Manila Standard - 2018 December 21 - Friday

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AFP chief slams deceitful Red truce

By Francisco Tuyay

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THE abduction of 12 militiamen and two soldiers in Sibagat, Agusan Del Sur on Wednesday showed that the New People’s Army declaration of a holiday ceasefire was merely an act of deceit, Armed Forces chief Gen. Benjamin Madrigal said Wednesday night.

To prevent similar attacks, the AFP chief ordered all troops to be more alert and pro-active in their security measures.

In Wednesday’s raid, rebels also carted away high-powered weapons, ammunition, a radio and various supplies.

Madrigal said heavy rains prevented troops assigned to the 3rd Special Forces Next page

VOL. XXXII • NO. 309 • 5 SECTIONS 28 PAGES • P18 • FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2018 • www.manilastandard.net • editorial@manilastandard.net

Economic team against GMA Plotted oust move to keep budget intact

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By Nathaniel Mariano, Rio Araja and Macon Ramos-Araneta

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Macapagal-Arroyo

Andaya to Diokno: Clarify insertions

THE LIST:

Drilon, Angara, 37 others sought ‘road’projects LAWMAKERS have chided Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno for allegedly peddling “fake news” that Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and other key House leaders requested for Road Board projects.

Andaya, who chairs the House committee on rules, said Diokno should directly answer the alleged anomalous P75-billion insertions that the budget chief made in the proposed P3.757-trillion national

Dominguez

PEAKER Gloria Macapagal Arroyo was the object of yet another coup attempt, this time, not as president of the Republic but as the leader of the House of Representatives, a senior administration lawmaker said.

Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon Senator Sonny Angara Taguig City-Pateros Rep. Arnel Cerafica Kabayan party-list Rep. Ron Salo Pangasinan 6th District Rep. Marlyn Primcias-Agabas LPGMA party-list Rep. Arnel Ty ANAC-IP party-list Rep. Jose Panganiban Isabela 3rd District Rep. Napoleon Dy Isabela 4th District Rep. Ma. Lourdes Aggabao Nueva Vizcaya Rep. Luisa Lloren Cuaresma Aurora Rep. Bellaflor Angara-Castillo CIBAC party-list Rep. Sherwin Tugna Pampanga 3rd District Rep. Aurelio “Dong” Gonzales MATA party-list Rep. Tricia VelascoCatera Batangas 3rd District Rep. Ma. Theresa Collantes Cavite 2nd District Rep. Strike Revilla Cavite 7th District Rep. Abraham Tolentino Bagong Henerasyon party-list Rep. Bernadette Herrera-Dy Next page

By Rio N. Araja HOUSE Majority Leader and Camarines Sur Rep. Rolando Andaya Jr. on Wednesday night urged Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno to directly answer allegations that he was behind the insertion of some P75 billion in the proposed P3.757trillion national budget for 2019.

“We hope Secretary Diokno will re-

The lawmaker, who requested anonymity, said it was hubris on the part of the economic managers to accuse members of the House of Representatives of “unparliamentary behavior” when they themselves conspired with some solons to oust Arroyo shortly after she assumed the speakership in July.

The solon said a group led by Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez and Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno “marched into” Arroyo’s office more than a month after she was elected House Speaker.

The group, he said, supposedly “demanded” that the 2019 proposed budget should not be slashed nor touched as Diokno stressed that this was supposedly “the President’s budget.”

When the House leadership refused to heed the bidding, the economic managers allegedly instigated some members of the Appropriations committee to meet and attempt a coup to replace Arroyo with a “friendlier one as desired by Secretary Next page Diokno,” the source said.

consider his decision not to appear in the hearings to be conducted by the House rules committee on the questionable allocations by the Department of Budget Management in the national budget. He has a lot of explaining to do,” he said.

“In the proposed 2019 national budget, for instance, the House discovered recently that the DBM allocated more than Next page

Okada case puts DOJ chief in a spot

By Rey E. Requejo THE Department of Justice on Thursday denied suggestions that Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra intervened in a case to favor a company that had hired his son as an associate director.

“This speculation is unfounded,” Justice Undersecretary Mark L. Perete said Thursday, reacting to suggestions that

there was a conflict of interest when the National Prosecution Office (NPO) found probable cause to indict casino mogul Kazuo Okada of estafa, following a complaint filed by his former company, Tiger Resort Leisure and Entertainment, Inc., which has engaged Guevarra’s son as associate director for risk management.

Perete, who is also the spokesman of Next page

DND vows continuing patrol of WPS DESPITE improving ties with China, the Philippines will continue patrolling the West Philippine Sea and strengthening the islands under its control, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said Thursday.

“We will still continue with our activities there. We will patrol regularly… [and] continue strengthening our islands. We have nine islands. The people at the Sierra Madre [a grounded landing ship] will still be there, and we will continue resupplying them and replacing them,” he said in a mix of Filipino and English.

The Defense chief added that the country Next page

Trump stuns allies orders troops home, WASHINGTON—US allies were stunned Thursday after President Donald Trump declared victory over the Islamic State group in Syria and abruptly ordered the withdrawal of US ground troops from the country.

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HAPPY TO BE HOME. Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray receives a bouquet of flowers from President Rodrigo Duterte when the former called on the chief executive at the Villamor Airbase before gracing the Frontrow Cares charity event at the Shangri-La at the Fort (left) before flying on to New York Thursday night. Lino Santos

Gray off to NY to start Miss U official duties

By Eton Concepcion BEFORE meeting President Rodrigo Duterte at the Villamor Airbase and flying to New York Thursday night, Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray graced the Frontrow Cares charity event at the Shangri-La at the Fort on Thursday morning.

4 DAYS

“I’m so happy to be here. I really missed Christmas dito sa Pilipinas [here in the Philippines], Gray said.

“I hope to inspire you all in your life, in your platforms, to open up your heart and give to the underprivileged children. Giving is so important, and what is wonderful is that they are to experience joy and happiness this season.

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Countdown to Christmas 2018 Wet Xmas in Visayas, Mindanao IT WOULD be a rainy Christmas, at least in Visayas and Mindanao.

According to PAGASA, a low pressure area is expected to bring occasional heavy rains over the whole Visayas and Mindanao, five days before Christmas.

The new weather system entered the Philippine area of responsibility at 2 a.m. on Thursday and was spotted an hour later at about 955 kilometers east of Hinatuan, Surigao Del Sur. PAGASA weather specialist Ariel Rojas said rains from the LPA’s trough may unleash floods or landslides in the central and southern islands.

But the low pressure area is unlikely to intensify into a storm ahead of Christmas, PAGASA said.

Rojas said the northeast monsoon or amihan will bring

Friday carmageddon: Gridlocks threatens THE Metro Manila Development Authority said traffic gridlocks await motorists the last Friday before Christmas Day. “Last Friday na po ito ng holiday season. Nasa labas na po lahat ng tao n’yan, ‘yung mga huling hirit na shopping, Christmas party,” said MMDA general manager Jojo Garcia.

MMDA spokesperson Celine Pialago said traffic flow along EDSA on Friday’s afternoon rush hour could slow down to 12 kilometers per hour from the typical 19 kph.

Number coding scheme on hold THE Metro Manila Development Authority suspended the number coding scheme for provincial and private vehicles to ensure that there will be enough buses to ferry passengers to the provinces this holiday season.

The MDDA lifted the number coding scheme for provincial buses at least two days before Christmas and New Year, in anticipation of thousands of Filipino families to troop to the provinces to celebrate Christmas and New year.

Dec. 21—Lifted Coding (Provincial Buses); Dec. 22—Saturday (No Coding); Dec. 23—Sunday (No Coding); Dec. 24—Special

(Non-Working) Day (No Coding); Provincial Buses lifted; Dec. 25—Regular Holiday (No Coding) ; Provincial Buses Lifted; December 26 - Lifted Number Coding Private and Provincial; Dec. 27—Lifted Number Coding Private and Provincial; Dec. 28 .

Coding; Private and Provincial; December 29—Saturday (No Coding); December 30— Sunday (No Coding); December 31—TBA (to be announced) for private; provincial bus lifted; January 1—Regular Holiday (No Coding); January 2—TBA (to be announced) for private; lifted for provincial buses.

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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2018 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Life term on 4 Sino drug convicts Panelo said in a statement.

An Olongapo court last week handed down the sentences to Win Fai Lo, Shu Fook Leung, Kam HERE will be no special treatment Wah Kwok and Kwok Tung Chan. They were for the four Chinese citizens who sentenced for transporting illegal drugs into the were sentenced to life in jail for their country and operating a f loating shabu laboratory involvement in the operation of a floating in Zambales.

Panelo promised the families of the Chinese shabu laboratory in Subic, Malacañang said nationals that the four “will be given proper treatment Thursday. in prison.”

“They will be humanely treated in accordance with “We assure the public that no special treatment the Bill of Rights under our Constitution, as well as will be accorded to the four Chinese drug convicts,” Presidential Spokesman Salvador with appropriate Philippine laws and rules,” he said.

By Nat Mariano

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Palace slams use of UN as platform of attacks vs Rody THE Duterte administration is “fed up” with the practice of using the United Nations as a platform to echo the “baseless criticisms” of the opposition against the government, Malacañang said Thursday.

“We are fed up with this practice of using the UN as a platform to parrot baseless criticisms of local interest groups who are supported by resentful politicians belonging to the opposition,” Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said in a statement.

“For too long has the UN been used by these detractors as a tool for vilification.”

In other developments: • The government continues to uphold the rule of law and ensure that alleged human rights violations in the country are “properly investigated,” the Department of Foreign Affairs said Thursday.

The agency made the statement in response to the unpublished report of a United Nations rapporteur on the state of human rights defenders in the Philippines.

Michael Forst, UN special rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, launched his “world report” that provides a comprehensive analysis on the situation of HRDs in 140 countries.

• The Commission on Human Rights on Thursday urged the Duterte administration to search for alternative ways of protecting the lumad community from communist influence instead of keeping them in “hamlets.”

“There are other ways to protect the lumad from the [New People’s Army], CHR spokeswoman Jackquieline de Guia said.

“That is what we are urging the government to do.”

Panelo made his statement after Forst called on the Duterte administration to end all forms of violations against human rights defenders.

In his report, Forst said Duterte “has fostered very harmful rhetoric against human rights defenders, labeling them as anti-nation, protectors of drug lords, communists and terrorists.”

He also highlighted Duterte’s relentless crackdown on drugs, adding it had created a climate of insecurity and impunity for extra-judicial killings that affect human rights defenders.

The report irked the Palace and described Forst’s call as “reckless and irresponsible.”

“The recent call of United Nations Special Rapporteur Michel Forst not only is reckless but irresponsible as well for it not only demeans the integrity of the UNSR system but the entire UN mechanism itself,” Panelo said.

Nat Mariano, with PNA

DND...

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will protest any action by the Chinese that are inconsistent with the Philippine national interest.

Part of the buildup, he said, would be better housing for troops on Pagasa Island.

“We have allotted funds for the shelter of our troops because right now, they only have huts there. We should give them good shelters, barracks, especially in Pagasa,” he added.

By the end of next year, he said, the runway on the island will have been repaired, and a beaching ramp was already 42 percent complete. The ramp will enable them to bring in the materials and equipment to repair the runway, he said.

At the same time, Lorenzana said two missile-armed frigates being built by South Korean shipbuilder Hyundai Heavy Industries will be named the BRP Antonio Luna and BRP Jose Rizal.

Navy flag officer-in-command Vice Admiral Robert Empedrad said the construction of the frigates was going smoothly, and the ships would be delivered by February or March 2020.

The keel-laying for the first-missilearmed frigate took place last Oct. 16 in Ulsan, South Korea while the steel-cutting for the second ship took place last Sept. 17.

The Philippines and Hyundai signed a P16-billion contract for the two frigates, with P2 billion set aside for its weapon systems and munitions. The projected delivery date for the first frigate is 2020 and the second one is 2021. PNA

Economic...

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Some lawmakers allied with the economic managers, the source said, even gave out the mobile numbers of three Cabinet members to other solons so that they could confirm for themselves that the ouster move had the blessing of Malacañang.

The lawmakers, however, soon found out that there was no such directive from the President and the coup attempt quickly fizzled.

“Despite the attempt to replace her and the audacious behavior demonstrated by the Cabinet officials, Mrs. Arroyo kept her silence. I thus find it objectionable that Dominguez had accused the House of Representatives of unparliamentary behavior during Diokno’s Question Hour over the budget when the economic managers themselves were the ones who had been publicly showing antagonistic behavior towards Speaker Arroyo since she took over the House leadership,” the source said.

Drilon...

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budget for 2019 and that supposedly benefitted his in-laws in Sorsogon.

“The fake news being peddled must stop.

No request nor projects for the district of either Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo or Majority Leader Rolando G. Andaya Jr.,” read a document from the Road Board released to House reporters by Andaya’s office.

The document likewise contained the list of Road Board-approved and readyfor-release allocations per engineering/ legislative district.

“I don’t talk to him [Diokno]. I do not need to make a follow up because I did not ask for anything from him,” Andaya said.

The Andaya panel will begin its inquiry on the alleged budget controversies and questionable allocations by Diokno on Jan. 3.

Diokno claimed that Andaya and other lawmakers, including House Minority Leader and Quezon Rep. Danilo Suarez, have been pressuring him to release the Road Board funds.

Okada...

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the DOJ, said the NPS is an office independent from the Office of the Secretary of Justice.

“Its resolution in the Okada case was arrived at by the prosecutor handling the case without intervention or influence of the secretary,” Perete said.

“Secondly, as early as May this year, when a related case involving Mr. Okada reached the Department of Justice, the secretary called a meeting to personally inform the parties that his son was being engaged by Tiger Resorts. The meeting took place at the DOJ on June 27, 2018 with the counsels for both Okada and Tiger in attendance,” the DOJ official said.

In that meeting, Guevarra informed both parties that his son applied for a managerial position in Tiger Resorts in November 2017. Tiger offered his son the associate director position in December 2017.

Guevarra was appointed to the DOJ only on April 5, 2018, after the resignation of then Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II. “The secretary likewise assured the counsel for both parties that the engagement of his son by Tiger Resorts would have no bearing in the resolution of their cases, and that these cases will be resolved with utmost impartiality,” the DOJ spokesman said.

“This assurance the secretary reiterates today amid the unfounded speculation being raised against him after the issuance by the NPS of its resolution

Gray...

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“Just a bit of a background: I’m an only child and I have always wished for siblings, and when I became an adult and reached out to charities I chose to help the children.

So if you could, give a gift or stay with them so they can have an amazing formative outlook of the year that is to come.”

The newly crowned Miss Universe says helping children is something close to her heart.

“Working with children really touches my heart because they are so pure, and you know they come into this life and this is the simple thing that make them happy, and I

Panelo also said they would coordinate with the Justice department for the possible deportation of the four.

He said the indictment of the four was “clear proof” of the Duterte administration’s war on drugs.

The four Chinese nationals from Hong Kong are the first foreigners to be convicted of a drug-related offense under the Duterte administration’s crackdown on drugs.

They were arrested on July 11, 2016 after a government raiding team found them aboard a 50-meter fishing vessel serving as their “floating shabu laboratory” off the waters of Subic in Zambales.

“May I remind Secretary Dominguez that he and his economic team were the first to show a series of sheer and flagrant disrespect towards the House leadership,” he added.

Even before the budget deliberations, the source noted, Diokno labeled Arroyo as the “master of reenacted budget” when Congress questioned the sudden implementation of the cash-based budget (from the usual obligation-based) for next year’s budget.

Dominguez also told members of the business community that Arroyo was independently pushing for the imposition of the mining tax despite the fact that it was part of the priority legislative agenda of President Rodrigo Duterte, the lawmaker said.

“It is the height of hubris that Secretary Dominguez and Secretary Diokno would now complain of unparliamentary behavior when the Budget Secretary was confronted by hard and irrefutable facts on corruption and questionable contracts with respect to the budget. Are they now saying that they are the only ones who can say a mouthful “He [Diokno] is he releasing officer of the road users’ tax. He is a member of the board. And if he himself seeks the abolition of the board, it can only mean he cannot perform his job. It is that simple,” Andaya said.

In the document, Suarez has no approved projects among the allocations that are ready for release.

Based on the list, among the 37 House lawmakers who allegedly requested projects for the Road Board were House Majority Leader Rodolfo Fariñas, Puwersa ng Bayaning Atleta party-list Reps.

Jericho Nograles and Mark Aeron Sambar, Kabayan party-list Rep. Ron Salo, ANAC/IP party-list Rep. Jose Panganiban, Isabela Rep. Napoleon Dy, Pampanga Rep. Aurelio Gonzales, Jr., MATA party-list Rep. Tricia Nicole VelascoCatera, Batangas Rep. Ma. Theresa Collantes, Cavite Rep. Strike Revilla, Cavite Rep. Abraham Tolentino, and Camarines Sur Rep. Salvio Fortuno, among others.

Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon and Senator Juan Edgardo Angara were also listed as among those who requested funds from the Road Board for their infrastructure projects.

of accusations and innuendos against the Speaker and members of the Lower House and the House of Representatives cannot fight back to defend itself? Kapag sila ang umaatake, kahit paulit-ulit, ok lang? Pero kung si Speaker ang lumaban at ipagtanggol and sarili nya at ang institusyon ng Mababang Kapulungan, hindi pwede? Such hubris!” the source added.

For his part, presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said Arroyo has not expressed interest in a Cabinet post, in particular that of the Finance secretary, when her term ends next year.

“We will ask the President, that’s the first time that I’ve have heard of that. From what I hear from the Speaker is that she wants to retire. That’s a new development,” Panelo said.

Panelo’s statement ran contrary to the claim of Diokno that Arroyo was eyeing to replace Dominguez.

“She doesn’t say anything. When we talk every now and then, she doesn’t say anything about it,” the Palace official added.

With Nat Mariano

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against Mr. Okada,” Perete said.

Perete said Guevarra said his son knew absolutely nothing about the cases involving Tiger Resorts and Okada, nor had father and son discussed the case in any way. er, considering that the NPS resolution may be appealed to his office, the secretary has requested his son to seriously consider resigning from Tiger Resorts. This, the secretary did to remove any doubt, and dispel speculation against his ability to resolve the case with utmost objectivity and impartiality,” Perete further said.

The Justice secretary added that should his son find no reason to resign from Tiger Resorts, he will completely inhibit himself from resolving these cases, should the same be appealed to his office.

Tiger Resorts described as “malicious lies and fabrication” the allegations that the operator of the posh Okada Manila hired the son of the Justice secretary just months after he assumed his post.

This insinuated that the young Guevarra was taken to influence the Justice secretary in the cases it filed against its former chief executive officer, Okada.

“The despicable black propaganda and underhanded tactic being employed by the camp of Mr. Okada speaks well of how desperate and vicious they have become in their failed bid to regain control of Okada Manila,” the company said.

Tiger Resorts said the reason the DOJ got involved in the case because Okada’s camp prematurely leaked resolutions of former Paranaque City Prosecutor Paudac dismissing the TRLEI complaints. think that this event is the perfect example of where we can give something as simple as a gift,” Gray said.

She also took the occasion to thank everyone for “the wonderful support” that they gave her in her Miss Universe journey.

After the press conference at the ShangriLa, the Miss Universe team went straight to Gentle Hands Inc. in Project 4 in Cubao, Quezon City, for the the charity event, which was the highlight of Gray’s visit. She arrived with her parents and was accompanied by Shawn MCclain, Miss Universe Organization Business Development and Marketing vice president and Esther Swan, MUO Director of the Talent Department.

She delivered a short message and the

AGBIAG party-list Rep. Michelle Antonio Antipolo City 2nd District Rep. Romeo Acop 1-PACMAN party-list Rep. Michael Romero Camarines Sur 5th District Rep. Salvio Fortuno Catanduanes Rep. Cesar Sarmiento Southern Leyte Rep. Roger Mercado Zamboanga Del Sur 2nd District Rep. Aurora Cerilles Zamboanga Sibugay Rep. Ann Hofer Cagayan De Oro City 2nd District Rep. Maximo Rodriguez AASENSO party-list Rep. Teodoro Montoro COOP NATCCO party-list Rep. Sabiniano Canama Akbayan party-list Rep. Tom Villarin North Cotabato 2nd District Rep. Nancy Catamco North Cotabato 3rd District Rep. Jose Tejada Surigao Del Norte 2nd District Rep. Robert Ace Barbers Surigao Del Norte 1st District Rep. Francisco Jose Matugas Surigao Del Sur 1st District Rep. Prospero Pichay Surigao Del Sur 2nd District Rep. Johnny Pimentel Kalinga Rep. Allen Jesse Mangaoang Nueva Ecija 2nd District Rep. Micaela Violago Iligan City Rep. Frederick Siao

Andaya...

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P325 million for infrastructure projects in Casiguran, Sorsogon. These projects were included in the P75 billion inserted by the DBM in the National Expenditure Program submitted to Congress,” he added.

He said the P325-million new projects in Casiguran were part again of the flood control program—the P75 million Himaoyon flood control, P80 million Lungib seawall and embankment, P100 million Somalot seawall and embankment, P45 million Cagpagol River control and P25 million Suji River control.

“This recent discovery of the P325-million allocation for new projects in Casiguran for 2019 raises a red flag as pieces of evidence already uncovered point to Secretary Diokno’s in-laws as the real beneficiaries of infrastructure projects in Sorsogon,” Andaya said.

“We are not surprised that the P325million new projects for Casiguran turn out to be flood-mitigating projects. These are the pet projects of Secretary Diokno, whose new advocacy is climate change,” he said.

During the recent congressional question hour, Andaya said, Diokno admitted affinity with Casiguran Mayor Edwin Hamor, husband of Sorsogon Gov. Ester Hamor, whose son, Jojo Sicat, is the husband of Diokno’s daughter, Charlotte.

“Whether Diokno admits it or not, Edwin and Ester Hamor are his daughter’s parentsin-law. This, he cannot deny,” he added.

Frontrow Enterprise gave gifts to more than 100 orphans of Gentle Hands. A million pesos was also given to the foundation.

Gray is expected to arrive in New York today, where she will stay and begin her official duties as Miss Universe. She arrived in Manila via a private jet on Wednesday, two days after winning the Philippines’ fourth Miss Universe crown.

The beauty queen’s official homecoming, which traditionally includes a motorcade and TV appearances, will happen next year. According to the Miss Universe Organization, the 24-year-old beauty queen will be back to the Philippines in January for a grand motorcade and homecoming party in Manila and in Albay.

RSF delists PH from five ‘most dangerous states’ THE Philippines is out of the top five most dangerous countries for journalists in 2018, according to the annual report of the media freedom organization Reporters Without Borders.

Based on RSF’s annual worldwide round-up figures released on Wednesday, the top five deadliest countries for media this year are Afghanistan, Syria, Mexico, India and the United States.

Afghanistan was the deadliest country with 15 killed, followed by Syria and Mexico with 11 and nine, respectively, while India had six journalists killed in 2018.

The bloody shooting of the Capital Gazette newspaper’s five employees in June placed the US for the first time in the top five with a total of six killed journalists.

The RSF’s report showed that 80 journalists were killed this year compared with 65 in 2017, 348 are in prison and 60 are being held hostage.

The Philippines, which was among the top five most dangerous countries for media last year, had three journalists killed this year based on RSF’s report.

The RSF list include Joey Llana of DwZR Radio from Albay who was killed on July 20; Dennis Denora of Trends and Times from Panabo City (June 7); and Edmund Sestoso of DyGB 91.7 from Dumaguete City (May 1).

Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Martin Andanar attributed the country’s delisting to President Rodrigo Duterte’s show of concern to the country’s Fourth Estate.

Duterte has dedicated his first Administrative Order for the creation of the Presidential Task Force on Media Security on Oct. 11, 2016.

Andanar said the PTFoMS’ creation “has resulted in the relentless pursuit of justice for journalists who were killed in the exercise of their duty, and the security of those media men and women who have been harassed and threatened.”

“We will continue to work hard for the safety of our journalists in the name of Press Freedom. There is no stopping the present administration from defending the rights of journalists who are vulnerable to threats, often in direct reprisal for their reporting,” Andanar said in a statement. PNA

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The decision runs counter to longestablished US policy for Syria and the region. It blindsided lawmakers, the Pentagon and international allies alike.

Britain and France warned on Thursday that the fight against jihadists in Syria was not finished.

Trump earlier said: “We’ve won against ISIS,” in a short video posted on Twitter.

“We’ve beaten them and we’ve beaten them badly. We’ve taken back the land.

And now it’s time for our troops to come back home.”

A withdrawal could have major geopolitical ramifications, and plunges into uncertainty the fate of US-backed Kurdish fighters who have been tackling Islamic State jihadists, thousands of whom are thought to remain in Syria.

A US official told AFP that Trump’s decision was finalized Tuesday.

“Full withdrawal, all means all,” the official said when asked if the troops would be pulled from across Syria.

Currently, about 2,000 US forces are in the country, most of them on a trainand-advise mission to support local forces fighting IS. Pentagon officials scrambled for a reaction. A spokeswoman eventually said the Defense Department had “started the process” of bringing troops home.

AFP...

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Battalion from detecting the incursion of some 50 NPA rebels who carried out the raid.

He also said a board of inquiry has been formed to investigate the incident at the Tubigon Patrol Base, a newly established detachment in the hinterlands of Sibagat.

AFP public affairs chief Col. Noel Detoyato said pursuit operations were ongoing.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said the soldiers were clearly taken by surprise.

“They were taken without a firefight, so they were caught off guard,” he said in a mix of English and Filipino. “Maybe they were relaxing. We expect the patrol base to be manned and properly constructed so it can’t be overrun.”

He said the military was looking at the possible involvement of a militiaman with familial ties with the NPA. In a statement, the Communist Party of the Philippines said the 14 prisoners of war would only be released if the military stops its offensives against the rebels.

“The 14 prisoners of war taken yesterday in Barangay New Tubigon, Sibagat, Agusan del Sur are being treated leniently,” the statement said.

