paragames held at Seda Centrio Hotel.

PSC Commissioner Arnold Agustin and Cagayan De Oro City Mayor Oscar Moreno mutually agreed to continue staging the program that is only on its pilot stage out of the city’s priority for the marginalized kids.

“Our focus on young kids with disabilities is one area in sports that needs more priority, kaya po noong makita ko ang sulat mula sa PSC about their ParaGames ay inaprubahan ko agad.

They are on top of our agenda because special class sila. We are seeing now a transformation from our social services to being service providers for the kids,” said Moreno.

Agustin and Moreno’s agreement was witness by Ma. Liza Corpz, CDO PDAO Chief; City Councilor John Michael Seno, Department of Education Senior Division Superintendent Jonathan Dela Peña, PH.D, Xavier School Vice President for Mission and Ministry Irene Guitarte, SPED Coordinator Shirley Merida, DSWD Executive Secretary Michael Christopher Hamello and PWD Council chairman Ronaldo Damaldao together with media that attended.

“This is one historical moment and partnership with PSC, CDO and PWDs. Sports is most important in nation building and the program does not only provide opportunities for our PWDs, but it also includes them in the development.

Itong programa na ito is more than just a program. It is a real bridge for our young PWDs in nation building,” adds Moreno.

“I assure you, regular na kami dito na magsasagawa ng mga games para sa PWDs,” said Agustin.

Run for Reading at McDo Stripes Run ‘18 on Dec. 2

INCENTIVE. Philippine Olympic Committee President Ricky Vargas (2nd from right) presents a P500,000 check to 17-year-old Christian Tio as his incentive from the POC for his silver-medal performance at the recent Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Also in photo are (from left) Manny Cabili of Windsurfing (who accompanied the Tios to the POC office), POC Secretary General Patrick Gregorio, Liezl Tio (Christian’s mother) and POC Communications Director Ed Picson.

GET your red- and white-striped socks on and run for a cause with McDonald’s at this year’s Stripes Run. McDonald’s is inviting everyone to run for reading with family and friends on Dec. 2 at the SM Mall of Asia Concert Grounds.

Each registration for this year’s Stripes Run will help in donating reading kits to grades 1 and 2 public school children through Ronald McDonald Read to Learn, a beginning reading program of the Ronald McDonald House Charities.

RMHC’s Read to Learn program, which started in 2002, is a partnership with the Department of Education that aims to improve the literary skills of Filipino students while they are at the early stage of learning.

To date, the Read to Learn program has enrolled close to 10,000 partner schools nationwide—reaching more than 12 million students. With basic reading skills they get from Ronald McDonald Read to Learn Program, the kids are set to learn more

throughout their school years.

Registration for Stripes Run 2018 is easy and simple, with three possible options to choose from: Register and pay online at mcdostripesrun.com.ph.

Download the form on mcdostripesrun. com.ph, and settle the registration fee at select McDonald’s stores.

Fill-up the registration form and pay at select McDonald’s stores.

For an affordable price, you get a race kit that includes a Stripes Run shirt, 1 pair of Striped Socks, 1 Race Bib, 1 McDonald’s Breakfast Meal and 1 Race Map. This year’s McDo Stripes Run will have the following race categories: Kiddie stripes (1K)–8 years old and below, Young stripes (3K)–8-15 years old, 3K stripes–16 years old and up, Family stripes (3K)–2 kids (15 years old and below) and 2 adults, 5K stripes–16 and up, Squad stripes (5K) –4 adults (16 years old and up) and 10K stripes–16 and up

Blue Dragons rout Knights for Martin Cup cage plum THE defending champion Diliman College Blue Dragons earned another title after repulsing the Letran Knights, 103-86, recently in the senior division finals of 16th Fr. Martin Cup Division 2 basketball tournament.

Kevine Gandjeto, a 6’4” forward from Benin, put in a game-high 20 points for the Blue Dragons, who claimed their third tournament honors at the St. Placid gymnasium of the San Beda University-Manila campus in Mendiola.

Joseph Brutas added 19 points, while JM Salazar chipped in 15 points for the Blue Dragons, who finished unbeaten after nine games.

In the junior division finals, John Matthew Bravo and Ken Laquibla powered the First City Providential College Eagles of San Jose del Monte, Bulacan to a 77-74 win over the La Consolacion College-Manila Baby Blue Royals.

Bravo and Laquibla hit 19 points for the Eagles, who drew support and cheers from their school president Leo Vinci Simon during the game.

Salazar chipped in nine points in the first period as the Blue Dragons took charge, 31-24.

Gandjeto led a 13-0 blast in the second period, allowing the Blue Dragons to move away, 53-34.

A triple from Brutas at the start of the last period al-

lowed the Blue Dragons to enjoy a 25-point spread, 8560, in the remaining 9:24.

“Thank God, we were blessed with enough endurance to win this one, and players who are hungry to win and are willing to play hard every game,” Rensy Bajar.

So far, the Dragons have won three tournament championships since taking the Collegiate Open honors and the Division 2 plum last year.

The Knights, behind King Caralipio and Jap Pambid with 16 and 13 points, made it to the finals after putting away the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Muntinlupa Marshals, 94-80.

Sports

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

A8

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2018

F2 Logistics dominates Cocolife in PSL Games Tomorrow: (Alonte Sports Arena) 12 noon – La Salle-Dasmarinas vs FEU 2:00 p.m. – CSA-Binan vs UP 4:00 p.m. – Cignal vs Generika-Ayala 6:00 p.m. – Petron vs F2 Logistics

A WELL-RESTED F2 Logistics squad flexed its muscles as it dominated Cocolife, 25-13, 25-16, 25-8, in the Philippine Superliga All-Filipino Conference yesterday at the Filoil Flying V Centre.

Aby Marano was impressive on both ends as she towed the Cargo Movers to their third straight victory in this prestigious women’s club tourney bankrolled by Isuzu, Sogo, Senoh, Asics, Mikasa, Mueller, UCPB Gen and Bizooku with Genius Sports as technical partner.

Marano, the skipper of the national squad that saw action in the Asian Games for the first time in 36 years, tallied 10 attacks, three blocks and three aces for game-high 16 points for the Cargo Movers, who are out to gain momentum before their gigantic battle against Petron on Saturday at the Alonte Sports Arena in Binan City.

The Cargo Movers were the queens of this season-ending conference until the Blaze Spikers knocked the crown off their heads via a dramatic finals victory last year.

Petron also clobbered F2 Logistics in a thrilling finals showdown in the Grand Prix early this year with American import Katherine Bell joining Lindsay Stalzer as a last-minute substitute to injured Hillary Hurley.

F2 Logistics head coach Ramil de Jesus knows that their battle with their rival will never be easy so a morale-boosting win is what they need right now.

“We had a good rest prior to this game,” said de Jesus after notching their third straight victory in the early stretch of this tourney that also has ESPN5, Aksyon TV and Hyper HD as broadcast partners.

“That rest and recovery had very good effect to them because they had good connection on the court.”

F2’s Kim Dy is foiled by the Cocolife’s Kalei Mau and Arianna Angustia in the PH Superliga, with the Cargo Movers pulling off a 25-13, 25-16, 25-8 win.

Fajardo, Pringle in 2-way tiff for pro league’s MVP crown

F

OR the first time in a long while, JuneMar Fajardo’s dominance in the Most Valuable Player race is being seriously threatened.

After playing only two games in the PBA Governors’ Cup eliminations, San Miguel Beer’s Fajardo has found a challenger in his bid for a record fifth MVP award in the person of NorthPort guard Stanley Pringle.

The 2015 Rookie of the Year awardee zoomed to the top in the stats’ race with a cumulative average of 35.5 points, relegating Fajardo down to second with 33.2.

The reigning four-time MVP winner had been the stats’ leader all season long until his need to take a rest to heal a stress fracture.

In the mere two games he played in the elims in the season-ending tourney, Fajardo collected an SP (statistical points) average of just 11.00, resulting in his slide in the standings.

Barangay Ginebra’s Japeth Aguilar is at third with 32.9, NorthPort’s Sean Anthony is at fourth with 31.3 and another Ginebra player in Scottie Thompson rounds out the Top Five with 30.8.

Thompson breaking the Top Five has made him a top favorite for the Most Improved Player plum.

The next five are Phoenix Petroleum’s Matthew Wright (30.6), three SMB stars

in Alex Cabagnot (30.2), Arwind Santos (30.0), Marcio Lassiter (29.9) and Alaska Milk new main man Vic Manuel (29.0).

Barely outside the Top 10 are Blackwater’s JP Erram (28.4), TNT KaTropa’s Jayson Castro (28.2) and Magnolia’s Paul Lee (27.5).

Fajardo has dropped down to No. 2 in the stats’ race but may still have a good case for himself in the balloting with his Best Player of the Conference awards in the Philippine Cup and in the Commissioner’s Cup. Meanwhile, Phoenix Petroleum forward Jason Perkins is the leading contender for the Rookie of the Year award.

It could well be an all-La Sallite battle for the top rookie plum, with Jeron Teng (18.3) behind Perkins (23.4) in the race.

Top draft pick Christian Standhardinger

Fajardo

and No. 2 selection Kiefer Ravena are out of the race as they failed to meet the required minimum number of games a contender must play in the season.

Floyd cancels bout with Japanese BOXING superstar Floyd Mayweather on Wednesday scrapped a planned fight with a Japanese kickboxer, claiming he had been duped into agreeing to the contest.

In a lengthy statement posted on social media, Mayweather said he had been “blindsided” by organizers of the proposed bout against Tenshin Nasukawa, set for New Year’s Eve in Saitama.

“I want it to be clear that I, Floyd Mayweather, never agreed to an official bout with Tenshin Nasukawa,” Mayweather wrote on Instagram.

The 41-year-old retired welterweight champion said he had travelled to Japan last week to discuss participating in a private bout against Nasukawa for a “small group of wealthy spectators for a very large fee.”

“This exhibition was previously arranged as a ‘Special Bout’ purely for entertainment purposes with no intentions of being represented as an official fight nor televised worldwide,” Mayweather wrote.

Soon after arriving at a press conference in Tokyo on Monday, Mayweather said he and his team “were completely derailed by the new direction this event was going.”

“We should have put a stop to it immediately,” Mayweather wrote.

“I want to sincerely apologize to my fans for the very misleading information that was announced during this press conference.

“I can assure you that I too was completely blindsided by the arrangements that were being made without my consent or approval.”

In Tokyo on Monday, Mayweather had

vowed to give “blood, sweat and tears” in the fight against Nasukawa.

“It’s always been a goal of mine to go outside out of the US and display my talent. The world has never seen Mayweather compete live in (Japan),” Mayweather told reporters at the press conference, framing the fight as an expansion of his businesses to the Far East.

Mayweather has not fought since his money-spinning boxing showdown with mixed martial arts star Conor McGregor in Las Vegas in 2017. Mayweather returned to retirement following that bout with a perfect 50-0 unbeaten record.

However the American has repeatedly hinted at coming out of retirement since that fight, most recently teasing a possible rematch against Filipino icon Manny Pacquiao.

