Manila Standard - 2018 July 12 - Thursday

VOL. XXXII • NO. 147 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 • THURSDAY, JULY 12, 2018 • www.manilastandard.net • editorial@manilastandard.net

Rody says sorry to his ‘all-forgiving God’

By Nat Mariano

IN JOINT PRAYER. President Rodrigo Duterte, who met up the other day with Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines president Archbishop Romulo Valles, prays with Jesus Is Lord Church founder and president Eduardo Villanueva (left) after a meeting Tuesday at the Malago Clubhouse at the Malacañang Park. Presidential Photo

PRESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte has apologized to his “all-forgiving” God but noted that he was not saying sorry to any church or religious leader.

Duterte made his apology in a closeddoor meeting with Jesus Is Lord founder and president Eduardo Villanueva at the Malago Clubhouse in Malacañang Park on Tuesday.

Also present during the meeting were Special Assistant to the President Christopher Go, Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo, and lawyer Angelino Villanueva.

The church leader earlier urged the President to apologize for his statements about God and the Church but Duterte Next page

Sixth local official shot dead Pinoy makes the climb of his life

By Evalea Casaljay

IT WAS probably the most important climb of his life.

For Christoffer John “Cedjie” Aquino, a Filipino rock climber and English teacher based in Thailand, joining the rescue team for the 13 trapped Wild Boars players and

Next page

Cedjie Aquino

Alvarez pushes No-El, cites House overload

By Maricel V. Cruz SPEAKER Pantaleon Alvarez on Wednesday said the administration should consider postponing the mid-term elections in 2019 if it is determined to push the proposed shift to a federal form of government.

A postponement, he added, would be practical as Congress has a full plate with several administration measures, such as Charter change, the Bangsamoro Basic

Law, and the 2018 General Appropriations Act. “We have to work double time in passing these pieces of legislation,” Alvarez said at a news conference with House Majority Leader and Ilocos Norte Rep. Rodolfo Fariñas.

This would be difficult, he said, since many legislators would be preparing to file their certificates of candidacy by October ahead of the start of the campaign season in February 2019.

Next page

Leni: Incompetent? Look who’s talking

By Rio N. Araja, Nat Mariano and Macon Ramos-Araneta THE camp of Vice President Leni Robredo slammed President Rodrigo Duterte Wednesday for calling her incompetent and unfit to be a president.

“Incompetent? Look who’s talking,” Robredo’s legal adviser Barry Gutierrez said.

He hit Duterte for the problems that continue to beset the country, such as rising inflation, a weaker peso, the plan to borrow P1.19 trillion from local and foreign creditors in 2019 and the worsening traffic woes.

Inflation, he said, had risen to 5.2 percent while the price of rice has reached P42 a kilo. The exchange rate, on the other hand, has dropped to P53.51 to a US dollar. Next page

Paris erupts in a frenzy as France makes finals SPORTS A8

Japanese firm bets on Pacquiao fist cast A JAPANESE metal cast maker is making exactly 888 casts of Manny Pacquiao’s famous left fist and plans to sell them for US$2,945 (about P158,000) each starting this Sunday, a day after the Filipino boxing legend and senator faces Lucas Matthysse in a bout in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Castem Co. Ltd. announced Wednesday it would start pre-sales of Pacquiao’s fist figurine—sure to be a

Next page

Tawi-Tawi town vice mayor Ali killed by gunmen in Zambo City

T

HE vice mayor of Sapa Sapa town in TawiTawi, Al Rashid Mohammad Ali, was gunned down by motorcycle-riding gunmen in Zamboanga City, making him the sixth local executive to be killed in 10 days.

The 53-year-old Ali was onboard his vehicle, a black Toyota Innova while traversing Governor Alvarez Avenue when he was shot twice by the still unidentified gunman during a traffic stop.

Ali, who sustained two gunshot wounds on the chest, was rushed to the Zamboanga Doctors’ Hospital where he died.

Prior to Ali’s murder, five politicians—including two mayors—in a span of six days, prompting the Philippine National Police to order a massive crackdown on gun-for-hire syndicates even as the Palace insisted that the killings were not systematic.

On July 2, Mayor Antonio Halili of Tanauan City, Batangas was killed while attending a flag ceremony at the city hall.

A day after, Mayor Ferdinand Bote of General Tinio, Nueva Ecija was repeatedly shot by a motorcycle-riding suspect while he was onboard his Toyota Fortuner in Cabanatuan City.

On July 7, Trece Martires City Vice Mayor Alexander Lubigan and his driver Romulo Guillemer were killed by gunmen while traversing the Indang Road.

On the same day, Zamboanga City coun-

cilor Michael Magallanes and Kapatagan, Lanao del Sur municipal councilor Nassif Bansil were also shot dead in separate incidents.

Halili was in the narco-list of President Rodrigo Duterte while Bote was a member of Duterte’s political party, the ruling PDP-Laban.

PNP chief Dir. Gen. Oscar Albayalde earlier said authorities are still investigating all possible angles to the killings of local officials.

“There are many angles that police are investigating in the recent killings like political motive, drugs and other angles.

We have also considered suggestions on the need for a massive crackdown against gun-for-hire groups and gun-running syndicates,” he said.

Albayalde also ordered police units to launch “early security measures” for next year’s midterm elections.

“In view of the recent killings of local chief executives, I am directing the command group and the regional directors to review and launch early security measures ahead of the 2019 midterm elections in Next page May next year,” he said.

Marcos, VP renew clash over ‘party’

By Rey E. Requejo A LAWYER for Vice President Leni Robredo on Wednesday acknowledged that one of her revisors in the ongoing recount had attended an outing with personnel of the Presidential Electoral Tribunal, but said he did so in his “persona capacity” and without the approval of his superiors.

“Had we known it, we would not have allowed it to happen,” said Emil Marañon, a lawyer for Robredo.

On Monday, Marcos asked the PET to investigate for possible impropriety the recent outing in a resort in Calamba, Laguna, in which PET personnel involved in the ongoing recount of votes Next page

BLACK WEDNESDAY. This black Toyota Innova failed to shield Vice Mayor Al Rashid Mohammad Ali of Sapa-Sapa town in Tawi-Tawi province from the bullets fired at him Wednesday by riding-in-tandem suspects in Zamboanga City. Police say the victim, the latest local official to die from assassins’ bullets, died in the hospital after sustaining two gunshot wounds in his chest. TV grab from ABS-CBN

Ratings drop prompts Cabinet to go into overdrive

By Nat Mariano and Macon Ramos-Araneta CABINET members vowed to work double-time after President Rodrigo Duterte’s net satisfaction ratings suffered an 11-point drop in the latest Social Weather Stations opinion poll, the Palace

said Wednesday.

Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque assured the public that the President and the members of his Cabinet would exert an even greater effort to provide better government service.

“Regardless of numbers, we assure everyone that the President and the

members of his Cabinet would continue to work double-time in bringing the fruits of a better and more inclusive economy, and in strengthening the government’s drive against illegal drugs, crime, and corruption,” said Roque in a statement sent to media Tuesday night.

Next page

A2

News

THURSDAY, JULY 12, 2018

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Health warns of sharp rise in Dengue cases

By Macon Ramos-Araneta THERE has been a 25-percent increase in dengue cases in Metro Manila since the onset of the rainy season this year, an official said Tuesday.

Health Undersecretary Eric Domingo told dzMM radio they had listed more than 7,200 cases in Metro Manila during the period.

That compares with the 5,800 dengue cases recorded in the area in the same period last year.

Domingo said there was also an 80and 66-percent increase in dengue cases in the Ilocos and Cagayan Valley regions, respectively.

He said other regions including Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol, Western Visayas and Northern Mindanao had also registered spikes in dengue cases.

“The peak season for dengue is beginning because there is a lot of water around that are breeding places [for mosquitoes],” Domingo said, but he assured the public that his department was prepared to attend to the patients’ needs.

Grab insists P2 charge ‘legit’

By Maricel V. Cruz GRAB Philippines owes the riding public more than P4 billion thanks to its illegal P2 per minute fare charge that it imposed over a 10-month period, an official said Wednesday.

Rep. Jericho Nograles made his statement after the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board ordered the transport network company giant to reimburse its passengers through rebates.

“The LTFRB Order confirms that Grab Philippines has engaged in illegal overcharging affecting 67-million total rides from June 2017 to April 2018,” said Nograles who exposed the allegedly illegal charge.

“They have lied to and cheated their riders and have also endangered the livelihood of their partner-drivers. Their illegal acts are also tantamount to largescale estafa.”

Nograles made his statement even as Grab Philippines head Brian Cu cited a 2015 Transport department order that he said allowed transport network companies to change fares on their own.

“We stand by the legality of the P2 per minute fare component and we are disappointed by the order of the LTFRB. We would like to reiterate that it is legal,” Cu said.

“We are studying our legal options regarding the LTFRB’s order.”

Japanese...

From A1 collector’s item once the former eight-division world champion announces his retirement—on July 15 after “Pacman” battles Matthysse for the Argentinian’s World Boxing Association welterweight title.

The company will also sell 88 limitededition casts at the fight venue, KL’s Axiata Arena, for just $2,800 (about P150,000).

The surface of the limited model, Castem said, “is made with special ion plating, resulting in a unique finish with an even greater sense of quality than the standard models.”

Calling the figurine “History of Manny Pacquiao,” Castem said it used technology developed in Japan “to accurately recreate… the veins, wrinkles, and even the pores” of the boxer-senator’s southpaw, which the native of General Santos City used to claim fame and fortune in sports -and later a political career.

The company said it made a mold with Pacquiao’s actual left hand during his visit to Tokyo in February this year in cooperation with MP Promotion Japan. He sunk his left hand in casting materials for about 10 minutes, “and then Castem produced the original mold by applying its precision casting technology.”

Part of the revenue from the product will be donated to Pacquiao’s charitable institution, the Emmanuel & Jinkee’s Heart Foundation, said Castem—which is a featured sponsor on the boxer’s trunks.

The cast itself, the company said, was created out of “Silzin bronze,” which gives off a golden luster and “possesses outstanding presence and an authentic feeling.”

The stand for the cast is printed with Pacquiao’s signature, Castem said. Made from cherry wood, it is painted in a blue hue “that resembles the flag of the Philippines.”

Pacquiao’s logo was turned into stainless metal, using Castem’s metal injection technology, onto which a serial number is laser-etched. The surface is finished with ion plating, and its golden color enhances the premium quality appearance, the firm added.

The box for the metal fist contains a certificate that guarantees the product, the company said, with a red background. The fist “is golden yellow, the base is blue, and the sign is white: together, they represent the colors of the Philippine flag,” it added.

Rody revamps Justice, sacks 3 fraternity brods

By Rey E. Requejo

P

RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has replaced three more fraternity brothers holding key positions in the Justice department following the resignation of Justice secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II in April.

He made the decision after accepting the courtesy resignations of Justice Undersecretaries Raymund Mecate, Erickson Balmes and Reynante Orceo, who are fellow brothers of Aguirre in the Lex Talionis fraternity.

Mecate, Balmes and Orceo joined the department in 2016 along with Aguirre.

Duterte filled the vacancies with the appointment of lawyers Adrian Sugay, Mark Parete and Emmeline Aglipay-

Villar, a former party-list representative and wife of Public Works Secretary Mark Villar.

Duterte also accepted the resignation of Assistant Secretary Juvy Manwong and designated lawyer Neal Vincent Bainto as his replacement.

All four appointees were recommended by Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra.

Villar, daughter of former Philippine

National Police chief Edgardo Aglipay, obtained her law degree from the University of the Philippines, where she joined the Order of the Purple Feather Honors Society.

Perete has worked for the multinational company Coca Cola and taught law subjects in several universities.

Also a product of the UP College of Law, he has served as assistant secretary for legal affairs at the Office of the President.

Sugay and Bainto are graduates of the Ateneo law school. Sugay, who has had years of experience in litigation, served as special assistant to the corporate head of the Philippine Ports Authority, while Bainto was senior associate in the Villaraza and Angangco law offices. With Evalea Casaljay

‘PH inadequate defense a dark cloud in horizon’

By Vito Barcelo PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte expressed concern about the country’s inadequate defense capabilities when he graced the National Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Summit in Clark, Pampanga.

He said the government was giving priority to financing the country’s defense program.

“I see dark clouds ahead, so I want matters that will make us strong,” Duterte said in his speech at the Asean Convention Center in Clark.

He did not elaborate on the country’s poor defense capability but said he

Leni...

From A1 Gutierrez also took a dig at the President for his refusal to assert the rights of Filipinos to fish in Scarborough Shoal in the West Philippine Sea and the continuing spate of killings.

In an interview with reporters in Clark, Pampanga, Duterte said: “I dont’ think she [Robredo] will be ready to govern a country. Reason? Incompetence. She is not capable of running a country like the Philippines.”

Robredo, who is working to unite the opposition for next year’s elections, shot back: “I don’t want to dignify his statement, but I would just say that instead of him insulting me or God, he should just focus on our economic woes.”

The Palace on Wednesday compared the President’s almost 30 years in government against Robredo’s limited exposure.

“That assessment by the President that the VP is incompetent, we cannot take that away [from him] because he has been serving the government for 30 years and maybe he has his own standards and guidelines on who’s competent and who’s not,” said Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque in an inter-

Marcos,...

From A1 for the 2016 vice presidential race were joined by Robredo’s revisor, Osmundo Abuyuan.

But Robredo’s camp said both sides were invited to the outing, and that Marcos even sent food for the trip, an allegation the Marcos camp denied Wednesday.

The Robredo camp said CCTV foogate would show a Marcos staff member leaving a bag of snacks at the fourth floor of the revision venue just before the outing.

A Marcos spokesman, lawyer Vic Ro-

Ratings...

From A1 Roque said the latest survey showed that despite several challenges the adminis-

tration has encountered, the majority of Filipinos still managed to put their confidence in the President.

“President Duterte still enjoyed the confidence of the majority of Filipinos with a ‘good’ net satisfaction rating in Metro Manila, Balanced Luzon, and the Visayas and ‘excellent’ net satisfaction rating in Mindanao,” said Roque.

Roque said that despite the recent decline, Duterte’s net satisfaction rating remained the highest compared to his last three predecessors.

Opposition Senator Paolo Benigno Aquino IV said Duterte’s recent ratings were a “cry for help” amid the rising prices for basic commodities.

“This is a warning to the President by the people who are drowning from the rising prices to hear their call to pause

would do everything to at least make it better.

He said the country was not yet done with its fight against terrorism despite its victory in the five-month war against the ISIS-inspired terrorists in Marawi City last year.

“Just be put on notice that we are not yet over the hump in our troubles with the law and order particularly in some parts of the Philippines. Mindanao is one area which you have to look with guarded eyes,” Duterte said.

“But maybe next year I will pour more to the SMEs to serve the poor.”

The Trade department said the National MSME Summit was aimed at

providing a venue for the MSMEs to become more innovative and competitive in their businesses.

This year’s summit presents various opportunities and initiatives in gearing up for MSME competitiveness under the 7Ms framework―Mindset, Mastery, Mentoring, Money Access, Machines, Markets and Models of Business―which was introduced and supported by the Asean Economic Community in 2017, the department said.

Duterte also underscored his “burning desire” to end the 5-6 lending scheme.

“Either I stop the 5-6 or I will stop the collectors,” he said.

view on Radyo Pilipinas.

“He just voiced out his opinion. We should respect it because that is an observation from a person who has been in government service for such a long time,” he added.

Robredo earlier said uniting the opposition would make their voices better heard.

Duterte, who is pushing for a shift to a federal form of government, said Robredo’s term should end before the transition to the federal charter.

Earlier, he said he was willing to step down before his term ends once the federal constitution is approved.

But he ruled out Robredo as a leader during the transition, saying she was incompetent.

Liberal Party president Senator Francis Pangilinan also came to Robredo’s defense.

“Two years since she has been elected, VP Robredo has focused her attention on helping the poor help themselves. Without a Cabinet position, she has marshaled partners from the private sector to extend P252 million worth of aid for 155,000 families through her Angat Buhay program,” Pangilinan said in a statement Wednesday.

Pangilinan emphasized that Robredo

displayed her capability through compassionate, empowering, and responsible leadership, tagging Duterte’s remarks as “unfortunate given that they are untrue and more so because they digress from the core issues that hound Filipinos every day.”

Senator Panfilo Lacson, meanwhile, said it was difficult to measure Robredo’s performance since she was removed from the Cabinet fairly early.

“In short, she was relegated to a mere spare tire, waiting for the President to die or be incapacitated, which is unfortunate considering that she was elected along with the President, So regardless of party affiliations, they should be working together for our country’s sake,” Lacson said.

Lacson also said Robredo should have defined her role much earlier or right after she was taken out of her appointive position, which is to be the acknowledged and undisputed leader of the opposition.

“I thought she was somehow tentative in assuming that role, and the people, even those opposing the administration could see through that,” he said. With Vito Barcelo

driguez, dismissed the charge.

“We challenge Mrs. Leni Robredo to go ahead and produce such footage provided it is authentic and not another product of her many lies,” he said.

Marañon, on the other hand, said an investigation of the outing had already been held, and that the moves by Marcos to have it investigated were just “a PR stunt.”

“Protestant Marcos conveniently omitted these facts in order to suit his narrative that he was a victim during the 09 May 2016 National and Local Elections,” it said. “Thus, if only to confirm that the revisors of protestant Marcos were not only aware, but even donated snacks to the outing, the CCTV footage

must be released.”

Rodriguez shot back: “Her claim that we know of her sponsored pool party and even sent food is a big lie. We have shown pictures of how she has corrupted PET Head Revisors and pictures don’t lie. To date, all she has are alibis and more lies. Huling huli na nagpapalusot pa,” he said, in a text message.

Marcos filed an election protest on June 29, 2016, claiming that the camp of Robredo cheated in the automated polls in the May 2016 national polls.

Robredo won the vice presidential race in the May 2016 polls with 14,418,817 votes or 263,473 more than Marcos’ 14,155,344 votes.

The recount is ongoing.

Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Law,” said Aquino in a statement Wednesday.

A constant critic, Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, said the 11-point decline showed that “the Duterte myth” is gone.

“The novelty of his crass behavior is gone too,” also said the opposition senator.

Trillanes said the people have finally seen the light. “It took the rising cost of living to expose Duterte as nothing more than a one-trick pony,” he said.

House leaders played down the 11-point drop in President Duterte’s net satisfaction rating.

Deputy Speaker and Batangas Rep. Raneo Abu, Luis Raymund Villafuerte of Camarines Sur and Isabela Rep. Rodolfo Albano III said the SWS survey result was expected, given the controversies that beset the administration.

They added that the ratings will improve when the tax reform program begins to bear fruit.

“The administration has taken bold

steps to eliminate poverty and fix whatever that ails the country with the end in view of making life more comfortable for the Filipino,” Albano said.

Villafuerte said he is optimistic that President Duterte’s satisfaction rating will recover, given his “well-planned anti-poverty initiatives, and his gamechanging move to shift the country’s foreign policy focus to Asia.”

Villafuerte said the President has shown his tough and determined drive to curbing corruption by firing top officials suspected of abusing their positions, even if they happen to be his close political allies.

The survey, released Tuesday, July 10, showed that 65 percent of adult Filipinos were satisfied with the performance of the President while 20 percent were dissatisfied and the remaining 15 percent were undecided.

Results of the second quarter poll show that Duterte’s net satisfaction rating reached his all-time low of +45, which is categorized as “good” by SWS.

Rody...

From A1 said he would only apologize to God and nobody else.

“Sorry, God. I said sorry, God. If God is taken in a generic term by everybody listening then that’s well and good,” Duterte said in a video posted on the official Facebook page of the Presidential Communications Operations Office.

“I only apologize to God and nobody else.

If I wronged God, then he would be happy to listen to my apology. Why? Because my God is all-forgiving. He does not remember past hurts. Why? Because God created me to be good, not bad,” he added.

Duterte, meanwhile, reminded Villanueva and other religious leaders about the separation of church and state, saying it is wrong to use God to personally attack him and his administration.

“Remember that there is a division between church and state. You can criticize us anything at all— from the garbage collector to generals and even to vice president and senator,” Duterte said.

“But never, never use the name of God as a front to attack government because that is not the proper way to do it. There is a separation of state and church. Do not use God to attack me. That is not proper and I’m sure that is not what God wants,” he added.

Duterte earlier formed a four-man panel to hold discussions with Catholic Church and other religious leaders to improve their strained relations.

Panelo said the meeting in the Malago Clubhouse with Villanueva lasted for twoand-a-half hours.

“They discussed various issues including the remarks of the President on God,” said Panelo who arranged the meeting weeks after Villanueva urged the President to apologize to God in public, adding that the Jesus is Lord founder expressed dismay over the President’s recent remarks.

Sixth...

From A1 Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra, for his part, said it was unlikely that the spate of killings was part of a grand plot to destabilize the Duterte administration.

Guevarra said the National Bureau of Investigation failed to establish that the killings of Halili, Bote and Lubigan were interrelated.

Alvarez...

From A1 By end of the year, Alvarez said it would be hard for Congress to attend to the proposed shift to a federal system through Charter change, even if legislators prepare a timetable for this.

Alvarez confirmed receiving a copy of the draft federal charger prepared by the consultative committee, headed by former Supreme Court Chief Justice Reynato Puno.

Puno had handed Alvarez a copy of the 91-page document at his office.

Fariñas, for his part, said the Con-Com’s function in preparing the draft charter was merely “recommendatory” and said Congress will have the final say. “[The Con-Com knows that its function is] just recommendatory. They are only advisory,” Fariñas said. “It is only the Congress that can propose amendments to the Constitution. Precisely, they are called the advisory commission,” he added.

Fariñas said the House would take up the matter as soon as it receives the copy of the proposed draft from the Office of the President.

Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno, meanwhile, said he saw no need to earmark a budget for a plebiscite on the new charter, since it would be held alongside local elections.

Also on Wednesday, a group of bishops opposed a shift to federalism, saying it would pave the way for one-man rule.

“There is a monstrous threat to democracy and human rights unfolding in our midst.

This comes as President Rodrigo Duterte’s government forcefully rams into the Filipino people’s throat the proposed Federal Charter that will supersede the 1987 Philippine Constitution,” the Ecumenical Bishops’ Forum said in a statement.

The group said it was “alarmed and highly apprehensive” at the way the government appeared to be rail roading Charter change, and said it suspects “something sinister” behind the rush to form a federal system.

Pinoy...

From A1 coach was almost like an impossible mission.

“I was called in to help as the cave entrance attempt was becoming quite a challenge due to rising water level. People were becoming restless and angry at the slow progress. So they sought another way in,” Aquino said in an interview with ABS-CBN News.

Along with other volunteers from different parts of the world, Aquino was part of the “Camp Geo” team composed of rock climbers, cave experts and paramedics all looking for a way to extract the boys out of the Tham Luang cave complex.

