Manila Standard - 2019 January 18 - Friday

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VOL. XXXII • NO. 337 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 • FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 2019 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

DRAGON DANCERS.

As the Chinese guided-missile frigate Wuhu prepares to dock at the international port in Manila on Thursday (right) dragon dancers (inset) welcome the arrival of the naval task group, which includes another frigate Handan and a replenishment ship Dongpinghu for a four-day goodwill visit. AFP with Norman Cruz

‘Sea row a critical challenge’ THE territorial row in the West Philippine Sea remains the most critical security challenge for the country, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said Thursday. “[T]he West Philippine Sea… is actually still the most critical,

Militant solons demand probe of ‘profiling’

By Maricel V. Cruz, Rey E. Requejo and Francisco Tuyay LEFTIST legislators on Thursday sought a congressional investigation into the reported profiling of school personnel by the Philippine National Police (PNP).

At the same time, ACT Teachers Representatives Antonio Tinio and France Castro condemned the alleged monitoring by police of members of the Alliance of Concerned Teachers.

“The intelligence gathering being conducted by the Philippine National Police against the members of the Alliance of Concerned Teachers is a grave violation of constitutionally guaranteed rights to self-organization, freedom of expression, assembly and privacy,” the lawmakers said in a resolution.

“With the continuing profiling of the PNP against the members of the Next page

Fewer Pinoys went hungry in 4th qtr.—SWS

By Nat Mariano THE number of Filipinos who experienced involuntary hunger declined during the last quarter of 2018, the latest Social Weather Stations survey revealed on Thursday.

SWS said fewer Filipino families at 10.5 percent, or an estimated 2.4-million households, “experienced involuntary hunger at least once” in the past three months.

The latest figure is 2.8 percentage points lower than the previous 13.3 percent mark, with at least 3.1-million families experiencing hunger last September.

The recent survey result also brings the average hunger rate in 2018 to 10.8 percent, making it the lowest annual average rate since 7 percent in 2003.

However, of the 2.4-million families who experienced hunger, 2.1-million experienced “moderate” hunger. Roughly

WASHINGTON—Four weeks into the US government shutdown, cashstrapped federal workers are tapping life savings, selling possessions and turning to soup kitchens to make ends meet—ramping up pressure Wednesday for leaders in Washington to strike a deal.

Communities from Washington to Kodiak, Alaska are feeling increasing pain, with the cutoff of paychecks to families snowballing to hit stores and businesses dependent on their spending.

Next page

Next page

Diokno’s ‘irregular insertions’ deleted

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

UDGET Secretary Benjamin Diokno said cutting P75 billion from the budget of the Department of Public Works and Highways would cut jobs and delay the administration’s Build, Build, Build program.

B

Diokno offered this assessment after the Senate deleted the amount from the 2019 national budget, in the wake of allegations that there were irregularities in the way he had inserted P75 billion into infrastructure projects.

“That has an impact on employment, poverty. Because if you don’t get jobs, of course you will be one of those who are

poor,” Diokno said.

He said this would delay the projects but “a little bit, [but] not too much.”

The Palace on Tuesday said it could find the funds elsewhere if the P75 billion was cut.

Opposition Senator Antonio Trillanes IV said revelations by Camarines Sur Rep. Next page

INVOLUNTARY HUNGER.

An unidentified child personifies 2.4-million families who experienced hunger during the last quarter of 2018 who, according to the Social Weather Stations, composed 2.8 percetage points lower than the previous 13.3-percent mark, with at least 3.1-million families experiencing hunger last September.

Diokno

Andaya

Road Board funds to be plowed back to nat’l coffers, Andaya says

By Maricel V. Cruz HOUSE Majority Leader Rolando Andaya Jr. said Thursday that Road Board funds would now be transferred to the General Fund under the General Appropriations Act after both Houses of Congress agreed on what to do with the agency and its multi-billion peso funds.

Andaya said the special account pro-

Chapo bribery a tall tale?

Next page

Soup kitchens ease US shutdown woes

external security challenge for the Philippines,” Lorenzana said during a speech before the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines.

“We have competing maritime

MEXICO CITY—Did the world’s most famous drug lord really pay Mexico’s ex-president a $100-million bribe not Next page to arrest him?

Eating habit must change or else ...

PARIS—The way humanity produces and eats food must radically change to avoid millions of deaths and “catastrophic” damage to the planet, according to a landmark study pubNext page lished Thursday.

vided in the GAA would be deleted and would no longer be considered a separate account.

It would now be part of the national budget or the General Fund to be used for the GAA. “This way, we will see in the line items where the funds from the Road Users’ Tax will be used. It will no longer be a separate fund that only members of the road board see,” Andaya said. Next page

Passport mess dates back to ‘16 House probe A HOUSE inquiry in 2016 uncovered irregularities in the printing of passports but lawmakers did nothing after they were invited to a “field trip” sponsored by the subject of the probe, a former representative said Thursday.

The 2016 investigation, triggered by complaints on the delays in passport issuances, discovered that government printer APO Production Unit Inc. tapped a private contractor in violation of its contract, former Kabayan Partylist Rep. Harry Roque said.

Meanwhile, after backtracking on his expose that a former Department of Foreign Affairs contractor had run off with the personal data of Filipinos in their passports, Senator Antonio Trillanes IV on Thursday told Foreign Affairs Secretary Teddy Locin to focus on his job and not on Twitter.

Speaking at the regular breakfast forum at the Senate, Trillanes said his Next page

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News

FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 2019

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15 Catholic leaders go for BOL A

TOTAL of 15 Catholic Church leaders and members of the clergy in Mindanao, including Cotabato Archbishop Emeritus Orlando Cardinal Quevedo, have expressed support for the Bangsamoro Organic Law.

Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao or Basilan, Lanao Sur, Maguindanao, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi and the cities of Marawi in Lanao Sur and Lamitan in Isabela.

• To give the public a chance to exercise their right to suffrage in the coming Bangsamoro plebiscite, Duterte has declared Jan. 21, 2019, a special non-working day in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Isabela City and Cotabato City.

As ordered by the President, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea signed Proclamation 646 issuing the declaration of a special non-working day in the mentioned parts of Mindanao.

“It is but fitting and proper to declare 21 January 2019 a special nonworking day,” the proclamation read, adding it will give the public “an opportunity to actively and fully participate in the plebiscite.”

While noting that the law will face some potential obstacles, the MCCLP cited the need for “intra-faith and interfaith dialogue towards mutual respect and understanding so as to reduce or eliminate biases and prejudices.”

The group also offered to help in quality education and in creating a more inclusive history of Mindanao. PNA, with Nash B. Maulana and Nat Mariano

“After many failed attempts, this may be the last concrete chance for a just and lasting peace in Mindanao,” the Mindanao Catholic Church Leaders for Peace said in a statement Thursday ahead of the BOL plebiscite next week.

“The new autonomy legislation addresses the historical injustices against Muslims and represents the mutual acceptance by both sides for the creation

of a Muslim autonomous area.”

In other developments: • President Rodrigo Duterte is going to Cotabato City today, Friday, to lead a kick-off campaign for the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law that will create a Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

A plebiscite will be held on Jan. 21 in all five core-territory provinces of the present

‘Sea row...

Cops want school bags, lockers checked for drugs

From A1

claims there [with] some ASEAN members and China, and compounding the issue is the backdrop of a rapidly evolving regional environment where the United States and China have this ongoing rivalry on the control of the area, and also the potential Taiwan Strait conflict,” he added.

The US is the country’s treaty ally while China is the Philippines’ largest next-door neighbor.

“I was asked yesterday (Wednesday) at the Senate hearing of our budget, what is our action [would be] if China will attack Taiwan. I don’t know. I told them it’s very unlikely that China will attack Taiwan but in the unlikely event [that they do] then we just watch maybe,” Lorenzana said.

Lorenzana said President Rodrigo Duterte has pursued a calibrated, comprehensive and constructive approach in engaging China.

The goal is to pursue functional cooperation with China and with other claimant-countries [in the WPS],” he added.

Lorenzana also clarified that the country continues to view the arbitral tribunal ruling in favor of the Philippines as valid and legitimate.

“And in many instances the President has said he’s going to raise that before the Chinese before his term ends. We have not and we will not surrender any part of our territory,” he said. PNA

Passport mess...

From A1

unsolicited advice to Locsin was to focus on his work being the top diplomat of the country.

He said Locsin should stop his social media [activities] because he was not campaigning and he was not a politician.

Roque said APO lacked printing machinery and entered an equipment lease agreement with the private firm United Graphic Expression Corp. or UGEC. UGEC, however, provided not just the machinery but also capital, employees and security for the Batangas printing facility, Roque said.

“The real printer of our passport was UGEC. It was disguised as an equipment lease agreement, but in truth it was subcontracted by APO,” Roque told dzMM radio.

“Under RA 9184, we should not pay for service or anything that did not undergo public bidding.”

Roque said the hearing also summoned state auditors and found that UGEC was bankrupt when it entered the deal.

“At that time I said, why wouldn’t passport orders be delayed when its maker is bankrupt?”

Passports should cost only P700, but applicants paid around P900 for it, Roque said.

He said nothing came out of the investigation after UGEC invited lawmakers to tour printing facilities in Europe.

“After their f ield trip in Europe, the issue was gone.” Macon Ramos-Araneta

Road Board...

From A1

The P50-billion fund would be put in the budget and the projects where it would be used would be enumerated, Andaya said.

He said under the Constitution, the House would have the first crack and the Senate would wait for the House version.

“We have a common document with the Senate. The contents are similar. We will have our own little tweaks on the matter,” said Andaya on the question of what working documents would be used.

He said it would not go back to the House Committee on Ways and Means, as it would be the Plenary that will take over the bill.

“The Plenary is supreme over any other committee,” he said.

Andaya said they will hold the bi-

Marcos’ motion in poll protest sparks debate OPPOSING camps contending the results of the 2016 vice presidential election results are at odds over a motion filed by lawyers of former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. in connection with alleged irregularities in votes from three provinces in Mindanao.

In an “extremely urgent motion of grave concern with omnibus motion,” Marcos’ counsels led by George Erwin M. Garcia has asked the Presidential Electoral Tribunal to subpoena the Voters Identification Division of the Commission on Elections-Election Records and Statistics Department (Comelec ERSD) to produce the documents involving its technical examination on the Voters Registration Records (VRRs) as against Election Day Computerized Voter’s List (EDCVL) of 508 established precincts in the provinces of Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao and Basilan.

Marcos is also asking the PET to investigate all concerned chairmen and members of the Board of Election Inspectors who served in the three provinces to determine their involvement and participation as to the incidence of substituted voting.

Marcos’ lawyers also asked the tribunal to direct the Comelec ERSD to conduct a technical examination on the signatures and/or thumbprints appearing on the VRRs and EDVCLs of the entire 2,756 protested clustered precincts of Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao and Basilan.

“Protestant Marcos intends to use the results of the technical examination of the signatures and thumbprints appearing on the VRRs as against those appearing on the EDVCLs used during the last 9 May 2016 national and local elections as part of his evidence in support of his third cause of action, which is the annulment of the election results in the provinces of Basilan, Lanao del Sur and Maguindanao,” the Marcos camp said.

Lawyers of Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo have opposed the motion. PNA

THE police on Thursday urged Education officials to reconsider their proposal to inspect the lockers and bags of students for narcotics after 12 underage students were arrested in a row of drug dens in Navotas.

In other developments: • The Bureau of Customs seized some P148 million worth of shabu, ecstasy and dried marijuana leaves hidden in canned goods at the Port of Clark, Pampanga.

The illegal drugs were discovered after the shipments, declared as clothing

and canned goods, went through an Xray examination.

• The Duterte administration’s controversial war against drugs and criminality is an example to the whole world, Sri Lanka President Maithripala Sirisena said on Wednesday.

He again praised President Rodrigo Duterte for curbing the trade in illegal drugs.

In his remarks during the state banquet, Sirisena said despite challenging global and regional economic environment, Duterte managed to steer the country into

“prosperity and economic growth.”

“You have led this nation on a road to prosperity, sustaining economic growth, launching and building critical infrastructure, generating employment and securing Philippines people-centric foreign policy effectively,” Sirisena said.

The authorities raided the drug dens at the Navotas Fish Port after a month of surveillance and said some youngsters were selling and using shabu there. The 12 minors rounded up during the raid were all students. Vito Barcelo and Nat Mariano

Diokno’s...

other office equipment because these are cheaper when bought in bulk.

But Andaya said the DBM Procurement Service has also become involved in the bidding of big-ticket infrastructure projects that include the building of airports, railways and mass transport systems as well as the purchase of military hardware, including helicopters.

“Now, it has morphed into a super body responsible for the bidding of multi-billion government contracts,” said Andaya.

“The DBM is responsible for the preparation of the National Expenditure Program.

Now, under Secretary Diokno, the DBM not only allocates and disburses government funds. It now determines who gets government projects and who gets paid from public funds,” Andaya said.

“The Congress has given the DBMProcurement Service a P7-billion budget in 2018 for the procurement of commonly-used supplies. We have not given them the authority to conduct bidding for big-ticket government projects, the budget of which were lodged in other departments outside DBM,” he said.

Andaya said Diokno is not telling the truth when he said the DBM does not get involved in the bidding and awarding of government contracts.

“The DBM is not only involved but its officials themselves conduct the bidding and even recommend as to who will get the projects,” Andaya said.

Andaya said Bingle Gutierrez, executive director of the DBM Procurement Service, told congressmen during the

Tuesday hearing that several departments and government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCC) have allowed her office to conduct the bidding for the bigticket infrastructure projects and other government contracts since 2017.

“We have unknowingly opened a can of worms at the DBM. First, the P75-billion insertion unknown to the DPWH secretary.

Then, the DBM funds finding their way to the firm of Secretary Diokno’s in-laws.

Now, the DBM turning into a super-bidding body for more than P179 billion worth of government projects,” Andaya said.

He said Gutierrez admitted that her office was responsible for bidding last year more than P198 billion worth of government contracts, including big-ticket infrastructure projects that form part of the Build, Build, Build Program, including P168.275 billion from the Department of Transportation.

“And the budget of the DOTr for the capital outlay last year was only P38 billion.

How could you now have done that? You procure for one year worth P168 billion with just one department when that department’s budget was only P38 billion?” Andaya said.

“So, I think that is the question that Secretary Diokno has to answer. He will give you the details of the projects tomorrow (Thursday), but for advanced information, these are all the Build, Build, Build projects of the national government.”

Gutierrez cited Republic Act No. 9184 or the Procurement Law as the DBM’s basis for conducting bidding for other department’s big-ticket projects, Andaya added.

while ‘Severe Hunger’ refers to those who experienced it ‘Often’ or ‘Always’ in the last three months,” the SWS said.

“The few who did not state their frequency of hunger were classified under Moderate Hunger,” it said.

The SWS said that moderate hunger decreased by 1.7 points, from 10.6 percent in September to 8.9 percent in December, making it the lowest recorded figure since the previous 8.1 percent in June.

Severe Hunger also declined by 1.3 points, from 2.8 percent in September to 1.5 percent in December, registering

as the lowest figure since the 1.3 percent in June.

The SWS said quarterly hunger declined by 3.6 points among the SelfRated Poor, from 18.5 percent in September to 14.9 percent in December last year.

In Metro Manila, quarterly hunger rose by one point, from 17.3 percent in September to 18.3 percent in December last year, registering a third consecutive increase in the incidence of hunger in Metro Manila, having risen by a total of 12.3 points for the whole of 2018.

In Washington, celebrated chef Jose Andres launched a “ChefsFrom A1 forFeds” program with a new “food kitchen” offering free meals to hardVolunteer groups are collecting food hit workers on Pennsylvania Avto hand out, towns are organizing job enue—halfway between the White fairs, and banks and telecommunica- House and Congress. tions firms have loosened rules on payIn Pennsylvania, West Virginia and ments, all to cushion the hardship. other states, furloughed federal work-

ers were getting advice on applying for unemployment benefits.

And in Middletown, New York, Pets Alive, an animal shelter, announced free dog and cat food for the pets of families hit by the shutdown.

“We will provide one bag of food per family, Need proof of fed employment,” they announced. AFP

Alliance of Concerned Teachers, the PNP continues to criminalize legal organizations calling for legitimate demands for salary increase and those fighting for teacher’s rights and welfare.”

Castro said the Alliance of Concerned Teachers is a national organization of teachers and education support personnel “with a long track record of working for the economic and political well-being of teachers and all other education workers as well as for genuine social transformation.”

“The tokhang-style intelligence profiling by the PNP has caused great concern and psychological distress for the safety and security of ACT members and leaders.

“ACT members are fearing… further harassment, intimidation, filing of trumped up cases and death threats as a result of the profiling being conducted by the PNP,” Castro added.

The resolution noted that based on the initial survey of ACT as of Jan. 12, ACT has already received 11 verified incidents of harassment and profiling in different regions.

“ACT Philippines and ACT Teachers Party-list continue to receive accounts of harassment and profiling by the police against ACT members despite the clamor and the strong objection of public school teachers,” Tinio added.

ACT on Thursday asked the Court of Appeals to stop the PNP from continuing its profiling of its public and private school teacher members.

“We are in a catastrophic situation,” co-author Tim Lang, a professor at the University of London and policy lead for the EAT-Lancet Commission that compiled the 50-page study, told AFP. Currently, nearly a billion people are hungry and another two billion are eating too much of the wrong foods, causing epidemics of obesity, heart disease and diabetes.

Unhealthy diets account for up to 11-million avoidable premature deaths every year, according to the most recent Global Disease Burden report.

At the same time the global food system is the single largest emitter of greenhouse gases, the biggest driver of biodiversity loss, and the main cause of deadly algae blooms along coasts and inland waterways. AFP

state witness Alex Cifuentes surprised the courtroom in New York— and caused a firestorm of controversy in Mexico—when he alleged that “El Chapo” had paid the bribe to then-president-elect Enrique Peña Nieto in 2012.

But while there is no doubt that Mexico is awash in all the ingredients of the story—drug money, corrupt officials, powerful kingpins—there are many reasons

to doubt it, according to people who know the murky nexus of politics and narcotics.

“It would have been the biggest bribe in all of history. I’ve been with DEA [the US Drug Enforcement Administration] for 31 years, I’ve seen bribes of millions of dollars, hundreds of thousands of dollars, but certainly not a bribe like that,” said Mike Vigil, former head of international operations for the DEA. AFP

From A1

Rolando Andaya about irregularities in the budget process were a welcome development.

“We welcome this investigation being conducted by congressman Andaya.

We are monitoring it closely,” Trillanes said during the “Kapihan sa Senado.”

In the last two years, it was only the opposition that disclosed anomalies, he said.

“But now, it’s good that even allies are coming out with their own scandal,” he added. “In the end, it is the people who would benefit from what they’re doing because they would know the truth.”

Trillanes said the revelations mean people are now expecting an explanation from Diokno.

“He cannot just bank on blanket denials.

Because Congressman Andaya was also a former DBM secretary so he knows the ins and outs of the department,” he said.

Aside from the P75 billion in insertions, Diokno is also being accused of turning his department into a “superbidding body” that bid out P198 billion worth of projects last year for 20 different government agencies.

He also said the DBM has become some sort of a one-stop mega-mall of government projects for contractors.

The DBM is mandated by law to procure for the government commonlyused supplies such as envelopes, folders, pens, pencils, ink, computers and

Fewer Pinoys...

From A1

354,000 households of them experienced “severe” hunger.

In its report, the polling company that the measure of hunger refers to involuntary suffering because the respondents answer a survey question that specifies hunger due to lack of food to eat. “‘Moderate Hunger’ refers to those who experienced hunger ‘only once” or ‘a few times” in the last three months,

Soup kitchens...

cameral meeting on Monday as requested by the Senate and make sure the bill is specific to what President Rodrigo Duterte has instructed.

The House on Wednesday approved on second reading a bill abolishing the Road Board.

