Manila Standard - 2019 January 25 - Friday

twitter.com/ MlaStandard

facebook.com/ ManilaStandardPH

S

manilastandard.net

Missed your copy of Manila Standard? Call or text our Circulation Hotline at 0917-8848655 or email: circ@manilastandardtoday.com

Ex-Customs chief rapped for P6.8-b shabu shipment

By Rey E. Requejo THE National Bureau of Investigation on Thursday filed criminal and administrative charges against former Customs commissioner Isidro Lapeña arising from P6.8 billion in drug shipments that slipped past the Bureau of Customs last year under his watch.

In a complaint filed before the Department of Justice, the NBI sought the indictment of Lapeña for violation of Republic Act No. 3019, dereliction of duty and grave misconduct over his failure to act on the drug shipments seized in the Manila International Container Port and the magnetic lifters found in Cavite that reportedly contained one

ton of illegal drugs.

The NBI specifically cited the former BOC chief’s failure to file complaints against the consignees, importers and brokers of the two magnetic lifters discovered with shabu at the Port of Manila and the four magnetic lifters that slipped past the BOC then found empty in Cavite.

“Despite the lapse of time, Commissioner Lapeña did not file any case against the shippers or consignees of the magnetic lifters, which should have been done upon discovery of the goods by misclassification, since it is very obvious that the declaration made by the shipper is not the same as what were intercepted,” the complaint said.

Next page

VOL. XXXII • NO. 344 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 • FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 2019 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Economy slides to three-year low GDP target falls short amid inflation, sluggish Agri

By Julito G. Rada and Othel V. Campos

T

HE economy grew by 6.2 percent in 2018, its slowest rate of growth in three years, the Philippine Statistics Authority reported Thursday.

The 2018 growth in gross domestic product missed the government’s official target of 6.5 to 6.9 percent for the year, and was the slowest since 2015’s 5.8 percent. In the fourth quarter of 2018, the GDP measured 6.1 percent, down from 6.5 percent in the same period of 2017.

The PSA attributed the slower growth last year to sluggish agricultural produc-

YOUNG REBELS. This reproduction of an undated handout photo released on Feb. 2, 2014 by the Philippine Army’s 6th Infantry Division and recovered from an overrun camp of Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters shows boys believed to be young rebels holding rifles while posing for photos at a rebel camp in Maguindanao. AFP

Criminal age: CHR presses for options

By Rio N. Araja DESPITE Congress’ setting of the age of criminal liability to 12 years old instead of nine on a proposed measure, the Commission on Human Rights on Thursday still posed a strong objection to the bill’s approval on second reading.

Commission spokeswoman Jacqueline de Guia said the agency was deeply alarmed after the members of the House of Representatives stood firm on lower-

ing the age for criminal responsibility to 12 from 15.

Despite the calls of experts on child development and advocates of children’s rights, Congress continued to ignore their pleas, she said.

De Guia said the existing law―the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act―had not yet been “fully and properly” implemented, adding it still required enough funding and support from the government.

Next page

tion and rising inflation.

Despite the slower growth, the Palace said it was confident that the country was “on the right track” to reaching the economic targets for 2019.

The country’s economic managers, meanwhile, issued a joint statement saying the economy remained stable.

Industry led all sectors in 2018, grow-

ing 6.8 percent, followed by services with 6.6 percent. Agriculture hardly grew, with a 0.8 percent rise.

In the fourth quarter, industry grew 6.9 percent while services expanded 6.3 percent. Agriculture rose by 1.7 percent.

“The main drivers of growth for the quarter were construction; trade and repair of motor vehicles, motorcycles, personal and household goods, and other services,” the PSA said.

Economists earlier blamed the high inflation rate and lower agricultural output for the slowdown in third-quarter GDP at 6 percent. They said faster increases in consumer prices caused a decline in household spending for the period.

Next page

Misuari no threat to BOL—Palace; Cotabato count put on hold

By Nat Mariano and Ayunan G. Gunting MORO National Liberation Front founding chairman Nur Misuari is not a threat to the establishment of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, the Palace said Thursday, after initial tallies of votes cast in a plebiscite showed strong support for the Bangsamoro Organic Law. “He’s not really a threat. [The President] considers Nur Misuari as someone… [who] can help end the conflict in Mindanao,” Presidential Spokesman COUNT THE BALLOTS. Members of the Election Secretariat begin Thursday Salvador Panelo said in a Palace briefing. opening ballot boxes containing the election returns from Cotabato City during the start Next page

of national canvassing on the plebiscite on the Bangsamoro Organic Law. Norman Cruz

Budget stalemate: Solons seek a deal

Army swoops down on Maute; 3 injured

By Macon Ramos-Araneta and Maricel V. Cruz

By Francisco Tuyay

THE Senate and the House have agreed to meet halfway on their amendments to the proposed P3.757-trillion national budget for 2019, which should have been passed before Congress adjourned for the Christmas break last year.

Senator Loren Legarda expressed hope that both chambers would immediately reconcile their differences over their versions of the budget so the budget may be approved within the remaining session days or before Congress goes on a break on Feb. 6.

Meanwhile, acting on the request of an urban poor community in Quezon City, House Speaker Gloria MacapagalArroyo has asked the bicameral conference committee on the proposed 2019 national budget to provide P350 million to help more than 8,000 urban poor families at the National Government Center to acquire the land they have long been occupying.

Next page

LARGESS FOR ARREST. Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is joined by Leyte Rep. Yedda Marie Romualdez Wednesday for the turnover of the additional P8-million bounty to National Police Chief Oscar Albayalde to complete its P13-million contribution to the bounty for the speedy arrest and prosecution of the suspects in the assassination of Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Rodel Batocabe and his security aide.

SPYDER missiles added to arsenal

US backs new Venezuela head

THE Department of National Defense will acquire a SPYDER missile system from Israel.

“Yes, we are. [However], I do not know [yet] the exact number of [batteries we will be getting],” Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said in a message to the Philippine News Agency Thursday when sought for an

CARACAS, Venezuela—The United States and other major countries are backing Venezuela’s new self proclaimed acting president in repudiation of President Nicolas Maduro as more protests rocked the economically strapped country.

The move by Juan Guaido, the head of Venezuela’s

Next page

Next page

THREE army soldiers were wounded in heavy fighting against remnants of the Islamic State-inspired Maute group in Lanao del Sur Thursday morning.

Col. Gerry Besana, spokesman of the Western Mindanao Command, said the troops engaged 24 Maute terrorists under their chieftain, Abu Dar, in a fierce gun battle following an attack on their lair in Sultan Dumalondong at 8:10 a.m.

Besana said fighting still raged as troops from the 55th Infantry Battalion and 82nd Infantry Battalion moved in on the Maute encampment.

Col. Romeo Brawner Jr., commander of the Army’s 103rd Infantry Brigade, said the area was under heavy attack by ground troops.

“They are well entrenched and on high ground. Troops are extra careful due to snipers,” Next page

A horse for Aussie role model SYDNEY, Australia—In the race to find an Australian role model that has demonstrated hard work, grit and honesty in the last year, one Aussie paper has decided the only one in the running is a horse.

Next page

News

A2

FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 2019 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Doc died of dengvaxia? Garin rapped

By Rey E. Requejo NOTHER criminal case has been filed before the Justice department against former Health secretary Janette Garin and others, but this time over the death of a doctor who was inoculated with the controversial Dengvaxia vaccine.

A

Assisted by the Public Attorneys Office, the complainant Norma Gotoc, mother of Kendric, a doctor who died in April last year after getting three shots of

the anti-dengue vaccine, accused Garin and the other respondents of being responsible for her son’s death.

Just like the students who died allegedly after being inoculated with Dengvaxia, the doctor also had no dengue history when he received the vaccine. He also died of multiple-organ failure, multipleorgan hemorrhage and Neurotropic-Like Disease and Viscerotropic-like Disease Secondary to the Dengvaxia vaccination.

“All Respondents arbitrarily, maliciously and deliberately failed to inform the Dengvaxia recipients and their parents/families of the dangers and risks related to Dengvaxia and did not obtain their informed consent,” says the com-

Third telco row: Senate to give priority to public interest in deciding the issue

By Macon Ramos-Araneta SENATOR Grace Poe said Thursday public interest would be of highest importance in releasing the Senate committee position on the third telco franchise row.

Poe, the public services panel chairman, maintained she wanted the third telco selection to “move forward for the interest of our country” of having a fast, reliable and costefficient telco service provider.

She said her committee would come up with its position to settle the issue on the status of Mislatel’s (Mindanao Islamic Telephone Co.) franchise that Congress had granted in 1998, according to a statement released by her office.

Poe said her committee would sift through varying opinions and decide amid contentions on the vagueness of the franchise provisions, especially as regards who should decide that a franchise is valid or not.

“For the interest of the public, definitely mamadaliin namin na magkaroon ng opinyon ukol dito, kung ano ba ‘yung posisyon ng Senado at sana before the February 17 [deadline],” Poe said referring to the date of submission of Mislatel’s documents.

During the hearing Thursday, Senator Antonio Trillanes said Davao-based businessman Dennis Uy and the other officials of Udenna Corp., which is part of Mislatel Consortium, the third telco, contributed millions of funds to bankroll the campaign of President Rodrigo Duterte for the May 2016 elections.

“Your officers and and board of directors contributed to Mr. Duterte. So that favoring you (over the other telco players became clearer,” said Trillanes when he confronted Uy. According to Trillanes, Mislatel Consortium was afforded preferential treatment after it was chosen by the government as the new major player in the telecommunications sector.

Trillanes inquired from Uy, also chairman of Udenna and Chesea Logistics Holdings Corp. if he’s close to the President and presidential aide Christopher Go. After answering “yes” to both queries, Trillanes then questioned Uy if he gave

Army...

From A1

Brawner said, adding that Abu Dar was trapped inside the camp.

Dar survived the government’s assault during the retaking of Marawi City following a five-month siege by terrorists in 2017 and assumed leadership of the Islamic State-linked gunmen in Lanao del Sur. So far, bad weather has prevented the use of helicopter gunships, he said.

Maj. Gen. Roseller Murillo, commander of the 1st Infantry Division, said attack was

Budget...

From A1

At the resumption of the Oversight Committee on the NGC for Urban Poor Housing, Arroyo said she had written a letter to the bicameral conference co-led by Legarda and Camarines Sur Rep. Rolando Andaya Jr. requesting P350 million for the Department of Public Works and Highways for land acquisition and the reblocking of the NGC in Holy Spirit village in Quezon City in response to the appeal of the residents there.

“To help the effort out, I also wrote a letter in behalf of the Oversight Committee that I am joining you in requesting them for P350 million, which is the amount that [Quezon City Councilor] Rannie [Ludovica] said to include in the Bicam, but that’s just to give support because you said you could swing it but that’s for the Bicam,” Arroyo said.

Legarda head of the Senate Finance committee, said she hoped President Rodrigo Duterte could sign the budget on Valentine’s Day. “On January 28, Monday at 10 a.m., we will resume the bicameral conference of the budget and the House has committed to finish it on and before January 30 for a Senate ratification of February 6,” Legarda said.

“And hopefully, by Monday we will iron out the differences and come up with an agreement or a compromise on both houses’ amendments.”

Legarda said they had agreed to use the 2019 National Expenditure Program from Malacañang as a “point of reference” when they reconciled the differences in their versions of the proposed P3.757-trillion national budget.

“We are all representatives of the people and we will ensure that the 2019 national budget will address the needs of the people, especially the poor and vulnerable,” Legarda said.

campaign funds for the President who admitted giving P30 million.

He also conceded that this wife, Cherylyn Uy, treasurer of Udenna and Chelsea, gave campaign funds.

Mislatel Consortium—composed of Uy’s Udenna and Chelsea, China Telecom—was named in November 2018 as the new major player in the country’s telecommunications sector.

The other officers of the consortium and the amount of contributions to the campaign kitty of Duterte are: Efren Uy— board member of Chelsea Logistics—P3.5 million, Chryss Alfonsus Damuy, OIC of Udenna and president and CEO of Chelsea, P500,000; Ma. Henedina V. San Juan, corporate secretary of Udenna and Chelsea-P400,000;:Ignacia S. Braga IV, vice president for finance of Udenna and Chelsea Logistics—P150,000.

Uy initially denied that Udenna officers gave camoaign funds to the President, but when Trillanes said he has a list, Uy quipped, “hindi ko po memorize [I can’t memorize sir].”

Because of the issues hounding Mislatel, Trillanes said he saw many wrongdoing, conflict of interest, graft, indirect bribery.

But when Department of Information and Communication Technology Acting Secretary Eliseo Rio was asked if he shared the “observations” of Trillanes, he described them as “something for public consumption.”

He maintained that Mislatel was chosen since it was the only bidder for the thrid telco which met the requirements needed by the government.

He said Mislatel was compliant based on the provisions enumerated in the Terms of Reference.

Speaking during the hearing, Rio said initial concerns on the entry of a new telco had been addressed by the Mislatel Consortium.

These are frequencies available, interconnectivity cost, use of dark fiber, and the establishment.

He said more frequencies were made available to the new player by having five megaHertz of 3G frequencies.

This puts Mislatel ahead of Globe Telecom in terms of 3G frequencies. part of the military’s “relentless campaign” against the Maute ISIS remnants.

Murillo said intense pressure will be applied against the terrorists, particularly on those remnants in Lanao province.

Police said the military was using artillery to hit the terrorists hiding in the borders of Barangay Sumalindaw, Sultan Dumalondong town, and Barangay Piangulugan in Marogong town.

The town of Sultan Dumalondong is adjacent to the town of Butig where the Maute group first hoisted its black flag after they overran the town hall in 2016. With PNA

SPYDER...

From A1

update on the military’s modernization efforts.

Battery refers to the grouping of missile launchers. A normal battery consists of three or more missile launchers.

SPYDER is short for Surface-to-air Python and Derby mobile-air defense system that was developed by the Israeli defense technology firm, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, with assistance from Israel Aerospace Industries.

The DND has earlier acquired surfaceto-surface Spike-ER missiles which were installed on the Philippine Navy’s multipurpose assault craft from the same Israeli company. PNA

Criminal age...

From A1

Under the law, local government units must establish, finance and manage Bahay Pag-asa facilities with appropriate programs for youth delinquents.

“Yet, in 2018, only 58 were operational and only eight had been accredited by the Department of Social Welfare and Development,” De Guia said.

The House of Representatives earlier proposed to lower the age of criminal liability to nine from 15, but House leaders came up with a consensus to pass a substitute bill lowering the minimum age to 12.

“Adjusting the proposed age of criminal liability from nine to 12 is not an act of compassion, nor is it aligned with the government’s responsibility to uphold its obligation to protect the rights of children, including the most vulnerable and marginalized,” De Guia said.

“We must stop shifting the burden to children and start addressing lapses in the law’s implementation, providing better support and guidance to children as well as stricter means to curb syndicates and individuals who feed on our children’s vulnerabilities.”

plaint filed by Gotoc’s mother.

She accuses Garin and other health officials of criminal liability after they “did not conduct a proper screening of the Dengvaxia recipients and conducted other relevant tests to determine whether the children could be inoculated with Dengvaxia.”

Besides Garin, the complaint included former Health Secretary Francisco Duque III in the charge sheet since it was during his watch when the victim received his vaccine.

Also named respondents again were the executives of Dengvaxia manufacturer Sanofi Pasteur and distributor Zuellig Pharma.

Economy...

From A1

The agriculture sector was also hit by successive strong typhoons in August and September, affecting the provinces of northern Luzon, whose main produce are rice and other agriculture products. This resulted in higher food prices toward the later part of the year.

Economic managers—composed of Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia, and Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno—said the Philippines was still one of the fastest-growing economies in Asia.

“We are next to India, Vietnam and China. From first quarter to third quarter of 2018, we overtook Indonesia and Thailand in terms of economic performance. As we are now on a higher growth trajectory, with our economy growing at an average of 6.5 percent in the first 10 quarters of this administration, we want to focus more on sustaining this momentum,” they said in a statement.

They said the robust performance of industry was fueled by a surge in construction.

“That’s a good indicator of the continuing driving force of the Build, Build, Build program,” they said, referring to the administration’s massive infrastructure build-up.

But they said manufacturing was an area of concern. For the last quarter of 2018, it only grew by 3.2 percent, a deceleration from 7.9 percent during the same period in 2017. This was due to weak business confidence and policy uncertainties, coupled with sluggish export demand amid a global economic slowdown.

“To remedy this, the government needs to first address the policy uncertainties, increase macro-competitiveness by enhancing the efficiency of transport, communications, and the overall logistics network. To ensure inclusivity, we need to focus on the integration of industries between small and medium enterprises on one hand, and large establishments on the other,” the economic managers said.

“We also need to attract more investments. Hence, we favor the moves in Congress to amend the Foreign Investment Act, the Retail Trade Act, and the Public Service Act,” they said.

In agriculture, the decline in palay production, sugar cane, and cassava tempered the gains of the sector in the fourth quarter.

This was also due to several typhoons that hit Luzon and inadequate irrigation and insufficient rainfall in Central Visayas.

On the demand side, household consumption improved slightly amid increased private spending on food and non-alcoholic beverages. This was largely due to slower inflation rates for these commodities.

The economic managers said government spending nearly doubled from 2017 to 2018. Aside from spending on personnel services, maintenance and operating expenses, the government continued to pump money into social protection services such as the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program.

The economic managers said they expect household consumption to recover as inflationary pressures subside, given the “subdued outlook” for world oil prices and the expected reduction in rice prices because of import liberalization.

Given the delay in passing the 2019 national budget, the economic managers said using a reenacted budget would cut government spending in the near term. The 45-day ban on state spending before the May elections could also delay some infrastructure projects, they added.

On the other hand, the upcoming midterm elections and preparations for the Southeast Asian Games in November would spur spending, they said. The creation of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao would open up growth prospects both for the region and for the wider economy, they added.

Nicholas Mapa, senior economist of ING Bank Manila, said 2019 would likely re-

US backs...

From A1

opposition-led legislature, came as thousands of rival protesters jammed the streets of Caracas, at times clashing with riot police. It also raised the stakes in the oil-rich nation which has slid into poverty under Maduro.

Thousands of Venezuelans abroad—from Madrid to Lima to Santiago in Chile—welcomed Guaido’s pronouncement.

It also capped days of political drama that has seen 13 people killed in two days of unrest, the Venezuelan Observatory of Social Conflict told AFP. “I swear to formally assume the national executive powers as acting president of Venezuela to end the usurpation, [install] a transitional government and hold free elections,” the 35-year-old Guaido told a throng of cheering supporters.

Within minutes, US President Donald Trump issued a statement declaring Maduro “illegitimate” and calling the National Assembly “the only legitimate branch of government duly elected by the Venezuelan people.” AFP

This is the 31st case filed before the Justice department on the Dengvaxia controversy.

The department, through a panel led by Assistant State Prosecutor Maria Emilia Victorio, has already concluded the preliminary investigation on the first batch of cases involving the deaths of nine schoolchildren.

A separate panel of prosecutors led by Senior Associate Prosecutor Susan Dacanay has also concluded the preliminary investigation of the second batch of cases involving eight victims.

Meanwhile, the department has yet to start the preliminary investigation of the third batch of cases involving 13 victims. main “a tale of two halves” with the first six months of the year to see relatively subdued growth as the government budget delay handicaps government expenditures.

With inflation easing, the central bank is likely to ease up on interest rates, which kept investments at bay in 2018, he added.

Earlier, First Metro Investment Corp., the investment banking arm of the Metrobank Group, said the economy could grow faster this year by 6.8 percent to 7.2 percent, on the back of consumption spending amid the decelerating inflation rate and strong macroeconomic fundamentals.

First Metro president Rabboni Francis Arjonillo said in his company’s annual economic briefing in Taguig City that the 2019 growth projection was faster compared to 2018 as the economy was poised to regain strength.

“The Philippine economy is again in a growth trajectory. Apart from the country’s strong macroeconomic fundamentals and expected inflation easing this year, another important factor in pushing economic growth is the continued policy reform drive of the Duterte administration,” Arjonillo said.

He said this includes tax reforms, a reduction in corruption and red tape, broadening the base of the financial system and facilitation of new and disruptive technologies.

He said inflation was on a clear downward trend and expected to taper off to 3 to 5 percent due to the normalization of food supply and lower global oil prices.

Arjonillo said the upturn in consumption spending could be expected as a result of easing inflation rate. Other factors that could contribute to sustained economic expansion would be a recovery in manufacturing and an increase in tourist arrivals.

Bangko Sentral Deputy Governor Diwa Guinigundo said he expected domestic demand would recover and strengthen in 2019.

“With price pressures held on a tight leash, public spending being sustained despite the delay in the passage of the national budget and of course, investment should receive some boost with inflation coming down,” he said.

He said monetary policy will continue to be watchful of both price pressures and the liquidity needed to sustain economic activities.

Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said the administration’s economic managers would work harder to hit growth targets in 2019.

“If you have a target and you were not able to reach it, of course, you will be disappointed, but it doesn’t mean that you [should] feel that you’re such a failure. You work harder so you can reach your target,” he said.

The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry said the growth in inflation, caused by high food and fuel prices, led to a slowdown in economic growth in 2018.

“These factors significantly contributed to the slowdown in household consumption, which has strong bearing on the GDP,” PCCI president Alegria Limjoco said.

She noted that the global price of oil is seen to fall this year while the government is already addressing food prices through the Rice Tariffication Act, which they hoped the President would sign into law soon.

Limjoco said the PCCI fully supports government moves to deregulate most of the agricultural sector.

“We fully support this move. Especially for the processed food industry, we urge government to open up the importation of sugar to make the industry more competitive. This should also help strengthen our export sector, which suffered a slump last year. Food exports comprise about 10 percent of our total exports,” Limjoco said.

Government also has to eliminate port congestion issues and create certainty in the labor market by settling the issue of jobs contractualization to further encourage foreign direct investments in the country, the group said. With Nat Mariano

A horse...

From A1

Finding a dearth of idols in the twolegged sporting, political, cultural or academic worlds, The Daily Telegraph on Thursday named champion thoroughbred Winx its own “Australian of the Year.”

“Has the nominee lived by the Australian values of fair play and civility?” the paper asked, beginning a long list of requisite qualities to earn the title.

The Sydney paper said the horse— which has won dozens of races and is expected to soon retire—was the only Australian that met the winning criteria.

The honor was not “bestowed lightly,” the paper said.

The announcement comes the day before an annual award ceremony to name the official Australian of the Year, a major event that takes place on the eve of Australia Day, Jan. 26.

The eight 2019 nominees—all human—include Richard Harris, who worked to rescue 12 Thai kids trapped in a cave, multiple medal-winning Paralympian Kurt Fearnley and social activist Bernadette Black. AFP

Comelec resets printing of party-lists, senatorial bets

By Vito Barcelo

THE Commission on Elections said Thursday the printing of the ballots for the 2019 midterm elections has been rescheduled to the first week of February as the final list for party-list and senatorial candidates will be released on the last week of January.

Poll Commissioner Sheriff Abas said the Comelec will give priority to the completion of the official list of candidates for the elections.

“We may not yet release the list as there are still some cases that have to be decided upon,” Abas said.

Earlier, the Comelec said it would release the official list on Dec. 15, 2018, but that did not happen as it was still resolving the disqualification cases.

And then the poll body said it would release he official list of candidates before Jan. 23 in time for the start printing of ballots on the third week of January.

The agency said it was busy with the plebiscite that will determine the areas to be covered by the Bangsamoro Organic Law in Muslim Mindanao.

But it said the delay in the printing of ballots would not affect the May 2019 elections, adding it was right on track with the other activities in the election calendar.

The Comelec said it would start printing the ballots on the fourth week of February even if some of the cases had not been resolved, adding that once a candidate’s name was printed on the ballot, the vote-counting machines would still counting the votes even if the bet was disqualified later on.

Ex-Customs...

From A1

President Rodrigo Duterte reassigned Lapeña to the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority at the height of the shabu smuggling scandal.

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency cleared the former customs chief in its own investigation.

The NBI filed the same graft and administrative charges against sacked Port of Manila district collector Vener Baquiran for his failure to declare the two magnetic lifters at the MICP abandoned, and X-ray Inspection Project head Zsae Carrie de Guzman and two others for allowing the four magnetic lifters in Cavite to pass through the BOC. In the same complaint, the bureau filed drug charges against 50 other individuals tagged in the importation and release of the shabu shipments.

Among those charged with importation of illegal drugs under Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act) were former PDEA deputy director general for administration Ismael Fajardo Jr., former PNP AIDG OIC senior superintendent Eduardo Acierto, former Customs intelligence agent Jimmy Guban, police inspector Lito Pirote and Joseph Dimayuga. They were also slapped with graft and administrative charges.

Guban earlier admitted his involvement and cover-up of the shipments and has been admitted into the witness protection program. Fajardo, Acierto and Dimayuga, on the other hand, have not surfaced since the controversy broke last year.

The other respondents included Fhonie Chan alias KC Chan, Willin Ong alias Wilson Ong, Jiang Quoqing, Vedasto Baquel, Maria Lagrimas Catipan and Emelyn Luquingan for the MICp shipment as well as Hsu Chung-chun, James Fung, Le Thi Thu Huong, Du Quoc Duong, Migela Santos, Katrina Grace Cuasay and Marina Signapan for the Cavite shipment.

The NBI filed the charges after its factfinding probe established a link between the MICP shipment and the magnetic lifters seized in Cavite.

Misuari...

From A1

“Nur Misuari has mentioned [that] he has certain ideas. I also talked to him and he said, ‘There are many ideas that I can contribute for the peace, prosperity, and progress of Mindanao that’s why I like to talk with the President’,” Panelo said, adding that Duterte was open to meeting with the Muslim leader.