Madrigal slammed the NPA, saying the abduction proved that the communists were not trustworthy. With PNA

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DND seeks to review treaty between US, PH N

By Francisco Tuyay

EARLY seven decades after the signing of the Mutual Defense Treaty between the United States and the Philippine government, the defense department will seek to review the Aug. 30, 1951 accord to solicit Washington’s position with regards the dispute in the South China Sea.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said the planned review of the MDT will seek Washington’s specific stand as to whether the Philippines can count on US support in the event hostilities break out following China’s occupation of the islets and reefs in the West Philippine Sea. “We are thinking about that also… we really wanted to review that also. I think we have been discussing that with our staff inside the Department of National Defense (DND),” said Lorenzana during his yearend news briefing on Thursday He said the review of the MDT and its provisions have already been raised with US officials a month ago in Hawaii by a team headed by Defense Undersecretary Cardozo Luna.

“I think, it was Undersecretary Luna, who was invited to Hawaii to attend conference where he said maybe we should start reviewing our MDT, yes he is,” the defense chief said.

“We are going to (review it)… we’ll need to look at the provisions there, discuss with the end view of reviewing to make it stronger or whatever,” he added.

Lorenzana said that the islets and shoals in the WPS should be covered by the treaty, which obligates the US to militarily respond to the aid of the country once it is attacked by other states.

At present, some of the country’s islets and shoals in the West Philippine Sea were being challenged aggressively by China which has already converted some of them into military bases.

SANTA CLAUS IS EVERYWHERE. Santa Claus in different playful poses are seen around the Quezon provincial capitol in Lucena City, as they provide ‘selfies’ for individuals and families. Photo shows three Santas lined up on benches at Perez Park.

Diana B. Noche

FDA to decide whether to register Dengvaxia vaccine for anti-dengue THE Food and Drug Administration said it would meet today, Dec.21, to decide whether to give a Certificate of Product Registration (CDR) to Dengvaxia, Sanofi Pasteur’s controversial anti-dengue vaccine.

“The FDA is set to meet about the Dengvaxia CPR tomorrow afternoon.

They will probably decide then,” Health Undersecretary Rolando Domingo said.

Domingo said that the Health Department will study whether it would administer the anti-dengue vaccine after the European Commission has given the authority to market Dengvaxia on Thursday, Dec. 20.

In a separate statement, Sanofi said that: “The marketing authorization follows the October 18, 2018, recommendation by the European Medicines Agency’s Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) to approve use of the dengue vaccine in European endemic areas.”

Sanofi PasteurT said that Dengvaxia will be made available in Europe to prevent the dengue disease in individuals 9-45 years of age with a documented prior dengue infection and who are living in endemic areas.

Bersamin unveils reform agenda for the judiciary

By Rey E. Requejo CHIEF Justice Lucas P. Bersamin has unveiled his four-point agenda for the judiciary, which include the updating of the Rules of Court, purging the bench of misfits and scalawags and the adoption of legal clinics to enhance access to justice.

During a testimonial dinner tendered by the Pontifical and Royal University of Santo Tomas early this week, Bersamin said that he would like “to update our procedural rules to make them embody and be attuned to the technological developments.”

Aside from adjudication, Bersamin said updating the rules “is a very basic, if not the other important function of the Court under the Constitution.”

Bersamin said that he will make the judicial system responsive to the public need for quick dispensation of justice.

He admitted that the Rules of Court still contains provisions that institutionalize delay.

Bersamin also vowed to cleanse the judicial ranks and “institutionalize changes that are designed to expedite the administration of justice.”

“I will purge the Judiciary of misfits and scalawags and enforce the rules of discipline,” he said.

The chief justice made the commitment after noting that in the provinces, there is a very strong perception that justice is only for the strong, the influential and the wealthy.

“Those judges and employees in the provinces who have contributed to this wrong perception about the Judiciary will have to go,” Bersamin warned.

He issued a marching order to Court Administrator Jose Midas P. Marquez, who was also present during the dinner, “to start with my home province of Abra.”

“That is a marching order… no matter if they are my relatives or not. I am sure that you know what I mean,” Bersamin said.

BI orders deportation of Japan’s top fugitive

By Vito Barcelo THE Bureau of Immigration ordered the deportation of Japan’s most wanted fugitive, who is accused of being the leader of a major fraud ring in Japan.

Misao Koyama, also known as Misao Kaminsukaso, was arrested along Gil Puyat Street in Manila, in a joint operation with Tokyo Interpol, Immigration commissioner Jaime Morente said.

Morente said that Koyama will be deported to Japan where he faces charges for allegedly forging private documents to sell other people’s lands without their

consent.

BI-Fugitive and Search Unit Chief Bobby Raquepo said Koyama is allegedly the leader of an eight-man fraud ring accused of selling other people’s property by using forged land deals. They have reportedly swindled “billions of yen” from their victims in Japan.

“Japanese authorities sought our assistance in locating and deporting Koyama as he has a standing warrant of arrest for fraud,” Raquepo said.

“Upon receipt of this information, we immediately conducted an investigation to locate him so he may be sent back to Japan to face his crimes,” he said.

A4

Opinion

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2018

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Balangiga bells are ringing again Gallo masses in the quaint town of Balangiga has gained such prominence in CROSSROADS the annals of the country's continuing struggle as an independent, democratic JONATHAN member of the family of nations. That DE LA CRUZ it was finally returned during the incumbency of President Duterte makes it truly significant given his vow to chart an inFOR the second time after 117 years, the dependent "friends to all, foe to none" bells of Balangiga are ringing again. foreign policy.

Last Monday, at dawn on the second For most of our post-World War II hisday of the annual nine-day Misa de Gal- tory, the return of the bells has always lo, the three bells rang proudly, calling on been part of our "talking points," so to the Balangiga faithful to church. speak, with every American administraIt was a sight to behold if we go by the tion. Although quite insignificant in the accounts of those who posted the scene view of a number of sectors particularly for posterity. And for the history buffs, it those who have always clung to the coat was a scene popping out of old when the tails of the United States, the bells' resame bells rang summoning the faithful turn in whatever way possible struck at to midnight mass the heart strings of and signaling the every Filipino uprising of a rag who had a sense tag group of proud of nationhood. It Samarenos against was, in a very real The looted bells an American ocsense, a symbol cupation force then needed to be returned if of the bondage holding fort at the we were to cut that which engulfed town center. this benighted That they were bondage and land for centuries able to capture the move on. made even more town center and distressing by the raise the banner unmitigated atrocities perpetrated of freedom in that small town so incensed the then-com- by the Americans in their pacification manding general of the American occu- campaign which for decades the US and pation forces in that part of the country its brown brothers wanted erased from that he ordered the killing of all males the books. The looted bells needed to be aged 10 years and above and turn Samar returned if we were to cut that bondage into a "howling wilderness." In the end, and move on. even children and women were murdered It was clear that that sense of nationthat the town, in one account, looked like hood, that appreciation of our history a zombie zone. So brutal and unprec- as a people and, of necessity, the need edented was the campaign launched by to complete the story of America in the US General John "Howling Wilderness" Philippines President Duterte articulated Smith it has since assumed historical sig- from day one of his assumption in office. nificance similar to other such atrocities And that has been an oft-repeated refrain as the Rape of Nanking during World over the past two and a half years of his War II, My Lai during the Vietnam War administration as he pursued his indeand more recently the various “ethnic pendent foreign policy. Given his temcleansing” incidents during the Balkan perament, it is no accident that up to now Wars. What made the Balangiga massa- toward the middle of his six-year term, cres doubly abominable was the looting President Duterte has constantly ignored of the town by the occupying forces with calls for him to finally make a state visit their soldiers carting away the three bells to the United States as has been customwhich the Americans obviously wanted ary for most presidents before him. He badly to serve as a warning to any Phil- has visited China, Russia and Japan ippine freedom fighter at that time that among the Big Powers—but not America. they will be stripped to the ground like In all likelihood, this nonchalance must animals. have registered deeply in the calculation for Which is why the return of the bells the return of the bells. He tweaked them in Turn to A5 and their ringing for the annual Misa de the right place at the right time.

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

Cheaper rice at last

T

HE supply of rice, hopefully, will no longer be an inflation driver once President Rodrigo Duterte signs the rice tariffication bill into law shortly.

Rice tariffication will essentially lift the restrictions on the volume of rice allowed to enter the Philippines by letting private traders import the grain from countries of their choice. President Duterte two months ago certified the bill as urgent after the inflation rate kept surging.

In endorsing the bill, Duterte told Congress the proposed measure would address the urgent need to improve the availability of rice in the country, prevent artificial shortages, reduce the prices of the commodity in the market, and curtail the prevalence of corruption and cartel domination in the rice industry.

Private traders under the

rice liberalization move will pay a straight 35-percent tariff on rice imported from Southeast Asian Nations. They will also no longer be constrained by the National Food Authority, which virtually monopolized rice importations and reserved the right to choose which traders could purchase rice from abroad.

Rice tariffication will also reduce the role of the NFA in the importation of the grain and foster competition in the domestic market.

With the private sector taking care of rice shipments, the NFA and the Department of Agriculture can now focus on improving the productivity of Filipino farm-

ers to counter the influx of cheaper imports and taking real efforts to modernize the farming sector.

Higher prices of rice in the past few months drove the inflation rate to a nineyear high in September and October, after the NFA ignored the supply situation and failed to replenish dwindling stocks with imports. Rice was the number one contributor to surging inflation and accounted for over half of the price spikes, along with other food items.

The government, especially the Agriculture department, should rise to the challenge of rice tariffication. It should strive to make the Philippine rice sector competitive again and eventually restore the country’s status as a rice exporter in the region.

Railroading the Constitution Joint statement of all Ateneo presidents on RBH 15

THE move to amend the Philippines’ 1987 Constitution has been one of the most contentious issues of 2018. According to the latest Pulse Asia survey held in June 2018, only 18% of our population support charter change, while a majority (67% of the population) do not. An additional 14% are undecided. The same poll also indicated that 62% of Filipinos are not presently in favor of a shift to a federal form of government.

Regardless of where one sits on this issue, the ongoing discussion and debate is a healthy one for our democracy. Evidence-based discussion and debate is critical in crafting reform options for the country’s governance and development.

An inclusive and transparent process is indispensable in establishing a credible result, one that hopefully could unite the country in a common understanding of the way forward.

Sadly, this process of deliberation has been undermined and hijacked by the recent move

by Congress to push for charter change. Last 12 December 2018, amidst the backdrop of allegations of pork barrel spending in the proposed 2019 budget, the Lower House of Congress passed Resolution of Both Houses number 15 (RBH 15) on third and final reading, pushing what many see as charter change that is being railroaded.

RBH 15 dramatically departs from the reform process initiated by President Duterte, which called on the Constitutional Committee to Review the Constitution (ConCom) to help push debates and discussions on constitutional reforms.

There are at least three troubling features of RBH 15. First, it excludes important political reforms proposed by the ConCom and supported widely by academia, such as the proposed antidynasty law, and a clear political party reform agenda. RBH 15 even removes all reference to political dynasties, which were already embedded in the 1987 Constitution.

Secondly, the resolution also removes existing term limits for congressmen, senators, and local government officials. Combined with no constraints on dynastic expansion, this threatens to further concentrate political power into the hands of very few political clans. Thirdly, the resolution jettisons Article XIII of the 1987 Constitution, dedicated to “Social Justice and Human Rights,” a section explicitly recognized by 1986 Constitutional Commission’s President as the “heart” of the said charter (Muñoz-Palma 1986). By eliminating this entire article, RBH 15 weakens the State’s commitments on the protection of labor, the promotion of equitable land own-

ership and access to natural resources, the promotion of urban land reform and affordable, decent housing for the urban poor, the protection of the rights of indigenous peoples, and the role of peoples’ organizations, among others.

These features of RBH 15 alone, combined with the unreasonable pace and non-inclusive process, are likely to exacerbate further the trust deficit that presently characterizes the federalism discussions.

For these reasons, we call on our legislators to stop fast-tracking the charter change process, and to take the proper steps to consult all sectors in order to re-establish credibility and trust in the process. Imposing their will on the people will only elicit stronger resistance to federalism, as many will see this only as a ploy of dynastic politicians to further strengthen their hold on power.

Charter change is a difficult arena for reforms.

Clearly, a transition to a federal system cannot be bound by a constricting timetable such as the term of President Duterte. Empirical evidence, substantial independence and objectivity will be critical in forging a consensus. Anything less than these merely exposes the true intentions of the so-called “reformists”.

Therefore, we urge the administration to undertake instead a wider and more consultative discussion on constitutional reform. Only by undergoing a genuine and participatory national dialogue will Filipinos attain a level of consciousness where they can properly decide whether to change the charter or not.

We in the academe, along with the Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP) and the Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations (COCOPEA), and working with other stakeholders in our society including the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), are willing to help bring about this national conversation on constitutional reform by working with our colleagues in government, civil society, and the private sector. ad majorem Dei gloriam, Fr Karel S San Juan SJ (President, Ateneo de Zamboanga University) Fr Joel E Tabora SJ (President, Ateneo de Davao University) Fr Jose Ramon T Villarin SJ (President, Ateneo de Manila University) Fr Roberto Exequiel N. Rivera, SJ (President, Ateneo de Naga University) Fr Roberto C Yap SJ (President, Xavier University- Ateneo de Cagayan)

Yearning for Philippine Christmas

By Val Abelgas FOR Filipinos who have been outside of the Philippines for years, Christmas is both a time for rejoicing and a time for remembering. Even as the Filipino in America begins to feel the holiday mood immediately after Thanksgiving when people start shopping for gifts and Christmas decors, he feels at the same time a longing for home. Nothing beats Christmas in the Philippines!

After living on a distant shore all these years, I can truly say that nothing beats the way Filipinos celebrate Christmas. The genuine joy that the season brings to millions of Filipinos in the Philippines is the same reason why

ippines, many Filipinos feel they can share the blessings that the world brings.

Because of the mandatory 13th month pay and the bonuses paid by nearly all It is this kind of joy companies, big and small alike, many that a Filipino living people are able to afford what they can only dream about the rest of the year. in a foreign land For the children of the poor, the misses sorely about Christmas season is only one of two instances when their parents can afford to Christmas. buy them new sets of clothes and new pairs of shoes, the other being the school opening. Christmas is also the only time the hundreds of thousands of Filipinos for many of these children to own a living outside the Philippines yearn for brand new toy, often as a gift from their parents or from their ninong or ninang. home at this time of the year.

The Christmas season is also their For even just during those few days Turn to A5 that Christmas is celebrated in the PhilRolando G. Estabillo Publisher

ManilaStandard

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

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Opinion Opinion Christmas travel Opinion The top PH stories of 2018 heading heading heading

FORMATION GARY OLIVAR

VIRTUAL LOS ANGELES—My wife and I are REALITY place in holed up in my brother-in-law’s Harbor City, an LAVIRTUAL suburb TONYthat seems LOPEZ farther away from the international airREALITY port than I’d remembered.

TONYAgeing does LOOKING yearLOPEZ about one’s to end,memoI conhave a wayatofthe telescoping sider ries. the following events or developments as theThe biggest stories 2018: Duterte’s China trip overof on a 1)foreign airline TRADE and Industry Secretary Ramon pivot; 2) the Philippines’ Catriona Magnayon wasn’tbetter bad. get Buta after whatauditor seemed Lopez certified fastto Gray wins the Miss Universe 3) inflation me an unusually rough title; plane takeoff before the next congressional hearing hits a ten-year high and is derailed; 4) from our layover at TRAIN the Taipei airport, on the questionable P1000/year lease the return of the Balangiga bells; 5) Duterte’s I promised my wife that we’d become oftotal the agency’s five-hectare property against the New People’s Army. that PALwar regulars again, for reasons along Roxas Boulevard.

1.

The flowering of President Duterte’s pivmight be obvious to my readers: into in 1996foreign with policy, PhilexotEntered to China, a revolutionary will Seatmates you can schmooze with. change futureexporters of the Philippines forever. port, a the private association, Attendants with the unique “Filipina So far, the dividends from Duterte’shave strateparts of the leased property touch”. Comfort food even in the skies. gic reboot have beenby superficial but they show since been used the association, And potential: importantly, the peerlessly pacific huge participation in the Belt and the DTI and above an attached agency, Exair currents our islands to which RoadDevelopment Forum, use of aCouncil Chinese rifle to kill the port (EDC), for I’ve become after Philippines’ mostaccustomed, wanted terrorist, infranearly buildexport promotion development twoinyears of importation flying and around the country up Marawi, of Filipino English activities.

The bigger portion wasof to speak and train on federalism. teachers, 50 scholarship grants, 10,000 tons sublet—or was it injected?—into a taking a some. local disriceTomorrow for Ompongwe’re victims, to name joint venture operation with the ICCP count on our final leg are to PhilaThe airline biggest Chinese investors in the Group owned by businessman Guilly delphia.

I don’t look gaming forward to the wrong business—online which has Luchengco. brusqueness of the transient experience, alattracted easily 500,000 (some say though it’s the a workers small price to pay for illegal) and created thethis largUp toChinese now, manner by which est demand for real estateAnd along Manila Bay, American efficiency. after all,rethe property was eventually developed Makati, Fort Bonifacio.

Online gaming is very first long-distance Christmas trip mains a and mystery.

That trace back will growing bytoone squareby meters a year. by ahave Family ofmillion note wasn’t that comfortnow be explained Secretary Theeither: Chinese have yet to fulfill theiras promise able winter, rough transLopez and hiscold certified auditor the to build three new bridges across the Pasig River port, and overbooked government auditing accommodations agency, COA, to easeforced traffic, the and to start any billion-pesointo plus that Family has red-flagged many ofelsewhere, the transacinfrastructure project. an animal stable. tions on this property since it was first Tourist arrivals more than Likeover them, thisfrom tripChina for me ispartalso turned to Philexport and its doubled in three years to one million a about a special child: the baptismyear of ner, ICCP group.

(968,000 in 2017 from 2015; my very first apo, who491,000 to my indelight Records firstthe con973,000 in 9culled months from of 2018)the making Chiwill carry the same name as my father, nese the country’s No.show 1 tourists, by a gressional hearing thatgrowing the propbrother, and son. As age advances, I frenetic 35 percent year-on-year, displacerty was originally turned and over to don’t to be taking such long trips ing theexpect Koreans.

Philexport which in turn entered into again, but has this one copied promises to begrowth memDuterte China’s a orable. venture with also the ICCPselfies!

Group to deExpect endless playbook.

China grew big largely because velop the property. How much did they *** Accordingly, of government spending.

Duvalue the property and what was the The P9-trillion recent repatriation of Build the bells terte’s Build, Build, proplanned development—these of Balangiga their exileareinquesMongram is built onfrom that premise. tions Secretary Lopez has leader’s todiscussion explain tana someFilipino spirited Theprovoked strong-willed Chispecially since he has quoted about who should takebeen the credit forasit. na pivot coincided with China becoming having said largest that the original terms Oldtimers reminded everyone that of the the world’s economy in purchasing the agreement have been followed. process wasforstarted FVR. Duterte power parity the thirdbyyear in a row, with $23.1 trillion GDP 2017, following 30 “The original intent in order, backed diehards wanted toinisheap all the credit years oflegal unprecedented growth. onand him.

Butbythe current President has up law..”

Bya 2018, had completely dominatset gracious example by saying that That said,China Secretary Lopez will now ed strategic militarythe presence in the South have to produce original agreeChinaand Sea what where terms the Philippines has soverment and conditions were actually followed. Is he talking about the one thousand a year lease which translates into a total of P22,000 from the time this was turned over in

ABOUT TOWN

ERNESTO M. Economic...

HILARIO From A4

IN EARLY 2016, when he was still LET'S of setDavao aside the current tiff between mayor City in southern Philthe House of Representatives and the ippines, presidential bet Rodrigo DuBudget Department over the proposed terte promised during the campaign 2019 budget as it has yet to be resolved, to end the on drug menace in the country and focus what our legislators have in three to six months.

He wonHouse, handdone in the past six months. The ily, with seem, a margin of six million it would posted a very strongvotes peragainst nearest rival.

And even formancehis since Speaker Gloria Macapawhen he had oathyear of gal-Arroyo tookyet overtoontake Julyhis 23 this office as president on June 30, 2016, by passing the Duterte administration's news started to intrickle of priorityreports legislative agenda recordin time. drug busts byto police in various parts According data from the Commitof country, no doubt theofprecursor teethe on Rules, in just 41 days the Third of an impending all-out war against Regular Session of the 17th Congress, the Housetrafficking led by processed a total ofduring 1,426 drug he promised measures, or an average of 35 measures the campaign. processed per session Since June 2016 today.

October 30 this Of the measuresNational processed,Police a total year, the1,426 Philippine of 513 measures were approved.

These in(PNP) has reported that almost 5,000 cludedsuspects 95 enacted intobeen law; 39 transmitted drug have killed in leto the President; 30 bicameral ratigitimate operations.

In everyreports instance, fi ed; four Senate versions adopted; 11 Senthe police claim that the suspects chose atefight amendments concurred 22 up for to it out rather than with; to surrender. deliberation bicameral conference; The bodyincount, however, does 228 not approved on third reading; 37 approved on end there. A total of 23,518 homicides second reading; and 44 resolutions/motu took place from June 1, 2016 to October proprio inquiry adopted.

28,At2018, or an average per day. the adjournment of of the33 House last The police classify these as “deaths December 13, Arroyo congratulated the under investigation”, but human rights lawmakers for their hard work as the watchdogs consider these as extrajuHouse succeeded in processing all the dicial or of summary prioritykillings measures Presidentexecutions Duterte— apparently vigilante groups.

The a pledge sheby made when she was elected PNP has yet to disclose the results of to the Speakership. the“My so-called “deaths under investigaconcern is not my legacy as tion” in the two years.

Speaker.

Mypast concern is to support PresiMeanwhile, theI dent Duterte’s jails legacyarein bursting the year atthat have aswith Speaker.

And as yesterday, the seams thousands of of mainly drug usHouse report with confi dencearrested that we ers andcan street-level drug pushers havethe already the President’s entire by policepassed in so-called “buy-bust” legislative agenda as he announced in his operations now awaiting disposition of 2018 cases.

State of the Nation Address,” Artheir If many Philippine jails had royo said. been severely overcrowded in the past because no new facilities have been built to accommodate criminal suspects and convicts, they are even more congested From A4 now with inmates packed like sardines, But he did not take credit for it. Untaking turns sleeping in cramped and like others in the political class who dingy quarters.

From A4 would grab anything just to apDespite theatbloody outcome of the pend it to their ingloriouswar careers, this Duterte administration’s on drugs President shied awaythefrom limein the last two years, drugthe problem light. He himself emphasized, when the return was about to happen, that this was a singular achievement of the entire nation and of our people—not of him or his administration alone.

Balangiga...

So,...

this victory really belongs to everybody.

The return of the bells marks the latest high point in the Philippines’ most important trans-Pacific partnership. eign rights to more than two million square Regardless of all the sound reasons why kilometers of what could be resource-rich we should be diversifying our alliances, and hugely strategic If waters and where 1996 to thehearts present. that is the case a it’s of thetrade Filipino thirdinofthe global maritime passes.people hethat should be told that the private sector Americans find their biggest According to thecan New York Times, Chipartners, Philexport and ICCP group, asset in this relationship. na’s militarization of the South China Sea has brought the government an deal, SWS survey, two-thirds of to reis aInreally done “short of war with the US.” the cleaners.

He should be reminded spondents said they believed that “China is now capable of controlling the the United States to our aid that at China the time ofinthe lease the miniSouth Seawould all come scenarios short of if wewith were by selling another country mum per square meter of war theinvaded United States,” saysprice Admiral (no names mentioned, of course).

Only Philip S. Davidson said,area commander of the land within the same was already one-third and less than 10 USless Indo-Pacific command. no thandisagreed, P15,000. percent no to opinion.

Justin Lin, ainformer InAccording fact,had some of myYifu friends the World Bankbusiness senior economist, is had what Tellingly, this trust thethis U.S. was real estate tellin me that happened China inrespondents the last 40 turned years of stronger who they knowtoamong the property was claimed to be familiar with the details over and possibly injected into a venof the West Philippine Sea maritime ture corporation with Philexport and dispute.

This, despite the processual ICCP they should have bid themselves hedges built into the US-Philippine muand gave government better terms.

China, Catriona, tual defense agreement, as well as the But of course Secretary Lopez has TRAIN, Balangiga and another way of computing the returns the NPA on this government property. He claims that just over the past 19 years Have actually a Blessed government got P300-milfrom opening up: per capita GDPthe roseagency’s Christmas, wherever you$155 lion contributions from in 1978partners to $8,836for in 2017, higher private export promotion may be in this seasonthan of the global average; China surpassed Japan to and development.

That figure will our Lord. become the second largest economy in still have to be validated That 2009, overtook Germany as as well. the world’s biggest exporter in 2010, and replaced the United States as the biggest trading nation Americans’ own hedging of lateChinese whenin 2013. More than 700 million ever they’re asked if their commitment rose out of poverty.

The manner byChinaandPresident would extendfortoDuterte, the atolls islets Fortunately which this property was we’re disputing with China.

Xi Jinping believes in the wisdom that “all creatures mayour growdeveloped together withoutChinese harming Clearly, aspirational eventually each otherare or roads mayan run uphill parallel without friends facing climb. remains mystery. interfering withaone another.”

They’ll have a hard time wooing us Visiting last investment November, Xi anwith trade,Manila aid and when, nounced that time, “the President (Duterte) interand I at the same they’re flouting both agreedrulings to elevate relationship into one national inour our favor, building of comprehensive, cooperation.

This military runwaysstrategic only miles away from vision charts a clear course for China-Philipour contiguous territory, and occasionispines after Secretary Lopez explains theto relations andour it sends a strong message ally harassing sea-bound countrybyzantine manner by which Philexthe world that our two countries are partners in men. seeking development.” port andcommon ICCP group got hold of the Do they really want to win our hearts 2. Filipino-Australian Miss Philippines property and made all of revand minds when they’rekinds so obviously Catriona Gray lava-walking to the 2018 Miss enue generating developments the dismissive of the ourPhilippines’ own role infourth thein world?