Before its approval, Andaya and Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri and Senator Ralph Recto agreed on what to do with the Road Board and its funds in a meeting early this week.

The bill, Andaya said, was a tax measure and the creation of the Road Board was merely incidental to the establishment of the Motor Vehicles Users Charge being collected by the Land Transportation Office.

“In this situation, we will still work overtime and have the tax measure, as amended, sent to the Senate by Monday,” Andaya said.

Eating habit...

From A1

The key to both goals is a dramatic shift in the global diet—roughly half as much sugar and red meat, and twice as many vegetables, fruits and nuts, a consortium of three dozen researchers concluded in The Lancet, a medical journal.

Chapo bribery...

From A1

The claim, made by a witness Tuesday at the trial of Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman, stretches credibility, experts say—starting with the fact that it would take a truck to transport that much cash.

Colombian drug trafficker-turned-

Militant solons...

From A1

News Gov’t lawyers ask Davao court to arrest Trillanes GOVERNMENT lawyers have asked the Davao City Regional Trial Court Branch 54 trying Senator Antonio Trillanes IV on four counts of libel to order the lawmaker’s arrest and cancellation of his bail for jumping the gun on the court’s permission on his travel abroad last month.

In a motion dated Jan. 10, Davao City Assistant City Prosecutor Joseph B. Mamburan cited the motion of the lawyers of former Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte which claimed that Trillanes left the country on Dec. 11, 2018, a day after posting bail before the Pasay court and before the Davao court could actually rule to allow him to travel.

Trillanes flew out of Philippine jurisdiction without waiting for prior leave or permission from the Davao court, the prosecution’s motion argued.

“Having departed for abroad without [waiting for] court permission, accused is guilty of flight. He has stepped out of Philippine jurisdiction, hence beyond its reach,” Duterte’s counsel, lawyer Rainier Madrid said.

The former Davao vice mayor’s camp added that the Trillanes’ departure for abroad without seeking the court’s prior permission is a serious and material breach of his bail and temporary liberty, noting that Trillanes himself “repudiated his own bail.”

“Bail does not grant absolute freedom and liberty. It merely suspends the efficacy of the arrest warrant. It does not relieve the accused from his duties to this court, let alone, give him absolute and complete freedom. Restriction on his right to travel abroad is implied. It is a necessary consequence and impact of his bail,” Madrid added.

The Davao City RTC earlier turned down prosecutors’ request for the issuance of a hold departure order against Trillanes which he said is not a flight risk.

Judge Melinda Alconcel-Dayanghirang also noted that Trillanes’ travels were allowed by Senate President Vicente Sotto III.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 2019

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Palace urged to study options on Hanjin

By Maricel V. Cruz and Macon Ramos-Araneta

A

PARTY-LIST lawmaker on Thursday urged Malacañang to constitute a Cabinet-level committee that would look into “all available options” to quickly revive the now-idle Subic shipyard of bankrupt Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction Philippines Inc..

“Our biggest concern now is how to rescue the shipyard’s 10,800 Filipino workers, including the 7,000 laid off in December,” said ACTS-OFW Rep. Aniceto Bertiz III. “Many of them will surely end up looking for new employment overseas if we can’t give them back their jobs, or if they can’t find alternative gainful work here,” Bertiz said.

At its peak, Hanjin’s ship construc-

tion and repair facilities in Subic Bay, Zambales, directly employed up to 21,000 Filipinos.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenza earlier told a Senate hearing that the Palace was “very receptive” to the idea of a possible government takeover of the Subic shipyard, reputed to be the world’s fourth largest.

“Another option is for the government to encourage a new private investor—

preferably a Filipino conglomerate—to come in, pay off Hanjin’s bank debts and other liabilities at a discount, and then revive the shipyard’s operations initially at a smaller scale,” Bertiz said.

An Olongapo City regional trial court has already put Hanjin under receivership after the company defaulted on its debts obligations and filed for corporate rehabilitation on Jan. 8.

It was the biggest corporate bankruptcy ever in the Philippines, with $412 million (P21.5 billion) in unpaid loans owed to five banks—Rizal Commercial Banking Corp., Land Bank of the Philippines, Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co., Bank of the Philippine Islands and BDO Unibank Inc. In the Senate, Senator Antonio Trillanes’ IV said he’s not likely to support the proposal of Senator Panfilo Lacson for the Philippine government

to take over the operations of Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction in Subic, Zambales.

“I respect his opinion but I don’t agree with it. Because the Davao Group of Mr. [Rodrigo] Duterte is too much nowadays. They have been taking over the industries in the country,” Trillanes said.

He instead suggested that government refrain from dipping its fingers on Hanjin since the company is still under rehabilitation by the banks.

“Let’s leave it to the professionals and it seems that it’s a private company to begin with and once the government entered it, some companies might be favored anew,” he said.

At the same time, Trillanes said the issue of security should be closely watched because Chinese companies might come into the picture.

DENR seeks integrated efforts in Bay rehab

By Rio N. Araja

STATE BANQUET. President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka President

Maithripala Sirisena offer a toast to each other during the State Banquet at the Malacañan Palace on Jan. 16, 2019.

Presidential Photo

ENVIRONMENT Secretary Roy Cimatu on Thursday called for an integrated effort to rehabilitate Manila Bay and its tributaries.

He said the rehabilitation project would need a coordinated and integrated effort to clean-up all water bodies draining into the bay and deal with the sources of pollution.

“All of these efforts for the cleanup are integrated. We plan to clean the Manila Bay including all the esteros and rivers connected—the Pasig River and the Laguna Lake,” Cimatu said.

He said that the regional offices of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in the National Capital Region; Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon region; provincial offices in Pampanga and Bataan shall be involved in the rehabilitation efforts.

Cimatu underscored the need to “clean the water source so as to put an end to pollution.”

“We need to find out where the outfalls come from individually, because in just one estero we can find lots of outfalls,” he raised.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Manila

Standard

TODAY

Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and the

Members of the House of Representatives condole with the family of the late

HONORABLE BENJAMIN S. LIM Representative, Fourth District of Pangasinan 11th Congress (1998-2001)

who passed away on 16 January 2019 at the age of 66.

His remains lie in state at the Eternal Gardens-Dagupan, A.B. Fernandez Avenue, West Dagupan, Pangasinan.

Interment will be on Thursday, 24 January 2019, 11:00 a.m. at the Eternal Gardens-Dagupan.

We request the pious readers to pray for the eternal repose of his soul.

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Opinion

FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 2019

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

Exempting medicine from VAT

WE HAIL the Duterte administration for implementing the value-added tax exemption on medication for diabetics, patients with hypertension and high cholesterol. VAT exemption means for me, a diabetic, a lot of savings on medical expenses. The Bureau of Internal Revenue has warned drug stores to implement the exemption or face sanctions such as fine and imprisonment of at least six months. To get around the

This is a real shot in the arm.

non-exemption of VAT, some drug stores do not issue receipts. The BIR warned that this is a more serious offense.

For us with long-term medical ailment, this is a shot in the arm that will enable us to spend money on other essentials like food, utility rate and transportation. We need to spend more on transportation because of the TRAIN Law that imposes the stiff excise tax on fuel like gasoline and diesel.

Meanwhile, the word war between the Church and the Palace has gotten worse.

After his recent attack on the clergy, Church officials dared President Rodrigo Duterte to walk on the street alone without his security escorts. Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo dismissed

the challenge to Digong saying the President was elected by the people to lead the country and will not allow himself to be vulnerable to assassins. In a way, Panelo conceded that indeed there are people who want to see the early demise of Duterte.

We want to see the President serve his full six-year term. But perhaps in order not to stoke the flame of hatred, the President should mellow his words against the Church, women and political foes. Otherwise, the legacy he will leave in his presidency would only be acrimony best remembered for his acerbic epithet-laced statements.

President Duterte can be credited for his relentless, albeit brutal, war on illegal drugs. But this has been overshadowed by the number of alleged extrajudicial killings of suspects that have drawn flak from local and international human rights groups. There is a running suspicion that the killed suspects were runners of the police themselves who do not want to be exposed by the minor players. The other day, the President summoned to Malacañang three police officials suspected of being protectors of drug syndicates. We don’t know the truth about this report but can only assume that the President, with all available resources in his control, had the information on the police officials.

On the international front, Europe’s three big Ms—British Prime Minister Theresa May, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel—are at the crossroads of their political lives. May is facing a no-confidence vote in parliament after the resounding defeat of her Brexit deal.

Brexit is Britain’s plan to leave the European Union. This has been approved in a plebiscite but later discovered by the Brits to have a big fallout on their daily lives.

Foremost of these downsides is Brexit’s effect on UK trade with the rest of EU. This includes trade with nearby Ireland, a former part of the United Kingdom.

A bad idea

T

shipping unit two years ago.

The mother company's woes spilled over to the Philippine unit, which is now saddled with over $400 million in outstanding loans from local banks and $900 million in debts owed to South Korea lenders.

The government may have the moral responsibility to keep the jobs of over 3,000 workers of Hanjin Philippines and may find it enticing to run the shipyard facilities in Subic. Taking over the company, however, runs counter to the government privatization policy.

The government, at best, can assist the troubled shipbuilder by looking for foreign or local investors that can assume ownership of Hanjin Philippines and make it viable again. Shipbuilding is strategic industry that the Board of Investments must promote, given the archipelagic composition of the Philippines.

The private sector is the better

HE shipyard facilities of Hanjin Heavy Industries & Construction Company Ltd. of the Philippines in the Subic Freeport are without doubt worldclass. But this is not enough reason for the government to take over the beleaguered unit of Korea's Hanjin Heavy Industry Co. Ltd., which some senators consider a win-win solution.

Malacañang should immediately stop entertaining the thought of a state takeover of Hanjin's Subic shipyard. Hanjin Philippines filed a petition with a Subic court for corporate rehabilitation because of a slack in demand for ships. The world economic slowdown led to the collapse of the Hanjin's

candidate to take over Hanjin's operations in Subic. Being accountable to the fortunes and misfortunes of the company, private companies should know which options to take to make Hanjin Philippines profitable and viable.

Handing the reins of the shipyard to the government is a bad idea—the state in the past had trouble keeping companies afloat. The government may eventually subsidize the operations of the shipyard if it continues to register losses. That would mean allotting a portion of the national budget to sustain its losing operations.

The BoI, instead, should revisit its fiscal incentive system to attract investors in the shipbuilding industry and provide relief to Hanjin Philippines.

Local demand can sustain the industry given the country's growing inter-island trade and tourism boom.

Turn to A5

In “APOI” they trust CROSSROADS JONATHAN DE LA CRUZ IT IS well that Foreign Affairs Secretary Teddy Boy Locsin has clarified that the passport database is in place after all.

“Not run away but lost just the same, unusable in some parts and largely inaccessible,” tweeted the good secretary after creating quite a stormafter stating in an earlier tweet that the former passport technology provider, French company Oberthur, had run away with the passport data base containing personal and related details of millions of passportholders. It turns out the DFA has the files after all, including a back up data base which could be activated anytime there is a real need for it.

With that assurance, Secretary Locsin can now proceed to complete whathis predecessors, Secretaries Yasay and Cayetano, had been grappling with since the Duterte administration took office, namely, what’s the real deal with the agency’s passport provider, APOI/UGEC, that is keeping the DFA from running a smooth, reliable and secure passport issuance system.

This issue has become very critical in view of the continuing problems besetting the passport issuance system from cost to data privacy to delays and waiting time to connectivity with our regional offices and overseas posts and the like. If we go by the latest reports and the assurances of DFA officials and the provider, the efficiency and effectiveness of the system is something which can be remedied in no time at all.

That, of course, will be tested in the days ahead as more and more passport applicants get to enter the system. But then again we have been hearing these kinds of assurances before when the provider first got hold of the contract under questionable circumstances.

Only to find out that any improvements involves additional costs, which is precisely the reason why the agreement with APOI/UGEC needs tyo be reviewed with a fine tooth comb if we are to truly be assured that the passport system will finally be running in the manner the public expected it to be. After all, we are talking here of about 70-million issued pass-

ports of various durations which means at least two-million passport renewals every year and possibly another 500,000 new issuances annually.

If passports now cost more than a thousand, that’s billions of pesos in revenues if not profits to the lucky provider.

Indeed, a full audit of the contract and the system should be undertaken despite the ongoing resistance of APOI/UGEC and some powerful sectors, including DFA insiders who should know better but who have joined the chorus using that worn out argument that it such an effort can result in further delays and backlogs in the issuance of needed passports as if these guys have not heard of successful multi tasking before.

Besides there have been a number of such audits before from the investigations conducted at the time the contract was awarded to APOI/UGEC to the subsequent ones involving delays, to the COA audits and that one conducted by then DFA Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr. In a word, there are lots of records around which can give Secetary Locsin and his

Will the concerned officials of this administration turn a blind eye to this?

crew a pretty good picture of what’s this deal is all about and why the provider has not performed in accord with its commitments.

In fact, Secretary Locsin will be doing the public a lot of good if he gets to find out why APOI/UGEC has become the “trusted” printer of a number of government’s high security printing requirements such as the BIR excise tax stamps and, as reports go, part of the ballots and election paraphernalia used in the 2016 elections.

Speaking of the documentary stamps, early on when the Duterte administration took over, Malacañang ordered a probe into the reported overprinting of stamps for liquor and cigarettes as provided in the expanded excise tax bill on such products.

Turn to A5

Statesmanship, not stand-up comedy IT WAS bound to happen, sooner or later: A member of the political opposition, apart from the militant lawmakers belonging to the Makabayan bloc, has called President Rodrigo Duterte out for his unrelenting attacks on the Catholic Church.

And it’s not surprising at all that it is Senior Deputy Minority Leader and Buhay Rep. Lito Atienza, a staunch pro-life

Many have tried but failed... Please do not belittle and insult our priests and bishops and put their lives in danger,” he said in the vernacular. “I believe in my What arrant faith and I will continue defending my faith,” he emphasized nonsense.

“We in Congress must stand and prevent the continuing efforts to destroy the foundations of our Church. What will succeed in the end is still the will of God,” the lawmaker said, adding that advocate, who has taken up the cudgels Duterte should not focus on the Catholic Church, “which has been dealing with for the embattled church.

For Atienza, Duterte’s “incessant” wrongdoing committed by its members.”

The party-list lawmaker said that attacks on the clergy are “creating a cliwhile he has been supporting Duterte’s mate and culture of death.”

“The Church cannot be destroyed.

Turn to A5 Rolando G. Estabillo Publisher

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Opinion

FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 2019

What the US government shutdown reveals

Loose change

BY TEXT and email, I asked the presidents of the five local banks that lent a total of $412 million (P21.42 billion), most of it unsecured, to Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction Philippines (Hanjin) for their comment on the biggest loan default in the history of Philippine banking. Their reaction, if you ask me, is underwhelming. It is as if P21 billion were loose change.

I just hope that the banks take the same attitude of liberality when lending to small businesses. The way the banks lend to the small businesses, it is like, to use a Biblical passage, passing through the eye of the needle. It is easier to pass through the eye of the needle than to obtain a loan from the banks.

Getting a loan from the banks is, as you should know by now, Heaven.

To be sure, the banks are not solely to blame for this setup. The main culprit is the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas whose regulations and policies are stacked against the small businessmen.

BSP has invented a monster called Know Your Client. Under KYC, groups of bank staff and officers alternately interview the small businessman, asking, nicely of course, all kinds of inanities to determine first, that the borrower is a human being, second, that he is a good person, and third that he will pay his loans.

Because of KYC, the banking industry cannot comply with the legally mandated minimum percentage of their loanable funds to be lent to small businesses.

Note that 99 percent of Philippine corporations are small businesses. They are also the biggest employers. What can you conclude from this setup? The economy should be growing faster than it is. And BSP is to blame.

If the banks can afford to absorb colossally high loan default like Hanjin’s P21 billion, then they can afford to lose money lending to small businesses.

How much is the average loan of a small businessman? P200,000. How much is the Hanjin default? P21 billion. That’s money that could have gone to 105,000 small borrowers.

Exempting...

From A4

There is also now a concern that Scotland might break away from the UK. Macron, on the other hand, is besieged with protests now on its third week in France. The protests have shown no indication of abating. The French-wide protests were spiked by the high tax on fuel which had a ripple effect on the cost living.

Meanwhile, Chancellor Merkel, on her last term at the helm of Germany, is best remembered for bringing reunified Germany into the great heights of economic prosperity.

Whether someone else could continue her great performance remains to be

Now, did the five local banks in Hanjin default conduct KYC? I doubt it.

Here are the replies of the five bank executives: Gil Buenaventura President and CEO, RCBC The Philippine banks are exploring all possible legal remedies with the goal of strengthening its security collateral position by gaining possession and/ or control of the Subic shipyard, raw material inventories etc.

The banks’ $412-million exposure is covered by the continuing suretyship of Hanjin Korea and, in varying degrees

The reaction of the banks is underwhelming.

of coverage, assignment of receivables from shipbuilding contracts, chattel mortgage and real estate mortgage.

The bankruptcy will affect the profitability of banks somewhat. Hanjin is an isolated issue and as stated by BSP, the industry has strengthened its risk management capabilities. Industry lending growth should continue.

No systemic risk to the banking industry anticipated. Banks are better prepared to weather this Hanjin issue due to the industry’s improved capitalization vs during the Dewey Dee period, (and) are more profitable. In addition, the $412-million industry exposure represent just 0.24 percent of total industry loans.

Nestor Tan President and CEO, BDO Unibank, Inc. Our exposure is $54 million. This represents only 0.15 percent of our total loan book. We are more than adequately provided to cover for potential losses.

We will be working with the creditor group to maximize recovery from the assets. The value of the assets far exceeds the loans so the challenge is to come to an acceptable rehabilitation agreement that will preserve the going concern.

The bankruptcy should have minimal

seem. Merkel is from East Germany but was able to consolidate West and East into one prosperous nation.

Right now with the European Union facing several challenges, including President Donald Trump’s announcement that he would withdraw the US from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, the EU will be weakened in the face of Russia’s expansionist move.

Turkey, which is a member of NATO, is also concerned that Trump’s withdrawal from the Syrian conflict would leave Turkish forces vulnerable to Syrian president Bashar al-Assad and his Russian allies.

Trump’s two actions on NATO and Syria have been met with disbelief by his own defense and diplomatic officials who think this is sending the wrong signal to US allies in Europe and Asia.

Statesmanship,...

From A4

flagship campaign against illegal drugs and the increase in the pay of military and police personnel, he has chosen to “speak out against him when he is wrong.”

“I’d rather that the President devoted his time to giving Filipinos a better life and I want him to succeed in that,” Atienza pointed out, saying that Duterte should instead focus on his campaign to stamp out corruption.

It appears that Atienza has already become so fed up with Duterte’s rants against the Church that he feels it is now time to stand up and defend it from baseless accusations. We don’t blame him.

After all, Duterte has already said quite a mouthful against the Church in the past two-and-a-half years. He has called bishops “useless,” and recently urged “tambays” to rob and kill them. He even claimed that 90 percent of Catholic priests are gays. He has also called God “stupid” and cast doubt not only on the creation theory in the Bible but also on the concept of the HolyTrinity.

Malacañang claims that Duterte’s tirades against the Church, “jokes” about rape and sexual harassment and coarse language are meant “to test the limits of civility.” This is arrant nonsense.

Duterte himself has justified profanities and “jokes” as his way of responding to detractors who he claims have been maligning him, including the opposition, human rights groups and women’s rights advocates.

Of late, he has also stirred another controversy with his remark that Commission on Audit personnel who delay government projects should be kidnapped and tortured. His spokesman said Duterte was joking and was merely expressing his “exasperation and vexation” with stringent rules that hamper government projects.

impact on our generations, profit and future operations.

The Hanjin bankruptcy should not have a major impact on the banking industry. The industry is much bigger, stronger and better capitalized now than in 2008.