The MNLF had opposed the ratification of the BOL in the recently concluded plebiscite.

Duterte has expressed satisfaction at the plebiscite results, despite the victory of the “no” votes in Sulu.

“I’m very happy. We are a step nearer to a peaceful Mindanao,” he told Palace reporters on Wednesday.

However, he said he needed to hear Misuari’s suggestions for the peace process and consider the sentiments of the people of Sulu.

“Now, I have to shift my attention or focus to Misuari. Misuari is really after territoriality because they were the first in Jolo and Zamboanga. We have to refocus on the western side because of Misuari.

Misuari must also have something there,” he said.

“Sulu voted ‘no.’ That’s something that I have to take into account. Otherwise, they will tell me that I’m ignoring their sentiment,” the President said.

Under the law, the BOL abolishes the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and will create a new BARMM in its place.

The BARMM territorial jurisdiction includes the original ARMM provinces such as Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Tawi-Tawi, Basilan, and Sulu; six towns in Lanao del Norte; 39 barangays in North Cotabato; Cotabato City, and Isabela City in Basilan.

News Anti-graft court reopens case vs ex-envoy Baja “IN ORDER to appease any suspicion of an alleged miscarriage of justice,” the Sandiganbayan has decided to reopen the case of Ambassador Lauro Baja for alleged misuse of funds for the repairs at the Philippine Mission’s townhouse in New York.

In a resolution dated Jan. 10, the anti-graft court’s Fourth Division granted the motion for leave to reopen the proceedings against Baja.

“In order to appease any suspicion of an alleged miscarriage of justice, the accused is allowed to present his additional evidence,” the Sandiganbayan said.

The court said Section 24, Rule 119 of the Revised Rules on Criminal Procedure allows the reopening of the case as Baja’s conviction as long as it is not yet deemed final.

“Jurisprudence states that the only controlling guideline for the reopening of cases is the paramount interest of justice, emphasizing that the remedy was meant to prevent a miscarriage of justice,” the antigraft court said.

The anti-graft court set the presentation of evidence on March 4 and 5.

Baja, in his motion, urged the Sandiganbayan to reopen the case to allow the testimony of representatives from the Commission on Audit and Lexington Insurance Corporation.

Baja, a former Philippine Permanent Representative to the United Nations, was meted out with 16 to 24 years of imprisonment after the Sandiganbayan found him guilty of graft and malversation of public funds.

Court records said Baja have deposited the $17,542.27 insurance money to an account to accommodate the payment made by an insurance company for the repair of the broken second floor heating system pipe at the townhouse. Baja should have deposited the money to the Philippine Mission’s account. Maricel V. Cruz

FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 2019

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Use unserved ports, Marina urged

By Maricel V. Cruz

S

PEAKER Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has recommended to the Maritime Industry Authority to define as missionary route the unserved Rollon, Roll-off or Ro-Ro ports in the country especially those ports connecting poor areas to prosperous ones.

At the same time, Arroyo suggested at the House Committee on Transportation meeting during a briefing on the status of Ro-Ro projects that she sees no need for an executive order to define unserved RoRo ports as missionary routes.

The committee, chaired by Catanduanes Rep. Cesar Sarmiento, said the briefing on the status of the Ro-Ro system aims to determine its status and the ways to improve, expand or revive the same.

“This is accordance with the directive of Speaker GMA who promoted the Strong

Republic Nautical Highway project since 2003 that led to lower cost of freight and passenger transport, shorter travel time, and the introduction of new inter-island connections,” Sarmiento said in his opening remarks during the meeting.

The Ro-RoTerminal System or RoRo Project was developed pursuant to Executive Order No. 170 issued by then President Arroyo.

It was developed to connect Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao to reduce the high cost of transporting people, goods

and services through an integrated national highway system.

MARINA’s presentation of its 10Year Maritime Industry Development Program showed that there are remaining 30 routes that are still unserved and are part of the MIDP to be covered and developed.

After the presentation, the Speaker asked MARINA to go back to the 10year plan to see what ports are involved.

“This plan addresses the routes without a vessel so we will see whether it’s because of the vessels or because of the ports not being in proper condition to receive or send off vessels,” the Speaker said.

She said these routes were from her time and her master plan.

After a thorough review, the Speaker then recommended the exclusion from the list of unserved ports for reasons such as 1) the operation of another nearby port; 2) there is no vessel and it is more convenient for motorist to go by land; and 3)

THE 55-member House of Representatives’ committee on public order and safety has approved a bill which sets aside for women at least 20 percent of all new job openings for police officers.

House Bill 8689, authored by Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel, proposes to amend the 21-year-old Philippine National Police Reform Law that reserves for women only 10 percent of all new slots for recruits.

The committee chaired by Antipolo City Rep. Romeo Acop, a retired police chief superintendent, endorsed the bill for immediate plenary passage.

This developed as Pimentel welcomed the bill’s passage at the committee level. Maricel V. Cruz

Pinoy rape suspect faces case in Japan ONE of the three Filipinos accused of raping and killing an Ibaraki University student in Japan 15 years ago surrendered to authorities and is now returning to Japan to face the charges.

Members of the Japan International Police escorted 33-year-old Keith Guianan Echane on Thursday when he arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport to board a Japan Airlines flight to Narita.

Although the Japanese embassy in 2017 already traced Echane at his temporary home in Taytay, Rizal, local authorities there did not act to apprehend the suspect due to the lack of arrest warrant against him. Joel E. Zurbano

Cebuano lotto player bags P63m IT IS indeed a lucky start of the year for the gaming public as another Lotto millionaire was declared in just a span of 10 days—the seventh millionaire for this year.

“It is a first of its kind in a span of 10 days. Our lucky millionaire guessed the correct combination of 19-01-2543-18-39, taking home the jackpot prize of P63,810,688, in the Mega Lotto 6/45 draw,” announced Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office General Manager Alexander Balutan as he described the phenomenon of the agency’s lotto games this month.

The winning ticket was purchased at PCSO’s Small Time Lottery outlet in Gaisano Grand Mall-Talamban, Gov. Cuenco Ave., Sitio Nasipit, Brgy. Talamban, Cebu City owned by Dara Acusar.

because of environmental factor like the presence of butanding in the case of Pilar, Sorsogon, among others.

She told MARINA that there is no need to include these routes so as to lessen the expenditure.

“You might be submitting a very ambitious plan and it turns out that it does not have to be that much,” the Speaker said.

She also recalled when they forced an operator to take the Dumaguete - Dapitan route since nobody wanted to take it.

“The incentive we gave for the operator was that it’s a missionary route and they were given the privilege of being the sole operator for five years,” she said.

The Speaker said it worked because after that, there is a trip in that area every hour.

Department of Transportation Undersecretary Fernando Juan Perez disclosed that they gave missionary routes before when there was no vessel plying the Manila-Davao route.

Fisherfolk group wants ‘pro-people’ Manila Bay rehab

By Rio N. Araja

IN BRIEF House panel okays more female cops

A3

ANTI-CRIME OPS. Suspects of various crimes

were rounded up at the QCPD headquarters in Camp Karingal, during a district-wide implementation of the Simultaneous AntiCriminality and Law Enforcement Operations, in Quezon City, Jan. 24, 2018. A total of 19, 209 persons including 25 violators of the COMELEC gun ban were brought to the headquarters. The SACLEO was held from Jan. 13 to Jan. 24. Manny Palmero

Stop overimportation of meat, veggies, Imee asks DA

By Rey E. Requejo SENATORIAL bet and Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos has urged the Department of Agriculture to arrest the over-importation of pork and chicken meat, saying this is hurting the local industry, particularly the backyard raisers who have been selling their produce at cost or at a loss just to recover their investment.

“Parang may famine sa Pilipinas, knock on wood, sa dami ng imports,” she said. “Hindi naman tag-gutom dito sa atin para magpanic buying at mag-angkat ng sangkatutak na manok at baboy.”

“We should suspend importation to give our local and backyard raisers breathing space to recover their losses.

There’s already an oversupply of pork and chicken,” Marcos said, even as she lamented not only the over importation but also the rampant smuggling of agricultural products to the detriment of the local growers and farmers.

“Are we going to accept this as a national policy? Bagsak ang presyo ng karneng baboy at manok. This is affecting our backyard raisers which comprise 65 percent of the total industry,” she added.

According to Rosendo So, chairman of the umbrella group Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura, the government must put in place safeguards to ensure that the local meat industry does not die.

Backing the call of Marcos for suspension of importation of meat and vegetables, So noted that in 2016, chicken importation stood at 232 million kilos. The number went up to 244 million kilos in 2017, and rose by almost 30 percent to 310 million kilos last year.

Imported pork, on the other hand, totaled 275 million kilos in 2016. The volume increased to 305 million kilos in 2017

and to 387 million kilos in 2018.

“Our backyard raisers are selling at cost, and sometimes even at a loss. Some have been selling chicken at P50 per kilo when their investment is P70 per kilo,” So said.

Aside from over-importation, Marcos likewise called on the Bureau of Customs and DA to remain vigilant against the entry of imported meat from countries with incidence of African swine fever.

“Customs agents must look out for the possible entry of meat products from countries affected by the African swine fever. These products pose serious health hazards to our people and can potentially hurt our local meat industry further,” said Marcos. African swine fever alerts have been raised in 13 countries, namely China, Hungary, Belgium, Latvia, Poland, Romania, Russia, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Moldova, South Africa and Zambia.

Marcos also exhorted the DA and the BOC to intensify their campaign against large-scale smuggling of agricultural products, which has already been declared as economic sabotage under Republic Act 10845, or the “Act Declaring Large-Scale Agricultural Smuggling as Economic Sabotage.”

Solon seeks probe of LandBank ‘loan’ to Hanjin

By Maricel V. Cruz A PARTY-LIST legislator who represents the agriculture sector on Thursday assailed the Land Bank of the Philippines for granting a $85-million unsecured loan to the bankrupt Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction Philippines.

In filing a resolution seeking an investigation in the government bank’s grant of a massive unsecured loan to the Korean company, Party-list Rep. Cecil Chavez of Butil said the grant of such loan was a betrayal of the LandBank’s mandate that was spelled out in Republic Act 10000, the law that aims to provide agriculture, fisheries and agrarian reform credit, insurance and financing system to improve the productivity of the agriculture and fisheries sectors, that was enacted in 2009.

“Nowhere in the original mandate of the

Land Bank says that it should grant a jumbo, unsecured loan to a foreign shipbuilding entity,”—Chavez, vice chairman of the House committee on agriculture and food, said.

She said a congressional inquiry is needed because the loan that was granted to Hanjin “was done in the wake of the LandBank’s wanton and brazen failure to grant just even token loans to small farmers and agrarian reform beneficiaries.”

Under the law, all banks are required to set aside a portion of their loanable funds for so called “agri-agra loans” that are meant to provide financing to the food production sector.

Failure to grant such loans will subject banks to stiff fines and practically all banks, including the LandBank, that was established to provide such loans to small farmers and fishermen, have been paying fines annually.

A NATIONAL federation of fishermen and fishworkers on Thursday called for a more “pro-people” rehabilitation of Manila Bay. Pablo Rosales, Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Mangingisda chairperson, expressed disappointment over the failure of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to hold a dialogue with them in the P47-billion rehabilitation plan of Manila Bay. “The government’s plan is anchored on restoring the bay’s waters to pristine quality, in order to make it safe for swimming again. It wants to employ a Boracay-style clean up in a body of water that is facing much more complex challenges,” he said, saying that the 190-kilometer Manila Bay is much bigger than the 1,000-hectare Boracay Island in Aklan.

“And more importantly, around five-million people are living in the coastal areas around the bay, their livelihoods dependent on the bay’s resources,” he said.

Gilbert Reyes, a Pangisda leader in Paranaque City, said they were never consulted.

“Instead of consulting us and employing our assistance in the rehabilitation efforts as key stakeholders, the communities are being threatened of evictions and demolitions,” he said.

Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu said the bay’s rehabilitation will kick off on Jan. 27.

“What will happen to the small fishers in Manila Bay who are dependent on fishing for their livelihoods? How will the government address the economic displacement that will result from its rehabilitation plan?” Reyes asked.

He, however, clarified Pangisda is not against the rehabilitation of Manila Bay.

A4

Opinion

FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 2019

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Unify or divide?

THE recent plebiscite on the Bangsamoro Organic Law is turning out be fraught with acrimony, contrary to its intended purpose of peace and stability in the Muslim areas of Mindanao.

While the early canvassing of votes showed the Yes votes having the majority, there is an outcry of alleged cheating and intimidation of voters to cast the affirmative. Cotabato City Mayor Frances Cynthia Guiani Siyadi is set to file a poll protest claiming the outcome of the plebiscite did not re-

A foreign power can easily exploit a nation’s weakness for its own purpose.

flect the true will of the people.

The case of the Cotabato City controversy is just one of possible conflicts of the results of the BOL plebiscite. In areas where there is preponderance of Christian population, we can expect more disputes over the outcome. How will Christians react to losing their control over areas that they used to dominate if the “yes” votes prevail even if the votes counted were valid?

Even people in Metro Manila who

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

are far away from the Muslim region are not pleased with the “Bangsamoro” appellation accorded to the BOL. They think that the word Bangsa gives the autonomous region some semblance of a separate state or a state within a state. Critics of the framers of the BOL claim the government panel did not give too much thought on the ramifications of the Bangsamoro name. The officials of the Philippine government panel included Tes Deles, UP professor Miriam Coronel Ferrer and now Supreme Court Associate Justice Marvic Leonen all key appointees of former President Benigno Aquino III. Passed by the present Congress, President Rodrigo Duterte had no choice to but submit the BOL to a plesbiscite for approval by the people.

But not everything that is approved by the people necessarily translates to smooth implementation. Take the case of the British plan to leave the European Union. Approved by the British people in a referendum, Brexit met with stiff opposition in Parliament that made Prime Minister Theresa May undergo a confidence vote. While PM May survived a noconfidence vote, her power and influ influence in Parliament and the MPs were clearly diminished.

The final outcome of the plebiscite is still under a cloud since Sulu Governor Abdulsakur “Toto” Tan has a pending petition before the Supreme Court to declare the BOL as unconstitutional, and its validity to have an encompassing purview over a great part of Mindanao as null and void.

The Muslims in the area who voted “yes” will surely not accept a negative outcome after waging years of armed

T

Economy cools

HE economy grew just 6.2 percent in 2018 from 6.7 percent in 2017, with higher rice and oil prices slowing down the expansion.

The country's economic performance was not bad at all, although the expansion could have been faster if the agriculture sector had contributed its share in the growth story.

Three of the country's economic managers—Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III, Economic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia and Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno—considered the 2018 economic expansion a firm finish that cemented the Philippines’ standing as one of the fastest-growing economies in Asia.

India, Vietnam and China are the only other nations that surpassed the Philippines' economic performance. The Philippine economy expanded faster than those of Indonesia and Thailand last year, and has grown at an average of 6.5 percent in the first 10 quarters

of the Duterte administration.

The Philippines is expected to sustain the growth trajectory this year as long as the government keeps spending on infrastructure projects through the Build, Build, Build program. The construction sector grew by double digits to record its fastest pace since the first quarter of 2013.

The agriculture sector, however, should expand to make economic growth inclusive. With the farm sector's dismal performance in 2018, the government cannot expect a broad-based growth. Agriculture and fishery production may account for just less than a fifth of the GDP, but its

0.6-percent growth in 2018 was a disappointment from the 4-percent expansion in 2017.

The sector still holds the key to an inclusive growth.

The agriculture sector accounts for 24 percent of the country's labor force and these workers can provide an added boost to household consumption.

Consumer demand faltered in the third quarter of the year after inflation rose to a nine-year high of 6.7 percent in October and September last year. Consumers withheld spending because of the uncertainty caused by higher prices, principally those of rice and petroleum.

But with a robust agriculture production, those in the countryside could have acquired more purchasing power to spur household consumption. The agriculture sector should not be the weakest link in the economy.

Turn to A5

‘Stalinist Truman Show’ claims it will change art forever

by Rana Moussaoui and Fiachra Gibbons

IT IS billed as a human “safari,” the most controversial and potentially game-changing Russian cultural export since the Ballets Russes left the West shocked and awed 110 years ago.

What began as a biopic of Lev “Dau” Landau, a father of the Soviet atomic bomb and charismatic advocate of free love, has morphed into one of the strangest and most mind-boggling artistic projects ever undertaken.

The world will get its first taste of “Dau” on Thursday, when its “gripping, claustrophobic” and sometimes violent universe starts unfurling 24 hours a day for 24 days in two central Paris theaters and the city’s Pompidou modern art museum.

Dubbed the “Stalinist Truman Show,” Russian director Ilya Khrzhanovsky persuaded 400 people to live and work for nearly three years under the same totalitarian Soviet rules that Landau and his disciplines labored under.

The replica scientific institute he had built for them was not far from the one the Nobel prize-winning physicist ran in the city of Kharkiv in eastern Ukraine.

Volunteers—who ranged from university professors to beggars, engineers and prostitutes—agreed to be filmed periodically as they were subjected to scientific and philosophical experiments.

Sixteen babies were born in the hothouse sexual atmosphere.

Its cost somewhere north of 70 million euros ($80 million), sources told AFP. Stars and shamans Drawn by its compelling mix of sex, science and spirituality, a cluster of major international stars have

also thrown themselves into “Dau.” Serbian performance artist Marina Abramovic, British musician Brian Eno and Massive Attack’s Robert Del Naja—who many believe to be street artist Banksy— will perform in Paris amid the continuous roll of screenings, immersive experiences and intimate encounters with Siberian shamans, Buddhist monks, imams, psychologists and leading scientists.

“No one has yet found the word to explain ‘Dau’,” its executive producer Martine d’Anglejan-Chatillon told AFP. However, the Canadian said it could change the way we see art.

After experiencing “Dau,” “going to see a film, play or an exhibition will no longer be enough,” she insisted.

But its backers admit some of the 700 hours of this “encyclopaedia of human nature and relationships” make disturbing viewing.

Visitors will have to hand over their mobile phones and answer an intimate psychometric test before they can buy a timed or unlimited passport to enter the universe.

The producers said rape, abuse or trauma victims will be locked out of rooms with imagery that might trigger them.

Star Greek conductor Teodor Currentzis, who plays Landau in the films, will also appear in the gutted interiors of the Paris theatres, both of which are undergoing major refurbishment work.

A ‘guru’ with oligarch gold The warren-like rooms of the physicist’s institute have been recreated inside the Theatre du Chatelet, complete with a sex shop and porn cinema.

Artistic director Ruth Mackenzie Turn to A5

Giving full play to local autonomy LOCAL governments units or LGUs are supposed to be responsive to the needs of their constituents, and accountable as well for everything that they do while in office. The 1987 Constitution, in fact, provides that since LGUs are entitled to an equitable share in the proceeds of the utilization and development of the national wealth within their respective areas, they should share this with their con-

fundamental law?

We’re glad to know that at least Here are three three LGUs in Metro Manila are tak takexamples of LGUs ing their mandate to serve their constituents seriously. that are responsive Quezon City where I live, the to the needs of their cityIngovernment has moved to autoconstituents. mate transactions. This is intended to help reduce corruption in government transactions by minimizing face-toface interactions. stituents by way of direct benefits.

The local government has also So how are the LGUs in the Na- partnered with different departments tional Capital Region performing and other agencies in a pilot project their functions as mandated by the Turn to A5 Rolando G. Estabillo Publisher

ManilaStandard

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

ONLINE

can be accessed at: manilastandard.net

MEMBER

PPI

Philippine Press Institute The National Association of Philippine Newspapers

Former Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno Anita F. Grefal Baldwin R. Felipe Edgar M. Valmorida

Board Member & Chief Legal Adviser Treasury Manager Head—Ad Solutions Circulation Manager

Ramonchito L. Tomeldan Chin Wong/Ray S. Eñano Joyce Pangco Pañares Adelle Chua

Managing Editor Associate Editors News Editor Opinion Editor

Emil P. Jurado

Honor Blanco Cabie Night Editor Jimbo Gulle City Editor Romel J. Mendez Art Director Roberto Cabrera Chief Photographer

Chairman Emeritus, Editorial Board

Opinion

FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 2019

Brexit is good for the UK

Henry Sy (2)

“From the very start, at the age of 10,” the late Henry Sy Sr. recounted in the book written by his daughter, Betty Sy, “I Dream: Henry Sy,” “I knew I had the drive and determination to make something of myself.” Henry recalled his journey to Manila in 1936..

“Usually, when you come from China,” he recalled, “You come with cousins, friends, together, a group. I came alone, by myself.”

In grade school, Henry was at the top of his class and was a natural leader.

At the beginning of the Second World War, many residents of Manila fled the city. The Sys, however, had nowhere to go. “There was nowhere for people like us to go back to but China,” recalled Henry. So they remained in Echague and continued running their stores as best as they could. Those were tense days.

“We did not know how the Japanese would treat us,” recalled Henry.

At 17, Henry acquired a karitela and hired someone to operate it, giving him additional income with which to buy a brand-new bike from a Japanese.

With his bicycle, Henry began what became a lifelong friendship with a 16-year-old girl from Quiapo—Felicidad Tan, the future Mrs. Henry Sy. Born Tan Siong Ha in Manila on May 18, 1928, Felicidad is the eldest child of Tan Chi Kieng and Yu Beng Jit, Chinese immigrants who came to the Philippines to improve their fortune.

Felicidad was a dutiful achi, or eldest sister, who helped support her family during the Japanese occupation by working as a sidewalk vendor. While selling lace and embroidery outside Quiapo Church, she noticed Henry hanging out with Lao Kang. “Parati silang nagbibisikleta sa harapan namin,” she recalled.

“Diyan lang sila, daldalan, kwentuhan, si Lao Kang at saka si Mr. Sy, every Friday.” [They were always cycling in front of us. There they were, Lao Kang and Mr. Sy, chatting away every friday.] Despite his attempts to get her attention, Felicidad refused to speak to Henry. “I didn’t want to make friends. I’m stubborn that way,” she explains with some humor.

Unify...

From A4

conflict and then painstaking peace talks with the government panel.

Mindanao then will continue to be a land of promise—unfulfilled even as the largest island in the country could be a rich source of food from agriculture, lumber and minerals.

Most of the big mining firms operations are in Mindanao but could not exploit its full potential because of the Muslim separatist problem.

The Commission on Elections

Giving...

From A4

that will allow new business registrants to apply for business permits on their mobile phones.

Part of the city government’s efforts to reduce corruption is the use of performance indicators in government transactions. Through a new feedback system, constituents can digitally submit their feedback after completing a transaction, and outstanding and honest public servants will be given incentives.

Meanwhile, in another part of Metro Manila, the Pasig city council recently passed an ordinance that ensures greater transparency in local governance. The Pasig Transparency Mechanism provides for the disclosure of the city’s public records, including financial documents and contracts.

This makes Pasig City the first in Metro Manila to have its version of

On Feb. 3, 1945, US forces attacked Manila, which became a war zone for a month. The Sys fled to Novaliches, staying there over a week before returning to Manila.

Felicidad and her family remained in the city. She saw their home destroyed during the Battle of Manila. They fled to Quiapo Church and stayed there for three days before transferring to a cousin’s house

For him there was no such thing as easy money.

A5

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

properties at Plaza Miranda.

Felicidad describes that meeting: “His shoes had holes. His clothes were old. Don Rufino did not look down on him. He gave Henry a chance.” He agreed to lease to Henry a property on Calle Carriedo.

There, Henry built a stall that served as his store by day and his home by night. Henry continued to buy and sell whatever came his way and managed to stay afloat. Before long, he was approached by American shoe importers who offered to sell him shoes by the job lot. Accepting their offer, he entered into the shoe busi business. He and Lao Kang became business partners, pooling their savings to buy a karitela for transporting the shoes they bought and sold.

The new business performed exceptionally well. Henry began to earn enough to buy his first car, a secondhand Chrysler, for P1,000. He later traded it for a brand new model.

At 23, Henry decided to go to college. In 1952, he enrolled at Far Eastern University and took up commerce.

Meanwhile, he made enough money to lease more properties from Don Rufino. He teamed up with Lao Kang and the latter’s brothers to open Plaza Shoe Store.

“I thought that if I sold a pair of shoes to every Filipino,” said Henry, “I would be a successful man.”

Henry and Lao Kang opened their own shoe store, Paris Shoe Store, which was followed by a second and bigger store, Park Avenue Store.

Henry and Lao Kang worked with energy and enthusiasm running their Paris and Park Avenue stores.

On March 30, 1950, Henry married Felicidad. Their ninong was his venerable landlord, Don Rufino.

They wed at the San Miguel Church and held the reception at Manila Hotel.

With two stores, Henry was forced to give up schooling. He explained: “I did not finish a four-year course in college, only the two-year Associate in Commercial Science… I had to stop schooling because the shoeselling business took all of my time.” “[At China Bank], my credit line was approved by Mr. Yap Tian Siang at their old head office on Juan Luna Street corner Dasmariñas Street.” At the time, who would have believed that Henry would one day be a major stockholder of the bank that gave him his first loan?

For Henry, “there is no such thing as overnight success or easy money.”

on Barbosa (now A. Bautista Street).

One day, as Felicidad stood at the doorway of her cousin’s house, she saw a familiar figure limping down the street. It was Henry. He had been wounded by a shrapnel in the bombing of Ayala Bridge.

The Battle of Manila reduced the city to rubble. At least 50,000 Filipinos died.

The Sys returned from Novaliches to find that one of their stores was razed, and the other one looted.

