Manila Standard - 2018 June 23 - Saturday

VOL. XXXII • NO. 128 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 • SATURDAY, JUNE 23, 2018 • www.manilastandard.net • editorial@manilastandard.net

Threats Pinoy kids face Govt alarmed over rise in child labor, 2.1m classified as such

Forced drug tests for grade 4 pupils ‘illegal’ —DepEd chief

By Macon Ramos-Araneta and Rio N. Araja THE proposal to have 10-year-old students undergo mandatory drug testing would be illegal, the Department of Education said Thursday night.

Reacting to the proposal from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency,

By Vito Barcelo

the DepEd said such a move would require amending the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, which authorizes drug testing only for secondary and tertiary level students.

“We’re not yet convinced that [drug testing should begin at] 10 years old. We should be careful that

THE Department of Labor and Employment has called on the private sector to join the government in combating the alarming increase of child labor in the country, as the country observed the World Day against Child Labor.

In a press statement, the labor department cited the Philippine Statistics Authority report that an estimated 95 percent of the 2.1-million child laborers in the country are exposed to hazardous work.

The PSA report said 69 percent of

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these young laborers are 15 to 17 years old, below the minimum allowable age for work but still exposed to life-threatening work.

“Children work in farms and plantations, in dangerous mines, on streets, in factories, and in private homes as child domestic workers,” DoLE said.

Agriculture remains the sector where most child laborers can be found at 58 percent of the workforce, PSA data showed.

The agency’s survey prompted calls for “convergence efforts” from various Next page

Authorities want drug tests for Grade 4 students and higher grade school pupils of Padre Gomez Elementary School in Santa Cruz, Manila after they recently caught a 10-year-old Grade 4 allegedly using drugs while three teachers were nabbed in Mindanao for drug related offenses. Norman Cruz

CHILDREN CRAZINESS. Young schoolchildren are caught unaware inside a

Messi, Argentina face humiliation of early exit

computer shop in Manila’s waterfront district of Tondo by a photojournalist who are in a state of monomania playing compulsive video games the World Health Organization reports is causing mental health problems, affecting some 3 percent of video gamers. Norman Cruz

Dutch bust PH child sex ring offering babies

MOSCOW—Lionel Messi sloped off down the tunnel in Nizhny Novgorod with his head bowed, knowing Argentina face the humiliation of a group-stage exit at the World Cup in Russia.

THE HAGUE, Netherlands — Dutch police said Thursday (Friday in Manila) they helped crack a child sex abuse ring in the Philippines offering babies as young as five months for “made-to-order” online paedophilia cases.

With the help of Australian officers, a Dutch policeman, who has been specially stationed in Manila to clampdown on child sex tourism, rescued 18 children in recent days offered for online sex shows by their families, police said in a statement.

“Buyers from all over the world, including in the Netherlands, were able to watch children being abused to order” via online chats using webcams, the police said.

“They indicated what they wanted to see, agreed on a price and could then watch the abuse directly by webcams.”

In the northern Philippines, five children aged between five months and 12 years old were offered for online sex shows by their parents and grandparents. Next page

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Coach begs for forgiveness after drubbing NIZHNIY NOVGOROD, Russia— Jorge Sampaoli begged for forgiveness from Argentina’s fans on Thursday after a 3-0 drubbing by Croatia left Lionel Messi’s World Cup dreams hanging by a thread.

Second-half goals from Ante Rebic—the first from a horrendous error by Argentina goalkeeper Willy Caballero—Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic sealed a deserved victory for the European

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Half-time triggers ‘biblical crisis‘ in Tokyo toilets TOKYO—Armchair Japan fans following their team’s 2-1 World Cup win over Colombia risked triggering a plumbing disaster of biblical proportions when millions rushed to the toilet at half-time.

It was a case of squeaky bum time when fans finally tore themselves away from the television earlier this week after a nailbiting

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OPEN OMEN.

Thousands of Filipino schoolchildren, trapped by the hazard of drug use, literally face some writing on the wall, not the classroom bulletin board, as they move forward in Academic Year 2018-2019.

Norman Cruz

Hepa B survey among tots up Rights agency sets probe on ‘tambay’s’ death, eyes cops’ role in 25 provinces

By Rio N. Araja, Maricel V. Cruz, Macon Ramos-Araneta and Vito Barcelo THE Commission on Human Rights will investigate the death of a 25-year-old man in police custody after he was arrested in a crackdown on loiterers.

CHR spokesperson Jacqueline de Guia said they would dig deeper into the death

of Genesis “Tisoy” Argoncillo, who was beaten to death while inside the Quezon City Police District Station 4, allegedly by his fellow detainees.

De Guia said the police were not off the hook.

“The CHR is now investigating to know the possible liability of the police in this incident,” she said.

She reminded policemen that even de-

tainees have rights that they must protect.

“In this instance, it is clear that there is a violation of the law. May we remind the police of the rights of any detainees or persons deprived of liberty,” she added.

The police could have committed negligence that may have resulted in the Next page

EU slaps tariff on US jeans, whiskey as trade war erupts

Marian Rivera in a role close to her heart

BUSINESS B1

ENTERTAINMENT C4

By Macon Ramos-Araneta THE Department of Health aims to find out how many Filipino children really have Hepatitis B as it conducted the National Hepatitis B Sero-Prevalence Survey in 25 provinces across the country.

Based on the World Health Organization’s estimates in 2016, around 8.5 million Filipinos are chronically infected with the Hepatitis B virus.

However, the number of children affected by Hepatitis B, an infectious liver disease, is unknown. The infection can lead to liver cirrhosis, liver cancer and premature death.

Around 3,000 children, aged five to six years old, will be tested for Hepatitis B in the survey.

The DoH partnered with the Field Epidemiology Training Program Alumni Foundation Inc., in deploying survey teams to 25 provinces.

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News

saturday, ju juNe 23, 2018

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

CoA: Sereno’s P5-m car ‘unlawful’

By Rio N. Araja and Rey E. Requejo

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HE Commission on Audit has affirmed that the purchase by ousted Supreme Court chief justice Maria Lourdes Sereno of a car worth P5 million was unlawful since it ran counter to the Government Procurement Reform Act. State auditors said the price of the Land Cruiser at P5,110,500 was used as approved budget for the contract “without market analysis or basis to determine if it was the most advantageous prevailing price.”

The agency said the approval of the

vehicle was submitted six months late to the auditor.

The procurement also lacked supporting documents.

The former chief returned the luxury car to the Supreme Court before the June 30 deadline.

Sereno’s spokesman Jojo Lacanilao said the Toyota Land Cruiser was turned over to the Supreme Court on Wednesday, a day after the SC denied with finality her motion for reconsideration seeking her reinstatement as top magistrate.

The purchase of the “luxury” sports utility vehicle formed part of the arti-

cles of impeachment against Sereno at the House of Representatives’ justice committee.

However, Congress shelved the impeachment process after a quo warranto case was filed before the Supreme Court seeking her ouster for failure to file the necessary Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth when she applied for the top job in 2012.

On May 11, the Supreme Court voted 8-6 to grant the quo warranto petition against Sereno for culpable violation of the constitution for failure to comply with the requirement for the submission of SALNs.

and we are optimistic this would reinforce the ties that bind the relations between our two countries and peoples,” Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel Romualdez said in a statement.

In a statement released by the US State Department, Spokesperson Heather Nauert said Pompeo “reaffirmed the longstanding US-Philippines alliance and discussed ongoing efforts to address regional issues such as North Korea, the South China Sea, and counterterrorism.”

“Secretary Pompeo and Secretary Cayetano also explored opportunities to enhance bilateral trade, increase security cooperation, and strengthen

people-to-people ties between our two countries,” Nauert added.

Romualdez revealed that Cayetano delivered a personal letter from President Rodrigo Duterte congratulating President Donald Trump for the successful summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un in Singapore on June 12.

“The Secretary told Secretary Pompeo the Philippines views the current developments in the Korean Peninsula with optimism and that the Philippines is hoping the positive momentum generated by the Singapore Summit will bode well for the broader Asia-Pacific region,” Romualdez stressed.

PDEA proposal would cost P2.8 billion.

“The population of students from Grade 4 [the grade level of 10-year-old students] to Grade 12 total at least 14 million. At P200 per student for the testing fee alone, the budget will already amount to P2.8 billion,” it said.

DepEd said the program has the full support of President Rodrigo Duterte.

“DepEd is responding to the directive of the President for the department to enhance the curriculum on preventive drug education for the younger learners,” the statement read.

On Thursday morning, PDEA proposed drug testing for students grade four and up in public and private schools nationwide. Their proposal was based on one of PDEA’s cases where the youngest drug user captured was 10 years old.

PDEA also suggested a mandatory drug testing for all teachers and school employees as they recently caught two teachers from Butuan City and one from Maguindanao selling drugs.

Senators opposed mandatory testing for Grade 4 students.

Senator Aquilino Pimentel III called it pointless and asked how many false positives such testing would produce.

“I’m interested to know who came up with such a ‘brilliant’ idea. If you make it mandatory, that will cost a lot,” he said in a mix of Filipino and English.

“What will they charge the person who tests positive with?”

Senator JV Ejercito said 10 years old was too young, and said mandatory testing should be studied carefully because it is too costly.

“That will cost billions,” he said. “We have to study that further, and it won’t be easy… I don’t think we have that much to implement this proposal.”

Although he supported the move, Senate President Vicente Sotto III said the tests would require the amendment of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, noting it would have to go through many “battles” before it could be implemented. With PNA

“But the buyers and those offering their children seemed to find abusFrom A1 ing children the most normal thing in the world,” said Dutch liaison officer Prices averaged between 15 and 25 Farid El Hamouti, adding he had been euros (P930 to P1,550) a show. shocked by the ease with which the

abuse had been carried out.

Information gathered about those paying for the services has been shared with the authorities of the countries in which they live, the Dutch police added. AFP

wearing a shirt.

QCPD Chief Supt. Joselito Esquivel Jr. said Friday three witnesses have surfaced to identify two suspects who beat up and killed Argoncillo.

He ordered the filing of murder cases before the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office against Sputnik Gang members Justine Mercado and Richard Bautista, along with some other detainees, who conspired in beating up Argoncillo at the police’s lock-up cell.

Nestor Millete, a co-detainee, said he witnessed the beating of Argoncillo by Mercado, Bautista and the other detain-

ees on June 18 at around 10 pm.

Two other witnesses—Sterence Lamac and Rolly San Jose—also claimed they had personal knowledge of the incident and that Mercado and other detainees mauled the victim.

The three witnesses were taken to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit under Supt. Rodelio Marcelo to execute their sworn statements.

Esquivel ordered investigators to identify the other detainees who beat up Argoncillo.

At the same time, he relieved the Station 4 commander, Supt. Carlito Grijal-

do, along with the duty officers—PO3 Dennis Saño, desk officer SPO3 Ronald Nañola, staff duty officer Insp. Oliver dela Cruz and shift patrol supervisor SPO4 Valerio Perez effective June 21.

“We will investigate everyone involved, including the police officers on duty, until the truth comes out, and then prosecute the guilty to the full extent of the law. We assure the public and the family of the deceased of full transparency and no cover up of the case,” Esquivel said.

On Tuesday, Argoncillo died due to injuries on the “neck, head, chest and upper extremities.”

The Barcelona star was silenced by a far superior Croatia side in a brutal 3-0 defeat that left the South Americans needing an unlikely series of results to keep their hopes of reaching the knockout stages alive.

The World Cup is likely to lose the man who―along with Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo―has dominated and defined football for a decade.

Messi is just days short of his 31st birthday. We may be witnessing him on football’s biggest stage for the final time―a talent curiously unfulfilled at the international level despite his astonishing feats for his club.

Argentina lost the 2014 World Cup final 1-0 to Germany after extra time, before suffering successive defeats by Chile on penalties in Copa America finals in 2015 and 2016.

Messi hinted before the start of this World Cup that he could quit international football after the tournament, having already retired in 2016 before swiftly reversing his decision.

After missing a penalty in the opening 1-1 draw with Iceland in Argentina’s first game in Russia, there was little doubt Messi was looking to atone against Croatia.

But he appeared tense even before kickoff, his body language betraying a man feeling the weight of expectations as he nervously rubbed his forehead amid deep contemplation during the national anthems.

An early darting run within seconds of the start suggested it could be his night, but it was not to be.

Messi was almost invisible as he was restricted to just 20 touches in an alarmingly subdued first half.

Only strike partner Sergio Aguero (seven) was less involved, with even goalkeeper Willy Caballero seeing the ball more frequently.

His hat-trick to take Argentina to the World Cup had papered over gaping cracks, rescuing their campaign at the last, but the fault lines were plain to see on Thursday.

A howler from Caballero gifted Croatia the lead. Messi went close when a sliding block from Barcelona teammate Ivan Rakitic denied him from close range but he was powerless to prevent Argentina’s demise. AFP

“Water use can f luctuate, especially during football matches, which only have one break in the middle,” she added.

“It also can be affected by a period of time, excitement and other factors.”

Flushed with joy after watching Yuya Osako bag a second-half winner for Japan against 10-man Colombia in Russia on Tuesday, jubilant fans made another dash for the loo at the final whistle,

causing another spike of 50 percent in water use.

But the official revealed the Tokyo waterworks bureau had anticipated the stampede and adjusted the city’s supply and pressure accordingly in order to avoid a catastrophe.

“We are ready to prepare for a stable water supply during the next match on Sunday,” she insisted, looking ahead to this weekend’s

clash with Senegal.

A similar pattern of toilet use was noted across Japan as viewers remained glued to their screens for the match, broadcast live on prime time TV. The viewing rate for the fixture also hit a yearly high of 48.7 percent in Japan, surpassing the 33.9 percent marked when Japanese figure skating hero Yuzuru Hanyu won an Olympic gold in February. AFP

Cayetano meets Pompeo as PH, US reaffirm ties

government and non-government organizations to combat child labor and its worst forms, the department statement added.

Labor Undersecretary Joel Maglunsod, chairman of the National Child Labor Committee, encouraged all concerned to join the annual celebration at San Andres Sports Complex, in Malate, Manila on Saturday (June 23) for a clear understanding of the issue, and become active partners of the government in ending child labor.

“Despite significant advancement we achieved against child labor, we will continue to work together to achieve a child-labor free Philippines and provide clear understanding of child labor issues among the poor households whose children are at risk of being child laborers,” Maglunsod said.

With the theme, “Ligtas sa Paggawa, Malusog na Batang Malaya” (Free from Labor, Healthy and Free Children) the celebration, which is packed with performances from various groups, will focus on the need to end child labor and improve the safety and health of young workers in the country.

Also, DoLE Project Angel Tree Team, a community of sponsors committed to provide aid to child laborers and their families, will provide bags, school supplies, and jackets to hundreds of child laborers during the event.

By Rey E. Requejo

Hepa B...

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The teams will go to randomly selected households and request for parent’s consent to participate in the activity. A small amount of blood will be drawn and tested for Hepatitis B from the eligible child.

The entire process will take around 30 minutes with the parent or caregiver will be present for the duration, Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III said.

“We appeal to parents or caregivers to allow their child, if he/she is selected, to be tested. Our survey teams have been trained to observe confidentiality in obtaining information,” Duque emphasized.

The survey drew support from the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine, United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the WHO. “We want to be more effective in preventing Hepatitis B, and this survey will yield very important information on how DoH can improve its health services,” Duque said.

He noted that the concerted efforts of the community, along with its local government leaders, will ensure the successful conduct of the survey.

Aside from assessing the progress towards Hepatitis B control in the country, the survey will also help document the immunization program’s progress by measuring vaccination coverage among children.

The survey will also provide baseline information as the country aims for the global goal of 0.1 percent Hepatitis B prevalence among children by 2030.

Hepatitis B can be transmitted from mother-to-child through direct contact or after birth and through exposure to infected blood and other bodily fluids.

Vaccination remains the most important preventive measure against Hepatitis B.

Half-time...

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first 45 minutes, with water use jumping 24 percent in Tokyo during the break, the city’s waterworks bureau said on Friday.

“We presume it’s because a lot of people holding off on a trip to the bathroom all went at once,” an official told AFP.

By Vito Barcelo THE chief presidential legal counsel said Friday that the Ombudsman indicted former President Benigno Aquino III for usurpation of legislative powers merely to appease the public.

“While in the narrow sense the indictment of former President Aquino is a welcome development [in] President Duterte’s relentless campaign against graft and corruption, it must be noted that charge is but a consuelo de bobo indictment,” Duterte’s chief legal counsel said in a statement.

Earlier, Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said the Ombudsman could have charged Aquino with malversation, instead of just usurpation of legislative powers, which is punishable with imprisonment of six months and one day, temporary special disqualification and a fine not exceeding P1,000.

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales “found probable cause” to summon Aquino to court for the alleged unlawful issuance of National Budget Circular No. 541 for the implementation of Disbursement Acceleration Program, an economic stimulus program that the Supreme Court later declared as unconstitutional.

Given that the case involved P36 billion of the people’s money, and that the Supreme Court found the program illegal, the crime should have been plunder, or at least graft and corruption, Panelo said.

“There is a glaring discrepancy of the act committed as against the complaint filed,” he said.

He said the present charge against the former President is a repeat of the anomalous previous charge against him arising out of the Mamasapano massacre, where instead of being charged with reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide, only an usurpation of authority case was filed.

The Supreme Court has stopped the trial of Aquino on the Mamasapano tragedy upon a petition of the solicitor general.

“There must be a rectification of this omission and the process of reversing such indictments is in progress,” Panelo said.

“While sometime the wheels of justice grind exceedingly slow, [they do] grind, and in the end justice will catch up [with] the perpetrators of the crime [who] reap their deserved punishment.

Crime does not pay no matter your status in life,” Panelo added.

Senator Panfilo Lacson, however, said Aquino did not pocket any of the DAP money, so the lighter charge made sense.

amount as the budget for the contract “prevented other suppliers from participating, thereby defeating the purpose of public bidding.”

In its four-page audit observation memorandum, CoA noted that the contract for purchase of Sereno’s service

threats...

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‘An action to appease the public’

THE Philippines and the United States have reaffirmed their bilateral relations and agreed to strengthen cooperation during the first meeting between Foreign Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in Washington on Thursday (Friday in Manila).

During the meeting, Cayetano and Pompeo tackled regional issues and ways to improve bilateral trade and security cooperation between two countries.

“Secretary Cayetano and Secretary Pompeo had an open and cordial interaction at the State Department today

Forced...

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the children’s identities are not exposed to public scrutiny,” Education Secretary Leonor Briones said in Filipino Thursday night.

Briones added that she would seek a meeting with with PDEA Director General Aaron Aquino to discuss their objectives.

In its statement, the DepEd said it has an ongoing drug testing program that started in school year 2017-2018, which will be completed in school year 20182019.

The program covers 1,300 officers and personnel at the central office, 3,800 in the regional offices, and 26,000 in school division offices. It also covers 10,000 teachers and 21,000 secondary students as a sample population that will yield a 95 percent statistical confidence level of the results.

The DepEd also warned that the

dutch...

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detainee dying or suffering injuries inside their detention cell, the CHR said.

The sorry state of Argoncillo could be considered torture or cruel, inhumane, and degrading treatment or punishment under Republic Act 9745 and the Convention Against Torture.

On June 15, Argoncillo was picked up during the QCPD’s anti-loitering campaign in front of a variety store near his house in Novaliches because he was not

Messi,...

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Coach...

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side and ensured their passage into the last 16.

A contrite Sampaoli said the rout was his fault entirely and apologized to supporters left in tears in the Nizhny Novgorod stadium on the banks of the River Volga.

“First and foremost, I would beg for their forgiveness, especially those who came great distances to see Argentina,” said the softly spoken Sampaoli.

“I am responsible for this result but I was as dreamy-eyed as the fans.”

The Group D defeat means Argentina, one of the pre-tournament favorites and defeated finalists in 2014, are on the brink of a humiliating first-round exit.

They have just one point from two games and will certainly have to beat Nigeria in their final outing to have any chance of avoiding elimination.

But for Argentina―and Messi―the recriminations over such a poor performance began within seconds of the final whistle.

“I had to devise a plan for this match,” said Sampaoli. If I had set things up differently, things might have turned out much better. I don’t think it’s realistic to put the burden on Caballero.” AFP

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SATURDAY, JUNE 23, 2018 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

‘Finalize design for nat’l ID’ A LEGISLATOR on Friday told the Philippine Statistics Authority to start preparing for the issuance of the national identification cards.

Davao City Rep. Karlo Nograles, chairman of the House of Representatives’ committee on appropriations, said the President is expected to sign the law shortly and it behooves the PSA to be ready for that eventuality.

“By this time the final design of the ID should have been completed and the PSA should already have all the necessary facilities to go full blast in producing these IDs,” Nograles said.

Last month, Congress ratified the bicameral conference committee report of the proposed law mandating the issuance of a national identification card to make transactions with the government easier. Maricel V. Cruz

WOUNDED HONORED.

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte confers the Order of LapuLapu, Rank of Kampilan on one of the wounded soldiers whom he visited at Camp Melchor F. Dela Cruz Station Hospital in Ilagan City, Isabelo on June 21, 2018. Joining the President is Secretary Bong Go of the Office of the Special Assistant to the President.

Presidential Photo

LGUs top Ombudsman case list LOCAL government units have topped government agency with most number of Ombudsman cases filed in 2017.

For seven consecutive years, LGUs topped the list of agencies with most number of cases filed against their officials and employees before the Office of the Ombudsman.