Cezar Consing President and CEO, Bank of Philippine Islands Philippine banks have approximately $412 million in loan exposure to Hanjin Philippines, some of it collateralized, some of it clean. I believe the amount of exposure is only about 1/4 of 1 percent of the total banking system loans.

The Philippine banks have the capital and the loan loss provisions to readily handle this event.

In other words, this event does not present a risk to the banking system of the country. Philippine banks today are much larger and much better capitalized than they were 10, 20 or 30 years ago. The banks will work together to craft a solution that preserves value and, hopefully, jobs of the workers in the shipyard.

Our loan exposure is $52 million, the smallest of the Philippine banks. Our exposure is partly against receivables, and partly clean. We will probably have a sense of potential recovery rate in a few weeks, after a recovery plan is agreed to.

Alex Buenaventura President, Land Bank of the Philippines For now I can only confirm that LandBank has $85-million exposure to Hanjin-Philippines.

We’ll have to address the problem.

But the good news is we can recover the assets. The shipyard is worth $1.2 billion and the total exposure of the creditors is less than $400 million.

Down the road, we hope to recover our exposure.

Arthur Ty Chairman, Metrobank Apologies but, respecting the legal process and the consortium, we have not disclosed any specifics related to the loan.

I can say that the impact on Metro is minimal. And more so impact on the banking sector. We see this as a one-off and won’t have much of an impact on the banking system. biznewsasia@gmail.com

Here in the Philippines, skeptics are asking: How deep is the US commitment to defend the country against foreign attack in light of China’s aggression in the area and the South China Sea? Again, here in the Philippines, the excise tax on fuel so far has not triggered street protests like in France.

This is because the Duterte administation is softening its impact by applying palliative measures like cost of living allowances to the poor, raising the minimum wage of workers and increasing the Social Security System benefits to retirees.

How this nation will survive the struggle for a better life depends on whom we vote for in the May 13 midterm elections this year. Will they be the same scoundrels or the do-nothing officials? It all depends on the voters.

We expect the Chief Executive to adhere to a higher standard of decorum than other public servants.

Unfortunately, for the past 30 months, we have been inundated by one profanity after another from the mouth of the Malacañang occupant, leaving us really wondering whether he is capable of statesmanship and even just good manners and right conduct at all.

The reality is that the Duterte presidency has been very divisive, alienating rather than uniting people behind him with his uncouth behavior and blatant disregard for the rule of law and due process in the course of his bloody campaign against illegal drugs.

We believe voters should make their voices heard in the upcoming May 13 midterm polls election for senators, district and party-list representatives as well as various local positions. As this may well be considered a referendum of sorts for the incumbent administration, the poll results would reflect approval of the Duterte administration if its chosen candidates prevail, and disapproval of it if many of those who win are independents or known critics of the president.

It may be difficult, however, to assess the results of the forthcoming political exercise in stark terms, or in black-and-white. On one hand, the latest survey shows that seven out of 10 Filipinos support Duterte’s program and style of governance. But on the other, he has also alienated certain sectors with his slash-and-burn response to criticism.

Hence, we are interested in knowing how the second half of the Duterte administration would play out, given this apparent divergence in how Filipinos view his performance as the highest elected official.

What is clear to us at this point is that Duterte should no longer rule in the old way, that is, with utter distaste for decorum and due process, and instead exercise enlightened leadership that would unite the people. Or is that too much to ask? ernhil@yahoo.com

A5

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

ily farms.” But the money goes to big farms.

Government doesn’t need to “guarantee the food supply,” another justification for subsidies. Most BEST-SELLING author, award- fruit and vegetable farmers get no winning news correspondent, and subsidies, yet there are no shortages news anchor John Stossel has re- of peaches, plums, green beans, etc.

Subsidies are a scam created by vealing things to say about the US politicians who get money from government shutdown.

He says that the government shut- wheat, cotton, corn, and soybean down is now longer than any in his- agribusinesses. Those farmers tory. The media keep using the word should suck it up and live without subsidies, too. “crisis.”

During shutdowns, government “Shutdown sows chaos, confusion and anxiety!” says The Washington tells “nonessential workers” not to come to work. But if they’re nonesPost. “Pain spreads widely.”

The New York Times headlined, sential, then why do Americans pay 400,000 of them? it’s all “just too much!”

Why do they But wait. still pay 100,000 Looking around American solAmerica, Stosdiers in Germasel and many of While pundits ny, Japan, Italy, my American and England? and politicians act friends and kaDidn’t they win babayans see as if everything those wars? people going needs government We could take about their busiintervention, the a chainsaw to so ness —families much of governopposite is true. eating in resment. taurants, emThe New York ployees going to Times shrieks, work, children “Shutdown playing in playgrounds, etc. I have Curtails FDA Food Inspections!” to ask: Where’s the crisis?

Only if you read on do you learn Pundits talk as if government is the most important part of America, that meat and poultry inspection is done by the Department of Agriculbut it isn’t.

Whether you’re in America, the ture. They’re still working. And the Philippines, or elsewhere, we need FDA is restarting some inspections some government, limited govern- as well.

More important, meat is usually ment. But most of life, the best of life, goes on without government, safe not because of government— many of the best parts in spite of but because of competition.

Food sellers worry about their government.

Of course, the shutdown is a big reputations. They know they’ll get deal to the 800,000 people who bad publicity if they poison peoaren’t being paid. But they will get ple, so they take many more safety paid. Government workers always measures than government requires.

One meat producer told Stossel do—after shutdowns.

Columnist Paul Krugman calls that they employ 2,000 more safety this shutdown, “Trump’s big liber- inspectors than the law demands.

Lazy reporters cover politicians. tarian experiment.” But it’s not libertarian. Government’s excessive Interviewees are usually in one rules are still in effect, and even- place—often Washington, D.C. Intually government workers will be terviewing politicians is easier than paid for not working. That makes covering people pursuing their own this a most un-libertarian experi- interests all over America. But those are the people who make America ment.

But there are lessons to be learned. work.

While pundits and politicians act During a shutdown when Barack Obama was president, government as if everything needs government officials were so eager to make a intervention, the opposite is true.

Even security work is done better point by inconveniencing people that they even stopped visitors from by the private sector. At San Francisco’s airport, security lines move entering public parks.

Trump’s administration isn’t do- faster. Passengers told Stossel, “The ing that, so PBS found a new crisis: screeners are nicer!” The TSA even “Trash cans spilling… (P)ark ser- acknowledged that those screeners vices can’t clean up the mess until are better at finding contraband.

Congress and the president reach That’s because San Francisco (Kana spending deal,” reported “News- sas City, Seattle, and a dozen smaller airports) privatized the screening Hour.”

But volunteers appeared to pick process. Private companies are responsible for security. up some of the trash.

Private contractors are better beGiven a chance, private citizens often step in to do things govern- cause they must compete. Perform ment says only government can do. badly, and they get fired.

But government never fires itself.

The Washington Post ran a frontGovernment workers shout, “We page headline about farmers “reeling… because they aren’t receiving are essential!” But Stossel and I say: “Give me a break. Most of you are government support checks.”

But why do farmers even get not.” “support checks”? eric.jurado@gmail.com One justification is “saving fam-

In “APOI”...

From A4

This probe came in the wake of the seemingly lethargic revenue collection from these products which stumped the new officials considering that these were supposed to have spiked with the expended bill. And, voila, the “trusted” printer of the BIR stamps as mwas APOI—the same printer of the passports—as both contracts were awarded towards the last year of the Aquino administration.

Just like the passport contract, the BIR tax stamp contract was also shrouded in secrecy and undertaken under mysterious circumstances after APO was given the status of a preferred government printer. In other words, “trusted.”

By whom remains in the realm of shadowy advisories by people who were, one way or the other, involved in the process by which these contracts came about. But one thing is certain. This “trusted” printer is involved in the printing of billions of pesos worth of income for those who managed to have these contracts “perfected” before the Duterte administration got into office. The question is: will the concerned officials of this administration turn a blind eye to the reported public monies which have been diverted to private pockets as contracted? Well, in the case of the BIR tax stamps, government managed to get one cigarette manufacturer, Mighty Cigarette Co., to pay up at least P36 billion for its reported tax deficiency. What about APO and its passport provider/partner? Should we allow them to simply take a pass? Huwag naman.

News

A6

FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 2019 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

DICT unveils nat’l cyber intel platform THE Department of Information and Communications Technology launched a platform for intelligence sharing to monitor threats and defend the country’s cyber ‘infostructure’ from cyberattacks on Wednesday in Mandaluyong City.

The Cybersecurity Management System Project is set to be completed within the year, starting from the issuance of the Notice to Proceed last Jan. 15.

“This kick-off for the CMS project is a great cue for us to keep taking bold action in this gargantuan task of safeguarding our citizens in the cyber realm,” Acting Secretary Eliseo Rio Jr. said.

Rio said the centralized monitoring platform would enhance the country’s ability to act on threats, before, during, and after cyber attacks.

Engineer Allan Cabanlong, DICT assistant secretary for Cybersecurity and Enabling Technologies, said the project’s first phase would cater to 10 government agencies that were identified as priorities.

It would also monitor cyberthreats in the dark web in support of law enforcement authorities, defense, and drug enforcement agencies functions as needed.

The agencies are the DICT, the Office of the President, the Department of Finance, the Department of Energy, Department of Foreign Affairs, the National Security Council, the Department of Budget and Management, the Presidential Communications Operations Office, the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency, and the Department of National Defense.

The platform aims to build the resilience of the country, as part of the National Cybersecurity Plan 2022, the vision of which is to reach the state of having a “trusted and resilient infostructure.”

257 foreign fugitives nabbed in 2018

By Vito Barcelo

C

HINESE nationals topped the list of the total 257 foreign criminals arrested last year by the Bureau of Immigration who hid in the country to evade criminal prosecution in their homelands, according to BI Commissioner Jaime Morente.

The number of alien fugitives apprehended was higher than the 232 wanted foreigners arrested in 2017, the BI chief said.

“They were arrested in various operations conducted throughout the country by operatives from the BI Fugitive Search Unit headed by BI intelligence officer Bobby Raquepo,” he said.

Morente said most of the fugitives were already deported and were now serving their jail sentences after trial and conviction.

“All of them were also placed in our blacklist of undesirable aliens to make sure that they do not return and pose threat to our public safety and security,” the BI chief said.

Statistics show that 98 of the captured fugitives were wanted for fraud and economic crimes; 98 for telecom fraud; 44 for cybercrimes; seven for sex offenses; five for kidnapping; one for robbery extortion; one for gun possession and drug distribution; and one for smuggling.

“It is evident that the focus of our campaign last year was the neutralization of organized syndicates involved in cyber crimes and cyber fraud,” Raquepo said in his yearend report.

A total 116 Chinese fugitives were, followed by 80 Taiwanese, 27 Koreans, 16 Thai nationals, eight Americans, and five Britons.

Among the major operations conducted by

BI-FSU operatives was the raid on a call center fraud establishment in Parañaque City last June 14 that led to the arrest of 16 Thais and three Taiwanese nationals.

On July 18, 2018, seven Chinese nationals wanted for cyber fraud by Beijing authorities were arrested in Pasay City.

The FSU also cited as major accomplishment the Nov. 28 arrest in Las Piñas City of five Chinese nationals suspected of being members of a kidnap for ransom syndicate that prey on Chinese tourists in the country.

They likewise arrested several high-profile criminals including Japan’s top fugitive Misao Kaminsukaso a.k.a. Misao Koyama wanted for defrauding billions of yen from compatriots in Japan, American priest Fr. Kenneth Bernard Hendricks wanted in Ohio for allegedly sexually molesting young altar boys, and Taiwan’s No. 1 most wanted criminal Oren Shlomo Mayer, for murdering, cutting into several pieces, and dumping into the river the body of a Canadian teacher.

No outbreak of dreaded disease—DOH THE Department of Health on Thursday said there was no meningococcemia outbreak nationwide.

The department made the statement following the death of a two-year-old girl who exhibited signs and symptoms of the deadly disease caused by the neisseria meningitidis bacteria.

“We are, however, investigating a suspected Meningococcemia case in Valenzuela City of a two-yearold female who exhibited signs and symptoms of the disease. She was pronounced dead on arrival at the Valenzuela City Emergency Hospital [VCEH],” the DOH statement read.

A team from the department has collected specimens and is still awaiting test results.

“We are closely coordinating with our regional office for contact tracing. As precautionary measures, we have provided post-exposure prophylaxis to close contacts of the patient and are monitoring them for any signs and symptoms, which include fever, vomiting, body rashes, and loose bowel movement,” DOH added.

Meningococcemia can spread through direct contact with discharges from the nose and throat, the DOH said.

On Thursday morning, the local government of Valenzuela City posted on its Facebook page that investigation into the suspected meningococcemia outbreak in VCEH turned out negative.

It advised the public not to fear and to take care of their health. PNA

‘Safe’ project faces probe SENATE President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto is calling for a congressional inquiry into the Department of the Interior and Local Government’s “Safe Philippines” Project to mitigate the potential risks to national security or public interest.

Recto filed Senate Resolution 990 to look into the P20-billion DILG project to be financed and implemented through an official development assistance by the Chinese government.

“It is imperative that the Philippine government review and evaluate government programs and projects and their impact on national security and public interest,” Recto said in his resolution.

The Safe Philippines Phase 1 Project is a joint project of the governments of the Philippines and People’s Republic of China to ensure the effective and efficient management of public order, safety and security.

On Nov. 19, the DILG signed the $396.8-million contract with the winning bidder China International Telecommunication Construction Corp. for the construction and installation of monitoring systems in Metro Manila and Davao City.

Under phase 1 of the Safe Philippines Project, DILG will provide 18 local government units in Metro Manila and Davao City with integrated operations and command centers and a remote back-up data center.

Recto noted that Chinese companies and individuals have allegedly been involved in “espionage and hacking activities” over the years.

He also said the primary equipment supplier of the winning contractor for the Safe Philippines Project—Phase 1, Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd.—has been embroiled in issues “concerning national security and data protection.” PNA

“These arrests were all conducted through the request and assistance of their respective countries through their embassy or police,” said Morente. “Upon informing us that an alien in the country is wanted for a crime, we immediately take steps to apprehend the fugitive to ensure that justice will be served,” he added.

Morente explained that they receive information on fugitives from foreign governments, as well as the interpol.

“I have repeatedly said this, do not use the Philippines as your hideout to escape your crimes,” said Morente in a warning to foreign criminals hiding in the country. “You cannot escape the long arm of the law,” he added.

The warning came after the apprehension of Xie Haojie, a former Chinese government official national wanted in China for corruption and involvement in large-scale economic crimes.

The arrest of Xie, according to BI, is the first in the series of arrests of foreign fugitives they are targeting this year.

SUSPECTED SHABU. PDEA Director General Aaron Aquino presents to the media Thursday the seized P27 million worth of suspected shabu hidden inside the tomato sauce cans of two boxes from Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, to be delivered to consignees at their residence in San Roque in Navotas City, resulting in the arrest of the alleged consignees Edna Barraneda Valenzuela, alias Belinda Azures, 44, and her daughter Judy Ann Valenzuela, 22, during a follow-up operation. Manny Palmero

Coalition Sandiganbayan acquits ex-Basilan mayor accused of graft alarmed by tarp use

By Maricel V. Cruz

A FORMER mayor of Sumisip, Basilan, accused of using the town’s P2 million as collateral for a personal loan, has been acquitted by the Sandiganbayan.

The anti-graft court’s Second Division ordered the outright dismissal of the case against Haber Amin Asarul after granting his motion for a demurrer to evidence.

An accused can file a motion for a demurrer to evidence to contest the sufficiency of the evidence presented by the prosecution.

However, an accused loses the right

to contest the evidence filed against him if his demurrer to evidence is rejected by the court unless the respondent first secured a leave of court to file the demurrer to evidence.

Asarul told the court that no sufficient evidence was presented by prosecution to find him guilty for violation of the AntiGraft and Corrupt Practices Act and the Local Government Code.

Ombudsman prosecutors failed to present to the witness stand private complainant Al-Mashour Alibasa, who claimed in his affidavit that the former mayor entered into a transaction with him using the town funds, Asarul said.

He added the government suffered no undue injury in light of the fact that the P2 million was never withdrawn from the funds of the municipality.

“The court is convinced that the element of undue injury appears to be absent, or at best remains doubtful, in that the prosecution failed to prove the same to the point of moral certainty,” the Sandiganbayan said.

“Here, no witness was presented by the plaintiff to prove with certainty the personal character of the loan taken out by accused movants... It cannot be concluded that the checks were also issued for private purposes,” it added.

PCSO’s Balutan shares secrets to leading a successful agency

CRITIC’S PLEA. Senator Antonio Trillanes IV tells Thursday’s Kapihan sa Senado he has asked the Commission on Elections to exempt him from the 2019 election gun ban due to alleged threats to his security. Trillanes, a staunch critic of President Rodrigo Duterte, said the threats continued to persist as he recalled the previous pronouncements against him by the chief executive whom he described as ‘vindictive.’ Ey Acasio

AFTER successfully hitting its revenue, which is P63.55 billion, from its target P60 billion in 2018, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office General Manager Alexander Balutan shared the secrets to leading a successful agency, despite the challenges and detractors.

“The character I have painstakingly built through the years in the military service along with the Academy’s motto of ‘Courage, Integrity and Loyalty’ are the most effective and powerful management tools in leading a successful agency,” emphasized Balutan.

A graduate of Philippine Military Academy “Matikas” Class of 1983, Balutan is a battle-tested Mindanao veteran and a former marine general who earned the moniker “Mandirigma” in the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

In 2016, Balutan was appointed

by President Rodrigo Duterte as general manager to help fight corruption in PCSO. “No need for a doctorate degree or luxurious titles if one has weak leadership and

poor discipline/character,” he added.

Over the years, PCSO was plagued with alleged corrupt activities that even the President described it as the “most corrupt agency in the government.”

“My battle-cry that time was touching lives, winning the peace. But up to now, we are touching lives. Dati sabi nila, ‘Mandirigma’ pampaiksi ng buhay, ngayon, pampahaba na ng buhay dahil sa mga tinutulungan nating mga pasyente na nangangailangan ng tulong medikal mula sa PCSO,” added Balutan.

Balutan emphasized how valuable the PCSO products namely Lotto and digit games, Keno, Instant Sweepstakes, and Small Town Lottery are in the agency’s Charity Fund.

PCSO Charter, or RA 1169, particularly on revenue allocation, provides that the revenue of the PCSO shall be allocated to 55 percent for prize fund (payment of prizes), 30 percent for charity fund (various charity programs and service) and 15 percent as operating fund (maintenance and operating expenses).

By Joel E. Zurbano ENVIRONMENTALIST group Ecowaste Coalition on Thursday expressed alarm over the countless use of tarpaulins sprouted all over the metropolis ahead of the official campaign period for the upcoming midterm polls.

“Tarpaulins promoting the names of politicians eyeing elective positions have replaced Christmas decorations that used to adorn our streets. You can see the ubiquitous tarps hanging on electric posts, phone and TV cables, and on trees,” said Ecowaste zero waste campaigner Daniel Alejandre.

“The ‘battle of the tarpaulins’ is more obvious in communities that are set to observe the feast of Sto. Niño this coming Sunday. The whole stretch of Jesus Street in Pandacan, Manila, for example, is dotted with tarpaulins of mostly local candidates that are competing for voters’ attention and support,” said Alejandre.

“Politicians and their supporters have without doubt exploited the loopholes in the election law as regards premature campaigning. The lax regulation has emboldened political wannabes and their supporters to mass produce tarpaulins and to put them up anywhere even in restricted and unsafe places,” he added.

The group also underscored the waste and toxicity issues resulting from the wild use of propaganda tarpaulins.

“Time will come when a tarpaulin has to be removed and disposed of. Even if reused for other purposes, it will still be thrown away after it has worn out or is no longer needed. These tarps, sooner or later, will get buried or burned somewhere,” said Thony Dizon, the group´s chemical safety campaigner.

