Manila Standard - 2018 April 24 - Tuesday

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Remittances at all-time high, says World Bank WASHINGTON—Payments from immigrants back to their home countries rebounded to reach a new record in 2017 but the costs of transferring funds also increased, the World Bank said Monday.

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Prince William’s wife Kate gives birth to son LONDON—Kate Middleton, the wife of Prince William, gave birth to a baby son on Monday, the couple’s third child who is fifth in line to the British throne.

The boy, weighing eight pounds and seven ounces (3.8 kilograms), was born at 11:01am (1001 GMT), Kensington Palace announced.

Mother and baby are both doing well, the palace said, and William, the Duke of Cambridge, was present for the birth.

The baby is the couple’s third child, after Prince George and Princess Charlotte.

Queen Elizabeth II, William’s father Prince Charles, and his brother Prince Harry were said to be delighted with the news. AFP

VOL. XXXII • NO. 68 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 • TUESDAY, APRIL 24, 2018 • www.manilastandard.net • editorial@manilastandard.net

FORTUNE REVERSAL. Members of the leftist National Democratic Front during a lightning rally in Quezon City in this file photo.

On Monday Malacañang says the planned peace dialogue with the Communist leaders suffers yet another flip-flop after the CPP-NDF-NPA chairman Jose Ma. Sison set another new condition which the government peace panel would have to discuss. File Photo Lino Santos

DFA to hold talks with Kuwait envoy Cayetano airs concerns over maltreatment of PH workers

Jailed Egyptian photog wins UN press freedom prize PARIS—Detained Egyptian photojournalist Mahmoud Abu Zeid, widely known as Shawkan, will be awarded Unesco’s World Press Freedom Prize, the United Nations’ cultural body said Monday.

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By Sara Susanne D. Fabunan

F

OREIGN Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano said Monday the Philippines will try to smoothen out relations with Kuwait that were strained after a video was posted on social media showing embassy staff in the Gulf state rescuing distressed Filipino workers there.

As the last batch of 216 repatriates under the Kuwaiti government’s amnesty program arrived in Manila, Cayetano said he would ask Kuwaiti Ambassador to the Philippines Musaed Saleh Althwaikh for a meeting with President Rodrigo Duterte

in Davao, during which they would convey concerns over the continued maltreatment of Filipino workers.

“How is it abusive if it is done in coordination with your government?

And what if it is a life-or-death situation?” Cayetano said in Filipino, when asked about the Kuwaiti complaint against Philippine Ambassador to Kuwait Renato Villa and his team’s recent rescue operation.

But the deputy administrator of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration said what the Philippine team did in Kuwait had violated local laws.

“In Kuwait, that is a crime, what our companions at the DFA did. Then they were even shown cheering,” Arnell Ignacio said in Filipino over radio dzBB. Next page

Revisors bare partly burned CamSur ballots

‘Last chance’ peace bid hits snag—Roque

By Vito Barcelo MALACAÑANG on Monday said the planned peace talks with communist leaders suffered a setback after Communist Party of the Philippines founding chairman Jose Ma. Sison set a condition that the government peace panel will have to discuss.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said that while Sison feels that President Rodrigo Duterte has made the peace offer in “good faith,” his condition for returning to the Philippines for talks will have to be discussed.

“As far as I know, both have to agree to resume peace talks and the 60-day period should be reckoned from that date,” the Palace spokesman said.

The CPP founder said he will end his exile and directly talk to the President if he (Sison) is assured that the peace negotiations will not be agitated by “peace spoilers” who will benefit if the war between the military and the rebel will continue.

In a press briefing, Roque said the possible resumption of the government’s peace talks with the communists could be the “last chance” to finally put an end to the decades-long rebellion.

“The problem is we’ve been talking peace with them for years and years and years. There is no end. So I think the President said that this is our last chance,” Roque said. Next page

By Rey E. Requejo

POLLS PREPARATION. Asst. Secretary Jonathan Malaya of the DILG’s Communication and Public Affairs and DepEd Undersecretary Alan Del B. Pascua (right) show leaflets for voters after discussing government preparations for next month’s Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections—with the three Ms as guide: Matino, Mahusay, and Maaasahan. Manny Palmero

Senate chief urges impeachment tribunal members: Be fair

By Macon Ramos-Araneta and Rey E. Requejo SENATE President Aquilino Pimentel III on Monday called on his colleagues to have an open mind during the impeachment trial of Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno.

“My appeal to all is that we should be prepared to convict if there is evidence and acquit if there is no evidence,” Pimentel said.

It’s not that you would acquit even if there

is evidence and convict if there is no evidence. Don’t do that because it’s unfair. We should all be fair.”

Pimentel made his statement even as Sereno’s camp on Monday expressed appreciation with Pimentel’s statement.

“It is exactly what we expect a fair impeachment tribunal should do: to judge the case based on facts and the law,” Sereno’s spokesman Jojo Lacanilao said in a text message.

He said Sereno was confident she would be vindicated if the “fair” Senate, acting as an impeachment court, heard her case.

The Senate will convene as an impeachment court and the senators will sit as a jury when Sereno’s impeachment is transmitted to it from the House of Representatives.

Pimentel said the public will judge the Supreme Court based on its decision on the pending quo warranto petition, which seeks Next page

REVISORS conducting a manual recount of votes in the vice presidential race in 2016 between former senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Leni Robredo have found some ballots from the latter’s hometown partially burned.

On Monday, the recount being conducted inside the gymnasium on the fifth floor of the SC-Court of Appeals Building came to a halt at 2 p.m., after all 16 air conditioning units there conked out, sources said.

The Supreme Court, acting as the Presidential Electoral Tribunal, suspended the recount after technicians were unable to fix a problem in the circuit breakers connected to the air conditioners.

All the units in the recount venue are new and were only recently installed.

It was the third time the recount encountered hurdles since it started April 2.

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1.14-m people vying for seats in May 14 polls

By Joel E. Zurbano and Macon Ramos-Araneta MORE than a million people have filed their certificates of candidacy in the May 14 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections, a Commission on Elections official said Monday.

Comelec spokesman James Arthur Jimenez said as of 5 p.m. on April 21, the total number of people who had filed their certificates was 1,140,987 in 1,625 cities and municipalities nationwide. Of that number, 722,081 had filed for the village polls and 418,906 for the SK elections.

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Palace ignores US remarks over drug war

By Vito Barcelo and Rey E. Requejo

to President Donald Trump’s declaration of support for President Rodrigo Duterte’s anti-drug campaign.

The State Department said “killings MALACAÑANG on Monday ignored the US State Department’s statement of by security forces” were among the concern regarding the Philippines’ war most significant human rights issues in on drugs and would instead pay heed Next page

News

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TUESDAY, APRIL 24, 2018 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Military, police descend on Boracay

By Francisco Tuyay

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OLICE and military troops have been deployed to Boracay Island to enforce security measures during the closure and rehabilitation of the resort next Thursday.

Military troops from the Army, Air Force and the Navy were deployed as a joint force to support law enforcement activities, and the implementation of heightened security measures during the closure and rehabilitation of Boracay.

Deployed were also more than 400 policemen to prevent vandalism and theft on private property.

Philippine National Police chief Oscar Albayalde said the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) under Chief Supt. Hawthorne

Du30 taking 8-seater plane to Asean gab PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte will head a small delegation to the 32nd Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit in Singapore in a bid to cut costs, and they will only use an eight-seater private plane to fly there, Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said Monday.

He said he did not have the official list of delegates that would accompany the President to the two-day summit, but Special Assistant to the President Christopher Go and Duterte’s staff, including a nurse, would be on board the private plane.

He said using a private plane instead of a chartered plane would be much cheaper.

“Definitely, to save money. It’s expensive to charter a plane, and a leaner delegation will mean less cost to the taxpayer,” Roque told reporters.

“It’s a two-hour flight from Davao to Singapore, so it’s not a long flight. I think other than SAP Go, all the other people in plane will be staff complement of the President, including a nurse.”

Roque said he would also be in Singapore during the Asean Summit but will be leaving on a different plane from Manila to Singapore.

He was not certain if the President would forgo the arrival and departure speeches.

“I saw a schedule, so I’m now confused because I’m coming from here to Singapore, so I will not be able to witness the departure statement,” Roque said. Vito Barcelo

Palace says Carpio reax ’premature’ PRESIDENTIAL Spokesman Harry Roque on Monday described as “premature” Acting Chief Justice Antonio Carpio’s call for the government to file a diplomatic protest against China amid the reported presence of Chinese military planes on Panganiban Reef or Mischief Reef in the West Philippine Sea or South China Sea. Roque said the Department of Foreign Affairs is looking at all diplomatic avenues to respond to China’s action to ease possible tension between the two countries.

“I don’t think [Carpio] should preempt any decision of the secretary of Foreign Affairs. The secretary of Foreign Affairs has said they are looking at all diplomatic responses to these latest reports,” the spokesman said.

Carpio earlier urged the government to file a diplomatic protest after two military airplanes were seen on the island, confirming allegations that China is increasing its military presence in the region.

The magistrate warned that silence on the matter may be taken as implied consent.

Panganiban Reef is located within the Philippines’ 370-kilometer exclusive economic zone in the West Philippine Sea, almost all of which is claimed by China and other Southeast Asian countries.

Surveillance images taken on Jan. 6 showed two Xian Y-7 military transport planes 20 to 50 meters apart on the ramp near Runway 21 on Panganiban, one of seven reefs in the Spratlys that China has transformed into artificial islands with military capabilities.

But Roque maintained that the Duterte administration continues to rely on “China’s good faith” as it believes the communist country will not expand its “islands” in the vital waterway. Vito Barcelo

1.14-m...

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Jimenez said the latest data accounted for only 1,625 of the 1,633 cities and municipalities nationwide.

“But I don’t suppose the final tally of COCs filed would be much different. It’s important to note that these stats reflect the number of COCs filed and not the official candidates yet,” he said.

Meanwhile, Senator Richard Gordon on Monday called on the voters to be discerning and elect the right leaders for their villages.

He said the barangay and SK officials serve the grassroots, with the barangay being the smallest political unit. Hence the officials must be competent and not involved in illegal drugs and other illegal activities.

“Barangay and SK officials are in the forefront of public service because they are the

Binag would be in charge of securing the island. “[Chief Supt.] Binag will be in full control and supervision and we will give him the responsibility on how to deal with the misdeeds. He will be there and will monitor activities 24 hours a day,” the new PNP chief said.

Albayalde said crowd control police would exercise maximum tolerance when dealing with any possible protests from locals, adding a relocation program for those who would lose employment during the island’s rehabilitation period had shifted gear.

In related developments: • Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque on Monday appealed to the Boracay Task Force to provide media members more elbow room to cover the beach resort's rehabilitation when the island is closed.

In a press briefing, Roque said during

the Cabinet meeting, he personally appealed to the interagency to reconsider the 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. rule applied to members of the media to cover the island’s closure.

“I do agree that media does (sic) not sleep and of course although a comparison was made between Boracay and Marawi, I said wala namang IED sa [there is no IED in] Boracay,” he said, referring to improvised explosive devise.

Roque believed he was able to persuade the Cabinet to provide media with accreditation so that they could issue media cards to accredited members of the Boracay Press Corps and be treated as residents in the island.

“But let’s await the final word from the interagency. I do not want to preempt them. But my impression was they were in agreement before I left the meeting.

That was the last point that I raised before

I left the meeting,” he said.

Reporters and their crew would be required to spend their nights outside the island and would have to be accompanied by escorts while in Boracay.

• Senator Sherwin Gatchalian on Monday urged the Aklan Electric Cooperative Inc. to avoid passing on extra power charges to its consumers during the impending six-month closure of Boracay Island by invoking force majeure.

He said the closure of restaurants, resorts, and other commercial establishments on Boracay Island during the effectivity of the closure order would not only result in the loss of jobs.

He said it would also drive down the demand for electricity in Akelco’s franchise area, as these commercial establishments account for 41 percent of the electric coop’s power demand. With Vito Barcelo, Macon Ramos-Araneta, and PNA

DFA...

facing life-or-death situations difficult.

“There are some cases where the workers are in grave danger,” he said. “If you learn they have been bloodied or they have been beaten, or that the abuse is continuous, if you wait for the normal process, that will take long… that’s why we have this concept of rescue.”

Cayetano could not say if Villa will be made to return to the Philippines, saying an investigation was ongoing.

At their meeting with the Kuwaiti ambassador, Cayetano said he would rase some cases of abuse and maltreatment of Filipino workers, particularly domestics.

In February, the body of Joanna Demafelis, a Filipino domestic, was found inside the freezer in an abandoned apartment of her employer in Kuwait.

The case and similar incidents angered Duterte, who ordered a complete deployment ban to the Gulf state.

Also on Monday, ACTS-OFW Rep. Aniceto Bertiz III slammed the uploading on social media, of videos of some Filipino workers being rescued in Kuwait He said the uploading of the “rescue videos” was “unfortunate and completely unnecessary.”

“We should discourage this as a practice because it puts the lives of the distressed OFW and even her rescuers at risk while exposing our embassy to sanctions

by the host government,” he said.

“The privacy of the distressed OFW should also be respected especially in instances where human trafficking and sexual violence may be involved,” he added.

On Monday, the last batch of 216 repatriates under the Kuwaiti government’s amnesty program, consisting of 216 individuals arrived in Manila, bringing the total number of Filipinos repatriated to 5,066 since February.

While the amnesty lapsed Sunday, Cayetano said that all nationals who may be affected by the mass crackdown of Kuwaiti government against illegal workers will be deported, with free tickets to be shouldered by the DFA. “We will continue to process people for repatriation but it won’t be like the amnesty anymore. It would be regular [deportation],” Cayetano said.

The last batch, including six infants, departed Kuwait and followed the first flight on Sunday, which carried more than 140 Filipino workers.

DFA Undersecretary Sarah Lou Arriola said the government has already spent at least PP66.1 million for plane tickets, while P22.5 million was allotted for cash assistance.

The 216 overseas Filipino workers on Sunday all received a PHP5,000 cash assistance from the DFA. With PNA

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Ignacio said the Philippine authorities need to coordinate the rescue with Kuwaiti police.

“They knew it’s illegal, that why they said it as a covert operation,” he added.

He also said the circulation of the video on social media would only make things worse for Filipino workers still in Kuwait.

The Kuwaiti government summoned Villa to protest his “inflammatory comments” against the Gulf state through a local newspaper, the Kuwait News Agency said.

He was also summoned over the “inappropriate behavior” of his diplomatic staff, who were caught on video rescuing distressed Filipino workers.

“They are questioning the actions of our embassy in the rescue, and if we followed their law, and if there was an abuse of their diplomatic status,” Cayetano said in Filipino.

Cayetano said Villa “respectfully” responded to the summons and assured the Kuwaiti authorities that the rescue was in line with their laws because they were coordinating with the Ministry of Interior and other local authorities there.

Cayetano said the normal rescue process of the Kuwaiti government takes a bit slower and makes rescuing Filipinos

Revisors...

From A1

On the second day, four of the 40 revisors hired by the PET decided to quit for undisclosed reasons. Last week, the two camps clashed over excess ballots that had shaded votes for Robredo, which resulted in a suspension of revision of votes in clustered precincts from Buhi town, Camarines Sur. Meanwhile, sources said that a ballot box from Ocampo town yielded ballots with what appeared to be cigarette burns on their edges and holes in the middle portion. All of them had votes shaded for Robredo.

The same ballot box did not have accompanying election records like election returns, voter’s receipts and minutes of voting.

Sources believed that the city treasurer’s office of the municipality should be investigated and be made to explain the burned ballots.

It was further learned that there were also wet ballots and missing voters’ receipts in other ballot boxes from the same town—just like in other towns in the province.

Last week, 53 out of the 55 clustered precincts in Bula or 97 percent had no voter’s receipts while 20 out of the 30 clustered precincts in Balatan or 68 percent also had missing receipts.

The PET is currently revising the clustered precincts of Camarines Sur. After three weeks of revision, revisors had finished the revision of the towns of Baao, Bato, Bula, Balatan, Sagnay and Buhi. The towns of Ocampo, Pili, Magarao, Presentacion, Lagonoy, Camaligan and Garchitorena are currently being revised.

Remittances...

From A1 The stronger-than-expected recovery in remittances—payments that are key to supporting the economies of many poor countries—was driven by growth in Europe, Russia and the United States, the World Bank said in a report.

The bank estimates that officially recorded remittances to low- and middleincome countries reached $466 billion in 2017, an increase of 8.5 percent over $429 billion in 2016. They are expected to increase by about four percent this year.

Remittance inflows improved in all regions and the top remittance recipients were India with $69 billion, followed by China ($64 billion), the Philippines ($33 billion), Mexico ($31 billion), Nigeria ($22 billion), and Egypt ($20 billion).AFP nearest the people. Our barangays should be run by competent leaders and should not involved in any illegal activities,” Gordon said.

Jimenez said all filed certificates of candidacy will be turned over to the Comelec Central Office for evaluation to determine who are qualified to run.

Meanwhile, the Interior department is considering asking the Comelec to have a special day of filing of COCs for the SK polls in certain areas.

In an ABS-CBN news report, Interior Assistant Secretary Jonathan Malaya said there may still be some areas with some missing posts to fill.

The Comelec earlier granted extending the period for the filing of COCs for both village and SK polls following a request from the National Youth Commission. The Commission en banc came up with a resolution extending the period until Saturday, April 21.

During the first two weeks of recount, several irregularities were raised over the discovery of wet ballot boxes, unused or excess ballots with shaded votes for Robredo, missing audit logs and missing voters’ receipts in towns of Bato, Baao, Balatan, Bula and Sagñay in Camarines Sur. The Marcos camp said these discoveries could be proof of election fraud. But Robredo’s lawyer alleged that the former senator was only trying to taint the results of the recount and twisting the developments to favor his protest.

The PET issued a gag order on the parties and issued a show cause order for them to explain why they should not be cited in contempt for earlier discussing the merits of the case before the media.

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

In his protest, Marcos contested the results in a total of 132,446 precincts in 39,221 clustered precincts covering 27 provinces and cities. He sought for a recount in Camarines Sur, Iloilo and Negros Oriental covering a total of 5,418 clustered precincts.

Robredo filed her answer in August 2016 and filed a counter-protest, questioning the results in more than 30,000 polling precincts in several provinces where Marcos won.

She also sought the dismissal of the protest for lack of merit and jurisdiction of PET. Robredo won the vice presidential race in the May 2016 polls with 14,418,817 votes or 263,473 more than Marcos’ 14,155,344 votes.

Jailed...

From A1

Shawkan was arrested in August 2013 as he covered deadly clashes in Cairo between security forces and supporters of ousted Islamist president Mohamed Morsi.

He is one of 700 defendants facing charges of killing police and vandalizing property during the clashes.

“The choice of Mahmoud Abu Zeid pays tribute to his courage, resistance and commitment to freedom of expression,” said Maria Ressa of the Philippines, head of the Unesco jury which is awarding the prize.

Egypt’s foreign affairs ministry on Sunday voiced its “profound regret that an organization with the status of Unesco would honor a person accused of terrorist and criminal acts.” AFP

Senate...

From A1

to void the appointment of Sereno in 2012 and which was filed by Solicitor General Jose Calida.

“A lot of people who are concerned about this issue will judge the SC based on their decision,” Pimentel said.

Meanwhile, Senator Antonio Trillanes IV and detained Senator Leila de Lima are urging the high court to dismiss the quo waranto petition against Sereno due to lack of jurisdiction.

They aired their concern over the propriety of the high court justices during the oral arguments on the quo warranto petition.

“In the course of the proceedings, the animosity between the parties and some of the members of the Honorable Court

Oscar wants to run after FB ’bashers’ POLICE Chief Oscar Albayalde on Monday ordered the strengthening of the functions of the Counter-Intelligence units of the police force so they can run after abusive and law-breaking policemen―including the cops who bashed him on Facebook.

He wanted the policemen involved identified and investigated.

“See the attitude of some of our policemen who can say those things to their commander. It’s not right. We have a grievance committee,” Albayalde said.

He also said they would be looking into the case of an alleged Chinese drug lord who was able to post bail despite the large amount of shabu seized from him.

The suspect, identified as Li Hong Peng, was arrested in January 2012 after 20 kilos of shabu was seized from him, but he was still able to post bail.

“I have ordered a review of the cases filed. How come they were dismissed?

This is not good for our war on drugs,” Albayalde said.

Meanwhile, Albayalde has left to the Office of the Deputy Ombudsman for the Military and Other Law Enforcement Offices the investigation of the alleged withholding of almost P59 million in subsistence allowance meant for the Special Action Force.

“The case is now with the Ombudsman, but what we can probably do is if they will ask something from us, we will give our full support,” Albayalde said.

He told the Directorate for Information and Communications Technology Management that he wanted the policemen who bashed him on his Facebook account to be identified.

The Facebook account Albayalde was referring to is the page Buhay Lespu or Police Life, which tackles the daily struggles of policemen.

“When you are in the uniformed service, remember that there are rules and regulations. There are restrictions. You have to understand that you cannot just do what you want,” Albayalde said.

“Now if they want to say anything without following the rules and regulations and policies of the organization, they can always get out and leave the organization.”

Francisco Tuyay

'Last...

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the Philippines and this should be a priority concern of the US government.

In a press briefing in Malacañang, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque admitted that it is difficult to reconcile the State Department’s statement with Trump’s pronouncement of full support.

“If you know the Secretary of State was recently changed, so I do not know how much input of the former Secretary of State had in drafting that final report,” Roque said.

“I personally heard the discussion between President Trump and President Duterte when they were here in the Philippines during the Asean Summit and I think I heard words from President Trump praising President Duterte, including the war on drugs. If I’m not mistaken, President Trump said he knows what he’s doing in the Philippines. So I do not know how to reconcile the State Department report with the actual statement of the President,” Roque said.

“But for now, we were going by the statements of President Trump that we all heard from the mouth of President Trump,” he said.

“We prefer to hold on to the words of President Trump. He is after all the President,” Roque said.

Earlier, the US State Department alleged that extrajudicial killings and increase in police impunity remain the most significant human rights concerns in the Philippines.

It said EJKs have been the chief human rights concern in the country for many years and, after a sharp rise with the onset of the anti-drug campaign in 2016.

The report is the latest expression of alarm by the US government against Duterte’s deadly war on drugs and other related issues despite his better relations with President Donald Trump.

Meanwhile, the Justice department said it would be fair in deciding the fate of the 71-yearold Australian nun, Patricia Fox, who has been accused of interfering in local politics.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said the DoJ would uniformly apply the country’s immigration laws on the 71-year-old nun’s case regardless of her political affiliations and reported links with militant groups.

“Our action will be based on the factual findings of the Bureau of Immigration. Our immigration laws shall be fairly and uniformly applied,” Guevarra said, in an interview.

The Palace official said the 60-day timeframe set by President Duterte for the revived peace talks with the communists was just enough to achieve the parties’ shared agenda of addressing the root cause of the rebellion.

“I don’t think there’s a divergence of views on the root causes of rebellion; it is poverty.

So if the government and the CPP-NPA will agree to address the root causes, then it should not even take 60 days,” Roque said.

“We have a common platform. A better and comfortable life for all,” Roque said.

The presidential spokesperson also assured the safety of Sison should he come home to the Philippines to talk peace with the government.