Their spirit broken, Henry’s father and brother left the Philippines and returned to China despite the economic uncertainties there. Henry stayed.

“I held on to my convictions,” he explained his ability to succeed in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds. “By nature, I am curious and adventurous. I like the excitement of change and new and better ideas.”

“While I am not big with words,” he said, “I am big and bold with my dreams and vision.”

Post-War Manila saw Henry buying cigarettes by the carton from American GIs and selling them by the pack. Felicidad recalled Henry’s earliest business venture. “Diyan siya sa kanto ng Plaza Miranda, sa bangketa. Ang benta pa-piso-piso.

One pack is piso pero may kita na siya. Malaki na ang piso noon.”

(There he was on the corner of Plaza Miranda, on the sidewalk. He made money a peso at a time. He sold one pack for one peso, but that was enough to make a profit. A peso was worth something back then.)

Henry approached Don Vicente Lim Rufino who owned a number of biznewsasia@gmail.com

claimed it had been a generally peaceful and orderly plebiscite. The problem is the acceptance of by both the yes and no sides of the plebiscite’s final tabulation outcome.

Canvassing of votes is not expected to be completed for another two or three days. Until then, tension will remain high in the areas under the purview of the proposed BOL. The senatorial candidates and local officials should make known their stand on the BOL so voters can determine whether they are for a unified or deeply divided country.

A divided nation makes it vulnerable; a foreign power can easily exploit this weakness for its own purpose. At stake in the equation of the Bangsamoro Organic Law is our claim to Sabah against Malaysia and our territorial dispute with China on the West Philippine Sea. Will the Muslims in a Bangsamoro autonomous region yield our claim to Sabah to their fellow Muslims in Malaysia? That is a vexing question the rest of the country wants to know the answers to.

the freedom of information bill that has long languished in Congress, and we congratulate the city council for doing so.

Under the ordinance, all citizens have the right to access, examine and copy public records, as well as publish and disseminate these. Those who request documents also do not need to give a reason for doing so or even why they are interested in the records.

The city government has 10 days to act on requests for documents.

These will all be forwarded to an information officer to be appointed by the Pasig mayor. Each department, on the other hand, will designate a deputy information officer who will coordinate with the information officer and provide the requested records from their office.

Government officials or employees who fail to comply with the provisions of the ordinance will receive a reprimand for the first violation. A

second offense will be penalized by a 30-day suspension while a third violation will result in dismissal from the service.

But any law or ordinance is useless without serious efforts at implementation, and we hope other cities not just in Metro Manila but also in other parts of the country will do the same thing, as we think this would boost efforts to curb corruption and ensure accountability in public office.

Yet another example of local autonomy is the implementation in Parañaque City of a simplified and integrated business permit renewal system to enhance investor confidence and improve service delivery to investors, local and foreign investors.

Dubbed as Project Express Lane Operation or Project ELO, this implements Republic Act 11032 or Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery

MANY media commentators on the United Kingdom referendum outcome to leave the European Union have zeroed in on the Brits’ frustration with the increasing intrusion of the unelected— unaccountable—EU super-government in their lives as the reason. The continual and growing stream of directives and regulations from Brussels is an undeniable fact, and I applaud the majority of the UK voters standing up for their freedom and electing to reject the suffocating EU rule.

Since many of the EU regulations (in 32 categories!) are aimed at businesses, Brexit is good news for business—but only if the UK will recall and implement the principles of individual rights and free markets and minimize government’s role in the economy.

Ironically, the European Union was established to promote free trade and free movement of capital and labor among its member countries. It has succeeded in doing so a certain extent—while at the same time undermining the principle of freedom with a million regulations. No, I haven’t counted them, but there certainly are thousands of regulations, covering everything from the size of wheat the farmers in the member countries should grow to energy production and use and to climate change.

There has been much debate about the cost of the EU regulations to the UK economy, with the proponents of Brexit arguing that the regulations cost more than what the benefits of being part of the European free market zone is worth.

I haven’t examined the calculations offered by both sides, and neither would I put much weight on them in deciding whether it is beneficial for the UK to leave or to stay in the EU. Important in assessing whether the UK leaving the European Union is good or bad for business and people (in the UK and elsewhere) is to identify the basic principles involved and their impact on human flourishing.

The principle of free trade of products, labor, and capital that was at the core of the European Union’s founding is definitely beneficial for producing and trading material values—the essential functions of business that contribute to our well-being and prosperity. However, the principle of free trade is a derivative of a more fundamental principle upon

Stalinist...

From A4

compared the experience to a “safari. You don’t know what you will see. You know that it will be very intense, something very beautiful.

“Or you may see something violent and disturbing, though compared to Tarantino, it’s not violent,” she said.

“But you will come out and tell your friends about it. It’s completely different from anything they have seen before,” Mackenzie insisted.

One thing it is not is “Big Brother,” she said. Unlike the reality television show which continually filmed contestants, Khrzhanovsky took improvisational techniques used by filmmakers like British Oscar-winner Mike Leigh and pushed them “10 miles further down the road.”

Khrzhanovsky, however, has faced accusations in the French press of exploiting his cast and having a guru-like hold over them.

Question have also been raised

Act that went into effect in May last year.

The local government seeks to attract more businesses to register and set up shop in the city by simplifying and integrating the steps in securing business and other permits.

One salient feature of the project is eliminating the need to secure permits from the different barangays, which was a prerequisite in getting a mayor’s permit.

With this project, claimed to be the first in the country, business owners need not go to barangay halls to apply for a barangay clearance, which will now be applied, paid and issued at city hall along with the fire safety inspection certificate, sanitary permit, certificate of conformance, from planning office and the mayor’s permit to operate a business.

As a result of the launch of the project early this year, assessments nearly doubled to P81 million compared with the P46 million generated

which human flourishing depends: the right to liberty.

If government (or super-government such as that in Brussels) permits free trade to some extent but at the same time violates the liberty of companies to choose their line of business, their methods of financing and production, or whether to collaborate with other firms and how, how to price their products and what pay to offer to their employees, the companies’ ability to profit and grow is diminished. Also diminished is the wellbeing of all those with whom the companies trade: their customers, suppliers, employees and investors, and ultimately of everyone participating in the economy as a producer or consumer.

Therefore, Brexit presents a huge opportunity for the UK. If their government manages to resist the temptation to substitute the intrusive and suffocating regulatory madness of the EU with their own

It has opened up a huge opportunity for a freer, more prosperous UK.

regulatory state and instead adopts the proper role of government—the protec protection of individual rights of the citizens— the British businesses will be unleashed to create material values in an increased scale, enhancing flourishing for all.

Doomsday scenarios by collectivist supporters of the EU and lovers of the regulatory state depict an isolationist, impoverished UK where British companies are not trading globally and face eroding profits. However, such scenarios do not match reality. Quite the contrary, leaving the EU will remove the yoke of its regulations and will allow the UK firms to operate and trade more freely.

Not being part of the European Union or the euro-zone is not an impediment to successful global trade, as the examples of Switzerland and Norway have clearly demonstrated.

UK companies can even outperform those outside of the EU—if the UK government does not compromise on the principle of liberty. That is the big “if.”

But Brexit has opened up a huge opportunity for a freer, more prosperous UK. eric.jurado@gmail.com

about the Russian telecom and food oligarch Serguei Adoniev, who has almost entirely bankrolled “Dau.” Named philanthropist of the year in 2016 by the Russian Ministry of Culture, this week Bulgaria said it had revoked an EU “golden passport” it had previously granted the businessman because of a US money-laundering conviction dating back two decades.

Adoniev, 57, is trying to have the conviction quashed. He is not a target of EU or US sanctions on Russia aimed at allies of President Vladimir Putin.

Landau—who was honored Tuesday with a Google Doodle to mark what would have been his 101st birthday— was also something of a complex figure.

Though he convinced many of his disciplines, his wife never shared his enthusiasm for free love.

Twice honored with the Stalin Prize, he was lucky to escape with his life from the notorious Lubyanka prison in Moscow for equating Stalinism with Nazism. AFP

in the first working day of 2018. At the same time, payments ballooned to P5.5 million on the first day, up from P3.2 million last year.

Last year, the local government collected P2.5-billion business taxes and fees from 23,000 business registrants in the city. This year, local authorities expect an increase of 15 percent in business applicants through the project.

I’m sure that there are similar initiatives in other cities throughout the country where local executives are trying to make a difference in the lives of their constituents, one step at a time.

If that’s the case, maybe there won’t even be a need to shift to a federal system that this administration wants to fast-track despite serious misgivings by some quarters over its applicability to the country’s unique situation. ernhil@yahoo.com

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK FRIDAY, 25 JANUARY, 2019 Standard A6 TODAY Manila

Republic of the Philippines

Congress of the Philippines Metro Manila Seventeenth Congress Second Regular Session

Begun and held in Metro Manila, on Monday, the twenty-fourth day of July, two thousand seventeen.

[Republic ACT NO. 11057] AN

ACT STRENGTHENlNG THE SECURED TRANSACTIONS LEGAL FRAMEWORK IN THE PHILIPPINES, WHICH SHALL PROVIDE FOR THE CREATION, PERFECTION, DETERMINATION OF PRIORITY, ESTABLISHMENT OF A CENTRALIZED NOTICE REGISTRY, AND ENFORCEMENT OF SECURITY INTERESTS IN PERSONAL PROPERTY, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled: SECTION 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Personal Property Security Act”.

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to promote economic activity by increasing access to least cost credit, particularly for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), by establishing a unified and modern legal framework for securing obligations with personal property.

CHAPTER 1 DEFINITIONS AND SCOPE SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. -- As used in this Act, the following terms shall mean: (a) Commodity contract - a commodity futures contract, an option on a commodity futures contract, a commodity option: or another contract if the contract or option is: (1) Traded on or subject to the rules of a board of trade that has been designated as a contract market for such a contract; or (2) Traded on a foreign commodity board of trade exchange, or market, and is carried on the books of a commodity intermediary for a commodity customer; (b) Control agreement (1) With respect to securities, means an agreement in writing among the issuer or the intermediary, the grantor and the secured creditor, according to which the issuer or the intermediary agrees to follow instructions from the secured creditor with respect to the security, without further consent from the grantor; (2) With respect to rights to deposit account, means an agreement in writing among the deposit-taking institution, the grantor and the secured creditor, according to which the deposit-taking institution agrees to follow instructions from the secured creditor with respect to the payment of funds credited to the deposit account without further consent from the grantor; (3) With respect to commodity contracts, means an agreement in writing among the grantor, secured creditor, and intermediary) according to which the commodity intermediary will apply any value distributed on account of the commodity contract as directed by the secured creditor without further consent by the commodity customer or grantor; (c) Grantor(1) The person who grants a security interest in collateral to secure its own obligation or that of another person; (2) A buyer or other transferee of a collateral that acquires its right subject to a security interest; (3) A transferor in an outright transfer of an accounts receivable; or (4) A lessee of goods; (d) Non-intermediated securities - securities other than securities credited to a securities account and rights in securities resulting from the credit of securities to a securities account; (e) Notice - a statement of information that is registered in the Registry relating to a security interest or lien. The term includes an initial notice, amendment notice, and termination notice; (f) Proceeds - any property received upon sale, lease or other disposition of collateral, or whatever is collected on or distributed with respect to collateral, claims arising out of the loss or damage to the collateral, as well as a right to insurance payment or other compensation for loss or damage of the collateral; (g) Purchase money security interest - a security interest in goods taken by the seller to secure the price or by a person who gives value to enable the grantor to acquire the goods to the extent that the credit is used for that purpose; (h) Registry - the centralized and nationwide electronic registry established in the Land Registration Authority (LRA) where notice of a security interest and a lien in personal property may be registered; (i) Secured creditor - a person that has a security interest. For the purposes of registration and priority only, it includes a buyer of account receivable and a lessor of goods under an operating lease for not less than one (1) year; j) Security interest - a property right in collateral that secures payment or other performance of an obligation, regardless of whether the parties have denominated it as a security interest, and regardless of the type of asset, the status of the grantor or secured creditor, or the nature of the secured obligation; including the right of a buyer of accounts receivable and a lessor under an operating lease for not less than one (1) year; and (k) Writing - for the purpose of this Act includes electronic records.

SEC. 4. Scope of the Act. - This Act shall apply to all transactions of any form that secure an obligation with movable collateral, except interests in aircrafts subject to Republic Act No. 9497, or the “Civil Aviation Authority Act of 2008”, and interests in ships subject to Presidential Decree No. 1521, or the “Ship Mortgage Decree of 1978”.

CHAPTER 2 CREATION OF SECURITY INTEREST SEC. 5. Creation of a Security Interest. (a) A security interest shall be created by a security agreement. (b) A security agreement may provide for the creation of a security interest in a future property, but the security interest in that property is created only when the grantor acquires rights in it or the power to encumber it.

SEC. 6. Security Agreement. - A security agreement must be contained in a written contract signed by the parties. It may consist of one or more writings that, taken together, establish the intent of the parties to create a security interest.

The security agreement shall likewise provide for the language to be used in agreements and notices. The grantor shall be given the option to have the agreement and notices in Filipino. The Department of Finance (DOF) shall prepare model agreements in plain English and Filipino.

SEC. 7. Description of Collateral. - A description of collateral shall be considered sufficient, whether it is specific or general, if it reasonably identifies the collateral. A description such as “all personal property”, “all equipment”, “all inventory”, or “all personal property within a generic category” of the grantor shall be sufficient.

SEC. 8. Right to Proceeds and Commingled Funds and Money. (a) A security interest in personal property shall extend to its identifiable or traceable proceeds. (b) Where proceeds in the form of funds credited to a deposit account or money are commingled with other funds or money: (1) The security interest shall extend to the commingled money or funds, notwithstanding that the proceeds have ceased to be identifiable to the extent they remain traceable; (2) The security interest in the commingled funds or money shall be limited to the amount of the proceeds immediately before they were commingled; and (3) If at any time after the commingling, the balance credited to the deposit account or the amount of the commingled money is less than the amount of the proceeds immediately before they were commingled, the security interest against the commingled funds or money shall be limited to the lowest amount of the commingled funds or money between the time when the proceeds were commingled and the time the security interest in the proceeds is claimed.

SEC. 9. Continuity of Security Interest . - A security interest shall continue in collateral notwithstanding sale, lease, license, exchange, or other disposition of the collateral, except as otherwise provided in Section 21 of this Act, or agreed upon by the parties.

SEC. 10. Contractual Limitation on the Creation of a Security Interest. (a) A security interest in an account receivable shall be effective notwithstanding any agreement between the grantor and the account debtor or any secured creditor limiting in any way the grantor’s right to create a security interest. (b) Nothing in this section shall affect any obligation or liability of the grantor for breach of the agreement in subsection (a). (c) Any stipulation limiting the grantor’s right to create a security interest shall be void. (d) This section shall apply only to accounts receivable arising from: (1) A contract for the supply or lease of goods or services other than financial services; (2) A construction contract or a contract for the sale or lease of real property; and (3) A contract for the sale, lease or li cense of intellectual property.

CHAPTER 3 PERFECTION OF SECURITY INTEREST SEC. 11. Perfection of Security Interest. (a) A security interest shall be perfected when it has been created and the secured creditor has taken one of the actions in accordance with Section 12. (b) On perfection, a security interest becomes effective against third parties.

SEC. 12. Means of Perfection. - A security interest may be perfected by: (a) Registration of a notice with the Registry; (b) Possession of the collateral by the secured creditor; and (c) Control of investment property and deposit account.

A security interest in any tangible asset may be perfected by registration or possession. A security interest in investment property and deposit account may be perfected by registration or control.

SEC. 13. Perfection by Control.

identification number of the grantor shall be seriously misleading.

the intermediary; (2) The conclusion of a control agreement; or

SEC. 32. Amendment of Notice. -

(3) For an investment property that is an electronic security not held with an intermediary, the notation of the security interest in the books maintained by or on behalf of the issuer for the purpose of recording the name of the holder of the securities.

(a) A notice may be amended by the registration of an amendment notice that:

(b) Nothing in this Act shall require a deposit-taking institution or an intermediary to enter into a control agreement, even if the grantor so requests. A deposit-taking institution or an intermediary that has entered into such an agreement shall not be required to confirm the existence of the agreement to another person unless requested to do so by the grantor.

(2) Provides the new information.

SEC. 14. Perfection in Proceeds. (a) Upon disposition of collateral, a security interest shall extend to proceeds of the collateral without further act and be continuously perfected, if the proceeds are in the form of money, accounts receivable, negotiable instruments or deposit accounts. (b) Upon disposition of the collateral, if the proceeds are in a form different from money, accounts receivable, negotiable instruments or deposit accounts, the security interest in such proceeds must be perfected by one of the means applicable to the relevant type of collateral within fifteen (15) days after the grantor receives such proceeds; otherwise, the security interest in such proceeds shall not be effective against third parties.

SEC. 15. Change in Means of Perfection. - A security interest shall remain perfected despite a change in the means for achieving perfection: Provided, That there was no time when the security interest was not perfected.

SEC. 16. Assignment of Security Interest. - If a secured creditor assigns a perfected security interest, an amendment notice may be registered to reflect the assignment.

CHAPTER 4 PRIORITY OF SECURITY INTEREST SEC. 17. Priority Rules. - The priority of security interests and liens in the same collateral shall be determined according to time of registration of a notice or perfection by other means, without regard to the order of creation of the security interests and liens.

SEC. 18. Priority for Perfection by Control. (a) A security interest in a deposit account with respect to which the secured creditor is the deposit-taking institution or the intermediary shall have priority over a competing security interest perfected by any method. (b) A security interest in a deposit account or investment property that is perfected by a control agreement shall have priority over a competing security interest except a security interest of the deposit-taking institution or the intermediary. (c) The order of priority among competing security mterests in a deposit account or investment property that were perfected by the conclusion of control agreements shall be determined on the basis of the time of conclusion of the control agreements. (d) Any rights to set-off that the deposit-taking institution may have against a grantor’s right to payment of funds credited to a deposit account shall have priority over a security interest in the deposit account. (e) A security interest in a security certificate perfected by the secured creditor’s possession of the certificate shall have priority over a competing security interest perfected by reglstration of a notice in the Registry. (f) A security interest in electronic securities not held with an intermediary perfected by a notation of the security interests III the books maintained for that purpose by or on behalf of the issuer shall have priority over a security interest in the same securities perfected by any other method. (g) A security interest in electronic securities not held with an intermediary perfected by the conclusion of a control agreement shall have priority over a security interest in the same securities perfected by registration of a notice in the Registry. (h) The order of priority among competing security interests in electronic securities not held with an intermediary perfected by the conclusion of control agreements is determined on the basis of the time of conclusion of the control agreements.

SEC. 19. Priority for Instruments and Negotiable Documents. - A security interest in an instrument or negotiable document that is perfected by possession of the instrument or the negotiable document shall have priority over a security interest in the instrument or negotiable document that is perfected by registration of a notice in the Registry.

SEC. 20. Priority and Right of Retention by Operation of Law. - A person who provides services or materials with respect to the goods, in the ordinary course of business, and retains possession of the goods shall have priority over a perfected security interest in the goods until payment thereof.

SEC. 21. Transferee Exceptions. - Any party who obtains, in the ordinary course of business, any movable property containing a security interest shall take the same free of such security interest provided he was in good faith. No such good faith shall exist if the security interest in the movable property was registered prior to his obtaining the property.

SEC. 22. Effect of the Grantor’s Insolvency on the Priority of a Security Interest. - Subject to the applicable insolvency law, a security interest perfected prior to the commencement of insolvency proceedings in respect of the grantor shall remain perfected and retain the priority it had before the commencement of the insolvency proceedings.

SEC. 23. Purchase Money Security Interest. (a) A purchase money security interest in equipment and its proceeds shall have priority over a conflicting security interest, if a notice relating to the purchase money security interest is registered within three (3) business days after the grantor receives possession of the equipment.

(1) Identifies the initial notice by its registration number; and

(b) An amendment notice that adds collateral that is not proceeds must be authorized by the grantor in writing. (c) An amendment notice that adds a grantor must be authorized by the added grantor in writing. (d) An amendment notice shall be effective only as to each secured creditor who authorizes it. (e) An amendment notice that adds collateral or a grantor shall be effective as to the added collateral or grantor from the date of its registration.

SEC. 33 . Continuation of Notice. (a) The period of effectiveness of a notice may be continued by registering an amendment notice that identifies the initial notice by its registration number. (b) Continuation of notice may be registered only within six (6) months before the expiration of the effective period of the notice.

SEC. 34. Termination of Effectiveness of a Notice. (a) The effectiveness of a notice may be terminated by registering a termination notice that: (1) Identifies the initial notice by its registration number: and (2) Identifies each secured creditor who authorizes the registration of the termination notice. (b) A termination notice terminates effectiveness of the notice as to each authorizing secured creditor.

SEC. 35. Registry Duties. (a) For each registered notice, the Registry shall: (1) Assign a unique registration number; (2) Create a record that bears the number assigned to the initial notice and the date and time of registration; and (3) Maintain the record for public inspection. (b) The Registry shall index notices by the identification number of the grantor and. for notices containing a serial number of a motor vehicle, by serial number. (c) The Registry shall provide a copy of the electronic record of the notice, including the registration number and the date and time of registration to the person who submitted it. (d) The Registry shall maintain the capability to retrieve a record by the identification number of the grantor, and by serial number of a motor vehicle. (e) The Registry shall maintain records of lapsed notices for a period often (10) years after the lapse. (f) The duties of the Registry shall be merely administrative in nature. By registering a notice or refusing to register a notice, the Registry does not determine the sufficiency. correctness, authenticity , or validity of any information contained in the notice.

SEC. 36. Search of Registry Records and Certified Report. (a) The Registry shall communicate the following information to any person who requests it: (1) Whether there are in the Registry any unlapsed notices that indicate the grantor’s identification number or vehicle serial number that exactly matches the relevant criterion provided by the searcher; (2) The registration number, and the date and time of registration of each notice; and (3) All of the information contained in each notice. (b) If requested, the Registry shall issue a certified report of the results of a search that is an official record of the Registry and shall be admissible into evidence in judicial proceedings without extrinsic evidence of its authenticity.

SEC. 37. Disclosure of Information. (a) The secured creditor must provide to the grantor at its request: (1) The current amount of the unpaid secured obligation; and (2) A list of assets currently subject to a security interest. (b) The secured creditor may require payment of a fee for each request made by the grantor in subsection (a) in this section, but the grantor is entitled to a reply without charge once every six (6) months. (c) A security interest in a deposit account shall not: (1) Effect the rights and obligations of the deposit-taking institution without its consent: or (2) Require the deposit-taking institution to provide any information about the deposit account to third parties.

SEC. 38. Fees Set by Regulation. -

(b) A purchase money security interest in consumer goods that is perfected by registration of notice not later than three (3) business days after the grantor obtains possession of the consumer goods shall have priority over a conflicting security interest

(a) The fees for registering a notice and for requesting a certified search report shall be set by regulation issued by the DOF for the recovery of reasonable costs of establishing and operating the Registry.

(c) A purchase money security interest in inventory, intellectual property or livestock shall have priority over a conflicting perfected security interest in the same inventory, intellectual property or livestock if:

(b) The fee structure or any change thereof under subsection (a) shall further consider that the same shall not be burdensome to either lender or grantor.

(1) The purchase money security interest is perfected when the grantor receives possession of the inventory or livestock, or acquires rights to intellectual property; and

(c) There shall be no fee for electronic searches of the Registry records or for the registration of termination notices. (d) The Registry may charge fees for services not mentioned above.

(2) Before the grantor receives possession ofthe inventory or livestock, or acquires rights in intellectual property, the purchase money secured creditor gives written notification to the holder of the conflicting perfected security interest in the same types of inventory, livestock, or intellectual property. The notification sent to the holder of the conflicting security interest may cover multiple transactions between the purchase money secured creditor and the grantor without the need to identify each transaction.

SEC. 39. When the Grantor May Demand Amendment or Termination of Notice. - A grantor may give a written demand to the secured creditor to amend or terminate the effectiveness of the notice if:

(d) The purchase money security interest in equipment or consumer goods perfected timely in accordance with subsections (a) and (h), shall have priority over the rights of a buyer, lessee, or lien holder which arise between delivery of the equipment or consumer goods to the grantor and the time the notice is registered.

(b) The secured creditor has agreed to release part of the collateral described in the notice;

SEC. 24. Livestock. - A perfected security interest in livestock securing an obligation incurred to enable the grantor to obtain food or medicine for the livestock shall have priority over any other security interest in the livestock, except for a perfected purchase money security interest in the livestock, if the secured creditor providing credit for food or medicine gives written notification to the holder of the conflicting perfected security interest in the same livestock before the grantor receives possession of the food or medicine.

SEC. 25. Fixtures, Accessions, and Commingled Goods.- A perfected security interest in a movable property which has become a fixture, or has undergone accession or commingling shall continue provided the movable property involved can still be reasonably traced. In determining ownership over fixtures, accessions, and commingled goods, the provisions of Book II of Republic Act No. 386 or the “Civil Code of the Philippines” shall apply.

CHAPTER 5 REGISTRATION - REGISTRY SEC. 26. Establishment of Electronic Registry. (a) The Registry shall be established in and administered by the LRA. (b) The Registry shall provide electronic means for registration and searching of notices.

SEC. 27. Public Record. (a) Information contained in a registered notice shall be considered as a public record. (b) Any person may search notices registered in the Registry. (c) The electronic records of the Registry shall be the official records.