Universe title, in 66 area.

One has got to be given up for thetoother. years cheers tears of joy a naOnebrought need not beand a cake rocket scientist Wanting to have your and eat ithigh too tion buffeted by record-high inflation, toisn’t know that this P300 million worth a philosophy that endears. prices of prime goods, crippling traffic, and ofmassive contribution is corruption such a in ridiculous *** government nearly eveamount for a five-hectare prime propwith the red same ry Another agency, onguy top of colossal tapephilosofor such erty in that area.

But if you allow phy cakesa driver’s used tolicense, be a Chinese thingsabout as getting getting a yourself to contribute the asaid propcar plate, securing or renewing passport, and erty with a ridiculous lease payment of P1000/year then you better be prepared to explain why. Secretary Lopez says the original agreement is proper and above board resulting in such payment

ward himself before that country went capitalist. That’s the communist leader Jose Maria Sison, whose factota see absolutely nothing illogical about branding Duterte a puppet of both the Ameriworst of all, getting a business permit. cans and the Chinese.

Out of 190 countries, the Philippines ranks But there’s more. Responding to 124th19 in Ease of Doing in the botafter years so heBusiness, better sharpen Duterte’s executive tom 15 percent, the worst order rankingpromoting in ASEAN, his pencil and gettalks, his auditor roasted. localized peace after the failure and the worst ranking for the country in four Even if he tries to cover his tracks with of national-level negotiations, Sison years. the proposition that anyway the private proclaimed EO “seeks to percent weap3. Inflationthat hit a the ten-year high to 6.7 partners put in millions pesos onize thehad civil bureaucracy forofthe miliin September and October 2018 amid the most suppression of the revolutionary astary well into developments in the area. severe rice shortage in a generation and a masmovement ofagainst the people.”

One such development, accordsive backlash taxes, especially on fuel double is remarkable. andHis drinks,talk imposed by –Afthe ing tosugar Secretary Lopez, is TRAIN the World ter anyforgovernment is certainly Tax all, Reform Acceleration and Inclusion, Trade Center exhibition halls.

Again, entitled to defend itself any way it especially after theof government imposed a tax the provenance this venture needs on diesel, from zero in 2017Per toenemies.

P4.50 this Janucan against its sworn And proper explanation.

Secretary ary 2019.

LPG tax is tripled fromby P1 per kilo any people’s movement that really enLopez, this structure owned WTC in 2018the to P3 per kg in 2020. The tax on coal, joys kind of popular support Siwhich has been raking in millions of which provides most of Philippine energy, is son claims should be ecstatic over the pesos year P50 in lease payments since its tripled,a from in 2018 tobeing P150 in 2020. prospect of firearms put in the establishment is against jointly owned by PhiThe of backlash TRAINwhom— virtually hands the people, among lexport/ ICCP Group and the National cripples to impose lannew to use government’s their own ability picturesque Development Corp.

(NDC)inpresumand higher taxes.

That inability turn hamguage—they should be able to move ably the ridiculouslyto priced five pers with government’s shoulder about as easily asability fish in the sea. the salaries of state workers, especially teachers, hectare leased property as government The likelier reason behind Sison’s inpolicemen and soldiers whose pay Duterte contribution. transigence—despite his interminable promised double immediately.that SecreIf this istoan arrangement protestations of peaceable intentions— Perhaps, Duterte’s economic managers tary Lopez is comfortable with he must a well-founded fear ofthen howMaefshouldbe learn a lesson from Emmanuel better explain himself as well.

Just a fective localized peace talks might becron of France. The JFK of France imposed a cursory read of the venture documents come. tax on fuel (in the name of climate change) and show thatof government wasmayor clearly Reelectionist Davaoof city Inhundreds thousands nameless French “cleaned up” by Philexport and theto day Sara byfor reaching out spilled outset intothe thetone streets three weeks to ICCP Group on this venture. her own homegrown guerrillas.

Here’s demand the ouster of what they perceive as a But just to show Secretary Lopez apro-rich toast to her and that topresident. other local governand arrogant ment executives in conflict areas himself is not thoroughly convinced 4. The return of the three Balangiga who bells can now11, do2018 thesymbolizes deals to do for on Dec. aneed massive rewritthat the whole 1996 they lease agreement the sake of peace. ing so of Philippine-American historythat (it is was lopsided and not really ad-an admission oftodefeat) and shows what exvantageous government hetoissued a tend of the‘excuse Americans will go to accommodate *** kind note’ saying that ANYa Philippine leader bent severing Manila’s What better way toon wind up this colWAY there is now another group—the longstanding ties from America and umn from abroad than submitted, to sharepivoting what Platinum Group—which in towards its old neighbor, China whichhome up to must now be the public joypart back his mind, a better deal for of the the early 1970s was supporting communist over the proclamation of another Filipiproperty. forward,“ Lopez guerillas in“Moving the Philippines. na, Ms. Catriona Gray, as the next Miss said, “aAmericans, new project a new partner The of with course, are not legendUniverse? will betheir undertaken involving a hotel aryI for patience.

They had now, previously reread about it online just but the and an office tower which will genermoved two Philippines presidents not of their (delayed) telecast of the pageant is still liking – Ferdinand Marcos in1986 and Joseph ate more income for government..” going on. Time for me to take a break Estrada inwell 2001.and good, if true. The That’s from writing and relish this high note 5. Duterte’s total warthe against communist question is:the where’s newthe and on which year will end forterms my counNew People’s Army isnew a new direction in is the conditions of this deal?

How trymen.

To all of vision them,toto you: Philippine military’s endalltheofworld’s itHave different from the Philexport/ICCP Blessed Christmas, wherever longest arunning communist insurgency.

This deal?

These and other questions on top you may be in this season of our Lord. is on top of the President’s total war against the ofterrorists, the unanswered onesare from the 1996 many of whom Muslim fundadeal will have be me answered propReaders can to write at mentalists. erly and responsibly when the heargbolivar1952@yahoo.com. ing biznewsasia@gmail.com resumes. The can of worms from this mysterious and decidedly disadvantageous arrangement has just been opened for further investigation.

persists.

The approved bills include Republic Even a cursory newspaper Act 11054, or the glance OrganicatLaw for the headlines these days would reveal Bangsamoro Autonomous Regionthat in the illegal drug trade is thriving.

Muslim Mindanao, a landmark piece of Police routinely drug pushers legislation that will arrest allow Muslim Filipiin buy-bust operations, ranging from nos to exercise genuine autonomy within those caught selling from one or two the framework of the Constitution. grams shabuwas worth a Also of enacted RAhundreds 11148, ortothe Kalusugan at Nutrisyon Mag-Nanay few thousand pesos tongthose selling Act, which scales up the national and losignificant amounts of the contraband cal health and nutrition programs to through worth hundreds of thousands mila strengthened strategy for malions of pesos integrated to police assets. ternal, neonatal, child health and nutrition in the first 1,000 days of a child’s life.

Others are RA 11106, the Filipino Sign Language Act; RA 11127, the National CanSystems this government Payments Act; RA 11131, the Philippine Act of 2018; RA deliverCriminology on its promise?

11055, the Philippine Identification Sys-

Duterte temporarily stopped the war danao for one year. onNot drugs in late 2016 after copsare were surprisingly, House leaders all tagged as main suspects in the killing praises for the former President's leaderof JeeRep. Ick-joo right SuinshipSouth of theKorean chamber.

Estrellita side Camp Crame.

More than a year ansing, chair of the Committee on Ways after takingcommended office, Duterte and Means, Arroyopublicly for setadmitted that his administration’s war ting a good example to House Members. on drugs said hadArroyo not achieved itses target Suansing exemplifi effectiveending leadership she ismenace. a workaholic and of the asdrug On Aupersonally monitors every gust 12, 2017 he said in bill. the vernacuRobert Ace Barbers, chair much of the lar:Rep. “Others couldn’t do it. How Committee Drugs, more for us?on WeDangerous can’t control it.” said Arroyo’s no-nonsense leadership style is In an op-ed commentary in the New what Times is reallyonatFebruary this time. 7, The lawmaker 2017, titled York said Arroyo Duterte managedisto Repeating effectively lead My “President the House members despite their big Mistakes”, Cesar Gaviria, the presinumber and different backgrounds. dent of Colombia from 1990 to 1994, Rep. Gus Tambunting, chair of the Compointed out: “The polls suggest that mittee on Games and Amusements, lauded Mr. Duterte’s war on drugs is equally Arroyo for remaining committed in fulfillpopular. But he will find that it is uning her mandate as the leader of the House. winnable.

We could win the on “Speaker Arroyo hasnot stayed truewar to her drugs through killing petty criminals word in focusing on the priority bills of and addicts.

We started making posiPresident Duterte, as she, being a former tive impacts only when we changed President very well knows how important it tack, designating drugstheas a social is for Congress to support President for problem anything toand get not done.a Inmilitary only halfone...This a year, the means investing solutions House has done soinmuch underthat her meet good the basic standards of basic rights we canand be leadership, and this is something minimize unnecessary proud of,” said Tambunting.pain and suffering.

Strategies that target violent Rep. Jose Panganiban, Jr. , chair of criminals and undermine money launthe Committee on Agriculture and Food, said Arroyo exemplifiSo, ed hard workmeaseven dering are critical. too, are duringthat the hearings on the 2019 ures decriminalize drugnational users, budget. alternative He said thesentencing House deliberated support for lowovernight on the budgets the provide Departlevel nonviolent offendersofand of of Interior and Local Government ament range treatment options for drug and the Department National abusers...There is noofdoubt thatDefense tough with Arroyo attendance. day, penalties areinnecessary to The deternext organshe attended a committee hearing at 9 am. ized crime. But extrajudicial killings "That’s how hardworking and professionand vigilantism are the wrong ways to al she is,”fight said against Panganiban, go...The drugswho hasgushed to be that the House is likely to accomplish balanced so that it does not infringe on more when session resumes in January. theIfrights and well-being of citizens,” Congress has been on fire in the last Gaviria said. six months, can the public except it to I wasn’t too long agofirst that glow more red-hot in the sixDuterte months admitted that the war on drugs would of 2019? not be won even after he steps down in Email: 2022. But recently, he recanted this ernhil@yahoo.com statement and said the country would be drug-free by the time he leaves office three and a half years from now.

Can his government deliver on that promise?

We in really doubtback it, considerDuterte's role bringing this syming that the drug menace is prevabol of our nation's struggles tostill break free lent after more than two years a from the clutches of colonial rule, of they bloody war succeed. on drugs.He has shown his will never mettle in dealing with the most powerfulernhil@yahoo.com country in the world with the bells' return. If he can work that out, there is no reason why he cannot raise the flag in our relations with the nations of the world. That's that.

War without end Red-hot House

Duterte himself has publicy revealed the involvement of active and retired Can the public expect high-ranking police officers, local officials andnext even year? a few lawmakers as more protectors of the illegal drug trade. But few have been brought to justice, even as there have been sensational cases of several mayorsthe named in the govtem Act;town RA 11057, Personal Properernment’s blacklist of 11058, drug coddlers ty Security Act; and RA Strengthening by Compliance killed the police. with Occupational Safety and Health Standards.

The most damning evidence that the Moreover, 39 more were problem of illegal drugsmeasures has not been transmitted themay President, awaiting his solved at alltoand have even grown approval to be enacted into laws. worse after more than two years is the Likewise,ofthe Houseshipment approvedofonshabu third smuggling a large readingP6.4 the draft federal charter Resoworth billion through the or Bureau lution of Both of Customs lastHouses year. 15, proposing the revision of the 1987 well This year, anotherConstitution, P11 billion as worth as House Joint Resolution 32 extending of the contraband also slipped past the availability of the 2018 appropriations Customs, prompting the dismissal of for maintenance and other operating exthe bureau’s top official, a former popenses and capital outlays to December lice general.

31, 2019.

Part of the problem that the17instiResolution of Both isHouses aptution tasked by Duterte be in the proved the request of the to President for frontline anti-drug the furtherofextension of operations—the the proclamation Philippine National itself of martial law and the Police—is suspension of the tainted by the involvement of some of privilege of writ of habeas corpus in Minits officers in the illegal drug trade.

In October, the country’s top cop, Director General Oscar Albayalde, disclosed that a number of cops belonging to task forces him created the That remark endeared evenformore sole purpose of running after drug to a grateful nation that not even that traffickers were involved ruckus about thethemselves alleged inconsiderin the illegal trade.

These erring atethe handling of some members of the cops later in ceremony Duterte’s clergywere during the named turn over blacklist of drug in Balangiga didtrade not coddlers. detract people from the warm welcome he got when he finally landed in Samar.

At this point, no matter how hard the critics try to downgrade President

Abangan.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2018

A5

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2018

A5 A5

Interest hikes wrong response to Government cost-push inflkills ation headingaffheading housing ordability

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2018

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

equation but by forces on the equation’s supply side. There was no surge in demand needing to be tamped down, and there was no build-up of pressure on RUDY availabilities of the factors of production.

ROMERO Indeed, the high BSPand leadership led to these rental rates,repeatedly however, interest groups encourages govassured the Filipino people, thelandlords economy has nothing to do with greedy FROM WHERE ernment spending to gain rich patronIN THE second (or third, depending on trying was notto overheating.

The comparatively keep our kababayans, the poor, I STAND benefits for a and few underemployment at the expense the institution) semester of an economics- age high employment or immigrants at bay. Instead, governthe many.

Each representative has degree course a student is introduced ofment rates reported by that the PSA (Philippine ERIC regulations go back decades to the world of prices, inflation and a Statistics Authority) and private survey JURADO strong incentive to fight hard for exhave only helped to artificially restrict monetary-authority responses. The penditures institutions hardly indicated overheating. beneficial to his or her consupply housing despite high teacher discusses with his students the theOn the ofother hand, the the and has little incentive toexciseopWHEN a government’s spending ex- stituents demand, making unaffordable importance of price stability, the causes tax increases on it fuels ordainedasbya spending others. contrast, ceeds itsmovements revenues, a budget deficit ALEXANDRIA Ocasio-Cortez made pose result. of price upward or downward TRAIN (Tax by Reform forInAcceleration is little regulations incentive for a casting legislaresults. generally issue there history, becoming youngest woman designed to seta and theGovernments appropriatetheremedial responses andLand-use Inflation) were clearly from national authority, malevolent shadow over consumer prices to be a spending “watchdog.”

The to be the elected tobonds themonetary US Congress.

But tor urban-growth boundaries and “control” interest-earning to finance their which in this These country is comprise the sevenfromeffects Day will One theurban law’s implementation the 29-year-old former bartender told watchdog side ofof the sprawl,offor inincur the wrath colbudget deficits. bonds member Monetary the maker of leagues (January 1, 2018). (the Department of reporters that, currently, she’s unable stance, has severely the amount who will DOF findlimited it more difficult the national debt.

ABoard, budget deficit in-to the policies of the BSP (Bangko Sentral Finance) sought tobepush thefor blame toward afford an apartment in Washington, DC, of land that can used new housspecial programs for their creases the size of the national debt by tothedeliver ng Pilipinas). responsible for supplying as amount her congressional salary only kicks ing. agencies There also rentproviding control rules and are retaliate litthe of the deficit.

The economics studentIniscontrast, taught a(1) districts the nation with by food—particularly in in January. that, particularly in global cities like or nofish support spending in the budget surplus allows theofgovernment that upward movements producer and tlerice, and forvegetables—despite I haven’t heard of any Filipino conDC, have made housing less affordable consumer prices, clear evidence of watchdog’s district.

More importantly, to pay off bondholders and thereby gressman or woman complain of any- to anyone but those who already live in if notthedealt the cuts inflationary and defireduce size with of the national debt. the benefits of spending thing similar toearly, that yet. rent-controlled apartment buildings. sufficiently impact of the fuel that theexplain watchdog is tryBasically, the become national debt represents story generated a great deal of cit reductions As I continually in this colcanThis in time tax increases or is the lesson in example, ing to attain (for lower taxes the cumulative effect allWhat full-blown inflation, production costs, worldwide buzz, and of both inthetheprior leftumn, government control of rentals, or and lower interest rates) will be for spread budget deficits and surpluses.

(2) an inflation electricity rates this entire episode? and that right-leaning anything that can be the result so thinly among all voters that the legand transportation Prior to 1960, almost everyone media. But, all matter, ignores the either ofthat anmissing upward will reap only a thought the government should islator’s constituents charges. sides are importance of almovement costs, The Keynesian small part of these benefits.

Though the balance its ofbudget. the whole point, lowing the market or a cost-push inflation, or of a rise in ball manifestly was in someone else’s as neither herforsupto dictate prices.

Thecontrol following illustration help revolution changed all ofand this.

Keynes-or court—DOF’s—the the demand goods services, nation’swill monetary Government porters nor her After all, prices explain why it is so difficult for ians—those accepting the views of a demand-pull inflation and (3) that the authority gallantly picked it 297 up, of rentals, orcongressmen anything criticshas have lookedof monetary are nothing senators to bring English economist John Maynard BSP an array tools that insisting thatand the 24 continuing rise of but the into why DC houssignals, and havit can deploy to deal an incipient inflation ratethe above its 2-to-4 percent forchanges that matter, ignores and budget deficit under Keynes—believed thatwith in spending ing is so inaccesthese signals inflation. annual Suppose target was aing monetary, not a these 321 individugovernment spending and budget defi- control. importance of problem.

It is made to cleara to the the student that als fiscal, In effect, BSP was sible—even distorted will also go out to dinner knowing that after cits could help promote a more stable any anti-inflation decided allowing the market saying thatto the inflation was of cult the newly-elected con- strategy make it diffi meal each not willthereceive a bill for economy.

TheyBSP argued that,successful rather the upon by the will be demand-pull, cost-push kind. gresswoman. for the market to dictate prices. ofsothe cost. No one feels comthan balancing the budget, the governonly if the tomonetary authority has 1/321 And it unleashed the weapon its Speaking The adjust and fiin gure correctly character tothat order less because his oraparther ment run budget the deficits duringof pelled armory is intended to quell producers’ Newshould Yorkdetermined Times, out whether the inflation.

Is it and an inflation of the and consumers’ spending appetites: restraint will exert little impact on periods of recession shift toward a thatMay fallthe unOcasio-Cortez ex-or is it a demand-pull interest rate increases.ments cost-push variety, Between and total bill.

Why not order shrimpbe forbetter an budget surplus when there was concern plained she has three months without der rental control rules could inflation? An anti-inflation strategy September, BSP raised its basic lending entrees of steak and lobster, about inflation.

In short, thea Keynesany income she’s congressused for other intended to before deal with cost-push appetizer, rate three times,ends. to 175 basis points above anddida large piece ian revolution re- little woman.

“So, how do I orget apart- its Allowing thisWhat top-down approach to inflation will have noan remedial 2009 level. those moves of cheesecake leased political ment?”ifshe is also an attack proper-a effect the asked. inflation that is raging is of housing accomplish, apart fromagainst preventing theBut demand-pull variety. $174,000 (or ty further widening of the differentials before earning rights, as it removes building owners foryield dessert?

Afdecision makers The the misdiagnosis the inflation of from between and all, foreign money approximately P9.3 of million) per year, the Philippine equation, ignoring theirextra rights ter the from disciWhat will 2018 the consequent choice of happen placements?

They made and credit more whichand would make it wrong relatively easy over their if own properties keeping spending will add pline imposed by anti-inflation strategy has been this year’s expensive for everyone, in the process for the lawmaker get comfortable themdoes from acceptingonly newaoffers by pothea government fewincluding pesos a big balanced budget. to story. monetary-policy As the year tential raising renters. costs of rental, she claims she’s having a hard It’sproduction, very similar to theft, to each person’s Freed from this not bring its fi nances nears its end, inflation appears to have those of goods intended for export. time findingpolitia place to live.inflation rate as In rent control rulesshare basically take half of the total moderated—the November constraint, the meantime, the remedial measures under control?

On Twitter, Ocasio-Cortez blamed or more of each apartment’s value from of 6 percent contrasted with October’s 6.7 adopted by the Duterte administration bill. For example, cians consistently the US electoral failing to the landlord. percent—but creditsystem for thefor improvement caused food supplies to increase. if one member The of spent more than take into account peopletolike her, im- resulting Rent controls also scare declearly appears to belong government restabilization of potential food prices the dinner party they were willing plying that the structure stacked know that many instrumentalities other thanisthe BSP. up velopers, validated as thethey position that while this year’s orders toagainst tax.

Anyone reasonably familiar inflation been a cost-push affair. “working-class people.”with the of these has cities exempt newexpensive properties items that push up the total bill by The Philippines recorded a budget structure and workings of the Philippine And the lesson of the entire episode?

However, she missed a great op- from these rules, the exemptions may economy should have percent knownreally that this P1000, Interest rateshare hikes are response his of given the wrong cost be deficit equal 2.2 of the portunity to to discuss what ails be eliminated at any timewill by lawyear’s inflation was triggered notperby P3. to What an inflation in cost-based a bargain!rooted Of course, he will country’s Gross Domestic residents of global cities like Product DC, makers. forces on side of theaveraged economic factors. to pay extraline foristhe (GDP) in the 2017.

The deficit petuating thedemand idea that government isn’t have The bottom thatextravagant many rules

BUSINESS CLASS

doing enough helpfrom the poor ig2.1 percent of to GDP 1988and until noring that it’s becausehigh gov2017, reaching anprecisely all-time surplus does that and the rent ofernment 1 percent of too GDPmuch in 1994 a re-is so high. cord low deficit of 5.3 percent of GDP According the2018, 2010the DC Asian in 2002.

As of to May POINT OF ofdeficit Census to Report, percent Asian widened P148.812.8 billion from IMPACT P63.6 Americans in Washington, DC are Filibillion in the same period of 2017. The pinos. Our kababayans report that the ERWIN government has programmed deficits average monthly rent for a two-bedTULFO ofroom P523.6 billion in 2018 and P624.4 apartment is $2,500 (or approxibillion in 2019, both about 3 percent of mately P133,000). To afford it on one’s I’M and QUITE certain that President GDP, up from the P350.6-billion salary, thewill resident must makebottom $108,300 Duterte to the of deficit recorded get in 2017. (or approximately P5.8themillion) per the controversy over continued Deficits pushinthe national debt upyear, a SmartAsset study claims.

What irregularities government agencies ward. debt totoGDP avthat Government award projects favored contractors. eraged 56.3 percent from 1990 until The uproaranwas set high off of by74.9 the 2017, reaching all-time explosive privilege speech of House percent in 1993 and a record low of From A4 Majority leader Rolando Andaya 42.1 of April 2018, Jr., percent taking in to 2016. task As Budget Secretary the debt stood at P6.88 trillion, or 42.6 Benjamin Diokno for multi-billion chance to earn some money to peso buy percent GDP, and “insertions” surreptitiously earmarked candiesofor toys.

Inup thefrom days42.1 of peryore, for projects. young boys cent in 2017.as December, as infrastructure early Although Andaya, a former budget The girls political attractiveness of and prepared theirArroyo, instruments secretary under Gloria spending compared tocaroling, taxation making is must not for their traditional know what he is talking about, not quite surprising.

Itof reflects economists emptywhat cans coveredhave by adrums few out congressmen themselves call the in shortsightedness the plastic, tambourine of effect: bottle caps, figured pork barrelout scams. and a pairpolitical of to protendency ofjust elected It’seven also important to sticks noteofficials that the of Representatives hadimmepassed vide percussion.

At dusk, they formed toHouse favor projects that generate the bill intoP3.757-trillion groups threenational or four,budget and diate, highly ofvisible benefits at made the before Andaya dropped the bomb. their rounds starting on be thecast night expense of costs that intoof It’s 16 been a long andcan common practice Dec. until Christmas eve.

At the the future and are difficult to identify. in administrations, particularly endtheofpast each night, the carolers countLegislators have a strong to those involved in incentive infrastructure ed their earnings and divided them program, to on favor a fewthat contractors spend money programs benefit equally among themselves. in awarding plum and juicy projects voters and special interest groups that Although I had been the Philipin exchange for hefty incommission, will help them win reelection.

They do a pines closeorto“tongpats” the Christmas season kickbacks for signatory not like to tax, since taxes impose aI few times I left backers, 27 yearsasago, officials andsince politician well. visible cost on voters.

Debt is an alThe same surround haven’t reallycircumstances had the chance to externative current taxes;Construction itbypushes the case to of CT serenaded Leoncio perience being young and Trading Company from Sta. Maria, the visible ofwith government into the boys and cost girls Christmas carols Bulacan, little-known of future. deficits andcontractor borrowing so I’mBudget nota sure if these carolers still the Department of Public Works and makepoliticians the roundstoofsupply the neighborhood allow voters with Highways (DPWH) that cornered at at night. immediate benefits without having to least 30 public works projects worth the kids looked forward impose parallel visible cost in 2019 theto overWhile P2abillion from the proposed the advent of dusk during those nine national budget yet to be concurred in form of higher taxes.

Thus, deficits days to earn some money, the teenagers by the Senate. are a natural outgrowth of democratic awaited withatanticipation the coming Old hands the DPWH attest that a politics unrestrained by a commitment few favored contractors areperiod. “personal of dawn during that same For tochoices” a balanced budget. of the itdepartment heads or these teenagers, was a chance to be The their unconstrained politicalWeeks process their chokaran lawmakers. or with crushes, girlfriends or boyplays into hands ofthe well-organized even months before bidding friends asthe they walked toactual the church in schedule, the As conspirators the biting cold. early as threesubmit in the to the Bids and Awards Committee morning,the from Dec. of 16 to Dec.preferred 24, they (BAC) name their woke up and wore their best sweaters or contractor who eventually wins in the jackets, had fun with their barkadas on bidding of contract. theMy way to church, onlythe to sleep while source added that real criteria thechoosing mass wasthe going on. in contractor is simply its capability pay advance commissions After thetomass, they bounced back to or to the said again, officials even lifekickbacks to join their friends feasted before any bidding is held, worse even on bibingkas and puto bungbong on when the funds to be approved. their way home,have andyet hung around a bit Unlike ordinary contractors, before being called home by theirthese par“favored ones” can afford to shell out ents.