Nasukawa, 20, meanwhile, had told reporters on Monday it had been an “easy decision” to agree to fight Mayweather.

“It was a surprise offer but I accepted without hesitation,” said Nasukawa.

“I don’t care what the rules are. I want to be the man who changes history. I’ll do that with these fists, with one punch—just watch.”

Mayweather said he had been reluctant to speak out at Monday’s press conference because he did not want “to create a huge disturbance by combating what was being said.”

“I am a retired boxer that earns an unprecedented amount of money, globally, for appearances, speaking engagements and occasional small exhibitions,” he said.

NCAA defers action on 3 coaches

By Peter Atencio FOR now, Lyceum Pirates’ coach Topex Robinson and two coaches of the College of St. Benilde Blazers will be spared of sanctions for speaking against the Management Committee of the National Collegiate Athletic Association over their decision to suspend Pirates’ cager CJ Perez.

Decisions and actions against Robinson and CSB coaches TY Tang and

Charles Tiu will be done after the finals of the 94th NCAA men’s basketball tournament is finished.

“The Mancom decided to give CSB and LPU coaches enough time to finish the remaining final games. Then, after which we are putting continuance to the proceedings in the spirit of sportsmanship and with the best intetest of the league,” said the Mancom, headed by Frank Gusi of the University of Perpetual Help.

The Mancom discussed the statements made by Robinson, Tang and Tiu on the league’s decision to sanction Perez after he joined the rookie draft of the Philippine Basketball Association without notifying the league.

“The reason it’s painful for us is because CJ didn’t do anything wrong. Hindi naman siya nag-ligang labas,” said Robinson, whose opinion was backed by Tang and Tiu.

IN BRIEF

Fitch expects more telecom competition

FITCH Ratings Inc. said Thursday it expects more intense competition in the Philippine telecommunications industry with the entry of a new major player that could temper the growth of the duopoly PLDT Inc. and Globe Telecom Inc. The London-based credit ratings agency said with China Telecom’s consortium with Udenna Corp. emerging as the provisional third telco in the Philippines, the long-standing duopoly in the market would likely end.

The Mislatel consortium was declared as the provisional new major player and now qualifies for the next stage of screening to undergo further detailed evaluation by the National Telecommunications Commission.

The two other consortia Philippine Telegraph and Telephone Corp. and Chavit Singson’s Sear Telecom were disqualified during the Nov. 7 bidding process.

“The third telco is initially likely to compete aggressively on price as it strives to grab market share in an already highly saturated mobile market,” Fitch said.

“We expect a large cash burn for the new entrant to roll out its network, and consequently, only a newcomer with deep pockets and technical expertise would be able to compete effectively against the incumbents,” it said. Darwin G. Amojelar

Business

China Bank posted P5.56-b earnings

CHINA Banking Corp., the seventh-largest lender in terms of assets, said net income fell 2 percent in the first nine months to P5.56 billion from P5.68 billion in the same period last year on lower trading gains.

China Bank said in a statement consolidated operating income rose 8 percent year-on-year to P20.72 billion, driven by sustained growth of its core businesses.

“Excluding trading and one-off gains, operating income was up 16 percent. Gross customer loans increased 16 percent to P507.83 billion with growth across all segments, and consumer lending growing by 19 percent,” it said.

Total deposits rose 20 percent to P691.66 billion, supported by a 29-percent growth in low-cost deposits to P394.98 billion.

Interest earnings from loans and investment securities led to a 20-percent increase in net interest income to P17.08 billion.

Year-to-date net interest margin improved to 3.17 percent.

Non-interest revenues dropped 26 percent to P3.64 billion. Operating expenses for the nine-month period reached P13.11 billion, while assets grew 18 percent to P816.20 billion, driven by loan expansion.

Julito G. Rada

ASIA RETAIL CONFERENCE. The Japanese Retailers Association invites the Department of Trade and Industry’s Go Lokal!

Program to participate in the 2019 Asia Pacific Retailers Conference in Chongquing, China. Go Lokal! will team up with the Philippine Retailers Association. Shown after their meeting at the Philippine Trade and Investment Center-DTI Tokyo are (from left) JRA executive Hideo Takano, PTIC-DTI Tokyo counsellor Dita Mathay, JRA secretary general director Hideaki Suzuki, DTI Assistant Secretary Rosvi Gaetos and JRA international division director Tatsuaki Zenki.

GDP growth slowed to 6.1% in third quarter T

By Julito G. Rada

HE gross domestic product grew 6.1 percent year-onyear in the third quarter, slower than 6.2 percent in the second quarter and 7.2 percent a year ago, dragged down by a slump in farm output and sluggish household consumption amid high consumer prices.

The Philippine Statistics Authority said the 0.4-percent contraction in the agriculture sector offset the 6.9-percent expansion of services and 6.2-percent growth of industrial output.

“These third-quarter numbers confirm our earlier hypothesis about the weakness of our agricultural sector that was not helped by having a highly regulated trading regime, let alone expected weather disturbances,” Economic Plan-

ning Secretary Ernesto Pernia said in a news briefing.

The third-quarter GDP expansion brought the average growth in the first nine months to 6.3 percent, below the interagency Development Budget Coordination Committee’s revised target range of 6.5 percent to 6.9 percent for the year.

Net primary income grew 5.6 percent in the third quarter, resulting in the 6-percent expansion of gross national income, Pernia said despite the 6.1-percent growth, the Philippine economy remained one of the fastest-growing in Asia, next to Vietnam at 7 percent, China at 6.5 percent and ahead of Indonesia at 5.2 percent.

“We are concerned about the thirdquarter growth numbers, not because it fell below expectations, which stood at 6.3 percent. We are concerned about this slowdown, not because it makes the DBCC growth target for the year much more challenging. Rather, we are concerned, because the reason for the slowdown, among others, is the slowdown in household consumption, particularly

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

Dollar

1.000000

52.9920

Japan

Yen

0.008809

0.4668

UK

Pound

1.313800

69.6209

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.127719

6.7681

Switzerland

Franc

0.998602

52.9179

Canada

Dollar

0.762660

40.4149

Singapore

Dollar

0.729395

38.6521

Australia

Dollar

0.727700

38.5623

Bahrain

Dinar

2.654210

140.6519

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266603

14.1278

Brunei

Dollar

0.726744

38.5116

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000069

0.0037

Thailand

Baht

0.030497

1.6161

UAE

Dirham

0.272272

14.4282 60.6281

Euro

Euro

1.144100

Korea

Won

0.000896

0.0475

China

Yuan

0.144479

7.6562

India

Rupee

0.013805

0.7316

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.240154

12.7262

New Zealand

Dollar

0.678200

35.9392

Taiwan

Dollar

0.032727

1.7343

Source: PDS Bridge

By Othel V. Campos

ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR. Ever Bilena chief executive Dioceldo Sy bags the 2018 Regus Entrepreneur of the Year award during the 2018 Asia CEO Awards. The award is a testament to Ever Bilena’s dedication to bring affordable and high-quality beauty products to Filipinas. The country’s leading cosmetics company headed by Sy continues to grow since its establishment. With Dioceldo Sy (left) is chief operating officer Siliman Sy.

Dubai’s Lloyds Energy eyes Batangas LNG hub

By Alena Mae S. Flores DUBAI-BASED Lloyds Energy submitted a letter of interest to state-run Philippine National Oil Co. to participate in the selection of the agency’s joint-venture partner to design, build, finance, operate and maintain the Batangas liquefied natural gas hub.

Lloyds Energy also purchased eligibility requirements and confirmed the attendance of its representatives to the pre-eligibility conference set by PNOC on Nov. 16.

PNOC recently launched the solicited, competitive tender to select its joint venture partner to develop the LNG project in Batangas.

Lloyds Energy, along with China Kai-

the marked slowdown in the household spending on food and other basic products,” Pernia said.

He said with the latest numbers, the Philippines should expand by at least 7 percent in the fourth quarter to attain the low-end of the government’s target range of 6.5 percent to 6.9 percent growth for the whole of 2018.

Pernia said the 5.2-percent expansion in household consumption in the third quarter was the slowest since the 5-percent rise in the third quarter of 2014.

“And that is exactly why the government has swiftly moved to boost consumer confidence and tame inflation. With the measures we have been pushing for, the slowdown in household spending is deemed to be abatable and temporary. But we can only do so much.

We need the support of many stakeholders here, especially the legislature and the media,” Pernia said.

He said the faster inflation rate, which hit a nine-year high 6.7 percent in September, caused the slowdown in household spending. Inflation in the first nine months averaged 5 percent, above the target range of 2 percent to 4 percent.

Construction sector picks up as govt builds infra projects

Thursday, November 8, 2018

Currency

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2018

B1

By Darwin G. Amojelar

F OREIGN E XCHANGE R ATE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas United States

business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com

PLDT’s profit declined 25% to P16.48b in nine months

PNB’s earnings surged to P7.5b

PHILIPPINE National Bank, the fifthlargest lender in terms of assets controlled by tycoon Lucio Tan, said consolidated net income surged 67 percent in the first nine months to P7.5 billion from a year ago.

PNB said in a statement Thursday the strong performance was led by the 36-percent growth in total operating income.

Comprising almost two-thirds of total operating income, the bank’s net interest income grew 24 percent to P20 billion from P16.2 billion a year earlier, driven by higher loan volumes coupled with improving net interest margins.

Net service fees and commission income reached P2.5 billion, or P142 million better than a year ago. Trading and foreign exchange gains went down to P1.42 billion, given muted trading opportunities brought about by the continuing upward movement of interest rates.

The bank booked higher net gains on disposal of foreclosed properties at P4.6 billion during the period as a result of its continuing strategy of reducing non-earning assets.

PNB said excluding these non-recurring gains on the sale of foreclosed assets, the growth in total operating income remained high at 18 percent year-on-year.

Julito G. Rada

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

cheng Energy Ltd., has a proposal for the development and construction of an integrated LNG hub.

PNOC is one of the three companies shortlisted by the Department of Energy to build and operate the first liquefied natural gas import terminal.

Lloyds Energy’s earlier expressed interest to pursue several major projects with PNOC to enhance and strengthen their relations through the establishment of joint venture agreements and maximize the potential of their expertise and capabilities to develop the LNG industry in the Philippines.

“Aside from the LNG Project, Lloyds Energy intends to pursue other projects with the PNOC particularly in the devel-

opment of LNG facilities, oil reserves and the training of Filipino manpower for work in LNG industries in the Philippines and overseas,” the company said.

Officials of Lloyds Energy including chief operating officer David Howe and executive director Brett Wight met with PNOC president and chief executive Reuben Lista to express Lloyds Energy’s interest in pursuing the projects.

“We believe in the vision of the PNOC under the leadership of president Lista to invest not only in the development and construction of LNG facilities but also in the training of Filipino workers to improve their skills and abilities and contribute in the growth of the LNG industry in the Philippines,” said Wight.

THE construction sector picked up this year as the government built more projects under the ‘Build, Build, Build’ program, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said Thursday.

Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed the construction sector grew 16.1 percent in the third quarter from a year ago.

The growth was driven by the acceleration in both public and private construction. Data showed that public construction surged 25.4 percent in the third quarter, while private construction rose 12.1 percent.

Lopez said the private sector in 2017 accounted for 74 percent of the construction, while public construction had 26 percent.

“However, in the first semester of 2018, the share of public construction increased to 32 percent, consistent with the surge in government spending on infrastructure projects,” Lopez said at the opening of the 3rd Philippine Construction Industry Congress and the 29th PhilConstruct Expo.

The two events were organized by the Philippine Constructors Association and the Construction Industry Authority of the Philippines.

Construction output accounted for nearly 6 percent of the gross domestic product on average over the 2010 to 2017 period.

Data showed that construction’s share to GDP climbed to 6.5 percent in the first half of 2018 from 6.2 percent a year ago.

The construction industry also contributed 32.8 percent to overall capital investments in the country in the first semester of 2018.

PLDT Inc. said Thursday net profit dropped by a quarter in the first nine months from a year ago, as the income last year was boosted by asset sales.

The country’s largest telecom company posted a net income of P16.48 billion in January to September, down from P21.87 billion in the same period last year.

PLDT said profit in the third quarter declined to P4.5 billion from P5.38 billion a year ago.

It said excluding foreign exchange gains and other non-recurring income, core profit without Voyager Inc. amounted to P19.07 billion in the ninemonth period, up by 5 percent from last year’s P18.12 billion.

PLDT chairman, president and chief executive Manuel Pangilinan said the robust home and enterprise business as well as wireless business were expected to provide an even more powerful lift to the overall business of PLDT and Smart.

“This will enable us to deal more effectively with the challenges that will posed by heightened competition from players old and new,” he said.

Pangilinan said the company kept its core profit guidance for 2018 (excluding Voyager) at P23 billion to P24 billion, and capital expenditures at P58 billion.

Revenues hit P111.88 billion in the first nine months, up 4 percent from last year’s P113.35 billion.

PLDT’s home business revenues grew 12 percent to P27.3 billion, while the enterprise business expanded 10 percent to P28.4 billion.

Individual wireless services revenues continued to gain momentum – rising 4 percent to P45.5 billion in the first nine months. This marked the fourth consecutive quarter of growth for this business group.

PLDT said it was also expecting to close the $175-million investment of KKR and Tencent Holdings Ltd. in Voyager Innovations Inc. by end of this month.

Japan provides P18.8-b loan for MRT-3 upgrade THE Finance Department and Japan International Cooperation Agency on Thursday signed a 38.1-billion-yen (P18.76 billion) loan agreement for the upgrading and rehabilitation of Metro Rail Transit Line-3 system.

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III signed on behalf of the Philippines, while Jica senior vice president Yasushi Tanaka signed on behalf of the government of Japan. The project aims to improve the safety, reliability and level of service of the 16.9-kilometer light rail system with 13 stations spanning across Edsa.

The Finance Department said given the urgency of the rehabilitation of the line, the Philippine government adopted the “fast and sure” approach” with Japan in processing the approval of the loan for the project, in record time of less than three months.

The board of the National Economic and Development Authority chaired by President Rodrigo Duterte gave the go-signal for the project on Aug. 22, which was followed 77 days later by the signing of the loan agreement Thursday.

“This is by far the fastest loan processing we have completed,” Dominguez said after the signing ceremony and exchange of notes on the loan agreement.

Dominguez thanked Japan for its “generous financing support” for the project and for moving as fast as the Philippine government had done to get the rehabilitation of the MRT-3 started.

Dominguez assured the riding public that the government “will rebuild and reinvent this vital rail service as quickly as possible.”

He said the MRT-3, which has “degraded to a sad state” and “brought our commuters unspeakable hardship” to the point of becoming “a symbol of where our country fails” would not only be rehabilitated but its operations also expanded and modernized with the help of this ODA loan from Japan. Julito G. Rada

B2

Business

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2018 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Market closes flat; Globe drops T HE stock market closed virtually flat Thursday in cautious trading after a disappointing government report on the performance of the economy in the third quarter of the year.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index added just 1.78 points, or 0.03 percent, to 7,035.71 on a value turnover of P8.4 billion. Losers, however, overwhelmed gainers, 132 to 70, with 50 issues unchanged Growth in the gross domestic product slowed to 6.1 percent in the third quarter from 7.2 year-on-year and the revised 6.2 percent a quarter ago, pulled down again by the sluggish output of

the agricultural sector and a decline in household consumption due to higher inflation.

Economic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia said trade, construction, and manufacturing were the main drivers of growth during the period.

ISM Communications Corp., a member of the group that provisionally won the slot for the country’s third major telecommunications company, surged 13.5 percent to P6.30, while conglomerate San Miguel Corp. climbed 3.9 percent to P170.

LT Group Inc. of airline and tobacco tycoon Lucio Tan rose 2.4 percent to P15.16, but Globe Telecom Inc., the second-biggest telecom firm, fell 5 percent to P1,823.

The rest of Asian markets mostly rose Thursday, building on a global rally as investors bet that gridlock in Washington will clip Donald Trump’s wings,

rowing costs closely watched in light of the midterm election results.

Bets the central bank would lift rates again next month and continue to do so through 2019 have been a major cause of worry on trading this year but with the chances of more Trump tax cuts greatly reduced, expectations have been tempered.

However, analysts do not expect the Fed to alter its most recent outlook for the economy, with Ian Shepherdson of Pantheon Macroeconomics, saying: “The economic picture hasn’t changed meaningfully since the September meeting, despite the gyrations in the stock market.”

But with Democrats now controlling the House and ready to hold the president to account, observers expect them to push back against a number of his measures, though work with him on others such as infrastructure spending leading into the 2020 vote. With AFP

preventing him from driving through measures that would likely push up US interest rates.

All three main Wall Street indexes ended more than two percent higher.

And the positive mood was reflected in Asia, where Tokyo climbed 1.8 percent.

Hong Kong added 0.4 percent but Shanghai dipped 0.2 percent with investors unmoved by data showing Chinese exports jumped more than forecast in October. Analysts put the figures down to companies ramping up business before painful US tariffs kick in at the end of the year, with expectations for similar results tipped before January.

Seoul jumped 0.7 percent, Sydney and Wellington each put on 0.5 percent, and Taipei added 0.4 percent. There were also gains in Bangkok and Jakarta.

Attention now turns to the end of the Federal Reserve’s policy meeting later in the day, with its plans for hiking bor-

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2018

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

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

58 82 2.31 118.5 1.33 28 7.6 15.3 11 3.97 7.71 1.48 830 0.47 65 0.84 11 19.98 39.4 185.2 105.4 28 143.8 1,830 66 1.16

59.5 82.8 2.31 120.2 1.34 28.05 7.6 15.7 11 3.97 7.81 1.5 830 0.47 66 0.84 11 20 39.75 189.8 105.4 28 145.5 1,830 66.5 1.16

57.85 80.1 2.23 115 1.33 27.85 7.6 15.3 10.5 3.8 7.71 1.48 830 0.435 64.5 0.8 10.8 19.98 39.25 180 104.9 27.7 138.9 1,830 65.95 1.15

FINANCIALS 59.5 26,740 82.8 1,364,010 2.23 72,000 119 1,682,130 1.33 139,000 28 109,900 7.6 200 15.7 900 10.66 828,400 3.93 82,000 7.81 1,900 1.5 18,000 830 60 0.435 990,000 65.55 3,340,200 0.82 1,160,000 10.8 15,600 20 1,800 39.25 167,500 180 4,930 104.9 1,980 27.8 55,500 143 588,140 1,830 95 66 2,840 1.15 8,000

1,567,771 112,291,684 163,170 199,090,679 184,970 3,076,480 1,520 14,010 8,790,968 312,750 14,729 26,690 49,800 446,100 218,989,129 941,980 168,516 35,986 6,600,680 898,696 208,130 1,541,245 83,563,371 173,850 187,423.50 9,270

616,709 -6,423,633.50 -13,784,955 134,330 -428,400 -2,849,784 4,700 -80,156,389.50 -3,793,985 218,656 17,383,594 -82,350 -44,870 -

ABOITIZ POWER AGRINURTURE ALLIANCE SELECT ALSONS CONS BASIC ENERGY BOGO MEDELLIN CEMEX HLDG CENTURY FOOD CHEMPHIL CIRTEK HLDG CNTRL AZUCARERA CONCEPCION CONCRETE A CONCRETE B 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 ENERGY PHX PETROLEUM PILIPINAS SHELL RFM CORP ROXAS AND CO ROXAS HLDG SFA SEMICON SHAKEYS PIZZA SMC FOODANDBEV SPC POWER SWIFT FOODS TKC METALS UNIV ROBINA VICTORIAS VITARICH VULCAN INDL

33.8 17.6 0.93 1.23 0.209 94 1.98 13.3 171.5 37 15 35.5 61.25 78.15 1.51 4.3 6.6 10.78 14.78 8.81 6.94 16.4 63.75 24 1.5 6.29 10.16 1.54 278.8 49.95 4.7 25.8 10.32 17.76 365 0.173 5.9 1.59 3.95 8.17 4.65 0.98 10.56 49.3 4.79 2 2.9 1.4 10.26 83.9 5.19 0.121 0.89 130.7 2.34 1.41 1.35

33.8 17.94 1 1.27 0.219 94 2.05 13.5 171.6 37.9 15.48 36 61.5 78.15 1.52 4.3 7 11.02 15 8.84 6.97 16.6 64.5 24 1.68 6.29 10.18 1.68 280 52 4.7 25.8 10.32 18.38 377.2 0.175 6.22 1.65 4 8.2 4.66 1.04 10.98 50.5 4.79 2.14 2.9 1.44 10.26 83.9 5.2 0.121 0.9 132 2.34 1.46 1.78

32.2 17.5 0.92 1.22 0.206 94 1.96 13.28 171.5 36.8 15 35.5 60.75 78.1 1.5 4.14 6.46 10.64 14.78 8.66 6.92 16.24 63.75 24 1.45 6.01 9.67 1.47 271.2 49.95 4.7 25.05 10 17.38 361 0.16 5.86 1.51 3.91 8.09 4.02 0.98 10.56 48.25 4.6 1.9 2.64 1.4 10.1 82.1 5.19 0.121 0.84 129 2.34 1.29 1.31

INDUSTRIAL 32.7 882,200 17.66 944,400 0.99 9,400,000 1.25 310,000 0.215 2,790,000 94 10 2 3,318,000 13.32 475,200 171.6 270 37 311,300 15.48 13,300 36 8,900 60.75 4,780 78.1 260 1.51 724,000 4.14 42,000 7 23,200 10.96 2,854,600 14.8 56,500 8.66 215,400 6.97 403,800 16.6 1,301,700 64.4 68,770 24 2,000 1.6 49,872,000 6.18 91,200 9.7 1,937,600 1.68 1,918,000 280 815,650 52 710 4.7 4,000 25.35 199,100 10.04 286,400 18 5,872,600 377.2 206,220 0.16 2,680,000 6.15 6,800 1.52 807,000 4 137,000 8.18 1,693,100 4.2 207,000 1.01 1,880,000 10.9 90,600 49.6 845,000 4.6 17,000 2.14 406,000 2.67 56,000 1.44 367,000 10.12 2,472,200 82.5 1,472,580 5.2 110,000 0.121 10,000 0.86 224,000 130.4 795,290 2.34 14,000 1.39 7,517,000 1.78 94,068,000