SEC. 28. Sufficiency of Notice. (a) An initial notice of security interest shall not be rejected: (1) If it identifies the grantor by an identification number, as further prescribed in the regulations; (2) If it identifies the secured creditor or an agent of the secured creditor by name; (3) If it provides an address for the grantor and secured creditor or its agent;

(a) All the obligations under the security agreement to which the registration relates have been performed and there is no commitment to make future advances;

(c) The collateral described in the notice includes an item or kind of property that is not a collateral under a security agreement between the secured creditor and the grantor; (d) No security agreement exists between the parties; or (e) The security interest is extinguished in accordance with this Act. SEC. 40. Matters That May be Required by Demand. - Upon receipt of the demand submitted under Section 39, the secured creditor must register, within fifteen (15) working days, an amendment or termination notice: (a) Terminating the registration in a case within subsections (a), (d) or (e) of Section 39: (b) Amending the registration to release some property that is no longer collateral in a case within subsection (c) of Section 39 or that was never collateral under a security agreement between the secured creditor and the grantor in a case within subsection (c) of Section 39.

SEC. 41. Procedure for Noncompliance with Demand. - If the secured creditor fails to comply with the demand within fifteen (15) working days after its receipt, the person giving the demand under Section 39 may ask the proper court to issue an order terminating or amending the notice as appropriate.

SEC. 42. Compulsory Amendment or Tennination by Court Order. (a) The court may, on application by the grantor, issue an order that the notice be terminated or amended in accordance with the demand, which order shall be conclusive and binding on the LRA: Provided, That the secured creditor who disagrees with the order of the court may appeal the order. (b) The court may make any other order it deems proper for the purpose of giving effect to an order under subsection (a) of this section. (c) The LRA shall amend or terminate a notice in accordance with a court order made under subsection (a) of this section as soon as reasonably practicable after receiving the order.

SEC. 43. No Fee for Compliance of Demand. - A secured creditor shall not charge any fee for compliance with a demand received under Section 39.

SEC. 44. When Registration and Search Constitutes Interference with Privacy of Individual. - A person who submitted a notice for registration or carried out a search of the Registry with a frivolous, malicious or criminal purpose or intent shall be subject to civil and criminal penalties according to the relevant laws.

CHAPTER 6

(4) If it describes the collateral; and (5) If the prescribed fee has been tendered, or an arrangement has been made for payment of fees by other means. (b) If the Registry rejects to register a notice, it shall promptly communicate the fact of and reason for its rejection to the person who submitted the notice. (c) Each grantor must authorize the registration of an initial notice by signing a security agreement or otherwise in writing.

ENFORCEMENT OF SECURITY INTEREST SECURED CREDITOR’S RIGHTS SEC. 45. Right of Redemption. (a) Any person who is entitled to receive a notification of disposition in accordance with this Chapter is entitled to redeem the collateral by paying or otherwise performing the secured obligation in full, including the reasonable cost of enforcement. (b) The right of redemption may be exercised, unless:

(d) A notice may be registered before a security agreement is concluded. Once a security agreement is concluded, the date o£registration of the notice shall be reckoned from the date the notice was registered.

(1) The person entitled to redeem has not, after the default, waived in writing the right to redeem;

(e) A notice of lien may be registered by a lien holder without the consent of the person against whom the lien is sought to be enforced.

(2) The collateral is sold or otherwise disposed of, acquired or collected by the secured creditor or until the conclusion of an agreement by the secured creditor for that purpose; and

(f) Description of the collateral in a notice shall be entered in English.

SEC. 29. One Notice Sufficient for Security Interests Under Multiple Security Agreements. - The registration of a single notice may relate to security interests created by the grantor under one (1) or more than one security agreement.

SEC. 30. Effectiveness of Notice. -

(3) The secured creditor has retained the collateral.

SEC. 46. Right of Higher-Ra.nking Secured Creditor to Take Over Enforcement. (a) Even if another secured creditor or a lien holder has commenced enforcement, a secured creditor whose security interest has priority over that of the enforcing secured creditor or lien holder shall be entitled to take over the enforcement process.

(a) A notice shall be effective at the time it is discoverable on the records of the Registry.

(b) The right referred to in subsection (a) of this section may be invoked at any time before the collateral is sold or otherwise disposed of, or retained by the secured creditor or until the conclusion of an agreement by the secured creditor for that purpose.

(b) A notice shall be effective for the duration of the term indicated in the notice unless a continuation notice is registered before the term lapses.

(c) The right of the higher-ranking secured creditor to take over the enforcement process shall include the right to enforce the rights by any method available to a secured creditor with this Act.

(c) A notice substantially complying with the requirements of this Chapter shall be effective unless it is seriously misleading.

(a) A security interest in a deposit account or investment property may be perfected by control through:

(d) A notice that may not be retrieved in a search of the Registry against the correct identifier of the grantor shall be ineffective with respect to that grantor.

(1) The creation of the security interest in favor of the deposit-taking institution or

SEC. 31. Seriously Misleading Notice. - A notice that does not provide the

SEC. 47. Expedited Repossession of the Collateral. (a) The secured creditor may take possession of the collateral without judicial process if the security agreement so stipulates: Provided, That possession can be taken without a breach of the peace.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

News Taguig jail yields bladed weapons, other banned items

By Vito Barcelo

A7

FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 2019 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

PhilHealth: Gov’t agencies exempt

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

N

O PENALTIES will be imposed on government agencies despite delay to pay the contributions of their employees, the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. said Thursday.

As this developed, Dr. Roy Ferrer, PhilHealth acting president and CEO, assured Philhealth members and their dependents from the public sector that they would continue to enjoy their benefits despite the pending approval of the national budget he added was beyond their control.

PhilHealth said government agencies were exempt from interests and penalties because of the late remittance of their premium contributions to the state agency.

PhilHealth isued the statement after the Department of Budget and Management’s

IMMIGRATION and police operatives raided the immigration jail facility in Taguig and seized bladed weapons, mobile phones, laptops, DVD players, and other prohibited items inside the jail.

Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente said the raid on the Bureau of Immigration Warden Facility was prompted by reports that high-profile inmates were running their illegal trade behind bars.

The raid, headed by lawyer Jesselito Castro with operatives from the BI Intelligence Division, was conducted in coordination with the Regional Special Operation Unit of the National Capital Region Police Office (RSOU-NCRPO).

Morente said numerous items were confiscated during the raid.

Among those seized were mobile phones and accessories, portable air conditioner units, portable Wi-Fi, sharp and pointed tools, knives, steel tubes, scissors, laptops, DVD players, deck of cards, and lighters.

“Past administrations used to be lenient in allowing the detainees to use gadgets, because the BIWF is a detention facility for those to be deported, and not a jail,” Morente said.

“But seeing dangerous weapons confiscated here prompts us to add stricter security measures,” he added.

By Francisco Tuyay Morente warned the detainees that DARAGA Mayor Carlwyn Baldo, acmore shakedowns would continue as cused in the murder of Ako Bicol partythe bureau investigates how the prolist Rodel Batocabe and his police escort, hibited items made its way inside the had designated a municipal councilor as detention center. officer-in-charge to govern following his The BIWF serves as the detention arrest and detention. center for foreign nationals who are In his Office Order dated Jan. 22, Baldo undergoing deportation proceedings, appointed Joey Marcellana as OIC of the and currently houses 236 aliens for Office of the Mayor, temporarily replacing deportation. him following his detention and hospitalCYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

pronounced that several items in personnel services had been excluded pending Congressional approval of the proposed 2019 National Budget.

In its Circular Letter No. 2019-1 dated Jan. 3, 2019, the DBM announced that among the excluded items were premium payments for PhilHealth and the Employees Compensation Commission.

PhilHealth clarified that government agencies experiencing delays in the release of appropriation or budget allocation for the employer counterpart of the health insurance

premiums of their employees shall be exempt from interests and penalties, provided that the remittance was made immediately upon receipt of the budget allocation.

The state health insurer reminded the affected agencies to continue deducting and remitting both the employee and employer share of the premium based on CY2018 budget to ensure continuous availment of PhilHealth benefits.

The difference resulting from the implementation of the fourth tranche of the Salary Standardization Law shall be remitted immediately once the proposed 2019 budget is approved.

Ferrer also reminded private employers to regularly remit and report the correct health insurance contributions of their employees to avoid being penalized and to likewise ensure uninterrupted benefit availment for their employees and their beneficiaries.

VEGGIE GOOD.

Dr. Azucena M. Day, Anghirang deputy executive director; National Nutrition Council Lotta Sylwander; UNICEF Philippines Representative He Han Dong-Man, Korean Ambassador to the Philippines; and Dr. Gerardo Bayugo, DOH undersecretary, show different kinds of vegetables during the KOICA-UNICEF First 1,000 Days Program launched Thursday at Marco Polo Hotel in Ortigas, Pasig City.

Manny Palmero

Baldo designates 5th councilor acting mayor

(b) If the collateral is a fixture, the seemed creditor, if it has priority over all owners and mortgagees, may remove the fixture from the real property to which it is affixed without judicial process. The secured creditor shall exercise due care in removing the fixture. (c) If, upon default, the secured creditor cannot take possession of collateral without breach of the peace, the secured creditor may proceed as follows: (1) The secured creditor shall be entitled to an expedited hearing upon application for an order granting the secured creditor possession of the collateral. Such application shall include a statement by the secured creditor, under oath, verifying the existence of the security agreement attached to the application and identifying at least one event of default by the debtor under the security agreement; (2) The secured creditor shall provide the debtor, grantor, and, if the collateral is a fixture, any real estate mortgagee, a copy of the application, including all supporting documents and evidence for the order granting the secured creditor possession of the collateral; and (3) The secured creditor is entitled to an order granting possession of the collateral upon the court finding that a default has occurred under the security agreement and that the secured creditor has a right to take possession of the collateral. The court may direct the grantor to take such action as the court deems necessary and appropriate so that the secured creditor may take possession of the collateral: Provided, That breach of the peace shall include entering the private residence of the grantor without permission, resorting to physical violence or intimidation, or being accompanied by a law enforcement officer when taking possession or confronting the grantor.

SEC. 48. Recovery in Special Cases. - Upon default, the secured creditor may without judicial process: (a) Instruct the account debtor to make payment to the secured creditor, and apply such payment to the satisfaction of the obligation secured by the security interest after deducting the secured creditor’s reasonable collection expenses. On request of the account debtor, the secured creditor shall provide evidence of its security interest to the account debtor when it delivers the instruction to the account debtor; (b) In a negotiable document that is perfected by possession, proceed as to the negotiable document or goods covered by the negotiable document; (c) In a deposit account maintained by the secured creditor, apply the balance of the deposit account to the obligation secured by the deposit account; and (d) In other cases of security interest in a deposit account perfected by control, instruct the deposit-taking institution to pay the balance of the deposit account to the secured creditor’s account.

SEC. 49. Right to Dispose of Collateral. -

ization generated by asthma attack.

Marcellana was Daraga’s number 5 councilor and vice mayor bet and an ally of Baldo despite running under different political parties in the upcoming May 2019 elections.

Some local government unit obervers said Baldo might have violated the law on succession after he skipped the appointment of his vice mayor, Victor Perete, one of Baldo’s strong opponents, aside from Batocabe in the forthcoming May elections.

But a day after he designated Marcel-

lana as OIC, Baldo issued another memorandum directing personnel in the office of the mayor to perform their duties in their respective offices.

In effect, Baldo still wanted to remain mayor of Daraga despite having an OIC. “On the basis of my constitutional presumption of innocence as suspect, I am directing all Department Heads, Chief (sic) of Offices and other personnel concerned to perform their office function normally,” Baldo’s second memorandum reads.

lien in the collateral if a written demand and proof of the interest are received before distribution of the proceeds is completed. (b) The secured creditor shall account to the grantor for any surplus, and, unless otherwise agreed, the debtor is liable for any deficiency.

SEC. 53. Rights of Buyers and Other Third Parties. (a) If a secured creditor sells the collateral under this Chapter, the buyer shall acquire the grantor’s right in the asset free of the rights of any secured creditor or lien holder.

SEC. 54. Retention of Collateral by Secured Creditor. (a) After default, the secured creditor may propose to the debtor and grantor to take all or part of the collateral in total or partial satisfaction of the secured obligation, and shall send a proposal to: (1) The debtor and the grantor; (2) Any other secured creditor or lien holder who. five (5) days before the proposal is sent to the debtor and the grantor, perfected its security interest or lien by registration; and (3) Any other person with an interest in the collateral who has given a written notification to the secured creditor before the proposal is sent to the debtor and the grantor. (b) The secured creditor may retain the collateral in the case of: (1) A proposal for the acquisition of the collateral in full satisfaction of the secured obligation, unless the secured creditor receives an objection in writing from any person entitled to receive such a proposal within twenty (20) days after the proposal is sent to that person; or (2) A proposal for the acquisition of the collateral in partial satisfaction of the secured obligation, only if the secured creditor receives the affirmative consent of each addressee of the proposal in writing within twenty (20) days after the proposal is sent to that person.

CHAPTER 7 TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS

(a) After default, a secured creditor may sell or otherwise dispose of the collateral, publicly or privately, in its present condition or following any commercially reasonable preparation or processing.

SEC. 55. lnterpretation of Transitional Provisions. - For this Chapter, unless the context otherwise requires:

(b) The secured creditor may buy the collateral at any public disposition , or at a private disposition but only if the collateral is of a kind that is customarily sold on a recognized market or the subject of widely distributed standard price quotations.

(b) Prior law - means any law that existed or in force before the effectivity of this Act;

SEC. 50. Commercial Reasonableness Required. (a) In disposing of collateral, the secured creditor shall act in a commercially reasonable manner. (b) A disposition is commercially reasonable if the secured creditor disposes of the collateral in conformity with commercial practices among dealers in that type of property. (c) A disposition is not commercially unreasonable merely because a better price could have been obtained by disposition at a different time or by a different method from the time and method selected by the secured creditor. (d) If a method of disposition of collateral has been approved in any legal proceeding, it is conclusively commercially reasonable.

SEC. 51. Notification of Disposition. (a) Not later than ten (10) days before disposition of the collateral, the secured creditor shall notify: (1) The grantor; (2) Any other secured creditor or lien holder who, five (5) days before the date notification is sent to the grantor, held a security interest or lien in the collateral that was perfected by registration; and (3) Any other person from whom the secured creditor received notification of a claim of an interest in the collateral ifthe notification was received before the secured creditor gave notification of the proposed disposition to the grantor. (b) The grantor may waive the right to be notified. (c) A notification of disposition is sufficient if it identifies the grantor and the secured creditor; describes the collateral; states the method of intended disposition; and states the time and place of a public disposition 01’ the time after which other disposition is to be made. (d) The requirement to send a notification under this section shall not apply if the collateral is perishable or threatens to decline speedily in value or is of a type customarily sold-on a recognized market.

(a) Existing secured creditor - means a secured creditor with a prior security interest; (c) Prior interest - means a security interest created or provided for by an agreement or other transaction that was made or entered into before the effectivity ofthis Act and that had not been terminated before the effectivity of this Act, but excludes a security interest that is renewed or extended by a security agreement or other transaction made or entered into on or after the effectivity of this Act; and (d) Transitional period - means the period from the date of effectivity of this Act until the date when the Registry has been established and operational.

SEC. 56. Creation of Prior Interest. (a) Creation of prior interest shall be determined by prior law. (b) A prior interest remains effective between the parties notwithstanding its creation did not comply with the creation requirements of this Act. SEC. 57. Perfection of Prior Interest. (a) A prior interest that was perfected under prior law continues to be perfected under this Act until the earlier of: (2) The expiration of the transitional period. (b) If the perfection requirements of this Act are satisfied before the perfection of a prior interest ceases in accordance with subsection (a) of this section, the prior interest continues to be perfected under this Act from the time when it was perfected under the prior law. (c) If the perfection requirements of this Act are not satisfied before the perfection of a prior interest ceases in accordance with subsection (a) of this section, the prior interest is perfected only from the time it is perfected under this Act.

(e) If a prior interest referred to in subsection (b) of this section was perfected by the registration of a notice under prior law, the time of registration under the prior law shall be the time to be used for purposes of applying the priority rules of this Act. SEC. 58. Priority of Prior Interest. -

(a) The proceeds of disposition shall be applied in the following order:

(1) The security interest and the rights of all competing claimant arose before the effectivity of this Act; and

(3) The satisfaction of obligations secured by any subordinate security interest or

Manila

Standard

TODAY

(a) If any step or action has been taken to enforce a prior interest before the effectivity of this Act, enforcement may continue under prior law or may proceed under this Act. (b) Subject to subsection (a) of this section, prior law shall apply to a matter that is the subject of proceedings before a court before the effectivity of this Act. CHAPTER 8 CONGRESSIONAL OVERSIGHT AND MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS SEC. 60. Congressional Oversight and Periodic Review. - A Congressional Oversight Committee shall be created that will conduct a periodic review every five (5) years commencing from the effectivity of this Act. The Congressional Oversight Committee shall be composed ofthe Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Banks, Financial Institutions and Currencies, the Chairperson of the House of Representatives Committee on Banks and Financial Intermediaries, and representatives of other relevant congressional committees.

SEC. 61. Interpretation. - If there is conflict between a provision of this Act and a provision of any other law, this Act shall govern unless the other law specifically cites or amends the conflicting provisions of this law.

SEC. 62. Implementing Rules mud Regulations. - Within six (6) months from the passage of this Act, the DOF in coordination with the Department of Justice, through the LRA, shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act. SEC. 63. Rules on Enforcement Procedure. - Subject to Section 47, the expedited hearing/proceedings shall be conducted in a summary manner consistent with the declared policies of this Act and in accordance with the rules of procedure that the Supreme Court may promulgate.

SEC. 64. Sourcing of Funds. - The funds needed for the implementation of this Act shall be taken from the Special Account arising from revenues collected by the LRA under Section 111 of Presidential Decree No. 1529, without need for any further government approval.

SEC. 65. Separability Clause. - Should any provision herein be declared unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity of the other provisions of this Act. SEC. 66. Repealing Clause. - The following laws, and all laws, decrees, orders, and issuances or portions thereof, which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, are hereby repealed, amended, or modified accordingly: (a) Sections 1 to 16 of Act No. 1508, otherwise known as “The Chattel Mortgage Law”; (b) Articles 2085-2123,2127,2140-2141,2241, 2243, and 2246-2247 of Republic Act No. 386, otherwise known as the “Civil Code of the Philippines’; (c) Section 13 of Republic Act No. 5980, as amended by Republic Act No. 8556, otherwise known as the “Financing Company Act of 1998”; (d) Sections 114-116 of Presidential Decree No. 1529, otherwise known as the “Property Registration Decree”; (e) Section 10 of Presidential Decree No. 1529, insofar as the provision thereof is inconsistent with this Act; and (f) Section 5(e) of Republic Act No. 4136, otherwise known as the “Land Transportation and Traffic Code”.

SEC. 67. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

SEC. 68. Implementation. - Notwithstanding the entry into force of this Act under Section 67, the implementation of the Act shall be conditioned upon the Registry being established and operational under Section 26.

Approved.

VICENTE C. SOTTO III President of the Senate

PANTALEON D. ALVAREZ Speaker of the house of Representatives

This Act which is a consolidation of House Bill No. 6907 and Senate Bill No. 1459 was passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate on May 30, 2018.

(d) A written agreement between a grantor and a secured creditor creating a prior interest is sufficient to constitute authorization by the grantor of the registration of a notice covering assets described in that agreement under this Act.

(a) The priority of a prior interest as against the rights of a competing claimant is determined by the prior law if:

(2) The satisfaction of the obligation secured by the security interest of the enforcing secured creditor; and

THE apparent surge of several Chinese workers in the country should not be a cause of concern, Malacañang assured the public on Thursday, dismissing former President Benigno Aquino III’s claim that Chinese nationals were taking over the jobs intended for Filipinos.

In a statement during the launch of a book tackling the South China Sea, Aquino said businessmen had raised concerns on the alleged rising number of Chinese workers in the country.

The former president said the Chinese migrant workers were taking the jobs meant for Filipinos in the construction industry.

Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo, however, was quick to sound out Aquino’s claim.

“Let’s just say that if he is concerned, we will also be concerned if his basis is correct. What was his basis? Was the statistics made by him or his group?

Where did he get that information?” said Panelo.

The Palace official surmised the possible increased number of Chinese workers in the construction industry could be caused by the supposed absence of Filipino manpower.

According to him, he himself had a difficult time looking for a carpenter for his own house.

“My personal experience is, I’ve been looking for a carpenter for six months, I only had one after finding (sic) for six months,” he said.

Asked if he agreed to the claim that Chinese workers were taking the jobs that should be for Filipinos, Panelo said: “Not that I agree, [but] that is probably the reality now.”

The Palace then stressed, “If they came here through lawful means, then I am not alarmed. I will be alarmed if they are here because they violated the law.”

(1) The time the prior interest would cease to be perfected under prior law; and

SEC. 52. Application of Proceeds. -

(1) The reasonable expenses of taking, holding, preparing for disposition, and disposing of the collateral, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and legal expenses incurred by the secured creditor;

By Nat Mariano

SEC. 59. Enforcement of Prior Interest. -

(b) If a secured creditor leases or licenses the collateral lfider this Chapter, the lessee or licensee shall be entitled to the benefit of the lease or license during its term. (c) If a secured creditor sells, leases or licenses the collateral not in compliance with this Chapter, the buyer, lessee or licensee of the collateral shall acquire the rights or benefits described in subsections (a) and (b) of this section: Provided, That it had no knowledge of a violation of this Chapter that materially prejudiced the rights of the grantor or another person.

Malacañang plays down surge of Chinese workers

MYRA MARIE D. VILLARICA Secretary of the Senate

CESAR STRAIT PAREJA Secretary General House of Representatives

RODRIGO ROA DUTERTE President of President

(2) The priority status of these rights has not changed since the effectivity of this Act. (b) For purposes of subsection (a)(2) of this section, the priority status of a prior interest has changed only if: (1) It was perfected when this Act took effect, but ceased to be perfected; or (2) It was not perfected under prior law when this Act took effect, and was only perfected under this Act. (MS-JAN. 25, 2019)

Sports

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

A8

FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 2019

SEPFOURTEEN COMMISSIONER’S CUP CHAMP. Using its Horse of the Year award as an inspiration and motivation, Sepfourteen added another win under its belt

after claiming the 2019 Philracom Commissioner’s Cup in a down-to-the-wire victory against long-time rival Electric Truth. The Santa Clara Stockfarm-raised Sepfourteen bagged P900,000 for the win, while Electric Truth took home P337,500 for the runner-up finish.

UP star thrills Mighty Sports teammates MIGHTY Sports held its first practice Wednesday night at the Urdaneta Village gym, but the spotlight surprisingly fell on Juan Gomez de Liano – not on its imports.

Even the comebacking former LA Lakers star Lamar Odom had some glowing words for the crafty University of the Philippines guard.

“This kid can play and is good,” said Odom of the UP star, whose long bombs did not go unnoticed.

Ginebra import Justine Brownlee and Chinese Basketball Association veteran Randolf Morris were likewise impressed with De Liano’s deadly shooting as the apparel and accessories team, backed by SMDC, Go For Gold, Oriental Group and Healtcube prepares for its second foray in the Dubai International Basketball Championship set Feb. 1 to 9.

Overall, the practice was fine and coach Charles Tiu was pleasantly surprised everybody hit it off right away on their first meeting.

“First practice was OK, I like that, guys were excited, lots of laughs. They were practicing well,” said the younger brother of former Rain or Shine star Chris Tiu. “Hope we will do better next time.”

“Juan looked very good. I was also impressed with his decision making. His overall game, including his shooting was great,” said Tiu. “He can do things pretty well on the court.”

His only concern is that Harris and Odom—with the latter arriving in the morning—still didn’t have legs under them.

“We hope we can address that, and I believe coach Chris, coach Jong (Uichico), coach (Dean Casgtano) and coach Woody (Co) have plans for them,” said team owner Alex Wongchuking.

The team is leaving for Dubai next week to compete in the 30th Dubai International Basketball Championship on Feb. 1-9.

Other members of the team are former Ginebra player Jett Manuel, Joseph Yeo, TY Tang, Angelo Wongchuking, La Salle forward Santi Santillan, and College of St. Benilde’s Justin Gutang. Beefing up the team are Fil-Ams Jeremiah Gray and Roosevelt Adams.

NorthPort battles Dyip, seeks share of PBA lead

By Jeric Lopez

N

ORTHPORT shoots for a share of the lead as its goes for a third straight win in the resumption of the 2019 Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup.

Off to a blazing start, the 2-0 Batang Pier look to continue rolling when they clash with Columbian Dyip (1-1) at 4:30 p.m. at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.

In the succeeding game, San Miguel Beer and Meralco both shoot for their first winning streaks of the season when they tango at 7 p.m.

A main attraction in the collision between NorthPort and Columbian is the renewal of rivalry between top pick CJ Perez and No.3 pick Robert Bolick, who

faced off in the last two NCAA Finals, playing for Lyceum and San Beda, respectively.

One of the main reasons why NorthPort is enjoying a rousing start is the play of Bolick.

The No. 3 overall pick has been living up high expectations thus far.

Bolick is averaging 20 points per game in two starts.

He was key in both wins of the Batang Pier against Blackwater and NLEX. “Si Bolick, he really fits well with the

team,” said NorthPort coach Pido Jarencio. “Bukod sa alam natin ang kaya ‘nung bata, maganda ‘yung chemistry niya rin with our veterans.”

Heading to his team’s date with the Dyip, Jarencio cited a key reason why his team is having early success.

“Kasi, ang maganda now is we’re no longer all about Stanley (Pringle) and Sean Anthony. Everyone, nag-step-up talaga,” Jarencio added.

After dropping their initial assignments, the Beermen and the Bolts have since bounced back by winning their last games.