“The President has given his word that he will not be apprehended while in the Philippines… His liberty will be guaranteed by the President,” Roque said.

On the other hand, he clarified that apart from guaranteeing the Communist leader’s protection while in the country, the President has not acceded to any other conditions set by the CPP. “I don’t know if he’s in the position to provide for conditions,” he said, referring to Sison’s recent statement that significant advances in the peace talks should first be attained before he comes home.

“What the President said was if peace talks will resume, he’s welcome to come home, the President will assure his security and the fact that he will not be arrested. Beyond that, the President has not acceded to any further terms,” Roque added.

In an interview with the ANC news channel, a consultant of the National Democratic Front (NDF) said both sides are likely to meet President Duterte’s 60-day window to resume peace talks.

“The two sides have agreed on common grounds. Sec. [Jess] Dureza said that the two panels are likely to beat the deadline set by President Duterte to resume the peace talks in two months,” NDF consultant Rey Casambre told ANC. Meanwhile, the Armed Forces of the Philippines said the CPP-New People’s ArmyNDF must convince its members to stop committing atrocities against civilians and prove its sincerity and commitment to forging a lasting peace with the government.

AFP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Bienvenido Datuin made this statement over the weekend following the unprovoked attack that killed a pastor of the Jehovah’s Witnesses and wounded two of his companions in Gigaquit, Surigao Del Norte last April 18. With PNA

became quite palpable and apparent. It has become evident that the Honorable Court cannot render a judgment based purely on the merits of the case, given such hostile environment,” Trillanes and De Lima said in a resolution.

“The April 10 proceedings cannot honestly be considered as wholly impartial as to satisfy the due process requirement that those who shall hear, try and decide cases ought to possess the cold neutrality of impartial judges.

“The quo warranto petition is a prerogative writ requiring the person to whom it is directed to show what authority he or she has in exercising some right or power the person claims to hold―in this case Sereno as chief justice of the Supreme Court.”

The senators said they had a specific

interest in ensuring that the exclusive jurisdiction of the Senate to hear and decide impeachment cases, as well as the exclusive prerogative of all senators to try the same, were not undermined.

Trillanes said the manifestation was a reminder to the high court justices that the quo warranto proceedings were illegal and unconstitutional and would diminish the power of the Senate.

Former Solicitor General Florin Hilbay, counsel for the senators, said the first intervention they filed focused on the need for the Senate to be heard and the second manifestation raised the issue of lack of jurisdiction.

Trillanes and De Lima earlier sought the permission of the high court to intervene in the ouster plea against Sereno so they could properly ask that it be dismissed.

Palace...

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TUESDAY, APRIL 24, 2018 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Oil firms to implement new oil prices Tuesday

By Alena Mae S. Flores

ANOTHER CHOKE. Oil firms begin Tuesday implementing a new round of oil price increase of as much as P0.65 per liter to reflect the movement in the international petroleum market. The global oil market last week reacted to the tweet of US President Donald Trump on Friday accusing the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries ‘artificially‘ boosting oil prices. Norman Cruz

Grab PH sanctions 500 drivers after complaints

By Darwin G. Amojelar and Rio N. Ajara

G

RAB Philippines on Monday said it sanctioned almost 500 drivers last week after an internal investigation into mounting complaints against drivers cancelling passengers’ bookings.

Brian Cu, Grab country head, said he expected more drivers to be disciplined in the coming days as the ride-hailing company further intensified its campaign to purge driver ranks to serve its passengers better.

“We will never tolerate any behavior that compromises the quality of our service. We see every post and complaint. We apologize that our services fell short. However, we will move forward. We have rolled out additional and stricter measures to address issues on cancellations and this is just the start. We promise to improve to provide the quality of service our passengers deserve,” Cu said.

“Only five-percent cancellation rate is allowed as metric for incentives. Those with 10 percent and above cancellation rate per week may face sanctions such as suspension and complete banning from the platform. We assure our driver-partners that we will follow proper investigation and due diligence.” Cu said.

“While we do our best to further improve driver services, we hope that our passengers would also do their part and exercise the same level of commitment. We encourage our passengers to be responsible by maintaining minimal and valid cancellations and keeping wait time to no more than seven minutes. Passengers with reported complaints my also face sanctions,” he added.

Duterte promotes another judge to Sandiganbayan

By Rey Requejo and Joel Zurbano MALACAÑANG has promoted the judge who notarized the certificate of candidacy of the late action king Fernando Poe Jr. in the 2004 presidential election.

In an appointment letter dated Nov. 28, 2017 but released only Monday, President Rodrigo Duterte appointed Antipolo Regional Trial Court Judge Kevin Narce Vivero as associate justice of the Sandiganbayan.

Vivero takes the place of Associate Justice Samuel Martires, the first appointee of Duterte to the SC in March last year.

Duterte last made an appointment in the Sandiganbayan in December last year when he promoted Makati City RTC Judge Maryann Corpus-Mañalac, who

earlier ordered Sunvar Realty Development Corp. to vacate the Mile Long property in August.

Meanwhile, Duterte has appointed Jose Arturo Garcia Jr. as permanent general manager of the Metro Manila Development Authority, replacing Thomas Orbos who was moved to the Transportation department as undersecretary.

Garcia was previously the agency’s acting general manager and assistant general manager for planning.

“I would like to thank President Duterte for his trust and confidence on the leadership of MMDA chairman Danilo Delapuz Lim. My appointment as general manager would only mean continuing the reforms and improved services that the chairman and I have started in the MMDA,” said Garcia in a text message.

‘Imee for senator’ endorsed

By Rio N. Araja ISABELA Gov. Faustino Dy wants Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos to run for senator in 2019.

He said Marcos would have his full support and from other local officials from the municipalities of Alicia, Aurora, Echague, Luna, San Manuel and Cauayan City, and the “Solid North.”

“Isabela hopes that Governor Marcos will ‘go’ for a Senate seat,” he said.

The Ilocos Norte governor is still undecided on joining the senatorial race.

Speaking at the Farmers Congress in Aurora, Isabela, Dy said “we do not have a voice in

the Senate, a voice of the Ilocanos.

We hope our beloved [Ilocos Norte] governor will decide to run so our voice could be heard, and to improve our lives.”

Echague Mayor Francis Faustino “Kiko” Dy stated, “we will always support you wherever your political career may lead you.”

Meanwhile, Marcos wants an exchange of training program for tobacco growers between her province and Isabela.

In her recent visit to Isabela’s Cauayan City and other nearby towns, she cited the importance of export quality products and an exchange training program for tobacco growers of the two provinces.

THE oil firms will implement a new round of oil price hike today of as much as P0.65 per liter to reflect the movement in the international petroleum market.

The oil firms raised pump prices

by P0.65 per liter for diesel and kerosene and P0.40 per liter for gasoline, the second consecutive weekly oil price increase effective 6am April 24.

“Seaoil will increase gasoline by P0.40 per liter, diesel by P0.65 per liter and kerosene by P0.65 per liter.

This is to reflect movements in the international petroleum market,” Seaoil Philippines said.

Aside from Seaoil, PTT Philippines, Phoenix Petroleum Philippines, Flying V and Eastern Petroleum Corp. also raised prices while other oil firms are expected to follow suit.

The global oil market last week reacted to the tweet of US President Donald Trump on Friday accusing the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries “artificially” boosting oil prices.

World oil prices have been going up since Opec and non-Opec countries cut production last year to end the supply glut and boost prices.

Opec is looking at extending the supply cut through end this year as global oil production remained high.

Last April 17, the oil firms increased the price of gasoline by

P0.35 per liter, biodiesel by P0.55 per liter and kerosene by P0.80 per liter.

Pro-consumer group Laban Konsyumer Inc. last week asked the Energy department to provide them access to reasonable prices of petroleum products and electricity.

In a letter dated April 16 to Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi, the group first brought attention to the prices of regular diesel. Using data from the trading areas of Fairview village in Quezon City, LKI expressed the need to unbundle the retail prices of petroleum products so that consumers may be provided the necessary information regarding the fair pricing of petroleum products.

“DoE will note that oil companies and the new players have practically uniform prices for diesel,” LKI president and former Trade Undersecretary Vic Dimagiba said in a letter to the department.

“This situation does not appear tenable since the oil companies and new players procure their products differently. The oil companies engage in activities such as refining while the new players import finished products.”

LKI is a new member of Consumers International, a membership organization for consumer groups around the world.

Consumer International is composed of over 200 member organizations in more than 100 countries, and it aims to empower and champion the rights of consumers everywhere.

A4

Opinion

TUESDAY, APRIL 24, 2018

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Shenanigans at the SEC ate President Koko Pimentel. Another reelectionist, JV Ejercito, did not make the Magic 12 but his half-brother, Jinggoy Estrada, did.

Observers say that unless former President Joseph Estrada decides who AMONG the most frequent complaint between his sons should run, their of foreign and domestic investors, aside votes might cancel out each other’s. from graft and corruption, is lack of They say too that Jinggoy has the edge. ease in doing business here. The PhilipA possible winner, Ilocos Norte pines is at the bottom of the totem pole. Gov. Imee Marcos, ranked ninth to They point out incompetence and 15th. Another is Francis Tolentino, other shenanigans at the Securities and even though he is not yet in the Magic Exchange Commission. These have 12. He ranked 13th. resulted in businessmen’s failure to inActually, it is still too early to predict corporate at the soonest possible time. who will win. I think though it is safe The traders have been frustrated—and to say that the re-electionists have the this is only the first step! advantage.

Until last year, it only took two to As for the wannabes identified with three days to incorporate a company. President Duterte’s PDP-Laban, their Now it takes as long as two months. chances are slim unless the President What is happening? SEC Chairper- goes out of his way to campaign for son Teresita Herbosa knows only too them. That will take some doing, bewell that the process affects economic cause people want senators who can and business activity. Unless one is in- think independently. We don’t want corporated, one cannot do business. minions.

The commission says it is computeriThe Liberal Party should come up zation that is the with a more forculprit. midable lineup A p p a r e n t l y, aside from Bam early this year, Aquino.

Voters the SEC switched should have more Officials point from a manual to choose from. system to an elec- to a glitch in the Among the four tronic system. In computerization wannabes in the order to incorpo- process.

Pulse Asia Magic rate, one has to 12 are Sara Duupload the corpoterte, Erwin Tulfo, rate articles of inLito Lapid and corporation to the former Philippine SEC website. Unfortunately, there is a National Police chief Ronald dela Rosa. glitch in the software. Amazingly, the Personally, I think only Sara has any SEC does not have enough bandwidth chance at all. to accommodate all the applications.

Another one who might win in the This has resulted in an inordinate Senate race is former President and delay in the incorporation process. So Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arwhy not go back to the manual process, royo. If she wins, she may even be Senor at least run the two systems paral- ate President. lel to each other? It cannot do this, the *** SEC says, because it has abandoned the When President Duterte announced manual process. his willingness to pursue peace negoThis is a perfect example of incom- tiations with the communist rebels, I petence in a vital government agency. had doubts it would succeed. I know This must not be tolerated. how insincere the National Democratic *** Front of the Philippines is.

The first and most recent poll survey I have always believed peace talks

by Pulse Asia based its findings and should be held here. After all, this is an rankings on two things: Name recall internal problem. and awareness. As a result, reelectionSanta Banana, for the past four ists topped the survey. rounds of peace talks, I kept saying These are Grace Poe, Cynthia Villar, the President should have learned his Nancy Binay, Sonny Angara and SenTurn to A5

TO THE POINT EMIL P. JURADO

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

Spoilers of peace

C

OMMUNIST Party of the Philippines founder Jose Ma. Sison says he is accepting the invitation of President Rodrigo Duterte to end his exile in The Netherlands and come back to the Philippines—that is, if the government can guarantee that “peace spoilers” will not bungle the process.

Sison says these peace spoilers are members of the military who stand to benefit from the continued conflict between the government and the communist rebels.

Mr. Duterte this month indicated he was willing to talk with the rebels again despite abandoning negotiations last year. Then, he became frustrated with the CPP’s attacks even while the talks were ongoing. In desperation, he tagged its members as terrorists.

But now he has opened a 60day window—we do not know when it will begin—during

which both sides can prepare for the next round of talks.

Reasonably so, the President has asked that the NPA should lay down arms and agree to a ceasefire, stop extortion activities, and abandon its proposal for a coalition government.

The impending peace talks occasion a mix of hope and trepidation. Hope, because peace is always to be desired, and the end of conflict will also end the evils it had brought upon the nation for generations.

It is also heartening that despite previous failures, this administration has decided to

try anew—whatever the odds.

We are aware, however, that the same doomed outcome awaits the parties if they operate under the same circumstances and mindset as they have done for decades.

For this round to succeed where all previous efforts have failed, there must be decisive change not only in the goals but in the manner in which the talks are carried out.

If we hope for a different result this time around, we cannot keep falling into the same traps: The usual double talk, disrespect of the ceasefire, inability—refusal, perhaps—to control people on the ground who carry out attacks even while peace is being negotiated.

These will be the real peace spoilers. With them around, we would all just be wasting our time.

Bello should be axed next tives from 2013-2016. Perhaps that is the reason why it was President Duterte who had to take steps to address the corruption attributed to Say. Obviously, DoLE Secretary Silvestre Bello III did not act on the problem LAST week, President Rodrigo Du- himself, and it had to take his boss, the terte was supposed to fire Undersecre- President, to take remedial measures tary Dominador Say of the Department against the reported anomaly. of Labor and Employment for allegThis is not the first time Bello failed edly extorting money from local re- to act seasonably on a problem of nacruitment agencies deploying Filipino tional concern in the DoLE. domestic helpers to the Middle East.

Earlier this year, the Filipino people One account has it that the incriminat- were shocked to learn that a domesing information was given to President tic helper in Kuwait was raped by her Duterte by a disgruntled recruitment Arab employer. After that, it was disagency owner whose license to operate covered that Joanna Demafelis, another had been canceled earlier by the DoLE. Filipino housemaid working in Kuwait, According to the agency owner, Say was murdered by her two employers demanded money and abandoned in in exchange for a freezer. Despite an order reversing those disturbthe cancellation ing events, the of the agency’s liDoLE under Bello This is not the first cense. A source dished out its usuclose to the Pal- time the secretary failed al announcements ace said that the to act seasonably on to the media to the agency owner exeffect that DoLE ecuted an affida- a problem of national officials in Kuvit to substantiate concern. wait will coordithe allegation of nate with Kuwaiti corruption against officials in the inthe now ex-labor vestigation of both undersecretary. crimes.

Other reports have it that Say reA furious President Duterte, howsigned before he was fired, in order to ever, ordered a total ban on the deploypre-empt what would have been an em- ment of Filipino domestic helpers to barrassing dismissal from office.

Kuwait. Duterte’s ban forced the KuWhether Say was fired or he re- wait government to promise reforms signed before getting fired is now an is- in the treatment of Filipino workers in sue that is moot and academic. What is that awful desert country, in the hope important is that his departure from the of getting Duterte to lift the ban. It was DoLE confirms President Duterte’s se- Duterte, not Bello, who compelled the rious disdain for corruption, especially Kuwaitis to promise reforms. corruption in high places.

To pacify an angry President Duterte, It is rather difficult to believe that the Kuwait government resorted to a Bello was unaware of Say’s activities cosmetic solution to the Demafelis case. because Say was Bello’s trusted con- A Kuwaiti trial court convicted Demafesultant when Bello was still a party-list lis’ two employers in absentia, in a quick member of the House of RepresentaTurn to A5

HAIL TO THE CHAIR VICTOR AVECILLA

EVERYMAN

By Cesar Barrioquinto I SPOTTED Jim sitting near the kitchen when I stepped inside this pub he’d selected one Friday night. He was studying the menu. An hour earlier he had called, asked me to join him in celebrating the weekend. He’d buy all the beer I could drink, he said, in exchange for a good story. I took him up on it.

He ordered food and two buckets of beer, and after we’d each downed two bottles he asked me about my story.

“What’s it called?” he said.

“Coin Story. It’s something I read years ago.”

“Let’s hear it.”

I told him about this rich fellow who

Coin Story invited some friends to his house on his birthday. Six people came, and of those five were known to one another and the sixth, a special guest, was known only to the celebrator. The celebrator was James and the special guest was Robert. The five other guests were led by a fellow named George.

Copious quantities of wine, whiskey, beer and food were consumed. Later, the fellow called George dipped into his pocket and produced a small coin. The coin was given to him by his employer as a reward for his services, he said. The coin was rare and worth a lot of money.

The coin was passed around, and eventually was placed at the center of a table around which the host and his

guests had seated themselves. The celebration went on. It wasn’t long before everyone forgot about the coin. The merrymakers discussed politics, current events, history and the movies― everything that caught their fancy. They went on and on until someone remarked that the coin was missing, and everyone wondered how it got off the table.

A frantic search followed. The host and his guests looked at the places where the coin could have fallen, but no one found it. George was aghast. He begged those around him to help him keep searching for the coin, and they all did. But they found nothing.

Eventually James, the host, reluctantly Turn to A5

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

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Opinion

TUESDAY, APRIL 24, 2018

A5

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The death of an island THE die is cast. In a few days, Boracay Island, premier tourist destination of the Philippines and recognized by many travel magazines and associations as one of the most beautiful island in the world, will be closed to visitors. From April 26, outsiders will not be welcome to the island. Commercial traffic in its usually busy airport, where several dozen planes from Manila and other Philippine and Asian cities land every day, will shut down. The Malay Jetty, in the mainland of Aklan where weekly hundreds of boats ferry thousands of tourists to its white sand beaches and noisy night spots, will be like a ghost facility with only locals and government officials going back and forth to the island. The beaches of the island, full of swimmers in the day and sunset lovers at twilight, will be empty.

Even media have been restricted in its access to the island for reasons only the government knows.

I actually support the closure, but with qualifications. I appreciate the political will of this President. President Duterte and the three lead cabinet members—Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu, Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año, and Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo—are taking a big risk in this decision. I will not second-guess them on this main decision.

As someone who was a high-level environment official during the Ramos administration from 1996-1998, I have seen how badly we have exploited and mismanaged that island. Summer of 1997 was the first time the state of the environment in Boracay headlined the news. But months earlier, our technical staff and colleagues in the Department of Environment and Natural Resources were already briefing then-secretary Victor Ramos about the worsening pollution situation. Coliform levels, indicative of bad human waste management, were rising astronomically.

As a result of this pollution finding, the DENR began meeting with tourism officials, local government officials, and resort owners to agree on mitigation measures. Frankly, those meetings were difficult as we met a strong resistance from the stakeholders on what everyone had to do to fix the problem.

Eventually, Secretary Ramos had to declare Boracay an environmental disaster. He sent an enforcement team to the island that would make sure that the resorts and other business establishments comply with the law. I led

Coin...

From A4

announced there was nothing left to do but search everyone to get the coin back.

Everyone frowned but agreed―except for Robert. He urged everyone to keep looking, saying they might not have searched hard enough for the coin; the metal could not have disappeared into thin air. Everyone reluctantly agreed, but quite a few of them looked daggers at him. They continued the search, looking under the table and chairs and upending the sofas and couches―but nothing turned up.

At this point James, exasperated, repeated his suggestion for a body search.

Again, everyone agreed except for Robert, and just as the guests seemed ready to lynch him someone said he’d found the coin.

Everyone turned to look at the finder.

They saw him standing with his left foot raised and pointing to the coin that was stuck on a piece of gum on the heel of his shoe, a piece of gum that, he said, he probably stepped on somewhere outside before he came into the house. He said he felt something was stuck on the heel of his left shoe after he had sobered up a little as a result of the scramble for the coin.

George was relieved. And after the finder gave him back his coin he asked Robert—with everyone listening―why he had resisted being frisked when everyone else had stood ready for it. Robert then dipped into his left pocket and fished for something, and to everyone’s surprise he produced a coin that was similar to the one that was lost and then found. James quickly asked for both coins, studied them, and then remarked

Shenanigans...

From A4

lesson. While peace talks were ongoing, the New People’s Army continued to commit atrocities.

Still, I believe we should give peace a chance.

I like the conditions set by President Duterte—Joma Sison should come home from exile in The Netherlands, the NPAs should surrender their firearms. And then there would be no attempt at a coalition

that team and our approach was to do it establishment by establishment, delivering to each resort, restaurant, and facility a Notice of Violation where we detailed their violations and what they needed to do to come into compliance.

There was resistance at first, including some defiant resort owners who refused to accept their NOVs, but eventually the stakeholders yielded and accepted later the orders for compliance with land and environmental laws.

As it is today, the problems of Boracay then were related to validity of land titles, respect for easement rules (especially in building structures in the beach, in lagoons, and similar places), pollution laws, and violations of the environmental impact assessment law.

Although the resort and other business owners agreed to comply with our laws, it was clear to me even then that many of them were only compelled to do so.

Once the pressure eased, they will go back to business as usual.

Government should ensure that all the affected workers and small business owners are supported during this period.

class sewerage facility and enforcement of the strictest environmental rules.

It can pay for the costs of a clean and pristine environment, including limiting visitors to a number that the island’s carrying capacity can bear.

I am in favor of a six-month closure, shorter or longer as its circumstances may require, because Boracay needs a full reset. Partial reform and limited efforts would not be taken seriously by the main business stakeholders; many of of them would just wait it out until the pressure is off.

While supportive of the closure, I do have caveats.

First, the government should ensure that all the affected workers and small business owners are supported during this period. They must not be left on their own to survive the difficult days ahead. Government must take on accountability and responsibility for the state of the island. If national and local government agencies did their jobs, we would not have seen the levels and decades of noncompliance that we have seen in the island.

Second, the government, consulting with stakeholders, must have a clear vision of what it wants with this island.

It must determine its carrying capacity (defined as “the number of people, other living organisms, or crops that a region can support without environmental degradation”), once and for all make sure, as the island is reopened, that such capacity is not breached. Hard decisions must be made, including limiting the number of visitors a day, week, and month in the island. That means reducing the number of rooms currently available in Boracay. That means that under no circumstances should large scale developments like casinos, big hotels, and luxurious subdivisions should be allowed.

Third, the Ati, the original inhabitants and owners of Boracay, must be given social and environmental justice in the reset of the island. It is not acceptable that they have been marginalized and reduced to destitution. They must be given enough land—a dozen hectares perhaps—and resources to develop that land properly so they too benefit from the development of their homeland.

Sustainable tourism is possible. We can make Boracay clean, maybe not pristine but renewed to again claim it to be a real paradise. When that happens, I will break the promise I made in 2008 and go back to Boracay. I will happily write another column then and this time it will be entitled, “The rebirth of an island.”

And that is what keeps on happening in Boracay. Time and again, the government would crack down but once the pressure is off, everyone—and that includes the responsible local and national government agencies—goes back to business as usual. Then, as today, there are those who are serious with environmental compliance. Certainly, you have many who continue to have a noncompliant modus operandi given the results of the environmental monitoring. The last time I was in Boracay was 10 years ago. I brought my family with me, hoping I could be proud that we had saved that island with our tough action 10 years earlier.

Alas no. It was dirty, crowded, noisy.

One could not watch the sunset in peace. Waste was everywhere. And it was clear, for the trained eye, that coliform and other water pollution levels were once again uncontrollable. I promised then never to go back to Boracay.