10 to 20 percent commission or even Towards midnight Christmas more, depending on howon many agency Eve, parents and their children donned their Christmas clothes and trekked back to church for the Midnight Mass.

The church becomes a venue for both solemn celebration of Christmas and a

imposed by governments worldwide orders of the other 320 diners.

But and their consequences igthat’s true no matter whatare he often orders. nored by politicians, even young and The result is everyone ends up orderenergized newcomers such as Ocasioing extravagantly and paying more for officials down the linecould will have berelative bribed, Cortezthat herself, who used extras provide little value aside from the padrino lawmaker who her story to advocate for the end of govtogets cost. the biggest piece of ernment intervention in pie. any economy.

What happen if the Miss will a government Instead, she“Virgie,” chose to use thissmall-time anecdote does not bring its finances under contractor, went to my officeconlast to claim people were “mocking lower weekAstoa divulge that agets DPWH trol? nation’s debt largerdistrict andan incomes,” adding that her plight was official in Compostela larger relative to the sizeValley ofgetting the province econoexample ofbarred “the rich richer had flatlywill her are from joining the my, there be repercussions in the and the poor, poorer.” bidding for the P30-million repair and credit markets. of Extensions loans to rehabilitation a bridge ofand a P15 the government of a country with a eric.jurado@gmail.com million flood control project in the said large debt last to GDP ratio is province December 10.risky. As a Shethewas also deniedgovernment purchasing result, highly indebted bidding requirement will have todocuments, pay higher ainterest rates. before one can join a government Inbidding turn, the higher interest costs will program. make it even more difficult to control Asked why she could not join in the spending andDPWH keep taxes at reasonable bidding, official claimed, chance tothe mingle with friends again. “Si congresswoman at si cong ang nagpalevels.

From the church, families retreated pondo at mayroon na silang niIf their the niyan debt continues to rise relative to homes for the traditional noche refer na contractor sa amin.

Hindi po tobuena, income, will become a investors minorpakialaman preview ofyan.” the more grand natin pwedeng and more reluctant tointerview buythe thenext bonds celebration at lunchtime day.

On a phone-patch over at issued by the Philippine Treasury.

The noche buena often consisted of pan Radyo Pilipinas the following day, the Eventually, it(bread will lead toorapan financial said DPWH district denied amerikano loaf)engineer de sal, the saying the kesoallegation, (queso de bola fordefault thosecontractor who can crisis—either outright by the did not talk nor see her her office afford), hotordog, coffee chocogovernment finance oforin thehot debt by during that time.

But are theusually contractor, late, etc.

Noche buenas only money creation and inflation.

In either who on the other end of the for thewas family. case, will be“Ang a destructive line there retorted, galing impact ninyong But the grand Christmas celebration, onmagsinungaling the economy. This has dyan!” occurred in usually at midday of Christmas Day, Days after the have bidding, other countries that failedatocertain conwas for the entire clan.

It was an occacompany bagged two juicy projects. trol government finances. sion source for childrenthe andwinning grandchildren to My bidder It is vitallysaid important for the gov-is gather together in the houselawmakers. of the papersonally close to two ernment control spending and This has its allegedly triarchcompany ortomatriarch ofalways the clan.

Family borrowing in the years ahead.

This isup bagged projects endorsed by the memberstheexchanged gifts, caught unlikely to happen without a change in said House reps’ pork barrel funds. on each other’s lives, and partook of is it truemeal. that the sameitscheme the constitutional rules to make more theAnd sumptuous Children played goes onthe over at the National Irrigation difficult for politicians tomembers spend more games, male family drank Administration under the administration than they are willing to tax. participated Such rule beer or liquor, everybody of retired General Rolando Visaya? in My a singing (using karaoke or changes wouldsession strengthen governsource said that a the certain firm otherwise), andthe thefavorite female contractor members enment’s budget constraint and force appears to be of gaged in endless banter.more NIA these days, cornering overcarefully P1 billion legislators to consider Towards the afternoon, children, projects the repair, rehabilitation, the costs offorgovernment programs.

An and construction of irrigation accompanied by their parents, visimprovement in government’s systems costin Panayninong Islands.and ninang to get itedthetheir effectiveness would result.

My Christmas efforts to presents. reach Administrator their Others visVisaya last Friday formovies, comment ited friends, watched andproved drank eric.jurado@gmail.com futile as he is always out of office with friends. The merrymakinghiswent on reportedly doing inspections on “some till late at night.

But the fun did not end projects” in the countryside. there, because corrupt in six days, everybody Continuing practices, like geared up for a noisy New Year’s Eve these leakages, commissions, kickbacks, revelry. or “tongpats” in public works projects, a year, during the are At whatleast besetonce the President’s program for genuineseason, change.Filipinos are able to Christmas that DPWH letAndaya off steampointed from theout pressures of trySecretary Villar, well as President ing to survive, the as poor are able to enjoy Duterte, have happiness, nothing tofamilies do with a bit of material rethe barrel and insertions new pork their bonds, everyonefor hasthese fun. anomalous deals.

Christmas brings pure and genuine Just like the war versus crime and happiness to many Filipinos. is this illegal drugs, I believe that ItManong kind of joywar thatona Filipino living Digong’s corruption willinbea foreign landand misses sorelyasabout “relentless chilling,” well.Christmas.

It ismeantime, this kindlet’s of Christmas celeIn the wait and see. bration that Filipinos living on distant shores can only reminisce about.

Going after erring contractors

Yearning...

(valabelgas@aol.com)

News

A6

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2018 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Monitoring set on firecracker manufacture FIRECRACKER manufacturers in the country will undergo strict monitoring by the Department of Labor and Employment to ensure their adherence to the Occupational Safety and Health Standards.

In line with the Christmas and New Year celebrations, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III issued Advisory 20, Series of 2018, directing all Regional Directors to strictly monitor the compliance of business establishments, particularly those involved in the manufacturing of pyrotechnics and firecrackers, with Republic Act 11058, or the Occupational Safety and Health Standards to prevent untoward accidents in the workplace.

“Relative to the increase in the manufacture of pyrotechnics and firecrackers nationwide due to the Christmas and New Year’s celebrations, all Regional Directors are hereby directed to monitor the establishments’ compliance with Republic Act no. 11058, OP Memo Order No. 31, s. 2018, Occupational Safety and Health Standards to avoid any accident in the workplace,” the advisory said.

Furthermore, the advisory instructs labor laws compliance officers to assist those business establishments in rectifying their deficiencies to comply with the OSHS. However, in cases of refusal from business establishments to comply with the standards, the labor inspectors are authorized to investigate the violations pursuant to Department Order 183, series of 2017, or the Revised Rules on the Administration and Enforcement of Labor Laws.

Meanwhile, all DOLE Regional Offices are expected to submit their list of monitored and assisted business establishments to the Bureau of Working Conditions on Dec. 28, 2018.

Enrile vows to bring down telco charges

By Macon Ramos-Araneta STRESSING that the country’s present communications system is very inefficient, former Senator Juan Ponce Enrile vowed to bring down mobile phone call, text and data charges and improve telecommunication services.

Enrile ,who is staging a comeback in the coming midterm elections, said the present communications system was a waste of time and energy.

“At home I call, after a few moments, I’ll just move myself, I’m cut off, I’ll reconnect, I’ll pay again,” Enrile said of the present challenges in local telecommunication services As Senate president in 2008, Enrile was credited with protecting the rights of consumers in the telecommunications industry by spearheading a Senate investigation into what he described then as the “disappearing cellphone load” and “cellphone load robbery” schemes.

He also filed a bill regulating the telecommunications industry.

Enrile also pushed for telecom providers to comply with the billing regime of the National Telecommunications Commission mandating that calls that lasted less than one minute would no longer be charged the full rate of P7.50 per minute, and instead be billed on a “per pulse” basis.

“We have given the NTC a fixed tenure and fiscal authority to protect the agency from any political pressure, thereby giving the agency more teeth to remain firm in implementing the rules,” he said.

For his telco reform initiatives, Enrile won his re-election bid in the 2010 elections with his campaign spiel: “Gusto Ko Happy Ka [I want you to be happy].”

“I started that when I was in the Senate —unli, unli na sinasabi—inimbestiga ko ‘yun kaya bumaba yung charges. I will go into that,” he said of the investigation he initiated into the “unlimited” phone and text promotions of the telecommunication companies.

Furthermore, Enrile suggested he would now focus on online services such as data subscriptions since millions of Filipinos were already mobile phone Internet users.

“We have to accept the fact that we are living in a technologicallyconstrained society. Everything is now based on [the] cellphone. Everything is now done through texting, calling, online, and we must adapt to this situation,” he said.

US dislodges China as top destination

YULETIDE SIGHT.

Droves of OFWs and balikbayan passengers are a familiar sight at the immigration arrival area during this holiday season where a majority of them are spending their Christmas holiday in the country. Passengers going to their respective provinces start crowding the Cubao Provincial Bus Terminal in Quezon City. Manny Palmero/ Eric Apolonio

Medical marijuana needs more research—Duque H EALTH Secretary Francisco Duque III on Thursday stressed the need for more research before legalizing the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes.

“There has to be more studies to back it,” Duque said in an interview on ANC, pointing out these studies should guide lawmakers in deciding whether or not to legalize medical marijuana.

Duque said marijuana could be used for palliative care that could help patients deal with pain, nausea and vomiting, but should not be considered as “cure.”

“Some physicians are saying for control of seizures, they have evidence to show that

this [marijuana] is more effective,” he said.

But Duque said if ever medical marijuana should be legalized, it could not be smoked in its raw form but must be processed and encapsulated.

Duque said there were potential risks. ”Distance perceptions, for instance, can lead to motor vehicular accidents. It can also trigger psychosis like schizophrenia.”

Duque said the Department of Health was not opposed to the use of medical mari-

juana, but judging from the documents he received, he said this was not the time for its legalization.

“Before I came in, DoH was not opposed to the legalization of the use of marijuana for strictly medical and research purposes,” Duque said “When I had gotten more documents from credible third parties, UPNIH [University of the Philippine National Institutes Of Health] for example, had given a list why it might not be the time to legalize this even for medical purposes,” he added.

According to Duque, medical marijuana should not be legalized yet due to the scarcity of information about its benefits and risks.

ILLEGAL GAMBLERS.

NBI spokesperson Ferdinand Lavin talks to the 12 Chinese nationals arrested and presented by NBI after being involved in illegal online gambling at NBI headquarters on Thursday. The NBICyber-crime division received an intelligence report concerning illegal online gambling activities managed

by Chinese looking nationals conducting various illegal numbers game and online casino without a license from pertinent government agency. Norman Cruz

Angara pushing for expansion of scholarship grants SO THAT private college students would also benefit from the Free College Law or Republic Act 10931, Senator Juan Edgardo Angara is pushing for the expansion of scholarship grants to students enrolled in private higher education institutions.

While more than 1.3 million students from State Universities and Colleges and Local Universities and Colleges are assured of free college education, Angara noted that there were still many students in private universities who need help from the government.

Angara, one of the authors of the Free College Law, has lauded the Com-

mission on Higher Education recent memorandum of agreement signing with 792 private institutions from all over the country.

Of the P40 billion funding for the Free College Law this year, P16 billion was allotted for the Tertiary Education Subsidy, wherein 300,000 student beneficiaries from both public and private universities would receive up to P60,000 per academic year for their tuition and other school expenses.

Of the 300,000 slots, 151,819 are from the “Listahanan”—where 103,373 are students from public universities while 48,436 are from private universities.

13,760 of the beneficiaries are Expanded Students’ Grants-in-Aid Program for Poverty Alleviation scholars that were previously under the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

The third category of grantees are the 80,196 students in private universities among cities and municipalities where there are no state universities and colleges or local universities and colleges.

CHED chairman Dr. Prospero De Vera noted that there were still at least 30,000 slots to be filled up by studentbeneficiaries mostly from private universities as they continue to validate the application. Macon Ramos-Araneta

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga—The United States dislodged China as the leading destination of Central Luzon-made products valued at $8.252 billion, the regional office of the Department of Trade and Industry in Central Luzon said Thursday.

The usual electronic top exported items followed by machineries transport equipments, consumer goods, garment, textile, fashion accessories, leather goods and others.

Although electronic items remain the top leading export products of the region, it suffered a negative decline of 2.27 percent with fashion accessories and furniture.

Judith Angeles, regional director of DTI in the region, said that electronics remained the top products exported mostly in the US, Asia Pacific, China and other countries.

Angeles said that electronic value alone was about $6billion, representing 62.57 percent of the total volume exported for 2017.

Angeles said US represented about 22.81 percent of the total export of the region.

The other major destinations of goods produced in the different Freeport in the region are China,22.40 percent, Hongkong,14.53 percent, Japan, 9.62 percent, South Korea, 4.92 percent, Taiwan 4.04 percent, Thailand, 3.62 percent, Singapore, 2.50 percent, India, 2.66 percent and Mexico, 2.80 percent.

Angeles also said that 10 of the 21 sectors posted positive growth increase of sale namely machinery/ transportation, metal manufacturing, and construction materials.

The decline in the electronic and other sectors mostly coming from Pampanga was attributed in the slowdown of the importing countries with a total value $1.1 billion for the year 2017.

As a result, Zambales overtook Pampanga as the leading exporter of goods in the region who posted a growth of US$2.11 billion for the year 2017 in contrast of only $783 million in 2016.

This could also mean that Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) registered positive growth while Clark Development Corporation suffered negative growth. Romeo Dizon

NQC to mark Mactan victory, other events THE Government has prepared various activities for the official launch today of the Philippine Quincentennial Commemorations of the Victory at Mactan, introduction of Christianity, and Circumnavigation of the world in 2021.

The event will take place at the National Historical Commission of the Philippines Building, Kalaw Street, Ermita, Manila at 10 a.m.

Highlight of the event is the launching of the official website of the National Quincentennial Committee, along with the unveiling of the commemorative logo and the presentation of the plans for the quincentennial.

The Secretariat Office of the NQC is at the Serafin D. Quiason Resource Center of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines in Kalaw Street, Ermita, Manila.

Also featured during of the launching event is the display of the national costume worn by the newly crowned Miss Universe Catriona Gray, during the pageant in Thailand, which was shipped back at the NHCP in time for the launching.

The NQC signified its interest on the National Costume days before Gray was named the new Miss Universe.

It features the motifs of the tattoos of the 16th-century Visayan warriors documented by the Magellan-Elcano expedition and of the so-called Boxer Codex.

The item created a massive awareness about the early Philippine history which is among the thrusts of the Philippine Quincentennial Commemorations.

Palace hails report on PH as Asia’s most gender-equal nation

MALACAÑANG on Thursday welcomed a report that the Philippines remained the top country in Asia with the narrowest gender gap between men and women.

“The Palace welcomes the World Economic Forum [WEF]’s Global Gender Gap Index, placing the Philippines as the most gender-equal nation in Asia,” Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said in a statement.

The WEF Global Gender Gap Index, released this month, also showed that the Philippines improved two notches as the 8th gender-equal nation in the world.

It ranked 149 countries based on four categories

—labor force participation, educational attainment, health and survival, and political empowerment.

It cited the Philippines for having managed to close about 80 percent of the total gender gap through “strong efforts to close the gender gap in political empowerment.”

“The Philippines continues to aspire for inclusive development where there is equality and genuine collaboration between men and women, and we are honored that our efforts have been given global recognition,” Panelo said.

Panelo pointed out that the WEF report draws attention to the government’s commitment to give Filipino women the recognition.

“These findings highlight the government’s commitment to give Filipino women the recognition that they properly deserve, particularly their contributions in the home, in the workplace, in the community, and in nation building,” Panelo said.

He, meanwhile, vowed the that government will extend more efforts to close the gender gap between men and women by assuring that their rights are upheld.

“The President and this administration have always believed in the competence and capability of women, and we commit to further promote substantive equality in our society as we maintain to uphold the rights and dignity of women,” Panelo said. PNA

Sports

A7

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2018 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Fatal storms haunt Sydney Hobart yacht race 20 years on SYDNEY—The gruelling Sydney to Hobart blue-water classic will take a poignant turn this year when it marks two decades since six sailors died in a horror storm—one of Australia’s worst sporting disasters.

Wild weather is a regular hazard in the epic contest, in which a fleet of yachts depart Sydney Harbour on Boxing Day, December 26, in a 628-nautical-mile (1,163-kilometre) dash down Australia’s east coast towards the island state of Tasmania.

But the 1998 edition of the annual race, held since 1945, had particularly adverse conditions, with mountainous seas and roaring winds in the treacherous Bass Strait tossing vessels around like rag dolls.

Six men died, five boats sank and 55 sailors were rescued when the deep depression exploded over the Tasman Sea. While 115 boats started the race, only 44 finished.

To mark the occasion, there will be a minute of silence among competitors on the second day of the race.

“It’s not just this moment of silence, we think about it every year,” said Mark Richards, skipper of eight-time line honours winner Wild Oats XI. “We have a lot of respect for the families and the people who lost their lives in that race. We’ll certainly be thinking of all those guys.”

The absence of a public memorial reflects the magnitude of the trauma that hit the sailing fraternity.

Steve Walker, who competed in 1998, told the Hobart Mercury “the families (of the victims) have moved on and it’s painful having the memories brought up again... We don’t need to do something formal”.

American billionaire Larry Ellison, owner-skipper of 1998 line honours winner Sayonara, was so appalled by the tragedy he vowed never to return.

Memories that stuck with Ed Psaltis, who skippered overall handicap honours winner AFR Midnight Rambler, include the constant scream of the winds and the sound of spray hitting the hull like a machine gun firing bullets. AFP

UE whips FEU tossers, bags bronze

The UE Lady Red Warriors clobbered the Lady Tamaraws in one hour and 26 minutes grab their first medal in a major women’s volleyball tourney since Season 67 of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines.

Japan hosts ONE: A New Era

T

OKYO—The largest global sports media property in Asian history, ONE Championship, has just announced the first six bouts scheduled for ONE: A New Era, which is set to take place on March 31 at the Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo, Japan.

Reigning ONE Women’s Strawweight World Champion “The Panda” Xiong Jing Nan of China will defend her title against ONE Women’s Atomweight World Champion “Unstoppable” Angela Lee of Singapore, while ONE Middleweight World Champion Aung La “The Burmese Python” N Sang of Myanmar will defend his title against Ken Hasegawa of Japan.

Meanwhile, ONE Lightweight World Champion Eduard “Landslide” Folayang will defend his title against Shinya “Tobikan Judan” Aoki of Japan.

Tickets for ONE: A New Era go on sale on Dec. 20, 6 p.m. (JST) and is available on Line Ticket at https://ticket.line.me/ sp/ONEChampionship, Kyodo Tokyo, Ticket Pia, Lawson Ticket, and E-plus starting Jan. 27, 2019.

Also seeing action on the card are new ONE Championship athletes Demetri-

ous “Mighty Mouse” Johnson and Eddie “The Underground King” Alvarez.

In addition, ONE Championship will officially kick off the ONE Flyweight World Grand Prix with a series of compelling bouts.

Reigning ONE Women’s Strawweight World Champion “The Panda” Xiong Jing Nan and ONE Women’s Atomweight World Champion “Unstoppable” Angela Lee have been on a collision course ever since the Chinese hero entered the organization in December 2017.

The two martial artists sit at the top of their weight classes and each has dominated their respective divisions.

However, with Lee moving up in weight to challenge Xiong for the strawweight crown, the Singaporean has the chance to become the first two-division women’s World Champion in ONE

Medicard president Dr. Nicky Montoya (left) and COO Atty.

Jon Montoya (right) are shown with winners of male category (3034) namely Paul Henry Tambasen (first place), Rolando Alquero (second place) and PJ Tan (third place).

Triathletes of all ages dominate MediCard Sprint Triathlon 2018 BEGINNER and seasoned triathletes prevailed in the first-ever MediCard Sprint Triathlon at Fontana Leisure Park in Clark, Pampanga, with teenager Adrian Thomas Dionisio (male category aged 15-17) clinching the top spot at 1:07:46 and Julie Somoso (female category aged 50 and above) leading her age group at 1:59:28.

The triathlon included a 600-m swim, 20km bike, and 5-km run course.

Athletes took several laps in the Olympicsized pool and went on to a one-loop bike course around the Clark grounds and to a single-loop run on the resort. It also featured a relay category for family, friends, or teammates.

“This is one of the best ways to encourage everyone—from little kids to adults, even the more senior ones—to exercise and move,” said MediCard president Nicky Montoya.

Ian Banzon of Sante Barley (F, 3034) reached the finish line at 1:19:53, while Gianmarco Anton Sibayan (M, 25-29) clocked in at 1:11:38, followed by Pierce Tan

(M, 18-24) at 1:11:49. Ma. Lourdes Cabero (F, 35-39) finished the course to claim second-fastest female spot at 1:29:51, whereas Alfie Yu (F, 40-44) finished third.

Among the Top 10 male finish times were the performances of older age group champions Levy Ang (45-49), clocking in at 1:15:31, and Rune Stroem (55-59) with 1:16:39.

Other age-group female champions in the MediCard Sprint Tri were Therese Malapad (15-17), Isabel Parco (18-24), Alessandra Castaneda (25-29), and Ymelle Reyes (45-49). Male champions include Angelo Leaño (35-39), Brett Petrillo (4044), Jerry Santos (50-54), and Chicho Mantaring (60 and above).

Champions in the relay category were Team Fuego (all-female), Team Pukers (all-male, mixed), and Team ActiveHealth (family).

MediCard is a leading health maintenance organization in the country dedicated to providing accessible healthcare to Filipinos. Visit www.medicardphils.com or call (02) 884-9999 for your healthcare needs.

Championship history. It certainly will not be easy, as “The Panda” represents the toughest challenge in Lee’s career.

Reigning ONE Middleweight and Light Heavyweight World Champion Aung La “The Burmese Python” N Sang is the most iconic sports superstar to hail from Myanmar.

His first encounter with Japan’s Ken Hasegawa in June 2018 was a five-round thriller of epic proportions, one which Aung La N Sang won in the final moments of the heated battle. The match is considered the “Greatest Bout In ONE Championship History” and was also awarded “Bout Of The Year” honors at the 2018 Global Martial Arts Awards for its nonstop action and dramatic finish. Aung La N Sang and Hasegawa will meet once again at ONE: A NEW ERA in a highly-anticipated rematch that is sure to produce fireworks.

Reigning ONE Lightweight World Champion Eduard “Landslide” Folayang of the Philippines is set to face Japanese martial arts legend and former World Champion Shinya “Tobikan Judan” Aoki in a long-awaited rematch.

UNIVERSITY of the East saved the best for last as it crushed Far Eastern University, 27-25, 25-23, 25-16, to clinch the bronze medal of the Philippine Superliga Collegiate Grand Slam yesterday at the Filoil Flying V Centre.

With skipper Meann Mendez leading the way, the Lady Red Warriors clobbered the Lady Tamaraws in one hour and 26 minutes to land on the medal podium of this prestigious collegiate tourney bankrolled by Isuzu, Mikasa, Senoh, Asics, Mueller, UCPB Gen and Bizooku with Genius Sports as technical sponsor.

Mendez dropped bombs from the firing end as she finished 15 kills and an ace for 16 points, while Judith Abil delivered 12 markers and 10 excellent receptions for UE, which grabbed its first medal in a major women’s volleyball tourney since Season 67 of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines.

“Our mindset coming into this match is that we want to finish the season on a positive note. We’re happy to win the bronze medal,” said UE head coach Karl Dimaculangan.

Dimaculangan, also an assistant coach at Generika-Ayala and brother of Petron setter Rhea Dimaculangan, said they could have easily finished the Lady Tamaraws if not for their 32 errors.

“We’re still very prone to errors.

We gave a lot of points to FEU just like what happened in our loss to them in the eliminations,” said Dimaculangan.

“But I’m glad that my players recovered after a tight first two sets and lessen our errors in the third.”

Libero Kath Arado was also instrumental with 16 digs to claim her second bronze medal after an impressive third-place finish by the Lifesavers in the All-Filipino Conference.

Petron and F2 Logistics, however, are still clashing for the All-Filipino gold medal while University of the Philippines and University of Santo Tomas are disputing the Collegiate Grand Slam title at press time.

Sports

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

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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2018

Players, coacheds, officials and supporters of the Magnolia Hotshots celebrate their Governors’ Cup title conquest, ending a four-year drought in the PBA.

PSC gets help of NBI, too

By Peter Atencio THE National Bureau of Investigation will be involved once again in efforts to resolve legal cases the concerns the national sports association, athletes, coaches and officials.

Philippine Sports Commission Chairman William Ramirez said this after the government sports agency signed a memorandum of agreement with the Department of Justice last Wednesday.

“We will seek guidance from there. Whether with the prosecutors or with the NBI, since accountability is expected of us,” said Ramirez.

The PSC plans to adopt a “no liquidation, no assistance” policy in the coming year.

This is for national sports associations which have internal disputes and those that have unliquidated financial assistance within 30 days after getting funds from the PSC. “We need the help of other agencies to proceed (on this),” added Ramirez.

It was the first time the PSC partnered with DOJ on such matters.

In line with the requirements of the DOJ, the agency is creating a task force that will coordinate and work closely on standing cases and other conf licts that may be referred by the PSC. Last year, the NBI filed cases of malversation of public funds against Philippine Karatedo Federation official Raymund Lee-Reyes, who got into trouble after members of the national team that went to Germany for training in July 2017 said that they did not receive their allowances in full.

Strong Gov Cup finish th nets Magnolia 14 title

By Jeric Lopez

P

ERSEVERANCE was the name of the game for Magnolia.

That’s what it used to finally get over the hump and end its four-year title drought by capturing the 2018 Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup Wednesday night with a strong finishing statement.

With all the confidence and fluidity, the Hotshots finished off Alaska, 4-2, in their championship showdown to regain their lost glory.

Since its Grandslam run in 2014, Magnolia struggled to get back to the top in the last four years, having a seesaw run that saw it falling short in

many occasions.

But by keeping its core, chemistry and foot on the gas pedal, the Hotshots were finally able to reach the mountain top again as the Aces had no answer for most of the series.