LPGA-bound Ardina grabs 2-stroke lead

Dottie Ardina lines herself up for a big LPGA Tour campaign boost

MEXICO, Pampanga—Dottie Ardina finally turned in a round expected from a player of her caliber, shooting a four-under 67 in tough conditions and grabbing a twostroke lead over Thais Punpaka Phuntumabamrung and Chonlada Chayanun in the second round of the ICTSI Beverly Place Ladies Classic here yesterday.

Ardina rebounded from a oneover 72 start with a 32-35 card as the LPGA Tour-bound shotmaker found her range and rhythm on a day the erstwhile frontrunners struggled and faded with overpar cards at the short but tricky course made more daunting by its unreceptive greens.

Ardina wasn’t spared of the ordeal but the Canlubang ace made the most of her near-impeccable iron game to churn out the loneunder card and seize control at 139, two shots ahead of Phuntumabamrung and the comebacking Chayanun, who pooled identical 141s after a 71 and 72, respectively.

“My irons were good but I struggled with my putting. I missed at

Senate, NHA try to seal semis cast

Marlon Legaspi hopes to lead Senate to victory and into the semis of the UNTV Cup when they clash with the Malacañang-PSC Kamao on Sunday.

Games Today (Ynares Center) 4:30 p.m. NorthPort vs Columbian Dyip 7:00 p.m. San Miguel Beer vs Meralco

DEFENDING champion Senate and National Housing Authority try to complete the semis cast when they collide against their respective rivals in the 7th UNTV Cup on Sunday at the Pasig City Sports Center.

The Senate Defenders of Mike Fermin battle the Malacañang-Philippine Sports Commission Kamao at 5 p.m., while the NHA Builders of Bennet Palad take on the PITC Global Trader at 3 p.m.

The Builders forged a three-way tie for second to fourth placers with MalacañangPSC and PITC at 6-5 following a stunning 89-82 win over the Defenders last Sunday.

The defeat ended Senate’s four-game winning run dating back the elims, but remained on top with a 7-4 record.

One thing going for the Defenders in Sunday’s game is they will be facing a team still reeling from a fourth straight defeat— losing to the Global Traders, 89-85.

The top two finishers at the close of the

Games Sunday

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

quarterfinal round will join early semifinalists Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine National Police in the next phase, which is a best-of-three affair.

The chosen charity of the champion in the tournament organized by UNTV president and CEO Dr. Daniel Razon for public servants receives P4 million, while the charity of the runner-up gets P2 million.

Out to lead NHA’s attack are Antonio Lustestica, Alvin Vitug and Marvin Mercado who all posted double figures in their win over the Defenders.

Haddi Porto, Ryan Regaldo and Rod Vasallo, on their part, need to sustain their inspired showing the last time if they are to advance to the semis in their maiden campaign in the annual tournament.

least five birdie chances inside seven feet and could’ve finished with a seven-under card,” said said Ardina, who gunned down four birdies after 16 holes then recovered from a three-putt mishap on the 17th with a closing birdie from 15 feet.

“The greens are hard and I had to adjust my approach shots,” said Ardina, whose sterling round proved more than enough to shove her to the lead and 18 holes away from snapping a long title spell on the ICTSI-sponsored circuit she used to dominate ahead of her much-awaited stint in the LPGA Tour starting next month as a fullcard holder.

Chayanun, whose late charge netted her a 69 and a share of the first round lead with compatriots Mookharin Ladgratok and Ornnicha Konsunthea Wednesday, rallied against with three birdies in the last five holes in a big bounce-back from a four-over card. She salvaged a 37-35 card and tied Phuntumabamrung, who strung up nines of 34-37 at second.

POC signs pact to help resolve NSA disputes PHILIPPINE Olympic Committee president Ricky Vargas Monday signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Philippine Dispute Resolution Center Inc., represented by its president, Atty. Edmund Tan. The MOU paves the way for the formulation of a new Alternative Dispute Resolution framework to resolve conflicts within NSAs and also in the Olympic Committee.

“We are following the model of the International Olympic Committee and the Court of Arbitration in Sports. As soon as this is approved by the POC Board and the General Assembly, the PDRCI will conduct seminars for NSAs to better understand the workings of mediation and arbitration,” Vargas said.

For his part, Atty. Tan said: “We are very proud to be a significant part in this milestone in Philippine sports.

We hope to assist the POC in streamlining their programs without the distraction of troublesome disputes.”

Witnessing the signing on behalf of the POC were First Vice President Joey Romasanta, General Counsel Atty. Alberto Agra, Membership Committee Chairman Robert Bachmann, Arbitration Committee Member Atty. Charlie Ho and Communications Director Ed Picson.

With Atty. Tan of PDRCI were Secretary General Atty. Robert Dio, Vice President Atty. Salvador Panga Jr. and Executive Director Bing Pabila.

Osaka takes on Kvitova in finals of Aussie Open MELBOURNE—Fourth seed Naomi Osaka outgunned Karolina Pliskova Thursday to set up an Australian Open final against Czech eighth seed Petra Kvitova.

The 21-year-old Japanese star overcame the seventh seed 6-2, 4-6, 6-4 to reach a second straight Grand Slam decider after her breakthrough triumph over Serena Williams at last year’s US Open.

Osaka started strongly to take the first set as the match began with the roof of Rod Laver Arena closed amid sweltering temperatures exceeding 36 degrees Celsius (96.8 Farenheit).

But Pliskova, who ousted American great Williams with an epic comeback to make the semi-finals on Wednesday, roared back in the second before Osaka edged past her in the third.

“I expected it, I expected a really hard battle,” Osaka said of Pliskova’s attempt to come back from a set and a break down.

“I just told myself to regroup in the third set and try as hard as I could no matter what, and I managed to win.”

She said her win at Flushing Meadows helped settle her nerves against the never-say-die Czech.

“I was so scared serving second serves, I was like ‘oh my God, please!’” she said. “I guess that’s experience, I don’t know.

Osaka is bidding to become the first woman since Serena Williams in 2015 to win the US and Australian Opens back to back.

She will also become the new world number one, replacing Romania’s Simona Halep, if she beats Kvitova in the final.

Pliskova was the bookies’ favourite for the title after her effort against Williams but made a slow start, hitting only four winners to Osaka’s 16 in the first set. AFP

Pingris raring to see action

By Lito Cinco VETERAN Magnolia player Jean Marc Pingris still sits on the sidelines in the PBA Philippine Cup and his return to action remains uncertain.

“I was told by my doctor that I might be able to play already by March, but everything depends on my condition, I want to play already, but I need to follow the doctor,” said Pingris.

Ten months ago, while playing in the finals against NLEX, Pingris, the 2004 Philippine Cup MVP, sufPingris fered an ACL injury and had to undergo surgery forcing him to miss his team’s PBA championship late last year. At the age of 37 and with 14 years spent in the play-for-pay professional league, Pingris understands and accepts that his role will not be the same domi-

nant one he used to play when he finally returns to action.

“At my age now, I believe my role is to help guide the younger players on the team inside and help them develop their skills, and even outside the court particularly in preparing their financial future, “ explained Pingris, who is living up to what he is preaching in terms of providing for himself and his family beyond his PBA days.

Pingris is already a glass and aluminum dealer/supplier and joins in bidding wars to get building contracts. At the same time, he has put up a poultry farm in Cuyapo, Nueva, Ecija in preparation for his future.

At the present, he thinks Ginebra with a complete line-up will be the team to beat in the All-Filipino together with San Miguel Beer, but added not to count his team out, especially once he rejoins them.

IN BRIEF

SSS members told to update contact info STATE-RUN pension fund Social Security System asked individually-paying members, including self-employed, voluntary members, non-working spouses and overseas Filipino workers, to provide and update their contact information with SSS to receive their Payment Reference Number via text message.

The Real-Time Processing of Contributions program, which requires the generation of PRN before paying, instantly validates, transmits and acknowledges contribution payment with the member’s record in SSS. Upon payment of their contribution using PRN, members will receive notifications via SMS that their contributions have been posted.

“We strongly urge our members who are not yet registered in the My.SSS facility so they could generate their PRN online, to provide SSS their contact information for the issuance of PRNs via SMS. This way, they will be able to pay their monthly contributions and avoid delays in the processing of their benefit claims and other services,” SSS president and chief executive Emmanuel Dooc said Thursday. Julito G. Rada

Business

ADB sells $3.5b 5-year global bonds THE Asian Development Bank returned to the US dollar bond market with the pricing of a $3.5-billion 5-year global benchmark bond issue, proceeds of which will be part of ADB’s ordinary capital resources.

“The transaction was our first global benchmark outing of the year and the timing pleased our investor base,” said ADB treasurer Pierre Van Peteghem.

“We watched as the first wave of sovereigns, supranationals and agencies supply was well absorbed by the market and secondary marks tightened steadily reflecting solid performance. ADB’s decision to go out was duly rewarded with a strong order book that held together at the tightest pricing for a USD 5-year global benchmark bond so far in 2019,” he said.

The 5-year bond, with a coupon rate of 2.625 percent per annum payable semiannually and a maturity date of Jan. 30, 2024, was priced at 99.498 percent to yield 14.9 basis points over the 2.625 percent US Treasury notes due December 2023.

Darwin G. Amojelar

FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 2019

B1

By Darwin G. Amojelar

E-TRIKE DONATION. Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi (fourth from left) joins President Rodrigo Duterte (fifth from left) in turning over 170 electric tricycles to the city of Mandaluyong during the Tricycle Operators and Drivers’ Association Summit held at Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City. Mandaluyong mayor Carmelita Abalos (third from right) eceives the certificate of turn-over for the

China company tapped to build Makati subway P

By Jenniffer B. Austria

hilippine Infradev Holdings Inc., formerly IRC Properties Inc., said it tapped China Civil Engineering Construction Corp. to build the $3.7-billion Makati intra-city rail transport system.

Philippine Infradev said in a disclosure to the stock exchange that under the memorandum of agreement signed by both parties, CCECC was investing $300 million to $350 million into the company or a subsidiary that would undertake the engineering, procurement and construction works for the Makati subway project.

CCECC will also provide the performance guarantee for the completion of the project that will be subject to the completion of a financial, legal and technical due diligence.

“The parties are aiming for 31 May 2019 to complete the entire due diligence process prior to formalization of the structure of CCECC’s investment

and execution of the formal investment agreement,” Philippine Infradev said.

CCECC is a 100-percent owned subsidiary of China Railway Construction Corp. Ltd. The project involves the construction of an 11-kilometer intra-city mass transport system with up to 10 stations that will connect key points in Makati’s two districts, with no cash out from the city government.

The railways is expected to accommodate up to 700,000 passengers per day aboard six car trains with a capacity of about 200 people each.

Philippine Infradev said the project was aligned with the national government’s aggressive infrastructure pro-

gram and Makati’s goal to be a digital city.

It will also complement mass transport projects of the national government as it would be interconnected to the Metro Rail Transit Line 3, the proposed Metro Manila Mega Subway and the Pasig River ferry.

Philippine Infradev said to support the big-ticket project, it obtained shareholders approval to increase its authorized capital to P10.5 billion from P1.5 billion.

IRC and Chinese partners Greenland Holdings Group, Jiangsu Provincial Construction Group Co. Ltd., Holdings Ltd. and China Harbour Engineering Company Ltd. are the original proponents of the project.

After obtaining approval from the National Economic and Development Corp., the proposal was subject to a Swiss Challenge. No competing bids were submitted during the Swiss Challenge period.

The project is slated for completion by 2025.

THE Department of Public Works and Highways said it signed a P39.905-billion loan with the Japanese government to finance the Pasig-Marikina River Channel Improvement Project Phase IV. The project will cover channel improvement works for middle Marikina River from the downstream of Mangahan Floodway to Marikina Bridge Sto. Niño, including the construction of the Marikina Control Gate Structure and two floodgates at the joining sections of Cainta and Taytay Rivers to Mangahan Floodway.

The Japanese flood mitigation technology will be adopted in Phase IV which will complement the completed Pasig River Channel Improvement under Phase II and Lower Marikina River Channel Improvement including remaining works in Pasig River under Phase III which are also mainly funded by the Japanese government.

The project which is part of the long-term solutions against flood disasters is in line with the DPWH’s continuing commitment to the ‘Build, Build, Build’ program of the Duterte administration of providing safe environment and to contribute to the improvement of the living conditions of Filipino people.

The government of Japan also donated more than P54.21 million worth of equipment to enhance the agency’s flood fighting activities and disaster response.

Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Koji Haneda turned over to Public Works Secretary Mark Villar eight units of mobile drainage pump and 17 power generation sets with tower lights in a handover ceremony at the DPWHUnified Project Management OfficeFlood Control Management Office at Napindan Hydraulic Control Structure Compound in Pasig City.

The donation package procured by the Japan International Cooperation System is part of the Japan’s NonProject Grant Aid for Provision of Japanese Disaster Reduction Equipment 2014 for the Republic of the

Duty Free plans to open stores in Palawan, Bohol

Transportation eyes two-hour extension of MRT 3 operation

THE Department of Transportation said it is studying a proposal to extend the operations of Metro Rail Transit Line 3 for two more hours.

“We will study the proposal given the changes in the current MRT-3 ridership profile as compared to when the extended hours was tested in the past. Also, the proposed extension of revenue hours will require additional working hours for train personnel and additional electricity costs,” the agency said.

MRT 3 operates from 5:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.

“Please note that while we echo our pledge of providing a quality, fast and reliable service to our commuters, we also need to consider that our two-decade old trains need to have sufficient time for preventive maintenance works. In fact, it will soon undergo extensive rehabilitation and maintenance to be conducted

by Sumitomo-Mitsubishi Heavy Industries,” the agency said.

The agency said preventive maintenance works were being performed regularly, during non-operating hours, to avert breakdowns.

It said that during these preventive maintenance works, trains and tracks were ensured to be in satisfactory operating condition through systematic inspection, detection and correction of incipient failures either before they occur or develop into major defects.

“We wish to stress that a regular and efficient preventive maintenance works help ensure smooth train operations, as well as prevention of unloading incidents, and service interruptions,” the DOTr said.

“Moreover, these efforts can help assure passengers of a safe, reliable, and comfortable travel, while putting at topmost priority the safety and security of our passengers,” the agency said.

business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com

DPWH signs P39.9-b flood control loan with Japan

PNOC to go ahead with diesel imports STATE-RUN Philippine National Oil Co. may put up a storage facility for the planned importation of low-priced diesel by subsidiary PNOC Exploration Corp., a Cabinet official said.

Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said the oil importation would push through despite encountering delays over procurement issues.

“That will push through because we want PNOC to participate in the supply chain, Of course, we are also addressing the reserve requirement of the country,” Cusi said.

“Whether prices are high or low, we need ample reserves,” he said.

PNOC EC earlier negotiated with fuel suppliers for the shipment of an initial 50,000 metric tons of Philippine standard or Euro-4 gas oil or diesel fuel, after the second invitation to bid failed.

PNOC EC is eyeing 50,000 MT of gasoline or diesel fuel “at any safe port in the Philippines” designated by the company.

Alena Mae S. Flores

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

By Othel V. Campos

KOREAN INTERNSHIP. Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. signs a memorandum of understanding with the Embassy of the Republic of Korea to establish an internship program for Korean students in the Philippines. Shown are (from left) RCBC Korean business relationship division head and first vice president Jaehoon Oh, RCBC recruitment department head and vice president Tricia Marcelo, RCBC human resource group head and first senior vice president Rowena Subido, RCBC chairperson Helen Dee, Korean Ambassador Dong-man Han, Korean Embassy minister counsellor Sunyoung Kim, Korean Embassy First Secretary Joongsuk Park and HRD Korea EPS Center director Ji Won Yun.

ERC asks Supreme Court to resolve open access rules

By Alena Mae S. Flores THE Energy Regulatory Commission said it is hoping the Supreme Court will soon resolve the issues surrounding the retail competition and open access regime in the energy sector.

“Our prayer is that this shall be resolved, one way or another, because if it is not resolved, we cannot also act,” ERC chairperson Agnes Devanadera said.

The Supreme Court issued a temporary restraining on Feb, 21, 2017 stopping the Energy Department, the ERC and its agents from implementing the RCOA rules and regulations that mandate the mandatory migration of contestable customers.

The DoE and ERC earlier allowed large power users to choose their own suppliers starting Feb. 26, 2017 under the RCOA regime, but this became the subject of the TRO.

The Supreme Court issued the TRO on DOE Circular No. DC2015-06-0010, Series of 2015 and ERC Resolution Nos. 5, 10, 11 and 28, Series of 2016.

Representatives from Ateneo de Manila University, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Marikina Riverbanks Development Corp. and San Beda College Alabang asked the SC to issue the TRO on the mandatory migration aspect of RCOA and eligibility of distribution utilities to participate as suppliers.

“We are hoping that it can be acted upon because the SC undertook reorganization,” Devanadera said.

The Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines earlier urged authorities to end the regulatory uncertainty that clouded the electricity market by moving full steam with RCOA. “Having RCOA moving again will definitely enhance competition at

WESM [Wholesale Electricity Spot Market]. We have received inquiries from several potential contestable customers who consume more than 750 kilowatts if they can already register.

They want to benefit from lower electricity prices that retail electricity suppliers can offer. It’s time we push ahead with the full implementation of the Epira [Electric Power Industry Reform Act,” said IEMOP president Francis Saturnino Juan.

IEMOP took over the operations of WESM, the country’s trading floor of electricity, from the Philippine Electricity Market Corp. in September.

The move seeks to ensure the independence of the market operator from the government. IEMOP was mandated to pursue the WESM objective to have a transparent, fair, competitive and reliable market for the trading of electricity throughout the Philippines.

DUTY Free Philippines Corp. said Wednesday it plans to open new stores at the international airports of Puerto Princesa City in Palawan and Panglao, Bohol this year.

“With this expansion, the stateowned retail company is giving speed to its target of reaching 15 percent of the international traveller by 2027. We are in coordination with the Department of Transportation and definitely it will happen this year,” said Duty Free chief operating officer Vicente Pelagio Angala.

He said total sales of Duty Free Philippines reached $217 million in 2018, representing a 2-percent growth from 2017.

Filipino tourists, migrants and overseas Filipino workers remain the stores’ top source market with $59.9 million worth of transactions, followed by the Americans with $49 million, Chinese with $1.5 million and Canadians with $1.1 million.

The company said the top five bestselling categories were confectionary, liquors and spirits, perfume and cosmetics, fashion and supermarket.

“One of the factors that contributed to this growth is our partnerships with thirdparty online payments solutions such as Alipay and WeChat,” said Angala.

“Our collaboration also with the Department of Trade and Industry’s Go Lokal program has steadily grown to this day and we expected to continue to grow in the coming years,” he said.

The store is in close coordination with the Tourism Department in adding homegrown products through the Philippines’ Finest Kiosk.

B2

Business

FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 2019 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Stocks rise, cheer GDP growth

T

HE stock market rose Thursday as investors welcomed the respectable gross domestic product figures in the fourth quarter of 2018 that showed the economy expanding at a slower pace of 6.1 percent

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index climbed 75.25 points, or 0.9 percent, to 8,064.90 on a value turnover of P7.5 billion. Gainers beat losers, 120 to 87, with 43 issues unchanged.

The Philippine economy grew 6.2 percent in 2018, slower than 6.7 percent a year ago and missing the government’s official target range of 6.5 percent to 6.9 percent for the year, pulled down by the sluggish agriculture sector and higher inflation rate.

The Philippine Statistics Authority said Thursday the GDP also slowed to 6.1 per-

cent in the fourth quarter from 6.5 percent a year ago. The fourth-quarter expansion was slightly higher than the revised 6-percent growth in the third quarter.

Conglomerate San Miguel Corp. advanced 3 percent to P174, while Universal Robina corp., the biggest snack food maker, rose 3.5 percent to P149.50.

ISM Communications Corp., part of the consortium declared by the government as the country’s third major telecommunications firm, added 2.8 percent to P6.20, while PLDT Inc., the largest telecom company, gained 2.6 percent to P1,286.

The rest of Asian markets rose Thursday as investors try to ascertain the state of play in the China-US trade row, while the pound edged higher on optimism Britain will not crash out of the European Union.

However, the US government shutdown continued to rankle, with Democrats and Donald Trump digging their

heels in over the president’s border wall budget demand, while a White House official warned it could hammer the world’s top economy.

For a second day, equities swung to and fro, with few solid catalysts to drive trade, though Wall Street provided a positive lead as all three main indexes ended higher following upbeat earnings from the likes of market titans Procter & Gamble and IBM. Hong Kong rose 0.3 percent in the afternoon, Shanghai ended up 0.4 percent, Sydney gained 0.4 percent and Seoul jumped 0.8 percent, while Singapore added 0.5 percent.

There were also advances in Wellington, Taipei and Jakarta though Tokyo closed 0.1 percent lower.

Trump on Wednesday gave an upbeat assessment of the state of affairs in the trade stand-off, saying “we’re doing very well in the negotiations” and that China “wants to make a deal”.

However, his remarks come in a week that has seen the White House deny Financial Times and CNBC reports that officials had rejected Beijing’s offer of preparatory discussions ahead of highlevel talks in Washington.

Earlier, Bloomberg said the two sides were struggling to see eye to eye on the delicate issue of intellectual property.

The talks come as China struggles to reinvigorate its economy, which is growing at its weakest pace in almost three decades, while Trump is facing an increasingly bitter government shutdown just as the presidential campaign season gets into gear.

The impact of the shutdown—with Democrats refusing to provide Trump billions for his Mexico border wall— was laid out by the head of the White House Council of Economic Advisers, who warned the economy could grow “very close to zero” if it continued through March. With AFP

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 2019

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

FINANCIALS 59.7 280 92.8 1,392,100 2.15 667,000 135 3,775,010 1.54 940,000 27.8 126,800 16.5 430,900 12.56 212,100 4.8 131,000 8.98 9,600 1.43 33,000 0.45 600,000 84 3,928,940 1.03 3,451,000 12.42 19,000 20.3 600 44 169,300 186 8,020 59.75 8,910 26.8 93,800 176 253,860 1,800 530 64.5 16,300

16,716 128,787,208.50 1,376,610 507,713,021 1,515,830 3,549,060 7,058,014 2,628,194 637,870 86,218 48,190 275,050 327,934,143 3,534,800 235,358 12,150 7,523,695 1,463,461 533,123 2,529,045 44,916,611 956,010 1,051,970

14,014,275 19,350 94,448,537 -2,260,465 -515,558 144,801,410.50 2,000 -639,100 11,980 1,403,260 12,538,330 -345,148

37 16.16 1.02 1.35 0.235 90 2.34 15.54 133.2 30.8 16.7 41.4 75 1.73 6.12 6.4 11.56 15.56 8.25 7.3 20.3 74 27.1 2.1 6.22 12 1.66 315.8 25.05 4.29 3.15 27.1 12.18 17.66 376 0.18 5.89 1.37 3.6 7.82 6.54 9.3 1.27 10.66 46.4 5.8 4.67 1.84 2.88 1.36 12 91 6.37 0.125 0.89 144.3 2.33 2 1.54

INDUSTRIAL 38.1 1,082,300 16.3 313,200 1.03 21,972,000 1.39 233,000 0.246 1,200,000 90 60 2.38 18,998,000 15.92 608,600 140 210 30.8 71,800 16.98 2,600 41.4 507,800 75 20 1.73 107,000 6.24 102,300 6.4 23,100 11.66 2,566,900 15.8 1,950,500 8.36 403,900 7.38 2,052,900 20.5 3,944,700 75 35,380 27.1 3,800 2.24 12,991,000 6.32 1,332,300 12.08 400,000 1.77 387,000 315.8 304,390 53 90,450 4.3 157,000 3.15 9,000 27.4 1,340,500 12.36 792,400 17.84 2,096,900 380 243,480 0.18 500,000 6.16 192,700 1.4 4,326,000 3.68 150,000 7.86 2,681,300 6.7 564,700 9.3 1,100 1.28 25,063,000 10.7 10,592,300 46.6 757,400 5.8 200 4.76 102,000 1.9 1,533,000 2.88 32,000 1.36 323,000 12.06 46,200 93 863,950 6.4 68,500 0.125 680,000 0.92 34,000 149.5 1,058,830 2.4 294,000 2.09 6,409,000 1.55 3,588,000

40,895,720 5,113,176 22,849,990 318,950 285,640 5,400 45,424,800 9,635,676 28,572 2,217,395 43,448 21,023,280 1,500 187,610 630,454 148,960 29,821,646 30,850,626 3,377,232 15,135,214 80,948,970 2,656,050 103,205 28,726,440 8,342,402 4,873,916 662,480 97,169,836 3,364,841 674,850 28,350 36,733,070 9,759,044 37,504,610 92,305,522 90,000 1,150,798 6,014,330 553,160 21,079,872 3,732,901 10,230 31,997,630 113,340,018 35,327,940 1,160 482,550 2,891,820 92,650 448,440 557,484 79,668,537.50 438,071 85,000 30,670 156,577,198 702,890 13,169,600 5,572,010

21,379,920 -155,394 -273,870 -21,600 -18,619,040 3,387,992 -1,552,575 -315,000 42,750 -84,012 -12,258,102 2,063,180 -100,100 8,766,461 36,684,780 388,132 3,600,400 3,338,980 994,278 -470,310 2,820,308 2,198,500 -2,799,156 5,339,962 41,848,194 1,257,350 -850,296 -10,893,550 -12,798 -7,191,060 231,480 29,650 -43,500 -79,496 18,048,706.50 -3,833 107,153,848 -1,535,140.00 -156,990