In a report released by the Ombudsman’s Finance and Management Information Office, LGUs topped the 2017 list with 3,189 cases broken down as 265 cases for provinces, 1,849 cases for cities and municipalities, 1,065 cases for barangays and 10 cases for unclassified LGUs. The figure is 12 percent higher than the 2,799 cases recorded in 2016.

The Philippine National Police came in second with 939 cases, which figure is 8 percent lower than the 1,022 cases filed against PNP officers and employees in 2016.

The Department of Education (310 cases), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (184 cases), and state universities and colleges (117 cases) are included in the top five list of government agencies with most number of cases. Rio N. Araja

CoA flags NBI for ‘double liquidation’ THE Commission on Audit has called the attention of the National Bureau of Investigation for double liquidations in ledgers resulting in negative balances and understatement of its petty cash account that reached to over half a million pesos.

In an annual audit report, the state auditors said the review of related transactions and accounting records revealed liquidations of different custodians of petty cash funds in 2015 were posted twice in the subsidiary ledger in 2016.

“As of Dec. 31, 2017, these errors understated the petty cash account and overstated the accumulated surplus/deficit account by P537,106.35,” the report read.

CoA said there were at least 13 custodians responsible in the twice recording of P16,920, P28,334.75, P30,000, P29,856.50, P78,746.45, P46,280, P35,939.20, P100,000, P34,856.40, P30,000, P49,993.50, P26,179.55 and P30,000.

COA also said that the petty cash funds were not replenished despite the disbursements reached 75 percent. Rio N. Araja

Focus on high prices, not ‘tambays,’ Bam urges gov’t

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

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HE government should solve the pressing problem of high prices of goods and services caused by the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Law, instead of focusing on so-called loiterers or “tambays,” according to Senator Bam Aquino.

“The high cost of prices is a bigger problem than the loiterers,” said Aquino, one of four senators who voted against the ratification of the government’s tax reform program.

He called on the government to lay a clear-cut plan on how to address the high prices of goods and services to alleviate the plight of Filipinos, especially the poor.

At the same time, the senator urged the government to stop arresting loiters, most of whom are poor, and focus on the issue that burdens them the most, which is the high prices of goods.

He has submitted a measure seeking to roll back TRAIN’s excise tax on fuel when average inflation rate surpasses the annual inflation target over a three-month period.

In addition, he is also pushing for the full implementation of mitigating measures under the TRAIN Law, such as the unconditional cash transfer program

for poor families and the Pantawid Pasada for jeepney operators and drivers.

Senator Aquino also expressed belief that competition will help lower the price and improve the quality of internet service in the country.

“We need more than three telcos to have a healthy competition. We should look at other countries aside from China,” he added.

As chairman of the Committee on Science and Technology, Aquino is currently working on Senate Bill No. 171 or the Open Access in Data Transmission Act of 2016.

If enacted into law, the senator said that this will enable more players into and promote competition in the internet industry.

He has been working to improve the quality of internet in the country. In the 16th Congress, he led an investigation into the slow and expensive internet in the country during his stint as chairman

of the Committee on Trade, Commerce and Entrepreneurship.

The probe helped determine needed legislation to address the internet problem in the country and led to the release of a Department of Justice opinion on telco advertising.

The hearing also compelled the National Telecommunications Commission to come out with guidelines on minimum internet speeds and conducted speed testing in various areas of the Philippines to check compliance of telcos.

As chairman of the Senate Committee on Science and Technology, Aquino pushed for the passage of Republic Act 10929 or the Free Internet Access Program in Public Places as principal sponsor.

Meanwhile, a National Food Authority spokesman said on Friday that the agency is looking at an all-out distribution of imported rice from Vietnam to the rest of the country by next week.

NFA spokesperson Rex Estoperez said they have already distributed a total of 28,000 bags to several provinces, including Pampanga and Bulacan, since June 18.

Meanwhile, a total of 5,000 bags had already been docked in the port for the National Capital Region.

“Ang full blast nationwide, ‘pag naibaba lahat ng mga bigas sa barko, ay mga next week,” Estoperez said.

Geopolitics experts see risks in China’s Belt Road GEOPOLITICAL experts warned of risks amid hyped opportunities in China’s Belt Road Initiative during a recent forum in Makati.

The Stratbase ADR Institute recently held a roundtable forum with top geopolitical experts where a special study entitled “The 21st Century Silk Road: Perils and Opportunities of China’s Belt and Road Initiative,” authored by Richard Heydarian, a Non-resident Fellow of the think tank was presented “Although some analysts say that BRI is a promising initiative for infrastructure global development, it has also been criticized for being too ambiguous and murky, prompting states to exercise more caution in screening Chinese contractors and applying strong safeguards to prevent

being trapped into ‘debt diplomacy,’ said Stratbase ADRi president Dindo Manhit.

In the study, Heydarian said that the BRI’s objectives are aligned with its geopolitical goals including facilitating its long-term plans of developing landlocked hinterlands and underdeveloped regions; outsourcing internal productive glut and infrastructure overcapacity; assisting and promoting troubled StateOwned Enterprises; developing trading partners’ basic infrastructure to reverse anemic growth in global trade; gaining foothold across strategically located nations; locking in rare commodities key to Chinese long-term development; and globalizing Chinese technological and industrial standards across emerging

markets.

Some Chinese projects in past administrations had become controversial because of corruption, lack of transparency, and problems in accountability.

The study noted that several Chinese contractors have been blacklisted by the World Bank and stressed on the Philippine government’s responsibility to ensure that a competitive bidding process is observed, strict standards in good governance and environmental sustainability are enforced.

Heydarian advised that the BRI should be able to promote inclusive growth and provide jobs for the locals, rather than relying on fully-integrated Chinese supply of capital, technology, and labor.

Calida says DoJ finding clears him

By Rey E. Requejo SOLICITOR General Jose Calida on Friday expressed vindication after the Department of Justice cleared him of possible conflict of interest arising from the contract between the DoJ and his family’s security agency.

Calida made the statement after Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said that the DoJ’s contract with his family’s Vigilant Investigative and Security Agency is “aboveboard.”

“I am not surprised with DoJ Sec. Menardo Guevarra’s conclusion that there is no irregularity and conflict of interest in Vigilant’s contract with DoJ,” Calida said in a statement.

Calida said the DoJ’s findings should put an end to malicious allegations against him.

“He [Sec. Guevarra] found the bidding process and contract to be above board.

This should put to rest the malicious

speculations against my wife’s business and my integrity,” the Solicitor General added.

Calida is facing investigation by the Office of the Ombudsman after a complaint was filed against him for conflict of interests due to the multimillion peso government contracts bagged by Vigilant.

In an interview, Guevarra said that as far as the DoJ is concerned, the contract with Calida’s company is valid.

“Of course I cannot speak with the other agencies with which Solgen’s company dealt but as far as the DoJ is concerned we looked into our records,” Guevarra said.

“I examined all the records pertaining to the procurement and all of these were regular on their face,” he added.

The Secretary said that Vigilant was chosen by the DoJ for the security contract after undergoing the required public bidding.

QC FIRE. Around 10 houses were burned after a fire gutted a squatter area at Ping-

kian 1, Brgy. Pasong Tamo, Quezon City. The fire reached 3rd alarm, but there were no reported casualty. Manny Palmero

Leni’s camp hits Marcos’ PET revisor

By Rio N. Araja THE camp of Vice President Leni Robredo on Friday expressed grave concern over the conduct of a revisor working for former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. inside the revision area on June 14.

In its third manifestation of grave concern, Robredo’s legal counsel— Maria Bernadette Sardillo and Romulo Macalintal—called the attention of the Supreme Court sitting as the Presidential Electoral Tribunal the action of revisor Nestor Borromeo.

Sardillo claimed Borromeo was able to bring inside a magnifying plastic lens despite the policy that only papers could be brought inside the revision area.

“To further compound matters, Mr. Borromeo was caught not only in possession of said magnifying glass but was using the same during the ongoing revision, recount and re-appreciation of ballots,” she said.

According to Sardillo, when confronted, Borromeo said he was instructed to stray more valid ballots for Robredo even after the head revisor of PET had already segregated the ballots.

Such was the second time that a person belonging to the Marcos camp was reported for their “unruly” conduct inside the revision area, she said.

In an April 24 resolution, PET admonished the party supervisor of Marcos as well as lawyer Joan Padilla, and specifically ordered her not to talk to any of the PET head revisors and not to disrupt the revision process in general, Sardillo said in a statement sent to the media.

“An incident report dated April 13, 2018 referred to inappropriate behavior of Padilla in the revision area on April 13, 2018,” Robredo’s camp said.

Du30 appoints Davao judge as CA justice

By Vito Barcelo PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte appointed Davao judge Dorothy Montejo-Gonzaga as new Associate Justice of the Court of Appeals to replace former associate Justice Romeo Barza, while Emily Aliño-Geluz and Georgina Dumpit Hidalgo were named associate justices of the Sandiganbayan.

Gonzaga is the Davao del Norte judge who ordered the arrest of self-confessed hitman Edgar Matobato.

Aliño-Geluz, whose appointment paper was signed last April 30, is a former Cavite Regional Trial court judge.

Hidalgo, whose appointment paper was signed last January 18, 2018, is a former Caloocan City RTC judge. She will take the seat vacated by Rodolfo Ponferrada. She was also the former president of the Philippine Judges Association.

Gonzaga was the judge who ordered the arrest of self-confessed hitman Matobato for a kidnapping case.

Aside from kidnapping, Matobato is also facing a frustrated murder charge before a Digos City court in connection with the ambush of retired agrarian reform adjudicator Abeto Salcedo Jr. in 2014.

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Opinion

SATURDAY, JUNE 23, 2018

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

JBL Reyes and the IBP leadership

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

When the politics change, those decisions and precedents are reversed. I am confident that this will happen in the case of Sereno. In any case, even for posterity, it would be good to appreciate the strength of the IBP motion for reconsideration which they filed as an I HAVE been a member of the Integrat- intervenor in this case. ed Bar of the Philippines for nearly 30 In support of their motion, the IBP years, 28 to be exact. I have never been interposed four grounds, namely: prouder of this affiliation than today. First, that the issue of whether or not The leadership of Abdiel Dan Elijah S. the Chief Justice could be removed is Fajardo, and the current Board of Gov- a political question which can only be ernors has been visionary, inspiring, resolved through the process of imand courageous. peachment. Second, the Court should I am fully and unconditionally with have exercised judicial restraint in rethem in their advocacy for the rule of solving the quo warranto petition conlaw, among others for seeking to stop sistent with its essence as the court of extrajudicial killings and more recently last resort and the duty to uphold the in objecting to the unconstitutional ar- Constitution. Third, the reversal of the rests of so-called tambays or loiterers. assailed decision, which has taints of In my capacpolitical considerity as convenor ation and personal of Manlaban sa bias, is of the esEJKs, the allisence to uphold ance of lawyers the rule of law.

“No master but law, and law students the Court no guide but conscience; Fourth, fighting the illeshould have not gal killings attrib- no aim but justice.” taken cognizance uted to Duterte’s of the petition war against drugs, considering that I am proud to it is not a trier of work closely with facts and the resoAttorney Minerva “June” Ambrosio, lution of whether respondent possesses the head of the Integrated Bar of the integrity is a question of fact which rePhilippines National Center for Legal quires trial on the merits.

Aid. A couple of decades ago, I had On the first ground, the IBP argued the honor also of working closely with that while the Court exercises supervione of her predecessors, the late Romy sory powers over the Judicial and Bar Capulong and I have seen how Romy Council, its power does not extend to and June embody the best of Philippine the modification and replacement of lawyers. the judgment made by the entity it suMost definitely, I am with the IBP pervises. The Court in this case made leadership in its defense of judicial in- independent gathering of facts, redependence. placed the JBC’s finding with its own, Although the Supreme Court has settled the status of the validity of realready denied the motion of recon- spondent’s appointment, and caused sideration filed by Chief Justice Maria the ouster of the Chief Justice. Citing Lourdes Sereno, it is important to ac- relevant jurisprudence, the IBP said knowledge the arguments put forth by that the Court made a determination the IBP in its own motion supporting that the JBC, in determining the canSereno’s appeal. As I have suggested didate’s compliance with the Constiin interviews, political decisions by the tutional requirement, simply makes a Turn to A5 Supreme Court are never really final.

Standing by

T

HE local word, “tambay,” does not paint a flattering picture.

It conjures the image of idle, shirtless men milling about, contributing nothing to society.

Sometimes it is true. More often, however, we don’t really know. Perhaps they are exhausted from the work they just finished. Or frustrated at not finding any work at all. Perhaps they are buffeted by problems and want some fresh air and the company of friends. Or, they could be waiting for a ride given the deplorable state of public transportation.

Why begrudge people the

freedom to choose how to pass their time?

It could be true that such gatherings may be breeding ground for crime. The operative word, however, is “may” —and this is never sufficient ground for an arrest.

This early, a 22-year-old man picked up for being a “tambay” has died in police custody.

Philippine National Police chief Oscar Albayalde has sacked the station commander where Genesis Argoncillo died. This swift response is commendable but does little to assure the public that such would not happen again, or that arrests will be made with prudence and restraint, not in blind obedience or misplaced zeal.

Contrary to what a cop was

overheard saying, the President’s words do not automatically become the law.

It’s an emotional issue that very easily mimics a crackdown on the poor. Those who while away time in coffee shops, for instance, surfing the Internet idly using their laptops, would appear safe from arrests.

We will not stand by and just watch this bizarre concept of peace be enforced on a supposedly enlightened society.

The administration has some massive educating to do—of cops who will implement the directive. There is no question that we want our streets safe from dark elements, but not at the expense of the more fundamental, more human considerations.

A ‘tambay’ is not a criminal because I had lots. I developed lasting friendships from my “tambay” years.

What if being a “tambay” was enough to get arrested then? What if we got apprehended and we did not have grease money for the police?

What could have happened to me?

The thing is, this was during MarI USED to be a “tambay.” In high school and part of my college years, I cos’ martial law. What we have now is much worse in many ways. was a regular “tambay” after school.

This is why I feel very strongly I grew up in Corazon de Jesus in San Juan where the biggest concentration against the arrests being carried out by of slum dwellers lived. I come from a the PNP of loiterers on the basis of the poor family. Soon after my Mama’s de- order of President Duterte. I know that mise when I was in grade six, my father the ordinary perception of a “tambay” brought me to San Juan to live with my is negative. One is such when one is joblola. All throughout my teenage years I less and spends his or her time loitering. lived in the slums so I know from expe- The “tambay” label is usually reserved for the poor. But even so, making “tamrience how people there survive.

Most of my free time was used loi- bay” per se is not a criminal act.

We need to stress that vagrancy tering in the neighborhood with my friends. My lola’s home was a one-room has been decriminalized by Republict affair with eight people living there in- Act 10158 signed by former President Noynoy Aquino cluding myself so on 27 March there was really 2012. In the forno space to do mer Article 202 things. We did not of the Revised have a television What could have Penal Code, a set. So it was not vagrant was deunusual for me to happened to me then? fined as: “1) Any make “tambay” person having no at nights with apparent means friends in front a of subsistence, sari-sari store or who has the physical ability to work just outside the house of a neighbor.

Money was scarce. I had no money and who neglects to apply himself or to go out. I very rarely watched mov- herself to some lawful calling; 2) Any ies or go places with friends. I went person found loitering about public hungry at times. To have variety in my places or wandering about the streets food, I experimented on the various without visible means of support; ways of cooking eggs because it was 3) Any idle or dissolute person who cheap especially since we got them ledges in houses of ill fame, ruffians from a nearby poultry. I also liked or pimps and those who habitually as“bagoong.” But I learned that eggs sociate with prostitutes.” Art. 202 of and bagoong combined do not make RPC has been repealed and the new for a nice dish during one of my “ex- law says that persons serving sentence for vagrancy law shall be immediately periments.”

My biggest luxury was 3M pizza. I released upon effectivity, provided would treat myself to this every time I that they are not serving sentence or detained for any other offense. received my scholarship allowance.

The repeal of the vagrancy law is I stayed put in our neighborhood.

This was how poor my family, and very clear: making “tambay” is not a criminal act. One of the major reasons many others in our place were.

All I could do was to make “tambay.” for the repeal was the vagrancy law’s This is not to say that I did not have fun Turn to A5

POWER POINT ELIZABETH ANGSIOCO

Sex, gender and social change: Cambodian blogger tackles taboos

By Suy Se and Joe Freeman SEX toys, infidelity and penis size are generally hush hush topics in conservative Cambodia, but not on a taboo-busting video blog called “A Dose of Cath” that unabashedly wrestles with the risqué, drawing both applause and abuse in the patriarchal country.

Hosted on Facebook, the show by a 23-year-old Cambodian woman tackles the finer points of sex education, women’s health and gender imbalances in a country where the #MeToo movement has barely registered.

A recent episode on a well-known 19th-century Cambodian poem that

used to be taught in schools and advises women not to laugh too loudly gained nearly 350,000 views.

The videos feature Catherine Harry, the pen name of the self-described feminist who featured in Forbes’ 2018 “30 under 30” list of outstanding leaders and entrepreneurs in Asia.

Having ditched her birth name more than 10 years ago, Cath is following in the footsteps of other Cambodian writers and media personalities turning to blogs and social media to make a name for themselves.

But few have waded so deeply into the sensitive social issues that Cath confronts in short no-frills monologues

filmed in her Phnom Penh apartment.

“What I expect to get from what I’m doing, from my videos, is to start a conversation, because the topics that I talk about, people don’t really talk about,” she told AFP. Those include premarital sex, whether to watch porn in a relationship, cervical cancer and sexual assault.

Statistics point to an urgent need for such conversations in a kingdom where one in five Cambodian men surveyed as part of a 2014 UN study admitted to having committed rape.

Cath has shared her own #MeToo experiences to help spur debate, but said Turn to A5

Rolando G. Estabillo Publisher ManilaStandard

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

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What became of Josephine Bracken?

By Jun Velasco EVERY Rizal Day—on the hero’s birth or death anniversary—the nation pauses to honor the man, even if only his memory.

When we were based in Manila and served as commander of the Knights of Rizal in Quezon City, we used to be active in Rizalista functions and—thank our stars—the opportunity allowed us to gain access to the hero’s life and the nation’s leaders professing fealty to his teachings or whatever he stood for.

Foremost among these is incomparable love of country. Who could beat his being shot by musketry at the Luneta, then called Bagumbayan?

We were later appointed editor-inchief of Bagumbayan, the Knights’ official organ, during the leadership of the organization by former chief Justice Hilario Davide.

What luck, we thought, because we would later collaborate with another chief justice, Reynato Puno, who was only recently replaced as KoR supreme commander.

Actually, we were ushered into the patriotic organization by our fellow Rotarian Roger Quiambao at the Metro Cubao chapter. We were both past presidents of that club.

We would later be re-introduced to the “supreme of supremos’” in the Knights of Rizal who is none other than our very own fraternity brother at the MLQU University—lawyer Lamberto “Bert” Nanquil.

We met Bert when we were freshman at MLQU where he was a past president of the Arts Student Council and one of the pillars of the Knights of the Golden Fleece or Gamma Kappa Phi, which at the time was the revered exclusive schol-

JBL...

From A4

determination, based on facts, whether or not the candidate possesses qualification, particularly proven integrity. The JBC’s determination of the qualifications of the candidate is conclusive and such determination has been made not once but twice by the appointing president.

As to the second ground, the motion cites Cuenca vs. Fernan and In re Gonzales where the Court declared in emphatic fashion that an associate justice and chief justice can only be removed by way of impeachment and removal in any other way is to circumvent the mandate of the Constitution. The IBP stressed that recognizing impeachment as a prior procedural requirement is consistent with the constitutional design to vest in the Senate the power to try and decide cases involving impeachable officers. The Senate, has been granted the authority to try and decide an impeachment process. It behooves the Court to refrain from exercising power bestowed by the Constitution on another tribunal or otherwise frustrating the exercise of such power by the tribunal, the IBP adds.

On the third ground, the motion says that the decision shows the use of law to arrive at a desired result, which is to oust the Chief Justice. The IBP cautions that no politics, consideration or personal animosity justifies the refusal to recognize

Sex,...

From A4

those who speak out in Cambodia face victim-blaming or even violence.

“If a woman talks about her experiences of sexual assault or sexual harassment, she will be rejected by society, by her family, her friends,” she said.

And while 65 percent of all businesses in Cambodia are run by women, the country’s major political and financial institutions are still male-dominated.

Hun Sen, the long-serving prime minister who has been in power for over three decades, has tried to court the youth through his own Facebook page and graduation speeches.

He also dispenses advice to women on how to live, telling female garment workers on May 23 that it was better to have only one partner so “there is no worry about AIDS.” “This is a message to youth to do good things,” he said in his remarks, which were broadcast live on his Facebook page.

The premier is set for a landslide

A ‘tambay‘...

From A4

being anti-poor. Duterte’s order, therefore, has no legal basis.

According to reports, in Metro Manila alone, some 5,575 people have been arrested on the basis of the anti“tambay” order. In Dagupan, more than 100 “tambays” were arrested on June 19. The Philippine National Police alleges that “tambay” arrests were due to violation of local laws such as antismoking, drinking on the streets, and going shirtless in public. One, all local

ars fraternity.

Brod Bert had as inducted into the frat, making us a brod of many of the nation’s great—the likes of then Mayor Antonio “Yeba” Villegas, Justice Ricardo Puno, Presidential Assistant Gino de Vega, Amado Gat Inciong, Justice Leonardo Quisumbing, Danny Florida, RTC Judge Marino dela Cruz, Jr., and others.