Now having the feeling of being a champion coach for the first time, Chito Victolero, who came in last 2016, expressed jubilation.

“Ganito pala ang feeling na magchampion dito sa PBA,” said Victolero. “Sobrang saya kasi nakakuha rin kami. Pinaghirapan at pinagtiyagaan naman to get this.”

Finals’ Most Valuable Player Mark Barroca emphasized that it took a lot of effort for the Hotshots to get the championship that they’ve long been chasing.

“For us, sobrang nag-effort talaga

kami. ‘Yung tiyaga nu’ng team hindi nawala kahit may mga mahirap na napagdaanan kaya masaya talaga na makuha ‘yung championship,” said Barroca.

Magnolia, which captured its 14th overall crown in its rich franchise history, started the tournament at the top before falling to No. 4 in the rankings due to quotient.

However, the Hotshots breezed their way to the championship after eliminating Blackwater, Barangay Ginebra and Alaska in the playoffs in a fairly comfortable manner with Romeo Travis leading the way.

With Magnolia’s title win, all San Miguel Corporation teams had won all the three championships this season with San Miguel taking the Philippine Cup and Barangay Ginebra winning the Commissioner’s.

National U, La Salle forge title showdown NATIONAL University and La SalleGreenhills forged a winner-take-all match for the 7th Philippine Secondary Schools Basketball Championship ‘Rain or Shine Cup’ by downing their respective semis rivals on Wednesday at the SGS gym in Quezon City.

The NU Bullpups, who topped the first-round elims of the UAAP with a 7-1 record, rode on a 30-point explosion in the second quarter to dethrone the San Beda Red Cubs, 89-78, and advance to the final of the event dubbed as “Battle of Champions” for the first time.

The Greenies, whose bid for back-toback championships in the NCAA was denied by Malayan University (Mapua) recently, also earned their first finals’ appearance following a 72-66 win over the Far Eastern University Baby Tamaraws.

“It’s UAAP versus NCAA, so I’m sure it’s going to be an exciting finale,” said league chairman Terry Que of Rain or Shine. “No wonder NU is doing well in the UAAP, while La Salle has lived up to its status as one of the premier high school teams in the country.”

The champion team, according to

league vice chairman Eduard Tio, gets P50,000, while the runner-up receives P30,000 in the event also bankrolled by Poly Gloss, Freego, Dickies Underwear, Hapee Toothepaste, IronCon Builders, MEC Networks, Blackwater Sports, and Che’Lu Bar and Grill.

In denying San Beda a second straight and fourth overall final appearance, NU leaned on the splendid performance of wily guard Cyril Rey Gonzales to frustrate the Red Cubs in their much-awaited showdown.

Toughened by the team’s successful title conquest in the ASEAN School Games last August, Gonzales led all NU scorers with 22 points, aside from posting five boards, three assists and the same number of steals in 30 minutes of action.

Center Karl Kevin Quiambao, the hero in the team’s pulsating 76-75 win over the University of Santo Tomas Tiger Cubs in the quarters, had 14 points and 19 boards as the Bulldogs took a 53-31 lead at the half.

The Red Cubs made a gallant stand in the third, but Gerry Abadiano, Ernest John Felicilda and Reyland Torres hit clutch baskets early in the fourth to repel their comeback.

But a dispute has erupted over what exactly counts as Olympic spending.

Of the 1.35 trillion yen, the organizing committee stumps up 600 billion, the Tokyo city government the same amount and the central Japanese government 150 billion—mainly to build a new national stadium.

But a report from government auditors made headlines in October when it revealed that a budget-busting 800 billion yen had been allocated by government ministries and agencies in the five years to March 2018.

According to the report, the central government has allocated funds for 286 projects—ranging from the operation of the weather satellites to subsidies for hydrogen stations for fuel-cell vehicles.

“I think it’s too much to say that these are Olympics-related,” Muto has said.

The government’s top spokesman Yo-

shihide Suga has stressed Japan’s commitment to an Olympics with a “compact” budget.

‘Grey zone’ The problem is that “there is no right or wrong” way to calculate capital spending relating to the Olympics, said Holger Preuss, professor of sports economics at the Johannes Gutenberg University in the German city of Mainz.

There is also no generally agreed global standard for auditing Olympic spending, he added.

“That is always a matter for the country staging the games, as it is culturally different throughout the world,” he told AFP. Deciding what is directly linked to the Games is “a grey zone,” said the expert.

Following the row sparked by the auditors’ report, the government commissioned a study into the projects and split them into three categories according to how closely

LOS ANGELES—The Houston Rockets romped on the back of an NBA single-game record of 26 threepointers on Wednesday, routing the Washington Wizards 136-118.

The crowd at Houston’s Toyota Center was chanting “One more three! One more three!” when Michael Carter-Williams drained the record-breaker from beyond the arc with 31.1 seconds remaining and victory assured.

Gary Clark’s three-pointer with 2:42 to play had tied the previous mark of 25 set by the Cleveland Cavaliers against Atlanta in March 2017.

Reigning NBA Most Valuable Player James Harden had six three-pointers on the way to 35 points. Chris Paul added five from beyond the arc and Gerald Green and Eric Gordon made four apiece as the Rockets—who endured a rough start to the season—got back to their free-wheeling ways in a fifth straight victory.

“We’re just playing better,” Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni said. “When you have the right spirit, you’re doing the right things, hustling, stuff falls in.

If you don’t, you don’t make them.

“Our energy is right the last five games,” D’Antoni added. “We’ve just got to keep it there.”

Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr said energy was a problem for the two-time defending champions in a 108-103 loss to the Utah Jazz in Salt Lake City.

Stephen Curry scored 32 points, but the Warriors shot just 40 percent from the field and 32.3 percent from threepoint range.

Kevin Durant finished with 30 points, but not before making just six of 18 from the field through the first three quarters and Klay Thompson scored just 12 points, connecting on just three of 12 shots and missing all four of his three-point efforts.

“It’s not surprising, honestly,” Kerr said. “We’re not moving the ball, we’re not playing the way we’ve played the last few years where the ball is really moving and we’re generating great shots.”

Kerr noted that the Jazz, whose shooting percentage was even worse than the Warriors’ at 39.8, didn’t have that great of a game themselves.

“We let them off the hook a little bit,” Kerr said. “We made a lot of mistakes. We made it close with a few shots down the stretch, but we didn’t really play our game.”

Raptors rally Things were tight in Toronto, where Fred VanVleet drained the go-ahead three-pointer with 26.4 seconds left as the Raptors erased a 17-point secondhalf deficit to improve their NBAleading record with a 99-96 victory over the Indiana Pacers. AFP

Makati extends winning streak

Karl Kevin Qiambao hopes to deliver once again for NU. (Courtesy of Hazel Siy)

Apart from the 18-point performance of Inand Val Fornilos, the Greenies also put on a decent defensive job on FEU’s RJ Abarrientos to pull away for good.

Gold medals, grey zones: Tokyo 2020 budget sparks dispute TOKYO—Should weather forecasting satellites or roomy black cabs with distinctive logos be included in a country’s Olympic budget?

That is a problem Japan and Tokyo 2020 organisers are wrestling with as they try to work out just how much they will end up spending on the Olympics.

Organizers will unveil the latest version of their budget on Friday and they face intense pressure to keep costs down.

The current budget for the Games— last updated this time last year—stands at 1.35 trillion yen ($12 billion at current exchange rates) and organisers have pledged it will not increase.

“We can’t exceed the level of the previous version of the budget,” said Tokyo 2020 CEO Toshiro Muto at a recent news conference, amid concerns that ballooning costs are putting off potential Olympic host cities.

Rockets’long bombs bury Wizards; Dubs fall to Jazz

they were linked to the Games.

Of the 800 billion yen allocated, some 173 billion yen were considered category A or directly linked to the Games.

A massive 546 billion yen were for projects in category B where the contribution to the Games was deemed difficult to assess.

This included subsidies for hydrogen and other eco-friendly cars and bigger taxis with the Tokyo event logo as well as efforts to promote tourism.

A further 82 billion yen were classed as category C or having a low link to the Games—or example the weather satellites.

An audit official said their report was designed to serve as a warning shot.

“If there are expenses clearly related to the Olympics, they should be made public for transparency,” the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told AFP. AFP

BATANGAS CITY—Makati kept its streak going and notched its eighth straight win in its last elimination game of the year in the MPBL Datu Cup at the Batangas City Coliseum here late Wednesday night.

The Super Crunch outplayed the Pasay Voyagers, 67-59, to fortify their chances of moving up further in this tournament put up by Senator Manny Pacquiao, with PBA legend and former MVP Kenneth Duremdes serving as commissioner.

After picking up their 14th win in 18 games, the Super Crunch are now within striking distance of No. 3 seed San Juan Knights in the northern division.

The Knights are just half a game behind the Super Crunch.

But host team Batangas City was not as successful in extending its winning run, this after Manila played the spoiler’s role.

The Stars turned to Chris Bitoon, who played the spoiler’s role in leading the Robust Energy Capsule-backed Stars to a thrilling 80-79 win over the Athletics and stopped the host team’s seven-game winning run.

Bitoon finished with 13 points, including the go-ahead layup that propelled the Stars to their 15th win in 18 games, just a game behind tournament leader Bataan Risers.

The loss was the seventh in 18 games for the Tanduay-supported Athletics.

Bitoon, the spitfire guard, delivered the crucial basket in the last five seconds of the game as his getaway layup proved to be the marginal basket.

The Athletics had one last chance of salvaging a win, but Jhaymo Eguilos missed a jumper, allowing the Stars to snatch a win, their third straight since losing to San Juan.

IN BRIEF Neda unit approves Navotas port repair

THE National Economic and Development Authority-Investment Coordination Committee-Cabinet Committee approved for Neda board confirmation the rehabilitation of the Navotas Fish Port Complex.

The ICC-CabCom approved the Regional Fish Port Project for the Greater Capital Region of the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Fisheries Development Authority worth P14.07 billion and the Philippines-Korea Project Preparation Facility of the Department of Finance worth P3.87 billion.

The Regional Fish Port Project for GCR will rehabilitate and upgrade the Navotas Fish Port Complex. Neda said by providing the needed post-harvest facilities, services, and logistics, the project will facilitate access of fishermen to value chains (fish, processor and exporters).

Meanwhile, the PK-PPF aims to support the efficient and timely implementation of the projects under the ‘Build, Build, Build’ program, more specifically, priority projects of the National Irrigation Administration and Department of Public Works and Highways, through the conduct of project preparatory activities.

Julito G. Rada

Business

Toyota expects 10% sales growth

TOYOTA Motors Philippines Corp. is optimistic to hit at least a 10-percent increase in sales next year.

TMPC president Satoru Suzuki said the automotive market would improve in 2019 as consumers adjusted to the new pricing scheme.

“The Philippine economy is still good.

We expect automotive sales to rebound in 2019 not only for Toyota but for the entire industry, as well,” Suzuki said Thursday at the sidelines of the launch of the new Camry at Grand Hyatt Hotel in Bonifacio Global City.

Suzuki said the company remained bullish on the Philippine market and would continue to honor its commitment to deliver affordable cars under the Comprehensive Automotive Resurgence Strategy program.

The company said it would ramp up the production of the Vios model to 33,000 units in 2019, on top of the ongoing production of Toyota Innova.

The car company suffered 14-percent to 15-percent decline in sales in 2018 because of advanced purchases of buyers at the end of 2017. Othel V. Campos

STARTUP ASSISTANCE. In line with the policy thrust of President Rodrigo Duterte to create an environment conducive for creative and innovation-led business models to help accelerate Philippine economic growth, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez (third from left), Science and Technology Secretary Fortunato Dela Peña (fourth from left) and Information and Communications Technology acting Secretary Eliseo Rio Jr. (third from right) join forces in promoting and strengthening Filipino startups through a memorandum of understanding. The MOU on Startup Assistance Program 2019-2023 covers the development of the ICT ecosystem in the countryside and of local ICT startup businesses and plans to have 1,000 startups by 2020.

Singapore firm to build $4.5-b resort in Cagayan T

By Othel V. Campos

HE Cagayan Special Economic Zone and Freeport in Sta. Ana, Cagayan will be home to a $4.5-billion seaside resort, after the government signed a memorandum of understanding with Singapore developer LongRunn Capital Pte. Ltd. and Mercurio Design Lab.

“We have never anticipated a project of this magnitude. This will be a game changer in our efforts to develop the Cagayan Special Economic Zone and Freeport,” said Cagayan Economic Zone Authority president and chief executive Raul Lambino.

Lambino said Ceza was overwhelmed by the rapid inflow of investments starting with the contracts and pledges from financial technology companies

that came in the middle of 2018.

LongRunn Capital, an offshore financing firm based in Singapore, committed to finish the project in two years following the signing of the MOU, said LongRunn Capital chairman and chief executive Li Jianmin James.

Lambino said City Polaris, named after the North Star, would combine some of the best innovations of 21st-century technology and the “unsurpassed luxury of nature” in Sta. Ana, the emerging epicenter of development in Northern Luzon.

The MoU also covers an agreement for LongRunn Capital to upgrade, expand and modernize the airport in Lal-lo with the construction of additional facilities such as hangars, cargo warehouses, power and waste plants and duty free shopping malls with high-end restaurants.

A new expressway would link the seaside city to Lal-lo town, 60 kms to the southwest and site of the Cagayan North International Airport, whose carrying capacity would be upgraded with the addition of two three-kilometer

runways and a multi-story passenger terminal, Lambino said.

City Polaris would be a compact development that will also feature upscale residential buildings, a sprawling business park, civic center, tertiary hospital, condominium buildings, premium villas and online gaming operations.

LongRunn Capital would also invest in the establishment of a regional airline company.

Under the MOU, the company would conduct a global marketing program and produce promotional materials for the pre-sale of facilities and units at City Polaris.

Ceza will extend to LongRunnCapital a master license for the development and operation of land-based and online gaming in addition to various fiscal incentives being offered by the agency.

These include the grant of permanent residency status for foreign investors and immediate family members with an investment of $150,000 and lifetime membership in the City Polaris Golf Club.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2018

B1

FITCH Ratings said Thursday it affirmed the Philippines’ investmentgrade score of ‘BBB’ with a stable outlook, as growth prospects remained favorable.

“The ratings on the Philippines balance favourable growth prospects, lower government debt, and a net external creditor position against lower per capita income levels, a weaker business environment and lower standards of governance compared with its rating category peers,” it said.

“The Philippines maintains a net external creditor position against the ‘BBB’ median’s net debtor position. In addition, the Philippines is less vulnerable to large outflows compared with some of its neighbours in the region, given lower non-resident holdings of domestic debt and equities, although foreign outflows are likely in 2019 as global monetary conditions continue to tighten,” it said.

Fitch said growth prospects in the country remained favourable, supported by strong domestic demand and increasing infrastructure investment.

Fitch, however, said overheating risks remained in place, highlighted by rapid credit growth and a widening current-account deficit, although the Bangko Sentral’s stated intention was to remain vigilant against developments that could affect the inflation outlook.

“Inflation pressures now appear to be easing, partly due to recent monetary policy tightening and easing of some supply-side pressures. We forecast GDP growth to remain strong in 2019 and 2020 at around 6.6 percent, supported by robust private consumption and public investment,” it said.

Fitch said GDP growth could come under downward pressure, similar to other countries in the region, from the slowdown in China and escalating trade tensions with the US and from rising domestic and global interest rates.

DoE threatens to run Palawan electric co-op

By Alena Mae S. Flores

Govt, MetroPac continue talks over MRT-3 operation

By Darwin G. Amojelar

HYUNDAI’S DIGITAL STORE. Hyundai Asia Resources Inc. and Hyundai Cebu Inc. are set to lead digital transformation in the automotive industry with the grand launch of Hyundai City Store Cebu. The newly opened 80-square-meter City Store at SM City Cebu aims to transform the traditional customer journey through various digital attractions. Shown during the Hyundai City Store Cebu handover of the plaque of recognition ceremony are (from left) Hyundai Cebu Inc. chairman Ruben Almendras, Hyundai Motor Company director Yong Suk Lee, Hyundai Asia Resources Inc. president and chief executive Ma. Fe Perez-Agudo, Hyundai Cebu president Edward Onglatco, HCI treasurer Margarita Onglatco, Danessa Onglatco and Joseph Onglatco.

Isoc Infrastructures signs contract to build common telco towers THE Department of Information and Communications Technology on Thursday signed an agreement with Isoc Infrastructures Inc. to construct common telecom towers nationwide.

Isoc is led by businessman Michael Cosiquien, co-founder of Megawide Construction Corp.

“Isoc is the first to submit a proposal on common telco towers, and we recognize their determination and commitment to pursue this to help push the objective of providing faster, more reliable and affordable internet and telco services to the Filipino people,” DICT acting Secretary Eliseo Rio said.

Rio said the MOU was just in time for the entry of the third telecom player and

business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com

Fitch affirms PH’s ‘BBB’ rating with stable outlook

Train law reforms firms’ VAT refund

FINANCE Undersecretary Karl Kendrick Chua said the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion law introduced four reforms in processing applications for value-added tax refunds of exporters and other qualified entrepreneurs to ensure that all claims are completed and paid out within 90 days of submission.

Chua said in a recent business forum in Makati City these reforms under the Enhanced VAT Refund System provide for the setting up of a special trust account in the General Fund sourced from 5 percent of the total VAT collections of the Bureau of Internal Revenue and the Bureau of Customs from the immediately preceding year to ensure money is available for VAT refunds.

It also provides for basing revenue targets set for the next fiscal year on net of VAT refunds, a plan to conduct a riskbased post audit to do away with the tedious process of auditing claims before giving a refund and implementation of an electronic invoicing and receipts system.

“So all of these together will allow the refund process to be better. We changed the incentives so that the refund system can be better given,” Chua said during the Wallace Business Forum. Julito G. Rada

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

was a part of the over-all plan to improve telco services nationwide.

The MOU is a commitment for both parties to assist in the common tower scheme where the DICT commits to facilitate the permitting and regulatory process, help identify and provide sites for the towers such as public buildings, government lots, among others, he said.

Isoc committed commits to work with the telecom companies in the roll-out of their improvement and expansion plans, especially for those areas that are in immediate need of access and connectivity.

The MOA will take effect for a period of 12 months from signing.

Cosiquien, chairman of Isoc Infra, said he was optimistic that the tower-sharing

model would be beneficial not only to the telecom operators but also to government.

“The MOU with the DICT is proof of our strong desire to invest in improving the telco infrastructure in the country and to help contribute to the development of this industry with the telco providers as our partners,” Cosiquien said.

Cosiquien earlier said that his company would build 25 towers nationwide in seven years for P100 billion. The company committed to invest about P20 billion in the first three years.

The common tower scheme is expected to provide the necessary infrastructure to help improve the country’s communication channels.

Isoc Infra submitted its proposal in July

THE Department of Transportation said it is pursuing the development and rehabilitation of Metro Rail Transit Line 3 system through an unsolicited proposal submitted by Metro Pacific Investments Corp.

“We are still in talks with them [MPIC]. I want lock, stock and barrel.

I want to include the issue of equity and loans,” Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said.

The Transportation Department in September 2017 granted the original proponent status to MPIC, which submitted the unsolicited bid for the rehabilitation and O&M of MRT 3.

The consortium of MPIC and Ayala Corp. submitted an unsolicited proposal to DOTr to upgrade and rehabilitate MRT 3 system for P12.5 billion.

The consortium is also looking at buying out the stake of the government and private investors in MRT 3.

The government through Land Bank of the Philippines and the Development Bank of the Philippines own a combined 80-percent economic interest in MRT 3, while the balance is held by creditors of Metro Rail Transit Corp.

MPIC in 2011 offered to buy out the shares of Land Bank of the Philippines and Development Bank of the Philippines in MRT 3 for $1.1 billion.

MPIC-Ayala Group earlier said it was expecting to take over the O&M of MRT 3 in six months from the submission of its application as the original proponent to the government in July.

ENERGY Secretary Alfonso Cusi said Thursday the government will take over Palawan Electric Cooperative within the month if the cooperative failed to resolve the province’s worsening power supply problem.

“I have given instructions, if Paleco will not shape up by the end of the month, I will take over. Remember what the President [Rodrigo Duterte] said,” Cusi said.

Duterte recently issued a stern warning to Paleco that the national government would be compelled to take over the power distributor’s facilities if frequent blackouts in Palawan persisted until the end of the year.

“NEA [National Electrification Administration] and the task force [will takeover]. I cannot afford service to be interrupted,” Duterte said.

Paleco which has the second largest franchise area in the country provides power to 18 municipalities and Puerto Princesa City, serving a total of 135,284 consumers as of April 2018.

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian previously backed the plan of the government to take over Paleco to resolve the province’s worsening power supply problem.

Gatchalian said Palaweños were complaining about the lengthy rotational brownouts they experienced in their province amid the cooperative’s inefficiencies in coming up with solutions to the problem.

Gatchalian, chairman of the Senate committee of energy, facilitated a dialog and held a committee hearing with stakeholders of Paleco more than a year ago to determine the cause of the long blackouts in the province.

The senator also urged NEA to take over Paleco.

Gatchalian said each Paleco consumer experienced an average of 126 power interruptions in 2017, which he said was beyond the NEA standard of 25 interruptions per consumer per year.

B2

Business

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2018 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Market slips after Fed rate hike

T

HE stock market fell slightly Thursday on profit taking and the huge loss in Wall Street overnight after the US Fed increased interest rates again.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index slipped 16.21 points, or 0.2 percent, to 7,563.41 on a value turnover of P5.9 billion. Gainers, however, beat losers, 117 to 78, with 42 issues unchanged.

Major property developer Ayala Land Inc. lost 2.7 percent to P42.05, while conglomerate San Miguel Corp. dropped 2 percent to P145.

But Leisure & Resorts World Corp. advanced 5 percent to P3.55, while Phinma Energy Corp. climbed 8.3 per-

cent to P1.18.

Tokyo, meanwhile, led a rout of Asian shares Thursday, mirroring big losses on Wall Street after the Fed defied unprecedented pressure from Donald Trump and raised interest rates, sparking fears the move could choke economic growth.

The Nikkei plunged to a 15-month low as investors took fright over the pace of monetary tightening, with a slump triggered by the Dow’s fall to its lowest level of 2018 gathering pace.

The US Federal Reserve raised rates for the fourth time this year—as expected—but markets reacted badly after chairman Jerome Powell said the bank would not shift course on reducing its balance sheet.

Investors had hoped for a less aggressive approach amid concern that global growth is slowing, while Powell played down the impact of recent market tur-

moil on the US economy.

“They think the Fed has completely misjudged the situation and now it’s just a matter of... trying to find an exit while you can,” said Kyle Rodda, a market analyst at IG Group in Melbourne.

“We’re probably entering a stage now where markets have got it (in) their head that we’re preparing for quite sustained downside going into 2019.”

The Fed now projects only two interest rate increases, down from three previously, as it trimmed its forecast for US growth and inflation.

Stephen Innes, head of Asia-Pacific trade at OANDA, said the “Fed delivered a dovish hike, but clearly, there wasn’t enough affirmation in the statement that the Fed was close to pausing or ending their interest rate hike cycle sooner than expected.”

But some analysts urged caution.

“The market overreacted to the Fed, I think,” said Shane Oliver, head of investment strategy at AMP Capital Investors in Sydney.

“It is moving in a dovish direction and is on track for a pause in the first half of next year. Markets are being driven by fear rather than fundamentals.”

But the spillover from the rate hike continued to rattle investors in Asia Thursday, deepening concern over global growth prospects which are already facing headwinds from President Trump’s trade war with Beijing, a slowing Chinese economy, and potential turmoil from Britain quitting the European Union.