“Sad to say, tarpaulins are not harmless materials. Mostly made of polyvinyl chloride plastic, tarpaulins may contain toxic chemicals such as cadmium, lead and phthalates that can leach and contaminate the surroundings,” he explained.

Sports

A7

FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 2019 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Harden erupts for 58 points, but Rockets fall to Nets; Celtics win LOS ANGELES—James Harden scored a season-high 58 points and the Houston Rockets shot an NBA record 70 three point attempts, but it wasn’t enough to beat the Brooklyn Nets in overtime on Wednesday.

Spencer Dinwiddie scored 25 of his 33 points in the fourth quarter and overtime as the Nets spoiled Harden’s huge scoring night with a 145-142 win.

“The man had 60 and we won,” Dinwiddie said. “That’s big-time for a young group.”

Harden had his second straight season high after scoring 57 in a victory over Memphis on Monday. Houston made just 23 of their record 70 three point attempts.

Harden has scored at least 30 points in 18 straight games and has reached 40 in nine of the last 12.

He finished 16 of 34 overall from the field, made 21 of 23 free throws and had 10 rebounds and a half dozen assists.

But he was disappointed that his team surrendered a seven-point lead in overtime.

“Frustrating. Very frustrating,” Harden said. “We were small. .... we had a couple of mistakes out there near the end. But give them credit, they made some big shots.”

The Rockets broke their own record for three-point attempts after shooting 61 against New Orleans in December 2016. Houston also holds the record for most three-pointers made after hitting 26 in a win over Washington this season.

Elsewhere, Kyrie Irving scored 27 points and had a career-high 18 assists as the Boston Celtics snapped a threegame losing streak with a 117-108 win over the Toronto Raptors in a battle of two Eastern Conference heavyweights.

Irving, who returned from a leg injury, hit a fadeaway jumper to give the Celtics the lead, then drained a 30 foot three pointer for the last of his 27 as the Celtics closed with a 17-4 run.

Irving missed the Celtics game on Monday with a sore right quadriceps.

He suffered the injury in a 105-103 loss to the Orlando Magic on Saturday.

Irving had 10 of his 18 assists in the fourth quarter, including setting up the Celtics’ last three baskets of the contest.

“Somehow people still think I can’t pass,” Irving said. “When guys are making shots, it makes my job a lot easier.”

Al Horford scored 24 and Jayson Tatum had 16 points with 10 rebounds for Boston, which returned home after losing three straight on the road.

Kawhi Leonard scored 33 points and Serge Ibaka had 22 with 10 rebounds for the Raptors, who are now 33-13 overall and fell percentage points behind Milwaukee (32-12) for the best record in the NBA. AFP

Nietes

Nietes sees a Pacquiao triumph on Sunday in Las Vegas Japan’s Naomi Osaka hits a return against Slovenia’s Tamara Zidansek during their women’s singles match on day four of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne. AFP

4th seed Osaka surges rd into Aussie Open 3 round M

ELBOURNE—Japanese fourth seed Naomi Osaka swept past Tamara Zidansek in straight sets to reach the Australian Open third round Thursday as she targets a second Grand Slam title.

The US Open champion defeated the unseeded Slovenian 6-2, 6-4 to set up an all-Asian clash with Hsieh Su-wei of Taiwan in the next round.

The 21-year-old struggled to close out the match after a strong start but always looked in control against the world number 78.

“I thought I served alright, this was my first time playing her and I’m just happy to win to be honest,” Osaka said.

She anticipated a tough test against

Hsieh, who she defeated in their only previous meeting.

“She’s been playing really well recently so I just hope that it’s exciting,” she said.

Osaka was in no mood to hang around after rain delayed the start of play as the roof on Margaret Court Arena was closed.

She broke Zidansek in the first game, only to allow the Slovenian to get back on level terms in the fourth with a string of unforced errors.

It proved a minor wobble, with Osaka restoring her advantage with a lob that left Zidansek flat footed, then claiming another break before serving out the set in 28 minutes.

The second set was tighter as Osaka uncharacteristically struggled on serve, double faulting as Zidansek went up a break.

But she made amends in the next game and saw off two break points from Zidansek before bringing up two match points on serve.

Osaka netted a forehand return on the first one but Zidansek could not handle the power of her second, hitting it into the crowd to hand the Japanese player victory. AFP

PBA...

From A8

Other awards include Scoring champion (Stanley Pringle), Order of Merit (June Mar Fajardo, Paul Lee, and Vic Manuel), All-Interview Team (Yeng Guiao, Joe Devance, Chris Ross, Mike Digregorio, Christian Standhardinger, and Chris Tiu), and the All-Rookie Team (Jason Perkins, Jeron Teng, Paul Zamar, Robbie Herndon, and Standhardinger).

Completing the honor roll list are Mr Quality Minutes (Manuel), Defensive Player of the Year (Poy Erram), Game of the Season (Barangay Ginebra-Rain or Shine 3OT), and Breakout Player of the Season (Tiu).

Nepomuceno’s mother dies, 84

Participants of the TCS Clark Animo Marathon answer the starting gun.

From A8

TCS Clark Animo Marathon lures 10,000 runners

Out of the chase for the top $17,500 in the event organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. are Phl Masters titlist Jerson Balasabas (75-151), PGTA Orchard leg winner Damien Jordan of Australia (77-151) and PGTA CAT Open winner James Ryan Lam (80-156).

But the day belonged to Van der Valk, who ended a long winless spell on the local circuit with a victory at PGT Eagle Ridge last year. Coming off a birdie-less 74 start, he eagled No. 10 and birdied Nos. 15 and 16 to negate his lone bogey on the 11th.

With his long game, iron play and putting clicking, he came away with a pair of back-to-back birdie feats from Nos. 1 and 5 then birdied the par-3 eighth to spike his blazing windup.

CLARK GLOBAL CITY—The De La Salle Alumni Association Pampanga Chapter is to set to hold the 10th TCS Clark Animo International Marathon on March 10 this year, promising a more fun and exhilarating run to this year’s event with internationally certified courses and special activities.

With 10,000 runners expected to join the event, it will feature a 42.2 km marathon, a half marathon, as well as 10 km, 5 km, and 2.5 km courses.

“We initially had 600 participants on our first year,” Atty, Melvin Panlilio, President of DLSAA— Pampanga, said. “But our runners and members of DLSAA-P gradually grew through the years, giving us the opportunity to give back to more beneficiaries.

Dutchman...

To make Animo Run’s 10th year more exciting, cash prizes will be awarded to the first, second, and third placers of the 5 km, 10 km, 21 km, and 42 km distances in the men’s and women’s categories. A special incentive will also be given to runners with the best costume. One runner each from the Adult (18 years old and above) and Kiddie (17 years old and below) categories will likewise receive cash prizes.

Gun start for the 42 km distance will be at 2 a.m.; 4:30 a.m. for the 21 km; 5:30 a.m. for the 10 km; 5:45 a.m. for the 2.5 km; and 6 a.m. for the 2.5 km.

Runners are expected to be at the venue 30 minutes before their gun start.

Proceeds of the run will be used to fund DLSAA-P’s environmental and community projects like tree plant-

DONNIE “Ahas” Nietes, the Philippines’ longest-reigning boxing world champion, believes Filipinos will witness a great fight when Manny Pacquiao stakes his WBA Welterweight champion belt this Sunday against American Adrien Broner in Las Vegas, USA. Fresh from his Dec. 31 victory in “Pinoy Pride Presents: Nietes vs Ioka,” where he became a four-division champion, Nietes shared that Pacquiao’s 29-year old challenger has the skills that can bring out the best from Pacquiao (60-7-2, 39 KOs), who looks to add another win in his already legendary career.

“Magandang laban iyun dahil magaling ‘yun si Broner,” he said during an interview in ABS-CBN. With a record of 33-3-1 and 24 knockouts, Broner is a legit contender with a notable defense and used to be the WBA Welterweight champion.

Nietes, however, thinks the win is a lock for the 40-year old Pacquiao, who like him has been able to retain his power and quickness through the years.

“Sa tingin ko, kung hindi mapatumba ni Manny si Broner, kakayanin naman sa decision,” the pride of Murcia, Negros Occidental explained.

The 36-year old and newly-crowned WBO Super Flyweight world champion will be watching the PacquiaoBroner showdown in Cebu, the home of ALA Promotions, where he trains as he waits for his next fight.

Meanwhile, Filipinos can watch the fight via SKY Sports Pay-PerView on all SKYcable, One SKY, and SKYdirect subscribers nationwide for P949.

By subscribing to the Pacquiao vs Broner PPV, subscribers will have access to the live, commercial-free and in high or standard definition viewing of the Pacquaio vs. Broner and a replay on the same and day right after the live event.

Call 418 0000 or your local office or visit www.mysky.com/pacman to subscribe. Subscribers of SKYcable and One SKY Fiber with HD also text PACMAN to 23662. SKYdirect postpaid subscribers can text SKY to 23668, while prepaid subscribers can text PPV BOXING <BOX ID> to 23667 (available to Globe Prepaid and TM). Meanwhile, SKYcable subscribers can watch on their TV or on their device via SKY on Demand while One Sky Fiber subscribers who have no access to cable TV may avail of this same offer via SKY On Demand.

ing, maintenance of the Angeles City Watershed, support for the La Salle Botanical Gardens in Alviera, Porac, Pampanga, as well as the Yellow Boat Foundation for the marginal school children of coastal Pampanga.

TCS Clark Animo International Marathon is made possible by Tata Consultancy Services, Smart, Nepo Center, Cherifer Premium, CMCS Inc, Pampanga’s Best, Genesis Transport, and NLEX Corp. This year’s run is presented by Clark Global City.

Other Sponsors are Go Express, New Balance, Inbox & Inbook, Cenmidis, Balipure, Colorsteel, Ederm Centers, Paolo Feliciano Photography, Bale Capampangan, Quest Hotels, Kenny Rogers Roaster, and Clark Water.

T ER ESI TA Villa-Real Nepomuceno, mother of legendary bowler Paeng Nepomuceno, died on Tuesday, January 15 after a lingering illness.

She was 84 Teresita Villa-Real Nepomuceno years old.

Nepomuceno was crowned Miss Philippines in 1951-1952. She was also a former president of the Philippine Women’s Bowling Association (PWBA) and World Bowling Writers Quill.

Her wake will be held today and tomorrow (Friday, Saturday) at Santuario San Antonio Memorial Chapels in Forbes Park.

Sports

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

A8

FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 2019

SMB heavy favorite vs Columbian

By Jeric Lopez

The Philippine Azkals’ Kevin Hansen tries to score against Kyrgyzstan during the AFC Asian Cup. The White Falcons won, 3-1, to eliminate the Azkals. Dennis B. Mallari

PBA scribes to honor Uytengsu CLASS organization, winning tradition, We Not Me. A mere mention of the words and the Alaska franchise comes to mind, qualities with which the Aces have thrived on in their 33-year stint in the PBA. And certainly, it’s a reflection of the way team owner Wilfred S. Uytengsu handled the ballclub through the years which saw it won a total of 14 championships—tied for second most in the league—capped by a grand slam in 1996.

As the PBA Press Corps celebrates the silver anniversary of its yearly Awards Night, Uytengsu will be recognized for what he has done for the proud franchise.

A former member of the national swimming team and an active triathlete, the Alaska Milk executive is going to be the recipient of a first ever Lifetime Achievement Award from the group of men and women who regularly covers the PBA beat.

In a 25-year span since the PBAPC first staged the affair in 1993, the Aces bagged 13 championships with Uytengsu—who’s been with the team since its debut season in 1986—as the single influential force behind the organization.

During the 1994 to 1998 seasons, the franchise claimed eight out of the 16 conference titles at stake, including the 96 grand slam, and produced two of the five MVPs in that stretch in Johnny Abarrientos (1996) and Kenneth Duremdes (1998).

Tim Cone, the most accomplished coach in PBA annals, was responsible for 12 of the 13 championships the Aces had in the last 25 years.

And even after Cone left the franchise, Alaska remained competitive and consistent in winning a championship (2013 Commissioner’s Cup under Luigi Trillo) and being in the finals (five times in the last 12 conferences), a true testament to the handiwork of management under Uytengsu.

The Lifetime Achievement honor is one of the 12 awards to be given out during the event presented by Cignal TV. The awarding of the coveted Virgilio ‘Baby’ Dalupan Coach of the Year serves as the highlight of the affair, which will also hand out the Danny Floro Executive of the Year, and the President’s Award (PBA Board led by Turn to A7 chairman Ricky Vargas).

Azkals gain experience playing strong AFC field

By Peter Atencio

T

HE experience gained by the Philippine Azkals when they fought against strong competition in the Asian Football Confederation Asian Cup 2019 will be cherished by members of the team.

Coach Sven-Goran Eriksson said this after the Azkals bowed to the Kyrgyzstan White Falcons, 1-3, Wednesday night in Group C hostilities at the Al Nahyan Stadium in Abu Dhabi.

“It’s an extremely good experience to see what it’s all about to play in a big tournament. (Against) teams like China, Korea and Kyrgyzstan, if you are not up to it 100%, you don’t win games like these,” said Eriksson in a post-game interview provided to the Manila Standard by the Philippine Football Federation.

The White Falcons leaned on a hat trick by Vitalij Lux in repulsing the Azkals.

Lux scored on the 24th, 51st and 77th minutes, to lead the White Falcons to

their only win in three games in the group stage.

On the other hand, Stephan Schrock scored one for the Azkals with a header, 10 minutes from time.

The win helped the White Falcons earn a slot reserved for the third-placed squad in the round of 16.

The White Falcons joined early qualifier Bahrain, third in Group A. The two are now in the company of Thailand, Jordan, China, Iran, South Koream, Iraq, United Arab Emirates and Australia.

“We met a team that is physically stronger than ours. And they won a lot of 50-50 balls. And, it’s tough to really stand up against them,” added Eriksson.

Kyrgyzstan was up and ahead on

the 24th minute with Luz putting his shot into the top right corner of the net following an assist from Akhlidin Israilov.

Lux had an opportunity add a second goal in the final minute of added time in the first half. But his attempt from up close went straight into an onrushing goalkeeper Michael Falkesgaard, who saved the ball with his body.

The Philippines took off to a good start in second half, with Schrock sprinting down the middle before the defense stopped him.

Then, Lux fired home another goal in the 51st minute after Bekzhan Sagynbaev passed from the left.

The Azkals had another attempt on the 54th minute, with Manuel Ott moving down the middle before Javier Patino attempted a shot.

But Patino’s attempt was saved by goalkeeper Kutman Kadyrbekov.

Lux then got a chance to shoot the team’s third goal in the 77th by slotting in the rebound after Mirlan Murzaev’s effort had hit the post.

Senate, NHA dispute semis slot

PITC is expected to be led again by Haddi Porto.

DEFENDING champion Senate and National Housing Authority face each other on Sunday as the race for the last two semis berths further heats up in the 7th UNTV Cup at the Pasig City Sports Center.

Coming off big wins at the start of the quarterfinal round last Sunday, both the Senate Defenders and NHA Builders are expected to go all-out in their 5 p.m. encounter with the winner gaining advantage for the third semis slot.

Through the efforts of Sen. Joel Villanueva, Jeff Sanders and Rommel Balboa, the Defenders extended their winning streak to four games dating back the second phase of the elims with a 65-59 win over the PITC Global Traders.

The Builders, on the other hand, likewise used a balanced attack to stretch the agony for the MalacañangPhilippine Sports Commission, 78-72.

Games Sunday

(Pasig City Sports Center) 3 p.m. – PITC vs Malacañang-PSC 5 p.m. – NHA vs Senate

Five players finished in double figures for NHA and coach Benet Palad is hoping they could dish out the same intensity when they play with the boys of Mike Fermin.

John Dizon and Clark Torrente, who scored 15 and 14 points, respectively, banner NHA’s semis bid in the annual event designed

by UNTV president and CEO Dr. Daniel Razon for public servants.

The PITC Global Traders and the Kamao clash at 3 p.m. with both squads seeking a win to revive their semis bids.

Out to lead PITC to a vital win is Haddi Porto who is aching to redeem himself after being held to just 11 points on a dismal 1-of-13 shooting from the field the last time.

He averaged more than 21 points in the two-round elims.

DEFENDING champion San Miguel Beer opens its bid for a fifth straight crown in the resumption of the 2019 Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup. Once again the heavy favorites to win the championship, the Beermen start work as they go up against top overall pick CJ Perez and Columbian Dyip at 4:30 p.m. at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City tonight.

In the nightcap, retooled Rain or Shine and NLEX go at it at 7 p.m.

There are a lot of anticipated debuts as the Beermen and Dyip prepare to battle.

Fans are interested to see how the highly touted Perez fares in the league as well as how star spitfire Terrence Romeo can fit in the loaded fray of San Miguel.

Despite being a rookie, Perez is counted on to help turn the fortunes of Columbian around, given his natural talent and abilities.

On the other hand, San Miguel, aside from Romeo, will once again bank on its championship core of fivetime Most Valuable Player June Mar Fajardo, Marcio Lassiter, Chris Ross, Arwind Santos and Alex Cabagnot as it guns for yet another successful run.

San Miguel coach Leo Austria embraces the challenge and pressure.

“Once again, we’re considered as the favorites and we take that positively. That means the other teams are still concerned about us and what we can do,” said Austria.

Stuck in the middle of the pack for most of last season, the Elasto Painters and the Road Warriors are hoping to have better campaigns ahead.

Rain or Shine looks forward to the addition of rookie Jayvee Mocon and the return of Raymund Almazan.

On the other hand, NLEX is also thrilled to have Kevin Alas back from injury and solid big man Poy Erram in its mix.

3 PH judokas to compete, train in Europe THREE Filipino-Japanese judokas are heading to Europe to compete, train and prepare for the 2019 Southeast Asian Games.

Philippine Judo Federation president Dave Carter said this is what’s in store for Kiyomi Watanabe and the Nakano brothers Shugen and Keisei.

The three will compete in the Paris Grand Prix, slated from Feb. 8 to 9.

“Our top contenders are currently training in Japan. And they are scheduled to go to the Paris Grand Prix,” said Carter.

During the 2018 Asian Games, Watanabe put up a tough fight against world No. 3 Nami Nabekura before settling for the silver medal in the 63 kg class.

On the other hand, Shugen and Keisei reached the round of 16 of the 66kg and 73kg classes, respectively.

A training camp in France follows before they join the Dusselorf meet in Feb. 22.

More preparations will be done before they go to the European championships in Belarus this June.

During the Asiad, Watanabe’s performance was a big improvement from her mere ninth-place finish in Incheon in 2014.

She booted out Orapin Sentham of Thailand by ippon in the quarterfinals then eased out Mongolia’s Gankrainch Bold also by ippon in the semifinals to line herself up for a shot at the crown.

Watanabe, the 22-year-old three-time SEA Games gold medal winner, is now training her sights on the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. Peter Atencio

Dutchman re-sets course mark with 64 LUBAO, Pampanga—Guido Van der Valk charged back from way down at 35th to the top of the heap with a new course record in as many days, churning out an eagle-spiked eight-under 64 to grab a one-stroke lead over Keanu Jahns and Thai Tawit Polthai halfway through the ICTSI Pradera Verde Classic here yesterday.

Reeling to the middle of the 78-player field with a two-over 74 Wednesday, the Manilabased Dutchman hit a pitch-in eagle to kick off his backside bid then recovered from a bogey mishap on No. 11 with seven birdies, including five in a scorching frontside finish to take charge at six-under 138 as the erstwhile leaders stumbled with over par cards on a wind-raked Pradera layout that punishes wayward shots and rewards solid ones.

Van der Valk’s 31-33 also bested Andreas Gronkvist’s 66 that netted him the first round lead but the Swede lost his touch in hot, blus-

tery condition and hobbled with a 74, dropping to third with Mars Pucay and Thai Namchok Tantipokhakul at 140 with 36 holes left in the $100,000 event serving as the eighth leg of the second season of the Philippine Golf Tour Asia put up by ICTSI. “I played really good. Everything’s in place, especially my irons and putting,” said Van der Valk, who saw his 58-degree wedge shot from 60 yards rolled and disappeared into the cup on the par-4 No. 10.