The “and others” should include lawyers non pareil Augusto Macam and Rudy Tacorda, and fellow writers Ave Perez Jacob and Roger Ordonez.

Joy and tragedy are, indeed, strange bedfellows.

radio disputed a news report published in a national paper and in the Sunday Punch claiming Rizal never set foot in Dagupan or anywhere in Pangasinan despite his well-known trysts with beloved cousin Leonor who lived in Dagupan City.

It is on record that Leonor Rivera and Charles Kipping were married in the Roman Catholic Church in Dagupan on June 17, 1890.

Tragic, you’d say? But is not tragedy one of the elements of greatness.

Speaking of tragedy, who can beat the emotions involved on what happened to Josephine Bracken, the wife of our National hero, after his bloody end in Bagumbayan.

On Rizal’s birthday last week, lawyer Mike Datario, well-known member of the local Masons in Dagupan and who has built a reputation for being an orator on Rizal, gave a moving account of Josephine Bracken after the hero’s physical demise.

Bracken, Datario said, had a morbid, tragic end, totally crushed by loneliness and tuberculosis.

Joy and tragedy are, indeed, strange bed-fellows as richly shown by the dark side of the great and the famous.

Tragedy, indeed, should remind us our human frailties but towering exaltations in the stars.

Aside from our national hero, who can beat the volumes of pathos poured into his martyrdom, the treacherous end of another national hero, Andres Bonifacio, and the dark hand of treachery by Emilio Aguinaldo?

Mourn the history of our nation.

Cry, people, cry!

Why are we indulging in these historical notes?

It’s our way of giving an idea of our intimate access to the life of our National Hero and every appurtenance attached to his memory.

In Pangasinan, where we are now based, we would be in touch with Rizal’s kins and relatives, the likes of the Ventinilla sisters—writer-educator Margarita “Tita” V. Hamada, who has written incisive articles on Rizal, and Ms. Anabelle Arcinue, president of Pangasinan Heritage Society, who recently joined us in a Bombo Radyo symposium on Rizal and especially his Pangasinense relatives.

In that radio symposium, we were joined by Dindo Bengson who is related Jun Velasco used to write for Bulletin to Leonor Rivera.

Today among other national and interThe Rizal and Rivera kins over the national publications. constitutionally designed mechanism of impeachment, warning that the rule of law cannot survive in an environment which changes like sand dunes at the whim of the desert winds. The stability of the system is what draws the line between the rule of law and the rule of men, it adds. It is this stability that has been swept to the curb by the assailed decision.

Finally, in the assailed decision, the Court ruled that the respondent chronically failed to submit her Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth and thus violated the rules set by the JBC. In taking exception to this finding, the IBP argues that the Court erred in making a factual determination of whether or not respondent failed to submit her SALNs during her years of government service contrary to the principle that the Court is not a trier of facts. The issue of whether respondent submitted her SALNs is a question of fact which requires examination of evidence submitted by the parties. Worse, the Court failed to maintain the cold neutrality of an impartial judge when it engaged in its own evidence gathering expedition and sough to supplement evidence already available. In particular, the Court, through the office of Justice Noel Tijam, sought a copy of the minutes of the Executive Committee of the JBC. In other words, the Court assumed the role of a trial judge, it also became an advocate and assisted the petitioner in discharging its burden of proof.

This not only overstep the Court’s jurisdiction but also amounts to the derogation of respondent’s right to due process.

The IBP motion for reconsideration is brilliant and persuasive. For sure, it took a lot of courage for its leadership to do this.

This is exactly the organization that Justice Jose Benedicto Luna Reyes envisioned when the IBP was founded in 1973 and he became its first chairman and president. After his term, in 1975, he accepted the lifetime position of IBP President Emeritus. Popularly known by the initials “JBL,” Justice Reyes was known for his brilliance and courage. It was even rumored that President Ferdinand Marcos waited for Reyes to retire from the Supreme Court in August 1972 before imposing martial law a few weeks later. And even as he led the IBP, which is under the authority of the Supreme Court, JBL Reyes actively resisted the Marcos dictatorship.

Justice JBL’s most famous words ring true as a challenge today for all lawyers and judges: “No Master but Law; No Guide but Conscience; No Aim but Justice.” It is a challenge our fellow alumnus from the University of the Philippines College of Law—IBP President Fajardo, whom I happily claim as my former student, and the IBP Board of Governors and officials have lived up to.

I praise and thank them for this. Mabuhay kayo mga pinuno namin sa IBP!

victory in general elections next month after backing a crackdown on the opposition.

Questioning society Cath, who studies mass media at Pannasastra University in Phnom Penh, started the “vlog” in early 2016 and it is now a full-time job, monetised through product placements for skin care companies and a brand of condoms.

“I don’t want everyone to agree with me but I want people to start questioning society,” she explained.

Raymond Leos, one of her professors, brings up Cath when discussing a wider trend of students moving beyond traditional career paths and family expectations.

“They’re very technologically savvy, they’re very sophisticated, and they’re very independent in their thinking,” he said.

“A Dose of Cath” has found a ready audience in a country where one third of the 15 million population is under 30 and smartphone usage has more than doubled over the past five years, helping her amass more than 200,000

followers on Facebook.

One video posted last year dealt with female virginity, an issue in a country where many women are expected to wait to wed before having sex.

“Women are not a walking vagina, an object that’s only valuable when they haven’t been touched, or a white cloth that once stained, can’t be washed away,” she said in a post viewed more than 2 million times.

The comments section below was typical of the polarization of her content.

One viewer praised Cath for being “brave enough to speak up” on the issue, but other posts were crude, with one saying that “used and new products” are not the same.

Cath says men have harassed her by sending pornographic images to the account, while she is frequently accused of denigrating Khmer culture and being indecent.

“I’ve been called a sex demon,” she said. “But then again also many young people are inspired by what I’m doing.”

AFP

ordinances that were passed on the basis of the national anti-vagrancy law should have also been repealed as the national law was. Second, even if there are legitimate local ordinances, it is highly doubtful that arrests should be made on the first offense. Usually, there are fines but imprisonment is such a severe punishment for petty offenses.

Until now, no one has come out with the provisions of the alleged local laws that they use for the arrests.

Duterte’s order is bound to be abused. We have already seen several cases of police abuse on this. One has even led to the death of Genesis “Ti-

soy” Argoncillo. The police’s statements have been changing day to day.

First they said Argoncillo’s death was due to self-inflicted trauma because he was mentally ill. Then they said that he died from suffocation because of the severe congestion of prison cells.

When pictures of Argoncillo’s severely beaten body and his death certificate surfaced, they are now saying that Tisoy was mauled by inmates. His death certificate says that he died of multiple blunt force trauma to the neck, head, chest and upper extremities.

Argoncillo died while under police custody. They must answer for this.

Facebook: tonylavs Twitter: tonylavs

SATURDAY, JUNE 23, 2018

A5

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Behind the trade war for violation of patents and copyright laws. This has become a dilemma of choosing between the devil and the deep blue sea. But the American ingenuity that propelled the US economy to become a mighty industrial giant Part I had to be sacrificed and put at risk their trade secrets, formulas and inTHE spat between the US and China vention to remain competitive through over President Trump’s unilateral de- the inverse method of consigning procision to increased tariff by 25 percent duction abroad. We are not saying that on steel and 10 percent on aluminum it is morally and legally right, but the could well escalate into a full scale US cannot run against the economic trade war. The US has already threat- laws it thought would work to its adened to impose additional tariff of 10 vantage. percent on Chinese exports to reach Laws on patents and copyright are a total of $200 billion, and the Chi- merely safeguards to prevent the unnese promised to impose the same authorized use, piracy and counterfeitamount, saying it would not stand ing of products. There is no foolproof idly to take this unilateral action that in situations where one consigns the violates its national interest, the WTO manufacture and assembling of his agreements, and disrupt international high value products abroad. The US trade. Although the similar tariff had has to bite the bullet of producing the been slapped on the European Union, cheapest product which the market Canada, Japan, South Korea and Rus- could offer even if those products have sia, all are unanimous that trade war already been improved by foreign is not good to the world economy and manufacturers. Some say patents and nobody wins from it. copyrights are the remaining outpost China knew that the pat-on-the-back of imperialism. It exposes its parasitic reassurance by Trump of his “personal and selfish nature; that it refuses to friendship” with President Xi Jinping treat its invention as its legacy to manwas more of a cover to obliquely pur- kind. sue his chauvinistic slogan of making On the opposite side, China has opt“America first” which many observ- ed to take the other route. Instead of ers see as rooted on their differences pushing the prices of goods upward, it on trade and monetary policies. The opted to take the practical approach of US economy is producing goods tied to the monthat would be etary doctrine most affordable in of increasing the the international value of the dolmarket.

China US economic and lar which today trade policy is driven by saw how US exhas taken its toll ports, caused by on global trade; the fear of a declined in an overvalued that it has to economic power. dollar, were ingrapple to control sulated out of the the increasing market. The reatrade deficit with son behind the other countries, high prices of particularly with China which runs to their products is not rooted in producover $375.6 billion in 2017. tion cost but in the increased value of The decision of the US to decou- its currency. The US applied the same ple the dollar from the gold standard financial strategy of pressuring Japan only gave respite to its overspending to revalue the yen in the 80s to reduce caused by the Vietnam War. The belief trade deficit. that allowing the US dollar to escape The problem of revaluation is that it from the fixed value of the gold as affects almost all the prices of goods. embodied in Bretton Woods Agree- Once prices are allowed to increase, it ment did not materialize. Aside from is most difficult to push them back to the financial devastation caused by their original price. The success of the the dismantling of interest rates, it US in pressuring Japan did not actuhas created a more pernicious prob- ally produce the desired result. Japan lem of increased cost of living amidst had to save its own exports. After continuing economic recession. The determining that the value of the yen “inflation-driven economy” pushed was almost at par with the dollar and wages to increase for which the term so with the cost of living, it acceded “real wages” became so familiar that to the demand to build their car prothe wage received increased in figure duction plant in the US, thus providing but not in value. employment and appeasing anti-JapaIndeed, wages and the cost of living nese sentiment in the US. in the US steadily increased, but slowThe US pursued that policy, firmly ly, production and manufacturing de- believing that by increasing the value clined. Finance capital which was the of its currency it would automatically progenitor of the neoliberal economic substitute loss in their exports. The policy made the practice of consign- US was the first to take advantage of ing production abroad economically the low value of Chinese exports unviable. This economic “hegira” has mindful in the long run that would be been principally attributed to the great overtaken by the closure of most of disparity in the value of the US dol- their production plants and factories. lar and the currency of the developed The method of increasing the value of economies against the currencies of one’s currency is hoped to maintain the developing countries, and made a favorable trade balance. But as the capitalism without production “lucra- trade between the US and China protive.” gressed, US imports consistently edge It paved the way for the silent con- out Chinese exports. American econoversion of the US dollar as the univer- mists refused to concede that it is the sal medium of exchange from which increasing value of the dollar that is the US continues to make enormous causing the volume of US exports to profit out of the mere use of its cur- shrink. rency in almost all international trade Notably, US economic and trade poltransactions. The belief that aggregate icy is driven by the fear of a declined demand could trigger more production in economic power. The US trade to generate employment did not hap- policy makers equate the loss of their pen. Strictly speaking, it was not in- economic power to the possible loss flation, but one of increased spending of their global military power. Many through importation to take advantage do not agree to this theory. In our post of cheap imports. As the addictive war era, Germany, Japan, South Korea vice of cheap importation continued, and China are the principal economic many of its factories withered and lo- powers co-existing alongside with the cal production plants closed. Many say US, although its position no long stands it marked the “colonization” of the US as overarching the rest as it was in the economy.

50’s to the 70’s. Economic power is no Unrestrained importation deprived longer translated to military power to not only labor of their employment enforce hegemonism, except the US. but equally put at risk all their trade secrets amplified in the complaints rpkapunan@gmail.com

BACKBENCHER ROD P. KAPUNAN

Duterte’s order is clearly anti-poor.

The rich hang out in coffee shops, malls, bars and clubs. The poor have to be content with making “tambay.” The difference is the rich have money and the poor do not. Thus, only the poor get arrested.

This issue has also revealed other politicians’ ignorance on how the poor live at best, and bias against them, at worst.

When Senator Grace Poe said that “we want this to succeed so that our streets would be rid of criminals and unscrupulous elements without instilling fear and misery among the public.” She was actually equating being a “tambay” with

being criminal.

There are rich and there are poor criminals. Poverty is not a crime. Many of your so-called “tambays” want to improve their lives by legal means. It is government’s responsibility to create jobs for them, not to arrest them because they are jobless.

What is happening now is worse than Marcos’ martial law and must stop. Arresting “tambay” does not solve crimes.

Instead, it can kill like what happened to Genesis Argoncillo. bethangsioco on Twitter Elizabeth Angsioco on Facebook

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

News

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SATURDAY, JUNE 23, 2018 Standard TODAY mst.daydesk@gmail.com Manila

‘Abu Dar no kin of Marohombsar family’ C

OTABATO CITY—Members of a prominent family in Lanao have sought to clarify military reports that extremist Maute leader Abu Dar is also known as Owaida Benito Marohombsar.

Ali Macabalang, news correspondent of the Manila Bulletin, took the cudgels to speak for his maternal kin among members of the Marohombsar family, saying the real name of Abu Dar was actually Abdulmajid Humam.

In a post Friday on social media, Maca-

balang said the Marohombsar family stood firm on Abu Dar’s real name, based on the voter’s identification card of Humam, which also matched his employment records as then interpreter at the Philippine Embassy in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

“As a member of the Marohombsar

clan, I urged him [Humam] to go out of the Philippines, and fight his ‘holy war’ with Palestinians against transgressing Israelis.

Please!,” Macabalang dared Humam. “Incidentally, the fellow [Humam or Abu Dar] does not belong to the clan,” he added.

Col. Romeo Brawner said the military had been in pursuit of Dar’s group, even prior to government pronouncement that it had increased monetary reward for his capture to P6 million.

Brawner said other members of Dar’s group had passed it off pretending as

evacuees to escape Sunday’s airstrike, and the subsequent days’ ground offensives, when they were believed to have holed into interior parts of Binidayan, Tubaran, and Pagayawan since last Sunday.

Macabalang said Marohombsar family members, known for their erudition, were modest in life, not interested on the bounty the government had placed on Dar’s head.

They only wanted certain reports corrected where their family was dragged unnecessarily into controversy.

Members of the Marohombsar family include lawyers, scholars and soldiers, but they have notably remained modest in their lifestyle, according to family sources.

The late Col. Luis Marohombsar was one of very few Filipino Muslims in the Bataan Death March. The other Filipino Muslim recorded by Death March historians was a Tausog, Musa Ballaho Mohammad, whose gallantry was acknowledged by then President Ferdinand Marcos in a speech at the Philippine Convention Center in 1980. Nash B. Maulana

PAL to strengthen security for US-bound flights

N OTICE

By Joel E. Zurbano

Notice is hereby given that COMMUNITY DEVELOPERS AND CONSTRUCTION CORPORATION, with office address at Phinma Properties Center, 29 EDSA, Mandaluyong City, is applying for registration with the Board of Investments (BOl) as new developer of economic and low-cost housing project (Aspire Homes Riverside in SWU Village Bldg. 1 & 2) with a capacity of 142 economic and low-cost units on a non-pioneer status with project site at Sitio Pailob, Sambag II, Cebu City.

LEGACY carrier Philippine Airlines on Friday announced it would strengthen security measures for its US-bound flights—from Manila to Los Angeles, San Francisco, Honolulu and Guam, and from Vancouver to New York (JFK)— by screening powder-like substances on a random continuous basis.

The move is in compliance with the regulatory requirements of the US Department of Homeland Security for all flights operating from the last point of departure to the United States.

Any person with valid objection/s on the abovementioned project may file his/her objection in writing, under oath, with the BOl within three (3) days from the date of this publication.

(SGD) ANGELITA F. ARCELLANA Officer-In-Charge Infrastructure and Services Industries Service (MS-JUNE 23, 2018)

Effective June 30, 2018, PAL personnel will inspect powder-like substances 12 ounces (approximately 350 milliliters) or larger (for example, individual containers the size of larger than a beverage can).

Powders are fine dry particles produced by the grinding, crushing, or disintegration of a solid substance (for example, flour, sugar, ground coffee, spices, powdered milk and cosmetics).

Powders may also appear in clumpy, grainy, or compressed material forms (for example, polvoron, cosmetic powder, etc.)

Medically prescribed powder-like

substances (baby formula or human remains 12 oz (350 ml or larger) may be transported after security inspection.

Duty-free powder containers inside a properly sealed Secure Tamper Evident Bag are allowed.

The PAL management urged air travelers to allot ample time or be at the airport at least three hours before flight departure because of the expected slightly different check-in counter and gate screening setup.

The airline is seeking the understanding and kind cooperation of passengers during the implementation of

the baggage check-in, passenger and carry-on baggage screening procedures.

In July 2017, PAL also imposed a measure subjecting all portable electronic devices (PED)—larger than a cellphone or smartphone—of passengers bound for the United States to additional airport screening.

The electronic devices that exceed the size limit must be surrendered by passengers to the airline for additional screening at the Redundancy Screening Checkpoint.

PAL, however, stated that necessary medical devices are exempted from additional screening.

Republika ng Pilipinas National Irrigation Administration (Pambansang Pangasiwaan ng Patubig Regional Office No. 8 Office Address : NIA Road, Marasbaras Tacloban City, Philippines Telephone Nos.: RM (053) 323-6743, Admin. (053) 323-9195 Website : www.region8.nia.gov.ph

Email Add:niabac.region8.gmail.com Telefax No. (053) 323-7596 TIN:000-916-415-016

INVITATION TO BID No. 15-2018 The National Irrigation Administration (NIA), Region 8, Marasbaras, Tacloban City through its Bids and Awards Committee (BAC), hereby invites Domestic Contractors, registered with and classified by the Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board (PCAB), to bid for the hereunder contracts. Bids received in excess of ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening.

Item/Description 1.

Cat-Bobon IP Contract No. 04-2018– Construction of Concrete Canal and Canal Structures of Catarman-Bobon Irrigation Project, Catarman&Bobon, Northern Samar 2. Bantayan IP Contract No. 01-2018– Construction of Canal, Canal Structures and Slope Protection Works of Bantayan Irrigation Project, San Roque, Northern Samar 3. Bantayan IP Contract No. 02-2018– Construction of Canal and Canal Structures of Bantayan Irrigation Project, San Roque Northern Samar

Approved Budget for Contract (Php)

Duration

Cost of Bid Docs

14,377,705.05

180 cd

25,000.00

29,585,556.57

220 cd

25,000.00

16,279,695.51

220 cd

25,000.00

4. Bantayan IP Contract No. 03-2018– Construction of Canal and Canal Structures of Bantayan Irrigation Project, San Roque Northern Samar

10,441,231.85

220 cd

25,000.00

5. Bantayan IP Contract No. 04-2018– Construction of Canal and Canal Structures of Bantayan Irrigation Project, San Roque Northern Samar

53,638,430.84

220 cd

50,000.00

43,517,938.80

308 cd

25,000.00

25,350,138.01

264 cd

25,000.00

6. Bulao IP Contract No. 01-2018– Construction of Flood Dike Protection and Construction of OnFarm Canal Lining of Bulao Irrigation Project, Las Navas, Northern Samar 7. Bulao IP Contract No. 02-2018– Construction of Concrete Canal Lining and Canal Structures of Bulao Irrigation Project, Las Navas, Northern Samar

The Prospective Bidders should have completed, within five (5) years from the date of submission and receipt of bids, a contract similar to the Project whose value must be at least fifty percent (50%) of the ABC. Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using non-discretionary pass/fail criterion as specified in the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of republic Act 9184 (R.A. 9184), otherwise known as the “Government procurement Reform Act”.

Prospective Bidders are not allowed to participate if they have negative slippage in their ongoing contracts. Individuals with Special Power of Attorney (SPA) are not allowed to transact and participate in the procurement utilizing another construction firm.

The schedule of BAC activities are as follows: BAC Activities 1. Issuance of Bid Documents

Schedule Starting June 7, 2018

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

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

June 15, 2018 June 27, 2018

2:00 p.m.

10:00 a.m.

The BAC will issue a complete set of Bidding Documents to eligible bidders upon payment of non-refundable amount of the Bid Documents to the Cashier.

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

(SGD) ESTELITA S. SUMILE BAC Chairman Noted: (SGD) FERMINA B. ALING Acting Regional Manager

(MS-JUNE 23, 2018)

Republika ng Pilipinas National Irrigation Administration (Pambansang Pangasiwaan ng Patubig Regional Office No. 8 Office Address : NIA Road, Marasbaras Tacloban City, Philippines Telephone Nos.: RM (053) 323-6743, Admin. (053) 323-9195 Website : www.region8.nia.gov.ph

Email Add:niabac.region8.gmail.com Telefax No. (053) 323-7596 TIN:000-916-415-016

INVITATION TO BID No. 14-2018 (Re-Bidding) The National Irrigation Administration (NIA), Region 8, Marasbaras, Tacloban City through its Bids and Awards Committee (BAC), hereby invites Domestic Contractors, registered with and classified by the Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board (PCAB), to bid for the hereunder contracts. Bids received in excess of ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening.

Item/Description 1.