“Was there a trail? No. Is climbing limestone in wet conditions difficult? F*** yeah!

Is climbing limestone on trad gear in wet conditions more challenging? F***ing suicide,” he recalled. “Nonetheless we did it.”

Aquino, who admitted feeling the pressure in “single-handedly representing an entire country,” said he does not consider himself a hero.

“Heroes are six feet under. If you knew you could make a difference, wouldn’t you do something? I was just at the right place at the right time in a really bad situation,” he said.

News

A3

THURSDAY, JULY 12, 2018 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

DepEd rejects mandatory drug testing for Grade 4 kids

By Rio N. Araja

LABOR ISSUE. Labor Secretary Sylvestre Bello III and Undersecretary Joel Maglunsod issue classificatory statement on the Labor department’s order to regularize contractual workers of PLDT at a press conference on Wednesday. Norman Cruz

DOTr, 3 other agencies sign MoA on fuel subsidy

By Rio N. Araja and Alena Mae S. Flores THE departments of Transportation, Budget, Energy, Transportation and Land Bank of the Philippines have agreed to grant a P5,000 fuel subsidy per jeepney driver.

The concerned government agencies inked a joint memorandum circular to distribute debit cards of a P5,000 fuel subsidy known as “Pantawid Pasada.”

At least 180,000 jeepney drivers stand to benefit from the program within the first two years of the implementation of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion law.

According to Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno, “Pantawid Pasada” was conceptualized as a mitigating measure when the TRAIN law was crafted.

He said that there is sufficient fund allocation for the program and immediate release of the subsidy provided there is proper documentation.

Some P977 million was allocated for the remaining six months of this year under the unprogrammed appropriations of 2018’s national budget, while P3.86 billion will be allocated in 2019 with an increase of the subsidy per public utility jeepney driver to P20,515 per year.

The LandBank shall distribute the debit card starting July 12.

On the other hand, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade vowed to wipe out any irregularity in the program’s implementation.

Meanwhile, the Department of Energy, one of the signatories in the Joint Memorandum Circular No. 1, will provide the guidelines for the implementation of the Pantawid Pasada Program to shield vulnerable sectors from high oil prices.

PLDT ordered to regularize contractual employees

By Vito Barcelo THE Department of Labor and Employment maintained its previous order to the telecommunications giant PLDT Inc. to regularize the more than 7,000 service providers’ employees or face legal actions in accordance with the law.

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III claimed that the PLDT violated the labor law by engaging in “labor-only contracting schemes” by employing the services of 38 of PLDT’s service contractors.

The DoLE also issued cease and desist orders to 38 contractors for engaging in labor-only contracting schemes. This means that they are prohibited from operating a contracting business and that the workers they deployed to PLDT must be regularized under the telecommunications company The department denied PLDT’s motion for reconsideration directing the company and its contractors to grant their employees regular employment status and pay workers’ monetary benefits amounting to P51.6 million.

Inclusion of some towns, brgys in BBL questioned

By Maricel V. Cruz

MINDANAOAN lawmaker on Wednesday said the inclusion of six towns of Lanao del Norte and 39 barangays of North Cotabato in the proposed Bangsamoro region was ‘illegal’ even as he vowed to question what he claimed as an “unconstitutional” Bangsamoro Basic Law at the Supreme Court.

A

“If I do not get what I want and I feel that this is unconstitutional, I will challenge it in the Supreme Court, period,” Khalid Dimaporo said. “If, us in the province, this is not just me, us in the province, feel that there will be questions of constitutionality, then we will challenge it in the Supreme Court,” Dimaporo said.

This developed as majority leader and Ilocos Norte Rep. Rodolfo Fariñas said the congressional leaders would raise the issue with the President.

While the President’s wish was to give up the six towns and 39 barangays in favor of the Bangsamoro, Fariñas said Congress cannot act on it as this is involves a constitutional question.

“The President wants to just give it up but our hands are tied because the Constitution prohibits it,” Fariñas said.

Dimaporo and his father, Lanao del Norte Rep. Abdullah Dimaporo, have opposed the inclusion of six municipalities of their province and 39 barangays of North Cotabato in the proposed Bangsamoro region. The Dimaporos are both members of the bicameral conference committee on the BBL. Dimaporo said these municipalities and barangays should not be included in the envisioned Bangsamoro region as “there was no proof that they voted [for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao].”

The six Lanao del Norte municipalities

and 39 North Cotabato villages are currently part of the ARMM. The six Lanao del Norte municipalities are Baloi, Munai, Nunungan, Pantar, Tagoloan and Tangcal while the 39 North Cotabato are Dunguan; Lower Mingading; Tapodoc in Aleosan town; Manarapan and Nasapian in Carmen town; Nanga-an, Simbuhay, and Sanggadong in Kabacan town; Damatulan, Kadigasan, Kadingilan, Kapinpilan, Kudarangan, Central Labas, Malingao, Mudseng, Nabalawag, Olandang, Sambulawan and Tugal in Midsayap town; Lower Baguer, Balacayon, Buricain, Datu Binasing, Kadingilan, Matilac, Patot, and Lower Pangangkalan in Pigkawayan town; Bagoinged, Balatican, S. Balong, S. Balongis, Batulawan, Buliok, Gokotan, Kabasalan, Lagunde, Macabual, and Macasendeg in Pikit town.

“We asked the Comelec [Commission on Elections] if they can provide official records. [The Comelec said]we cannot because all the records have been burned,” Dimaporo said.

“So if anybody challenges this before the court, to question if these six municipalities and 39 barangays indeed voted for their inclusion in the ARMM, there’s no official record that can be produced,” Dimaporo said.

MWSS chief discusses water management in S’pore MARINA BAY SANDS, Singapore— Metropolitan Water Works and Sewerage System Administrator Reynaldo V. Velasco underscored the water agency’s progress with its three concessionaires Maynilad, Manila Water and San Miguel Bulk Water-in ensuring water security and better wastewater management through the application of smart water management.

Former United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki Moon keynoted the international water conference as he underscored the “optimistic solution to climate change and water security is Private Public Partnership [PPP] which is the best solution aside from science and technology.”

Moon also cited the need for “strong leadership as the catalyst for massive infrastructure and technological development in combatting climate

change and improving sustainable water and wastewater management.”

In a speech before delegates in the Singapore Water Week 2018 and the Asia Water Council, Velasco shared how Philippines is way ahead in advocating private public partnership with its two concessionaires, Manila Water and Maynilad, borne out of the successful PPP that saw fruition in 1997 during President Fidel V. Ramos administration, have adopted the newest technologies and innovations in their respective water systems.

Velasco, a director of the Asia Water Council, also welcomed the statement of Ban Ki Moon on “strong leadership” as a lynchpin to its “Build, Build, Build” policy. The MWSS chief headed the 20-man Philippine delegation to the Singapore Water Week 2018 comprising of Maynilad president Ramoncito Fernandez, Maynilad COO Randy

Estrellado and four others as well as Manila Water headed by its COO Ding Carpio and 11 others.

According to Velasco, Maynilad’s Putatan Water Treatment Plant for instance is currently the largest membrane-based water treatment plant in the Philippines and is also the first of its kind to use large-scale ultrafiltration and reverse osmosis. It uses a multi-stage process of dissolved air flotation, biological aerated filtration, ultrafiltration, and chlorination to ensure that water coming from the Laguna Lake passes the Department of Health’s Philippine National Standards for Drinking Water.

Maynilad is also upgrading its La Mesa Treatment Plants to enhance the facilities’ treatment capacity, as well as retrofitting structures for improved earthquake resiliency, and automating processes for more reliable operations.

FOLLOWING a meeting with top officials of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, the Dangerous Drugs Board, and the Philippine National Police, the Department of Education stood its ground in limiting the random drug testing to secondary and tertiary level students, as mandated by the law.

“Nag-agree kami na kanya-kanya kami ng trabaho—sa amin ang preventive, sa kanila ang enforcement.

We have to respect what each of us are doing because we have the same goal, which is to fight illegal drugs,” Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones said.

The three agencies showed DepEd their data on the dramatic increase in the number of children who are involved in prohibited substances and their proposed plan of action.

Reiterating that the DepEd’s mandate from the President is to enhance the curriculum on drug education for learners nine years old and above, the four agencies agreed to provide each other advice, share information, and meet regularly to solve the menace of illegal drugs.

“The important thing is, I think, all of us realize that the drug problem is not only a police problem, or an education problem, it’s a problem of society. And this can only be minimized if society also changes; We are engaged in the same battle, we are using different methodologies and we are focusing on different clientele,” Briones said.

Meanwhile, authorities said on Wednesday that 500 government workers have been arrested in anti-drug operations from July 1, 2016 to June 30, 2018.

Lacson seeks ‘localized’ peace talks with NPA rebels

By Macon Ramos-Araneta LOCALIZED peace initiatives with the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s ArmyNational Democratic Front, Senator Panfilo Lacson said is still a “way to go,” and is more practical.

He also said this would also mean lesser expenses on the part of the government as representatives to the peace talks with communist rebels no longer need to go abroad.

“First, it is very clear that Joma Sison has no control of the CPP/NPA guerrilla fighters ng CPP/NPA,” said Lacson, referring to Jose Maria Sison, the founding chairman of the CPP-NPA-NDF who has been in exile at The Netherlands.

Secondly, Lacson said the CCP’s forces in the provinces and regions are different so that their treatment should also be different.

Thirdly, he said the local governments are in a better position to know the needs of rebels in their areas.

“And they can get close relatives and friends to meddle between the two panels, and they know the beneficial needs of rebels in case they decide to return to the folds of law,” he said.

Furthermore, he cited the need to have clear guidelines and parameters for the peace talks to be conducted by every local government together with intensified support and supervision of central government.

Two PN ships to join Rimpac exercise TWO Philippine Navy ships deployed for this year’s “Rim of the Pacific” exercise in Hawaii are scheduled to sail out anytime on Wednesday to participate in the so-called “Force Integration Phase” of the naval maneuvers. “[The two ships will be sailing] at sea or the FIP of the exercise where various naval maneuvers and freeplay exercises will be conducted.

This is also the phase where live-fire will be done,” Navy spokesperson, Commander Jonathan Zata, said in a message.

The PN contingent to Rimpac 2018 consists of the strategic sealift vessel BRP Davao Del Sur (LD-602), the frigate BRP Andres Bonifacio (FF-17), an AgustaWestland naval helicopter, and 700 sailors and marines.

The FIP will last until July 19, Zata said, adding that BRP Andres

Bonifacio will participate in the livefire phase with its 76-mm Oto Melara main gun and 25-mm secondary cannons.

Rimpac is the world’s largest joint and combined naval exercise. This year’s exercises began June 27 and will last until Aug. 2.

“Participating nations will demonstrate the inherent capabilities of their respective naval forces through a wide range of realistic exercises that include human assistance and disaster response, maritime security operations, sea maneuvers, and complex war fighting.

The exercise not only aims to harness each nation’s naval capabilities but also to bolster cooperation among participating nations to secure the maritime commons against threats,” the PN spokesperson earlier said.

PNA

BRIDGE PROJECT. Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar (right) with DPWH Usec. Emil Sadain study a proposed plan during the preconstruction briefing held at Intramuros as they announced that the Estrella-Pantaleon Bridge and Binondo-Intramuros Bridge will start its construction by next week.The two China Grant-aid bridges are financed by the Peoples Republic of China through a bilateral cooperation with the Republic of the Philippines. Villar said the construction of these bridges is scheduled to begin next week and will be accessible to the public by 2020. Ey Acasio

A4

Opinion

THURSDAY, JULY 12, 2018

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

Ranting again be the opposition’s voice against President Duterte. But he says she cannot do it because she is incompetent.

If there is anything I can agree IN MY column yesterday I raised with the President on, it is the fact doubts about the so-called cease- that Robredo cannot be that leadfire that President Rodrigo Du- er who can unite the opposition, terte and CBCP President, Arch- much less the country.

It’s a tragedy that we don’t have bishop Romulo Valles, supposedly this kind of leader, whom we can arrived at during their dialogue.

Sure enough, the next day, the believe in and rally around.

Yes, she is the vice president, President ranted again about religious leaders who use the pulpit to but she is incapable of leadership.

How can she ever wage war criticize him. on illegal drugs, corruption and Mr. Duterte even threatened to kill his critics, saying that nobody criminality? Remember, she is should impose his views on the identified with the administration of Benigno Aquino III who has Almighty on him.

My gulay, clearly the President been accused of misusing the people’s money. cannot make up If there is his mind about anything RoGod. Is God the bredo can be one he believes A few days after the capable of, it is in, the one who starting the reis worshipped so-called ceasefire, the turn of the Yelby Filipinos, or President has more lowtards. the 16-million choice words for the *** Filipinos who Catholic Church.

There are voted for him? two provisions I would not in the draft want to argue Constit ution with anyone about God. I find that it is point- submitted by the consultative less. We cannot even agree on the committee that I don’t think will pass through Congress. premises.

They are the provisions on poThis is precisely the reason I raised doubts about that ceasefire. litical dynasties and the pork barHow can you argue about God rel system.

Santa Banana, how d you think with someone who is not even sure many members of Congress got which God he is referring to?

How can the Catholic Church elected to their positions?

Their family names are promieven agree with Duterte who is nent, and their relatives have ruled pushing for the Reproductive Health Law, or the return of the their areas for so long.

As for pork barrel—why do death penalty?

The President said that nobody you think many aspire to be in could impose his beliefs on him. Congress even though the pay is measly?

What a copout!

The pork barrel system will *** There are reports that Vice Pres- continue so long as members of ident Leni Robredo has decided to Turn to A5 TO THE POINT EMIL P. JURADO

The constant photobomber

I

N NOVEMBER 2017, during highlevel meetings at the Asia-Pacific Economic Conference held here, Presidential Assistant Christopher Go—also known as Bong—came up with a selfie that since went viral.

It was a shot with President Rodrigo Duterte and United States President Donald Trump talking to each other at the sidelines of the summit. Go, who was not included in the conversation, hovered around the two leaders in an attempt to capture what he felt was a historic moment.

That act had unintended consequences, given Filipinos’ social media savvy and inherent, if at times dark, humor. An app was developed putting Go in a

frame that could then be used for all other photos. As a result, Go’s face became a fixture in many pictures, just for kicks, and he became known as “pambansang [national] photobomber.”

Unfortunately, Go’s unwelcome ubiquitous presence persists, long after that Apec stint.

He is reported to have billboards and banners in many places across the country in an attempt to make himself familiar with voters prior to the 2019 senatorial elections.

Go’s camp likely deems this necessary because his background and capabilities are foreign to many, even as his is a perennial shadow beside Mr. Duterte’s, dating back from the latter’s time as mayor of Davao City. All Go is known for is his proximity to, and we suppose influence on, the President, even as we don’t have a clue as to how

he earned that special place.

The Senate is a different battleground, and one will prove one’s merits not by sheer loyalty but by competence and independence. Some among the existing crop of senators still lack these —what more Mr. Go? It’s either his camp is too persistent and shameless, or all this is a ploy to divert the people’s attention from the administration’s excesses and inadequacies.

Either way, Go’s continued photobombing—inserting himself when it is neither fitting nor appropriate to do so—serves as an ugly reminder that for some people, governance is synonymous with blind loyalty and convenient connections, nothing else.

This is most certainly not the image the Duterte administration would wish to project, especially during these trying times. Somebody must tell Go to stop.

PCOO’s latest embarrassment FOR PEOPLE TO BE CORRUPT, JUST TO SERVE YOU! YOU HAVE YOUR OWN BUDGET TO SPEND! DO NOT TREAT REGIONAL PEOPLE AS SLAVES! YOU ARE PUBLIC SERVANT! THE TAXPAYERS AFTER their “Norwegia,” “Winston are YOUR BOSS! My apology to those Gatchalian,” and “Rogelio Golez” who are dedicated to serve. Pero, sa gaffes, the Presidential Communica- mga PATAY GUTOM [greedy]! YOU tions Operations Office is again un- DESERVE THIS RANT!” The irate writer also addressed der fire after some agency staffers allegedly pressured their regional hosts PCOO Secretary Jose Martin Andafor extravagant treatment, according nar in another post also dated July 3, pointing to the agency’s flaws and misto a veteran journalist.

Edith “Ging” Z. Caduaya, a Davao- steps under his leadership. She alleged there is within based freelance the agency a penjournalist, posted chant for extenda tirade on Faing preferential cebook against treatment (“You ‘Habhab’ is not PCOO staffers encourage a batawhom she said a good way to be bata system!”), recently visited described. poor coordination Surigao. She said between agenthey pressured cies (“You come their hosts to and go to places serve them “lavish” food at meals and provide other without even coordinating with your OWN AGENCY!”), and a chaotic orextra resources.

Caduaya called the unnamed PCOO ganizational culture (“I can just imagstaffers the “habhab” (‘gluttonous,’ ine how messy your office is, RIGHT NOW! Your good and righteous staff or colloquially, ‘pig out’) team.

In her July 3 post, she wrote (capi- saying goodbye to your office. While tals hers): “Dear PCOO HabHab others endured, because they want to team, You are not in a position to dic- serve the PRESIDENT, NOT YOUR tate what food your host should serve! OFFICE ANYMORE!”).

Caudaya also pointed out the You are not in a position to Dictate what service vehicle you should use! incompetence of PCOO personnel, You are NOT their BOSS! You are not writing, “You have NON-WORKING ANGELS from HEAVEN, who de- USEC AND ASEC! RECEIVING serve PRAISES and GRAND WEL- SALARIES. THIS IS A SHIT THING!” and “[Andanar says] NO COME! Turn to A5 “DO NOT PROVIDE A VENUE

The PNP needs to step up

SEVERAL days ago, two disturbing incidents perpetrated by the police were reported in the papers.

One was about a female inmate who was used by the Chief of Police of Hagonoy, Bulacan as his personal masseur. The mother of the inmate later complained that the daughter was also raped by the police officer.

The other was the strip search by

the Drug Enforcement Unit of the corded to be laughing while the strip City of Makati on a man and a woman search was going on. who were arrested as suspected drug The actions of those involved in this offenders. Police personnel were re- shameful act was contrary to existing regulations because anytime the police needs to strip search a suspect, this must be done in a private and the one performing the search must be of the The country cannot same sex. A video was taken of this shocking behavior and was shown on afford an undisciplined, TV by ABS-CBN. Later, those who incompetent and were involved claimed that the strip mediocre police force search was for demonstration purposes that is full of misfits. performed by a woman who was paid which even if true is still against regulations.

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

THURSDAY, JULY 12, 2018

Making the most out of the budget OVERSIGHT DANILO SUAREZ IN TWO weeks, President Rodrigo Duterte will be delivering his third State of the Nation Address. By tradition, this is the time the Executive will present the 2019 National Expenditure Program to the Congress.

Congress will review and deliberate the proposed national budget, and pass appropriate for the legislative measures for the 2019 appropriations.

According to Department of Budget and Management Secretary Benjamin Diokno, the proposed national budget for 2019 will amount to P3.757 trillion, which is 19.4 percent of the country’s gross domestic product. Secretary Diokno said that the government will be shifting from an obligations-based to cash-based budgeting to enhance the efficiency of national government disbursements.

As reported by the DBM, national government spending has significantly increased in 2017 and 2018. In the first quarter of 2018, government disbursements reached P782 billion, higher by 27 percent than the same period last year. This is attributable to the subsidies released by the government such as those for the health insurance premiums of senior citizens, irrigation projects of the National Irrigation Authority, and rice importation program of the National Food Authority. Spending on infrastructure and personnel services also highly contributed to the growth in government disbursements.

While the government has shown

The PNP...

From A4

Both incidents did not make it to the headlines but were the kind of news that really pulls down the image of the Philippine National Police—which currently is not very good to begin with. These should not be happening at all in this day and age. It demonstrates the kind of discipline that exists within the Police organization. That both incidents happened very near the National Police Headquarters also tells us that Police Director General Oscar Albayalde has a very serious disciplinary problem in his hands. Using a female inmate as a personal masseur in one’s office while the door is closed and then her mother complaining of rape is so serious an offense that the Provincial Director was right in relieving the Chief of Police for further investigation. At the very least, the officer should be charged with conduct unbecoming of an officer or grave abuse of authority.

In my early years of service, I use to see inmates being used to cleaning (quarters), cooking and doing laundry for officers and other personnel but that was a long time ago. One would think that the police must have already changed with better discipline, regulations and standard operating procedures but it seems that not much has changed.

If the stripping incident was not caught on video and shown in the evening TV news, the incident would simply have been forgotten. So was the

PCOO’s...

From A4

TO DISINFORMATION , NO TO MISINFORMATION! But LOOK! which office spread the wrong information. IT IS YOUR OWN DESK! REMEMBER.. THE ID bruhaha, the ROGELIO GOLEZ, the NORWEGIA, the WINSTON GATCHALIAN. It all happened while you explore the wonders of SURIGAO and SIARGAO, with the Diving adventure, and the CRABS unlimited.”

She also alleged misuse of government funds, saying, “Most if not all of them [PCOO officials and staff], go for a JUNKET RIDE at the expense of PEOPLES money… [and] Your finance people drink all they can—hahaha “MORNING the NIGHT” with unlimited budget “MEALS” ang resibo!”

Caudaya also called on Andanar to rein in the excesses of his “habhab” team.

These are serious allegations and

improvement in its spending, I am concerned about the efficiency and effectiveness of government agencies in implementing projects and programs with respect to the budget allocated for them. As an example, we have appropriated P662.69 billion for the Department of Public Works and Highways in 2017. However, as reported by the Commission on Audit, the agency was not able to utilize 66.4 percent or P440 billion of this allocated budget.

CoA cited the delay and non-implementation of infrastructure projects as the primary reason for the department’s low fund disbursement. We expected the Duterte administration’s “Build, Build, Build” infrastructure program to be the primary driver of government spending. It seems that bureaucratic bottlenecks have stalled this program. Even the Department of Social Welfare and Development is being complained about for delayed delivery of services, particularly at times of calamities. There are issues of expired relief goods in the agency due to failure of urgent distribution.

Parochially, my district suffered from these delays. Bondoc Peninsula was badly hit by Typhoon “Nina” in December 2016, and it took more than

a year before the Department of Education and the DPWH were able to repair the schools and roads damaged by the typhoon. While I do not really directly blame the cabinet members for these delays, I am hopeful that these avoidable situations will not be repeated in my, and all other areas of our country.

Be assured that these concerns will be addressed before Congress approves the 2019 national budget. It is, after all, a budget for the people.

I forward my proposal that part of the national funds allocated to the government agencies be downloaded directly to the district and the local government units. For instance, the barangays, being the most basic unit of the government, has a direct access to the people. Our barangay and LGU officials have on the ground knowledge of what their constituencies and communities require, such as farm-to-market roads, road repairs, and educational and jobs assistance.

In times of calamities, having direct access to funds allow LGUs to deliver faster response.