Jahns actually looked headed to seizing control with a five-under card after 14 holes for a running seven-under total but the Fil-German shotmaker bogeyed Nos. 6 and 7 on his way home and settled for a 69 and a 139, which Polthai matched with an eagle-spiked 66.

Pucay, seeking to snap a long title drought, turned in a second 70 while Tantipokhakul firmed up Thailand’s drive for a breakthrough

PGT Asia victory with a 68 as the duo caught up with Gronkvist at fourth.

“I struggled with my putting and couldn’t handle my game the way I did yesterday (Wednesday),” rued Gronkvist, who failed to his 33 frontside effort in the first round with a 38.

Jhonnel Ababa, who launched his bid for a fourth PGTA diadem with a 68, fumbled with a 73 but stayed within striking distance at 141 in a tie with Clyde Mondilla (70), Sam Gillis of the US (69) and Thai Piya Swangarunporn, who started the day just one shot behind Gronkvist but limped with a 74 and dropped to joint seventh.

Fifty-five players advanced to the last two rounds with Omar Dungca (77), Anthony Fernando (76), Rolando Marabe Jr. (77), Thai Puk Pradittan (74), Niclo Salahog (72) and Orlan Sumcad (75) barely making the cut at 149.

Turn to A7 Guido Van der Valk’s fiery assault bolsters drive for a PGTA breakthru

IN BRIEF

DICT wants more telco tower builders

THE Department of Information and Communications Technology said Thursday the government’s common tower policy will support Mislatel Consortium in its rollout plan to quickly compete with the incumbent telecom companies once the new major player starts operating.

The agency signed separate memoranda of understanding with Nigeria’s IHS Towers and Malaysia’s Edotco Group for the construction of cellular towers nationwide. China Energy Engineering Group is set to sign the same deal on Friday.

The three will enter the same scenario that ISOC Infrastructures Inc. and Singapore’s ISON ECP Tower Pte. Ltd. agreed in December, where the DICT will support their company in facilitating permits, right of way, and provide other government support for infrastructure should they secure a contract with any of the telco operators.

The DICT opted for a market-driven approach in accelerating the build-up of more cell sites. “We will welcome more parties in this venture as it will address the country’s backlog on telecommunication towers,” Rio said.

Darwin G. Amojelar

Global Ferronickel signs China contract

NICKEL mining company Global Ferronickel Holdings Inc. said unit Platinum Group Metals Corp. signed a purchase contract involving 1 million wet metric tons of nickel ore with China’s Baosteel.

GFHI said in a disclosure to the stock exchange the contract covered low-grade nickel with high iron and medium-grade nickel with low iron at prevailing market prices.

This volume is about 20 percent of PGMC’s annual nickel ore shipment. PGMC has been supplying Baosteel with nickel ore since 2014.

Subject to weather conditions, GFHI plans to ship 5.7 million WMT of nickel ore this year.

Baosteel is a wholly-owned subsidiary of top Chinese steel manufacturer China Baowu Steel Group and is engaged in the business of mineral resource investment, trading and logistics services.

PGMC operates the Cagdianao Nickel Expansion Project comprising 4,376 hectares in Sitio Kinalablaban, Cagdianao Claver, Surigao del Norte. Jenniffer B. Austria

ISO accreditation of D&L renewed

D&L Industries, the country’s largest specialty foods ingredients, plastics and oleochemicals firm, boosted its export capability with the renewal of its ISO/IEC 17025:2005 accreditation from the Philippine Accreditation Bureau.

The accreditation refers to the international standard for competence in laboratory testing and demonstrates that the company’s laboratory testing capabilities and management system follow global best practices.

“With the accreditation, analyses performed

by D&L’s analytical laboratory comply with international standards. This supports the facilitation of trade and entry of Philippine products into foreign markets,” the firm said.

This allows D&L to offer its laboratory testing services and to serve as third party laboratory to a wider range of customers from the following industries: industrial oils, edible fats and oils, plastics, packaging, pipes, paints and coatings.

Business Govt imposes safeguard duty on imported cement T

By Othel V. Campos

HE government imposed a provisional safeguard duty of P8.40 per 40-kilogram bag of imported cement to protect the local industry amid the surge of imports.

The safeguard duty represents about 4 percent of the average retail price of cement and would be implemented for 200 days while the Tariff Commission is conducting a formal investigation.

The Trade Department earlier initiated a motu proprio or a preliminary investigation to determine whether increased imports of cement were causing or threatening to cause serious injury to the domestic industry.

Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said

the provisional safeguard duty is at “a level that will ensure price and supply.”

He said safeguard duties were legitimate tools in trade remedies allowed by the World Trade Organization to assist industries that have experienced a surge in imports and a decline in sales and profit.

Data supplied by cement manufacturers to the Trade Department showed that from 3,558 metric tons in 2013, imports rose to more than 3 million MT in 2017 while the share of imports by traders went up from only 0.02 percent to 15 percent during the same period.

Data also showed that the industry experienced a sharp decline of 49 percent in income in 2017.

The department said despite the safeguard tariff, it expected imports to continue coming into the country. It said that contrary to importers data, there would be enough supply to support demand.

It estimated the domestic capacity at 35 million metric tons versus the estimated demand 25 million MT. The Philippine Cement Importers Association Inc. earlier asked the Trade Department to explain its motive for initiating an investigation on imported cement which it said could exacerbate the cement shortage in the country as the government undertakes the ‘Build, Build’ Build’ infrastructure program.

PCIA president Napoleon Co said it was a bit perplexing why a motu proprio investigation was necessary when the country was following open trade.

Lopez assured that prices of domestic cement would remain stable despite the higher tariff on imports.

“We are requiring the cement manufacturers to maintain their current retail price levels. We will closely monitor the selling price of cement manufacturers and ensure that they will not implement increases,” Lopez said.

RCBC set to issue peso green bonds

RIZAL Commercial Banking Corp. said Thursday it is issuing a peso green bond in its commitment to support environmental sustainability in the country.

The bank did not disclose the amount of the planned issuance but said it would be the first green bond from the Philippines issued under the Asean Green Bond Standards 2018. The bond will also be aligned with the International Capital Market Association’s Green Bond Principles 2018.

“With this first in the country initiative, RCBC affirms its commitment to support environmental sustainability in the Philippines through our operations, our partners and the businesses we serve,” RCBC president and chief executive Gil Buenaventura said in a statement.

“The bank believes that balancing non-financial factors such as environmental and social issue with financial priorities is essential to good corporate citizenship and is fundamental to risk management and the protection of its investors and shareholders,” Buenaventura said.

RCBC jointly mandated the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corp. and ING Bank Manila branch to arrange the issuance. ING is the sole green structuring advisor for RCBC’s green finance framework. Julito G. Rada

Ceza registered $8b worth of investment commitments in 2018 THE Cagayan Economic Zone Authority said it secured a record $8.13 billion worth of investment commitments in 2018.

Ceza administrator and chief executive Raul Lambino said the 2018 figure was the biggest amount the agency registered in two decades.

He said of the investment projects, the biggest was the proposed $4.5-billion City Polaris, an entertainment resort project which would be built by First Cagayan Leisure Resorts Corp.

The project will offer integrated resorts, six-star hotels and several amenities to attract foreign and local visitors to the site.

Construction will start in 2019 and operations are expected by 2021.

The second biggest investment is the $1.5-billion commitment of Hunan Goke Maglev Technology Development Ltd. of Changsa City and Hong kong-based Eminova Asset Management Ltd. to put up a magnetic levitation production facility.

Other significant projects in the pipeline are Shanghai’s Jucheng Supply Management Group’s $100-million integrated resort in Sta. Ana, Cagayan and the $100-million initial investment for “green” textile production and real estate development of China’s Zhejiang Guannan Group.

Other projects include a Slovak firm’s proposal to build a modern hospital and a $30-million investment by Taiwan Electronic Company-EV for the production of electric vehicles.

LongRunn Capital also lined up other major investments inside the Freeport Zone, including a joint venture with Cagayan Premium to develop, upgrade, expand and modernize the Cagayan North International Airport in Lallo with a multi-story passenger terminal, modern facilities and MRO services, and a new regional airline company.

Othel V. Campos

ONE WITH THE ENVIRONMENT. Clark Development Corp. president and chief executive Noel Manankil (third from left) and Green Antz Builders Inc. president and chief executive Rommel Benig (second from left) show the memorandum of agreement for their partnership to explore ways and means in promoting environment-friendly practices. With them are CDC assistant vice president for external affairs Rommel Narciso (right) and Green Antz executive vice president and chief innovative officer Mark Yulores.

Foreign funds rebounded with $1.2-b net inflow last year FOREIGN portfolio investments or hot money rebounded last year with a net inflow of $1.2 billion, a turnaround from the $195-million net outflow registered in 2017, data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas show.

The Bangko Sentral said in a statement the positive performance in 2019 was also “attributed to a large investment in a holding company registered in 2018.”

Data showed that while gross inflows slightly declined to $16.03 billion in 2017 from $16.07 billion in 2017, gross outflows also dropped 8.8 percent to $14.8 billion from $16.3 billion in 2017.

The highest gross inflows were recorded in March at $2.5 billion while the lowest was noted in September at $743 million. On a quarterly basis, the largest inflows were noted in the first

quarter at $5.1 billion, representing 32 percent of the total for the year.

“This may be attributed to the large investment in a holding company registered this year accompanied by investors’ optimism over the passage of the first phase of the government’s tax reform program,” the Bangko Sentral said.

Portfolio investments registered in 2018 were invested mainly in Philippine Stock Exchange-listed securities (71.4 percent), peso government securities (GS - 20.2 percent), and other peso debt instruments.

The United Kingdom, the United States, Singapore, the Netherlands and Hong Kong were the top sources of these funds.

Foreign portfolio investments are also called hot money because of the ease they are invested in and taken out of the

local financial markets.

Registration of inward foreign investments with the Bangko Sentral is optional under the liberalized rules on foreign exchange transactions.

The issuance of a BSP registration document entitles the investor or his representative to buy foreign exchange from authorized agent banks and/or their subsidiary/affiliate foreign exchange corporations for repatriation of capital and remittance of earnings that accrue on the registered investment.

Without such registration, the foreign investor can still repatriate capital and remit earnings on his investment but the foreign exchange will have to be sourced outside the banking system.

The BSP expects hot money to register a net outflow of $200 million in 2019. Julito G. Rada

Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 2019

B1

Dominguez

DoF to launch fuel marking vs smuggling in February

By Julito G. Rada THE Finance Department plans to launch early next month the fuel marking program to check oil smuggling that is costing the government P27 billion to P44 billion in annual revenue losses.

Finance Undersecretary Antonette Tionko said in a news briefing a team was currently testing the marker to be used for the program.

“The team that’s doing it is actually going already to the refineries.

So that’s ongoing now. Hopefully by next month, February first week, we will launch it already,” Tionko said.

“Right now, they are testing the marker itself―the acceptability of the marker. So that’s with discussion with the DoE [Department of Energy], the DENR [Department of Environment and Natural Resources... so once it’s accepted, we will do our first marking,” Tionko said.

Under the program, the fuel marking providers―SICPA SA of Switzerland and SGS Philippines―are expected to provide a unique chemical marker capable of being embedded at a molecular level to petroleum products such as gasoline, diesel and kerosene.

Their contract covers services and equipment necessary to administer and inject the marker to the fuel and the administration of confirmatory tests, both in the field and in laboratories.

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III earlier directed DoF officials involved in the implementation of the project to coordinate with Customs commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero.

The joint venture of SICPA SA and SGS Philippines already submitted a masterplan to implement the fuel marking program.

The Bureau of Customs and the Bureau of Internal Revenue also drafted the implementing rules and regulations which would be matched with the masterplan.

The BoC would be the lead agency to implement the program under the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Act. The Finance Department said the government lost potential revenues of P26.87 billion from smuggled or misdeclared fuel in 2016.

The Asian Development Bank’s estimate was higher at P37.5 billion while a study commissioned by the local oil industry placed the foregone revenues at P43.8 billion.

DTI wants to keep 5% tariff on deboned meat THE Trade Department said it will submit a recommendation to the National Economic Development Authority to keep the current 5-percent tariff on imported mechanically-deboned meat until a full review of the tariff program is conducted.

“Neda has no objection to the retention of 5-percent tariff on MDM. The recommendation is to retain the 5 percent to prevent tariffs from reverting to 40 percent, until such time the proper tariffication value is assigned to each tariff line,” Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said Thursday after the monthly meeting of the National Price Coordinating Council.

Lopez said it would be prudent to keep the 5-percent tariff instead of increasing it to 40 percent only to be adjusted again after the review.

Meat processors and meat traders were opposing the proposed increase in tariff for MDM imports. Both groups claimed that MDM had become a very important raw material for large and

small processors.

Industry estimates showed that independent meat processors outside the Philippine Association of Meat Processors Inc. were using about 30 percent to 35 percent of the total MDM imports, producing low cost food items such as siomai, lumpia shanghai, longanisa and other products patronized by lowincome groups.

Meat importers alleged that any increase on the cost on MDM would impact consumption and nutrition, especially of the lower economic groups.

MDM and turkey items are not in direct competition with any locally produced products, the groups said.

Data showed that both the local pork and poultry industries had been growing steadily since 1996 when meat importation was liberalized.

MDM, a globally traded commodity, is not available in sufficient quantity in the Philippines.

Othel V. Campos

SMC’S 3RD ESG AWARD.

San Miguel Corp. receives its third gold award at the annual The Asset Corporate Awards—a recognition given to listed companies that adhere to environmental, social and corporate governance best practices. SMC chief finance officer Ferdinand Constantino receives the award from The Asset magazine at ceremonies held in Hong Kong.

B2

Business

FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 2019 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Stocks advance; Ayala Land up

T

HE stock market climbed Thursday on bargain-hunting but renewed concerns about China-US tensions overshadowed a positive lead from Wall Street following a better-thanexpected round of corporate earnings.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index rose 62.50 points, or 0.8 percent, to 7,927.20 on a value turnover of P14.2 billion. Gainers edged losers, 101 to 99, with 51 issues unchanged.

Ayala Land Inc. Inc. gained 4.4 percent to P45, while SM Prime Holdings Inc. of retail tycoon Henry Sy Sr. climbed

3.5 percent to P38.30.

Alliance Global Group Inc. of tycoon Andrew Tan advanced 4.3 percent to P13.96, while property unit Megaworld Corp., the biggest lessor of office spaces, increased 2.7 percent to P5.27.

The rest of Asian markets were mixed Thursday.

The pound extended gains against the dollar after Prime Minister Theresa May survived a no-confidence vote as she prepares to draw up new proposals to leave the European Union that are palatable to a majority of Mps. Hong Kong eased 0.5 percent in the afternoon and Shanghai closed down 0.4 percent while Tokyo slipped 0.2 percent by the end. Singapore eased 0.4 percent.

But Sydney edged up 0.3 percent and Seoul put on 0.1 percent while Taipei, Wellington and Jakarta were also in positive territory.

After a tumultuous December, global equities have enjoyed a broadly strong

start to the year, largely thanks to optimism China and the US will resolve their trade row.

But confidence took a knock Wednesday from a report that said US officials were carrying out a criminal probe into Chinese tech giant Huawei and could soon indict the firm over allegations of theft of trade secrets from its US business partners.

Lawmakers have also introduced a bill to ban the export of American parts and components to Chinese telecom companies that are in violation of US export control or sanctions laws—with Huawei and fellow Chinese firm ZTE the likely targets.

“Huawei is effectively an intelligencegathering arm of the Chinese Communist Party whose founder and CEO was an engineer for the People’s Liberation Army,” said Republican Senator Tom Cotton, one of the bill’s sponsors.

The developments follow the arrest

last year in Canada of Huawei’s chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou, who is the daughter of the company founder and faces extradition to the US on Iranlinked fraud charges.

It also muddies the waters in trade talks between Beijing and Washington, which looked to be on a positive course after officials held three days of talks earlier this month, with both sides seemingly upbeat.

On Wall Street all three main indexes closed with gains after earnings reports from Bank of America and Goldman Sachs that overshot forecasts, while executives said they were confident the US economy was in rude health.

The Federal Reserve’s closely followed “Beige Book” report pointed out that political and trade uncertainty was weighing on business confidence though growth was continuing at a modest pace in most of the country.

With AFP

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW THURSDAY, JANUARY 17, 2019

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

FINANCIALS 59.8 9,700 93 2,024,980 2.34 39,000 131 2,251,680 1.47 32,000 27.65 34,000 16.2 100 12.4 2,314,400 4.9 610,000 1.45 4,000 800 150 0.45 1,620,000 82.5 4,102,560 1.04 1,411,000 12.4 13,000 21 3,600 44.75 38,300 182.5 80 60.3 14,190 27 82,700 178.5 329,860 1,800 585 64.95 6,520

576,638.50 189,106,282.50 91,260 291,870,138 46,190 947,790 1,620 28,687,914 3,014,330 5,840 120,000 735,800 335,406,234.50 1,429,340 160,898 74,205 1,709,280 14,555 854,756.50 2,214,345 59,181,989 1,053,000 421,260.50

467,243.50 15,452,855 -41,262,309 -233,625 -6,134,870 -178,550 120,000 169,527,329.50 48,000 8,990 -6,015 1,049,200 5,294,198 450,000 -325,331

35.4 16.24 1.06 1.38 0.243 2.07 15.22 133 30.7 17 39.45 60 78 1.79 6.5 6.69 11.72 15.2 7.99 7.21 19.98 72.75 25.7 2.11 6 12.52 1.86 308 4.3 3.14 10.1 26.55 11.3 17.06 376 0.182 5.69 1.32 3.76 7.68 6.68 9.07 1.3 10.9 47.6 5.8 4.8 1.85 2.73 1.36 12 85.25 6.29 0.129 0.92 138.9 2.31 2.05 1.56

INDUSTRIAL 36.05 1,483,200 16.38 902,300 1.07 14,712,000 1.39 363,000 0.249 270,000 2.11 8,453,000 15.6 617,800 140 580 31.3 101,800 17.5 2,900 39.45 1,100 60 100 78 800 1.79 32,000 6.5 22,500 6.7 9,100 11.76 2,444,900 15.3 85,500 8 569,900 7.25 12,234,600 19.98 1,817,600 73.1 554,580 26.2 58,600 2.17 6,195,000 6.05 337,800 12.74 1,950,000 1.87 271,000 313 440,750 4.36 54,000 3.15 10,000 10.1 9,100 27 755,800 11.88 1,998,600 17.1 5,375,700 378 421,830 0.185 650,000 5.7 91,000 1.35 13,588,000 3.76 148,000 7.68 1,873,700 6.85 2,876,300 9.09 4,400 1.32 7,480,000 10.98 154,600 47.6 1,046,800 5.8 50,000 4.8 98,000 1.86 1,418,000 2.9 77,000 1.51 163,000 12 404,700 87.5 1,327,570 6.33 387,000 0.131 760,000 0.92 1,000 140 1,772,270 2.33 104,000 2.06 9,696,000 1.58 1,891,000

53,435,090 14,786,214 16,072,460 506,670 66,400 17,884,500 9,613,528 78,720 3,163,695 50,650 43,965 6,000 62,400 57,280 150,330 60,955 28,741,976 1,305,778 4,567,619 89,251,014 36,517,893 40,799,979.50 1,534,825 13,453,810 2,030,802 24,916,524 506,380 137,890,010 232,620 31,420 92,550 20,484,080 23,520,564 94,692,092 161,270,142 119,290 518,699 18,723,880 560,190 14,433,107 19,813,134 39,984 9,900,400 1,699,708 49,891,200 290,000 470,560 2,656,370 223,930 235,350 4,946,286 115,792,175.50 2,457,541 98,080 920 249,396,519 241,460 20,187,820 2,994,950