Cat-Bobon IP Contract No. 01-2018– Construction of Concrete Canal and Canal Structures of Catarman-Bobon Irrigation Project, Catarman&Bobon, Northern Samar 2. Cat-Bobon IP Contract No. 02-2018– Construction of Concrete Canal, Canal Structures and Service Road of Catarman-Bobon Irrigation Project, Catarman&Bobon, Northern Samar 3. Cat-Bobon IP Contract No. 03-2018– Construction of Concrete Canal and Canal Structures of CatarmanBobon Irrigation Project, Catarman&Bobon, Northern Samar

Approved Budget for Contract (Php)

Duration

Cost of Bid Docs

67,454,476.64

540 cd

50,000.00

71,085,897.70

720 cd

50,000.00

45,413,885.58

720 cd

25,000.00

The Prospective Bidders should have completed, within five (5) years from the date of submission and receipt of bids, a contract similar to the Project whose value must be at least fifty percent (50%) of the ABC. Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using non-discretionary pass/fail criterion as specified in the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of republic Act 9184 (R.A. 9184), otherwise known as the “Government procurement Reform Act”.

Prospective Bidders are not allowed to participate if they have negative slippage in their on-going contracts. Individuals with Special Power of Attorney (SPA) are not allowed to transact and participate in the procurement utilizing another construction firm.

The schedule of BAC activities are as follows: BAC Activities 1. Issuance of Bid Documents 2. Pre-bid Conference 3. Receipt and Opening of Bids

Schedule Starting June 7, 2018 June 15, 2018 June 27, 2018

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

2:00 p.m.

10:00 a.m.

The BAC will issue a complete set of Bidding Documents to eligible bidders upon payment of non-refundable amount of the Bid Documents to the Cashier.

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

(SGD) ESTELITA S. SUMILE BAC Chairman Noted: (SGD) FERMINA B. ALING Acting Regional Manager (MS-JUNE 23, 2018)

DIFFERENT CLEFS. Participants march during the opening ceremony of the Bacoor International Music Championship at the bayside Quirino Grandstand in Manila Friday—with 34 participants, including 11 international delegates, joining the three-day competition ending Sunday in Bacoor, Cavite and the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. Norman Cruz

MMDA to impose one-truck lane policy Bishop Villegas THE Metro Manila Development Authority will impose a one-truck lane policy along Circumferential Road-2 to improve the flow of traffic and lessen truck-related accidents in the area.

MMDA general manager Jose Arturo Garca said trucks traversing C-2 Road would only be allowed on one lane from Andalucia to Nagtahan Road and vice versa in the City of Manila.

“This is aimed at preventing accidents and address heavy traffic caused by trucks along the thoroughfare,” said Garcia.

Based on the 2017 Metro Manila Accident Recording and Analysis System, at least 155 damage to property incidents and eight injuries involving trucks and trailers were reported in the area.

Under the policy, cargo trucks with a gross weight of more than 4,500 kilos will only be allowed to use the C-2 Road’s third lane from

the sidewalk except at Nagtahan, which is second lane from the median or center island.

At least 6,939 trucks and trailer trucks plying along the road based on the MMDA’s annual daily traffic last year.

The average number of existing lanes is four lanes per direction.

Last Thursday, the Metro Manila Council gave its go-ahead for the enforcement of the measure.

The MMC is the governing board and policy-making body of the agency.

One-truck lane policy is also being implemented along Circumferential Road 5 (C-5 Road), Katipunan Avenue, Congressional Road, Mindanao Avenue and Roxas Boulevard.

Truck drivers who fail to observe the onetruck lane policy shall be apprehended and fined P2,000, which is the corresponding penalty to truck ban violation. Joel E. Zurbano

CamSur has own ‘Build, Build’ program

By Maricel V. Cruz THE construction of a provincial capitol building will trigger the implementation of Camarines Sur’s owned “Build, Build, Build” program, a pro-Duterte administration official said on Friday.

Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte said the world-class capitol, designed by architect and urban design consultant Carlos Arnaiz, would be a “a groundbreaking and unique” structure that would instantly become a recognizable symbol of the province.

Villafuerte said the other projects included the expansion of the Naga Airport in the town of Pili; the modernization of the Philippine National Railways line; the CamSur West Coast Tourism Highway that will connect the towns of Balatan, Pasacao and Ragay; and the Bicol River bridge that will connect the town of Libmanan to Naga City, which would begin construction next year.

“I always say that do not expect extraordinary things to happen if you keep doing ordinary things every day. We want CamSur to be extraordinary. We want CamSur to be different.

We want CamSur to set new standards,” said Villafuerte, a vice chairman of the House com-

mittee on local government, said.

The former governor said the CamSur capitol building, featuring several Pili-shaped roofs, was designed as an eco-friendly structure, reflecting its commitment to sustainable development and the preservation of Bicol’s culture.

He said Arnaiz of the design firm CAZA conceptualized the building as a spiraling assembly of Pili-shaped husks that appears like a mountain from the horizon and like a flower from the sky.

Each Pili-shaped volume is a metal sunscreen protecting the building’s interior from the intense tropical sun and creating a series of shaped roof terraces.

The Capitol’s spiral organization of Pilishaped volumes produces a covered open-air atrium in the center of the building with a dramatic interior helicoid ramp terminating at the Mt. Isarog viewing deck.

“Our Camsur Capitol is a visionary project that builds on what is endemic to CamSur in order to propel the province into a future of technological advancement, environmental sustainability and civic engagement,” Villafuerte said.

CAZA, a Brooklyn-based design studio and think tank, has offices in the Philippines and Colombia.

to officiate at Foundation rites STA. BARBARA, Pangasinan—Catholic Bishop Socrates Villegas, head of the Lingayen-Dagupan Archdiocese, will officiate at the opening of “Silungan na Panangaro” (Shelter of Love) Foundation Inc., in Barangay Sapang here today at 3 pm.

Foundation chairman Fina DacasinParilla said Bishop Villegas would be joined by Mayor Carlito Zaplan, MWSS chairman Reynaldo Velasco, Rev. Fr. Fidelis Layog, former VM Emmanuel Cabangon and foundation president Salvador Bautista.

The shelter is intended to give the poor, the aged, abandoned, orphaned and homeless a place to live in with the unselfish efforts and support of kindhearted persons.

The facility consists of 1,200 sq.m. lot for the shelter and 2,400 square meters for a church and convent for the servants of charity congregation.

Other officers of the foundation are lawyer C. Maribelle D. Ferrer, Albertini de Guzman and Gilda Bautista-Ison, Manuel V. Velasco, Bernadette MunozIson, Rosalinda Ulanday-Balolong, Olegario T. Macaalay, Jr., and Gracia Sanedrin.

Three years ago, the Department of Social Welfare and Development and the Local Government Unit of Sta. Barbara, Pangasinan jointly constructed an evacuation center cum multi-purpose building in Barangay Maninding, which was inaugurated last April 2015.

The first of its kind in the Ilocos Region, the evacuation center was intended to serve as a temporary shelter during disasters for families living in low-lying municipalities in the province.

DSWD extended P10 million for the construction of the evacuation center while the LGU of Sta. Barbara provided counterpart support that included the 2,000-sq. m. lot where the evacuation center was built, P1.5 million for additional construction materials, and P2 million for site development.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Sports ONE: Pinnacle of Power erupts today

By Peter Paul Duran M ACAU — The stage is set and the fighters are raring to see action when one of the biggest sporting events in this city unfolds later today.

Headlined by a pair of c o m p e l l i n g Adriano Moraes world-t itle bouts, ONE: Pinnacle of Power will also see several top contenders, former world champions, and Muay Thai legends take to the mat at the Studio City Events Center.

And Baguio-based Team Lakay is hoping interim flyweight champion Geje “Gravity” Eustaqio’s “King of Rematch” tag will ring true in order to avenge a 2014 defeat against Adriano Moraes in the night’s main event that will settle who the undisputed division king really is.

“It has been four years since our last fight, this a showcase of how we p r og r e s s e d , By merely standing on that stage I know we’ve already won,” said Eustaqio during a media meet and greet Thursday.

“He showed in his last fight how he has deXiong King Nan veloped (since our last bout). We’re gonna give you one of the best shows in the world,” said Moraes who feels confident in leaving Macau victorious, “I got my belts here, I like to fight here, I like the people,” he added.

In the co-main event, promotional debutante Laura “The Gladiadora” Balin, is planning to shock the world when she challenges China’s “The Panda” Xiong Jing Nan for the ONE Women’s Strawweight World Championship.

While notable fighters in the renowned stable will also look to produce stellar wins, Edward “The Ferocious” Kelly, fresh from a 21-second KO victory early this year, fixes his sights on another highlight-reel finish to establish his world title contender status against dangerous and evergreen veteran Narantungalag “Tungaa” Jadambaa.

Danny Kingad clashes with “The Southern Eagle” Ma Hao Bin, who is unbeaten in the ONE Championship stage and eyes to cement his status as one of the best flyweights in the world in his undercard match versus the 22-year-old Baguio native.

BanKo Perlas eyes PVL semis THE BANKO-Perlas Spikers, who recently clinched three straight victories, hope to punch their ticket into the semifinals of the 2018 Premiere Volleyball League Reinforced Conference with better communication and teamwork.

The BanKo Perlas team was one of the victors of the quarterfinal opener when the team won in a quick three-setter match against the Tacloban Figting Warays. The Perlas Spikers grabbed their second and third quarterfinal win as they ended the streak of defending champion of Pocari Sweat-Air Force and Iriga Lady Oragons, respectively.

“We worked more on our communication especially during the crucial parts of every set. We lacked communication in our previous games, and that’s why we have difficulties in closing out some sets or even each match in the past,” said coach Ariel dela Cruz.

Previously, Perlas Spikers concluded the prelims on a high note winning over the Iriga-Navy Lady Oragons and the PayMaya High Flyers. Prior to the two wins, the Perlas Spikers wallowed in a four-game losing slump.

Dela Cruz said they looked for the right combination inside the court and how to best match up with their opponents. He said the players now know what they are capable of inside the court.

“The trust and confidence of everyone in the team is important,” dela Cruz said.

“We worked on the leadership aspect. All the players must act as leaders, not only the team captain and the imports,” he added.

BanKo Perlas Spikers’ imports Kia Bright, who has been on fire in the volleyball court since the quarterfinal round, and Jutarat Montripila, are among the top performing imports in the PVL Reinforced Conference.

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SATURDAY, JUNE 23, 2018 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Wild finish looms as 4 share lead D

AVA O — J o b i m Carlos checked an impending skid with a lone backside birdie but his one-over 73 enabled three others to force a four-way tie for the lead, guaranteeing a wild, woolly finish in the rich ICTSI Apo Golf Invitational yesterday.

Mars Pucay

Veterans Mars Pucay and Elmer Salvador sizzled at the finish to shoot identical 69s while Nilo Salahog continued to impress with his guts and poise and matched par 72 for the second straight day as the troika tied Carlos at four-under 212 at the tough Apo Golf and Country Club here.

But five others lay just stroke adrift, two more stood two shots behind and another pair assembled a 54-hole aggregate of 215s, ensuring a highly charged battle for the top P550,000 purse out of the P3 million total prize in this third leg of the Philippine Golf Tour sponsored by ICTSI. Carlos, who nailed his maiden win at PGT Asia Riviera three weeks ago, blamed his ball striking and putting for his first over-par card after a lead-grabbing 70 and 69.

“My ball striking and putting were no good,” rued Carlos, who yielded the lead to Salahog, who matched par 36, with a 38 start but regained a piece of it with a birdie on the par-5 13th.

He refused to predict the score he would need to emerge winner for the second time, saying: “It’s hard to say and it would depend on the condition of the course tomorrow (today).”

But given the course condition, Pucay said a four-under could end a four-year title spell for the player who last won at the Players Championship at Southlinks. “With this kind of condition, eight overall could win the championship,” said the former national amateur champion, who birdied Nos. 13, 15 and 17 to put himself in contention.

Four behind Carlos halfway through the championship, the soft-spoken Salvador actually made quite a noise with three birdies at the front and tied Salahog for the clubhouse lead. But he bogeyed the first two holes at the back and needed

to birdie two of the last four to likewise gain a crack at the crown.

Keanu Jahns made the biggest gain in moving day, charging back from the bottom half of the surviving 46-player field with four birdies and an eagle, negating an early double-bogey mishap on No. 3 to fire a 68 and join the fancied Jhonnel Ababa and Jerson Balasabas, unheralded Ramil Bisera and diminutive Joenard Rates at fifth at 213.

Ababa, winner of back-to-back PGT Asia legs last January, and recently crowned Philippine Masters champion Jerson Balasabas turned in second straight 70s while Bisera, hoping to nail the elusive first crown at home, mixed three birdies with the same number of bogeys for a 72.

Rates actually squandered a fiery start of three birdies in the first seven holes with a bogey on No. 8 and missed seizing the penultimate round lead with two bogeys in the last five holes to settle for a 72.

Clash of titans in PSL opener at Big Dome Games Today (Smart Araneta Coliseum) 3 p.m. – Opening Ceremonies 4 p.m. – Generika-Ayala vs UA-UP 6 p.m. – Foton vs F2 Logistics

Filipino boxing legend Senator Manny Pacquiao spars against Reymond Yanong in General Santos City during the continuation of his preparation for his July 15 bout in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia against Argentine Lucas Martin Matthysse. Sonny Espiritu

Pacquiao, Matthysse gear up for tougher training GENERAL SANTOS CITY—Ring warriors Manny Pacquiao and Lucas Matthysse stepped up their respective training sessions a notch higher as preparations for “Fight of Champions” entered its hardest stages this week.

Pacquiao is all business these days as he is focusing on the most challenging fight of his life. He sparred for 10 rounds Thursday afternoon and gave out a big smile to his supporters, saying, “it’s good to be back.”

So inspired is Pacquiao these days that he is concentrating on just winning the fight that he wants most. He delegated management of MP Promotions, the lead promoter of his July 15 battle at the Axiata Arena in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, to his trusted lieutenants.

Matthysse, the welterweight champion who vowed to defend with his life and bring back to his country Argentina

the WBA crown that he won early this year, is also as determined to retire the only eight-division and 10-time champion in boxing history.

Pacquiao’s sparring will reach the full 12 rounds next week even as Matthysse’s trainer Joel Diaz has laid out an elaborate game-plan to score a win for his dangerous pupil, a boxer who has knocked out 36 of the 39 opponents he has faced in the past.

“As far as I am concerned, everything is fine,” said Pacquiao, responding to rumors that the fight is headed to a postponement or even cancellation. “Lucas Matthysse and I are getting ready to give the fans their money’s worth and July 15 will be huge for boxing in Malaysia.”

Pacquiao assigned a team to take care of business and logistics as he concentrated in training alone.

Marketing and sales head Arnold Vegafria echoed Pacquiao’s sentiments.

Vegafria, who was monitoring news online on a plane heading back to the Philippines from New York City, said all concerned decision makers were in agreement with each other.

“Everyone is on board. Everyone understands the situation and the fight is going as planned,” said Vegafria.

Aside from the Pacquiao Vs Matthysse championship, three more world title fights are in store for hardcore boxing fans including the World Boxing Association featherweight bout between Edivaldo Ortega of Mexico, (26-1-1, 12 KOs) and Jhack Tepora of the Philippines (21-0, 16 KOs).

Chinese amateur sensation and Olympian Lu Bin will challenge Carlos Canizales of Venezuela, the WBA light flyweight champion (20-0-1).

F2 Logistics and Foton collide in an early clash of titans to kick off the Chooks to Go-Philippine Superliga Invitational Conference today at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Two of the early favorites, the Cargo Movers and Tornadoes take the floor at 6 p.m. main game of this prestigious club tourney bankrolled by Isuzu, UCPB Gen and SOGO Hotel with ESPN5, Hyper HD and Aksyon TV as broadcast partners.

United Auctioneers-University of the Philippines, meanwhile, makes its much-anticipated debut when it tangles with Generika-Ayala in the first match at 4 p.m.

Prior to that, an Indonesian-inspired opening ceremony will usher in the start of this mid-season conference that also has Senoh, Asics, Mikasa, Mueller and Grand Sport as technical sponsors.

Unfortunately for the Lady Maroons, star spiker Tots Carlos will miss the rest of the conference after sustaining a shin injury that needs at least eight weeks to heal.

UA-UP head coach Godfrey Okumu said Carlos’ absence will open things up for the Ayel Estranero and Jessma Ramos, who will play their first club league outside the University Athletic Association of the Philippines, while Isa Molde can now display her talent after getting limited minutes with Foton in the previous Grand Prix.

“We were given a special chance to play in this league,” he said.

“I have a very young team, but it’s a good team, a very strong team. We’re here to gain experience and share what we have with other teams. So we might be a very surprising team.”

United Tennis PH members join ITF junior meet in Jakarta

Members of the UTP team, namely Bea Acena, Manuel Balce III, Macie Carlos, Melanie Dizon, Michael Eala and prodigy Alex Eala, are shown here.

SIX young tennis superstars are set to compete in the International Tennis Federation-AGS Junior Tennis Championships, which will be held in Jakarta, Indonesia on from June 24 to July 1.

The young tennis sensations are part of the newly formed national junior tennis team by the Unified Tennis Philippines.

The players are Bea Acena, Manuel Balce III, Macie Carlos, Melanie Dizon, Michael Eala and prodigy Alex Eala.

The players were chosen based on their 2017 UTP Ranking, from which they placed in the top 4 for their

respective age division.

“These young tennis superstars have proven their skills and talent on the court, and we are confident that they will bring honor to our country. We will support them in their quest for tennis excellence,” UTP president Jean Henri Lhuillier said.

The formation of a national junior team is part of UTP’s efforts in developing fresh talents, the national team is set to represent the country in several top tournaments sanctioned by the International Tennis Federation and the Asian Tennis Federation.

Justice Boosters in must-win situation vs Sentinels LOTTO RESULTS

THE DoJ Justice Boosters take on the Senate Sentinels in a crucial UNTV Cup Executive Face-Off game at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday at the Pasig City Sports Center.

DoJ Head Coach Noli Mejo said the Boosters are determined to win their last two games in the elimination round in order to advance to the playoffs, along with the top three teams.

The Justice Boosters currently hold a 2-3 card.

“We need to win against the Senate and Malacañang-PSC to advance to the

Games on Sunday

(Pasig City Sports Center) 2 p.m. Judiciary vs GSIS 3:30 p.m. Senate vs DOJ 5 p.m. AFP vs Malacañang-PSC

Final Four. We will probably improve our trapping defense and half-court defense,” said coach Noli Mejo.

The Sentinels, meanwhile, are raring to boost their current 3-2 record, hoping for the return of their ace players, Senators Joel

Villanueva and Sonny Angara, who missed the games last week due to injury.

“They said they can’t play this game and then in the next two games, they will give everything. We really need to win the last two games to get to the Final Four,” Sentinels’ coach Mike Fermin said.

The DoJ-Senate clash will come after Judiciary Magis and GSIS Thunder Furies’ tussle at 2 p.m., while main game between the AFP Cavaliers and Malacañang-PSC-Kamao is set at 5 pm.

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Sports

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

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SATURDAY, JUNE 23, 2018

Pringle erupts for 50 points to lift GlobalPort

Messi’s Argentina faces exit

By Jeric Lopez GLOBALPORT took charge in the final three quarters and muscled its way to a smooth 133-115 dismantling of Columbian Dyip for a pivotal win that enhanced its chances for a slot in the quarterfinals in the 2018 Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum last night.

It was all about Stanley Pringle’s career night.

The prolific spitfire had the most remarkable night of anyone this season, exploding for a career-high 50 points on 18 of 30 shooting highlighted by nine triples, to go with five rebounds and six assists to lead GlobalPort to the muchneeded win.

It was the first 50-point game of a local in 14 long years.

With Pringle scoring at will, GlobalPort swiftly shook off a slow start and turned the tide in the second quarter to smooth-sail the rest of the way.

GlobalPort had a 41-point outburst in the second quarter to take a 66-56 advantage at the turn.

The Batang Pier continued their surge until eventually putting the game out of reach.

Pringle’s exploits allowed the Batang Pier to rise to fifth place at 5-5 in the standings.

GlobalPort now controls its fate as it just needs to win its final assignment to formalize its entry in the quarterfinals.

On the other hand, the defeat eliminated Columbian as it finished outside the top eight with its 4-7 slate.

Malcolm White added 28 points and 14 rebounds, while Sean Anthony had 12 markers and 17 boards for Globalport.

Argentina’s forward Lionel Messi holds his face in shame in the Russia 2018 World Cup Group D football match between Argentina and Croatia at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium in Nizhny Novgorod. AFP

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IZHNIY Novgorod, Russia (AFP)--Lionel Messi’s Argentina were on the brink of a humiliating World Cup exit on Thursday after they were humbled 3-0 by Croatia on a dramatic day at the World Cup that saw the European side join France in the knockout rounds.

Argentina knew they had to chase a win in Nizhny Novgorod after their disappointing 1-1 opening draw against Iceland but instead collapsed in the second half to leave their campaign in tatters.

A horrendous mistake by goalkeeper Willy Caballero and two further goals from Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic mean the two-time former champions have to rely on an unlikely sequence of results if they are to progress in Russia.

It was the heaviest defeat for the two-time world champions in the first round group stages of a World Cup tournament since they lost 6-1 to Czechoslovakia in 1958.

The result spelt another night of misery for

Barcelona star Messi, who missed a penalty in Argentina’s opening match against Iceland.