I have also been calling for the amendment of the Government Procurement Law, which may have loopholes that cause the delay in the procurement of goods despite the urgency of the need for them. We must remember, “a project delayed is a project denied.” Therefore, the national government should double their efforts in ensuring the timely and effective implementation of projects and programs for the benefit of the Filipino people.

The President said that the budget is a budget for the people. We should make sure to keep it that way.

case in Hagonoy. Good thing that the mother of the female inmate had the courage to complain to the Police Provincial Director.

These are just two incidents. How many more similar incidents are happening in more remote areas of the country that do not find their way to news? This is something that General Albayalde should devote a lot more time to correct. If not, all the good deeds that he is doing can easily be blown away by such incidents as these two incidents must already have done to the image of the PNP. *** Although the two reported incidents may be viewed by those involved as insignificant offenses, both does show the kind of culture that exist within the ranks of the PNP and by further extrapolation explain why many police personnel behave the way they do which cannot be good not only to the police organization but to the people that they are supposed to serve. This could also be a symptom of a deeper malaise prevailing within the PNP. If so, General Albayalde needs to confront this forcefully because the country cannot afford an undisciplined, incompetent and mediocre police force that is full of misfits. What the people need is a police force led by competent, professional and dedicated Corps of Officers who have the interest of the people they serve as their first and primordial reason for being in the police force. This may sound idealistic but without goals like these, the PNP will never be able to achieve the

vision that the police organization is aspiring for.

We old fogies do want the current crop of police officers to be better than us who have retired in every way— discipline, competence, dedication and professionalism because if the PNP as an organization is doing well, then we on the retired list will also be part of that success.

But if the PNP today is not doing well and is mired in a lot of controversies not only in the eyes of Filipinos but internationally as well, then we will all look bad.

One of the things that the PNP has not done is to come up with a handbook that will be the guide of anyone joining the PNP from day one up to retirement. This handbook will define behavior, the training that a member must undertake in the course of his or her career, benefits, assignments and other activities that a member is expected to go through in the course of a 35-year service.

Also quite important is a review on how the PNP is recruiting its rank and file. With the large number of personnel being booted out from the police service due to so many cases, maybe the PNP is not recruiting the best available people and not giving them the kind of basic training that guaranties their readiness to perform their police duties competently and professionally upon graduation. If the PNP leadership want improvement in police quality, the recruitment process and the basic recruit training must be upgraded to a much higher level.

Andanar should address these—are these claims legitimate? If not, then issue a statement. If so, then the necessary steps should be taken to ‘clean house’ and review agency policies. Wasn’t it President Rodrigo Duterte himself who exhorted the public officials of his administration to be prudent and austere in their spending?

The Commission on Audit should also look into these matters.

PCOO is one of the most problematic agencies of the government. It is impossible that President Rodrigo Duterte is unaware that some of the agency officials are unqualified and have shown themselves unfit for their positions.

I cannot overemphasize enough the importance of good and effective communication in every aspect of human endeavor. It is what enables humans to construct their society and maintain social order. So for PCOO to let by mistakes in grammar, spelling, and general knowledge in their press releases is a show of how inept its staff-

ers are and how little they value and respect their readers.

For the agency to continue to permit its assistant secretaries Mocha Uson and Lorraine Badoy to make hyperpartisan and rude comments against critics is to allow them to continue to divide an already polarized nation, instead of uniting it.

For PCOO to limp along for four more years under weak and ineffective leadership is to do the country a great disservice. Overhauling the agency will be like cleaning the Augean stables—a Herculean labor—but it can be done if the President wills it, as he did with the Department of Tourism, now under the capable hands of Secretary Bernadette Puyat.

Meanwhile, PCOO should address these recent allegations, unless they want to go down in history as the ‘habhab team.’

It is supposedly for the people. Let us keep it that way.

Dr. Ortuoste, a writer and researcher, has a PhD in Communication. FB and Twitter: @DrJennyO

A5

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

The hijacking of democracy be a system of checks and balances in a democracy. The distribution of power among the branches of a democracy government are supposed to be more or less balanced, and ON NOV. 9, 2016 the eligible vot- each of the branches is supposed ers of the US went to the polls with to provide a checking influence on high expectations that the electoral any abusive tendencies of the other exercise would produce results con- branches.

The hijacking of democracy ocducive to the maintenance of good governance. After all, didn’t the curs when the system of checks great President Abraham Lincoln and balances malfunctions or comsay, at Gettysburg, that a democ- pletely ceases to function. When racy is government of the people, that happens, when balance beby the people and for the people? comes imbalance and checking And didn’t the equally great Prime becomes no-checking, corruption, Minister Winston S. Churchill say oppression and inefficiency bethat democracy, though a bad form come the hallmarks of governmenof government, was better than all tal conduct.

A malfunctioning or breakdown the other forms of government?

The winner of that election—by of the checks-and-balances system less than one-half of all the votes can occur in one of several ways. cast—Donald J. Trump, should It can occur when the legislative have been accepted by the Ameri- branch becomes supine toward can people in true democratic fash- or subservient to the Executive ion. Yet today the US is a deeply branch (as in highly partisan Redivided country, America’s poli- publican memberships of the two cies are questioned and challenged houses of the US Congress or in at home and abroad and there is the “supermajority” of the present widespread characterization of House of Representatives in this President Trump as the worst in- country). When President Duterte barks an dividual ever to order and the preside over the Speaker of the White House.

Lower House Looking at the puts his tail beUS situation, How should Filipinos tween his legs, students of poand Americans deal you know that litical theory are with the situation?

Philippine detalking today mocracy is in about the hijackdeep trouble. ing of US deA malmocracy. They functioning or breakdown of say that the form of government that has prevailed in the US for over two the checks-and-balances system can also occur when the branch centuries has been hijacked.

Can democracy be hijacked? The charged with determining the conanswer is Yes. Witness what is hi- stitutionality of laws—the judicijacking in the Land of the Free. ary—operated on the basis of fear And—9,000 miles on the other or partisanship. This is particularside of the Pacific—witness what ly true of the apex of the judiciary, is happening in this country. In the the Supreme Court. The excesses US and in this country one sees and abuses of the Executive and disruption, overturning and dis- the legislature can be checked by placement in so many areas of the a Supreme Court whose members two countries’ lives—in official at- do not make decisions on the basis titudes, in public conduct, in poli- of their having been appointed by cies and in the pattern of relation- a President of a particular party or ideology. ships, among others.

It can be argued that, whereas Both in the US and in that country, longtime friends have been the Executive and Congress can converted into enemies and long- conduct themselves abusively, it is time enemies are being welcomed the judiciary—the Supreme Court as friends. The civilities and cour- in particular—that in the end detesies of yore have been replaced termines whether the rule of law by insults, profanity and offensive- continues to exist. The Supreme ness. Bipartisanism and willing- Court on the quo warranto comness to accommodate have given plaint against former Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno has left doubt way to hubris and truculence.

In the musical play “The King on the minds of Filipinos as to the and I,” Siam’s King Mongkut was independence of the nation’s highdriven to say, “Is a puzzlement.” est tribunal. In the US, many peoWere he alive today in this country ple believe that President Trump’s or in the US, he surely would have recent appointment of Judge Kaasked tastily, “What the hell is go- vanaugh to the Supreme Court is in preparation for the numerous ing on?” What, indeed?

How does democracy get hi- cases against him that are likely to jacked? More specifically, how be brought up to the Court.

Have Philippine democracy and have American democracy and Philippine democracy been hi- American democracy been hijacked? They have. How should jacked?

The answer lies in a three-word Filipinos and Americans deal with phrase: checks and balances. In a their situations? If the source of totalitarian society there are no their common problem was the checks and balances; only the will breakdown of the checks-and-balof a Hitler or a Stalin or a Kim Jong ances system, the answer, logicalUn counts. But there is supposed to ly, is the system’s restoration.

Ranting...

From A4

Congress lust for money. I don’t think this will ever change. *** President Duterte keeps on saying he wants to step down in 2019 when the new federal constitution is ratified by the people.

He is tired, he says, even as he says he will not step down to see Robredo become leader.

Mr. Duterte did say he would like to see somebody else elected for the transition period.

Just who this would be is anybody’s guess.

This means that whoever is elected

president could be re-elected under the new Constitution and even re-elected until 2030. *** True to form, the President’s barker, Harry Roque, gave the administration’s war on drugs a score of 8.5 out of 10 saying the people support it.

Of course, Duterte’s minions will say anything to please their boss. If you ask me, I vote 6 where the highest is 10.

The President’s was on drugs is misdirected. To him, it’s a peace-and-order problem. I don’t agree because I believe it is an issue of poverty and health.

This is why the problem will not end so long as there is demand. emiljurado.weebly.com

News

A6

THURSDAY, JULY 12, 2018 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Boracay to reopen on Oct. 26, says DENR

UNDER THE RAINS. Pedestrians shield themselves from a disturbing drizzle as they wait for a shuttle ride in Pasay City Wednesday.

Metro Manila, according to weathermen, continues to experience scattered to widespread rains and thunderstorms in the next days although Typhoon ‘Gardo’ has left the Philippine Area of Responsibility.

Ey Acasio

Rerouting scheme imposed July 14-15 THE Metro Manila Development Authority announced Wednesday it would impose a traffic rerouting scheme in Manila due to closure of major thoroughfares in connection with the Worldwide Aid to Fight Poverty on July 14 and 15 spearheaded by the Iglesia ni Cristo.

Starting at 6 pm on July 14 (Saturday), the stretch of Katigbak Drive, South Drive and Independence Road will be closed to vehicular traffic.

On July 15 (Sunday), road closure will be imposed at 12:01 am along Radial Road-10 from Moriones to Delpan Bridge, Bonifacio Drive from Delpan Bridge to Katigbak Drive, Roxas Boulevard from Katigbak Drive to P. Ocampo, East and Westbound lane from P. Burgos from Lagusnilad to Roxas Boulevard, Finance Road from Taft Avenue to P. Burgos, Westbound lane of T.M. Kalaw from M.H. del Pilar to Roxas Boulevard and Westbound lane of President Quirino from M.H. del Pilar to Roxas Boulevard.

The MMDA advised motorists to take the following alternative routes during the said period: • All vehicles utilizing southbound lane of R-10 may turn left to Moriones Street to point of destination.

• All vehicles coming from Pasay City area using the northbound lane of Roxas Boulevard may turn right to P. Ocampo Street or use Roxas Boulevard Service Road to point of destination.

• All vehicles coming from Quezon, McArthur and Jones bridges using the southbound lane of Roxas Boulevard were advised to go straight to Taft Avenue to point of destination.

• All vehicles coming from Ayala Bridge shall turn left/right to Taft Avenue to point of destination.

• All vehicles using westbound lane of President Quirino may turn left to Mabini Street to point of destination, and • Heavy vehicles or cargo trucks may take President Osmeña, to President Quirino going to Nagtahan via A. Lacson to Yuseco to Capulong to R-10 (vise versa).

At least 200,000 INC members are expected to participate in the two-day event at the Rizal Park. Joel E. Zurbano

By Maricel V. Cruz

2 suspects in Bote killing nabbed in Camarines Sur

By Francisco Tuyay

P

OLICEMEN tracking down suspects in the ambush-slaying of Gen. Tinio, Nueva Ecija Mayor Ferdinand Bote claim to have intercepted two of the alleged assassins along Maharlika in Camarines Sur in Bicol Wednesday morning.

Chief Supt. Arnel Escobal, Bicol police regional director, identified the suspects as Florencio Suarez, 48, and Robert Gumacay, 35.

For his part, Philippine National Police Chief Oscar Albayalde said one of the arrested suspects—he did not say who and nobody asked him—was the alleged gunman and police were still hunting down more suspects.

“We are looking for four to five more suspects linked to Bote’s slaying,” Albayalde said.

Meanwhile, authorities said they recovered the getaway vehicle believed used by the armed men in the killing of Trece Martires City Vice Mayor Alexander Lubigan.

Albayalde hinted that the suspects were members of a gun-for-hire syndicate, “most

likely and all indications [suggest] these are gun for hire members, reason why they dashed to where they were nabbed when they sense they had been monitored.”

Escobal disclosed that Suarez and Gumacay were arrested at the PNP checkpoint along Andaya National Highway in Barangay Cabasag, Del Gallego, Camarines Sur at 9:30 am Wednesday, some 600 kilometers away from the crime scene.

He said Suarez was driving a color beige Toyota Avanza bearing a lost plate No. PGQ 134 together with Gumacay when a policemen manning a checkpoint along Andaya Highway flagged them down.

“They are among the suspects in the killing of Mayor Bote, but the report is not yet complete, pending completion of the manhunt,” Escobal said in Filipino.

‘SMD to help agri sector’

SECURITY ROUTE. National Capital Region Police head Chief Supt. Guillermo Eleazar calls a press conference in Camp Crame Wednesday to give an update and show a Route Security Marshall Map as regards the preparation for the coming 3rd State of the Nation Address of President Rodrigo Duterte. Manny Palmero

Construction of 2 bridges to start next week

By Vito Barcelo CONSTRUCTION of the P5-billion Estrella-Pantaleon Bridge and BinondoIntramuros span will start next week to provide alternative links and ease traffic in the heavily congested areas in downtown Manila, the Department of Public Works and Highways announced on Wednesday.

China has offered to fund the construction of the two bridges along Pasig River as a testament, according to government sources, to the two countries’ deepening ties often challenged by the unresolved South China Sea dispute.

DPWH Secretary Mark Villar said the construction of the two would be financed by the People’s Republic of China through a bilateral cooperation with the Republic of the Philippines.

Bote had just emerged from the regional office of the National Irrigation Administration in Cabanatuan City when fired upon by gunmen last July 3.

Policemen recovered a cal. 45 pistol from Suarez which was seen in plain view on the left driver seat of the Toyota Avanza.

The two suspects are undergoing interrogation in relation to their alleged participation in Bote’s killing while probers have yet to establish the circumstances, including the identity of the mastermind behind slay.

In Cavite, policemen recovered an abandoned back Toyota Hilux without license plate and conduction sticker, the vehicle reportedly used in the killing of Trece Martires Vice Mayor Alexander Lubigan.

In a police report, the said vehicle was spotted abandoned at the MabacaoPantihan Bridge in Barangay Tulay B, Maragondon, Cavite.

Earlier, Sr. Supt. William Segun, Cavite police provincial director, said two of the suspects inside a black Toyota Hilux fired at the side of Lubigan’s vehicle in front of the Korean-Philippine Hospital at Trece Martires town proper last July 6.

“The implementation of these bridges is scheduled to begin next week and will be accessible to the public by 2020,” Villar said.

The Estrella-Pantaleon Bridge will connect Estrella Street in Makati City and Barangka Drive in Mandaluyong City. It has a road length of 506.46 meters.

On the other hand, the Binondo-Intramuros Bridge will have a road length of 734 meters, equipped with a four lane carriageway and a three meter sidewalk along both sides.

It will cross the Pasig River and will provide a new link between Intramuros and Binondo.

“These two bridges are a product of our partnership with the people of China. We are optimistic about this collaboration as they will be providing

world-class bridges that will truly be beneficial for us Filipinos,” Villar said.

“The construction of the EstrellaPantaleon Bridge and Binondo-Intramuros Bridge is part of our master plan to decongest other existing bridges. As a major component of this initiative, we plan to further increase the number of bridges nationwide and rehabilitate the older bridges to ensure public safety,’’ Villar added.

The two bridges are part of the Metro Manila Logistics Improvement Network, a traffic management plan composed of 12 new bridges crossing Pasig River, Marikina River, and Manggahan Floodway.

The alignment caters to about 1.3 million vehicles daily and to provide alternative linkages between major thoroughfares, such as Edsa and C5.

COTABATO CITY—A Soil Mapping Database and simplified credit window facilities would give the government’s economic reform agenda a hard push from the agriculture sector, the country’s top agriculturist said Wednesday.

Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol said soil mapping would help Philippine farmers determine which crops could be grown best in what types of soil in agricultural areas of the country’s 77 provinces.

Piñol, a journalist-turned-agriculturist, said the soil mapping database of the Department of Agriculture included other important statistics, such as those directly relevant to the communities’ poverty incidence.

The Philippines has 9.671 million hectares of total agricultural areas.

Of which, 4.225 million hectares constitute the aggregate actual permanent cropland, from a total 4.936 million hectares of arable land, according to DA’s Philippine Agriculture in FiguresCountrySTAT Philippines.

“The soil mapping database will also help the farmers determine the kind of soil nutrients they would need to improve their cropping,” Piñol said.

Piñol said local poverty incidence figures were useful information in the package of the Soil Mapping Database, as principal factor in plotting development initiatives affecting farmers and fishers and the families directly dependent on their production.

The DA programs, he said, were also designed to minimize the trading gap between the farmers and fishers on one side, and the marketing of their products on the other hand.

The Agriculture chief said that to be able to address inflation, as a perceived outcome of the TRAIN (Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion) Law, the agriculture sector would have to embrace innovative approaches in development, and adopt programs directly beneficial to farmers and fishers—which include simplified schemes on lending window facilities. Nash B. Maulana

A ‘NEW and improved’ Boracay Island awaits residents and visitors when it reopened on Oct. 26, Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu told a congressional hearing on Wednesday.

“I would like to say categorically that we will be opening Boracay on Oct. 26,” Cimatu told members of the House committee on natural resources, chaired

by LPGMA Party-list Rep. Arnel Ty. “When we started the counting, it was from April 26. But [the rehabilitation] should be made within six months, [or until] Oct. 26 or Oct. 27.

But nevertheless, we will open it on Oct. 26,” he added.

The committee conducted the probe in response to the decision of the government to close the popular tourist destination to make way for its rehabilitation.

President Rodrigo Duterte had earlier described the waters of Boracay as “a cesspool” and warned that he would shut down the island, a popular tourist attraction, if it did not clean up in six months.

But Cimatu said Boracay Island had been improved.

“Categorically, I am telling you that Boracay is no longer a cesspool,” he said.

The inter-agency task force comprised of the Environment, Local Government and Tourism departments, recommended that the closure last no longer than a year, during which time restoration measures could be undertaken.

The task force gave assurances that inspections on compliance with sewage treatment and other requirements are now being conducted in tourist spots in El Nido in Palawan, Puerto Galera in Mindoro, Panglao in Bohol, and Siargao Island in Surigao del Norte.

The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Boracay earlier said establishments generated 17,737 jobs in 2017, the largest in Western Visayas.

Furthermore, the world-famous tourist destination attracted an all-time high of over 2 million local and foreign tourists in 2017, an increase of 16 percent from 2016 based on the data of the Department of Tourism.

OFWs may claim refund of paid fee

By Joel E. Zurbano OVERSEAS Filipino workers who traveled during the period of August 2012 to April 2018 may claim their terminal fee refund anytime at the Manila International Airport Authority administration building in Pasay City.

Airport authorities said the OFWs must present the copy of their plane tickets with locator code, or reference and a valid identification such as passport.

They added the claimants might proceed to the ground floor of the MIAA administration building Monday to Friday from 8 am to 5 pm except during holidays.

Thursday last week, officials of the Cebu Pacific Air and its sister airline Cebgo, remitted to MIAA P245,610,829 representing unrefunded terminal fees for unused or unflown tickets.

“We thanked Cebu Pacific and Cebgo for taking the lead on this. I am confident that the rest would follow soon,” said MIAA general manager Eddie Monreal.

In March 2017, all 40 airline companies operating at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport signed an agreement with the Department of Transportation and the MIAA to exempt OFWs from paying the P550 terminal fee.

Under the agreement, exemption from paying terminal fees shall be honored for OFWs at any point of sale, local and overseas and online.

“Our OFWs are our modern heroes for helping our country’s economy to grow through their remittances. The exemption is a way of giving our OFWs the recognition they deserve,” said Monreal.

Paying the terminal fee known as International Passenger Service Charge was imposed during the previous administration.

Monreal said he made the decision to scrap the policy after working on the technical details in coordination with the international airlines to eliminate the perceived obnoxious fee opposed by millions of OFWs.

Sports

A7

THURSDAY, JULY 12, 2018 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Petron, F2 try to keep hold on lead

Ronaldo transfers to Juventus for $117M

Games Today: (FilOil Flying V Centre) 2:00 p.m. — Philippines vs Smart-Army 4:15 p.m. — Generika-Ayala vs Petron 7:00 p.m. — UP-UAI vs F2 Logistics

HEAVYWEIGHTS Petron and F2 Logistics seek to keep respective spots on top when they tackle separate foes in the Chooks to Go-Philippine Superliga Invitational Conference today at the Filoil Flying V Centre.

After ruling the previous Grand Prix and Challenge Cup Beach Volleyball competition, the Blaze Spikers are out to inch closer to another title as they gun for their third consecutive victory against Generika-Ayala in the 4:15 p.m. second game of this prestigious club tourney bankrolled by Isuzu, SOGO Hotel and UCPB Gen with ESPN5, Hyper HD and AksyonTV as broadcast partners.

Also looking for to occupy the ceiling are the Cargo Movers, who will clash with University of the Philippines-United Auctioneers, Inc. in the 7 p.m. featured encounter following the 2 p.m. encounter between the Philippine Team and Smart-Army.

The Nationals, however, will be missing six players from F2 Logistics bannered by skipper Aby Marano, Kim Fajardo, Majoy Baron, Kianna Dy, Cha Cruz-Behag and Dawn Macandili while Petron stalwarts Frances Molina and Mika Reyes are also not expected to see action.

Still, head coach Shaq Delos vowed that they would show up prepared and ready to roar for another impressive victor y.

“We have to be more prepared because we’re going to miss players from Petron and F2 Logistics,” said Delos Santos, who guided Petron to a Grand Prix title last May.

Error-prone Batangas still wins over Makati BATANGAS CITY—Inaugural champion Batangas City survived an error-prone game against Makati, but got big games from Teytey Teodoro and Jhaymo Eguilos to escape with a 72-65 win late Tuesday night in the MPBL Datu Cup at the Batangas City Coliseum here.

The Tanduay-backed Athletics committed a total of 30 turnovers, uncharacteristic for a team that won the championship of the first season of the fastest growing regional amateur basketball league, but they were able to find ways winning their second game in three starts.

Teodoro assumed his role as the team’s clutch player as he came through with two timely triples down the stretch to bail out the Athletics.

He had a triple in the 5:03 mark of the fourth period which put Batangas City on top, 67-62, then responded again with another backbreaking trey inside the final three minutes of the match that gave his team enough cushion in notching a victory.

Earlier, Caloocan SupremosLongrich defeated Rizal, 92-80, as the John Kallos-mentored squad already surpassed its placing last season, where the team won only once in 10 games and was the first team to be eliminated.

Batangas City head coach Mac Tan couldn’t hide his frustrations after the game.