An island that generates more than P50 billion of revenue a year has no excuse for why it has become a cesspool.

Facebook: Antonio La Vina or tonySuch a rich island can afford a world- lavs2 Twitter: tonylavs that those must have come from the same mint. Robert said if he had agreed to be searched and they found the coin on him, who would have believed it was his?

“No one,” Jim said.

“The scene would have been ugly,” I said. “Robert kept quiet about his coin not wanting to deprive George of his moment of glory.”

“A very considerate guy. And where did he get that coin?”

“In an auction in Hong Kong. It appears he’s a coin collector.”

“And how did James get to know him?”

“They were rummaging in this store selling used books, where Robert had chanced upon a copy of the first American edition of a classic British novel. It was a good find, and he couldn’t believe his luck.

“He stood there flipping the pages and closing and opening the book. He was ready to go to the cashier to pay for it when he noticed someone―James, it turned out―looking at the book longingly. He asked James if he wanted the book, and when James nodded he gave it to him. James then introduced himself, paid for the book and then invited him to dinner, saying he wouldn’t take no for an answer.

“That was how they got to know each other, and it turned out they loved the classics and were both avid book collectors. They eventually invited each other to their homes to view their collections, and that birthday party to which James had invited Robert was the first time Robert had attended James’ birthday party.”

“Why was Robert carrying that coin in his pocket?”

“It turned out he regarded it as some

good-luck charm. He always took it with him wherever he went, and partly because it was a very rare coin.”

“And George?”

“He took it with him to brag about it at the party.”

“And he did.”

“Yes.” “Did you know the odds against that incident happening at the party? Two people carrying an old specie of coin from the same mint?”

“I don’t know. A million to one?”

“Maybe more. It’s like lightning striking the same place three times in succession.”

Jim paused. Then he called a waiter and ordered two more buckets of beer before dipping into his left pocket to retrieve something. It turned out to be a small coin.

“This is not nearly as valuable as those two coins in your story,” he said.

“But it’s valuable nonetheless and very dear to me for sentimental reasons.

Maybe I’ll tell you the story behind it next time.”

“Okay. But what if you went to a birthday party and someone was carrying a coin similar to yours and bragged about it and then the coin got lost? What would you do?”

“The chances against that happening would again be a million to one or more, but to be safe I’d show the host my coin the moment he welcomed me.”

“Wouldn’t your host find that strange?”

“Not if I told him your Coin Story at an appropriate time afterwards. I’m sure he’ll like it, and my coin will be safe.”

government.

The return of Sison to the Philippines, with an assurance of safety, is possible.

I doubt though whether the NPAs would surrender their firearms. *** Observers say that once Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno is ousted, President Duterte will not make Justice Antonio Carpio chief justice. This is because of Carpio’s frequent tirades against our silence on what China is doing in disputed territory.

The speculation is that either Justice Presbiterio Velasco or Teresita Leonardo de

Castro will be made chief justice.

In an interview, the acting chief justice said that the Philippines has to protest Beijing’s landing of military aircraft on Panganiban Reef. Otherwise, because of our silence, we will lose our rights to our territory. If we don’t protest, we acquiesce.

The question is, will all the grants, aid and investment from China compensate for everything that it is doing?

I am afraid that our Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano has already become a spokesman for China.

Cesar Barrioquinto is an editorial consultant.

Kris and her ‘konfessionals’ HAS Kris Aquino gone too far with her ing’ his presidential ambition in 2010 to give way for Noynoy Aquino, seen public confessionals this time?

A formidable media and marketing then as the stronger candidate, to run as personality, Kris Aquino is famous for president. That time, Roxas settled for using her vast social media reach to re- running for vice president but lost to veal various details of her private life. Jejomar Binay. In 2016, Roxas lost the While there is usually a reason for her presidential race to Rodrigo Duterte.

The 2016 campaign for Mar must revelations, her rants of last weekend have escalated to nuclear meltdown have been heavy slogging for Kris, because Roxas was none too popular and level.

It all started when she reacted nega- his wife was seen as a liability rather tively last Friday (April 20) to a post by than an asset, notwithstanding her own her former husband, basketball player media clout.

It seems that Aquino sees Sanchez’s James Yap, on Instagram. Yap had greeted their son Bimby a happy birth- decision to feature Yap and his family day and acknowledged that though they as a breach of utang na loob and a lack hadn’t spent much time together re- of loyalty for past favors. In any case, cently, “I’m always here for you. I will Kris’ rants bring up quite a few points to ponder. always be your papa.”

First, how long and how far does Aquino accused Yap of not making enough time to see his son. “So why utang na loob extend? Is Korina suphaven’t you two seen each other? It’s posed to weigh every decision she simple—you have no use for Bimb. Be- makes for her show against past favors cause we don’t have power anymore, so received? Doesn’t she have the freedom why would you hang around? It’s easy to decide who to feature on her show? enough [to see him] if you wanted to.” James Yap has his own fans and she was probably counting (translated from on their viewerTagalog) ship for that epiKris is also the sode. An offended youngest sister of Kris always has Benigno “Noynoy” How long and the option of steerAquino III, who ing clear of Korina was Philippine how far does ‘utang henceforth. president from na loob’ extend?

Second, given 2010 to 2016. She the polarization and Yap married in of loyalties in 2005 when Noynoy present society was congressman for Tarlac. Noynoy and Kris’ mother is into “pro” and “anti” Duterte, “kaDDs” (die-hard Duterte supporters) former president Corazon Aquino.

Kris also lashed out at James for, and “dilawans” (‘yellows, or those among other things, not contributing to associated with Noynoy Aquino and their child’s expenses. She also hinted the past administration), Kris Aquiat a “compromise financial agreement no’s statement that “now it is clear to of 2011 that gave you [Yap] millions,” me why Duterte won the presidency” stemming from the annulment of mar- is also a slap in the face to the Roxases, particularly because Kris is the riage she filed.

On Sunday, Aquino went on another sister of the yellowest of the yellows, anger spree after television show host Noynoy Aquino.

Many have asked, can Kris, for once, Korina Sanchez featured Yap, his current partner Michaela Cazzola, who is just keep things to herself? That greeting of Yap’s would have been innocupregnant, and their two-year-old son.

Aquino said the glowing feature on ous enough for the average reader, and Yap was a “slap in the face” from “the only Kris and her friends would have wife of Mar Roxas. Yes,” she went on, known the entire backstory that really “pinepersonal ko…at ang ganti sa ‘kin does not concern the general public. at sa mga anak ko ngayon ay binida pa As it is, her reaction opened up a can of personal worms that no one even ang deadbeat na tatay.”

She then apologized to her brother knew existed.

But then Kris Aquino has always and Mar’s mother (Judy Araneta Roxas) and added, “Klarong-klaro sa ‘kin lived her life outside of the box. Her kung bakit ang nanalong pangulo ay si entire life is a matter of public record, by her personal preference. From childDuterte.”

Now this is where we enter murky hood, she has been in the public eye waters and see how showbiz and poli- and perhaps this is why she feels she tics are irremediably intertwined in can tell the whole world everything Kris Aquino, precisely because she about herself, even if it’s none of our straddles both worlds as a media per- business.

Kris, for all her being taklesa, is a sonality and the relative of two past Philippine presidents. It’s a lesser as- transparent person. As we’ve seen over pect of Korina, too, as the wife of for- the decades, she’s not going to change. mer presidential candidate Mar Roxas. She and her personal dramas will alNow this is perhaps where Aquino’s ways be around, politics regardless. resentment against Sanchez stems Dr. Ortuoste is a writer and commufrom: Kris campaigned heavily for Mar Roxas in the 2016 elections as a nication consultant. FB and Twitter: @ payback of sorts for Roxas ‘sacrific- DrJennyO

Bello...

From A4

trial the uncharacteristic haste of which surprised even veteran diplomats. Although the trial court sentenced the two employers to death, the sentence was an empty victory for the Philippines and the Demafelis family because the convicted felons are currently outside the territorial jurisdiction of Kuwait— which means the death sentence cannot be carried out, unless the convicts are extradited to Kuwait.

Bello has not yet explained why his hand-picked DoLE officials stationed in Kuwait only found out about the Demafelis murder a year after the murder took place. Such inaction is a strong indication that Bello’s minions in Kuwait have been sleeping on their jobs. Those sloths should be fired.

It also appears that Bello has not bothered to make representations with the Department of Justice and the Department of Foreign Affairs to urge the Kuwait government to extradite the murderers of Demafelis to Kuwait to face justice. That’s manifest dereliction of duty on Bello’s part.

Instead of pursuing the extradition of the murderers to Kuwait, Bello preferred to have the deployment ban earlier issued by Duterte lifted, and lifted quickly, so that even more Filipino domestic helpers can be sent to Kuwait.

Despite the way those barbarous Kuwaitis have been summarily treating Filipino domestic helpers working there—as confirmed by the way Demafelis was murdered—Bello has demonstrated unusual interest in continuing the deployment of Filipino housemaids to Kuwait. In fact, Bello and his personal stooges in the DoLE joyfully predict that the deployment

ban will be lifted in May. Equally appalling is that instead of decrying the hollow nature of the unenforceable ruling of the Kuwait court, Bello publicly praised it as if it was a just and final closure to the Demafelis murder case. As an ex-secretary of Justice, Bello should be ashamed of that remark.

Why is Bello so interested in getting President Duterte to lift the deployment ban against Kuwait? A source reveals that the president of a very influential association of recruitment agencies which deploy Filipino housemaids to Kuwait has very close ties with Bello.

This prominent recruiter, who also has connections with the Kuwaiti ambassador, is always present at press conferences called by Bello to take up matters involving the deployment of workers to Kuwait.

When Bello testified before the Senate weeks ago, this influential recruiter was also there. She was seen repeatedly whispering to Bello in the course of Bello’s testimony, almost as if she was Bello’s personal adviser. A recruiter who attended the hearing overheard her saying Bello needed help in answering the questions propounded to him.

Another source disclosed that although this influential recruiter’s license was earlier revoked by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration, Bello ordered its immediate renewal.

Since Bello does not deny that he is interested in running for the Senate in 2019, he should follow the example set by his good friend Say and leave the DoLE. Unlike Say, however, Bello can use his senatorial ambition as a convenient excuse to leave the DoLE soonest to prepare for his campaign which, incidentally, will require a lot of money.

Hmmm.

News

A6

TUESDAY, APRIL 24, 2018 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Zambo airport closes down

IN BRIEF NYC flagged for spending habits

By Joel E. Zurbano THE Zamboanga International Airport runway has been shut down for three hours after a Cebu Pacific Air plane with 180 passengers and crew on board stalled at the runway due to steering problem Monday morning.

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines said the temporary closure from 5:30 a.m. to 8:35 a.m. also resulted in the delay of arrival and departure of six CEB domestic flights to and from Manila, Davao and Tawi-Tawi.

The CEB management apologized “for the inconvenience our aircraft concern in Zamboanga has caused and ground personnel are assisting all affected passengers.”

“Passengers are all safe and will be deplaned from the runway. We regret that the aircraft has caused temporary closure of the Zamboanga International Airport runway,” the CEB management stated in its advisory.

CAAP Operations Center reported that the CEB flight 5J 849 (ManilaZamboanga) landed safely at the airport but encountered technical problem while taxiing to the parking bay.

CAAP officials said the aircraft stalled due to a nose wheel steering fault, as relayed by the aircraft's pilot to area manager IX Antonio Alfonso.

CEB corporate communications director Charo Logarta Lagamon said airline’s maintenance personnel already towed the Airbus A320 series plane to the ramp and operations at the ZIA are now back to normal.

Two months ago, commercial operations at the Dipolog Airport was shut down for nine hours after a Cebu Pacific aircraft also encountered technical problems upon landing at the airport runway.

The plane—Flight DG 6603, operated by CEB’s sister airline CebGo— from Cebu was left in the middle of the runway after experiencing technical problems upon landing around 12:15 p.m. It stalled at the runway and the 60 passengers were asked to deplane and walk for about a kilometer to the arrival area.

CEB officials said the plane pilots detected unusual vibrations from the nose landing gear of the aircraft during the landing rollout.

MIAA enforces strict gun ban at airports AUTHORITIES continue to apprehend people carrying guns at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport despite the muchpublicized election gun ban and numerous warnings about the danger of bringing in or carrying such prohibited items.

Last Saturday, members of the PoliceAviation Security Group and the Office for Transportation Security arrested a 71-year-old passenger for carrying an unlicensed .38 cal revolver with 32 live ammunition and seven empty shells during the initial security check at departure area of Naia Terminal 1.

The passenger—Emilia Florano—was scheduled to board Korean Airlines flight KE 622 bound for Incheon, South Korea when authorities saw the X-ray scanning images of the gun and ammunitions inside her luggage.

The authorities immediately turned over the woman and the seized items to the Intelligence and Investigation Section of the Avsegroup-National Capital Region Office for proper disposition and subsequent filing of appropriate charges.

The Commission on Elections on April 14 declared a nationwide gun ban in connection with the village and youth council polls next month.

Early this month, airport personnel caught a woman named Grace Castro, also in possession of a .38 cal. revolver while she was at the initial screening check point at Departure Gate 6 of Naia Terminal 3.

Prior to this, OTS men manning the initial security check also caught Jean Lolita Abad Manipud Robles, 45, for bringing in 33 pieces of live ammunition hidden inside a green bottle and a match box.

Robles was about to board her flight for California, USA via Taipei, when OTS men noticed the banned items through X-ray images. She claimed she accidentally brought the said items and placed it in her balikbayan box.

Five other cases of passengers who brought bullets and other prohibited items were recorded by the Manila International Airport Authority on the same day at Naia Terminal 3.

“We can’t explain why. Despite all the [apprehension] incidents, warnings and news reports, more passengers are still bringing those items. We encourage everyone to be aware of this prohibition,” said MIAA public information officer Connie Bungag.

MIAA general manager Eddie Villanueva Monreal earlier urged the people not to bring live ammunition, amulet and other prohibited items when traveling to avoid flight delays. Joel E. Zurbano

STEERING FAULT. An aircraft used for Cebu Pacific's flight 5J 849 from Manila to Zamboanga stopped at Zamboanga International Airport runway 09/27 due to a nose wheel steering fault, as relayed by the aircraft's pilot to Area Manager IX Antonio Alfonso.

In a report to the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines Operations Center, the Airbus A320 aircraft with 180 passengers and crew on board landed safely at the ZIA but encountered a technical problem while taxing to the parking bay. The incident caused the delay of three other Cebu Pacific flights (5J 851 Manila-Zamboanga; 5J 839 Zamboanga-Tawi-tawi; and 5J 840 Zamboanga-Tawi-tawi) and a Philippine Airlines flight (PR 2994 Zamboanga-Manila). As of 8:35 a.m., the Cebu Pacific aircraft has been moved and operations at the ZIA are now back to normal. Eric B. Apolonio

80k job vacancies opened for May 1 DoLE job fairs

By Vito Barcelo

P

OLICEMEN, soldiers and nurses top the list of 80,000 job vacancies available in the coming job fairs to be conducted by the Department of Labor and Employment to be held on May 1, Labor Day, nationwide.

The Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines need 4,002 policemen and soldiers and 3,988 nurses, the DoLE said.

In a statement, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said more employment opportunities will also be available across the 53 sites of the Trabaho, Negosyo, Kabuhayan job and business fairs organized jointly by the DoLE and the Department of Trade and Industry.

He said this is government’s way of paying tribute and giving honor to the Filipino working men as the nation observes Labor Day next week.

A total of 829 participating employers, 666 local and 163 overseas, will be bringing with them 78,675 local, overseas, and government jobs.

Also available are 1,470; production worker/factory worker—1,443; mason (finishing/rough)—1,385; call center

agent—1,306; production machine operator—1,288; construction worker—900; BJMP (government)—889; service crew— 880; and carpenter (finishing/rough)—708.

For those seeking overseas employment, the top vacancies are as follows: technician—1,546; food and beverage staff—689; engineers (mechanical, electrical, civil)—344; production worker/ factory worker—300; sales associate professional—200; construction worker— 200; assistant head manager—174; cook —157; driver (general)—150; and housekeeping attendant—123.

In the National Capital Region alone, 18 job and business fair sites were identified: Valenzuela Astrodome, Valenzuela City; SM Tunasan, Muntinlupa City; Taguig City; SM Bicutan; SM Sucat, Paranaque City; SM BF, Paranaque City; Robinsons, Las Pinas City; SM Center, Las Pinas City; SM Southmall, Las Pinas

City; Pasig City (April 27); SM Marikina City (date to be determined); San Juan City (April 21); SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City; SM Manila, Manila City; SM San Lazaro, Manila City; Cuneta Astrodome (May 10); Quezon City Hall grounds; and Fisher Mall, Quezon City (date to be determined).

In Luzon, the following are the TNK sites: Baguio City National High School— Main Campus in the Cordillera Administrative Region; SM City Rosales, Pangasinan; Robinsons Ilocos Norte; Pangasinan PESO Compound, Lingayen in Region 1; Robinsons Mall, Santiago City, Isabela; SM City, Cauayan, Isabela; and SM Downtown Tuguegarao, Cagayan in Region 2; Baler, Aurora; Balanga City, Bataan; SM City Marilao, Bulacan; SM City Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija; SM City Downtown, San Fernando, Pampanga; SM City Clark, Angeles City, Pampanga; SM City Pampanga; SM City Tarlac; and Harbor Point Mall, Subic, Zambales in Region 3.

Also in Luzon, there will be job and business fair sites in Calamba, Laguna (Region 4A); Bansud, Oriental Mindoro and SM Puerto Princesa City, Palawan (Region 4B); SM City Naga and Pacific Mall, Legazpi City (Region 5).

Bam wants to see more LPs at Senate

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

MOBILE MATTERS. Senator Bam Aquino, chairman of the Senate committee on Science and Technology, along with members of the committee on Public Services question Mon Isberto (left) Public Affairs Head, PLDT, and lawyer Roy Cecil Ibay (center) of Vice PresidentRegulatory Smart Communications Inc. during the Senate Public Hearing on Capacity of the Department of Information and Communications Technology to implement Rules and Regulations Protecting Prepaid Mobile Credit Consumers. Lino Santos

House OKs bill on teacher protection

By Rio N. Araja AFTER two years, the House of Representatives” committee on basic education and culture has approved the proposed “Teacher Protection Act.” House Bill 58 seeks to institute support mechanisms for public school teachers and school personnel in matters of student discipline and mechanisms for classroom management, and provide for their protection against cases related to such.

ACT Teachers Rep. Antonio Tinio authored the “Teacher Protection Act of 2016.”

Under the bill, the State shall implement in all public schools clearly defined regulations on appropriate student behavior towards other students, teachers, and school staff, during classes, and within and outside school premises.

The proposed measure further declares that the State shall promote and improve

the working conditions of public school teachers and other school personnel, which are understood to determine whether or not the physical and emotional environments of children and teachers are conducive to learning and teaching.

The Department of Education, for its part, shall issue policies and principles on student discipline and classroom management, which shall govern all division-level student manuals.

Any act committed by a teacher or school staff pursuant to the disciplinary rules and procedures issued by the DepEd shall not be deemed as child abuse, cruelty, or exploitation as defined in Republic Act No. 7610 or the “Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discriminatory Act.” School personnel, most especially teachers, are at the forefront of delivery of education services to millions of students every day, Tinio said.

OPPOSITION Senator Bam Aquino on Monday said that the Liberal Party needs to work doubly hard to come up with a senatorial slate that will allow the Senate to be more independent.

He revealed that the ruling party under the previous sdministration is talking with non-traditional political organizations including church groups, socio-civil organizations, and cause-oriented groups.

He also said that the LP is open to adopting reelectionist senators to include in its lineup.

“We’re open to it. And from what I see, it is important to have one group that can push for the independence in the Senate,” said Aquino.

“Ang mahalaga, at least para sa amin sa oposisyon, magkaroon ng mas maraming numero dito sa Senado at maging mas independent ’yung ating Senado,” he added.

Aside from Aquino, the other reelectionists in the Senate are Senators Grace Poe, Cynthia Villar and Nancy Binay, Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, Senators Sonny Angara, JV Ejercito and Migz Zubiri.

Aquino said he is happy to be included in the list of possible winners but he wants more opposition in the the Senate.

“Anyway, it is still one year. That only means we need to double efforts of the opposition so that I have more companions in the Magic 12,” he told reporters.

Aquino was the lone member of the opposition in the so-called “winners’ circle’ in the senatorial race if elections sere held during the Pulse Asis survey period.

Aquino believes voters would appreciate having more opposition candidates in the Senate. At present, only six senators are members of the minority bloc.

When election arrives, he believes the public will appreciate the need for the opposition.

“Hindi kailangan na iisang panig lang at kung meron mang pagtutol na kailangang gawin, kailangan sapat ang aming numero sa Senado,” he said.

THE Commission on Audit has called the attention of the National Youth Commission for “unnecessary spending” on meals and snacks served in 112 unofficial meetings held in 2017 and for hiring consultants with incomplete documentation.

The state auditors cautioned the NYC to “observe prudence in the use of government funds” saying food should be served only for office-related events.

“We reviewed the petty cash vouchers and found out that of the total sample of 126 meetings and related activities held during the year, the total cost of P296,968.30 was used for payment of meals and snacks served, 112 of which with a total cost of P268,068.55 were considered not official,” CoA's report read.

According to the CoA, the NYC must submit a duly signed notice of meeting or office order bearing the names of participants and the purpose so the commission determine whether or not an event is workrelated. Rio N. Araja

AFP men to get free MRT 3 rides THE MRT 3 will give free rides to all active military personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines starting on Wednesday.

The Department of Transportation said Monday that a MOA with the AFP will give all active military personnel free trips at the MRT3 starting April 25, provided they show their AFP identification cards.

“Validity of the service shall last for one year,” the DOTr statement read.

DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade and other agency officials and AFP Civil Relations Service Commander Brigadier General Bienvenido Datuin Jr. are set to sign the MOA. “Isa sa pinakamahirap na tungkulin ang maging sundalo. Maliit na pabor lamang ito bilang pasasalamat sa kanilang sakripisyo at pagmamahal sa bayan,” Tugade said.

Go easy on MSME traders, BIR urged WHILE he welcomes the Bureau of Internal Revenue’s move to intensify inspection of businesses, Senator Bam Aquino said the agency must ensure that this action will not be a tool for harassment and corruption.

“We laud the BIR’s effort to go after tax evaders, but the agency should also guarantee that they will target large businesses and not harass our micro, small and medium enterprises [MSMEs],” said Aquino.

He noted that small businesses are helpless if the BIR would harass them.

“Especially now that the prices of goods are increasing, families are depending so much on their small businesses like sari-sari store and carenderia,” he said.

The BIR inspectors, he said, should ensure that they will not burden the poor.

Earlier, Aquino pushed for the exemption of micro enterprises earning less than P250,000 annually from paying the required percentage taxes, on top of their income tax exemption, under the Tax Reform Acceleration and Inclusion Act. “Small businesses and sideline can be of big help to our poor families and community. It is just proper that the government supports them,” said Aquino.

Aquino is a former social entrepreneur and long-time advocate for MSME development.

His first law, Republic Act 10644 or the Go Negosyo Act, has established more than 800 Negosyo Centers around the Philippines to help Filipinos put up and manage successful businesses.