In stark contrast, his eternal rival Cristiano Ronaldo, who last month won his fifth Champions League winner’s medal, has already scored four goals in Russia and looks a shoo-in to win his sixth world player of the year award.

Croatia sit at the top of Group D with six points. Iceland have one point, the same as Argentina, and Nigeria have no points, but both teams have a game in hand on the South Americans.

“I had to devise a plan for this match.

If I had set things up differently, things might have turned out much better. I don’t think it’s realistic to put the burden on

Caballero (for his mistake),” said Argentina coach Jorge Sampaoli.

“I think because of the reality of the Argentinian squad, it clouds Leo’s brilliance. Leo is limited because the team doesn’t gel ideally with him as it should.

As coaches we need to realise these things and try to deal with them and I’m the one that needs to accept it.”

Yet Sampaoli’s remarks, implying that Messi’s team-mates were to blame, drew a blunt response from normally affable striker Sergio Aguero, hinting at tensions in the Argentine camp.

“Let him say what he wants,” Aguero said, when asked to comment on Sampaoli’s verdict.

It is the first time that Croatia have progressed past the World Cup group stages since their third-placed debut in 1998.

“From day one I’ve trusted my team.

I didn’t believe we would be through after the second game, but I believed we would be through eventually,” said

Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic.

“Argentina weren’t confused, we were excellent.”

But a fierce post-mortem was already under way in Argentina, where the press tore into Messi and his team.

“Catastrophe against Croatia, Argentina disappoints and is on the way out of the World Cup,” the Clarin newspaper wrote on its website.

France qualify France, who won the tournament on home in 1998, earlier joined Russia and Uruguay in the last 16 with a 1-0 win against Peru, who cannot now progress from the group stage after two defeats.

Paris Saint-German star Kylian Mbappe tapped into an empty net in the 34th minute in Yekaterinburg and the South Americans were unable to respond.

Mbappe is now the youngest French goalscorer at a World Cup, aged 19 years and 183 days, beating David Trezeguet’s record of 20 years and 246 days. AFP

Patafa to evaluate Beram’s training

By Peter Atencio TRENTEN Beram’s training program needs to be evaluated.

Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association president Philip Ella Juico said this after Beram and fellow Fil-American star Eric Shauwn Cray missed the 2018 Korean Open last week.

According to Juico, it turned out that Beram got too exhausted to travel to Korea after joining the Philippine team in the Ayala Philippine Athletics Championship in Isabela.

“His legs were feeling sore and it might create more problems,” said Juico after having a long distance phone conversation with Beram’s father in Connecticut the other day.

The PATAFA is currently investigating the two sprinters after finding out that they did not compete in the Korean Open, which was a very crucial part of their preparation for the coming Asian Games in Indonesia.

Mendoza, Buto keep hold on Asean chess lead SHANIA Mae Mendoza and AlBasher Buto of the Philippines pulled off different results to keep their grip on the lead in their respective divisions after five rounds of the ASEAN+ Age Group Chess Championships at the Royal Mandaya Hotel in Davao City yesterday.

Shania Mae Mendoza, a 19-yearold Olympiad veteran and top board player of Far Eastern University, settled for a fighting draw with fellow Woman FIDE Master Vu Thi Dieu Ai of Vietnam to continue to lead the way in the premier girls’ under-20 section with 4.5 points after five rounds.

Mendoza, who topped the Grand Finals of the Olympiad qualifier last week to secure a berth in the biennial event set this September in Batumi, Georgia, remained a full point ahead a three-player chase pack of Indonesia’s WFM Dita Karenza and the PH’s Ella Grace Moulic and Kylen Joy Mordido with 3.5 points apiece.

The seven-year-old Buto, for his part, sustained his impressive form as he nailed his fifth straight win with a quick, merciless demolition of Vietnam’s Nguyen Vuong Tung to strengthen his grip of the solo lead in the open U8.

Beram’s father informed Juico that his son came all the way from New York after joining the US NCAA athletics’ meet.

Juico also learned that the young Beram trains with their strength and conditioning coach, and a nutrition specilist as well.

For now, the Patafa is in the process of knowing the people that Beram is training with.

The Patafa also gave two-time Olympian Eric Cray 10 days to shed light on his absence in a highly-crucial competition in South Korea early this month.

Juico said he appointed Patafa executive vice president Nicanor Sering to chair the investigating body with secretary-general Renato Unso and director Jeanette Obiena as members.

Juico said a disciplinary sanction will be meted out and barring him to compete in the 18th Asian Games is highly possible.

“We will not tolerate any kind of misconduct,” said Juico.

Bahamas’ Ayton top pick in NBA Draft; Bagley 2nd NEW YORK—The Phoenix Suns didn’t have to go far to get Deandre Ayton in the NBA draft, as they made the towering Bahamian teenager their first No. 1 overall pick in franchise history on Thursday.

The 19-year-old Ayton was expected to go first to the Suns who like the seven-foot (2.1-meter) center’s size and skill which he used to dominate in US college last season Ayton with the Arizona Wildcats.

“It means the world to me, you know my family and coaches know the hard work I put into this game to really try and be successful and achieve all my goals,” said Ayton.

Born in the Bahamas, Ayton, who turns 20 next month, moved to Phoenix during high school and says the majority of his family now live in Arizona.

The Suns are hoping Ayton can help turn around a team that finished with just 21 wins against 61 defeats, the worst in the NBA. The Sacramento Kings used the second pick to take Duke big man Marvin Bagley who played with Ayton for one season at a high school in Phoenix, Arizona.

Slovenia’s Luka Doncic was chosen third overall by the Atlanta Hawks, who then turned around and traded the European star’s rights to the Dallas Mavericks for fifth pick Trae Young and a future first round draft pick.

“I’ve been talking to Dallas a lot. They really wanted me, and they were very, very nice,” the 19-year-old said.

“They were very nice to me, and I think we had a very good relationship.” AFP

IN BRIEF Metal experts debunk claims of Coseteng

THE Department of Trade and Industry and a group of metallurgical engineers and industry experts debunked the claims of former Sen. Anna Dominique Coseteng about the induction furnace smelting technology as not safe.

Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said the former senator was doing the rounds in the industry spreading inaccurate information about the technology.

“She’s really going around. In fact, I had to meet her before also to hear the complaints. So we called several consultations of stakeholders and technical experts who are mostly metallurgical engineers,” said Lopez.

He noted the team of experts denied Coseteng’s allegations but the former senator was not convinced.

“When she lost in the arguments, she still continued to make noise. Some say she wants to expose an expose that’s not there. They can go meet the experts again,” Lopez said.

He noted that the department simply listened and issued a ruling based on research and interpellations.

The tests were available for review by Coseteng and would be made public for transparency, Lopez added. Othel V. Campos

7-Eleven chain opens 2 Nueva Vizcaya outlets

PHILIPPINE Seven Corp., the exclusive licensor of global-leading convenience store chain brand 7-Eleven in the country, reached another milestone with the opening of its first two branches in Nueva Vizcaya.

The convenience stores, located in the municipalities of Bambang and Santa Fe, will cater mostly to the residential and commercial sites of the province with a consolidated population of more than 70,000. The town of Bambang is a first-class municipality while Santa Fe is dubbed the “gateway” to Nueva Vizcaya and the rest of the Cagayan Valley Region.

The initial openings formally signal PSC’s entry in Region 2, specifically in the provinces of Cagayan, Isabela and Nueva Vizcaya.

While the region is yet to expect local and national government projects in terms of malls, airports and additional universities, 7-Eleven is optimistic that with its continuous show of progress, Nueva Vizcaya will soon become an attractive investment venue for various businesses like cstores.

Business

DBP installs 1st off-site ATM in Chocolate Hills STATE-RUN Development Bank of the Philippines, the eighth-largest lender in terms of assets, continues the aggressive expansion of its automated teller machines network nationwide by installing the first off-site ATM at the world-famous Chocolate Hills in Carmen, Bohol.

DBP president and chief executive Cecilia Borromeo said in a statement Friday the newly-installed DBP ATM was the first and only ATM machine located at the Chocolate Hills complex.

“DBP continues to improve its accessibility to its products and services by consistently growing its ATM network,” she said, adding that DBP had a total of 710 ATMs nationwide as of May this year.

Borromeo said the bank installed 81 more ATMs at the end of the first quarter of the year, which is 40.5 percent of its target of 200 new ATMs this year.

“Out of that number, 69 ATMs were installed in provincial sites in line with our commitment to bring banking services to the underserved areas,” she said.

Borromeo earlier said DBP would aggressively target one million depositors in the next five years, focusing mainly on small depositors residing in underserved areas of the country as part of its advocacy of financial inclusion.

“We want as many Filipinos to have their own deposit accounts, and we would want them to go to DBP, and to trust us as their bank,” she said.

The bank’s net income in the first quarter declined to P1.09 billion from P1.29 billion a year ago, due largely to higher provisioning for credit losses consistent with the bank’s objective of maintaining portfolio quality and in compliance with new regulations.

Julito G. Rada

business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com SATURDAY, JUNE 23, 2018

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EU slaps tariffs on US jeans, whiskey as trade war erupts to the EU’s official journal, will further fuel jitters on world stock markets that are already alarmed by trade tensions RUSSELS, between the United States and China.

Belgium—The Customs agents across Europe’s colossal market of 500 million people will European Union now impose the duty, hiking prices on slapped revenge tariffs US-made products in supermarkets and on iconic US products across factory floors.

“These measures are the logical conincluding bourbon, jeans sequence of the US decision,” French and motorcycles on Friday Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire told AFP. in its opening salvo in a “They reflect a Europe that is resolute trade war with President and principled,” he said.

Donald Trump.

Brussels imposed the raft of duties The tariffs, which took effect at mid- on US products worth 2.8 billion euros night (2200 GMT Thursday) according ($3.3 billion) in a tit-for-tat response to

By Danny Kemp

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Trump’s decision to slap stiff tariffs on European steel and aluminum exports.

Global markets on Friday took the development in stride, with stocks in Europe firm after weeks of instability on trade worries.

EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom said this week that the 28-nation bloc was “left with no other choice” but to impose tariffs of its own after the “unilateral and unjustified decision of the US.” Together with US tariffs against Mexico and Canada, the trade battles have raised the specter of a global trade war, spooking financial markets that fear major consequences to the global economy.

“We have a trade war—and it’s an

escalating trade war,” SEB chief economist Robert Bergqvist told AFP in an interview.

Brussels first drew up the list in March when Trump initially floated the 25 percent tariffs on steel imports and 10 percent on aluminum, which also target Canada, Mexico and other close allies.

The list does not specifically name brands but European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker spelled out in March that the bloc would target “Harley-Davidson, bourbon and Levi’s jeans.”

Cranberries, cranberry juice, orange juice, sweetcorn and peanut butter are among the other food products targeted. AFP

ISM bares share sale to Uy, others worth P2.5b

By Jenniffer B. Austria

SPi Global acquires Scope e-Knowledge

SPI Global, the market leading content technology and content solutions enterprise that provides data services and subject matter expertise to multiple industries, announced it completed the transaction to acquire Scope e-Knowledge Center, a leading provider of specialized knowledge services for publishers and information providers.

Scope is one of the five businesses under the Quatrrogroup of companies’ umbrella, largely focused on services and fulfillment, leveraging platforms and technology in specified domains.

“The acquisition of Scope is part of our strategic plan to expand and become the undisputed leader in content technology and knowledge services industries. It will reinforce our ongoing efforts to build a sophisticated suite of solutions for datadiscovery and smart content in STM publishing, healthcare and a wide spectrum of professional content segments. This is an exciting development for our customers, employees and partners,” said SPi Global president and chief executive Ratan Datta.

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

GLOBE SOLUTIONS. Globe Business, the information and communications technology arm of Globe Telecom, brings out an array of powerful tools and solutions during the “Breakthrough with Globe Business Solutions” event at EDSA Shangri-la Hotel attended by key leaders and executives from various industries. Shown during the event are (from left) ES Solomon, GoCanvas APAC sales and product engineer; Marlon Cruz, Trustwave country director; Peter Sharples, Amazon Web Services APAC head; Pebbles Sy-Manalang, Globe chief information officer; Albert De Larrazabal, Globe chief commercial officer; Peter Maquera, Globe SVP for Enterprise Group; Ferdie Saputil, Google Cloud Philippines country lead; Jason Huang, executive director of Ademco; Francisco Layug III, president of Ademco Philippines; and Gil Genio, Globe chief technology and information officer.

PNOC begins auction of Malampaya’s gas reserves

By Alena Mae S. Flores STATE-RUN Philippine National Oil Co. has issued an invitation to bid for the sale of its banked gas from the Malampaya gas project in northwest Palawan.

PNOC president Reuben Lista said the invitation was published to generate investor interest to buy its 97.67 petajoules of banked gas, or unutilized gas, from the Malampaya gas project.

“So we can sell it to other interested parties not only to the current users.

It’s also part of the public bidding requirements under RA 9184,” Lista said.

PNOC wanted to use the proceeds from the sale of banked gas to finance its entry into the country’s planned first integrated liquefied natural gas facility.

“We have been trying to sell it (banked gas) since day one of my assumption because that’s my biggest asset aside from the lands,” Lista said.

Lista, however, noted many restrictions imposed on the sale which the board lifted “except the price pegging it at Ilijan price or better.”

“We never stopped hoping to sell

it that’s one of the reasons we want it bundled with our LNG Hub project where we continue to evaluate possible partners,” he said.

PNOC said interested parties must consider the maximum average delivery quantity of 32.22 terajoules per day with the delivery point at the Malampaya onshore gas plant in Batangas, or as may be mutually agreed.

PNOC said the banked gas must be consumed by February 23, 2024. the government previously estimated the sale of the banked gas could fetch about $650 million.

The Management Association of the Philippines earlier expressed concern that the banked gas could no longer be withdrawn because technical constraints.

MAP, one of the country’s active business organizations, said in a position paper “there is currently no commercial arrangement for its withdrawal from the reservoir.”

“There are only six more years till the SC-38 contract expires and there is no technical solution to withdraw the bank gas within this time frame,” MAP said.

It said PNOC must discuss immediately with the other members of service contract 38 consortium and the Energy Department its options and come up with an agreement on a way forward.

The consortium is composed of Shell Philippines Exploration B.V., as operator, Chevron Malampaya LLC and PNOC unit PNOC Exploration Corp.

The consortium’s contract with the government will end by 2024.

“Otherwise, the gas will be stranded,” MAP said.

MAP said certain steps must be done to ensure the continuing development of the natural gas industry, aside from addressing the banked gas issue.

It said government must recommend to the Commission on Audit to drop the agency’s positioon taxation against the Malampaya consortium, which forced Spex to file an arbitration case against the government.

“By dropping the claim, the arbitration cases filed against the government will have no basis and thus will be moot. It will clearly show to investors that the Philippines honors its contracts,” it said.

ISM Communications Corp. is raising at least P2.5 billion through a private placement to a number of individuals, including Davao-based businessman Dennis Uy. ISM Communications said in a disclosure to the stock exchange its board authorized the executive committee to issue 841.945 million treasury shares and the remaining unissued shares of 883.730 million through a private placement at a minimum price of P1.45 apiece.

“One of the investors who has committed to participate in the private placement is Mr. Dennis A. Uy, the founder of the Udenna Group of Companies,” ISM Communications said.

The offering price of P1.45 per share is equivalent to a 20-percent discount to the 60-day volume weighted average price of ISM Communications.

ISM Communications said it planned to use the proceeds from the issuance to fund the investment opportunities currently being pursued by management.

The group of former trade minister Roberto Ongpin, whose nephew Eric Recto currently sits as chairman and chief executive of ISM Communications, had recently been forming alliance with Uy, a known supporter of President Rodrigo Duterte.

Uy was recently been elected director in two of Ongpin-led firms— Atok Bing Wedge Inc. and Alphaland Corp.

Ongpin earlier was tagged by President Duterte as one of the oligarchs in the country that his administration wanted to destroy.

Uy owns several listed companies, namely Chelsea Logistics Holdings Inc., Phoenix Petroleum Philippines Inc., 2GO Group Inc. and Philippine H2O Ventures Corp.

ISM was originally incorporated as Itogon-Suyoc Mines Inc. to engage in the mining business.

PH seeks stronger partnership with Japan

PNB’S ANVIL AWARDS. Officials of Philippine National Bank display their awards after being honored by the Public Relations Society of the Philippines with four Silver Anvils during the Gabi ng Parangal 53rd Anvil Awards held at Shangri-La at the Fort.

THE Philippines is looking forward to a stronger and closer partnership with Japan as the country emerges as one of the Asian region’s tiger economies, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said.

Dominguez said Japan was a “true and reliable friend” of the Philippines, which, he said, would continue to depend on the close relationship to help fuel its economic emergence and grand plan to bring its people to prosperity.

Dominguez made the statement during the diplomatic reception for the 120th anniversary of Philippine Independence held at the Fuji Room of the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo on Wednesday night.

He said as the Philippines emerged to join the ranks of Asia’s tiger economies, its bilateral ties with Japan had “become closer and stronger.”

He noted that Japan remained the

Philippines’ major source of official development assistance, its main source of infrastructure support, a top export market and one of its most important trade partners.

“The story of Philippine independence, therefore, is also a story of partnership between our two nations. Japan’s willingness to support our development efforts has always been a strong thread running through our nation’s history,” Dominguez said in his speech.

Also in attendance at the reception were Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, Yasuo Fukuda, the former Prime Minister of Japan; Taro Kono, Japan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs; Jose Laurel V, the Philippine ambassador to Tokyo; Koji Haneda, the Japanese ambassador to Manila; and Nobuteru Ishihara, chairman of the Japan-Philippines Parliamentarian’s Friendship League.

Julito G. Rada

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Business

SATURDAY, JUNE 23, 2018 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Stocks sink deeper; Bloomberry falls T HE stock market fell for the seventh straight session Friday as the prospect of a debilitating global trade war hung over Asia.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index dropped 34.95 points, or 0.5 percent, to a new 17-month low of 7,063.20 on a value turnover of over P8 billion. Losers overwhelmed gainers, 129 to 76, with 46 issues unchanged.

The market officially entered the bear territory Thursday with a 22-percent drop from its peak in January amid foreign funds outflow on concerns a trade war will erupt between the US and China.

Casino operator Bloomberry Resorts Corp. slumped 5.7 percent to P9.81, while Bank of the Philippine Islands, the third-biggest lender in

terms of assets, lost 2.8 percent to P88.

Alliance Global Group Inc. of tycoon Andrew Tan declined 2.8 percent to P12, while Megawide Construction Corp., which just completed the Terminal 2 of the Mactan-Cebu International Airport, also fell 2.8 percent to P21.

Asian investors, meanwhile, ended a tumultuous week on a cautious note Friday.

As European Union tariffs on key US goods—including jeans, bourbon and motorcycles—came into effect, there were fears China and the US will carry through with their own threats, locking the world’s three biggest economies in a potentially destructive face-off.

The EU move was in retaliation to Donald Trump’s decision to hit steel and aluminum imports from the bloc, and comes after the US and China traded tit-for-tat threats on hundreds of billions of dollars of goods.

That exchange sparked an international market retreat and fueled worries a full-blown flare up could pummel the global economy just as it is getting back on its feet after the global financial crisis.

“We have a trade war—and it’s an escalating trade war,” SEB chief economist Robert Bergqvist told AFP in an interview.

“Investors... are more cautious today, they are waiting for the right time to reduce their exposure in stock markets.”

Tokyo ended 0.8 percent lower and Sydney lost 0.1 percent, while Singapore and Taipei each dropped 0.4 percent.

But after fluctuating through the day Hong Kong was slightly higher in late trade, while Shanghai ended up 0.5 percent. Both markets took the brunt of selling pressure over the week.

Among other markets Seoul rose 0.8 percent, Wellington was flat, and Bangkok pushed higher.

New York’s three main indexes ended down—with the Dow suffering an eighth straight loss—as investors were spooked by news that Daimler had cut its profit forecasts because of new levies on cars exported from the US to China.

“We heard from Daimler about the impact of the trade tensions on sales, and there are a growing number of stories about the chance of China directly targeting US firms who do business in the country,” said Greg McKenna, chief market strategist at AxiTrader.