28,847,055 16,760,892 9,106,650 382,760 579,420 940 6,592,640 6,336,018 46,329 11,501,615 199,996 320,100 291,464.50 20,316 1,087,840 180,280 158,019 31,134,896 835,786 1,896,778 2,800,251 21,347,298 4,412,794 48,000 76,819,540 563,246 19,005,192 2,888,470 225,951,558 36,339 18,800 5,066,160 2,885,346 104,832,146 76,550,052 441,990 40,661 1,281,630 539,400 13,798,867 868,530 1,903,000 978,398 41,342,135 79,390 780,590 151,760 519,140 25,028,406 121,446,324 571,519 1,210 195,880 103,596,210 32,760 10,340,450 146,662,710

3,170,340 2,235,808 -123,170 1,240 1,551,520 -665,094 -36,980 -255,600 16,111,332 1,328,593 -1,665,228 -3,150,612.00 1,885,538.50 -1,827,440 392,577 7,811,407 126,400 28,814,624 4,667,310 20,000 -13,198,918 33,386,102 66,630 -337,610 439,258 491,570 -2,621,455 -4,780 1,015,470 -53,329,534.50 -1,210 -18,525,673.00 32,760 -32,560 -212,340

ABACORE CAPITAL ABOITIZ EQUITY ALLIANCE GLOBAL ANSCOR ASIABEST GROUP ATN HLDG A ATN HLDG B AYALA CORP COSCO CAPITAL DMCI HLDG FILINVEST DEV FORUM PACIFIC GT CAPITAL JG SUMMIT KEPPEL HLDG A LODESTAR LOPEZ HLDG LT GROUP MABUHAY HLDG METRO PAC INV PACIFICA PRIME MEDIA PRIME ORION REPUBLIC GLASS SAN MIGUEL CORP SEAFRONT RES SM INVESTMENTS SOC RESOURCES SOLID GROUP SYNERGY GRID TOP FRONTIER WELLEX INDUS

0.425 46.5 11.42 6.2 22.5 1.23 1.23 920 7 12.8 7.08 0.192 718 47.5 3.46 0.53 4.21 14.8 0.52 4.8 0.034 1.12 2.25 2.56 163.6 2.24 880 0.76 1.4 290.2 262 0.219

0.425 47 11.6 6.21 23.35 1.3 1.3 921.5 7.08 12.8 7.4 0.21 718 48.8 3.46 0.53 4.3 15.22 0.53 4.8 0.035 1.12 2.25 2.56 171 2.26 890 0.76 1.4 290.2 278.8 0.219

0.41 45.6 11.32 6.2 22 1.17 1.18 901.5 6.96 12.5 7.08 0.191 690 46.8 3.46 0.49 4.15 14.62 0.5 4.68 0.03 1.1 2.2 2.56 162.1 2.23 866 0.76 1.4 290.2 262 0.202

HOLDING FIRMS 0.42 23,910,000 46.5 1,105,000 11.44 5,311,900 6.2 179,300 23 94,000 1.27 17,282,000 1.3 2,863,000 902.5 218,130 7.05 2,527,100 12.64 10,101,900 7.3 165,900 0.21 240,000 713 106,880 48.3 1,501,100 3.46 1,000 0.52 348,000 4.16 1,206,000 15.16 9,974,000 0.53 5,437,000 4.72 25,473,000 0.034 21,900,000 1.12 236,000 2.21 752,000 2.56 3,000 170 665,280 2.26 16,000 884 228,500 0.76 44,000 1.4 4,000 290.2 30 278.8 110 0.21 8,510,000

9,935,300 51,268,930 60,829,760 1,112,160 2,108,450 20,983,810 3,518,390 197,773,675 17,796,945 128,152,070 1,210,706 49,660 74,891,530 72,313,985 3,460 170,710 5,013,850 149,970,152 2,761,940 120,348,110 705,600 261,320 1,679,000 7,680 112,493,307 35,950 201,354,515 33,440 5,600 8,706 30,500 1,793,710

18,750 16,474,795 -23,726,852 491,160 -24,495 -489,160 -97,562,360 2,517,771 13,387,756 -102,200 3,840 -36,394,890 14,870,335 -597,710 19,340,392 1,494,000 -23,771,550 79,410,383 -99,145,220 -25,092 -

3,368,793 2,869,680 57,140 337,500 421,090 583,735,880 3,211,280 3,137,580 51,173 5,587,550 126,380 112,730 2,707,620 7,000 3,720,900 9,996,976 71,960 7,280 4,759,310 1,505,810 83,212,400 44,028,650 56,542,650 964,400

-720 -126,790,530 -1,452,980 584,950 21,500 -37,620 -1,208,392 632,680 1,058,520 -990 3,127,300 14,928,120.00 2,094,100 -

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

7.3 0.74 11.26 1.86 0.57 38.1 2.3 4.32 5.6 0.395 0.91 0.88 0.208 0.35 7.83 18.66 0.51 0.104 1.42 0.99 2.21 4.3 0.34 0.415

7.37 0.74 11.26 1.86 0.6 39.2 2.33 4.39 5.9 0.395 0.91 0.88 0.212 0.35 7.92 18.66 0.51 0.104 1.44 1.01 2.38 4.49 0.36 0.415

7.15 0.68 11 1.82 0.57 38.05 2.29 4.26 5.6 0.38 0.9 0.85 0.205 0.35 7.8 18.46 0.5 0.104 1.41 0.99 2.01 4.3 0.3 0.395

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

NAME

NAME

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

VOLUME

VALUE

PHIL REALTY PRIMEX CORP PTFC REDEV CORP ROBINSONS LAND ROCKWELL SHANG PROP SM PRIME HLDG STA LUCIA LAND STARMALLS SUNTRUST HOME VISTA LAND

0.33 3.7 29.1 21 1.9 3.1 32.8 1.12 4.1 0.68 5.16

0.36 3.71 29.1 21.35 1.91 3.12 33 1.14 4.1 0.68 5.21

0.32 3.6 29.1 20.45 1.8 3.1 32.6 1.12 3.7 0.68 5.08

0.345 3.71 29.1 21.35 1.91 3.12 32.75 1.14 4 0.68 5.2

3,660,000 1,632,000 400 886,600 213,000 15,000 10,612,400 53,000 1,634,000 66,000 7,343,700

1,231,150 5,952,490 11,640 18,607,695 397,420 46,620 347,485,055 59,870 6,343,870 44,880 37,958,700

3,300 362,100 4,624,105 120,100 -141,540,635.00 3,850 -2,040 -3,706,569

2GO GROUP ABS CBN ACESITE HOTEL APC GROUP APOLLO GLOBAL ASIAN TERMINALS BERJAYA BLOOMBERRY CEBU AIR CENTRO ESCOLAR CHELSEA DFNN INC DISCOVERY WORLD EASYCALL FAR EASTERN U GLOBE TELECOM GMA NETWORK GOLDEN BRIA HARBOR STAR IMPERIAL INTL CONTAINER IPEOPLE IPM HLDG ISLAND INFO ISM COMM JACKSTONES LBC EXPRESS LEISURE AND RES LORENZO SHIPPNG MACROASIA MANILA BULLETIN MANILA JOCKEY MELCO RESORTS METRO RETAIL METROALLIANCE A 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

10.02 21.4 1.29 0.36 0.039 13.22 1.43 8.11 68.9 7.8 8.93 7.23 2.01 4.78 900 1,900 5.22 307.2 3.26 1.82 91.9 11.22 7.5 0.095 6.5 2.9 13.74 3.07 0.75 16.52 0.4 5.25 7.12 2.1 1.04 1.98 10.7 7.61 3.42 8.1 104 3.23 1,321 0.71 0.3 42.2 75.5 6.83 2.72 0.61 0.38 5.16 0.475 11.48

10.02 21.4 1.29 0.37 0.039 13.22 1.44 8.15 69.25 7.8 9.77 7.99 2.01 4.88 900 1,900 5.29 319.6 3.36 1.82 92.5 11.22 7.5 0.095 7.88 3.18 13.74 3.09 0.75 16.52 0.4 5.43 7.13 2.13 1.09 2.65 10.88 8 3.45 8.1 104 3.34 1,321 0.72 0.325 43 76.95 6.83 2.8 0.61 0.385 5.16 0.49 11.5

9.8 21.1 1.25 0.345 0.037 13.2 1.36 7.91 65.35 7.8 7.71 7.23 2.01 3.6 900 1,750 5.2 304 3.08 1.82 91.4 11.2 7.5 0.08 5.8 2.9 13.74 2.77 0.72 16 0.4 5.25 7.11 2.08 0.92 1.89 10.58 7.6 3.42 8 102 3 1,272 0.66 0.3 41.5 75.5 6.75 2.63 0.52 0.295 5.14 0.46 11.2

SERVICES 10.02 21.35 1.25 0.365 0.038 13.2 1.43 8.06 68 7.8 7.74 7.98 2.01 4.88 900 1,823 5.21 319 3.18 1.82 92.25 11.22 7.5 0.091 6.3 3.18 13.74 2.99 0.74 16.18 0.4 5.42 7.12 2.09 1.09 2.45 10.6 8 3.45 8 103.2 3.34 1,284 0.67 0.32 43 76.9 6.75 2.72 0.58 0.335 5.15 0.48 11.46

67,200 40,800 125,000 8,140,000 21,600,000 2,200 3,340,000 8,434,700 274,030 500 54,770,900 13,500 20,000 535,000 500 202,000 375,400 8,260 6,367,000 68,000 2,652,560 7,800 2,000 8,170,000 252,749,100 52,000 700 1,458,000 184,000 610,800 50,000 94,500 8,581,300 1,427,000 564,000 32,301,000 10,200 10,700 25,000 19,000 570 1,443,000 169,425 9,081,000 2,390,000 1,418,700 178,960 338,100 12,211,000 8,642,000 111,090,000 2,273,600 5,851,000 1,213,100

668,139 863,700 157,080 2,885,500 822,100 29,080 4,666,430 67,794,507 18,092,990.50 3,900 489,186,847 102,215 40,200 2,246,160 450,000 370,487,790 1,953,238 2,588,776 20,345,100 123,760 244,582,533.50 87,364 15,000 709,900 1,745,888,807 157,800 9,618 4,212,480 134,720 9,870,744 20,000 502,324 61,100,346 2,992,340 570,700 71,340,410 109,960 82,596 85,960 152,310 58,699 4,480,930 217,801,220 6,323,920 731,900 60,669,325 13,680,659.50 2,290,915 33,105,910 4,919,690 36,112,900 11,705,367 2,765,695 13,739,498