Aquino also filed Senate Bill No. 169 or the Small Business Tax Reform Act, which seeks to provide small businesses with a lower income tax rate, VAT exemption and simplified filing of taxes.

Under the measure, all small businesses shall be exempt from payment of income tax for the first three years of its operation from date of establishment and will be subjected to lower income tax rates thereafter.

“This bill also proposes the lowering of the income tax rate for MSEs and an exemption from VAT, among other methods to help our small businesses grow,” said Senator Aquino.

Macon Ramos-Araneta

Sports Butuan City runner wins Prisaa 1st gold TAGBILARAN—A Butuan City runner competing for the third time here took the first gold at stake in the 3,000m, even as Region II got two golds and one silver in the shot put event of the 2018 National PRISAA Athletics’ Meet at the Carlos P. Garcia Sports Complex.

Perez outran her rivals in a match of strength and stamina, clocking 11:33.81 as she sent a strong message to other regions of Central Visayas that they mean business in retaining the senior overall title they successfully defended for the fifth straight time in Zambales last year.

The golden run was a vindication for the junior physical education student, who placed fourth last year. She vaulted to the top, aided by her rigid training and strong determination as she dethroned champion Mary Joy Motin of Calabarzon from Batangas, who took the silver in 11:34.15 seconds and Rodelyn Onato of Western Visayas got the bronze in 11:37.43.

“Masaya ako na ang lahat ng paghihirap ko, nagbunga ng magandang result. Higit sa lahat salamat kay Lord. Ang panalo ko ay inaalay ko sa magulang ko at mga kababayan ko sa Cebu,” said Perez.

Perez’s other events are the 10,000m and the 1500m, where she bagged the bronze during the games held in Koronadal, South Cotabato.

Region II’s Hazel Paggaduan ruled the shot put by throwing the iron ball by 9.60 meters as she beat Cynthia Caceres of Bicol Region (8.88 meters) and bronze medalist Andrea Baylon of Western Visayas (8.39 meters).

A few minutes later, her feat was duplicated by teammate Joseph Reynold Casa, who hurled the metal ball by 12.50 meters to edge Junel Eudila (11.9) and Joseph Pabalenas (9.95) of Western Visayas.

Unsuccessful in athletics, Bicol made good in men’s volleyball, crushing MIMAROPA, 25-21, 25-17; while Region IV-A trounced Central Luzon, 25-23, 25-17, and Region XI beat Region X, 25-14, 23-25.

In softball, defending champion Western Visayas blanked Central Visayas, 19-0, and Cordillera Autonomous Region shut out Region X, 7-0.

PBA to aid fans in processing of passports THE PBA will again try to be of service to its thousands of supporters.

The league is partnering with the Department of Foreign Affairs to hold the ‘Passport On Wheels Services’ as its way of extending help to basketball fans who are either applying or renewing for a new passport.

The offer though, will be limited to the first 300 fans.

For one to qualify, applicants need to get certification from the team manager or the liaison officer of any of the league ballclubs as a way of proving he or she is a certified PBA fan.

Once a certification has been issued, the paper will be submitted to the league office for applicant to receive and accomplished the required application form.

Commissioner Willie Marcial said the program is part of the PBA project through DFA Secretary Allan Peter Cayetano, who is also an avid basketball supporter.

A7

TUESDAY, APRIL 24, 2018 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

PH high school sports get a boost

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

A

S THE 2018 Palarong Pambansa came to a close, Senator Sonny Angara pushed for the creation of a Philippine High School for Sports that will serve as a breeding ground of future world-class Filipino athletes and sports heroes.

Members of the RP Blu Boys will try to regain lost glory in the Asian Men Softball Championships.

Blu Boys attempt to snatch Cebu bets softball title from Japanese dominate THE RP Blu Boys will attempt to wrestle the crown from erstwhile rival and defending champion Japan for the 10th Asian Men Softball Championships slated from April 23 to 28, in the capital city of Jakarta, Indonesia.

Aside from the storied rivalry between the national sluggers and Japan, the fiveday tourney will also see representatives from Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand taking action.

The RP Blu Boys took home the championship during the inaugural Asian Men Softball Championship held in 1968 in Manila and was also crowned the top winner for the second (1974) and fourth staging (1990) of the tourney, which was also held in the nation’s capital.

Meanwhile, Japan took home the cham-

pionship for the rest of the six other stages.

Jean Henri Lhuillier, ASAPHIL president and noted sports patron, expressed his support for the Blu Boys.

“The RP Blu Boys have always been known for consistently playing to the best of their abilities, showing a remarkable mixture of hard work, grit and love for the game in all of their tournaments. In behalf of ASAPHIL, I am throwing my 100% support to our boys. I am one with the nation in praying that they get the top plum—not only for their personal glories, but also for our nation and flag,” Lhuillier said.

The 17-member squad, led by Coach Eufracio dela Cruz and Team Captain Isidro Abello, will take on Singapore and Indonesia during the tournament’s preliminary games.

Jorge, Constantino show way YOUNG Josh Jorge blew a fiery start with a faltering finish but seized the spotlight just the same with a one-over 73 while Harmie Constantino took her familiar role as leader at the start of the stroke play elims of the Philippine Amateur Open Match Play Golf Championships at the Orchard’s Players course in Dasmariñas, Cavite yesterday.

Jorge, 15, came through with superb iron shots to set up a number of birdie chances, including three to close out his frontside stint with a 33. But the Grade 11 student from Taguig backed by Team Luisita floundered coming home, hobbling with a 40 marred by a triple-bogey on the par-5 12th.

Still, he showed up the crack field in the first round of the 36-hole elims of the annual event sponsored by MVP Sports Foundation and held as part of the PLDT Group National Amateur Golf Tour.

Carl Corpus, Don Padilla and defending champion Peter Tyler Po all carded 75s while Aniceto Mandanas shot a 76 and Luigi Guerrero and Aidric Chan came up with identical 77s as they gear up for low medal honors and try to built confidence heading to the match play phase tomorrow.

Constantino, runner-up here last year, birdied the last hole to save a 74 and post a four-stroke lead over Korean Kim Hui Won, who turned in a 78, as the other local bets struggled in hot condition and finished with soaring scores.

Sofia Legaspi and Rafaela Singson limped with 79s, Laia Barro and Mikha Fortuna skied to 80s and newly crown MVPSF Visayas Regional Match Play winner Angela Mangana groped for an 83 in a

tie with Annika Guangko.

Korean Rho Hyun Ji turned in an 84 while young Laurea Duque made an 85 followed by Kim Seo Young, Kwon Taeyon and Kristine Fleetwood, who shot 89, 90 and 92, respectively.

Zach Castro, meanwhile, carded a 74 to pace the Special Division (12-years-oldand-below) in the event organized and conducted by the National Golf Association of the Philippines. Vince Tiamsic struggled with a 80 and Santino Pineda made an 87 while Mikhaela Constantino shot a 92 to lead Koreans Kwon Min Seo (93) and Jeong Yeaheun (96) in the girls’ side.

But focus will surely be on Jorge, who won in the Veritas World Junior Golf in California in 2015 and ruled the 13-18 division in last year’s Oakley Golf Cup at Sherwood. After a bogey on No. 2, he birdied the par-5 No. 4 the rattled off three straight birdies inside eight feet to close out the front nine.

But he stumbled with a bogey on the 10th and dropped three strokes on No. 12 before birdying Nos. 14 and 18 to offset a double-bogey on No. 16.

Jorge

PPS Bohol leg FRANCIS Rosales and Nicole Villar hacked out a pair of victories each in varying fashions to share MVP honors and lead the Cebuanos’ domination of the Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala Ubay, Bohol leg age-group tennis tournament at the Sto. Niño Tennis Courts over the weekend.

The top-seeded Rosales toppled fellow Cebuano and No. 2 Cesar Salimbangon, 6-3, 6-2, in the boys’ 16-and-under finals then trounced Paul Coderos, 6-2, 6-3, to clinch the 18-U diadem, completing the two-title romp without dropping a set in the Group 2 tournament sponsored

by Palawan Pawnshop and presented by Dunlop as official ball.

But it was unranked Villar who produced a pair of big wins in the girls’ side, edging fancied Bless Coderos twice, first in a grueling 16-U finale, 7-6(11-9), 3-6, 10-8, then holding off her top-seeded rival, 6-4, 6-4, in the premier division of the event backed by Asiatraders Corp. and sanctioned by the United Tennis Philippines, made up of PPS-PEPP, Cebuana Lhuillier, Wilson, Toby’s, Dunlop, Slazenger and B-Meg. “This circuit is all about providing the youth the venue where they can showcase their skills and talent and at the same time help in discovering and producing future champions. Villar is one of them and we expect new faces to emerge in our weekly ranking tournaments all over the country,” said Palawan Pawnshop president/CEO Bobby Castro.

Other Cebuano winners were Douglas Maravillas III, who trampled Kyle Bermoy, 6-1, 6-2, for the boys’ 14-U title; Risa Coderos, who bested Princess Golosinda, 6-1, 6-3, in the girls’ 12-U finas; Salimbangon, who rebounded from his loss to Rosales with a 6-1, 6-3 victory over John Coderos in the 14-U championship; and Ma. Juliana Maravillas, who held off Villar, 6-3, 7-5, to nail the girls’ 14-U diadem.

Local bet Zan Mayron Orioque, on the other hand, took the 10-unisex trophy via 4-2, 4-2 victory over Matthew Siason.

Meanwhile, action resumes April 28 for the PPS-PEPP Agoo, La Union leg while San Pablo City, Laguna will host the next stop on April 29-May 2.

Listup is ongoing. For details, call PPS Sports Program Development director and event organizer Bobby Mangunay at 0915-4046464.

Visayas boatmen reign at 3rd Pioner National Bangkarera at Villa Beach BOAT-RACING teams from the Visayas emerged victorious at the 3rd Pioneer National Bangkarera held at the Villa Beach in Arevalo, Iloilo City last April 13 and 14.

The annual event wasn’t just a win for the Visayas teams, it was also a successful run for Pioneer Epoxy, in cooperation with Angat sa Dagat® Organization, as the third installment attracted a total of 58 teams and 155 boats—a marked increase from the previous year’s turnout.

“This tournament was designed to strengthen the camaraderie among boat racers nationwide, all of whom make a living as fishermen and boat makers,” said Alben Manuel, Group Product Manager - Epoxy Cans of Pioneer Adhesives, Inc. “By staging this annual national event, we’re giving our local fishermen and boat makers a platform where they can showcase their skills.

It’s also our way of giving back to all the members of their community, who have been using our products for the past 60 years,” he added.

Winners Team Cebu Racing from Cebu City topped the 16 to 18 hp category, followed by Team Aranicole from Hagonoy, Bulacan and Team Alaska Sibugay from Naga, Zamboanga Sibugay, in second and third place, respectively.

The 7 to 7.5 hp hp division saw Team Overtime (G-Brosis) of Estancia, Iloilo win first place, followed by Team Bianes from Pontevedra, Negros Occidental in second, and Team JRS of Liloan, Cebu in third.

In the 18 hp and below ASD (Angat sa Dagat®) category, Team Los Niňos from Ivisan, Capiz bested Team Batabat of Tibiao, Antique.

Unisan Racers from Nueva Valencia, Guimaras finished third.

He said the PHSS will offer a secondary course with special emphasis on subjects pertaining to physical education and sports development in order to prepare its students for a sports-related career.

It will also provide a training program making the athletes more competitive in the national, South East Asian, Asian and Olympic levels.

“We should maximize the athletic abilities of our students who have the potential to excel in sports while maintaining their strong academic base,” said Angara, Vice Chairman of the Sports and Education committees.

“The Palarong Pambansa is the biggest venue for our young athletes, especially from the provinces, to showcase their skills in the hopes of getting recruited by national sports associations and top universities and colleges. We should widen this opportunity by creating the Philippine High School for Sports,” said Angara of his Senate Bill 1332 that seeks to establish the PHSS that will have a quality academic curriculum and at the same time, provide the needed focus and support for developing the athletic skills of the students.

The senator said that while the Department of Education has identified one high school in each region with a special program in sports, there is still no clear training program and selection criteria in place.

Under the proposed measure, there will be a criteria for the selection and admission of students including national competitive trials and examinations.

Angara is also the principal author of the bill authorizing the construction of the state-of-the-art Philippine Amateur Sports Training Center.

He likewise sponsored laws establishing sports academies and training centers in Talisay, Cebu; Alfonso, Cavite; Dapa, Surigao del Norte; Oroquieta, Misamis Occidental; and, Tagum, Davao del Norte to hone the skills and raw talent of young athletes from the provinces and jumpstart grassroots sports development.

Villamor tops WGAP opener VILLAMOR flashed superb form at home, topping two divisions while placing third in the other to wrest control of the field at the start of the 2018 WGAP Circuit at the Villamor Golf Club recently.

Ester Fasol fired 43 Stableford points while Laia Barro, Jill Raymundo and Harmie Constantino backed her up with 39, 35 and 33 points, respectively, as Villamor pooled a 150 and beat Sta. Elena by 11 points in the premier Class A side of the three-division circuit organized and conducted by the Women’s Golf Association of the Philippines.

The hosts used their local knowledge of the tree-lined layout to the hilt as they likewise ruled Class B although they needed to hang tough to edge their Alabang rivals by one, 136-135, behind Marthy Fernando (37), Gloria de Villa (35), Bernadette Zamora (34) and Mary Ann Reyes (30).

PSA Forum tackles bowling BOWLING takes its turn in the weekly Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum, with former World Cup champions and greats Bong Coo, Biboy Rivera and Paeng Nepomuceno gracing Tuesday’s session at the Tapa King Restaurant at Farmer Plaza in Cubao.

The three Philippine Bowing Federation officials are going to talk about the Philippine International Open to be held from April 28 to May 13 at the Starmall in Mandaluyong.

Coo is currently the team manager of the Philippine bowling team of which Nepomuceno and Rivera serve as coaches.

The 10:30 a.m. session is presented by San Miguel Corporation, Tapa King, and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation.

LOTTO RESULTS

Winning boatmen display their trophies and giant replicas of their checks won from the 3rd Pioneer National Bangkarera.

Sports

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

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TUESDAY, APRIL 24, 2018

Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks drives against Al Horford of the Boston Celtics during Game Four of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs at the Bradley Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Bucks defeated the Celtics, 104-102. AFP

25 NCR bets advance to Jr. NBA training camp NINE boys and 16 girls topped the Manila Regional Selection Camp of Jr. NBA Philippines 2018 presented

by Alaska to join the roster of Jr. NBA All-Star aspirants from Bacolod, Baguio and Butuan that will move on to the National Training Camp on May 18 to 20.

More than 800 players joined the NBA’s global youth basketball program at Don Bosco Technical Institute in Makati on April 21, which sent 50 boys and 32 girls to return on April 22 for advanced drills and team scrimmages.

The second day witnessed the selection of the outstanding performers that also exemplified the Jr. NBA core S.T.A.R. values of Sportsmanship, Teamwork, a positive Attitude and Respect.

Jeremy Gabriel Felix, 14, of Ateneo de Manila University; Joshua Minguillo, 13, of Anorama Montessori Binan; Lionel Matthew Rubico, 13, of De La Salle Lipa; Raphael Tolentino, 13, of International School of Better Beginnings; Kim Aaron Tamayo, 13, of National University; Rhon Khaniel Telles, 13, of St. Anthony de Carmelli; Robert Janus Torres, 14, of Victorious Christian Montessori; Dranreb Aeron Singson, 14, and Rodelio Tomas, 14, of Escuela de Sophia Caloocan are representing the boys’ division.

In addition, the girls division is comprised of Yza Camila Shalea Alarcon, 14, New Era High School; Franzelle Angela Chelzea Besa, 14, of Divine World College of Calapan; Franchesca Isabela Buenvenida, 11, of Mother of Divine Providence School; Merylle Angelica Cuasay, 12, of Adriatico Memorial School; Jay Anne Marie Lachica, 12, of Sta. Clara Parish School; Erika Nadine Tenorio, 12, of School of the Holy Spirirt Quezon City; Justine Valdes, 13, of Saint Pedro Poveda College; Ghemrie Hashley Garcia, 13, and Valerie Ruth Mapalad, 13, of Child Jesus of Nazareth School, Arianne Amber Esquivel, 14, and Kyla Marie Mataga, 13, of De La Salle Zobel; Juliana Yap, 13, and Marielle Vingno, 14, of Escuela de Sophia Caloocan and Maria Juliana Abella, 13, Isabela Louise Gonzales, 12, and Aaliyah Mai Reyes, 12, of Saint Paul College Pasig.

Reyes streamlines Gilas cage program

By Peter Atencio

S

TREAMLINING the Batang Gilas program is in the works.

National basketball program head coach Chot Reyes said this as the Batang Gilas national under-16 men’s team sees action in the 2018 FIBA Under-17 Basketball World Cup in June in Argentina.

“Gone are the days when we had a different system for Batang Gilas, a different system for the Cadets and the elite team. We really wanted to streamline everything, including the teaching and the coaching so that it would really involve everyone,” said Reyes.

Batang Gilas, led by Kai Sotto, will have to be ready to face taller players when they plunge into action in the 2018 FIBA Under-17 Basketball

World Cup. And they have two months to get ready.

Reyes said that unlike in the past, there are talented players who can get involved with Batang Gilas.

“It’s the culture. The first time I coached a national team was in 1997. That was a time when every player was looking for an excuse not be involved with the program. That was the time when we could not get

FIGHT OF CHAMPIONS.

The iconic Petronas Twin Towers in downtown Kuala Lumpur serves as a backdrop to Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao of the Philippines and World Boxing Association welterweight champion Lucas Matthysse of Argentina.

Dubbed “Fight of Champions,” the Pacquiao Vs Matthysse bout is scheduled on July 15, 2018 at the Axiata Arena in Kuala Lumpur.

Fernandez cites ‘values formation’ in Prisaa opener BEFORE the more than 6,300 athletes participating in the 2018 Private Schools Athletic Association national finals at Carlos P. Garcia Sports Complex in Tagbilaran City, Bohol last Saturday, Philippine Sports Commissioner Ramon Fernandez underscored the importance of play in a child’s life.

“Sports not only highlights the fun, but more importantly opens a wide range of perspective for an athlete’s values formation,” said Fernandez, addressing the almost 700 participating private schools and universities from 17 regions.

Fernandez also called on the athletes to participate more in sports as he recalled his own stint in the 1971 edition of PRISAA in Bohol.

“Being a part of these games is something worth telling. So, I hope everyone gives his best shot and someday tell his own story in the PRISAA.” PSC Chairman William Ramirez previously announced that it will hand financial support amounting to P4 million for the successful staging of the games.

Bohol Governor Hon. Edgar Chatto and PRISAA President Fr. Vic Uy were also in attendance to show support for the participants.

More than 700 police personnel were deployed in the key areas of the provinces, including the billeting and playing venues, to secure the event.

Bohol hosted the annual meet of the Central Visayas Athletic Association last Fernandez February this year.

players to play for the national team,” added Reyes.

Batang Gilas will play against the opposing teams that will field in players who have more height and heft than the current crop of players in the national under-16 roster.

But this time around, they will have a lot of players who will be available.

“Now we have players who want to play,” added Reyes.

The 31st-ranked Philippines is in Group D, along with 7th-ranked Argentina, 8th-ranked Croatia and 9thranked France.

The World Cup will be from June 30 to July 8 in Rosario and Santa Fe, Argentina.

But whatever happens to Batang Gilas in the group stage, they are already seeded in the Round of 16.

3 PH boxers advance to quarterfinals THREE Filipino boxers led by Cris Laurente advanced to the quarterfinals of the Asian Youth Boxing Championships after the second round last Sunday in Bangkok, Thailand.

Laurente won by referee-stoppedcontest decision after the third round of his bout with Turkmenistan’s Yhlas Gylchjanov in the light flyweight division.

Born and raised General Santos City, Laurente made it with his elder brother Criztian Pitt, who dominated Afghan bet Hassibulah Ahmadiwith via unanimous decision.

Leyte bet Milenino Anduyan shut out Korean Jihoon Jung in the 52-kg flyweight action.

The younger Laurente advanced to the quarterfinals against Barun Shagolsem Singh of India, while the elder Criztian meets Non Bang of Cambodia.

Anduyan clashes with Sam and Ar Kholmorudov of Uzbekistan. Peter Atencio

So tied with 2 others for lead FILIPINO grandmaster Wesley So, currently ranked no. 6 in the world, drew with Jeffrey Xiong in the fifth round Sunday to keep his share on the lead in the 2018 United States Chess Championship in St. Louis Missouri.

After playing the Catalan Opening, So has 3.5 points with Samuel Shankland and Varuzhan Akobian.

Shankland drew with Fabiano Caruana in 44 moves of a Queen’s Gambit Accepted, while Akobian halved his point with Zviad Izovia in 52 moves of an English Opening.

Caruana is at third spot with 3.0 points.

The 2785.5 ELO-rated So will next meet Izovia in round 6. Peter Atencio

Bucks edge Celtics, level series at 2-2; Spurs prevail WASHINGTON—Greek star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 27 points, including the decisive tip-in with five seconds remaining, to give the Milwaukee Bucks a 104-102 NBA playoff victory Sunday over Boston.

The triumph pulled the Bucks level with the Celtics at 2-2 in their best-ofseven first round series, which continues Tuesday in Boston.

Malcolm Brogdon’s three-pointer gave the Bucks a 102-100 lead before Boston’s Al Horford made two free throws to equalize. Brogdon then missed a jumper but Antetokounmpo followed with a tip-in and the Bucks denied the Celtics in the final seconds.

“This win is incredible,” Antetokounmpo said. “We kept our composure and fought all the way to the end.”

Khris Middleton added 23 points while Jabari Parker had 16 off the bench for Milwaukee.

Jaylen Brown led Boston with 34 points.

Defending NBA champions Golden State failed to complete a sweep of the San Antonio Spurs, with Manu Ginobili coming off the bench to score 10 of his 16 points in the fourth quarter to spark the hosts over the Warriors 103-90.

“Our defense was more aggressive than the previous games. Our aggressiveness was off the charts,” Ginobili said.

“We need to help each other. Today we did that.

“We moved the ball. We made some shots that helped, but it was about teamwork.”

LaMarcus Aldridge had 22 points and 10 rebounds for the Spurs, who led from start to finish to trim Golden State’s lead in their Western Conference series to 3-1.

The Warriors, who were led by Kevin Durant’s 34 points and 13 rebounds, can advance to a second-round series against New Orleans with a game-five home victory on Tuesday.

The Spurs remained without coach Gregg Popovich, who missed his second game following the death of his wife, which has left the team heartbroken as well.

“It’s a tough time. We’ve never been through this type of adversity,” said Ginobili. “Our leader is struggling. We’re trying to push through it like he would do if he weren’t at home.”

In Indiana, LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers rebounded from a game three loss to even their series at 2-2 with a 104-100 victory over the Indiana Pacers.

James finished with 32 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists and Kyle Korver scored 18 points for the Cavaliers in the win.

Game five is Wednesday in Cleveland. AFP

Superliga semis blasts off today Games Today: (Filoil Flying V Centre) 4:15 pm – Petron vs Cocolife 7:00 pm – F2 Logistics vs Foton

REIGNING champion F2 Logistics and Petron start their long, difficult trek back to the finals when they clash with separate foes in Game 1 of the best-of-three semifinal series of the Chooks to Go-Philippine Superliga Grand Prix today at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.