Japanese stocks also declined after the Bank of Japan left ultra-low rates unchanged, with the threat of trade protectionism and slowing global growth casting a pall over the export-driven economy. With AFP

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW THURSDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2018

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

FINANCIALS 59.2 32,170 93.85 1,564,870 2.19 112,000 129.3 1,417,480 1.53 975,000 27.25 17,200 15.9 100 12.4 1,225,500 4.9 1,963,000 1.46 21,000 780 100 0.49 943,000 82 4,202,680 0.91 375,000 12.2 1,000 42.9 84,500 178 1,680 122.8 1,200 64.55 15,370 28.05 71,900 157 503,280 63.7 15,840

1,897,829 146,425,275.50 245,420 182,468,004 1,504,500 471,750 1,590 15,149,434 9,638,350 30,430 78,000 466,225 344,347,607.50 340,030 12,200 3,636,985 300,809 147,360 992,337 2,012,825 80,131,267 1,013,363.50

1,471,092 -42,805,115.50 -59,110,282.00 14,900 -27,450 -7,873,880 20,000 -78,000 132,513,421.50 -27,100 -1,091,770 -8,596 -610,502 -1,241,045 32,385,996 -989,070.50

33 17.22 1.01 1.23 0.248 93 1.7 15.4 31.95 15.8 37.9 59.1 1.69 6.83 6.46 10.16 14.9 7.99 7.03 19.9 64.35 25 2 5.79 10.4 1.82 303 35.05 4.3 26.8 10.16 18.04 386 0.178 5.9 1.35 3.95 8.07 5.61 8.76 1.1 10.62 46.7 5.67 4.75 1.96 2.62 1.44 11.3 79.5 5.2 0.124 0.83 128.1 2.32 1.91 1.67

INDUSTRIAL 34.35 1,229,100 17.4 469,900 1.03 2,536,000 1.26 544,000 0.248 60,000 94.45 900 1.75 23,110,000 15.5 1,081,500 32.8 1,975,200 16.58 15,100 37.9 1,100 59.1 10 1.78 153,000 7.16 330,700 6.5 23,200 10.4 6,412,400 15.18 466,100 8 1,531,500 7.1 9,425,700 20 1,614,400 64.85 67,280 25 7,300 2.02 5,256,000 5.8 458,800 10.6 2,433,900 1.89 419,000 303 659,480 40 2,500 4.3 158,000 27 511,600 10.42 285,000 18.08 4,829,600 390 186,580 0.178 300,000 5.9 1,000 1.37 1,168,000 4.05 18,000 8.1 1,587,200 5.7 398,400 8.76 400 1.18 96,194,000 10.64 52,900 46.7 234,700 5.67 14,100 4.75 54,000 2.04 395,000 2.76 68,000 1.44 62,000 11.88 1,446,000 82 140,750 5.26 67,300 0.126 60,000 0.87 476,000 128.8 650,930 2.32 31,000 1.97 17,569,000 1.71 1,886,000

41,845,355 8,168,026 2,592,860 670,810 14,890 85,628 40,229,800 16,700,810 63,700,280 245,626 41,690 591 270,750 2,375,652 150,726 65,935,042 7,011,478 12,264,004 66,914,080 32,307,204 4,358,551.50 182,500 10,649,220 2,661,080 25,601,982 775,370 201,359,144 99,535 679,400 13,740,165 2,924,638 88,519,802 72,576,844 53,400 5,900 1,590,000 71,600 12,860,759 2,358,120 3,504 112,333,120 568,952 10,991,390 79,947 256,900 796,400 185,830 89,570 17,150,176 11,352,361 352,709 7,520 401,820 83,758,923 71,920 34,612,450 3,209,320

-1,615,645 -353,608 -91,290 -26,945,670 0 29,250 -38,980 -2,729,872 3,692,070 -3,872,785 -19,347,561 3,235,681.00 976,159 182,500 1,058,850.00 -2,636,160 3,780,712 15,024,970 4,136,925 -854,812 -4,251,468 24,139,990 -1,209,310 -74,062 767,987 -65,923,430 -2,732,900 -17,010 -247,300 -40,610.00 55,400 -5,807,560 -2,713,201 1,569 -2,480 -27,742,045 -1,983,890 275,200

0.62 53.5 12.18 0.86 6.5 26.05 1.33 1.36 906 6.77 12.46 11.8 0.204 942.5 52.35 5.56 4.61 6.57 0.56 4.07 16.56 0.61 4.6 0.036 2.46 2.5 144.4 930 1.3 470 255 0.246

HOLDING FIRMS 0.63 16,370,000 56.9 880,460 12.46 3,625,500 0.9 50,000 6.5 5,200 26.7 88,200 1.35 4,170,000 1.36 400,000 918 414,360 6.8 2,216,000 12.9 3,427,100 12.92 2,984,000 0.204 20,000 993 111,540 54.1 1,289,970 5.88 13,800 4.61 15,000 6.57 600 0.57 26,000 4.1 8,763,000 16.8 3,411,700 0.63 310,000 4.6 18,144,000 0.036 2,500,000 2.53 1,002,000 2.6 209,000 145 678,490 930 232,230 1.32 43,000 482 80 255 3,630 0.247 1,950,000

10,374,120 49,708,618 44,701,328 43,790 33,924 2,344,335 5,633,640 546,000 379,935,720 15,119,361 43,513,386 38,084,802 4,080 109,588,275 69,451,789.50 77,622 70,290 3,942 14,800 36,042,370 57,044,800 192,630 84,114,650 90,900 2,543,120 523,000 98,448,580 216,531,685 56,200 37,840 927,996 482,860

99,120 17,009,916.50 6,117,778 9,100 52,200 272,000 -51,542,425 -3,525,372 2,224,566 2,018,474 -4,080.00 69,288,610 -6,129,158 -3,471,130 -3,500,548 -29,512,310 -50,600.00 -11,143,153 -71,795,590 -69,728 -

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

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

58.05 92 2.22 128.1 1.5 27.55 15.9 12.4 4.49 1.45 780 0.5 81 0.9 12.2 43.4 181 122.8 64.8 28.3 157.4 64

59.2 94.85 2.22 129.3 1.66 27.65 15.9 12.42 5.18 1.46 780 0.5 82.5 0.92 12.2 43.4 181 122.8 64.8 28.3 162 64

58.05 91.85 2.19 127.1 1.49 27 15.9 12.3 4.36 1.44 780 0.49 80.5 0.9 12.2 42.8 178 122.8 64.45 27.8 157 63.6

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

33 17.7 1.02 1.24 0.249 100 1.72 15.7 31.95 15.82 37.9 59.1 1.69 6.83 6.6 10.4 15.02 8.06 7.11 20.4 64.8 25 2.09 5.8 10.6 1.9 305.6 40.05 4.3 27.5 10.46 18.4 389 0.178 5.9 1.36 3.95 8.1 5.66 8.76 1.1 10.88 47.05 5.67 4.8 2 2.64 1.45 11.44 80 5.23 0.124 0.83 128.5 2.32 1.96 1.7

34.4 17.7 1.04 1.26 0.249 100 1.77 15.7 32.8 16.58 37.9 59.1 1.78 7.27 6.65 10.4 15.18 8.25 7.23 20.4 64.85 25 2.09 5.9 10.72 1.9 309.8 40.05 4.3 27.5 10.5 18.48 390 0.178 5.9 1.38 4.05 8.14 6.3 8.76 1.21 10.9 47.05 5.67 4.8 2.08 2.82 1.45 11.9 82 5.27 0.126 0.89 129 2.32 2 1.72

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

0.64 54.35 12.28 0.86 6.54 27.3 1.34 1.38 914 6.99 12.8 12.42 0.204 955 53.8 5.6 4.8 6.57 0.58 4.07 16.78 0.62 4.62 0.037 2.46 2.5 148 930.5 1.31 470 260 0.249

0.65 56.95 12.46 0.9 6.54 27.45 1.38 1.38 925 6.99 12.9 13.3 0.204 994.5 54.35 5.88 4.8 6.57 0.58 4.16 16.8 0.64 4.7 0.037 2.56 2.6 148 939 1.32 482 260 0.25

8990 HLDG A BROWN ANCHOR LAND ARANETA PROP ARTHALAND CORP AYALA LAND BELLE CORP CEB LANDMASTERS CEBU HLDG CENTURY PROP CITYLAND DEVT CROWN EQUITIES CYBER BAY DM WENCESLAO DOUBLEDRAGON EMPIRE EAST FILINVEST LAND GLOBAL ESTATE KEPPEL PROP MEGAWORLD

7.9 0.85 11.22 1.69 0.9 42.5 2.28 3.98 6.4 0.43 0.87 0.249 0.38 7.88 18.8 0.48 1.45 1.06 3.88 4.81

7.9 0.88 11.5 1.74 0.93 42.9 2.28 3.99 6.5 0.435 0.88 0.25 0.405 7.9 18.9 0.485 1.45 1.06 3.88 4.82

7.75 0.82 11.22 1.69 0.87 41.75 2.19 3.9 5.75 0.425 0.87 0.249 0.38 7.8 18.36 0.47 1.42 1.04 3.88 4.78

VOLUME

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VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

MRC ALLIED PHIL ESTATES PHIL INFRADEV PHIL REALTY PRIMEX CORP PTFC REDEV CORP ROBINSONS LAND ROCKWELL SHANG PROP SM PRIME HLDG STA LUCIA LAND STARMALLS VISTA LAND

0.44 0.46 2.3 0.45 3.55 35.25 20.8 1.99 3.1 35.3 1.25 5.77 5.27

0.44 0.47 2.3 0.455 3.58 40 21.55 2 3.1 36.1 1.25 5.9 5.28

0.425 0.46 2.23 0.43 3.54 35.25 20.8 1.99 3.1 35.3 1.24 5.76 5.21

0.425 0.47 2.27 0.44 3.56 40 21.45 2 3.1 35.9 1.25 5.88 5.25

14,350,000 180,000 3,709,000 2,110,000 220,000 4,200 1,616,800 75,000 16,000 9,486,600 314,000 292,200 1,813,600

6,159,550 84,000 8,357,900 926,050 781,600 149,175 34,433,415 149,790 49,600 339,043,895 391,710 1,714,772 9,499,325

140,250 11,620 -21,300 5,603,745 9,950 -49,600 -2,839,455 100,000 -9,280 -5,266,307

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

14.12 19.98 1.5 0.41 0.04 13.5 3.92 9.61 73.95 6.53 7.5 2.1 15.5 1,947 5.42 324.6 3.14 1.89 101 11 0.131 5.96 3.38 0.77 16.54 0.335 2.42 2.04 3.48 9.89 8.34 3.4 112.1 3.04 1,165 0.83 0.325 42.8 78.5 7.7 2.4 0.74 0.425 5.32 0.69 12.08

14.48 19.98 1.5 0.42 0.042 13.5 4.07 9.84 74 6.59 7.5 2.31 16.7 1,977 5.52 325 3.14 1.92 103.5 11 0.131 6.01 3.83 0.82 17.02 0.36 2.54 2.1 3.48 9.89 8.34 3.4 112.8 3.18 1,176 0.86 0.33 42.8 79.7 7.9 2.47 0.75 0.45 5.32 0.7 12.4

14.02 19.92 1.43 0.41 0.039 13.5 3.9 9.61 71.1 6.39 7.22 2.1 15.4 1,935 5.42 324.6 3.03 1.88 100.9 11 0.124 5.77 3.35 0.77 16.5 0.335 2.42 1.95 3.3 9.89 8 3.17 112 3.03 1,145 0.83 0.32 42.5 78.5 7.7 2.37 0.73 0.415 5.26 0.67 11.9

SERVICES 14.18 19.92 1.44 0.415 0.042 13.5 3.94 9.84 72 6.41 7.48 2.31 16.12 1,950 5.43 325 3.05 1.92 102 11 0.126 5.88 3.55 0.8 16.58 0.34 2.5 2.08 3.4 9.89 8.32 3.17 112.8 3.13 1,170 0.83 0.32 42.6 79.5 7.79 2.44 0.75 0.44 5.29 0.67 12.4

356,900 11,800 57,000 490,000 28,200,000 700 9,537,000 10,602,800 519,080 1,304,700 14,700 7,000 201,500 44,905 132,000 810 790,000 30,000 857,040 300 10,640,000 4,765,700 129,125,000 184,000 517,700 260,000 1,891,000 486,000 1,493,000 100 2,800 21,000 220 942,000 148,520 4,665,000 480,000 1,773,000 113,510 272,000 6,565,000 8,221,000 56,480,000 161,200 1,805,000 1,329,600

5,059,248 235,712 82,490 204,500 1,143,700 9,450 37,829,850 103,987,954 37,415,721 8,400,085 107,587 15,540 3,224,734 87,632,790 724,297 263,246 2,416,120 56,700 87,551,879 3,300 1,348,550 27,984,771 442,622,190 146,630 8,661,622 92,300 4,722,360 993,360 5,077,700 989 22,827 71,170 24,762 2,917,830 173,682,775 3,895,640 155,400 75,639,810 9,027,100.50 2,125,283 16,008,880 6,118,310 24,677,000 850,491 1,227,360 16,320,674

-225,920 1,500 62,250 1,350 -826,330 2,355,343 -30,455,441.50 3,205 1,600 -20,067,930 8,790 43,795,000 -51,600 -1,613,940 -887,700 608,596 1,496,330 161,760 22,520 -1,486,510 -36,094,405 84,000 -3,250 -28,048,435 1,455,988.50 -3,253,990 1,297,460 1,026,550 -6,362.00 8,608,218.00

62,300 882,490 59,152 51,760 97,900 2,226,250 6,000 35,383 803,750 27,020 548,210 18,700 40,500 6,300 13,677,660 13,516,800 68,320 15,860 633,070 394,200 2,400 832,400 10,160 2,129,110 30,237,532 60,509,740 182,900

-50,580 4,020.00 -35,383 -334,430 -2,050 -2,060 -6,300 13,700 -2,071,490 1,000 -146,170 -1,848,468 -23,620,255 -

MS

PROPERTY 7.9 0.83 11.5 1.74 0.9 42.05 2.2 3.98 6.5 0.43 0.88 0.249 0.405 7.9 18.38 0.485 1.43 1.06 3.88 4.8

442,900 2,649,000 13,800 24,000 7,465,000 9,558,300 7,458,000 409,000 137,600 2,290,000 2,000 2,800,000 130,000 352,800 330,400 440,000 5,948,000 938,000 3,000 27,256,000

3,464,012 2,239,170 157,104 40,610 6,745,230 405,038,180 16,614,470 1,611,020 874,427 982,150 1,750 698,350 50,400 2,786,366 6,132,004 211,000 8,474,290 986,620 11,640 130,873,180

265,460 -266,990 -66,787,470 -14,467,200 -1,143,560 753,389 -51,600 499,000 491,138 -857,518 -97,000 -6,273,160 -78,657,430

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

0.002 1.59 14.56 1.42 1.25 2 0.3 7.09 1.69 0.205 0.105 0.103 0.0066 0.0063 1.32 2.19 1.08 0.61 0.97 0.013 0.012 0.014 3.4 2.68 14.8 24 0.0058

0.0021 1.59 15.8 1.48 1.35 2.01 0.3 7.36 1.69 0.209 0.109 0.112 0.0068 0.0063 1.54 2.25 1.08 0.61 1.01 0.013 0.012 0.014 3.4 2.72 14.8 24.4 0.0061

0.002 1.58 14.56 1.42 1.25 1.98 0.3 7.03 1.68 0.205 0.105 0.103 0.0066 0.0063 1.3 2.13 1.03 0.61 0.95 0.012 0.012 0.013 3.36 2.62 14.48 23.45 0.0057

MINING & OIL 0.0021 31,000,000 1.59 557,000 15.76 4,000 1.48 36,000 1.35 74,000 2.01 1,116,000 0.3 20,000 7.35 5,000 1.69 476,000 0.209 130,000 0.108 5,130,000 0.112 170,000 0.0068 6,000,000 0.0063 1,000,000 1.4 9,512,000 2.15 6,249,000 1.07 65,000 0.61 26,000 0.97 644,000 0.013 31,000,000 0.012 200,000 0.013 63,000,000 3.36 3,000 2.68 795,000 14.5 2,071,600 23.5 2,569,000 0.0059 31,000,000

ABS HLDG PDR AC PREF B1 ALCO PREF B DD PREF FGEN PREF G GLO PREF P GMA HLDG PDR GTCAP PREF B HOUSE PREF A LR PREF PNX PREF 3B SMC PREF 2C SMC PREF 2E SMC PREF 2G SMC PREF 2H SMC PREF 2I

18.96 456 101 98.9 103 480 5.4 928.5 97 1.02 102.3 76.2 72.5 73.2 73.5 73.5

19 456 101 98.9 103 480 5.4 928.5 97 1.02 102.3 76.2 72.5 73.3 73.5 73.5

18.8 450 101 98.9 103 480 5.36 926 97 1.02 102.2 76.2 72.5 73.2 73.5 73.5

PREFERRED 19 745,300 456 1,300 101 20 98.9 140 103 60 480 90 5.37 31,600 928 2,670 97 150 1.02 15,000 102.2 5,000 76.2 330 72.5 7,000 73.3 700 73.5 20,000 73.5 20,460

14,160,530 587,130 2,020 13,846 6,180 43,200 169,645 2,475,310 14,550 15,300 511,300 25,146 507,500 51,300 1,470,000 1,503,810

-188,040 116,045 72,500 33,810

LR WARRANT

1.92

2.2

1.92

WARRANTS 2.02 1,302,000

2,705,500

-

ITALPINAS XURPAS

4.4 1.57

4.55 1.57

4.3 1.51

4.53 1.52

2,033,160 12,792,790

-745,700

FIRST METRO ETF

112.1

112.8

111.8

400,625

90,000

TRADING SUMMARY

SHARES

FINANCIAL

13,544,435

INDUSTRIAL

189,510,314

HOLDING FIRMS

73,414,126

PROPERTY

106,980,919

SERVICES

289,731,196

MINING & OIL

193,168,724

GRAND TOTAL

875,139,834

SME

454,000 8,332,000

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 112.5 3,570

VALUE 1,779.60 (up) 3.32 791,336,282.40 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 11,061.69 (down) 13.17 1,207,164,63.01 HOLDING FIRMS 7,422.19 (down) 13.26 1,273,034,724.32 PROPERTY 3,692.06 (down) 36.54 1,459.81 (up) 8.76 1,163,563,672.13 SERVICES MINING & OIL 8,060.22 (down) 122.46 1,303,830,221.628 PSEI 7,563.41 (down) 16.21 127,099,293.192 All Shares Index 4,544.13 (up) 2.42 5,881,257,484.18 Gainers: 117; Losers: 78; Unchanged: 42; Total: 237

PSE seeks changes in tender offer regulations

By Jenniffer B. Austria THE Philippine Stock Exchange plans to implement changes on the valuation and issuance of fairness opinions related to tender offers to ensure the investing public is not shortchanged.

PSE president Ramon Monzon said in an interview Thursday said the bourse would submit a proposed rule change in the conduct of fairness that will enable the exchange to hire independent valuation providers.

Monzon said a company conducting a tender offer or requiring fairness opinion would be asked to propose three accredited third party valuation companies.

But instead of the company hiring the third party firm, Monzon said the PSE would choose among the three that will conduct the fairness valuation report.

“We will engage the third party company and we will pay for their services.

But we will charge it to the issuer so that there will be no loyalty to issuer,” Monzon said.

The rule change was triggered by the recent tender offer conducted by MCO (Philippines) Investments Ltd., the largest shareholder of gaming firm Melco Resorts and Entertainment (Philippines) Corp.

MCO (Philippines) earlier announced a plan to conduct a tender offer as part of a move to delist from the stock exchange.

MCO Investments hired FTI Consulting Philippines Inc., a PSE-accredited firm, to conduct the valuation and appraisal.

However, several minority investors complained that the tender offer price of P7.25 apiece was too low. MCO Investments, however, proceeded with the tender offer and kept the price P7.25 per share.

Minority shareholders of Melco Resorts also tendered their shares during the offering period, causing the trading of the shares to be suspended as the public ownership dropped to less than 10 percent.

“Everybody was complaining about the valuation of Melco. Everybody saying it is too low. But that is premium to the market already. We were telling the people if the offer price is too low then don’t tender because if will not hit the 10 percent cut off and it not be delisted,” Monzon said.

But since public ownership of Melco Resorts had fallen below the 10-percent requirements, the company would most likely be delisted, he said.

BDO subsidiary recognized for 4th straight year

By Julito G. Rada BDO Private Bank, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the BDO Unibank Inc., the country’s biggest lender, was recognized for the fourth straight year as one of the world’s best private banks by the New York-based Global Finance magazine.

Bank president Albert Yeo said in a statement the bank’s success was a reflection of its clients’ long-standing trust in their expertise and partnership.

“We are humbled to be consistently counted alongside the world’s best private banks by an influential publication read by top decision-makers of multinational companies and financial institutions in nearly 200 countries,” Yeo said.

“As we mark 15 years of BDOPB, we remain committed to our mission to assist our clients manage their wealth and achieve their financial goals,” Yeo said.

Joseph Giarraputo, Global Finance publisher and editorial director, said the selections of the World’s Best Private Banks identified the wealth management teams that were responding most effectively to the mix of challenges and opportunity that characterizes private banking at the start of the 21st century.

“Recent decades have minted unprecedented new ranks of millionaires and billionaires around the world, and they bring a new set of beliefs and attitudes toward wealth. Technology has enabled greater customization of services, but at the same time has raised expectations of service,” Giarraputo said.

Global Finance’s annual World’s Best Private Banks Awards has become a trusted standard of excellence for the global financial community.

Winners are picked for their superiority in serving the specialized needs of high-net-worth clients as they enhance, preserve, and pass on their wealth to the next generation.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Manila

B3

World

Standard

TODAY

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2018 CESAR BARRIOQUINTO, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

China detains third Canadian as Huawei spat simmers

IN BRIEF Trousers caused fatal chopper crash WELLINGTON―A deadly helicopter crash in New Zealand occurred when a loose pair of trousers flew out of the cabin and wrapped around the tail rotor, an investigation found Thursday.

The bizarre circumstances around the crash in October that claimed three lives near the South Island resort town of Wanaka were revealed in an Transport Accident Investigation Commission report.

“There is evidence that a pair of overtrousers that had been packed in the cabin came out of the helicopter and became entangled in the tail rotor,” chief commissioner Jane Meares said.

“Paint marks on the over-trousers matched the color and profile of the tail rotor blades, and marks on a tail rotor blade match a zip and dome connector on the over-trousers.”

Releasing its interim findings, the commission said the case underlined the danger of loose items in helicopter cabins.

The crash occurred on October 18 when the helicopter was taking off, claiming the lives of the pilot Nick Wallis and two conservation department workers.

In another twist, the pilot’s brother Matt Wallis died piloting a helicopter in the same area just months earlier.

The commission also released an interim report into that crash on Thursday, finding the most likely cause was a main rotor drive-shaft failure that caused the helicopter to break-up mid-flight. AFP

US Senate okays bill averting shutdown

WASHINGTON―The US Senate on Wednesday night approved an emergency short-term spending bill that averts a looming government shutdown, but excludes funds that President Donald Trump sought for a US-Mexico border wall.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said the measure will fund normal government operations at current levels through February 8 -- bringing Washington a step closer to avoiding a potentially crippling closure of some federal offices over next week’s coming Christmas holiday.

The bill will need to pass the House of Representatives and be signed by Trump before midnight Friday, when funding is set to expire for key agencies like the Department of Homeland Security.

Republican and Democratic leaders earlier on Wednesday gave strong signals that the stopgap, known as a continuing resolution, would pass Congress and head to the president’s desk.

“It’s good that our Republican colleagues in the Senate finally realized that they should not shut down the government over a wall that does not have enough support to pass the House or Senate and is not supported by a majority of the country,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said upon the bill clearing the Senate. AFP

Mother arrives in US to say bye to her dying son SAN FRANCISCO―A Yemeni mother who was granted a waiver from President Donald Trump’s ban on travel from several Muslim majority countries has arrived in the US to say goodbye to her dying toddler son.

Shaima Swileh wore dark glasses as she walked into the arrivals terminal at San Francisco airport Wednesday night. A group of supporters carrying placards greeted her.

Her two-year-old boy Abdullah Hassan, a US citizen like his father, suffers from a rare genetic brain condition and is on life support in a hospital in Oakland, California.

But Swileh had been unable to join him due to Trump’s order barring visitors from six countries including Yemen.

After a tearful televised plea from the boy’s father prompted public outrage, the US embassy in Cairo issued a visa for Swileh, who has been living temporarily in Egypt.

After the waiver was granted, her husband, Ali Hassan, expressed relief and said, “This will allow us to mourn with dignity.”

Hassan said he had been ready to take his son off life support last week after doctors said the case was terminal, with his wife only receiving automated replies when inquiring with US authorities on her visa application.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations, which is assisting the family, launched a campaign that it said prompted 15,000 emails to elected officials as well as thousands of tweets.

Abdullah’s grandfather earlier told the San Francisco Chronicle that Swileh was crying every day as she wanted to see her son “one last time.”

“To hold him for at least a minute.

She’s not going to see him forever,” he said. AFP

ONE-DAY STRIKE. A policeman walks among South Korean taxis taking part in a one-day strike during a rally calling for

the car-pooling app to be banned, near the National Assembly in Seoul, on December 20, 2018. Tens of thousands of taxi drivers went on a nationwide strike, snarling up traffic in Seoul in the latest protest at a planned Uber-like ride-sharing service. AFP

Suit adds to Facebook woes on data handling W ASHINGTON― Facebook’s woes mounted Wednesday as it faced a lawsuit alleging privacy violations related to data leaked to a consultancy working on Donald Trump’s 2016 campaign, and as a new report suggested it shared more data with partners than it has acknowledged.

Facebook shares, already sagging under the weight of the social network’s troubles, ended the trading day down 7.25 percent to $133.24 and slipped even lower in after-market trades.

The suit filed by the attorney general for the US capital Washington is likely the first by an official US body that could impose consequences on the world’s leading social network for data misuse.

“Facebook failed to protect the privacy of its users and deceived them about who had access to their data and how it was used,” said Attorney General Karl Racine in a statement.

“Facebook put users at risk of manipulation by allowing companies like Cambridge Analytica and other thirdparty applications to collect personal data without users’ permission.”

The suit filed in Superior Court in Washington seeks an injunction to

make sure Facebook puts in place safeguards to monitor users’ data and makes it easier for users to control privacy settings, and demands restitution for consumers.

Facebook said it was reviewing the complaint and looked forward to continuing discussions with attorneys general in DC “and elsewhere.”

The social network has admitted that up to 87 million users may have had their data hijacked by Cambridge Analytica, which shut down weeks after the news emerged on its handling of private user information.

A whistle blower at the consultancy, which worked on Trump’s presidential campaign, said it used Facebook data to develop profiles of users who were targeted with personalized messages that could have played on their fears.

The scandal has triggered a series of investigations and broad review by Facebook on how it shares user data with third parties.

The New York Times reported that some 150 companies—including powerful partners like Amazon, Microsoft, Netflix and Spotify—could access detailed information about Facebook users, including data about their friends.

According to documents seen by the Times, Facebook allowed Microsoft’s Bing search engine to see names of Facebook users’ friends without consent and gave Netflix and Spotify the ability to read private messages.

The report said Amazon was able to obtain user names and contact information through their friends, and Yahoo could view streams of friends’ posts.

Donations pour in for driver who totaled 3 Ferraris

TAIPEI―An exhausted Taiwanese delivery driver who smashed into three Ferraris has been inundated with donations after his plight and eyewatering repair bill sparked a deluge of public sympathy.

Lin Chin-hsiang had a particularly miserable day at work in the early hours of Sunday morning when he drifted off at the wheel while delivering incense to nearby temples on a windy mountain road above Taipei.

He not only managed to wreck his family’s car but also plowed into a trio of Ferraris whose owners had parked by the side of the road midway through a weekend morning drive in the hills.

“I must have fallen asleep, I’m not sure what happened,” the soft-spoken 20-year-old told AFP on Thursday from the incense shop in the capital where he works alongside his mother.

“I will work hard to pay for the damage,” he added.

No-one was hurt in the collision but Lin faces a mammoth bill because his car insurance has a cap on payouts.