35,000 5,830 -11,364,435 539,502 2,722,370 -7,980 17,650 -190,484,530 -9,306 214,580 -14,014,344.50 -68,400 -4,773,540 702,270.00 -871,926 -29,310,886 -20,990 4,195,230 8,257 22,140 35,619,165 -92,670 -3,033,480 -3,661,182.50 2,011,925 -2,418,530 -836,040.00 1,341,100 -6,254,051 47,000 9,167,248

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

0.0022 1.74 2.61 12.54 1.93 0.3 7.12 1.75 0.195 0.1 0.103 0.0065 0.0068 1.13 2.64 1.02 0.54 0.84 0.012 0.012 0.012 4.05 3.3 18.8 27.95 0.0057

0.0022 1.76 2.64 14 1.93 0.3 7.12 1.76 0.201 0.1 0.104 0.0065 0.0068 1.13 2.64 1.02 0.54 0.86 0.013 0.013 0.012 4.05 3.3 18.86 27.95 0.0063

0.0021 1.62 2.6 12.52 1.89 0.29 6.9 1.68 0.195 0.096 0.103 0.0065 0.0068 1.05 2.54 0.96 0.54 0.81 0.012 0.012 0.011 3.71 3.16 16.84 26 0.0056

MINING & OIL 0.0022 82,000,000 1.68 11,915,000 2.6 55,000 13.4 34,100 1.93 896,000 0.295 1,720,000 6.9 1,300 1.76 2,209,000 0.199 300,000 0.096 3,040,000 0.103 2,640,000 0.0065 21,000,000 0.0068 1,000,000 1.12 165,000 2.63 1,749,000 1 120,000 0.54 212,000 0.82 2,401,000 0.013 105,300,000 0.013 9,600,000 0.012 20,500,000 3.77 240,000 3.22 3,417,000 17.7 11,112,100 26 3,075,000 0.0062 27,000,000

174,200 19,987,190 143,390 436,998 1,707,450 512,350 8,994 3,778,470 58,650 298,150 272,920 136,500 6,800 181,220 4,560,340 115,820 114,480 1,994,490 1,358,500 124,500 243,800 916,920 11,010,440 196,184,630 81,748,080 157,400

297,000 -7,800 -1,930 -578,330 3,554,780 -1,724,820 12,596,528 -29,293,650 -

ABS HLDG PDR AC PREF B1 DD PREF FGEN PREF G GTCAP PREF B LR PREF MWIDE PREF PNX PREF 3A PNX PREF 3B SMC PREF 2B SMC PREF 2C SMC PREF 2D SMC PREF 2E SMC PREF 2F SMC PREF 2G SMC PREF 2H SMC PREF 2I

21.4 460 96 102.5 943.5 1.01 101 102.5 103 75.9 76.55 74.35 72.65 74.6 75 73.85 73.15

21.4 460 96.5 102.5 944 1.03 101 102.5 103 75.9 76.55 74.35 75 75 75.2 74 74

21.4 460 96 102.5 943.5 1.01 101 102.5 103 75.9 76.55 74.35 72.65 74.6 75 72.1 73.1

PREFERRED 21.4 1,400 460 120 96.5 11,800 102.5 700 944 20 1.03 35,000 101 7,480 102.5 20 103 210 75.9 1,070 76.55 200 74.35 500 75 4,010 75 6,700 75 37,690 74 6,500 74 2,500

29,960 55,200 1,135,450 71,750 18,875 35,450 755,480 2,050 21,630 81,213 15,310 37,175 300,726.50 501,940 2,826,934 474,600 183,250

-2,140 -

LR WARRANT

2.08

2.08

1.75

WARRANTS 1.87 1,040,000

1,895,300

-

7,030,180 6,000 11,292,100

-405,530 -1,556,180

1,877,572

2,104

MS

PROPERTY 7.34 0.71 11 1.82 0.59 38.5 2.29 4.39 5.9 0.39 0.9 0.88 0.206 0.35 7.81 18.52 0.5 0.104 1.42 1 2.35 4.49 0.35 0.415

462,400 4,085,000 5,100 183,000 731,000 15,168,200 1,391,000 728,000 9,100 14,450,000 139,000 131,000 13,110,000 20,000 476,200 540,000 143,000 70,000 3,342,000 1,506,000 37,946,000 9,940,000 168,920,000 2,360,000

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

OPEN

ITALPINAS MAKATI FINANCE XURPAS

3.74 3 1.36

3.75 3 1.37

3.1 3 1.19

FIRST METRO ETF

106

106

104.9

TRADING SUMMARY

SHARES

FINANCIAL

12,052,500

INDUSTRIAL

201,380,917

HOLDING FIRMS

140,688,094

PROPERTY

313,207,007

SERVICES

571,488,826

MINING & OIL

312,153,855

GRAND TOTAL

1,561,815,379

3.32 3 1.32

SME

2,087,000 2,000 8,723,000

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 106 17,800

VALUE 1,591.87 (up) 2.03 768,968,365.22 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 10,687.93 (up) 35.43 1,163,951,793.78 HOLDING FIRMS 6,922.23 (down) 4.20 1,298,504,975.12 PROPERTY 3,417.76 (up) 24.99 SERVICES 1,412.38 (down) 18.99 1,276,037,288.54 MINING & OIL 9,146.04 (down) 691.47 3,537,059,667.80 PSEI 7,035.71 (up) 1.78 326,255,252.02 All Shares Index 4,289.87 (down) 9.05 8,391,023,126.97 Gainers: 70; Losers: 132; Unchanged: 50; Total: 252

8990 sees revenues hitting P20b in 2 years

By Jenniffer B. Austria MASS housing developer 8990 Holdings Inc. expects revenues to reach P20 billion by 2020 as the company with the launching of more more projects in the next two years.

8990 Holdings investor relations officer Patricia Ilagan said in a press briefing the projects to be launched in Luzon would contribute 79 percent to the projected P20-billion revenues by 2020.

The company said it should expand revenues by an average of 25 percent to 30 percent over the next two years to achieve the P20-billion sales target.

The company expect revenues to hits P11.5 billion in 2018, P13 billion in 2019 and P20 billion by 2020.

“The ramp will really be in 2020 because of the Ortigas project,” Ilagan said.

The 13-hectare Ortigas project will house 22 residential buildings offering 19,000 units.

The project is expected to attract buyers who currently live, rent or work in areas such as Pasig City, the Ortigas Central Business District, Libis, Antipolo and Taytay, Rizal.

Meanwhile, 8990 Holdings saidnet income in the first nine months of the year reached a record P3.4 billion, up 38 percent year-on-year.

Nine-month revenues jumped 41 percent to P8.63 billion from P6.12 billion in the same period last year on increased sales and housing production.

The company delivered 6,722 units in the nine-month period, up 52 percent from 4,431 units on year.

The interest income from CTS (contract-to-sell) receivables declined 16 percent to P920 million after the company sold its receivables to several financial institutions. The company’s total CTS portfolio currently stands at P18.2 billion.

The company as of end September has nearly 540 hectares in land bank with potential sales of P154 billion.

Its recent land acquisition is an eight-hectare property in Siquor Island, which the company plans to develop into a resort facility.

The company said housing demand remained strong and was being bolstered by strong interest from Philippine online gaming operators.

GERI’s profit up by 14% to P1.29b in first 9 months GLOBAL-ESTATE Resorts Inc., a unit of Megaworld, said net income climbed 14 percent to P1.29 billion for the first three quarters of this year from P1.13 billion year-on-year due to a significant growth in rental revenues.

GERI said in a disclosure to the stock exchange it posted consolidated revenues of P5.25 billion during the first nine months of 2018, up seven percent from P4.9 billion on year.

The company more than tripled its rental income in the first nine months of the year to P294 million from last year’s P83-million.

“This is another banner year for our leasing operations,” said GERI president Monica Salomon.

“We look forward to new commercial spaces in Holland Park and in Southwoods Office Towers 1 & 2, as these will further sustain our momentum in our rental income next year,” Salomon added.

Revenues from residential operations grew seven percent to P4.42 billion from P4.13 billion in the first nine months of 2017.

Realized profits from sales in prior years were strong, rising 40 percent and signaling GERI’s commitment to meet its completion commitments to customers.

“We have seen really good take-up in Boracay Newcoast in the last few months, especially after the announcement of the island’s rehabilitation and reopening. We have also seen very keen interest in our Twin Lakes development, which still remains to be GERI’s largest tourism estate that sprawls across 1,200 hectares of land near Tagaytay with spectacular views of the Taal Lake and volcano,“ Salomon said.

GERI recently opened Savoy Hotel within the 150-hectare Boracay Newcoast. It is set to open two more hotels in the next two years—the Belmont Hotel Boracay and the Chancellor Hotel Boracay. Jenniffer B. Austria

extrastory2000@gmail.com

World BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION. James Taylor performs onstage at JONI 75: A Birthday Celebration Live at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion on November 07, 2018, in Los Angeles, California. AFP

B3

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2018 CESAR BARRIOQUINTO, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Pakistani woman at center of blasphemy row released ISLAMABAD―A Pakistani Christian woman who spent eight years on death row for blasphemy has been freed from jail after an acquittal that triggered Islamist protests, but is still in Pakistan, officials said Thursday amid appeals for her to be offered asylum.

Asia Bibi’s conviction was overturned by the country’s highest court last Wednesday, but she remained in prison as the government negotiated with the hardliners who blockaded major cities and demanded her immediate execution.

Islamist parties had already vowed to take to the streets of Karachi later Thursday to protest at her acquittal and the numbers were now expected to swell sharply following news of her release.

“She has been freed,” lawyer Saif-ulMulook said in a text message to AFP. “I have been told that she is on a plane but nobody knows where she will land.”

Following protests at last week’s ruling, the government agreed in a deal with Islamists to impose a travel ban on Bibi, and not to challenge a review of the Supreme Court’s ruling.

Future of Russia probe in doubt

W

ASHINGTON―President Donald Trump on Wednesday fired Attorney General Jeff Sessions a day after a heated midterm vote, naming a loyalist to replace him in a move that raises questions over the future of the Russia investigation.

The axing capped more than a year of bitter criticism by the president over his legal adviser’s decision to recuse himself from the probe into Moscow’s interference in the 2016 election, paving the way for the appointment of Special Counsel Robert Mueller.

In announcing the resignation in a tweet that thanked the former Alabama senator “for his service”―Trump right away named as acting attorney general Sessions’ chief of staff, Matthew Whitaker.

The announcement set off immediate alarm bells: Whitaker has been overtly critical of the broad scope granted to Mueller’s team to probe beyond allegations that Trump’s campaign colluded with Russia in 2016, into other ties between Trump, his family and aides, and Russia―an investigation the president

calls a “witch hunt.”

In an op-ed in August last year he publicly urged Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein―who oversees the probe―to “limit the scope of his investigation to the four corners of the order appointing him special counsel.”

As acting attorney general, Whitaker now has the power to wrest oversight away from Rosenstein and take charge himself.