The Cargo Movers battle Foton at 7 p.m., while the Blaze Spikers collide with Cocolife in the 4:15 p.m. curtain raiser of this blockbuster double-header bankrolled

by Isuzu and UCPB Gen with ESPN5 as official broadcast partner.

After figuring in a dramatic finals showdown in this prestigious women’s club tourney that also has Senoh, Mikasa, Asics, LGR and Grand Sport as technical sponsors last year, both F2 Logistics and Petron were tipped to come up with a strong championship run.

They sliced through the classifications with an identical 9-1 win-loss mark before breezing past their respective foes—Smart and Generika-Ayala—in dominant fashion in the quarterfinals.

But the semifinals wouldn’t be easy.

F2 Logistics, for one, would be clashing against a Foton side that would roll out the red carpet for former Most Valuable Player Jaja Santiago, who is fresh from a Final Four stint with National University in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines.

Aside from Santiago, college stars Diana Carlos and Isa Molde of University of the Philippines will also be around as well as imports Elizabeth Wendel and Channon Thompson, the Trinidad and Tobago national team standout who is slowly developing her chemistry with local stars Dindin Manabat, Gyselle Sy and Maika Ortiz.

Tornadoes’ head coach Rommel Abella said they are ready to go to war and expose the weaknesses of the powerhouse Cargo Movers to dethrone them in this import-flavored battle that is considered as the toughest and most competitive conference in Philippine volleyball.

IN BRIEF Power rates to rise in Antique and Aklan SENATOR Sherwin Gatchalian urged Aklan Electric Cooperative Inc. to invoke force majeure to avoid passing on extra power charges to consumers during the six-month closure of Boracay Island.

“The closure of restaurants, resorts and other commercial establishments on Boracay Island during the effectivity of the closure order will not only result in the loss of jobs. It will also drive down the demand for electricity in Akelco’s franchise area, as these commercial establishments account for 41 percent of the electric coop’s power demand,” said Gatchalian, the chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy in a statement.

He said Boracay’s power demand would drop to four megawatts during the shutdown from 28 MW, leaving a huge surplus of unconsumed electricity contracted by Akelco through power supply agreements with several generation companies.

The rest of Akelco’s customers throughout Aklan, Antique, and Capiz will have to pay an additional P1.58 per kilowatt hour in pass-on charges to compensate generation companies for unconsumed on Boracay Island.

Alena Mae S. Flores

Business

IPC’s payroll solution adjusts to TRAIN Law IPC PayCheck, a timekeeping and payroll solution with add-on HR features offered by local cloud solutions pioneer IPC (IP Converge Data Services Inc.), has adjusted its system to reflect the new tax computations under the recently-approved Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion law.

IPC PayCheck is a convenient HR tool that streamlines and automates the management of employees through a digital means of timekeeping, leave filing, and compensation and benefits computations.

The system also helps eliminate errors and speed up the completion of tasks, freeing more time for other vital activities like employee engagement and training, as well as other core business processes. IPC PayCheck looks to improve its features according to market feedback and needs of the times.

“IPC PayCheck is a productivity suite of scalable payroll and timekeeping solutions that help HR employees perform their work, easily and accurately,” said IPC chief operating officer Dave de Leon.

BEST RETAIL BANK. Security

Bank Corp. is awarded as the Philippines’ best retail bank by The Asian Banker at the International Excellence in Retail Financial Services 2018 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

SBC is recognized for its BetterBanking campaign which focuses on building its retail banking business. SBC executives receive the award from representatives of The Asian Banker.

TUESDAY, APRIL 24, 2018

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By Darwin G. Amojelar

GLOBAL WORKERS. Social development organization Bayan Academy and J. P. Morgan Foundation team up with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority to bring together stakeholders, including government agencies, private business organizations and academic institutions, to share observations and strategies in preparing Filipino skilled workers for entry to the local and international employment. Posing during a leadership exposition at J. P. Morgan’s headquarters in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig are (from left) Arian Hassani, vice president, Global Philanthropy Asia Pacific, J.P. Morgan; Trade Undersecretary Zenaida Maglaya; Bayan Academy chairman and president Eduardo Morato Jr.; J. P. Morgan Chase & Co. Philippines managing director and senior country officer Roberto Panlilio; Tourism Undersecretary Benito Bengzon Jr.; and event host Cathy Yap-Yang.

LandBank issues fresh offer to take over PDEx S

By Julito G. Rada

TATE-RUN Land Bank of the Philippines said Monday it issued “fresh offer letters” to all shareholders of Philippine Dealing System and Holdings Corp. to acquire a majority stake in the fixedincome exchange after the Philippine Stock Exchange dropped its takeover plan.

LandBank president Alex Buenaventura said at the sidelines of an event at the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas the bank opted to send letters to PDS shareholders again, “because the first round which we did last March, not too many accepted our offer.”

“We reissued another offer letter last Friday. That’s for a 30-day period

for the same amount of price P360 per share,” Buenaventura said.

He said the bank had issued offer letters to all shareholders but only one accepted. He did not identify the one that accepted the offer because of a confidentiality agreement.

“We’re quite confident because the PSE has already pulled out from the intent to acquire majority of PDS so that brings LandBank as the only interested party now. Our offer is P360, which is higher than their offer before at P320 and our offer is in cash, PSE’s offer was in stocks,” Buenaventura said.

Buenaventura said with PSE pulling out from the plan, many PDS shareholders would be encouraged to sell to LandBank this time. He said LandBank remained interested in buying the shares at P360 apiece, as stated in the reissued letters to PDS shareholders.

Buenventura said earlier LandBank, the fourth-largest lender in terms of assets as of end-2017, would spend around P1.5 billion to acquire a 66.67-percent stake in PDS. He said there were

Espenilla: Worsening US-China trade row to affect PH BANGKO Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Nestor Espenilla Jr. said any escalation in the ongoing trade friction between the United States and China will limit opportunities in the global trade environment.

Espenilla, however, said it was too early to call the tiff between world’s two largest economies a “trade war.”

“It is too premature… so what we have heard and seen so far, we have heard of some countries wanting to take strong initiatives, and heard some countries responding to that. So I would say it is in a discussion and negotiation phase,” Espenilla said.

He said a trade war was really basically one country imposing tariffs with the other country retaliating. ‘“When it escalates that is the real

business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com

ABS-CBN to shut down remittance operations

PAL taps Airbus FHS to maintain aircraft PHILIPPINE Airlines has tapped Airbus Flight Hour Services (FHS) to support the maintenance requirements of its A350-900 aircraft.

The Airbus FHS, powered by Skywise, provides the highest reliability for operators of the A350.

Under the agreement, Airbus will handle component services, repair, warehousing and transportation for PAL, supported by Airbus FHS pools in HongKong.

It will allow for a proactive component engineering, with strong engineering focus that enables operators to predict in-service issues. This will lead to an improvement in operations by reducing delays, and help to simplify troubleshooting.

The Airbus FHS will be strengthened

by Airbus’ data platform Skywise, taking advantage of state-of -the- art data hosting and analytics to optimize the airline fleet utilization. The new service will harness ‘big data’ to greatly enhance levels of operational performance, compared with current industry technologies.

Darwin G. Amojelar

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

war. But we are not there yet. So in the end, this can only be resolved and people resolve their differences in terms of trade opportunities,” he said.

He said the Philippines in the past benefited from an open trading system where it could compete and sell to any market that had an interest in its products, goods and services.

Espenilla agreed if the situation worsened, the trade war could obviously affect the Philippines because the country was trading with many other countries.

“But the net effect still remains to be seen… We have to understand who’s involved, and what products are being affected. I think that is key to understand it. But until that becomes a real issue, then our position is really to discourage

these kinds of initiatives that limit the opportunities,” Espenilla said.

The US imposed tariffs on imports of steel and aluminum from China. China retaliated by imposing tariffs on US goods including pork, wine, fruit and nuts.

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said in a previous statement that the US-China trade spat, if became fullblown, would eventually affect the Philippines.

“We are growing our market locally, so we are very robust. We don’t rely on exports or imports as much as other economies. So we are sort of insulated but still I am not downplaying. If there is a full-blown trade war, everybody is going to be affected,” Dominguez said.

Julito G. Rada

6,250,000 total shares in PDS. He said during the bank’s board meeting on Feb. 27, 2018 that the board unanimously approved the proposal to acquire 66.67 percent of the outstanding PDS shares at P360 per share payable in cash.

Buenaventura said the unanimous approval was made in support of the government’s program for financial inclusion.

Buenaventura said the P1.5-billion acquisition cost for 66.67 percent of PDS would come from LandBank’s existing capital. LandBank’s total capital expanded 23 percent year-on-year P104.59 billion as of end-2017.

The bank booked a net income of P14.05 billion in 2017, up 4 percent from P13.58 billion in 2016 on the strength of core businesses. LandBank is the largest provider of loans to small farmers and fishers, cooperatives and local government units.

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III earlier expressed optimism that LandBank would acquire 66.67 percent of PDS.

Private sector offering 4,000 jobs to displaced Boracay workers

By Othel V. Campos BUSINESSMEN came together to offer 4,000 jobs to those who will be displaced by the closure of Boracay and ensure that the environmental problem in the resort island would not be repeated in other tourism destinations.

The job openings for displaced Boracay workers would be spread in key cities across the country including Metro Manila, Bohol and Palawan, according to Philippine Travel Agencies Association president Marlene Dado Jante.

Jante said PTAA would also ask more than 600 members nationwide to open at least two temporary jobs each to those who would become unemployed because of Boracay’s closure.

“This will be on top, of what we, as One Boracay is offering. We want those workers to remain gainfully employed and capable of providing for their families until Boracay reopens,” Jante said.

One Boracay, a newly-formed group supported by PTAA, Tourism Congress of the Philippines, the Hotel Sales and Marketing Association and tourism stakeholders in Boracay, said it would also collaborate with partners in other prime tourism destinations to avoid a repeat of the Boracay mess.

“There will be groups like the one we have for Boracay in other destinations that are under intense scrutiny or those that are being threatened to be closed by the government.

We have One Boracay now. There will be One Bohol, One Puerto Galera and One Palawan very soon,” said Tourism Congress president Jose Clemente III.

BROADCAST network ABS-CBN Corp. said Monday it will shut down its remittance business in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom by the end of June because of significant losses.

ABS-CBN said in a disclosure to the stock exchange units ABS-CBN Global Remittance Inc., ABS-CBN Canada Remittance Inc. and ABS-CBN Europe Remittance Ltd. with licenses to engage in money service and transmission business in California and Illinois in the US, Canada and the United Kingdom, respectively would cease operation by June 30.

“The decision to cease business operations is based on the collective financial performance of the companies in the past years which showed significant losses,” ABS-CBN said.

“As a result, the business was no long considered viable,” the listed company led by the Lopez family said.

ABS-CBN said the three companies accumulated total losses of P16.18 million or $310,233 during their operations.

“The cessation of the business operations of the companies has no material impact on the business, financial position, performance and operations of ABS-CBN Corp,” it said.

ABS-CBN earlier reported a net income of P3.16 billion in 2017, down 10.3 percent from P3.53 billion in 2016 in the absence of election-related advertisements.

The company generated consolidated revenues of P40.7 billion from advertising and consumer sales last year, representing a 2.3 percent yearon-year decline from 2016.

Advertising revenues decreased 10.8 percent year-on-year because of high election-related advertising placements in the first half of 2016.

BSP launches electronic fund transfer service THE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas on Monday rolled out InstaPay, an automated clearing house that will be useful for electronic commerce payments where people use a card or phone in paying any transactions.

InstaPay followed the successful launch in November 2017 of Peso Net, the first clearing house under the National Retail Payment System, as part of its effort to establish a safe, efficient and reliable payment framework in the country.

InstaPay is an electronic fund transfer service that allows customers to transfer peso funds almost instantly between accounts of participating banks supervised by Bangko Sentral and non-bank e-money issuers in the country. The service is available 24 hours a day, all year round.

Customers can transfer funds up to P50,000 per transaction as many times during the day. They should, however, contact their bank or nonbank e-money issuer to verify if there is a minimum amount for sending.

Bangko Sentral deputy director and National Retail Payment System project head Raymond Estioko said during a briefing he was expecting more banks to participate in InstaPay by the middle of the year.

InstaPay’s participating institutions (for both sending and receiving) included Asia United Bank, BDO Unibank, China Banking Corp., China Bank Savings, Equicom Savings Bank, Security Bank and Union Bank of the Philippines, as of April 23, 2018.

For receiving only banks, these are CTBC Bank, East West Bank, Land Bank of the Philippines, Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co., Omnipay, PayMaya, Philtrust Bank, Philippine Savings Bank, Rizal Commercial Banking Corp., Robinsons Bank, Sun Savings Bank, United Coconut Planters Bank and Yuanta Savings Bank. Julito G. Rada

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Business

TUESDAY, APRIL 24, 2018 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Stocks slip; BDO, Megawide drop

S

TOCKS pared their losses in early trading Monday on lack of catalysts to support a rally, while most Asian markets declined.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index slipped 7.25 points, or 0.1 percent, to 7,719.47 on a thin value turnover of P5.5 billion. Losers beat gainers, 103 to 88, with 57 issues unchanged.

BDO Unibank Inc., the largest lender in terms of assets, lost 2.3 percent to P130.90, while Megawide Construction Corp., which is finishing the expansion of the Mactan-Cebu International Airport in Cebu province, fell 3.4 percent to P23.05.

Conglomerate Metro Pacific Investments Corp., which is into toll roads, electricity and water distribution, and hospitals, declined 3.4 percent to P4.48,

while GT Capital Holdings Inc. of tycoon George Ty dropped 2 percent to P1,024.

Asian markets, meanwhile, retreated with technology firms extending last week’s sharp losses, following another plunge in Apple as investors fret over the once-lucrative smartphone sector.

News Saturday that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un had called a halt to nuclear tests and intercontinental missile launches—ahead of a planned summit with Donald Trump—was unable to provide enough support.

With attention now turning away from the Syria crisis and the China-US trade spat, a series of reports on Apple expressing doubts about iPhone sales has battered tech stocks across the world.

The US giant fell more than four percent Friday, the day after a near-three percent drop that was fueled by top

smartphone chip supplier Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. forecasting a plunge in sales.

The drop in Apple dragged the techrich Nasdaq sharply down in New York, where the Dow and S&P 500 also ended in negative territory as rising US Treasury yields fan fears about a sharp rise in interest rates.

The losses filtered through to Apple’s Asian suppliers and other tech firms.

AAC Technologies dived 1.9 percent in Hong Kong, TSMC shed 1.1 percent in Taipei and Alps Electric was 2.3 percent off in Tokyo, where Sharp lost 5.6 percent.

On broader markets, Japan’s Nikkei ended 0.3 percent lower, Hong Kong slipped 0.5 percent and Shanghai fell 0.1 percent. Seoul eased 0.1 percent, Wellington lost 0.2 percent and Taipei was 0.8 percent lower.

Singapore dipped 0.1 percent but Sydney added 0.3 percent.

Oil prices dipped in Asia but remain at highs not seen since the end of 2014, with support from comments by Saudi Energy Minister Khaled al-Faleh on Friday that the global market has the capacity to absorb higher prices.

Saudi Arabia and Russia said at an Opec meeting in Jeddah they would press on with a production cap deal to defend higher prices.

“Opec and Russia compliance remains high and solidly committed to reining in oversupply, which should continue to support prices,” said Stephen Innes, head of Asia-Pacific trading at OANDA. “But involuntary supply cuts and production outages in Venezuela will also continue to support even more so after the falls in US inventories last week.”

With AFP

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW MONDAY, APRIL 23, 2018

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

FINANCIALS 59 34,520 108 816,990 130.9 6,326,030 1.48 50,000 34.5 73,600 6.45 600 16.64 394,600 16.22 2,658,800 3.47 43,000 8.62 1,800 1.53 16,000 880 90 0.56 503,000 84.55 2,893,030 1.09 324,000 12.2 8,700 23.8 400 53.6 26,950 228 3,170 105.4 130 87.5 770 41.1 83,700 222 257,940 1,885 25 93 75,320

2,025,545.50 87,245,092 829,345,067 71,690 2,548,485 3,895 6,589,400 43,817,422 148,960 15,516 24,520 79,200 277,220 244,023,922.50 347,370 106,142 9,340 1,432,311.50 722,760 13,694 67,377.50 3,505,965 57,535,474 47,125 6,949,408

1,417,175 26,493,995 -20,244,112 17,380 6,035,380 9,064,204 128,034,153.50 37,630 -605,054.50 595,080 -1,857,680 -17,341,504 -37,700 4,603,594

38.55 14.26 0.52 1.26 20.2 0.222 140 3.16 16 49 24 59 71.05 1.91 5.19 9.92 10.28 14.98 11.36 7.15 5.44 1.66 16 64.5 24.85 9.32 16.06 2.08 290 5 3.09 17.84 25.05 14.74 23.05 321.2 0.193 7.35 2.32 4.91 9.1 4.8 7.72 1.49 11.9 52 6.25 4.78 1.87 3.32 1.92 13.78 65.65 5.46 0.134 1 137 2.59 2.95 0.83

INDUSTRIAL 39.65 811,700 14.38 1,214,400 0.55 1,804,000 1.26 305,000 21.05 22,300 0.223 1,710,000 140 10 3.18 3,009,000 16 3,871,600 49.45 411,400 24.3 30,200 62.35 120 75.95 2,070 1.91 189,000 5.19 211,900 9.92 13,400 10.4 4,304,800 15.1 136,500 11.6 500,400 7.21 418,700 5.47 716,500 1.66 4,000 16.18 334,400 65 304,810 25 16,200 9.45 12,600 16.1 186,400 2.1 1,390,000 294 302,310 5.1 254,600 3.09 6,000 17.84 200 25.1 1,286,000 14.8 109,400 23.05 7,857,000 323 100,760 0.194 1,720,000 7.36 34,300 2.48 777,000 4.95 177,000 9.36 2,194,500 4.98 16,000 7.76 9,500 1.49 314,000 11.9 73,900 52.2 733,710 6.25 3,500 4.87 204,000 1.87 31,000 3.32 3,000 1.95 191,000 13.86 291,300 65.7 244,290 5.48 55,900 0.134 360,000 1 44,000 137 316,820 2.59 5,000 3.2 64,081,000 0.83 2,998,000

31,925,605 17,428,302 971,500 385,310 454,955 380,270 1,400 9,706,980 61,947,100 20,477,850 733,750 7,123.50 154,109.50 368,350 1,100,861 133,760 44,779,576 2,056,898 5,791,046 3,024,175 3,919,831 6,640 5,405,986 19,785,599 405,190 117,503 3,002,242 2,925,480 88,378,876 1,278,082 18,540 3,568 32,280,650 1,625,260 186,748,475 32,543,346 333,340 252,506 1,910,240 877,390 20,296,044 76,980 73,883 470,070 881,992 38,311,245 21,875 989,630 58,310 9,960 373,130 4,031,006 16,057,073.50 306,322 48,240 44,400 43,708,126 12,960 210,143,420 2,531,060

6,571,605 1,284,572 -3,344,980 -61,758,400 100,000 -40,669,676 601,530 5,011,010 -2,202,612 419,708 2,314,902 507,473 -32,440 20,700 -92,670 15,853,922 98,970 -15,450 12,624,465 -14,836 52,495,610 3,967,394 831,950 371,684 -62,697 -6,040 -1,438,739 2,062,384 -12,168,487.50 -4,163,409 -942,550 -61,650

0.3 67.25 12.9 0.9 6.33 0.6 0.62 909.5 6.74 12.02 7.45 0.191 1,020 6.68 59.1 0.63 4.62 19.18 0.56 4.2 0.04 1.14 3.34 2.6 139.6 895 0.81 1.65 515 261 0.231 0.201

HOLDING FIRMS 0.3 430,000 69.8 726,680 13.04 11,296,100 0.9 4,000 6.33 10,000 0.62 2,168,000 0.65 222,000 910.5 137,070 6.78 1,444,700 12.38 2,177,200 7.56 1,300 0.192 60,000 1,024 146,470 6.8 16,800 59.9 2,132,810 0.65 5,000 4.63 253,000 19.24 1,643,300 0.56 2,603,000 4.48 39,668,000 0.041 9,300,000 1.18 276,000 3.6 18,905,000 2.6 78,000 140 43,000 906 151,070 0.81 17,000 1.68 222,000 550 490 265 70 0.235 300,000 0.202 120,000

129,150 50,484,607.50 147,303,312 3,600 63,300 1,324,920 141,010 125,272,310 9,772,282 26,734,696 9,827 11,550 151,372,420 112,248 129,128,208 3,200 1,187,380 31,620,434 1,540,600 181,361,430 379,400 320,240 67,440,400 203,350 6,019,398 136,684,415 13,770 374,030 264,150 18,430 69,660 24,220

17,271,480 -78,238,062 -34,527,005 149,495 11,171,182 -21,686,680 -45,291,691.50 -83,380 -2,475,874 -51,600 -53,061,410 -57,500 -3,554,620 2,042,712 -45,395,875 -

3,230,063 57,258,940 174,000 55,100 1,229,830 268,745,805 3,864,090 3,159,090 279,827 101,580 12,326,950 30,900 139,700 5,241,450 35,500 9,981,160 290,310 122,580 15,382,400 4,294,740 3,477,820

-58,865 260,000 41,600,185 299,060 -121,400 -11,120,600 -97,000 -735,500 2,358,405 -106,080 -13,368,890 -36,830 -

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

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

58 106 134 1.49 34.8 6.7 16.7 17 3.47 8.62 1.53 880 0.54 83.2 1.06 12.2 22 53 228 105.2 87.55 42.8 224 1,885 90.15

59 108 134.2 1.49 34.8 6.7 16.7 17 3.47 8.62 1.54 880 0.56 84.7 1.09 12.22 23.8 53.6 228 105.4 87.55 42.8 225 1,885 93

57.6 105 130 1.41 34.5 6.45 16.6 16.22 3.4 8.62 1.53 880 0.54 83.05 1.06 12.2 22 52.7 228 105.2 87.45 39.05 221 1,885 90.1

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

39.7 14.38 0.53 1.27 20.25 0.222 140 3.3 16 49 24.7 59 71.05 1.96 5.21 10 10.5 15.04 11.5 7.25 5.5 1.66 16.28 65.4 25.1 9.35 16.1 2.11 291 5.1 3.09 17.84 25.1 14.84 23.95 321.6 0.194 7.36 2.45 4.96 9.1 4.8 7.74 1.5 12.1 52.55 6.25 4.78 1.87 3.32 1.92 13.8 66.05 5.48 0.134 1.02 140 2.6 3.2 0.83

39.7 14.4 0.55 1.27 21.5 0.225 140 3.31 16.2 49.95 24.8 62.35 75.95 1.98 5.23 10 10.5 15.1 11.6 7.27 5.5 1.66 16.28 65.4 25.3 9.45 16.18 2.14 294 5.15 3.09 17.84 25.2 15 24.25 323.6 0.195 7.4 2.49 5 9.36 4.98 7.99 1.5 12.1 52.8 6.25 4.87 1.95 3.32 2 14.1 66.1 5.48 0.134 1.02 140 2.6 3.46 0.87