“Wow! 30 turnovers. Parang hindi kami ‘yung naglalaro. Suwerte lang talaga kami nanalo pa kami but I was really, really frustrated after the game,” added Tan. “Nagalit ako kasi imbes na mag-improve ‘yung laro sa second half, lalo pang dumami ‘yung turnovers. We had 14 in the first half, then we committed 16 in the second half. Hindi na ako makapag-coach ng maayos pero may staff was able to do a good job calming me down.”

Beginning next week, Raw will stream live on FOX+ at 8 a.m. on Tuesdays in the Philippines with a same day, primetime re-air on FOX Sports at 8 p.m.

PACMAN FLIES PAL. Philippine Airlines, the official carrier of Team Pacquiao, flew Manny Pacquiao’s entourage on board a chartered PAL Airbus A321 jet from General Santos direct to Kuala Lumpur afternoon of July 9 for Pacquiao’s ring match with Lucas Matthysse this weekend. Sending him off included PAL’s Victor Suarez, area head for Mindanao; and Harry Inoferio, senior asst. VP for Visayas and Mindanao. In command of the flight was Capt. Patrick Michael Roa.

Serena sets sights on 8th Wimbledon crown L

ONDON—As Serena Williams prepares for her 35th Grand Slam semi-final, the American star says a fear of failure is driving her bid for an eighth Wimbledon title.

Williams avoided a major upset on Tuesday as the former world number one battled back to beat unseeded Camila Giorgi 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 in a Centre Court thriller.

The 36-year-old’s quarter-final escape act set up a last four showdown with German 13th seed Julia Goerges on Thursday.

Serena hasn’t won a Grand Slam since the birth of daughter Olympia in September and her last trophy came at the 2017 Australian Open.

“You’re only as good as your last win. It’s

Serena Williams

been a while since I’ve won a championship,” Williams said.

But the 23-time major winner is heavily favoured to end her wait this week, fuelled by the thought of suffering the painful sting left by her rare defeats.

“I hate losing. I mean, that’s no secret.

But I feel like every time I lose, I get better,” she said.

“It’s important for me to have the losses.

Just the fewer the better for me!”

Williams is playing only her fourth tournament since becoming a mother for the first time.

Having shaken off the rust following her lengthy lay-off after the complications with Olympia’s birth, Serena is on the verge of a 10th Wimbledon final appearance and 30th in all four Grand Slams.

“Everything right now is a little bit of a surprise, to be here, to be in the semi-finals,” she said.

“I always say I plan on it. But when it actually happens,

it still is, like, Wow, this is really happening.”

With Olympia’s arrival and her marriage to husband Alexis both taking place since Serena was last at Wimbledon, this year’s campaign has a unique feel.

“It’s different now obviously because I have the baby. Being a mom is totally different,” she said.

“I just want to be more of that role model for my daughter, for lots of people out there that just want to be inspired.

“Here is some good news. Right now there’s so much bad news in the world.

We just need a good story.”

Having won the title in the previous two years she played Wimbledon in 2015 and 2016, Williams, who missed last year’s tournament due to her pregnancy, has extended her winning streak at the All England Club to 19 matches.

In contrast, Goerges is in the Wimbledon semi-finals for the first time.

The 29-year-old had suffered five successive opening round defeats at the All England Club before this year.

It also took her until her 42nd Grand Slam appearance to finally get through to the last four at a major. AFP

POC to form independent arbitration body

By Peter Atencio THE Philippine Olympic Committee is forming an independent arbitration body that will tackle leadership conflicts bugging national sports associations.

POC president Ricky Vargas said they are now doing this following his talks with International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach during

his visit to Switzerland last month.

“He asked me to put up an arbitration process in the POC. In the process, you have to have an independent body. And he encouraged us and all NSAs to go through the process before going to the courts, or any government arbitration process,” said Vargas during a recent meeting of the POC General Assembly.

Vargas said Bach has discouraged NSAs

from addressing their issues in court and instead seek arbitration from within the POC. “We will look seriously into this. And we can do that,” added Vargas.

The POC is now tapping the associates of their legal counsel Alberto Agra at the Ateneo Law School.

So far, lawyer Eric Ingles and his son Mickey are working together to form a new POC arbitration panel.

MADRID—Modern great Cristiano Ronaldo left Real Madrid to join Italian champions Juventus for 100 million euros ($117 million) on Tuesday, with the Portuguese superstar saying the time had come “for a new stage” in his life.

Juventus confirmed that Ronaldo had signed a four-year contract and that the transfer fee, including 12 million euros in add-ons, would be paid over two years, with Spanish media reporting he would receive a salary of 30 million euros a season.

The 33-year-old striker is expected to have a medical in Turin next week before being unveiled by his new side.

“Today Real Madrid want to give thanks to a player who has demonstrated he is the best in the world and who marked one of the most brilliant periods in the history of our club and world football,” European champions Real Madrid said in a statement.

In a letter posted on the Real website, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner said his time in the Spanish capital, during which he became their record goalscorer, had been one of the happiest in his life.

“I only have feelings of huge thanks for this club, for the fans and for this city,” he said.

“But I think the time has come to open a new stage in my life and that’s why I asked the club to accept to transfer me.

“I ask everyone, and especially our supporters, to please understand me.”

Juventus begin their pre-season schedule with a friendly against Bayern Munich on July 25 in Philadelphia, while Ronaldo could make his competitive debut for the club the following month, with Serie A to announce its fixtures for the upcoming season on July 20.

Ronaldo, whose World Cup campaign with Portugal was ended in the last 16 by Uruguay just under two weeks ago, hinted after May’s Champions League final victory over Liverpool that he was considering leaving the Santiago Bernabeu.

“It was very nice to be in Madrid,” he said at the time, using the past tense. He later played down the comment, but doubts over his future at Madrid lingered, especially after he had also threatened to leave the previous year. AFP

Off-road racing action with Honda Ride Red

By Aidan Fajardo HONDA Philippines, Inc. held the first leg of its Honda Ride Red in Davao City on July 10, an off-road race event that aims to take extreme racing action into the dirt tracks with categories such as the XRM125 beginner, intermediate and XRM125 ladies.

During the event, Honda Ride also showcased its line-up of Honda Off-road series, letting everyone experience its motorcycles, such as the XRM125 series, XR150L, CRF150L. CRF250L, and, CRF250 Rally.

HPI will hold six legs of Ride Red, with the second stage slated on July 29 in General Santos.

The rest of the legs are set on Sept.

23 in Bukidnon, Dec. 9 in Dumaguete, Jan. 27 in Tuguegarao and on Feb. 10 in Rizal.

The Honda Ride Red is in line with HPI’s new ONE DREAM campaign.

HPI is excited to bring this actionpacked racing as they give the opportunity for riders to better understand the dynamics of motorcycling and to promote the sport among Filipino youth, through the event.

Some of the participants ofthe Honda Ride Red answer the startiang gun.

RAW to stream live in PH exclusively on FX+ LOTTO RESULTS

WWE and FOX Networks Group Asia announced a new agreement to stream WWE’s flagship program Raw® live exclusively on FOX+ in the Philippines.

Beginning next week, Raw will stream live on FOX+ at 8 a.m. on Tuesdays in the Philippines with a same day, primetime re-air on FOX Sports at 8 p.m. Additionally, each week, FOX+ will stream on demand WWE weekly highlight shows Afterburn®, Experience® and This Week®.

“We are very excited to bring more of the best content to our viewers in the Philippines with the exclusive live streaming of Raw through FOX+,” said Jude Turcuato, General Manager for FOX Networks Group Philippines. “Having

this partnership with WWE further strengthens FNG’s push to make FOX+ the best go-to OTT entertainment platform in the country.”

“FOX Networks Group Asia shares our vision and passion for engaging and entertaining our fans,” said Michelle Wilson, WWE CoPresident. “This partnership to stream Raw live in the Philippines on FOX+ allows us to deliver action-packed, family-friendly entertainment to our fans throughout the country.”

FOX+ is FOX Networks Group Asia’s video-streaming service and is available on Android and iOS devices as well as on Apple TV and select Android TVs. A free 30-day trial is available for new subscribers. Visit www.foxplus.com.

6/49 00-00-00-00-00-00 P0.0 M+ 6/42 00-00-00-00-00-00 P0.0 M+ 6 DIGITS 00-00-00-00-00-00 3 DIGITS 00-00-00 2 EZ2 00-00

Sports

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

A8

THURSDAY, JULY 12, 2018

Bombers, Cards eye share of lead Games today (July 12) (Jose Rizal Gym, Mandaluyong) 2 p.m.- JRU vs Mapua (jrs) 4 p.m.- JRU vs Mapua (srs)

French fans celebrate France’s 1-0 victory near the Champs Elysee in Paris after the final whistle of the Russia 2018 World Cup semi-final football match between France and Belgium. AFP

Gin Kings march to semifinals

By Jeric Lopez BARANGAY Ginebra continued its mastery of Meralco.

The Gin Kings marched to yet another semifinal stint as they impressively finished off Meralco, 104-90, sweeping their best-of-three quarterfinal clash, 2-0, in the 2018 Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum last night.

The contest followed almost the same script as Game 1 as Barangay Ginebra gained the needed leverage in the third quarter to take charge and bulldoze its way onto the next round.

Justin Brownlee sizzled yet again.

The steady gunner once led his squad to victory, dropping a game-high 36 points, on an astounding 73-percent shooting, to go with six rebounds and nine assists as Meralco once again didn’t have an answer for him.

Not only did they book a ticket to the semis, the Gin Kings continued to be on fire, now having won seven straight dating back to the elimination round.

Ginebra will now await the victor between top seed Rain or Shine and No. 8 ranked GlobalPort, who will figure in a do-or-die rubber match tonight to see who moves on to the round of four.

“I give a lot of credit to my teammates. They just know how to set me up,” said Brownlee, who scored 17 in the second frame, of his fiery shooting.

“We’re just trying to keep our rhythm and stay aggressive. Hopefully, we can just continue to have success in the playoffs.”

Just like in the series opener, the Gin Kings trailed early, 12-24, after the opening minutes of the game, but they immediately turned things around before pouncing harder in the third.

Ginebra took the second quarter, 3223, to snatch the lead and take a 56-51 lead at the half.

With momentum on its side and with Brownlee scoring all over, the Gin Kings continued their dominance in the third as they tightened their grip on the game, establishing several 15-points leads after multiple runs to eventually take a key 79-65 spread heading the fourth quarter.

After surrendering its lead completely in the second quarter, it was all downhill from there for Meralco.

Paris erupts in a frenzy as France makes finals S

AINT PETERSBURG—France reached their third World Cup final after overcoming Belgium on Tuesday, sparking scenes of unconfined joy in Paris as tens of thousands of people poured into the streets.

In scenes reminiscent of France’s 1998 World Cup win, delirious crowds surged up the Champs-Elysees avenue and surrounded the Arc de Triomphe, waving flags and letting off flares.

A header from Samuel Umtiti in Saint Petersburg was enough to give Didier Deschamps’ team a 1-0 win against Belgium.

The 49-year-old coach is now just one win away from winning the World Cup —20 years after he captained the team to victory on home soil.

The tournament favourites must wait 24 hours to discover whether they will play England or Croatia in Sunday’s final in Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium but they will approach the game brim full of confidence.

Belgium started the stronger of the two teams but Umtiti’s header from a corner in the 51st minute was the pivotal moment as the defender stole the limelight from jet-heeled Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann.

France’s other hero was goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, who made a spectacular fingertip save in the first half to deny Toby Alderweireld and then kept out Alex Witsel’s drive as

Belgium cranked up the pressure towards the end of the match.

Deschamps said he was delighted to have the chance to bury the pain of the Euro 2016 final, which Portugal won in Paris.

“I am very happy for my players,” he said. “It was hard against a very good Belgium team. I take my hat off to my players and my staff.”

“Finals have to be won because we have still not got over the one we lost two years ago,” he added.

France started the tournament in Russia slowly, struggling for goals in the group stages but hit their stride in an impressive 4-3 victory against Lionel Messi’s Argentina in the first knockout round.

Boasting an impressive combination of experience and youthful zest, they controlled their quarter-final against Uruguay, running out comfortable 2-0 winners.

The defeat is painful for Belgium, foiled at the semi-final for the second time in their history, as the clock ticks on their so-called “golden generation”.

Captain Eden Hazard dazzled in patches but Kevin De Bruyne was quiet and Romelu Lukaku was a shadow of the player he had been earlier in the tournament, even though Belgium en-

joyed most of the possession.

Martinez bemoaned the goal his team conceded from a corner.

“I couldn’t ask more of the players’ attitude,” he said. “If you are going to have to lose such a match, which is bearable, it is the manner in which our players lost, pushing for everything, trying everything until the final whistle.”

England face Croatia on Wednesday in the Luzhniki, seeking to reach their first World Cup final since 1966 against a background of near hysteria at home.

Manager Gareth Southgate said his inexperienced side must look to perform at their “regular level” despite the pressure.

Captain Harry Kane is leading England’s charge with six goals so far, putting him top in the race for the Golden Boot. AFP

JOSE Rizal and Mapua hope to rely on their new recruit to bolster their campaign as the two collide for a share of the lead with powerhouse San Beda and Lyceum of the Philippines University today in the 94th NCAA basketball tournament at the Jose Rizal Gym in Mandaluyong City.

Parading mostly new recruits after losing the bulk of their core from last season, the Bombers and the Cardinals try to open the new chapter in their rebuilding life with a victory as the two take on each other at 4 p.m. in the first of five of the league’s “NCAA on Tour” games.

JRU has parted ways with Teytey Teodoro, while bidding goodbye to AbdulRazak AbdulWahab, Abdel Poutouchi and John Grospe, who played out their eligibility years, and filled their spots with a relatively young squad headed by remnants Mark dela Virgen, Jed Mendoza, Darius Estrella and Aaron Bordon.

MU, for its part, was actually on the second year of its rebuild mode after breaking in several players in the post Allwell Oraeme-era last season headed Christian Bunag while adding Warren Bonifacio and Jasper Salanga from its high school program and Noah Lugo from Lyceum to beef up their young roster.

“We have some new players coming in and we feel they will help us in our campaign,” said Mapua mentor Atoy Co, whose charges finished 10th and dead last with a 3-15 (win-loss) record.

“I’m very optimistic we will improve on our performance last year,” he added.

JRU coach Vergel Meneses said they are not as optimistic as last year when they made the Final Four and eventually finished third overall.

“It will be a tough season for us but we will try to compete even though we’re really a young team,” said Meneses.

France’s defender Samuel Umtiti gestures during the Russia 2018 World Cup semifinal football match between France and Belgium at the Saint Petersburg Stadium in Saint Petersburg. AFP

Salah storms ahead by 2 in ICTSI golf

Josh Salah

ANTIPOLO—American Josh Salah dished out fine form coming off a long break, rattling off eight birdies in overcast skies for a solid 63 and a twostroke lead over equally hot-starting Itthipat Buranatanyarat of Thailand and local ace Albin Engino in the first round of the ICTSI Forest Hills Championship at the Nicklaus course here yesterday.

Salah, who took a rest back home in Massachusetts after finishing tied for 31st in the Philippine Golf Tour Asia’s kickoff leg at Luisita last April, took advantage of benign condition and gunned down three birdies at the back where he teed off. He then strung up four straight birdies at the front, including a chip-in on the par-3 No. 4 then capped his flawless 30-33 card with another birdie on No. 6.

“I took advantage of the course’s good set-up and the weather—no rain and wind and a bit cloudy.

The course is really good but you need to play wise

—go for fairways and greens and take advantage of easy holes and go for pars on the difficult ones,” said Salah, who spiked his solid round with a nearimpeccable touch on the greens that saw him putt just 23 times, including two that preserved his unblemished slate.

Twenty three others joined the assault on the rolling par-71 layout with under-par rounds but only a few came close to matching Salah’s fiery opener, including Buranatanyarat, who came away with three birdies on each nine and came through with six scrambling pars for a bogey-free 65 which Engino matched with his own version of a 33-32.

The leading Filipino bet actually missed moving just a stroke off Salah as he stumbled with a missed green bogey on No. 7 in his closing nine in the early going of the $100,000 event serving as the fourth leg of the second season of PGT Asia put up by ICTSI.

Thai mixed martial arts star aids in rescue of trapped soccer kids ONE Championship mixed martial arts star Pongsiri Mitsatit isn’t just one of Thailand’s most decorated athletes, he is also a member of the Pingnakorn Rescue Chiang Mai volunteer group, where he offers his spare time to help out in situations when duty calls.

When 12 boys of the Wild Boars soccer team and their coach went missing for several days in June and were discovered to be stranded in a Chiang Rai cave complex, Mitsatit jumped at the opportunity to help rescue efforts in any way that he could.

“We drove to Chiang Rai in the early morning, worried about the children. But I knew our team was very capable, and I knew we would do everything we could to find them,” said Mitsatit. “Many people from all over the world came to help, it was a joint effort and a great sight to see everyone coming together for a common goal.”

The children, aged 11-16 years old, were exploring the Tham Luang Nang Non cave system on June 23 when torrential rain and flash floods quickly filled up

the entrance and trapped them inside.

Forced to seek shelter and to escape the rising floodwaters, the team and their coach ventured further into the cave system, reaching an elevated sandy area where they sought refuge until help arrived.

Navy divers and volunteer rescue teams, including Mitsatit’s unit, worked together, traversing murky waters, treacherous cave chambers and narrow passageways.

“I feel incredibly blessed to be able to help find these kids alive,” said Mitsatit. “It didn’t matter if I was in training for a big fight, I wanted to do everything I could to help those boys. This was bigger than everything else.

The British divers saw them first and sent back photos and videos, I was so relieved. Just seeing them alive and well, it makes my heart feel full.”

Mitsatit knows what it’s like to face adversity, albeit in the cage. A ONE Championship strawweight contender with an unblemished 9-0 professional record, and widelyconsidered one of the fastest rising stars in the world of

martial arts, Pongsiri had much to lose in risking his life.

But he wouldn’t have had it any other way.

“When we are given the ability to help others who are in dire need, we must do everything we can. It doesn’t matter whether we are rich or poor, we do what we can,” said Mitsatit. “In my mind, I wanted to find those kids as soon as possible. Then to see them strong and doing well, it motivates me to be as strong as them.”

Rescue operations concluded yesterday, as teams worked round the clock to rescue the victims at the soonest possible time. All 12 boys and their coach are well and in good spirits after being airlifted to the nearest hospital as soon as they got out of the cave. Although Mitsatit’s role in rescue operations has concluded, he is more than willing to offer more help if need be.

Mitsatit is scheduled to return to action on 27 July at ONE: REIGN OF KINGS at the Mall of Asia Arena in Manila, Philippines. He will face Baguio City’s Joshua “The Passion” Pacio of Team Lakay in the supporting card.

Pongsiri Mitsatit

IN BRIEF Bank account owners in PH still low—BSP THE number of Filipino adults who own a bank account remains low, which makes it imperative for the government to intensify its financial inclusion efforts.

Based on the 2017 Financial Inclusion Survey conducted by Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, the number of Filipino adults who own an account was estimated at 15.8 million or around one-fourth of total adult population.

The FIS is a nationally representative survey dedicated to collect financial inclusion data from the perspective of Filipino adults (defined as individuals aged 15 and above). It was the second run of the national survey with the baseline conducted in 2015.

Ownership of an account that can be used to save money, receive salary, send or receive remittance, and pay bills is a basic indicator of financial inclusion.

Banks continue to have a higher share (11.5 percent) in account penetration than non-banks such as micro-finance non-government organizations (8.1 percent), cooperatives (2.9 percent), and non-stock savings and loan associations (0.3 percent).

Only 1.3 percent of adults have an electronic money (e-money) account. Julito G.Rada

Ayala Land among most honored firms AYALA Land Inc. was again recognized as a Most Honored Company by New York-based Institutional Investor in its 2018 All-Asia Executive Team survey, topping a list of over 2,300 companies recognized for excellence in corporate governance and investor relations.

In the Emerging Markets category, ALI was named the Best Investor Relations Company for the year. This was aside from its ranking among the top firms in the Environmental, Social and Governance and Socially Responsible Investing Metrics, Corporate Governance and Analyst Days surveys. ALI’s chief financial officer Augusto Bengzon was also chosen as Best CFO for 2018.

Ayala Land’s leadership positions in the different categories earned for it the Most Honored Company Recognition in Emerging Markets along with Ayala Corp. AC also made it to the prestigious overall sector rankings for Best in Corporate Governance and ESG SRI Metrics, ranking high as well in the Best in IR and Analyst Days categories.

Business

Two bridges completed by 2020—DPWH

By Darwin G. Amojelar THE Department of Public Works and Highways expects to complete the Estrella-Pantaleon Bridge and BinondoIntramuros Bridge by 2020 in a bid to decongest traffic in Manila.

“The implementation of these bridges is scheduled to begin next week and will be accessible to the public by 2020,” DPWH Secretary Mark Villar said Wednesday.

The two bridges are financed by China through a bilateral cooperation with the the Philippines.

The Estrella-Pantaleon Bridge will connect Estrella Street at Makati City and Barangka Drive in Mandaluyong City. It has a total road length of 506.46 meters.

The Binondo-Intramuros Bridge, meanwhile, will have a total road length of 734 meters, equipped with a four-lane carriageway and a three-meter sidewalk along both sides. It will cross the Pasig River and provide a new link between Intramuros and Binondo.

“These two bridges are a product of our partnership with the people of China.

We are optimistic about this collaboration as they will be providing worldclass bridges that will truly be beneficial for us Filipinos,” Villar said.

“The construction of the Estrella-Pantaleon Bridge and Binondo-Intramuros Bridge is part of our master plan to decongest other existing bridges. As a major component of this initiative, we plan to further increase the number of bridges nationwide and rehabilitate the older bridges to ensure public safety,” Villar said.

The two bridges are part of the Metro Manila Logistics Improvement Network, a traffic management plan composed of 12 new bridges crossing Pasig River, Marikina River and Manggahan Floodway.

The alignment caters to about 1.3 million vehicles daily and provides alternative linkages between major thoroughfares, such as Edsa and C5.

business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com THURSDAY, JULY 12, 2018

B1

Chinese firm eyes $3.5-b steel plant C

By Othel V. Campos

HINESE conglomerate Panhua Group signed an agreement with the Philippine Economic Zone Authority to put up a $3.5-billion integrated steel plant in the Philippines.

Peza deputy director general Theo Panga said the proposal was one of the agreements reached during the recent Philippine investment mission to Chongqing and Zhangjiagang, China.

Panga said the proposed steel plant was a modern facility capable of pro-

ducing 10 different product lines of various applications, complete with a modern port and a 300-hectare industrial park.

“This is courtesy of Panhua group, a high technology private enterprise with diversified business interests. It is the number one steel sheet and steel coating manufacturer in China,” he said.

Peza said the project was a welcome development for the Philippines and would put a stop on steel importation.

It noted the project’s strategic importance and the government’s role to provide all the support for Panhua’s big-ticket project and other pioneering industries “to ensure the continued growth of the local manufacturing sector and to sustain the Philippine status as one of the fastest growing economies

in the world.”