Democratic Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer immediately called on Whitaker to recuse himself from the probe as his predecessor had, “given his previous comments advocating de-funding and imposing limitations” on it.

Senator Bernie Sanders, a former presidential hopeful, went further, tweeting that “any attempt by the president or the Justice Department to interfere with Mueller’s probe would be an obstruction of justice and impeachable offense.”

They were joined in their demands by Republican Mitt Romney, a former presidential candidate and frequent Trump critic who won a US Senate seat in Tuesday’s midterm.

Thanking Sessions for his service, Romney said that it was “imperative that the important work of the Justice Department continues, and that the Mueller investigation proceeds to its conclusion unimpeded.”

Whitaker himself meanwhile offered little clue

about his intentions in a bland statement to reporters that praised his former boss as a “dedicated public servant” and said he would work to leading a department that conformed to the “highest ethical standards.”

Sessions was the first casualty of a cabinet shakeup that had been expected from Trump following the midterm elections where his Republican party lost control of the House of Representatives but retained the Senate.

But his departure was anticipated since early this year, after he endured withering and repeated criticism from the president over the legally troubled ban on Muslim travelers Trump sought when he came into office, and over the Mueller probe.

“At your request, I am submitting my resignation,” Sessions said in the first line of a letter addressed to Trump, released by the Department of Justice.

Sessions was the first US senator to back Trump’s presidential run in 2016, giving the New York real estate billionaire credibility against a broad field of Republican stalwarts.

The two were reportedly brought together by a shared wish to crack down on immigration.

After taking office in January 2017, the former prosecutor launched tough law-and-order policies and a broad ban on Muslim travelers promised by Trump during the campaign. AFP

Canada’s Trudeau apologizes for turning away Jews OTTAWA―Prime Minister Justin Trudeau apologized in parliament on Wednesday for Canada’s refusal to admit Jewish asylum seekers fleeing Nazi Germany just months before the outbreak of World War II. On May 15, 1939 the ocean liner MS St. Louis departed Germany and crossed the Atlantic with 907 German Jews aboard, desperate for refuge from persecution.

The passengers were barred from disembarking at Cuba, and then denied entry in the United States and Canada due to the discriminatory immigration policies of the time.

Forced to return to Europe, many were sent to concentration camps, and 254 died in the Holocaust.

Their emotional journey would later inspire the 1974 book “Voyage of the Damned” and a movie of the same title.

“While decades have passed since we turned our backs on Jewish refugees, time has by no means absolved Canada of its guilt or lessened the weight of its shame,” Trudeau said in a speech.

“Today, I rise in this House to issue a long overdue apology to the Jewish refugees Canada turned away,” he said.

“We are sorry for the callousness of Canada’s response,” he said. “We refused to help them when we could have. We contributed to sealing the cruel fates of far too many at places like Auschwitz, Treblinka, and Belzec.”

Earlier the prime minister sat down in his office with one of the survivors of that tragic voyage, Ana Maria Gordon, and her family to discuss the need to continue fighting anti-Semitism.

“We had a tragic reminder just a few weeks ago that we need to continue to work together,” Trudeau told reporters, alluding to the massacre of 11 people at a synagogue in the US city of Pittsburgh on October 27. AFP

TRIAL. People wait on November 8, 2018, outside the courthouse in Gap, in the French Alpes, where a group of seven people, French and foreigners, is on trial for helping migrants cross the border into France last April. AFP

IN BRIEF CNN reporter’s pass suspended WASHINGTON—The White House on Wednesday suspended the press pass of a CNN reporter who sparred with Donald Trump at a news conference, during which the president branded him the “enemy of the people.”

A visibly angry Trump called reporter Jim Acosta a “rude, terrible person,” after the CNN White House correspondent refused the president’s orders to sit down and yield the microphone during the conference one day after the US midterm election.

The heated exchange began after Acosta clung to the microphone and persisted with questions about the president’s repeated and angry denunciation of a caravan of poor Central American migrants making their way through Mexico to the US border. He asked Trump why he has characterized it as an invasion.

Trump said “that’s enough!” and a White House intern tried in vain to take the microphone from the CNN journalist.

“President Trump believes in a free press and expects and welcomes tough questions of him and his Administration,” Sanders said in her statement.

“We will, however, never tolerate a reporter placing his hands on a young woman just trying to do her job as a White House intern. This conduct is absolutely unacceptable,” she said.

Acosta shot back at the accusation of misconduct, tweeting “this is a lie” -- as his network and a number of Washington journalists who had been at the press conference voiced support for him and

denied the White House allegations that he touched the intern.

“Secretary Sanders lied,” CNN said in a statement, saying the press pass suspension was “done in retaliation for challenging questions.” AFP

California bar shooting wounds 11 WASHINGTON-A gunman barged into a large, crowded Los Angeles-area country music bar and dance hall and opened fire late Wednesday, wounding at least 11 people, the sheriff’s office said.

The venue was hosting an event for college students and possibly several hundred young people were inside, said Captain Garo Kuredjian of the Ventura County Sheriff’s office.

He said around 0915 GMT that the shooter was still confined inside the premises, adding he did not know if the shooter had been subdued or shot.

Police who responded to reports of a shooting rushed to the scene and engaged the gunman, said Kuredjian.

A deputy sheriff is among the 11 people shot.

The incident happened at the Borderline Bar and Grill in the town of Thousand Oaks, a quiet, upscale residential suburb of Los Angeles.

The Los Angeles Times quoted a law enforcement official as saying at least 30 shots had been fired.

An unnamed witness told the newspaper that someone ran into the bar around 11:30 pm and started shooting what looked to be a black pistol.

“He shot a lot, at least 30 times. I could still hear gunshots after everyone left,” the Times quoted the man as saying. AFP

One of the most vocal groups in the protests―the Tehreek-e-Labaik Pakistan (TLP)―called for “mutiny” against the army’s top brass and the assassination of the top court’s justices.

Following Bibi’s release, the TLP vowed to return to the streets if she was allowed to leave the country.

“If the promise is broken and she is sent abroad, then Allah willing, a movement will start and it will be decisive,” said TLP leader Afzal Qadri, after an earlier message from the group accused the government of reneging on the agreement.

Foreign ministry spokesman Muhammad Faisal on Thursday denied media reports that Bibi had left the country, telling AFP: “She is in Pakistan”.

Intelligence sources also told AFP that she had not left the country.

An order for her release arrived Wednesday at the jail in the central city of Multan where she was held, a prison official told AFP. “Asia Bibi has left the prison and has been transferred to a safe place!” tweeted Antonio Tajani, president of the European Parliament. AFP

Taiwan’s navy acquires two new warships KAOHSIUNG―Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen vowed Thursday that the island would not “concede one step” in defending itself as she inaugurated two frigates bought from the United States aimed at boosting Taipei’s naval capabilities against China.

Rival China has upped military drills including a live fire exercise in the Taiwan Strait in April, declaring its willingness to confront the island’s “independence forces”.

Beijing still claims self-ruled Taiwan as part of its territory awaiting reunification, by force if necessary, even though the two sides have been ruled separately since 1949 after a civil war.

China has also been incensed by recent warming ties between Washington and Taipei, including the US State Department’s approval of a preliminary license to sell submarine technology to the island.

The two Perry-class guided missile frigates were officially commissioned in a ceremony at Zuoying base in southern Kaohsiung city.

“We want to send a clear and firm message from Taiwanese people to the international community that we will not concede one step in defending... Taiwan and protecting our free and democratic way of life,” Tsai said after inspecting the ships.

China’s “military actions in the region not only attempt to weaken Taiwan’s sovereignty but will also damage regional peace and stability,” Tsai warned.

She vowed to continue enhancing the navy’s capabilities as part of the military’s goal to maintain what it calls “solid defense and multi-layered deterrence” to guard the island.

Navy chief of staff Vice Admiral Lee Chung-hsiao had said previously the warships’ anti-submarine capabilities are more advanced than the island’s existing eight Cheng Kung-class frigates and could have “deterrent effects” against China’s submarines. AFP

LGUs

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

B4

friday, november 9, 2018

Gaddang tribe push cultural festival in NV

By Ben Moses Ebreo

LocaL government units

NEW CENTER. Former Special Assistant to the President Christopher ‘Bong’ Go (center) leads the ribbon cutting for the blessing and inauguration of the Southern Quezon Convention

Center in Barangay Tabing Dagat, Gumaca, Quezon on Thursday. Flanking Go are House Minority Floor Leader and Quezon 3rd District Rep. Danilo E. Suarez (right), and Quezon Governor David C. Suarez (left). Also in photo and at the event are Party-list Rep. Anna Suarez, Gumaca Mayor Erwin P. Caralian, Provincial Administrator Rommel Edano, Capitol executives Diony Rodolfa, Bong Diaz, Matt Florido, and Webster Letargo, and Provincial Board members. Benjie A. Antioquia

Maglev R&D hub in CEZA soon Smart provides comms, relief aid to Cebu landslide ISAIAS Macalinao, 56, felt helpless when he lost four of his nephews and nieces to the landslide that hit Barangay Tina-an, Naga City, Southern Cebu on Sept. 21.

Macalinao, a resident of Sitio Sindulan where the landslide hit the hardest, had no means to communicate with his relatives after he lost his cell phone during the calamity that destroyed homes, including his own.

“I have no way of contacting our relatives on our situation. I want to seek their help so we can take care of my dead nephews and nieces and give them a good burial,” Macalinao said in Cebuano.

Macalinao was soon able to get in touch with their relatives with the help of the Libreng Tawag and Charging (free calls and charging) stations set up by Smart Communications outside the Enan Chiong Activity Center (ECAC), which was turned into an evacuation site.

Apart from ECAC, Libreng Tawag and Free Charging Stations were also deployed at two other evacuation centers—at the Naga Central Elementary School in Barangay North Poblacion, and the Naalad Elementary School in Barangay Naalad.

Smart immediately set up the Libreng Tawag and Charging Stations at the evacuation centers so the evacuees could contact their relatives on their situation. Mobile users were also able to connect with their loved ones with the free Wi-Fi set up

by PLDT Fibr.

Grace Ocampo, another evacuee from Sitio Sindulan, said the service provided by Smart was of great help in contacting her relatives outside of Cebu.

“We would not have been able to contact our relatives if not for Smart’s help. I feel so helpless as we just lost our house to the landslide and we needed to contact our relatives for immediate help,” Ocampo said in Cebuano.

T

WO Chinese companies, one engaged in technology and the other in finance, have taken a significant step toward establishing the first training and production center in the Philippines for maglev (magnetic levitation) trains, the world’s fastest trains, Secretary Raul Lambino announced Thursday.

Lambino, the administrator and CEO of the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority, said CEZA has entered into a tripartite memorandum of understanding with Eminova Asset Management Ltd. and Hunan Goke Maglev Technology Development Ltd. To establish the Maglev Research and Development Center for Production and Training Hub in Sta. Ana, Cagayan.

Eminova, a Hong Kong-based independent investment fund management of Australian and European funders, was represented by its co-chairman Simeon Chan. Its portfolio also covers projects in energy, environment, global entertainment and major infrastructure investments.