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 SOC RESOURCES SOLID GROUP SYNERGY GRID TOP FRONTIER UNIOIL HLDG WELLEX INDUS

0.305 68.7 13.16 0.9 6.33 0.6 0.62 915 7 12.2 7.58 0.191 1,046 6.68 60.8 0.65 4.79 19.2 0.62 4.66 0.04 1.19 3.42 2.73 140.9 903 0.81 1.65 548 261 0.231 0.201

0.305 69.8 13.3 0.9 6.33 0.63 0.65 929 7 12.38 7.58 0.198 1,070 6.8 61.5 0.65 4.79 19.36 0.62 4.68 0.042 1.19 3.64 2.74 140.9 915.5 0.81 1.7 550 265 0.235 0.202

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

6.71 1.04 14.5 2.04 0.83 41.35 3.44 4.57 6.07 6.5 0.44 1.03 0.97 0.27 0.44 31.7 0.66 0.121 1.73 1.31 1.16

6.77 1.13 14.5 2.05 0.85 41.35 3.44 4.65 6.07 6.5 0.45 1.03 0.98 0.27 0.46 32.3 0.69 0.122 1.74 1.35 1.18

6.66 1.04 14.5 2.04 0.81 40.6 3.32 4.51 6.07 6.3 0.435 1.03 0.97 0.255 0.44 31.7 0.66 0.12 1.68 1.3 1.12

VOLUME

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

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

4.4 0.55 0.4 0.69 4.11 29.05 18.96 1.94 3.14 33 1 10.3 0.79 6.49

4.43 0.58 0.415 0.71 4.11 29.05 18.96 2.09 3.14 33.35 1.01 10.5 0.79 6.5

4.28 0.53 0.4 0.58 3.95 29.05 18 1.94 3.13 32.5 1 10 0.79 6.41

4.3 0.56 0.415 0.58 4 29.05 18.16 2 3.13 33.2 1.01 10.02 0.79 6.44

9,025,000 49,944,000 1,970,000 151,624,000 340,000 100 2,131,800 1,510,000 9,000 3,776,800 10,000 273,300 11,000 10,463,800

39,458,420 27,889,340 809,900 97,512,860 1,365,500 2,905 39,266,724 3,026,580 28,250 125,256,660 10,090 2,797,208 8,690 67,519,778

3,020,100 -1,710,750 255,240 -119,880 -6,508,716 1,152,150 -2,173,365 -67,492 -809,147

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 GLOBE TELECOM GMA NETWORK GOLDEN BRIA HARBOR STAR IMPERIAL INTL CONTAINER IPEOPLE IPM HLDG ISLAND INFO JACKSTONES LBC EXPRESS LEISURE AND RES LORENZO SHIPPNG MACROASIA MANILA JOCKEY MELCO RESORTS METRO RETAIL MLA BRDCASTING NOW CORP PACIFIC ONLINE PAL HLDG 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

16.74 28.4 1.37 0.47 0.047 12.52 12.78 0.053 88.4 8.71 6.88 7.52 2.1 22.3 1,547 5.7 302 4.46 2.32 93.35 13.3 8.29 0.114 3.3 14.36 5.07 1.01 27.9 4.49 6.8 3.33 16.84 7.8 11.36 9.35 8.11 126.1 6.69 1,397 1 0.395 48.2 87.5 7.14 2.34 1.37 0.405 4.68 0.88 10.9

17.38 28.4 1.37 0.47 0.049 12.52 12.78 0.056 90 8.71 6.96 7.52 2.15 24.4 1,569 5.8 308 4.65 2.33 94 13.38 8.29 0.116 3.3 15 5.17 1.03 28.35 4.49 6.98 3.36 18.8 7.8 11.36 9.35 8.11 127.9 6.74 1,400 1.04 0.41 48.2 88.8 7.2 2.39 1.37 0.42 4.85 0.88 11.2

16.6 28.05 1.32 0.465 0.047 12.52 12.6 0.053 88.2 8.71 6.69 7.1 2.1 22.3 1,527 5.69 301 4.46 2.31 90.5 13.3 8.29 0.114 3.24 14.16 4.9 1.01 27.8 4.34 6.58 3.28 16.84 7.48 11.36 9.3 8.11 125 6.32 1,390 1 0.395 47.05 87.15 7 2.34 1.3 0.405 4.64 0.86 10.6

SERVICES 16.9 28.15 1.32 0.465 0.048 12.52 12.62 0.055 88.7 8.71 6.71 7.1 2.1 22.6 1,527 5.7 308 4.55 2.31 91.5 13.3 8.29 0.116 3.24 15 5.05 1.03 28 4.46 6.7 3.28 18.8 7.53 11.36 9.35 8.11 125 6.34 1,397 1 0.4 47.95 88.8 7.17 2.38 1.34 0.41 4.75 0.87 10.8

18,400 36,700 32,000 2,040,000 7,700,000 643,300 4,094,100 6,390,000 103,130 200 1,542,600 52,500 19,000 32,100 12,755 290,000 7,860 924,000 29,000 647,980 160,900 2,000 380,000 32,000 500 9,309,600 38,000 735,300 123,000 2,114,100 459,000 200 2,307,100 2,400 4,100 600 18,730 745,900 31,055 3,677,000 1,850,000 975,900 190,180 171,800 140,000 6,556,000 7,190,000 6,395,000 610,000 2,684,200

310,644 1,034,890 43,340 949,350 367,500 8,054,116 51,907,022 351,370 9,184,533.50 1,742 10,483,635 372,960 40,550 744,600 19,695,660 1,658,292 2,394,728 4,222,850 67,270 59,513,907.50 2,139,978 16,580 43,740 103,790 7,288 46,844,892 38,900 20,600,205 538,770 14,220,310 1,518,930 3,564 17,500,247 27,264 38,330 4,866 2,347,742 4,870,275 43,366,840 3,750,590 746,650 46,534,555 16,631,181 1,211,650 332,610 8,736,610 2,948,400 30,581,130 529,500 29,599,270

1,670 -18,600 -3,178,910 3,692,505.50 1,742 8,096 347,900 -150 5,415,495 -33,836 -105,110 4,620 -18,419,915 4,560 4,717,260 2,412,895 -26,590 1,553,938 -357,970 56,560 434,389 -4,139,910 -125,300 -9,306,370 7,493,659.50 -132,910 -62,880 102,300.00 -3,700,050 8,865,804

772,900 6,961,710 1,070,950 231,900 1,653,950 31,000 23,465 34,013,910 6,140 25,560 1,470 18,100 114,570 19,136,388 7,220 231,480 8,274,770 114,400 1,300 44,700 39,700 1,095,688 22,250,912 26,755,700

-140,000 17,200 -536,110 19,680 21,700 -1,516 -9,953,910 3,050,462.00 27,860 -599,418 -1,376,344 -10,047,710

MS

PROPERTY 6.7 1.07 14.5 2.04 0.85 41.25 3.34 4.58 6.07 6.3 0.445 1.03 0.97 0.26 0.46 31.95 0.67 0.12 1.68 1.3 1.13

482,000 52,734,000 12,000 27,000 1,475,000 6,528,700 1,140,000 691,000 46,100 16,000 27,700,000 30,000 144,000 20,430,000 80,000 312,100 425,000 1,020,000 9,063,000 3,287,000 3,011,000

ABRA MINING APEX MINING ATLAS MINING ATOK CENTURY PEAK COAL ASIA HLDG DIZON MINES FERRONICKEL GEOGRACE LEPANTO A LEPANTO B 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

0.0028 1.73 4.47 17.32 1.63 0.31 7.57 2.32 0.21 0.142 0.147 0.009 1.44 6.18 1.2 0.5 0.94 0.013 0.013 0.011 2.2 5.56 14 30.4

0.0029 1.75 4.47 18.6 1.66 0.31 7.7 2.34 0.21 0.142 0.147 0.0091 1.47 6.2 1.22 0.52 1.08 0.013 0.013 0.012 2.25 5.6 14.4 30.65

0.0028 1.7 4.42 17.32 1.63 0.31 7.5 2.21 0.202 0.142 0.147 0.009 1.44 5.86 1.2 0.5 0.92 0.012 0.013 0.011 2.2 5.56 13.7 30

MINING & OIL 0.0028 276,000,000 1.72 4,053,000 4.42 241,000 18.5 12,900 1.63 1,007,000 0.31 100,000 7.5 3,100 2.24 15,107,000 0.202 30,000 0.142 180,000 0.147 10,000 0.0091 2,000,000 1.45 79,000 5.86 3,204,900 1.22 6,000 0.52 449,000 1.04 8,105,000 0.013 9,400,000 0.013 100,000 0.011 3,800,000 2.25 18,000 5.57 196,300 13.7 1,598,000 30 884,900

ABS HLDG PDR AC PREF B1 AC PREF B2 DD PREF GMA HLDG PDR GTCAP PREF A GTCAP PREF B HOUSE PREF A LR PREF PNX PREF 3B SMC FB PREF 2 SMC PREF 2C SMC PREF 2D SMC PREF 2E SMC PREF 2F SMC PREF 2G SMC PREF 2I

26.7 510 524 100.2 5.58 999 995 100.5 1.06 107 970 79 75.1 76 77.95 76 75.75

28 510 524 100.2 5.58 999 999 100.5 1.06 107 970 79 75.1 76 78 76 75.75

26.7 510 524 100.2 5.58 999 995 100.3 1.06 107 968 78.6 75 76 77.95 76 75.75

PREFERRED 27 124,500 510 2,070 524 20 100.2 100 5.58 2,100 999 100 999 2,360 100.3 1,060 1.06 9,000 107 10 968 1,050 79 10,670 75 3,820 76 3,000 78 16,270 76 100 75.75 77,940

3,449,290 1,055,700 10,480 10,020 11,718 99,900 2,355,080 106,372 9,540 1,070 1,017,540 842,730 286,504 228,000 1,268,496.50 7,600 5,903,955

467,635 40,160 -286,504 -

LR WARRANT

3

3.16

2.94

WARRANTS 3.02 504,000

1,534,470

-

6,928,920 299,980 3,546,708

1,977,880 -80,348

2,523,780

47,980

XURPAS PHILAB HLDG ITALPINAS

3.25 3.28 5.05

3.44 3.29 5.2

3.25 3.1 5.02

FIRST METRO ETF

119.8

120

118.8

TRADING SUMMARY FINANCIAL

SHARES

14,594,208

INDUSTRIAL

122,481,838

HOLDING FIRMS

140,307,192

PROPERTY

362,293,625

SERVICES

74,776,661

MINING & OIL GRAND TOTAL

327,595,373 1,044,921,993

3.44 3.29 5.19

SME

2,060,000 95,000 692,700

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 118.8 21,090

VALUE 1,993.32 (down) 1.57 1,286,984,692.92 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 11,076.60 (down) 7.74 1,164,506,912.186 HOLDING FIRMS 7,631.93 (down) 18.99 1,495,041,291.43 PROPERTY 3,587.69 (down) 3.67 SERVICES 1,564.14 (down) 5.10 897,766,168.97 MINING & OIL 10,532.72 (down) 149.65 501,826,180.658 PSEI 7,719.47 (down) 7.25 122,893,465.466 All Shares Index 4,677.09 (down) 10.20 5,482,333,551.50 Gainers: 88; Losers: 103; Unchanged: 57; Total: 248

Belle eyes expansion of gaming complex

By Jenniffer B. Austria BELLE Corp. proposed to partner Melco Resorts and Entertainment (Philippines) Corp. to expand City of Dreams Manila using its one-hectare property adjacent to the gaming complex.

Belle president Manuel Gana said in an interview at the sidelines of the annual stockholders’ meeting the planned expansion would include additional non-gaming facilities like hotels and ballrooms.

“We have proposed to Melco for an expansion because we need more hotel rooms. We only have one ballroom and we need more swimming pools. So the ball is now in their court. We just have wait for their decision,” Gana said.

He said COD Manila, a 900-room hotel across three brands, had an average occupancy rate of over 90 percent.

Gana said the expansion based on preliminary discussions would involve non-gaming facilities because the casino complex still had room to add gaming tables and machines.

He said Belle was prepared to develop the one-hectare property if Melco opted not join the planned expansion.

Gana said Belle was not rushing Melco to make a decision.

Belle through unit Premium Leisure Corp and Melco Resorts are co-licensees of COD Manila.

Meanwhile, Belle said net income in the first quarter of 2018 rose 10 percent to P857 million from P783 million posted in the same period a year ago.

Excluding capital gains from sales of non-core investments and extraordinary items, Belle’s recurring net income of P888 million in the first three months was 17 percent higher than P759 million year-on-year.

First-quarter revenues inched up 1.5 percent percent to P2.01 billion from P1.98 billion due to higher earnings from the lease of COD Manila’s land and buildings and real estate development.

Belle earlier made a regular cash dividend payment of P0.12 per share or a total of approximately P1.27 billion to common shareholders on March 23, 2018.

Holcim PH appoints Stull as new CEO HOLCIM Philippines Inc. has appointed John William Stull as new president and chief executive effective immediately, the company said in a disclosure to the stock exchange Monday Stull succeeded Sapna Sood who resigned from HPI as director, CEO and president.

Stull has been CEO for LafargeHolcim’s cement operations in the United States since 2015. He was responsible for all cement product lines, overseeing an organization of approximately 3,200 employees, 13 cement and grinding plants and over 100 terminals.

He served in various leadership positions across the group, which include responsibility for the US as well as markets in sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America.

“John Stull is an accomplished leader with deep expertise in the building materials industry, both in mature and emerging markets. He has been instrumental in the successful development of LafargeHolcim’s US business over many years. The board believes that John’s skills and deep knowledge of our industry will allow him to re-position HPI and successfully develop our business further,” HPI chairman Tomas Alcantara said.

“On behalf of the board I would like to thank Sapna Sood for her contribution in leading the business in a challenging commercial environment and wish her the best for the future,” Alcantara added.

Stull said he planned to strengthen HPI’s position as the leading cement company in the country.

“I am delighted to join Holcim Philippines at this exciting but challenging time. As the market adapts and becomes faster paced, the company needs to be well positioned to play a key role in the future development of the country with innovative and customer-focused solutions. I look forward to building our already strong foundation and reinforcing Holcim as the leading building materials company is the Philippines,” Stull said. Jenniffer B. Austria

Business/World

THURSDAY, APRIL 24, 2018

B3

CESAR BARRIOQUINTO, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Afghans bury their dead after attack that killed 57 KABUL―Hundreds of grieving Afghans buried their loved ones in Kabul on Monday amid growing anger over a suicide attack on a voter registration center that killed 57 people, including children, and wounded over 100.

The bomber blew himself up on Sunday morning in a large crowd lining up to collect national ID certificates so they could register to vote in longdelayed legislative elections scheduled for October.

The blast, which was claimed by the Islamic State group, caused carnage in the street in the heavily Shiite-populated western neighborhood.

Pools of blood and body parts mixed with shattered glass, bloodstained ID documents and passport-size photos on the ground.

More than 40 of the wounded, including children, were taken to a trauma hospital run by Italian NGO Emergency, which said at least 20 people re-

quired “major surgeries”.

Anguish quickly turned to anger on social media as Afghans blamed the Kabul government for failing to protect its people—a constant refrain after such attacks.

“They (the government) arrests them and then releases them to kill innocent people,” Ahmad Ahmadi wrote on Facebook.

A Facebook user called Aminullah posted: “This government is intentionally creating chaos to continue their term illegally. The only way forward is to vote and get rid of this corrupt government.”

Another wrote: “We don’t know what the solution is; they keep killing people.

Are you guys still going to vote? We voted last time to be killed now.”

Funerals for some of the victims began hours after the attack on Sunday and more people were buried on Mon- BEFORE THE BURIAL. Afghan mourners and relatives pray in front of the coffin of one of the 57 victims of a bomb blast before the day. AFP burial a day after the attack on a voter registration center in Kabul. AFP

S. Korea stops border broadcasts S

EOUL―South Korea on Monday silenced its battery of giant loudspeakers that blast messages at the North’s border soldiers, in a conciliatory gesture before Friday’s historic interKorean summit.

Despite tentative hopes of a breakthrough over Pyongyang’s nuclear arsenal, US President Donald Trump warned that a solution to the North Korean crisis remains a “long way” off, as he prepares for his own planned meeting with Kim Jong Un. Observers are weighing the significance of an array of headline-grabbing

offers this year from the North―including discussions with arch foes Seoul and Washington, and most recently a weekend promise to suspend nuclear and missile tests―after months of surging tensions.

The South’s President Moon Jae-in on Monday hailed Pyongyang’s promise to stop major weapons trials as “significant”. He is due to meet Kim on Friday in the truce village of Panmunjom at the heavily-fortified frontier.

In preparation for the talks―only the third of their kind since the end of the 1950-53 Korean War―the South switched off its propaganda broadcasts, which previously filled the air in the Demilitarized Zone with news, music and exhortations to the North’s soldiers to defect.

The North plays propaganda of its own.

“We stopped loudspeaker broadcasts... as of today in order to ease military tension and to create a peaceful climate... ahead of the 2018 inter-Korea summit,” Seoul’s defense ministry said in a statement.

The two neighbors remain technically at war after the war ended with an armistice instead of a peace treaty, with tens of thousands of soldiers guarding the mine-infested land border.

Relations have improved markedly in recent months, driven by the Winter Olympics in the South, but the question remains whether Kim will promise any concrete steps towards dismantling his nuclear arsenal as demanded by Washington.

The North’s leader, believed to be in his mid-30s, has overseen four of the country’s six nuclear tests and Pyongyang hails the weapons as a “treasured sword” protecting the country from potential US invasion.

Kim, who has proclaimed the North a fully-fledged nuclear power, has also overseen dozens of missile tests, including intercontinental ballistic missiles capable of reaching the US mainland.

Analysts are skeptical over his offer to suspend nuclear and long-range missile tests, noting he signaled no intention of actually disarming.

“All of the steps Kim has announced are completely reversible and amount to only words and empty promises― and North Korea is not exactly known to keep its word,” said Harry Kazianis, director of defense studies at the Center for the National Interest, a conservative think tank in Washington.

Kazianis cautioned Kim could quickly ramp up again if he does not get what he wants from the coming summits, urging the international community to be “hopeful―but not stupid.” AFP

Bus crash kills 32 Chinese in N. Korea BEIJING―A bus crash in North Korea has killed 32 Chinese tourists and four North Koreans, the foreign ministry in Beijing said on Monday.

Two other Chinese nationals were injured in Sunday’s accident south of the capital Pyongyang, ministry spokesman Lu Kang told a regular press briefing.

“We are investigating the cause” of the accident, Lu said.

The ministry provided few details but China’s state broadcaster CGTN earlier tweeted that more than 30 people died when a tour bus fell from a bridge in North Korea. The tweet was later deleted.

State broadcaster CCTV broadcast images of a large overturned vehicle with light rain falling on rescue vehicles and doctors attending to a patient.

China was informed about the accident on Sunday night, and its embassy personnel in Pyongyang rushed to the scene and are working to manage the situation, the foreign ministry said in a statement earlier.

The vast majority of foreign tourists to North Korea are Chinese, with the Cold War-era allies sharing a long land border and operating flights between

the two countries.

Western visitors to the North once averaged around 5,000 a year, but numbers have been hit recently by a US travel ban―Americans accounted for around 20 percent of the market―and official warnings from other countries.

Tens of thousands of Chinese tourists are believed to visit the North every year, with many crossing via train through the Chinese border city of Dandong. For some, North Korea provides a window into what Communist China may have looked like decades ago.

Chinese tourism to the North has continued even though Beijing has enforced a slew of United Nations sanctions over Pyongyang’s nuclear weapons program.

The accident occurred in North Hwanghae province, the foreign ministry said.

The province lies south of the capital and stretches to the border with the South, including the city of Kaesong, an ancient Korean capital with historical sites.

More recently, the area hosted a manufacturing complex operated with South Korea. AFP

FESTIVAL.

Jillian Hervey of Lion Babe performs onstage during the 2018 Coachella Valley Music And Arts Festival at the Empire Polo Field on April 22, 2018 in Indio, California. AFP

WHEN they are unhappy or very uncomfortable with the direction being taken by government policies or with the trend in the quality of national governance, businessmen issue warnings to the government. The businessmen of this country are no exception. Recently the administration of Rodrigo Duterte was at the receiving end of a warning from one of the largest—and arguably the most influential—groupings of Philippine businessmen, the Makati Business Club (MBC).

The subject of the latest MBC warning was the drive of the House of Representatives and the Duterte administration to remove Maria Lourdes Sereno from the position of Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. The committee on justice of the lower chamber of Congress recently voted to recommend the impeachment of Chief

Verdict due in trial of Danish inventor COPENHAGEN-The trial of a Danish inventor accused of murdering a journalist aboard his self-built submarine is due to wrap up this week with a verdict due by Wednesday at the earliest.

Peter Madsen, 47―who is accused of premeditated murder, aggravated sexual assault and desecrating a corpse―has repeatedly changed his version of events since his arrest last August, a day after Swedish freelance journalist Kim Wall boarded his submarine to interview the eccentric selftaught engineer and semi-celebrity.

Madsen has since admitted dismembering Wall, 30, and throwing her body parts into the sea but denies killing her.

Prosecutor Jakob Buch-Jepsen and defense lawyer Betina Hald Engmark are due to present their final arguments on Monday, with the judge issuing a verdict no earlier than Wednesday.

The trial at Copenhagen’s district earlier heard evidence that Madsen had more than 40 video clips, including animated and socalled snuff films of women being impaled, hanged and beheaded on his laptop.

The prosecution says Madsen tortured and murdered Wall as part of a sexual fantasy.

It has said it will seek a life sentence, which in Denmark averages around 16 years, or safe custody, a legal alternative which would keep him behind bars indefinitely as long as he is deemed dangerous.

Madsen initially claimed he had dropped Wall off on dry land in Copenhagen on the night of August 10, 2017, but he later changed his story, claiming that a heavy hatch door had fallen on her head and killed her.

When an autopsy report later revealed there was no blunt trauma to Wall’s skull, he said she died after a sudden drop in pressure caused toxic fumes to fill the vessel while he was up on deck.

He has admitted cutting off the journalist’s head, arms and legs, and stuffing the body parts into plastic bags weighed down with metal pipes before tossing them into the sea as he contemplated suicide. AFP

Harry marks 25 years since racist murder

When the business community warns the government Justice Sereno to the full House of Representatives, and the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) has filed with the Supreme Court a quo warranto petition questioning right to remain as this country’s chief magistrate.

In its latest warning to the Duterte administration MBC expressed concern about the implications of the OSG action for this country’s investment climate. “It is absolutely essential for businesses that laws and contracts be upheld for them to invest and create more jobs, which is what will ultimately reduce poverty in a sustainable way,” MBC declared. Respect for the rule of law is absolutely essential for businesses to keep on investing, it said.

What would constitute respect for the rule of law, and what would constitute disrespect for it? MBC offered the quo warranto proceeding as an answer to the first question and its withdrawal as an answer to the second.

IN BRIEF

MBC firmly believes that the impeachment action in the House of Representatives is the lawful approach to the removal from office of Maria Lourdes Sereno.