“We can further stimulate domestic manufacturing and accelerate our industrialization if we attract foreign direct investment that will put up basic industries in the country such as integrated steel, petrochemical and mineral processing,” Panga said.

“Since the Philippines is regarded as the fifth mineralized country in the world, we can capitalize on our rich mineral resources to be processed in the country to encourage the establishment of basic industries and promote higher value-added production,” he said.

Having an integrated steel mill would bring about the growth of several big and small scale industries as well as the supporting power, transport and communication facilities, he added.

“This is what we badly need in the country to propel our economic/social progress and to enhance our competitivess as an FDI destination. This pioneering activity will surely make the Philippines a strong supply base for car assemblers, ship builders and other ecozone export/domestic producers particularly in the electronics, aviation and machinery/metal fabrication sectors,” Panga said.

Domestic demand for steel has risen to 10 million tons annually, making the Philippines the 17th biggest importer in the world.

The country’s growing need for more and better infrastructure under the Build, Build, Build program is expected to further increase the demand for steel, PEZA said.

DoE readies solar charging stations for EV market

Capgemini set to join open electricity market CAPGEMINI, a global leader in consulting, technology services and digital transformation, plans to join the Philippines’ open access electricity market.

“The Open Electricity Market is a step towards offering consumer choice in a market where energy demand is rising, and Capgemini is well-positioned to support local energy players in this journey,” Gaurav Modi, Capgemini managing director, Southeast Asia, Hong Kong and Taiwan, said in a statement.

Capgemini is supporting SP Group, a leading energy utilities company in Asia Pacific, to transform its systems, in preparation for the complete rollout of Singapore’s Open Electricity Market later this year.

Capgemini will modernize SP Group’s technological landscape to enable more flexibility and provide an enhanced customer experience, in the lead up to the opening up of the electricity market across the nation.

SP Group’s 1.5 million customers can look forward to greater convenience, as a result of the company’s push to digitalize its operations.

Alena Mae S. Flores

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

By Alena Mae S. Flores

METROBANK LOAN TO PEPSI. Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co. signs a five-year, P2.5-billion term loan with Pepsi-Cola Products Philippines Inc. to finance the bottling company’s expansion initiatives. The credit is the second-term loan transaction of the bank with Pepsi, with the first funding the construction of one of the biggest manufacturing facilities of Pepsi in Batangas province.

Formalizing the loan in a signing ceremony are Metrobank executive vice president and head of Institutional Banking Sector Mylene Caparas (center, left) and Pepsi Cola senior vice president and chief financial officer Imran Moid (center right). With them are Metrobank SVP and head of Corporate Banking Group Antonio Ocampo Jr. (left) and Pepsi Cola assistant VP for Treasury Veronica De Jesus.

PH confident of tighter spreads on Samurai bonds F OREIGN E XCHANGE R ATE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Wednesday, July 11, 2018

Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

53.4640

Japan

Yen

0.009011

0.4818

UK

Pound

1.327800

70.9895

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.127421

6.8124

Switzerland

Franc

1.008268

53.9060

Canada

Dollar

0.762835

40.7842

Singapore

Dollar

0.737028

39.4045

Australia

Dollar

0.745800

39.8735

Bahrain

Dinar

2.635463

140.9024

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266660

14.2567

Brunei

Dollar

0.734322

39.2598

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000070

0.0037

Thailand

Baht

0.030152

1.6120

UAE

Dirham

0.272272

14.5568

Euro

Euro

1.174600

62.7988

Korea

Won

0.000898

0.0480

China

Yuan

0.150591

8.0512

India

Rupee

0.014545

0.7776

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.248756

13.2995

New Zealand

Dollar

0.683600

36.5480

Taiwan

Dollar

0.032954

1.7619

Source: PDS Bridge

By Julito G.Rada THE government expects to replicate the tight spreads of the previous dollar- and renminbi-denominated bonds issued early this year with the upcoming sale of Samurai bonds in the latter part of 2018, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said Wednesday.

Dominguez said in a statement foreign investors demonstrated their high level of confidence in the Philippine economy under the Duterte administration with the tight spreads of the previous bond floats.

Tight spreads offer low interest rates, which indicate that the issuer has less chances of defaulting on its bond sale, while higher spreads mean investors view the bond as having bigger chances of its issuer defaulting, and thus, high interest rates are offered to attract buyers of such riskier investments.

Dominguez said another factor that contributed to the tight spreads of bonds issued by the Philippines in the offshore market was the fact that the government was now selling securities to raise funds for its infrastructure investments, rather

than to cover a ballooning budget deficit.

“We are funding our ‘Build, Build, Build’ program,” Dominguez said, referring to the government’s ambitious infrastructure modernization program consisting of 75 high-impact projects.

“This is for investment and not for covering our budget deficit because we’re spending too much. This is actually investment money that we are putting in.”

Dominguez said in 2016, when the Aquino administration sold bonds, the spread over the US treasuries was 103 basis points. When the Duterte administration announced that it was pushing a tax reform program in 2017, the spread dropped 67 basis points.

After President Duterte signed the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Act into law in December, the government’s issue of $2 billion-worth of 10-year dollar denominated bonds the following month recorded a spread of just 37.8 basis points (bps) over the US Treasuries, while its maiden “Panda” bond float of 1.46 billion renminbi in March had an even tighter spread of just 35 bps over the benchmark, the finance chief said.

THE Department of Energy plans to put up solar charging stations to support the development of the electric vehicles, especially e-trikes, a government official said Wednesday.

“We were also given the go-ahead to use the Clean Technology Fund, the grant... to put up solar charging stations. We’re drafting the terms of reference for that, we have to bid it out.

So that’s going to take a while. We’re waiting for certain consultants to come in and help us come up with a plan and terms of reference,” Energy Assistant Secretary Leonido Pulido III said.

The DoE will obtain funding for the solar charging station project from the $4-million Clean Technology Fund of the Asian Development Bank under the government’s Market Transformation Through the Introduction of Energy Efficient Vehicles (E-trike) Project .

“The consultants will help us identify what is the best model. For example, my recommendation is that there will be different types [of charging stations] if we will be allowed, we have to check under the TOR of the CTF,” Pulido said.

The department is laying the groundwork for the successful rollout of electric vehicles in the country by promoting the construction of support infrastructure, such as e-charging stations and after sales service.

Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi, in a speech delivery by Undersecretary Felix William Fuentebella during the 6th Philippine Electric Vehicle Summit Tuesday said the local adoption of electric vehicles came with challenges and opportunities.

“There is a need to construct support infrastructures such as charging stations based on an open-access, non-discriminatory environment. We need to establish after-sales-support services to address anxiety of drivers on the availability of service centers, replacement parts, sustainability of operations, etc,” Cusi said.

Exporters’ group offers revenue plan

MSME SUMMIT. Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez (right) briefs President Rodrigo Duterte on the products of micro, small, and medium enterprises assisted by the Department of Trade and Industry during the National MSME Summit at Clark, Pampanga on July 10, 2018. Also joining the event is former President and Pampanga 2nd District Rep.Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

THE Department of Trade and Industry and the Export Development Council will submit a proposed updated revenue generation scheme of the country’s largest exporters’ group for approval

by Congress and President Rodrigo Duterte.

Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said the updated scheme of Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc. would generate about P68.5 million in revenues yearly from the expanded operation of the World Trade Center, a new hotel and office building.

“We believe the revised revenue plan will be advantageous to both the government and the exporters. All the proceeds will be plowed back to the export sector for export promotion with additional revenue they earned from other activities. They committed to give P75.5 million this 2018,” he said.

The group has presented the plan to the DTI t and EDC, along with the estimated revenue during and after construction of the hotel and office building.

Philexport assumed the custody and acted as property guardian of the lot where the World Trade Center is located at the time when the government is at a loss of finding use for the property.

The lease period covers 50 years.

The government charged the group P1,000 as annual lease for the entire property with an agreement that the proceeds from the Philexport’s earning will be used for the development of the export sector.

The WTC lot and the adjacent parcel of land where the hotel and office building are currently undergoing construction remain in possession of the government.

“The government allowed the arrangement as such so support organizations can make money they can plow back for export development. That time, the budget of the government for promotions weren’t as big but the proceeds helped a lot in the sense that the government need not worry where to source budget for export promotion,” Lopez said. Othel V. Campos

B2

Business

THURSDAY, JULY 12, 2018 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Market rallies; SM Investments up

S

TOCKS rallied Wednesday, powered by select blue chips recently battered by the recent market slump.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index jumped 100.44 points, or 1.4 percent,to 7,333.73 on a value turnover of P5.2 billion. Gainers beat losers, 101 to 91, with 41 issues unchanged.

Bank of the Philippine Islands, the third-biggest lender in terms of assets, advanced 3.4 percent to P94.10, while sister unit Ayala Land Inc. rose 2 percent to P37.30.

SM Investments Corp. of retail tycoon Henry Sy climbed 4.2 percent to P916.50, while PLDT Inc., the largest telecommunications firm, gained 2.8 percent to P1,360 The uneasy calm that had descended

on Asian markets, meanwhile, was shattered Wednesday after the US threatened to hammer China with tariffs on a further $200 billion of imports, ratcheting up a trade war between the world’s top two economies.

The news sent risk assets into a nosedive. Tokyo’s Nikkei ended 1.2 percent lower, with exporters hurt as the safehaven yen climbed against the dollar.

Hong Kong lost 1.3 percent and Shanghai ended off 1.8 percent, while Seoul shed 0.6 percent and Singapore gave away 0.9 percent. Sydney retreated 0.7 percent, while Taipei and Jakarta were also sharply lower.

Washington’s announcement comes just days after the two sides exchanged tit-for-tat measures on a range of goods worth tens of billions of dollars, with US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer blaming Beijing.

“As a result of China’s retaliation (to

Friday’s measures) and failure to change its practices, the president has ordered USTR to begin the process of imposing tariffs of 10 percent on an additional $200 billion of Chinese imports,” he said in a statement.

China said it was “shocked” and warned it would impose countermeasures “to safeguard the core interests of the country and the fundamental interests of the people.”

Tuesday’s announcement is the latest move by Donald Trump in his America First protectionist agenda that has also seen the US target Canada, the European Union and Mexico, who have also hit back with their own measures, sparking global trade war fears.

Trump has previously warned he would hit a total of $450 billion in Chinese goods, which essentially accounts for all the country’s US-bound exports, citing its unfair practices and intellec-

tual property theft.

While observers have been nervously expecting the next salvo in the trade row, the news jarred markets, which had enjoyed some stability this week from upbeat US jobs data and hopes for the upcoming earnings season.

“This latest story will serve as a reality check for the market, reminding investors to reconsider how aggressive they want to be,” Michael O’Rourke, chief market strategist at JonesTrading, told Bloomberg News. “Regardless, the $200 billion in potential additional tariffs is not a surprise. The president made everyone well aware of them.”

Stephen Innes, head of Asia-Pacific trade at OANDA, said “nothing is written in stone and the tariffs are not set to take effect until September” but the move was still “a very sobering reality check as to just how fragile sentiment around trade war rhetoric is.” With AFP

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW WEDNESDAY, JULY 11, 2018

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

ASIA UNITED BANK PH ISLANDS BDO UNIBANK BRIGHT KINDLE CHINABANK CITYSTATE BANK EAST WEST BANK FERRONOUX HLDG IREMIT MEDCO HLDG METROBANK NTL REINSURANCE PB BANK PHIL NATL BANK PHIL STOCK EXCH PHILTRUST RCBC SECURITY BANK SUN LIFE UNION BANK

58 91 131 1.47 33.3 6.7 14.84 3.52 1.55 0.53 69 1.08 12 46.95 195 117.5 28.4 200.2 1,865 85.55

59.4 95 132.2 1.5 33.35 6.7 14.84 3.55 1.55 0.54 70 1.08 12 47 195 117.5 28.4 203.8 1,865 85.85

58 91 129.5 1.47 33.05 6.7 14.6 3.41 1.55 0.52 68.85 1.05 12 46.75 188 117.5 28.3 200.2 1,865 85.55

FINANCIALS 59.4 19,750 94.1 4,250,410 129.5 1,098,830 1.5 62,000 33.1 142,500 6.7 1,700 14.8 88,700 3.55 12,000 1.55 14,000 0.54 566,000 69.1 5,560,160 1.07 412,000 12 300 46.85 36,200 191.6 89,900 117.5 20 28.3 24,000 202.6 195,950 1,865 20 85.85 23,990

1,165,403 394,272,522.50 142,803,255 91,170 4,725,660 11,390 1,311,170 41,880 21,700 299,440 384,707,832.50 438,040 3,600 1,695,420 16,958,951 2,350 680,560 39,584,468 37,300 2,055,768.50

399,711.50 150,978,422 -48,525,812 487,295.00 -100,480 -13,950 -167,205,664.50 53,750 -1,564,025 -195,810 -9,917,336 -

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

35.85 16 0.59 1.16 0.249 3.1 16.48 44.75 21.75 53 63.15 1.8 5.1 7.45 10.2 15.92 10.72 7.29 5.12 1.7 14.68 61.3 24.65 7.15 14.1 2.4 246 5.09 27.5 11 19.7 353 6.88 2.26 4.06 8.79 6.31 7.7 1.26 11.8 53.9 5.75 4.65 2.06 1.89 12.4 5.33 0.127 121 2.53 21 1.39

35.85 16.02 0.61 1.16 0.285 3.1 16.48 44.75 21.8 54 65 1.8 5.1 7.72 10.2 15.94 10.72 7.3 5.2 1.7 14.8 61.35 24.65 7.2 14.2 2.5 249 5.15 27.5 11.08 19.74 357.8 7 2.3 4.06 8.8 6.36 7.7 1.26 12 54.5 5.86 4.65 2.15 1.89 12.7 5.49 0.127 122 2.64 21 1.39

34.95 15.84 0.59 1.15 0.249 3 16.48 43.3 21.65 52.05 63.15 1.76 5.1 7.4 10 15.8 10.7 7.19 5.12 1.7 14.68 61 23.55 7.12 14 2.37 245.8 5.09 26.75 10.94 19.2 353 6.88 2.2 4.02 8.75 5.8 7.7 1.26 11.8 53.9 5.65 4.65 2.05 1.81 12.4 5.33 0.127 120.3 2.52 20 1.31

INDUSTRIAL 35.6 906,400 16 290,100 0.61 1,586,000 1.15 65,000 0.265 96,360,000 3.04 2,142,000 16.48 903,500 43.5 508,100 21.65 12,000 53.95 162,320 65 800 1.8 130,000 5.1 6,000 7.72 4,600 10 971,900 15.94 231,800 10.7 26,700 7.29 663,700 5.2 651,600 1.7 1,000 14.78 177,900 61.2 4,240 23.7 42,400 7.16 21,000 14.02 163,000 2.45 1,614,000 247.2 760,520 5.15 2,100 26.75 92,200 11 58,900 19.3 2,320,000 357.8 126,900 7 6,800 2.24 291,000 4.06 78,000 8.75 351,800 5.8 1,994,200 7.7 100 1.26 11,000 12 15,600 54.4 221,470 5.79 223,800 4.65 35,000 2.1 277,000 1.82 245,000 12.7 552,000 5.4 30,500 0.127 110,000 122 204,650 2.62 4,619,000 20 1,100 1.35 5,192,000

32,277,755 4,632,394 943,460 75,180 25,729,720 6,481,880 14,889,680 22,232,185 260,950 8,603,889.50 51,806.50 233,690 30,600 34,299 9,738,552 3,681,992 285,856 4,826,728 3,369,813 1,700 2,628,818 259,358 1,008,455 149,830 2,288,138 3,958,120 187,848,996 10,695 2,488,020 647,998 45,413,566 45,205,066 47,004 655,050 315,470 3,087,695 11,930,768 770 13,860 186,208 11,978,610.50 1,289,918 162,750 575,390 448,440 6,939,096 163,964 13,970 24,872,295 11,973,210 22,600 7,056,510

800,835 402,468 -118,200.00 3,453,800 14,477,680 -8,548,580 39,550 -6,296,384.00 -1,881,526 -1,730,357 1,411,508 -73,415 936,248 -24,700 -16,391,092 -396,170 -14,292 -8,242,554 22,797,144 -75,160 -190,220.00 277,414.00 -1,197,938 3,362,744 450,249 -182,000 4,912,564 -27,450 11,430 942,353 780,750 370,920

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 HOUSE OF INV JG SUMMIT LODESTAR LOPEZ HLDG LT GROUP MABUHAY HLDG METRO PAC INV MJC INVESTMENTS PACIFICA PRIME MEDIA PRIME ORION SAN MIGUEL CORP SEAFRONT RES SM INVESTMENTS SOC RESOURCES SOLID GROUP SYNERGY GRID TOP FRONTIER WELLEX INDUS ZEUS HLDG

0.255 53.2 11.7 5.97 32.6 0.69 0.68 920 5.9 10.92 7.1 0.229 919 5.98 49.9 0.65 3.6 17.98 0.72 4.64 3.36 0.04 1.26 2.66 137.5 2.55 895 0.75 1.59 475 259.6 0.385 0.204

0.27 53.2 11.78 6.2 32.65 0.69 0.69 938 6.13 11.28 7.1 0.236 931 6.1 51.35 0.67 3.6 18.18 0.72 4.71 3.36 0.04 1.37 2.66 137.8 2.55 916.5 0.75 1.59 475 260 0.42 0.204

0.245 52.75 11.6 5.97 31.2 0.67 0.68 918 5.81 10.84 7.1 0.225 910 5.98 49.9 0.6 3.58 17.8 0.66 4.63 3.35 0.037 1.23 2.65 136 2.55 894 0.75 1.59 475 252 0.36 0.203

HOLDING FIRMS 0.27 7,120,000 53.15 1,092,720 11.64 6,132,300 6 9,700 31.55 258,100 0.68 3,960,000 0.69 1,042,000 938 184,350 6.07 509,600 11 2,809,900 7.1 500 0.225 750,000 917 70,100 6.1 24,500 50.95 1,823,010 0.67 3,541,000 3.59 639,000 18.18 669,000 0.67 10,414,000 4.66 21,714,000 3.35 10,000 0.039 15,700,000 1.3 7,574,000 2.66 265,000 137.8 200,240 2.55 4,000 916.5 314,740 0.75 12,000 1.59 308,000 475 40 260 7,250 0.37 167,710,000 0.204 310,000

1,858,050 57,860,814.50 71,505,242 58,145 8,189,420 2,689,460 713,760 171,512,100 3,071,515 31,105,518 3,550 170,760 64,312,060 146,562 92,594,046.50 2,298,730 2,298,400 11,988,070 7,123,310 101,239,790 33,540 587,500 9,910,090 703,910 27,443,269 10,200 285,536,405 9,000 489,720 19,000 1,868,004 64,931,900 63,060

61,750 -20,907,580.50 -16,944,694 19,740 157,750 285,600 56,487,945 2,297,548 -2,491,816 24,750 -10,331,045 9,288,602.50 461,920 -422,170 302,000 -55,515,330 34,580 23,940 -7,817,597 123,791,440 1,130,050 -

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

7.25 1.01 14.16 1.88 0.74 36.75 3.18 4.6 0.435 0.92 0.86 0.223 0.4 9.24 25.2 0.6 1.47 1.19 1.6 4.01 4.39 0.59 0.495 0.52 3.41 19.72

7.3 1.01 14.66 1.88 0.75 37.4 3.18 4.7 0.44 1.1 0.92 0.229 0.4 9.24 26.3 0.61 1.49 1.2 1.62 4.01 4.47 0.59 0.52 0.53 3.7 19.8

7.21 0.97 14.16 1.85 0.72 36.75 3.17 4.54 0.43 0.92 0.86 0.218 0.39 8.67 25.1 0.6 1.47 1.19 1.47 4.01 4.37 0.57 0.435 0.51 3.4 19.58

878,738 1,430,600 1,898,912 42,730 464,530 417,182,450 63,500 2,838,810 630,950 471,340 80,580,120 1,616,960 67,400 31,297,927 37,831,300 35,080 38,198,610 847,000 33,407,530 8,020 42,337,820 8,765,810 22,411,450 5,924,250 29,195,480 12,246,742

-284,702 -1,980 -58,250 7,400 -25,237,770.00 -3,170 -1,074,150.00 8,600 -16,286,101 -3,163,465 -2,520,430 23,800 37,500 2,919,720 11,600 61,350 2,153,010 1,572,870

NAME

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

VOLUME

VALUE

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

2 3.27 36.8 1.05 7.9 0.8 6.04

2.03 3.28 37.15 1.05 8.15 0.8 6.1

1.97 3.26 36.5 1.02 7.01 0.78 6

2.03 3.26 37.15 1.05 7.33 0.8 6.03

320,000 5,000 3,019,400 792,000 4,421,100 285,000 5,558,900

637,690 16,340 111,763,460 824,020 33,654,310 226,660 33,521,386

16,820 48,709,225 -383,770 -24,225,899

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

14.8 23.5 0.46 0.044 15.5 9.5 0.054 66 7 6.95 2.11 22.15 1,651 5.38 284 11.5 3.34 2.1 78.9 12.98 7.96 0.135 2.93 3.75 15 4.1 1.03 25.25 4.35 5.2 2.63 2.2 2.47 16.8 9.3 11 8.4 3.25 120.5 5.27 1,310 0.87 46.1 82.2 8.25 1.82 1.13 0.445 4.95 0.81 11.98

14.9 23.6 0.475 0.045 15.88 9.56 0.054 68.9 7 6.95 2.11 23 1,652 5.39 289.8 11.5 3.41 2.15 79.55 12.98 7.99 0.139 3.02 3.75 15 4.1 1.04 25.5 4.5 5.21 2.63 2.39 2.47 17 9.38 11 8.4 3.29 121.5 5.33 1,370 0.87 46.1 83.4 8.25 1.86 1.15 0.455 4.95 0.82 12.06

14.8 23.45 0.46 0.044 15.5 9.27 0.053 66 6.93 6.95 2.06 20.8 1,637 5.38 277 11.5 3.34 2.1 78.9 12.98 7.96 0.133 2.77 3.45 15 4.06 1.02 25.15 4.09 5.09 2.62 2.2 2.46 16.8 9.12 10.98 8.4 3.11 120.5 5.15 1,310 0.85 45.8 82.15 8.1 1.82 1.13 0.445 4.8 0.79 11.96

SERVICES 14.84 23.6 0.465 0.044 15.88 9.35 0.053 67.65 6.98 6.95 2.08 23 1,651 5.39 282.6 11.5 3.39 2.1 79.35 12.98 7.99 0.136 2.79 3.5 15 4.07 1.03 25.5 4.31 5.16 2.62 2.25 2.46 17 9.19 10.98 8.4 3.2 121.5 5.15 1,360 0.85 46 83.4 8.1 1.82 1.14 0.45 4.91 0.79 12.06