Hunan Goke Maglev was represented by its chief executive officer Liu Shaolong. It is now the largest magnetic levitation line builder in the world after the Germans built the first Maglev train system in Shanghai.

Aside from being a leading international network offering financial advisory, fund acquisition and management services, Eminova will be the project proponent of the Maglev project in the country, primarily responsible for the financing of the start-up phase of the joint venture.

In a statement, Lambino said the initial project cost is estimated at US$1billion for the R&D and production models of the cutting-edge, low-mag-

netic radiation, zero-derailment risk Maglev trains that run on low noise and without friction and vibration.

The Maglev production line in CEZA, Lambino said, would roll out light rail vehicles and medium and high-speed Maglev trains that run from 200km to 400km per hour for neighboring countries in Southeast Asia, including the Philippines.

Lambino said CEZA would provide the land area for foreign exchangeintensive project aside from making representations with the national government and Congress for fiscal incentives and other support systems.

“We need to be aggressive and innovative in promoting our competitive edge in the Freeport,” said Lambino, who is concurrent Presidential Adviser for Northern Luzon.

“We have relatively cheap labor, highly-skilled workers, vast tracks of unused lands and attractive fiscal incentives,” he added.

BATTLING DIABETES.

Mercury Drug Corp., with its partners — the Philippine Pharmacists’ Association, Philippine Society of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, and MSD in the Philippines — launch a first-of-itskind initiative in the pharmacy retail industry, ‘Get Well at Mercury Drug Diabetes Care,’ a patient-centered program that aims to ensure continuity of care for patients with diabetes. Pictured are officials of Mercury Drug and its partners.

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya—The organization of the Gaddang indigenous tribe in the province is pushing for a yearly cultural festival to promote and preserve their rich heritage.

Jimmy Calata, acting chief of the provincial government’s Public Affairs and Information Assistance Division, said the proposal was presented by the Nueva Vizcaya Gaddang Indigenous Peoples Organization, Inc. “This proposal was presented during a meeting of the Indigenous Peoples Month Celebration executive committee,” he said.

The proposed festival, Calata said, serves as “a preparatory and component activity of the holistic approach and integrated strategy towards the conservation, strengthening, and promotion of the rich cultural heritage of the various indigenous cultural communities.”

It involves the revival of the wearing of the authentic Gaddang native attire and promotion of Inandila, a favorite delicacy among the Gaddang and Novo Vizcayanos in general.

“There will also be Inandila taste tests, as well as eating contests for children and adults,” Calata said.

Inandila is a favored delicacy of the Gaddang, which is made from native glutinous rice known as “dekat.” The milled and patted dekat is wrapped in a banana leaf and boiled for at least 30 minutes.

It is eaten with an accompanying rich sweet sauce the Gaddang call as “haleya,” which is made of “sinakob” or sugar cane molasses, and coconut milk.

“This native delicacy is usually prepared and served as part of the thanksgiving rituals of the Gaddang ethnic tribe for their bountiful rice harvests, as well as during the Holy Week and on special occasions and gatherings,” Calata explained.

QC’s Belmonte eyes rehab clinic just for women IN line with Quezon City’s thrust to wipe out the problem of illegal drugs, 3,502 graduates have started anew after completing Katatagan Kontra Droga sa Komunidad, a community-based drug rehabilitation program.

“Since the program was launched in 2016, we have seen how successfully these 3,502 graduates are able to turn their lives around especially since the program offers livelihood programs and employment assistance after graduation,” Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte said Thursday.

This came a day after she revealed a plan to put up a drug rehabilitation center for women and a voluntary recovery clinic in the city.

“We have been discussing with the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime, and by next year, we will have a partnership to establish a facility just for women,” Belmonte said.

As for Katatagan, the rehabilitation program involves the surrenderer, the barangay, the family, and even the church “to make sure that there is a whole community working together to help the graduate avoid a relapse,” she said.

UPLB, Searca stage nutrition-sensitive agriculture conference

By Brenda Jocson TAGAYTAY—Realizing the important role of nutrition-sensitive agriculture (NSA), the University of the Philippines Los Baños Interdisciplinary Studies Center on Food and Nutrition Security has convened an International Conference on NSA and Food Systems.

This conference aims to contribute to improving food security and health outcomes,

through production of diverse, safe and nutrient-rich food. It started Wednesday and ends Sunday at the Development Academy of the Philippines in this city.

Themed “Strategic Approaches to Nutrition-Sensitive Agriculture and Food Systems in Southeast Asia”, the conference is in partnership with the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (Sear-

SM gifts Legazpi school with 4-story building

LEGAZPI CITY—Bitano Elementary School in Legazpi City is among the public schools affected by the shortage of classrooms that has resulted in overcrowded classrooms or classes conducted by shifts.

The school could not provide the conducive learning environment for its 693 students from Kindergarten to Grade VI. According to school Principal Leonila D. Ante, the students in the morning shift have to wake up early and take late lunch, while those in the afternoon shift have to go home late in the afternoon, after 6 pm.

The shifting for Kinder and Grade 3 students has been resolved with the new two-story four-classroom school building donated by SM Prime Holdings through SM Foundation. The classrooms are fully furnished with 200 arm chairs, four teacher’s desk sets, 16 wall fans, eight blackboards, four wall clocks, and four toilets.

The new school building is persons with disabilityfriendly. The building is equipped with 20 armchairs

designed for left-handed students. a PWD ramp and a special comfort room for PWDs. To help in disaster management, SM Foundation and its school building team provided the school with an emergency light, an alarm bell and emergency exit stairs. DepEd, on the other hand, provided fire extinguishers for the classrooms.

In support of DepEd’s new advocacy Project WATCH (We Advocate Time Consciousness and Honesty), SM Foundation also donated 16 more wall clocks for the 16 other classrooms of Bitano Elementary School.

Through SM Legazpi, Group Commander LTC Ulysses S. Mancao and Deputy Group Commander LTC Ronald E. Gaboy of the Philippine Air Force Tactical Operations Group 5 (TOG5) donated 12 trash bins to the school, as part of their community relations environmental project.

ca), Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Philippines, and Cavite State University.

Searca said the conference aims to increase awareness of various sectors on the nature and scope of NSA, to identify the opportunities, challenges and issues involving NSA in the Philippines and in Southeast Asia, and to formulate polices and strategies to enhance NSA in

relation to food and nutrition security.

In line with its Umbrella Program on Food and Nutrition Security in Southeast Asia, Searca is organizing the plenary session on case studies on integrating nutrition into agriculture.

The session will focus on lessons that can be drawn from success stories of addressing nutrition across the different stages of the food system.

Students of Bitano Elementary School in Legazpi City, Albay (inset) express their gratitude to officials of SM Prime Holdings for their donation through the SM Foundation of the new two-story, four-classroom building (main photo) primarily for Kinder and Grade 3 students. The structure brings the total number of classrooms donated nationwide by SM Foundation to 288 since 2002.

Life

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

culture and media

A

RECEnT exhibit was staged in a bid to relive the Ilocano weaving tradition of inabel.

The iconic inabel is a traditional woven cloth from northern Luzon, particularly in the Ilocos Region and some areas in the Mountain Province. Commonly made from yarns of cotton and dyed from the sap of a plum called sagut, the inabel is known for being colorful and strong. Manually woven through a wooden loom, an abel fabric is made up of pure creativity, imagination, positivity, respect, discipline, and keenness.

However, inabel is currently facing several challenges—with weavers getting older, young people willing to learn the intricate patterns and raw materials like handspun cotton thread getting fewer, and natural vegetable dyes getting scarcer.

Pinto Art Museum and SM Aura Premier hence have teamed up to stage "Pinto x Aura: Inabel" to create awareness of traditional weavers and the handwoven fabric, as well as introduce the concept of sustainable fashion to the market.

Dr. Joven Cuanang, Pinto Art Museum owner and one of the founders of House of Inabel, is an active supporter of Barangay Lumbaan Weavers Association. His interest in inabel started after hearing about Magdalena Gamayo who, at 88 years old, was given the Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan or national Living Treasure Award in 2012.

He was saddened when he found out that there were only three active weavers and the farmers have already stopped planting cotton, preferring to plant tobacco instead.

Dr. Cuanang then pushed for the revival of the cotton industry and in 2015, encouraged farmers to plant cotton again.

He provided them with a pump, the initial seedlings, and a two-hectare tract of land. Today, they now have a 22-hectare plot dedicated to cotton farming. They were also able to encourage more locals to try weaving. Currently, there are 18 weavers of inabel.

During the exhibit, the designers showcased the beauty and versatility of inabel. Couturier Edgar Madamba showcased his intricately woven beaded elegant gowns, a few of them with a twist of modern Filipiniana.

Broadcast journalist and fashion designer niña Corpuz of niña Inabel, on the other hand, showed how inabel could be worn by all members of the family, highlighting her holiday collection for kids, as well as those for Kids and Moms, her take on Denim and Inabel, and her bestselling Inabel V-neck square tops.

Corpuz, who enjoys dressing up her daughters using inabel fabric, said that is where her career as a fashion designer started.

Filipino-Italian Sherwin Otto Sacramento of Ottomondi Red Label took a more casual approach with street wear and t-shirts as well as hats and bags accentuated with inabel fabrics. Sacramento was one of this year’s winner of Bench Design Awards.

By Ayunan G. Gunting MOST young girls in the Philippines who turn 18 celebrate with a lavish ball or a huge party as a coming-of-age celebration.

But Jenna Aziza Salliman, daughter of Basilan Governor Jim Hataman Salliman and his lovely wife Annie, made a different kind of debut. Having already turned 18, Jenna didn’t need to make her formal entrance to society.

What she did was make a stunning entrance into that rarified sphere of classical pianists. She recently took center stage in her premiere recital at the auditorium of the College of Statistics in UP Diliman.

Pretty in her long white dress, Jenna still managed to look every inch the debutante as she took the stage. She made her entrance without fuss or drama.

She walked straight to the grand piano and went right into business with her first piece for the evening: Johann Sebastian Bach’s lilting Prelude and Fugue in Csharp major BWV 848 and Prelude and Fugue in F major BWV 856.

Bach’s exuberant yet soothing melodies seemed so apt for the young lady performing it. There was a youthful and playful vigor in her performance. She did seem to have a great love for this masterpiece. She played it effortlessly, it was as if she was playing with a childhood friend.

Jenna was only 6 years old when she began taking piano lessons. Her mom had acquired an upright piano and all her children took lessons from Jennifer dela Cruz. During the reception following the recital, the mentor marveled over the talent of the Salliman children.

friday, november 9, 2018

c1

Reliving a dying tradition

INABEL IN SPOTLIGHT. The 'Pinto x Aura: Inabel' exhibition brought together inabel designs by local designers Edgar Madamba, Niña Corpuz, and Otto Sacramento.

Madamba's meticulously designed inabel A-line gown accented with salmon beads

Niña Corpuz’s daughters Stella and Emily with their baby brother Lucas wearing clothes from their mom’s Inabel collection.