The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court is one of the high government officials indicated by the Constitution as being removable from office through trial by the Senate after impeachment by the House of Representatives. The manner of removing Chief Justice Sereno should be the process decreed by the Constitution, MBC averred. “Regardless of the outcome of the process, giving the Chief Justice the chance to defend herself within our Constitutionally defined process is essential to demonstrate this country’s respect for the rule of law and to assure all Filipinos that we are protected by our laws.” Not giving her such a chance would give rise to unfavorable implications for investor sentiment about the Philippine investment climate, MBC said.

MBC’s warning about the move

of the OSG has come on the heels of a warning it issued to the government—the Duterte administration and the House of Representatives—regarding the succession of impeachment complaints filed against high-ranking government officials. It said then that the complaints would “negatively affect investors’ perception on the economic and political stability of our country.” The cases, it said, needed to “be substantiated by strong evidence … and not supported by mere accusations or anecdotes.”

Can the government—the Executive Department and Congress —afford to ignore the MBC’s warnings? This question is best answered by reference to what happened to the Philippine economy and the martial-law administration of President Ferdinand E. Marcos when the MBC’s 1970s and 1980s warnings were ignored.

E-mail: romero.business. class@gmail.com

LONDON―Prince Harry will attend a memorial on Monday marking the 25th anniversary of the racist murder of black teenager Stephen Lawrence in a killing that triggered far-reaching changes to British attitudes and policing.

The prince and his fiancee Meghan Markle will join Stephen’s mother Doreen Lawrence, who campaigned tirelessly for justice after her son was brutally stabbed to death at a bus stop on April 22, 1993.

Five suspects were arrested within days but failures in the police probe into the 18-year-old’s killing meant it was not until 2012 that two of them were jailed, after new evidence came to light.

The case drew the interest of Nelson Mandela, who met the Lawrence family a fortnight after Stephen died, telling them: “It seems black lives are cheap.”

A public inquiry in 1999 found the initial police investigation was marred by incompetence, a failure of leadership and “institutional racism”.

It led to an overhaul of policing in Britain, with London police chief Cressida Dick this weekend noting the “huge and positive change” enacted.

However, Jon Boutcher, a senior officer who leads on race issues for the National Police Chiefs’ Council, warned that concerns remain in some communities.

“Because of the legacy of the past, we must accept some still view policing as institutionally racist and we need to work doubly hard to gain trust,” he said.

It has since emerged that the police also sent an undercover officer to spy on the grieving Lawrence family in the late 1990s as they campaigned for justice.

The National Crime Agency (NCA) meanwhile is still investigating allegations of corruption in the case. AFP

LGUs

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

B4

tuesday, aPRIL 24, 2018

LoCAL GoverNmeNt UNits

Davao fisherfolk get P2-m Pamana fund to enhance seaweed industry

By F. Pearl A. Gajunera DAVAO CITY―The City Government of Davao has received P2 million from the Department of Agriculture to aid the needs of fisherfolk in the city through the Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan or Pamana program of the national government.

The fund will benefit the Municipal Fishery Development Project at Purok 77, Bangka, Talomo District.

City Agriculture Office head Leo Brian Leuterio said the money will be used to purchase a dryer for seaweeds and erect small warehouses for the fisher folks’ products and equipment.

“We have identified few things that the beneficiaries really need,” Leuterio said.

Through the solarized seaweeds dryer, the CAO is hoping to boost the seaweed industry of the city. he said that before they requested the DA for the amount under the Pamana, the CAO assessed the needs of the fisher folks.

Leuterio said more equipment will be distributed to them sooner.

“We have requested more motorized bancas from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources we also have three on-deck fish landing that will be put up together with the coastal road and there will be more to come,” he said.

Leuterio said several fisher folks organization have reached out to their office to help them with their needs as the CAO aims to boost up the fishery industry in the city.

QC measure eyes drug test for bets in May 14 polls

By Rio N. Araja ALARMeD by the reported narco list of barangay officials involved in drugs, the Quezon City government has passed a resolution urging local candidates for barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections to go through a drug test.

Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte, presiding officer of the 37-member city council, said the measure would bolster the city government’s efforts to ensure that elected officials or candidates aspiring for positions in the barangay remain drug-free.

“Barangay officials involved in drugs is one serious issue for President [Rodrigo] Duterte. he is mad at this,” she added.

The council members approved overwhelmingly the measure seeking to encourage all candidates for the May 14 elections in Quezon City to take the initiative to undergo drug testing.

According to Belmonte, she felt sorry that the Commission on elections did not include the mandatory drug test as one of the requirements for barangay and SK candidates in the upcoming polls.

“It’s a lost opportunity. This should have been a good way to ensure that the candidates we will vote for are not into drugs,” she said.

To subject themselves to drug test would show the honesty and sincerity of the candidates, she added.

RIVER CLEANUP. Canadian Ambassador John T. Holmes and Bayen Tinga, Corporate Affairs Manager of Philip Morris Fortune Tobacco Corp. lead the Earth Day Taga-Ilog Project as they organized a cleanup with the support of Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary, Metro Manila Development Authority, Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission, environmentalists and foreign volunteers on Saturday. Norman Cruz

7k Makati youth gain city summer job slots

M

AKATI Mayor Abby Binay today welcomed 7,091 young Makatizens who have qualified for the Special Program for employment of Students and Government Internship Program being implemented by the city government this summer.

Binay said the beneficiaries of SPeS and GIP, who come from low income families, will have the opportunity to work with pay in various offices of the city government and the barangays.

“The city government of Makati fully supports these joint initiatives with agencies of the national government because they provide beneficiaries the dual advantage of actual work experience with the government and earning an income,” Mayor Abby said.

The mayor said based on the records of the city Public employment Service Office (PESO), there are 4,638 successful registrants in GIP and 2,381 in SPeS this year. each SPeS beneficiary will earn a total of P15,360 upon completing the required 30 days of work. On the other

hand, a GIP beneficiary will receive P9,600 for 25 days of work.

The two programs are annually carried out by the city in partnership with the Department of Labor and employment (DOLE) for SPES, and with the National Youth Commission (NYC) for GIP. According to Makati PESO, SPES beneficiaries have already started to report for work in their respective places of assignment last April 16, and will work there until May 29. For GIP beneficiaries, work period will be from April 23 until May 29.

Under SPES, the city provides 60 percent of each beneficiary’s salary based on the daily minimum wage, or P317.20, and the remaining 40 percent, or P204.80, is provided by DOLE. GIP beneficiaries are entitled to re-

ceive 75 percent of the daily minimum wage, or P384.

Pre-qualified applicants based on the screening of documentary requirements they submitted were also subjected to a drug test last April 12 for District I residents, and last April 13 for those from District II. To be eligible to join this year, SPeS applicants must be at least 15 years old on or before March 4 this year, but not more than 31 years old by July 30. GIP applicants must be at least 18 years old on or before March 4 this year, but not more than 31 years old by July 30.

Both SPeS and GIP applicants must be Makati residents, fit to work, and not currently employed, undergoing on-thejob training, or attending summer classes. Applicants must not also be last year’s beneficiaries of said programs, and of TUPAD (Tulong Panghanapbuhay para sa Ating Disadvantaged Workers), and other livelihood programs.

To qualify for SPeS, the combined annual income of the applicant’s parents must not exceed P150,042.

NEW TOWN CENTER.

Kawit Mayor Angelo Emilio Aguinaldo, Tokwing Construction Corp. president engineer Reynaldo Manalansan, Mana Town Center chief executive officer Grace Manalansan, MTC managing director Dianne Manalansan, TCC chief executive officer Rico Manalansan and TCC chief operating officer engineer Noel Payumo (from left) prepare to drop the time capsule during the groundbreaking ceremony of the new mixed-use commercial center in Kawit, Cavite, located at the corner of Centennial Road and Daang Hari Link.

Lino Santos

Taguig pupil gains P30k incentive

By Joel E. Zurbano

MEDIA CENTER. Calabarzon Police Director Chief Supt. Ma. O Aplasca (second from left) leads the kickoff ceremony for the construction of PRO4A Media Center during the Monday flag raising and awarding ceremony at the PRO 4A Grandstand in Camp Bgen.

Vicente Lim in Calamba, Laguna. Laguna 1st District Rep. Arlene Arcillas (left), the Regional Advisory Council Chairman, was guest of honor and speaker. It also featured the signing of the agreement between the Camp Vicente Lim Press Corps led by Manila Standard correspondent Roy Tomandao (right), the PRO 4A Press Corps led by Ed Amoroso (center) and Calabarzon Media Group with Noel Alamar of dzMM (second right).

The Taguig City government gave P30,000 and a leadership award to a 17-year-old girl who graduated as valedictorian of her class at the city’s Science high School.

The student, Samrain Umpara, received the educational financial assistance and the Senator Renato Cayetano Leadership Award during her graduation day on April 6.

The graduation gift was given out as part of the city government’s merit scheme that grants financial assistance benefits ranging from P10,000 to P25,000 to high school students graduating with honors.

“Who wouldn’t be encouraged to study when everything you need―from school uniforms to school supplies―is already

given for free?” Umpara said.

The city’s education projects include the Lifeline Assistance for Neighbors In-need (LANI), a scholarship program designed to cater the youths who want to pursue their dreams.

The LANI scholarship has eight types: Premier, Full, Priority, Basic, SUC/LCU, Basic Plus, Leadership and educators Advancement and Development (LeAD) and Review.

Last July 2017, the city government of Taguig increased the allowances of city scholars which now ranged from P15,000 to P60,000, depending on what type of scholarship the student has availed of—Premier, Full, Priority, Basic, SUC/LCU, Basic Plus, Leadership and educators Advancement and Development or Review.

Estrada: Observe village, SK poll rules, guidelines, no propaganda

By Vito Barcelo MANILA Mayor Joseph estrada on Monday warned barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan candidates not to engage in political propaganda and vote buying and should instead strictly observe the Commission on elections campaign rules and guidelines.

The former President also reminded voters not to elect candidates who are corrupt and are involved in illegal drug trade.

The synchronized barangay and SK elections are scheduled on May 14, and this would be “the opportune time for voters to choose their local leaders who would make their barangay more safe and clean to live,” estrada said.

The mayor said this will also give them the chance to replace local barangay officials who continue to abuse their position fro almost several years by protecting criminals and drugs pushers and users. estrada likewise urged local candidates not to overspend in the campaign since the Comelec set a limit of five pesos per registered voters as stipulated in the Fair election Act. The spending limit is based on the number of registered voters and not on the population, according to Comelec. he also warned aspiring barangay and SK candidates from early campaigning that may result for their disqualifications.

The official campaign period for qualified candidates has been set from May 4 to 12.

The Comelec said candidates can only use lawful election materials such as pamphlets, leaflets, stickers and posters that measures no more than 2 feet by 3 feet.

In BrIef Academe-LGU joint summit on federalism The Alliance for Green Philippines will convene university and college officials, faculty and students, local government executives and employees to a National Summit and Workshop on “education and Sustainable Development in a Federal System of Government” to be held at the Teachers’ Camp, Baguio City on April 28 to 30.

Academe and LGU officials are expected to agree on an action plan to mobilize the schools and local government units in generating public awareness.

The event also would facilitate healthy debates on various issues related to federalism, with the intent to create an informed citizenry capable of making a wise decision in the event that the proposed charter change will be presented in a plebiscite.

Probe NFA-Cebu, ombudsman urged CEBU CITY―The Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas has received a request to investigate the officials of the National Food Authority in Cebu over the alleged anomalous importation of rice.

In his letter-complaint addressed to Deputy Ombudsman for the Visayas Paul elmer Clemente, Neil Bacungan of Barangay Mabolo, this city, asked to probe the complicity of NFA Cebu Provincial Manager Grace A. Rodriguez for the commission of graft and corruption, betrayal of public trust, and plunder by NFA Administrator Jason Aquino.

“A certain Jojo Caringal and another person named Jasper Zuñiga have been asking P50 to P100 per sack from local rice importers as a condition for the issuance of import permits with bloated quotas. This was carried out at the behest of NFA Administrator Jason Aquino. A certain Ritchie Carpio, the executive assistant of Aquino, receives the money,” Bacungan claimed.

Dupax del Norte offers ‘Lechonan’ BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya—Local officials of Dupax del Norte town have offered 70 pigs for their “Lechonan sa Bayan” in a bid to strengthen unity and peace in the municipality.

Mayor Timothy Cayton said the “Lechonan” is part of their 287th Founding Anniversary celebration with the theme: “Timpuyog nga Ital-o ken Nadaras: Dupax del Norte Duras!” (Promote and Raise our unity for the development of Dupax del Norte).

“This is one of the activities for our founding anniversary wherein we offer roasted pigs for visitors and our villagers to partake and enjoy,” he said.

Ben Moses Ebreo

Life

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

health and environment

@MstandardliFe tuesday, april 24, 2018

C1

DESIGNED FOR YOUR HEALTH. Fitbit Versa, the brand’s second smartwatch, offers on-device workouts through Fitbit Coach and personalized fitness guidance with its 15+ Exercise modes that help wearers track their workouts.

The smartwatch that cares for your health

By Bernadette Lunas

T

here is a whole catalog of smartwatches available in the market today, but not all of them actually put a premium on their wearer’s health much like Fitbit’s latest smartwatch release.

Leading fitness tracker brand Fitbit on April 19 launched in the Philippines Fitbit Versa, its second entry to the smartwatch arena.

Fitbit Versa is a lightweight smartwatch—it is, in fact, Fitbit’s lightest smartwatch yet, according to officials—that boasts a sleek, modern design and four-day battery life. Powered

by Fitbit OS 2.0, each unit comes with health and fitness features, which are the core of the brand, and smart features, such as ability to reply to messages, common in wearables.

Overall wellness

Fitbit Versa is available in classic versions in colors gray, black, and peach, as well as Special Edition in lavender and charcoal gray.

“We are focusing on being more personalized for the individual,” said Alexander healy, director of product marketing for Asia-Pacific and China.

In addition to Fitbit’s trademarked 24/7 PurePulse heart rate tracking technology, steps and calories burned counter, and automatic sleep stages tracking, Versa comes with Fitbit Coach, 15+ exercise modes, and Female health tracking feature.

Fitbit Coach offers personalized fitness guidance with its on-device work-

outs, complete with instructions, timer, and statistics report. It currently has three workouts available, the 7-Minute Workout, the 10-Minute Abs, and the Treasure Chest.

According to officials, aside from guiding users though every move, it also adapts based on the user’s feedback—making it more personalized.

“It’s like having a coach on your wrist,” said healy.

Meanwhile, its exercise mode allows wearers to track their workouts, such as running, biking, swimming, weightlifting, and more. however, since Versa is not equipped with GPS, it has to be connected to a smartphone to see real-time pace and distance.

Speaking of swimming, the fitness tracker/smartwatch is water resistant up to 50m and comes with the automatic SmartTrack swim tracking feature, thus it’s safe to wear in the pool or rain to track laps, calories burned, and more during workouts.

But the interesting new feature, particularly for female wearers, of Versa, is Turn to C2

Dr. Domicias Albacite emphasizes that a person suffering from a heart attack should be brought immediately to a hospital

How to protect yourself from heart attacks

ACCOrdInG to a 2009 study of the department of health, lives claimed by cardiovascular diseases in the Philippines has doubled from 85,000 to 170,000 over the past 20 years. To this day, heart diseases still pose as a serious threat to millions of people, due to the fact that heart attacks can happen to anyone almost instantly.

It is said that you will never know when a heart attack will strike you or someone close to you, thus it pays to know important things about the enemy to help arm yourself. dr. domicias Albacite, head of the Cardiovascular Center at the Medical City Clark shares some information you need to know about heart attacks.

Is it caused by genetics or lifestyle?

The fitness tracker-cum-smartwatch boasts the latest smart features, including Female health tracking that allows women users track their menstrual cycle and Fitbit Pay for wallet-free transactions.

condition when professional help is delayed. The moment a person suffers a heart attack, immediately call a hospital to get an ambulance. If you are alone, quickly call the hospital or seek the help of neighbors. Make sure that you always have the phone number of the nearest and most competent hospital with you. For residents in Central Luzon, The Medical City Clark is one of the most accessible hospitals that have world-class facilities and expert doctors that can expertly handle an emergency situation.

Minor attacks are a big deal

not all heart attacks are life-threatening, but this does not mean the minor ones do not require attention. On some occasions, a person does not even know that they have experienced a heart attack. Once you feel its symptoms, which include chest pain, cold sweats, and shortness of breath, have yourself checked by a professional immediately.

Ignoring these symptoms may result to fatal conditions.

According to dr. Albacite, heart attacks are greatly influenced by a person’s lifestyle. People who are smokers, inactive, and unhealthy eaters are more likely to suffer from a heart attack. however, he noted that genetics do play a role, too. Those that occur in people below the age of 50 are Regular check-ups are most likely caused by genetics, while recommended A semi-annual check-up is a good those that occur later are more likely prevention for heart attacks, especaused by lifestyle. cially if you are a person at risk—if There is no first aid you smoke, live a sedentary lifestyle, With heart attacks, time is of ut- eat unhealthy diet, and have other most importance. Almost 30 percent unhealthy lifestyle choices. If your of first-time sufferers do not make it family has a history of heart attacks, to the hospital. This is why dr. Al- make sure you closely monitor your bacite strongly discourages first aid body to check for signs and sympas it may complicate the person’s toms, no matter the age.

Life

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tuesday, apri apriL 24, 2018 manilastandardlife@gmail.com

Global insurer opens shared services hub in Manila

Anti-toxics watch group EcoWaste Coalition reminds parents to choose safe swimming toys for their kids.

Watch group advocates for safe swimming toys

A

s fAmilies head to beaches and pools to seek respite from the scorching summer heat, an anti-toxics watch group reminds parents to choose safe swimming toys for their kids.

The ecoWaste Coalition revealed that some beach and pool balls, floats, and rings being sold in the market may contain undisclosed chemicals of concern such as phthalates that are not permitted in children’s toys.

“We advise parents to only buy safe swimming toys that will not pose chemical risk or cause accidental drowning or injuries to young children,” said ecoWaste Coalition chemical safety campaigner Thony Dizon.

Dizon explained that inflatable aquatic toys made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic may contain phthalate additives that are known to interfere with hormonal functions and cause developmental, reproductive, and other health problems, especially among children.

“As a precaution, the Department of Health in 2011 banned certain phthalates in children’s toys,” he pointed out. “As early as 1999, the Bureau of food and Drugs (now known as the food and Drug Administration or fDA) warned ‘phthalates in children’s toys particularly those made of soft plastic materials or PVC have been found to leach out from the toys when they are sucked or chewed as commonly practiced by children… (and) may cause adverse health effects such as liver and kidney wounds, reproductive abnormalities, and immune system defects’.”

As per DOH Administrative Order 2009-0005-A as amended in December 2011, the manufacture, importation, distribution, and sale of children’s toys containing more than 0.1 percent of di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DeHP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP), or benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP) is prohibited.

This A.O. further bans diisononyl phthalate (DiNP), diisodecyl phthalate (DiDP), or di-n-octyl phthalate (DnOP) in children’s toys that can be placed in a child’s mouth in concentrations above 0.1 percent by weight.

Dizon recalled that in 2015, three of the four swimming toys sent by the ecoWaste Coalition to a private laboratory for phthalate analysis were found to contain high concentrations of DeHP up to 19.6 percent and DiNP up to 1.29 percent, in blatant breach of the govern-

ment’s regulation.

The fourth sample marked “phthalate-free” on the label passed the test—a good indicator that swimming toys can be manufactured without phthalate additives. for children’s safety, the ecoWaste Coalition further enjoined the public to heed the pointers from the fDA on the proper selection of aquatic toys, including checking the label for the age suitability, item/model/stock keeping unit (sKU) number, warning statements, name and address of manufacturer, and license to operate number (lTO No.) of the local company responsible for placing the product in the market.

Dizon reiterated, “Get your children out of harm’s way; please make them play with phthalate-free swimming toys that are compliant with the government’s regulation.”

fOR years, antibiotics have been used to promote growth, and prevent and treat chickens from diseases.

However, overuse of antibiotics in livestock and poultry results in the development of antibiotic resistance in disease-causing bacteria that could be transferred to consumers, posing a threat to their health and safety.

To answer to the call for safer and healthier alternative, Bounty Agro Ventures, inc., introduces the country’s first-ever all-natural, antibiotic-free chicken.

Through its pioneering No Antibiotics ever system, BAVi has eliminated the use of any antibiotics from day one until the chickens are processed, ensuring they are naturally healthy. BAVi is also bringing these safer-toeat chickens conveniently closer to filipino households through its roasted chicken brands Chooks-to-Go, Uling Roasters, and Reyal.

“As part of our commitment to nurture the health of the nation, we are continuously finding ways to innovate and offer only the safest chicken choices,” said Ronald mascariñas, BAVi president and general manager.

To date, all Chooks-to-Go stores in ilocos, isabela, Pangasinan, and southern Tagalog are serving NAe, as well as all Reyal and Uling Roasters stores in ilocos and isabela. more households in different parts of the country will soon taste the goodness of safer-to-eat antibiotic-free roasted chicken as BAVi makes NAe chicken available BAVI launches the country’s first ever all-natural, antibiotic-free chicken in its nearly 2,000 stores nationwide.

From C1

the female health tracking, available to users 13 years old and above who identify as female in the fitbit app.

The feature, which will come to the entire fitbit platform in June, allows women to track their menstrual cycle and symptoms. Using health and fitness data of the wearer, the feature sends predictive notification four days before the first day of their period. Healy said accuracy of prediction for each individ-

AXA Asian Markets chief executive officer Gordon Watson

to make one more mark in the AXA world and the BPO industry in the Philippines through iT transformation and enablement, thus doing our share in nation-building.”

EcoWaste Coalition advocates for phthalate-free beach balls, floats, and rings.

Antibiotic-free chicken hits the market

The smartwatch...

OffiCiAls of AXA led by group chief operating officer Astrid stange and chief executive officer of Asian markets Gordon Watson, together with executives from the Asia region, were on hand during the recent inauguration of the leading global insurer’s shared services center in manila. french Ambassador to the Philippines, His excellency Nicolas Galey, was present to take part in the festivities.

This new shared services center, together with the one in malaysia, is envisioned to be the iT hub for AXA in Asia, and later to Japan. They will eventually stand as central hubs of actuarial expertise, serving as centers of excellence in areas of actuarial product pricing and valuation, providing guidance to the Asia entities in improving processes and services.

“We have massive ambitions for AXA in Asia,” shared Watson. “We want to leverage on the AXA brand— the number 1 in the world for 9 years now—and with the shared services hubs, we intend to achieve this by offering innovations in customer service.”

With up to 300 jobs expected to be generated, the shared services center is seen to be a boon to the growing business process outsourcing industry in the country, while strengthening AXA’s leadership position in the industry.

“The opening of this shared services center couldn’t have come at a better time,” said Rahul Hora, AXA Philippines chief executive officer. “We want

ual will improve over time as more data from the wearer are obtained.

Obstetrician and gynecologist Dr. Angel Tan asserted the importance for women to accurately track their menstrual cycle.

“Being forewarned helps you be forearmed,” opined Dr. Tan. “it helps them correlate their menstrual cycle with their physical activities. for instance you can adjust your fitness regimen, plan your day, and even prepare healthy snacks especially when you know you tend to snack on unhealthy foods during your period.”