1,100 121,400 3,910,000 4,300,000 1,000 5,428,700 5,680,000 283,530 290,700 100 14,000 272,400 15,515 75,600 1,750 1,500 464,000 37,000 1,166,190 1,200 31,000 7,610,000 8,870,000 910,000 1,300 214,000 342,000 741,600 360,000 857,200 160,000 649,000 3,000 2,000 2,123,500 5,100 200 82,000 140 397,500 137,835 20,122,000 407,600 1,209,410 17,600 1,087,000 923,000 4,640,000 1,953,000 2,687,000 789,800

16,306 2,863,465 1,828,750 189,900 15,614 50,773,063 301,190 19,108,476.50 2,024,742 695 29,350 5,959,315 25,544,775 407,047 493,024 17,250 1,567,820 77,900 92,414,067 15,576 247,479 1,025,180 25,474,220 3,214,260 19,500 872,120 351,710 18,774,835 1,560,830 4,418,727 420,520 1,487,620 7,400 33,800 19,545,458 56,060 1,680 266,190 16,970 2,074,750 186,660,275 17,198,280 18,746,205 100,594,766.50 143,160 1,987,000 1,053,350 2,074,800 9,565,480 2,156,100 9,488,128

46,500 -17,600 -38,415,757 -3,585,075 -136,500 -3,728,935 422,900 6,935,993.50 -20,650 545,930.00 2,502,800 30,450 2,858,022 -13,120 238,733 -6,075 61,142,440 -749,290 -12,910,845 -53,017,101 -407,240 -858,500.00 22,500 -306,240 3,086,240

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

0.0026 1.43 3.98 25.5 1.52 1.51 1.69 7.95 2.18 0.191 0.124 0.127 1.47 4.21 1.39 1.52 0.013 0.012 2.85 4.36 10.3 31.2

0.0026 1.46 3.98 25.55 1.52 1.51 1.69 8.4 2.18 0.228 0.126 0.129 1.51 4.45 1.54 1.53 0.013 0.012 2.99 4.53 10.36 31.8

0.0024 1.43 3.95 22.2 1.51 1.5 1.68 7.52 2.11 0.189 0.124 0.127 1.47 4.21 1.33 1.43 0.012 0.011 2.76 4.36 10.22 31

MINING & OIL 0.0026 12,000,000 1.46 529,000 3.95 32,000 22.8 218,800 1.51 138,000 1.5 53,000 1.68 101,000 8.2 231,800 2.16 2,365,000 0.22 3,320,000 0.124 880,000 0.127 670,000 1.5 207,000 4.3 6,418,000 1.53 5,402,000 1.45 12,666,000 0.012 15,400,000 0.011 6,800,000 2.97 74,000 4.38 28,000 10.3 300,300 31.8 2,574,400

30,200 765,980 126,720 5,161,760 208,580 79,900 170,070 1,873,214 5,103,830 703,630 109,560 85,650 311,810 27,532,810 7,958,940 18,523,520 189,400 79,000 208,880 123,890 3,092,622 80,929,695

-21,900 -11,870 -482,880 96,630 -456,430 -58,080 -41,320 6,501,440

ABS HLDG PDR AC PREF B2 DD PREF FGEN PREF F FGEN PREF G GMA HLDG PDR HOUSE PREF A LR PREF MWIDE PREF PCOR PREF 2B PNX PREF 3A SMC PREF 2B SMC PREF 2C SMC PREF 2D SMC PREF 2E SMC PREF 2F SMC PREF 2I

21 501 101.3 102 107 5.15 99 1.03 105 1,050 103.9 76.05 79 75.5 75.3 76.4 76.9

21 508 101.3 102 107 5.15 100.3 1.03 105 1,050 103.9 76.05 79.4 75.5 75.3 77.5 76.9

20.7 501 101.1 102 107 5.12 99 1.03 103 1,050 103.8 76.05 79 75.5 75.3 75.9 76.9

PREFERRED 20.7 308,800 508 90 101.1 11,010 102 180 107 390 5.13 212,600 100.3 21,400 1.03 100,000 103 80 1,050 15 103.8 270 76.05 5,000 79 530 75.5 10,150 75.3 11,200 77.5 20,010 76.9 39,300

6,461,365 45,370 1,114,611 18,360 41,730 1,091,964 2,146,030 103,000 8,260 15,750 28,027 380,250 41,962 766,325 843,360 1,520,984 3,022,170

-5,141,910 -911,091 -

LR WARRANT

2.45

2.5

2.3

WARRANTS 2.39 195,000

460,740

-

ITALPINAS XURPAS

5.14 3.25

5.14 3.29

5.05 3.03

5.1 3.14

FIRST METRO ETF

108.5

108.8

108.2

MS

PROPERTY 7.24 0.98 14.58 1.85 0.74 37.3 3.17 4.61 0.435 0.95 0.91 0.226 0.39 8.75 25.5 0.61 1.48 1.2 1.48 4.01 4.47 0.57 0.445 0.52 3.6 19.74

121,300 1,455,000 131,600 23,000 634,000 11,230,800 20,000 610,000 1,450,000 465,000 91,523,000 7,240,000 170,000 3,499,200 1,472,900 58,000 25,885,000 711,000 21,932,000 2,000 9,547,000 15,123,000 47,390,000 11,426,000 8,206,000 620,600

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

OPEN

USD DMPL A2

10

10

TRADING SUMMARY

SHARES

FINANCIAL

15,614,867

INDUSTRIAL

125,483,602

HOLDING FIRMS

255,404,077

PROPERTY

288,629,129

SERVICES

80,260,951

MINING & OIL

70,413,295

GRAND TOTAL

852,344,255

10

SME

175,200 16,357,000

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 108.5 5,320 10

DDS

2,000

890,224 51,443,260

38,075 1,443,920

577,669

54,314

20,000

-20,000

VALUE 1,806.51 (up) 10.55 1,249,398,039.42 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 10,313,41 (up) 13.91 513,221,722.50 HOLDING FIRMS 7,224.38 (up) 146.04 1,110,510,566.94 PROPERTY 3,601.27 (up) 44.54 1,432.43 (up) 13.35 1,439,909,876.47 SERVICES MINING & OIL 9,708.23 (up) 105.21 641,365,442.48 PSEI 7,333.73 (up) 100.44 153,379,233.182 All Shares Index 4,448.01 (up) 34.57 5,160,698,793.69 Gainers: 101; Losers: 91; Unchanged: 41; Total: 233

Primex starts P3.6-b office tower project in Greenhills

By Jenniffer B. Austria PROPERTY developer Primex Corp. broke ground on a P3.6-billion office tower project at the Greenhills commercial district in San Juan City.

Primex said in a disclosure to the stock exchange the 50-storey Primex Tower, rising on a 1,944 square-meter corner lot bounded by Edsa, Connecticut Street, and Florida St., would have 41,000 square meters of leasable space.

Set to be the highest building in the city when completed over the next four to five years, Primex Tower will have 37 floors of office space and 12 floors of above-ground and basement parking.

“With the project, the company is looking to take advantage of increasing demand in the office and hotel sectors,” Primex chairman and president Ernesto Ang said.

Citing recent study by Colliers International Philippines that estimated an average increase of 10 percent a year in rents across submarkets despite an increasing vacancy, Ang expects demand for office space to remain robust.

“The growth in the sector will be quietly led by knowledge process outsourcers,” he said.

Primex Tower will be designed and developed using Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design standards.

The tower’s office spaces are designed in quadrants and are enveloped with curtain glass to allow natural light to enter into the workspace, while maximizing the view of adjacent golf courses—the Wack-Wack golf course in the south and the Camp Aguinaldo golf course in the north.

The building envelope will use 90 percent double-glazed glass, with vacuum in-between which reduces heat gain and noise penetration. It will also recycle wastewater through a sewage treatment plant for use in vegetation irrigation and flushing of water closets.

Meanwhile, Primex executive vice president Karlvin Ang said the company was receiving offers from other leading local and foreign developers to jointly develop the rest of the company

PPA earmarks P7.1b this year for port development

By Darwin G. Amojelar STATE-RUN Philippine Ports Authority is spending P7.1 billion this year for the development of 46 ports nationwide.

PPA general manager Jay Daniel Santiago said the government was pouring in billions of pesos in the next five years to improve and modernize ports in the country.

“We have been injecting so much investment in our ports,” Santiago said.

The PPA in the first four months of 2018 completed 21 projects, including the provision of a baggage x-ray room at the screening area of the Dapitan Port in Zamboanga del Norte, port road widening in Dumangas, Iloilo, and alternate access road project in Iligan, Lanao del Norte.

In 2017, 40 projects worth over P2.9 billion were completed. These include the P476-million gantry crane project in Zamboanga City and P593-million crane project in Makar, South Cotabato; P157-million port expansion in Larena, Siquijor; and the P48-million wharf widening project in the Pasig River.

PPA in 2016 completed 68 projects costing P3.17 billion. These include port expansion projects worth P309 million in Puerto Princesa, Palawan; P272 million wharf extension in Lapaz, Iloilo City; as well as Phase III of the rehabilitation and improvement of the Tacloban City Port.

Several improvement projects were also carried out in Mindanao, which is poised to be the center of the Duterte administration’s infrastructure buildup, or the Build Build Build program.

Among these are the construction of a passenger terminal building and installation of a lighting system in the port of Glan in Sarangani; construction of a ro-ro ramp in Dapitan, Zamboanga del Norte; wharf extension in Masao, Butuan City; and improvement of the power system in Nasipit, Agusan del Norte.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK THURSDAY, JULY 12, 2018 CESAR BARRIOQUINTO, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

World

Manila

Standard

TODAY

B3

Football coach the unlikely stateless hero of cave drama

M

AE SAI―Schooled as a monk and now hailed as a hero, football coach Ekkapol Chantawong is one of several stateless members of the “Wild Boars”, a team whose survival after days of being trapped in a flooded Thai cave fixated a country that does not recognize them as citizens.

PREMIERE. Neve Campbell attends the ‘Skyscraper’ New York Premiere at AMC Loews Lincoln Square on July 10 in New York City. AFP

Chinese democracy activist sentenced to 13 years BEIJING―A prominent Chinese political campaigner was sentenced to 13 years in jail on Wednesday, a court in central China said.

Qin Yongmin was found “guilty of subversion of state power,” the Wuhan City Intermediate People’s Court said on its official website.

According to court records, it appears to be the heftiest sentence handed down in China for “subversion” in the past 15 years.

The 64-year-old, first jailed as a “counter-revolutionary” from 19811989, has already spent a total of 22 years behind bars.

At the time of his arrest in January 2015, Qin was head of the pro-democracy “China Human Rights Watch” group, which circulated online statements denouncing government policies, as well as organized discussion groups.

Qin had “refused to cooperate with

IN BRIEF Trump: Germany a ‘captive’ of Russia BRUSSELS―US President Donald Trump launched a stinging attack on Germany at the start of a NATO summit in Brussels on Wednesday, saying an “inappropriate” gas deal with Moscow made it a “captive” of Russia.

Trump appeared to catch NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg unawares as he abandoned the polite formality of a breakfast meeting and lashed out at Berlin and other allies for failing to pay their way.

“Germany is captive of Russia because it is getting so much of its energy from Russia,” Trump said, referring to Berlin’s deal for the Nord Stream II gas pipeline.

“Everybody’s talking about it all over the world, they’re saying we’re paying you billions of dollars to protect you but you’re paying billions of dollars to Russia.

Trump added that “Germany is totally controlled by Russia.”

Trump will meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in the Finnish capital on July 16 for their first summit amid an ongoing investigation in the United States into the possible Trump campaign collusion with Russia. AFP

Mare who survived floods wins hearts KURASHIKI, Japan―A miniature horse who survived deadly floods by swimming to a rooftop has captured hearts in Japan, as the country tries to recover from record rain that killed at least 179 people.

Leaf, a nine-year-old horse who had been a pet at an elderly care home in the town of Kurashiki, spent three days stranded on top of a house before she was spotted by aid workers on Monday as the floodwaters receded.

Photos of the diminutive tan horse with a blonde mane standing forlornly on the rooftop appeared in local newspapers and made a splash on social media, providing a rare moment of levity after the country’s worst weather-related disaster in over three decades.

Relief workers “called the fire department asking for help to rescue her, but were told rescuers were tied up saving human lives,” said Keiko Takahashi of humanitarian aid group Peace Winds Japan.

Her organization sent staff to the scene to bring down the terrified horse, who had been left to fend for herself and her baby Earth by panicked care home workers evacuating as the floods hit. AFP

the court” and remained completely silent during his trial in May, lawyer Lin Qilei previously said.

His other lawyer, Liu Zhengqing, told AFP he was in “despair” about the sentencing and “angry at the rogue regime” in China. “[We] will definitely appeal,” he announced.

The verdict comes a day after Liu Xia, the widow of Chinese Nobel dissident Liu Xiaobo, was allowed to leave China for Germany.

Despite facing no charges, the 57-year-old poet had endured heavy restrictions on her movements since 2010 when her husband won the Nobel Peace Prize-an award that infuriated Beijing.

Liu Xiaobo, a veteran of the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests, died last year while serving an 11-year jail sentence, also for “subversion”.

“It’s appalling to see such a heavy

sentence imposed on a veteran activist who just exercised his freedom of expression just a day after we see some hope in Liu Xia’s case,” Amnesty International China researcher Patrick Poon told AFP. “It reminds us that we shouldn’t forget the less famous activists who face harsh sentence and harassment,” Poon added.

According to the indictment, prosecutors cited Qin’s writings on democracy as evidence, including a passage where he called on China’s youth to fight for human rights protections according to United Nations treaties (six of which China has ratified).

The veteran activist was last convicted and sentenced to prison in late 1998 after he and other activists sought to officially register the China Democracy Party. He was released in December 2010. AFP

Coach Ek, the 25-year-old who was among the last to emerge from the cave on Tuesday, has been lauded for keeping the the young footballers―aged 11 to 16― calm as starvation loomed in the dark.

He was the only adult with the boys when they entered the cave on June 23 until they were found nine days later by British divers on a muddy bank deep inside the cave complex.

As he awaited his turn to undertake the dangerous exit from the Tham Luang complex, Thais on the outside celebrated him as a modest, devout and duty-bound member of the Mae Sai community.

“From all the parents, please take care of all the children. Don’t blame yourself,” said a letter to him from the boys’ relatives released July 7.

In reply he scrawled a note apologizing to the parents, and vowing to take “the very best care of the kids.”

The touching note won the hearts of the Thai public―a group to which he is yet to officially belong.

The UNHCR says Thailand is home to around 480,000 stateless people.

Many are from nomadic hill tribes and other ethnic groups who have for centuries lived around Mae Sai, the heart of “Golden Triangle”―a lawless wedge of land bisecting Thailand, Myanmar, Laos and China.

Among the stateless are Ek and three of the boys who were trapped in the cave alongside him―Dul, Mark and

Atheists in Indonesia fear jail or worse JAKARTA―As a university student, Luna At- student was charged for a Facebook post that mowijoyo prayed five times a day, refused to compared Allah to the Greek gods and said shake hands with men who weren’t relatives the Koran was no more scientific than the and was “more fundamentalist” than her pious Lord of the Rings. He faces up to five years in prison.

Muslim parents.

Alexander Aan was jailed for 30 months in But a decade later, Atmowijoyo has turned her back on Islam and is among a small number 2012 for posting explicit material about the of atheists in Indonesia who live in fear of jail or Prophet Mohammed online and declaring himself an atheist. violent reprisals from religious hardliners.

The prosecutions fit a wider trend of discrimiLeading a double life―devout Muslim on the outside, non-believer on the inside―is often the nation against the archipelago’s sizable populaonly choice for atheists in the world’s biggest tion of minorities, observers said.

Authorities, however, insist atheist beliefs are Muslim majority country.

Atmowijoyo, who lives with her parents, still not illegal―as long as they’re not aired in pubwears an Islamic headscarf to escape the wrath lic.

“Once somebody disseminates that idea, or of an abusive father who knows nothing of his daughter’s change of heart, which started when the concept of atheism, that will be problematshe was told to avoid friendships with non-Mus- ic,” said Abdurrahman Mas’ud, head of the research and development agency at the Ministry lims.

“A lot of simple things started to bother me,” of Religion. AFP said the 30-year-old, who asked AFP not to use her Republic of the Philippines real name.

Department of Health “Like I couldn’t say CENTRAL OFFICE BIDS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE Merry Christmas or HapInvItatIon to BId for the InvItatIon to BId for theProcurement of transfusIon transmIssIBle InfectIon reagents py Waisak to people of wIth tIe-uP machIne (re-BId) IB no. 2018-179-a other religions,” she addThe Department of Health (DOH), through the General Appropriations Act of 2018 intends to ed, referring to a Buddhist 1. apply the sum of Sixteen Million Two Hundred Thirty Four Thousand Nine Hundred Sixty Eight Philippine Pesos and Ninety Nine Centavos (PhP16,234,968.99) being the Approved Budget holiday also known as Vefor the Contract (ABC) to payments under the contract for the Procurement of Transfusion Transmissible Infection Reagents with Tie-up Machine (Re-Bid) under IB No. 2018-179-A. Bids sak or Buddha’s Birthday received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening. in other parts of Asia.

2. The DOH now invites bids for the procurement of the above-captioned project.Delivery of the Goods is required within the period specified under SECTION VI. Schedule of Requirements.

Treating gay people Bidders should have completed, within two (2) yearsfrom the date of submission and receipt of bids, a contract similar to the Project, equivalent to at least twenty five percent (25%)of the as abnormal was anothABC. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in er problem and it soon Section II. Instructions to Bidders. will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using a non-discretionary became impossible for 3. Bidding “pass/fail” criterion as specified in the 2016 Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (RA) 9184, otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”.

Atmowijoyo-once a conBidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, partnerships, or organizations with servative Islamic party at least sixty percent (60%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines, and to citizens or organizations of a country the laws or regulations of which grant member―to square the similar rights or privileges to Filipino citizens, pursuant to RA 5183.

Koran’s teachings with 4. Interested bidders may obtain further information from the COBAC Secretariat, G/F, Bldg. 6, Department of Health, San Lazaro Compound and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address science. given above during 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Monday to Friday.

Then the unthinkable 5. A complete set of Bidding Documents may be acquired by interested Bidders on 12 July – 03 August 2018from the address above and upon payment of the applicable fee for the Bidding crept into her mind: God Documents, pursuant to the latest Guidelines issued by the GPPB, in the amount of Twenty Five Thousand Philippine Pesos (PhP25,000.00). does not exist.

It may also be downloaded free of charge from the website of the Philippine Government The sprawling SouthElectronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) and the website of the Procuring Entity, provided that Bidders shall pay the applicable fee for the Bidding Documents not later than the submission east Asian archipelago is of their bids. officially pluralist with 6. The DOH will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on 20 July 2018, 10:00 A.M. at the COBAC Conference Room, Ground Floor, Bldg. 6, Department of Health, Sta. Cruz, Manila, which shall beopen to six major religions recogprospective bidders. nized, including Hindu- 7. Bids must be duly received by the COBAC-C Secretariat at the address below on or before 03 August 2018, 9:00 A.M. All Bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable ism, Christianity and Budforms and in the amount stated in ITB Clause 18.

Bid opening shall be on03 August 2018, 9:00 A.M. at the COBAC Conference Room, Ground dhism, while freedom of Floor, Bldg. 6, Department of Health, Sta. Cruz, Manila. Bids will be opened in the presence of the bidders’ representatives who choose to attend at the address above. Late bids shall not be expression is supposed to accepted. be guaranteed by law.

8. The DOH reserves the right to reject any and all bids, declare a failure of bidding, or not award the contract at any time prior to contract award in accordance with Section 41 of RA 9184 and But criticizing reliits IRR, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders. gion―particularly Islam, 9. For further information, please refer to: which is followed by COBAC-C Secretariat Department of Health nearly 90 percent of InSan Lazaro Compound Sta. Cruz, Manila donesia’s 260 million citiTel. Nos. 651-7800 local 1625 to 1627; 1650 to 52 Facsimile No.: 741-9775; 740-6830 zens―can land you in jail.

(SGD) ROLANDO ENRIQUE D. DOMINGO, MD, DPBO This year, a university Undersecretary of Health (MS-JULY 12, 2018)

COBAC – C Chairperson

Tee―the founder of the Wild Boars club Nopparat Khanthavong told AFP. “To get nationality is the biggest hope for the boys... in the past these boys have problems traveling to play matches outside of Chiang Rai,” he added, because of travel restrictions that accompanies their lack of status.

Without passports they are unlikely to be able to take up the invite from Manchester United FC to visit next season.

“They also can’t become professional football players because they don’t have the [correct] status,” he said, adding the process has begun to try to get them nationality.

There are hopes the boys’ ordeal will lead to a change of policy.

“The issue of the boys in the cave should give Thailand a wake up call... to grant the stateless nationality,” said Pornpen Khongkachonkiet of Amnesty International Thailand.

Coach Ek, who is ethnic Tai Lue, is yet to give his version of the remarkable events of the last few weeks.

A novice monk for several years from the age of 10, Ek left the Buddhist clergy before becoming a full monk in order to look after his grandmother in Mae Sai. He later became a coach with the Wild Boars.

He is fond of meditation, trekking and the outdoors life, according to monk Ekkapol Chutinaro who roomed with his namesake as a novice. AFP

Republic of the Philippines Province of Ilocos Sur Municipality of Lidlidda -oOoOFFICE OF THE BIDS & AWARDS COMMITTEE INVITATION TO BID The Municipal Government of Lidlidda, Ilocos Sur, through its Bids and Awards Committee (BAC), invites suppliers/manufacturers/distributors/ contractors to apply for eligibility and to bid for the hereunder project: Name of Project

: CONSTRUCTION OF MPB/POST HARVEST FACILITY (Phase II) LOCATION : POB. NORTE, LIDLIDDA, ILOCOS SUR Brief Description : To construct Multi-Purpose Building/ Post Harvest Facility ABC : Php 29,146,368.65 Source of Fund : R.A. 7171 (FY 2014) Contract Duration : 19 Mos. Delivery Period : Upon receipt of NTP Name of Project : CONSTRUCTION OF LABUT BRIDGE Location : LABUT, LIDLIDDA, ILOCOS SUR Brief Description : To construct 48.00 l.m. RCDG Bridge (2 Span 2ith 7.32m.

Width) ABC : Php 29,798,129.01 Source of Fund : R.A. 7171 (FY 2014) Contract Duration : 188 C.C. Delivery Period : Upon receipt of NTP Prospective bidders should have experience in undertaking a similar project within the last two years with an amount of at least 50% of the proposed project for bidding. The eligibility Check/Screening as well as the Preliminary Examination of Bids shall use non-discretionary “pass/fail” criteria. Postqualification of the lowest calculated bid shall be conducted.

All particulars relative to Eligibility Statement and Screening, Bid Security, Performance Security, Pre Bidding Conference(s), Evaluation of Bids, PostQualification and Award of contract shall be governed by the pertinent provisions of RA 9184 and its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR).