HOLDING FIRMS 0.66 18,376,000 65 2,191,980 14.26 6,270,800 0.8 48,000 6.5 52,700 26.15 154,200 1.47 11,104,000 1.48 806,000 912.5 396,730 7.44 1,677,500 12 4,343,500 12.36 368,900 0.24 40,000 1,040 72,535 5.92 100 66 1,723,560 5.5 600 0.63 577,000 5.47 1,307,000 15.4 3,252,400 0.6 16,596,000 4.99 16,703,000 0.041 67,700,000 1.23 18,000 2.5 78,000 174 1,609,920 2.28 4,000 990 265,310 0.8 346,000 1.39 12,000 465 50 275 6,160 0.249 4,240,000

12,263,920 143,924,117.50 89,576,056 36,620 342,550 4,059,000 16,272,750 1,193,780 361,234,535 12,498,754 52,337,604 4,574,078 9,210 75,454,725 592 114,494,378 3,300 359,350 7,209,153 50,057,838 9,961,860 82,876,620 2,709,600 22,340 194,260 276,549,518 9,120 260,514,295 276,440 16,710 23,250 1,694,000 1,044,400

45,460 21,577,870 21,158,508 26,650 25,500 -10,360 -159,897,725 955,226 60,928 -3,376,332 21,265,750 42,111,799.50 1,897,187 -1,116,054 -758,650 35,783,770 -32,000 121,646,146 73,870,590 -321,750 -

11,559,707 1,146,300 20,040 2,359,630 318,108,825 4,129,200 586,250 18,900 3,141,650 137,420 10,800 482,180 47,300 29,601,878 8,547,435 110,800 33,772,120 998,070 123,813,887 10,107,350 96,650 113,092,130 1,171,700 2,437,080 4,390

1,118,260 6,480 2,700 31,948,945 -1,503,820 -112,700 -19,600 -29,453 549,980 -3,111,320 54,601,851 -33,600 -11,431,920.00 -280,610 -

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

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

59.7 92 2.25 131.8 1.68 28.05 15.82 12.4 4.85 8.99 1.48 0.455 82.6 0.98 12.04 20 45 180 59.75 26.95 176.9 1,800 64.55

59.7 92.8 2.3 135.4 1.68 28.1 16.5 12.56 4.95 8.99 1.48 0.475 84 1.06 12.42 20.3 45 186 60 27.2 178 1,805 64.55

59.7 91.45 2 131.8 1.52 27.8 15.82 12.34 4.62 8.98 1.43 0.45 82.5 0.98 12.04 20 44 180 59.75 26.8 176 1,800 64.5

ABOITIZ POWER AGRINURTURE ALLIANCE SELECT ALSONS CONS BASIC ENERGY BOGO MEDELLIN CEMEX HLDG CENTURY FOOD CHEMPHIL CIRTEK HLDG CNTRL AZUCARERA CONCEPCION 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 LIBERTY FLOUR LMG CHEMICALS MABUHAY VINYL 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

37.5 16.38 1.07 1.36 0.247 90 2.43 15.7 134 31 16.7 41.4 75 1.77 6.21 6.4 11.6 15.7 8.55 7.43 20.3 75.05 28.45 2.14 6.22 12.4 1.76 319 52 4.3 3.15 27.4 12.18 18 376 0.18 5.89 1.43 3.75 7.82 6.67 9.3 1.3 10.9 46.4 5.8 4.74 1.84 2.9 1.43 12.1 93 6.37 0.125 0.92 145 2.39 2.03 1.57

38.1 16.38 1.09 1.39 0.247 90 2.45 15.92 140 31.25 16.98 41.45 75 1.79 6.25 6.68 11.74 15.9 8.55 7.55 20.7 76 28.45 2.26 6.4 12.4 1.8 322.2 53 4.3 3.15 27.5 12.4 18.08 380 0.18 6.16 1.43 3.75 7.91 6.7 9.3 1.3 10.9 47.3 5.8 4.76 1.91 2.9 1.48 12.1 93.1 6.48 0.125 0.92 149.5 2.4 2.09 1.57

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 SOC RESOURCES SOLID GROUP SYNERGY GRID TOP FRONTIER WELLEX INDUS

0.69 66.9 14.3 0.79 6.5 27.3 1.43 1.48 907 7.44 12.2 12.5 0.227 1,023 5.92 66.5 5.5 0.63 5.5 15.1 0.6 4.87 0.039 1.25 2.46 168 2.28 974.5 0.79 1.42 465 275 0.248

0.69 67.45 14.42 0.8 6.5 27.4 1.5 1.5 915 7.48 12.3 12.5 0.24 1,049 5.92 66.85 5.5 0.64 5.59 15.58 0.62 4.99 0.041 1.25 2.52 174 2.28 990 0.81 1.42 465 275 0.255

0.66 65 14.16 0.76 6.5 25.5 1.43 1.47 904 7.41 11.92 12.1 0.227 1,017 5.92 65 5.5 0.59 5.45 15.1 0.58 4.86 0.039 1.23 2.46 165.6 2.28 970.5 0.75 1.39 465 275 0.244

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

8.74 0.82 1.67 0.91 44.1 2.5 4.26 6.3 0.44 0.8 0.9 0.233 0.395 8.52 20.4 0.495 1.53 1.18 5.25 0.425 0.46 2.25 0.415 3.2 43.9

8.78 0.83 1.67 0.92 44.95 2.55 4.26 6.3 0.45 0.8 0.9 0.239 0.4 8.85 20.75 0.52 1.57 1.2 5.33 0.425 0.465 2.5 0.42 3.24 43.9

8.71 0.81 1.67 0.88 44.1 2.5 4.2 6.3 0.44 0.79 0.9 0.233 0.39 8.51 20.4 0.495 1.52 1.17 5.2 0.41 0.46 2.24 0.4 3.15 43.9

VOLUME

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

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

23.05 2 3.13 39.65 1.38 6.05 0.73 5.9

23.3 2.02 3.13 39.85 1.38 6.16 0.73 5.9

22.9 1.99 3.13 39.3 1.33 5.95 0.73 5.77

23.15 2.01 3.13 39.7 1.37 6.08 0.73 5.8

2,407,000 145,000 8,000 7,407,800 1,160,000 924,900 1,000 3,428,200

55,615,580 289,880 25,040 294,002,575 1,565,330 5,544,713 730 19,961,647

13,003,120 -2,010.00 142,058,300 1,214 -654,544

2GO GROUP ABS CBN ACESITE HOTEL APC GROUP APOLLO GLOBAL ASIAN TERMINALS BERJAYA BLOOMBERRY BOULEVARD HLDG CEBU AIR CHELSEA DFNN INC EASYCALL GLOBE TELECOM GMA NETWORK GOLDEN BRIA HARBOR STAR IMPERIAL INTL CONTAINER IPEOPLE IPM HLDG ISLAND INFO ISM COMM JACKSTONES LBC EXPRESS LEISURE AND RES LORENZO SHIPPNG MACROASIA MANILA BULLETIN MANILA JOCKEY METRO RETAIL METROALLIANCE A METROALLIANCE B 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 23.7 1.39 0.46 0.04 15 3.13 10.3 0.055 82.8 6.61 7.1 15.4 2,100 5.78 337 3.04 2.01 106 11.16 7.37 0.125 6.01 3.27 14.5 3.29 0.8 17.7 0.35 4.94 2.7 2.1 2.06 3.55 9.5 12.76 3.5 119 3.09 1,255 0.9 0.85 44.5 85 8.6 2.37 0.77 0.445 5.5 0.73 13.04

14 24.95 1.39 0.46 0.041 15 3.13 10.72 0.055 84.4 6.67 7.46 16.5 2,132 5.78 343 3.08 2.01 107.7 11.16 7.37 0.125 6.2 3.27 14.5 3.35 0.81 17.94 0.37 5.08 2.7 2.44 2.3 3.9 9.55 17.8 3.68 119 3.12 1,296 0.91 1.13 45.15 86 8.99 2.42 0.77 0.45 5.51 0.73 13.38

13.5 23.7 1.39 0.44 0.04 15 3.01 10.3 0.052 82.8 6.42 7.06 14.56 2,096 5.74 331 2.99 2.01 106 11.16 7.1 0.121 5.52 3.27 14.5 3.23 0.8 17.54 0.35 4.9 2.65 2.08 2.06 3.52 9.5 12.76 3.5 119 3.07 1,254 0.87 0.81 44.5 82.1 8.11 2.35 0.75 0.44 5.49 0.69 12.82

SERVICES 13.5 24.75 1.39 0.45 0.04 15 3.08 10.4 0.053 84 6.62 7.06 15.88 2,116 5.76 343 2.99 2.01 107.4 11.16 7.22 0.122 6.2 3.27 14.5 3.35 0.81 17.8 0.35 5.07 2.69 2.4 2.3 3.74 9.5 15.96 3.68 119 3.12 1,286 0.88 0.9 44.9 85.5 8.4 2.37 0.75 0.445 5.51 0.69 12.96

176,900 1,115,300 60,000 8,490,000 12,300,000 900 1,187,000 11,473,300 56,170,000 305,810 2,339,800 50,200 416,700 70,255 308,500 1,520 1,523,000 3,000 594,590 300 13,700 9,700,000 25,734,900 2,000 100 449,000 21,000 677,400 310,000 157,900 721,000 3,327,000 72,000 3,520,000 33,000 5,490,000 4,000 50 1,182,000 167,305 12,649,000 589,239,000 5,393,700 1,549,110 2,229,400 5,867,000 2,590,000 16,540,000 347,400 7,338,000 1,807,500

2,436,426 26,557,680 83,400 3,789,400 493,000 13,500 3,628,530 120,544,896 2,992,110 25,672,618.50 15,309,076 355,160 6,429,284 148,464,490 1,778,035 511,624 4,604,480 6,030 63,802,544 3,348 99,345 1,189,150 151,436,980 6,540 1,450 1,470,300 16,900 12,033,224 111,600 776,355 1,930,110 7,614,530 159,880 13,027,160 313,992 88,038,106 14,180 5,950 3,655,930 214,306,110 11,192,710 583,688,490 242,152,575 131,941,904.50 19,391,050 13,991,840 1,949,680 7,306,800 1,909,384 5,138,430 23,469,634

6,364 26,700 -46,220 -44,371,252 14,710,269 393,264 20,280 42,039,660 122,310 183,480 -2,828,370 -165,405 13,080 -492,144 -629,210 -490,326 -1,289,850 71,254,115 2,285,980 2,853,810 -105,547,445 -1,078,387 -1,651,520 404,510 -133,500 -168,657 543,350 -1,938,876.00

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

0.0022 1.59 3.06 14.48 1.31 2 0.29 7.83 1.48 0.218 0.123 0.128 0.0072 1.24 2.48 1.17 0.7 1.03 0.012 0.012 0.012 3.57 4.1 14.92 24.5 0.0072

0.0022 1.6 3.2 14.5 1.31 2.03 0.3 7.97 1.48 0.221 0.127 0.128 0.0074 1.24 2.54 1.25 0.71 1.03 0.013 0.013 0.012 3.75 4.17 15.08 24.5 0.0072

0.0021 1.58 2.82 14.46 1.29 2 0.29 7.76 1.43 0.218 0.122 0.126 0.0072 1.11 2.38 1.06 0.7 0.95 0.012 0.012 0.012 3.56 3.94 14.88 23.1 0.0069

MINING & OIL 0.0021 155,000,000 1.58 2,072,000 2.82 956,000 14.5 5,200 1.29 112,000 2.03 439,000 0.3 40,000 7.87 7,600 1.46 7,611,000 0.221 20,000 0.125 8,080,000 0.126 420,000 0.0074 7,000,000 1.19 1,518,000 2.41 4,236,000 1.07 10,387,000 0.7 1,790,000 0.96 1,327,000 0.013 27,200,000 0.013 8,100,000 0.012 17,300,000 3.75 60,000 3.94 3,664,000 14.9 908,000 23.1 4,177,200 0.0069 8,000,000

329,600 3,284,150 2,903,670 75,258 145,120 887,940 11,700 59,749 11,053,180 4,390 1,005,310 52,940 50,800 1,725,790 10,346,090 12,353,430 1,256,070 1,289,350 340,500 105,200 207,600 215,670 14,665,190 13,576,000 98,457,410 56,400

-17,620 8,700 447,820 -51,660 1,897,120 8,400,000 917,700 -70,300 -120,000 343,710.00 -2,014,274 -9,314,355 -

ABS HLDG PDR AC PREF B1 ALCO PREF B DD PREF GTCAP PREF A GTCAP PREF B HOUSE PREF A PCOR PREF 2B PNX PREF 3A PNX PREF 3B SMC FB PREF 2 SMC PREF 2B SMC PREF 2C SMC PREF 2D SMC PREF 2F SMC PREF 2G SMC PREF 2H SMC PREF 2I

19.28 472 100 97.1 919.5 905 96 1,020 100.9 105.5 972 75.25 76.75 73.2 74.8 73.5 74 73.35

20.8 472 100 98.5 919.5 905 96 1,020 100.9 105.5 972 75.25 76.75 73.85 74.8 74.75 74 73.35

19.28 472 100 96 878.5 905 95.25 1,010 100 105.5 972 75.2 75.5 73.2 74.8 73.5 73.5 73.35

PREFERRED 20.1 313,500 472 100 100 250 98.5 71,400 919 410 905 260 95.25 5,200 1,010 50 100.5 230 105.5 10 972 200 75.25 1,020 75.5 45,610 73.3 6,520 74.8 2,700 74.75 3,220 73.5 6,210 73.35 130

6,333,872 47,200 25,000 7,004,905 370,340 235,300 495,450 50,600 23,104 1,055 194,400 76,730 3,460,681.50 477,882 201,960 236,945 456,510 9,535.50

-609,835 -7,000 -2,999,114 8,802

LR WARRANT

1.91

1.93

1.91

WARRANTS 1.91 102,000

195,640

-

6,078,520 25,876,960

-33,600 1,197,540

2,231,603

-15,405

15,598.60 19,890 90,718.20

-

MS

PROPERTY 8.73 0.82 1.67 0.89 44.35 2.5 4.23 6.3 0.45 0.79 0.9 0.234 0.395 8.8 20.4 0.51 1.53 1.18 5.27 0.42 0.46 2.42 0.42 3.18 43.9

1,320,400 1,399,000 12,000 2,630,000 7,146,700 1,641,000 139,000 3,000 7,070,000 172,000 12,000 2,060,000 120,000 3,372,800 417,000 220,000 21,922,000 851,000 23,472,900 24,110,000 210,000 47,176,000 2,890,000 763,000 100

ITALPINAS XURPAS

4.96 1.39

4.96 1.45

4.78 1.32

FIRST METRO ETF

118

119.8

117.5

USD DMPL A1 USD DMPL A2 USD TECH B2

10.38 10.2 1.01

TRADING SUMMARY

10.4 10.2 1.01

SHARES

FINANCIAL

19,516,811

INDUSTRIAL

136,772,624

HOLDING FIRMS

162,420,776

PROPERTY

166,736,140

SERVICES

798,151,879

MINING & OIL

270,448,005

GRAND TOTAL

1,574,075,802

10.38 10.2 1.01

4.88 1.42

SME

1,255,000 18,741,000

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 119.8 18,770 10.4 10.2 1.01

DDS

1,500 1,950 89,820

VALUE 1,830.04 (up) 24.61 1,360,302,166.97 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 11,759.16 (up) 140.73 1,166,757,554.15 HOLDING FIRMS 7,991.63 (up) 59.41 1,611,509,270.14 PROPERTY 3,994.51 (up) 9.23 1,567.34 (up) 20.93 1,138,271,323.21 SERVICES MINING & OIL 8,401.30 (down) 297.03 2,062,557,949.29 PSEI 8,064.90 (up) 75.25 174,481,642.99 All Shares Index 4,861.23 (up) 47.22 7,548,128,349.60 Gainers: 120; Losers: 87; Unchanged: 43; Total: 250

SEC approves follow-on offer of PH Resorts worth P18.5b

By Jenniffer B. Austria THE Securities and Exchange Commission on Thursday approved the P18.48billion planned follow-on offering of PH Resorts Group Holdings Inc., the listed gaming unit of businessman Dennis Uy Documents filed with the SEC showed PH Resorts would sell up to 1.78 billion in common shares with an oversubscription of another 267.94 million shares at a price of up to P9 apiece.

The company hired CLSA Ltd. and UBS as the international underwriters, and China Banking Corp. as the the domestic lead underwriter of the offering.

The company plans to conduct the share sale within the first quarter of the year.

Formerly known as Philippine H2O Ventures Corp. PH Resort is the parent company of PH Travel and Leisure Holdings Corp., the holding company for the gaming and hospitality unit of the Udenna Group, which includes LapuLapu Leisure Inc., Clark Grand Leisure Corp. and Donatela Hotel Panglao Corp.

PH Resorts plans to use the net proceeds from the share sale to finance the construction of two casino complexes, namely The Emerald and Clark Resort.

The Emerald is a 13.5-hectare integrated tourism resort in Punta Engano in Mactan, Cebu, while Clark Resort is a resort and gaming complex in Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga province.

The group is also expanding its upscale hotel in Panglao, Bohol called Donatela Hotel. It will add 61 rooms to Donatela Hotel from the current 21 villas.

The company is priming The Emerald and Clark Resort to be two of the Philippines’ premier integrated tourism resort and gaming complexes, offering a premium gaming experience to all customers in a gaming facility designed and operated according to world-class standards.

The company also said the expansion of Donatela Hotel would enhance its luxury offerings and complement the establishment of The Emerald by offering additional upscale facilities to gaming and non-gaming guests.

Uy-led Udenna Development Corp. in March completed the acquisition of a 62-percent stake in Philippine H2O under a share purchase agreement with Jolliville Holdings Corp.

Uy controls several listed companies, namely Phoenix Petroleum Philippines Inc., Chelsea Logistics Holdings Corp., 2GO Group Inc. and recently ISM Communications Corp.

Share price of PH Resorts on Thursday rose 0.2 percent to P6.70.

BPI, IBM in deal to improve bank’s digital services

By Othel V. Campos IBM and the Bank of the Philippine Islands, the third-biggest lender in terms of assets, signed a $260-million multiyear services agreement.

IBM will provide IT infrastructure services to support an agile IT and hybrid cloud, as well as digital development capabilities to accelerate BPI’s digital transformation.

“Banks like BPI are going through a major shift and embracing a complete transformation of their business with advanced services to respond to the needs of today’s connected consumer,” said IBM Global Technology Services senior vice president Martin Jetter.

BPI is improving the digital banking experience for customers by investing in technology, including the renewed IT services agreement with IBM, across online, mobile apps, ATMs, CAMs (cash accept machines) and branches.

BPI aims to maintain a compliant IT environment to maintain leadership in the Philippine banking industry.

BPI plans to leverage IT infrastructure and hybrid cloud management services from IBM that delivers seamless technology, regardless of whether it resides within BPI’s existing infrastructure or its private or public cloud environments. IBM will host the bank’s digital solutions of today and in the coming years.

As part of the digital experience solution, IBM and BPI have designed an IT environment that supports an open API economy strategy that makes the most of the bank’s data to create compelling customer applications and services.

B3

World

FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 2019 CESAR BARRIOQUINTO, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

IN BRIEF King Jong Nam case trial delayed further

RELIEF FROM THE HEAT. This recent undated handout photo released to AFP on January 24, 2019 by the Adelaide Zoo shows Brutus the hippo getting hosed down in the heat at Adelaide Zoo in the South Australia city of Adelaide. AFP

Trump delays speech until shutdown of US govt ends

WASHINGTON―US President Donald Trump backed down late Wednesday in a spat with Democrats over his State of the Union address, agreeing to delay it until a government shutdown ends, although the more than month-long impasse dragged on.

The US Senate prepared meanwhile Thursday to hold two showdown votes on measures to reopen the shuttered federal agencies, but Trump’s toxic sparring with House speaker Nancy Pelosi essentially assured no solution was at hand.

An intensifying war of words between the president and Pelosi came to a head Wednesday with the top Democrat effectively blocking Trump from delivering his annual address in Congress until the partial government shutdown, now in its 34th day, is brought to an end.

But in a tweet sent after 11:00 pm, Trump wrote, “As the Shutdown was going on, Nancy Pelosi asked me to give the State of the Union Address. I agreed.”

“She then changed her mind because of the Shutdown, suggesting a later date. This is her prerogative - I will do the Address when the Shutdown is over.”

As acrimony in Washington grew, lawmakers across the political spectrum were left searching in vain for an exit strategy for the longest-ever halt to federal operations, as furloughed government employees and contractors vented their fury on Capitol Hill.

The prospects for Trump getting to deliver his national address in Congress next Tuesday as planned were dim, with the Senate votes—one on Trump’s proposal that includes money for his border wall and changes to immigration policy, the other by Democrats seeking to reopen government before negotiating border security—bound to fail.

Traditionally the president’s annual speech is delivered before a joint session of Congress in the ornate chamber of the House of Representatives.

In an effort to force the hand of Pelosi, who had already urged Trump to reschedule due to shutdown-related security shortcomings, the president wrote to her saying it would be “so very sad for our Country” if his speech could not be delivered on time and in the chamber. AFP

Heat wave in Australia erases previous records A DELAIDE― Temperatures in southern Australia topped 49 degrees on Thursday, shattering previous records as sizzling citizens received free beer and heat-stressed bats fell from trees.

The Bureau of Meteorology reported temperatures of 49.5 Celsius (120 Fahrenheit) north of Adelaide, while inside the city temperatures reached 47.7 Celsius, breaking a record that had stood since 1939.

Adelaide residents are used to sweltering days during the southern hemisphere summer, but even they struggled with the oppressive temperatures.

More than 13 towns across South Australia have smashed their own heat records.

The state’s health authorities early Thursday reported that 44 people had received emergency treatment for heatrelated illnesses in the past 24 hours.

“Remember to check on elderly friends, relatives and neighbors, and those who are unwell,” the state emergency services tweeted.

Health authorities were also forced to issue a public warning to avoid contact with hundreds of heat-stressed bats falling from trees in parkland areas.

Authorities in central Australia said they had to cull more than 50 feral horses, after they found 90 dead or dying wild brumbies near a dried-up water hole.

Shocking images of dozens of dead horses strewn across the dry ground began to circulate on social media this week.

“With climate change well and truly upon us, we expect these emergencies to occur with increasing frequency and nobody is truly prepared and resourced to respond to them,” David Ross, director of indigenous representative body the Central Land Council, said in a statement.

While thousands of people have flocked to beaches to cool off in the surf, hundreds have taken to shopping centers to stay out of the heat.

At the Red Lion Hotel in South Australia, publicans gave a free beer to each of their patrons while the temperature remained above 45 degrees.

Around one hundred people lined up for their free drink for over one hour.

At Adelaide Zoo tortoises have been getting cool water wipedowns, rock wallabies have been given ice to lick

and hyenas have taken refreshing dips.

But the temperatures are also testing municipal services, with SunCity buses forced to cut their services, leaving commuters searching for trams or trains to get home.

Emergency services are on the alert as more than 13 districts are under threat of possible bushfires.

Meanwhile, a total fire ban was issued further south in the island state of Tasmania, where authorities continued to battle blazes.

Parts of the southeastern state of Victoria were also sweltering through temperatures above 40 degrees.

The soaring temperatures follow a heatwave last week that saw Australian towns among the hottest places on Earth.

As many as a million fish were discovered dead last week along the banks of a major river system in drought-battered eastern Australia, with thousands more found killed some 900 kilometers (560 miles) away in the north of New South Wales on Monday.

The government has launched a review into the mass fish kill.

National Broadcaster ABC reported that farmers in Western Australia have been forced to cull at least 2,500 feral camels gathering in “plague proportions” in the past month. AFP

INFLUENCER JUNKET. A View of the

exterior at the ‘I Am the Night’ Influencer Junket on January 23, 2019, in Los Angeles, California AFP

One of the most prominent chroniclers of the drug war, he was gunned down in May 2017. He was 50 years old.

Lopez worked for the ultra-violent Sinaloa cartel, and was convicted last year of trafficking by a federal court in Alexandria, Virginia. He had been arrested days before the journalist’s murder.

According to the US Department of Justice, Lopez was the deputy head of a Mexican maximum security prison in 2001 when he helped Guzman escape.

He then joined the cartel as Guzman’s lieutenant.

He told the jury that another Mexican journalist had mentioned his name in connection with an operation against Guzman’s children—an accusation he

said was “totally false.”

To disprove the information he decided to grant Valdez a telephone interview, which Guzman’s children discovered and were against.

They threatened Valdez and commanded him not to published it.

“But he, complying with his ethics, published it anyway,” Lopez said in court.

The witness, Guzman’s former righthand man, denied in cross-examination that he had ordered the murder after the publication of a critical article about his son.

He also suggested Guzman, 61, was unaware of his sons’ involvement in the killing.

“The truth is that maybe my compa-

Jakarta ex-governor freed from prison JAKARTA―Jakarta’s former governor was released from prison Thursday, nearly two years after his blasphemy conviction fanned fears of religious intolerance in the world’s biggest Muslim-majority nation.

Basuki Tjahaja Purnama―the Indonesian capital’s first non-Muslim governor in half a century and its first ethnic Chinese leader―left a prison outside the capital after dawn, his assistant Ima Mahdiah told AFP. Supporters of the Christian ex-governor, who is popularly known as Ahok, gathered outside the prison, chanting and cheering his new found freedom.

“My dad’s a free man! Thank you everyone for the support,” Nicholas Sean, one of his three children, said on Twitter.

The release ends one of the most tumultuous chapters in Indonesian politics in recent memory.