Local media quoted Ferrari dealers in Taipei as saying the repairs to the vehicles could cost NT$12 million ($390,000)—a figure that would take Lin decades to pay off.

But ordinary members of the public have flocked to his aid. City authorities said a fund set up to receive donations had so far received NT$814,000 ($26,400).

Many of those donating were inspired by the contrast between the comparatively gilded lives of the Ferrari owners and the overworked man who hurtled into them. AFP

While some of the deals date back as far as 2010, the Times said they remained active as late as 2017 -- and some were still in effect this year.

Facebook late Wednesday pushed back against critics, saying it had carefully negotiated deals with select partners to explore features such as friends sharing what they were listening to on Spotify or watching on Netflix.

“In the past day, we’ve been accused of disclosing people’s private messages to partners without their knowledge,” Facebook vice president of product partnerships Ime Archibong said in a blog post.

“That’s not true.”

To exchange messages or complete tasks such as sharing files or sending money, apps being used require the relevant technical access.

“Why did the messaging partners have read/write/delete messaging access?” Archibong asked rhetorically.

“That was the point of this feature.”

The experiences at issue were publicly discussed, and only available when people used Facebook to log into services, according to the social network.

“No third party was reading your private messages, or writing messages to your friends without your permission,” Archibong said.

Facebook’s head of developer platforms and programs, Konstantinos Papamiltiadis noted most of the features are now gone.

Netflix said that the feature was used to make the streaming service “more social” by allowing users to make recommendations to friends, but that it stopped using it in 2015. AFP

InvItatIon to BId no. 36-2018 The National Irrigation Administration (NIA), Biliran-Leyte del Norte-Leyte del Sur Irrigation Management Office, Marasbaras, Tacloban City through the General Appropriations Act (GAA) 2019 intends to apply the sum corresponding to the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC), to payment for the following contracts listed hereunder.

The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) now invites bids for: Item/Description

Approved Budget

Duration

1. BNLSL-LCB-23-2019 – Restoration/ Rehabilitation of Diversion Works, Canal, Farm Level and Road System of Tagbawto CIS, Hilongos, Leyte

28,500,032.19

360 cd

Interested bidders must submit a Letter of Intent and may submit the Class “A” documents addressed to the Chairman, Bids and Awards Committee, NIA, Biliran-Leyte del Norte-Leyte del Sur Irrigation Management Office, Marasbaras, Tacloban City.

Interested bidders must submit bid proposals in three (3) copies, one (1) original copy and two (2) duplicate copies.

The schedules of BAC activities are as follows:

GOVERNMENT SERVICE INSURANCE SYSTEM (GSIS), Mortgagee/s, -versusSPS. RHODA BEQUISO and MARLON A. BEQUISO,

FRE NO. 12475

Mortgagor/s. x-------------------------------------------------------x

NOTICE OF EXTRA-JUDICIAL SALE OF REAL PROPERTY UNDER ACT 3135 (AS AMENDED) UPON extra-judicial petition under ACT 3135, as amended by ACT 4118, and pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Deed of Real Estate Mortgage executed on July 1, 2003 by SPS. RHODA BEQUISO and MARLON A. BEQUISO – No. 39 Maria St., F.B. De Jesus, Nagkaisang Nayon, Quezon City/Block 4, Lot 17 Ruby St., Queensland Village, Damong Maliit, Novaliches, Quezon City, Mortgagor/s in favor of GOVERNMENT SERVICE INSURANCE SYSTEM (GSIS), Mortgagee/s to satisfy the mortgage debt in the amount of P291,193.87 as of October 31, 2018 inclusive of interest, penalties and other charges as per Statement of Account and excluding foreclosure expenses, attorney’s fees and other charges up to the date of sale, the Ex-Officio Sheriff of the Regional Trial Court of Quezon City and/or his duly authorized Deputy Sheriff, hereby announces that on JANUARY 15, 2019, between the hours of 9:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M., at the Office of Clerk of Court & Ex-Officio Sheriff, Regional Trial Court, Hall of Justice Bldg., Elliptical Road, Diliman, Quezon City, will SELL through public auction to the highest bidder and for cash, in Philippine currency, the following described real property/ies with all the improvements existing thereon, to wit:

“A parcel of land (Lot 5, Block 5, of the subd. Plan, Psd-007404-030463-D, being a portion of Lot 2, Pcs-13002798, LRC Rec. No. 6563), situated in the Brgy. Of Nagkaisang Nayon, Quezon City, Metro Manila, Island of Luzon, Bounded on the SW., along line 1-2 by Lot 7, Block 5, on the NW., along line 2-3 by Road Lot 2, on the NE., along line 3-4 by Lot 1, Block 5, along line 4-5 by Lot 2, Block 5; and on the SE., along line 5-1 by Lot 6, Block 5, all of the subd. plan xxx containing an area of Forty Two (42) Square Meters, more or less xxx xxx xxx” All sealed bids must be submitted to the undersigned at the aforesaid Office on the above-stated date and time.

Schedule

Time

Interested parties are hereby enjoined to investigate for themselves the title/s to the said property/ies and the encumbrances thereon, if there be any.

Starting December 21, 2018 to January 08, 2019 December 28, 2018 January 09, 2019

8:00 a.m to 5:00 p.m 10:00 a.m.

2:00 p.m.

In the event that public auction should not take place on the said date due to fortuitous event or if the same be declared a non-working holiday, it shall be held on JANUARY 22, 2019 at the same time and place without further notice.

BAC Activities

2. Pre-Bid Conference 3. Receipt and Opening of Bids

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES REGIONAL TRIAL COURT NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGION OFFICE OF THE EX-OFFICIO SHERIFF QUEZON CITY

TRANSFER CERTIFICATE OF TITLE NO. N-251419 Registry of Deeds – Quezon City

Bidding will be conducted in accordance with relevant procedures for open competitive bidding as specified in the IRR of RA 9184. Bids received in excess of ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening. The contract shall be awarded to the Lowest Calculated Responsive Bidder (LCRB) who was determined as such during post-qualification.

1. Issuance of Bid Documents

OTTAWA―China has arrested a third Canadian national, Ottawa said Wednesday -- a move that comes amid an already tense diplomatic spat with Beijing over the arrest of a Chinese telecom executive.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau however emphasized that the arrest did not seem to be linked to a former diplomat and an entrepreneur held for allegedly endangering China’s national security.

“We are looking into the details (but) this most recent one doesn’t seem to fit the pattern set by the previous two,” Trudeau told a press conference.

Earlier, foreign ministry spokeswoman Maegan Graveline said the government was “aware” of another Canadian citizen being detained in China, without providing further details. The citizen has not been identified.

Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told a regular press briefing that she had “not heard” about the detention, first reported by Canada’s daily National Post.

All three arrests follow the detention of Huawei chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou on December 1 in Vancouver on a US request.

Meng was released on bail last week pending a US extradition hearing on US fraud charges related to sanctions-breaking business dealings with Iran.

China detained former Canadian diplomat Michael Kovrig and China-based business consultant Michael Spavor on December 10.

No link has officially been made between the cases, but suspicions are mounting that China is holding at least two of the Canadian nationals in retaliation.

Kovrig took an unpaid leave from his diplomatic post last year to work as a Hong Kong-based senior advisor at the International Crisis Group think tank, while Spavor facilitates trips to North Korea, including visits by former NBA star Dennis Rodman.

Beijing threatened Canada with “grave consequences” if Meng was not freed and Chinese state-run media lashed out at the arrest, saying it was politically motivated.

Ottawa has repeatedly said Meng’s arrest was not political but rather part of a judicial process in keeping with an extradition treaty with Washington.

Canadian officials have been granted consular access to both Kovrig and Spavor.

But Trudeau told Toronto’s Citytv last week that Ottawa was still “trying to figure out why, [and] trying to work with China to demonstrate that this not acceptable.” AFP

A complete set of Bidding Documents may be purchased by the interested bidders from the address above and upon payment of a non-refundable fee of P25,000.00 for Contracts above P10.0M up to P50.0M to the Cashier.

NIA reserves the right to accept or reject any bid, to annul the bidding process, and to reject at any time prior to contract award, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders.

For further information, please refer to: CATHERINE G. MACANIP National Irrigation Administration Marasbaras, Tacloban City (053) 888-1514

(Sgd.) RAYMOND A. BUENAVENTURA Sheriff IV (Sgd.) GREGORIO C. TALLUD Clerk of Court VII & Ex-Officio Sheriff WARNING: It is absolutely prohibited to remove, deface or destroy this Notice of Sheriff’s Sale on or before the date of the auction sale under penalty of the law.

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Quezon City, Metro Manila, December 3, 2018.

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

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FRODAY, DECEMBER 21, 2018

LGUs LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

Special listup for IPs eyed

B

AGUIO CITY—The government is considering making “special arrangements” for the registration of Indigenous Peoples and those living in remote villages, along with minors, senior citizens, persons with disability, and persons in institutional households for the National ID System.

“There might be special registrations in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas [GIDA],” Rose Tecio of the Philippine Identification System Registry Office disclosed at the 2018 Economic and Financial Literacy Forum here.

With the Philippine Identification System Act now in effect, the Philippine Statistics Authority is conducting information dissemination campaigns all over the country.

On Monday, the PSA, through the

PhilSys Registry Office, briefed students and government and private sector employees in the City of Pines.

“PhilSys is a foundational identification system that will provide a valid proof of identity for all citizens and resident aliens as a means of simplifying public and private transactions,” Tecio said.

She added the procurement of IDmaking machines is now in the bidding process while actual registration has not yet started.

Tecio said the National ID System aims to promote seamless government service delivery, ease of doing business, efficient governance, and financial in-

clusion while reducing corruption.

“This will serve as the official government-issued identification document of cardholders,” she said, stressing that only the initial issuance of the ID is free.

Demographic and biometric Information of a person shall be collected upon registration. For children below five years old, only the demographic information and front-facing photograph will be collected.

Tecio said the PhilSys ID can be used in various transactions, including school enrollment, admission to hospitals, opening of bank accounts, and employment purposes. PNA

‘Kaon Na Ta’ fest highlights food ethic of Negros BACOLOD CITY—Negros Occidental’s reputation when it comes to good food is being highlighted during the three-day “Kaon Na ‘Ta” Food and Travel Festival, which started Wednesday afternoon at Ayala Malls Capitol Central here.

Tourism Undersecretary Arturo Boncato Jr., who declared the opening of the festival, said visitors expect the food in the province to be of high standards.

“We always look forward to the really delicious and wonderful food here,” he said.

“It is fitting that the last edition of the festival is celebrated in this beautiful city of Bacolod and province of Negros Occidental,” Boncato said, noting that 22 exhibitors are participating in the event.

The food-travel festival series conceptualized by Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat was also held in the cities of Legazpi, Cebu, Cagayan de Oro, Sta. Rosa City, and Davao City this year in partnership with the Ayala Malls.

During the opening program, Boncato was joined by Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr., Bong Dy of Ayala Malls and Bacolod City Administrator John Orola in the ceremonial lamb slicing and wine toasting.

In his speech, Boncato said the vision of the DOT is to celebrate Filipino cuisine not only in Metro Manila, but in all regions of the country.

Most importantly, they are also looking at celebrating the whole ecosystem supporting Filipino cuisine, he added.

Boncato said food and culinary, along with farm tourism, is fast-becoming a major player in the mainstream global tourism industry.

These products attract the new generation of travelers looking for a more customized, interactive and meaningful celebration, experiences and destinations, he noted. PNA

Real estate fair

by Habitat set

CIRCUIT ON. Ayala Malls Circuit, ‘Makati’s Speedway to Entertainment’ officially opened its doors to the dynamic community of Makati, inviting all those within the area to experience a fun, new world of exciting experiences. Leading the official launch were (from left) Makati Rep. Luis Campos Jr., Ayala Malls Circuit General Manager Catherine De Leon, Ayala Malls Group Area Head for Central Malls Joseph Reyes, Ayala Malls Deputy Head Mariana Zobel de Ayala, Vice Mayor Monique Lagdameo, Mayor Abigail Binay, Ayala Malls Group Head Yeng Tupaz, Ayala Malls Operations Head for Luzon Mei-Mei Bauzon, and Ayala partner Simeon Cua.

Clark CSR Summit draws 50 locators CLARK FREEPORT—More than 50 representatives from various locators in this Freeport participated in the recent and the first ever Clark Social Responsibility Summit spearheaded by Clark Development Corp.

With the initiatives to maximize resources and create a sustainable impact in our community through a shared goals and effective working, the said summit aims to unite locators who are passionate in giving back to community through the establishment of The Clark CSR Association Inc. Attendees of the said summit are Clark locators with or without existing CSR programs or projects, corporate foundations, and newly established companies/ locators in Clark.

During the event, CDC president and CEO Noel F. Manankil mentioned that the creation of the organization will ush-

er in more opportunities to assess more relevant projects for the community.

“It makes more sense to put together a body and come up with a CSR body that will assess the most relevant CSR projects that we can do. When we say relevant, they are inclusive, they are sustainable and they have the highest impact,” Manankil said.

Manankil also noted that reaching out to the community is also a form of reinforcing investments, highlighting that communities are also a component of a successful business.

“We can all pool our resources and select the beneficiaries and then we become more relevant. New name for CSR is CSI, Corporate Social Investment: I think that is a new term, we are investing in our communities.

I think this is a very good first step, I hope we will increase in number and we will be more relevant,” he added. Romeo Dizon

JAIL VISIT. The Public Attorney’s Office led by its chief lawyer Persida Rueda-Acosta

conducts a legal, medical, dental, and optical jail visitation and decongestion outreach program on Thursday for inmates of the Correctional Institution for Women in Nueve de Pebrero, Mandaluyong City. Manny Palmero

P’sinan Provincial Capitol on stamp

KAPAMPANGAN’S BEST. 1-Pacman Party-list Rep. Mikee Romero poses with Kapampangans of Guagua, during the turnover ceremony of ambulance units for barangays Maquiapo (above) and Sta. Ursula (below). Romero said he will ‘never get tired helping my country’ and promised to return for more aid to the province. Lino Santos

THE Pangasinan Provincial Capitol, one of the eight Architectural Treasures of the Philippines by the Filipino Heritage Festival of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, is immortalized in the recent launch of the centennial commemorative stamp by the Philippine Postal Corp. (PhilPost) and the Provincial Government of Pangasinan.

In a tribute activity dubbed “Talintao” held in Lingayen, the Capitol was feted by the PhilPost as the seat of the provincial government which stands as an icon of commitment to the preservation of Pangasinan’s built heritage.

It was also cited as reflecting the aspirations and ambitions of every Pangasinanense which keeps the edifice strong and sturdy, more than its grandeur and beauty.

The neoclassical building was completed in December 1918 and was inaugurated on Feb. 11, 1919 with the holding of a nine-day provincial fair and exposition.

MANDAUE CITY—Habitat for Humanity Philippines recently kicked off its first-ever real estate fair at the Pacific Mall Mandaue here.

“Ang Real Estate Fair na May Puso (With a Heart)” stays true to Habitat’s mandate that everyone deserves a decent place to live.

A portion of the rental fees from Cebu’s top real estate developers will be donated to fund Habitat Philippines projects.

Property developers who participated in the fair are AboitizLand Inc., Mandani Bay, Priland Development Corp., Amaia Land Corp., Softouch Property Development Corp., Primary Homes Inc., Eastland Property Ventures Inc., and Orchard Property Marketing Corp.

As part of the program, Vicsal Foundation Board of Trustee, Habitat Philippines Board member and Pacific Mall Corp. president Dr. Edward Gaisano, Vicsal Foundation president Marco Ang de Leon and Vicsal Foundation executive director Liezel Lupina presented coin banks to show their continuous support to Habitat Philippines.

Vicsal Foundation has been a Habitat partner since 2017.

Habitat Philippines Board member Dr. Edward Gaisano, Habitat Philippines COO Lili Fuentes, Greentech Development Corp. CEO Kaiser Tan, and VP of Operations Hilary Manansala will sign a memorandum of agreement to officially launch their partnership in helping families in need.

Through the partnership called, “Home for a Home,” Greentech will sponsor a Habitat home for every house the Cebu-based property developer will sell.

Mitsubishi firm backs KC tree planting TO COLLABORATE for a greener future, Mitsubishi Electric Corporation and local affiliate International Elevator & Equipment, Inc. supported Knights of Columbus’ tree-planting activity called “Faith in Action: Save the Earth, Plant a Tree” which was recently held in the Grotto Area of the National Bilibid Prison Reservation in Barangay Poblacion, Muntinlupa City.

Employees, executives, and partners of Mitsubishi Electric and IEE volunteered in the planting of a thousand alibangbang, duhat, and langka seeds.

Participating in the activity is part of Mitsubishi Electric’s commitment to carbon reduction and biodiversity preservation in the Philippines and the Asia Pacific region which is espoused in the company’s Environmental Vision 2021.

“Our goal is to be a leading ‘green’ company that contributes to the safety, security, and comfort as well as sustainability of communities,” said Katsumi Fujisaki, General Manager of the Mitsubishi Electric Asia Pte Ltd Environmental Strategy.

The company draws up an Environmental Plan every three years to implement its advocacy. In 2018, program

pillars were identified that focused on creating low carbon societies, recyclingbased communities, harmony with nature, and strengthening environmental preservation capabilities.

“Our biodiversity preservation activities have expanded to almost all Mitsubishi Electric business sites. The planet needs to be protected for future generations and we’re doing our part by manufacturing eco-efficient products and by planting trees which is equally important,” emphasized Fujisaki.

In 2017, Mitsubishi Electric embarked on a tree planting activity in Tayak Hills in Rizal, Laguna.

This year, the company supported Knights of Columbus which is a global Catholic-based fraternal organization engaged in charity and a broad range of services to fellow members and to those in need. Environment-related activities are part of Knights of Columbus Luzon Jurisdiction’s schedule of activities every year, including Linis Kalikasan or the Coastal Cleanup in the Las Piñas-Parañaque Critical Habitat and Ecotourism Area, in cooperation with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

Life Realism with a touch ARTS AND CULTURE

Bernadette Lunas, Issue Editor manilastandardlife@gmail.com @manilastandardlife @MStandardLIFE FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2018

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of Filipino

contemporaneity

A

group exhibition, opening today and will run until Jan. 7 at the ArtistSpace in Ayala Museum, presents time-tested Realism genres imbued with a fresh palette of Filipino contemporaneity.

Realism according to Jonathan Rañola, Joseph Villamar, and Janice Luison-Young of the group show Trilogy, is comfortably situated in a position of being an “eye candy” to lure our sight to awe, and by such allurement lead the onlooker to an affectation of sentimental warmth.

Aspects of form, harmony, and unity were clearly articulated by the artists of Trilogy.

Luison-Young in depicting flowers in full bloom delicately unraveled the peculiar fold, tinge of softness, tone of refracted light, and supple hue of each petal radiating from their center. This lovely series may bring in nuances from Georgia O’Keefe’s series of floral oil paintings.

For Luison-Young, taking the flower theme and using its radial formation as an image to entice the viewer acts as a perception valve to switch one’s focus to a mode of visual contemplation—to simply attend to what is visibly and directly attractive and natural. To O’Keeffe, the delicate blooms stood as some of the most overlooked pieces of naturally occurring beauty, objects that the bustling contemporary world ignored.

For Rañola’s variations on the theme of innocent playfulness, what can be perceived right away is a language of visual opulence teeming with life, ostensibly unfolding a lush weaving of nature forms in a manner Art Nouveau interlaces pictorial elements.

Movement, suggested here by the undulating lines and ink stipples, also adds to the dynamics of emotions in relationship to its idyllic fount of inspiration. As an accomplished book illustrator, Rañola patiently tell a familiar story (also taken by Amorsolo) about a child’s wonder and about a devotional cuddle of a motherbabe embrace.

Inventively presented in embellished frames, his works ultimately speak about billows of imagination engulfing the young lost in fantasy represented repeatedly as intertwining foliage, and as windblown hair locks (among other compositional cues). Thus, his picture-making ventures created scenes and portraits that float like thought emblems caught in past memories

‘Blink II’ by Janice Luison-Young his own trademark figure, and his invention of the Filipina archetypal model, i.e., the dalagang bukid of yesteryears. Timeless because any artist who successfully plugged into the genre of the Madonna and Child motif is like charging an iPhone to an electric outlet, and expect it to work efficiently.

Perfect because Villamar applied all the admonitions of a stalwart Realist—that subject, line, color, composition, and interpretation must be set on the observable matrix of the physical world, and the canons of art. And Filipino because the distinct facial expression, complexion, poise, and earth swatch of pigments applied on each painting had appealed to the full regalia of image and sentiment characteristic to iconic Filipino.

No less than the masterful approach of figuration of a Vicente Manansala and of a Burne Hogarth did Villamar, with utter confidence, took the age-old genre in skillful rendition to offer viewers this cherished image of maternal bond.

In his propensity to make countless editions

‘A Mysterious Rose’ by Jonathan Ranola

‘Three Graces’ by Jonathan Ranola of childhood glee.

Masterly. Timeless. Perfect. Filipino. Nothing bears the nearness of a description to the works of Villamar than approximating them to these four words.

Masterly because many art enthusiasts may liken Villamar’s rendition of the country lass motif to the manner how Amorsolo created it as

of the mother-child motif, the Batangueño artist continues to raise the counter-argument to the postmodernist’s belief that anything traditional is passé, and stress further that art from the past continues to be cogently traditional and traditionally cogent. In other words, ageless motifs are inexhaustible wells of inspiration.–Raul G. Rodriguez

‘Sybilla’ by Jonathan Ranola

51 Shell NSAC st

winners present perspectives on future

THE winners of Pilipinas Shell’s 51st National Student Art Competition showcased their vision of the future in oil and acrylic, watercolor, sculpture, and digital fine arts.

For more than half a century, the NSAC has produced a number of renowned artists including National Artists Jose Joya, Federico Alcuaz, Ang Kiukok, and Ben Cabrera.

Celebrating the last 50 years of this social investment project, the art competition for students continues to visualize a future filled with art and life as part of its thrust toward a bright future for energy, innovation, and artistic living.

“Shell is not only about road safety, efficient fuel sources, and environmental awareness. One of our long-standing goals is to continually foster Filipino art by discovering young artists,” said Shell Companies in the Philippines country chairman Cesar Romero. “NSAC has always been the venue for recognizing potential and giving these artists a chance to make their own mark in the industry.”

Close to 1,000 entries from all over the country were submitted to the recent competition. Of these, three winners were chosen for each of four categories.

The winning student-artists were named on Nov. 12 at the Ayala Museum.

In the oil and acrylic category, Almario Tangalin from Navotas Polytechnic College won first place for his work “Up Side Down.” Gyles Maverick Abac from University of the Philippines Diliman and John Michael Pujante from University of the Philippines Cebu bagged second and third, respectively.

Michael Jay Ramos from Eulogio Amang Rodriguez Institute of Science and Technology was named first place in the watercolor category for his piece “Retrospective.” Joshua Villena from iACADEMY took home the second spot, while Bernice Michaella Cruz from University of Santo Tomas bagged the third spot.

Adventist University of the Philippines’ student Lorebert Comision was named champion in sculpture category for his

‘Retrospective,’ a watercolor artwork by Michael Ramos

‘Up Side Down,’ an oil and acrylic painting by Almario Tangalin

work “LODI,” followed by Harlem Sunga of Tarlac State University and Joegan Espina of Eulogio Amang Rodriguez Institute of Science and Technology in second and third, respectively.

Patricia Mangahas from Far Eastern University emerged victorious in digital fine arts category for her work “I.C.U.” Charles Bryan Alba from Technological University of the Philippines was named second and Azriel Domingo from University of Rizal System-Angono was awarded the third prize.

First place winners in four categories each received P60,000, P20,000 grant in support of faculty development, and a plaque of citation. Second place winners, on the other hand, each received P40,000, while third place winners took home P30,000 each.

Much like in previous years, Pilipinas Shell gathered the country’s top artists from different specializations to serve as judges for this season’s competition.

Painters and master artists Lito Carating and Raul Lebajo, art critic and scholar Cid Reyes, multimedia artist Jose Tence Ruiz, and former Dean of UP Fine Arts Nestor Olarte Vinluan handpicked the top three winners in the oil and acrylic category.

Master painters Antipas Delotavo, Pablo Baen Santos, and Edgar Doctor were in charge of the watercolor category.

Master sculptors Michael Cacnio, Ral Arrogante, and Reggie Yuson served as the judges for the sculpture category.

Renowned visual artists Pablo Biglang-awa Jr., Ross Capili, Dopy Doplon, Lex Kabigting, and Norberto “Peewee” Roldan picked the winners in the digital fine arts category.

Entertainment

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2018

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nickie.standard@gmail.com

GMA News and Public Affairs receives innovation grant from YouTube It’s time for a ‘Fantastica’ Christmas

The GMA team behind “Stand for Truth”: (from left) Senior Program Manager Nowell Cuanang, First Vice President for Public Affairs Nessa Valdellon, Assistant Vice President Jaileen Jimeno, and GMA News Online Editor-in-chief Jaemark Tordecilla.

G

MA News and Public Affairs—the most internationally-awarded broadcast news organization in the country—has just received an innovation funding grant from the world’s leading online video platform YouTube.

The grant enables GMA News and Public Affairs to mount a major innovation project involving news. The winning proposal: “Stand for Truth: powered by GMA’s Digital Video Lab”—a weeknight news program produced by the young, for the young—will contain elements never been used before in traditional GMA newscasts.

The newscast will be headlined by a young set of anchors with reporters from all over the country and will be powered by the GMA Digital Video Lab. It will incorporate music, the latest in mobile journalism and new storytelling tools for online publishing. “Stand for Truth” is set to launch a month before the 2019 elections.

“This is our opportunity to create a prototype of the GMA

newsroom of the future,” shares GMA Network’s First Vice President for Public Affairs Nessa Valdellon. “We will be producing ‘Stand for Truth’ with YouTube’s funding – a newscast for younger viewers which will innovate in its digital executions.

We can’t help but be excited!” she adds.