“What comes to pass is still uncertain in that regard. What’s not uncertain, though, is the resolve of US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross to pursue China and try to change it—and other nations’—actions.” With AFP

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW FRIDAY, JUNE 22, 2018

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

FINANCIALS 59.15 2,900 88 6,407,100 2.82 24,000 125.5 3,921,700 1.59 118,000 33.5 137,300 16.5 45,200 14.68 568,900 3.69 30,000 8.67 19,100 1.46 13,000 0.54 2,028,000 73.2 6,874,880 1.05 1,016,000 12 45,200 20.9 3,800 48.25 45,200 191 4,800 106 260 29 934,400 198 751,380 1,925 100 88.6 55,370 1.18 60,000

171,245 561,764,959.50 67,510 493,441,375 185,820 4,599,015 751,238 8,247,098 105,450 166,376 18,980 1,059,240 505,118,964.50 1,060,050 542,400 79,255 2,183,830 916,747 27,575 26,979,590 148,632,843 192,500 4,888,556.50 70,800

147,825 -233,774,456 -221,074,295 542,900 1,867,650 -260,000 -52,420,560.50 -103,200 -869,395 382,000 -1,096,800 -11,902,919 192,500 -223,265.50 -

35.55 14.72 0.56 1.15 23.75 0.223 2.86 16 47.65 22.1 56 58 1.81 5 7.4 9.72 15.5 10.5 7.17 5.15 14.1 61.5 20.75 7.45 14.7 2.2 263 52.45 4.94 3.3 26 11.02 20.2 329 0.176 7 2.18 4.09 8.72 5.6 1.22 11.8 50.55 5.8 4.53 2.4 3.52 1.83 12.2 60 4.9 0.126 0.92 111.3 2.5 2.38 20 1.16

INDUSTRIAL 35.7 1,351,200 15 645,900 0.6 5,286,000 1.19 227,000 24.25 69,900 0.228 4,660,000 2.9 2,681,000 16.28 294,800 49.2 502,100 22.7 85,300 61.6 16,410 58.95 3,410 1.89 78,000 5 700 8 20,700 9.9 2,081,200 15.9 4,228,100 10.9 26,700 7.2 1,649,800 5.18 14,092,100 14.14 892,100 61.5 167,160 21.65 17,800 7.6 67,700 14.9 1,574,100 2.29 2,307,000 267 1,497,250 52.45 200 5.12 103,000 3.3 1,000 26.5 515,700 11.28 65,800 21 5,243,800 334.8 757,390 0.176 390,000 7.3 115,600 2.2 13,946,000 4.25 129,000 8.72 1,351,400 6.02 4,762,900 1.23 884,000 12.1 72,600 51 265,300 5.82 87,100 4.55 10,267,000 2.46 550,000 3.52 25,000 1.91 887,000 12.2 433,100 60.5 679,900 5 392,600 0.127 2,190,000 0.92 24,000 115 1,009,960 2.5 530,000 2.6 11,617,000 20 2,000 1.27 36,742,000

48,372,455 9,634,484 3,080,430 265,860 1,685,625 1,048,440 7,777,580 4,760,308 24,817,470 1,953,065 986,104 200,279 143,200 3,500 165,524 20,524,890 66,897,318 284,286 11,903,438 73,107,520 12,617,664 10,298,641.50 374,500 508,861 23,546,632 5,268,600 399,342,998 10,490 513,810 3,300 13,550,635 732,580 109,571,095 252,938,318 68,800 818,685 30,556,110 533,350 11,849,014 27,340,071 1,080,910 860,338 13,505,115.50 505,470 46,724,830 1,369,260 91,400 1,667,030 5,330,668 41,511,395.50 1,955,976 276,960 22,140 115,669,701 1,328,230 29,351,780 40,400 47,285,160

-33,571,940 2,842,596 -418,000 242,500 -1,837,640 404,998 -49,850 812,392 20,460 -124,000 -1,239,646 13,098,044 10,500 -1,454,193 3,595,910 -5,235,434 1,272,364.50 963,312 -150,660.00 32,013,574 -5,923,840 298,290 -84,373,850 43,287,006 88,160 -287,260 -5,948,182 7,483,183.50 225,870.00 709,800 -367,340 -4,342,002 -6,677,894 826,058 1,573,626 725,460 -806,130 4,380 1,195,650

0.24 55.35 11.92 0.89 6 0.59 0.62 867.5 6.09 9.82 7.2 0.192 902 6 48.3 0.53 3.6 18.12 0.56 4.55 0.037 1.13 2.58 2.95 136.2 826 1.56 510 253 0.216 0.21

HOLDING FIRMS 0.245 2,220,000 55.35 1,296,230 12 13,946,600 0.89 84,000 6 36,000 0.62 16,656,000 0.64 4,829,000 886.5 379,760 6.15 619,000 10 12,272,700 7.3 6,500 0.192 330,000 902 89,050 6.47 37,900 49.65 2,178,940 0.58 143,000 3.64 254,000 18.2 2,289,700 0.58 2,374,000 4.59 55,428,000 0.039 17,700,000 1.17 922,000 2.67 1,051,000 2.95 1,000 139 423,870 868 479,620 1.62 1,040,000 510 390 255 10,460 0.221 460,000 0.227 850,000

544,240 72,497,328.50 167,543,750 76,330 216,050 10,081,410 3,023,680 336,769,650 3,803,847 123,031,406 47,392 63,730 81,686,270 234,053 108,531,188 76,420 922,910 41,699,452 1,369,050 257,416,480 674,000 1,069,000 2,746,950 2,950 58,451,858 411,096,220 1,683,380 200,610 2,660,200 101,360 181,530

-38,295,067 -143,410,486 6,000 826,140 -128,260,035 -500,113 -19,018,183 -29,257,385 79,090 -41,006,498.50 280,990 -26,022,478 -42,558,410 4,000 -57,500.00 -20,305,202 39,492,855 1,539,000 -765,000 -

16,400,612 25,319,900 26,030 154,440 517,400 607,102,390 4,150,860 1,585,620 35,546 2,943,350 45,190 234,210 1,642,320 4,100 57,147,835 17,930 9,110 3,854,650 2,598,330 36,388,170 90,982,370 36,251,470 829,100 1,695,100 14,757,150 61,015,446 732,070

-4,356,932 112,140 -122,222,385 -559,390 82,690 -590 20,750 46,120 -4,100 -10,885,660 -1,960,810 -23,600 68,550 -27,199,390 158,560.00 20,750 77,930 -27,349,420 -

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

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

57.2 89.8 2.79 125.9 1.54 33.85 16.58 14.68 3.49 9.4 1.46 0.53 72.5 1.04 12 20.55 48.5 195 106.1 28.3 200 1,925 88 1.18

59.15 89.8 2.83 128 1.64 33.85 16.72 14.8 3.69 9.4 1.46 0.54 75.3 1.08 12 22.3 48.5 198 106.1 29 200 1,925 88.6 1.18

57.2 85.05 2.79 125 1.54 33.4 16.5 14.2 3.49 8.65 1.46 0.51 71.25 1.03 12 20.55 48.25 190 106 28.25 195.5 1,925 87.95 1.18

ABOITIZ POWER AGRINURTURE ALLIANCE SELECT ALSONS CONS ASIABEST GROUP BASIC ENERGY CEMEX HLDG CENTURY FOOD CIRTEK HLDG CNTRL AZUCARERA CONCEPCION CONCRETE A CROWN ASIA DAVINCI CAPITAL DEL MONTE DNL INDUS EAGLE CEMENT EEI CORP EMPERADOR ENERGY DEVT FIRST GEN FIRST PHIL HLDG GINEBRA HOLCIM INTEGRATED MICR IONICS JOLLIBEE LIBERTY FLOUR LMG CHEMICALS MABUHAY VINYL MANILA WATER MAXS GROUP MEGAWIDE MERALCO MG HLDG PANASONIC PEPSI COLA PETROENERGY PETRON PHIL H2O 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 VIVANT VULCAN INDL

36 14.98 0.59 1.2 23.75 0.227 2.95 16.04 47.65 23.2 56 58.95 1.86 5 7.4 10 15.88 11.18 7.2 5.2 14.5 62.7 21 7.5 14.86 2.34 270 52.45 4.97 3.3 27 11.4 21.2 337 0.178 7 2.2 4.19 8.98 5.78 1.23 11.92 51 5.81 4.55 2.4 3.69 1.9 12.64 61.8 5.03 0.127 0.95 112.8 2.55 2.69 21.9 1.39

36.4 15 0.6 1.2 25 0.23 2.95 16.32 49.95 23.2 61.6 58.95 1.89 5 8.14 10.1 15.9 11.18 7.25 5.25 14.5 62.95 21.65 7.62 15.24 2.39 270 52.45 5.17 3.3 27 11.68 21.75 337 0.178 7.3 2.27 4.25 8.98 6.06 1.23 12.18 51.05 5.82 4.6 2.56 3.69 1.93 12.64 61.8 5.03 0.13 0.95 115.5 2.55 2.69 21.9 1.45

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

0.255 57.05 12.32 0.92 6.01 0.62 0.63 900 6.15 10.08 7.4 0.195 930 6.89 49.2 0.59 3.62 18.2 0.59 4.65 0.04 1.17 2.66 2.95 139.6 861 1.56 520 255 0.216 0.232

0.26 58.25 12.32 0.92 6.01 0.62 0.64 901 6.2 10.2 7.4 0.195 938 6.89 51.15 0.59 3.7 18.4 0.6 4.72 0.04 1.22 2.67 2.95 139.6 882 1.64 520 255 0.23 0.232

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

7.19 1.05 13.4 1.98 0.79 37.05 3.2 4.57 5.9 0.43 1.01 0.94 0.209 0.41 23 0.61 0.12 1.59 1.23 1.28 4.5 0.6 0.415 0.485 2.96 19.14 2.04

7.42 1.08 14.2 1.98 0.79 38 3.2 4.67 5.9 0.435 1.01 0.97 0.209 0.41 24.5 0.62 0.12 1.59 1.23 1.33 4.52 0.61 0.43 0.49 2.99 19.26 2.06

7.05 0.99 13.4 1.98 0.77 36.05 3.15 4.57 5.56 0.415 0.99 0.92 0.2 0.41 21 0.61 0.113 1.54 1.17 1.16 4.26 0.55 0.4 0.45 2.66 18.62 2.02

VOLUME

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

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

3.32 32.95 1.1 8.1 0.78 6.6

3.32 33.65 1.1 8.2 0.78 6.6

3.2 32.25 1.08 7.73 0.78 6.46

3.29 33.25 1.09 7.8 0.78 6.49

134,000 13,453,200 1,003,000 971,200 20,000 2,849,200

430,760 447,344,660 1,085,700 7,682,884 15,600 18,547,304

-93,150 15,927,265 -341,250 -206,342 -3,501,202

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

15 25.6 1.35 0.45 0.044 12.8 10.3 0.055 80.05 8.96 7.08 7.19 2.29 19.4 900 1,600 5.45 304.8 3.28 2.21 78.6 13 8.2 0.135 1.98 4.76 14.98 3.98 1.06 24.4 3.91 5.32 2.6 2.85 2.73 8.6 9 3.25 9.99 120 5.23 1,174 0.89 0.345 47.9 81 7.8 2.01 1.19 0.415 4.86 0.79 11.5

15.2 25.6 1.35 0.455 0.044 13.04 10.3 0.055 80.85 8.96 7.29 7.19 2.29 19.4 900 1,601 5.48 308 3.28 2.34 80 13 8.2 0.153 2.37 4.8 15 4.04 1.06 24.5 4 5.51 2.75 2.86 3.02 8.63 9 3.3 9.99 120.9 5.29 1,174 0.89 0.35 47.9 82 8.78 2.02 1.19 0.425 4.86 0.79 11.76

15 25.1 1.3 0.44 0.042 12.8 9.81 0.054 79 8.8 6.72 6.6 2.29 17.84 900 1,540 5.35 297.2 3.03 2.18 77.15 12.9 8.2 0.134 1.98 4.65 14.6 3.89 1.02 23.8 3.83 5.09 2.58 2.55 2.7 7.99 8.8 3.15 8.11 120 5.16 1,100 0.86 0.33 47.1 78.75 7.74 1.91 1.11 0.405 4.76 0.72 11.32

SERVICES 15.02 25.55 1.3 0.445 0.043 12.82 9.81 0.055 79.15 8.8 7.26 6.97 2.29 19.04 900 1,540 5.4 308 3.26 2.25 79.4 12.9 8.2 0.147 2.36 4.78 15 4.03 1.02 24.4 4 5.47 2.64 2.85 2.81 8.4 8.8 3.18 8.11 120 5.22 1,133 0.87 0.35 47.5 80.9 8.5 1.96 1.14 0.415 4.83 0.76 11.6

22,100 44,400 170,000 2,180,000 10,100,000 37,500 24,722,400 9,910,000 69,460 3,100 3,356,300 28,900 3,000 282,900 410 24,425 105,300 12,960 1,257,000 65,000 2,020,060 65,000 4,500 124,220,000 12,982,000 189,000 12,300 825,000 910,000 428,800 359,000 3,584,800 642,000 1,438,000 89,000 10,196,400 10,300 99,000 800 10,700 592,500 180,845 5,020,000 2,940,000 2,854,000 507,880 5,299,300 2,720,000 1,142,000 9,570,000 4,228,000 5,298,000 1,437,000

331,802 1,131,390 227,080 971,100 434,200 480,648 244,626,535 542,560 5,503,558 27,396 23,502,407 195,415 6,870 5,226,864 369,000 38,244,155 571,832 3,941,942 3,972,460 146,030 159,201,537.50 839,010 36,900 18,094,430 29,363,610 896,560 184,172 3,267,340 933,480 10,342,965 1,388,730 19,293,031 1,702,840 3,910,370 247,020 84,273,984 90,959 322,480 7,804 1,285,395 3,084,282 205,466,470 4,394,560 987,750 135,449,000 41,045,892 45,041,806 5,369,110 1,292,490 3,925,450 20,316,660 4,008,710 16,530,472

1,502 93,440 -79,338,540 -5,143,428.50 902,535.00 3,315 989,700 56,470 -122,968,728 -12,710.00 -690,860 2,992 282,100 968,935 -5,221,513 350 -75,920 1,640,595 2,640 -9,900 1,038,000 135,022 -45,457,820 -308,020 34,450 -17,981,950 -11,275,845.50 -132 -257,600.00 -279,610 -11,383,410 37,000 -2,931,404

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

0.0027 1.45 4.13 21.6 1.6 1.68 0.3 7.6 2.28 0.192 0.132 0.0083 1.49 4.55 1.09 0.51 0.87 0.012 0.012 0.011 2 4.81 10.9 28.8

0.0027 1.49 4.13 23 1.6 1.7 0.3 7.6 2.34 0.192 0.133 0.0083 1.5 4.64 1.09 0.51 0.89 0.012 0.012 0.012 2.1 4.98 11.3 29.15

0.0025 1.41 4.13 19.2 1.58 1.66 0.3 7.1 2.19 0.185 0.131 0.0083 1.49 4.46 1.06 0.51 0.86 0.011 0.012 0.011 2 4.78 10.4 28.15

MINING & OIL 0.0026 698,000,000 1.48 1,633,000 4.13 6,000 22.5 65,500 1.58 100,000 1.7 831,000 0.3 100,000 7.51 4,500 2.27 5,620,000 0.192 190,000 0.132 3,840,000 0.0083 10,000,000 1.5 231,000 4.6 3,106,000 1.09 19,000 0.51 1,000 0.89 274,000 0.012 15,100,000 0.012 4,000,000 0.012 308,300,000 2.07 22,000 4.98 87,000 11 1,487,000 29.1 2,653,600

1,813,200 2,343,390 24,780 1,386,938 158,040 1,394,680 30,000 32,539 12,733,670 35,610 506,820 83,000 345,810 14,178,550 20,200 510 236,780 181,100 48,000 3,697,400 44,380 418,730 16,056,994 76,839,130

45,130 4,320 3,800 -840,400 -2,548,440 -2,100 -33,520 -236,008 -34,118,525

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

24.8 499 101 104.9 107.1 503 5.16 980 990 99 1.04 1,021 1,032 102.8 108.5 983 75.3 77.6 75.4 76 76.2 76.1 75.2

24.8 500 101.2 104.9 107.1 506 5.16 980 990 99 1.04 1,021 1,032 102.8 108.5 990 76.4 77.6 75.4 76 76.2 76.15 75.2

24.8 495 101 104.9 107 501 5.1 980 990 99 1.04 1,021 1,000 101.2 108.5 983 75.25 77 75.4 76 76.2 76.1 75.2

PREFERRED 24.8 2,100 495 1,250 101.2 12,270 104.9 110 107 4,300 506 200 5.11 172,800 980 800 990 10 99 4,200 1.04 29,000 1,021 50 1,000 1,000 101.2 1,400 108.5 500 990 2,200 76 820 77 20,000 75.4 24,600 76 44,550 76.2 7,300 76.15 1,000 75.2 3,700

52,080 620,000 1,240,124 11,539 460,115 100,740 890,066 784,000 9,900 415,800 30,160 51,050 1,008,680 142,350 54,250 2,170,060 61,838 1,540,840 1,854,840 3,385,800 556,260 76,125 278,240

45,000 -890,066 19,800 -1,540,840.00 -

LR WARRANT

2.33

2.33

2.16

WARRANTS 2.29 482,000

1,075,780

-

8,200,960 19,169,570

201,770 1,518,320

5,118,286

1,119,797

6,000

-

MS

PROPERTY 7.4 1 14.2 1.98 0.78 37.55 3.2 4.67 5.88 0.435 0.99 0.95 0.203 0.41 24.1 0.62 0.113 1.55 1.19 1.33 4.45 0.57 0.43 0.475 2.99 18.62 2.04

2,240,400 24,592,000 1,900 78,000 666,000 16,270,800 1,299,000 346,000 6,300 6,960,000 45,000 245,000 8,100,000 10,000 2,540,200 29,000 80,000 2,480,000 2,183,000 29,057,000 20,499,000 63,506,000 2,010,000 3,640,000 5,098,000 3,241,200 360,000

ITALPINAS XURPAS

4.95 3.15

5.14 3.18

4.85 2.8

FIRST METRO ETF

107

107.3

104.6

USD DMPL A2

10

10

TRADING SUMMARY

SHARES

FINANCIAL

23,107,333

INDUSTRIAL

140,281,327

HOLDING FIRMS

138,561,429

PROPERTY

216,088,874

SERVICES

255,428,211

MINING & OIL

1,055,756,911

GRAND TOTAL

1,837,313,579

10

5 3.15

SME

1,645,000 6,385,000

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 106.2 48,250 10

DDS

600

VALUE 1,775.49 (down) 13.24 1,761,293,374.84 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 10,242.62 (down) 58.81 1,688,889,178.30 HOLDING FIRMS 6,988.38 (down) 69.90 1,731,253,952.66 PROPERTY 3,444.18 (up) 22.20 1,370.78 (down) 15.90 1,517,685,127.775 SERVICES MINING & OIL 9,649.55 (up) 119.88 1,185,729,140.792 PSEI 7,063.20 (down) 34.95 132,635,374.706 All Shares Index 4,347.06 (down) 22.15 8,050,023,445.77 Gainers: 76; Losers: 129; Unchanged: 46; Total: 251

AUB expects 2018 income to improve by 14% to P3.2b

By Julito G. Rada ASIA United Bank, the financial arm of the Rebisco Group, expects net income to rise 14 percent to P3.2 billion this year from P2.8 billion in 2017 on the strength of its core businesses.

AUB president Manuel Gomez said Friday the bank managed to boost the robust financial performance despite its network size.

“We’re a young organization but we’re at the forefront of innovation— powered by a tech-savvy senior management and an entrepreneurial mindset, and not bogged down by legacy systems,” Gomez said, citing the focus on people development in order to expand the business.

Robust growth in loans and deposits nudged up the net income of AUB and its subsidiaries to P2.8 billion in 2017, up 23 percent than a year ago.

It also ranked number one in deposits and loans, with year-on-year increases of 22.40 percent and 31.87 percent, respectively, in 2017, based on the published statements of conditions of 10 publicly-listed universal banks.

The deposit level stood at P158 billion in 2017 from P129 billion in 2016, while total loans amounted to P130 billion in 2017 from P99 billion a year earlier.

AUB plans to further leverage on its enhanced IT platform to improve the banking experience for its customers.

Gomez said the 20-year-old bank had been making use of technology since it opened at the height of the Asian financial crisis in 1997 to differentiate its services and operations in the highly competitive market.

AUB continues to reach out to customers through its branches nationwide.

The bank plans to open 15 new branches, which will bring its network size to 264 by the end of the year, including the branches of its subsidiaries, Cavite United Rural Bank and the Rural Bank of Angeles in Pampanga.

“We want most of them outside of Metro Manila, as we are looking to expand our reach nationwide. Subsequently, we are looking at opening 1012 branches per year, as well as ensuring the profitability of all our branches,” Jacob Ng, AUB’s chief transformation officer and branch banking head, said.

NLEX sees vehicle traffic growing 6%

By Darwin G. Amojelar NLEX Corp. said it expects vehicle traffic to rise as much as 6 percent this year despite the anticipated travel decline due to rising fuel prices.

NLEX president and chief executive Rodrigo Franco said the company was looking at a 5-percent to 6-percent vehicle traffic growth this year.

“There are much more constraints, the fuel prices are rising so sooner or later if the trend continues, people are going to reduce their travel,” he said.

The vehicle traffic in North Luzon Expressway reached an average of 237,046 daily entries last year, 8 percent higher than in 2016, while traffic in Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway reached 54,566 in daily vehicle entries, up 21 percent.

The average daily traffic in NLEx reached 250,989 vehicles in the first quarter of 2018, up 9.3 percent year-on-year.

NLEX earlier reported a net income of P1.29 billion in the first quarter, up 20 percent from 1.07 billion in the same period last year.

Revenues increased 16 percent to P3.23 billion from P2.79 billion in the first quarter of 2017.

NLEx currently spans approximately 95 kilometers or 527-lane kilometers, serving an average of 237,046 vehicles a day in 2017. It is the main infrastructure backbone that connects Metro Manila to Central and Northern Luzon.

SCTEx, meanwhile, is a 94-km, 2x2 expressway stretching from Subic-Tipo until La Paz, Tarlac, connecting the special economic zones in Subic and Clark, Olongapo City, to Tarlac City.

The toll road company earlier budgeted P19 billion in capital expenditures this year to build new expressway projects to help solve Metro Manila’s traffic bottlenecks.

It is spending to construct the urban portions of North Luzon Expressway, such as the Harbor Link Segment 10 (including the R10 Section in DagatDagatan, Navotas City) and the NLExSLEx Connector Road project.