-16,605,605 389,850 -184,110.00 1,365,890 -1,507,938 -200,015 -62,400 35,800 -50,920 7,912,984 -74,780 -2,973,780 -88,222,713 6,629,156 15,422,025.50 1,320,630 -922,310 628,200 14,913,656 43,979,036 -3,014,810 1,015,368 -19,974,434 -58,147,432 -2,649,860 113,700 -8,408,679 -160,800 -158,600 -24,098 -31,344,315 -259,200 -1,870 7,600 -1,749,746 74,057,408 -837,795 32,517,250 -181,800 -49,440

0.71 66 14.1 0.8 6.5 27 1.44 1.46 928 7.21 12.54 12.82 0.24 1,018 6.05 65.5 5.45 0.61 5.98 15.4 0.63 5.12 0.037 1.2 2.62 151.5 2.27 970 1.42 474 251 0.255 0.228

0.67 63 13.46 0.77 6.5 25.5 1.41 1.43 920.5 7.02 12.14 12.7 0.24 1,000 5.9 64.8 5.42 0.59 5.41 15.2 0.61 4.9 0.037 1.17 2.58 149.5 2.27 947 1.38 474 245.2 0.25 0.213

HOLDING FIRMS 0.68 26,054,000 66 1,112,350 13.96 22,299,500 0.8 26,000 6.5 24,500 25.5 150,700 1.43 3,059,000 1.43 508,000 923 598,270 7.1 1,062,600 12.5 6,447,300 12.78 769,700 0.24 10,000 1,018 104,905 6 12,900 65.25 2,098,700 5.45 5,100 0.6 83,000 5.68 8,900,100 15.2 3,398,200 0.62 1,355,000 4.97 28,923,100 0.037 2,900,000 1.17 261,000 2.58 457,000 151 279,060 2.27 5,000 953 270,820 1.4 37,000 474 20 251 110,760 0.255 1,090,000 0.213 110,000

17,920,870 72,731,861 310,247,466 20,570 159,250 3,902,600 4,355,200 730,800 552,761,315 7,552,465 79,636,826 9,848,660 2,400 106,341,405 76,649 136,939,287.50 27,792 49,810 51,242,113 51,900,158 836,660 145,209,814 107,300 306,060 1,189,760 42,100,076 11,350 259,170,430 51,360 9,480 27,797,682 273,200 23,580

-263,720 19,359,727.50 223,312,750 65,000 -1,430 -136,746,635 672,924 -22,043,410 643,948 46,154,330 90,918,868 2,302,157 -7,619,306 -40,870,342 14,773,056 -106,517,880 -2,452 -

8.8 0.84 11 1.67 0.94 45 2.44 4.27 0.435 0.86 0.89 0.275 0.375 8.8 22.2 0.51 0.118 1.47 1.19 5.31 0.465 2.19 0.425 3.56 43.8

8.69 0.82 10.6 1.65 0.85 43.25 2.4 4.16 0.43 0.82 0.86 0.26 0.375 8.6 20.8 0.5 0.118 1.45 1.16 5.08 0.44 2.05 0.415 3.51 43.8

7,351,525 1,412,810 265,228 403,700 7,610,030 1,135,221,845 4,141,220 811,210 2,320,850 584,380 21,800 14,467,900 60,000 4,596,532 21,669,130 554,800 1,180 7,272,260 1,652,820 347,633,481 29,212,700 36,231,350 276,300 5,642,430 43,800

968,374 31,920 96,300 329,288,605 -1,182,680 -117,450 -1,492,450 79,603.00 -139,450 -471,240 229,830 -58,000.00 205,470,258 688,050 1,082,450 -330,160 -

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

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

58.5 94.35 2.35 129.2 1.47 27.95 16.2 12.3 4.98 1.49 800 0.475 80.95 1.06 12.4 19.1 44.95 180 59.3 26.5 179.8 1,800 65

59.8 94.35 2.38 131 1.47 28 16.2 12.42 5.03 1.49 800 0.485 82.6 1.06 12.42 21.1 44.95 182.5 60.4 27 181.4 1,800 65

58.5 92.5 2.32 128.1 1.44 27.65 16.2 12.26 4.8 1.45 800 0.45 80.55 0.99 12.34 19.1 44.5 180 59.3 26.4 178 1,800 64.5

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

36.75 16.36 1.13 1.4 0.243 2.14 15.6 135 31.3 17 40.05 60 78 1.79 6.69 6.7 11.78 15.2 8.1 7.3 19.98 73.4 25.7 2.17 6.06 12.8 1.86 308 4.32 3.14 10.1 26.9 11.3 17.2 390.8 0.183 5.7 1.44 3.79 7.69 6.75 9.07 1.3 10.98 48 5.8 4.88 1.86 3 1.52 12.4 85.4 6.29 0.131 0.92 143 2.34 2.12 1.6

36.85 16.42 1.14 1.41 0.25 2.16 15.6 140 31.3 17.5 40.05 60 78 1.79 6.7 6.7 11.78 15.3 8.1 7.32 20.35 74.55 26.5 2.21 6.06 13.18 1.9 314.6 4.36 3.15 10.22 27.4 12.1 17.96 393 0.186 5.7 1.45 3.82 7.75 7.23 9.1 1.34 11 48 5.8 4.88 1.9 3 1.52 12.4 87.5 6.38 0.131 0.92 143 2.39 2.14 1.61

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

0.69 64.8 13.5 0.77 6.5 26.95 1.42 1.43 921 7.2 12.4 12.72 0.24 1,000 5.9 65 5.42 0.6 5.41 15.3 0.63 5.08 0.037 1.2 2.62 150.9 2.27 959 1.38 474 251 0.255 0.228

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

8.79 0.83 11 1.67 0.93 43.3 2.41 4.22 0.435 0.86 0.89 0.26 0.375 8.6 21.95 0.51 0.118 1.46 1.19 5.08 0.465 2.19 0.415 3.55 43.8

VOLUME

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

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VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

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

22.8 2.05 3.15 36.95 1.31 6.16 0.71 5.86

23.1 2.07 3.15 38.3 1.37 6.25 0.71 5.97

22.35 2.04 3.12 36.85 1.31 6.08 0.7 5.84

22.9 2.04 3.12 38.3 1.37 6.23 0.7 5.84

2,699,600 288,000 32,000 28,642,100 2,364,000 375,500 49,000 4,115,900

61,559,470 589,830 99,910 1,081,457,765 3,201,830 2,324,248 34,480 24,161,954

39,285,125 -107,758,650 -7,815,644

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

14.22 21.25 1.39 0.45 0.042 3.39 10.8 80.1 6.77 7.49 17.5 900 2,040 5.84 323.2 3.07 1.96 104.8 10.6 0.139 6.4 3.16 14.88 3.44 0.83 18.36 5.01 2.7 2.15 2.14 17.96 4.19 9.6 8.89 3.65 115 3.4 1,230 0.92 0.365 45.75 86.2 7.8 2.34 0.78 0.44 5.5 0.76 13.06

14.58 21.45 1.39 0.455 0.045 3.41 10.82 80.75 6.95 7.49 17.6 900 2,100 5.89 330 3.14 1.97 106 11.3 0.139 6.51 3.18 14.88 3.44 0.83 18.36 5.23 2.73 2.23 2.14 17.96 4.2 9.6 8.89 3.65 116 3.43 1,247 0.93 0.405 47.3 88.8 7.8 2.39 0.79 0.44 5.54 0.77 13.3

13.84 21.05 1.38 0.435 0.042 3.2 10.48 80.1 6.77 7.2 16.8 900 2,040 5.83 323.2 3.07 1.96 104 10.6 0.136 6.37 3.11 14.88 3.3 0.81 17.8 5 2.69 2.15 2.14 17.96 3.7 9.56 8.52 3.38 115 3.15 1,225 0.91 0.36 45.3 81.05 7.7 2.31 0.77 0.43 5.47 0.74 13.02

SERVICES 13.9 21.3 1.39 0.435 0.042 3.21 10.66 80.5 6.83 7.47 16.82 900 2,080 5.88 330 3.07 1.97 104 11.3 0.138 6.4 3.11 14.88 3.31 0.81 17.8 5.22 2.7 2.2 2.14 17.96 3.71 9.56 8.52 3.61 116 3.2 1,237 0.92 0.4 45.9 85.5 7.8 2.37 0.78 0.435 5.5 0.76 13.2

170,300 57,800 30,000 5,510,000 69,500,000 2,040,000 6,513,200 69,820 1,230,500 25,600 351,200 700 59,330 206,600 160 555,000 6,000 1,257,470 900 4,260,000 5,156,700 53,000 1,500 1,938,000 182,000 367,100 64,200 2,341,000 389,000 20,000 100 16,134,000 8,300 8,500 121,000 58,110 2,304,000 112,635 6,833,000 15,880,000 7,666,600 1,084,440 28,400 19,047,000 5,074,000 11,780,000 150,400 1,958,000 4,219,600

2,386,968 1,230,075 41,530 2,430,300 3,006,900 6,713,710 69,405,386 5,614,979 8,481,456 188,016 5,976,232 630,000 124,070,480 1,213,139 52,354 1,718,290 11,770 131,705,255 9,610 583,850 33,199,162 166,050 22,320 6,474,680 149,010 6,576,768 322,235 6,321,540 849,500 42,800 1,796 62,908,940 79,356 73,602 415,460 6,740,750 7,525,240 139,346,475 6,258,620 6,154,900 353,663,025 93,209,118.50 221,030 44,863,230 3,940,230 5,124,400 830,054 1,474,360 55,389,120

8,340 130,500 8,600 -285,910 28,231,524 1,122,399 -28,812 43,773,110 -37,010 11,770 65,930,648 -1,026,758 -7,440 374,100 -967,168 -118,980 -169,320 5,800 -371,410 -14,630,865 -55,670 -22,550 -98,676,705 -20,902,722.50 652,640 -343,200 -339,300 -73,260 -32,077,702

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

0.0021 1.63 2.65 1.26 1.21 2.02 0.29 7.75 1.65 0.218 0.12 0.007 1.25 2.5 1.09 0.62 0.97 0.013 0.013 0.013 3.94 4.16 15.62 24.25 0.0069

0.0021 1.63 2.65 1.49 1.36 2.02 0.29 7.86 1.71 0.222 0.122 0.007 1.25 2.67 1.09 0.68 1.04 0.013 0.013 0.013 3.94 4.33 15.7 24.45 0.0069

0.0021 1.6 2.64 1.26 1.21 2.01 0.29 7.7 1.65 0.216 0.118 0.007 1.21 2.5 1.01 0.62 0.97 0.012 0.012 0.013 3.94 4.15 15.38 24 0.0069

MINING & OIIL 0.0021 207,000,000 1.6 3,785,000 2.64 64,000 1.49 303,000 1.36 6,000 2.02 504,000 0.29 10,000 7.85 3,200 1.68 22,110,000 0.218 240,000 0.12 3,830,000 0.007 15,000,000 1.24 56,000 2.6 10,205,000 1.09 37,000 0.63 14,000 1.03 2,902,000 0.013 61,000,000 0.013 9,800,000 0.013 400,000 3.94 1,000 4.16 6,775,000 15.5 1,636,500 24 1,091,700 0.0069 7,000,000

434,700 6,112,390 169,570 411,120 7,710 1,016,580 2,900 24,829 37,387,350 52,670 461,040 105,000 67,970 26,589,950 38,390 8,820 2,953,300 778,000 121,300 5,200 3,940 28,718,350 25,367,902 26,333,450 48,300

-3,220,140 -100,500.00 -21,470 -1,358,690 -1,658,360 511,176 -6,252,500 -

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

19.1 471 495 98.45 104 480 5.68 900 96 1.01 100.5 100.2 105 972 75.4 76 72.6 74.45 74.8 74 73.3

19.1 472 496 98.45 104 490 5.68 900 96 1.02 100.5 100.2 106 973 75.4 76.1 72.6 74.45 74.8 74 73.5

18.3 470 495 98.4 104 480 5.68 899 96 1.01 100.5 100.2 105 972 75.35 75.85 72.55 74.45 74.8 73.5 73.3

PREFERRED 18.7 182,000 472 350 496 1,080 98.4 3,410 104 1,010 490 7,480 5.68 14,000 899 100 96 10 1.02 16,000 100.5 580 100.2 310 106 780 973 800 75.35 7,240 76.1 68,580 72.55 750 74.45 550 74.8 14,300 74 21,540 73.5 27,050

3,364,960 164,970 534,650 335,699.50 105,040 3,664,020 79,520 89,910 960 16,220 58,290 31,062 82,500 777,900 545,559 5,211,400 54,422.50 40,947.50 1,069,640 1,593,706 1,986,807.50

-1,445,764 -24,120 10,500 -4,664,880 -

LR WARRANT

2.01

2.01

1.99

WARRANTS 1.99 312,000

622,560

-

834,343 31,970 11,351,020

-2,060,560

971,900

-

10,400 7,126 3,030

-

MS

PROPERTY 8.78 0.83 10.6 1.67 0.88 45 2.4 4.27 0.435 0.82 0.89 0.265 0.375 8.63 20.85 0.51 0.118 1.46 1.16 5.27 0.44 2.15 0.42 3.55 43.8

838,300 1,711,000 24,900 244,000 8,556,000 25,486,100 1,721,000 192,000 5,380,000 707,000 25,000 53,930,000 160,000 530,000 1,020,000 1,089,000 10,000 4,973,000 1,420,000 66,556,500 65,490,000 17,021,000 660,000 1,599,000 1,000

ITALPINAS MAKATI FINANCE XURPAS

5.06 2.92 1.6

5.23 2.92 1.61

5.06 2.85 1.54

FIRST METRO ETF

117.2

118.1

116.6

USD DMPL A1 USD DMPL A2 USD TECH B2

10.4 10.18 1.01

10.4 10.18 1.01

10.4 10.18 1.01

TRADING SUMMARY

SHARES

FINANCIAL

18,496,156

INDUSTRIAL

115,804,509

HOLDING FIRMS

120,054,036

PROPERTY

300,714,306

SERVICES

300,086,495

MINING & OIL

353,841,266

GRAND TOTAL

1,216,429,760

5.09 2.85 1.54

SME

164,200 11,000 7,247,000

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 118.1 8,270 DDS 10.4 10.18 1.01

1,000 700 3,000

VALUE 1,809.23 (up) 4.59 1,257,208,959.85 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 11,458.24 (down) 42.34 1,917,830,031.93 HOLDING FIRMS 7,851.25 (up) 18.13 1,960,250,588.27 PROPERTY 3,957.23 (up) 125.65 1,540.23 (down) 3.45 2,904,957,976.68 SERVICES MINING & OIL 8,803.23 (up) 4.71 5,954,414,212.02 PSEI 7,927.20 (up) 62.50 157,277,490.319 All Shares Index 4,743.84 (up) 28.71 14,165,135,551.57 Gainers: 101; Losers: 99; Unchanged: 51; Total: 251

Puregold raises P4.7b in overnight placement

By Jenniffer B. Austria PUREGOLD Price Club, Inc., the supermarket chain owned by billionaire Lucio Co., successfully raised P4.69 billion through an overnight placement of shares.

Puregold said in a disclosure to the stock exchange it sold approximately 104 million shares at P45 apiece, a 6.8-percent discount to the stock’s closing price of P48.40 on Tuesday.

“Use of proceeds will be used for general corporate purposes, capital expenditure, and potential acquisitions,” Puregold said.

The shares account for 3.8 percent of Puregold’s total issued and outstanding capital stock.

Co, who was the sole selling shareholder, also signed an agreement to purchase the same number of shares and at the same price.

Deutsche Bank AG acted as the placing agent for the transaction.

The Puregold Group as of end September 2018 had 397 stores nationwide. These include 345 Puregold stores, 16 S&R membership shopping warehouses and 36 S&R New York Style QSR outlets.

Puregold posted a net income of P4.618 billion in the first nine months of 2018, up 18 percent from P3.899 billion year-on-year. The higher profit was driven by a 14-percent rise in systemwide net sales to P99.818 billion from P87.564 billion a year ago.

The company attributed the strong performance to sustained same store sales growth during the nine-month period, which stood at 5.8 percent in Puregold stores and 8.8 percent in S&R outlets.

Income from operations rose P6.23 billion in first nine months of 2018, up 10 percent from P5.65 billion on year.

Puregold expects consolidated net sales to increase 12 percent to 14 percent for the full year of 2018 from an initial guidance of 7 percent to 9 percent.

Same store sales growth guidance for Puregold and S&R for 2018 is also projected to go up 4 percent to 6 percent in 2018.

The company has been opening 25 stores annually since its initial public offering in 2011.

Puregold in 2018 earmarked P3.65 billion in capital expenditures for the opening of new stores.

Share price of Puregold has been on an upward trend since the start of the year as the company is expected to benefit from the lower inflation rate and sustained strong consumer spending.

PSBank bares successful P8-b rights offering PHILIPPINE Savings Bank, the consumer banking arm of the Metrobank Group, said Thursday it successfully raised P8 billion through a stock rights offering.

The bank said in a statement the offering period closed on Jan. 11, 2019.

The offer to eligible shareholders of 142,856,925 common shares was priced at P56 per share.

The right shares are expected to be listed on the Philippine Stock Exchange today.

“The P8-billion offer was taken up entirely by the bank’s existing shareholders, with support seen across the shareholder base, resulting in an oversubscription,” PSBank said.

“The bank believes that this represents a vote of confidence in the bank, its vision and business strategies,” it said.

PSBank said the projected robust growth of the Philippines would continue to support loan expansion across the various segments of the economy.

Thus, it said the capital-raising exercise would enable it to sustain its loan growth momentum, supporting the expected asset growth, primarily on consumer loans.

The additional capital from the offer will strengthen its CET1 capital, further solidifying the bank’s capital adequacy and financial strength.

First Metro Investment Corp. arranged the rights offering as sole issue manager, book runner and lead underwriter. Julito G. Rada

B3

World

FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 2019 CESAR BARRIOQUINTO, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

IN BRIEF Putin to receive rock star welcome

BELGRADE-With T-shirts, mugs and murals bearing his face, Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to receive a rock star welcome on Thursday when he lands in Serbia, Moscow’s key ally on the edge of Europe.

Putin will be met with a welcome parade that weaves through the capital Belgrade and culminates at the massive Saint Sava church, one of Orthodox Christianity’s largest houses of worship.

Although Serbia aspires to join the European Union, it has kept up close ties with Russia, a historical “Orthodox big brother” whose people also share Slavic origins.

But it “is more an emotional than a rational relationship”, explained Serbian economic analyst Biljana Stepanovic in Belgrade.

According to a 2017 Serbian government survey, a quarter of the population believe that Russia is their country’s top donor, while the same percentage says it is the EU. In reality, 75 percent of donations come from the EU or its member states, while Russia doesn’t even make the top nine.

The West also outpaces Russia in terms of direct investment and trade.

However, the affection for Moscow is fanned by its unyielding support on the emotive issue of Kosovo, a former Serbian province that broke away in a 199899 guerilla war. AFP

RECORD NUMBER OF VISITORS. In this file photo taken on September 27, 2018, tourists take a photo in Times Square in Manhattan, New York. A record-breaking 65.2 million tourists visited New York in 2018, its tourist board said on January 16, 2019, with British people particularly keen to visit the Big Apple from overseas. AFP

UK PM May reaches out to rivals in Brexit battle LONDON―British Prime Minister Theresa May faces deadlock Thursday over a new Brexit plan, after narrowly surviving a no-confidence vote sparked by the crushing defeat of her EU withdrawal deal.

With the clock ticking, May has appealed to opposition leaders to meet for cross-party talks before she presents an alternative proposal to parliament on Monday.

But her opponents have set out a list of demands for cooperating—including ruling out the possibility that Britain would leave the EU in March without any deal at all.

The embattled leader conceded the divorce terms she struck with the EU had been roundly rejected, after MPs delivered the heaviest government defeat in parliament in modern British political history on Tuesday - 432 votes to 202.