The complete schedule of activities is listed, as follows: Activities 1. Advertisement/Posting of Invitation to Bid/ Request for Expression of Intent 2. Issuance and availability of bidding document 3. Pre-Bid Conference 4. Submission and receipt of bids/opening of Bids 5. Bid Evaluation 6. Post-qualification 7. Approval of Res./Issuance of Notice of Award 8. Contract Preparation and Signing 9. Approval of contract by higher authority 10. Issuance of Notice to Proceed

Date Schedule July 10-16, 2018 July 10-27, 2018 July 17, 2018 @ 2:00 p.m., Conference Hall July 27, 2018 @ 2:00 p.m., Conference Hall July 30, 2018 July 31 to Aug. 1, 2018 @ 2:00 p.m., Conference Hall August 2, 2018 August 6, 2018 August 7, 2018 August 8, 2018

Bid Documents will be available only to prospective bidders upon payment of Non-refundable amount to the Treasury Office, Lidlidda, Ilocos Sur, to wit: MAXIMUM COST OF BIDDING DOCUMENTS ABC 500,000 and below More than 500,000.00 up to 1M More than 1M up to 5M More than 5 Million up to 10 Million More than 10 Million up to 50 Million

Php 500.00 Php 1,000.00 Php 5,000.00 Php 10,000.00 Php 25,000.00

The Municipal Government of Lidlidda, Ilocos Sur assumes no responsibility whatsoever to compensate or indemnify bidders for any expenses incurred in the preparation of the bid.

Prepared by: (SGD) CHERRY G. SANTIAGO BAC Secretariat

APPROVED: (SGD) EDWIN SUMACLE BAC Chairman

(MS-JULY 12, 2018)

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

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

B4

thursday, july 12, 2018

LGUs LoCaL govErnmEnT uniTs

Crackdown on crime, drugs nets 379 in Makati

By Joel E. Zurbano

Officials of the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority, led by its Senior Deputy Administrator Raymundo T. Roquero (5th from left), and Ricky Law (6th from right) of Golden Millennial Quickpay (GMQ) Inc. Limited, Virtual Asset Exchange Legal Representative, clinch their fists after GMQ became the first recipient of a license to operate in the Philippines as one of the locators of the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority in Sta. Ana, Cagayan.

Ceza issues first fintech license S

TA. ANA, Cagayan—Golden Millennial Quickpay Inc. Limited on Wednesday became the first recipient of a license to operate in the Philippines as one of the locators of the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority here.

In just over nine weeks after its announcement of becoming a “fintech” (financial technology) haven, Ceza, headed by its administrator/CEO Secretary Raul L. Lambino, awarded its first license to GMQ, one of the 80 fintech locators that applied with the ecozone.

Ceza awarded the Financial Technology Solutions and Offshore Virtual Currency License during the GMQ Global Blockchain Summit held at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Hotel, Pasay City.

Around 100 Chinese blockchain and cryptocurrency related firms, industry experts, and business partners from the government and private sectors joined the summit.

Of the fintech firms engaged in cryptocurrency and other digital financial services, GMQ is the first FTSOVC Licensee of Ceza.

GMQ, from Hong Kong, is one of the first companies to respond to the invitation of Ceza to invest in the ecozone, be part of the pioneering fintech and offshore virtual currency exchange business and form the nucleus of the Ceza Fintech Hub. The goal is to spur economic development at the Cagayan Special Economic Zone and Freeport.

Earlier, Lambino said the agency will issue licenses initially to only 25 exchanges which applied as locators with Ceza.

Every one of the cryptocurrency exchanges, he said, was required to put in an initial investment of US$1 million (over P53 million) payable in two years’ time.

Ceza’s strong efforts to push the Philippines as the Silicon Valley of Asia has been attracting a lot of attention, as shown by the holding of a series of blockchain summits with the authority’s involvement.

Lambino, in one of the earlier events dubbed the Global Blockchain Summit and Inaugural Blockchain Application Exhibition on June 24 also in Pasay City, expressed confidence on the emerging technology’s economic impact to the Philippines and its citizens.

“Actually, we are going to make money because we are going to charge them for occupying the spaces we constructed,” he pointed out.

In his speech at the summit on Tuesday, he said he was honored to join the event that marked the official launching of the cryptocurrency exchange and fintech solutions business of GMQ. “GMQ is a pioneer in Ceza’s venture to establish a financial technology and offshore virtual currency exchange business, which will eventually form the nucleus of the Ceza Fintech Hub,” said Lambino.

Ray Roquero, Ceza senior deputy administrator, revealed that GMQ was the first to

receive the license from the authority. Subsequently, two other fintech firms—Ultra Precise Investments Ltd. from Bangkok, Thailand, and Liannet Technology Limited from Hong Kong—also received their FTSOVC licenses.

Roquero made clear the licenses issued to the first three exchanges are only “provisional” and it will be monitored closely

by Ceza.

From the Ceza, the exchanges that already signed up with Ceza included Xin Peng Group, Changwei International Co., Ltd., State Trust Union Capital Holdings, Ultra Precise Investments Ltd., Hachiman Technology Sdn. Bhd., MX Exchange Ventures, Hybrid Block, IPE Global Pte. Ltd., Superieur Tech. Pte. Ltd., Coin Bundle, Northern Orient Resources, Inc.; Asia Premier International Ltd., Hong Kong Yuen Shing Hong Ltd., Mobile Pole Position Pte. Ltd., Madison Blockchain Strategy Investment Company Ltd., GMQ, Liannet, Asia Pacific Blockchain Association, Pacificnet Strategic Investments Ltd., Super Angels Ventures Ltd., AXN Holdings Ltd., Paradigm Technologies Unlimited Solutions Corp., Stepwyze LLC. The Hanwha Group of South Korea, a blockchain developer, also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Ceza.

Roquero said the buzz surrounding the blockchain technology presently in relation with Ceza were all results of the authority’s intensified efforts “really promote this new technology, which is considered as the future of banking and financial transactions in the world.”

He said that currently, with the effort of Lambino, “practically the whole of Asia is looking towards the Philippines to invest in this new venture. We call this ‘A New Venture in the Valley Unfolds’ because Cagayan is known for its valleys and hills.”

Roquero said Ceza and its leadership believe the agency is the “perfect venue” for the fintech haven as the fintech enthusiasts, or the millennial persons who drive the digital era, prefer a quiet place, which Cagayan offers.

He assured that no fly-by-night companies will be accepted, as Ceza is painstakingly screening the applicants.

“We only need the established ones, so we can avoid scams,” Roquero said.

Eastern Samar Rep. Ben E. Evardone congratulated Ceza for its initiative, as they are into the thick of the so-called revolution of fintech.

“I am glad that they are prioritizing this industry that will revolutionize financial transactions worldwide,” he said.

Pasay City Rep. Imelda “Emmie” Calixto-Rubiano welcomed the delegates from abroad and the Philippines to the summit.

She assured support for Ceza and the fintech companies locating in the country, saying they can rely on her if they need any help, as well as from the House of Representatives.

Evardone noted that only two out of 10 households in the country have access to banking services, which is why the blockchain technology offers huge potentials for financial inclusion of over 90 percent of Filipinos.

Estrada awards Las Piñas police gain dozen new patrol vehicles Canonigo lots to 111 families

MANILA Mayor Joseph Estrada has awarded land certificates to 111 families that have been illegally occupying privately owned lots in Canonigo St., Paco, Manila.

Estrada assured that more Manileños, especially the poor families, will be given lots under the Land for the Landless Program the city government has implemented since he assumed the mayoralty in 2013.

The Manila chief executive personally awarded certified true copies of City Tenants Security Committee, the city government’s land distribution program under Resolution No. 002-2018, adopting the Approved Subdivision Plan of property under PSD 079041.

The awardees are now legitimate owners of the land on Canonigo Street, which was formerly a property of the Philippine Columbian Association.

“The new land owners of Canonigo Estate may now call themselves true owners of the lot,” Estrada said during the awarding ceremony at the City Hall’s Bulwagang Villegas on Wednesday.

The lot was acquired on Oct. 2, 2008 by City Ordnance No. 7704 and adopted on June 27, 1989, at the cost of P23.2 million. The 4,842.90-square meter lot is in Barangay 824, Zone 89, Paco, Manila.

Estrada said the adoption of the subdivision plan by the CTSC will pave the way for the total development of the property, which had long been awaited by its residents.

He also congratulated the officers and members of Canonigo Homeowners Association as well as their Barangay Chairman Armando A. Tolentino of Barangay 824 Zone 89 for the untiring support in the city’s housing project in their jurisdiction.

TWELVE brand-new patrol vehicles were turned over Wednesday to the Las Piñas Police Force to boost its campaign against criminality in the city.

The patrol cars—eight Toyota Hilux trucks and four Isuzu Crosswind SUVs—came from the city government led by Mayor Imelda T. Aguilar and the National Capital Region Police Office.

Aguilar led the turnover ceremony together with Vice Mayor Luis Bustamante and members of the city council to City Chief of Police Senior Supt. Marion Balonglong.

In turning over the new vehicles, Aguilar stressed the importance of police visibility in line with her policy prioritizing public order and safety.

“I trust that with the additional vehicles our police force would maximize its efficiency and roving capabilities to quickly respond to the peace and order concerns of the residents,” the mayor said.

Las Piñas City has consistently ranked as one of the cities with the lowest crime rate in the National Capital Region.

A TOTAL of 379 individuals have been arrested in Makati City during police operations in line with the government’s crackdown against suspected drug dealers and other criminal elements.

Mayor Abigail Binay commended the local police department for its effective day-and-night anti-crime operations since last May that resulted in the arrest of 117 suspects for illegal drugs, 177 for illegal gambling, and 85 persons with standing warrants of arrest.

Binay praised Makati City police station chief Senior Supt. Rogelio Simon for the remarkable outcome of the intensified street patrols and crime prevention measures that have been implemented since he took his post last May 10.

“On behalf of the people of Makati, I thank our chief of police for making a serious effort to keep our streets and communities safe by keeping a tight watch on criminal elements and illegal activities,” she said.

The city chief executive also underscored the importance of cracking down on petty offenses, such as playing “cara y cruz” (coin toss) on the streets, as these can spawn more serious crimes like illegal drugs if left unchecked.

In the past two months, the Makati police conducted 64 anti-illegal drugs operations leading to the arrest of 117 drug personalities and confiscation of around P48,000 worth of prohibited substance, including methamphetamine hydrochloride, popularly known as shabu.

A total of 52 anti-illegal gambling operations were also conducted that resulted in the apprehension of 177 offenders, of whom 52 adults have been charged.

The authorities were able to serve a total of 101 Warrants of Arrests which resulted in the apprehension of 88 named accused, including Makati’s Top 10 Most Wanted, Jose Marri Salvacion. He was nabbed last May 19 in Barangay Rizal after trying to evade a checkpoint.

In BrIef Joy explains delay in teachers’ stipends QUEZON City Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte on Wednesday said “major inefficiencies and blatant discrepancies in payroll documents” caused the delay in disbursement of allowances to the city’s public school teachers.

“I called a meeting early [Monday] morning with representatives of the following offices: local school board secretariat, Communications Coordination Centre, office of [education committee chairperson] Councilor Aly Medalla, and the city accounting department to get at the root cause of the teachers’ delayed allowances,” she said.

Belmonte noted the errors and inconsistencies in payroll documents submitted by the schools’ division office to the city accounting department, which involved incorrect account numbers, misspelled names, and outdated civil status, among others. Rio N. Araja

Davao names team for WTE-Japan task

Las Piñas City Mayor Imelda T. Aguilar (center) hands over the keys of 12 brand new patrol cars to City Chief of Police Senior Supt. Marlon Balonglong (second from right) as (from left) Supt. Conrado Bunyi, head of City Traffic Office, Vice Mayor Luis Bustamante, and Councilor Henry Medina look on.

BDO Foundation tack for PWDs wins AREA plum

THE corporate social responsibility arm of BDO Unibank con- promoting the welfare of marginalized members of society tinues to receive international recognition for its programs. and empowering disadvantaged communities.

For the second straight year, BDO Foundation was honThis year, it received an award for its program to supored in the Asia Responsible Enterprise Awards (AREA) for port persons with disabilities (PWDs) affected by Typhoon “Yolanda.” Last year, the foundation was cited for its efforts to help improve the Philippines’ healthcare delivery system through the rehabilitation of rural health units nationwide.

BDO Foundation president Mario Deriquito and BDO Foundation program director Rose Espinosa accepted the award and certificate of achievement at the AREA 2018 awarding ceremonies in Manila.

They were joined by Lolita Gelle, president of the Foundation for These-Abled Persons Inc., BDO Foundation’s partner. FTI is a non-profit organization that promotes the employment of PWDs. BDO Foundation is one of only four Philippine organizations across Asia recognized under the social empowerment category of AREA 2018. Other awardees are firms based in China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, BDO Foundation president Mario Deriquito (second from left) and and Vietnam.

BDO Foundation program director Rose Espinosa (second from AREA 2018 recognized BDO Foundation for developing a right) accept the AREA award recognizing the foundation’s corporate citizenship initiative for persons with disabilities displaced by community for Leyte-based PWDs, who were displaced and Typhoon ‘Yolanda.’ left homeless by Yolanda.

DAVAO CITY—Mayor Sara Duterte has issued Executive Order No. 18, an order creating a Project Management Team for the construction of WasteTo-Energy Facilities in the city.

The team is composed of Assistant City Administrator for Administration lawyer Tristan Dwight Domingo as the project manager, engineer Elisa Madrazo as assistant project manager, and other members from the city government.

The Waste-To-Energy facility is a joint project between the City Government and the Japan International Cooperation Agency through the Nippon Steel and Sumikin Engineering Co., Ltd. F. Pearl A. Gajunera

‘Palace-backed’ Cebu chief in hot water CEBU CITY—Claiming she has the backing of President Rodrigo Duterte, the newly-elected village captain of Barangay Mabolo here is in hot water after a five-star hotel security officer filed charges against her for grave misconduct and conduct unbecoming a public official.

Welbert Pepito, 40, a resident of Barangay Banilad, filed charges against barangay captain Prisca Niña Mabatid before the Ombudsman for alleged violation of the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees. Junex Doronio

Life

Bernadette lunas, Issue Editor manilastandardlife@gmail.com @manilastandardlife @MstandardlIFE

household

thursday, july 12, 2018

C1

By Mae Gianina C. Pascual

I

t Is true that when you become a mother, you are no longer the center of your universe because you are somehow relinquishing that position to your child.

Motherhood, though one of the greatest experiences, can also be too overwhelming.

Fathers, too, are not spared from the roller coaster ride of having a baby as they have an important role of supporting their wives and giving them a boost as they struggle in the post pregnancy phase.

‘It’s all about Primo’

During a talk with television host Drew Arellano, a loving father to Primo and husband to Iya Villania, shared how they managed to take care of their son despite having no nanny for a certain period of time. he admitted that although it was challenging, parenthood has made him a more selfless person. “It’s not about us anymore, it’s already about him (Primo),” said Drew.

Iya, on the other hand, related the struggles and joy of being a hands-on mom. For her, it is very important that the mother is able to bond with her baby no matter how busy life gets.

Now that the couple are expecting another baby boy, they are in high spirits looking forward to raising another tot.

Drew and Iya understand that reliable and tested methods are a big help in going through the many loops of parental journey. New parents, they said, also need time-tested products to ensure that their little ones are given the best and safest care for their gentle skin and body especially at the very early stage of their development.

Baby bath time

HAPPY FAMILY. Drew and Iya

Villania-Arellano share the joys of being hands-on parents to their first child, Antonio Primo.

How Drew and Iya

One of the notable bonding experiences shared between a mother and a child is bath time. It can be a fazing chore for first-time moms, but with knowledge and right bathing essentials, bath time can be an opportunity not only for the baby’s learning, but also for that precious parent-child bonding.

Babyflo, a leading product line for baby care, understands the language of love that innately exists between moms and babies. that is why it provides baby care products that enable moms and babies to share love responses.

With Babyflo soap-Free Bath, moms can give their children that mild and gentle touch suitable for sensitive skin. Free from strong alkaline ingredient, it helps cleanse and soften a baby’s delicate skin without stripping it of its natural moisture. It is a mild and gentle cleanser for all skin types, especially for sensitive skin. It is fragrance- and paraben-free, too. studies show that soap-free cleansers are widely recommended by doctors for infant bathing. skin irritation can be quite a terrifying problem for moms. With numerous chemicals infused in many bath products available in the market, identifying the right bath wash for children can be a lot trickier than expected. With Babyflo Oatmeal Bath, moms can have a worry-free bath time with her little bundle of joy. enriched with colloidal oats, the Babyflo Oatmeal Bath helps soothe dry skin and creates a protective barrier that protects baby’s skin against allergens while locking in moisture at the same time.

Babyflo believes that a mother’s touch is more than just a physical connection; it is a strong communicator of emotions, a signal that bonds a parent to a child. to a newborn, a parent’s touch and love go beyond physical and psychological development. It yields a connection that penetrates deeply and hones a child’s Iya enjoys bonding with Primo during bath time. emotional core.

give the best to Primo Keeping kids safe online

By Renee Tarun As the vice president of information security, I work to ensure Fortinet operates securely and to protect our systems and data from harm. My other full-time job (and the job I love the most!) is being mom to my two kids. As a parent, I work to keep my kids safe wherever they venture, including online. the Internet can be a truly valuable resource for kids, as it can provide educational material, fun

lowed to do based on age appropriateness, knowledge, and maturity.

Teach them the importance of keeping information private

Posting personal information and photos on the Internet can be dangerous, as it can be leveraged by those who want to do harm. In addition, once information is posted, it can have haunting effects later, as it can Teach kids how t they can protec es lv se them online.

Leading baby care brand Babyflo offers a range of bath essentials that are gentle and safe for kids.

games, and ways to connect with their friends. however, it can also be a playground for cyberbullying, malicious content, and criminals and predators who seek to prey on kids and their families.

Below are some things that you can consider doing to help keep your kids safe online:

Talk to your kids about your expectations for them online

Consider setting boundaries that may include rules about how long they are allowed to be on the computer, what sites they are allowed to visit, what software programs can be used, and what tasks or activities they are al-

be hard to rere move once it’s in the public domain. Be sure to also check their privacy settings on social media sites to prevent strangers from accessing personal information. these settings may not always be set up properly by default. ensure that your kids understand: Never give their name, phone number, email address, password, address, school name, or picture without your permission.

Don’t respond to malicious or hurtful posts.

Don’t open emails or attachments from people they don’t know.

Don’t get together with anyone they “meet” online.

Turn to C2

Life

C2

thursday, ju juLy 12, 2018 manilastandardlife@gmail.com

“M

Moms’ quirks-turned-life lessons

oTHeR knows best” is an adage everyone knows but don’t readily admit until they become adults or parents themselves. Most of the time, things that moms did that seemed too much or unnecessary end up being the one thing then-kids-now-adults will never forget.

This is the experience of Karen Custodia, Anika Punzalan, Yvette Yao and Faye Ronan—four working women who are experts in the field of life insurance. While these career women know a lot about securing a bright future with their expertise about insurance through BPI-Philam, growing up with strong moms gave them a deeper appreciation of how to be prepared for having their own family.

Working too hard

Whether working or stay-at-home, moms will never stop working too hard for their family.

Head of in-branch Sales and Vitality Karen Custodia learned early on from her mother how making the right, sometimes difficult, decisions, even in the face of a challenge doesn’t have to be an either-or scenario. Her mom, she said, always put their family first and did everything she could to make life comfortable.

Anika Punzalan and her family

“My mom stood as a solo parent when my father passed away,” shared Custodia. “Back then, it made sense for some of us to stop studying and help earn for the family, but she chose to work very hard until all of us finished schooling.”

Head of Vitality Anika Punzalan and Business Development and Strategy Management head Yvette Yao, share the same sentiment, remembering how their mothers would often scrimp on many things to make sure the family was wellprovided for even with a tight budget. “everything was going on at the same time—tuition, household bills, medical expenses—and she was still making sure we were alright,” related Punzalan.

Meanwhile, Yao said that though her mother was thrifty when it came to household spending, she made choices that would benefit her children in the long haul.

“There was more to be had because my mom made a lot of wise investments for us kids that started paying

out. That’s what I started emulating from her now that I have children of my own,” said Yao.

Worrying about everything

Yvette Yao with her husband and kids

Moms warn us about everything from sunburn and pimples to saving up for a house and putting kids in good schools.

It seemed repetitive at the time, but everything ended up being true.

“My mother only wanted the best for us, that’s why she always tackled problems with ‘what if’ scenarios, making sure everything was accounted for through preparation,” said Yao. Yao, now a mother of three girls, admires how her mom kept a careful eye on them while encouraging their independence. She shared, “She wasn’t very protective and allowed us to do stuff on our own. She kept reminding us to be thrifty, encouraging us to save money whenever we could because she wanted us to start thinking about our future.”

It was this careful foresight, according to Yao, that helped her do well in her career. “Forward thinking is something I use a lot in my job and I have my mom to thank for that. Planning ahead is not easy but learning from the best, it became second nature to me.”

Telling you what to do

Faye Ronan and her family

Tools, appliances on sale In CeLeBRATIon of the Fourth of July, leading hardware store Ace Hardware offers up to 30 percent discount on its American brands for the whole month of July.

Some of the items on sale this month include lightweight and compact Dewalt Cordless Drills, ACe Homeowner Tool Sets, and Drylok Waterproofers with smooth finish, which are perfect for home repair projects.

Hunter Ceiling Fans and Lifetime Tables and Chairs are also on sale. Steel wheeled platform trucks from Stanley that make transporting loads easy are also available.

Black and Decker Dustbuster Vacuums, made for quick and easy cleaning of cars, as well as Turtle Wax Zip Wax/ Car Wash are likewise offered at a discounted price.

Go to acehardware.ph for more information. `

While being told what to do feels annoying, it’s actually mom’s way of making the family work as a team and raising responsible individuals.

Usually this comes in the form of chores and errands, but teamwork become even more important in complicated family settings. Preferred Segment head Faye Ronan experienced first-hand how having a mom-incharge played a crucial role in keeping the family together.

“My mother and father had different ways of taking care of us. Dad would be working abroad to provide for us while mom was in charge of budgeting and being full-time mother. It was their tandem that held us all together even in the tough times,” shared Ronan.

Mid-rise living in Nuvali

Amaia Steps is a mid-rise condominium in Nuvali that offers a total 1,140 units.

A neW batch of homeowners in the prime South Luzon development nuvali opened the doors to their homes as Amaia Steps nuvali turned over several newly finished condo units on June 30.

Situated at West Conservation Avenue, nuvali Canlubang in Calamba City, Laguna, Amaia Steps nuvali is Amaia’s first mid-rise condominium in the ecocommunity. It stands to offer a total of 1,140 units composed of well-designed and spacious Studio and Premier units in its four- and six-story developments.