Purnama had been a popular politician who won praise for trying to clean up the traffic-clogged megacity and clamp down on corruption before his imprisonment.

But his downfall came quickly after the comments he made on the campaign trail during a re-election bid saw him accused of insulting Islam.

The filmed remarks, which went viral online, sparked mass protests in Jakarta, spearheaded by radical groups opposed to a non-Muslim leader and encouraged by his political rivals.

Purnama had urged voters to ignore rivals who cited a Koranic verse stating they should reject non-Muslim leaders, with the then governor saying people were being manipulated into voting against him. AFP

US employees slam shutdown for not being paid in 32 days

El Chapo’s sons killed Mexican journalist Javier Valdez, witness says NEW YORK―The sons of former drug kingpin Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman killed Mexican journalist Javier Valdez because he insisted on publishing an interview with a drug trafficker, who told of the murder in court Wednesday.

Damaso Lopez Nuñez, known as “The Lawyer,” testified that the slain journalist―who specialized in drug trafficking reporting―”disobeyed the threatening orders of my compadre’s children and that’s why they killed him.”

The testimony came as part of Guzman’s trial in New York, where he faces trafficking, firearms and money laundering charges.

Valdez was an AFP stringer and co-founder of the weekly Riodoce de Sinaloa.

PUTRAJAYA, Malaysia―Defense lawyers in the murder trial of the North Korean leader’s half-brother won a challenge Thursday to get access to witness statements but the prosecution appealed, signaling more delays in the long-running case.

Siti Aisyah from Indonesia and Doan Thi Huong from Vietnam have been on trial since October 2017, accused of murdering Kim Jong Nam by smearing nerve agent VX on his face at Kuala Lumpur airport.

The brazen assassination in February 2017 shocked the world but the women have denied murder, saying they believed they were taking part in a prank and were tricked by North Korean agents.

Proceedings in the trial of the women, in their 20s, have moved slowly due to the large numbers of witnesses and the fact that hearings are held infrequently.

Aisyah’s case was temporarily halted late last year after her lawyers lodged an appeal to get access to some key witness statements, which prosecutors argue should not be made public.

The seven statements are from individuals including someone who drove Kim Jong Nam around in Malaysia and acquaintances of Aisyah.

The Court of Appeal in the administrative capital Putrajaya ruled Thursday the statements should be given to the defense. AFP

dre didn’t know,” he said. “But now he knows.”

Valdez’s murder rocked Mexico, which is considered one of the most dangerous countries in the world to be a journalist.

More than 100 reporters have been killed since 2000, with most of those crimes going unpunished.

Earlier in the day Lopez pointed to Guzman’s much younger wife Emma Coronel as playing a role in the cartel leader’s second spectacular escape from prison in 2015.

He said Coronel, 29, relayed several messages from Guzman to Lopez as the drug lord plotted his breakout, as the glamorous former beauty queen listened in the courtroom. AFP

WASHINGTON―Several hundred US federal employees who have not been paid in weeks due to the partial government shutdown protested against the impasse on Wednesday in Washington.

They peacefully occupied a US congressional office building for several hours, responding to the call of several unions and organizations representing government employees and contractors.

The employees protested silently for 32 minutes, symbolizing the duration in days of the shutdown sparked by a dispute over funding for President Donald Trump’s border wall project, which he has demanded and Democrats have declined to provide.

Some held posters or paper plates with messages including “Will work for pay” and “Do your job -- so Americans can do theirs.”

While government employees are to be paid retroactively, the same is not true for contractors.

“It’s been five weeks now and I only worked one or two days, my company called me for special events,” said Claudia Martinez, who works for a catering company that has a contract with the US House of Representatives cafeteria.

She has a second job with a tourism company, but “January is very slow.”

“This month will be very difficult,” said the 43-year-old mother, who has to pay $400 per month for her child’s student loan. AFP

LGUs

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

B4

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 2019

Makati dads compelled to hold budget session

By Joel E. Zurbano

M

AKATI City Mayor Abigail Binay used her power and authority to compel opposition councilors to attend special sessions in a bid to finally resolve the city’s longdelayed 2019 budget.

Binay called on members of the Council to hold special sessions set on Jan. 29 and 31, and on Feb. 1 as the city’s policy-making body failed to act on the budget after 10 councilors, who reportedly supports the political comeback bid of Jejomar Erwin “Junjun” Binay Jr., refused to attend Wednesday’s session.

The younger Binay is going against her sister Abigail in the city’s mayoral race this May 13 midterm elections.

The 10 councilors who did not attend the session last Wednesday were Shirley Aspillaga, Grazielle Iony de Lara-Bes, Ferdinand Eusebio, Leonardo Magpantay, Romeo Medina, Nelson Pasia, Arlene Ortega, Mary Ruth Tolentino, Marie Alethea Casal-Uy, and Evelyn Delfina Villamor.

Only Majority Floor Leader Councilor Nemesio Yabut, Jr., and Councilor Divina Jacome, chairperson of the Committee on Appropriations and Budget, and five councilors who belong to the minority were present.

As a result, there was no quorum for the Council to deliberate on the 2019 budget, which includes appropriations for salary increases of local government workers and additional benefits for senior citizens.

Armand Padilla, one of the five councilors in the minority, described the absence of the opposition (councilors) as a “boycott” and reminded them of their “sworn duty to attend the sessions.”

In her memorandum to all city councilors, Mayor Binay cited Section 52 (b) of the Local Government Code of 1991 (R.A. 7160) which empowers the local chief executive to call for special sessions of the Sanggunian “when public interest so demands.”

The city chief executive also signed another memorandum on Jan. 22 certified as “urgent” Draft Ordinance No. 2018-064, which appropriates the 2019 Executive Budget of the city government amounting to P18.17 billion.

The proposed Appropriation Ordinance has been pending since it was first calendared on Oct. 24 last year.

QCinema gaining traction with moviegoers—Joy QUEZON City Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte on Thursday said she was grateful that QCinema is slowly gaining recognition from moviegoers, especially since the city is able to promote restaurants, hotels and its other attractions through a partnership with the Department of Tourism.

“I am happy that movie critics chose QCinema as the best local film fest. I think this shows that our city’s film festival is effective for showcasing worldclass films that movie goers can enjoy and at the same time, they are starting to see Quezon City as a film destination,” she noted.

Among the film festivals that showcased well-crafted independent films in Metro Manila last year, the Quezon City International Film Festival, also known as QCinema, topped the list as the best local film festival for film reviewers.

According to PinoyRebyu, a Filipino film aggregators’ website, QCinema garnered a near-unanimous first place for being able to exhibit “high-quality local films and world cinema favorites in 2018,” while offering a more audience-friendly viewer service than those of other film festivals. Rio N. Araja

Munti becomes debt-free, pays off P2 billion THE Muntinlupa City Government officially became a debt-free local government unit for 2019 as it fully settled a P2-billion loan contract from the Development Bank of the Philippines and Land Bank of the Philippines.

A total of P 1.012 billion in loans plus P175 million in interest was incurred during the administration before Mayor Jaime Fresnedi, which was set to be paid by the local government until September 2021.

Other unpaid obligations to complete the debts are garbage services, gasoline suppliers and terminal fees.

As of January 2019, Muntinlupa has been cleared of all loans as certified by the lending banks.

Muntinlupa Public Information Officer Tez Navarro noted that Mayor Fresnedi has set aside funds annually for the debts and ensured the efficient utilization of funds to settle all balances.

The initiative was facilitated while not suffering the quality of delivery of public service, she added.

Navarro said the local government started to settle all the loans from 2013 until its completion on 2019, which was 2 years ahead of the original loan payment schedule.

Despite limitations brought by the outstanding balances incurred from the previous administration, the Muntinlupa City Government under Fresnedi strived to deliver more inclusive and expansive services to the constituents.

During the annual payment of debts, Muntinlupa was still able to expand its educational assistance to local students.

From piloting a scholarship program to college students, the Muntinlupa Scholarship Program offered a more comprehensive bracketing which included all levels including those taking up masters and doctoral degree, medicine, and law.

Calixto, Rubiano, 2 others charged at Ombudsman

COURTESY CALL. Miss Philippines-Globe 2018 Rosene Bernardo stands with General Trias City Mayor Antonio Ferrer during the beauty queen’s courtesy call on the local chief executive on Monday at the GenTri city hall. Bernardo will be competing in the international pageant this September in China.

Taguig foots bill of PUV owners with PhilHealth

THE Taguig City government on Thursday announced it has initiated a project giving health benefits to about 10,000 public transport vehicle owners and drivers in the city.

Pedicab, jeepney, tricycle and taxi drivers and public utility vehicle owners in Taguig can now avail membership to Philippine Health Insurance under the 10-day project dubbed “TODA-JODA Pasada, Kalusugan ay BIDA.” The event started on Friday, January 18 at the Lakeshore Hall in Barangay Lower Bicutan and will continue until Feb. 1.

During the event, a PhilHealth booth will allow attendees to fill out their own Member Registration Form and will be given their PhilHealth number. Their IDs will be delivered to their respective drivers’ association after processing.

PhilHealth members are entitled to free in-patient services at PhilHealth-accredited government facilities or hospitals on various conditions, including cataract

surgery and appendectomy. PhilHealth also provides subsidy for room and board, drugs and medicines, laboratories, operating room and professional fees for confinements not less than 24 hours.

While PhilHealth Outpatient Benefit Package may be availed in both public and private PhilHealth-accredited facilities for free, some clinics may still require additional payments in excess of the PhilHealth payment. The outpatient services include medical consultation, blood-pressure monitoring and counselling for smoke cessation, among others.

Apart from the registration, the beneficiaries can avail of other medical services on-site, such as laboratory, chest Xray, dental and pharmacy services. Two mobile X-ray machines and a medical team composed of barangay health workers, nurses, doctors and dentists will be deployed, while food, refreshments and tokens will also be distributed to the participants.

This special medical mission is similar to the city’s Taguig Love Caravan where residents avail of the same medical services plus other additions like free haircut, massage, livelihood training and even a job fair. Unlike medical missions in other cities, this pioneering health program in Taguig goes around the city’s 28 barangays three times a week.

There also will be help desks for the city’s LANI scholarship program which has already produced more than 57,000 scholars and a budget which has increased to P675 million this year; The Taguig-Pateros District Hospital’s home health service which is composed of physical therapists and nurses who visit debilitated patients and teaches family members how to take care of their ill loved ones; and the Persons with Disability Affairs Office which has aided the employment of PWDs and started the PWD birthday cash incentive. Joel E. Zurbano

FOUR top Pasay City officials were sued for committing six administrative violations and two criminal offenses in relation to alleged extensive anomalies in fiscal years 2015, 2016, and 2017 in the city government before the Office of the Ombudsman on Thursday.

Charged for graft and corruption at the anti-graft body are Pasay City Mayor Antonino G. Calixto, Rep. Imelda C. Rubiano, City Treasurer Manuel E. Leycano, Jr., and City Accountant Alegria T. Casugay.

In an 11-page complaint affidavit, Pablito D. Zabala, Jr., a resident of Maricaban district in Pasay, said the officials to have seriously violated administratively the Revised Administrative Code of 1987 of the Civil Service Commission, Chapter 7 for gross neglect of duty, misconduct, “being notoriously undesirable,” and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service, including provisions of Republic Act 9184 and Section 60 (c) of RA 7160.

Calixto, Rubiano, Leycano and Casugay could not be reached for comment at presstime.

Zabala said the Pasay officials also respectively committed criminal offenses in relation to the acts and omissions as defined relative to Section 3(e) of RA 3019 and RA 3815 (Revised Penal Code) Title Vll, Chapter 2, Article 208.

He asked the anti-graft body to immediately put Calixto, Rubiano and the others under preventive suspension pending investigation.

Zabala cited as evidence “credible state auditors” of the Commission on Audit based on their respective Annual Audit Reports (AAR) for years 2015, 2016, and 2017.

Palaui Is. wins major ASEAN tourism award

By Brenda Jocson TUGUEGARAO CITY—Palaui Island has already earned two major distinctions— one as CNN Go’s best beaches in the world, and the other as the two-time location of American television series, “Survivor.”

A third came its way last week making the enchanting island, located in the northeastern tip of Luzon, one of the winners of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Community-Based Tourism Award for 2019-2021.

In a time when the government-ordered six-month shutdown and clean-up of worldfamous Boracay has made global headlines, creating a model for reclaiming other tourism hot spots, such as El Nido and Coron from worsening environmental degradation, Palaui Island has emerged as a gem for sustainable tourism that “safeguards its socio-economic future.”

This was the verdict of jurors that se-

lected Palaui Island’s major environmental group, the Palaui Environmental Protectors Association, for the award during the ASEAN Tourism Forum held January 18, 2019 in Halong City, Vietnam.

Declared a protected landscape and seascape in 1994 by Presidential Proclamation No. 447, Palaui is 1.25 kilometers offshore from Santa Ana and is part of the Cagayan Special Economic Zone and Freeport, which is managed and operated by the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority.

“This ASEAN award makes Filipinos proud. This shows us the way forward toward sustainable tourism,” Secretary Raul L. Lambino, CEZA Administrator and CEO. Lambino said tourism in Palaui Island—with its untouched beaches, waterfalls, rock formations, extensive forests, mangroves, and a 300-hectare marine sanctuary, among others—runs on community-based enterprises that are active in providing various services to visitors.

Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat (center) presents the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Community-Based Tourism Award for 2019-2021 to Community Relations Specialist Grace Ruiz (left) of the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority, recognizing Palaui Island, off the northeastern tip of Luzon, for promoting sustainable tourism through efforts of the Palaui Environmental Protectors Association. The awarding was held Jan. 18 in Halong City, Vietnam during the ASEAN Tourism Forum.

Life

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

CULTURE AND MEDIA

FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 2019

C1

Reine Productions, with Repertory Philippines, re-stages Lauren Gunderson's 'Silent Sky,' which brings together the original cast members with the addition of Bibeth Orteza—marking her return to the Philippine stage.

‘Silent Sky’ returns to stage, Bibeth Orteza joins cast

R

EINE Productions, in cooperation with Repertory Philippines, brings the critically acclaimed play “Silent Sky” back to the stage for limited encore performances this February.

Written by America’s most produced playwright, Lauren Gunderson, “Silent Sky,” is a poetic and poignant retelling of the life of Henrietta Leavitt, one of the greatest unsung heroes in the history of science.

Leavitt was among the Harvard Computers: women hired by the Harvard Observatory in the early 1900s to painstakingly analyze and catalogue every observable star in the heavens. She, along with Annie Cannon and Williamina Fleming, were among the first women to blaze a trail for themselves in the heavily male-dominated science of astronomy.

Leavitt battled with disability, family tragedy, and tremendous societal pressure to give up her passion for science. Her grit and fire ultimately paid off when her personal research led to

her discovery of a distinct mathematical pattern in the stars—a pattern that would, for the first time, enable humans to measure the very breadth of the universe itself.

Repertory Philippines’ production of “Silent Sky” premiered in March last year at the Onstage Theater in celebration of International Women’s Day. This re-staging at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium once again brings together the artistic team composed of Philstage Gawad Buhay awardees Joey Mendoza (production design), John Batalla (lighting design), and Jethro Joaquin (sound design).

Original cast members Cathy Azanza-Dy, Caisa Borromeo, Naths Everett, and Topper Fabregas, who also steps in as assistant director, will be returning to reprise their roles.

The 2019 production will also mark the much-awaited return to the Philippine stage of renowned actor screenwriter, and producer Bibeth Orteza.

Orteza last featured in 2017, appearing as Roza in W!LD RICE’s “Boeing Boeing” at the Victoria Theatre in Singapore. In “Silent Sky,” she will be tackling the role of the brilliant and exacting astronomer Annie Cannon.

“The cast and I are delighted that Bibeth has agreed to join us,” says director Joy Virata, “Like us, she fell in love with the script upon first reading, and it will be wonderful to see her create the character of Annie.”

“Silent Sky” runs from February 1 to 10 at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza, Makati. Tickets available through Ticketworld at (02) 891-9999 or ticketworld.com.ph. Contact Ria Pangilinan at 0917-5378313 or email riapangprojects@gmail.com for tickets and other inquiries.

'Silent Sky' director Joy Virata and the cast, which includes Cathy Azanza, Bibeth Orteza, Naths Everett, Caisa Borromeo, and Topper Fabregas.

Manila FAME gears up for better, digitally strong editions

The Erohwon Dance Scholars perform a lively dance number during the center's yearender show

‘Tugtog at Sayaw sa Erohwon’ '18

celebrates performing arts

IN CELEBRATION of the founding of the Erehwon Art Council in November last year, the Erehwon Center for the Arts’ “Tugtog at Sayaw sa Erehwon 2018” showcased performances by four artistic groups under the art council The Erehwon Dance Scholars, the Erehwon Rondalla, the Erehwon Chorale, and the Erehwon Jazz Orchestra performed during the yearender cultural event that celebrated dance and music held at the Tanghalang Behn Cervantes in Quezon City.

Fresh from their successful first dance concert in November, the Erehwon Dance Scholars performed “Pasikat na Baso,” “Binuyugan,” “Tinikling,” and “Karatong.” The dance performance was accompanied by live string instrument music rendered by the Erehwon Rondalla, the newest addition to the Erehwon Art Council’s fold of artists.

The Erehwon Dance Scholars, composed of students from Batasan Hills National High School and Bagong Silangan High School in Quezon City, are mentored by trained folk dancers

Dante Ballesteros, Roldan Bonifacio, and Janet Amor.

The audience was also treated to a night of Christmas carols by the Erehwon Chorale, which is composed of college students from the University of Manila, trained under the guidance of mother-and-son duo, Mary Anne and Armand Joseph Villanueva.

The crowd was then eased into a more festive groove through the night with soothing live music from the Erehwon Jazz Orchestra.

The center also brought a piece of “Fiesta Folkloriada 2018” to Quezon City, with the Ryu Dance Company from South Korea performing the opening number for the show.

Erehwon Center for the Arts chairman and chief executive Rafael Rivera Benitez was joined by Erehwon Art Council members Chinggay Lagdameo, Bonifacio Ilagan, Neil Doloricon, Edgar “Egai” Fernandez, Pablo “Adi” Baens Santos, Antipas “Biboy” Delotavo, Jose “Al” Giroy, Jun Vicaldo, Boy Domiguez, Eghai Roxas, and Jun Impas, in hosting the event.

THE previous edition of Manila FAME, the country’s premiere sourcing destination for home, lifestyle, and design products, left an energetic and renewed vibe on its exhibitors and buyers.

The 68th edition reported a 21.79 percent increase in export order booked compared to the October 2017 show.

One exhibitor, who was very happy with the turnout of the event, shared their buyers were not only interested in their products but in their company as well.

“They checked us out online before they came to us and shared that they were very interested in the story of our company. This is really an interesting and exciting change,” shared Christina Borromeo-Gaston, owner and creative director of Hacienda Crafts.

Hacienda Crafts strengthened its online presence through a well-designed website.

It is also one of the first companies to be featured in Manila FAME’s Touchpoint.

Manila Fame October 2018 saw the launch of two new digital platforms: the Manila FAME app and the Touchpoint website.

Touchpoint focuses on the intricate narratives behind the products, designers, and companies that have been part of Manila FAME over the years. It aims to present the exhibitors in a new light by delivering the freshest content for each company.

The Design Commune setting at the Manila FAME October 2018 showcased new products.

The app, on the other hand, is already downloadable on Google Play and App Store. It serves as an efficient channel for business-matching and buyer-exhibitor interaction. It also supplies the latest updates to its subscribers.

Now headed by Pauline Suaco-Juan, the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions, the export promotion arm of the Department of Trade and Industry, is changing its course toward the digital sphere.

“Both the physical show and our online

Manila FAME app and the Touchpoint website help address the clients' preferences.

presence should be equally dynamic, so we can retain the interest of our buyers; and I am happy that our partner exhibitors are with me in this endeavor,” said Suaco-Juan.

The executive director added, “We want to take into consideration the needs and wants of our buyers that is why as early as now we are opening our trade buyer registration on our website. The Philippines is a melting pot of artisanal designers and we are confident that we always have something new, something bold, and something different to showcase. Understanding our clients even more through our interactive social media pages and websites will also help us address the preferences of our clients better.”

The Manila FAME October 2018 edition saw nearly 400 exhibitors from the country’s 18 regions and nine countries within Asia. It was attended by close to 7,000 local and international buyers from various countries.

This edition also exclusively developed and launched 800 new products through the Design Commune initiative. It also recognized eight outstanding and innovative companies through the annual Katha Awards.

The next show is slated on April 2527. Go to www.manilafame.com or email manilafame@citem.com.ph for more information.

C2

FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 2019

nickie.standard@gmail.com

Entertainment

STANDARD’S CHOICE

47th Miss Intercontinental Hot Picks

W

HO will be Mexican Veronica Salas’ successor?

Will the country’s bet Karen Gallman be the first Filipina to capture the elusive beauty title?

Miss Intercontinental was regarded as Europe’s most prestigious beauty pageant when it was founded in 1971 as a teen beauty contest. Since it’s inception, the beauty tilt has become one of the most anticipated and well participated pageants in the world.

Kris Tiffany Janson was the first Filipina to compete in Miss Intercontinental in 2014 where she placed 2nd runner-up. And while no Filipina has ever won in the annual beauty tilt, the Philippines has shown a commendable performance in the last four years.

Now, after assessing the delegates in this year’s competition—based on their performances in the press presentation and preliminary competitions in evening gown, swimsuit, designers’ gown and national costume—Manila Standard has come up with a list of delegates who are likely to place in the finals night and eventually win the crown: Miss Philippines Karen Gallman is a 26-year-old Fil-Aussie beauty from Bohol. Apart from being the host-country, Karen has consistently delivered in the swimsuit, evening gown and national costume rounds.

Winner of Media Favorite, H&H Standout Beauty and Fiber Health Body Beautiful special titles, the hometown girl has all the goods to win the Philippines its first Miss Intercontinental title.

Miss Paraguay Gabriela Natasha Soley Sawkiw, 20, is an actress-model and dance instructor. She also sings and plays the piano. Also considered as the one to beat, she stands out in every preliminary competition.

Gabriela has won Best in Swimsuit and Miss Playa Calatagan beach wear awards.

Miss Germany Olivia Moller, 19, works at her father’s office and lists traveling and artworks as the things she fancies. She won Best in Evening Gown during the preliminaries.

Miss Czech Republic Veronika Volkeova, 23, is student in Geography. A model since 8 years old, Veronika volunteers in animal shelters and loves to cook. Also a stunner with a classic face, Veronika is a dead ringer for country singer Shania Twain.

Miss Slovak Republic Laura Longauerova, 23, is a Finances and Accounting student. Laura is a dancer and works as a Sales Management assistant. She has a strong resemblance to Catriona Gray and was one of the standout beuaties during the press presentation.

Miss USA Marianny Egurrola, 26, is a Colombiaborn actress-model and former Miss Georgia USA. Marianny graduated with a degree in International Affairs from the University of Georgia. The most photogenic in this year’s edition, she possesses a classic face and winning smile.

Miss Colombia Hillary Hollman del Prado, 22, is a model and an actress. She is presently completing a degree in Social Media and Journalism. Hillary is one of the strongest Latina candidates who shows a strong stage presence with her sweet smile, prominent cheekbones and amazing catwalk skills.

Miss Thailand Ingchanok Prasart, 22, is model and student in Business Marketing. A dancer, Ingchanok is a trainer and adviser on healthy living. A fierce candidate from Asia, Ingchanok showed she owns the

Martin Del Rosario feels good to be ‘Born Beautiful’

Miss Philippines Karen Gallman

Miss USA Marianny Egurrola

Miss Paraguay Gabriela Natasha Soley Sawkiw

Miss Colombia Hillary Hollman del Prado

stage with her classy style and confidence.

Miss Ukraine Ksenia Fesenko, 26, is an actress and a model, too.

She owns a Fashion Company called “Golden House” and works as a designer. Ksenia is a stunning European beauty who can easily pass for a Disney princess.

Catch the coronation night of the 47th Miss Intercontinental pageant to be held at the Mall of Asia Arena tomorrow with delayed telecast on ABS-CBN the next day. Eton Concepcion

Angel’s new series scores double-digit ratings lead against rival MORE Filipinos nationwide tuned in to action-drama queen Angel Locsin’s much-awaited return to primetime as the action-packed pilot episode of The General’s Daughter scored a double-digit lead against its rival show last Monday (Jan. 21).

The series instantly hooked viewers as it scored a national TV rating of 34 percent, or more than double that of Onanay’s 14 percent, according to data from Kantar Media.

In the first episode, viewers were introduced to 2nd Lieutenant Rhian Bonifacio (Angel), who went on a critical mission to save a group of fishermen seized by Chinese coast guards in the West Philippine Sea. Luckily, her body was brought ashore to Elai (Arjo Atayde) and Nanay Isabelle’s (Maricel Soriano) home, who will give her refuge until she has fully recovered.

It was also a huge hit among netizens as the show earned praises and even topped the list of trending topics on Twitter until Tuesday (Jan. 22) morning.

The General’s Daughter airs weeknights on ABS-CBN and ABS-CBN HD (SkyCable ch 167).

Angel Locsin in character as Rhian Bonifacio (in “The General’s Daughter.”

Martin del Rosario as Barbs in “Born Beautiful”

A THUNDEROUS applause and a loud scream of “Yes” filled the small function room of Relish on Limbaga St. in Quezon City last Monday during a lunch do with Martin del Rosario, Jun Lana and Perci Intalan who came a little bit later from the nearby office of the MTRCB. He was there to appeal an R-16 classification for Born Beautiful after the censors board slapped it with an R-18 classification limiting the number of screens that can show the movie.