“Now MPs have made clear what they don’t want, we must all work constructively together to set out what parliament does want,” May said in a televised address to the nation on Wednesday evening, after winning a no-confidence vote triggered by the opposition Labour party.

She set out a schedule of cross-party talks that began immediately with meetings with the Scottish nationalist, Welsh nationalist and the pro-EU Liberal Democrat leaders.

“We must find solutions that are negotiable and command sufficient support in this House,” she had told parliament earlier.

But opposition Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said he would only meet May if she could “remove clearly, once and for all the prospect of the catastrophe of a no-deal Brexit”.

May said she was “disappointed”

by Corbyn’s decision and stressed that “our door remains open”.

On Wednesday evening her spokesman said the possibility of a “no deal” was still on the table.

Ian Blackford of the Scottish National Party said his party would only participate if she were prepared to consider delaying Brexit, ruling out a “no deal” and the option of holding a second referendum.

May has flatly rejected a second vote. AFP

Thailand signals more tolerant refugee plan B ANGKOK― Thailand’s immigration chief vowed Wednesday not to force refugees to return home “involuntarily”, after a Saudi woman’s desperate plea for resettlement drew global attention to a country that does not recognize asylum seekers.

The country is not a signatory to a UN convention on refugees and has long come under fire for holding them in detention centers or deporting them back to repressive regimes where they face prison or worse.

Many cases do not make headlines but that changed earlier this month when 18-year-old Saudi runaway Rahaf Mohammed al-Qunun arrived in Bangkok and staved off deportation by barricading herself in a hotel at the airport, live-tweeting the standoff to an international audience.

She was handed over to the UN

refugee agency within days and resettled to Canada within a week, where she was welcomed by Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland after landing in Toronto on Saturday.

Qunun said she suffered abuse in the ultra-conservative kingdom and refused to see family members who came to Thailand after her flight.

The lightning-fast processing of her case was unprecedented for Thailand and was overseen almost from start to finish by immigration chief Surachate Hakparn, a blunt-talking media-savvy official nicknamed “Big Joke” who was recently appointed to the role and vowed reforms.

Responding to questions about Thailand’s treatment of refugees, Surachate told an audience at the foreign correspondents’ club he would take a new approach and that under his supervision “there will be no one involuntarily sent back to the country if they don’t want to go back”.

He added that as chief of the department, “we will now follow international norms”.

But the claims were met with skepticism given the November arrest

Nordic countries cry for children OSLO―”Norway needs more children!

I don’t think I need to tell anyone how this is done,” Norway’s prime minister said cheekily, but she was raising a real concern.

Too few babies are being born in the Nordic region.

The Nordic countries were long a bastion of strong fertility rates on an Old Continent that is rapidly getting older.

But they are now experiencing a decline that threatens their cherished welfare model, which is funded by taxpayers.

“In the coming decades, we will encounter problems with this model,” Prime Minister Erna Solberg warned Norwegians in her New Year’s speech.

“There will be fewer young people to bear the increasingly heavy burden of the welfare state.”

In Norway, Finland and Iceland, birth rates dropped to historic lows in 2017, with 1.49 to 1.71 children born per woman. Just a few years earlier, their birth rates hovered close to the 2.1 level required for their populations to remain stable.

“In all of the Nordic countries, birth rates started dropping in the years after the 2008 financial crisis,” University of Oslo sociologist Trude Lappegard told AFP. “The crisis is over now but it’s still falling.”

From Copenhagen to the North Cape, from Helsinki to Reykjavik, demographics across the Nordics reveal two things: there are fewer large families, and women are waiting longer before having their first child. AFP

in Thailand of refugee footballer Hakeem Alaraibi, who had been granted permanent residency in Australia but was stopped at the airport in Bangkok while trying to go on vacation.

Alaraibi, a former player for Bahrain’s national team, is wanted on charges relating to the damage of a police station during the Arab Spring in the Gulf State, but rights groups say he was playing a match at the time and the allegations are false.

Surachate said the case was different as there was an outstanding arrest warrant for Alaraibi in Bahrain, but said that he could argue his case in court.

Australia has called for Alaraibi to be returned to the country, where he lives in Melbourne and plays for a semiprofessional football team.

He also said that the processing of Qunun’s experience would not serve as a model for future cases in Thailand and denied that authorities caved to pressure as the story went viral and the young woman picked up tens of thousands of Twitter followers.

“Each case will be considered case by case.” AFP

Republic of the Philippines

National Irrigation Administration (Pambansang Pangasiwaan ng Patubig) Regional Office No. III

Office Address: Telephone Nos.: Website :

Tambubong, San Rafael, Bulacan (044) 766-2467 / 766-4839 / 816-6806 www.region3nia.gov.ph

Email Address: niar03@yahoo.com Telefax No. (044) 766-2467 TIN No. 000-979-570-000

INVITATION TO BID FOR (AMRIS) Modernization, Upgrade and Instrumentation of Flood Gates of Bustos Dam ITB No. NIAR3-2019-AMRIS-AUTOMATION-G4 1.

NATIONAL IRRIGATION ADMINISTRATION – REGION 3, through the General Appropriations Act of CY 2019intends to apply the sum of Fifty Eight Million Two Hundred Fifty One Thousand Eight Hundred Eighty Five Pesos (P 58,251,585.00) being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) to payments under the contract for NIAR3-2019-AMRIS-AUTOMATION-G4. Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening.

2.

Only those submitted Document Request List (DRL) from Philgeps, Letter of Intent with a company profile, submitted by the owner or its authorized liaison officer, will be accepted to participate in the bidding.

3.

The NATIONAL IRRIGATION ADMINISTRATION – REGION 3 now invites bids for (AMRIS) Modernization, Upgrade and Instrumentation of Flood Gates of Bustos Dam. Delivery of the Goods is required One Hundred Twenty (120) Calendar Day. Bidders should have completed a contract similar to the Project. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instructions to Bidders.

4.

Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using a non-discretionary “pass/fail” criterion as specified in the 2016 Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (RA) 9184, otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”.

SOUTH OF THE BORDER. Adan Madrid and his father, Adan Madrid, sr., walk together on

their ranch land next to the Rio Grande river which marks the border between Mexico and the United States on January 16, 2019, in Candelaria, Texas. The US government is partially shut down as President Donald Trump is asking for $5.7 billion to build additional walls along the US-Mexico border and the Democrats oppose the idea. Mr. Madrid said ‘a wall would be pointless because they will come across anyway, since it couldn’t be guarded 24/7.’ He said a more effective solution would be to pay agents or the local law enforcement a good salary as well as make investments in technology.’ AFP

5.

electronics, appliances, pharmaceuticals and luxury clothes.

Many insurance companies operating in Mexico will no longer protect such shipments unless they are transported in vehicles capable of withstanding assault-rifle fire.

“It’s a growing niche,” Coronel told AFP. “It’s expensive. It’s very expensive. But insurance companies are demanding armored equipment for shipments worth more than a certain amount.”

Mexico is caught in the seemingly neverending spiral of violent crime driven by its powerful drug cartels and other organized gangs.

First, the criminals branched out into fuel theft, which has cost state oil company Pemex billions of dollars.

Now, they are plaguing the country’s high-

ways.

Mexican police received 11,425 reports of armed robberies of cargo vehicles in 2017 -or an average of more than 31 a day.

In 2018, there were 11,062 reports from January to November -- 33 a day.

To defend against the scourge, armored truck companies are coating tractor trailers in steel and putting bullet-proof glass in the windows.

It costs around 550,000 pesos ($27,000) to equip a semi-truck to withstand AK-47 fire.

But for many shipping companies, there is little choice. A single high-value shipment can be worth nearly half a million dollars.

The trucking industry estimates it is losing $4.6 billion a year because of violent crime.

Coronel has experienced the consequences firsthand. AFP

Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, partnerships, or organizations with at least sixty percent (60%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines, and to citizens or organizations of a country the laws or regulations of which grant similar rights or privileges to Filipino citizens, pursuant to RA 5183.

2.

Bidding is open to all interested bidders, whether local or foreign, subject to the conditions for eligibility provided in the IRR of RA 9184.

Interested bidders may obtain further information from NATIONAL IRRIGATION ADMINISTRATION – REGION 3 and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below during 9:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M., Monday to Friday.

A complete set of Bidding Documents may be purchased by interested Bidders on January 16, 2019 to February 5, 2019 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday to Friday, and February 6, 2019 from 9:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., except holidays from the address below and upon payment of a nonrefundable fee for the Bidding Documents in the amount of Fifty Eight Thousand Pesos (P 58,000.00).

Mexicans fight highway robbers with armored trailers MEXICO CITY―The speeding cars pull alongside a semi-truck, box it in and force it to a halt. Then the robbers, firing AK-47s, hijack its cargo and make their getaway.

It seems like something out of Hollywood, but it is happening on a daily basis on Mexico’s highways.

And the mounting dangers on the road have fueled a booming new business as the trucking industry seeks to fight back: welcome to the world of armored and bullet-proof tractor trailers.

Jorge Coronel is one of those trying to stop these highway robberies, which have more than doubled in Mexico since 2015 to more than 30 a day, according to figures from the trucking industry and the government.

Coronel runs a company that specializes in transporting high-value cargo such as

1.

It may also be downloaded free of charge from the website of the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) and the website of the Procuring Entity, provided that Bidders shall pay the applicable fee for the Bidding Documents not later than the submission of their bids.

6.

The NATIONAL IRRIGATION ADMINISTRATION – REGION 3 will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on January 24, 2019, 10:00 a.m. at NIA-R3 Office, Conference Room, Brgy. Tambubong, San Rafael, Bulacan, which shall beopen only to all interested parties who have purchased the Bidding Documents.

Bids must be delivered to the address below on or before 9:30 a.m. (PST) of February 6, 2019. All Bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in ITB Clause 18.

Bid opening shall be on 10:00 a.m. (PST) of February 6, 2019 at NIA-R3 Office, Conference Room, Brgy.

Tambubong, San Rafael, Bulacan. Bids will be opened in the presence of the Bidders’ representatives who choose to attend at the address below. Late bids shall not be accepted.

7.

All particulars relative to the eligibility screening, bid security, performance security, pre-bid conference/s, evaluation of bids, post qualification and award of contracts shall be governed by the pertinent provisions of RA 9184 and its revised IRR.

8.

The NATIONAL IRRIGATION ADMINISTRATION – REGION 3reserves the right to reject any and all bids, declare a failure of bidding, or not award the contract at any time prior to contract award in accordance with Section 41 of RA 9184 and its IRR, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders.

9.

For further information, please refer to: BAC Secretariat/s; NIA – Region 3,Tambubong, San Rafael, Bulacan Tel No. (044) 766-4839 and 816-8608 (SGD) VIRGILIO J. ILAO BAC-Chairperson

Noted by: (SGD)JOSEPHINE B. SALAZAR Regional Manager

(M S-J A N . 18 , 2 019)

RAMON L. TOMELDAN Editor

B4 FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 2019

Motoring han Pieris stalled on the grid as the lights went out and was wheeled into the pits and retirement.

Lap 3 saw Ticktum make another bid for the race lead, briefly getting by Veekay again before his rival snatched it back. Ghiretti dropped from third to sixth in the order, putting Ye, who had been pushing the Frenchman hard for position, firmly into podium contention.

Further down the pack, Super License driver Tomoki Takahashi was on a charge, passing Malaysia’s Akash Nandy on Lap 9, and setting off on the hunt for Cordeel.

In front of them, Schumacher was closing in Ravishankar, piling on the pressure to the Singapore driver. The tactic worked, with Ravishankar running slightly wide and Schumacher seizing his chance to go fourth in the order. It was beautifully-executed move by the German, and one that was to prove crucial.

As Ticktum continued his pursuit of Veekay and the race lead, rival Ye had closed the gap and was suddenly right on the back of the Briton. Lap 15 saw the pair side-by-side before Ye, on scorching pace, dived past and up to second. Ticktum again tried to fight back but wasn’t able to make any headway as Ye tore off after Veekay. However, despite his astonishing pace, there were not enough laps remaining for Ye to make any real headway, and he crossed the line a little over a second behind the Hitech Grand Prix points leader.

While Ticktum looked on course for a podium finished, he was handed a 10 second time penalty for exceeding track limits, demoting him down the order to sixth.

That saw Schumacher take his maiden Asian Winter Series podium, joining race winner Veekay and Ye on the winners’ rostrum.

Ravishankar was classified fourth ahead of Ghiretti. Cordeel also fell foul of race officials, like Ticktum receiving a 10-second track limits penalty. That put him down from seventh on the road to ninth in the classification behind Nandy, Takahashi and Ticktum. B-Max Racing Team’s Tairoku Yamaguchi took the Masters win, 10th overall, while single seater newcomer Vivien Keszthelyi of BlackArts Racing recovered skillfully from an early spin to rejoin and finish the race.

Asian Winter Series off to blistering startart

B

URIRAM, Thailand – Hitech Grand Prix’s Rinus Veekay rounded out brilliant weekend in the Asian Winter Series debut at Thailand’s Buriram International Circuit, taking his second championship win in Race 2, and adding a third place Race 3 finish to his points tally.

China’s Ye Yifei took the win in Race ond, while Veekay crossed the line third 3, after snatching the lead from pole-sitter to consolidate his place at the top of the Dan Ticktum off the start and fighting off leaderboard. the Briton. Ticktum had to settle for secYe finished second in Race 2, ahead

FORD Philippines chalked up retail sales of 23,571 vehicles in 2018, driven by record full-year sales of the segment-defining Ranger pickup truck.

The Ranger’s full-year retail sales rose 9 percent to an all-time best 11,604 vehicles, and was Ford’s topseller in the Philippines in 2018.

The Ranger capped off its second best month for the year in December with sales of 1,230 vehicles.

“The ‘Built Ford Tough’ Ranger truly underscored our retail performance in 2018,” said Bertrand Lessard, managing director, Ford Philippines. “The successful launch of the new Ranger helped to solidify its role of setting the benchmark in the pickup truck segment.”

Ford launched the new Ranger lineup in the Philippines in September, which consists of nine different variants, including the first-ever Ranger Raptor, the popular high-series

Ranger drives up Ford sales

Wildtrak, sporty XLT, and more utilitarian XLS variants.

The new Ranger lineup features two new-generation powertrains – the 2.0L Bi-Turbo and 2.0L Single Turbo engines, as well as the proven Duratorq engine – helping further strengthen the Ranger’s ‘Built Ford Tough’ appeal among Fili-

of Pinnacle Motorsport’s David Schumacher, who worked his way up from ninth on the grid.

Three action-packed races saw four different drivers on the podium in what was a superb opening weekend for the new championship. After three races, Veekay has a 22 point lead at the top of the Driver Classification from Ye (43 points).

Schumacher and Hitech Grand Prix’s Pavan Ravishankar are tied on 31 points apiece, while Alessandro Ghiretti is just three points adrift after impressing on his graduation from Formula 4.

pino customers.

The iconic Mustang also delivered its best full-year performance with sales increasing by 6 percent to 432 vehicles.

Ford launched the new Mustang in 2018 with a choice of two engines: the powerful 5.0L V8 and more economical 2.3L EcoBoost.

The new Mustang delivers more athletic styling, sophisticated engine and suspension enhancements, advanced driver assistance features and more customization options.

The Everest mid-size SUV contributed to Ford’s 2018 performance with full-year sales of 5,813 vehicles, including December sales of 407 vehicles.

The EcoSport compact SUV achieved full-year sales of 5,024 vehicles, capped off by December sales of 221 vehicles.

Race 2 As the lights went out on the second race of the weekend, Ticktum got a lightning start from P2 to storm past pole-sitter Veekay and into the lead. The Dutchman immediate fought back, going on the inside at Turn 3, and reclaiming his pole advantage. Despite a furious Ticktum swarming all over the back of him, Veekay held firm and set about trying to pull clear.

Behind the pair, Ghiretti, Ye, Pinnacle Motorsport’s Amaury Cordeel and Ravishankar gave chase, while an unlucky Es-

Dream Center pilot batch graduates LAST November 29, 2018, Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc, the official Philippine distributor of Hyundai vehicles, celebrated the graduation of the pilot batch of 45 Hyundai Dream Centre Philippines scholars alongside partners Hyundai Motor Company and Plan International at the Hyundai Logistics Center in Calamba, Laguna.

The HDCP, inaugurated in April 2018, is a world-class scholarship program that provides bright, young Filipinos with comprehensive training on Hyundai vehicle repair and maintenance. HARI and Plan International, a global humanitarian organization, collaborated on the design and implementation of TESDA-certified training courses adapted to the diverse educational backgrounds of the 45 pioneering scholars.

HARI Chief Operations Officer and Chief Financial Officer Ladislao Z. Avila, Jr. said at the ceremony: “Today we celebrate something very special, the fulfillment of our shared vision for the Dream Centre Philippines: Inspiring Dreams, Empowering Abilities. Forty five young people—thirty eight men and seven

The pioneer batch of Hyundai Dream Centre Philippines graduates from Courses 1 & 2 proudly display their certificates alongside (second row from left) HARI Vice President, After-Sales Division Richard Gapasin, Plan International Sponsorship Manager Mike Reynaldo, Plan International Senior Program Manager Natividad Silorio, HARI Chief Operations Officer and Chief Financial Officer Ladislao Z. Avila, Jr., and (third row, far right) Plan International Program Technical Manager Emilio Paz.

women—will soon fulfill their own dreams and begin careers as People of Hyundai.”

The pioneer batch of Hyundai Dream Centre Philippines graduates from Courses 1 & 2 proudly display their certificates alongside (second row from left) HARI Vice President, After-Sales Division Richard Gapasin, Plan International Sponsorship Manager Mike Reynaldo, Plan International Senior Program Manager Natividad Silorio, HARI Chief Operations Officer and Chief Financial Officer Ladislao Z. Avila, Jr., and (third row, far right) Plan International Program Technical Manager Emilio Paz.

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SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2016

FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 2019 advertise@manilastandard.net

Excellence marks

220th 20 th Sikhayan

Tourism Excellence Award for Local Government 2017, November 27, 2017

Festival

T

Collaboration and partnership bring Santa Rosa to new heights

HE success and continued progress of the City of Santa Rosa has always been attributed to its people – their resilience and determination has transformed the city into one of the best and most admirable cities in the country. And the annual celebration of the Sikhayan Festival, which marks its 20th year today, is the tribute of the local government to its people – the city’s most valuable resource.

Indeed, citizen engagement and participation in governance are the hallmark of Santa Rosa that has enabled the local government to achieve excellence. The collaboration of local officials, the partnership with businesses and people’s organizations, the seamless working relations among stakeholders have solidified Santa Rosa’s position as a prime location for business, residence and tourism.

All these can be gleamed from what the city has accomplished over the last three years alone. Over the least three years, Mayor Dan S. Fernandez and the executive branch, Vice Mayor Arnold B. Arcillas and the entire Sangguniang Panlungsod, and Congresswoman Arlene B. Arcillas have achieved the ideal and shown that what is seemingly impossible is achievable – that collaboration, sharing of a vision, selflessness will lead to better governance that will result in better services to its people.

On top of the list is the Dangal ng Pagbabago Rehabilitation Center (DPRC), which the city pursued in response to President Rodrigo Duterte’s call to action against illegal drugs. Launched on the first year of the current administration, DPRC is the first ever rehabilitation center in the country to be operated and funded by a city government.

DPRC served as home to high-risk drug dependents who voluntarily surrendered during “Oplan Tokhang,” while moderate

to low risk drug dependents underwent the Community-Based Rehabilitation Program in their respective barangays.

Since its inception on January 2017, a total of 91 surrenderees completed the program in the DPRC. Of the total number, three completed program under the Balay Silangan Reformation Center which was formally launched on August 2018 to address the need to rehabilitate known drug pushers.

These feats in peace and order enabled the City to become one of the 241 local government units in the country to bag the 2018 Anti-Drug Abuse Council Performance Award given by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).