All-day companion

fitbit Versa wants to be everyone’s everyday companion with apps that let wearer run their day connected and entertained.

Coming soon on Versa and ionic devices is the Quick Reply feature with which wearers can create and send up to five custom quick replies of 60 characters or less to text messages and messenger apps like WhatsApp and facebook messenger. This feature will first roll out on Android devices only. its built-in NfC chip allows walletfree payments via fitbit Pay, which is

Budding social entrepreneurs Gladys Parohinog (left) and John Paul Jose (third from left) together with two other Monsanto scholars graduating from Gawad Kalinga’s SEED Program

Young social entrepreneurs JOHN PAUl JOse, a 22-year-old who belong to a tribal community in Nueva Vizcaya shared how he was led to believe that people from tribal communities are not meant for great things in life. “i was conditioned at a young age that when you belong to a poor tribal community, you are not capable of doing something great. it was like a line was drawn for the poor,” he lamented.

But with the help of monsanto Philippines and Gawad Kalinga’s GK’s school for experiential and entrepreneurial Development or GK-seeD program, Jose was able to put his knowledge and skills into something valuable. in June, Jose will be graduating as one of the top social entrepreneurs of his batch. He is currently expanding his enterprise called Oasis Chips, promoting the production of world-class indigenous root crop products.

“When i found seeD, they did not just allow me to cross that line, but they allowed me to define my own line,” he enthused. established in 2014, GK-seeD program offers an education-based solution to rural development. seeD prepares students to create social enterprises that will develop rural areas through rural job and wealth creation. it serves as a pilot that will be replicated to provide a quality education to thousands in communities across the Philippines. “it is the first school to be training people from the bottom of the pyramid,

specifically the young to actually learn business,” said mark lawrence Cruz, director of GK-seeD Philippines. “We don’t teach the poor employment, we teach them to become employers.”

Cruz said, “The students undergo an intensive two-year program wherein they take a variety of courses that focus on character development, enterprise management, communications, business math, and agriculture.”

Together with Jose, 29 more scholars sponsored by monsanto are expected to graduate under the seeD program— one of them is Gladys Parohinog.

Hailing from a farming family in Butuan, Parohinog grew up supporting her own studies while working for her family. she said they do not have a permanent house in Cotabato City.

“Gawad Kalinga did not only give us a house but they also helped us build our capabilities,” she expressed. she is now developing her own enterprise named fabu-roots, showcasing products made from root crops.

Cruz likewise thanked monsanto, which has been in partnership with Gawad Kalinga for more than four years now, for the support given to the 30 scholars.

Cruz said “i tell the scholars that they don’t need to be born with a good name to be able to get good opportunities.

They may have been born poor, but they will not die poor. That if you give them the right opportunities, they will grab it and make it worth our while.”

supported by more than 60 banks and card issuers in 15 countries.

Versa’s 2.5GB internal memory provides enough storage for 300+ songs as well as apps and customizable clock faces available in fitbit’s App Gallery.

“We believe Versa is a smartwatch that will have mass appeal, attracting new audiences and helping us capture a previously untapped segment of users in this growing wearables category,” fitbit co-founder and chief executive officer James Park said in a statement. fitbit will also release its first activity

tracker for kids, fitbit Ace, in the second quarter of 2018. fitbit Versa retails at P13,890 in black with black aluminum case, gray with silver aluminum case, and peach with rose gold aluminum case. its special edition is priced at P15,590 and comes in lavender woven band with rose gold aluminum case and charcoal woven band with graphite aluminum case, both come with an extra black classic band. it’s now available at Digital Walker, Globe, liberty, Runnr, and lazada, as well as online at Fitbit.com and other major online retailers.

TUESDAY, APRIL 24, 2018

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nickie.standard@gmail.com

Why Aiko sticks with ABS-CBN

D

ONNED in their mightiest Avengersinspired outfits, lucky fans got to greet Nebula (Karen Gillan), Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) and director Joe Russo via live video conference straight from Singapore.

“All of you are fantastic, that reception, the noise, the energy in that room, we may be looking at a TV Screen which is a bit cold but it properly warms up when you guys are on it so thank you,” Cumberbatch said in response to the crowd’s warm reception.

Expressing excitement and passion about the most ambitious superhero crossover film the dedicated comic book geeks and MCU buffs assemble at SM Cinema in SM Megamall for Marvel Studios Fan Event, the first and biggest gathering of Marvel Fans in the Philippines and enjoyed exclusive movie merchandise, games and prizes from SM Cinema, Walt Disney Co. Philippines and other partners.

Everyone in the packed theatre were able to show how excited the Filipino fans are for the Avengers: Infinity War by sending a highly energized greeting, questions and even character impersonations in front of Cumberbatch, Gillan and Russo.

“Marvel fans are the best fans in the world, thank you guys so much for such a warm welcome, get ready, get excited, if you’ve been invested in the Marvel Universe for the last 10 years, this is it,

SM Cinema insider Richard Juan brought the latest updates on ' Avengers: Infinity War' during a press conference at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore.

this is the big finish, and a big big excitement to watch because you’ll get to see all your favorite characters together, so have fun with it,” Russo chimed.

Continuing the ultimate Avengers: Infinity War experience, SM Cinema insider Richard Juan also brought the latest updates during the press conference at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore and exclusive one-on-one interviews with the Avengers: Infinity War stars.

They share the blow-by-blow updates from the red carpet-style fan event with appearances from the cast on Facebook and Instagram.

Filmed entirely with IMAX cameras, Avengers: Infinity War is a guaranteed film indulgence with IMAX® screens.

Audiences will experience the movie

in its most immersive form with its expanded 1.9:1 aspect ratio and IMAX’s customized theatre geometry and powerful digital audio.

Fans may also take the Avengers: Infinity War experience on their mobile phones with the new augmented reality feature of the SM Cinema App, where they may search and collect the coveted Infinity Stones around SM Cinema branches in exchange for a special Avengers: Infinity War prize.

Catch Marvel Studios’ Avengers: Infinity War in IMAX, Director’s Club and SM Cinema branches nationwide starting tomorrow. Book your tickets now through the new website, www.smcinema.com or for an even more convenient experience, download the SM Cinema app.

AIKO Melendez reCruz, who was also with vealed that before she acher in Wildflower has accepted the role of Matadocepted the offer from ra in ABS-CBN’s Bagani, GMA to be one of its main she also received an offer stars in its upcoming soap from rival network GMA. opera titled, Karibal Ko “It (the offer) came after ang Aking Ina. Wildflower wrapped up. Actually, it was at “I’m happy for her. Anything for the the same time when the offer to do Bagani career growth of any of my friends, I’m surfaced. After weighing things, I opted to supportive. Especially in Sunshine’s case stay with the Kapamilya. For one, I love in which, she’s a single mom. She needs to my role in Bagani. It’s another challenging work,” ends Aiko. one,” she reveals. *** Apart from this, the actress said that her Sofia Romualdez is both happy and decision was partly for sentimental reasons proud that Viva Records has recently after learning that she was personally cho- launched her single “Thinkin’ of U” in the sen by Malou Santos and Olive Lamasan. market. The single is another self-penned “How can I refuse? Everyone knows material and she’s excited to share her muhow close I am to Inang Olive. She was re- sic with the public. sponsible for my first Best Actress trophy “It’s a nice song and I hope many will from the Film Academy of the Philippines like it. I’m grateful to Viva for believing in via Maalaala Mo Kaya (The Movie)’ in the me. As you all know, I signed a five-year mid-‘90s. So, I chose to be part of Bagani contract with them and it’s amazing how and I don’t regret fast things happen for my decision.” me. I’m really happy,” Interestingly, she says.

Aiko narrates how For the pretty lass she adjusted to her whose vocal styling role in the prime can be compared to intime fantasy series. ternationally-renowned She says it was not singer Adele, this is a easy at first and she fulfillment of one of her had a few struggles cherished dreams. “unlearning” her “I’ve always wanted Wildflower characto do this. It’s a dreamter, Emilia. come-true and I promise Aiko Melendez (left) with 'Bagani' “I was only giv- co-actor Thou Reyes to do my best to make en a two-day break my recording career a after Wildflower success,” Sofia muses. before my taping for Bagani commenced.

Sofia receives strong support from her You can just imagine how I struggled to family especially her parents, former Tado away with my Emilia character in the cloban City Mayor Alfred Romualdez former and concentrate on the nuances for and its current Mayor Cristina Gonzalezthe latter. Emilia is a rich character while Romualdez.

Matadora is completely different. Emilia “That’s one thing I’m grateful for. It’s speaks English while Matadora says her good that they’re also into music so they lines in Tagalog since Bagani is set during get to coach me sometimes. They always the olden times. remind me to do things right and stay hum“In fact, I had a funny blooper dur- ble no matter what. I’m very happy that ing my first taping day for Bagani. Since they back me up in my dream especially in it was just two days after Wildflower, the composing my own songs. It’s my passion character of Emilia was still very much in and as I’ve mentioned earlier, it will be a my system. When I delivered a Tagalog joy to share this to the public,” she states. line, I said ‘tupid!’ in the end, not realizing Having finally entered the recording that I was doing Matadora now,” she adds. scene, people are curious if the pretty newNow, Aiko is glad that as she immerses comer will also consider going into acting herself in the role, it’s gradually sinking in eventually, considering her mom is a forunto her system. She thanks directors Rich- mer actress herself. ard Arellano and Lester Pimentel for their “To be honest, I just want to be a singer patience in helping her portray her character. at this point. I’m so bad at acting! Ha-haDespite her enjoying the role, Aiko still ha! My Tagalog is also a factor. I have to has some reservations. practice a lot if I want to act on screen. As “Bagani is full of action scenes and it’s of now, I want to concentrate first on my my first time to do a genre in which I’m budding singing career.” required to be a lot physical in many of the The very promising wannabe feels posiscenes. For me, it’s a challenge consider- tive about “Thinkin’ of U.” ing that in my 30 years in the ‘biz, this is “I think it’s a great song. As I’ve menthe first fantasy series I’ll be doing. I just tioned earlier, I’m here to follow my hope that I’ll be able to pass with flying dreams and make meaningful music. I colors,” she says. hope the public will support ‘Thinkin’ of Meanwhile, close friend Sunshine U’,” avers Sofia.

DIGITAL MEDIA

#VaccinesWork campaign highlights Japanese Encephalitis Prevention in PH THE spread of Japanese Encephalitis is a rising concern in the Philippines and in other Asian countries as it is a fatal disease that mostly affects children and the elderly whose immune system cannot fight the viral infection that targets the brain and causes seizures, paralysis, and death.

This is why Japanese Encephalitis is among the vaccine-preventable diseases highlighted in the World Health Organization’s (WHO) annual World Immunization Week, happening from April 24 to 30 this year. The global public health campaign raises awareness on how immunization saves millions of lives and how it is recognized as the most successful and cost-effective health intervention around the world.

With this year’s theme of “Protected Together, #VaccinesWork”, the World Immunization Week “encourages people at

every level—from donors to the general public—to go further in their efforts to increase immunization coverage for the greater good.”

In a recent study released by WHO on the incidence time series of vaccinepreventable diseases in the Philippines, Japanese Encephalitis is shown as the No. 2 vaccine-preventable disease (next to Diphtheria) whose occurrence has shown a steady increase in recent years. It is the third in the number of cases, next to Tetanus and Measles, but the incidences for Measles have significantly decreased while Tetanus cases lowered in 2014 and increased again in 2015 and 2016. From only 24 reported cases of Japanese Encephalitis in the Philippines in 2013, the number has risen to 69 in 2014, 115 in 2015, and 312 cases in 2016.

“Japanese Encephalitis is an endemic

CROSSWORD PUZZLE Tuesday, April 24, 2018

ACROSS 1 — Canaveral 5 Quay 9 Later than 14 “Bloom County” penguin 15 D’Artagnan prop 16 Coon cat origin 17 Distributing in portions 19 Calf-length skirts 20 Previous to 21 Litter’s smallest 22 Slightly tinted 23 Freaky 25 Backpacker’s load 26 Undershirt 27 Contact 30 Ore trucks 33 Gridiron ref 34 Large parrot 36 Greases 37 One over par 38 Skiing mecca 39 Explosive trio 40 “Oh, shut up!”

(2 wds.)

41 According to — 42 Epicure 44 Formal greeting 45 Hordes 46 Horror film

heavy 50 Coke rival 52 Meat and veggies 53 Charlotte of “Bananas” 54 Madras garments 55 Put side by side 57 Tower topper 58 Fifi’s friend 59 Hits the road 60 Ready to streak 61 Lawn invader 62 Domed recess DOWN 1 Deals with 2 Not together 3 More innocent 4 Bailout key on a PC 5 Heavy rain 6 Reckon 7 Bronze coin 8 Toga-party order 9 Pungent cleaner 10 Swoons 11 Ebb or neap 12 Phillips University town 13 Lawyer’s thing 18 Osprey kin 22 Misty-eyed 24 24-hr. cash

dispensers 25 Where Lhasa is 27 Genuine 28 Word of assent 29 Sedaka or Simon 30 Tricycle rider 31 Jewelry-box item 32 Palo — 33 Districts 35 Malt brew 37 Thumper’s friend 38 Takes an oath 40 Traversed

41 Accord maker 43 Out caller 44 Started up the computer 46 Spunk 47 Boy Scout unit 48 Slackens off 49 Della or Pee Wee 50 Family member 51 Kramer or Estrada 52 Sulk angrily 54 Form 1040 info 55 Talk, talk, talk 56 Nicklaus’ org.

disease in the Philippines that is caused by a neurotropic virus that is capable of entering the nervous system. That is why 80 percent of people with Japanese Encephalitis have seizures and convulsions. The virus is carried and transmitted by the Culex tritaeniorhynchus, the biggest mosquito that breeds in rice paddies and is prevalent in rural areas with open irrigation such as in Central Luzon and also in other parts of the Philippines,” explained Dr. May Emmeline B. Montellano, M.D., a pediatric infectious diseases expert who holds the concurrent positions of Philippine Foundation for Vaccination president, International Society for Tropical Pediatrics local chapter vice president, Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society of the Philippines (PIDSP) founding member and adviser for the organization’s Committee on Childhood Immunizations, and Philippine Society

for Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (PSMID) Committee on Adult Immunization co-chairman.

According to Dr. Montellano, studies have shown that pigs and birds serve as “reservoir” of the Japanese Encephalitis virus. The Culex mosquito infects pigs and birds with the virus but these vertebrates will show no symptoms of the disease— they merely serve as breeding ground for the completion of the life cycle of the virus. As the virus transmitter, the mosquito infects humans with Japanese Encephalitis by biting infected pigs and birds, and vice versa as the cycle continues.

Dr. Montellano stresses the importance of vaccination as the single most effective way of curbing the spread of Japanese Encephalitis.

“Vector control will not work in stopping the spread of the virus because we cannot

kill all the pigs and the birds, and there are just too many mosquitos in various stages of their life cycles. We encourage people to have themselves vaccinated from Japanese Encephalitis, especially very young children as well as the elderly. The Japanese Encephalitis vaccine can be given as early as 9 months of age. Those 9 months to 17 years old will need two doses of the vaccine, to be given with an interval of 20-24 months. Adults 18 years old and above will only need one shot,” the doctor said.

Other Asian countries such as Japan and South Korea have shown significantly lower incidences of Japanese Encephalitis through public administration of the vaccine. In the Philippines, people are encouraged to ask their doctors for the vaccine especially if they live near or travel to rural areas where there are high incidences of the disease.

Nickie Wang, Issue Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com

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TUESDAY, APRIL 24, 2018

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YNERGY 88, Rebecca Chuaunsu Film Production (RCFP) and Fullhouse Asia Production Studios, Inc. proudly present Binondo, A Tsinoy Musical, an alloriginal musical Joel Lamangan and written by the award-winning Ricky Lee with Gershom Chua and Eljay Deldoc, music

by Von De Guzman, and choreography by Douglas Nierras.

Binondo, A Tsinoy Musical tells the story of how Lily, a Filipina night club singer in pre-Martial Law Manila, and Ah Tiong, a mainland Chinese scholar returning to Cultural Revolution-era Beijing, embark on a journey of great love and heartbreak that begins one fated, moon-lit night during the MidAutumn Festival of 1971 in the heart of Manila’s Chinatown.

Lily, a hopeless romantic, finally finds her unlikely great love in Ah Tiong, a cynic about destiny, during this night of one of the fullest moons ever recorded and on the birthdate of Ge Lao, the Old Man Under the Moon or the Chinese Deity of Love.

Vying for Lily’s heart as well is Carlos, a local Chinese childhood friend of hers who is finally pushed to confront his feelings for her with the arrival of this stranger set on stealing her heart. A triangle centered on different ways of loving and receiving love forms the crux of this story.

Spanning two decades and two countries, the musical explores how love overcomes even times of racial prejudice and political turmoil and endures years of waiting and absence, only to grow deeper and change the lives of everyone who dares to put their hearts on the line.

The cast includes multi-talented artists from film, TV, stage namely Shiela Valderrama Martinez and Carla Guevara Laforteza (Lily); Arman Ferrer and David Ezra (Ah Tiong); Floyd Tena and Noel Rayos (Carlos); Yela Laurel (Jasmine); Ashlee Factor (Ruby); Ima Castro (Mrs. Dela Rosa); Ana Feleo and Jennifer Villegas (Lourdes); Kay Balajadia and Jennifer Villegas (Mrs. Chua); Dondi Ong (Mr. Chua); Russell Magno (Mr. Zhang); Elizabeth Chua (Mrs. Zhang); Jim Pebanco, Lorenz Martinez; Khalil Kaimo, Ellrica Laguardia, Rhapsody and Tuesday Vargas (Koro); and Jonel Mojica (Ge Lao); Philip Deles and Ivana Billanueva (Swing).

The ensemble includes Carlos Derriada, Cheeno Macaraig, Claire Borja, Daniel Cruz, Dusty Suarez, Janine Tolentino, Joseph Billeza, Joseph Puducay, Julia Chua, Paul Clark, Precious Sementilla, Rence Aviles, Randy Rey, Romcel Brinquiz, Roy Sotero, Ryan Caraan, VJ Cortel, Xander Pineda, and Zyruz Imperial.

The musical opens on June 29, 8:00

'Binondo, A Tsinoy Musical' cast members (from left) Floyd Tena, Sheila Valderama Martinez, and Arman Ferrer.

‘BINONDO,’ a musical that

transcends cultures, generations

The cast and crew of 'Binondo, A Tsinoy Musical' in a photo with director Joel Lamangan, playwright Ricky Lee, and choreographer Douglas Nierras.

p.m. at the Theatre at Solaire. Suceeding performances are on June 30 and July 1 at 3:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., July 6 at 8:00 p.m., July 7 and 8 at 3:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m..

For further inquiries and show buyers, contact Rebecca Chuanunsu —09189169357 and 09173012445, Email: rebeccachuaunsufilmproduction@yahoo.com. Tickets are avail-

able on Ticketworld (8919999) and are priced at Php 3,000 for loge or gold prmium side, Php 2,500 for orchestra center and Php 2000 for orchestra side.

Piolo Pascual and the metro’s best dressed men

A-list actor Piolo Pascual is among the Top 10 on Metro Society's Best Dressed list.

PIOLO Pascual is one of this year’s Ultimate Gentlemen who made it to the top 10 on Metro Society’s annual list of best dressed men—a curated list of 50 dashing men from various industries who have created and owned their style. The full list was revealed on the Metro.Style website on Thursday night.

“Your style is your brand, and who you are, how you project yourself, is your brand,” said the actor, who just returned to primetime television this week on ABS-CBN’s fresh offering, Since I Found You. Also included in the top 10 on Metro Society’s Best Dressed list are TV and events host Raymond Gutierrez, football player-turned-startup CEO Anton del Rosario, entrepreneur and Welcome Worldwide Inc. co-founder Michael Concepcion, Signet store founder and owner Kelly See, businessman and CEO Raul Francisco, dermatologist and CEO Dr. Z Teo, risk financial consultant JM Lagdameo, real estate executive Rick Yupangco, and Rustan’s Commercial Corporation President Donnie Tantoco.

For their men’s issue this April, Metro Society crafted a list of 50 gentlemen who have elevated men’s fashion in the country. More than just their good looks and stylish wardrobe choices, these men were selected for

their attitude, confidence, impeccable taste, and great personal style. Rather than being ranked, they are grouped according to the looks they wear best: Street Style, Business Savvy, Casual Gents, Bespoke Mode, and the Ultimate Gentlemen.

Other Kapamilya actors included in this elite list are Daniel Padilla, Jericho Rosales, John Lloyd Cruz, Matteo Guidicelli, and Richard Gutierrez—all of whom never disappoint when they go into Bespoke Mode.

Also part of this list is Tim Yap, host of the upcoming Metro Channel show Tim’s Table. These dapper gentlemen go beyond what is tried and tested, defining their own unique styles as they stand out in their tailored suits.

Bagani actor Enrique Gil, James Reid, and Xian Lim, meanwhile, embody the spirit of Street Style dressing. This particular look brings a luxe touch to the sportswear and athleisure trend.

Among Metro Society’s Casual Gents are The Good Son actor Joshua Garcia, who has mastered fashion and function in his smart casual style.

Whether he dresses up or dresses down, Joshua still looks dapper on and off screen.

Check out the full series of articles on #MetroSocietyBestDressedMen on http://metro.style.

KATRINA VELARDE

takes center stage SHE started out as an amateur singer showcasing her powerful vocals in singing competitions around Manila and in different provinces all over the country.

Then, Katrina Velarde became a member of Aka Jam, an allgirl vocal group that competed in the group division of X-Factor Philippines under the mentorship of Gary Valenciano.

Katrina’s popularity amongst music lovers was further bolstered through her online videos where she performed cover versions of her favorite songs using a purple comb as a makeshift microphone. Hence the moniker, “The Suklay Diva.”

Some of the videos that she posted online reached millions of views including her rendition of Beyonce’s “Dangerously In Love” and Kuh Ledesma’s “Til I Met You” as well as her outstanding interpretation of Ellie’s “Burn,” where she performed the song impersonating the vocal talents of such iconic performers as Shakira, Mariah Carey, Michael Jackson, Britney Spears, and Celine Dion among many others.

Meanwhile, her live performance of Michael Bolton’s “Go The Distance” on Wish 103.5’s “Wish Bus” had a record breaking 4 million views on YouTube and music fans across the world reacted positively in unison with her superb vocals.

Now, the Katrina is currently promoting her already hits hit singles under Viva Records— “Lason Mong Halik” and “Taksil.” These two songs will be part of her show in Music Hall’s “Pop Variety Night.”

Witness the power and versatility of Katrina’s extraordinary vocals as she dishes out live and amazing sampling of power ballad favorites, OPM classics, jazz masterpieces, and current charttoppers.

For more information and exciting updates on Katrina, follow her on Twitter (@katvelarde24) and Instagram (@katrinavelarde24), and like Katrina Velarde Official on Facebook.

'Suklay Diva' Katrina Velarde stages a show in Music Hall in Metrowalk in Pasig City.

Also included in the list of the Best Dressed Men are Enrique Gil (top), James Reid (left), and Joshua Garcia (right).