But before Intalan arrived at the restaurant, he tweeted his business and life partner Lana that MTRCB gave the film the R-16 stamp, in effect making the film a double-rated one with the R-18 version still in place and can be screened in cinemas as well as the R-16 version that can be screened in screens belonging to the SM Cinema circuit.

The small hall broke into a loud cheer when Intalan, sweaty with rumpled hair, arrived. “Congratulations!” everyone remarked.

For Intalan, the director, and Lana, the writer and the director of Die Beautiful, upon which Born Beautiful is created as a sequel, the R-16 classification is a triumph for the film to reach out to a wider audience.

“I just agreed to bleep additional words the reviewers deemed offensive to the audience. There was no need to edit or cut from the R-18 stamped version,” he announced.

Del Rosario who plays Barbs (played originally in Die Beautiful by a relatively unknown actor then, Christian Bables) was visibly delighted with the MTRCB’s decision. He said, “I am glad because we (the film) can be screened in more theaters and it should have a bigger number of viewers.” The film opened on Wednesday in more than a hundred and fifty screens across the archipelago. And it’s the only Filipino film that opened in the traditional Wednesday opening of new titles.

Barbs is Trisha (Paolo Ballesteros)’s best friend in Die Beautiful.

Earlier, before Intalan broke the news, I asked Del Rosario how he felt about his role in the film. “There was a bit of awkwardness at first, but going along, I liked playing the role as I am able to explore the inner aspects of myself as an actor. I know that all men have female aspects in them, so I tried to reach out to that. I believe that even women have male aspects in them, too.”

It’s a cutting-edge role for Del Rosario, for even if he had played gay roles in previous films and TV shows, the Barbs character in Born Beautiful has led him further in the portraiture of a gay person. Here he is dared by the screenplay and director to go even more daring – having passionate physical contacts with fellow male actors. Did that bother him? “Initially, I was having second thoughts, but it occurred to me that I am an actor and that I am supposed to deliver the things as written or required by the director. Good thing, I am no stranger to either director Jun Lana or director Perci Intalan, and I just had to trust them because I know that what they’d ask me is for the good of the film.”

How about your parents? Were they squeamish with the idea that you would be physical intimate with a fellow male actor? “Oh my parents, especially my father, were very encouraging! He was even giving me tips on how I could do better in those scenes!” he chuckled.

With the favorable reviews the film has been getting since its “uncensored” version was screened to a varied but mostly curious film aficionados, what does Del Rosario anticipate it will do to his career as an actor?

“I hope I could play more challenging (that’s the common word used by actors these days) roles, but not necessarily gay in films and TV dramas in the future,” he said perfunctorily.

“How about a lead role in a primetime teleserye on GMA7?” I asked.

The actor simply looked at the ceiling of the restaurant and mad me wonder what was in his mind.

He’s a certified good actor with good looks. He may not be as tall and hunky like the other leading me the network continually casts in its drama series on primetime, but this actor is a director’s actor…someone that delivers the goods.

Proof is, Born Beautiful, may not be as beautiful a film, if it weren’t for Del Rosario as Barbs. Even directors Lana and Intalan concedes that the actor has greater talent than what his good looks can offer.

And Del Rosario feels good he’s got the looks and also the talent to be cast in Born Beautiful! *** Philippine bobsled teams in Canadian championship The Philippine National Bobsled Luge and Skeleton Association (PNBLSA), Inc. is fielding two, two-man bobsled teams in the upcoming Alberta Cup Provincial Championship, at the end of February, according to PNBLSA President and CEO Thelmo Cunanan, Jr..

The PNBLSA bobsledders are members of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), official partnerorganization of the PNBLSA. The two bodies signed an MOU in September 2018 to develop bobsled.

The PCG supplies the PNBLSA with athletes for the latter’s local and overseas training programs. At the Alberta Cup, organized by the Alberta Bobsleigh Association (ABA), the Filipino bobsledders will race against some of the best North American and international teams.

The PNBLSA is entering into a strategic partnership with the ABA, for the training of Filipino bobsledders, with the objective of making Calgary the team’s permanent home base. Last winter, two athletes of the PNBLSA trained in Innsbruck, Austria for four months and competed in bobsled derbies at the Europa Cup (as guest racers) and Tirol Cup, among others.

Explaining the move to Calgary, Consul Cunanan underscored the excellence of Canada’s winter sports program, the familiarity of the medium of instruction (English), and the support of the ABA and the Filipino-Canadian community.

“We are very excited to make Calgary our team’s new home as we admire Canadian bobsledders and their instructors who have greatly distinguished themselves. We also feel that the operating environment in Canada and the support of the ABA and the local Filipino community are ideal for the advancement of our team and our long-term objectives,” he said.

The ultimate goal of the team is to qualify for the Beijing Winter Olympics in 2022.

The principal sponsor of Philippine Bobsled Team Calgary 2019 is San Miguel Corporation. For more info: 09228425665/09175286295. *** Visit www.isah.red for more stories.

Follow me on Facebook (@isahvr), Twitter (@isahvred) and Instagram (@isahvred). ΙR

Motoring

FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 2019

C3

Class act: Isuzu tops Category 3 sales T HE Truck Manufacturers’ Association (TMA) and the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines (CAMPI) issued a joint report for 2018 showing that Isuzu emerged as the topselling brand in the light duty truck (Category 3) segment. Isuzu had total unit sales of 3,965 from January to December 2018, capturing 55.5% of the market share in that category.

TMA and Campi said Isuzu Philippines Corp. likewise increased its market share in that category compared to 2017 sales figures, when it had a 53.7% share of the market.

Isuzu continued its market dominance in the light duty truck category for 20 consecutive years, dating back to 1999.

The Isuzu brand also topped the overall Category 3, 4 (medium duty and buses) and 5 (heavy duty trucks) segments in the TMA-CAMPI yearend 2018 sales report, extending its dominant streak to 19 consecutive years.

Isuzu Philippines Corporation President Hajime Koso attributed the brand’s continued success to Isuzu’s global reputation as a world-class truckmaker, the adaptability and versatility of its trucks, and the full aftersales service of an extensive nationwide dealership network. This comprehensive suite of products and services embodies IPC’s commitment as a “professional partner” to its customers.

“For decades now, Isuzu has been known globally for its durable and dependable trucks that can withstand any challenges in transport operations. And with our collaboration with local body builders, our trucks have also been creatively engineered and designed to be suitable for whatever purposes our customers demand. Equally important is the aftersales support we provide to our clients

along with every purchase. This is the Isuzu Advantage.”

The Isuzu Advantage is the sum of IPC’s different customer support programs bolstering its world-class lineup of vehicles. The first advantage is IPC’s roster of durable, reliable, fuel-efficient vehicles. The second is its nationwide dealer network that now counts over 42 outlets complete with servicing facilities. The third is the reliable and prompt nationwide parts availability. Finally, IPC’s team of expert service technicians and field support personnel are on call to provide technical assistance whenever and wherever needed.

Koso added, “By being professional partners, IPC does not just supply world-class vehicles and treat our customers as mere clients, we treat them as partners.

Their growth is essential to IPC’s growth, the development of the Philippine transport sector and of the economy in general. Hence, we provide total support to our partners’ businesses with great products and aftersales support.”

IPC’s aftersales support has been proven to be of world-class standards, with technical teams from IPC consistently winning in global competitions, the most recent just last December 6, when Team Pilipinas was hailed Grand Champions at the Isuzu I-1 Grand Prix World Technical Competition at the Isuzu Monozukuri Service Training Center in Fujisawa, Japan.

Manila

Standard

TODAY

Department Administrative Order No . 19 -0 2 Series of 2019 IN THE MATTER OF THE PRELIMINARY DETERMINATION OF THE SAFEGUARD MEASURES CASE AGAINST THE IMPORTATION OF CEMENT FROM VARIOUS COUNTRIES (AHTN Codes 2523.2990 and 2523.9000) (Safeguard Measures Case No. 01-2018)

x----------------------------------------------------------------x

ORDER The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) initiated, motu proprio, a preliminary investigation to determine whether increased imports of cement is causing or threatening to cause serious injury to the domestic industry. The cement covered by the investigation is classified under AHTN Codes 2523.2990 and 2523.9000. The period covered by the investigation (POI) are the years 2013 to 2017.

Pursuant to Section 7 of the Safeguard Measures Act (RA 8800), “x x x the Secretary shall, on the basis of the evidence and submission of the interested parties, make a preliminary determination that increased imports of the product under consideration are a substantial cause of, or threaten to substantially cause, serious injury to the domestic industry. x x x” A review of the evidence made available to DTI shows: 1.

that the volume of cement imports • in absolute terms, increased continuously from 2013 to 2017, the period of investigation (POI); • the increases compared with the previous years are: in 2014 -70%, in 2015 -4,401 %, in 2016 -550%, in 2017 -72%.

• in relative terms, the share of imports also increased during the POI, from 0.02% in 2013 to 15% in 2017.

2.

that the domestic industry has suffered serious injury caused by increased imports based on the following: • during the POI, despite significant increases in market size, the market share of domestic manufacturers declined; • from having a small share in the domestic market from 2013 to 2015, the share of imported cement grew to 8% and 13% in 2016 and 2017, respectively; • while the domestic industry’s sales revenues increased from 2013 to 2016, it went down by P11.1 billion in 2017, a decline of 12% over the previous year; • as earnings before interest and taxes increased from 2013 to 2016 by 6%, 15%, and 8%, respectively, the industry experienced a sharp decline in earnings of 49% in 2017; • the weighted average landed cost of imports is lower than the average selling price of the domestic product indicating a price undercutting of 14%; • cement manufacturers have been forced to reduce prices by almost 10% to compete with lower-priced imported cement.

3.

that increased imports were the substantial cause of threat of serious injury to the domestic industry based on the following: • the significant increase in the volume of imported cement preceded the serious injury to the industry in 2017; • the conditions of competition show that the market share of locally produced cement was essentially displaced during the POI as the share of imports in the domestic market significantly increased.

WHEREFORE, IN VIEW THEREOF the DTI, acting under Section 7 of RA 8800, the “Safeguard Measures Act”, found after preliminary determination that increased imports of cement have caused serious injury to the domestic industry.

Further, pursuant to Section 8 of RA 8800 which provides that “in critical circumstances where a delay would cause damage which would be difficult to repair, and pursuant to a preliminary determination that increased imports are the substantial cause of serious injury to the domestic industry”, provisional safeguard measures in the form of a cash bond amounting to P210/MT shall be imposed on imported cement classified under AHTN Codes 2523.2990 and 2523.9000 for a period of 200 days from the date of issuance by the Bureau of Customs (BOC) of the relevant Customs Memorandum Order (CMO) or fifteen (15) days after the publication of the DTI Order in two (2) newspapers of general circulation, whichever comes earlier.

The shipments of cement that are in transit prior to the effectivity of this Order shall be exempted from the imposition of the provisional safeguard measure.

Imports originating from developing countries listed in Annex A covered by Rule 8.8 of the IRR of RA 8800 shall not be subject to the provisional safeguard measure.

Importers of cement originating from a country that is exempt from the provisional safeguard duty shall submit a Certificate of Origin (CO) issued by the authorized agency/office in the source country of manufacture authenticated by the Philippine Embassy/Consulate General.

Moreover, Rule 5.2 of the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of RA 8800 provides that “the Secretary when establishing that the application of a safeguard measure will be in the public interest shall take into consideration the following factors; among others: x x x (ii) the extent to which such imposition will cause a shortage of a product under consideration in the domestic market”.

Pursuant to the aforementioned provision, the DTI will require local manufacturers to maintain suggested retail price (SRP) while the hearing at the Tariff Commission is ongoing. Unreasonable price increases are indications of supply shortages. A review will be concluded to determine if the continued imposition of the provisional measure would be in the public interest.

The case records will be transmitted to the Tariff Commission for formal investigation to determine whether or not there is a need to impose a definitive safeguard measure.

The non-confidential report of the preliminary safeguard measures investigation can be accessed at this link: https://www.dti. gov.ph/media/advisories/12593-department-order-preliminary-determination-of-the-safeguard-measures-case-against-theimportation-of-cement-from-various-country.

The notification and consultation requirements under Article 12 of the WTO Safeguards Agreement and Section 17 of RA 8800 and its IRR shall be complied with. Imports originating from ASEAN member states shall be governed by the provisions of Articles 11 and 23 of the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA).

Let this Order be published in two (2) newspapers of general circulation and let individual notices be sent to all interested parties including the country members concerned.

This Order shall take effect fifteen (15) days after publication or from the date of the issuance of relevant BOC-CMO, whichever comes earlier.

SO ORDERED. 17 January 2019

Fuel of choice: Shell garners carmakers’ recommendations IT HAS been a remarkable year for Pilipinas Shell with six automobile manufacturers recommending Shell as their fuel of choice in the Philippines. These include: Mazda, Subaru, the Autohub Group―the local dealer of Mini Cooper and Vespa -- Hyundai, Toyota Manila Bay, and Toyota Talisay in Cebu.

They add to Shell’s prevailing global partnerships with Ferrari, BMW-M, and Ducati.

And to wrap up a prolific year, Shell adds Isuzu Philippines Corporation (IPC) to its roster of affiliates through a memorandum of agreement signing ceremony held recently at Top of the Citi in Makati.

In attendance were Pilipinas Shell President and CEO Cesar Romero, Pilipinas Shell Vice President for Retail Anthony Lawrence Yam, IPC President Hajime Koso, and IPC Division Head of Marketing Joseph Bautista.

With this agreement, Shell and IPC will be collaborating on various value-added offers to delight their loyal

customers and help them have better journeys in the succeeding year. As IPC now recommends Shell Fuels as the best partner for their vehicles, a Shell Welcome Kit will be given along with every new Isuzu vehicle purchase.

Every customer who buys an Isuzu car, will also receive 5k worth of Shell fuel vouchers plus a welcome kit that contains P600 worth of additional Shell fuel vouchers and information booklet.

“We highly value this partnership with the leading diesel-powered light commercial vehicles and trucks brand in the Philippines,” Romero said. He noted that the two powerhouse companies already have an existing tie up on commercial vehicles and fuels, but this is a first for Retail.

For his part, Bautista expressed confidence that the partnership is just the beginning of something bigger and better in the years to come. “With the synergy of these two global brands, we can come stronger for 2019 and beyond,” he said.

Seatedfrom left): The Memorandum of Agreement Signing Ceremony was led by IPC Division Head of Marketing Joseph Bautista, IPC President Hajime Koso, Pilipinas Shell President and CEO Cesar Romero, and Pilipinas Shell Vice President for Retail Anthony Lawrence Yam.At the back are Pilipinas Shell Brands and Marketing team and IPC Corporate Communications team.

RAMON M. LOPEZ Secretary

ANNEX A List of Developing Countries and Separate Customs Territories Excluded from the Imposition of Provisional Safeguard Measure on Cement East & Southern Africa Angola Bostwana Burundi Comoros Congo. Dem. Rep. Djibouti Eritrea Ethiopioa Kenya Lesotho Madgascar Malawi Mauritius Mozambique Namibia Reunion Rwanda Seychelles Somalia South Africa Sudan Swaziland Tanzania Uganda Zambia Zimbabwe

Europe & Central Asia Albania Armenia Azerbaijan BeIarus Bosnia & Herzegovina Bulgaria Croatia Cyprus Czech Republic Estonia Georgia Greenland Hungary Kazakhstan Kyrgyz Republic Latvia Lithuania Macedonia, FYR Malta Moldova Poland Romania Russian Federation Slovakia Slovenia Tajikistan Turkey Turkmenistan Ukraine Uzbekistan Yugoslavia, Fed. Rep.

West Africa Benin Burkina Faso Cameroon Cape Verde Central African Rep. Chad Congo, Rep. Cote d’ Ivoire Equatorial Guinea Gabon Gambia, The Ghana Guinea Guinea, Bissau Liberia Mali Mauritania Niger Negeria Sao Tome & Principe Senegal Sierra Leone Togo

Middle East Bahrain Iran, Islamic Rep. Iraq Israel Jordan Kuwait Lebanon Oman Qatar Saudi Arabia Syrian Arab Rep. United Arab Emirates West Bank & Gaza Yemen, Rep.

North Africa Algeria Egypt, Arab Rep. Libya Morocco Tunisia

Americas Anguilla Antigua & Barbuda Argentina Aruba Bahamas Barbados Belize Bermuda Bolivia Brazil British Virgin Is. Cayman Is. Chile Colombia Costa Rica Cuba Dominica Dominican Rep. Ecuador EI Salvador Falkland Is. (Malvinas) French Guiana Grenada Guadaloupe Guatemala Guyana Haiti Honduras Jamaica Martinique Mexico Montserrat Netherland Antilles Nicaragua Norfolk Is. Panama Paraguay Peru Puerto Rico St. Helena St. Kitts & Navis St. Lucia St. Pierre & Miquelon St. Vincent & the Grenadines Suriname Trinidad & Tobago Turks & Caicos Is. Uruguay US Virgin Is. Venezuela

South Asia Afghanistan Bangladesh Bhutan British Indian Ocean Territory East Timor India Maldives Nepal Pakistan Sri Lanka

East Asia & Pacific American Samoa Brunei Darussalam Cambodia Christmas Is. Cocos (Keeling) Is. Cook Is. Fiji French Polynesia Guam Hong Kong, China Indonesia Johnston Is. Kiribati Korea, Dem. Rep. Korea, Rep. Lao PDR Macau, China Malaysia Marshall Islands Micronesia, Fed. Sts. Midway Is. Mongolia Myanmar Nauru New Caledonia Niue Northern Marianas Is. Palau Papua New Guinea Pitcairn Is. Samoa Singapore Solomon Islands Taiwan, (R.O.C.) Tokelau Tonga Tuvalu Vanuatu Wake Is. Wallis & Futuna Is.

(MS-JAN. 25, 2019

RAMON L. TOMELDAN Editor

C4 FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 2019

Motoring

The formidable lineup of Suzuki autos yields a number of awards and boost sales despite the slumping auto industry.

Suzuki’s banner year: Sales growth, awards

W

ITH aggressive and competitive marketing strategies, pioneer compact car distributor Suzuki Philippines Inc. highlighted 2018 with 2.5 percent yearend sales growth and back-to-back awards and recognitions.

SPH sales for 2018 remained on the uptrend despite the slowdown faced by the automotive industry. The steady sales growth was attributed to the warm acceptance of the product and the brand along with successful dealership network expansion.

“Suzuki Philippines has been performing really well in the past months despite the challenges faced by the industry, thanks to the hard work of the whole team and the support we’ve been receiving from our customers and partners. Our newly introduced products—the new Dzire and new Swift— are very well-received by the market.

Our efforts to reach and boost our presence in other economic zones all over the country are also successful, with a total of nine dealerships inaugurated last year, of which seven are 3S dealerships offering sales, service, and spare parts to Filipino customers. All these are definitely part of our continued commitment to share the Suzuki Way of Life! with more Filipinos, and we

look forward to the unceasing support of everyone,” shared SPH Director and General Manager Keiichi Suzuki.

Top-selling vehicles Suzuki Philippines will continue to bring chart-topping quality vehicles designed to match the needs and characters of Filipinos and suited to the driving conditions in the country. The Ertiga, Celerio and Vitara remain the best-selling Suzuki models, collectively accounting for 56 percent of total sales in 2018.

The all-time popular family multipurpose vehicle Ertiga led last year’s lineup with 30 percent share of sales.

Its 7-seater capacity, fuel efficiency, and compact dimensions with spacious interior captured the hearts of many Filipino fans.

The crowd-favorite hatchback Celerio ranked second, accounting for 14 percent of sales. This compact car boasts a highly rigid and low-weight body for easier maneuverability and worry-free driving.

Coming close at third place is the subcompact crossover Vitara with 12 percent share of sales. This modern SUV has grabbed the attention of the automotive industry since its introduction in 2017 for to its high personalization features, fuel efficiency and affordability.

Back-to-back awards In addition to its outstanding sales performance for 2018, SPH marks another year of successive awards and accolades. The Vitara, Jimny and Dzire bagged awards from wellknown award-giving bodies.

The refreshed and innovative Vitara, introduced in late 2017, continues to hug the spotlight. After winning the CAGI Car of the Year Award under the Subcompact Crossover Category in 2017, Vitara made it to last year’s Car of the Year Awards by Top Gear Philippines. It ranked fifth on the editor’s top 5 industry picks and bagged the Reader’s Choice Value Pick Award, which was based on readers’ and online followers’ votes.

The Jimny was named Best Value for Money under the subcompact SUV Category during the 2018 STV Media’s Choice Award. Aside from its iconic look, this off-roader SUV features a sturdy yet compact body.

The recently launched Suzuki Dzire also stood out in its category, successfully bringing home the Best Mini Compact award from the 14th Annual

C! Awards. Its compact dimensions and innovative technology make this sedan the smart choice for Filipino drivers.

A more competitive industry in 2019 Fueled by the significant milestones achieved during the past year, SPH is even more passionate and dedicated to boost its foothold in the local automotive industry. Filipinos can look forward to more aggressive and strategic marketing efforts, new product launches, dealership openings and top-quality services from SPH this year.

A new and improved Ertiga is expected to be available early this year.

With its more sophisticated look and improved drivability, the 7-seater Ertiga is sure to capture the hearts of Filipino families.

The relentless excitement among local car enthusiasts and fans of the iconic 4x4 Jimny 2019 will not be in vain as the most-anticipated car of 2018 is set to penetrate the local market this year.

“SPH has always been creating and looking forward to more opportunities every year. We have many plans for 2019 not just to further boost the brand but to surpass our achievements last year if possible. We have prepared more aggressive marketing strategies and expansion initiatives to drive our goal of bringing the Suzuki Way of Life! to more Filipinos across the country,” said Suzuki.

Hyundai starts 2019 with a bang THERE’S nothing more thrilling than welcoming the New Year with a new you.

The bigger the change, the better, because it proves that you have the power to reinvent yourself and lead the life you want.

The good news is, you can blow everyone’s minds away with your biggest change yet this 2019: driving in a brand-new Hyundai.

And what better way to own one than with Hyundai’s “JANpacked” promo that’s fully packed with even simpler, easy-to-own packages to get you hitting the city and the outdoors with style in no time.

Hyundai “JANpacked” promo lets you enjoy the first two monthly amortizations under the 36-, 48- and 60-month terms for free.

Low monthly installment options are also available. Imagine driving your very first crossover, the Kona, at 12,727 pesos a month, or taking your SUV lifestyle up a notch with the Tucson at just 12,532 pesos a month, or go big and bring the whole family in a Grand Starex at only 24,530 pesos a month. What’s more, there are low down payment deals with lighter financing terms that afford you greater convenience in owning a Hyundai fast and easy.

The peak of motoring excitement is definitely within your reach, and Hyundai makes it possible in so many ways! So get moving and make it happen this 2019 with Hyundai “JANpacked.”

This explosive January promo is made possible by Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc., the official distributor of Hyundai passenger cars and commercial vehicles in the Philippines, in partnership with: BPI, Security Bank, RCBC, PNB, Chinabank, Maybank, EastWest Bank, and UCPB. Hyundai’s “JANpacked” promo runs until January 31, 2019 .

JC SENATE, UNIOIL SEAL CO-BRANDING DEAL Schumi son signs up THE JCI Senate Philippines has signed a memorandum of agreement with Unioil Petroleum Philippines, Inc. for co-branded loyalty cards which will provide members of the JCI Senate Philippines with special benefits every time the card is presented during purchase of participating Unioil products such as gasoline 91, 95, 97 and diesel. The cost of the initial card will be shouldered by Unioil.

The JCI member cardholder will earn points with equivalent value for every liter of fuel purchased which can then be used to buy fuel products from participating Unioil stations.

Under the agreement, JCI Senate will inform, invite and encourage its member to avail of the JCI Senate Card. It will also ensure that the cards are distributed only to JCI members. It is also responsible for the storage, distribution and release of the cards. The loyalty partnership is exclusive to Unioil for the fuel industry during the three-year contract duration until 31 March 2021 unless terminated by either Party in accordance with the agreement.

Signatories to the MOA were UPPI Chief Operating Officer Kenneth C. Pundanera and JCI Senate Philippines President Domingo O. Roque Jr.

with Ferrari academy

Unioil and JC Senate Philippines seal the co-branding deal with a handshake.

FIA FORMULA 3 European Champion Mick Schumacher, son of former Scuderia Ferrari driver and seventime Formula 1 champion, Michael Schumacher has signed up for a contract with Ferrari Driver Academy.

Schumacher will be racing in the 2019 FIA Formula 2 Championship, from next week and will be taking part in the pre-season preparation activities with fellow FDA drivers.

The other 2019 FDA drivers are Giuliano Alesi and Callum Ilott, who will race in Formula 2 too, Marcus Armstrong and Robert Shwartzman, racing in FIA Formula 3, Enzo Fittipaldi, racing in FIA Formula Regional (Europe), and Gianluca Petecof in FIA Formula 4 (Italy and Germany).

Mattia Binotto, Team Principal of Scuderia Ferrari commented: “For someone like me who has known him from birth, there’s no doubt that welcoming Mick into Ferrari has a special emotional meaning, but we have chosen him for his talent and the human and professional qualities that have already distinguished him despite his young age.”

Mick Schumacher said: “I am thrilled that Ferrari has entered a partnership with me and my next future in motorsport will be in red, being part of the Ferrari Driver Academy and also of the Scuderia Ferrari Family. Again, this is another step forward in the right direction, and I can only profit from the immense amount of expertise bundled there. Be sure I will make everything to extract whatever helps me achieve my dream, racing in Formula 1.