World

SATURDAY, JUNE 23, 2018

B3

Cesar Barrioquinto, Editor

Saudi Arabia to end women driving ban R

IYADH―Saudi Arabia will allow women to drive from Sunday, ending the world’s only ban on female motorists, a historic reform marred by what rights groups call an expanding crackdown on activists.

CELEBRATING THE CONVICTION. Demonstrators light their phone lights as they gather in front of the Romanian Prime Minister’s office building on June 21, 2018, in Bucharest, Romania. Around 5,000 people gathered to celebrate the conviction of Liviu Dragnea, the leader of the ruling left-wing social democrat party and president of the Deputy Chamber, to three-and-a-half years in prison over a fake jobs scandal. AFP

Cambodian blogger tackles taboo subjects PHNOM PENH―Sex toys, infidelity and penis size are generally hush hush topics in conservative Cambodia, but not on a taboo-busting video blog called “A Dose of Cath” that unabashedly wrestles with the risqué, drawing both applause and abuse in the patriarchal country.

Hosted on Facebook, the show by a 23-year-old Cambodian woman tackles the finer points of sex education, women’s health and gender imbalances in a country where the #MeToo movement has barely registered.

A recent episode on a well-known 19th-century Cambodian poem that used to be taught in schools and advises women not to laugh too loudly gained nearly 350,000 views.

The videos feature Catherine Harry, the pen name of the self-described feminist who featured in Forbes’ 2018 “30 under 30” list of outstanding leaders and entrepreneurs in Asia.

Having ditched her birth name more than 10 years ago, Cath is following in the footsteps of other Cambodian writers and media personalities turning to blogs and social media to make a name for themselves.

But few have waded so deeply into the sensitive social issues that Cath confronts in short no-frills monologues filmed in her Phnom Penh apartment. AFP

Koreas discuss resuming family reunions SEOUL―North and South Korea on Friday held Red Cross talks to discuss resuming the reunions for families separated by the 1950-53 Korean War, the latest step in the diplomatic thaw on the peninsula.

Millions of people were separated during the conflict that sealed the division between the two Koreas nearly 70 years ago.

Most died without having a chance to see or hear from their relatives on the other side of the border, across which all civilian communication is banned.

The resumption of the family reunions―last held in 2015―was one of the agreements reached between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and the South’s president Moon Jae-in at their landmark summit in April. AFP

Eurozone ministers declare Greek debt crisis over LUXEMBOURG―Eurozone ministers declared the end of the Greek debt crisis early Friday, agreeing debt relief and a big cash payout for Greece, part of a broad bailout exit deal that will close eight years of financial rescues for cashstrapped Athens.

Greece is slated to leave its financial rescue on August 20 and finance ministers from the 19 countries that use the single currency were under pressure to offer Athens a goodbye deal that left it strong in the eyes of the financial markets.

“The Greek crisis ends here tonight,” said EU Economic Affairs Commissioner Pierre Moscovici, after marathon talks in Luxembourg.

“We finally got to the end of this path

which was so long and difficult it is a historic moment,” the former French finance minister said.

The agreement is an important turning point for the eurozone nearly a decade after Greece stunned the world with out-ofcontrol spending and sparked three bailouts and a near collapse of the euro single currency.

The deal was expected to be an easy one, but last-minute resistance by Germany―Greece’s long bailout nemesis and biggest creditor―dragged the talks on for six hours.

With writing-off loans off the table, eurozone ministers agreed to extend maturities by 10 years on major parts of its total debt obligations, a mountain that has reached 180

percent of GDP―almost double the country’s annual economic output.

The eurozone creditors also agreed to disburse 15 billion euros ($17.5 billion) to ease the country’s exit from its program.

This would leave Greece with a hefty 24 billion euro safety cushion, officials said.

“I am happy,” Greek Finance Minister Euclid Tsakalotos said after the talks.

But “to make this worthwhile we have to make sure that the Greek people see concrete results... they need to feel the change in their own pockets,” he added.

Greece’s latest 86-billion-euro program was agreed in 2015 after six contentious months of negotiation, bringing the level of assistance received by Athens to 273.7 billion euros since 2010. AFP

Overturning the decades-long ban, a glaring symbol of repression against women, is part of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s muchtrumpeted reform drive to modernize the conservative petrostate.

Potentially thousands of female drivers are set to take the wheel on Sunday, a long-awaited rite of passage for women in the kingdom that many say could usher in a new era of social mobility.

“It is a very important step and essential for women’s free mobility,” Hana al-Khamri, author of the forthcoming book “Female Journalists in Gender Apartheid Saudi Arabia”, told AFP. “Women in Saudi Arabia live under patriarchal structures. Allowing them to sit behind the wheel will help challenge social and gender norms that hinder mobility, autonomy and independence.”

For many women the move should prove transformative, freeing them from their dependence on private chauffeurs or male relatives and resulting in big family savings.

“It’s a relief,” Najah al-Otaibi, a senior analyst at pro-Saudi think-tank Arabia Foundation, told AFP. “Saudi women feel a sense of justice. They have long been denied a basic human right which has kept them confined and dependent on men, making it impossible to exercise a normal life.”

The kingdom earlier this month began issuing its first driving licenses to women in decades, with some swapping their foreign permits for Saudi ones after undergoing a practical test.

Some three million women in Saudi Arabia could receive licenses and actively begin driving by 2020, according to consultancy firm PricewaterhouseCoopers.

A handful of female driving schools have cropped up in cities like Riyadh and Jeddah, training women to drive cars and also Harley Davidson motorbikes―scenes that were unimaginable even a year ago.

Many Saudi women have ebulliently declared plans on social media to drive their mothers for coffee or ice cream as soon as the ban ends on Sunday, a mundane experience elsewhere in the world but a dazzling novelty in the desert kingdom. AFP

Mexico turns page on dashing, scandal-tainted president Nieto MEXICO CITY―Six years after he seduced Mexico with his dashing good looks and promises of sweeping reform, President Enrique Pena Nieto leaves a legacy stained by corruption, violence and human rights violations.

Charming his way to the presidency in 2012, his soap opera star wife by his side, Pena Nieto sold himself to voters as a fresh young reformer who would reinvent his party―the once-hegemonic Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI)―and Mexico along with it.

The PRI had ruled Mexico as a oneparty state from 1929 to 2000, until people grew so disgusted with its corruption, cronyism and abuses it had little choice but to allow free elections.

Twelve turbulent years later, Pena Nieto, then 45 years old, pulled off what once seemed unthinkable: returning the PRI to power, by promising to restore the stability of the old days but usher in a new era of democracy, transparency and reform.

It all started well for the youthful president with the sleek black hair, who had previously been governor of Mexico state, the country’s most populous: in rapid succession he passed landmark reforms in energy, education, telecommunications, labor and more.

The reforms, which touched virtually every aspect of Mexicans’ lives, were essentially a national make-over, designed to give the country a fresh new start and wash away the accumulated grime of seven decades of one-party rule.

Pena Nieto made a splash on the international stage, too: during an AsiaPacific Economic Cooperation summit in the Philippines in 2015, infatuated fans coined the Twitter hashtag #APEChotties for him and then-newly elected Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

The Economist magazine urged Pena Nieto to “keep it up,” The Washington Post called him “handsome” and “popular,” and CBS News declared him “the George Clooney of politics.” AFP

Industrialist Edouard-Jean Empain dies at 80 BRUSSELS―Leading Franco-Belgian industrialist Baron Edouard-Jean Empain, whose brutal kidnapping in France in 1978 made headlines, has died at the age of 80, a relative said.

Empain, who headed the EmpainSchneider group in the 1970s, died Wednesday in hospital in Pontoise, northwest of Paris, Diane Empain said on Facebook, confirming Belgian media reports.

“I would like to thank the intensive care unit and all the hospital staff of this unit,” she said on her Facebook page.

An Empain-Schneider CEO from 1971-81, Empain was the grandson

of Edouard Empain, ennobled by Belgium’s King Leopold II, who built an industrial empire in the late 19th century. The company constructed the Congolese rail network and the Paris Metro.

The group was worth billions by the late 1970s, employing 150,000 people and comprising 300 firms.

Empain became famous after his abduction in broad daylight in front of his Paris apartment on January 23, 1978.

He was held hostage for 63 days, during which time he chained up in a hideaway in a Paris suburb and starved, beaten and tortured. AFP

RUNWAY SHOW. Penny Lane attends the Frankies Bikinis Resort 2019 Runway Show in Los Angeles, California. AFP

Joel D. Lacsamana, Editor jdlacsamana@gmail.com

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SATURDAY, JUNE 23, 2018

FAMILY ROOM.

A line of shelves along the wall above, below, or even across the TV, filled with family photos, plants, antiques, etc., would remind viewers of their life outside the screen world.

DESIGNER OUTLET IN SILANG-TAGAYTAY-HUB. The Acienda designer outlet in the Silang-Tagaytay growth hub is currently being developed with aesthetic elements that evoke the feeling of shopping in a picturesque setting. The mall, which is slated to open this August 2, features four distinct architectural themes, Spanish, French, Italian and New England. The project will include over 100 shops, dining outlets, and open spaces within a 20-hectare space in the heart of Silang, Cavite.

Mactan Cebu International Airport Terminal 2 ‘prepped’ for July 1 opening

GMR Megawide Cebu Airport Corporation (GMCAC) recently kicked off an Operational Readiness and Airport Transfer (ORAT) program to ensure that the new terminal (Terminal 2, or T2) of Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA), will be ready for operations on July 1.

President Rodrigo Duterte led the inauguration of T2 last June 1. T2, which brings the airport’s annual capacity to 12.5 million passengers from the current 4.5 million, will serve as an international passenger terminal.

T2 is part of the P17.52-billion Mactan airport upgrading project, the first airport public-private partnership (PPP) project in the country.

Simulation trials “The most critical planning aspect towards the opening is the testing of Terminal 2’s operational readiness and the alignment of various processes,” explained GMCAC CEA An-

drew Harrison. “We need to ensure, through the ORAT program, that all facilities and processes are ready for commercial operations in July,” The ORAT Program started in November 2017 with various familiarization training, and walk through around the new terminal for the airport employees.

Ongoing simulation trials involve testing of facilities (Seen here in photo), processes and policies, information technology and airport systems, and manpower readiness.

The trials also comprehensively check all standard operating procedures designed to meet the requirements of airlines, immigration, customs, quarantine, and other airport regulatory bodies.

Over 600 volunteers recruited from MCIA’s facebook page, played the role of passengers during the simulation sessions.

PROPERTYGURU INKS DEAL WITH CHINA ONLINE MARKETPLACE.

Decorating around a flat screen TV

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OU, and your living room are happier because you have just acquired a flat screen television.

But you seem to be having a small problem: everything around the television doesn’t seem to work.

The furniture no longer faces the right direction, the wall art is being blocked, and the armoire you’ve placed the television in is too big.

These are common decorating dilemmas when you buy a flat screen TV. Today, the television has become the focal point for most family rooms. Here are some ideas for placement, surrounding decor, and how to store those unsightly components in a superb way.

Plan for space One of the advantages to having a flat screen television is the ability to view it from many angles of the room. This same advantage is its disadvantage when it comes to placing furniture in the room. The challenge is that you can’t have obstacles that are within the line of sight of the television. Stand back at all angles of the room and assess what furniture is too tall, and plan for space around it.

Highlight the wall Your television can blend, or it can be the focal point. Most people want it to be the focal point as it costs a lot of money, and you want everyone to see it. For you, painting an accent wall that your television is hung, or placed in front of, will draw emphasis to this wall.

If you are one that would like the television to blend, consider housing your television in a piece of furniture that can be closed, such as an armoire or entertainment center.

Eclectic mix If your television is just one of the many things you like to look at on the wall, why not add it to a whole eclectic roundup of art pieces?

Mount shelves and framed prints on the wall, including photography,

SET IT DOWN. Though wallmounting a flat screen is all the rage, there’s still a whole lot of design mileage to be had from setting your TV down beside an entertainment center, or amid some creative DIY shelving for books, photographs, artworks and trip mementos.

watercolors, and funky found frames you can brighten up with a vibrant color.

Then, add in the TV as if the square shape is just another piece of work to fit into the mix.

Fresh Frames Most modern televisions are placed at a focal point in the living or family room.

Mount a sharp-looking frame around the screen to lend your favorite teleserye a touch of class. Add a coat of paint to the frame to brighten up the black screen during off hours. You can even hit antique shops for a weathered frame.

Hidden TV Maybe you don’t use the television often. Or, you want it out of the way to encourage conversation. Perhaps you

just don’t like the look of a giant black square on the wall. To solve each of these design problems, you can mount a panel on sliding doors to obscure your TV while you’re not binge-watching your favorite Netflix show. You can also recess the television into the wall and mount a photo on a hinge to hide it.

Shelving surround If built-in isn’t in your budget, lots of home stores sell modular shelving that you can build around your own custom entertainment center design.

With this solution, you can fill the space with more than just a black box, adding in some color and personality with books, art, found objects, and plants.

Second fiddle Don’t be afraid to make the television a minor player in the room. This family room is used for more than just watching TV, so the set is tucked away in the corner where they can pull up a chair and watch whenever they’d like without the technology dominating the room when guests are over, and conversation is flowing.

PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards recently partnered with Anjuke, a part of China’s leading online marketplace, 58.com. The agreement, which aims to connect Chinese buyers and investors to the fast-growing Southeast Asian property markets, was signed in Shanghai with executives from both companies present.

“We are delighted to partner with Anjuke and 58.com,” said Hari V. Krishnan, CEO of the PropertyGuru Group. “China is a large property market, and Chinese developers have built many exciting projects in Southeast Asia as well.

Jeff Ye, COO of Anjuke, said: “Partnering with PropertyGuru allows us to promote the best of what mainland Chinese real estate developers have to offer at pan-Asia’s leading property awards platform.” Terry Blackburn, founder and managing director of PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards, said: “We are pleased to welcome Anjuke as our associate partner in 2018 as we maintain the benchmark for quality real estate in China.”

CONDO COMMUNITIES.

Horizon Land, a subsidiary of real estate developer, Federal Land, Inc. (FLI), is developing Peninsula Garden Midtown Homes, an 8-tower residential garden community in Paco, Manila with more than 50% open area; Siena Towers, its latest development in Marikina, a 2-tower condominium along Marquinton Drive; and Palm Beach West, a 4-tower resort-inspired residential condominium development located in Metro Park, in the Pasay Cty bay area. “For a lot of our home buyers, condo living is a choice,” said FLI president Pascual Garcia. “It’s what they want to call home.” Shown here is the Siena Towers.

CREATIVE POSITIONING. A television next to a matching wall-mounted shelf and console unit reduces the visual prominence of the screen.

Life

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

young life

@MstandardLIFe saturday, june 23, 2018

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Chloë Grace Moretz

talks about her passion and fashion Chloë Grace Moretz is one of today’s most influential stars among the youth.

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wenTy one-year-old Chloë Grace Moretz is one of this generation’s most sought-after young stars, with prolific career that ranges from blockbuster hits like Kick Ass and Carrie to indie titles such as The Miseducation of Cameron Post.

But more than an actress, Moretz is an influential personality, especially among teens. She was named one of “25 Most Influential Teens of year” by Time magazine in 2014. She considers herself a feminist and is looked up to for her fashion style.

During a sunny day at The Parker Hotel, Moretz sat down to talk about her career, personal style, and more.

Career-wise, 2018 looks to be yet another stellar year with five films slated for release. What has been the secret of your segue from child to teen to more adult titles? And where do you think your drive comes from?

There’s not much that I would call a secret, honestly. Over the years, it’s always been focusing on what is most important to me emotionally to depict on screen. As well as surrounding myself with my family and other people around me who have my best interest in mind.

My drive, I would say, comes from my deep love of acting and film making in general. I’ve always wanted to be the best that I could be at my craft because I truly respect the medium.

You’ve been working solidly for nearly 15 years now, and have managed to play progressive, strong female characters in an industry known for type casting young women in one way – where did that attitude come from?

Growing up, I was raised by a single mother and my four brothers. From the get-go I was bound to have a strong opinion of who I wanted to be in this world, which translated to who I am in this industry. It was never a question for me whether I wanted to be the heroine of my own story or the damsel in distress. I always wanted to be the one taking charge instead of riding shotgun.

The diversity of the different roles in my career really came from my wanting to try all genres, and auditioning at a young age for each different type of role, instead of just telling myself I was good at one style and sticking to that.

When it comes to ambitions, what are you really prioritizing for your future over the next couple of years?

I’m excited to try my hand at different jobs in this industry, to really dive into being more of a creator than just an actor. From producing through my production company, to co-directing with my brother, Trevor, I believe I will find ways to come in to my own artistic groove over these coming years.

Are you a big shoe person?

Growing up my mom always had the best shoe collection, so I always knew from a young age that that’s what I wanted too. The perfect shoe for me is comfortable but flashy to make a statement.

Which are your favorite Jimmy Choo (Available at Shangri-La Plaza and Rustan’s Makati) pieces that you shot and why?

The perfect pair of shoes for Moretz is comfortable but flashy.

each piece was unique and exciting! I loved my sunglasses I wore by the pool because they kept the sun out of my eyes while still looking incredibly fashionable. I also loved my tobacco suede pumps, they were the perfect casual, yet sexy, weekend shoe for dressing up a nice dinner.

You’ve worn Jimmy Choo countless times on the red carpet including icons like the LANCE – do you have any specific memories of styles you’ve loved or any favorite outfits?

That’s easy! when I was at Sundance, the perfect shoes for me were my gold, Jimmy Choo boots. I even wore them to the women’s Rally, in falling snow, they made me feel like wonder woman.

After the rally, I was able to wear the same boots with my Vampire’s wife dress for the after party to the premier.

Perfectly versatile!

What do you look for in a bag?

It depends on where I’m wearing the bag. If it’s a clutch, it needs to be big enough to hold my lipstick, phone, and wallet. And I definitely need it to be a cross-body, just in case the night leads to dancing.

What has been your favorite weekend getaway of all time?

This last getaway that we had for my birthday where my family and I went to Mexico. For me, it’s more about the company you’re with over the destination. If you’re with people you love, you can be anywhere in the world and it feels like home.

What are the key ingredients for the ultimate weekend getaway?

Great people, great music, and great food.

What is on your must-pack list for a weekend away?

Sunglasses and shoes are definitely my statement pieces when I’m on a getaway.

Whose shoes would you like to step into for a day?

Gloria Steinem. Because she’s always been such an inspiration to me. She stood up for so many things politically that, over the years, were considered controversial to support. She never took

“no” for an answer, and stood behind her words and for equality for all.

What does empowerment mean to you?

I think empowerment is too complex to explain with just a few words or examples. I have found that always vocalizing my opinion, while simultaneously listening, comprehending, and learning from others’ opinions has gotten me farther than just having one stance. It’s helpful to have progressive debates on subjects, there are so many ways to empower yourself and others around you.

How easy has it been to find female mentors?

I’ve been incredibly lucky, from the time I was a kid in this industry to have always worked with such supportive women, in front of and behind the camera. They taught me, as did my brothers and my mother, that we are stronger together. Supporting each other will get us farther than being so fiercely competitive that you alienate not only others around you, but yourself as well.

Social media has put new spin on celebrity, allowing a much more intimate connection with fans and also offering actors the chance to express themselves in a new, creative medium. What has been your experience and how do you feel about being in control of the way you share your personal life?

It has always been important to me that I run all my social media accounts myself. I felt from the time I began on Instagram and Twitter that these profiles were extensions of myself, as well as platforms for me to be able to engage with my fans and have my words be spoken directly from me. I’ve found it really exciting to share my love for photography on Instagram, giving my fans a glimpse into my world, from my point of view. On Twitter I’ve, over the years, used it a lot to be able to show my fans the artists/music I’m listening to, which has been different and exciting.

How do you wind down from work?

Just being home with my family and my dogs is the most important respite for me. I also meditate daily to re-center myself and help my brain quiet down.

Honor 10 sports an aurora glass body that makes for a stylish accessory.

The mobile phone for the young and bold SMARTPHOneS have become far more than just tools—they’ve become expressions of personality, and even a lifestyle for many. For social media junkies today, the experience of taking the best photos for their feeds is almost as important as the results. And the design of the gizmo has become important as well.

A new phone aims to cater to these two needs of today’s youth. Sporting a high quality camera in a striking aurora glass body, the Honor 10 allows its users to capture professionallooking, double tap-worthy photographs all the time.

Honor 10 deploys an advanced AI 2.0 technology applied to its 24MP+16MP new dual AI Camera, with f1.8 aperture, and 4k video recording.

This smartphone boasts real-time recognition of over 500 scenarios across 22 categories, as well as a variety of shooting modes to select from. It

can even pinpoint the outlines of various surrounding objects, like the sky, plants, people or even a waterfall, and identify their locations instantly.

Design-wise, the Honor 10 is every inch as beautiful as the designers envisioned it to be. The northern lightsinspired design created by the Paris Aesthetics Center combines two iconic colors to bring to life a masterpiece that is uniquely Honor 10. with a 3D glass back and nano-scale optical coating composed of 15 layers of shimmering color, the Honor 10 was a result of the world-class techniques and most sophisticated engineering process. It also has a 5.84-inch 19:9 Honor FullView Display, perfect for a one-handed grip.

The Honor 10 is available in two iconic colors: Phantom Blue and Midnight Black, and retails for only P23,990 at www.shopee.ph or through selected participating stores.