Guests included Dr. Cuanang, Greenfield president and chairman of the board Jeffrey Campos, Kannawidan Foundation’s Betty Factora Merritt, curator Rene Guatlo, broadcast journalist Julius Babao, and travel writer Gabby Malvar and wife Ginngay.

Miss Earth Philippines 2018 Silvia Celeste Cortesi, Miss Earth Eco-Tourism Philippines Halimatu Yushawu, and Miss Water Philippines Berjayneth Chee, as well as Barcino’s Teresa and Jordi Rostoll also attended the event.

A concert pianist is born

Young piano virtuoso Jenna Aziza Salliman in her premiere recital at the auditorium of the College of Statistics in UP Diliman.

“She also has an older brother who is very good and he’s attending law school now. But it was Jenna who really stood out. She showed real promise,” said Dela Cruz.

Jenna later took master classes with esteemed piano pedagogues ng Chong Lim, Fr. Manuel Maramba OSB, Jovianney Emmanuel Cruz, Roberta Rust, and Adam Kent, among others. She is presently under the tutelage of Professor Anthony Yu Say of the University of Sto. Tomas Conservatory of Music.

He is currently the president of the Piano Teacher’s Guild of the Philippines Foundation.

For the past 10 years now, Jenna has been a participant of the annual public recitals of both the Piano Teachers Guild and the UST Conservatory of Music.

She also took part in the 2013 Opusfest held in Antipolo City, the 2018 International Taipei Maestro Festival, and the Manila International Master Class Festival. She won first place in the 2017 Piano Teacher’s Guild So-

nata and Sonatina Competition, and third in the recent Bach and Baroque Competition, Category B2.

It could easily be surmised that after finishing high school, Jenna would enter the UST Conservatory of Music. As Say put it, her capability as a pianist is already at conservatory levels. But much to our surprise, Jenna is currently a freshman student at the UP College of Statistics! (Hence it was the venue of the recital). Because she is a graduate of the Philippine Science High School, she is bound by law to major in pure or applied sciences, mathematics, or engineering.

According to Dela Cruz, people who excel in mathematics tend to be just as talented in music. She cited the eminent concert pianist Raul Sunico who graduated from UP Diliman with degrees in Music and Mathematics, and Masters in Statistics.

Jenna’s proud daddy Governor Salliman said she at first wanted to take up medicine.

“But piano became her passion and she hopes to eventually pursue a degree in Piano Performance,” he said.

When it became obvious that Jenna’s talent would extend from numbers to musical notes, her parents bought her a grand piano.

During her recent recital, Jenna showed the audience that her parents did right by giving their complete support to their daughter’s passion for classical music. They beamed with pride as Jenna tackled the works of Ludwig van Beethoven (Piano Sonata No. 6), Claude-Achille Debussy (L’Isle Joyeuse), and Francisco Santiago (Sou-

venir de Filipinas).

Her final piece for the evening was Charles-Camille Saint-Saens’ Piano Concerto No. 2 Op.22 in G Minor.

For this performance, she was joined by noted collaborating artist Mary Anne Espina.

Composed of three movements, the piece usually requires an orchestra to accompany the pianist. Espina served as the collaborating pianist instead.

The three movements are characterized by a series of emotions, with the first movement being dominated by melancholy. The second movement is lighthearted and energetic while the final movement is fiery. The two pianists were up to the task as they responded to each other with much fervor.

The audience was mesmerized, especially since Jenna beautifully captured the spirit and emotion of the music. For one to be so young and yet so cognizant of the soul of the timeless works of great composers is amazing.

Jenna plays it with élan yet she makes it seem easy. And she wasn’t one to rely on emoting or theatrical antics to impress the audience.

In fact, this piano virtuoso is so unpretentious. She was also too modest to accept the bouquet of flowers offered to her after the performance. This downto-earth attitude is a testament to the way she was raised by her parents. Her astounding talent, on the other hand, is a reflection of the genes she inherited from them. nevertheless, we were compelled to ask the Honorable Governor what he was feeding his overachieving children when they were growing up.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Manila

Standard

TODAY

(MS-OCT. 31, 2018)

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Manila

Standard

TODAY

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

RAMON L. TOMELDAN Editor

C4 FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2018

Motoring

Nissan Patrol breaks another world record

D

UBAI, UAE—The Nissan Patrol has broken another Guinness World Records title—this one for the Largest Synchronized Car Dance. This award recognizes the activation, which has the greatest number of cars moving in unison within a formation.

A total of 180 Nissan Patrols took part in the record attempt, driving in a synchronized routine in the shape of a giant desert falcon. This new accolade is the third time the iconic Nissan Patrol has achieved a Guinness World Records title.

Nissan achieved this new record at the Dubai Rugby 7s stadium, beating the previous world record holders by 36 cars. Led by international racing driver Axcil Jefferies, two concentric lines of cars drove in opposite directions around the outline of a falcon, a total distance of 1,476 meters.

The shape formed by the 180 Nissan Patrols taking part in the attempt measured 176.5 meters by 225 meters. Viewed from above, the activation looked like a giant falcon in flight over the sands of the Arabian desert.

This award is the third time the iconic Nissan Patrol has broken a

With 180 Nissan Patrols driving in the shape of a dancing falcon, the new accolade is the third GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title broken by the iconic Nissan Patrol, and the sixth awarded to Nissan Middle East

Guinness World Records title. In September 2015, the car broke the record for the fastest ascent of a 100-meter sand dune by a car, scaling the dune in a rapid 4.9 seconds. The first title was achieved in August 2013, when the Nissan Patrol successfully towed the world’s heaviest aircraft for more than 164 feet (50 meters) at Sharjah International Airport in the UAE. The Guinness World Records official attempt was also a celebration of three new editions that have been added to the Nissan Patrol family this month.

Launched in response to popular demand, the Patrol Safari

Falcon, Gazelle and Gazelle-X were developed for and are exclusively available to customers in the Middle East. The names of the new cars also inspired the shape formed during the record-breaking synchronized car dance.

Juergen Schmitz, managing director of Nissan Middle East, added: “What makes this achievement even more special is the fact that everyone who took part in the record-breaking attempt was Nissan staff. It was a great privilege to give our employees the opportunity to take part in this landmark achievement. We were so pleased by the enthusiasm displayed by

everyone, and single-minded determination they demonstrated towards achieving this goal.”

The Nissan Patrol range has an enduring popularity in the Middle East. In Nissan Middle East’s Financial Year 17 (April 2016— March 2017), market share of the entire Nissan Patrol range increased by 11.4% compared to the previous year, with the Patrol becoming the best -selling full-size SUV in the UAE. Since 2011 sales of Patrol have quadrupled, with market share being up by 167%. Furthermore, in the first half of Nissan Middle East’s current financial year (April— September 2018) there was a

year-on-year increase in sales of the Patrol Safari family of 30% across the Middle East region (excluding KSA).

Nissan Middle East’s new Guinness World Records title is the sixth to have been achieved by the company, with three of these being awarded to the iconic Patrol. Most recently, Nissan Middle East sped into the record books after driver Masato Kawabata (Japan) achieved the fastest ever vehicle drift. Kawabata reached staggering 304.96 km/h (189.49 mi/h), while driving a Nissan GT-R NISMO during an event at Fujairah International Airport in April 2016.

Shell save-on-gas promo extended MOTORCYCLE riders can continue to get their oil and get discounts on fuel all the way to the Christmas season, as the Shell Advance Save on Gas promo is extended until December 31, 2018.

With this promo, customers can enjoy more fuel economy while their engines run in peak condition on Shell Advance motorcycle oils. Motorcycle and tricycle customers can also get as much as 10 pesos off per liter for every purchase of participating products from Shell Advance.

“As the holiday season approaches and we brace ourselves for the Christmas rush, the Shell Advance Save on Gas pro-

mo is the gift that keeps on giving,” said Lorrie Ramirez, Brand Manager of Shell Advance, Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corporation. “At Shell Advance, we understand the challenges that motorcycle riders face, that’s why we have a complete range of motorcycle oils and scooter oils to ensure that their engines get complete protection. And now, they have extra savings to take with them on the road from the huge fuel discounts that we are giving,” she added.

Shell Advance is giving big discounts on gasoline--get Php 10 off per liter of fuel for purchasing Shell Advance Ultra; Php

5 off per liter of fuel for Shell Advance AX7; Php 3 off per liter for the Shell Advance AX5; and lastly Php 1 off per liter for Shell Advance AX3. Shell Advance motorcycle and scooters oils are available at participating Shell stations, motorcycle parts and supplies shops, and on Shopee. Now on the popular and leading e-commerce platform, customers can get their Shell Advance oil delivered right at their doorstep, and enjoy up to 20% off on their purchase, when they buy during the biggest online Christmas sale of the year, the Shopee 11.11 and 12.12 Big Christmas Sale happening from October 26 to De-

cember 12.

Customers can fill up their tanks without breaking the bank by buying any of the participating Shell Advance products.

They just need to check the sticker on top of the bottle cap for the corresponding discount, then surrender the cap with the sticker to claim the discount when they fuel up at participating Shell stations nationwide. The discount is exclusive to motorcycles and tricycles only and riders can use one cap for every transaction, valid for a maximum of five liters of Shell V-Power Racing, Shell V-Power Gasoline or Shell Fuel Save Gasoline.

Repossesse cars affordable options for Pinoys WITH less than a hundred days to go before Christmas, some have started writing their wish lists. It’s easy enough to guess what they contain. The Ambisyon Natin 2040 report of the National Economic and Development Authority said 79.2 percent of Filipinos aspire to have a simple and comfortable life, and this means having a stable job and owning their own homes and vehicles.

Bank of the Philippine Islands shares this dream and believes that every Filipino deserves a comfortable life. Through Buena Mano, Filipinos can own a car much more easily.

“Clients experience a bargainhunters’ gain. We continue to improve our processes to make sure car ownership is fast, affordable and easy for our clients.,” said Fitz Chee, Head of Buena Mano.

With Buena Mano, good buys need not be expensive. It follows a very transparent, clear, and fair process from retail sales to biddings. All units are reasonably priced. Compared to brand new units, a potential buyer can expect price savings as much as 30%.

Buena Mano also offers various payment options to clients from cash to car loan financing for available cars below 5 years aging. For cash transactions, clients can bring home their auto units on the same day when they make a full payment. For transactions involving financing, the unit is released after the required approvals and payments are in place. Buena Mano also relies on client feedback to ensure that clients enjoy the most efficient transaction possible.

“Some may have the impression that just because repossessed cars are pre-owned, they are worn out. It is worth noting that a typical car loan period can span anywhere from one to five years, and as such, repossessed cars are fairly new, and mostly in good condition,” said Chee.

For most people, getting their own car is one of the biggest purchases or investments. With Buena Mano, buyers can also take comfort in the fact that they will be carefully guided on what to check in the vehicle, including its physical condition and its papers, before purchasing any unit.

Clients can visit Buena Mano stockyards to take a look at the second-hand cars, or they can check the list of second-hand cars for sale at buenamano.ph, which is updated monthly.