Through “Stand for Truth”, GMA News and Public Affairs will train and develop young, principled journalists from all over the country to continue the legacy of the GMA newsroom as they help equally young viewers understand and then take a stand on important issues.

Together with Valdellon in conceptualizing “Stand for Truth” are Assistant Vice President for Public Affairs Jaileen Jimeno and Senior Program Manager Nowell Cuanang.

The GMA Digital Video Lab, on the other hand, is the brainchild of GMA News Online Editor-in-chief Jaemark Tordecilla.

As a recipient of the YouTube Innovation grant, GMA News and Public Affairs further cements its place in the industry as the most credible broadcast news organization in the country.

It remains the only Philippine organization to have won the prestigious George Foster Peabody Award—four times at that.

It also produces the Philippines’ highest rating news and public affairs programs.

K-Pop superband BTS brings $3.6b a year to South Korea SOUTH Korean boyband BTS is worth more than $3.6 billion to the country’s economy every year—equivalent to the contribution of 26 mid-sized companies —a research institute said Tuesday.

The floppy-haired songsters were also the reason that one in every 13 foreign tourists visited South Korea in 2017, the Hyundai Research Institute said.

Known for their boyish good looks and meticulously choreographed dance moves, members of BTS—short for Bangtan Sonyeondan, which translates as Bulletproof Boy Scouts—have become one of South Korea’s best-known and most valuable musical exports.

Earlier this year the septet became the first K-pop band to top the US album charts, a sign of the genre’s growing global appeal.

That appeal has helped boost the brand image of South Korean products abroad, the institute said, making BTS a valuable economic asset.

Researchers estimated the group’s socalled annual production inducement effect—the total economic value generated by related industries—at 4.1 trillion won ($3.63 billion) annually, the same as 26 mid-sized South Korean

NATIONAL TREASURE. A new study found that K-Pop boyband BTS contributes more than $3.6 billion yearly to South Korean economy. companies.

Some 800,000 tourists were believed to have chosen South Korea as their destination last year because of BTS— more than seven percent of the total visitors to the country.

More than $1 billion in consumer

exports, such as clothes, cosmetics, and foodstuffs, were associated with them, it said.

If BTS maintain their popularity they can be expected to generate an economic value of 41.8 trillion won over the next 10 years, the institute added. AFP

RELIVE CATRIONA’s triumph on Sunday’s Best and Metro Channel

Relive Catriona’s conquest of the Miss Universe summit on ABS-CBN’s Sunday’s Best.

FILIPINOS can watch again Catriona Gray’s triumphant reclaiming of the Miss Universe crown for the Philippines as the pageant airs on ABS-CBN’s Sunday’s Best right after Gandang Gabi Vice, and becomes available for livestreaming on iWant this coming Sunday (Dec. 23). It will also be available to SKYcable subscribers on Monday (Dec. 24) at 3:00 p.m. on Metro Channel.

Catriona’s quest for the Philippine’s fourth Miss Universe title was aired live from Muang Thong Thani, Thailand, last Dec. 17 at 8:00 a.m. on ABS-CBN and via free livestreaming on the ABSCBN Live channel on ABS-CBN’s streaming service iWant.

Dressed in a fiery red gown that stood out in a line-up of women mostly in silver-colored gowns, Catriona bested 93 women from around the world, occasionally stealing the show with her signature “Lava Walk.”

The crowd in Thailand was so enamored by her stunning red gown that drew inspiration from the Mayon Volcano from her home province of Albay.

Comedian Steve Harvey and model Ashley Graham hosted the pageant as TV personality Carson Kressley and runway coach Lu Sierra provided the commentary throughout the event with R&B superstar Ne-Yo throwing everyone back to the early 2000s with his single “Ms. Independent.”

Samaritan Home for the Elderly in Marikina, Craniofacial Foundation of the Philippines in Manila, Sta. Maria de Mattias in Marikina and the Bantay Bata Children’s Village in Bulacan.

The happiness in the eyes of the kids at the Bantay Bata Children’s IT’S the time of the year again Village were incomparable as they when Vice Ganda serves the spent quality time with Piolo Pascual, Filipinos, especially the kids, absolute Edward Barber, Maymay Entrata, fun and laughter for almost two hours Eric Nicolas, Enzo Pineda, Luke Alford, John Bermundo, Sharlene in movie houses.

In Fantastica, Vice teams up with San Pedro, Heaven Peralejo, the most bankable stars and love Ysabel Ortega, Vivoree Esclito, teams to make sure that the tradition Yasmyne Suarez, Gerard Acao, Karl of making every Kapamilya happy Gabriel, Luis Hontiveros, Mark Rivera and JM de Guzman. continues.

A fun yet heartfelt program and Directed by Barry Gonzalez, the film also stars Richard Gutierrez, gift-giving event marked the elderlies’ Dingdong Dantes, Maymay day in Good Samaritan Home for the Entrata & Edward Barber, Loisa Elderly as Maja Salvador, Gerald Andalio & Ronnie Alonte, Kisses Anderson, Joseph Marco, RK Delavin & Donny Pangilinan, Bela Bagatsing, Jayson Gainza, Elmo Padilla, Ryan Bang, and the award- Magalona, Jane Oineza, Sofia Andres, Maris Racal, Alexa Ilacad, winning Jaclyn Jose.

Fantastica is about Bellat (Vice). Darren Espanto, AC Bonifacio, She wants to rebuild the carnival called Axel Torres, Kyle Velino, Joj and “Perya Wurtzbach” to save it from Jaj Agpangan, Lala Vinzon, Sarah bankruptcy. The perya also serves as Carlos, Loren Burgos, Hiyasmin their home—Bellat, her mother Fec Neri, Belle Mariano, Ashley Colet, (Jaclyn), and her adopted brothers Melizza Jimenez, Nikki Gonzales, Daks (Ronnie), Pepe (Edward), and Amy Nobleza, Chantal Videla, Raine Salamante, Kira Balinger and Alora Junjun (Donny).

But because the family is deep in Sasam came to visit, as well as debt, it is threatened with eviction child stars, Bourne Luna, Omar from the land by the family of Uddin and Robbie Wachtel.

Meanwhile, the kids in Sta. Maria de Bellat’s former best friend, Dong Nam (Dingdong), until an old friend, Mattias had unique entertainment and Prince Pryce (Richard), comes along fun games together with Sue Ramirez, and offers a deal—help him find the Nash Aguas, Jairus Aquino, Kim lost princesses of their magical land Cruz, Desiree del Valle, Boom named “Fantastica:” Rapunselya Labrusca, Ryan Rems, Kitkat, (Loisa), Maulan (Maymay), and Jenny Miller, Gillian Vicencio and Ariella (Kisses) in exchange for child stars Xia Vigor, Lance Lucido, Myel de Leon, Hannah Vito, Uno helping her rebuild the perya.

In their preparation for their return Bibo, Andrez del Rosario and Erika to “Fantastica,” everyone realizes Clemente.

Finally, the children at the that the portal needs to be opened and it can be done by gathering 10,000 Craniofacial Foundation of the “palakhak” (clap+laughter), and the Philippines only had good memories to only way to do such is to re-launch bring with them that day as they joined “The Perfect Show” that “Perya the activities prepared by Zanjoe Marudo, Harvey Bautista, Krystal Wurtzbach” was once known for.

Also in the cast are MC Muah, Mejes, Krystal Brimner, Mitch Lassy Marquez, Chokoleit, Naco, Daniela Stranner, Inigo Juliana Parizcova Segovia, Joven Pascual and Liza Soberano.

Apart from donations in kind, each Olvido, and Hap Rice.

Produced by ABS-CBN institution also received 80 thousand Films’ Star Cinema and Viva cash donations each from Star Magic in Films, Fantastica among the eight order to aid in their other needs. *** official entry to the Metro Manila Film Christmas party for seniors Festival 2018.

Makati Mayor Abby Binay and *** Actor is after Bulacan’s top post former Makati Mayor and Vice Third termer Vice Governor of President Jejomar Binay had fun Bulacan Daniel Fernando (born with the city’s senior citizens from 33 Cesar Fernando Ramirez) was on the barangays during the 2018 Christmas rise as an actor in the late 1990s. And Party for Senior Citizens in Belhe could have been an established Air on Nov. 23. Also present were actor if public service did not beckon. Congressman Luis Campos and Vice Fernando appeared in Peque Mayor Monique Lagdameo.

The elderlies were treated to a Gallaga’s erotic film Scorpio Nights and Lino Brocka’s study of male banquet. A raffle was held with exotic dancers Macho Dancer among numerous prizes that delighted them. others, mostly produced by Viva At the party, Mayor Abby Binay Films. He also appeared in numerous reiterated her plan in 2019 to grant P10,000 additional cash incentive per TV shows on GMA and ABS-CBN. “But public service got the better of year to those aged 90 to 99, which me,” he said and ever since 1998 when will resume after they receive their he became board member representing P100,000 centennial cash gift, from age the 2nd District of Bulacan, Fernando 101 onward for as long as they live.

Theproposal has been submitted to the has stayed on as public servant, loving every minute of it. And now, he is after Sangguniang Panlungsod for its approval. the governorship, with no less than Earlier, she ordered the early distribution DILG Usec. Martin Dino endorsing of the yearend cash gift amounting to P148.6 million to over 82,000 Blu Card him. holders, from Nov. 19 until Dec. 12. *** Gift-giving started early for Star Pamaskong Handog bags with assorted canned goods, t-shirts and ingredients Magic artists Proving that the Yuletide Season is for the traditional noche buena were always better when you share your distributed with the cash gift. *** blessings and your heart, Star Magic More stories of these kinds at www. has chosen four institutions this year with whom the artists shared their isah.red. Follow me on Facebook (@isahvr), Twitter (@isahvred) and time, talent, laughter and gifts with.

The chosen institutions were Good Instagram (@isahvred). ΙŘ

‘Fantastica’ lead star Vice Ganda

Motoring

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2018

CALTEX TEST REVEALS

Not all fuels are created equal C altex has revealed the results of a borescope test conducted in October of this year, achieving an average of 9.7 out of 10 score rating in Asia and 9.8 out of 10 in the Philippines on the cleanliness of engine intake valves when Caltex with Techron, now with Clean & Glide Technology is used regularly.

Caltex’s borescope test was conducted in four Asian markets (Philippines, Hong Kong, Cambodia and Thailand) where 694 valves from 94 cars were inspected.

The test utilized a Karl Storz borescope to examine the interior of a vehicle’s fuel system, comparing against the industry standard Co-operative Research Council (CRC) Intake Valve Deposit (IVD) rating system, where 10 denotes perfectly clean.

A clean engine is important as when there is dirt buildup, the mixture of air and fuel is disrupted; impacting performance, power, acceleration, fuel economy and emissions.

The showcase event in Makati City on December 13 was attended by car club members and enthusiasts. Greg Engeler, Chevron’s Product Engineering Manager for Asia Pacific, shared the findings of the borescope test.

“The recent borescope test once again helps demonstrate to local motorists that not all fuels are created equal. Since our last test in 2013, Caltex fuels continue to work at keeping parts clean, thereby contributing to five performance benefits – maximized power, better fuel economy, lower emissions, a smoother drive, and reliable performance,” shares Engeler.

“This is also the first time the new Cal-

CPI country chairman Louie Zhang (left) and Chevron’s Product Engineering Manager for Asia Pacific Greg Engeler

Hyundai showcases future of automotive store CEBU City. Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc. and Hyundai Cebu, Inc. are set to lead digital transformation in the automotive industry with the grand launch of Hyundai City Store Cebu, the first Hyundai City Store in the Asia and Pacific region.

Launched in 2016, the Hyundai City Store con-

cept is a pioneering initiative of Hyundai Motor Company to widen the brand’s reach from traditional dealers to urban locations, providing customers with convenient, innovative, and personalized purchase experiences through digital retail stores.

Present during the Hyundai City Store Cebu handover of plaque of recognition ceremony were (from left)): Chairman of Hyundai Cebu Inc., Ruben Almendras, Hyundai Motor Company, Director, Asia & Pacific Regional Headquarters Yong Suk Lee, Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc. President & CEO Ma. Fe PerezAgudo, President of Hyundai Cebu, Inc Edward Onglatco, HCI Treasurer Margarita Onglatco, Danessa Onglatco, and Joseph Onglatco.

The newly opened 80-square meter City Store at SM City Cebu aims to transform the traditional customer journey through various digital attractions. As customers enter the City Store, they are presented with creative rendition of vehicle information and purchase benefits through the LEDpowered Media Wall. They are then accommodated by competent Hyundai Sales Consultants at the Reception Zone, and brought to the dedicated Customer Lounge and Consulting Zones for inquiries and dealings. They can also personally check out the Car Display Zone, and at the same time, have easy access to swatches and features of other Hyundai vehicles at the Touchable Closet Zone. Hyundai merchandise may also be purchased at the Accessory Zone.

At the core of these digital zones is the Car Configurator Zone. This easy-to-use dashboard allows customers to view 3D content and realtime information, such as features and functions, price comparison, stocks available, and specifications, of any Hyundai vehicle of their interest. It can also securely facilitate transactions, including checking of inventories, issuing quotations, and processing of payments.

Hyundai City Store Cebu is owned and operated by Hyundai Cebu, Inc., one of the brand’s pioneer dealers in the Philippines with six Passenger Car (PC) dealerships in Visayas and Mindanao. For more details, please visit Hyundai City Store Cebu at SM City Cebu, North Reclamation Area, Cebu City, open daily from 10 AM to 9 PM. Contact them at 342-2590.

Honda confirms direction for motorcycle road racing BURIRAM, Thailand, – The Honda Group of Companies in Asia & Oceania reinforced their commitment to strengthen Honda’s involvement in motorcycle motorsports in the Asia & Oceania region at a media briefing following the qualifying day at the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) Asia Road Racing Championship (ARRC) at Buriram International Circuit, Thailand.

Representing Honda were Soichi Yamana, Department Manager of Motorcycle Department, Motorsports Division, Honda Motor Co., Ltd.; Mr. Atsushi Ogata, Director of Asian Honda Motor Co., Ltd.; Ryo Takahashi, General Manager of Motorcycle Business Division, Asian Honda Motor Co., Ltd.; and Makoto Tamada, Team Manager of the Honda AsiaDream Racing.

At the event, Honda confirmed it will pursue the challenges of motorcycle road racing in the region with an aim to develop world-class motorcycle riders and team mechanics from Asia.

To achieve this goal, Honda is committed to creating a motorsport culture as well as developing the skills of racers and team mechanics throughout Asia.

In line with this commitment, Honda’s motorcycle subsidiaries in Asia including Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, and India have been following the regional direction in their operations through a variety of motorsports activities such as establishing the Honda racing school, forming their own road racing teams, organizing local Honda one-make races, and competing in local, national, and international races.

Honda’s young riders and team mechanics continue to broaden their experience and improve their skills through intensive training and by competing in various races for local and national championships. The most promising stars will move up to greater challenges by joining Honda’s racing team for international races namely the ARRC. Outstanding riders

and mechanics from Honda’s Asian teams will ultimately have a chance to join Honda’s racing teams for world-class races.

At the briefing, Honda also provided an update on its teams that are participating in the 2018 ARRC. Currently, Honda teams from Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, and India are competing in the Underbone 150cc (UB150), Asia Production 250cc (AP250), and Supersport 600cc (SS600) classes. They have achieved impressive results, especially in the AP250 class, in which Honda rider Rheza Danica of the Astra Honda Racing Team from Indonesia is set to take the 2018 AP250 rider championship.

Honda also confirmed its participation in the inaugural Asia Superbike1000cc class (ASB1000) at the 2019 ARRC with Honda Asia-Dream Racing, a team for which top personnel from Honda subsidiaries and Honda racing teams across the Asia & Oceania region are being recruited. Former MotoGP racer Makoto Tamada was confirmed as team manager and Zaqhwan Zaidi from Malaysia as team rider. This year, the team finished in 17th place in the Japan Superbike 1000cc class (JSB1000) at the 2018 All-Japan Road Race Championship (JSB) and took 7th place in the Suzuka 8-hour Endurance Race.

In 2019, Honda Asia-Dream Racing will continue to participate in both championships, challenging itself to perform better and finish in higher positions.

With the collaboration of team members from Honda companies throughout the Asia & Oceania region, Honda will strive to deliver the best race results to realize the dream At the briefing , Honda was represented by Soichi Yamana, Department Manager of Motorcycle Department, Motorsports Division, Honda Motor Co., Ltd.; Mr. Atsushi Ogata, Director of Asian Honda Motor Co., Ltd.; Ryo Taka- of having a Honda team and riders become a challenger in world-class hashi, General Manager of Motorcycle Business Division, Asian Honda Motor Co., Ltd.; and Makoto Tamada, Team motorcycle racing.

Manager of the Honda Asia-Dream Racing.

C3

tex with Techron formulation has been tested under the local market – with local fuels, under local climatic, driving, and traffic conditions. We are delighted that the latest Clean and Glide technology is proven to deliver unbeatable cleaning power to help our customers’ cars perform at their best.”

Vehicles that used Caltex with Techron achieved an average score of 9.7 out of 10 across all four Asian markets, surpassing the average 8.9 score of vehicles using lower quality fuel. In comparison, some vehicles using lower quality fuels recorded valve readings of as low as 5.0, 5.0, 6.5, and 8.5 for Cambodia, Philippines, Thailand and Hong Kong respectively. Vehicles selected represent a cross-section of the market fleet to reveal an unbiased and true state of local passenger cars.

“We are extremely proud of the borescope test results as these provide concrete evidence of the consistent performance of Caltex with Techron. Achieving such a high score in valve cleanliness reflects our commitment to providing only the best-quality fuel products. We are thrilled to be sharing this news with our media and car club friends,” said CPI country chairman Louie Zhang.

The borescope test demonstrates Caltex’s commitment to cleaner engines, while staying true to the evolving nature of Techron in anticipation of future engine technology and local market needs.

All grades of Caltex gasoline contain Techron, a fuel additive package backed by over 30 years of research and development, which has a polyetheramine component designed to clean up fuel system deposits and prevent them from reforming. Filipinos can head down to any Caltex service station to experience the benefits Caltex fuels with Techron.

Isuzu PH grand champ in world technicians’ tilt CONTINUING its winning streak of being among the world’s best in service skills and technical knowledge, Isuzu Philippines team of service technicians was again hailed Grand Champion of Category B: Euro 4 and below Emission Class Regulation at the conclusion of the Isuzu I-1 Grand Prix World Technical Competition last December 6 at the Isuzu Monozukuri Service Training Center in Fujisawa, Japan.

The I-1 Grand Prix World Technical Competition is an annual competition for technicians coming from different Isuzu subsidiaries and operations worldwide. This is the search for Isuzu’s number one (“I-1”) in service skills and automotive knowledge. It is divided into two divisions: the LCV and CV Division. LCV Division competition was held last September which Isuzu Philippines placed 4th. For the CV Division, it is further divided into two categories, Category A: Euro 6 Emission Class Regulation and Category B: Euro 4 and below Emission Class Regulation.

The Philippine team, composed of technicians and Isuzu TESDA graduates Jusua B. Cantre from Isuzu Bulacan, Khent John Q. Ventura from Isuzu Cavite, and their coach Gian Franco R. Cosico from IPC, bested 70 technicians from 35 different countries from across Isuzu’s global dealership network to bag the top spot in the Category B, Euro 4 and Below Emission Class Regulation.

Since 2013, Isuzu Philippines’ team has consistently placed 5th or higher in the Isuzu World Technical Competition. A large part of its success has been attributed to the high level of competition at IPC’s annual Isuzu Service Skills Olympics (ISSO), apart from the professional dedication and discipline the IPC dealers’ Parts and Service personnel pour into their daily work.

IPC President Hajime Koso extended his congratulations to the winning members of the team. “Team Pilipinas’ inspiring performance at the recent Isuzu I-1 Grand Prix World Technical Competition serves to reinforce IPC’s reputation as a world-class workforce. Our teams have been consistent winners since 2013, and though there is always room to be even better than before, it cannot be denied that the training our technicians receive, combined with their dedication to their chosen craft, has made Team Pilipinas, and IPC, the standard bearers in the world stage. At the same time, I am also very happy that our teams’ achievements in this competition in the past years have served to inspire members of our dealership network in the Philippines to strive to be the best in their own capacities.”

Isuzu’s Team Pilipinas have been previously awarded 3rd in the CV Division Category B in 2013, 2nd in 2014, 1st in 2015, 3rd in 2016, and 5th in 2017.

Isuzu Best Technicians (from left): Jusua B. Cantre from Isuzu Bulacan, their coach Gian Franco R. Cosico from IPC and Khent John Q. Ventura from Isuzu Cavite.

RAMON L. TOMELDAN Editor

C4 FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2018

Motoring

FACE OFF 2 2018 AUTOMOBILE AND MOTOR SHOW

Toyota offers total care to Grab vehicles

Brawn, Zing, and Zounds

T

HE SKY was as blue as anyone can remember the weekend Face Off 2 2018 Automobile and Motor Show was held at the parking grounds of the Circuit Makati. It was a fine day for workaday people as well as the Midases to be in a show that was crammed with fine cars and choppers glory, stance wars, Thai, and audio wars.

For a lot of people, going to motor shows is a little bit like going to a museum and carnival at the same time. It is something they do with great reverence, awe, and high-spirited amusement, then go about their business with energy replenished by a well-laid exhibit, wide range of colors and audible recognitions of the displayed items lingering in their minds for quite a time.

Face Off 2 2018 was a decamping gambit by its organizer, TJ Hidalgo, from

the big-league automotive shows to one he could put his own touch on. Face Off 2 2028 had a sizable assortment of cars on display; nothing fancy or ritzy there, but they were carefully polished, spruced up, and each one looked like well-turned ladies. One thing most of them have in common: they can transform themselves into stereo-pounding cruisers. When their amps are pumped up, wear ear plugs. They are loud. Really, really loud.

The car collection had finesse but it was

the row of motorbikes that became the attractor of the show. It wasn’t exactly Sturgis, not yet, but for two years since TJ Hidalgo started his dream, the effort is slowly paying off very nicely.

There’s always one in every pack. A 2011 Honda DMX 155 owned by Mike Bautista easily stood out in the choppers stable, an uber-cool machine of stainless steel. Like dead-straight motorcycles should be—scary and dangerous—the skulls and bones art infused on the bike, aptly named Ghost Rider, should make an awesome street reaper.

A yellow-striped Yamaha Sniper 150 (Thai Exciter 150) owned by Jason Concepcion has a flashy image that conveyed the thought of a fierce big cat—fast, daring, riding free, with plenty of attitude, even as it rests on its side stand, to show off the bruiser in it. It’s a chopper that growls to be ridden hard.

“Baby Hawk”, Mark Angelo’s Suzuki Raider R150, has had its iron and attitude tested on a highway bruising to Bataan and back like a piece of cake— smooth and reliably satisfying, hasslefree biking without the windshield to obstruct the view with just the wind blasting against his riding jacket. What instantly grabs the eyes, aside from the

spotless white armor suit thieving the sun rays, is the air space on his bike. His Suzuki was cleverly built that one could see the dayshine around the many pintsized mechanical pieces on it. And the zounds! When Angelo hits the rev limiter to its extreme, the pipes sound more than 100% menacing.

Jojo Roxas and his red 2017 Suzuki Fi are no strangers to motorbike shows and winning along the way. The chopper doesn’t look fear-inspiring unlike its other outlaw-image cousins. In fact, this Suzuki looks like a beauty queen with an unaffected strut and street glide.

A motorbike is more than a means of transportation. Being on top of the saddle can be therapeutic, an outlet for outpouring private protests and displeasure. A ride is also a way to express one’s individuality. Give it the gun to get attention, show the extremes to which the pipes can wake up the dead, cruise the streets with pounding stereo blasts, feel the wind as the bike snakes thru S-turns on treacherous mountain curbs, and fly on two wheels to places uncharted by maps but still touching the ground.

Go. The road awaits the challenge of your company.

SINGAPORE—Toyota Motor Asia Pacific Pte Ltd , the sales & marketing regional headquarters of Toyota Motor Corporation in Asia, is offering Total- care Service for 1,500 Toyota vehicles owned by Grab Holdings, Inc. in Singapore through its subsidiary GrabRentals.

In June 2018, Toyota invested US$1 billion into Grab to advance mobility services in the region. The Total-care Service is a result of a deepening partnership between Toyota, a leading automaker transforming itself into a mobility company, and Grab, the region’s leading O2O mobile platform.

The Total-care Service is an innovative, world’s first service developed specially for ride-hailing companies.

Working with ride-hailing companies, like Grab, Toyota can leverage onboard telematics data through a shared information platform to provide services such as fleet management, automotive insurance and vehicle maintenance packages to extend the life of ride- hailing vehicles, and enhance the driving experience for the end user. Through this Total-care Service, Grab is able to provide its driverpartners with more cost-efficient and timely maintenance services.

TMAP and Grab will offer this service to Grab-owned Toyota vehicles across Southeast Asia in phases. In addition, both companies will work to increase the share of Toyota vehicles in Grab’s fleet in the region by 25% by 2020. In the future, Grab will also seek to implement Toyota’s worldrenowned Toyota Production System (TPS), a system based on a philosophy of eliminating waste, to improve Grab’s business operational efficiency.

In general, ride-hailing vehicles accrue five times more mileage than privately-owned vehicles. To keep vehicles in a good and safe condition, it is essential to provide proper vehicle maintenance based on the vehicle’s condition. At Grab, driverpartner and passenger safety is a top priority. By ensuring that Grab’s driver-partners are driving vehicles that are receiving timely maintenance, Grab is able to provide the highest level of safety on its platform.

In October 2018, Grab unveiled its’ enhancements that aim to raise transport safety standards for the industry in Southeast Asia.

The partnership with Toyota will complement Grab’s analytical tools that allow drivers to understand how they drive and where they can improve. Grab driver-partners regularly receive telematics reports on their driving patterns like speeding, acceleration and braking, and more parameters will be added over time. Since the rollout of telematics on the Grab driver app last year, there has been a 50% reduction in speeding incidents and 20% reduction in hard braking and sudden acceleration, which are potential causes of road accidents.