The smartphone is made to cater to the millennial generation’s need for great camera and stylish design.

Life

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saturday, june 23, 2018 manilastandardlife@gmail.com

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6 places where you can study and chill

t’s back to school once again and many students are already starting to look out for new places to hang out, dine in, or basically while-away some time before the next class or before heading home. From cool hang-out places to yummy food joints, the rise of hip and student-friendly spots around schools paved the way for a fun neighborhood in different parts of the metro. Here are six spots where you and your classmates can catch a break from school work.

Café-UK (Manila)

A popular hang-out spot along the University Belt is Cafe UK, a coffee shop specializing in vacuum-brewed coffee. this three-story café is complete with bar stools, cushioned chairs, couches, electric outlets, Wi-Fi connection, and drafting tables for architecture students.

Address: Doña Carmen Bldg. 2, 2nd St. Cor. D.R.C Aguila St. Mendiola, Manila.

TableTaft Board Game Café (Taft)

With the gaining popularity of board game cafés in the metro, nearby university establishments in taft have also followed the bandwagon to let students bond over good food and fun games.

Aside from board games, it also offers coffee and other beverages.

Address: 2/F University Mall, Taft Avenue, Malate, Manila.

IChill Theatre Café (España)

A well-loved spot in the España area is the IChill theatre Café as it is popular for its unique underground theater. students can enjoy the café’s affordable food offerings and frappe and chillers. they can also play board games, sing their hearts out, or watch a movie to cap off a busy school week.

Address: 1125 Dos Castillas St, Sampaloc, Manila.

Alice Tea Salon (Ortigas)

the Alice tea salon takes inspiration from the popular novel Alice in Wonderland. From the moment you walk in the establishment, you will get a whimsical and quirky feel with its cool interiors.

Address: 30 Pearl Dr, San Antonio, Pasig.

The Study (Katipunan)

Z Compound (UP Village)

Best known as “the Z”, this spot started the food park trend back It really pays to have a good space for studying. the cool thing in 2013. the Z Compound is located in the garden area of an old about this space is that it has cubicles that you can rent for your house and has long been a favorite for UP students as it offers a good study group, complete with sockets that will allow you to charge mix of budget-friendly yet good food, perfect for a well-deserved your gadgets. lunch or afternoon break to ease through a hectic school day.

Address: 2nd Floor, Regis Center, Katipunan Ave, Quezon City.

Address: 33A Malingap, Diliman, Quezon City.

A well-balanced university life also calls for a reliable car that can take students to these places without the hassle of public transportation commute. A compact car with the flexibility and spaciousness of an sUv, such as the Ford Ecosport is a perfect road trip and school companion. It has accessible compartments including cup holders, side-door pockets, a slide-out drawer under the front seat, and a glove box that can keep your things in their proper place. this smart car is also fully equipped with sYnC, a technology that allows voice to activate certain features for students who are always on-the-go. It lets you take phone calls, listen to text messages, and play music, audiobooks or podcasts from any media device while keeping your eyes on the road and hands on the wheel.

Photos from the establishments’ Facebook pages

What to look out for in a good college MovIng into college brings forth a myriad of thoughts and emotions. the idea of welcoming a new chapter in your life excites and overwhelms you, all at the same time. As you slowly paint a picture of how your future can look like, the possibilities become bigger, giving way to the inevitability of experiencing uncertainties.

But before thinking about other things, the foremost concert is finding the right learning institution. Here are three of things to consider when choosing a university or a college:

Fully integrated learning experience

It’s important to maximize your time in college. Beyond theoretical classroom lecture set-up, on-board training with industry experts and practical application of concepts are vital to ensure you get a holistic learning experience. students usually apply to different companies for their internship programs, even go overseas to experience more diverse approaches to learning and firsthand practice. However, the best opportunities are often with colleges that have integrated venues for internship with students in mind.

Key partner institutions

More than its reputation, as one of the best schools in a specific field or course you’ve chosen, a great college always has key partner learning institutions that help strengthen the curriculum, program, and learning experience for its students.

Whether local partners with expertise in various fields or an international institution backed by years of experience and proficiency in numerous courses.

Colleges with partner institutions, will gain students access to learning materials that will aid them in their classes.

Extra-curricular activities make learning more exciting and provide an engaging way to hone students’ skills.

Learning beyond education

Extra-curricular activities make learning more exciting and provide an engaging way to learn and hone students’ skills. With a wide array of tailor-made activities, colleges can give students opportunities to learn from

industry leaders and interact with key partners in the Philippines.

In the hospitality education, the Dusit Hospitality Management College offers these three things to its students.

DHMC students study and gain reallife experience in state-of-the-art learn-

ing kitchens, high-tech learning environments, restaurants, function rooms, well-appointed guest rooms, and recreational venues including a spa with swimming pool and fitness center.

DHMC likewise has separate partnerships with the oldest and most pre-

mier hotel school in the world, Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne and the worldrenowned culinary school Institut Paul Bocuse to provide quality learning experience to its students.

Go to www.dusitcollege.ph or email myfuture@dusit.com to know more.

Entertainment

SATURDAY, JUNE 23, 2018

C3

nickie.standard@gmail.com

FDCP’s Cine Lokal

trains spotlight on LGBT films

By Seymour Barros Sanchez

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HE Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) celebrates Pride Month with the screening of four award-winning films that empower and recognize the plight of the LGBT community, in all Cine Lokal cinemas as part of PelikuLAYA: An LGBT Film Festival running until June 28.

The road trip adventure comedy film “Si Chedeng At Si Apple' stars Gloria Diaz and Elizabeth Oropesa.

Joem Bascon and Lovi Poe in Joel Lamangan's political drama, 'Lihis.'

The show called ‘Kris Aquino’ ARIAS ALWIN IGNACIO THE ubiquitous Kris Aquino wasn’t called Queen of All Media for no reason. You see, all of us are just her mere viewers and she controls the entire show unabated.

Kris’s digital program has the backing and support of 53 sponsors and it is because of them and her generosity, she was able to pull off a Christmas in June moment in the press conference for her movie she co-shares with the love team most likely to fill the John Lloyd Cruz-Bea Alonzo void.

From high end supermarket gift certificates, bank cash cards, high-definition television sets, top of the line android phone and a MacBook to mention a few, the “Queen of All Media” stirred the hornet’s nest inside the Dolphy

Theater in a wonderful way of course, bringing glee and happiness to the entertainment press.

Without any doubt, the press conference to promote the movie I Love You, Hater that also stars Joshua Garcia and Julia Barretto, became the Kris Aquino show, with revelations coming about anything and everything, mostly coming from her.

Julia Barretto, says Aquino, “She is Bimby’s new love. He told me, ‘Mom, Ate Julia is just 18 years old, right? In 7 years, I can make her ligaw,’ Sorry, Joshua, my son is waiting in the wings.”

She goes on with the story telling, “Bimb was always with me during the shoot so that he could see Julia. I remember when we had a break during the shoot, Bimby kissed me 40 times and tuwing may one kiss siya sa akin on my cheek, sa lips kay Julia.”

“Iba ang kamandag niya, my son sees a future with her,” she laughs, composes herself and carries on, “What I like most about her, napakabait and napakaganda.”

“He is genuine and sincere,” enthuses

Kris Aquino with millennial love team Joshua Garcia and Julia Barretto during their films grand media launch held Monday.

CROSSWORD PUZZLE Saturday, June23, 2018

ACROSS 1 Translucent gem 5 With, to Maurice 9 Hornless cattle 14 Hull plank 15 Stratum 16 Vikings 17 Having the same amount 18 Scandinavian city 19 Boys Town site 20 Navigator’s aid 22 Castle wall 24 Thought 25 Hip boots 26 Some sizes 29 Army wear 31 RC rival 32 In addition to 33 Mollusk 37 Curve shape 38 Took along 41 Down Under bird 42 Cry of delight 44 Techniques 45 Where icicles hang 47 Chow chow 49 Royal fur 50 Church official 53 Roman Hera 54 Diplomat’s post 56 Stock of weap-

ons 60 Sporty car 61 In that case (2 wds.)

63 Curse 64 Abalone eater 65 Fall softly 66 Places of refuge 67 Pro votes 68 Compos mentis 69 A word to kitty DOWN 1 Gets bills 2 Improve the road 3 Game-show name 4 Nutritious legumes 5 Makes up for 6 Landscape 7 Sushi morsel 8 Trim a photo 9 Hooded pullover 10 On the move 11 Trellis plant 12 Theater employee 13 Chairs 21 Bob Hope specialty (hyph.)

23 Covered with water 26 Eject 27 Interlock

28 Basilica area 29 Fumbler 30 Warm greetings 32 Cruise stop 34 Strauss of denim fame 35 Famous last word 36 Poet’s inspiration 39 Pours or sprinkles 40 Gull relatives 43 Fugitive

46 Protozoans 48 Baffling questions 49 Grand Tour site 50 Artificial duck 51 Act like a ham 52 Lies adjacent 53 Husband of Medea 55 Sharp barks 57 DEA operative 58 “Lonely Boy” singer 59 Perchance 62 Gulf st.

Kris as she talks about Joshua. “He does not forget lines and in the few instances that he did, immediately, he apologizes and requests for another take. He is amazing. He needs to work. That is true but the work needs. He is the real deal.

In 10 to 15 years’ time, he is going to be one of our greatest actors.”

Kris frankly states, “Before I said yes to the project, I watched their movies, Love You To The Stars and Back and Unexpectedly Yours. I saw something special with the two of them. I know they are good in their TV shows, Julia was in the a show with Bea, Joshua was in The Good Son. Sa big screen, iba sila. I know working with them, para akong nakasandal sa pader. Ay, bongga! Yes ito.”

Her character, contrary to what others think, is not a Devil Wears Prada Miranda Priestly copycat.

“She’s mabait, pinaglaban ko yun. I believe that you can become successful without stepping on anyone. As much as she is successful and driven, she has vulnerability. She has unfinished issued with an ex.”

She became more candid about the state of her romantic heart, “When you are still capable of hating someone you once love, that means there is still love. Pero 'pag deadmabels ka na, that means naubos na ang love. I still care about him. Wala na akong pakialam sa tatay ni Bimby. He still can make me hate him that means I still have feelings for him. I don’t want to lie. He still manages to upset me.”

Love and hate, two very strong emotions, are prominent fixture in her rainbow colored life.

“You don’t let hatred win, If they still can get you, they have won,” declares Kris. “It was a long process to get to this point, you have to know your enemies and choose your battles carefully.”

The lineup includes the Sineng Pambansa National Film Festival 2013 drama Lihis written by Ricky Lee and directed

by Joel C. Lamangan. Set in the 70’s during the turbulent period in Philippine history, the film features Jake Cuenca and Joem Bascon as communist rebels bound by a similar cause to topple a dictatorship. Their characters› relationship turns passionate amid their struggles to fight for freedom. Lihis also stars Lovi Poe, Isabelle Daza, Gloria Diaz, Raquel Villavicencio, Tony Mabesa, Jaime Pebanco, Lloyd Samartino, Alex Castro, Ruby Ruiz, Jess Evardone and Chanel Latorre, among others.

Another film featured in PelikuLAYA is the Cinema One Originals 2017 comedy film Si Chedeng at Si Apple directed by Rae Red and Fatrick Tabada. Chedeng (Gloria Diaz), 66, decides to come out during her husband’s wake while her best friend Apple (Elizabeth Oropesa), 63, kills her live-in partner, beheads him and stuffed his head inside her favorite Louis Vuitton bag.

Together, they are on the run from the law and their children as they set off an adventure to find Chedeng’s ex-girlfriend.

Also part of the program is Joselito Altarejos’ Kasal, which won Best Film at the 2014 Cinemalaya Film Festival. It tells the story of a gay couple, played

by Arnold Reyes and Oliver Aquino, whose relationship is challenged when

they attend a wedding. Providing support are Rita Avila, Maureen Mauricio, Ruby Ruiz, Rener Concepcion, Sue Prado, Ronwaldo Martin, Luis Ruiz and Ray An Dulay.

Completing the list is Out Run, a documentary about an LGBT political party mobilizing transgender hairdressers and beauty queens. Directed by S. Leo Chiang and Johnny Symons, the film provides a unique look into the challenges LGBT people encounter as they transition into the mainstream and fight for dignity, legitimacy, and acceptance across the globe.

PelikuLAYA, which is organized by FDCP in partnership with different LGBTQIA+ organizations, screens this month at Cine Lokal theaters in SM Manila, SM Sta. Mesa, SM Mall of Asia, SM Megamall, SM North Edsa, SM Fairview, SM Southmall and SM Bacoor.

'Kasal' is a slice of life drama of a gay couple whose resolve to stay together is challenged as they attend a wedding.

Recognizing OFWs via ‘Idol Awards’

By Louise Lizan Robin Padilla joined in the special recognition of twelve Overseas Filipino Workers and their respective families at the second annual MoneyGram Idol Awards at the Solaire Resort and Casino on June 19.

First held in May 2017, Robin spearheaded the whole project, wanting to shed more attention to the Filipinos struggling outside the country.

For its second edition, the action star was present with MoneyGram’s key regional leaders in giving out awards to the lucky winners and their families.

Robin gave high praises for the heroes at sea who got separated by continents from their loved ones in hopes of providing them a better future.

“Kaya po kayo, mga mahal kong kababayan, na binibigyan ng parangal ng

Robin Padilla, Moneygram celebrity ambassador and Idol Awards proponent

MoneyGram sa ‘pagkat naniniwala po kami talaga, hindi po kami nambobola - na kayo po ay totoong mga bayani,” Robin addressed the crowd.

Robin also compared the Filipino workers with soldiers, fighting not a ‘military’ war but an economic one, US dollars used as weapons instead of guns. “At ang mga sundalo po natin ay ang mga OFWs kaya ang Pilipinas ay nakatindig sa ngayon dahil sa mga asawa ninyo, kapatid ninyo, kamag-anak ninyo na nagtatrabaho sa abroad. Ganon po kahalaga ang OFWs sa bayang Pilipinas.”

The actor underscored the OFWs’ hardships throughout his speech, giving out the reasons why these Filipino workers deserved the proper recognition not only for working hard for their own families but also for the country as well, and the MoneyGram Idol Awards is just another token of gratitude.

“Ito pong araw na to ay araw po ninyo. Araw ng pasasalamat namin sa inyo. Pero, bilang panghuling salita, hindi po ibig sabihin na natutuwa na malayo ang inyong mga mahal sa buhay. Ang MoneyGram ay nandito upang ilapit kayo sa kanila,” Robin said in his speech.

Robin further said that he wants the special project to continue, serving many OFWs and giving them the rightful recognition they deserve for being the Philippines’ unsung heroes of today.

Nickie Wang, Issue Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com

C4

Entertainment Marian Rivera IN A ROLE CLOSE

SATURDAY, JUNE 23, 2018

In today's episode of 'Tadhana,' directed by Dingdong Dantes, Marian Rivera plays an OFW who had to bear being away from her children to give them a good life by working in Bahrain.

TO HER HEART

By Nickie Wang

W

HEN Marian Rivera began her career in showbiz, she already accepted the fact that she would be given various roles.

And it was a conscious decision not to be picky as long as the character can challenge her acting ability.

Ben & Ben at Shangri-La Plaza SHANGRI-LA Plaza continues to celebrate Filipinos’ cultural heritage in the Philippine independence month of June with the country’s foremost musical and dance artists performing for mall guests of all ages.

Rising indie folk band Ben & Ben caps the month on June 24, 7 p.m.. Don’t miss the awardwinning band perform its charttopping songs that feature a unique fusion of pop and folk at the Grand Atrium.

For inquiries, call 3702597/98 or visit www.facebook. com/shangrilaplazaofficial.

Follow the Shang on Instagram: @shangrilaplazaofficial.

In Tadhana’s anniversary special, Marian is wearing a different hat. From being its host, the 33-year-old mother-of-one plays the lead role in the anniversary special with no less than her husband, Dingdong Dantes, directing the episode.

“The story is very close to my heart. In

VERY WANG NICKIE WANG this episode, I play a mother who worked overseas then when I came back hindi na ako makikilala ng mga anak ko,” Marian told the entertainment scribes during the program’s anniversary presscon on Tuesday.

“In real life, ‘yung magtratrabaho lang ako sandali at iiwan ko si Zia, ambigat sa loob especially ‘pag uumiiyak na siya, ayun pa kayang matagal kang mawawala, at sa ibang bansa pa?” she said alluding to the sacrifices OFWs go through whenever they leave their families behind to work overseas.

In the special episode, Marian brings to life the story of Jackie—an OFW who had to bear being away from her children to give them a good life by working in Bahrain during the ‘90s.

With her husband seriously ill, Jackie was left alone to raise their family.

When the opportunity to work as a domestic helper abroad came knocking on her door, Jackie did not hesitate and accepted the job. It did not matter if this meant being separated from her kids.

What was important was to give them a decent future. Little did she know that an ordeal awaited her in Bahrain.

Jackie’s employer was cruel. On top of the physical abuse she got, she was prohibited to go out or even use the phone to call her family. Except for letters, she had no way of communicating with her loved ones in the Philippines.

She endured this for two years. But upon Jackie’s return to the Philippines, she learned that her family never received the money and letters she sent them and that the same people she worked hard for had turned their backs on her.

“This episode has a very touching story. Generally, we are offering this story to our country men who work overseas and we want them to know that back home, people here appreciate their hard work and contribution,” Marian said in vernacular.

Talking about the show celebrating its first anniversary on air, the Kapuso actress expressed her gratitude to the program’s viewers who continuously support her and the show.

“At first, we had one season, then another season followed. Now we are celebrating our first anniversary. It only means we are doing something good,” she said.

She admitted that when the hosting job was initially offered to her, she asked the management why she’s being given such task. She thought, she’s not fit to be the program host. But she trusted the management and now she’s glad they’re celebrating such milestone.

The special anniversary offering of Tadhana airs today after Contessa on GMA-7.

Marian Rivera in a scene from Tadhana's anniversary episode

Indie folk rock band Ben & Ben

Search is on for Manila's most beautiful

INTERNATIONAL

JANET Jackson reveals 'intense' battle with depression

BEVY OF BEAUTIES. Mayor Joseph Estrada flanked by the candidates of Miss Manila 2018 during the pageant's press presentation

held on Tuesday.

By Dence Benedito MISS Manila 2018 title awaits the modern Manileña who exudes grace, beauty, passion, intelligence and optimism. Once crowned, the queen will represent the City of Manila in different functions and events.

Thirty-two official candidates including former Ateneo Lady Eagle Therese Gaston vie for 2018 Miss Manila title as they graced their bikini showcase during the press conference held at the Centennial Hall of Manila Hotel on June 19.

Gaston, following in the footsteps of Michelle Gumabao, who was crowned Binibining Pilipinas Globe 2018 last March, will try her luck to step into the pageantry as she also makes the transition from athlete to

beauty queen.

The candidates also presented their various advocacies of benevolence, such as to help patients who undergo dialysis.

Some of the outstanding candidates during the press presentation were Kristi Celyn Banks, Katrina Racelis, and Kathleen Joy Paton.

Special guest, Manila City Mayor Joseph Estrada was also present during the press presentation to proudly welcome the Batch 2018 candidates in line with the celebration of this year’s Araw ng Maynila to mark its 447th anniversary.

The successor of Mary Gail Tobes, Miss Manila 2017, will win a million pesos worth of prizes (P500,00 cash plus Viva Management contract worth P500,000). The first runner-up will receive P350,000, while the second, third,

and fourth runners-up will receive P250,000, P150,000, and P100,000, respectively.

The grand coronation night hosted by Xian Lim and Yassi Pressman, with special performances by Sarah Geronimo, James Reid, Nadine Lustre, Billy Crawford and Ex Battalion, will be held on June 26 at the PICC Reception Hall.

Delayed telecast will be aired on ABSCBN Sunday’s Best on July 1.

The annual Miss Manila pageant organized by the City of Manila and MARE Foundation, Inc. together with Viva Live. It was revived in 2014 under the leadership of Manila Mayor Estrada.

MARE Foundation, Inc., a non-profit institution and the pageant’s main beneficiary, is headed and established by former senator Dr. Luisa Loi Ejercito-Estrada.

JANET Jackson has revealed that she suffered an "intense" battle with depression, which she linked to a childhood inferiority complex and societal racism and sexism.

In an essay in the latest issue of Essence, a magazine geared toward African American women, the 52-year-old pop superstar said that she has found joy after giving birth to her first child last year.

But the singer -- who became a superstar in her 20s with her blending of hip-hop into pop music and her elaborately choreographed live shows -- said that her 30s were "difficult years."

"The struggle was intense. I could analyze the source of my depression forever," she said, according to excerpts released Wednesday.

"Low self-esteem might be rooted in childhood feelings of inferiority. It could relate to failing to meet impossibly high standards. And of course there are always the societal issues of racism and sexism," she said.

"Put it all together and depression is a tenacious and scary condition.

Thankfully, I found my way through it."

The younger sister of King of Pop Michael Jackson, who also battled depression and anxiety, Janet Jackson returned with an album in 2015 and then abruptly suspended her tour.

She gave birth to her first child, Eissa, at an unusually late age and soon afterward announced her split with the boy's father, her third husband Wissam Al Mana, a Qatari tycoon.

Essence announced that Jackson would headline a festival affiliated with the magazine next month in New Orleans.

She is also set to play later in July at Panorama, which is staged in New York by the promoters of Coachella, the major festival in California. AFP Janet Jackson opens up about her battle with depression and her journey to find peace in her life.