In 2017, the city was given the Special Unit Award on the Campaign Against Illegal Drugs by the Philippine National Police - Police Regional Office CALABARZON. In 2018, five barangays were declared drugcleared by the Oversight Committee on Dangerous Drugs. In January 2019, another barangay joined the roster of drug-cleared barangays in the city.

Testament to excellent service was the ISO certification of additional offices that has resulted in a more orderly and organized set of frontline services and procedures.

The structure of the City Government was also systematized having adopted the City Plantilla as required by the Civil Service Commission. All these are integrated in the re-engineered Citizen’s Charter, the guide to citizens seeking the services of the city government as provided by Republic Act

Nutrition Honor Award 2018, July 31, 2018

Groundbreaking of the new and soonto-rise Santa Rosa Community Hospital building No. 11032, otherwise known as the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018.

The efficiency in the services of the city, particularly in the registration and renewal of business permits, has earned it the Blue Certification Level I from the Office of the Ombudsman in 2016.

Several infrastructures that are now beneficial and functional for the City and its people were constructed. Primary among this is the state-of-the-art Command Center, which is now fully-operational complemented with its high-technology equipment. The Command Center monitors the traffic and the CCTVs installed all over the city and coordinates with the City Traffic Management and Enforcement Office, the Santa Rosa City Police Station, the Santa Rosa City Fire Station, and the City Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Office to quickly respond to accidents, disasters and emergencies.

There is also the Regional Evacuation Center with complete facilities that could cater

Additional classroom building of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines Santa Rosa Campus up to 33 families. This was made possible through the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

The City also inaugurated the new building for the Santa Rosa Manpower Training Center (SRMTC) on December 2018 to cater to more students seeking to have technical skills for certification by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority. Complementing this is the construction of additional classroom building for the Polytechnic University of the Philippines Santa Rosa Campus.

In its push to transform the Santa Rosa Community Hospital (SRCH) into a Level II hospital, a new building broke ground on October

2018. Upon its construction, the hospital can accommodate more patients and provide more services, and will add more accolades the hospital which received the Hospital Performance Achiever Award based in 2016 and 2017 LGUScorecards from the Provincial Health Office and the Department of Health Region IV-A. In October 2016, the city also launched the Point of Care (POC) Program in SRCH. It is a health care mechanism wherein an indigent person needing urgent medical attention could be admitted in our Santa Rosa Community Hospital at any time and the city will be shouldering the premium contribution for one year.

With all these efforts turned into accom-

2018 Anti-Drug Abuse Council Performance Award, December 28, 2018

The state-of-the-art Command Center of the City of Santa Rosa

Regional Evacuation Center located at Brgy.

Tagapo, City of Santa Rosa, Laguna

The newly-inaugurated Balay Silangan Reformation Center

plishments, the city was able to keep hold of the city’s previous accolades, and even garnered some of the highest awards in different sectors of public service.

The City of Santa Rosa secured the prestigious Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) Award by the DILG for years 2017 and 2018 for its excellent performance in promoting good governance, transparency, and effective and efficient public services.

Another accolade related to governance is the Recognition of Excellence Award from OpenGov Asia given on April 2018 for the “innovative use of technology through optimization of government processes, delivering citizen-centric services and pushing new boundaries”.

Due to the city’s outstanding performance in its nutrition programs, it also received the highest and most prestigious recognition from the National Nutrition Council – the Nutrition Honor Award (NHA) which elevated the city among the hall of fame achievers in nutrition.

This is in addition to the Pabasa sa Nutrisyon Diamond Award by the Nutrition Center of the Philippines also received in 2018.

In the environment sector, Santa Rosa is multi-awarded. It was recognized as the National Earth Hour Capital in 2016 and ASEAN ESC Model Cities in 2017.

It also received awards from the DILG. These are Silver Award (City Level) for Environmental Compliance Audit (ECA) Awards in 2016, the Silver Award for Provincial ECA in 2017, and Gold Awardee for ECA for 2018.

All of these are due to its contribution in the rehabilitation and preservation of Manila Bay and its watershed. It also was accorded the 2018 Environment Friendly Award by The Manila Times Philippine Model Cities.

Other honorifics in the last three years were the 2017 Safe Haven Award given by The Manila Times Philippine Model Cities; Tourism Excellence Award for Local Government given by the Department of Tourism Region IV-A on 2017; and the 2018 Seal of Child Friendly Governance given by the DILG and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

All these and more are testament to the excellence and fruitful years of the City of Santa Rosa. As in the words of Mayor Dan S. Fernandez, it’s a job well done. (tbumali)

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FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 2019 advertise@manilastandard.net

Triumph over adversity

Lessons from Santa Rosa’s Sikhayan Festival

By Aya Jallorina

Mention Santa Rosa City of Laguna and people will readily point to a highly-developed, enviable city at par with the most modern cities in the world. But did you know that some 200 years ago, it was a laidback barrio dependent on agriculture called Barrio Burol (some say Barrio Bukol) of Biñan town?

The robust turnaround is rooted from the “pagsisikhay”(resoluteness and determination) of the Rosenians, as the people of Santa Rosa are called. Hence, the Sikhayan (Sikap-Kabuhayan) festival is celebrated every 18th of January in honor of the unwavering spirit of enterprise of the Rosenians which has fueled Santa Rosa’s unabated economic growth over the years.

Sikhayan coincides with the city’s founding as a separate and independent town of Laguna Province in 1792. This year the city celebrates its 227th founding anniversary.

While most festivals have religious origins and entwine cultural and religious significance in traditional activities, Sikhayan is one celebration that is centered on its people.

As the city describes it, Sikhayan is a festival that honors the resilience and perseverance of the people because the greatest wealth of Santa Rosa is its human resource.

The city government resonates this belief by celebrating Sikhayan annually and re-tell the story about its hardworking people.

The early settlers are people who never gave up in the face of adversity, with a forward-looking mindset to a better future. From farm tillers and fisherfolks who grappled with scarcity in the past, many are now professionals and entrepreneurs in the fast-growing, highly-urbanized city.

More than the revelry, the festival is an active history engagement with the people who get to listen to stories about early town settlers: how they arrived in the then vast, barren town, the difficulties they encountered as tillers of the lands and how, with resolute conviction, they were able to build slowly a stable, sustainable and enviable modern city.

History-wise, this year’s Sikhayan festival also marks a very important cultural achievement for the Rosenians. This is the development of Cuartel de Santo Domingo as a tourism and heritage site of Santa Rosa.

Last January 14, 2019, the Cuartel de Santo Domingo was publicly declared as Important Cultural Property by the National Museum. This follows its declaration as National Historical Landmark in 2005 by the National Historical Institute, now known as National Historical Commission of the Philippines.

To keep in step with the declarations and achieve the provisions of the National Cultural Heritage Act (Republic Act No. 10066), which take steps in preserving historic buildings that are over 50 years old, the local government is working with civil society group Kilusan Cuartel de Santo Domingo to take custody of the cultural and heritage site.

The Cuartel is a small version of the Intramuros of Manila. It is an old Spanish bastion and has an area of 4,000-sq. m. and located in Barangay Santo Domingo.

According to the blog of Sta. Rosa: An Intricate Picture of a Beautiful City, with the law of 1877 creating the Guardia Civil, the Cuartel was established in the 1880s. During that era, the real purpose of this cuartel is to guard or protect the town from the rebels in Silang, Cavite. This is also the reason why this two-story barracks was located in land between Sta. Rosa and Cavite.

In February 1897, during the Philippine revolution, the Cuartel was used also as the headquarters, armory and depot for General Jose Lachambre’s division assigned to quell the rebellion in Silang and Dasmariñas in the Cavite highlands.

The served as the headquarters and stronghold of the Guardia Civil, which protected the porous land boundaries between Silang, Cavite and Biñan/Calamba and Santa Rosa.

Today, the Kilusan Cuartel de Santo Domingo and the city government are spearheading the Cuartel’s development.

The stakeholders of the envisioned tourism and cultural heritage has had a series of meetings with the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the National Historical Commission of the Philippines and inked an agreement to leave a 15-meter buffer zone to be developed by the local LGU as tourism heritage.

Cuartel De Santo Domingo

Public Declaration of Cuartel De Santo Domingo as Important Cultural Property by the National Museum on January 14, 2019

LGUs

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

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FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 2019

Taguig gives out birthday cash gifts to elders THE Taguig City government announced on Thursday it has distributed birthday cash gifts to senior citizens in six barangays in line with Mayor Laarni Cayetano´s comprehensive program for elders.

Under the administration of Cayetano, the welfare senior citizens has always been a priority. Aside from the birthday cash gift, the elders are given a P1,500 social pension which is distributed quarterly.

Last Monday, local officials distributed the birthday cash gifts for seniors in Barangays Bambang, Wawa, Hagonoy, San Miguel, Ususan and Tuktukan.

City Ordinance 25 stated that the city’s elderly will receive P3,000, P4,000 and P5,000 as birthday cash gifts, depending on the age bracket they fall under—the 60 to 69 bracket, the 70 to 79 bracket, and the 80 to above bracket, respectively.

Eligible for the birthday cash gift are senior citizens who are residents of Taguig for a minimum of five years and are registered voters of the city.

To claim the birthday cash gift, an elderly resident should present his or her Senior Citizen ID card that can be processed at the Office for Senior Citizen Affairs (OSCA) located in the city hall, and a signed photocopy of the said ID. Representatives tasked to claim the gift should present an authorization letter, the senior citizen card of the beneficiary and a photocopy of the representative’s valid ID. Aside from the birthday cash gift, city centenarians also receive a P100,000 cash award from the city government. They also get the same amount for each year after their 100th birthday as part of the city’s program for centenarians.

Other programs for the elderly in Taguig include: House-to-house delivery of free maintenance medicines for those with diabetes, high blood and asthma; Home Health program which allows the elderly to experience free nursing services at the comfort of their homes; Oplan Linaw program, which allows grandmas and grandpas to avail of free eye checkups and prescription glasses; Free wheelchairs, canes and hearing aids delivered to their homes.

“In Taguig, we believe that if we have enough resources and capability to provide better services to the people then we do it,” said Cayetano. Joel E. Zurbano

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

12 Makati dads hold salary hike hostage

By Joel E. Zurbano

M

ORE THAN 10,000 Makati City government workers will not be receiving salary increases this year after 12 members of the City Council allied with the opposition continue to delay the approval of the 2019 executive budget.

This was revealed on Thursday by council presiding officer Vice Mayor Monique Lagdameo, who decried what she described as “inordinate delay” in the budget approval, which has prevented the city government from implementing the salary increases mandated by law.

“Our city government personnel stand to lose additional income due them because of the 12 councilors from the opposition who have caused inordinate delay in the approval of the 2019 executive budget,” Lagdameo said.

Based on Executive Order No. 201 issued by then President Benigno Aquino II in 2016, the fourth tranche of salary increases for city government workers under the Salary Standardization Law took effect last Jan. 1.

As a first class city, Makati is allowed to implement 100 percent of the salary schedule in all four tranches. Pending Council approval of the Appropriation Ordinance, however, the salaries and wages of employees will have to be computed based on 2018 rates.

Lagdameo said the opposition councilors, during the Council’s two consecutive sessions on Jan. 9 and 16, again deferred action on the proposed Appropriation Ordinance approving the P18.17-billion executive budget for 2019.

The councilors are running under the ticket of former mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay, who is seeking a comeback against her sister, incumbent Mayor Abigail Binay, in the upcoming midterm polls.

“The Appropriation Ordinance has been calendared since Oct. 24, 2018 and marathon budget deliberations by Committee members had been conducted from Nov. 12 to Dec. 19, 2018 with all the departments and offices of the city government. Yet, the opposition continues to hold the budget approval in abeyance,” Lagdameo said.

She recalled that in the past two years, the City Council had promptly approved

the executive budget. The 2017 budget was approved on Dec. 22, 2016, while the 2018 budget was approved even earlier, on Nov. 17, 2017.

“Despite the exhaustive budget hearings held jointly prior to the holiday break, the Committees on Appropriations and Budget and on Laws, Rules and Ethics have yet to produce a formal Committee report on their findings and observations. Instead of presenting a detailed report on the results of the budget reviews, the opposition has been bringing up issues on the floor in a piecemeal manner, further delaying the budget approval,” Lagdameo said.

Members of the majority bloc who have consistently voted to defer the budget approval are Majority Floor Leader and Head of the Committee on Laws, Rules and Ethics, Councilor Nemesio Yabut Jr.; Councilor Divina Jacome, Head of the Committee on Appropriations and Budget; Councilors Shirley Aspillaga, Grazielle Iony De Lara-Bes, Ferdinand Eusebio, Leonardo Magpantay, Romeo Medina, Arlene Ortega, Nelson Pasia, Mary Ruth Tolentino, Marie Alethea Casal-Uy, and Evelyn Delfina Villamor.

The minority members pushing for the prompt approval of the budget consist of Minority Floor Leader Councilor Maria Concepcion Yabut, and Councilors Virgilio Hilario, Jr., Luis Javier, Jr., Armand Padilla, and Rodolfo San Pedro, Jr. Lagdameo said a reenacted budget implies a number of disadvantages for city government employees as well as residents.

“With a reenacted budget, we will not only deprive City Hall employees of the additional income but will also be unable to implement innovative programs and projects intended to deliver more and better services to Makatizens,” she stated.

The vice mayor cited the case of city workers under Job Order, whose daily wage of P512 was adjusted last October

to P537 to match the current daily minimum wage. With a reenacted budget, however, the city government will have to revert to the old rate for JO employees, which is below minimum wage.

She added that the new Casual Plantilla in the 2019 budget, which includes new casual positions recommended by most departments to fill in the gaps in their regular plantilla, cannot be implemented. Thus, the urgent need for personnel with technical expertise to enhance efficiency of services will remain unaddressed, she said.

Under Section 323 of the Local Government Code of 1991, in case the Sanggunian fails to pass the ordinance authorizing the annual appropriations at the beginning of the ensuing fiscal year, it shall continue to hold sessions, without additional remuneration for its members, until such ordinance is approved, and no other business may be taken up during such sessions.

If the Sanggunian still fails to enact such ordinance after 90 days from the beginning of the fiscal year, the ordinance authorizing the appropriations of the preceding year shall be deemed reenacted and shall remain in force and effect until the ordinance authorizing the proposed appropriations is passed by the Sanggunian.

QC ups school workers’ rice outlay by P500

By Rio N. Araja QUEZON City Mayor Herbert Bautista has signed an ordinance granting all teaching and non-teaching personnel in public schools a P500 increase in their quarterly rice allowance from P1,500 to P2,000 quarterly.

“The Quezon City government recognizes the efforts of our school personnel to nurture our students who we consider as the future of our city and our nation. This increase—along with the other allowance increases we have made possible last year—is to make sure our teachers are compensated justly,” Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte said.

“We also understand that the price of rice has increased in the previous months, which is why we proposed an ordinance for the rice allowance hike.

With its approval, I’m sure this will help our teachers and personnel in their daily expenses,” she added.

Ordinance No. 2754 mandated the inclusion of the rice allowance fund to the city’s 2019 budget to begin the distribution of the increased allowance this year.

“For our public school teachers, we also increased their longevity pay from P100 to P400 for every five years of service. I think these increases just go to show that one of our highest priorities in Quezon City is really education and, since teachers are front and center in our drive to improve this service in the city, we will continue to implement reforms that benefit them and the students,” Belmonte said.

Bautista just recently signed Ordinance 2782 providing an increase to teachers’ longevity pay for every five years of continuous service within public schools.

Last Oct. 2, Ordinance No. 2751 was also signed to raise the monthly supplemental allowance from P1,000 to P1,500 for national paid public school teaching and non-teaching personnel in Quezon City.

TOON CENTER. Vanessa Tanco (left), president and CEO of iACADEMY, receives the certificate from Brooke Douglas, Toon Boom director for New Business Opportunities and member of the Executive Board, making iACADEMY the first and only Toon Boom Center of Excellence in Asia.

Proof of Excellence: Sta. Rosa’s recent awards Seal of Good Local Governance 2017 and 2018 Given by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) on November 7, 2018 for the City’s excellent performance in improving programs and services extended to the constituents.

Nutrition Honor Award 2018 Awarded by the National Nutrition Council on July 31, 2018 to honor the City’s 3 consecutive years of being a Green Banner Awardee and another 3 consecutive years of being a CROWN and CROWN Maintenance Awardee. It is the highest and most prestigious recognition award from NNC that is given to outstanding LGUs for their performances in nutrition programs.

Pabasa sa Nutrisyon Diamond Award 2018 Given by the Nutrition Center of the Philippines on August 20, 2018 in recognition of the City’s outstanding implementation of the Pabasa sa Nutrisyon Program and for having maintained efficient and effective performance after receiving the Hall of Fame Award in 2009 Blue Certification Level I, 2016 It was stated in the certificate that the Business Permit and License Office (BPLO) of the City of Santa Rosa “has implemented and maintains a system that conforms to the ease of doing business standards for Blue Certification.” The scope of the certification is registration of new businesses and renewal of business permits. This award is from the Office of the Ombudsman received on December 13, 2016.

2018 Anti-Drug Abuse Council Performance Award Given by the Department of Interior and Local Government on December 28, 2018 at the Manila Hotel. Santa Rosa is among the 241 local government units in the country that was given the award.

Special Unit Award on the Cam-

paign Against Illegal Drugs 2017 Given by the Philippine National Police - Police Regional Office CALABARZON on August 18, 2017.

Safe Haven Award 2017 Given by The Manila Times Philippine Model Cities on May 11, 2017 in recognition of the city’s peace and order programs and situation.

Seal of Child Friendly Governance 2018 Given by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on August 20, 2018 National Earth Hour Capital 2016 Given by WWF for the City’s pioneering initiatives on climate mitigation and adaptation. August 18, 2016.

Gold Award for Environmental Compliance Audit Awards 2018 Given by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) on December 3, 2018 at Chateau Royale, Batulao, Nasugbu, Batangas, in recognition of its best performance in the 2018 Environmental Compliance Audit ASEAN ESC Model Cities 2017 The city received a Plaque of Recognition for its exemplary performance on environmental governance, for putting in place sustainable practices and for promoting Environmentally Sustainable Cities (ESC). Given by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources on 30 March 2017.

Silver Award for Provincial Environmental Compliance Audit 2016 The City Environment and Natural Resources Office received the Silver Award for Provincial Environmental Compliance Audit 2016 for its “outstanding performance and highly commendable practices in Solid Waste Management in terms of adhering to the Supreme Court Mandamus to clean and rehabilitate the Manila Bay and its watershed especially

on the principles of R.A. 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000.” Given by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) IV-A on December 14, 2016.

Silver Award (City Level) for Environmental Compliance Audit Awards 2017 The award was given in recognition of the City’s contribution in the rehabilitation and preservation of Manila Bay and its watershed. It was conferred by the Department of Interior and Local Government on December 4, 2017 at Alta D’ Tagaytay Hotel, Tagaytay City, Cavite.

Overall Best Performing City in 2016 LGU-Scorecard Awarded by the Laguna Provincial Health Office and the Department of Health Region IV-A on December 14, 2017.

Hospital Performance Achiever Award (based in 2016 LGU-Scorecard) Awarded by the Laguna Provincial Health Office and the Department of Health Region IV-A on December 14, 2017.

Tourism Excellence Award for Local Government 2017 In recognition of its contribution to tourism, having implemented and accomplished programs and activities attuned to the Department of Toursm thrusts and possessed the attributes for tourism. Given by the Department of Tourism Region IV-A (CALABARZON) on November 27, 2017 at The Bellevue Manila, Alabang, Muntinlupa City.

Recognition of Excellence Award 2018 Received from OpenGov Asia on April 19, 2018 during the Philippines OpenGov Leadership Forum 2018. Given to the City for the “innovative use of technology through optimisation of government processes, delivering citizen-centric services and pushing new boundaries.”