Some of these units come with balconies that afford homeowners a refreshing view of thoughtfully planned greens and open spaces.

“We at Amaia Land remain committed to provide only the best homes to Filipino families such as brand new units that stand on fully masterplanned developments like nuvali,” enthused Val Valecina of Amaia Land.

Valecina added, “At the forthcoming turnover of Amaia Steps nuvali

units, our new residents will be assured of a cozy, leisurely, and affordable condo living experience right at the heart of this central district.”

At the heart of the impressive 2.8-hectare development is an invigorating lifestyle amenity hub, which includes swimming pools for adults and kids, basketball courts, kids’ play zones, grand lawns, and a central clubhouse.

The mid-rise condo is a mere fiveminute drive away from the main entrance of nuvali, along Sta. Rosa-Tagaytay Road. It may likewise be easily accessed from surrounding towns and cities like Sta. Rosa city proper, Calamba city proper, Tagaytay City, Alabang in Muntinlupa, and Makati Central Business District.

Amaia Land offers easy payment options, including cash, deferred cash, and bank financing for prospective buyers who want to own a unit. Go to www.amaialand.com to know more.

Keeping...

it also gives you the opportunity to intervene if you notice a behavior that could have negative consequences.

From C1

Let them know that if they see something, say something

You should also talk to children about the dangers of the Internet so that they recognize suspicious behavior or activity. Let your kids know that if they see something on a website, in an email, or a chat room that doesn’t seem right or makes them uncomfortable, they can come to you with their questions and concerns.

Be aware of their computer activities

Know what your child is doing on the computer, including which websites they’re visiting. If they are using email, instant messaging, or chat rooms, make sure you have a sense of who they are communicating with and that your child actually knows the people they are talking to.

American brands of tools, equipment, and appliances are offered at discounted prices at Ace Hardware in the whole month of July.

Keep computers in a common area

If your computer is in a common area, you will be able to easily monitor computer activity. This can help prevent kids from doing things they shouldn’t do and

Leverage your Internet Service Provider

Some ISPs offer services (sometimes free) specifically designed to protect children online by restricting access to websites and communications features, such as email, chat, and instant messaging, by age, content, time, and other categories. Contact your ISP to see if any of these services are available.

Consider implementing parental controls

You may be able to set some parental controls within your web browser.

Some browsers enable you to restrict or allow only certain websites to be viewed on your computer—a process known as whitelisting, and you can protect these settings with a password.

While no technology is fool-proof, there are also commercial software applications available that you can install to add an additional layer of protection.

(Editor’s note: Renee Tarun, vice president of information security at cybersecurity firm Fortinet, writes a simple guideline parents can do to protect their kids online. The original story was first published on Fortinet’s website)

Entertainment

THURSDAY, JULY 12, 2018

C3

nickie.standard@gmail.com

Stage actress MARONNE CRUZ joins ‘WAITRESS’ cast Beauty brightens up

TACLOBAN FESTIVAL

By Robbie Pangilinan BEAUTIFUL and handsome pageant candidates lit up the brightest and happiest festival in Tacloban City.

Disaster responder Cassandra Marie “Cassey” Chuca Lee won Sangyaw Festival’s Miss Tacloban 2018. The 24-year-old Hotel & Restaurant Management student has been serving as a volunteer rescuer for the Tacloban City Rescue Unit (TACRU) for more than three years. She is TACRU’s Basic Life Support instructor and First Aid and Junior Rescue Program Trainer.

Her crown, worth a thousand dollars, was made exclusively for Ms. Tacloban 2018 by famous Venezuelan pageant crown maker George Wittels. Crown donor Richard White said that the masterpiece flower wreath crown was drawn from nature by Wittels with an intricate intertwining of lily flowers, leaves and branches.

“A perfect homage to mother earth, the crown symbolizes power, legitimacy, victory, triumph, honor, glory and righteousness. It also represents the advocacies of the organization, therefore must be treated with utmost care,” said Richard.

At the coronation night on June 22 at the Tacloban City Convention Center, Lee also received four major awards including Ms. Advocacy Project, Best Philippine Terno, Ms. Professionalism, and Best in Evening Gown; as well as six special awards: Ms. Oishi, Ms. Executive Facial Care, Ms. RDL, Ms. Natasha, Ms. Sofia’s Way and Ms. Robinsons Mall.

“I will focus on my advocacy and enjoy my reign as Miss Tacloban,”

said Lee. Concert Queen Pops Fernandez expressed her happiness over the pageant, saying she was elated to have been invited by her best friend, Tacloban City Mayor Cristina Romualdez, to host the event.

“All the candidates were good and beautiful. I knew the judges had a hard time choosing the winners,” she added.

Meanwhile, 19-year-old broadcasting major Chelsea Fernandez, representing Tacloban City’s Sangyaw Festival, was crowned 2018 Reyna ng Aliwan Fiesta.

She bested 19 other candidates from various regions throughout the Philippines.

“I am looking at joining Miss Earth to represent Tacloban City,” announced Fernandez during the big event.

For the gentlemen, the very first Ginoong Sangyaw search was held on June 25 as part of the Sangyaw Festival. Fifteen young men competed in the regionwide search and Cris Bernales was named Ginoong Sangyaw 2018. He will be promoting the Tacloban City government and the advocacy of the Sangyaw Foundation Inc. for a better Tacloban.

“If I get an offer from showbiz, I will definitely grab it,” said Bernales.

Mayor Romualdez said that the pageants were created to inspire young Taclobanons to believe in themselves, empower them to have confidence and be role models in their communities.

Ms. Tacloban and Ginoong Sangyaw 2018 will be Tacloban’s ambassador of goodwill.

“As our theme says, we are the happiest people in the world. And we are happy with the winners of the pageants.

Congratulations, everyone!” the government official stated.

Sangyaw Festival’s Miss Tacloban 2018 winner Cassandra Marie Lee (2nd from left) with Sofia Romualdez (leftmost), showbiz reporter Mario Dumawal, and last year's winner Chelsea Fernandez (rightmost)

Hip-hop superstar Drake is making some music record with his new album, 'Scorpion.'

Drake crushes streaming record for top US album of year

Stage actress Maronne Cruz as Dawn in the local staging of 'Waitress the Musical.'

A

TLANTIS Theatrical Entertainment Group recently announced that Maronne Cruz is joining Bituin Escalante in this Broadway hit, Waitress The Musical.

Scored by Grammy nominee Sara Bareilles, and based on the 2007 movie of the same name, Waitress tells the story of expert baker Jenna who is disillusioned with her life and reckons with herself through the simple magic of baking. Accompanied by her friends Dawn and Becky, Jenna finds the strength and courage to rebuild her own life.

Maronne is excited to be joining the cast, saying, “Waitress is my dream show, and I get so elated when I think about playing Dawn. I connect so much with her. We’re both introverted, have geeky hobbies, get really anxious when putting ourselves out there, and are holding out for someone who can love all our oddities.”

Bobby Garcia, who directs, the highly anticipated musical says, “I was struck by Maronne’s authenticity as Dawn when she came into audition. It was an effortless

audition and she hit all the right dramatic and vocal notes. I think audiences are in for a special treat when they see her on stage in Waitress.”

No stranger to musical theater, Maronne has appeared in numerous productions including Hair (Jeanie), Sa Wakas (Gabbi), Ako Si Josephine (Josephine), Godspell (Learn Your Lessons Well soloist), Dog Sees God (Marcy), Horse & His Boy (Sallowpad the Raven), Sandosenang Sapatos (Red), and Cinderella (Stepsister Joy). She has also appeared in the indie film Mariquina as Monet. She also runs an advocacy named A Hero’s Call, which encourages social awareness and action through geek culture.

Catch Maronne as Dawn in Waitress, which opens on Nov. 9 at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza, Makati. Tickets will be available soon at TicketWorld Manila.

Wency Cornejo makes theater debut in ‘Side Show’ MULTI-AWARDED singer/songwriter Wency Cornejo is set to make his musical theater debut in Atlantis Theatrical’s highly anticipated staging of the Tony-nominated Broadway musical, Side Show.

Wency joins the stellar cast that includes Kayla Rivera as Violet Hilton, Gab Pangilinan as Daisy Hilton, Markki Stroem as Terry Connor, David Ezra as Buddy Foster and Arman Ferrer as Jake.

The musical is based on the real-life story of conjoined twins Daisy and Violet Hilton, who try to overcome their impediment and make a name for themselves as stage and film stars. Daisy

and Violet navigate their way through fortune and fame despite their differences and along the way, learn valuable lessons about love, loss, friendship, sisterhood and what it truly means to be unique.

Nominated for four Tony Awards including Best Musical, Side Show features a book by Bill Russell and music

by Henry Krieger, who also composed the iconic hit musical, Dreamgirls.

Wency will play the menacing ringmaster of the side show, known as Sir. He says, “I don’t know how to put it, but I am horrified (first time to do a play), ecstatic (I passed the auditions), insecure (all the other

CROSSWORD PUZZLE Thursday, July 12, 2018

ACROSS 1 And then —!

5 Clobber 9 Flies and gnats 14 Clump of dirt 15 Jazzy — James 16 Philbin or Sajak 17 Bettor’s concern 18 Ladd of films 19 Saddle extra 20 Old oath 21 Type of sausage 23 Chorus girls 25 Exec. aide 26 Royal pronoun 27 Heard the alarm 29 Summer in Cherbourg 32 Outlying community 35 Feeling 36 Kind of tradition 37 Provided temporarily 38 Hombre’s address 39 “Alice” waitress 40 Cuzco builder 41 Pleasant 42 Toxic emanation 43 Shoe width 44 Sugar source 45 Snakelike fish

46 Not e’en once 48 Lowered prices 52 Recovered from an illness 56 Give — — chance 57 Ram constellation 58 Baldwin of films 59 Actress Penelope — 60 Steel plow inventor 61 Opening for air 62 Yield by treaty 63 Classifies 64 Wool suppliers 65 “Et tu” time DOWN 1 Jeer 2 Nostalgic song 3 Internet hookup 4 Journal VIPs 5 Safari porter 6 Book of maps 7 Getz of jazz 8 Slugger — Aaron 9 Read carefully 10 Qatar rulers 11 Here and there 12 Chapeau’s spot 13 Singe 21 Botch 22 Quack

24 Main artery 27 Flinch 28 Woodwind 30 Polynesian staple 31 Pizzazz 32 Essayist’s alias 33 Lucy Lawless role 34 More incredible 35 Coal deposit 36 Squashed circles 38 Show teeth 42 Pored over

44 Comes to an end 45 Goes to the polls 47 Turn inside out 48 Stage set 49 Brought on board 50 Recital piece 51 Stuns 52 Scoundrels 53 Popular cookie 54 Chalet feature 55 Knocked off 59 201, to Claudius

performers are veterans compared to me), excited (who wouldn’t be?), confident (I made the cut, didn’t I?) and amazed (the cast is awesome) all at the same time. Does that make me a freak or something?”

With hits such as “Next in Line,” “Habang May Buhay” and “Tag-Ulan,” Wency and his former rock band AfterImage dominated radio charts in the 1990s. He has also received numerous awards, including Best Traditional Recording, Best Musical Arrangement, and Best Ballad Recording for his composition, “Hanggang.”

Side Show is directed by Steven Conde, with choreography by Cecile

Martinez, set design by Lawyn Cruz, lighting design by Jonjon Villareal, sound design by Jason Crystal, costume design by Odelon Simpao, hair and make-up design by Johann dela Fuente, musical direction by Farley Asuncion and vocal direction by Manman Angsico.

Catch Wency Cornejo as Sir when Side Show makes its Manila debut on Aug. 31 at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza, Makati City. For tickets, contact Ticketworld at (632) 891-9999 or visit www. ticketworld.com.ph.

HIP-HOP superstar Drake’s latest album Scorpion has crushed the record for streaming to post the biggest week so far this year on the US chart.

Scorpion was streamed nearly 746 million times in the United States on audio platforms such as Spotify and Apple Music in the week through Thursday, tracking service Nielsen Music said.

The tally easily surpassed fellow rapper Post Malone’s Beerbongs and Bentleys, which set an earlier record at 431 million streams in May. Scorpion, a characteristically sprawling 25-track work by Drake that runs from confessional rap to an R&B duet with the late Michael Jackson, sold 732,000 copies or the equivalent in streaming or downloads during the week.

The debut week for Scorpion far outpaces the latest album by blues rockers the Dave Matthews Band whose album Come Tomorrow was previously the biggest US release at 292,000 in sales.

Streaming records are regularly being broken as a growing number of listeners embrace the on-demand online platforms.

In a bid to make the chart more representative of audience listening choices, Nielsen Service as of the latest chart published late Sunday has changed its formula to give more weight to streams on paid subscription services rather than on free platforms including YouTube. AFP

Nickie Wang, Issue Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com

C4

Entertainment

THURSDAY, JULY 12, 2018

YUGEL LOSORATA

Things about

JANE

YOU might think that a successful businesswoman who owns a spa only need to lay down on a bed of roses when she feels like relaxing. Partly correct.

But independently strong Jane Joseph has found her ‘quantum of solace’ in something that requires stretching her vocal cords and putting words and melodies together. In one word, music.

“Music is part of my life,” she noted.

“Singing is something that I love and writing songs is what makes me happy.”

A singer-songwriter who has recorded and released mostly inspirational songs, but atypically with touches of cool pop sensibility, Jane is going well with the flow as far as her live act is concerned, never appearing pretentious to appease, say, millennials unappreciative of classics. She, along with the Barricade Band and DJ Mark Beats, recently performed at the Club Lounge of The City Club (of Alphaland Makati Place), giving her high-end crowd groovy renditions of throwback tracks from the ‘80s.

When she sings songs like Madonna’s “Papa Don’t Preach” and Rita Lee’s “Lanca Perfume,” you know she’s not doing them as required by the show’s theme, but because she knows the familiar tunes by heart.

Singer and entrepreneur Jane Joseph

Jane’s musical influence is actually rooted further back from the infectious pop of the ‘80s. That is why she has that loose yet classy, sexy sway on stage.

She said, “At a very early age my eldest brother already let me hear jazz music.”

The performer-entrepreneur, her worth-hearing songs include “More Than Enough” and “Himig Ng Buhay,” had guest appearances in Net 25’s Letters and Music and 95.5 Pinas FM and joined forces with singer Guji Lorenzana and others in an Aliw-nominated concert in 2016. Last year she sang front act for a show featuring Kuh Ledesma and Pops Fernandez.

The relaxation, health and beauty place she manages, Laxare Day Spa, is located third floor of SM North Edsa. Treatments include body spa, nail services, massages, and facials as Jane herself is a licensed massage therapist.

Yet, while such body therapy essentials keep her look glowing, it is music that keeps her youthful within.

“I have a lot to give and share with everyone willing to accept my songs and listen,” she openly declared, putting emphasis on the value of entertaining with compassion.

Gig hoppers can regularly witness her stage act as she does once-a-month special events at The City Club lounge managed by former PBA cager Nic Belasco.

Her first show there was a throwback Thursday in party mode with showcase of original, new compositions as breakers.

One of her guest performers, Vanerie Rosales, is another singer-songwriter with jazz inclination and who just celebrated her 18th birthday with a Great Gatsby-themed party at The Elements in Centris, Quezon City.

Last year Vanerie debuted in digital platform with her ukulele-backed composition This Man I Know. As expected she sang Amy Winehousestyle at her party attended by friends and family happily sporting outfits mirroring the roaring 20s.

For all their preferences and high taste, both Jane and Vanerie are simply ‘jazz’ being themselves.

Members of the Society of Philippine Entertainment Editors (SPEEd) with the group's founding president Isah V. Red (6th from left) of Manila Standard.

‘RESPETO’

wins big at 2 edition of THE EDDYS nd

By Dence Benedito Images by Teddy Pelaez

A

LBERTO “Treb” Monteras II’s Respeto was the most decorated film at the second edition of The Eddys, or Entertainment Editors’ Choice Awards, held Monday night at The Theatre at Solaire in Parañaque City.

From the left: Eddie Garcia, Charo Santos-Concio, Nora Aunor, and Maricel Soriano receive the Film Icon special award

The acclaimed independent film, which stars hiphop artist Abra, bagged six major awards including the coveted Best Film, Best Supporting Actor and Actress for Dido dela Paz and Chai Fonacier (tied with Angeli Bayani and Therese Malvar), respectively, Best Musical Score, Best Sound Design and Best Original Theme Song.

Winning Best Director was Mikhail Red for the film Birdshot, which tells the story of a farm girl who wanders into a forest reserve where she shoots and kills a critically endangered and protected Philippine Eagle. The film won Best Cinematography for Mycko David and its lead star Mary Joy Apostol took home the Best Actress plum.

“It’s a great honor. We’ve been with this film Therese Malvar (left) and Angeli Bayani (right) sharing the Best for like two to three years internationally, and it’s a Supporting Actress honor with Chai Fonacier (bottom left) different feeling when you’re appreciated by local audiences and award-giving bodies,” Red told MS Entertainment shortly after the star-studded ceremony.

He also shared what his major inspirations in making the film and how the story affected him on a personal level.

“I’m always drawn to very morally complex stories that talk about Philippine society in general. For me, Birdshot is basically a bird’s eye-view of all the issues Best Actress winner Mary Joy Apostol

Ciara Sotto performs for the audience

Dido dela Paz - Best Supporting Actor for ‘Respeto’

Mycko David (left) accepting the award for Best Cinematography and Mikhail Red (right), Best Director

From left: Stars of the Night David Licauco and Andrea Torres and Best Dressed Celebrities JC Santos and Sanya Lopez.

in our country,” he noted.

The recognition, according to Red, motivates him to create more quality films.

“It’s only a beginning for us. In fact, I just finished a movie, we’re in post-production and I’m shooting another one in August,” Red revealed.

The director, who hopes that he can inspire younger filmmakers and audiences with his body of work, expressed that film outfits should diversify and producers should start investing on genre movies to sustain the growth this industry has been experiencing of late.

Taking home the event’s highest acting honor for an actor was Aga Muhlach, who however, was unable to receive the recognition.

Winning Best Screenplay was Eric Cabahug for Deadma Walking, while this year’s Best Production Design trophy went to Gino Gonzales for Ang Larawan. Ang Panday bagged the Best Visual Effects award and Marya Ignacio took home the Best Editing award for Kita Kita.

Meanwhile, three special awards were given out: the Joe Quirino Award, given to the late movie reviewer and professor Mario Hernando (Posthumous Award), the Manny Pichel Award, handed to entertainment editor and columnist Ricky Lo, and Producer of the Year that went to Vic del Rosario, Jr. of Viva Films.

A special tribute was given to Hernando, directorsMaryoJ.delosReyes,SoxyTopacio,Maning Borlaza, Argel Joseph, actress Isabel Granada, and award-winning actor Bernardo Bernardo.

Icon Awardees were Charo SantosConcio, Eddie Garcia, Susan Roces, Gloria Romero, Nora Aunor, and Maricel Soriano.

The awards night was hosted by siblings Ruffa and Raymond Gutierrez with Tim Yap and Rhian Ramos.

Organized by SPEEd or the Society of Philippine Entertainment Editors, The Eddys aims to encourage local filmmakers, producers, writers, and actors to continue pursuing their passion for creating films that mirror the realities of our society.

Cinemalaya entry 'School Service' stars AiAi delas Alas, Therese Malvar and Joel Lamangan, who takes off his director's coat to become part of the cast

Rolling out the red carpet for the 14th Cinemalaya THE Cultural Center of the Philippines and the Cinemalaya Foundation are set to roll out the red carpet for the 14th edition of the country’s biggest independent film festival, the Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival, on Aug. 3 to 12, at various venues of the CCP and selected Ayala Cinemas.

The 2018 Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival promises to deliver the best visual storytelling to every film enthusiast. Judging by this year’s lineup of full-length films and short features, there is something that will surely capture the audience’s imagination.

Following the theme “Wings of Vision,” this year’s Cinemalaya will screen 10 fulllength films, all competing for the grand awards.

The competing full-length entries are: Distance by Percival Intalan; Kung Paano Hinihintay ang Dapithapon (Waiting for Sunset) by Carlo Enciso Catu; Kuya Wes by James Robin Mayo; Liway

by Kip Oebanda; Mamang by Denise O’Hara; ML by Benedicto Mique Jr.; Musmos na Sumibol sa Gubat ng Digma (Unless the Water is Safer than the Land)

by Iar Lionel Arondaing; Pan De Salawal (The Sweet taste of Salter Bread and Undies) by Che Espiritu; School Service

by Luisito Lagdameo Ignacio; and, The Lookout by Afi Africa.

On its 14th run, there will be 10 short films, including: Babylon by Keith Deligero; Jodilerks Dela Cruz, Employee of the Month by Carlo Francisco Manatad; Kiko by Jojo Driz; Logro by Kani Villaflor; Nangungupahan (Who Rents There Now?) by Glenn Barit; Sa Saiyang Isla (In His Island) by Christian Candelaria; Si Astri maka Si Tambulah (Astri and Tambulah) by Xeph Suarez; Siyudad sa Bulawan (City of Gold) by Jarell Serencio; Yakap by Mika Fabella and Rafael Froilan Jr.; and, You, Me and Mr. Wiggles

by Jav Velasco.

Audiences will continue to enjoy the festival’s mainstays: Dokyu, the documentary section; Best of the Festivals, which showcases the best films from local festivals; Indie Nation, a special section featuring independent films; Visions of Asia, featuring award-winning Asian and Netpac films. There will also be a showcase of the final projects of the Directing and Production Management workshops under the 4th Cinemalaya Institute.

Cinemalaya will pay tribute to Maryo J. Delos Reyes through a special screening of his best films Bagets and Magnifico; and to Bernardo Bernardo by showing Manila

by Night by Ishmael Bernal. Retrospective section will feature the 2017 Cinemalaya Best Film Respeto by Treb Monteras, and Baconaua by Joseph Israel Laban who won Best Director.

The Cinemalaya Campus, a major component of Cinemalaya, is slated on Aug. 7 to 8 at the Silangan Hall. The Cinemalaya Awards Night will be held on August 12, 2018 at the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theater).

Since 2005, Cinemalaya has continued to discover, encourage and support the cinematic works of upcoming and veteran Filipino filmmakers who boldly articulate and freely interpret the Philippine experience with fresh insight and artistic integrity.

To date, Cinemalaya has supported and promoted the production of Filipino full feature independent films and short films.

Many of these films have won awards in local and international competitions and festivals. Through the annual festival, Cinemalaya has showcased over 1,000 works by independent filmmakers including full feature films, shorts, documentaries, Filipino film classics, and art films.

For more information about Cinemalaya, visit www.cinemalaya.org, www. culturalcenter.gov.ph and the Cinemalaya Facebook page or CCP Media Arts at telephone number 832-1125 local 1704 & 1712 and the CCP Box Office at 832-3704.